Shareware Grab Bag/Shareware Grab Bag.iso/001/pctb.mac

Text File | 1985-05-29 | 14KB | 331 lines

      Revised 2/15/85


                             SOME PC-TALK VERSION B MACROS

      The PC-TALK version B has macro capabilities which give it a lot more
      power than the original version.  Jim Gainsley has made a quite drastic
      improvement in the program and to understand this doc file fully, you
      should have already read PC-TALKB.DOC and particularly the section
      regarding macros.  When reading the file, pay particular attention to
      the different type of macros available. Jim has just added a type 5
      macro which eliminates most of the manual pacing which was required in
      PC-TalkA level 841130.

      Among some of PC-TalkB's macro features are:

      The ability to wait for a character and send a string of characters,
      i.e. wait for ! and send a GO PCS-131.  Note that PC-TalkB can only wait
      for one character, and not a string of characters.  Thus when choosing a
      character to key off of, it is very important to choose the right one.

      Timed Pacing:
           While executing macros, it is possible to have the macro pause in
           places in which CIS has pauses, e.g. Request Recorded, One Moment
           Please.  Timed pacing is necessary with PC-TalkB because CIS
           frequently cannot accept the transmission when PCTB is sending it.
           If you do not have the pacing down correctly, you may experience
           transmission errors.  PC-TalkB will then give the message,
           "***MACRO TERMINATED***" message.

      Execute PC-TALK Commands:
           Commands such as open a capture file, call an alternate key input
           file, and clear the screen may be programmed into a macro.  This is
           an extremely nice offering as it is now possible to capture a file
           without specifying a name. This is done via an Alt key file and
           will be explained in a sample macro below.  In this release of PC-
           TALK, he has also added a PC-TALK.ALT file which if present is
           loaded as a default alt key file.  You no longer have to interrupt
           your macro to specify an alt key filename.

      Lastly, you can write macros which can execute a series of commands
      including accepting variable input fields.  With this much power, it is
      almost possible to do a unattended download.  Only thing which prevents
      it from being unattended is the fact that you cannot execute a macro at
      a particular time of day.

      The following are some of my macros which I use for the IBM sig:

      ***********************************************************************
      PLEASE NOTE:  Any references to asciixx (where "xx" is a two digit
      number) requires that you must enter the ascii value inside of your PCTA
      macro by holding the alt key down and entering the "xx" value via the
      numeric keypad. If you have ProKey, then you must hold down the Alt
      *and* Left Shift key. After entering the number, effect is given upon
      release of the key(s).
      ***********************************************************************



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                1001|2O~^C|2:70000,0000}|2:pass*word}|2S^PG PCS131}


      This first macro simply logs me onto the sig. 1001 is a type 1 macro
      which simply dials directory number 1.  It just so happens that CIS is
      the first entry in my PCTB directory.

      The |20~^C portion of the macro, a #2 macro, waits for a 0 in CONNECT
      1200. The tilde informs PC-TalkB to wait 3 seconds before sending a
      control C. Notice that for illustrative purposes, control C has been
      pictured as ^C. The ^ means the Control key.  You should actually hold
      the control key down and press C once.

      NOTE:  This option may not work unless you set the X1 parameter in the
      PC-TalkB Default file under "Modem Init".  (Alt-F in terminal mode.)  To
      do this, simply type ATX1.  (Sorry, only Hayes compatible modems may use
      the AT command.)  This allows you to see the message CONNECT 1200 rather
      than just CONNECT.  If you can't get this portion to work, try waiting
      for the "T" in CONNECT instead,  e.g. |2T~^C.  (The reason I key off of
      the "0" in 1200 instead of the "T" in CONNECT is to let the Hayes settle
      down a bit.  The macros seem to work much better if this parameter is
      entered.)

      |2:70000,0000}|2:pass*word} is pretty much self explanatory. The type 2
      macro waits for a character and sends a string of characters.  In this
      case, we are waiting for the ":" in "User Id:" and sending the CIS
      account number.  The "}" represents a carriage return and should be
      entered as such in the Alt-K macro section.

      |2S^PG PCS131} is another type 2 macro.  I wait for the capital S in
      CompuServe and send a control P.  Once again, notice that I am using the
      ^ symbol for the control key.  Use the control key and hold down P
      instead of entering the carat symbol.

      The CIS ^P interrupt is used to bypass both the 1200 baud message and
      the CIS-1 main menu.  It is an extremely quick method for logging into
      the sig.  After all, these macros are designed to save CIS connect time.
      Upon sending the interrupt, G PCS131 is sent.  G PCS131 is an
      abbreviation for GO PCS-131. If you happen to be a regular member of the
      INF, substitute G PCS129 instead.

               1001|20~^C|2:70000,0000}|2:pass*word}|2S^PG PCS131}|2:~
               |3R|48|5RTN}}}}}OFF}|2(ascii04)~(esc)|2E~Another successful
               download!!!!

      The first portion of this macro has been explained in the previous macro.

      |2:~|3R|48 waits for the ":" in "Function:".  It then does a 3 second
      pause pause, opens a file (type 3 macro executes a PC-TALK command), and
      calls the filename from the Alt-8 position of the alt key file which was
      originally defined in a PC-TALK.ALT file.  It then performs a type 5
      macro which sends the string "RTN".  The type 5 macro has just been
      added to this release of PC-TalkB.  Previously you had to perform a type
      2 macro and a 3 second pause to start a macro from a standstill.  The
      type 5 macro has eliminated the need for this.




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      After sending the "RTN", five carriage returns are pumped into the
      buffer. This is done to skip past any "(UA RE T):" messages which are
      present with marked messages waiting for you.  Please keep in mind that
      in order to have these macros work effectively, you need to set your sig
      options (OP at the Function: prompt to non-stop (NS) and brief (BR)).

      If you are an active member, you may need to enter more than 5 carriage
      returns.  Sysops typically have to enter at least 10 to allow them to
      download without monitoring its progress.  After PCTB sends its carriage
      returns, the macro sends an "OFF".  This simply sends an OFF at the
      Function: prompt. It is very well possible that you send more carriage
      returns then messages received. If this is the case, the extra returns
      will be sent at the "Function:" prompt. This will not do any harm.

      With all of this in mind, you now have the luxury of getting up and
      making yourself a nice hot pot of coffee instead of monitoring your
      thread download.

      ALT KEY FILES

      The main use (for me) of using Alt key files is to store filenames and
      various ppn's.  The purpose of the type 3 and 4 macro combination is to
      allow you to capture a file to diskette without specifying a filename.
      This is just one extra goody that Jim has provided us.  Other Alt keys I
      find quite helpful are cat *.*}, cat/des}, and cat/age=}.  The } symbol
      represents a carriage return.

      The next portion |2(ascii04)~(esc) works on the Smartmodem. Whether it
      works on other modems, I'm not sure.  As PCTB drops comm from
      CompuServe, it receives an ascii04 (looks like a solid diamond).  The
      (esc) key closes the capture file currently open.  I have used this as
      the character I key off of.  I am however relying that the fellow
      members of this sig do not enter this charac- ter in any of their
      messages.  If such is the case, the macro will end prematurely.

      NOTE 1:   ascii04 must be entered by holding down the Alt key and
                pressing "04" (without quotes) on the numeric keypad. (Prokey
                must be de-activated)

      NOTE 2:   Waiting for unusual ascii characters such as ascii04 has
                unpredictable  results with certain versions of Sidekick.

      Finally the last portion of the macro is my dry sense of humor. I was so
      happy getting the macro to work consistently, I added the message
      "Another successful download!!!".  This message is keyed off of the
      "E" in "NO CARRIER".  To each his own <grin>. You'll like the
      tune it plays at the end of the macro!!!


      DL DATABASE MACROS

    |5DOW |2(ascii31)/PROT:CAPTURE/TYP:ASCII}|2(ascii18)~|3R|2(ascii20)~(esc)

      This macro is used for capturing ascii text files or basic files stored
      in ascii.  Make sure you are at the DLn: prompt before executing this
      macro.



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      |5DOW |2(ascii31) - The macro begins with the newly added type 5 macro.
      As mentioned before, a type 5 is used to start a macro from a dead
      standstill, i.e. at a "DLn" or "Function:" prompt.  This portion of the
      macro then waits for ascii31.  Ascii 31, as Jim describes in the manual,
      is used for variable input fields.  PCTB will wait for something which
      it will never receive.  Thus you may then enter a variable length field
      and have the macro continue by entering the { symbol.  In case you
      forget to enter this symbol, PCTB will remind you that you have this
      option available to you on line 25 of your screen.

      /PROT:CAPTURE/TYP:ASCII} is the syntax used for downloading ascii files
      in the capture mode.  Note that if you try downloading a binary file
      with this method, you will receive it in Intel hex.  You will then need
      CVTBIN.COM to convert it.

      |2(ascii18}~|3R will have PCTB wait for ascii18 which is what CIS gives
      you to key off of to begin your capture.  Thus PCTB will catch the
      ascii18, pause for 3 seconds and open a file.  You must then specify the
      filename you wish to name it.   I suppose you could call the filename
      from a type 4 macro and call it something like temp and rename it, but I
      decided against it for the reason that you may forget to rename the file
      after you receive it.

      NOTE:   ascii18 looks like a twin sided arrowhead in terminal mode and a
              "R" in the Alt-K section. |2(ascii20}~(esc) will find the
              symbol, pause and then close the file.  Pacing is necessary for
              opening and closing the files to prevent PCTB from term- inating
              the macro in progress.  You now have downloaded an ascii file
              quickly and painlessly!

      NOTE:   ascii20 looks like a paragraph symbol in terminal mode and a "T"
              in the Alt-K section.


                        |5DOW |2(ascii31)/PROT:XMODEM/TYP:BINARY}


      This macro operates in the same fashion as the above macro; the
      exception being that this downloading method is for binary files.
      Binary files include exe, com, lbr, and dqc files.  Basically, anything
      which is not a straight ascii file should be downloaded in binary.  The
      advantage of an xmodem down- load is that a "hit" is not as likely to
      interrupt your download.  I'm sure that a lot of you have downloaded hex
      files in ascii, only to have a "hit" destroy everything.

      Please note that this macro is not as automatic as the previous one.
      Once you receive the "Starting xmodem transfer..." message, you must
      physically open the file (Alt-R) and specify its filename.  Fortunately,
      PCTB will automat- ically close it for you upon completion.  Upon
      receiving the "eof verified" message, hit the carriage return once to
      bring you back to the DL prompt.

      Hopefully, this will give you some insight to design macros for your own
      personal use.  Please note that I do not guarantee the accuracy of these
      macros and do not accept responsibility should these macros get you
      blown off of the system.  They consistently work for me.  My equipment
      includes an IBM PC w/ 640K, hard disk and a Hayes Smartmodem 1200.


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      I am accessing CIS through a direct node.  I'm not quite certain of the
      results through a network.  Should these macros work on other systems, I
      would be very happy if you could let either me or one of the Sysops
      know.  Enjoy...

      Bryan Tsunoda
      Computer-ease
      [70251,202]



















































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