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SPORT
WIDE AREA INFORMATION TRANSFER SYSTEM
USERS GUIDE
Version 1.40
November 1, 1991
Documentation:
(c) 1989, 1991 Augustine Associates,
All Rights Reserved
Software:
(c) 1989, 1991 Satore Center Software
All Rights Reserved
[I] OVERVIEW
========
The SPORT software package is designed to serve people who
interact collaboratively in more than one location.
SPORT is a Wide Area Information Transfer and Remote Resource
Management System which provides instantaneous, unattended direct
transmission of messages, files and instructions between Personal
Computers via modems and phone lines.
SPORT includes both mail and terminal capabilities, as well as an
enhanced capacity to remotely manage computer system resources.
You can use SPORT almost immediately and, as you become more
experienced, you can enjoy its many advanced features.
SPORT is designed to be configured by users to reflect their
needs. The program support files are written in ASCII, a
universal text format, which means they can be edited by any text
editor and most word processors.
The documentation is divided into a Users Guide and an Operators
Manual, so you can easily set up and use SPORT, and later
customize its features as you need them. The Users Guide contains
the basic information needed for the novice user. The Operators
Manual is available to registered users and contains more
complete and technical information, which will help users take
full advantage of the many capabilities of SPORT.
[II] SUMMARY OF SPORT FUNCTIONS
==========================
Mail - Messages to one or many recipients.
Mail with File(s) Attached - Any kind of files may be sent.
Automatic File Requesting - A line within a message that causes
files to be received from the target system in the same session.
Mass Mail - Have one or many lists for mass mailings.
Routing - Ability to automatically route incoming mail.
Mail Compression - Ability to automatically pack and unpack files
before sending and after receipt.
SPORT News - Ability to have important information displayed on
the screen of receiving systems.
Remote Programming - A line within a message triggers activities
on the target system.
Event Scheduling - Ability to designate multiple daily or weekly
SPORT or DOS events.
Conferencing - Ability to design automatic conferences so mail is
circulated according to planned topography.
Library Management - Ability to maintain a number of separate
mail libraries. Send messages to specific libraries on target
system.
Mail Special Session Interface Support - Ability to receive and
send mail to/from other mail programs.
Intermittent Command Processing - Ability to process commands in
the background.
Subsystems - Allow callers access to one or two subsystems.
Remote Mail - Ability to access mail functions on a remote
system.
Remote Services - Pre-programmed remote services for callers.
Special Session Interface Support - Ability to use passwords to
access various levels and functions.
Remote BBS - Ability to send entire package of information and
executable files programmed for a target system.
SPORT - Introduction Page 3
[II] TABLE OF CONTENTS
=================
[I] OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
[II] SUMMARY OF SPORT FUNCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
[II] TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
[III] REGISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
[IV] SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
[V] LEGAL NOTICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
[1] GETTING STARTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
[1.1] SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
[1.2] SOME DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
[1.3] SECURITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
[2] INSTALLING SPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
[2.1] THE PATH AND CONFIG.SYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
[2.2] INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
[2.3] MODEMS AND INITIALIZATION STRINGS . . . . . . . . 9
[2.4] ADVANCED CONFIGURATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
[2.5] PHONE INDEX LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
[2.6] PERSONAL MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
[2.7] SPREP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
[3] SENDING MAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
[3.1] RUNNING SPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
[3.2] CREATING MAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
[3.3] THE PERSONAL MEMO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
[3.4] THE FULL SCREEN EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
[3.5] YOUR CUSTOMIZED MESSAGE HEADER . . . . . . . . . . 15
[3.6] ENTERING A MESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
[3.7] ATTACHING FILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
[3.8] APPENDING MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
[3.9] POLLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
[4] RECEIVING MAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
[4.1] THE MAIL MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
[4.2] RECEIVING A MESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
[4.3] INCOMING FILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
[4.4] THE LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
[4.5] READING MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
[4.6] SPORTARC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
[4.7] SPORTBBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
[5] SPORT UTILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
[5.1] THE UTILITIES MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
[5.2] FILE REQUESTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
SPORT - Introduction Page 4
[5.3] SPORTU MAIL UTILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
[5.4] SPORTRM REMOTE MAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
[5.5] SPORTEX EXTENDED MAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
[5.6] SPORTPAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
[6] OPERATING SPORT AS A TERMINAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
[6.1] THE TERMINAL MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
[6.2] DIALING A NUMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
[6.3] UP AND DOWNLOADING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
[7] BEING A HOST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
[7.1] BANNERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
[7.2] REMOTE ACCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
[7.3] SUBSYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
[8] MANAGING YOUR SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
[8.1] THE SYSTEM ADMINSTRATOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
[8.2] POSTMAIL PROCESSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
[8.3] EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
[8.4] ROUTING MAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
[8.5] CONFERENCING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
[8.6] SPECIAL SESSION INTERFACE SUPPORT . . . . . . . . 32
[8.7] INTERMITTENT COMMAND PROCESSING . . . . . . . . . 32
[9] MODEM INSTALLATION CHECKLIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
[10] TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
[10.1] INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
[10.2] THE FULL-SCREEN EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
[10.3] MAIL AND MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
[10.4] TERMINAL MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
[10.5] TSR's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
[10.6] SPORT AND DESQVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
SPORT - Introduction Page 5
[III] REGISTRATION
============
The distribution version of the SPORT program has a registration
number 0000000. This version is fully operational and full
featured and will exchange mail with ANY other SPORT system, as
well as function as a terminal. Upon quitting the program, a 30
second screen is displayed requesting that you register.
We will provide registered copies of SPORT that will have a
unique registration number and will not have the 30 second
screen.
Any uniquely registered SPORT system will exchange mail with any
other SPORT system except one with the same registration number.
To get your registration key, send a check or money order for $36
(US) for the first registration and $8 each for up to three more
registrations to Augustine Associates, 67 Wool Street, San
Francisco, CA 94110. With your request please provide the
following information:
Name, Address, City, State, Zip, and a 7 digit Phone or Net/Node
number. These are required. We would appreciate knowing your Data
Line number, Hours of Operation, Baud Rate, and the type of modem
you are using. Additional information or comments would be
appreciated.
When we have all the required information we will mail you a 5
1/4" disk with your personal key and the Operators Manual in
ASCII format.
The key is a short utility program which comes in the form of
a self-extracting archive. EACH KEY IS UNIQUE, AS IS EACH COPY OF
SPORT WHICH USES THE KEY. That is, once the key has been applied
to your copy of SPORT it is the same as having a registered copy.
You only need to do this once. Any future versions of SPORT
will be automatically registered.
Let us know if you are interested in being in touch with other
SPORT users. Distribution arrangements and site licenses are
available.
[IV] SUPPORT
========
Support by SPORT Mail is available for registered users from
Augustine Associates. Net/Node 5210/10 in 415 Area Code or
5210/20 outside the 415 area code. The data line phone number is
(415) 648-8120. If you are requesting a response, you should poll
back in two or three days to receive your answer. Voice support
SPORT - Introduction Page 6
will be provided Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays 7 to 10 PM and
on Saturdays 10AM to 1 PM (Pacific Standard Time).
You may also contact Bob Ernstthal of Augustine Associates on
CompuServe, 70323,3003.
[V] LEGAL NOTICE
============
The SPORT Wide Area Information Transfer System (c) and its
utilities from Satore Center Software are provided as is, with no
warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.
Under no circumstances will Satore Center Software, or Augustine
Associates, be liable to you or anyone else for any damages, lost
profits, savings or data in any form or for any other incidental
or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to
use this program and system.
All Satore Center Software, and Augustine Associates products are
copywritten. SPORT is neither in the Public Domain nor Freeware,
but is Shareware, and we ask users to register.
SPORT - Introduction Page 7
[1] GETTING STARTED
[1.1] SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
===================
An IBM compatible computer with 384K RAM.
A hard disk.
A modem with the Hayes compatible instruction set and a
true modem cable.
[1.2] SOME DEFINITIONS
================
The SPORT program is contained in the files SPORT.EXE and
SPORT.OVR. There are also many EXE files which comprise the
various utility functions.
SPORT interfaces with the user via a collection of RAW and CTL
(ConTroL) and BAT (BATch) files. Some of these files are
interrelated.
The program must know how your system is configured. The
configuration file is called SFLASH.RAW and is basically
constructed for you during installation. But you may edit it to
change or enhance your set up using the CFG option from the
Utilities Menu.
You must be able to enter the phone numbers ("addresses") of the
systems with which you wish to be in contact. The Phone Index
List is called SPORT.RAW. You may build it using the IDX option
from the Utilities Menu.
You will be dealing with these two files. There are other batch
and control files which you may configure as you enhance your use
of SPORT.
[1.3] SECURITY
========
There are many kinds of security available with the SPORT system.
For example, you may lock the Mailer Menu with Ctl L. You may
also set your system for "PRIVATEMAIL".
The password for both these options is the one declared for the
Password for Remote Access (REMOTEPASS in your configuration
file), SFLASH.RAW. Know your password before you use Ctl L!
Various security features are covered in more detail in the
Operators Manual.
SPORT - Getting Started Page 8
[2] INSTALLING SPORT
[2.1] THE PATH AND CONFIG.SYS
=======================
The SPORT installation process will automatically create three
subdirectories: \SPORT, \SPORT\INCOMING and \SPORT\DOCS. The
\SPORT subdirectory should be on your PATH. For instructions on
how to set the path, see your DOS manual.
SPORT requires at least 20 files designated by the line
FILES=20
in your CONFIG.SYS file.
Be alert to the possibility that TSR's (RAM resident programs),
may not get along well with SPORT. If you should experience any
system problems, remove all TSR's and try running SPORT again.
You may then add each TSR in turn until you can identify which
one is causing the problem. The guilty TSR should be eliminated
when you are running SPORT.
[2.2] INSTALLATION
============
Place SPORTnnn.EXE (nnn is the version number) in the root
directory of the drive on which you want to install SPORT, type
SPORTnnn and follow the instructions.
If you have obtained SPORT in a three disk set, place disk #1 in
drive A: and follow the instructions in the "README.DOC" file.
If you have obtained SPORT in one or three compressed files,
unpack the files into a Subdirectory named \SPORT and and follow
the instructions in the "README.DOC" file.
[2.3] MODEMS AND INITIALIZATION STRINGS
=================================
During the last part of the the installation process, you will be
asked to select the modem you are using. If the exact model that
you have does not appear on the list, first try choosing a "Hayes
type" with the appropriate baud rate and if this is not
satisfactory, choose the SPORT default.
Programs that use communications in an unattended mode need to
have modems respond to the software very exactly and reliably.
SPORT - Installation Page 9
There are a wide variety of modems and many have unique
requirements. We have made every effort to cover as many brands
of modems as we could. If you have a true Hayes compatible modem,
you should not need to do more than the installation procedure to
have it configured to run with SPORT.
A majority of systems will have no modem problems with SPORT. If
this is your situation, you may skip this whole discussion. There
is more information about modem installation in Section [9].
Problems
---------
If you are having a problem getting SPORT on line, it could be
with the port or with the modem. The nature of the problem will
be shown on the screen and in the file SPORT.LOG. Port problems
are explained in Section [10].
Hint: If you are having port or modem initialization
problems, you can invoke sport in the test mode using
RUNSPORT X
This will run SPORT in the test mode without accessing the
port or modem and allow you to edit the configuration file.
When you want to try the program "online", don't use the X
anymore. In the program, use U G to edit the configuration
file.
If you run SPORT and get the message "Unable to Initialize
Modem", and have checked that the modem is connected and turned
on, you may want to start your investigation by running
SMODEM
from the system prompt. This will rerun the last part of the
installation utility and provide you with a list of known modems,
and will automatically insert the string in your configuration
file. You may have better results by choosing another modem type.
If this does not work, or you want to enhance your system
performance you will have to manipulate the SFLASH.RAW
configuration file to get the software and your modem to work
together in the best possible way.
If you see the message "Trouble Initializing Modem" come up a few
times, then initialize correctly, you may only need to adjust the
MODEMINITSPEED to a slower speed.
SPORT - Installation Page 10
The Configuration File
----------------------
SPORT reads every line in the configuration file that does not
have an exclamation point on the left margin. The standard
pattern is:
!KEYWORD [Command] or [Option]
Therefore you "uncomment" a keyword to use it by deleting the
exclamation point; you "comment out" to not use a keyword by
inserting an exclamation point.
SPORT provides four main keywords in the SFLASH.RAW configuration
file to deal with your modem.
One is the keyword "MODEMINIT" which is followed by the
Modem Initialization string.
Second, there is the keyword "FASTMODEM", which is
specifically for modems which will accept commands at high
speed.
Third, there are five "MODEMINITSPEED" settings to control
the speed at which the software talks to the modem.
Fourth, there is the keyword "NOMODEMRESET" which speeds
operation if you have a modem that consistently and
automatically resets itself to a known state.
Note that you can only use FASTMODEM OR ONE AND ONLY ONE of the
MODEMINITSPEED options. Should you use FASTMODEM as well as one
of the MODEMINITSPEED options, FASTMODEM will take precedence. If
you use more than one MODEMINITSPEED option, the last one in your
configuration file will be the one used by SPORT.
Modem Installation Summary
--------------------------
General Operation
- - - - - - - - -
You >Select your modem during installation.
SPORT >Enters an initialization string after the keyword
MODEMINIT in the CFG file.
>Enters MODEMINITSPEED MEDIUM.
High Performance Operation
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
SPORT - Installation Page 11
You >Select your modem during installation.
>Check the initialization string in the CFG file
after the keyword MODEMINIT and make sure it has a
complete command set that will reset the modem.
>Use the keyword "NOMODEMRESET" and make sure you
are using "MODEMINITSPEED MEDIUM".
Fastest Operation
- - - - - - - - -
You >Select your modem during installation.
>Check the initialization string after the keyword
MODEMINIT and make sure it has a complete command
set that will reset the modem.
>Use the keyword "NOMODEMRESET", comment out
"MODEMINITSPEED MEDIUM" and uncomment the keyword
"FASTMODEM".
If you are having difficulties, please see Section [9] for a
further discussion of installing your modem.
[2.4] ADVANCED CONFIGURATION
======================
You may add expanded options to your set-up at any time by
choosing the Edit CFG (ConFiGuration file) option from the
Utilities Menu.
There are many functions of SPORT which may be used by
uncommenting keywords in the configuration file. You may select
the designation of your function keys, aliases you would like to
use and so on. You may want to look into the CFG file and
customize some items. A full explanation of the custom options is
included in the Operators Manual.
If you choose to use your own text editor from DOS to modify the
SFLASH.RAW Configuration file and/or SPORT.RAW Phone Index files,
be sure to run SPREP to make these changes permanent and
available to SPORT. See Section [2.7].
[2.5] PHONE INDEX LIST
================
You should set up your Phone Index List using IDX from the
Utilities Menu. The utility that helps you build your list will
SPORT - Installation Page 12
offer you a series of questions relating to each system you wish
to contact.
There are only three choices which you must make. One is the
Net/Node number or Alias for the address. This can be the phone
number or any other number or name that the target system calls
itself. You must also enter the phone number and the baud rate of
the receiving system. If you are not sure, you might choose 2400,
which is very common. You may want to enter something as a
comment, to help reference the number for you. All other entries
are special services or functions which you may add at a later
time.
There is more information on addressing in Section [3.6].
[2.6] PERSONAL MENU
=============
The installation will create a default Personal Menu which can be
accessed using Ctl P. You are free to experiment with these
functions. Be aware that #1 and #2 will archive the messages that
have already been read and that #8 allows you to modify all your
configuration files.
This menu is easily customizable using the file SPORT.MNU and
appropriate entries in the RUNSPORT.BAT file. This handy function
allows you to have SPORT display a menu from which you can select
other programs you use on your system, and when you are finished
with them recall SPORT automatically. How to do this is explained
in the Operators Manual.
[2.7] SPREP
=====
After you edit your Configuration File and/or Phone Index List
files from within SPORT, and choose to make the changes
permanent, the utility SPREP is automatically run.
If you edit using an external text editor from outside of SPORT,
you must run SPREP to prepare the files for use by the program.
Running SPREP causes the essential information in:
SFLASH.RAW to become the file SFLASH.CFG;
and
SPORT.RAW to become the file SPORT.IDX
This concept is important to understand. The documentation refers
SPORT - Installation Page 13
to the "CFG" and "IDX" files. The function of SPREP is to
automatically make the ASCII file SFLASH.RAW become the encrypted
file SFLASH.CFG, and the ASCII file SPORT.RAW become the ASCII
file SFLASH.IDX. The encrypting is done for security purposes.
Practically, you will be always editing the RAW files, not the
CFG or IDX files. SPREP also checks for errors in your SPORT.RAW
file.
[3] SENDING MAIL
[3.1] RUNNING SPORT
=============
After you have installed SPORT, you will have a batch file made
for you called "RUNSPORT.BAT". Type
RUNSPORT
at the prompt and you are ready to go. Use Alt H for help. A log
file, called SPORT.LOG will record your SPORT activity. You may
view the log by using Ctl E from the Mailer Menu. At midnight
every day, or when you run the Housekeeping function, a new log
will be started and the old log saved and named for the date. The
end of the log will provide a summary of the days' activity. You
will have to manage or deleted old log files because they will
build up on your system.
You can edit the RUNSPORT batch file to add a variety of
functions to customize and enhance your system. They are
described more fully in the file itself and in the Operators
Manual.
[3.2] CREATING MAIL
=============
When SPORT is online the Main Screen displays the mail in your
library, its source and date and whether it has been read or not.
The bar across the top of this screen contains pull-down menus.
You may select letters on the keyboard or a use a mouse to pull
down the Mail, System or Utilities Menus. To return from the
menus to the Main Screen, use Escape, or the right mouse button.
To create mail, use M E from the Main Screen.
Messages are referred to as "Flash" messages because they were
designed to be like cover letters; brief and to the point, either
conveying reasonably short amounts of information and/or
describing the attached material. A Flash Message created by the
SPORT - Installation Page 14
built-in editor is limited to 100 lines of text, including the
header.
Flash Messages are always created in flat ASCII, a standard text
format, which allows for maximum flexibility. Any text editor and
most word processors will create ASCII files. You may use your
favorite text editor with SPORT by using the keyword "EDITOR" and
its full path and filename in the CFG file.
[3.3] THE PERSONAL MEMO
=================
Using Ctl O from the Mailer Screen, you can make a message to
yourself that will be automatically placed in the Library. It
makes use of the SPORTU R(obot) function. Once in the Library,
the memo may be handled like any other piece of mail.
[3.4] THE FULL SCREEN EDITOR
======================
During installation, the full-screen text editor SPORTEDT.EXE is
placed in the SPORT default directory and becomes the default
editor.
However, there is flexibility in your choice of editors. If an
external editor is declared in your CFG file, the external editor
will be used. If you do not select an external editor, and
SPORTEDT.EXE is present in the SPORT subdirectory it will be used
to make messages. If SPORTEDT is NOT present, the SPORT line
editor will be used.
SPORTEDT will be automatically used after you enter the heading
of the message. You will be asked if you want to merge any other
text file into your message . If you answer [Return] or N, you
will start to write the body of the message.
The header and footer of messages are automatically created by
SPORT and should not be edited in any way. The receiving system
needs to have this information in a certain precise format.
[3.5] YOUR CUSTOMIZED MESSAGE HEADER
==============================
Your installation creates the file SFLASH.HDR for you. It will
appear at the top of any message you write. You may wish to edit
this file to give your messages a more customized look.
SPORT - Sending Mail Page 15
[3.6] ENTERING A MESSAGE
==================
When you use E)nter Mail from the SPORT Mail Options Menu to
create mail, the first prompt you will see as you begin to enter
a message is:
To:
This can be ANYONE or ANYTHING. The "address" part of the message
comes later. You may also do a "Mass Mailing" which is discussed
in the Operators Manual.
Next you will be asked for the subject, for informational and
indexing purposes. If you are using the default editor, you will
be asked if you want to read a text file into the message.
Now you may type in your message. Your words will wrap to the
next line automatically. When you are finished entering your
message, use Alt Q (Quit and Save). If you are using your own
text editor you have to save it now.
After you have saved your message, you will be asked if you want
to structure the text. This command allows you reformat your
message. All lines that do not begin with a colon (:), a bar (|)
or a preceding carat (>) which denotes a quotation will be
reformated. You will then be asked for the address to which you
want to send the message.
If you enter a question mark, you will access your Phone Index
List to obtain the address. The utility SPORTID is used to manage
your Phone Index List. It will make it easy for you to make this
file. Since SPORTID can hold 500 addresses it will use quite a
bit of extra memory when called.
Addresses are INDEXED in the IDX file to the phone number of the
system to which you are sending mail.
This is how an address is indexed to a phone number in an IDX
file line:
8219556.FLS,8219556;2400 Bill at Acme
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
[1] This is the address. This is the net/node "821/9556" - in
this case the same as the phone number.
[2] The FLS message extension. (Required and inserted
automatically).
[3] The actual phone number (including the area code if
necessary).
SPORT - Sending Mail Page 16
[4] The baud rate.
[5] Comment
Here are two examples showing a line in the Phone Index List for
two types of addresses for Bill at Acme Metal Spinning.
Example #1
----------
The Index Line is:
8219556.FLS,2038219556;2400 Bill at Acme
THUS THE ADDRESS FOR THE MESSAGE IS:
821/9556
The Phone Number which will be called is:
203-821-9556
The Baud Rate of his system is:
2400
Net/Node numbers are the same as the Prefix/Suffix concept of
telephone numbers. They can be THE SAME or DIFFERENT than the
phone number. If you are using Net/Node numbers, there can be a
maximum of four numbers on either side of the slash (/).
Example #2
----------
The Index Line is:
BILL.FLS,2038219556;2400 Bill at Acme
Thus the address for the message is:
BILL/
The Phone Number which will be called is:
203-821-9556
The Baud Rate of his system is:
2400
Addressing by alias refers to addressing by name. In this case,
you can have up to eight characters before the slash (/).
You must put the slash (/) after any alias to let SPORT know that
there is a Net number or alias name but no Node number. Because
of this, you may have addresses like 15/ or 6/ or A/. This gives
SPORT - Sending Mail Page 17
you maximum flexibility in addressing.
THE ADDRESS IS THE PART OF THE INDEX LINE BEFORE THE EXTENSION
.FLS.
After addressing your message, several other options are
presented before the message is placed in your outbound area,
ready to be automatically sent.
[3.7] ATTACHING FILES
===============
Any kind of files can be "attached" to a Flash Message. You are
prompted for the path and name of each of the file(s) to be
attached after you address the message. Wildcards are accepted,
but SPORT will automatically limit the number of attached files
to 50.
You may enter a question mark at the prompt and select a file to
attach from the display of the list of files on your system.
[3.8] APPENDING MESSAGES
==================
Flash Messages may be appended, one to another. When creating a
Flash Message to a system which already has a message waiting for
it, you are asked if the new message should O)verwrite (replace)
the waiting message or if the new message should be A)ppended to
the waiting message, or if the old message should be preserved
and the new one be S)kipped. If you elect to append the message,
the system will send both messages.
Once received, a combined message is unappended automatically by
the receiving system.
[3.9] POLLS
=====
Polls are inquiries sent to a target system, asking "are there
any messages or files waiting for me?" If there is anything
waiting for you, it will be picked up. Polls will pick up pending
messages, messages on hold and messages which have failed to
synch, along with any attached files.
You can initiate a Poll from the Mail Options Menu using P or
from the Utilities Menu using C. Simply enter the address of the
system you want to poll. SPORT will do the rest.
SPORT - Sending Mail Page 18
[4] RECEIVING MAIL
[4.1] THE MAIL MENU
=============
When SPORT is "at rest", the Main Screen, or Mail Summary Menu is
active, ready to send and receive mail or calls from other
systems.
Using the Enter key will display the Immediate Commands Screen.
You may choose a pull down menu from the top bar, or, if you are
using a mouse, you may click on a message and read that message
immediately.
Hitting Enter brings up a pop-up menu that shows you the
"Immediate Commands" available.
You may use a question mark to view the complete status of your
system.
To access Mail Options, use M. A System Status Screen is
available using "=" to show you an overview of your system
status. This will show you all outgoing messages, how many times
SPORT has attempted to send them, messages on hold and that have
gone BAD (have failed to synch with the target for any reason),
as well as the contents of your incoming subdirectory.
At the Main Screen, you may type Alt H for SPORT Online Help.
The Main Screen provides options in four areas; MAIL, SYSTEM,
UTILITIES and QUIT.
The lowest line on the screen will show a short definition of the
option that is selected on any of the pull-down menus.
[4.2] RECEIVING A MESSAGE
===================
You do NOT have to be present to receive mail. You can leave the
system on for as long as you want, automatically accepting mail,
then read through all the messages that have accumulated.
If incoming Flash Messages are correctly addressed, they will
automatically be moved into your Library. Messages will be filed
in the order received.
If incoming Flash messages are incorrectly addressed, they will
SPORT - Receiving Mail Page 19
remain in your incoming area.
SPORT has the ability to provide a wide variety of optional,
user-defined automatic processes. As part of receiving incoming
material, SPORT checks for any special instructions and for any
routing directions which you have established. These "postmail"
processing instructions are described in detail in the Operators
Manual.
[4.3] INCOMING FILES
==============
Often mail comes with attached files. These files are treated
differently than the mail.
Files will arrive in the incoming area, and will stay there until
you do something with them. They will NOT be overwritten by a new
incoming file with the same name. Files with the same name will
be renamed up to 10 times. For example, if a file VERSION.TXT is
in your incoming area, the next file that comes in with the same
name will be renamed VERSION.TX0, VERSION.TX1, VERSION.TX3...etc,
by SPORT.
If there are certain files you expect to receive on a regular
basis, you may want to use postmail processing to move them to a
subdirectory where they CAN be overwritten.
The exception to this is the special SPORTNWS.TXT file, which is
displayed teletype style on the receiving system. This file can
be created using Ctl W from the Mailer Menu. SPORTNWS.TXT will be
overwritten in the incoming area. See the Operators Manual for an
explanation of this interesting feature.
[4.4] THE LIBRARY
===========
The SFlash Library is the repository of messages received. The
Library is accessed by using M L from the Main Screen.
Just as Flash Messages were designed as a kind of electronic
cover letter, so the SFlash Library was designed as an in-basket,
and not to become a permanent repository of mail. It is designed
to keep a maximum of 100 messages. There are ways to keep your
Library cleaned out. The SPORTLIB and SPORTARC utilities that are
provided with SPORT should take care of most of your Library
maintenance needs. You will find that periodic cleaning of the
Library is something you will want to do. You can directly access
SPORTLIB using the S)ave or G)etlib command directly from the
Library, or from the Utilities Menu. You can also send messages
with flags in them that will cause them to be copied to a
specific library on the target system. There is more information
SPORT - Receiving Mail Page 20
on using SPORTLIB in the control file SPORTLIB.CTL and in the
Operators Manual.
[4.5] READING MESSAGES
================
When using the Library mode, the last message read will be
accessed first.
The Library screen tells you how many messages you have in your
Library and tells you which message you are currently reading.
After reading the message, you may press Enter to go to the next
message.
The available commands in the Library mode are:
V = The VERBOSE Mode which shows the entire message,
page by page.
I = The INDEX Mode shows you the headings and the
first lines of a message. [This is the default.]
T = Table of Contents. This will show you the Table of
Contents of all messages in the Library, with all
the standard information fields ( From, Date,
Subj...etc ) referenced.
<^>Home End The Up Arrow and the HOME key will bring you to
the first message in your Library.
The Down Arrow and the END key will bring you to
the highest numbered message in your Library.
The Left Arrow will bring you to the next lowest
message and the Right Arrow will you to the next
highest message.
D)elete Delete this message.
E)cho Send an "Echoback" message. This functions like a
receipt. A message is automatically created for
the sending system, indicating that their message
has been received.
F)rwd This command will allow you to "forward" a copy of
this message to another destination.
G)etLib Get messages from another library which has been
SPORT - Receiving Mail Page 21
created by SPORTLIB.
N)ew Enter a new message.
P)rint Print this message to LPT1.
R)eply If you want to reply to a message, using R brings
you to the Enter a Message Mode. The subject is
automatically entered as a reply to the original
message and you will be asked if you want to quote
the original message in your reply.
M)od Modify an existing message.
S)ave Moves the message from the default Library to
another Library created by the SPORTLIB Utility.
O)pSys This is not shown, but exists for the DOS shell.
Type "EXIT" to return to the program.
#) Go to message number "?".
Q)uit This will bring you back to the Mail Menu.
Every time you change the Library, a new table of contents
["TOC"] file will be written and the messages will be reordered.
[4.6] SPORTARC
========
SPORTARC should be run from DOS or as an item from the SPORT
Personal Menu.
Running SPORTARC will automatically MOVE all messages marked
[READ] out of the main SFlash Library. It will renumber the
messages as 1.MSG, 2.MSG...and place them in a \SPORT\ARCHIVE
subdirectory. Thus you may have a secondary library with
virtually unlimited capacity.
Running SPORTARC R will do the same as SPORTARC, but also enter
interactive mode. The interactive mode allows you to review,
delete and export archived messages back to the primary SFlash
Library. There are various ways of moving about among the
archived messages.
In addition, in SPORTARC, using the L)ibrary command spawns SPORT
in the Library mode so that you have all regular SPORT message
functions available.
SPORT - Receiving Mail Page 22
[4.7] SPORTBBS
========
The SPORT user has the ability to prepare and receive complete
Bulletin Board packages. The packages have the file extension
"SOS". Running SPORTBBS from the operating system turns the SPORT
system into a remote Bulletin Board, capable of displaying
information, messages and files.
This topic is covered in the Operators Manual.
Because this is an advanced feature, the program file may not be
included in your distribution package. It may be obtained from
Augustine Associates.
[5] SPORT UTILITIES
[5.1] THE UTILITIES MENU
==================
This mode is accessed is reached by pressing U U from the Main
Screen.
From the Utility Menu you can perform several mail and operating
system utility functions, use the FKEYS, and make notes directly
into your log file.
The options are:
-) Hold ALL mail. Allows you to put all outgoing mail on hold
to be picked up by the target systems, or sent at a later
time.
+) Unholds ALL mail. Allows you to put all mail already on
hold into a ready-to-send state.
R) Causes all undeliverable Flash Messages to be prepared for
resending.
This has the effect of causing all messages which have gone
"BAD", that is, have not been able to synch properly with
their intended target, to be reset to sendable mail. Be sure
to watch and/or know why the systems were not synching.
D) Display all outgoing Flash Messages.
U) Runs SPORTU Utilities. See Section [5.3] below.
SPORT - Utilities Page 23
L) Runs SPORTLIB Library Utilities. See the Operators Manual
and the SPORTLIB.CTL file.
O) This is a DOS shell function.
E) Runs SPORTEVT Event Manager Utility. See Section [8.2].
X) Edit your Phone Index List file. See Section [2.5].
G) Edit your Configuration file. See Section [2.4].
C) Create a poll.
P) Delete all polls from the Library.
N) This will enter a note into your SPORT.LOG file.
AltH)Help.
Q) Quit will return to the Menu from which you called the
Utilities Menu.
[5.2] FILE REQUESTING
===============
There are several ways to retrieve files from a remote system
using SPORT. File requesting causes the file, if allowed by the
target system, to be sent back from the target system during your
call. Other methods of retrieving files are explained in detail
in the Operators Manual.
The simplest method to file request is to put the line
REQUESTFILE [filename]
against the left margin of a message. The filename is simply the
name of the file you wish to receive. A file request will be
created automatically by SPORT and sent along with the message.
Remember that if the word REQUESTFILE is on the left margin of
any message it will create a file request, even if you are
F)orwarding a message. In a case like this, be sure to use R)eply
instead.
Another method is to create an ASCII file with the extension .REQ
and the filename. This can be done from the Utilities Menu using
Utilities, using SPORTU G [address].
When you file request, SPORT will automatically return the file
[NET/NODE].INF to you with the status of your request, e.g.
whether the requested file was located or not located. In this
way the caller can track failed file requests. The host system
SPORT - Utilities Page 24
need do nothing to implement this process. This file will be in
your inbound area.
[5.3] SPORTU MAIL UTILITIES
=====================
You may invoke the SPORTU Utility by entering U from the
Utilities Menu, by designating SPORTU on a FKey, or by typing
SPORTU at your system prompt. The choices marked with an asterisk
may be used in the unattended mode with your events if desired.
SPORTU A [FLS filename] ... add to an FLS/FLO file.
* SPORTU B [n] ... sound bell for [n] seconds.
* SPORTU D [n] ... delay for [n] seconds.
* SPORTU E POLL ... delete polls from Library.
* SPORTU F [filename] ... show files, wildcards OK.
* SPORTU G [address] ... create a poll (w/file request).
* SPORTU P [address] (fn) ... to create a poll (w/file attach)
* SPORTU U [filename] ... unappend an appended Flash Message.
* SPORTU - [address] ... unsend a waiting Flash Message.
(may be "All").
* SPORTU + [address] ... resend waiting Flash Message.
(may be "All").
* SPORTU S CHECK ... system check, can be piped.
* SPORTU R [address] [to_name] [textfilename] for ROBOT Utility.
[5.4] SPORTRM REMOTE MAIL
===================
The SPORTRM Utility allows you to log in to your personal
computer from a remote computer, using any communications
program, and both read and send mail from your own system. If you
call in and type the "MAILPASS" password you have declared in
your CFG file for remote mail, you will access the SPORTRM menu.
It will allow you to read your through your library, and send
mail and forward mail, as well as attach files that are on your
system. See the Operators Manual for a more detailed explanation.
[5.5] SPORTEX EXTENDED MAIL
=====================
The SPORTEX utility allows you to distinguish between different
callers and treat them differently. It allows for Remote
Programming and is one of the most powerful features of SPORT. It
is outlined in the SPORTEX.CTL control file and explained in the
Operators Manual.
SPORT - Utilities Page 25
[5.6] SPORTPAC
========
The SPORTPAC Utility will be run if you add it in the appropriate
place in your RUNSPORT.BAT file and have the control file
SPORTPAC.CTL in your default directory. This utility allows you
to pack and unpack pre-determined pieces of incoming and outgoing
mail and attached files. This will cut down the size and
therefore the time it takes to send and receive transmissions.
See SPORTPAC.CTL file and the Operators Manual for more
information.
[6] OPERATING SPORT AS A TERMINAL
[6.1] THE TERMINAL MENU
=================
The Terminal facility of SPORT allows your computer to emulate an
ANSI terminal. It is used to operate your system in the manual
mode to telecommunicate, call Bulletin Boards, databases, on-line
services, and other systems. It allows you to get files from
other systems (Downloading) and to send files to other systems
(Uploading).
Note for Compuserve users: When you up or download using the X or
YModem protocols, SPORT will set your parameters to 8/N/1.
Therefore, the parameters on Compuserve should be 8/N/1. You may
see the initial logon questions in binary but that will clear up.
You may also use 7/E/1 and temporarily change them for up or
downloading.
Use S T from the Main Screen to go to the Terminal Menu.
At the top of the screen are the various Terminal commands and
the keys to use them, divided into three areas; UTILITIES,
COMMUNICATIONS and OPTIONS. These are explained in detail in the
Operators Manual.
You can redisplay the Terminal Menu anytime you are using the
Terminal Mode by hittin Alt T.
Below the command list is a line describing "Current Settings:"
The first data on the information line is:
1/2400/n/8/1
which represents:
SPORT - Utilities Page 26
port/baud rate/parity/word size/stop bits
These may be changed at any time by using the ALT P command.
The second item is:
"Echo ON" or "Echo OFF"
This can be switched on and off using Alt E from the Terminal
Menu.
If you make a call and see everything double, turn Echo OFF.
The third item is:
"Capture is ON" or "Capture is OFF"
A "Capture" file is a file in which is saved the activity of your
call for later examination, archiving or using in some way. Chat
sessions may also be saved to a file. See Section [7]. When you
turn the Capture file on, you will be asked to provide a name for
the file. You may turn a Capture file on (Alt C) or off (Alt F)
anytime during a call. The Capture file retains both text and
ANSI graphics representation.
In the Terminal Mode, you may use Alternate FKey assignments for
FKeys 1 through 9. They may be listed in up to 9 lines, in a file
named SPORTERM.KEY. in the SPORT default directory. The contents
of the respective lines will be sent to the modem. The limit on
the line is 128 characters, and the tilde (~) will represent a
one second delay, and the bar (|) will represent a carriage
return. This feature allows you to write small "scripts" to log
on to boards and services with a single keystroke.
[6.2] DIALING A NUMBER
================
To connect to a number in your Phone Index List, go to the
Terminal Menu and use Alt D to start the dialing process.
First you will be asked for the interval at which you want to
redial in case you are not connected the first time. If there is
no connection made the first time, SPORT will keep dialing at the
designated interval. When it connects, the console bell will
sound, to alert you to the connection.
SPORT - Terminal Mode Page 27
[6.3] UP AND DOWNLOADING
==================
When you access a remote system, you will often want to up and
download files.
Downloading means transfering files FROM the remote system TO
your system. Uploading means transfering files TO the remote
system FROM your system.
SPORT uses a ZModem protocol as well as XModem and two varieties
of YModem. You must always use matching protocols on the sending
and receiving systems. You may integrate other protocols into
your SPORT system if you want to. This is discussed in the
Operators Manual.
[7] BEING A HOST
When a caller at a terminal calls your system, SPORT will
recognize the call as a human caller, not mail, and will greet
the caller with the SPORT.BAN(ner) file. Look at this file and
edit it to your taste, but keep it short and simple, without
graphics.
SPORT provides callers the opportunity to leave a note. This is
saved for you in a file called "SPORT.NOT". You may prevent
callers from leaving notes by using the keyword "NOTEOFF" in your
CFG file.
The ability for a caller to "Chat" with you is protected by a
user-defined password and operates only between the hours
designated as "BELLON" and "BELLOFF" in your CFG file.
Chatting is a cross between making a phone call and sending a
letter. Two systems are connected and each person sees what the
other person is typing. Chat sessions may be saved to a capture
file and reviewed offline.
The ability to use any SPORT remote capability is optional and
password protected, as is the ability to "drop" to another
subsystem program like a Bulletin Board. See Section [7.2] and
[7.3] and the Operators Manual.
[7.1] BANNERS
=======
You may edit the banner files, which greet callers when they call
your system.
SPORT - Terminal Mode Page 28
All callers will first see the file SPORT.BAN. If the caller asks
to Chat, the file SCHAT.BAN is displayed.
Both SPORT.BAN and SCHAT.BAN are created for you when you run the
SPORTI Installation utility.
You may want to edit these files to suit your system.
[7.2] REMOTE ACCESS
=============
The Sport Remote Access Utility is defined by the Operator, who
edits or creates the file SPORTR.CTL, in the default SPORT
directory, which allows up to twenty separate PRE-DEFINED
operations to be performed.
If the caller enters the "REMOTEPASS" password correctly, the
remote access submenu is displayed. This submenu is automatically
generated by SPORT from the contents of SPORTR.CTL.
In the command lines of the SPORTR.CTL file, you may enter any
command or any batch process that DOES NOT require human
intervention.
There is more information in the SPORTR.CTL file and in the
Operators Manual.
[7.3] SUBSYSTEMS
==========
This is a sketch of a complex subject which is covered in detail
in the Operators Manual.
Subsystems, typically Bulletin Boards, may be spawned or batched.
Batching is the default mode for running sub-systems.
If you want to run one or two sub-systems, in the batch mode, use
these keywords in your CFG file:
BBSBAT <-- for 1st Subsystem
and
ALTBAT <-- for 2nd Subsystem.
RUNSPORT.BAT uses an errorlevel of 5 for the first sub-system,
and an errorlevel of 4 for the secondary sub-system.
This option is password protected with the passwords declared
after the keywords "SYSTEMPASS" and "ALTERNATEPASS" in your CFG
file. When a caller correctly enters the subsystem password (any
case) SPORT will automatically create the batch file named
SPORT - Being a Host Page 29
SPTSPAWN.BAT which will contain the following information:
SPTCHILD [baud rate] [port] [time to next event in min]
where the "baud rate" is the baud rate of the calling system and
"port" is the port in use on the receiving system. After this
file has been written, SPORT passes control to the batch file
called SPTCHILD.BAT.
This is a user defined batch file which should pass control to a
subsystem using the replaceable parameters according to DOS
procedures. This batch file (SPTCHILD) should make provision to
return to SPORT upon completion.
Technical Note for BBS users
----------------------------
If a user is going to run a subsystem (BBS) which requires a
Fossil Driver such as the X00 series, it is important to note
that the vector capture should be TURNED OFF before running SPORT
and TURNED ON before running the BBS.
The important thing to note is that SPORT does not recognize the
Fossil and wants to deal directly with the same things that the
Fossil does. Therefore it needs to be moved out of the way
before SPORT and back in the way before the subsytem.
[8] MANAGING YOUR SYSTEM
[8.1] THE SYSTEM ADMINSTRATOR
=======================
The SPORTADM System Administration Utility can be accessed from
the Personal Menu or from DOS. It provides a method of
configuring the various control files used by SPORT. This utility
is designed to assist the knowleable user in designing the
various functions of his or her system. Since it cannot replace
the knowlege of what the control files do, and since it can
reconfigure these files, it should be used by the novice with
some caution. Refer to the Operators Manual for more detailed
information.
[8.2] POSTMAIL PROCESSING
===================
Postmail processing can be accomplished by entering the commands
in the appropriate place in your RUNSPORT.BAT file. This is the
default. It may also be accomplished by a batch file called
POSTMAIL.BAT. See the Operators Manual.
SPORT - Being a Host Page 30
[8.3] EVENTS
======
SPORT supports the ability to exercise unattended, regular events
which may be needed by a user to accomplish routine mail and
maintenance functions.
Events may be the running of SPORT Utilities, batch files,
errorlevel numbers or scripts. Errorlevel drops are indicated by
the number in square brackets and script names are enclosed in
curley braces.
To program Events, use E from the Utility Menu. This invokes the
utility SPORTEVT. It will help you write your event files, it
will automatically sort the commands by time, help you to insert
or delete new events and keep your events in order.
You may designate daily events or weekly events. Events are
contained in the following files:
SPORT.EVT for Daily events (Default)
SPORTEVT.MON for Monday events
SPORTEVT.TUE for Tuesday events
SPORTEVT.WED for Wednesday events
SPORTEVT.THU for Thursday events
SPORTEVT.FRI for Friday events
SPORTEVT.SAT for Saturday events
SPORTEVT.SUN for Sunday events
SPORT looks for a file named SPORT.EVT in the default SPORT
directory. If there is one, this file tells SPORT there are daily
events of which it should be aware. If there is a file for any
particular day of the week, SPORT will use that file on the
appropriate day, then go back to the daily event file.
[8.4] ROUTING MAIL
============
SPORT supports the ability to route mail to one or many
destinations. If you have SPORTRTE.EXE in your SPORT
subdirectory, and run it as part of your postmail processing, and
have put your routing instructions in the SPORTRTE.CTL file, you
can cause incoming mail to be automatically distributed to others
on your Phone Index List. See the SPORTRTE.CTL file and the
Operators Manual for details.
[8.5] CONFERENCING
============
Using the SPORTCON utility and the SPORTCON.CTL control file you
SPORT - System Management Page 31
may set up a variety of conferences which allow you to discuss
subjects with a defined list of participants. How to set this up
is discussed in the control file and in the Operators Manual.
[8.6] SPECIAL SESSION INTERFACE SUPPORT
=================================
The Special Session Interface Support capability of SPORT allows
the user to customize his system to accommodate special mail
protocols, special password access, scripting and other
sophisticated methods of accessing and/or managing and/or
exchanging information with other systems.
This subject is covered in the Operators Manual.
[8.7] INTERMITTENT COMMAND PROCESSING
===============================
SPORT allows the user to run batch files in the background while
it is online. How this is accomplished is explained in the
Operators Manual.
[9] MODEM INSTALLATION CHECKLIST
============================
This section is designed to help you install and optimize the use
of your modem with SPORT. Following this checklist will provide
you with the most effective match between your modem and SPORT.
Remember, if you cannot initialize your modem properly, use
RUNSPORT X to run the program in the test mode while you try are
configuring your system.
General Operation
-----------------
1. Use U)tilities Confi(G)uration from the Main Screen to check
your SFLASH.RAW configuration file and be sure that you are NOT
using any of the following keywords. Check each keyword to make
sure it is "commented out" by placing an "!" before the keyword.
Keywords to be commented out or eliminated are these:
FASTMODEM
MODEMINITSPEED VERYSLOW
MODEMINITSPEED SLOW
MODEMINITSPEED MEDIUM
MODEMINITSPEED FAST
MODEMINITSPEED VERYFAST
NOMODEMRESET
SPORT - System Management Page 32
2. While you are editing the CFG file, check the "MODEMINIT"
line. Check your modem documentation to see if all the characters
represent valid commands. Your string cannot be longer than 40
characters.
3. Save the edited file. (This automatically runs the utility
SPREP to prepare SFLASH.RAW for use with SPORT.)
4. Type RUNSPORT at the DOS prompt. If your modem initializes
correctly go to step 6.
5. If you are at this step than your modem did not initialize
correctly when you ran SPORT. There are two possible causes.
First, your modem initialization string is incorrect (most
likely) or, second, your modem is incapable of accepting
characters at the default rate of SPORT (least likely).
If none of the SMODEM choices works, you may assume that you will
need a custom modem initialization string for SPORT. In building
your string bear in mind that SPORT does not require the
preceding "AT", the final Carriage Return or a selected dialing
mode for your modem initialization string. All SPORT requires is
the actual sequence of commands preceded by "MODEMINIT " in your
SFLASH.RAW file.
With your modem manual, build your modem initialization string
using these guidelines:
- SPORT requires a modem that supports a true Hayes command set.
- SPORT requires that Carrier Detect not be forced high or low.
- SPORT requires that Data Terminal Ready (DTR) not be forced.
- SPORT requires that Auto_Answer be OFF.
- SPORT requires that modem responses be in English.
- SPORT requires that modem responses be verbose.
Most importantly, be aware that SPORT automatically sends the
command set
"Q0E0V1&C1S7=30S0=0"
to your modem IF YOU ARE NOT USING AN INITIALIZATION STRING. The
reason for this is that SPORT needs VERBOSE results.
Now, if you DO USE a customized initialization string, you should
include the command set "Q0E0V1&C1S7=30S0=0" in the string
because SPORT WILL NOT USE ITS DEFAULT STRING IF YOU SPECIFY ONE.
Remember, you cannot use more than 40 characters.
For example, if you use this in your SFLASH.RAW file:
MODEMINIT Q0E0V1&C1S7=30S0=0
SPORT - Modem Installation Checklist Page 33
you are doing EXACTLY THE SAME THING as if you did not even have
a string declared. However, if you want anything beyond
"Q0E0V1&C1S7=30S0=0"
then you must include "Q0E0V1&C1S7=30S0=0" in your MODEMINIT
command.
Build your modem string with these requirements in mind and enter
that string in your SFLASH.RAW file like this:
MODEMINIT command_sequence
where "command_sequence" is the string you will be using WITHOUT
the preceding "AT" or the following "|" command. An example of
this is:
MODEMINIT &F&D2Q0E0V1&C1S7=30S0=0
High Performance Operation
--------------------------
6. If you have reached this step it is assumed that you have
SPORT operational with a correct modem initialization string and
now want to optimize its performance. First we will try to
optimize the way SPORT answers incoming calls. SPORT supports two
ways to answer a call. The first is by sensing the "Ring
Indicator" or "Ring Detect" line on your modem and acting
immediately upon it. The second way is by waiting for the word
"RING" to be sent from your modem to SPORT. The first way is the
fastest but will only operate with modems capable of
sending/receiving characters at a high rate of speed. To try this
first method use the following keyword in your SFLASH.RAW:
FASTMODEM
Now save the edited file. (This runs SPREP). If you are already
running SPORT, use S R to reinitialize the modem with the new
configuration. If your modem initializes properly you have a high
speed modem and SPORT will automatically talk to your modem at
the maximum speed available.
If your modem does not initialize properly or fails to answer
incoming calls properly, you cannot use the "FASTMODEM" option.
Go on to the next step.
Modems must go back to known states after use. Some modems will
do this automatically, some will not. SPORT will normally reset
the modem periodically. However, this take time. If your modem
resets itself, or you have characters in the initialization
string which do this, you may use the keyword "NOMODEMRESET" in
your configuration. This will speed operation. If you use this
option, what SPORT will do is try to initialize the modem 3
times, if it cannot, it will override the NOMODEMRESET option,
and try to reset and initialize 3 more times. If this does not
SPORT - Modem Installation Checklist Page 34
work, SPORT will drop to DOS.
7. If you reach this step than you have a modem which cannot
always rely JUST upon the "Ring Detect" function of your modem
for SPORT to answer incoming calls. You will need to instruct
SPORT to use the word "RING" received from your modem when it
senses an incoming call. You can still optimize your system by
varying the speed at which SPORT receives responses from your
modem. This is a simple process using the key-phrase
"MODEMINITSPEED " and a modifier.
Here are the modifiers you can use. They range from the slowest
modem response time (first item) to the fastest (last item):
MODEMINTISPEED VERYSLOW
MODEMINITSPEED SLOW
MODEMINITSPEED MEDIUM <--Recommended
MODEMINITSPEED FAST
MODEMINITSPEED VERYFAST
Remember to use ONLY ONE of these options at a time and not
FASTMODEM. If you should forget and use two or more, only the
last one encountered by SPORT in your SFLASH.RAW file will be
used.
To optimize the speed of your modem just try each of these in the
order presented until your modem fails to initialize properly.
You will notice a considerable increase in speed with each
successive item. You should use the one which sends characters to
the modem in the shortest possible time yet still initializes
your modem correctly.
More detailed information about the required settings for SPORT
are in the Operators Manual. You may have to consult your modem
manual for any special characters that it may need.
Experimentation is the key.
[10] TROUBLESHOOTING
[10.1] INSTALLATION
============
* WHEN I INVOKE SPORT I GET THIS MESSAGE:
"Invalid COM port number" or " Unable to initialize the port
specified".
This means you have not designated the correct COM port, or
the COM port has a non-standard address or interrupt level. If
SPORT - Modem Installation Checklist Page 35
you have the right port, you may designate a non-standard address
and interrupt level by using the keywords "COM" [Address_In_Hex]
and "INT" [Interrupt_Level] in your configuration file.
* WHEN I INVOKE SPORT I GET THIS MESSAGE:
"Unable to find CFG file" OR I DROP BACK TO DOS.
Check that \SPORT and \SPORT\INCOMING subdirectories are on
the path. Check that all SPORT files are in \SPORT.
[10.2] THE FULL-SCREEN EDITOR
======================
* WHEN USING THE SPORT FULL SCREEN EDITOR (SPORTEDT) FOR EDITING
MY CFG (CONFIGURATION) OR IDX (INDEX) FILES, THE EDITOR WILL
SOMETIMES TRUNCATE A PART OF THE LINE I HAVE CREATED.
SPORTEDT is designed primarily for creating Flash
Messages and only secondarily for use to edit the CFG or IDX
files (using the G or X command from the Utility Menu). Because
of this, SPORTEDT will force a certain line length to ensure
that Flash Messages remain consistent from system to system.
This line length is generally sufficient for most purposes,
including editing the CFG or IDX files. If, however, you find
that you must create a line longer than SPORTEDT permits, you
should use your favorite external text editor. Since all of
the SPORT control and support files are in flat ASCII, you may
use the editor of your choice. Remember to run SPREP if you are
using an external editor.
* WHEN I WANT TO EDIT A MESSAGE I GET THE LINE EDITOR RATHER THAN
THE FULL SCREEN EDITOR.
SPORTEDT.EXE is not located in your SPORT default
directory and you have not declared your favorite text editor
useing the EDITOR keyword in the Configuration File.
[10.3] MAIL AND MESSAGES
=================
* I GET THE MESSAGE "NO CARRIER" WHEN I TRY TO CONTACT A SYSTEM.
The system is off-line or busy.
* SPORT WILL NOT EXCHANGE MAIL WITH SOME SYSTEMS, BUT WILL DO
SO WITH OTHERS.
You may be attempting to contact a "closed system".
SPORT has the capability of increasing its level of security by
SPORT - Troubleshooting Page 36
only allowing certain systems to exchange mail. See the
Operators Manual for information on this subject.
* I SEE SOME OUTGOING MESSAGES HAVE BEEN RENAMED WITH A "BAD"
FILE EXTENSION. WHAT IS WRONG?
This is normal and occurs whenever SPORT has tried to
exchange mail with another system but the exchange has failed.
Once the attempted exchange fails, SPORT immediately renames any
FLS (Flash Message) to BAD so that no further mail will be sent
to that system. Check your SPORT log for why the exchange failed.
You may reset BAD files using R from the Utilities Menu.
* I WANT TO MAKE MY SYSTEM AS SECURE AS POSSIBLE.
To take full advantage of all of the security provisions
which SPORT allows see the Operators Manual.
[10.4] TERMINAL MODE
=============
* MY MODEM DIALS THE PHONE, BUT THERE IS NO ANSWER.
If the modem reports UNABLE TO CONNECT, then the target
system is off line or it is busy.
* TRANSMISSION IS ERRATIC, OR IS CUT OFF.
There could be line noise or other problems. Try later.
* DURING A TERMINAL MODE CALL, NONE OF MY TYPED CHARACTERS APPEAR
ON THE SCREEN.
Turn the Echo On.
* DURING A TERMINAL MODE CALL, ALL OF THE CHARACTERS I TYPE
APPEAR TWICE.
Turn the Echo Off.
* I CALL A BBS BUT SEE CHARACTERS IN PARENTHESIS INSTEAD OF
GRAPHICS.
ANSI graphics should be on. You need the driver ANSI.SYS in
your CONFIG.SYS file, and on your system.
* DURING A CALL, BINARY CHARACTERS APPEAR ON THE SCREEN.
Parameters are set incorrectly. That is, the 8/n/1 (word
size/parity/stop bits) are different on the system you have
SPORT - Troubleshooting Page 37
connected with. You can either experiment by changing your
parameters and calling again, or try to determine what their
parameters are. Many Bulletin Board Systems indicate their
settings when they publish their numbers.
[10.5] TSR's
=====
RAM resident programs often are sometimes not good software
neighbors. They can be programs and/or device drivers. If you are
having trouble with SPORT you may try disabling your TSR's
(Terminate and Stay Resident) programs, cold booting (turning
your computer off and on again, and trying again. This will
indicate if any of these programs are interfering with SPORT'S
operation.
[10.6] SPORT AND DESQVIEW
==================
* WHEN RUNNING UNDER DESQVIEW, SPORT WILL SOMETIMES TAKE ALL OF
THE TIME SLICE, BRINGING THE TASK IN THE OTHER WINDOW TO A HALT.
This is normal if you are not using the IGNOREDV option
in your SFLASH.CFG file. When not using this option SPORT is
very aggressive about time slicing, attempting to ensure that
nothing will interrupt the flow of communications. SPORT will
take the entire time slice during preliminary syncing with
another SPORT and during file transfer sessions. If you find
this to be a problem, add the keyword IGNOREDV to your SFLASH.CFG
file. This will prevent SPORT from taking more than the time
slice available to the window in which it is running. If you use
this option (IGNOREDV), be sure that you understand how
communications can be affected. You should refer to the
documentation which came with DesqView for details.
* SPORT WILL SOMETIMES HANG IN ITS WINDOW.
This can be caused by a number of things. First check to
be sure that you have given SPORT sufficient memory for the
window in which it is run. We recommend a 384K window for most
purposes. If you are supporting a subsystem in memory, a large
external editor, or making extensive use of SPORT shelling
capabilities, you may need to increase this memory allocation
according to the needs of the programs you are running with
SPORT. Also, remove any TSRs (Terminate and Stay Resident
Programs) and try running SPORT. TSRs can be the cause of many
strange system problems when run with other programs. If you are
using any TSRs, suspect them first and check them out carefully.
SPORT - Troubleshooting Page 38
* SPORT BLEEDS THROUGH TO MY OTHER WINDOW.
Comment out the keyword FASTSCREEN from your SFLASH.CFG
file. This will eliminate all direct screen writes with the
exception of the Sport Editor (SPORTEDT). None of the SPORT
utilities uses direct screen writes so they will not bleed
through to other multitasking windows.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME SLICE FOR USING SPORT WITH DESQVIEW?
We recommend a 9:6 ratio, with the SPORT window receiving
9.
SPORT - Troubleshooting Page 39
INDEX
ADDRESSING
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
ADMINSTRATOR
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
ALIAS
Addressing to an . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
ALTBAT
For Invoking Sub-System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
APPENDING
Messages to Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
ATTACHING
Files to Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
BANNERS
You Display to Callers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
BATCH FILES
Running in the background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
COMMANDS
In Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
COMPUSERVE
Using . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
CONFERENCING
Using SPORTCON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
CONFIG.SYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
DIALING
A Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
DOWNLOADING
From Another System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
EVENTS
Daily and Weekly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
FASTMODEM
How to Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
FLASH
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
FOSSIL DRIVERS
In Subsystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
GETLIB
In Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
HELP
From Mail Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
From Utilities Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
HOLD
All Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
HOST
Being a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
INCOMING
Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
INDEX
Address/Phone Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
INF
File Request Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
SPORT - Index Page 40
INITIALIZATION
Setting up strings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
INSTALLING
SPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
INVOKING
SPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
LEGAL NOTICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
LIBRARY
Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
LOCKING MAILER
For Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
MAIL SUMMARY MENU
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
MASS MAILING
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
MENU
Personal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
MESSAGES
Entering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
MODEM
Guidelines for Intitalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
MODEMINIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
MODEMINITSPEED
How to Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
MODEMS
And SPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
NOMODEMRESET
In Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
PATH
SPORT Subdirectories on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
PERSONAL MEMO
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
POLLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
PORT
Problems with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
POSTMAIL
Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
PRIVATEMAIL
for Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
READING
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
RECEIVING
Messages and Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
REGISTER
How to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
REMOTE ACCESS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
REMOTEPASS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
REQ
File Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
REQUESTING
SPORT - Index Page 41
Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
ROUTING
Mail to Other Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
SCHAT.BAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SCREEN
Mailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SECURITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SET-UP
Advanced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SFLASH
Creating messages with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Line Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SFLASH.HDR
Message Header . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SMODEM
For choosing Init String . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SPORT.BAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SPORT.LOG
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SPORTARC
Library Archive Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
SPORTBBS
Remote BBS Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SPORTEDT
SPORTEDT Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SPORTEX
Extended Mail Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
SPORTLIB
Library Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SPORTNWS.TXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SPORTPAC
For Packing/Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SPORTR.CTL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SPORTRM
Remote Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
SPORTRTE.CTL
Routing Control File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
SPORTU
System Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
SPREP
Preparing files with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SPTCHILD.BAT
With Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
SPTSPAWN.BAT
Using for Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
SUBSYSTEMS
Running with SPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SYSTEM
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SYSTEM STATUS SCREEN
SPORT - Index Page 42
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
TSR's
SPORT and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
UNHOLD
All Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
UPLOADING
From Another System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
W.A.I.T.S.
What It Means . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SPORT - Index Page 43