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README.1ST
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1992-03-10
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README for OzCIS 1.0 (10-Mar-92)
-----------------------------------------
OzCIS is copyright(c)1990, 1992 by Steve Sneed. All rights reserved.
"GIF" and "Graphics Interchange Format" are Service Marks of CompuServe,
Inc., a H&R Block Company. Other trademarks and service marks used herein
are the properties of their respective owners.
This README.1ST file details additions and corrections that occured too late
to be placed in the main documentation. I recommend you print out a copy
and keep it with your main documentation.
System requirements to use OzCIS
--------------------------------
The following are minimum hardware and software requirements in order to
run and use the OzCIS Navigator:
* A IBM AT-compatible computer (80286 or better processor, 10MHz or
faster) or IBM PS/2 MicroChannel(tm) computer with a 286 or better
processor, and at least 1Mb of memory. A minimum of 485K of free memory
must be available when OzCIS loads; 520K to 550K or more is strongly
recommended. Additionally at least 1Mb of EMS and/or XMS memory is
strongly recommended.
NOTE: The program *will not run* on XT-class machines.
* A hard disk with at least 1.5Mb free. This is a bare minimum; if you
maintain a large number of forums you will need more. Sorry, floppy
disk systems are *not* supported.
* If a mouse is used, the driver must be of recent enough vintage to
support the "Save State" and "Restore State" services. MS v. 6.0 or
later, Logitech 4.01 or later, etc.
* A serial port and modem. Ports 1 thru 4 are supported for AT-style
machines, and ports 1 thru 8 on PS/2s. The modem must be a fully Hayes
compatible model, including most high-speed modems such as US Robotics
HST/V.32/Dual Standard models or the Microcom MNP-series models. A
"direct-connect" option is available for those connecting thru modem
servers or pools, but no support for network comm servers is provided.
An error-correcting modem (MNP or V.42) is *strongly* recommended.
* A method of connecting to CompuServe that provides a full 8-bit data
path. OzCIS uses only 8/None/1 port parameters; the network you use to
connect to CompuServe must be capable of making such a connection.
The following points are recommended capabilities in order to use OzCIS to
its best abilities:
* A mouse is not required, but using one makes several things a bit
easier.
* At least 1Mb of EMS memory is strongly recommended. The program is
heavily overlaid, and having EMS available for overlay storage will
dramatically improve program response.
* You can use OzCIS under DesqView or Windows. In either case, you need
to define a PIF file for the program. In either environment, it is better
to run full-screen rather than in a window, though the program will work
fine when run in a window where enough processor power is available (in
other words, running the program in a window is not recommended on a
386sx-based machine or slow 386dx.)
* While DOS 3.1 or later will work, DOS 5.0 is highly recommended since it
gives you a good bit more memory to work in. The program has not been
thoroughly tested under alternative OS shells such as 4DOS, but
preliminary testing shows no conflicts.
* While any PC color video system will work for text or graphics in the
program, to take full advantage of the program's graphics capabilities a
SuperVGA system is recommended. If your SVGA card has an available VESA
driver, use it. OzCIS does not at this time support Herc Graphics
Workstation or other TIGA or Targa type cards other than in SVGA
emulation mode. The program supports UltraVision, and all high-res text
modes such as 132-column and/or 43/50-line modes.
* While not required, an error-correcting modem is highly recommended.
Line noise is the dread enemy of automated online processing; an error-
correcting modem eliminates most all potential problems in this respect.
Most CompuServe nodes support MNP level 4, while only some suplimental
carrier (TYMNET, TeleNet, etc.) nodes provide MNP. In order to use a
9600bps node your modem should be V.42bis compliant or MNP 4 compliant.
Caveats, warnings and known problem areas:
* Some laptops and recent desktop machines use special ASIC (Application-
Specific Integrated Circuit) chips for the serial port hardware rather
than the traditional NS8250-style UART chip. These ASICs have varying
levels of compatibility with the NS8250-style chips; some are known to
be real problem children, especially the ones used in the new Toshiba
"SXe" series machines (I've talked to several people who can't get *any*
of their comm software to work on these machines.) Great pains have
been taken to assure OzCIS works with as broad a range of hardware as
possible, however, I cannot promise it will function correctly when used
on this kind of hardware.
* Some EMS managers tend to keep interrupts turned off for too long a
time while performing internal work, causing characters to be dropped at
the serial port and creating "Port overrun" errors. The faster your
port speed, the more likely this problem is to occur. While recent
changes to OzCIS have pretty much eliminated this problem, the chance
exists that it can still occur with old or brain-damaged EMS managers,
especially when such drivers are used with some disk caching software. If
you get port overrun errors, especially at 9600bps or above, try
uninstalling your EMS driver and repeating the test; if this cures the
problem you have one of these slow drivers and/or disk caches.
Quick-Start Information
-----------------------
I recognize that many users will want to get started right away. I also know
that many people refuse to read documentation, often with good reason. These
"Quick-start" instructions will help you get up and running in a minimum
amount of time and effort. Note however that what is covered in this
section is aimed at experienced CIS users, assumed to have at least a basic
knowledge of CIS, the common terminology used on the Service, what a
navigator program is designed for and supposed to do, and troubleshooting
techniques for program installation and modem configuration.
1. Create a subdirectory for OzCIS and its support files. Copy all of the
compressed program files into that subdirectory and unpack them. To save
yourself disk space, copy the compressed files to a floppy disk for
safekeeping and delete the compressed files from the program directory.
Users of other navigator programs note: do *not* install OzCIS in the
same directory as ATO, TAPCIS or CISOP. OzCIS creates or uses several
files with the same names as these other programs; while OzCIS should
never "bomb" on files from one of the others and can easily read or deal
with several of them, the files it creates can cause problems for these
other programs.
2. Run OzCIS. The install package includes example HOSTS.DB and FORUMS.DB
database files; you will need to select "Special -> Maintain Hosts" and
add or edit one or more hosts for your connection number(s) to CIS, then
select "Maintain Forums" from the same menu to add your forums. The
online help (press <F1> anywhere in the program) will provide enough
information for most users familar with CIS to set up these areas, but
consult the full documentation if you need extra information.
3. Your first online session should be a Profile Configuration session.
Select "Online -> Profile Configuration" to do so. This process logs on
to CIS and sets up your configuration options so that OzCIS works best.
If you have defined multiple hosts for different baud rates, you will
need to perform a Profile Configuration pass at each baud rate.
4. If you have used TAPCIS or ATO, and your profile is set up for those
programs, it will also be acceptable to OzCIS; however, you will not be
able to take full advantage of the program's ability to display GIF
graphics images online. Performing a Profile Configuration pass will set
things up so that GIFs (such as the Weather Maps area) can be properly
managed. Note that TAPCIS and ATO do not support online graphics, and
turning on this capability for OzCIS may cause problems for those
programs.
5. Use the program. Enjoy!
Late Additions
--------------
The following capabilities or enhancements were added to the program at the
last minute, and didn't make the documentation.
Extra clipboard commands
------------------------
Two new key commands have been added for clipboard copy and paste, which
match the equivilent key commands in the new WordStar 7.0:
^K[ - Copies the currently-marked block to the clipboard. Same as the
existing ^JC command.
^K] - Pastes from the clipboard to the current cursor location. Same as
the existing ^JP command.
Upload ASCII files to Mail
--------------------------
Beta versions of OzCIS could only upload files to CISMail as binary files,
which meant text files could not be uploaded to Internet addresses.
Support for ASCII file uploads has been added, to allow this type of use.
There is a new field in the "Upload File to Mail" dialogue:
Binary? [Y] (N)
If YES (the default), the specified file is uploaded as a binary file, in
the normal manner. If set to NO, the file is uploaded as an ASCII file.
Warning: Neither OzCIS nor CIS does any checking to verify file contents,
so if you mistakenly upload a "real" binary file (a program file,
compressed archive, etc.) as an ASCII file, it's contents will be garbaged
and useless to the recipient. In general, never set this to NO unless you
are _sure_ it is what you want.
Acknowledgements
----------------
My heartfelt appreciation and thanks go to these fine people and
organizations, without whom OzCIS would still be a pipe dream:
o TurboPower Software and its staff (Kim Kokkonen, Brian Foley, Rich
Sadowsky and Terry Hughes) for providing exceptional tools on which to
base the program, consistent feedback and ready support... and for being
understanding employers and co-workers...
o The IBMNet Forums staff, especially Don Watkins and Connie Kageyama, for
putting up with months of "This is a test, please ignore" messages and
files, and providing much helpful information and encouragement...
o The Rocknet Forums staff, especially Mark Oldham, for giving me a whole
backroom of my own to develop and debug the sysop services, and listen to
my belly-rumblings...
o The Graphics Forums staff, especially Larry Wood, Valerie Zen, Tom
Potoki, Jim Beebe and Chris Young, for years of help, support and
encouragement on the online GIF decoder tools...
o Many helpful individuals at CIS Corporate, especially Russ Ranshaw, Brion
Jones and Paul Bradshaw, for tons of helpful insights and info...
o The beta testers, too many to name, who beat the program up unmercifully
and never hesitated to let me know what broke, and who in reality made
the program what it is with their numerous ideas and suggestions...
o My wife Robin, ever the loving Computer Widow, and my daughters Whitney
and Caitlin, who didn't pester Daddy *too* much.
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