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- & Introduction to Unicom 3.1
- UNICOM is a complete and easy to use data communications
- package especially designed for users of the Microsoft
- Windows 3.1 operating environment.
-
- Many common communication tasks can be fully automated
- such as dialing the host computer, uploading and downloading
- multiple files. An advanced script language is provided to
- allow automation of your own specialized communication tasks.
-
- In addition, all program features have been designed for
- background operation. That is, you can instruct Unicom to
- perform a task then switch to another application while Unicom
- does it's job.
-
- Built-in are many advanced features only found in software
- costing hundreds of dollars more.
-
- Some of the many features include in Unicom are:
-
- MANY POPULAR FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOLS:
-
- X-Y-ZModem , Ymodem Batch, Ymodem-G, ZModem Resume, Kermit,
- CompuServe B, QuickB and ASCII. Of these, CompuServe and
- Zmodem protocols have been implemented for
- automatic uploading and automatic downloading. Zmodem will
- now automatically resume an aborted transfer on the next
- attempt. External protocols are now supported.
-
- 16 COLOR TERMINAL EMULATION WITH SPECIAL ATTRIBUTE SUPPORT.
-
- Emulations include: DEC VT102 (ANSI), DEC VT52, ANSI-BBS and
- TTY. Screen fonts, colors and attributes are user
- selectable. All your installed Windows fonts are readily
- available for use.
-
- AUTO-SENSE 256 COLOR GIF GRAPHICS VIEWER:
-
- GIF graphic images are displayed automatically during
- downloading. Images containing up to 256 simultaneous
- colors can be viewed (if your video hardware & driver are
- capable). Support is provided for receiving CompuServe
- interactive GIF images like weather maps and satellite
- pictures. On CompuServe, type GO MAPS .
-
- BATCH DIALING DIRECTORY will hold an unlimited number
- of entries, maintain statistics, program settings and a
- dialing string for each entry. A directory editor is
- provided for maintaining the directory. Other than disk
- space, there is no limit to the size of your directory
- or the number of directories you may have.
-
- HOST MODE allows remote users access to your computer
- similar to that of a computer bulletin board. Each user
- is assigned an ID and Password. A remote user may upload
- and download files, examine directories, change directories,
- type files, page the sysop, read messages, write messages,
- view the user list or shell to DOS. These capabilities
- are enabled or disabled for each user by the host sysop.
- The sysop may monitor interaction, log events, operate in
- dial-back mode and chat with a remote user.
-
- MODEM DISPLAY LIGHTS have been integrated in to the top
- of the Unicom display. These are the same lights built-in
- to the more advanced external modems. These indicators
- give you a visual clue to the physical state of your
- communications link.
-
- A SCROLLBACK BUFFER that can hold up to 5000 lines of
- information is provided. The user may examine the
- contents of this buffer with the use of the built-in
- horizontal and vertical scroll bars.
- The scrollback buffer can be integrated into the window
- display or remain hidden until it is needed.
-
- WINSCRIPT WINDOWS SCRIPT LANGUAGE.
-
- Programmers may customize Unicom and automate many
- communication tasks. WinScript is 'C - like' in design
- and provides over 200 statementsand commands including
- support for conditional program control. Many functions
- that take advantage of the Windows environment are provided.
-
- SCRIPT RECORDING CAPABILITY can be used to create command
- files automatically as you interact with a remote host
- computer.
-
- SCRIPT SCHEDULING allows up to eight WinScript command
- files to be executed at specific days and times.
- Programming the scheduler is just like programming your VCR.
-
- DDE SERVER CAPABILITY
-
- Other Windows applications that support DDE may exchange
- information with Unicom using a DDE link. Unicom can
- receive and execute commands from DDE client applications.
- A client application may instruct Unicom to execute a
- specific WinScript file, WinScript command line, hot
- key, macro or external application. A client application
- can retrieve the contents of script variables or be advised
- when they change.
-
- DOWNLOAD FILE PROCESSOR
-
- Unicom can be setup to watch for incoming files with a
- specific extension then invoke a utility to process the
- file after it is received. For example, all .ZIP files
- can be unzipped by Unicom after downloading. Each file
- type may be processed automatically or interactively via
- a queue control. Any DOS or Windows utility can be setup
- to process specific incoming file types.
-
- 16550 UART FIFO TRIGGER CONTROL & I/O PRIORITY CONTROL
-
- Unicom allows 16550 users to select the FIFO trigger level.
- An I/O priority control allows the user to control the amount
- of processing time Unicom receives during file transfers.
-
- A Convenient SCREEN TOOLBAR provides 3-d icon pushbuttons
- that give you quick access to many of UNICOM's menu selected
- features.
-
- A CUSTOM ICON BAR allows you to add your own icons to the
- Unicom display screen. These icons may be setup to activate
- other applications, run scripts, execute macros, hot keys or
- external protocols.
-
- EASY SCREEN EDITING. Highlight text on the screen using the
- mouse. You may then copy this selected text to the clipboard,
- erase it, mark as a file or send it back to the host. A file marker
- feature is built-in to let you highlight filenames off the
- screen then transmit them to the host when you are prompted.
-
- EXTERNAL PROTOCOL SUPPORT
-
- Unicom is now compatible with most all external protocols.
- Unicom can be configured to detect specific upload
- and/or download signatures then invoke the protocol.
- Any number of external file transfer protocols may be added.
-
- INT 14 AND EXTERNAL I/O DRIVER SUPPORT
-
- Unicom can be adapted to special I/O hardware. A user may
- develop a special Windows DLL driver to allow Unicom to
- communicate with any special device. An INT 14 driver is
- included with Unicom. This INT-14 driver allows Unicom to
- be used on many networks.
-
-
- & What's New In Unicom 3.1
-
- DDE SERVER SUPPORT:
-
- Unicom can now exchange data with other
- Windows applications that support Dynamic Data
- Exchange (DDE). Unicom operates as a server and can
- receive commands to provide data, run scripts, execute
- specific WinScript commands at the request of another
- application supporting DDE.
-
-
- MODEM INDICATOR LIGHTS
-
- Eleven modem indicator lights and 2 program
- indicator lights are integrated into the display.
- Internal modem users now have a visual reference
- as to the state of the modem. Common modem indicators
- are displayed which include: Receive Data (RD),
- Send Data (SD), Carrier Detect(CD), Off Hook (OH),
- Auto Answer (AA), Terminal Ready (TR), Modem Ready (MR),
- Request to Send (RS), Clear to Send (CS), High Speed (HS)
- and Ring Indicator (RI).
-
- The two program indicator lights include DDE and FIFO.
- The DDE light is active when Unicom is providing
- services to another Windows application via a
- DDE link. If Unicom detects a 16550 uart as your active
- computer port, the FIFO indicator will light if the port is set
- for buffered operations.
-
- AUTOMATIC 256 COLOR GIF GRAPHICS VIEWER
-
- Unicom will automatically display GIF files
- during downloading using X-Y-Z or CompuServe
- protocols. Images up to 256 colors are supported if your
- video driver and hardware are capable. This feature is
- invoked automatically as Unicom will sense the GIF file
- extension. Also, this feature is activated for on-
- line viewing when Unicom receives a CompuServe
- interactive terminal command.
-
- The graphic image is displayed in a pop up - sizable
- window containing horizontal and vertical scroll bars. You
- may adjust the size of the window and scroll any part of the
- incoming image into view.
-
- CompuServe color weather maps can now be easily viewed
- interactively. At the CompuServe prompt type: GO MAPS.
-
- USERS MAY CUSTOMIZE UNICOM WITH THEIR OWN ICONS
-
- Users may add their own custom icons to a scrollable icon
- bar. These icons may be defined to activate programs, hot
- keys, scripts, external protocols, or keyboard macros.
- There is no limit to the number of icons a user can define.
- If all the icons cannot be displayed, a mini scroll bar
- appears to allow the user to scroll through to find the
- desired icon. This feature is in addition to Unicoms
- predefined icon toolbar built-in to the top of the screen.
-
- INT 14 SUPPORT VIA DLL DRIVER
-
- Unicom comes equipped with a driver that will support
- INT-14 networks (including modem sharing). This driver
- supports baud rates up to 9600.
-
- EXTERNAL PROTOCOL SUPPORT
-
- You can add any number of external protocols to Unicom
- via a simple setup screen. Automatic uploading and
- downloading are supported. Just enter the specific upload
- and/or download signature sequence. Unicom will
- automatically sense any signature and then initiate the
- external protocol automatically. This will support most all
- external protocols including HSLINK.
-
- AUTOMATIC ZMODEM UPLOADING VIA DRAG & DROP
-
- Drag files from the Windows 3.1 file manager and
- drop them on Unicom. A window appears containing a list
- of files waiting to be uploaded. When you have finished
- dropping files onto Unicom, instruct your host computer to
- receive a Zmodem batch upload. Unicom will
- automatically sense when the remote host is ready to
- receive the files and begins transmission on its own.
-
- DOWNLOAD FILE PROCESSOR
-
- This feature allows you to automatically post
- process files that have been received. For example, you
- can instruct Unicom to automatically unzip each file
- downloaded with a .ZIP extension after it is received.
-
- Two processing methods are supported: Via interactive
- queue control or automatic execution after each file is
- received.
-
- ADVANCED SETUP: 16550 TRIGGER CONTROL & I/O
- PRIORITY CONTROL.
-
- The Windows 3.1 comm driver supports the 16550
- uart device but provides no control of the size of the fifo
- trigger. Microsoft sets the trigger at 14 which can be too
- small at the higher baud rates to prevent data overflow.
-
- Unicom allows you to set the size of this trigger to all
- possible settings.
-
- The I/O priority control allows you to tune
- Unicom to obtain the fastest possible file transfer
- performance from your computer.
-
- NEW SCRIPT COMMANDS
-
- These predefined variables allow a script writer to access
- the directory fields of the last directory entry dialed.
-
- DIRNAME, DIRPHONE, DIRDIALSTRING, DIRBAUD,
- DIRSCRIPT, DIRPASSWORD, DIRTERMINAL,
- DIRSESSIONS & DIRLASTONDATE
-
- AUTOMATIC ZMODEM RESUME FEATURE
-
- Zmodem Resume (also called Zmodem crash recovery) was
- a manual operation in previous Unicom releases. Now,
- Unicom will automatically compare the file date and size
- of an existing file to that of the sender. If the host file is
- larger and of the same date, Unicom will start the transfer
- at the point where the previous attempt left off.
-
- FILE MARKER SEND ALL FEATURE
-
- The ALL feature transmits all filenames from the file
- marker list box (space delimited) then sends a CR. This
- makes it easy to specify all your selected files to a remote
- host that prompts you for multiple files.
-
- EXTERNAL I/O DRIVER SUPPORT COMPATIBLE
- WITH PROCOMM DLC DRIVERS
-
- Unicom can be adapted to support special I/O hardware.
- By developing a Windows DLL according to Procomms
- DLC specification, Unicom can be adapted to any special
- devices. The INT-14 driver provided with Unicom
- illustrates this capability.
-
- POWER SCROLL FEATURE
-
- Unicom can now scroll over 10 times faster than earlier
- releases. Thanks to a new power scroll feature, Unicom
- can display incoming text to the screen at any baud rate
- without concern as to the performance of your video
- hardware.
-
- PREDEFINED MODEM SETUP STRINGS
-
- Unicom now provides custom modem setup strings for over
- 100 different modems from various manufacturers. A
- manual modem setup screen is provided for modems we do
- not specifically support.
-
- RUNNING ON-LINE $ CONNECTION CHARGE METER
-
- Unicom will automatically calculate and display your
- hourly connection charges while on-line to pay services
- every 2 seconds. Hourly rate information is stored
- in Unicoms dialing directory for each system you define.
-
- PUSH-BUTTON PHONE DIALER
-
-
- A new gee whiz push-button telephone dialer has
- been added. You can just dial the phone with your mouse
- or, if you prefer, manually enter the numbers from the
- keypad.
-
- OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
-
- User Selectable Comm Port Receive and Transmit Buffer
- Sizes. You may now specify the size of the interrupt
- receive and transmit queues utilized by the Windows
- communications driver. Unicoms comm port setup
- window provides selectable buffer sizes as follows:
-
- Unicom previously used a predefined buffer size -
- overriding any system.ini setting.
-
- Receive Buffer 4k, 8k, 16k, 24k
- Transmit Buffer 2k, 4k, 8k, 16k
-
-
- New ^ Character Prefix
- You may directly specify all 256 ASCII characters by using
- the ^ prefix character followed by the decimal number.
- For example to specify a DEL character (255) in the
- keyboard macro editor, just enter ^255 in the description
- field for the key being defined.
-
-
- Host Mode Improvements
- Access levels (1-3) have been replaced by privileges you
- specify in the host user setup screen. In this screen you
- establish privileges for each user by selecting
- the appropriate checkbox for the following operations:
-
- Upload File, Download File, Change Directories, Type
- Files, List Directories, Shell to DOS, Page Sysop, Read
- Messages, Write Messages, Examine the User List
- ist. On-line time limits and Dial back operation settings
- are now part of each user setup.
-
- Host mode will now detect a loss of modem carrier and
- terminate any active modem session.
-
- Screen Editing Time Saver
- You can highlight a block of text on the screen as always
- then copy or paste it. Now you may click the mouse on a
- word - Unicom will highlight the entire word.
-
- You may paste or send the highlighted text by clicking the
- right mouse button. A carriage return will be automatically
- appended to the transmitted text.
-
- MISC FEATURES AND CHANGES
-
- ~ characters may be embedded in the modem init string
- to add a .5 second delay.
-
- Host mode should detect DTR drop at any time during a
- session and then wait for another login.
-
- The Elapsed timer now keys on DTR when the port is set
- to a modem connection.
-
-
- & Packing List
-
- This distribution contains the full retail
- version of Unicom.
-
- This Retail version is available only from
- Data Graphics or from an authorized distributor.
-
- If you found it posted on an electronic service
- or BBS, please call us at (206)432-1201.
-
- On Disk:
-
- INSTALL.EXE - copies and decompresses files.
-
- The following files are compressed on disk
- and are denoted with an underscore in the
- file extension. UNICOM.EX_ is the compressed
- executable program. The install program will
- copy and decompress each file.
-
- The expanded filenames are listed as follows:
-
- UNICOM.EXE - UNICOM shareware or retail pgm
- UNICOM.FON - fonts for vt100 and BBS
- UNICOM.SND - user changable music file
- UNICOM.KEY - example keyboard macro file
- UNICOM.CFG - example program configuration
- UNICOM.DIR - example dialing directory
- UNICOM.XLT - example translation table
- UNICOM.HLP - UNICOM Windows Help
- UNICOM.MNU - example Utility menu
- UC31ORDR.WRI - order form in write format
- UC31ORDR.TXT - order from in text format
- UC31READ.ME - UNICOM 3.1 release notes
- PLAYNOTE.SCR - Example Script Files
- BITBLT.SCR ""
- GDI.SCR ""
- LINES.SCR ""
- SETPIXEL.SCR ""
- MODEMREG.SCR ""
- COMPUSRV.SCR ""
- PCMAGNET.SCR ""
- MCI.SCR ""
- UNICOM.MNU ""
- ELLIPSE.SCR ""
- RBBS.SCR ""
- OPUS.SCR ""
- PCBOARD.SCR ""
- WILDCAT.SCR ""
- SRCHLITE.SCR ""
- REMOTACC.SCR ""
- UCINT14.DLC - Int 14 Support DLL
- UCVIEWER.EXE - Unicom 3.1 GIF Viewer
- MODEMS.DAT - Predefined Modem Setup File
- PRO2UNI.EXE - Procom 1.0 to Unicom directory
- converter utility.
- LZEXPAND.DLL - File compression support
- during installation only.
-
- & HOW TO ORDER UNICOM
- TO REGISTER QUICKLY: order by phone!
-
- To get registered immediately, just
- call (206)432-1201 anytime between 9am and
- 5pm Pacific time weekdays.
-
- Have your VISA or MasterCard Ready.
- You will be issued a temporary registration
- number over the phone.
-
- BY FAX: send your completed order form to
- Data Graphics fax at (206)432-8673 (24hrs)
-
- BY MAIL: Enclose payment and mail to:
-
- Data Graphics
- P.O. Box 58517
- Renton,WA 98058
- U.S.A.
-
- Authorized Distributors:
-
- CDV Software
- Postfach 2749
- 7500 Karlsruhe
- Germany
- (0721)/2 22 95 voice
- (0721)/2 13 14 fax
-
- Computer Solutions Software
- Postfach 1180
- W-8018 Grafing
- Germany
- 08092/5018 voice
- 08092/31727 fax
-
- & Unicom Tech Support Hotline
-
- Technical support is available for registered users
- only. Please call our voice support hotline from 9am-4pm
- weekdays Pacific time. Have your license key
- (found in your manual) ready when you call.
-
- Because of the great number of written inquiries
- we receive, we ask that you call when you need
- prompt support. If this is not possible, you may
- obtain support via email as shown below:
-
- Foreign customers may obtain support via
- CompuServe by sending Email to:
- 71631,464. Internet users may contact us
- at 71631.464@CompuServe.com
-
-
- BEFORE CALLING:
-
- 1) Please check the question and answer section
- of the online help (and in your manual) for
- answers to commonly asked questions.
-
- 2) So that we may help you more efficiently,
- please have the answers to the following
- questionaire ready when you call:
-
- TECH SUPPORT QUESTIONAIRE:
-
- What version of Unicom are you using? ____________ (examples:3.0h, 3.0c, 3.1?)
- (The file About Box indicates your version of Unicom)
-
- What problem or difficulty are you having with the software?
-
- Have you checked your computer for an IRQ conflict?(Y/N) ___________
-
- Can you reproduce the problem?____________
- If so, what steps did you perform?
-
- Please provide a description of your computer hardware:
- CPU (286,386SX,386DX,486) _________
-
- CPU Clock Speed (MHZ) _________ MHZ
-
- Installed Memory(MB) _________ MB
-
- Video Adapter Brand Name _________
-
- Video Resolution (640x480, 800x600...) _________ pixels
-
- Have you tried installing another video driver? ________
-
- Number of comm ports in your computer __________
- (Even if the port exists but is not attached to anything
- it can interfere with an internal modem or another comm port.
- Please check your computer to be sure)
-
- Are you using an Internal Modem? __________
-
-
- & Where to Find UNICOM
-
- There are now two versions of Unicom.
- A full retail and a shareware version.
-
- The retail version is available only
- from Data Graphics or from an Authorized
- Distributor.
-
- You may call our support BBS most anytime at
- (206)432-6456 to obtain the latest shareware version
- of Unicom. If you are already registered and would like
- a retail version update, see the order form for details.
-
- UNICOM shareware may also be found on CompuServe in the
- following forums: ZENITH, WINADV, IBMCOM, MSOPSYS
- Browse the forum shareware or new uploads library
- using the keyword "UNICOM".
-
-
- & Why Register Unicom ?
- Unicom blows the commerical comm packages away
- when it comes to price, performance and features.
-
- This product would not have been possible were it
- not for the many thousands who registered previous
- versions of Unicom.
-
- By registering, you get the latest version of Unicom on disk,
- a 150+ page owners manual, unlimited phone tech support,
- free maintenance updates (posted on CompuServe and our BBS)
- and special pricing on future releases of our software.
-
- As a customer, you have a direct role in the development of
- this software. If there is a feature you don't see in Unicom,
- you can reach me by phone and give me your suggestion
- directly. If the suggestion sounds like a winner, there is
- an excellent chance your idea will be implemented.
-
- Try doing that with the developers of commercial software.
-
- Your support is greatly appreciated and I will continue to
- do my best to deliver top-notch communication software for
- Windows.
-
- Thank You.
-
- David Gan
- (206)432-1201
-
- & 3.1d Upgrade Info for Registered Users
-
- We now provide 2 versions of Unicom 3.1.
-
- A full retail version and a limited shareware
- version. When you register Unicom, you receive the
- full featured retail version. This retail version
- is only available from us directly (or from an authorized
- distributor). Only the limited shareware version may
- be distributed publicly.
-
- If you already have registered Unicom 3.1 and would like
- a full featured retail 3.1d update disk:
-
- Please send $6.00 for shipping and handling to:
-
- Data Graphics
- 3.1d Update Offer
- P.O. Box 58517
- Renton, WA 98058
-
- Registered users may download the retail maintenance
- update AT NO COST directly from our BBS (206)432-6456.
- Have your license key ready when you call.
-
- & 3.1d Release Notes
-
- Unicom 3.1d corrects the following
-
- FIXED: HS Indicator light did not work for 57600
- FIXED: Real-time screen update problem.
- Screen characters would sometimes not appear
- right away but could be found when the screen
- refreshed later.
- CHANGED: Selecting 14400 in the directory entry editor
- will force 19200 to be used. Modems can't
- receive commands at 14400.
- FIXED: Lost mouse cursor on program startup
- FIXED: The Unicom window could be lost when
- activating the program with an Iconic
- startup setting in the General Setup Window
- FIXED: Copy to Clipboard sometimes caused a UAE when
- copying large amounts of text.
-
- Unicom 3.1c corrects the following:
-
- CHANGED: Marked files window now allows you
- to select individual entries.
- FIXED: Baud rate selected in the dialing
- directory editor (for 3.1b) produced
- next lower baud selection.
- FIXED: Garbled modem connect response when
- the option: view modem response to
- commands was enabled.
- FIXED: Shareware version would not run after
- the trial period. It reported a Memory
- Error and would abort.
-
- Unicom 3.1b corrects the following:
-
- NEW: Ring Indicator disable option.
- For those modems or drivers giving false
- Ring Indicator reports.
- FIXED: Host Mode ZMODEM download lockup.
- FIXED: False memory error report during
- initial licensing.
- FIXED: Auto Gif display toggle.
-
- Unicom 3.1a updates Unicom 3.1 with the following:
-
- NEW: Install Program for New and Upgrade installations.
- NEW: 3D LOOK. All popup and setup screens appear in 3D.
- NEW: Expanded Scroll Buffer now supports 5000 lines.
- NEW: Additional font sizes now available for TRUETYPE.
- NEW: 57600 baud now supported in dialing directory
-
- IMPROVED: Transmit buffer now utilized for faster
- uploading during data transfers.
-
- FIXED: Log off no matter what during host download.
- FIXED: GIF updating speed causing transfer aborts.
- CHANGED: Terminal attribute overrides are now saved for
- the next session by activating save setup.
- FIXED: Some users reported crashing to DOS, UAEs or
- strange program behavior during host downloads
- or during general program operations.
- FIXED: Stack overflow errors during script execution.
- FIXED: Sticky off hook (OH) modem display light.
- FIXED: Ring Indicator (RI) light now disabled during CD.
- FIXED: GIF display window is now automatically closed
- on GIF aborts.
- FIXED: Custom Icon Setup window: Icons sometimes could
- not be selected after a previous edit.
- FIXED: Auto filename extraction from screen during Xmodem
- downloading could create invalid filename preventing
- download.
- FIXED: DDOOUUBBLLEE characters when View Modem Response to
- commands option is enabled in the dialing directory.
-
- If you know of a bug, let us know so we can prevent it
- from becoming a 'feature'.
-
-
- Additional Info:
-
- 1) The manual does not describe the Attribute
- Override option in the terminal setup
- window.
-
- When you activate the Attribute Override
- button from the terminal setup window,
- three checkboxes will be displayed with
- the following options.
-
- Display Bold As Normal:
- If checked, Unicom disables display
- of bold characters. Bold does not
- look crisp on many displays.
-
- Display Italics as Normal:
- Unicom translates blinking into Italics
- since blinking is not supported.
- If checked, Italics will not be displayed.
-
- Dim Background Colors
- If checked, the background colors will
- always be dimmer that the foreground
- colors. If unchecked, Unicom will
- display the background using the same
- colors as used for the foreground
- characters.
-