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QuikDial 1.3 Guide
******************
04/13/92
QuikDial is a memory resident utility that permits you to dial
telephone numbers using your PC's modem. It can scan the
display for numbers to dial or you can interactively enter the
numbers. QuikDial makes use of expanded memory (EMS) or extended
memory (XMS) or a hard disk swap file to store most of its code
when not in use. Because of the ability to "swap" code in and
out of active memory, only about 6,800 bytes of valuable low DOS
memory are consumed when QuikDial isn't active. If you are
presently using some other phone dialer utility, that program
may be consuming significantly more low memory. For example,
SideKick, a Borland product which includes a phone dialer, uses
over 100,000 bytes of low memory.
QuikDial Features
-----------------
* Provides support for modems connected to communications ports
1, 2, 3 and 4.
* Accepts default long-distance area code assignment to
eliminate need for local area code to be included in long
distance phone numbers within your area. Just including the
"1-" characters at the start of the number will direct QuikDial
to use the default area code.
* Accepts up to 3 different default prefixes to support the use
of phone lines demanding a prefix to gain access to an external
line or special services. Hot keys will automatically add the
prefix to a number before dialing.
* Automatic screen-scan searches the display for phone numbers
to dial.
* Easy redialing of busy numbers.
* Easy command line unloading if you need to free-up all
available low DOS memory.
* Command key help prompts which may be hidden at the user's
preference.
* User defineable hotkey combination.
* Support for international telephone numbers beginning with
011 international code.
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QuikDial Guide
**************
Installation and Command Line Parameters
----------------------------------------
Installing QuikDial is relatively easy. It can be included in
the AUTOEXEC.BAT file so that it is always available when you
use your PC. The following example suggests a possible location
for QuikDial in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
ECHO OFF
CLS
C:\UTILITY\QUIKDIAL /1 /AC313 /PFA09 /PFB0953829 /PFC1202
...
(additional AUTOEXEC batch code might be located here)
...
The previous batch file fragment suggests that QuikDial is
stored in a directory on C: named \UTILITY. Notice that five
parameters are included on the example command line. The first
parameter, "/1", tells QuikDial that your modem is attached to
communication port 1. If your modem is configured as port 2, 3
or 4, you would insert that appropriate number in place of the 1
digit on the command line. The second parameter, "/AC313",
tells QuikDial that your default area code is 313. The third,
fourth and fifth parameters are default prefixes.
If you include an area code parameter, QuikDial will
automatically add the specified area code to any phone number
which begins with the "1-" characters. Thus, at least when you
are using QuikDial, you can return to the simpler days of long
distance dialing within your own area - no more having to
specify your own area code! Of course, if you commonly make
long distance calls to some area other than your own, you can
instead make that other code the default.
If you use a phone system which requires you to enter a code to
access an external phone line or special features, you can tell
QuikDial to use the appropriate prefix when dialing a number.
Up to 3 different prefixes can be assigned for use. Each prefix
is introduced with a PF identifier, /PFA or /PFB or /PFC. The
PF identifier is followed by the desired prefix up to ten
characters in length.
The parameters are optional. When no parameters are included,
QuikDial assumes the modem is attached to port 1. Additionally,
no default area code or prefixes will be available during that
operating session. The comments in braces describe the key
strokes, they are NOT part of the command!
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QuikDial Guide
**************
To unload QuikDial from memory, use the /U directive. As with
any memory resident program, QuikDial must have been the last
memory resident program loaded in order to unload it.
The default hotkey combination to popup QuikDial is
<Ctrl>-<Alt>-D. If that combination conflicts with some other
application or you prefer some simpler combination, you can
redefine the hotkey. Use the /K comand line parameter to define
your preference. The combination should include at least one of
the following keywords: CTRL, ALT, LEFTSHIFT, RIGHTSHIFT. The
keywords should be followed by an alpha, numeric or function key
name. The examples below should help you figure this out.
QUIKDIAL /KALTCTRLP { Alt-Ctrl-P }
QUIKDIAL /KCTRLD { Ctrl-D }
QUIKDIAL /KALTF10 { Alt-F10 }
QUIKDIAL /KCTRLLEFTSHIFTF10 { Ctrl-LeftShift-F10 }
Using QuikDial
--------------
To give QuikDial a try, go to the DOS command line and enter the
following line:
C:QUIKDIAL /[1,2,3,4] /AC[your area code]
This example assumes that the QuikDial executable file named
QUIKDIAL.EXE is located in the default directory on C: of your
computer. Be sure to insert the number of the communication
port that your modem is attached to in the first parameter and
include your area code in the second parameter. If your modem
is connected to port 1, you may ignore the port parameter. Port
1 is the default port when no port parameter is specified.
After you have executed the command and included the appropriate
parameters for your own modem port and area code, hold down the
<Ctrl> and <Alt> keys and then tap the <D> key. If there is a
telephone number presently displayed on your screen, QuikDial
will find that number and display it in a highlight box. The
number may be edited using the cursor control keys. Pressing
<Enter> will cause the number to be dialed.
When more than one number is displayed on the screen, QuikDial
first checks the line where the cursor was last located. If a
number was located on the line where the cursor was located, you
will be presented with that number first. To scan the rest of
the display for numbers, press the down arrow key. QuikDial
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QuikDial Guide
**************
will then search the screen from top to bottom for other phone
numbers. When it finds a number, you will then be presented with
that new selection in the highlight box. To abort the screen
scan operation, press the <Esc> key. You will then be presented
with an empty number highlight box. At that point you may type
in the number you want to dial. Press <Enter> after you have
finished typing in the number. You may press <Esc> to exit
QuikDial without dialing. If no number is visible on the
screen, QuikDial will ask you to enter the phone number you want
to dial.
After the number is determined either by picking it from your
screen or by manual entry, QuikDial will enable your modem, dial
the number, signal with a two tone sound that the number has
been sent to the modem and advise you to pick up the handset and
press <Enter>. Be sure to pick up the telephone handset before
pressing <Enter> since QuikDial will disconnect the line before
you have a chance to proceed with the call. If the number is
busy, the call can be redialed by pressing <Space>.
The command line parameters can be entered in any order. The
two following examples will produce the same results:
QUIKDIAL /3 /AC313 /PFA123 /PFB09313 /NOHELP
QUIKDIAL /PFA123 /NOHELP /AC313 /PFB09313 /3
After picking up the handset and pressing <Enter>, QuikDial
exits until you activate it again with the <Ctrl>-<Alt>-<D>
hotkey combination. If you change your mind about placing a
call, just press the <Esc> key to exit QuikDial with no number
dialed. Even if a number is already dialed but you have not
picked up the handset, pressing a key on the keyboard will
disconnect the line and end the call and cause QuikDial to exit.
Prefix Codes
------------
To use a prefix code, you must first specify the proper code(s)
on the DOS command line when QuikDial is installed. For
example, let's assume the prefix we want to use for local calls
is 09, 09-313 for long distance calls and 09-202 for long
distance calls to another area we frequently call. The proper
command line syntax would be:
QuikDial /PFA09 /PFB09313 /PFC09202
Notice that each prefix is introduced with a PF identifier, /PFA
or /PFB or /PFC. The PF identifier is followed by the desired
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QuikDial Guide
**************
prefix up to ten characters in length. Now when a number is
scanned from the screen or entered in the highlight box,
pressing <Alt-1> (the <Alt> key and the <1> key in combination)
will automatically insert the prefix code 09 in front of the
number before it is dialed. Similarly, pressing <Alt-2> will
insert the 90313 code and <Alt-3> will insert the 09202 code in
front of the number.
Help Boxes and Audible Signals
------------------------------
By default, different prompts are displayed in help boxes just
below the number entry highlight box. The prompts advise you of
the various keys and the actions associated with the keys.
After you become familiar with QuikDial, you may prefer to work
without the prompts displayed. If you reach that point, you can
specify your preference when QuikDial is installed. Once again
your preference is expressed with a command line parameter of
/NOHELP. The following command would initialize QuikDial with
the /NOHELP parameter:
QUIKDIAL /2 /AC313 /NOHELP
QuikDial indicates the start of its actions with a two audible
signal by default. For quiet operation, you can turn the
signals off with a /QUIET parameter.
QUIKDIAL /2 /AC313 /NOHELP /QUIET
Hints and Suggestions
---------------------
Since QuikDial uses EMS or XMS, it is not recommended that you
attempt to load it high using DOS 5's LOADHIGH command or
similar utility services available through third party memory
managers. You can try it, but using EMS and XMS is a tricky
business - QuikDial may not load properly or performance may be
erratic when it is loaded high. During my testing, I have
successfully loaded all the program high into XMS by not
creating any EMS. However, this is not a good solution for me
since I use other software which demands EMS.
In the event that neither EMS or XMS are available, temporary
disk storage buffers will be created in C:\. If no space is
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QuikDial Guide
**************
available in C:\ or no hard disk or RAM disk named C: is
installed, QuikDial will not load. The disk buffers are only
created in the event EMS or XMS are unavailable.
It is difficult at best to use QuikDial on a system with no hard
disk, EMS or XMS. The program is not designed to load in its
entirety in low DOS memory. It is possible to use the DOS SUBST
command to create a virtual C: on a floppy drive directory.
However, QuikDial will swap out very slowly in comparison to the
speed attained with EMS, XMS or a hard disk.
Registration
------------
QuikDial was written by David Nicholson in 1991. It is a
copyrighted work. The copy of QuikDial you are using is
licensed by Nicholson Consulting Services (NCS). If you have
purchased, registered or received a copy of QuikDial from NCS,
you have acquired the right to use the software on your own
computer. You do not own the right to alter this documentation
or the executable program code. Users who acquire the software
from electronic bulletin boards or some source other than
directly from NCS are expected to register their copy of the
software with NCS and pay a registration fee of $25.00. Payment
must be made to:
David A. Nicholson
Nicholson Consulting Services
502 Adams Street
Plymouth, Michigan 48170
CompuServe 73407,3020
Registered users will receive free telephone support for the
product. Additional enhancements are planned for QuikDial.
Registered users will receive a copy of the next enhanced
version when it becomes available.
I welcome comments or suggestions from ANY USER, whether you are
registered or not.
Page 6
QuikDial Guide
**************
03/27/92 Version 1.2
--------------------
Minor maintenance revision fixed several problems reported by
users including:
1. More than one number on a line is now correctly found.
2. Properly locates a number in a spreadsheet.
3. Screen scan finds a wider variety of numbers as valid phone
numbers. E.g., (555)555-5555, 1-999-9999 and 555 555-555.
04/13/92 Version 1.3
--------------------
Problems fixed:
1. Cursor location is correctly identified in spreadsheet
programs.
2. International phone numbers identified by 011 code at start
of number are now properly identified as valid numbers.
Enhancement:
Hotkey is now user defineable.
Problems I'm still working on include: Conflicts with fax
boards, conflicts with DesqView.
Page 7