Tech Arsenal 1

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Tech Arsenal 1 / Tech Arsenal (Arsenal Computer).ISO / tek-09 / postcd82.zip / AIRMAIL.DOC < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1991-12-26 | 40KB | 729 lines

Peoria, Illinois December 9, 1991 AirMail (For PostCard V8.2) (C) Philip G. Anthony and J. R. Landers - All Rights Reserved -------------- *** IMPORTANT NOTE *** -------------- Two important changes have been made to AirMail. First, it is no longer a stand-alone program. Effective with Version 8.1, both PostCard and AirMail were completely re-written into modules. This schema not only saved 47,000 bytes of code and gave them a smaller disk footprint, but also resulted in a smoother, more seamless interface and made considerably more memory available to AirMail for shelling out to the operating system. Third party fossil communications drivers such as DSZ.COM will have more memory to work with in this new configuration. AirMail does not include a menu bar like the one added to PostCard. The reason for this is solely to keep the size of PostCard as small as possible. If you use AirMail and would like to see a menu bar incorporated, please contact the author either via GENIE, Internet or mail. mail. Like PostCard, AirMail is a lot easier to use than it is to describe. The following is an attempt to cut through the descriptive documentation below and illustrate this point: 1. Make sure the first phone number in a record is a data number 2. Make sure the Note line contains valid communication parameters including the baud rate, parity, duplex setting, and protocol exactly as they appear in the data file COMM.PCD and adjusted, of course, for the parameters you need. This is discussed in more detail in 'Here's How It Works', below. 3. Copy QMXFER.COM to your PostCard directory 4 Optional: If you intend to use Quick 'B' on CompuServe, copy TCQB.COM to your PostCard directory. If you intend to use Chuck Forsberg's Zmodem, Ymodem Batch, or Ymodem-g, copy DSZ.COM to your PostCard directory. DSZ is not distributed with AirMail and requires registration (but it's worth it!). 5. V8.2 uses a different POST.PRM file and if you haven't copied the new file into your PostCard directory, be sure to do this. If POST.PRM doesn't include the proper parameters for your system, modify it to suit your requirements using <Ctrl-O>. 6. When you press <Ctrl-A> and AirMail's communication screen comes up, use <Alt-D> to dial the data number. If you're logging on to GENIE, send it 'HHH' <Enter> to get the password request. If you're logging on to CompuServe, give it a <Ctrl-C> to get the password request. If you're logging on to a bulletin board, some boards sense your baud rate and automatically ask for your name and password, and some require you to hit <Enter> a few times before they synchronize. 7. When a system tells you it's ready to download, press the <PgDn> key. If you're uploading a file, press the <PgUp> key. What happens after this depends on the protocol you're using. This is discussed in more detail below, but is not difficult. It just requires a small amount of understanding of the characteristics of non-batch protocols like Xmodem, and batch protocols like Zmodem and Ymodem-batch. If AirMail requires a file name, it will AUTOMATICALLY ask you for it. If it doesn't, it will AUTOMATICALLY go right into the download. COMM.PCD has examples of how to set up the note line. It, alone, is all you need to know about passing AirMail communication parameters. The rest of this documentation discusses fine points. But the above steps highlight all that is needed to set up for logging on and uploading or downloading files, checking mail, capturing it in AirMail's log, etc. ----------------- *** Getting With The Program *** ----------------- AirMail is a terminal program that uses PostCard's records as a dialing directory. It is small, efficient and capable but sacrifices function for simplicity. It's author acknowledges the utility of large, intricate programs; however, they usually have large, intricate manuals and inevitably try to please a wide audience, which results in features many people don't need and will never use. AirMail's rationale is the same as PostCard's: Keep it small, simple, fast and easy to use. You won't find many features in AirMail that you won't use every session. Almost every feature it possesses is necessary to initiate an on-line session. You will find several features missing. It has no host, no script language, no color graphics capability and no terminal emulations. There is an up-side to all this paucity, however. It doesn't have seven screens of parameters, cluttered help screens, or a manual two inches thick. It was written to be used in conjunction with PostCard and if you use PostCard extensively, there is no other program that will let you shift from voice to data calls more quickly or conveniently. Obviously, when you carry little baggage, you carry fewer tools. If AirMail includes most of the tools you need, you're going to like it. If not, there are many capable alternatives. One more thought about its rationale. The design of AirMail was heavily influenced by the way its author works. While it has ASCII upload capability, its author seldom uploads anything in ASCII form. If he wants to send a message to someone on CompuServe or Genie, he types the message with his word processor, archives it into a small binary file and uploads the binary file with a protocol (Quick 'B' on CompuServe - Xmodem on Genie - Ymodem-Batch or Zmodem on private hosts). And when he downloads something ASCII, he simply turns on AirMail's log and captures the downloaded text in the file AM.LOG. By working this way, he doesn't have to worry about the host's line pacing, line length, prompts, carriage return/line feed handling, character interpretation, etc. AirMail has no capture buffer because the log file AM.LOG and the ability to shell out to the operating system is a more efficient al- ternative. If he wants to review the session, he turns on AM.LOG and uses <Ctrl-L> to read AM.LOG into Vern Buerg's LIST.COM which has a blizzard of features and gives AirMail a "capture buffer" many a larger comm program would envy. And, finally, when the author wants to upload or download files, he uses state-of-the-art protocols. AirMail can handle Chuck Forsberg's Zmodem, Ymodem Batch and Ymodem-g without complicated batch files or any- thing else. All that's required is that DSZ.COM be in the default direc- tory. The same is true of John Bridges' TCQB.COM for CompuServe's Quick 'B' or John Friel's QMXFER.COM for Xmodem CRC and 1k Xmodem. All three programs have built in interfaces and have proved to be very efficient performers for the given protocols they support. In addition, for more advanced users, AirMail can handle any external protocol the user knows how to set up from the command line by merely shelling out to the operating system and invoking it. AirMail has the ability to take a snapshot of the screen and re- display it anytime during the session or after you have logged off. <Alt- C> captures the current screen even when the host is inputting data through the com port. It is a combination of assembler and C routines written by Phil Anthony and linked into AirMail. This feature is handy if you are doing a directory listing on a bulletin board and find a file you want to download. You don't have to write its name down. Just hit <Alt-C>. When the host asks you for the name of the file to download, if you don't remember its exact spelling, hit <Alt-R> and - Zam - you'll have the captured screen in front of you with the name of the file you want to down- load. Hitting <Esc> will return you to the current screen to type in the name and proceed with the download. ------------------- *** Here's How It Works *** ------------------- AirMail gives you terminal capability by setting four parameters on PostCard's note line. If you want to make a data call rather than a voice call, this is what you do: 1. Be sure you have changed the default parameters in POST.PRM to reflect your system's requirements. The POST.PRM file distributed with V8.2 has the following default parameters: Com: 1 Dialing: Pulse Default Data File: COMM.PCD Modem Initiation String: ATV1. If your parameters are different, you can change them in PostCard by using <Ctrl-0>. 2. The data number must be the first telephone number of the record. The second telephone number is reserved for voice calls. You can still use the first number for voice calls within PostCard, but if you invoke AirMail, it always interprets the first number of a PostCard record as a data number. 3. On the note line of the PostCard record, type the baud rate, parity, echo and default protocol for the board you're calling EXACTLY like this: Note: Baud=1200 Parity=N,8,1 Duplex=F Pro=C OR Note: Baud=2400 Parity=E,7,1 Duplex=H Pro=Q IMPORTANT: THE NOTE LINE MUST BE TYPED USING THE FORMAT ABOVE. SPACES AND CAPITAL LETTERS ARE SIGNIFICANT. No provision has been made for 300 baud modems. If you want local echo (half duplex), type Duplex=H. If you want host echo (full duplex), type Duplex=F. The abbreviations for AirMail's protocols are: K 1k Xmodem '(Pro=K) ] These three protocols are included C Xmodem CRC '(Pro=C) | in QMXFER.COM which must be pre- I Imodem '(Pro=I) ] sent in the default directory. Q CIS Quick 'B' '(Pro=Q) This protocol is included in the file TCQB.COM, which must be pre- sent in the default directory be- fore trying to upload or download with Quick 'B' on CompuServe. IT IS IMPORTANT to point out that this program does not return control to AirMail after an upload. Therefore, THE USER HAS TO HIT THE <ESC> KEY AFTER AN UPLOAD OR DOWNLOAD HAS ENDED in order to return to AirMail and continue with the session. And some hosts require a carriage re- turn after an upload or download is finished. G Ymodem-g '(Pro=G) ] These three protocols are included Y Ymodem Batch '(Pro=Y) | in DSZ.COM. To use them, DSZ must Z Zmodem '(Pro=Z) ] be in the PostCard directory. DSZ is not distributed with PostCard but is available on GENIE and CIS and many private bulletin boards and requires registration. Ymodem-g is not in- cluded in the Shareware version until the user registers it. You call AirMail from PostCard with <Ctrl-A>, which will display AirMail's comm screen. When the comm screen comes up, you are ready to make your call. There are fourteen hot keys in AirMail: ESC TERMINATE A BUSY NUMBER OR ONE THAT ISN'T ANSWERING if your modem is not set to or does not support extended codes (X3 or X4 which return "BUSY"). ESC is also used to return you to AirMail after an upload or download using CIS Quick 'B' on CompuServe. PgUp INITIATE AN UPLOAD after the host tells you its ready PgDn INITIATE A DOWNLOAD after the host tells you its ready Alt-A SEND MODEM AN AT COMMAND. This feature was added for users who need to alter or check their modem's default configuration. It is a useful feature, but should be used judiciously. Alt-C CAPTURE SCREEN that is currently displayed. A captured screen can be re-displayed at any time on line or off with <Alt-R>. Alt-D DIAL THE FIRST NUMBER of PostCard's current record, which PostCard passed to AirMail when you selected <Ctrl-A>. <Alt-D> dials the number once the Comm Screen appears. This is not done automatically in order to give you a chance to turn on disk logging, printer logging, check the help screen, change a keyboard macro, alter the modem initiation string with <Alt-A>, etc. Alt-E EXIT TO THE OPERATING SYSTEM. Useful for checking dir- ectories, invoking external protocols after setting up a file transfer with the host, using programs like Vern Buerg's LIST.COM to display AM.log, etc. This command will work either on-line or off-line. Alt-H Activate the HELP WINDOW. <Alt-H> is a summary of this table. After being called, pressing any key will cause the window to close. Alt-L Activate or deactivate DISK LOGGING (a toggle). Using <Alt-L> turns the log on and off. This permits you to capture the entire session or any part of it to the log file AM.log which can later be read with a file lister like Vern Buerg's LIST.COM or read into a word processor for modification. Alt-M Keyboard MACROS WINDOW. Allows user to assign macros up to fifteen characters long to function keys F1-F12. <Alt-M> can speed up logging on and off of frequently called boards, or to supply any string to the host for input. You can assign strings longer than 15 characters to two function keys. (See example below) Alt-P Activate or deactivate PRINTER LOGGING (a toggle). Use <Alt-P> to send what is going to or coming in the com port to the printer. Alt-R RE-DISPLAY a screen previously captured with <Alt-C>. Alt-S SET ECHO. This feature can be used to change echo from host to local (full to half) or vice versa should you have the need. This is sometimes necessary in chat mode when the host does not echo keystrokes back to the user. Alt-X RETURN TO POSTCARD where you left it. Any captured screen will be lost. -------------- *** Using AirMail *** -------------- 1. Alter the PostCard note line to include the baud rate, parity, duplex and protocol (as shown above) for the service or bulletin board you are calling. Also make sure the FIRST telephone number of the record is a data number. 2. Make sure QMXFER.COM, and TCQB.COM are in your PostCard default directory. Also, Chuck Forsberg's DSZ.COM, if you intend to use Zmodem, Ymodem-Batch or Ymodem-g. 3. Make sure your default parameters are correct with <Ctrl- O>. 4. Select <Ctrl-A> and you're on your way. After you have modified the record's note line, hitting <Ctrl-A> calls AirMail. When AirMail's comm screen appears, you don't need to highlight the data number before making the call as you do if you're making a voice call within PostCard. You just select the appropriate record in PostCard, modify the note line if it doesn't include the correct parameters, and hit <Ctrl-A>. AirMail always uses the first telephone number of PostCard's current record for a data call. Once the comm screen appears, hit <Alt-D> (for dial) and AirMail will dial the number. As soon as the modems con- nect, AirMail will post an ON-LINE status message in the lower left hand corner of your screen telling you you're connected and that keyboard or function key input can begin. If you were calling CompuServe, for example, when you see the ON-LINE message in the lower left hand corner of your screen, you should send CIS a <Ctrl-C> to tell it to give you the User I.D. prompt. If you are calling Genie even parity, seven data bits, one stop bit, you'd want to send Genie an 'HHH' to have it return the User I.D/Password prompt. If you experience problems with AirMail, see the section below entitled "Technical Considerations and Information". However, if PostCard works with your modem, there is a very good chance AirMail will too. If the data number is busy, the busy result code will flash in the bottom left-hand corner of your screen - if your modem defaults to, or if you have set your modem to support, extended result codes. If there is no answer, a message will appear to that effect indicating the call timed out (after six rings on my Hayes 2400B and three rings on my Hayes 2400V.42 external). Hitting <Alt-D> will dial the number again. Hitting <Alt-X> will return you to PostCard where you left it. AirMail doesn't have circular or repeat dialing, but this sequence can be carried out very quickly. If you don't know how to set your modem to return extended result codes or it doesn't have that capability, AirMail allows you to recover from busy numbers or numbers that aren't answering by pressing the <ESC> key just like you can in PostCard. This will terminate a busy signal or a number that isn't answering. At that point, you can hit <Alt-D> and dial again, or <Alt-X> and return to PostCard at the point and record where you left it. People who haven't used PostCard probably cannot appreciate or visualize how fast this cycle can be carried out. ----------------------- Uploading & Downloading ----------------------- Uploads and Downloads using the protocols described above are handled with the <PgUp> and <PgDn> keys. These keys are always used to initiate your upload or download after the host has told you it's ready. The procedure for supplying the host with the name of the file you want to upload or download will vary, depending upon which protocol you're using and which system you're on. Also, the need to supply AirMail with the file name will depend on whether you're using a batch protocol or one of the older non-batch protocols. If you want to use an external protocol other than the protocols written into AirMail, don't use the <PgUp> and <PgDn> keys: Just select <Alt-E> and shell out to the operating system. Once there you can run your external protocol with the appropriate command line latches. Other than for setting up their modem, this is the only subject area of AirMail that might confuse beginners. In practice, it isn't nearly as difficult to do as it is to describe. Experienced communicators will have no trouble with it. For the benefit of beginners, however, we'll cover the protocols separately. JUST REMEMBER, IF YOU NEED TO SUPPLY A FILE NAME, AirMail WILL ASK YOU FOR IT BEFORE THE UPLOAD OR DOWNLOAD BEGINS BY POSITIONING THE CURSOR ON THE LINE FOR INPUTTING A FILE NAME. ------------------- Protocols ------------------- QMXFER.COM Non-batch (Xmodem CRC & 1k Xmodem) - Play it again, Sam! Older, non-batch protocols like the ones you'll find in QMXFER.COM do not have the ability to transfer file name, size or date of creation. Therefore, after you have told the host the name of the file you want to download and the host has told you to begin your download procedure, you would hit the <PgDn> key and AirMail will highlight the protocol indicated on PostCard's Note line, assuming that it is the protocol you want to use. If it is, hit enter and AirMail with then ask you for the name of the file you want to download...AGAIN. In other words, you have to supply the file name TWICE: Once for the host and once for AirMail so it can tell QMXFER.COM the name of the file and where to put it on your hard drive if the current directory isn't where you want to store it. When you supply the file name to AirMail, you can also supply a path to the sub-directory where you want the file stored on your hard drive. So, if your current directory is \Util, and you want to store the file you're downloading in \Temp, you would supply \Temp\filename.ext to Airmail and that's where AirMail will tell QMXFER.COM to put the file. You would use essentially the same procedure for uploads with protocols included in QMXFER.COM, except that when the host tells you to begin your upload procedure, you would hit the <PgUp> key. The cursor will be positioned on the name of the protocol you set up on the PostCard note line. If that's the protocol you told the host you'ld be using, all you have to do is hit the <Enter> key and AirMail will then ask you for the file name and the download or upload will begin. If you told the host you were going to use a protocol different from the default protocol on PostCard's note line, then, of course, you would have to select the proper protocol with the <up arrow> or the <down arrow> key before supplying the file name. This may be difficult to visualize from a description, but when you use AirMail, it will be crystal clear. And so will the reason for doing it this way. With AirMail, you can change protocols on the fly and are not tied to the default protocol you stipulated on PostCard's note line. If you are calling a board that gives you the option of what protocol to use just before a download or an upload is initiated, you can change protocols anytime you want. Some boards, however, don't give you the option of changing protocols before an upload or download begins, so you have to use the default protocol, or change your board parameters. But being able to change protocols quickly and easily on the fly is a nice feature to have in a small, uncomplicated, not-very-capable Comm program. DSZ.COM (Zmodem, Ymodem Batch & Ymodem-g) - If 16 bits are good, 32 are better Batch protocols simplify downloading and uploading. Not only do they pass more information such as file name, size and date of creation, they understand wildcards, so it is possible, depending on the system you are on, to set up multiple file uploads and downloads by using wildcards. These two protocols further simplify downloading, because you need to supply the name of the file only once for downloads. After you tell the host what file you want to download and the host tells you to begin your download procedure, all you have to do is hit the <PgDn> key and <Enter> when the protocol options are displayed and the download begins. The batch protocol is sending your copy of DSZ.COM the name of the file in the file header, so you don't need to supply it again. Zmodem and Ymodem Batch, however, still require you to supply the file name to both the host and to AirMail when you are uploading, so AirMail can pass it to DSZ.COM. After you have supplied the host with the name of the file you are uploading and the host tells you to begin your upload procedure, when you hit <PgUp> AirMail will highlight the default protocol and if that is the protocol you told the bulletin board you were going to use, you would press <Enter> . After you press <Enter>, AirMail will again ask you for the path/filename so it can pass it to DSZ.COM. If you changed protocols on the host from what you designated on PostCard's note line, you can use the <down arrow> or the <up arrow> key to select the protocol you told the host you were going to use before inputting the file name. But, again, this process is much easier to visualize when you're using AirMail than it is to describe before you have used it. Ymodem-g is an interesting variant of Ymodem. It sends 1k blocks of data without software acknowledgement and is intended for use with error- correcting modems. Until recently, the author didn't have an error- correcting modem and could not test Ymodem-g. Shortly after purchasing one, the author found that John Friel's version of Ymodem-g (included in QMXFER.COM) did not work when calling certain hosts and changed to Chuck Forsberg's Ymodem-g (included in DSZ.COM) and had no problems. So AirMail was modified to use DSZ.COM when Ymodem-g is chosen. Ymodem-g is a tad faster than Zmodem, but experience with it to date suggests it is not as reliable or robust as Zmodem on "dirty" telephone lines. Zmodem is several times more bullet proof than any other protocol the author has used and can somehow survive line hits that will destroy other protocols. It should be pointed out that certain features of DSZ.COM are only available to registered users and Ymodem-g is one of them. When you register your copy, Chuck Forsberg will send you a key program that unlocks the ability to use Ymodem-g, wildcarding and certain other features the program possesses. DSZ.COM is a real piece of work, and the registration fee is modest compared to the quality of the protocols it contains. With these batch protocols, if your copy of DSZ.COM has been registered with Omen Technology Inc and they have sent you a "live", registered version, you can also simply type \directory name\*.* and send all the files in that directory one after another until they have all been uploaded. If you're a hobbyist, there probably aren't too many times when you need this capability, but when you do, it's a real time saver. DSZ.COM also allows you to designate a default download directory where all of your downloaded files will be stored, thereby eliminating the need to use path information for downloads. You do this by adding one line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file in the root directory of your hard drive. The command you put in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file is: SET DIRRX=C:/sub-directory name/. Note that you are using slashes "/" here, not a backslash "\". TCQB.COM (CIS Quick 'B') - A protocol that passes itself coming & going A very nice feature of CompuServe's Quick 'B' is that you need only supply the file name once whether you're downloading or uploading, and you don't have to bother with AUTOEXEC.BAT files to tell the program where to store your downloads. When CIS asks you for the name of the file to down- load or upload, you can give if full path information. For example, if you are downloading a file called PCUT2.ZIP and you want to store it in a sub- directory called \Temp on your hard drive, you would tell CompuServe to send you \Temp\PCUT2.ZIP and after you type in the file name, just hit the <PgDn> key and that's exactly where the host will put it on your hard drive. The procedure is the same for uploads, except you would hit the <PgUp> key. The path command \Temp\PUT2.ZIP would be telling the host where the file you're uploading can be found on your hard drive. When CIS is through handshaking, and this can take about a minute at times, it will tell your copy of TCQB.COM where to find the file on your hard drive and begin the upload. Pretty spiffy for a communications service that can hardly talk standard Xmodem! And don't worry about the long handshake costing you money: Once Quick 'B' torques up, it's FAST! Quick 'B' DOES NOT RETURN CONTROL TO AirMail AFTER A DOWNLOAD OR AN UPLOAD IS OVER. THEREFORE, THE USER HAS TO HIT THE <ESC> KEY AFTER AN UPLOAD OR A DOWNLOAD IN ORDER TO RETURN CONTROL TO AirMail. TCQB.COM does have limited terminal capability and can accept keyboard input and echo it to the host. If you plan to upload or download more than one file, the author suggests that you leave TCQB.COM in control until your last file has been processed. However, if you are only uploading or downloading one file during the current session, it is better to hit the <ESC> key just after you have been notified that the upload or download is complete. You may also have to hit the <Enter> key to send CIS a carriage return, since it is usually expecting one before it will proceed with the session. ---------------- *** Features *** ---------------- AirMail offers the ability to shell to the operating system with <Alt- E>. The shell not only gives users access to directory listings or file listers while on-line, but can also be used to invoke any external protocol that can be called from the command line. The user would have to pass the external protocol the proper command line (set-up parameters, etc.), but this is a very powerful feature for those who want to use all of the command latches included in programs like DSZ, PSKermit, Wxmodem, HyperP, etc. After the external protocol has made the transfer, type 'Exit' to return to the Comm Screen, at which time dialogue between the user and the host resumes. Typing 'Exit' would not be required if you are using the built in interfaces for QMXFER.COM, TCQB.COM or DSZ.COM, but would be required if you run these programs by shelling out to the operating system to invoke them. And if none of this makes sense to you, don't worry about it. AirMail's protocols are very good. AirMail also has its own version of keyboard macros. Namely, the user can assign strings up to 15 characters long to the function keys F1 through F12. Hitting <Alt-M> will open a window for inputting or viewing the macros that have been assigned. After the window has been opened, just type the number of the function key you want to assign a string to, and the cursor will be placed on that line ready for your input. Hitting enter stores that string in a file called Macro.prm between sessions. If you have a user I.D/password sequence that requires more than 15 characters, the sequence can be assigned to two keys. Logging onto Genie, for example, would require the first three keys below: F1. HHH F2. XMGxxxxx, F3. PASSWORD,616 F4. JRLANDERS F5. James F6. Landers F7. PASSWORD2 F8. 77777,777 F9. PASSWORD:THREE F10. GO IBMSYS F11. M616;3 F12. BYE Admittedly, this isn't as handy as a script. And if you call many boards, it won't fill all your log on needs. But if you only call a handful of boards, it's adequate and quite fast. You would still have to enter <Ctrl-C> manually when first logging on to CompuServe (wait until AirMail tells you it's ON-LINE in the bottom left hand corner of the screen) to display their password request, and you would still have to supply carriage returns after each macro. The author has only tested AirMail using N,8,1 and E,7,1 parity because they will cover 100% of the requirements of people who typically call bulletin boards and a good deal of the requirements of people who typically call Genie, CompuServe or similar services. AirMail's disk log, AM.LOG, is opened for APPEND. This has good points and bad ones, depending upon how you look at it. If the log already exists, AirMail will go to the end of the file and add the new session to it, so you'll never destroy the last session unless you intend to. If you do a lot of calling, however, it doesn't take long for this log file to "grow like Topsey". AirMail also date stamps your log for both the date and time it was opened and the date and time it was closed. AirMail comes with no guarantees of functionality or suitability and you use if at your own risk. It was written to work only with PostCard and is not a stand-alone program. In the event it doesn't work with your modem, I would like to apolo- gize in advance. But the only guarantee I can give you is that it works on an IBM-AT equipped with a Hayes 2400B internal modem and my Hayes 2400V external modem and works well. It has also been tested on many other types of modems and AT clones by a host of users. In short, it has worked on everything it has been tried on so far and if PostCard works on your system, there is a good chance AirMail will. Technical Considerations and Information AirMail should work on most users hardware. It has been written to take advantage of the Hayes extended command set, and if you have a newer modem, it can take advantage of that fact; although, your modem may or may not be set up to do so. PostCard contains the <Ctrl-O> command to supply your modem with an initiation string. This string is stored in POST.PRM and when AirMail is run is sent to your modem. The default modem initiation string is ATV1. The author chose this because ANY modem that says it's Hayes compatible HAS TO support this string. It causes your modem to return verbal result codes like "NO CARRIER" or "CONNECT". However, newer Hayes modems support ampersand (&) commands and have four extended command sets. The one AirMail is most interested in is extended command set X3, which returns the verbal result codes "CONNECT", CONNECT 1200", "CONNECT 2400", and "BUSY". If you have such a modem, the initiation string 'ATV1X3' should be all you need to make it work properly with AirMail. Note that all alpha letters are capitalized. Be aware many modems require commands to be typed in capital letters and do not recognize lowercase letters. If you have a newer modem, you can also use the command &W to set your modem's default configuration. The command <Alt-A> can be used to send long initiation strings to your modem or to check its active and stored profiles if your modem includes the command '&V' (check your manual). Simply select <Alt-A>, and when you're asked to supply a modem string, type: AT&V and hit the <Enter> key. The <ESC> key will return you to AirMail after you are through. My Hayes is set so that after about six rings, the call times out. AirMail is written to return "NO ANSWER" when this happens. The <ESC> key will terminate a call that is not answering and return the message "CALL ABORTED", but not all bulletin boards answer on the first or even the sec- ond ring (even though most of them do). My experience suggests that you should let the number ring at least five or six times before you can assume the board isn't answering. But, AirMail has the <ESC> key if you don't want to wait that long. ---------- PostScript ---------- I would like to thank John Friel III, the author of Qmodem, for per- mitting me to use QMXFER.COM in AirMail. I've spent many hours testing it for reliability and have found it to be a very good performer. Not only are John's protocols robust, they "talk" well with the systems I have called and they are efficient. At 2400 baud, QMXFER.COM's Xmodem CRC transmits approximately 172 to 195 characters per second (71.7% - 80.5% efficient), depending upon the host and the time you call. 1k Y/Xmodem, (not batch) transmits approximately 217 to 227 characters per second, depending on the board (90.6% to 94.6% efficient) and receives at about 230 cps (95.9% efficient). Imodem has not been tested. (Xmodem CRC is not efficient on either GENIE or CompuServe). The status windows give the user a continuous readout of the effective characters per second and efficiency, as well as block count, time to transmit, a backward countdown of time remaining (rather than elapsed time), and several categories of communication errors such as short & long blocks, framing and parity errors, etc. I would also like to thank John Bridges for putting TCQB.COM into the public domain. It makes downloads and uploads on CompuServe a genuine pleasure. I never thought I'd say that - until, that is, I downloaded TCQB.COM and gave it a try. The results were very impressive. Notes: Version 1.3 of QMXFER.COM is copyrighted by The Forbin Project and John Friel III. QMXFER.COM is distributed with AirMail and does not require registration. LIST.COM is copyrighted by Vern Buerg and is not distributed with, nor is it a part of, either PostCard or AirMail. If you use LIST.COM, you should register it with Vern. It is the best file lister I have seen or used and is well worth the $15 registration fee (at the time of this writing). DSZ.COM is copyrighted by Omen Technology Inc. It is not distributed with AirMail and requires registration. If you use DSZ.COM, you should register it with Chuck Forsberg and Omen Technology Inc. AirMail will send DSZ.COM the proper setup strings if DSZ.COM is present in PostCard's directory. AirMail will not allow you to invoke all of DSZ's latches, and if you want to take advantage of all of DSZ's power, you would have to shell out to the operating system with <Alt-E> and type in the command line required. DSZ can do everything but bake bread, but using its command line switches prop- erly can require a fair amount of reading. TCQB.COM was written by John Bridges for the public domain. -Jim Landers-