home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Amiga Elysian Archive
/
AmigaElysianArchive.iso
/
comm
/
ncom.lzh
/
NComm.news
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1991-04-07
|
23KB
|
523 lines
NComm 1.92 is a vastly modified and enhanced version of NComm V1.9.
It corrects all known bugs of the earlier version. Some changes and
additions have also been made.
Just to make a few things clear...
----------------------------------
NComm V1.92 does NOT contain an ARexx interface
NComm V1.92 does NOT contain an improved VT100 emulation
NComm V1.92 does NOT contain an improved script language
(numeric variables etc.)
If you really need any of these fixes, you will probably be
disappointed, and should look somewhere else. Any of the above
features will take a lot of time to realize. Currently, Daniel and I
don't have much time for working on NComm. Hopefully, the ARexx
interface will be ready within a few months. Anything else will have
to wait for a long time: Don't expect to see all these features
implemented until 1992. Remember: NComm is just a hobbie, we don't
earn a single penny on it. Just forget every rumour you have heard
about NComm V2.0!
However: If you are pretty satisfied with V1.9, this version will
hopefully suit you well. It corrects several serious bug, and also
adds some features that will make NComm much more comfortable to use.
The NComm Host Script has also been enhanced and should even make it
possible to run a small BBS.
-----------------------------------------
*** What has been changed from V1.9 to V1.92? ***
-----------------------------------------
- Windows have been customized for use with OS 2.0. Text can be pasted
to the console.window using Right-Amiga-V. The hidden depth gadgets are
now compatible with OS 2.0. A "close gadget" will be added to the NComm
CLI window when running 2.0. Added optional "2.0 snapping support",
allows 2.0 users to snap text from the NComm terminal screen using
Right-Amiga-C.
- NComm may now be run on WorkBench, and will then use the new 2.0 gadget
flags if used. NComm may be "iconified" with the new 2.0 window
iconify gadget.
- Added 4 and 16-color ANSI color modes (16 colors will run awfully
slow and should only be used at 2400 baud and below. If you own a
68030 machine, I recommend using the program CpuBlit by Eddy Carroll
for dramatically increasing the screen display performance).
- Added "Close Workbench" option, saves memory.
- More options may now be specified at the CLI prompt;
o -cFILE; Load config file with name "FILE"
o -mFILE; Load macro file with name "FILE"
o -pFILE; Load phonebook with name "FILE"
o -sFILE; Load "FILE" into scrollback
o -d; Disable scrollback adding
- Many new serial.device options have been added. The serial unit and
device may now be selected from the menu. The serial.device can
now be run in "Shared" mode. Baud rates from 300 to 115200 baud
can be selected (but M68000-Amiga's still only handle a maximum of
31250 baud...) An "adjust" option allows you to "fine tune" the baud
rate (old versions of the serial.device miscalculate the baud rate,
and this causes problems with some high speed modems, like the US
Robotics HST). Added "DTR hangup" option for dumb modems.
- "Req.library" is now used for most requesters. This makes NComm much
more comfortable to use. All requesters are started as seperate
processes, and will therefore multitask!
- NComm now has a *complete* XPR library implementation, and even
supports all extension fields (NComm previously only had the minimum
of functions necessary for running XPRZmodem).
- Added support for XPRKermit.library (Kermit protocol) and External
(custom) XPR libraries. Options may be be entered via an init string or
by query. New protocol flags in script language (K == Kermit, E == EXPR).
- The download/upload window will no longer be activated when opened.
- NComm will put up a warning if there is not enough space for receiving a
file onto the current device when an Ymodem-Batch/Ymodem-G/XPR download
is initialized.
- Added Ymodem-Batch/Ymodem-G/XPR support for batch uploads (hold down
SHIFT in filerequester for selecting multiple files).
- Zmodem autodownload is now (optionally) available for use with any
bulletin board system. NComm will automatically jump into receive mode
when the Zmodem header is detected. A Zmodem autoupload option has also
been added (not yet supported by the xprzmodem.library). This option
will automatically bring up a file requester when the Zmodem upload
header is detected.
- Optional icon creation for files downloaded.
- It should now even be possible to multitask internally when uploading or
downloading (Although it works, this is not recommended due to problems
with serial.device and hogging of the CPU)
- New ASCII send option: Pad out blank lines. Will send CR-Space-CR when
CR-CR is detected. This is very handy when uploading a textfile into a
text editor that returns to the command prompt when CR is pressed on a
blank line.
- "ANSI capture" option allows ASCII capture of ESCape codes (were
previously filtered out).
- The scrollback (review buffer) has been greatly enhanced. Added "mark",
"paste", "search" and "save block" options. "Load scrollback" option
allows you to load a textfile into the scrollback. If you "disable
scrollback input", the scrollback may be used as a normal text viewer.
Text may still be marked and pasted. The "load config" function will
no longer delete the scrollback buffer if the sizes don't vary.
Improved the adding of characters to scrollback a bit (GotoXY
sequences and TAB's should work a little better now). The IBM font will
be used in the scrollback if an IBx character set is being used. Much
nicer "up/down" gadgets added. Added "left justify" proportional gadget,
makes it possible to see text that does not fit on a single line. All
proportional gadgets now support "real time scrolling". Scrollback text
routines rewritten, cause faster screen updates. Hotkeys ('/', 'N', 'L',
'S', 'B', ' ') available.
- When you connect to a board, the phonebook selections for that board will
be removed. When you dial boards via the "Dial menu", the chosen entries
will become selected in the phonebook. Information about "config" and
"macro" files will be displayed in the "Dial window" requester.
- The NComm logfile directory may now be changed (NComm previously always
saved the logfile as NComm:NComm.log)
- Optimized phonebook "Sort" routine, should be almost twice as fast now,
and also consumes less memory. The "Print" function no longer truncates
multiple numbers when printing. Transfer protocol and "Del/BS" swapping
can now be selected in phonebook (please observe: all V1.9 phonebook
files will now default to Xmodem, and should probably be changed using
PbConvert.)
- New macrokey option: {script}FILE will execute the script "FILE" when the
macrokey is pressed.
- Added ANSI mouse option (use the mouse for pointing at a specific
location that you will move to).
- Cursor blinking is available as an option.
- Modem Setup window made larger, it is now easier to see which
setup that is being used.
- New translation option: "Destructive backspace". Will translate incoming
backspace codes as BS-SPACE-BS. Assures deletion of the character to the
left of the cursor.
- "Quit verify requester" before quitting NComm.
- A new enhanced NComm Host Script has been included. It was made by
Nils-Arne Dahlberg, and now supports such things as private messages for
all users, private user passwords, more message areas, packing and
download of messages, UL/DL checking, grabbing of bulletins etc.
- Many bugs have been corrected;
o CTS/RTS handshaking now finally *works*! This important
option has not been working in any of the previous NComm
versions.
o Zmodem ACKnowledge was always turned on during Zmodem
transfers! This caused a dramatic loss of speed when using
modems with a slow back-channel, i.e HST modems. So the
Zmodem protocol in V1.9 was really quite slow :-( ACK will
now only be set when transferring to floppy disks, but
can be turned on manually in the options menu.
o Smashed ten Enforcer traps, some of them serious.
o Fixed SERIOUS bug that made NComm jump into
"AMIGA_FIREWORKS_MODE" if boardname was longer than 24 chars.
o Did a complete rewrite of most of the console.device routines and
all the split-screen routines. This was necessary for adding
extended 2.0 support. At the same time, I fixed some bugs in the
previous console.device implementation (NComm would crash if it
had no memory for opening a console.device, and the cursor
sometimes got trashed when running OS2)
o NComm no longer fragments memory! Found a bug in the
clock routines, causing a loss of 40 bytes each time
you started and ended NComm.
o Fixed a bug in the "Save scrollback" function (would not
save files larger than 32K).
o 7-bit character sets were not loaded from the NComm.config file
(previously used US7, but displayed something else in
the status line :-/ )
o It is no longer possible to load a new phonebook during
dialing, since the dialled entry then would become
invalid in the meantime.
o Fixed a few bugs in the IBP and IBM translation tables.
o CLI window that NComm was started from may now be closed.
o Removed View Transfer window. This function crashed 2.0
and was rarely used.
o Caps Lock can now be turned on while using the Scrollback.
Made an attempt to fix a bug that disabled Shift-Up / Shift-Down.
o The Zmodem Resume flag is now updated when loading a new
configuration (this caused many problems).
o Modem Setup "cancel" did not restore Auto-baud flag.
o It is now possible to pick items in the menus from all windows.
Known quirks
------------
1. Some of the req.library requesters look rather ugly (yellow) due to
limitations in the req.library. Since all requesters are started as
seperate processes, a problem occurs when you want to close the screen
(or quit NComm). Most requesters that are open must then be shut down
manually. This is also due to missing features in the req.library
(signalling) and hopefully this will also get fixed in a later version
of this library. The final problem with req.library is that the req.lib
filerequester sometimes trashes the NComm window pointer (this can be
proved by using for example ARTM). Hope to see a new version of
req.library really soon!
2. If the serial device can not be opened when changing device/unit, NComm
will try to open the previous device and/or unit. Sometimes this second
OpenDevice() call causes a crash when using OS 2.0. The problem seems to
be caused by the Amiga operating system, since this does not happen
when using AmigaDOS 1.3. I rewrote the init serial routine from scratch
but have not found any bugs in NComm's handling of the serial.device.
----------------------------------------
*** What has been changed from V1.8 to V1.9? ***
----------------------------------------
- The NComm.config file format has been changed. When upgrading to
the new version, remember to delete all configuration files. The
format has also been prepared for future expansion.
- The NComm.phone phonebook format has been changed due to a new
macrokeys field. Convert your phonebooks to the new format using
the program PbConvert. The format has been prepared for future
expansion.
- FAST Zmodem protocol added, using the external XPRZmodem.library
created by Rick Huebner. NComm now has the fastest Zmodem protocol
available in ANY comms programs - actually faster than VLT, which uses
the same library ;-) Maximum troughput close to 19200 baud using
the serial.device that comes with Workbench 1.3.2. A new transfer
window displays lots of information.
- The Xmodem and Ymodem protocols have been completely rewritten,
and are now ultrafast. Ymodem-Batch and Ymodem-G protocols have
been added (please consult the documentation before using Ymodem-G
with high speed modems).
- Scrollback feature (review buffer) added. Buffer size can be set
from 0 - 512K. View or save text that previously has been displayed
on screen!
- A portuguese IBM character set has been added.
- Advanced NComm Host System using script file. Supports two
security levels, bulletin menu, up and download with user selectable
protocol, configurable up and download directories, immediate
access to uploaded files (optional), message area with both public
and private messages, chat function, hold directory with ZOO
support, logfile, sysop menu with possibility for execution
of DOS commands, sleep disconnect, detection of NO CARRIER...
- NComm now works with multiple serial ports. The serial port
device name and unit is set using an environment variable.
- G&R Host Mode added. Control file transfers from a single machine,
when communicating with programs that support the G&R protocol.
- Macrokeys window has been made better. Step trough the string
gadgets by pressing RETURN, loading a new file won't close the window.
The maximum text length is now 512 characters.
- It is now possible to change resolution and exit NComm when using
the file requester. The requester is now really proportional.
- The modem abort code has been changed for compability with all hayes
compatible modems.
- The windows won't blank out when using Dmouse (actually a bug in
Dmouse but who cares...)
- A problem with redial has been fixed.
- Error messages are displayed if there isn't enough memory for NComm
to open a window.
- NComm now works with an overscan WorkBench screen.
- The files NComm.phone, NComm.keys and NComm.config will be loaded
before libraries and devices are opened. This should make it more
comfortable to use NComm with a single drive machine.
- More hot keys have been added.
- Phonebook settings now have higher priority than settings
found in configuration files used in PB. An error message will
be displayed if the config file can not be found.
- Chopping will be disabled for .ZIP files.
- A lot of changes has been made to the script language. NComm now
has one of the most advanced SL's available;
o New Command; SET - assigns a text (or an earlier defined variable)
to a variable. The pre-defined variable $date contains the current
date and time, $ncomm contains the current version number and the
variable $baud contains the current baudrate.
o New Command; IF ... THEN ... - checks a variable for a
specific string and performs the following function if TRUE/FALSE.
Can also check whether a file exists or not.
o New Command; INPUT - reads input from the serial port and places
it in a variable until a specific string has been read. The
timeout function can be used to define how long NComm should wait
for the terminating string.
o New Command(s); REPEAT<->UNTIL ... - performs what is situated
between REPEAT and UNTIL. If the expression is TRUE/FALSE, the
procedure will be repeated. Can also check whether a file exists
or not.
o New Command(s); WHILE ... DO<->ENDWHILE - performs what is
situated within DO and ENDWHILE until the expression is
TRUE/FALSE. Can also check whether a file exists or not.
o New Command; CLRSTACK - clears the RETURN stack, forgets active
subroutine calls (gosubs...)
o New Command; DLWHEN - deletes the last defined when command.
Repeated usage will succesive delete the "previous" WHEN
command.
o New Command; DUMP - used for debugging of scripts, dumps a list
of all variables and what they contain.
o New Command; ECHO - defines if characters read by the INPUT
command shall be echoed. If echo is ON, text sent by the functions
ASCSEND and SEND will be echoed locally. The output from the CLI
command will be sent to the serial port if ECHO has been turned
on.
o New Command; WRITE - opens a file and appends the following
string to the file.
o TIMEOUT now also concerns ASCSEND. If ASCSEND is halted by a ^S
and no ^Q has been received within the timelimit specified by
TIMEOUT, the script will go on with the next command.
o 20 WHEN commands may now be active simultaneosly.
o Control characters now work well in WAIT, CONVERSE and WHEN
commands (guess there were some problems with this in V1.8)
o WHEN command fixed to "override" previous WHEN commands
containing same string...
Variables can be used everywhere where strings are expected.
It is also possible to concatenate several variables and/or
literals.
- Yeah, we fixed some bugs.
o Changing resolution while using "view transfers" doesn't call guru
o The file transfer block counter is no longer reset at block 255
o A long redial delay won't make NComm hang
o Status line is updated while dialling
o The palette should no longer display strange values
o G&R paths are updated immediately after loading new configuration
o The CLI command will (hopefully) not make NComm hang
o Fixed a small bug in the IBM font FONTS:NComm1/8
o G&R filenames will be translated correctly before usage
o Fixed an irritating problem with detection of NO CARRIER!
o The 13th entry in the phonebook no longer disappears when using
the "New" command.
o Clearing screen while using "split screen" doesn't clear
reference line...
\\\ Thanks to all persons who sent us ideas and bug reports! ///
/// More ideas, (bug) reports and source code heavily wanted \\\
-----------------------------------------
*** What has been changed from V1.01 to V1.8? ***
-----------------------------------------
1. Main New Features.
---------------------
- Scripts. NComm now has an integrated, advanced script language,
which, among other things, enables you to fully automate your online
sessions. Unattended operation is also a possibility. However,
decrease of time used online and thus, online costs, is perhaps the
most common utilization of the power a script language gives you.
- Logfile. By enabling this option, NComm will maintain a log of all
succesful connects. The "Callinfo" utility, which is a standalone
utility, uses this to estimate the phone bill, display statistics,
etc.
- NComm now supports the Ymodem file transfer protocol.
- The G & R protocol has been added. This is an auto up/download
protocol for use with the MBBS system. Automatic up/download without
entering filenames and so on is the virtue of this feature.
- Load / save configuration. By saving your personal program settings
in the file NComm.config, those settings will be used as a default for
subsequent sessions. Also, NComm can be set up to load special config
files when connecting to certain hosts.
- Phonebook. Limited only by available memory, the Phonebook allows
easy keeping, editing, sorting, printing and dialling of all your
phone numbers.
2. Display.
-----------
- Both two and eight colour modes are now supported with full ANSI
colour emulation when using eight colours. However, the two colour
mode may give faster screen I/O on some systems.
- The colours used by the program can be easily adjusted with a
built-in colour palette. Each screen mode has its own palette.
- Interlace mode can be toggled from the 'Screen' menu.
- Status line with On-screen 24-hour clock, showing current time and
time used online, respectively. Setup displayed when not online.
- ANSI x3.64 / vt100 emulation has been improved. Most notably, the
Clear Screen and Set Scroll Region commands have been implemented.
The cursor keys also send the proper codes. As a result of this,
NComm will now work with many screen-oriented programs, e.g. full
screen editors, games, etc.
- NComm can be set to ignore the ANSI control codes for boldface,
italics and underline. Some bulletin boards tend to overuse these
styles.
- The ASCII BELL code can be configured to either flash the screen,
make an audible beep, pop the screen to front, or do all or even none
of the above.
- Reset screen function. This function will clear the screen, turn of
all style settings and reset the colors.
- The program will now work in PAL mode even when using Kickstart 1.3.
- The requester for editing macrokeys now gives you an overview of all
20 keys. This makes editing a much easier task than with previous
versions of NComm.
- Dial requester for dialling phone numbers not in the phonebook.
- Modem setup requester. This lets you customize NComm for use with a
wide variety of modems.
- The file requester has been made much better. Eight devices will be
displayed, with non-available devices 'ghosted'. Ten entries and disk
space free will also be displayed. Parent and pattern functions are
available.
3. Translation.
---------------
- Twelve translation modes are available (both 7 and 8 bits); ISO,
IBM, IBN, US7, UK7, GE7, FR7, SP7, IT7, NO7, SF7 and DE7. If you
choose the IBM or the IBN translation, an IBM PC font will be used.
All special IBM characters will be displayed and translated correctly.
This is also true when using ASCII receive/send, if not the "ISO"
translation selected.
- The program now uses the current Workbench/CLI/Shell keymap, i.e.
NComm now supports all keyboards supported by Commodore-Amiga.
- Eight bit characters are no longer truncated.
- The "Show HEX chars" option is now made easily available.
- The DEL key can be mapped to the Backspace key and vice versa.
Handy when using host systems which expect a VT terminal. This might
be the case when the remote machine runs Unix, VMS or Tops-20, amongst
others.
4. Other changes/new features
-----------------------------
- The program now has a "message upload" facility for uploading mail
to bulletin board systems. This is useful when the message editor on
the BBS does strange things with your message.
- Redial function has been implemented. This makes NComm dial a
number repeatedly until a connection has been established. Alternate
phone numbers for a system can be specified, in which case all numbers
will be tried before starting all over again. It is also possible to
set up a dial queue of several host machines, each of which may have
several phone numbers.
- The serial buffer has been increased from 1K to 4K, in order to
reduce the probability of loss of data when screen I/O is temporarily
suspended. This may be the case when holding down the right mouse
button for a long while, or when printing incoming text.
- NewCli function. By selecting this menu option, NComm will start up
a new CLI on the Workbench screen.
- 7-wire handshaking (RTS/CTS) is now supported.
- 600 baud option has been added.
- The invisible close gadget in the main window has been removed, as
well as the "windowed xmodem" protocol.
- The status window is available from the menu.
5. Known quirks.
----------------
- The ANSI 'blink' command is not fully implemented. Instead the line
is shown in italics.