WKAUTO.SEA is a set of White Knight scripts for automating access to the CompuServe Information Service.
Use of any section is deemed to be use of the set.
The set is shareware and a fee of $10 is payable to:
Alex Narvey
Thunder Enlightening Press
P.O. Box 332, 905 Corydon Ave.
Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3M 3V3
Telephone & FAX (204) 488-8306
CompuServe ID #71041,132
THE WKAUTO SET OF PROCs
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The complete set and component parts are available in the Macintosh Communications Forum (Go MacCOM). The set includes:
WKAUTO.SEA - The complete set
WKCOST.SIT - PROCs for creating and maintaining cost/session logs
WKDOC.SIT - The manual for the WKAUTO PROC set
WKDOWN.SIT - PROCs for automatic downloading
WKFAX.SIT - PROCs for automating sending Faxes
WKMAIL.SIT - PROCs for automatic E-mail sending and retrieval
WKMENU.SIT - PROCs to generate custom menus to run the set
WKSUMM.SIT - PROCs to automatically download forum summaries
WKUP.SIT - PROCs to automate uploading files
WKZMAC.SIT - PROCs to auto-download ZiffNet/MAC files and MacWEEK news.
The individual files in the series are provided for convenience and for those who have already previously downloaded the set and only wish to upgrade part of it - although I don't guarantee that partial upgrades will work. I reccommend downloading WKAUTO.SEA which includes the manual and all procedures - including some that don't make it into the individual series.
You may download and use any part of the set without the others. However the custom menus in WKMENU.SIT make things easier. And of course, even if you don't have or use all the PROCs it would help to have the manual (WKDOC.SIT).
All PROCs are supplied in MacWrite format so that you can modify them if need be and therefore need to be compiled into Procedures by your own copy of White Knight.
There are special criteria that have to be incorporated into your LogOn procedure if you want the Cost and Session Logs to work properly. Furthermore, the LogOn PROC relies on the GetMail subroutine in WKMAIL.SIT for the E-Mail Log to function properly. In short, you’ll particularly need the manual if you are working with the Cost, Session and E-mail Logs supplied with WKCOST.SIT.
What is WKAUTO?
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I began using CompuServe with White Knight’s predecessor Red Ryder long before the arrival of the graphic user interface provided by Information Manager and Navigator. I’m not a computer programmer, but I found Scott Watson’s scripting language and examples were sufficient to get me going with customizing my interface for CompuServe and so the PROCs which became WKAuto were born.
I set up a two step method of saving time and money on CompuServe. With a set of procedures that prompt the user to type in data off-line the Prepare… (Pre) Menu PROCs allow you to prepare what you are going to do during your CompuServe session. These are then accessed through the CompuServe (CIS) Menu while online to speed up your CompuServe session.
By making copious use of the Variables file I was able to record what happened during a session and automatically keep complete logs of my sessions, their costs, and any E-mail that was retrieved during them.
WKAUTO v.06/01/92 is the 5th version of these procedures which I have uploaded and are quite complete and useful. To my knowledge they are being used in Canada, the United States and Germany and perhaps elsewhere. Use them as is per the instructions or let them be the basis for your own customized user interface.
I added some annotations and labels to the scripts to help identify what is going on. Annotations are preceded by a left parenthesis "("; labels are usually all capital letters and are preceded by a colon ":".
If you find the instructions or the procedures confusing just send me an E-mail and I’ll try to help you out.
Important Note
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All the downloading and uploading procedures rely on the NewQuickB.PROC RCMD from Scott Watson. This differs from the QuickB.PROC originally shipped with early versions of White Knight in that it allows nestable procedures - so if you don't have it you should download it from MAC COMMUNICATIONS forum (NEWQB.PRO), before using these procedures. NewQuickB.PROC must be in the RCMD Modules Folder in the White Knight folder.
However, the White Knight update package from Freesoft (WK11.12->11.13) includes yet another QuickB.PROC. I've tried using this one and have had very bad downloading efficiency with it and so have reverted to the one which I referred to earlier – New QuickB. If you use the new one be sure to give it the name NewQuickB.PROC so it will work with these procedures.
The final word on this matter won't be available until the issue is sorted out by Freesoft I don't really know what to say other than good luck.
Changes to v. 01/01/91
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- All variables consolidated into one file.
- Download file limit increased to nine.
- Shortcuts for Downloads in same DL or same Forum.
- Download Summaries expanded to all MAUG forums and DTPFORUM index.
- Missing files/summaries no longer hang procedures.
- No longer necessary to type "/EXIT" for upload descriptions.
- LogOn receives E-Mail automatically and captures to E-mail Log file.
- Session Log added with report on all PROC activities.
Changes to v. 10/20/91
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- Compatibility with Cross Library Searching Software.
- Compatible with new "File Not Found" prompt.
- Added support for all four types of Maug forum summaries: the titles summary, the description summary, the monthly chronological descriptions summary; and the monthly alphabetical descriptions summary.
- Compatibility with CompuServe’s Sept. 5/91 Fax changes.
- Added support for MacSEVEN and MacCVEN forums.
- Further tweaking for 24 baud modems.
Changes to v. 01/02/92
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- Corrected minor problems with Summary downloading PROCs.
- Corrected minor problems with File Downloading PROCs.
- Added DataBuffer toggle to remember or delete session screens.
- Added automated sending of Email tips to MacWEEK, MACUSER & Macworld.
- Added CheckMail PROC to automatically dial CIS, retrieve Email and LogOff.
- Divided LogOff into two nested PROCs for easier editing (LogOff & Report).
- Revised Variables List to be up-to-date.
- Completely revised Macros to make path name addresses automatic.
- Added Go Command support for 8 additional forums.
- Revised Menu PROCs for new procedures
- Shortened menu names for compatibility with 9" screens.
- Added Calculate.PROC to display cost of downloading file of known size
- Revised and updated documentation.
Changes to v. 06/01/91
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- Incorporated bug fixes from WKFIX1.SIT (January 20/1992): Corrected a compiling error on line 341 of LogOff.PROC; repaired CompileAll to exclude "E-Mail Log" and "Session Log".
- Modified Tip & PreTip to allow for choice of Binary or Ascii file types.
- Modified PreMail to allow you to autosend mail (& log off) immediately after prep is complete.
- modified PreMail & Mail to prompt user with a choice of requesting a receipt notice for each of the 3 possible letters.
- Modified PreMail & Mail to embed To From & Subject info to save time when sending mail.
- Modified GetMail to handle new receipt notices properly.
- Modified DowSum and Report to deal with XNET – Librarian Brad Doster’s new monthly forum summary names based on the protocol in his LISTNG.TXT file. (His increased committment means that chronological summaries are now available monthly for MacSEVEN, MacDEV, MacAVEN, MacBVEN and MacCVEN). PreDowSum and DowSum are now significantly smaller files.
- Added Go Commands for Fifth Generation Systems [Go CIS:FIFTH] and new Microsoft Word [Go CIS:MSWord] forums.
- Modified Macro Go Commands and Go instructions in DowFile, DowSum, Mail, Tip, and Upfile to include "CIS:" so that you can start these PROCs when in ZiffNet/MAC.
- Modified documentation for name change of ZMAC to ZiffNet/MAC. (PROC names stay the same).
- Updated CompuServe Forum Data Libraries DA
Suggested Improvements
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- An iconic on-screen interface
- More script annotations and labels
- More detailed description of scripts in documentation
- Less complicated scripts
Warning
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The PROCs have been designed to run on and have been tested under System 6.0x and 7.0x with 1200 and 2400 baud modems. However, NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED GUARANTEE IS OFFERED THAT THESE SCRIPTS/PROCs RUN PROPERLY ON ANY GIVEN SYSTEM CONFIGURATION.
If you experience problems I am available to offer script editing advice. Just send me an E-mail to the 71041,132. Again, I offer no warrantee that my advice will fix a problem.
