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____________
{COMMO} (tm)
____________
"A New Standard in Telecommunications"
by
Fred P. Brucker
Post Office Box 9103
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
User Guide and Reference
Release 5.1
December 21, 1991
This program and associated documentation are the property of the
author and may not be sold without permission. They may be freely
distributed, unaltered and as a unit, via electronic bulletin board
systems. Permission to distribute on diskette or in any other
manner must be obtained in writing. See the file LICENSES for
additional licensing and distribution details.
The author does not guarantee this program to be free from defects
and may not be held responsible for loss caused by such. Your use
of this program constitutes your acceptance of these terms.
(C)Copyright 1989,1991 Fred P. Brucker All Rights Reserved
========================
Registration Information
========================
{COMMO} is a "SHAREWARE" product. You are entitled to evaluate it
for 30 days. If it suits your needs and you would like to continue
using it, then you must pay the licensing fee. Please use the order
form in the file REGISTER.FRM (or the one below).
Send to: Fred P. Brucker
Post Office Box 9103
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
When you REGISTER you will be licensed to use all future releases of
{COMMO}. You will never have to pay an "update" charge. You will
also receive instructions for removing the Shareware Notice at
program startup.
My (voice) TELEPHONE NUMBER for inquiries and support for registered
users is (707) 573-1065. Please restrict calls to business hours
(Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, Pacific time).
Registered users will also receive priority support on Bulletin
Boards, CompuServe and GEnie (see READ.ME).
Call or write for pricing information on MULTI-USER (site) licenses.
Discounts are given on quantities greater than 10.
See the file LICENSES for licensing and distribution details.
{COMMO} 5.1 SINGLE USER REGISTRATION FORM
Name ___________________________________________________________
Company name (if company address) ________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
====================================================================
All prices shown are US DOLLARS.
Please remit US funds on US bank only.
NET 30 TERMS will be accepted on orders totalling $100.00 or more.
Payment accepted as check or money order,
payable to FRED P. BRUCKER.
SORRY, I am unable to accept credit cards at this time.
====================================================================
{COMMO} single user license, SPECIAL PACKAGE ... $50.00 $ ________
Includes: (1) Printed, bound, indexed manual.
(2) Latest release on diskette plus utilities
(COMMOPNS, MOSTHOST, CMC, etc., see READ.ME).
Choose format: 5.25" ____ 3.5" ____
Current release ____ or next ____
{COMMO} single user LICENSE only ................ $35.00 $ ________
You may also order a diskette.
Registered users may order PRINTED MANUAL only .. $20.00 $ ________
Limit of one per license. Your serial no. _________
Registered users may order DISKETTE only ........ $5.00 $ ________
Limit of one per license. Your serial no. _________
Choose format: 5.25" ____ 3.5" ____
Current release ____ or next ____
Subtotal $ ________
California residents add sales tax, 7.5% $ ________
(No tax when ordering license alone)
Special Package or Manual order, add SHIPPING:
USA/Canada/Mexico ........ $3.00
All other countries ...... $10.00 $ ________
Total $ ________
Thank you, and I hope you enjoy {COMMO}.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page ii
========
Contents
========
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Principal Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
The Best Way to Learn {COMMO} Quickly . . . . . . . . . 3
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Quick Start Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Preparing Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Command Line Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
{COMMO} Support Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Saving the Support Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Initialization Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Terminal Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
{COMMO} Key Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
[Alt-A] ASCII Upload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
[Alt-B] Send Break Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
[Alt-C] Clear Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
[Alt-D] Dialing Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Dialing Directory Entry Example . . . . . . . . . . 14
[Alt-G] Edit Setup File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Predefining Variables with SET . . . . . . . . . . 17
Explanation of Setup File Items . . . . . . . . . . 18
[Alt-H] Hang Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
[Alt-I] Screen Image Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
[Alt-K] Scrollback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
[Alt-M] Macro Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
[Alt-N] Multi Number Dialing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
[Alt-O] Send Modem Initialization String . . . . . . . 31
[Alt-P] Set Terminal Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Parameter Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Setting Terminal Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
[Alt-S] Shell to DOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
[Alt-T] Set Toggles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Sound Control Toggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
AutoBaud Toggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Local Echo Toggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Signal Lights Toggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
[Alt-U] Utility Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
[Alt-W] Send Current Password . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
[Alt-X] Exit from {COMMO} . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
[Alt-1] Capture File Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
[Alt-2] Print Log Toggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
[Alt--] Chat Mode Toggle (Alt minus) . . . . . . . . 38
[Alt-=] Doorway Mode Toggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
[F1] How to Use Online Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Modifying the Help File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page iii
[PgUp]/[PgDn] Uploading/Downloading . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
How to Install External Protocol Drivers . . . . . . . . 41
Using DSZ or GSZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Using OZBEXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
{COMMO} Auto Receive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Appendix A Setting Up Your Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Answering a call from another computer . . . . . . . . . 47
Connecting two computers (null modem cable) . . . . . . 47
Appendix B {COMMO} and Multi-Tasking . . . . . . . . . . . 48
DESQview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
OmniView . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
DoubleDOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Appendix C Flow Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Appendix D ASCII Character Representation . . . . . . . . . 51
Appendix E Terminal Emulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Printer Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
ANSI-BBS Keyboard Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
VT102 Keyboard Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Appendix F Usage Log Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Appendix G Error Message Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . 56
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page iv
=======
Preface
=======
{COMMO} is a general purpose telecommunications program, also called
a "terminal" program. Use it to dial remote systems and to
communicate using a choice of terminal emulations. Many features
are available to enhance your communications needs.
Minimum system configuration:
IBM PC compatible computer.
MS-DOS 2.1 or higher.
128k of memory.
One diskette drive.
A serial port or internal modem with an 8250, 16450 or 16550
series UART chip.
{COMMO} can be configured to work with virtually any type of modem.
DESQview is a trademark of Quarterdeck Office Systems
OmniView is a trademark of Sunny Hill Software
DoubleDOS is a trademark of SoftLogic Solutions, Inc.
HS/Link is a product of Samuel H. Smith
DSZ and GSZ are products of Omen Technology Inc.
MPt is a product of Matthew Thomas
LIST is a product of Vernon D. Buerg
The IBM PC is a product of IBM Corp.
MS-DOS is a trademark of MicroSoft Corp.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 1
==================
Principal Features
==================
{COMMO} is small in size, loads rapidly and performs all functions
with great speed.
The powerful Macro Processor allows you to:
1) Write macro "scripts" to automate many common operations
such as logging in, reading messages, uploading/downloading.
{COMMO} will perform these tasks in the middle of the night
while you sleep.
2) Assign Function Keys, Alt Keys, Keypad Keys, etc., to:
(a) send a string to the modem
(b) execute any DOS command
(c) start any macro
(d) initiate any {COMMO} function.
3) Edit all macros without exiting {COMMO}, using the Internal
Editor. Macros become effective immediately.
4) Call your computer from a remote location using {COMMO}'s
convenient Host Mode, written in {COMMO}'s macro language.
The free-form Dialing Directory has space for hundreds of entries.
Multi Number Dialing is supported from the command line. AutoBaud
detect adjusts to the speed of the connection. A macro may be
linked to each directory entry.
Multi-tasking support. {COMMO} is fully DESQview aware, operates in
far less memory than comparable programs. Also supports OmniView,
DoubleDOS and others.
Built-in ANSI-BBS and VT102 emulation. Supports ANSI editing
functions, scrolling region, graphics character set, tab set/clear,
printing, modes, reports, etc. Complete auto-switching VT102
keyboard support via Macro Processor.
ENQ/ACK terminal protocol support.
Built-in Xmodem and Xmodem-1k (old Ymodem) protocols.
ASCII Upload to send messages and text files. Features line pacing
and blank line expansion.
The Setup File, Dialing Directory and Macro File may be edited with
the full-function Internal Editor. String search is available in
all file windows. Most features are fully configurable.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 2
Any file up to 64k in size may be edited within {COMMO} using the
Internal Editor.
{COMMO} supports all text display modes, including 132 column
screens.
Split-screen Chat Mode for communicating with another computer which
is also running a terminal program. All program features are
available while in Chat Mode.
Doorway Mode lets you operate remote applications with full use of
your screen and keyboard.
{COMMO}'s Auto Receive feature lets you configure any eight strings
to automatically trigger any eight macros. Thus any protocol with a
"signature" can be set to start automatically. Zmodem, HS/Link and
MPt are pre-configured.
Support for any four serial ports. Port addresses and IRQ's are
configurable. Port speeds up to 115,200 bps (hardware dependent).
Automatic support for NS16550A (or AF) buffered UART chip.
Serial port signal lights may be displayed on the status line,
including send and receive. Very useful with internal modems.
Scrollback buffer up to 64k bytes gives instant replay of the text
that has scrolled off the screen.
Capture Log saves all text from the screen to a disk file. Three
different capture modes are available.
Screen Image Save writes the current screen to a disk file.
Print Log writes all text from the screen to the printer.
Usage Log records date, time, length of call and other information
about each call. Date of last call can be saved in the Dialing
Directory.
Support for visually impaired users with {COMMO}'s configurable
Speech Friendly Interface.
Enhanced keyboard support.
Extensive context-related Online Help.
And {COMMO} is elegant, easy to learn and fun to use!
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 3
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-------------------------------------
The Best Way to Learn {COMMO} Quickly
-------------------------------------
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1) Read the section "Getting Started" which will get you up and
running.
2) Read Appendix A "Setting Up Your Modem" for some very important
instructions regarding your specific hardware.
3) Read through the section "{COMMO} Key Commands" to familiarize
yourself with {COMMO}'s commands and features.
4) Use Online Help as a reference while you use {COMMO}.
How is it pronounced??? Just like "comma" (,) except for the last
letter. It's technical jargon for "communications."
===============
Getting Started
===============
NOTE: Refer to Appendix G for explanations of any error messages
you receive during your initial use of {COMMO}.
See the section "Preparing Your System" for more details on getting
started.
Quick Start Instructions
========================
1) If you have a hard drive, create a subdirectory named "COMMO."
Copy all of the files from the {COMMO} archive or distribution
diskette into this subdirectory.
If your system has only floppy drives, copy the {COMMO} files to
a formatted diskette.
Now change to the {COMMO} subdirectory or log in to the diskette
where you have copied the {COMMO} files.
2) Run the "New User's Guide" by typing "guide" at the DOS prompt.
Follow the instructions carefully. A macro will automatically
take you on a tour of some of {COMMO}'s main features.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 4
When you are in the Setup File you will be in {COMMO}'s Internal
Editor and you may change any portion of the file using the arrow
keys, PgUp, PgDn and other editing keys. Press Alt-E for Edit
Help to see a list of editing keys.
You may need to change some of the items to conform to your
system setup. Notice that {COMMO} only looks at the items that
are contained in curly braces: { }. All other text is treated as
commentary and is not used by the program.
Most items will not need to be changed until you are more
familiar with {COMMO}. For now, check the following:
The Default Dialing Parameters in the first item. Make sure
you have the correct port number (the third field). If your
modem is on COM2, change it to "2", COM3 to "3", etc. Using
COM2 it would look like this: {2400,8n1,2,A,0}.
The Modem Initialization String. If you know the commands
for your own modem, make the necessary adjustments. If you
don't, then leave it like it is. Refer to Appendix A for
more information.
The items under "Paths and Files" (page down to see these).
Press [Esc] to save the file and continue the tour.
3) The next stop is the Dialing Directory. To alter an entry or to
add new ones, just press "E" to enter edit mode. This is the
same Internal Editor you used to modify the Setup File. When you
are finished making changes, press Esc to bring back the Selector
Bar. Then press Esc again to continue.
4) Next you will see a sample menu created by the Macro Processor.
Press Enter to continue and return to the Terminal Screen. Then
exit {COMMO} with the Alt-X command.
5) From the DOS prompt type "commo<cr>" to restart the program. The
new Setup File items will now be in effect.
6) IMPORTANT! {COMMO}'s Auto Receive feature is set up to
automatically start the program DSZ.COM (from Omen Technology)
when the remote system sends a file using the Zmodem protocol.
Do not request a file for downloading with Zmodem until you have
this program installed in a directory that is in your DOS path
(or in the current directory). If "Bad command or filename" is
displayed by DOS, just keep pressing Ctrl-X until it stops. This
message means you haven't installed DSZ properly.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 5
If things happen too quickly to see what is happening, you can
use EXECute Preview Mode, which will allow you see the results of
the command execution. Use Alt-T to toggle Preview Mode on/off.
The same principle applies to any other protocol drivers that you
use, such as MPt, etc. If you don't have an external protocol
driver installed, use the internal Xmodem protocol (use Xmodem-1k
whenever possible since it is much faster).
7) When you see the Status Line at the bottom of the screen, you are
in the Terminal Screen. Now you may press Alt-D to enter the
Dialing Directory. Use the up and down arrow keys to select a
system to call and press Enter. {COMMO} will begin dialing.
8) When a connection is made with a remote system, {COMMO} will
return to the Terminal Screen where you may interact with the
remote.
NOTE: If your modem does not seem to operate properly (no
connection is made or the data is garbled), read Appendix A
"Setting Up Your Modem." You may need to change the Modem
Initialization String in the Setup File. If you change it, exit
and restart {COMMO} to send the new string. Then try dialing
again.
Preparing Your System
=====================
The following sections give startup instructions in greater detail.
Make sure that all of the files from the {COMMO} package are in one
directory or on one diskette. Four of these files are required to
run the {COMMO} program:
COMMO.COM the Program File
COMMO.SET the Setup File
COMMO.FON the Dialing Directory File
COMMO.MAC the Macro File
In addition, if Online Help is used (recommended):
COMMO.HLP the Online Help File
There are two ways to make sure that {COMMO} will be able to find
all of its files. The first method is the simplest and should be
used if you are not too familiar with DOS commands:
1) Make sure you are logged into the directory or disk drive where
the files are located. Then simply type "commo" at the DOS
prompt. If your files are in the directory "C:\COMMO" you would
type:
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 6
c:<cr>
cd \commo<cr>
commo<cr>
(<cr> is the [Enter] or Return key)
Or if the files are on a diskette in drive A you would type:
a:<cr>
commo<cr>
{COMMO} will remember where the files are, so you will be able to
change directory or drive later without concern.
2) The second method is a little more advanced, but allows you to
run {COMMO} no matter what directory or drive you are currently
logged into:
Use the SET command in DOS to store the {COMMO} path into the
"environment." If you place this command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT
file you won't have to change directories or diskettes to run
{COMMO}. If your files are in the directory "C:\COMMO" the
command would be:
set commo=c:\commo
If the files are on the diskette in drive B the command would be:
set commo=b:
Do not use any extra spaces in the SET command. And remember to
place the {COMMO} directory or drive in your PATH command.
IMPORTANT! Be sure to check your "set commo=" command if you
install {COMMO} into a different directory or onto another drive
(or if you install a later release of the program). If it points
to the wrong directory, {COMMO} will not operate properly. This
is a common error and can cause a lot of head scratching.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 7
Command Line Options
====================
_______________
Dialing Strings
_______________
Dialing Strings are used to indicate numbers to dial at program
startup. If present, they must be placed before any command line
switches. {COMMO} will search the Dialing Directory for each string
and mark the first entry where a match is found (case is ignored).
The strings may consist of any part of a Dialing Directory entry
line (usually part of the system name) and may be separated by
commas or spaces. The following characters may not appear in a
command line Dialing String: space, comma, slash (/), curly braces.
After entries in the Dialing Directory are marked, {COMMO} will
check for a startup macro (specified on the command line or in the
Setup File). If a startup macro is present, it will be started.
Otherwise Multi Number Dialing of the marked systems will begin.
Examples:
commo telegodzilla joes-bbs 4567
commo zilla,joes,4567
IMPORTANT! The Modem Initialization String will normally be sent
before dialing begins. Your modem should be turned on and ready to
receive the command string before you start {COMMO}.
________
Switches
________
Case is ignored and the switches may be in any order (Dialing
Strings must precede them, however).
/:label Startup Macro.
This switch can be used to override the "mac=" item in the Setup
File. The "label" is a one to eight character macro label. If the
label is found in the Macro File, macro processing will be started.
If the label is not found the switch will be ignored.
/sfilename Alternate Setup File.
/dfilename Alternate Dialing Directory File.
/mfilename Alternate Macro File
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 8
Only the filename should be specified. The {COMMO} home directory
will be assumed for the path.
If an alternate Macro File is specified, it will become the default
Macro File. This means it will be reloaded when the "R" switch is
used with the MACLoad macro function.
/knn Scrollback Buffer size.
This switch will override the "sbs=" item in the Setup File. "nn"
is kilobytes and may be 0 to 64.
/i[y/n] Modem Initialization override.
Forces the Modem Initialization String to be sent ("/iy") or not
sent ("/in"). This will override the "min=" item in the Setup File.
Example:
C:\COMMO> commo joes zilla /:mailrun /dother.dir /k25 /in
Two systems will be marked in the Dialing Directory.
The macro "mailrun" will be started if it exists in the Macro
File.
The alternate Dialing Directory "other.dir" will be loaded.
The Scrollback Buffer will be set to 25k in size.
The Modem Initialization String will not be sent.
{COMMO} Support Files
=====================
The {COMMO} files are standard ASCII text files and may be modified
with any editor (or word processor in "non-document" mode). From
within {COMMO} they may be edited with {COMMO}'s Internal Editor.
The only control characters (below ASCII 28) allowed in the support
files are CR/LF pairs and an EOF at the end. {COMMO}'s Internal
Editor adheres to this rule. Control characters may be represented
as shown in Appendix D. For example, an ASCII 16 would be written
as ^P.
Key definitions for the Internal Editor are given in Online Help. A
Color Chart will be displayed in the editor when F7 is pressed
(useful in the Setup File and for the DISPlay function in the Macro
File).
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 9
NOTE: {COMMO} generally retains the Dialing Directory and Macro
File in memory during program operation. If you use an external
editor to modify them while in the Shell to DOS (or using the EXEC
macro function), your changes could be lost. See "Saving the
Support Files" below.
Following is a brief description of each file.
1) COMMO.SET. The Setup File contains settings for many important
parameters. The first time you run {COMMO} you should use the
Alt-G key command to edit this file to your own needs. See
"Alt-G Edit Setup File" for details on each item.
2) COMMO.FON. The Dialing Directory File. This file contains
information about each system that you will be calling, including
the telephone number, password, Linked Macro and serial port
parameter overrides. Use the Alt-D key command to dial numbers
and to edit this file. Details are given in the section "Alt-D
Dialing Directory."
3) COMMO.MAC. The Macro File. Use the Alt-M key command to select
a macro for execution and to edit this file. A complete
description of {COMMO} macros is given in the Macro Programming
Guide, MACRO.DOC . A summary of macro functions and key
designators is also given in Online Help.
4) COMMO.HLP. The Online Help File. This file contains the
information for {COMMO}'s context-related Online Help. See "How
to Use Online Help" later in this document.
Saving the Support Files
========================
Whenever a change is made to any file, the internal change flag is
set for that file (indicated by an "*" next to the column number in
the Internal Editor).
The Dialing Directory and Macro File will be saved automatically
when you exit {COMMO} (if the change flag is set). The Setup File
and other files that you may edit will be saved when you press Esc
to exit the editor.
You may press Alt-F in the Internal Editor to immediately save any
file.
If you do not wish to save your changes to the Dialing Directory or
Macro File, you may press Alt-Q while in the Internal Editor. This
will reset {COMMO}'s change flag and the file will not be saved when
exiting the program. Any subsequent changes to the file will set
the change flag again.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 10
Pressing Alt-Q while editing any other file will cancel the edit.
Initialization Procedure
========================
When {COMMO} begins running it will read and process the Setup File.
Then it will attempt to load into memory:
(1) the Dialing Directory COMMO.FON
(2) the Macro File COMMO.MAC
Any problems encountered will be reported. These problems must be
corrected before restarting the program.
Automatic modem initialization will occur if requested in the Setup
File with {min=yes}, or by the "/iy" command line switch. Use the
"/in" switch to suppress modem initialization if you are already on
line.
Please note that {COMMO} does NOT change the video display mode.
Instead {COMMO} can adapt to any text mode that is set when the
program is started. Check the items under "Video and Chat Mode" in
the Setup File for details. See also the section "[Alt-G] Edit
Setup File" later in this document.
If the display does not look right try executing the DOS command
"mode co80" or "mode bw80" prior to calling {COMMO}.
Terminal Screen
===============
The Terminal Screen allows you to see the characters coming in from
the serial port. Any characters that you type will be sent out to
the serial port. If you are connected to another system you will be
interacting with that system.
Keep in mind that you will also be interacting with {COMMO} and with
your own computer via key commands (Alt keys, for example). These
key commands have no effect on the remote system unless they cause
characters to be sent to the serial port (pressing Alt-W to send
your password, for example).
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 11
====================
{COMMO} Key Commands
====================
The Alt Keys shown in this section are the built-in default key
assignments for the various {COMMO} commands. Once you are familiar
with these commands you may use the Macro Processor to reassign any
of the keys.
Keys used within the various command windows are properly detailed
in Online Help. Please press F1 from any command window to invoke
{COMMO}'s context-related help system.
Note that certain features are only available as macro functions.
Refer to MACRO.DOC for details.
======================
[Alt-A] ASCII Upload
======================
This command is used to send prepared messages or any text files to
the remote system. Enter the pathname of the file you wish to send.
Note that the input field will be blank unless a macro is used to
prompt with a path. The macro supplied in COMMO.MAC is:
{:ala} {ascii %uldir\} {} ASCII Upload with path
Notice the "\" following the path variable. It tells {COMMO} to
prompt for the filename. If you needed to specify a colon for
pacing (see below) you could change this to:
{:ala} {ascii %uldir\,:} {} ASCII Upload with path
There is no special error checking associated with ASCII Upload. It
is intended primarily for sending message responses and other short
text files. For longer files, binary files or compressed files
(.ARC, .ZIP) you will want to use error checking protocols such as
Xmodem, Zmodem, MPt, etc. See "Uploading / Downloading."
A number of parameters are used to control an ASCII Upload:
___________
Line Pacing
___________
IMPORTANT! Line Pacing is used to keep transmitted data
synchronized with received (echoed) data and is normally used ONLY
when the remote is sending a prompt for each line, usually "nn:" or
"nn?". "nn" is a line number and ":" or "?" is the prompt or
"pacing character."
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 12
{COMMO} will wait up to 5 seconds for the pacing character, then
send the next line. If there is a 5 second delay between the
sending of each line, then either you have the wrong pacing
character or you don't need line pacing (you don't need it when
using a full-screen editor, for example).
At any time, the Spacebar may be pressed to force transmission of
the next line. This is very useful when you have set the wrong
pacing character or if you wish to send each line manually. In the
latter case, use any pacing character that is different from the one
in the line prompt.
To use line pacing, enter the pacing character when {COMMO} asks for
it in the ASCII Upload window.
The initial pacing character is configurable. See "[Alt-G] Edit
Setup File."
The pacing character may be any character including control
characters, e.g. "^m" or "|" for carriage return. See Appendix D
for details on how to represent special characters.
See also Appendix C "Flow Control."
________________
Character Pacing
________________
You may insert a delay between each character using the Inter-
Character Delay feature. This should only be used when the remote
is so slow that it drops characters. See "Set Terminal Parameters"
for details.
___________________
Stripping Linefeeds
___________________
Normally you will want to strip linefeeds from your outgoing text.
This will appear to the remote as if you are typing the data. But
if all your data displays on the same line at the remote, then you
must configure {COMMO} to send the linefeeds.
NOTE: This item is initialized in the Setup File.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 13
_____________________
Expanding Blank Lines
_____________________
You may configure {COMMO} to send a space character whenever a blank
line is encountered in the text file you are sending. This will
prevent your message from terminating prematurely if you are sending
to a BBS message editor. Blank line expansion is not normally
required when sending to a "full screen" BBS editor.
NOTE: This item is initialized in the Setup File.
===========================
[Alt-B] Send Break Signal
===========================
A one second Break Signal will be sent. This signal is used by some
systems to interrupt certain operations. Use it only when the
remote system directs you to do so.
======================
[Alt-C] Clear Screen
======================
The Terminal Screen will be cleared and the current colors will be
set to the Setup File defaults.
===========================
[Alt-D] Dialing Directory
===========================
The Dialing Directory is your data base of telephone numbers. From
the directory window you can select numbers to dial and also update
the directory using the Internal Editor.
Refer to Online Help for a complete description of the commands
available in the Dialing Directory window.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 14
_______________________________
Dialing Directory Entry Example
_______________________________
System Telephone System Linked Terminal Last
Name Number Password Macro Parameters Called
_____________ __________ _________ ______ __________ ______
File City BBS {555-1234} {aardvark} {city} {} 05/20/90
NOTE: Any number of Variable Items may be added following the
Terminal Parameters item (see below).
IMPORTANT! Items in curly braces must be present (they are
positional). Items which are not used must have a null string {} as
a placeholder. You may omit null strings at the end of the line.
Directory entries are limited to one per line. Lines may be up to
255 characters in length ({COMMO}'s Internal Editor will scroll
horizontally to follow the cursor).
Comments may be placed anywhere outside the curly braces or on
separate lines.
______________________________
System Name File City BBS
______________________________
Up to 40 characters in length, it must NOT be enclosed in curly
braces. The System Name will be displayed on the Status Line
after connection, unless the Signal Lights option is selected.
It will also be part of a Usage Log entry if the log is enabled.
______________________________________
Telephone Number {1-707-555-1234}
______________________________________
Spaces and hyphens are ignored by most modems. The Dialing
Prefix, Telephone Number and Dialing Suffix are strung together
to form a dialing command (may be up to 128 characters total).
Refer to your modem manual for details on dialing commands.
Normally the default Dialing Prefix (usually "ATDT") and the
default Dialing Suffix (usually "|") will be used. These are
specified in the Setup File. You may also have any number of
alternate prefixes and suffixes by defining them with SET items
in the Setup File.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 15
For example, if you wanted your prefix for a certain entry to be
"ATM1L3DT" (to turn on the modem speaker LOUD), you could put
this item in your Setup File:
{set spkrpref,ATM1L3DT} Loud speaker prefix
Then your entry might look like this:
File City {%spkrpref%555-1234} {pword} {city} {}
The prefix "spkrpref" will override the default prefix if it is
at the very beginning of the telephone number field. Similarly,
an override suffix may be specified if it is at the very end of
the field.
Notice that these are variable names and must be bracketed
between "%" characters. Variables may be placed anywhere else
within the number field as well, but they will not override the
default prefix or suffix unless they are at the very beginning or
very end, respectively.
You may use variables defined with SET items in the Setup File or
variables set within macros.
_________________________________
System Password {mypassword}
_________________________________
A different Password String may be defined for each system that
you call. Passwords may be up to 64 characters in length.
The Password String may be sent by pressing Alt-W or by using the
variable "_pas" in a SEND macro function.
Passwords are invisible in the Dialing Directory window, but
appear when you enter [E]dit mode.
Rules for writing passwords are in Appendix D.
________________________
Linked Macro {city}
________________________
If a valid Linked Macro is specified, it will be started when a
connection is established with the remote system. If no macro is
specified (or the macro label is not found), {COMMO} will enter
the Terminal Screen.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 16
___________________________
Terminal Parameters {}
___________________________
This item allows you to override any or all of the Dialing
Default parameters for the current call. Prior to dialing each
number, {COMMO} will set all Terminal Parameters to the Dialing
Defaults (Dialing Defaults are initialized in the Setup File, but
may be changed with the DPARms macro function or with the Alt-P
key command).
If a system requires parameters that are different from the
Dialing Defaults, specify them in this item.
The general form of this item is:
{speed,format,comport,terminal-type,delay}
For example, you might have "{,7,,V}", which would set the Data
Format to "7e1" and the Terminal-type to VT102, but would use the
Dialing Defaults for the other parameters.
See "Set Terminal Parameters" for a complete description of each
field. See also "AutoBaud Detect."
_________________________
Last Called 05/20/90
_________________________
If this item is present, {COMMO} will replace it with the current
date whenever a connection is made with the system. It may
appear anywhere on the entry line (outside the curly braces).
Place "00/00/00" to start it. The Dialing Directory file will be
saved to disk when you exit {COMMO}.
_________________________________
Variable Items {name,string}
_________________________________
Any number of Variable Items may be included in a directory entry
and will be set just prior to dialing. The "string" may not
contain any variables. The first Variable Item must follow the
Terminal Parameters item (all other items must be present as
placeholders even if some are null). Example:
Joes-BBS {555-1234} {pword} {mac} {} {bbsid,joesbbs} ...
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 17
See also "[Alt-N] Multi Number Dialing."
=========================
[Alt-G] Edit Setup File
=========================
Pressing Alt-G allows you to edit the Setup File (see "Internal
Editor" in Online Help for details on editing). The Setup File
contains initial settings for many parameters used by {COMMO}.
Items changed with the editor are not effective until the next time
you start the program. However, most items may be changed with key
commands and/or macro functions while the program is running.
Each item in the Setup File is enclosed in curly braces. Items are
designated with three letter "keywords" and may be present in any
order. There are no "required" items. Missing items will take on
the values shown in the examples below, except for SET items, which
become null (0 characters) when they are missing.
All text outside the curly braces is commentary and is ignored by
{COMMO}. Avoid using curly braces other than to bracket setup
items.
Predefining Variables with SET
==============================
SET items predefine variables in {COMMO}'s String Variable Space.
The general form of a SET item is
{set name,string}.
name Any valid variable name, either reserved or user-
defined.
string A text string to assign to the name. The string
may not contain any variables.
Any number of SET items may appear in the Setup File. They may be
used later in macros, in telephone numbers, etc.
See MACRO.DOC for more information on variables.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 18
Explanation of Setup File Items
===============================
____________________________________________________________________
{ddp=2400,8n1,1,A,0} Default Dialing Parameters, set when you
dial (speed,format,port,terminal,delay).
These are also the current settings when
you start the program.
____________________________________________________________________
These values will be used as the current settings when {COMMO} is
started and each time dialing begins. Use the "Terminal
Parameters" item in the Dialing Directory to set overrides when
required. Use Alt-P or the macro function DPARms to change
dialing parameters at other times.
See "Set Terminal Parameters" for a complete description of each
field and how to change current parameters as well.
NOTE: PCjr users without the internal modem should specify Com2.
_________________________________________________
{min=yes} Send Modem Init String (yes/no)
_________________________________________________
If "yes" this will instruct {COMMO} to send the Modem
Initialization String at program startup. You can override this
item with the "/iy" or "/in" command line switch.
____________________________________________________
{set _modini,~AT S0=0 S7=180 E0 Q0 V1 X4 &C1 &D2 |}
Modem Init String (2400 bps and higher)
____________________________________________________
This item defines the reserved variable "_modini" (notice that
the string itself begins following the comma).
The Modem Initialization String is normally sent to your modem
when {COMMO} is started or when you press Alt-O.
If you are using a 1200 bps modem you should remove the "&C1 &D2"
commands. In either case the "X" command may have to be
adjusted. See Appendix A "Setting Up Your Modem."
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 19
___________________________________________________________
{sfc=yes} Software (XON/XOFF) Flow Control (yes/no)
{hfc=no} Hardware (RTS/CTS) Flow Control (yes/no)
___________________________________________________________
These are used to control the flow of data between your computer
and the remote system. They prevent loss of data when one end
can send faster than the other end can process the information.
See Appendix C for details.
___________________________________________________
{dex=no} Drop DTR and RTS on exit (yes/no)
___________________________________________________
Leave this "no" if you want to exit {COMMO} and return while
still connected to a host. "Yes" will normally cause the modem
to hang up when exiting.
______________________________________________
{enq=no} Answer ENQ with ACK (yes/no)
______________________________________________
Some hosts send an ENQ control character (^E) periodically and
require that the terminal "answer back" with an ACK (^F). Set
this item to "yes" only if your host requires this.
________________________________________________
{aut=pzbr,^xB00} Auto Receive, Zmodem
{aut=phbr,^bR} Auto Receive, HS/Link
{aut=pmpr,^v^h^vMPt} Auto Receive, MPt
________________________________________________
The general form of this item is: {aut=label,string}. When the
specified string (up to 32 characters, case ignored) is received,
the macro will be started.
These are normally used for automatically starting downloads, but
may be used to trigger any macro upon receiving any string.
Up to eight Auto Receive Strings may be specified. Operates in
Terminal Mode only (use GOLOok/LOOKfor in macros).
See the section "{COMMO} Auto Receive" for more details.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 20
____________________________________________
{com=1,3f8,4} Com1 port address/IRQ
{com=2,2f8,3} Com2 port address/IRQ
{com=3,3e8,4} Com3 port address/IRQ
{com=4,2e8,3} Com4 port address/IRQ
____________________________________________
These are the hardware serial port base address and IRQ
assignments. The settings shown are the most common, but some
serial adapters are different. The serial adapter manual may
give a range of addresses, for example "3f8-3ff." Use the first
value as the base address.
_____________________________________________
{abd=no} AutoBaud Detect on (yes/no)
_____________________________________________
Determines the initial state of the AutoBaud toggle. See
"AutoBaud Detect" under "[Alt-T] Set Toggles."
____________________________________________________________________
{cdm=yes} Clear dialing marks when saving directory (yes/no)
____________________________________________________________________
If this is "yes", dialing marks will not be written to disk when
saving the Dialing Directory file. Set it to "no" if you wish
the marks to be saved with the file (to be used in the next
session).
Note that changes to dialing marks (mark or unmark) will not
cause the file to be saved upon exit from {COMMO}. If no other
changes occur (such as Date Last Called), you must use Alt-F in
the Internal Editor to save the marks.
__________________________________________________
{set _dialpf,ATDT } Default Dialing Prefix
{set _dialsf, |} Default Dialing Suffix
__________________________________________________
These reserved variables define strings that will be used to
create the modem dialing command. The prefix, telephone number
and suffix will be strung together in that order and sent to your
modem when you dial.
Any number of additional prefixes and suffixes may be used by
including variables in the telephone number string (see "[Alt-D]
Dialing Directory" for details).
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 21
Use "ATDP" if you don't have a tone line. Use "ATDT9," to get an
outside line on a switchboard. The suffix is usually just a
carriage return (|). Your modem manual has additional tips on
dialing prefixes and suffixes.
__________________________________________________
{dct=45} Dialing cycle time-out (seconds)
__________________________________________________
The maximum time to wait before hanging up and redialing. Adjust
if your modem needs more time to complete a call.
__________________________________________________________
{idt=2} Delay between dialing attempts (seconds)
__________________________________________________________
Amount of time to wait between dialing attempts. Adjust to give
incoming calls a greater chance of getting through.
____________________________________________________________
{set _dialsr,CONNECT} Dialing success response(s)
{set _dialfr,BUSY,NO CARRIER,NO DIALTONE}
Dialing failure response(s)
____________________________________________________________
These reserved variables each define a list of response codes
that can be found in your modem manual. Do not include the speed
in the CONNECT response if you are enabling AutoBaud.
Some modems use a CARRIER response to indicate the modem speed,
e.g. CARRIER 2400. Using this instead of CONNECT will improve
the accuracy of the Usage Log. In order to avoid confusion with
a NO CARRIER response, you should use:
{set _dialsr,CARRIER } Notice the space after CARRIER.
Responses are case sensitive. There should be no null strings or
extra spaces.
___________________________________________________
{set uldir,c:\commo} Path to find uploads
{set dldir,c:\commo} Path to place downloads
___________________________________________________
These variables are used in some of the macros in COMMO.MAC and
SAMPLES.MAC, primarily in the Uploading and Downloading macros.
They are not reserved variables so you may change their names.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 22
__________________________________________________________________
{set dszprog,DSZ.COM} Name of program in DSZ family that you
have (DSZ.COM, GSZ.EXE or DSZ.EXE)
__________________________________________________________________
This variable is used in macros that require an Omen Technology
external protocol driver program. Just enter one of the three
programs shown and all of the Zmodem and Ymodem macros will use
it (including the MOSTHOST).
____________________________________________________________
{set _uselog,c:\commo\commo.log} Pathname for Usage Log
____________________________________________________________
This is a reserved variable that tells {COMMO} where to find your
Usage Log. The Usage Log keeps a record of the calls you make.
If a valid pathname is specified, entries will be made when:
1) You connect to a system.
2) You transfer a file using an internal protocol.
3) You disconnect (or exit {COMMO}).
IMPORTANT! In order for the log to function properly your modem
must be set to provide "true carrier detect" (see Appendix A).
Use a null pathname or remove this item to disable the Usage Log.
A null pathname would look like this:
{set _uselog}
The Usage Log should be disabled when you are connecting directly
to another computer (with a null modem cable).
Specify the same log file as your external protocol driver (e.g.,
DSZ.LOG or MPT.LOG) and you will have a complete record of your
calls, including upload/download statistics.
If a filename only (no path) is specified, the current directory
will be used. The pathname of an open Capture File is not
allowed.
See also Appendix F "Usage Log Format."
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 23
__________________________________________________________
{cap=c:\commo\commo.cap} Pathname for Capture File
__________________________________________________________
This is the initial setting for the Capture File pathname. It
may be changed later with the Alt-1 key command or with the
CAPTure macro function (do not try to change the "_cap" built-in
variable with SETV).
If a filename only (no path) is specified, the current directory
will be used.
See also "Capture File Options."
_______________________________________________________________
{scr=c:\commo\commo.scr} Pathname for Screen Image File
_______________________________________________________________
This is the initial setting for the Screen Image File pathname.
It may be changed later with the Alt-I key command, with the
SCREen macro function, or from within the Scrollback Buffer
window (do not try to change the "_scr" built-in variable with
SETV).
If a filename only (no path) is specified, the current directory
will be used. The pathname of an open Capture File is not
allowed.
See also "Screen Image Save" and "Scrollback"
___________________________________________________
{ebl=yes} Expand blank lines (yes/no)
{slf=yes} Strip outgoing linefeeds (yes/no)
{pac=} ASCII Upload pacing character
___________________________________________________
These items are used with the ASCII Upload feature.
Blank line expansion sends a space and a carriage return, instead
of just a carriage return for lines with no data. This prevents
BBS line editors from terminating prematurely.
Stripping linefeeds gives the data the appearance of being
entered manually. Linefeeds should not be stripped when the
remote is not in "edit" mode.
The pacing character shown is null (no pacing). To use a ":" for
pacing, change the item to
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 24
{pac=:}
See "ASCII Upload" for more details.
_____________________________________
{mac=} Startup macro label
_____________________________________
This item indicates a macro to run when {COMMO} starts up. The
command line switch "/:" can be used to override it. See
"Command Line Options."
Example: {mac=begin}.
__________________________________________________
{edd=no} Enter Dialing Directory (yes/no)
__________________________________________________
If this is set to "yes" the Dialing Directory will be entered
when {COMMO} is started (if no Dialing Strings or Startup Macro
are present on the command line).
________________________________________
{loc=no} Local Echo on (yes/no)
________________________________________
If this is set to "yes" Local Echo will be on when {COMMO} is
started.
_________________________________________
{sts=yes} Status Line on (yes/no)
_________________________________________
If this is set to "yes" the Status Line will be on when {COMMO}
is started.
___________________________________________
{sig=no} Signal Lights on (yes/no)
___________________________________________
If this is set to "yes" Signal Lights will be on when {COMMO} is
started.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 25
____________________________________________
{cpf=no} Capture File open (yes/no)
____________________________________________
If this is set to "yes" Capture will be open when {COMMO} is
started. See "Capture File Options."
_______________________________________________________
{cpm=screen} Capture Mode (screen/filter/raw)
_______________________________________________________
See "Capture File Options" for a description of each mode.
_____________________________________________________
{tek=no} Test for enhanced keyboard (yes/no)
_____________________________________________________
Set this to "yes" if your system supports the enhanced (101 key)
keyboard. This will enable you to assign F11, F12 and a number
of other keys to your macros. See Appendix A "Table of {COMMO}
Key-labels" in MACRO.DOC.
_______________________________________________________________
{tsn=yes} Display time of day with System Name (yes/no)
_______________________________________________________________
If this is "yes" the time of day will be displayed on the right
side of the Status Line. Set this to "no" if you want the System
Name given more space. Note that this has no effect when the
Signal Lights are displayed.
__________________________________________
{snd=yes} Master Sound on (yes/no)
__________________________________________
If this is set to "yes" sound will be on when {COMMO} is started.
If "no" all sounds will be silenced.
___________________________________________________
{dca=yes} Dialing connection alarm (yes/no)
___________________________________________________
Controls the alarm that signals a connection when Auto Dialing is
used. The alarm will not be sounded when a valid Linked Macro is
specified in the Dialing Directory.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 26
______________________________________________________
{afa=yes} ASCII Upload finished alarm (yes/no)
______________________________________________________
Controls the alarm that signals completion of an ASCII Upload.
_________________________________________________________
{ers=yes} Make sounds on errors/warnings (yes/no)
_________________________________________________________
This controls the special sounds made for certain errors and
warning messages.
_______________________________________________________
{rng=3} Maximum number of alarm rings (1-999)
_______________________________________________________
Sets the number of times the alarm will ring. You may press a
key at any time to stop the alarm.
____________________________________________________________
{sbs=10} Scrollback buffer size in kilobytes (0-64)
____________________________________________________________
The actual minimum size of the buffer (which {COMMO} will
compute) depends on the number of screen lines and columns. For
a 25x80 screen it will be about 4k bytes -- it will be larger for
screens with more lines and/or columns. This includes room to
save the current screen.
Setting the size to 0 disables the Scrollback feature. See also
"Scrollback."
_________________________________________________________________
{adn=no} Auto-detect number of rows and columns (yes/no)
_________________________________________________________________
{COMMO} will support 25 to 127 rows and 80 to 255 columns on the
display, but you MUST set the display into the proper mode before
starting the program (EGA/VGA adapters usually come with
utilities to set modes such as 50x80, 44x132, etc.).
Set this item to "yes" if you want {COMMO} to automatically
obtain the current number of rows and columns from the system.
Most systems provide this information. If the display is
unsatisfactory, you may have to set it to "no."
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 27
NOTE: The cursor may not display properly in 43 line mode. This
is a problem with some EGA adapters.
___________________________________________________________
{ucw=18} Number of lines in upper Chat Mode window
___________________________________________________________
This allows you to adjust the line "split" in Chat Mode. The
minimum number of lines in the upper or lower window is three.
__________________________________________________________________
{swe=no} Send when Enter is pressed in Chat Mode (yes/no)
__________________________________________________________________
If "no" {COMMO} will send each character as you type it. If
"yes" {COMMO} will wait until you press Enter, then send all that
you have typed.
____________________________________________________
{sfi=no} Speech Friendly Interface (yes/no)
____________________________________________________
If this is "yes" {COMMO} will be much friendlier to users with
speech synthesizer boards (these enable blind users to read the
computer display). Terminal Screen data and many error and
information messages will be displayed using the BIOS. Also, the
up and down arrow keys move the cursor instead of scrolling the
screen in windows such as Online Help, Scrollback and View String
Variable Space.
_________________________________________________________________
{bsc=no} Use BIOS for Terminal Screen scrolling (yes/no)
{sno=no} Snow checking on CGA adapter (yes/no)
_________________________________________________________________
Change these video parameters only if necessary.
o BIOS scrolling enables external scrollback programs to work,
but is slower and may cause "flicker" in certain displays.
o Snow checking will also slow the display, but will help to
eliminate the "snow" effect on CGA monitors.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 28
_________________________________________________
{ema=no} Enable mono attributes (yes/no)
_________________________________________________
If this is "no" the default mono attributes will be used, no
matter what colors are set in the following items. Set it to
"yes" if you want to set your own monochrome attributes (high
intensity, reverse video, underline, etc.). This has no effect
on color displays.
____________________________________________
{tsc=07} Terminal Screen colors
{slc=17} Status Line colors
{fwt=17} File window text colors
{fwb=70} File window border colors
{fws=3f} File window cursor colors
{swt=70} Small window text colors
{swb=17} Small window border colors
____________________________________________
Press F7 while editing the Setup File to pop up the color chart.
You may use it with color or monochrome displays.
NOTE: For the most accurate ANSI-BBS or VT102 terminal
emulation, the Terminal Screen colors should be set to {07}. In
many cases, {COMMO} uses this color when clearing portions of the
screen or when a "reset attributes" sequence is received from the
host.
"File windows" are full-screen windows such as the Dialing
Directory, Macro File, Scrollback Buffer, etc. "Small windows"
are the pop up windows such as Capture File Options or ASCII
Upload.
Colors should be set so that the different parts of the screen
contrast with each other. For example the Status Line should be
easily discernable from the rest of the Terminal Screen. And the
borders and Selector Bar should stand out against the text
portion of the file windows.
(End of Setup File items)
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 29
=================
[Alt-H] Hang Up
=================
Disconnects the call by dropping DTR. This will put the modem "on-
hook" if response to DTR is enabled (see Appendix A). If your modem
does not respond properly, you may define a macro to send a "hang-
up" command. For modems using the "AT" command set the macro would
look like this:
{alh} {send ~~~+++~~~ATH|} {} Press Alt-H to hangup
Of course, you may assign this macro to any key you like.
===========================
[Alt-I] Screen Image Save
===========================
The Screen Image Save is used to append all of the text currently on
the screen to a disk file. This is sometimes handier than
repeatedly opening and closing the Capture File.
TIPS on using Screen Image Save:
> The pathname may not be the same as the pathname of an open
Capture File.
> If the file cannot be opened, the old pathname is retained.
NOTE: The current Screen Image Save file is also used to save
blocks of text in the Scrollback feature.
See also "Capture File Options" and "Scrollback."
====================
[Alt-K] Scrollback
====================
Scrollback allows you to see what was previously on your screen.
Screen data is saved to a memory buffer (the size is defined in the
Setup File). Set the size to 0 to disable the feature entirely.
A number of commands are available in Scrollback:
1) You may navigate as in the Online Help file -- scroll up/down,
page up/down, beginning/end of buffer, etc.
2) Use the String Search feature available in all {COMMO} file
windows.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 30
3) Change the Screen Image Save pathname.
4) Write any part of the Scrollback buffer to the current Screen
Image Save file.
5) Exit and return to the same place the next time you call
Scrollback.
6) Jump directly to the Dialing Directory or Macro Processor
windows.
=========================
[Alt-M] Macro Processor
=========================
The Macro Processor executes and maintains {COMMO} macros. See the
Macro Programming Guide, MACRO.DOC, which shows you how easily you
can automate program operations, link to external protocols (used
for Uploading/Downloading), assign keys and perform a myriad of
other functions. The Macro File is maintained with the Internal
Editor.
See Online Help for details on operations within the Macro Processor
window.
==============================
[Alt-N] Multi Number Dialing
==============================
Any number of entries may be "marked" in the Dialing Directory, then
automatically dialed in sequence until a connection is established.
Multi Number Dialing may be initiated in one of four ways:
1) Bring up the Dialing Directory window with Alt-D, then move the
Selector Bar to each desired entry and press [Space] (repeat the
procedure to unmark an entry). Press Alt-N to begin dialing at
the location of the Selector Bar.
2) Specify entries with Dialing Strings on the command line used to
run {COMMO} (see "Command Line Options"). Specified entries will
be marked and dialed in sequence when {COMMO} is started.
3) Specify entries with Dialing Strings in a macro, using the MARK
function (see MACRO.DOC).
4) Press Alt-N from the Terminal Screen. Dialing of marked entries
will resume with the next system in the sequence.
See also "[Alt-D] Dialing Directory" and the DIAL function in
MACRO.DOC.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 31
==========================================
[Alt-O] Send Modem Initialization String
==========================================
Pressing Alt-O at any time from the Terminal Screen will cause the
Modem Initialization String to be sent to the modem (if one is
defined). This is useful if your modem was powered off or if the
modem setup was changed.
=================================
[Alt-P] Set Terminal Parameters
=================================
The Terminal Parameters affect the transmission of data to and from
your computer. They are usually displayed or defined with a string.
For example:
{2400,8n1,1,A,0} Speed,format,port,terminal,delay.
{COMMO} keeps two complete sets of Terminal Parameters:
1) The Current Parameters as shown on the left side of the
Status Line.
2) The Default Dialing Parameters. These will be set each time
a number is dialed unless overridden by parameters in the
Dialing Directory.
Parameter Descriptions
======================
_____
Speed
_____
The rate at which data travels between your computer and your modem
(or remote system if no modem is used). It is specified as "bits
per second" or "bps." Allowable values are 300, 600, 1200, 2400,
4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200. These may be abbreviated
to the first two characters in Serial Port Parameter strings.
See "AutoBaud Detect" for more information on setting the Speed.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 32
___________
Data Format
___________
This consists of three parts. Allowable values are:
character length: 7, 8
parity: [n]one, [e]ven, [o]dd, [m]ark, [s]pace
stop-bits: 1, 2
Examples:
7o2 7 bit characters, odd parity, 2 stop bits
8m1 8 bit characters, mark parity, 1 stop bit
The most common formats, "8n1" and "7e1", may be abbreviated to "8"
and "7" in parameter strings, such as:
{2400,8,1,A,0}
___________
Serial Port
___________
The channel your computer uses to talk to the outside world. May be
1, 2, 3 or 4 (for Com1, Com2, Com3 or Com4).
NOTE: PCjr users without the internal modem should specify Com2.
_______________________
Terminal Emulation Type
_______________________
{COMMO} supports the following terminal types:
ANSI-BBS (A) for calling most bulletin board systems
VT102 (V) for calling certain mainframes and online services
TTY (T) for turning off almost all control functions (lets
you see ANSI control sequences).
_____________________
Inter-Character Delay
_____________________
This factor defines the amount of delay to insert between characters
transmitted by the SEND macro function and by ASCII Upload. Use
only when the remote is too slow to process the data (drops
characters).
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 33
Each unit is about 5 thousandths of a second (5 ms) on a 4.77 MHz XT
class machine. Faster machines require higher values -- on a 12 MHz
AT each unit will only be about 1 ms.
For example, to delay 20 ms between characters (50 cps) use a factor
of:
4 on 4.77 MHz XT
16 on 12 MHz AT
27 on 20 MHz 386
The factor will also vary when you use multi-tasking software, so
adjust as necessary. The maximum delay allowed is one second.
Setting Terminal Parameters
===========================
__________________________
With the Alt-P Key Command
__________________________
Alt-P may be used at any time to change the Current Parameters or
the Default Dialing Parameters. Remember that Current Parameters
will be reset to the Default Dialing Parameters whenever dialing
begins.
________________________
In the Dialing Directory
________________________
Serial Port Parameters may be specified in a Dialing Directory entry
to override the Default Dialing Parameters. Specify only values
that are different. For example:
{,,3,V} A different serial port and terminal emulation is
required for this call.
{,8o2} Unusual format required.
__________________________________________
Using the Macro functions PARMs and DPARms
__________________________________________
Use these to set parameters during macro execution. See MACRO.DOC.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 34
======================
[Alt-S] Shell to DOS
======================
When you Shell to DOS {COMMO} remains resident in memory and you may
perform any DOS functions as you normally do. Since {COMMO} is
small in size, most of your memory is available when you use this
key command.
=====================
[Alt-T] Set Toggles
=====================
This key command is used to set a number of miscellaneous toggle
(yes/no) parameters. Some take effect while you are still in the
Set Toggles window -- others when you exit the window.
Some of the toggles will be described here. The others are detailed
in their respective sections of this document.
Sound Control Toggle
====================
This is the Master Sound Control toggle. When sound is OFF all
alarms, sounds and beeps will be silenced. Alarms are individually
controlled with items in the Setup File and with the "A" switch in
EXECute macro functions.
AutoBaud Toggle
===============
AutoBaud Detect enables {COMMO} to automatically adjust to the line
speed of the system you are calling. You won't have to hang up and
call back when you get the wrong speed.
TIPS on using AutoBaud:
> Your modem must be set to return the connection speed responses
such as "CONNECT 1200" (see Appendix A "Setting Up Your Modem").
> The Default Dialing Speed in the Setup File should be set to your
modem's highest speed.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 35
____________________
Most 2400 bps modems
____________________
Toggle AutoBaud Detect to the ON state. Set the Default Dialing
Speed in the Setup File to 2400. The following result-codes will
cause the indicated actions:
CONNECT 2400 --> serial port remains at 2400 bps
CONNECT 1200 --> serial port adjusted to 1200 bps
CONNECT --> serial port adjusted to 300 bps
_________________
High-speed modems
_________________
Most high-speed modems require that the serial port be "locked" at
19200 bps or 38400 bps. The modem will then automatically adjust to
the line (modem-to-modem) speed. In this case AutoBaud must be
turned OFF to prevent {COMMO} from changing the serial port speed.
IMPORTANT! Check your modem manual for details.
Local Echo Toggle
=================
Local Echo (sometimes called half-duplex) is normally used when you
connect to a host that does not echo what you type. {COMMO} will
assume that the host is sending a linefeed with each carriage
return.
Typed characters will be displayed directly to the screen.
Signal Lights Toggle
====================
Turns ON/OFF the "modem lights" display on the status line. Shows
the state of the RS-232C signals, including send and receive.
This toggles the right half of the Status Line from the System Name
to the Signal Lights Display. See "What is on the Status Line" in
Online Help for a complete description of the Status Line
indicators.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 36
======================
[Alt-U] Utility Menu
======================
The Utility Menu is supported by a macro in COMMO.MAC. It contains
a selection of features created by {COMMO} macros.
Example features include:
Edit any external text file less than 64k in size.
Run any macro by name.
Run the host mode macro, MOSTHOST.MAC.
Edit the host mode macro.
NOTE: The Utility Menu will not be available when another Macro
File has been loaded by the MACLoad macro function.
===============================
[Alt-W] Send Current Password
===============================
Each entry in the Dialing Directory can have its own Password
String. After dialing a number, the Alt-W key command will send the
current Password String to the remote system.
For additional details on Passwords see "[Alt-D] Dialing
Directory."
===========================
[Alt-X] Exit from {COMMO}
===========================
This key command will cause {COMMO} to terminate, saving all support
files with outstanding changes.
You may configure {COMMO} to leave DTR high when exiting so that you
may exit and remain connected to a system (this is the default, see
"[Alt-G] Edit Setup File").
If you re-enter {COMMO} while still online you should use the "/in"
command line switch to prevent the Modem Initialization String from
being sent.
Alt-X may also be pressed from the Dialing Directory or Macro File
windows for a quick exit.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 37
==============================
[Alt-1] Capture File Options
==============================
When Capture is OPEN all information written to your screen will be
saved to the designated disk file. This command allows you to:
1) OPEN/CLOSE the Capture File.
2) Change to a different file.
3) Change the Capture Mode.
Data may be captured in one of three modes. The startup Capture
Mode is selected in the Setup File.
If the mode is set to SCREEN, data will be captured exactly as it
appears on the Terminal Screen. This mode greatly improves the
appearance of data captured from screens drawn with ANSI
positioning sequences (animation).
FILTER mode is used primarily when you need to capture lines
longer than the width of the screen (e.g., to be printed on a
wide carriage printer). ANSI controls will still be stripped out
if ANSI-BBS or VT102 emulation is on.
Use RAW mode when you want all data captured exactly as it comes
from the serial port. ANSI control sequences will not be
stripped and length of lines will be preserved. This mode can be
used to capture ANSI animation and color to be "played back"
later.
TIPS on using the Capture File:
> IMPORTANT! When capturing to a floppy drive, the diskette should
not be removed until the Capture File is closed (this also
applies if the "disk full" message appears). DOS is unaware of a
disk change and may overwrite the replacement disk.
> The old file will be closed if a new file is opened.
> If Capture Mode is set to SCREEN, text will be saved as it
scrolls OFF the screen. To prevent loss of data, the entire
screen will be saved in the following situations:
(1) whenever the screen is cleared
(2) Capture is closed with Alt-1
(3) {COMMO} is terminated
(4) the mode is changed from SCREEN to FILTER or RAW
> If Capture Mode is set to FILTER or RAW, text will be saved as it
arrives from the serial port.
See also "Screen Image Save."
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 38
==========================
[Alt-2] Print Log Toggle
==========================
Turns the Print Log ON/OFF. When ON all information written to your
screen will be printed to LPT1. Handy for getting hard-copy of file
lists, messages, etc.
TIPS on using the Print Log:
> Text is printed as it scrolls OFF the screen.
> To prevent loss of data, the entire screen will be printed in the
following situations:
(1) whenever the screen is cleared
(2) Print Log is turned off with Alt-2
(3) {COMMO} is terminated
> Flow Control should be used if your printer cannot keep up with
the incoming data (see Appendix C).
==========================
[Alt--] Chat Mode Toggle (Alt minus)
==========================
Chat Mode is normally used when you wish to converse via keyboard.
The screen will be split with the upper portion showing what the
remote is sending, while the lower portion shows what you type.
The method used to send typed characters is selected in the Setup
File under the section "Video and Chat Mode." The two possible
methods are:
1) Each character is sent as you type it. This method is
normally used when you are chatting with another person who
is also in Chat Mode.
2) All characters are sent at once when you press Enter (up to
240 characters will be buffered). Use this method when you
are using a teleconferencing system or "CB Simulator."
The number of lines in the upper and lower portions of the screen
(the "line split") may also be set in the "Video and Chat Mode"
section.
TIPS on using Chat Mode:
> Alt-- (Alt minus) is used to enter AND exit Chat Mode.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 39
> All {COMMO} functions are available in Chat Mode except Doorway
Mode.
=============================
[Alt-=] Doorway Mode Toggle
=============================
Definition: "Extended keys" are function keys, Alt keys, cursor
keys, etc. In other words, keys that do not generate ASCII
characters.
In Doorway Mode all extended keys will send their key codes to the
remote (instead of activating {COMMO} functions). Thus Doorway Mode
can be used to operate most application software on the remote
system when used with a host program such as Marshall Dudley's
Doorway. In addition some BBS full-screen editors use Doorway Mode.
TIPS on using Doorway Mode:
> The Alt-= key is necessarily reserved for exiting Doorway Mode
and thus cannot be sent to the remote. Be sure to configure
remote applications accordingly.
> The display should be set to the number of lines expected by the
host program. Usually this is 25 lines of text. If your display
is not in the proper mode, the results will be unpredictable.
> The Status Line is normally suppressed in Doorway Mode, but may
be turned on by using the "S" switch in a macro:
{:al=} {doorway-s} {}
The "s" switch is ignored when exiting Doorway Mode and the
Status Line will be restored to its previous state. Remember
that when the Status Line is on, there is one less usable line on
the Terminal Screen.
> If it is necessary to clear the screen or to reset the terminal
emulation mode parameters when starting Doorway Mode, use a
macro. For example:
{:al=} {clear} {parms ,,,a} {doorway} {}
This macro will execute when entering or exiting Doorway Mode
(Alt-= must be used to exit, but any key may be assigned to enter
Doorway Mode).
> For most applications you will want Terminal-Type set to
ANSI-BBS. It's a good idea to enter Doorway Mode before starting
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 40
the host program. The host may send commands to initialize the
terminal.
> If Software Flow Control is enabled, the ASCII character values
17 and 19 (XON and XOFF) will not display. If these characters
are needed, Software Flow Control must be turned off.
=============================
[F1] How to Use Online Help
=============================
A summary of {COMMO}'s operations is available by pressing F1. The
Online Help support file, COMMO.HLP, must be in the {COMMO} home
directory or you will get an error message.
This message will also be issued if there is not enough memory to
load the Online Help file. Note that the file is retained in memory
until {COMMO} requires memory for some other program function. It
will automatically be re-read when necessary.
Once the Help window is entered you will see the Help control keys
listed at the bottom of the screen. At this point you may obtain
more detailed information about using Online Help by typing "H".
Modifying the Help File
=======================
When you are familiar with {COMMO} you may wish to reduce the size
of the Help File. Feel free to edit this file -- you can even set
up your own menu.
The search keys are in the bars separating the topics. The
character following the "T" in the middle of the bar may be changed
to create your own key. Keep in mind that the context-related Help
uses topic characters that cannot be changed.
The HELP macro function enables you to assign a key to go directly
to any topic in Online Help. For example:
{:cf6} {help J} {}
will go to topic "TJ" when Ctrl-F6 is pressed. Use any single
character as the key (do not include the "T").
If you change the Help File, remember to keep a backup copy of the
original.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 41
====================================
[PgUp]/[PgDn] Uploading/Downloading
====================================
When you press PgUp or PgDn you will be presented with a menu from
which you may select a file transfer protocol. Protocols provide
the ability to transfer any kind of data using error correction
methods.
{COMMO} has the Xmodem and Xmodem-1k (old Ymodem) protocols built in
and provides you with macros to send and receive. In addition the
Macro File is pre-configured with macros that execute various
popular protocol drivers, including DSZ which performs Zmodem,
Ymodem Batch and Ymodem-G uploads and downloads.
The PgUp and PgDn menus are implemented using {COMMO}'s powerful
Macro Processor which enables you to execute internal and external
protocols easily and seamlessly (see below for details on obtaining
and installing several of these drivers).
You may add macros for any other protocol drivers that you need.
See the Macro Programming Guide, MACRO.DOC, for details on writing
macros.
How to Install External Protocol Drivers
========================================
Protocols such as Zmodem, HS/Link and MPt offer greater convenience,
speed and reliability. They include features such as:
1) Automatic startup.
2) Transmission of file names, sizes and dates.
3) Batch (multiple file) transfers.
4) Resuming partial (failed) transfers.
5) Bi-directional transfers (HS/Link only)
External protocol "drivers" can be obtained from BBS's and other
sources. You can download them using {COMMO}'s internal protocols.
To install DSZ, HS/Link, MPt or OZBEXT, just place the executable
file (e.g., DSZ.COM, HSLINK.EXE, MPT.EXE, OZBEXT.EXE) in a directory
which is specified in your DOS path statement. If you don't have a
path statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, place the executable in
your C:\COMMO directory. In the latter case, change to this
directory before you start {COMMO}.
Each of the protocol driver programs has additional features that
may be useful to you. Refer to the program's documentation for more
information.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 42
Using DSZ or GSZ
================
NOTE: These are Shareware programs from Omen Technology. Like
{COMMO}, they must be registered for continued use (some features
are not enabled in the unregistered versions). DSZ may almost
always be found where you obtained {COMMO} and is usually archived
as DSZmmdd.ZIP (mmdd is a release date).
DSZ will transfer files using Zmodem, Ymodem Batch and Ymodem-G.
The executable file to install is DSZ.COM.
GSZ is functionally equivalent to DSZ. In addition GSZ provides an
attractive graphic display of the file transfer in progress. To use
GSZ you need only change one item in the Setup file:
{set dszprog,GSZ.EXE}
The executable file to install is GSZ.EXE.
Using HS/Link
=============
HS/Link is a Shareware program that offers very fast file transfers.
It also has bi-directional capability for uploading and downloading
simultaneously (make sure the remote system allows this feature
before attempting it).
When you select a download with HS/Link (or if it is started
automatically, see "Auto Receive"), you will be asked to enter a
"Filename to Upload" as well. Just press Enter for download only.
Note that your download directory must be specified in HSLINK.CFG or
received files will be placed in the current directory. For
example, if your download directory is "c:\dlfiles", put the line
"-uc:\dlfiles" in your HSLINK.CFG.
The executable file to install is HSLINK.EXE.
Using MPt
=========
MPt is a Shareware program that transfers files using the MPt
protocol (similar to Zmodem, but not compatible). It offers an
excellent graphic display during file transfers.
The executable file to install is MPT.EXE.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 43
Using OZBEXT
============
OZBEXT is a file transfer program for CompuServe users (it is
available without charge from CIS). This protocol offers much
better network throughput than Xmodem.
OZBEXT will transfer files using the "B" and "B+" protocols.
The executable file to install is OZBEXT.EXE.
{COMMO} Auto Receive
====================
This feature will automatically start a macro when a specified
string is received from the serial port and is normally used for
starting downloads.
Up to 8 strings and respective macro labels may be defined in the
"Terminal and Modem" section of the Setup File. These are
preconfigured for the Zmodem, HS/Link and MPt protocol "signature"
strings, but you may change them or add new ones as desired.
As an example, suppose one of the Auto Receive strings in your Setup
File is:
{pzbr,^XB00} Zmodem Auto Receive
This means that when the string "^XB00" is received, the macro at
label "pzbr" will be started. This string is the Zmodem signature
string.
In your Macro File you would have the corresponding macro:
Z BATCH {:pzbr} {exec %dszprog port %_por rz -mr %dldir} {}
{COMMO} will execute the macro as soon as the signature string is
received (be patient, a BBS may take several seconds to load and
execute its own protocol program).
IMPORTANT! If you have not properly installed the protocol program,
the message "Bad command or file name" will be periodically
displayed by DOS. If this happens type Ctrl-X repeatedly until the
sender cancels the transfer.
TIPS on using Auto Receive:
> If the macro called by Auto Receive EXECutes a DOS command, you
may want to use EXECute Preview Mode for preliminary testing.
This will allow you to view the command before execution and to
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 44
see the results afterwards. Preview Mode may be toggled on/off
using the Alt-T key command.
> Auto Receive will not trigger on characters that are displayed to
the screen while a macro is running.
> The serial port input buffer will be cleared following any
EXECute function that is part of an Auto Receive macro. This
prevents repeated signature strings from triggering the macro
more than once.
> If you need to download within a macro, you should do a LOOKfor
to wait for the signature string, then CALL the download macro
(make sure you have a RETUrn at the end).
> Using short strings, such as "^E" for CIS B protocol may result
in unexpected triggering of the macro. This is because other
systems may send the same string for a different purpose (to
display a "club" symbol, for example). Thus it may be necessary
to disable a string at times or to discontinue its use.
> A string may be disabled by removing the corresponding macro
label in the Macro File, but this degrades performance since the
Macro File must be scanned each time a "hit" occurs. Instead,
the Setup File item should be removed.
> Auto Receive can be set up for protocols that do not send
signature strings, such as Xmodem, Ymodem, Ymodem-G, etc. Use
the prompt that the BBS sends just prior to the file transfer.
For example, "Start your Ymodem-G now." Note that different
systems may use different prompts.
> An Auto Receive string can be used to automatically continue
Multi Number Dialing after you disconnect (in manual mode). Set
one of the strings to:
{aut=nocar,^jNO CARRIER^m}
Then enter a macro in the Macro File:
{:nocar} {dial ,} {}
When your modem sends "NO CARRIER" the macro will start. Multi
Number Dialing will resume if any more systems are marked in the
Dialing Directory.
See also "TIPS on creating LOOKfor strings" in the section
describing the LOOKfor function.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 45
========== =====================
Appendix A Setting Up Your Modem
========== =====================
Please be aware that there are many different modems in use and that
it is of the utmost importance that you configure your modem to work
correctly with {COMMO}. A few tips will be given here, but they are
no substitute for the detailed installation instructions in your
modem manual!
When {COMMO} is started, a command string called the Modem
Initialization String will be sent to the modem. You must make
certain that you have the correct string in your Setup File. This
string will perform part or all of the modem setup depending on the
type of modem. Examples will be given for the most common types.
If your modem is external to your computer, be sure you have
followed the installation instructions carefully and that the cable
is connected to the computer's serial port. It is wise to turn off
power to the computer and the modem when connecting or disconnecting
any cables.
Also check the Default Dialing Parameters in the Setup File. Make
sure the serial port number is correct.
_______________
1200 bps Modems
_______________
Most 1200 bps modems have switches on them which must be set to
provide the proper interaction with your computer and with {COMMO}.
Consult your modem manual concerning these switches and pay
particular attention to the following:
1) Enable command recognition. Allows the modem to recognize
commands (dial, set registers, etc.). Must be in the
"enable" position or modem will be unusable.
2) Send result codes in English. This switch should be set so
that the modem will send verbal responses to commands
instead of numbers. This is usually controlled by a command
also (such as ATV1).
3) Respond to DTR (data terminal ready). This should NOT be in
the "ignore" or "on all the time" position. This switch
allows the computer to signal the modem to hang up.
4) Respond to carrier detect or "allow true carrier." This
should NOT be set to the "on all the time" position.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 46
Here is an example Modem Initialization String which will set up a
1200 bps modem and override the switch settings (if possible):
{~AT S0=0 S7=60 E0 Q0 V1 X1 |}
The most important command to check is the "X" command, since its
function varies the most from modem to modem. The "X" command
determines which responses the modem will generate during dialing
(e.g. CONNECT, BUSY, etc.). It may also activate an additional
modem feature such as automatic redialing which will interfere with
{COMMO}'s own redialing procedure.
Your modem manual gives a description for each level of the "X"
command: X0, X1, X2, ... , etc. Generally you want to use the
highest level that does not activate undesirable features. If you
will be using {COMMO}'s AutoBaud feature you will need the extended
connect responses such as CONNECT 1200. Also the BUSY response
should be provided if possible. In any case you should modify the
Modem Initialization String to work with your particular modem.
___________________
2400 bps and higher
___________________
Modems which operate at 2400 bps and higher generally have commands
to replace the switches (see the section above if yours has
switches). These commands may be given every time you start {COMMO}
or they may be permanently remembered by modems which have "non-
volatile" memory.
It will be assumed here that the commands are given every time you
start {COMMO}. If you wish to place the settings in non-volatile
memory, consult your modem manual on how to do this. Here is an
example Modem Initialization String for most 2400 bps modems:
{~AT S0=0 S7=180 E0 Q0 V1 X4 &C1 &D2 |}
See the comments above concerning the "X" command since they apply
to these modems as well.
IMPORTANT! Many modems that operate at 2400 bps and above require
additional commands to control features such as data compression and
error correction. Consult the modem manual for details.
If you need to change the Modem Initialization String, edit the
Setup File with the Alt-G key command, then restart the program to
send the string to the modem.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 47
Answering a call from another computer
======================================
There are two easy ways to use {COMMO} to answer when a friend or
associate calls you by computer. For best results, make sure you
are in Chat Mode. Press Alt-- (Alt minus) to enter/exit Chat Mode.
1) While in Chat Mode or in the Terminal Screen, wait for the phone
to ring, then type "ATA<cr>" (upper case is not necessary with
many modems). Your modem should answer immediately (go off hook)
and begin handshaking with the remote modem.
When you see the CONNECT message you are ready to communicate.
At this point you can type, send data with macro keys, send a
text file with ASCII Upload or send any file with an external
protocol.
You can use a macro key to send the answer command to the modem.
For example, to send it by pressing Alt-W, place the following
macro in your Macro File. When the phone rings, press F5:
{nf5} {send ATA|} {} Answer the phone!
2) The other method involves setting your modem into Auto Answer
Mode. This method is useful in some situations, but will cause
the modem to answer whenever the phone rings. This can be
undesirable if you get a voice call.
To set Auto Answer just type "ATS0=1<cr>" (or make "S0=1" part of
your Modem Initialization String). This will tell the modem to
answer on ring "1" (adjust to as many rings as desired). To turn
off Auto Answer type "ATS0=0<cr>". These may also be sent with
macro keys.
Connecting two computers (null modem cable)
===========================================
{COMMO} may be used on a "direct connection" between two computers
or between a computer and another serial device. Connect the two
serial ports with a "null modem" cable. Then start the program on
each computer, having selected the appropriate Default Dialing
Parameters in the Setup File(s).
The null modem cable should be designed so that the transmit line on
each end connects to the receive line on the other end. No other
signals are needed, but none of the RS-232C signals should be left
"floating." They should be tied high or low (or at least grounded).
You may have to disable the Usage Log in the Setup File by setting
the path to null: {set _uselog}. The log is triggered by changes in
Carrier Detect and will slow things down if CD is unpredictable.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 48
========== =========================
Appendix B {COMMO} and Multi-Tasking
========== =========================
________
DESQview
________
Special care has been taken to ensure that {COMMO} is compatible
with Quarterdeck Office Systems' DESQview(tm), a multi-tasking
supervisor. DESQview allows more than one program to execute at the
same time.
A sample Program Information File (CO-PIF.DVP) has been included in
the {COMMO} package for your convenience. This file is installed as
follows:
1) Copy the file to your DESQview directory (usually C:\DV).
2) Run "Add a Program" (AP) from the "Open Window" menu.
3) Select "Other." Specify the DESQview directory as the
"Path."
4) Mark the {COMMO} entry, press Enter. "CO" should now appear
on your "Open Window" menu.
The CO-PIF.DVP file has been set up to define a 150k memory window.
The amount of memory actually required is affected by the size of
your COMMO.FON file, your COMMO.MAC file and the size of your
Scrollback buffer.
Test the size of the window by running DSZ, LIST, etc., from the
Macro Processor or Shell to DOS. Be sure to test the execution of
external programs with a "wait" at the end (or use EXECute Preview
Mode) so that you can see any error messages (see EXEC function).
CO-PIF.DVP can be changed with the "Change a Program" (CP) command
on the "Open Window" menu. You may also want to change the
directory information or other parameters.
TIPS on using {COMMO} with DESQview:
> For best performance the foreground and background "tick counts"
should both be 10 or less.
> If you switch to another task, do not attempt to access any files
which may be in use in the {COMMO} window. Examples are the
Capture File, the Screen Image File and files that may be
currently involved in a file transfer (upload or download). The
result may be a loss of part or all of the data in the file.
This is a general DESQview no-no. You may freely access these
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 49
files in the Shell to DOS or Macro Processor features of {COMMO}
(within the same window).
> If the memory allocated to the window is too small, {COMMO} will
not be able to load the Online Help file. Since the Online Help
file is loaded only when requested, you needn't be concerned if
you don't intend to use it.
> The video display may seem less smooth in DESQview. This is a
result of {COMMO} using the fastest possible display method, and
is quite normal. This effect can be reduced by specifying fewer
clock ticks for foreground and background (4 and 4 seems to work
well).
> The Snow Checking option should not be used when {COMMO} is run
under DESQview. If you see "snow" type interference in your CGA
display, use DESQview's own snow checking (request "synchronized
access" in the Setup program).
________
OmniView
________
Display bleed-through may be avoided by telling OmniView that
{COMMO} "Supports TopView Functions" or by using the "/T" switch on
the OmniView command line.
See "TIPS on using {COMMO} with DESQview" in the previous section,
most of which apply to OmniView as well.
_________
DoubleDOS
_________
Color displays require the "DISPLAY = TEXT" option in DDCONFIG.SYS.
Run {COMMO} in the bottom partition -- about 130k to 150k should
suffice if you plan to use Online Help and/or external protocols.
Increase this size in proportion to the size of your Scrollback
buffer.
Some non-multi-tasker-aware, direct-screen-writing programs executed
with the Macro Processor or Shell to DOS may not display properly.
If this happens you may have to run {COMMO} in the top partition.
Use the supplied DBLDANSI.SYS driver in place of your ANSI.SYS for
running other programs in this partition ({COMMO} doesn't use it).
With this setup you may run any non-graphics program in the top
partition, including direct screen writers.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 50
Monochrome displays require the REFRESH option in DDCONFIG.SYS.
Refer to the DoubleDOS user's manual for information on this.
See "TIPS on using {COMMO} with DESQview" in the previous section,
most of which apply to DoubleDOS as well.
========== ============
Appendix C Flow Control
========== ============
Flow Control is a signalling system used by communications devices
to prevent data from being transmitted faster than it can be
processed by the receiving system. This is especially important
when data is transferred at high speeds.
Flow Control is initialized in the Setup File and is used by {COMMO}
for both sending and receiving. You may specify Software Flow
Control, Hardware Flow Control or both. Changes may be made at any
time using the "[Alt-T] Set Toggles" key command (or with the HFLOw
and SFLOw macro functions) and will be effective immediately.
Software Flow Control uses a control character called XOFF (or ^S)
to signal the remote to pause. XON (^Q) is the signal to "resume
transmission." This is normally used only for ASCII data, since
these characters may appear randomly within binary data. An XOFF
pause will automatically be released in 20 seconds if no XON is
received. It will also be released if you type a character in the
Terminal Screen.
Hardware Flow Control uses the RTS/CTS lines in your RS-232C (serial
port) cable to signal pause/resume without interfering with the
data. It should only be used when you are connected to a device
which also recognizes RTS/CTS Flow Control (such as a high-speed
modem or another computer connected with a null modem cable). A
CTS-off (send) pause will not be released automatically. Turn off
Hardware Flow Control (using Alt-T) if you need to override it.
TIPS on using Flow Control:
> Your modem must be properly initialized to utilize flow control
(consult the manual for details).
> Since Software Flow Control uses the XOFF (ASCII 19) and XON
(ASCII 17) characters, these will not display on the screen. If
it is necessary to display them, Software Flow Control must be
turned off.
> It is especially important to use Flow Control when the Print Log
is on, since data is usually received faster than it can be
printed. If you type a character to the remote during a flow
control pause, the remote may begin sending again (some systems
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 51
resume on any character, not just XON). You may have to turn off
the Print Log if this happens.
========== ==============================
Appendix D ASCII Character Representation
========== ==============================
Sometimes it is necessary to enter control characters and other
special characters in the {COMMO} support files or as input to
{COMMO} key commands.
For example, a carriage return (typed with the Enter key) is used to
terminate your typed input. Therefore a carriage return must be
represented by some other character (or characters) in order to be
used as data.
The process of translating represented characters to actual
characters is done in many places in {COMMO}. Some examples are:
1) Strings sent to the modem. These include the Modem
Initialization String, dialing prefixes and suffixes,
telephone numbers, the Password String, strings defined in
macro functions such as SEND, SETLook (the prompt response),
VTCUr and VTPAd.
2) Strings defined in other macro functions such as LOOKfor,
GOLOok, EXECute and DISPlay.
All control characters may be represented using the (^) caret symbol
(it is the shift character above the top row "6"). If you need to
send a caret, use two carets (^^).
For convenience, two "normal" characters have special meanings in
certain contexts:
The vertical bar (|) may be used to represent a carriage return.
If you need a vertical bar, use (^|). In the EXECute function
the vertical bar is never translated.
The tilde (~) forces a one-half second delay when it is
encountered in a string that is being sent to the modem. If you
need a tilde, use (^~). This is effective only in strings that
are sent to the modem. In other strings the tilde is not
translated.
Finally, curly braces { } are very special characters and may not be
used as data in the support files. They are represented as follows,
using parentheses:
Left curly brace ^(
Right curly brace ^)
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 52
Here is a list of some of the most common control characters and how
to represent them. Upper or lower case may be used.
Carriage return ^M or |
Linefeed ^J
Formfeed ^L
Escape ^[
Bell ^G
XOFF ^S
XON ^Q
End of file ^Z
Here is a table of all ASCII control characters. Values are
decimal:
0 ... ^@ 7 ... ^G 14 ... ^N 21 ... ^U
1 ... ^A 8 ... ^H 15 ... ^O 22 ... ^V
2 ... ^B 9 ... ^I 16 ... ^P 23 ... ^W
3 ... ^C 10 ... ^J 17 ... ^Q 24 ... ^X
4 ... ^D 11 ... ^K 18 ... ^R 25 ... ^Y
5 ... ^E 12 ... ^L 19 ... ^S 26 ... ^Z
6 ... ^F 13 ... ^M 20 ... ^T 27 ... ^[
ASCII 28 to 31 and those in the extended graphic character set (128
to 255), may be typed using the ALT-NUMERIC-KEYPAD method as
follows:
1. Hold down the Alt key (and keep it down).
2. Enter the ASCII code in decimal using the numeric keypad
keys (1, 2 or 3 digits are ok).
3. Release the Alt key.
========== ==================
Appendix E Terminal Emulation
========== ==================
Terminal Emulation Type is indicated on the status line (to the
right of the Serial Port Parameters string). Available types are:
A ANSI-BBS Used on bulletin boards and other systems.
V VT102 Used on minicomputers and mainframes.
T TTY Supports only the basic control characters.
The Terminal Emulation Type (as defined by the Default Dialing
Parameter string) will be set whenever a system is dialed. It may
be changed temporarily using the Alt-P key command or the PARMs
macro function. The Default Dialing Parameters may be changed using
the Alt-P key command or the DPARms macro function.
TIPS on using terminal emulation:
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 53
> Whenever a change is made, a reset of mode parameters will be
performed. It is therefore important that the change be made
BEFORE (or at the time of) connecting with a host (mode settings
may be transmitted by the host).
> If some screens do not look right when VT102 emulation is used,
you may need to turn LINEWRAP off (it defaults to on).
> Linewrap may be turned on/off locally using the DISPlay macro
function. Place one of the following in your login macro (or
assign one of them to a key and execute it manually):
{display ,,,^[[?7h} linewrap ON
{display ,,,^[[?7l} linewrap OFF
> If colors do not always look right, it may be necessary to set
the Terminal Screen colors in the Setup File to {07}. See the
note under "Colors" in the section "[Alt-G] Setup File."
Printer Support
===============
{COMMO} supports the ANSI/VT102 printer functions, controlled by the
remote system.
The "Printer ON/OFF" function will turn {COMMO}'s Print Log
ON/OFF.
The "Dedicated Printing" function will send all input from the
serial port directly to the printer. This allows for
"transparent" transmission of printer data, including control
codes.
The "Print Screen" function will print the entire current screen.
The printer should be on and ready to print when these functions are
used. When "Dedicated Printing" is active no characters will be
displayed on the screen.
ANSI-BBS Keyboard Support
=========================
The sample Macro File is set up so you can use the PC keypad keys
(arrow keys, PgUp, PgDn, etc.) with most BBS full-screen editors.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 54
VT102 Keyboard Simulation
=========================
Two keyboard files, VT102-1.MAC and VT102-2.MAC, provide support to
simulate the VT102 keyboard. You may merge one of these into
COMMO.MAC if you intend to use VT102 all the time (replace the ANSI-
BBS keys). Be sure that you have no conflicting key-labels
(remember that {COMMO} will use the first occurrence of a key-
label).
Or you can use the MACLoad function in your login macro to load the
VT102 file automatically when you connect to the host. Using the
"r" option of MACLoad will reload COMMO.MAC at disconnect. For
example:
{macload vt102-1.mac,,r}
Both files support the following PC keypad functions (^ indicates
the Ctrl key):
Four cursor (arrow) keys
Home - Home cursor
^Home - Insert line
PgUp - Page up
^PgUp - Delete line
PgDn - Page down
^PgDn - Clear screen
End - End of line
Ins - Insert mode
Del - Delete
^bs - Ctrl backspace (delete)
VT102 numeric keypad keys are auto-switched by the host system
between numeric mode and application mode.
The four cursor keys are auto-switched between cursor mode and
application mode.
These files may be modified to create any keyboard support you
desire (see description of VTCUr and VTPAd functions in the section
"{COMMO} Macro Functions."
___________
VT102-1.MAC
___________
This file contains keyboard assignments that work best with the
enhanced keyboard (because of the separate cursor keys, etc.).
With Numlock ON the ten digits and period will simulate their
equivalent VT102 functions. In addition:
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 55
F1 to F4 simulate PF1 to PF4
Grey * is used for comma
Grey - is used for dash
Grey + is used for Enter
___________
VT102-2.MAC
___________
This file contains keyboard assignments that work best with the 83-
key keyboard (because of the location of the function keys on the
left side).
The following diagram shows how the ten function keys (Fn) and ten
shifted function keys (SFn) relate to the VT102 keypad keys:
F1= PF1 F2= PF2 SF1= PF3 SF2= PF4
F3= 7 F4= 8 SF3= 9 SF4= -
F5= 4 F6= 5 SF5= 6 SF6= ,
F7= 1 F8= 2 SF7= 3 SF8= Enter
F9= 0 F10= 0 SF9= . SF10= Enter
========== ================
Appendix F Usage Log Format
========== ================
The {On} and {Off} entries are self-explanatory.
Here is an example of a file transfer entry:
{SX} 0 c:\ul\nlbbs.rep 1664 CRC 1024 0 errors
{SX} Send {SX} or receive {RX} with Xmodem.
0 Transfer successful (0) or failed (1).
c:\ul\nlbbs.rep Pathname of file.
1664 Bytes transferred.
CRC 1024 Transfer method.
0 errors Total number of errors (corrected if
transfer was successful).
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 56
========== ==========================
Appendix G Error Message Explanations
========== ==========================
If you get an error message that you don't understand, check below
for additional information.
________________________________
Sorry, out of memory
Not enough memory for Scrollback
________________________________
These messages may occur at program startup. Check the
following:
1) {COMMO} cannot allocate its internal buffers. You must make
more memory available.
2) {COMMO} cannot load the Dialing Directory and/or Macro File.
Try reducing the size of either of these files. Removing
comments may help. Or make more memory available.
3) {COMMO} cannot allocate the Scrollback Buffer. Reduce its
size or make more memory available.
_______________________________
Cannot locate command processor
_______________________________
This is an unusual condition. Type "SET" at the DOS prompt and
be sure there is a "COMSPEC=" in the list. If there is, make
sure that COMMAND.COM is in the path specified.
_______________________
Not enough memory
Program file not found
Unable to execute shell
_______________________
A problem was encountered during Shell to DOS or EXEC:
1) There may not be enough memory to execute the command
processor or external program you have specified.
2) The program file you specified in an EXECute function using
the "D" switch cannot be located. Make sure you specify the
full path and filename.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 57
3) Some other system error condition may exist. Make sure that
COMMAND.COM is still available in the "COMSPEC=" path.
___________________________
Hardware flow control pause
___________________________
Hardware Flow Control is in effect and the remote system (or your
modem) has requested a pause. Try waiting a few seconds for the
pause to clear; if that fails you may have to turn off Hardware
Flow Control (use Alt-T, Set Toggles).
_________________________________________
File space full! Delete unnecessary text
_________________________________________
{COMMO} allows about 65,000 bytes when editing any file (the
Dialing Directory and Macro File occupy a common file space).
This limit may be reached when editing any of the files with the
Internal Editor. If this happens you must reduce the size of the
file in question. Try removing comment lines and any other
extraneous information.
This message may also be the result of loading a resident program
(TSR) in the Shell to DOS or via the EXEC macro function. Other
causes involve a corruption of DOS parameters and require
rebooting.
_____________________
Dial command too long
_____________________
The dial command is limited to 128 characters.
________________________
Unable to open file
Unable to open Help File
File not found
Path not found
Too many files
________________________
Check the following:
1) Your "SET COMMO=" command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. It may
be specifying the wrong directory.
2) That the path exists where the file should be.
{COMMO} (tm) User Guide and Reference page 58
3) That the file itself exists (this won't be the problem if
the file is being created).
4) Too many files may be open. You may need to increase your
FILES= parameter in CONFIG.SYS.
5) The Online Help File must be less than 64K bytes in size.
6) You cannot use an open Capture File for any other purpose.
____________________________________
Capture File Closed, disk is full!
Information not saved, disk is full!
____________________________________
The Capture File and Screen Image File should be edited regularly
to ensure that they are not occupying too much disk space.
- end -