home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Magnum One
/
Magnum One (Mid-American Digital) (Disc Manufacturing).iso
/
d8
/
robo20_b.arc
/
ROBOCOMM.HST
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1990-02-24
|
26KB
|
520 lines
ROBOCOMM REVISION HISTORY 02/22/90
======================================================================
2.0 o Released 02/22/90
2.0-ß6 o Added a graceful exit from the PC Pursuit dialing routines.
You can now press the ESC key and Robo will end the current
Pursuit dialing routine properly and move on to the next BBS
in the agenda. You will be asked if you want to remove the
BBS from the agenda queue for this pass.
o Added "Upload" and "Download" menu options to the file
transfer menu. You can use Robo's internal YMODEM (PC
Board's Xmodem-1K) or an external protocol launching
program.
2.0-ß5 o Added a "T" command to the DOWNLOADS directory. This
command runs a batch file called TESTFILE.BAT
o Added PUMA auto-downloads to the terminal mode. To do a
PUMA d/l all you need to do is have ROBORP.BAT and PUMA.EXE
in your path. HAVING THESE FILES IN THE ROBOCOMM DIRECTORY
WILL NOT WORK (unless, of course, you robocomm directory is
in your path). The reason is that Robo switches to your
download directory before starting the file transfer.
o In the "Downloads" directory, pressing "O" with an "offline"
file highlighted will move that file back online. The file
will be copied from the diskette in your configured
"Offline" drive and you will be prompted wether you want to
delete the source file.
o You should now get a litsing in your downloads directory
whenever you d/l a file from a Robocomm agenda. If no
matching file is found in the newfiles directory, Robo will
make a record in the downloads database with a blank file
description. You can fill in this description when creating
an upload agenda item.
o Robo won't loose it's place in the downloads directoy when
adding multiple "upload" agenda items.
o Added a new option to the PC Pursuit configuration wondow
which allows you to specify the contents of a X.3 Pad
setting string. Do not include the SET command as part of
this string. Also, DO NOT include a "1:0" set command, as
this will disable Robocomm's abaility to break back out to
the network via the "@ <CR>" sequence. The recommendation
for this setting to maximize Zmodem throughput over Pursuit
is:
4:10,5:1,7:8,12:1
Robo will break back out to the network and issue this SET
command after connecting with the outdial city and before
switching the outdial modem into Racal-Vadic mode to attempt
the dial.
o Changed main menu routines to pull-down menus.
o Changed file clean-up routines. They should be a bit faster
and more reliable now.
o The key to move agenda items in the agenda editing screens
has been changed to TAB and SHIFT-TAB.
o Robo will send a Ctrl-E to uncork the PCP outdial modem if
it doesn't respond to the ATZ command. If that fails, a
@<CR> is sent to get back to Telenet control.
2.0-ß4 o Added a "Start Date" to the go later menu. Under the new
system, if the start date & time has passed when you enter
them, the agenda will execute immediatey. The corresponding
command line parameter is the "/d" parameter for date. So,
the following would run an agenda at 12 noon on Feb 20th:
ROBOCOMM /Aagenda /T12:00 /R /D02-20-90
2.0-ß3 o Added error checking too recover if Robo is unable to open
the NetMail/PCRelay/MegaMail door.
o Added a "BBS Type" field to the BBS screen. Toggle the
values by highlighting the field and pressing enter. Choose
the BBS type that is most appropriate for the system you are
calling. You need to use this field to specify boards that
are running PCBoard 14.5 if you want to be able to upload
to the BBS.
o Changed file upload routines so that multi-line decriptions
can be entered if the system is PCBoard 14.5. If it is a
PCBoard 14.5, an extra <CR> is sent after the last file
description line.
o Some improvements to redial screen display and logic.
2.0-ß2 o Changed the default file specification for the pop-up
directory (Shift-F10) during upload agenda item creation to
"*.*" instead of "*.ZIP" Don't forget that you can type in
any filespec you want before hitting Shift-F10 and that
filespec will be used to filter the files shown in the pick
list.
o Added support for the new MEGAMAIL door, from Kip Compton.
Use the "PCRelay/NetMail/MegaMail" menu option on the agenda
screen and answer the questions asked. For the OUT
batchfile, I use:
MEGAUL.BAT
==========
DSZ port %1 speed %2 pB4096 sz f:\mega\up\%3.ul
IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO END
COPY f:\mega\up\%3.ul f:\mega\up\%3.old
del f:\mega\up\%3.ul
:END
for the IN batch file, I use:
MEGADL.BAT
==========
IF EXIST F:\MEGA\DOWN\%3.DL DEL F:\MEGA\DOWN\%3.DL
DSZ port %1 speed %2 pB4096 rz f:\mega\down\%3.dl
───────────┬──────
└────────┐
Notice the way that I have done up the filename to │
send/receive ──────────────────────────────────────┘
This menu option works on any door that immediately expects
an upload after the door opens and then immediately
processes the download. The %3 parameter is the BBS ID.
o Added an integrated PC Pursuit Dialer. To use PC Pusuit
with Robo, fill in all of the information on the new "PC
Pursuit Configuration" screen and then go into your BBS
directory and input the "Outdial city" of each BBS that you
want to use Pursuit with. Remember to set your baud rate
for the BBS to 1200 or 2400 baud and also take the area code
out of the phone numbers.
Robo automatically maintains a timer of your billable PC
Pursuit usage. It is displayed on the "F2" pop-up
"RoboStatus" display at the main menu. To reset it, go int
your Pursuit config screen and edit the counter back to
zero.
Robo will not dial a BBS through Pursuit during "prime time"
unless you set the "PRIME TIME" configuration option to YES.
o Added configurable prompt definitions for ProDoor and
ProLogon/DDoor.
o Added an option to set the speed of exploding windows on the
general config screen. 1 is the fastest speed and 1000 is
the slowest. I prefer 137.
o Added and option to the bouncing "Waiting until" box so that
pressing [Enter] will start the scheduled agenda immediately.
o Robo will now "Remember" the last agenda that was run
between sessions. NOTE: you will still need to "SET" the
agenda if you want Robo to automatically reset all "DONE"
itmes to "TO DO" status.
o Added a "Read ZIPMail" option to the read menu. For now,
this option shells to DOS and calls a batch file called
"READZIPM.BAT" (you make this file yourself). A ZIPMail
reader is in the works.
o Added code to prohibit the use of the dial command from within
the ANSI terminal if you got to the terminal by pressing the
[Esc] key while the agenda was running.
o If the file ROBOAUTO.BAT exists in the robocomm
subdirectory, it will be used for the Zmodem auto-download
feature in the terminal mode. If it doesn't exist,
ROBORZ.BAT will be used. The parameters sent to the batch
file are the same as always:
%1 Port #
%2 Comm Link Speed (Not always properly detected by
DSZ!! - especially at 38400 baud -- There is no
reason to leave this parameter out, so use it!)
%3 The full path and filename of the file being sent.
o Fixed offline drive configuration option so that any
drive letter can be used.
o A record will be appended to the "downloads" database after
a successful download even if a matching record can't be
located in the "New Files" database. Since no description
is found, it will read "None".
o Changed the key to switch an agenda item's status between
permanent and temporary to the "-" key to accomidate the new
agenda item "TextView Download" which is now assigned to the
"T" key. Also modified the ToDo/Done toggle key to also
respond to the "=" (non-shifted "plus") key for people who
are not using the plus key on their numeric keypads.
o Revised QMail Upload routines so that only 1 attempt is made
at uploading the packet. This is to keep a problem in the
upload batch file from reporting an errorlevel that causes a
double upload.
o Changed the conference navigation routines to make them a
bit smarter. Robocomm may now elect to ignore your request
for an ANSI mail packet if it is currently in a ProLogon or
DDoor front end where the graphics command isn't available.
Does this upset anyone? Sorry about that.
o The insert cursor should now be working always with all
monitors. If this isn't so, please let me know!
o Added support for TextView Door downloads. Use the "T"
command on the Agenda modification screen to create an
agenda item. Many people will use this command to download
NewsBytes, USA Today or any other allowed file from a BBS
without incurring a download charge. FYI, Joe Sheppard, the
author of TextView, uses several different TextView Doors
on his system, The Ledge. If you haven't taken a look at
the daily USA Today file and offline reader available there
(and many other BBS systems), you should. Very nice work.
o Fixed file directory so that the file viewer you specify in
the configuration is called, instead of being forced to SHEZ.
o Fixed Mail Run routines so that errorlevels returned from DSZ
atfer a failed mail download will not cause a critical error.
o Fixed the prompt which asks to re-build index files so that it
will not pop-up if running from command line switches.
o Improved ZIPM caputre and download routines properly
diagnose instances when no mail is found to capture.
o Changed the file import routine to also check the
"Downloads" database when importing new files. That
way you won't get a "NEW FILE" listing for files
you've already downloaded, or files you uploaded to a
BBS.
2.0ß
o Changed redial routines to respond quicker. Also, a "Modem
Status" indicator has been added to display the dialing
commands sent to the modem as well as responses back from
the modem.
o Changed a watch for "NO DIALTONE" during the dial routines to
"NO DIAL" to accomidate a difference between Hayes and USR
result messages.
o Made Robo smarter about when it opens doors. If your system
is set up with Qmail conference = 0 and ANSI Graphics off,
Robo will open the mail door from the ProLogon prompt if the
current agenda item is a mail function.
o You can speed up Robo's performance substantially by letting
it use some expanded memory for data buffers. The default
is to use none. Use the ROBO environment variable to set
this up. For example:
SET ROBO=E250
│ │
└─┴───── NO spaces before or after the = sign,
please. Use a capital "E".
would tell Robocomm to use 250K EMS as data buffers. Take
note, however, that this EMS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE for
swapping when robo tries to run outside programs, so Robo
might have to resort to disk swapping tomake up the
difference. The choice is yours....
NOTE: If you get "Internal Error" messages or your system
hangs when using this option, then Robocomm's (Clipper's)
expanded memory routines are not compatibe with your EMS
drivers. In this case, delete your .NTX (Index files) and
re-start Robocomm without the ROBO environment string
active.
o All capture commands are forced to be done in PCBoard. This
is because ProDoor doesn't always obey the ";NS" suffix when
reading mail. Also, many people use the "T;?" capture
command to set their transfer Protocol and that command
doesn't work in ProDoor. The "Get ZIPM" command on the
agenda creation screen is available if you want to capture
messages using ProDoor.
o Added a configuration option to control wether or not Robo
uses exploding windows to the bottom of the general
configuration screen.
o Added prompt definitions for the necessary ProDoor prompts.
The default prompts will work with the 3.1 and 3.2 prompts
as supplied by Sam Smith, but they may need to be changed if
your Sysop gets creative. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE "MAIN
BOARD" PROMPTS FOR PCBOARD AND PRODOOR ARE DIFFERENT. This
is necessary so that Robo can tell if it gets dumped into
ProDoor by a ProLogon system.
o Added a new directory of DOWNLOADS, files which Robo has
downloaded. When uploading, you can press F10 to select
from this list and the description will be provided for you.
In this screen, the 3rd sort option is now on "Status" which
will group the listing as follows:
1) Downloaded files currently in your defined download
directory, sorted by name.
2) "Offline" files which have been moved with Robo's new
"O" command will be listed alphabetically by VOLUME name
of the disks they reside on.
3) Previously "Offline" files which have been copied to
download directory to be uploaded will be shown with the
status "Pending U/L"
o Pressing "V" while in the downloads directory will call the
compressed file utility you have specified in the utilities
configuration screen to view the compressed fie. The
default utility is SHEZ (which is excellent, you should grab
a copy if you haven't already). If SHEZ is somewhere in
your path, you don't need to change a thing to use this
facility. This might be useful to people who want to use
SHEZ to check for a dreaded virus. The files in the
download directory are sorted with the most recent
downloads at the top by default.
o If you press [Del] while in the download directory, you will
be prompted to delete the file also. Answer yes or no to
delete the file from your hard disk.
o Added support for 5 line descriptions in the NEW FILES
directory and the download directory. The five line
descriptions can be edited when creating an UPLOAD agenda
item
o Added "Import" command to the files directory. Press "I" in
the file directory, and you will be prompted for a file name
and a "Source" BBS name. The file should be an ASCII file
in PCBoard file directory format. Any lines in the ASCII
file which are not a PCBoard format file line will be
ignored. For example, this will allow you to do a capture
command for a keyword on the BBS, then import the "CAP" file
into your "downloadable files" directory.
o Added command to "offload" a downloaded file to a diskette.
After pressing "O" while viewing the "Uploadable Files"
directory, Robocomm will ask for the drive to offload to,
and will allow for setting the volume label if there isn't
one. The volume label of the diskette containing a file
will be diaplayed in the bottom window if a file has been
offloaded. If you select this file to be uploaded, Robo
will prompt you to insert the diskette so it can be copied
back to the hard disk.
o Changed shell to DOS in the terminal so that it gets as much
memory as possible, not just a maximum of 512K.
o Added spaces for 2 alternate phone numbers for each system.
If one or more of these fields are filled in, Robo will
cycle through the numbers as it attempts to dial. After
Robo connects with a BBS, it will reset itself to the first
number specified the next time it dials.
o Added a counter to "R"e-enter the login ID up to 3 times if
the BBS can't find the Login ID as received.
o Added automatic Zmodem downloads to the terminal mode. If
you are in terminal mode and Robo sees the Zmodem header, it
will change directory to your specified download directory
and fire up your ROBORZ.BAT file to start the download.
ROBORZ.BAT MUST BE IN YOUR PATH SO ROBO CAN FIND IT ONCE IT
HAS SWITCHED TO YOUR DOWNLOAD DIRECTORY !!!!!!
o Added a /P command line switch (should be the last switch in
the command line) which will force Robo to clean up its
databases when quitting. This is for use by people who use
Robo exclusively from command lines (sysops?)
o Added the NetMail and PCRelay mail run options to the agenda
screen. Robo will ask for the name of a batch file to run
to send your OUT packet as well as the name of a batch file
to use to receive your IN packet. You must supply Robo with
the DOOR # to open in the "Mail Run" dialog box.
o Removed the "Y"our Mail option from the agenda creation
screen. The option is still functional. It just doesn't
show up on the agenda menu.
1.09ß o Changed upload routine so that "Upload" agenda items are
removed from the agenda in the event the file already exists
on the BBS. Previously, they were retained with a "!"
o Full ProDoor support. To make Robo do all its work through
ProDoor, just specify the ProDoor DOOR # on the BBS data
screen for the BBS. Robo will pick ProDoor from ProLogon or
DDoor or OPEN ProDoor from PCBoard. I haven't tested with a
version of ProDoor before 3.0, so if someone runs into one
of these, could you let me know if you have any problems?
Here's some hints for a happy honeymoon between Robo and
ProDoor:
- Indicate the ProDoor DOOR # on the BBS directory
screen for each system that you want to use Robo on.
- Set your Page length to 0 with the "P" command in
PCBoard and ProDoor.
- Set your transfer Protocol with the "T" command in
PCBoard.
- Set Expert mode ON, with the "X" command in ProDoor
or PCBoard.
- Make sure ProDoor's "Hotkeys" are set off. Use the
"H" key in ProDoor to toggle this opotion.
o Added new "Z" command to the agenda building screen that
will cause Robo to go into ProDoor and do a ZIPMail
download. You will find the downloaded ZIPMail packet in
the same directory that your downloaded QWK packets reside,
and Robo will use your "Download Qmail" Protocol to do the
download. The packet name will be BBSID.ZPM. The packets
are re-numbered in the same fashion as QWK packets as they
are downloaded.
- Set the conferences that you want to scan in the
ZIPMail scan with the "J A" command from the ProDoor
Main Board prompt.
- Make sure to set your high message sin each of the
conferences that you want to ZIPM, or you'll most
likely get a bunch of old messages that you really
don't want.
o We now have an "insert" cursor that should work whenever you
are typing in a data entry field. When you are insert mode
the cursor will be approx 5 scan lines tall. Please let me
know if the insert cursor doesn't work on your hardware
setup.
o Just FYI, the "Mail Run" agenda item indicated below will
work for either NetMail or PCRealy mail runs.
o Fixed exit routines so that Robo will leave DTR alone if it
hasn't been asked to do anything that requires access to the
COMM port.
o Added the ability to specify a password for file downloads
1.08ß o Added a configuration setting on the renamed "Data & Logs"
configuration screen that allows you to specify the number
of Log file lines to display on the screen (from 1 to 12).
The other lines will be dedicated to the online display.
o Fixed recursive calling of several pop-up lists (by pressing
F10 while in a pop-up list.
1.07ß o Fixed the notorious "lost clusters" bug which occured when
the modem could not be initialized.
o Fixed the bug which would cause command line switches to
stop working for no apparent reason.
o Fixed problem with the [F9] .CAP file viewing key only
working once per trip to the main menu.
o Fixed the MARKMAIL.RPD file.
o Fixed timer display after exiting terminal mode during an
agenda.
o Fixed timeout message during downloads and added ability to
recognize when a password is required for downloading.
o Added the ability to recognize ProDoor and QUIT if Robo
somehow manages to get into ProDoor (Some ProLogon systems
go straight to ProDoor).
o Pre-scanned packets in the Qmail 3.0 door are now properly
handled.
o Added a Bulk Erase option by BBS ID, and added AND/OR logic
capabilities. Now, the following types of deletion
conditions can be created:
GROUPONE AND Before 07/01/89
GROUPONE OR Before 07/01/89
GROUPONE
Before 07/01/89
o Added the ability to tag multiple systems when uploading
files. To do this, just press [F10] when Robo asks for the
system ID to upload to. Then highlight the systems to send
to and press the space bar to tag/untag systems. NOTE: the
conference to join will automatically be assigned according
to your setting of the default files conference on the
system directory screen. (See below)
o Agenda items can be in any order! (Done "√" items are
always listed at the bottom for each system). You can move
agenda items within a board's sub-agenda using the
TAB/SHIFT-TAB keys or Shift+Up Arrow and Shift+Down Arrow.
HINT: If you have a 101 key keyboard, put your numlock on.
Then, the arrows on the numeric keypad will move agenda
items and the dedicated arrows will move the highlight bar.
o Added append/overwrite mode to Command Captures. This will
allow you to send a T;Z to change your protocol prior to
downloading, for example.
o Added a default "Files" conference slot on the systems
directory screen. This value will be the default conf when
uploading or downloading, and will always be used when
"Broadcasting" a file.