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1991-08-03
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XFER 4.2
Superior DSZ/GSZ Control
Featuring: Zmodem single file downloads.
Zmodem BATCH downloads.
Zmodem single file uploads.
Zmodem BATCH uploads.
Point and shoot file selection.
Ymodem upload and download.
#DSZ Ymodem-G upload and download.
Xmodem upload and download.
Easy to use pull down menus.
Mouse support.
Easy installation.
Everything you ever wanted in a Zmodem shell, and more.
______________________________________________________
Copyright information:
XFER 4.2 and all other versions of XFER are copyright by the
author, Russell B. Hildreth, and may not be sold, modified, or
otherwise tampered with, without permission of the author.
The program is distributed as shareware; try it, and if you like
it, register. If you don't want to register, delete the program
or give your copy to a friend. Registering the program helps
put the author through college.
There are no warranties associated with the program--use it
at your own risk. The author is not responsible for any
damage that may result from the use of this software.
DSZ is a registered trademark of Omen Technology. Use of
that product obligates registration with Omen Tech.
Document typeset 08/03/91 for 08/03/91 release of XFER
Version 4.2.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
______________________________________________________
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Upgrading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Setting Up Your Comm Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
What's New . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Single File Downloading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Batch File Downloading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Single File Uploading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Batch File Uploading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Autodownload(tm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Notes on DSZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Notes on the Setup Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
The Mouse Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Error handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Registering the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Contacting the Author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
______________________________________________________INSTALLATION:
1. Quick and dirty: Copy XFER.EXE and DSZ.COM into
the same directory as your communications program.
2. The first time you run XFER (you can do this from the
command line if you desire) you should go to the
Setup menu and make any changes to the default
values that are necessary for your system. Be sure to
set the proper COM port for your modem and the
upload and download directories you wish to use. The
default COM port is COM1, and the default directory
for both uploads and downloads is C:\XFER. Once
you have made all the changes you wish, select the
Save Setup option to make your settings permanent
(note, if you do not select the Save Setup option, your
changes will be lost the next time you run XFER). See
the section on the Setup Menu for complete
information on that section.
3. Your permanent settings are stored in a file called
XFER.CFG, in the same directory as XFER and your
comm program. Do not delete this file, or your
selected settings will be lost and the program will
return to the initial default values.UPGRADING FROM PRIOR VERSIONS:
1. Copy the new release of XFER.EXE into your
communications program directory, right over the old
version.
2. Erase any occurrences of old program versions--
XFER.COM and INSTALL.EXE. INSTALL.EXE is no
longer necessary.
3. Edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to remove any
occurrences of the XFERDIR, XFERUP, or XFERDOWN
DOS environment variables. These variables are no
longer necessary. Also, you may remove any
occurrence of DSZPORT, if you will only be using
XFER to access DSZ. You may wish to retain the
DSZPORT environment variable if you use other
programs to access DSZ, but XFER now ignores the
DSZPORT environment variable.
4. Copy DSZ.COM or GSZ.EXE into your
communications program directory if it is not there
already. You should be using a version of DSZ dated
no earlier than 1990 (i.e., 01/19/90).
5. If you have an XFER.CFG file from a version of XFER
earlier than 4.2 (i.e., XFER 2.0), erase it. Very old
XFER.CFG files will confuse XFER 4.1. Upgrading
from XFER 4.0 also requires deleting the XFER.CFG
file, as the colorsetting feature adds new variables to
the file.
6. You may wish to reboot your computer if you have
made changes to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
SETTING UP YOUR COMM PROGRAM:
Find your comm program here (hopefully) and follow the
directions. If you've used similar programs before, this should
be a snap. If I have made any mistakes in this section,
please let me know!
Procomm Plus 2.0:
You can set XFER up to run under a Meta-Key in PCPLUS
2.0, by following these keystrokes from the terminal screen:
ALT-M
Highlight the desired key
R to revise
Set TYPE to PROGRAM
Set CONTENTS to XFER.EXE
Enter
S for Save
ESC
If you want to use XFER and DSZ for downloads, you should
disable the automatic downloading in PCPLUS 2.0 with the
following keystrokes:
ALT-S
P
Z
C
N
Enter
ESC
ESC
S
ESC
Procomm 2.4.x (shareware version):
From the terminal screen, enter the following
keystrokes:
ALT-S
4 <return>
1 <return>
XFER.EXE
<esc>
S <return>
<esc>
ALT-X
To execute XFER.EXE press ALT-A.
Procomm Plus (test drive or retail, versions PRIOR to 2.0):
From the terminal screen, enter the following
keystrokes:
ALT-S
F
F -or- G
XFER <return>
<esc>
S
<esc>
ALT-X
Y
To execute XFER.EXE, press ALT-J -or- ALT-U,
depending on which hotkey you choose in the 3rd
step above.
Qmodem SST:
From the terminal screen, enter the following
keystrokes:
ALT-J
1
@SHELL XFER
<return>
<esc>
<esc>
ALT-X
Y
To execute XFER.EXE, press F1.
Telix 3.xx:
From the terminal screen, enter the following
keystrokes:
ALT-O
F
H {note, this should be Editor}
XFER.EXE <return>
<return>
W
ALT-X
Y
To execute XFER.EXE, press ALT-A.
WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 4.2?
Version 4.2 adds support for the new GSZ.EXE program
recently released by Omen Technology. Also, XFER now
supports the OZBExt program for Compuserve Quick B
protocol downloads. You can find GSZ and OZBExt on
Compuserve.
WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 4.1?
Version 4.1 adds the color setting utility to the Setup menu.
WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 4.0?
Version 4.0 marks a complete change in the user interface
and a change in the direction of DSZ features supported.
First of all, the new version features a standard pull down
menu system, making the program extremely intuitive and
easy to use for anyone. It's even easier to use with a mouse.
Second, the new version includes for the first time support for
DSZ protocols other than Zmodem. The idea behind this is
that many people now own MNP error correcting modems
and may wish to use the Ymodem-G protocol included in the
registered copy of DSZ for maximum efficiency on MNP
modems. I decided that if I was going to add Ymodem-G
support I would go all the way and add support for everything
that I could find in the DSZ documentation. This makes XFER
the most complete DSZ shell in existence.
Some other little changes in 4.0 include a move away from
the DOS environment variables used to store settings. This
method of setting defaults was becoming very complicated as
I added features to XFER, and I decided that with the new pull
down menus the easiest thing for the end user would be a
setup menu with all options easily selectable. Setup options
are now stored (once again) in XFER.CFG (use the Save
Setup option on the Setup menu to save your settings).
The fact that everything is now centered around the pull down
menus means that it is *very* easy to add more features, so
while I was at it I added some extra Zmodem support,
including Crash Recovery support. If there are any other DSZ
features you would like to see supported (I'm sure there are
plenty that I've missed), let me know and I'll get them into a
future release of XFER. SINGLE FILE DOWNLOADING:
This is pretty straightforward: You call up XFER.EXE from
your comm program after telling whatever bulletin board you
are logged onto that you are starting a download, select the
protocol, X, Y, or Z, that you wish to use, and then choose
Download. For a single file download, you should select
option [D] (download) from the XFER menu, or move the
mouse cursor to the Download line and click any mouse
button. You can also hit the <ESC> key to exit. You'll get
the hang of it quickly, especially if you've used similar
programs.
Depending on the protocol there might be more than one
Download option. If you are in doubt about what an option
does, use the standard Download selection.
When the transfer is completed some Bach music will be
played. If you get sick of listening to old Johann, you can hit
the spacebar or any other key and you will be dumped back
into your comm program. If you get REALLY sick of Johann,
turn him off on the Setup menu (NoBach).
BATCH FILE DOWNLOADING:
This works just like single file downloading, but you can get
several files at one time, with no further keyboard input. Not
all protocols and/or BBS systems support batch transfers, but
for those that do this is a very handy option.
Start the batch transfer on the BBS end, using whatever
method the BBS you are logged onto requires for a batch
download--you will have to specify each file you wish to
download.
Once you have started the BBS downloading, call up XFER
from your comm program as specified in the setup section.
Select batch download. Each file will be downloaded and
placed in your up/download directory. That's all there is to it.
Although DSZ is supposed to automatically detect a batch
transfer in the standard receive mode, experience has shown
that not all DSZ releases always work properly unless forced
to receive a batch download.
SINGLE FILE UPLOADING:
Inform the BBS system to which you are connected that you
wish to upload a file. Once the BBS is ready to receive, call
up XFER from your comm program as specified in the setup
section. Select the Upload option under whichever protocol
you have chosen.
You will be placed in a point and shoot file selection system
which will show all of the files in your up/download directory.
Using the cursor keys, highlight the file you wish to upload,
and press <ENTER>. That file will be uploaded.
Currently there is no error checking, but DSZ will quickly
inform you if it didn't find the file (impossible with the point
and shoot mechanism). In a future version I'll add some more
user friendly error checking.
You can press <ESC> to abort and return to the main menu.
BATCH FILE UPLOADING:
This works the same as single file uploads, but you get to
specify as many filenames as you like. Inform the BBS
system you are connected with that you wish to initialize a
batch upload. When it is ready to receive files, call up XFER
from your comm program as specified in the setup section.
Select Batch Upload under the Zmodem menu.
You will be placed in the point and shoot file selector system,
which will show all of the files in your up/download directory.
Highlight each file you wish to upload and press <ENTER>.
Keep specifying files until you are done, then hit <ESC>.
The list of files is stored in Z.LST in your comm program
directory, and DSZ checks that list and uploads them all. As
soon as you press <ESC> the transfer will begin.
Be generous and send your favorite local board about 30
files, and go off to the market.
If you need to transfer the same set of files repeatedly, see
the information on the NoRemove Setup menu option.
AUTODOWNLOAD:
The AutoDownload(tm) mode of DSZ allows you to initialize a
file transfer from a BBS system and receive the file(s)
immediately without any further action on your part. This is
convenient, but limits the use of your communications
programs features--the autodownload mode takes over,
locking out your comm program, so using this mode is a
tradeoff. Try it out and see what you think.
After logging onto a BBS system, call up XFER from your
comm program as specified in the setup section. Select
Autodownload on the Zmodem menu. DSZ will take control.
You can go about your BBSing business, and as soon as you
initiate a download it will begin. See the DSZ documentation
on using and terminating the Autodownload mode.
NOTES ON DSZ:
WARNING: You should try to use a current version of
DSZ.COM at all times. The XFER shell attempts to make use
of all of DSZ's latest features, and if your version of DSZ is
out of date, XFER may not function with it. For example, the
MobyTurbo(tm) feature of DSZ is supported by XFER, and if
your version of DSZ is too old, the two programs will not work
together. New versions of DSZ are released regularly (about
every other month, sometimes more often) and you should try
to keep up with them.
Where to obtain a copy of DSZ if you don't already have one:
DSZ.ZIP is maintained on Compuserve in the IBMCOM
Protocols library (go IBMCOM) and on many bulletin boards
around the country. Look for DSZ.ZIP or DSZ????.ZIP, where
the question marks are day and month digits (i.e.,
DSZ1119.ZIP, would be the November 19th release in the
current year). DSZ/GSZ is also available directly from Omen
Technology by modem at 503-621-3746.
Certain DSZ features, such as Ymodem-G, require registration
of DSZ. These features are marked on XFER menus and in
the DSZ documentation with a pound symbol (#). If you wish
to access these features, registration of DSZ is required. NOTES ON THE SETUP MENU:
All setup options are configurable under the Setup menu.
This setup method takes the place of the DOS environment
variable method used by previous versions of XFER, making
setup easier for the end user.
1. Directories: This option allows you to configure which
directories will be used for uploads and downloads.
Each directory can be configured separately, allowing
you to use a different directory for each type of
transfer. If you wish to use the same directory for both
uploads and downloads, simply specify the same
directory name. You may or may not include a drive
specification. If you wish to specify directories on a
drive other than the one from which XFER is run, you
must specify a drive.
2. Comm Port: This option allows you to tell XFER which
communications port your modem is attached to. The
default value is COM1. Note that this must be
correctly set for XFER to work, regardless of whether
you have set the DSZPORT environment variable.
XFER ignores that variable and uses the port specified
on the Setup menu.
3. Sound: This option allows you to select the level of
sound you desire, from the default Full Sound, which
plays Bach music at the end of a transfer, to No
Sound, which offers complete silence.
4. ProMice: This option allows users of Neil
DeChambeau's ProMice mouse menus for Procomm
to properly enable the mouse after exiting XFER. Only
turn this option on if you are using the ProMice
system. Also, note that the MENU program and the
PROCOMM menu definition file must be either in the
same directory as XFER or in your DOS path.
5. Remove Z.LST: This option allows you to tell XFER
whether to keep or delete the Z.LST batch file list at
exit. If you select Remove On (the default), Z.LST will
always be deleted. If you select Remove Off, Z.LST
will be retained and used the next time you choose a
Zmodem batch upload. This setting is useful for
business types who need to transfer the same set of
files on a repeating basis, or people who want to
upload the same set of files to several different places.
6. Z Program: Use this option to select either DSZ or
GSZ.
7. Color Setting options: Use these to pick your favorite
colors if you don't like the defaults. Experiment to find
out what works best for you.
8. Save Setup: Always select or click on this after you
have made changes that you wish to make permanent,
or your changes will be lost. This option simply writes
your changes to disk for future reference by XFER.
Changes are not automatically written to disk, as you
may on occasion wish to make temporary changes
(i.e., change the download directory for a single
transfer). THE MOUSE INTERFACE:
If you have a mouse you will be able to use it to select menu
items and pick files for uploading. If you don't have a mouse
you can skip this section. A mouse is not required for the
program to operate.
To select a menu option, place the mouse cursor on the
menu item you want and click any button.
To ESCAPE from main menu you can press the right mouse
button (works just like pressing the ESC key).
To select a file in the point and shoot file selection window,
put the mouse cursor on the desired file and click any button.
ERROR HANDLING:
Or rather lack thereof. In order to keep the program size
down I have left out most error handling. Only the very
minimum has been provided, which means it is up to you to
be sure to set things up properly, and check the instructions
if things don't go right the first time.
If you have set something wrong, you will probably get some
sort of DOS error message or nothing will happen.
Possibilities include:
Bad command or file name: This probably indicates that
DSZ.COM is not in the same directory as XFER.EXE. XFER
is designed to be run from your communications program
directory, and to find DSZ there. Do not try to use any batch
files that change directories or run XFER from another
directory.
DSZ runs but doesn't download to the proper directory: You
probably specified an improper directory under the Setup
menu. Check there and try again.
REGISTERING THE SOFTWARE:
Registering: It costs $10 to register, half the price of DSZ. I
won't indulge myself further and go on a lengthy tirade about
the ethics of registering. You know what to do. If you don't
want to pay, don't use the software. Delete it from your hard
drive and give any floppy copies to friends.
What do you get for registering? The latest version of the
software if there is one, or the next release. You'll also get a
nice typeset copy of the documentation. I also have an
inclination for doing things that people ask--if you want some
special custom modification I'll probably do it. You also get
to feel good.
CONTACTING THE AUTHOR
If you have a problem, I'm here. Likewise for suggestions.
Oh, for registrations, too! On Compuserve, send EasyPlex
mail to 71041,2132, or write to:
Russell Hildreth
P.O. Box 72431
Davis, CA 95617-2431
I want to hear from you. Tell me anything you think might
apply. Tell me how you set up the program with some off
brand comm program. Tell me what you'd like to see added
in a future version. Tell me to jump off a cliff. Tell me
anything.
The author is ALWAYS very open to your suggestions, and
they are usually implemented into a future edition of the
software.