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Creative Computers CD-ROM, Volume 1 (Legendary Design Technologies, Inc.)(1994).iso
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1994-11-17
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NComm 1.9 is a vastly modified and enhanced version of Comm 1.34. It
is an update to NComm 1.8, correcting all the known bugs of the earlier
versions. But most importantly; a lot of changes and additions have
been made.
----------------------------------------
*** What has been changed from V1.8 to V1.9? ***
----------------------------------------
- The NComm.config file format has been changed. When upgrading to
the new version, remember to delete all configuration files. The
format has also been prepared for future expansion.
- The NComm.phone phonebook format has been changed due to a new
macrokeys field. Convert your phonebooks to the new format using
the program PbConvert. The format has been prepared for future
expansion.
- FAST Zmodem protocol added, using the external XPRZmodem.library
created by Rick Huebner. NComm now has the fastest Zmodem protocol
available in ANY comms programs - actually faster than VLT, which uses
the same library ;-) Maximum troughput close to 19200 baud using
the serial.device that comes with Workbench 1.3.2. A new transfer
window displays lots of information.
- The Xmodem and Ymodem protocols have been completely rewritten,
and are now ultrafast. Ymodem-Batch and Ymodem-G protocols have
been added (please consult the documentation before using Ymodem-G
with high speed modems).
- Scrollback feature (review buffer) added. Buffer size can be set
from 0 - 512K. View or save text that previously has been displayed
on screen!
- A portuguese IBM character set has been added.
- Advanced NComm Host System using script file. Supports two
security levels, bulletin menu, up and download with user selectable
protocol, configurable up and download directories, immediate
access to uploaded files (optional), message area with both public
and private messages, chat function, hold directory with ZOO
support, logfile, sysop menu with possibility for execution
of DOS commands, sleep disconnect, detection of NO CARRIER...
- NComm now works with multiple serial ports. The serial port
device name and unit is set using an environment variable.
- G&R Host Mode added. Control file transfers from a single machine,
when communicating with programs that support the G&R protocol.
- Macrokeys window has been made better. Step trough the string
gadgets by pressing RETURN, loading a new file won't close the window.
The maximum text length is now 512 characters.
- It is now possible to change resolution and exit NComm when using
the file requester. The requester is now really proportional.
- The modem abort code has been changed for compability with all hayes
compatible modems.
- The windows won't blank out when using Dmouse (actually a bug in
Dmouse but who cares...)
- A problem with redial has been fixed.
- Error messages are displayed if there isn't enough memory for NComm
to open a window.
- NComm now works with an overscan WorkBench screen.
- The files NComm.phone, NComm.keys and NComm.config will be loaded
before libraries and devices are opened. This should make it more
comfortable to use NComm with a single drive machine.
- More hot keys have been added.
- Phonebook settings now have higher priority than settings
found in configuration files used in PB. An error message will
be displayed if the config file can not be found.
- Chopping will be disabled for .ZIP files.
- A lot of changes has been made to the script language. NComm now
has one of the most advanced SL's available;
o New Command; SET - assigns a text (or an earlier defined variable)
to a variable. The pre-defined variable $date contains the current
date and time, $ncomm contains the current version number and the
variable $baud contains the current baudrate.
o New Command; IF ... THEN ... - checks a variable for a
specific string and performs the following function if TRUE/FALSE.
Can also check whether a file exists or not.
o New Command; INPUT - reads input from the serial port and places
it in a variable until a specific string has been read. The
timeout function can be used to define how long NComm should wait
for the terminating string.
o New Command(s); REPEAT<->UNTIL ... - performs what is situated
between REPEAT and UNTIL. If the expression is TRUE/FALSE, the
procedure will be repeated. Can also check whether a file exists
or not.
o New Command(s); WHILE ... DO<->ENDWHILE - performs what is
situated within DO and ENDWHILE until the expression is
TRUE/FALSE. Can also check whether a file exists or not.
o New Command; CLRSTACK - clears the RETURN stack, forgets active
subroutine calls (gosubs...)
o New Command; DLWHEN - deletes the last defined when command.
Repeated usage will succesive delete the "previous" WHEN
command.
o New Command; DUMP - used for debugging of scripts, dumps a list
of all variables and what they contain.
o New Command; ECHO - defines if characters read by the INPUT
command shall be echoed. If echo is ON, text sent by the functions
ASCSEND and SEND will be echoed locally. The output from the CLI
command will be sent to the serial port if ECHO has been turned
on.
o New Command; WRITE - opens a file and appends the following
string to the file.
o TIMEOUT now also concerns ASCSEND. If ASCSEND is halted by a ^S
and no ^Q has been received within the timelimit specified by
TIMEOUT, the script will go on with the next command.
o 20 WHEN commands may now be active simultaneosly.
o Control characters now work well in WAIT, CONVERSE and WHEN
commands (guess there were some problems with this in V1.8)
o WHEN command fixed to "override" previous WHEN commands
containing same string...
Variables can be used everywhere where strings are expected.
It is also possible to concatenate several variables and/or
literals.
- Yeah, we fixed some bugs.
o Changing resolution while using "view transfers" doesn't call guru
o The file transfer block counter is no longer reset at block 255
o A long redial delay won't make NComm hang
o Status line is updated while dialling
o The palette should no longer display strange values
o G&R paths are updated immediately after loading new configuration
o The CLI command will (hopefully) not make NComm hang
o Fixed a small bug in the IBM font FONTS:NComm1/8
o G&R filenames will be translated correctly before usage
o Fixed an irritating problem with detection of NO CARRIER!
o The 13th entry in the phonebook no longer disappears when using
the "New" command.
o Clearing screen while using "split screen" doesn't clear
reference line...
\\\ Thanks to all persons who sent us ideas and bug reports! ///
/// More ideas, (bug) reports and source code heavily wanted \\\
-----------------------------------------
*** What has been changed from V1.01 to V1.8? ***
-----------------------------------------
1. Main New Features.
---------------------
- Scripts. NComm now has an integrated, advanced script language,
which, among other things, enables you to fully automate your online
sessions. Unattended operation is also a possibility. However,
decrease of time used online and thus, online costs, is perhaps the
most common utilization of the power a script language gives you.
- Logfile. By enabling this option, NComm will maintain a log of all
succesful connects. The "Callinfo" utility, which is a standalone
utility, uses this to estimate the phone bill, display statistics,
etc.
- NComm now supports the Ymodem file transfer protocol.
- The G & R protocol has been added. This is an auto up/download
protocol for use with the MBBS system. Automatic up/download without
entering filenames and so on is the virtue of this feature.
- Load / save configuration. By saving your personal program settings
in the file NComm.config, those settings will be used as a default for
subsequent sessions. Also, NComm can be set up to load special config
files when connecting to certain hosts.
- Phonebook. Limited only by available memory, the Phonebook allow