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ART12
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1993-09-27
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Crosstalk v2.0
for Windows
by Tony Curro
DCA has released a new version of Crosstalk for Windows
(XTALKWIN).The program is a major improvement over the earlier
version. It has a completely new user interface that supports
Microsoft's Multiple Document Interface (MDI) standard.
The installation process in easy and requires 3MB hard disk space.
The first time you run the program, it will run a setup script, that
requires you to setup your modem, communications port, default
directories, colors and so on. There is even a program that allows
users of earlier versions of XTALK to convert their files to work
with the new version.
You can create three types of documents with XTALKWIN:
* Session documents perform terminal emulation and file transfers.
* Quick Pads are floating windows you can create and attach to
sessions. Quick Pads can contain graphical objects, such as
buttons, and icons that can be used to send terminal keystrokes or
execute CASL scripts.
* Scripts are text files with contain CASL programming language
statements. You can create scripts to automate a wide variety of
tasks, from routine logins, to complex interactions. Crosstalk has
a special text editor that is used to create and compile CASL
scripts. CASL, is a very powerful scripting language, that will do
everything from call the board, upload and download mail and/or
files, and logoff.
Other features include:
* KeyMap Editor to create custom keyboard maps that are saved in
individual files. You can reassign terminal emulation keys, attach
CASL scripts to keys, or remap the entire keyboard.
* Built-in Text Editor allows you to edit ASCII text files. You can
also capture text directly into a text editor window.
* Quick Bar is a toolbar of icons. It provides quick and easy access
to often used functions, such as file open and save; upload and
download; connect and disconnect, and CASL scripts.
After I installed and configured XTALKWIN for my modem, I kept
having problems when I incurred a busy signal. The program would
not detect this, and I had to wait until the timer ran out before a
redial. Of course I could have stopped it. But this is supposed to
be done automatically. Exiting XTALKWIN, and bringing up my
communications program did have the modem working properly. Going
back into XTALKWIN caused it to reoccur.
XTALKWIN comes with profiles to get you on several popular
information and electronic mail services. It has all the popular
protocols, including CompuServe B+, and emulates DEC, TTY, VIDTEX,
ANSI PC and more. You can also set it up in host mode.
With XTALKWIN v2.0, you can also create a workspace file. A
workspace is a collection of sessions, that you wish to remain
together. The location of windows, settings and so forth are saved,
and can be recalled the next time by opening that file. Or, you can
set it as the default, in which case it would come up automatically.
Each session must have its own profile. This is the way you connect
with another system. The profile contains: name, phone number, modem
speed, terminal emulation, protocol and keyboard definitions.
This brings me to the reason I was not pleased with Crosstalk v2.0
for Windows. As stated above, you must create a profile for each
session. This is saved with the name you designate. There is no
dialing directory in XTALKWIN. You must open a profile to call a
BBS. If the line is busy, you can either let it redial, or close
that profile and open another. You can create a group and place an
icon for each BBS you call in it. This can become very confusing and
annoying. For a business user, who may make several calls, and do
not get a busy signal, it can be ideal. But, for the average person,
who calls BBSs, as I do, I would not recommend it.
Product Information
Crosstalk v2.0
for Windows