You may double-click on Name, Date, Time, Modem and Password Status lines, and on the City labels of the World Clock.
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How to Register:
Until you register, the program will be in the "unregistered" mode. All features are fully functional, except you will be limited to a 30-day free trial.
To register, select 'Registration Form' from the Main Help menu.
After you receive your registration certificate, select 'File' 'Register Program' from the main DiaLog menu to actually register your copy of DiaLog.
You may also register DiaLog through CompuServe (GO SWREG). The ID for DiaLog for Windows is: 853 - for credit card see our home page on the Internet.
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Incoming Calls:
Please see same topic under 'More Help' from main help menu.
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Auto-Redial:
Please see 'Com Port Setup' under 'File' at left.
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StayOnTop:
Please see 'DiaLog Options' under 'File' at left.
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Maximized:
Please see 'DiaLog Options' under 'File' at left.
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Getting Started:
Click on 'Help' above to read about the Subtopics option.
By now you should have read the Overview section. If not, simply exit this Help and select 'Overview' from the main Help menu and then come back again to this 'Getting Started' help.
Under the choices at the left you see the same major menu items as appear on the main DiaLog menu. They are File, B1, B2, B3, B4, N, A, Log, View and Help. Also please note that the index on the left is organized in a logical fashion rather than in alphabetical order.
To get started, enter a few names and numbers into one of the address books. You do this by selecting 'File', 'Addr Book Utils' and then 'Add Name' from the main DiaLog menu.
You can also select your own titles for the log files. See 'DiaLog Options' in this help file for more information.
Now read the information on 'Getting Started With Modem' or 'Without Modem'. Before you do however, you may wish to set your logging options. Select 'DiaLog Options' at the left for more information.
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With Modem:
Note: It is possible to get a modem "hung up". The easiest way for this to happen is a conflict between 2 or more devices trying to use the same COM Port, such as a modem and a mouse. If you suspect the modem may be hung up, get out of all your programs until you get back to the DOS prompt. Sometimes just getting out of Windows will reset your modem, but more often than not, you must RESET your computer or recycle its power from on-to off-to on. A soft reset 'Ctrl-Alt-Del' will NOT clear the modem. If the hang-up persists, you probably have a conflict problem - check your hardware and documentation.
If you have a Hayes compatible modem that is properly installed and configured, you are ready to dial numbers with the DiaLog program. Be sure you know which COM Port your modem is connected to. If you have not yet done so, select 'File', 'Com Port Setup' from the main DiaLog menu and set up your modem parameters. Additional help is available from the Setup screen. (If this is your first attempt at using the DiaLog program, you may want to practice using the program in the 'Without Modem' mode.)
Once your modem is properly set up, you are ready to dial your first number. (You may find calling the local time service a good way to check out the program.) Your status in the lower portion of the display should indicate that the modem is present and off line and which port it is connected to. If the status says "No Modem", then you have not selected a modem port with the 'Modem Setup' mode.
There are 3 ways to place a call from within DiaLog. You can key in the number directly, use the Speed Dialer, or get the number from one of the address books. To obtain a number from one of the address books, select the desired book from the main menu and then select the name you wish to call. Once the number appears in the phone number window, you merely press 'Dial' to start the dialing process. (Also see 'Front Panel' 'Keyboard Entry' on the left for manual dialing procedures.)
The modem status will change to "Modem Dialing", and should hear the modem dialing. Another screen will pop over the main DiaLog display and advise you to lift the receiver and press the 'Connected' button once your call is being answered. You may also cancel the call at this time by pressing the 'Cancel' button. Pressing the 'Connected' button will display "Call in Progress" and start the timer.
When you are finished with your call, press the 'Stop' button to stop the timer. This will change the status from "Call in Progress" to "No Call in Progress". It will also cause the program to initiate the call logging process if it is enabled in your address book for this name. In addition, if you also enabled Job Code, the program will ask you to pick a Job Code from the Job Code table. (For the latter to happen, you must have created a Job Code log by selecting 'File' and 'Job Code' from the main menu, otherwise you will be told that no Job Code file exists.)
You now have made your first call with DiaLog. If anything went wrong, please retrace your steps and see if you did everything as outlined above. If you have a need to call numbers that require you to enter special codes once a recorded voice answers the phone, read the information under 'Special Features' 'Touch Tone Services'.
If the number you called had logging enabled in your address book, you may now take a look at the telephone log. Select 'File' 'View Phone Logs' from the main DiaLog menu.
You should read about the rest of the features in the DiaLog program by selecting the title from the menu on the left.
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Without Modem:
The DiaLog program is still very useful, even if you do not have a modem. You can use the address books, you can bring up numbers from the address books for manual dialing, you can use the 'Touch Tone Services' feature, you can take advantage of the non-numeric characters ability, and you can log any of the calls whose numbers are in the address books.
Your status in the lower portion of the display should indicate that no modem is present. If the status says "Modem off line", then you have selected a modem port with the 'Modem Setup' mode. Otherwise the program will behave as outlined under "With Modem".
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Don'ts:
Do not manipulate data files (.dat) in the Dialog directory. NEVER manipulate Dialog files while Dialog is running. Of course, you should regularly backup all of your files.
IT IS ILLEGAL to copy and pass these data files to another person. (See 'DiaLog To Others' for more information.)
IT IS ILLEGAL to give your registration number to another person.
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File:
Selecting 'File' gives you access to the various utilities that make up the DiaLog system.
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Addr Book Utils:
Leads you to a number of address book utilities.
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View Books:
Access the address books to look up information, make changes to existing entries, or print envelopes. (Use 'Add Name' and 'Delete Name' to add or delete names from the address books.)
For information about the individual fields, select 'Add Name' from the index on the left.
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Print Envelopes:
Selecting 'Env' while in one of the address books enables you to print envelopes. The default is set for 4.125 x 9.5 in or 10.6 x 24.1 cm envelopes. For other sizes use 'Envelope Setup' from the 'DiaLog Options' menu. 'Top Left-X' and 'Top Left-Y' refer to the horizontal and vertical distances to the top left corner (return address) of the envelope respectively. Depending on your printer, you may have to practice with blank paper first in order to get the hang of it.
The first time you print an envelope, you must select the return address from one of the address books. To use your own name, it must be in a book. The system will remember the address, unless you delete names in the address book where the return address is located. In that case the return address memory will be cleared.
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Add Name:
Enter information into the address books. As a minimum you must enter the Name.
- Name -
The address book will be indexed by the name entered here. It may either be a company or an individual's name. If the Name is that of a person, enter it last name first (Smith, Bill), because that is how it will be sorted in the address book. This entry may be up to 25 characters long.
- Phone Number -
Enter up to 6 phone numbers and their descriptions.
Enter each phone number, up to 25 characters. See 'SPECIAL FEATURES' in this help file for Touch Tone Services. To enter additional numbers for the same name, create a new entry in the address book with some change in the name field. (You will be unable to access the second record if the name is exactly the same.)
The phone numbers may contain non-numeric characters as in 1-800-Egg-Head. Dashes are optional (they count as chars), but they make the numbers more readable. To inhibit character conversion, precede the number by a Tilde character.
Use unused Phone fields for anything else you like.
- Identifier -
Anything that identifies the number (home, office, ext).
- Company -
Up to 35 characters.
- Address 1 / Address 2 -
Up to 25 characters.
- City -
Up to 20 characters.
- State -
Two-character state abbreviation, or the state name up to 20 characters.
- Zip -
Up to 10 characters.
- Country -
Up to 20 characters.
- BBS -
Up to 4 BBS or email User ID's. Max chars for ID is 35 and for name is 12.
Use unused BBS fields for anything else you like.
- Special -
Up to 40 characters of a special number. See 'SPECIAL FEATURES' 'Touch Tone Services' in this help file.
May be used for other purposes, but the first character must be a colon (:) in that case.
- Remarks -
Up to 40 characters, or '~filename' to use a file.
- Logging -
Select this option if you DO want the calls logged for this address book entry.
- Job Code -
Select this option if you DO want a job code logged with this entry. If you do mark it, you should create a job code file. this enables the system to prompt you to select a job code once the call is completed. Select 'File', 'Job Code' from the main DiaLog menu to create the job code file.
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Delete Name:
Use to delete one or more entries from the address books. Do NOT delete or manipulate the files themselves.
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Search Books:
Please select the same topic from the Main Help menu.
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Print Books:
Provides ability to print selected fields of all entries in the address book. To print selected names, first copy them to an empty address book. (See 'Copy Books' in this help file.)
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Save to File:
Same as 'Print Books', except the output goes to a file and blank lines are not printed.
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Create Label/Export File:
Creates file suitable for creating address labels with programs such as WinWord. Individual fields are separated by tabs.
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Copy Books:
Provides the ability to copy any number of entries from one book to another. Duplicate names will be flagged.
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Save/Restore Books:
Please see the same topic under 'More Help'.
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Phone Log Utils:
Leads you to a number of phone log utilities.
DiaLog makes it possible to log your phone calls. It uses the Windows Write program to display and print the logs.
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View Logs:
Only calls to numbers that have logging enabled in the address book, will be logged. While in the phone log you can make any changes you wish to the file. Select 'File' 'Exit' to leave the phone log display. Do NOT minimize the log display to an icon, exit instead.
DiaLog provides you with two versions of a log file. One is called "Normal", and the other "Extended". These modes are selected under 'DiaLog Options' from the 'File' menu. All 4 logs can be configured independently. In the Normal mode DiaLog logs Date, Time, Name, Phone Number, Minutes and Job Code. In the Extended mode Company, City, State and Purpose of Call are added. The 'DiaLog Options' mode also lets you set your own titles for the log reports.
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Print Logs:
Gives you the ability to print the log files in a pre-formatted fashion. The "Extended" log file is intended for a LaserJet printer and will be printed in landscape (horizontal) mode. Since the Log files are ASCII text you can still use your own word processor, or programs such as "Sideways".
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Save Logs:
Enables you to save the data from this file to another file. If you just enter a file name, it will be stored in the DiaLog directory. To store it anywhere else, add path information (A:\LogSav01.txt).
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Delete Logs:
Deleting the present Logging file enables you to start the next Logging entry in a new file. Only then will any new logging options selected with 'DiaLog Options' take effect. You may wish to save the file first with the 'Save Logs' mode.
To make changes to a log file, see "View Logs" above.
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Job Codes:
DiaLog lets you log job codes along with the other logged information for each call. These job codes are obtained from the job code file at the time the call is being logged, which is right after you press the 'Stop' button on the DiaLog main display. You will only be prompted to select one of the job codes, if 'Job Codes' is enabled in the address book for the phone number you are calling.
Selecting 'Job Codes' lets you create a job code file, or add and delete entries in an existing one. Job Codes may be up to 12 characters long.
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Com Port Setup:
Be sure to select the proper port number of the modem. If you are not sure, do NOT guess, or you may hang up your modem, or even your computer.
Select Tone or Pulse dialing.
If you select pulse dialing, then you must not lift the receiver until dialing is completed.
Use the modem setup fields for any optional data, such as adjusting the speaker volume. The "Pre" command is sent before dialing and the "Post" command after dialing. Normally these should be left blank.
Example Speaker Volume command: AT L1
See your modem manual for details.
If your system requires a "9" to get an outside line, enter 9 in PreFix.
Note: You may double-click on the Com Port line to access it.
Auto-Redial
Set 'Redial Vol' 'Hi' to the highest volume your modem can handle (usually 3 [1 or 2 if 3 is too high]) to enable the Redial mode - set it to 0 to disable Redial. Set 'Lo' to the lowest volume you want the modem to be when not in Redial mode (usually 0-3).
Once you receive a busy signal, hang up the phone until it is being answered. You may set the wait interval between redials from the DiaLog Options menu.
To test the Auto-Redial-On-Busy mode, simply call the number your modem is connected to.
Note: With some internal modems it may be difficult to hear the busy tone. The only solution to that would be to listen to the busy tone on the phone and hang up before the redial starts.
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Change System Time:
Provides you with an easy way to change your computer's time. (You can also double-click on the main time display.)
Set the desired time.
Select 'Set' to set the new time or 'Cancel' to exit without changing the time.
**Tip **
Call your local Time service and while the 'Press Button when Connected' window is present, press the Ctrl-T key combination. This brings up the Time feature.
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Alarm Clock:
Set and Clear alarm time. Displays either a message, or starts our CD player.
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Register Program:
Once you have registered, you will receive a registration number and the name the program is registered under. As soon as you enter the registration information, your copy of the DiaLog will assume the "registered" mode.
See 'How to Register' for additional information.
It is ILLEGAL to give your registration number to another person.
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Password:
Enables you to set or clear the DiaLog Password. Once a password has been assigned, it is not possible to enter DiaLog either on initial load, or after it has been reduced to an icon.
There are 2 ways to recover from a lost password. If your copy of DiaLog is registered, use the method listed on your registration certificate. The second method requires the deletion of the address book file "DialLst1.dat" in the DiaLog directory (this will cause all entries to be lost).
Set Password
Allows you to set or change the DiaLog password. The password is case insensitive, therefore either upper or lower case may be used.
Clear Password
Allows you to clear the DiaLog password. You may also double-click on the password status line.
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DiaLog Options:
The Options menu allows you to set certain DiaLog options that will be active every time DiaLog is started.
the "Normal" log format lists Date, Time, Name, Phone Number, Minutes and Job Code. The "Extended" format adds Company, City, State and Purpose of Call. You will be prompted to input the Purpose of the call after the call is completed if the Extended format is in effect for the address book the call was made from. The extended mode requires a LaserJet printer capable of printing Landscape (horizontal) mode.
The new logging options will not take effect until a new log is started, which means the old one has to be deleted.
The "Timer Active Beep" serves as a reminder that your timer is still running. It may be turned on and off and the beep intervals may be set by you at any time.
"Stay On Top" causes the minimized DiaLog icon to be visible on top of other displays (Win3.1).
"Maximize" causes DiaLog to appear maximized on initial load, not as a minimized icon.
"Log Seconds" will list call duration in minutes and seconds. The first 59 seconds will be rounded to 1 minute.
"Call Timer Off" disables the Call Timer feature.
"Sort Logs by Name" sorts logs by Name.
"No Keypad" replaces keypad with a calendar.
"Calling Card" permits dialing of additional numbers.
"Both Speed Dialers" displays both dialer at startup.
"Appointment Book" selects the book that will be loaded by default when the "Calendar" is selected.
"Reset mkd messages" resets messages that were marked for no display.
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Calendar:
Please see the same topic in 'More Help' from the main help menu.
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World Clock:
Please see the same topic in 'More Help' from the main help menu.
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Change Colors:
Please see the same topic in 'More Help' from the main help menu.
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Exit DiaLog:
This selection will exit DiaLog.
You may of course minimize the program to its icon and recall it at a later time. If the stop clock has been started, it will continue to run in the minimized mode.
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B1 - B4:
Selecting B1 - B4 causes all the names in the selected address book to be displayed. The books correspond to the files DialLst1.dat - DialLst4.dat.
After selecting one of the names, the name and phone number will become visible on the Dialog display. You may now dial the number.
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N(otes):
Enables you to record, view and print notes that are available quickly from the DiaLog menu. There is a note book for each address book and a general one if no name is selected. Empty note books are not saved.
Pressing the 'Clear' button will clear the notepad and place a new date and time at the top, as well as the name that is currently in use.
If you spend any amount of time in the notepad, it is a good idea to press 'Save' every so often if you have made or are making any changes.
The 'Remarks' Notebooks are the same as above except for the Name and Number feature.
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A(ddr):
A shortcut to get to the 'View Addr Book' mode.
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Logs:
A shortcut to the logging mode.
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View:
A shortcut to Address Viewing mode.
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Help:
This help file.
To see other topics, click the desired topic at the left.
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Display SubTopics:
'SubTopics' / 'No SubTopics' is a toggle control. Pressing it will alternately display and not display the subtopics.
Displaying only the main topics makes it easier to zero in on the desired topic. If a main topic is selected now, the main topic will move to the top of the topics display (unless you are at or near the end of the topics) and the system will revert to the 'SubTopics' mode.
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OutPut Topic:
The text of the selected topic will be placed into the Windows Write program. From here it may be printed, saved to another file, or otherwise manipulated. Don't forget to exit from the Write program when finished with it.
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Front Panel:
Lists all of the DiaLog front panel controls. (Also see 'Speed Keys' under 'Hlp'.
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Prev/Next:
Moves backward and forward through the selected address book once a number has been selected from it.
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Keyboard Entry:
Press 'Clear' and then enter your number either using the front panel keyboard or your computer keyboard. Press 'Dial' when finished.
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Dial:
Pressing 'Dial' activates the phone logging process. The process includes dialing the number via modem if a modem is available and has been selected via 'Com Port Setup'.
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Clear:
Clears the Name and Number displays for direct number entry.
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Start:
The Timer can be used as a stopwatch by pressing 'Start' and then 'Stop'. The program can be minimized (turned into an icon) while the timer is running.
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Stop:
The 'Stop' button serves 2 purposes. If the Timer was started with the 'Start' button, then pressing 'Stop' merely stops the Timer.
If the Timer was started automatically by the dialing process, then pressing the 'Stop' button stops the Timer and initiates the logging process. If the number you called also had the logging of job code enabled in its address book entry, the program will prompt you to select a job code from your job code list.
After using the modem, it is always a good idea to make sure the phone is properly hung up (on-hook).
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Special Features:
The Special Features are:
Special Touch Tone Service
Stopwatch
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Touch Tone Services:
(Note: DiaLog is intended for VOICE services only.)
The general procedure with these type of services is to dial the phone number and when the phone is being answered, you are told to enter a series of numbers to identify yourself and your account. More numbers and terminators are required to get to the area of interest. The following number is an example of such a number combination:
1-800-123-4567 111-22-3333*4444*1*3*2*
Where the first 11 digits are the phone number to call the service. The second set of numbers represents the special digits to be dialed once a connection has been established. This second set of numbers should be keyed into the "Special" field of the address book entry.
If the service does not accept all digits at once, separate them as many times as you want by placing a Tilde (~) character after each group. In the sample case above, the code works as is for evening calls. In daytime, one additional digit is required to switch the system into the automated mode. The Service would not accept that digit together with the rest of them - it required a slight delay. This is how the number worked:
1*~111-22-3333*4444*1*3*2*
Notice the Tilde character after the switching digit with its terminator. You can have one Tilde character after each group of digits. If the delay created by the Tilde character is not sufficient for the particular service you are calling, enter the following string somewhere in the Remarks field: Tilde=3 This will add 3 seconds to the default delay. The number can be between 1 and 9 inclusive.
While testing this program with modems from three different manufacturers, it was found that one of them did not function properly in the Special Mode. It was necessary to set the "Pre-Modem Setup" field of the 'Modem Setup' mode to AT X3, even so the other two ran with the default of X4.
Dialing a number with a "Special" field is essentially the same as dialing a regular number. You select the number from the address book and press 'Dial'. As soon as the phone is being answered, press 'Connected' to cause the rest of the digits to be dialed automatically.
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Stopwatch:
The Timer can be used as a stopwatch by pressing 'Start' and then 'Stop' at the front panel. The program can be minimized (turned into an icon) while the timer is running.
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DiaLog To Others:
Please see 'More Help' under 'Hlp' from the main menu for the same topic.
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Remove DiaLog:
Please see 'More Help' under 'Hlp' from the main menu for the same topic.
