Monster Media 1996 #15/Monster Media Number 15 (Monster Media)(July 1996).ISO/modem/qfaxv105.zip/README.1ST

Text File | 1996-06-16 | 12KB | 220 lines

                Before you use QFAX V1.05 for the first time ....

    QuickStar Fax Pro is a MS-DOS shareware program that allows you to
send plain text FAX from the DOS command line of your PC computer, using
either Class 1 or Class 2 fax/modem in your computer that's connected to
a telephone line. QFAX can be used manually to send out a single fax. Or
it can be called by other programs repeatedly to send out many faxes to
various fax receivers. If you do not have time to read the whole readme.1st
file, please press PageDown and go directly to the end of this file. There
is a QUICK START UP GUIDE for QFAX at the end of this file.

    QFAX sends text fax VERY FAST! For a regular 12 full pages text file,
it can be transmitted within 4 minutes at 14400 bps modem speed! That is
MUCH FASTER than what the popular WinFax software can do! QFAX helps you to
save long distance phone money if you need to send fax from time to time!

    QFAX is very easy to use, too. To send a quick fax all you need to type
in is something like this:

        qfax   myfile.txt  1-800-555-1212

    Or you write your own batch fax program in C language that invoke the
above command to send faxes out. By doing so you can send a batch of one
hundred or even one thousand faxes easily using one command! A simple C
program called manyfax.c as well as the compiled program is included to
demonstrate how to invoke QFAX from your own application.

BUT! Before you use QFAX for the first time you need to check the following:

   0. Can QFAX be used on your computer?
      The system requirements of QFAX are: 286 or above IBM-PC compatible
      computers. A hard driver and a Class 1 or Class 2 compatible fax/modem
      is a must have. QFAX is a MS-DOS program and can be run from either
      the DOS prompt or from the DOS window launched from the Windows. It
      can also be called by other programs as a command line fax sender.

   1. Check the completeness of the QFAX V1.04 package you get.
      It should include the following files:

        qfax.exe        The main fax send program.
        qfaxrec.exe     The fax receive and decode program.
        qfax.cfg        The QFAX configuration file
        readme.1st      The file you are reading now
        usage.txt       The file explaining the usage of QFAX
        register.txt    A text file about how to register QFAX
        register.frm    Registration form to be used for registration
        qfaxconf.exe    Small program to help you to determine the modem
                        port and create customized qfax.cfg file
        manyfax.c       A simple C program that can be used to send out
                        lots of faxes automatically
        manyfax.exe     The compiled program of manyfax.c
        manyfax.fdb     A text format database file containing fax numbers
        palmtop.txt     A note for HP palmtop users. Where to find QFAX.
        file_id.diz     A small file describing QFAX (required by BBS's)

      Please notice that in older version of QFAX there is a program
      findcom.exe which helps to detect modem port. That program is no
      longer needed, instead you will use the QFAXCONF.EXE to detect
      modem port and create a customized qfax.cfg configuration file.

    2. The QFAX.CFG may need to be edited and configured to fit the specific
       configuration of your computer. You can either edit QFAX.CFG file by
       using DOS edit, or you can use qfaxconf.exe program to help create a
       customized QFAX.CFG file. You may simply type "qfaxconf" at the DOS
       command line to start. See the USAGE.TXT file for details.

    3. Read the REGISTER.TXT file for the license agreement and statement of
       limited warranty. Simply using QFAX implies that you have read and
       understand those conditions. And you agree to those conditions.

    4. Read the USAGE.TXT for information on how to use QFAX. The usage is
       simple and straightforward but there are still something you want to
       learn before you start for the first time.

    If you have done all of the above and have configured the QFAX.CFG file
according to the instructions given in the USAGE.TXT file, you can go ahead
to test QFAX and use it regularly.

    If you find QFAX useful to you, please register it with the author. The
REGISTER.TXT tells you the benefit you will obtain from registration and
method of how to register. The registration is simple and cheap!

    If you have any further questions regarding the usage of QFAX that you
can not find the answer from the USAGE.TXT file, do not hesitate to ask the
author. The REGISTER.TXT provides contact information on how to reach the
author.

    QFAX is a shareware program and may be redistributed freely. But there
are some conditions: You must distribute QFAX in its original and complete
and zipped format and you are not allowed to change content of any file.
You are not allowed to distribute QFAX for purpose of profit. No charge
can be made on the distribution of QFAX except for a reasonable charge for
the handling and material cost of the distribution. Under above conditions
please feel free to distribute the QFAX software package.

    Finally, if you ever forget how to use QFAX, simply type "qfax" and it
will give you a quick reminder screen!
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Update History of QuickStar Fax Pro:

Sep. 1, 1995    First Release of QFAX.             Filename: qfaxv10.zip

Sep. 2 - Sep. 30  Some modifications to make QFAX work more reliable. Add
                  an option to let user decide whether to pause or not
                  before the beginning of fax transmission.

Oct. 1, 1995    Release of V1.01.                  Filename: qfaxv101.zip
Oct.2 - Dec.9   More tests and improvements made to QFAX. Some bugs fixed.
Dec. 10, 1995   Release of V1.02                   Filename: qfaxv102.zip
Feb. 25, 1996   Release of V1.03                   Filename: qfaxv103.zip
Apr. 8, 1996    Release of V1.04                   Filename: qfaxv104.zip
Apr. 20, 1996   Release of V1.04B                  Filename: qfax104b.zip

    Improvements of V1.03 comparing with V1.02 include the following:

      a.Greatly reduced the amount of memory used by QFAX, making it more
        suitable to be called by other programs so the user can construct
        their batch fax sending system.
      b.A fax receive and/or decode program is added to the package.
      c.Some improvement of the fax subroutines.

    Improvements of V1.04 from V1.03 include the following:

      a.A memory allocation bug fixed.
      b.Self-check subroutine added to make sure that the program is an
        authentic file. If it is infected by a computer virus or modified
        by a computer hacker, it will give warning.
      c.Added some more configurable parameters, including the Wait For Modem
        Connection Time. The qfaxconf.exe program is improved to include the
        new parameters in configuration of qfax.cfg file.
      d.QFAX104B.ZIP is the same as QFAXV104.ZIP except it stores 8x16 font
        directly in the program. QFAX104B.ZIP can be used on HP100LX/HP200LX
        palmtop computers.

    Improvements of V1.05 from V1.04 include the following:

      a.The memory usage of qfax.exe has been reduced by more than 100 KB.
        So the program is more suitable to be called from other applications.
      b.A few improvements made the Post Page Message more reliable.
      c.The self-check subroutine in V1.04 has been removed to reduce the
        size of the program.

    If the current version of QFAX you have is more than a few months old,
the author may have already released a newer version of QFAX. Please contact
the author at [e-mail], phone [phone](H) for updated version.
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                Quick Start Up Guide

    To start using QFAX, you need to do two things:

      a.Configure the qfax.cfg file for your PC and fax/modem
      b.To send a plain text fax, the easiest way is use the command like:

        qfax  myfile.txt  1-800-555-1212

    QFAX.CFG is a plain text file and you can use any plain text editor to
change it, like using the DOS edit command. Or you can run the qfaxconf.exe
program to configure and modify qfax.cfg file. To run qfaxconf.exe, just
type "qfaxconf" from the DOS prompt. This program is pretty self-explained.

    The 3 most important things you need to configure in qfax.cfg is the
CommPort number, InitString and PhoneNumber. You do not need to change any
thing else if you just want to use the default setting.

    The CommPort number is the COM Port that the modem occupies. For example
if your modem is on COM 2 IRQ3. The the CommPort number will be 2. If you
are not sure, check your modem manual, or simply run qfaxconf.exe. It will
autodetect the modem COM Port.

    The InitString is an AT command string that QFAX sends to the modem to
initialize the modem for faxing. QFAX will not be able to send fax properly
if the InitString is not set up properly.

    The correct InitString depends on the type of fax/modem you use.
But most fax/modems use one of the following:

        AT&F&C1&D2
        AT&F
        AT&F&C1&D2&K3

    For initial test of QFAX you may want to attach "M2L3" to the end of the
InitString, like "AT&F&C1&D2M2L3". This AT command will keep the speaker of
the modem connected all the time so you can hear how the fax process goes on.

    Some fax/modems, like U.S.Robotics, use different InitStrings. Check at
the end of usage.txt file for a complete list of recommended InitString for
various fax/modems. Or check your modem manual to find one. My experience is
"AT&F&C1&D2&H1" will work fine for most USR modems.

    The PhoneNumber is a string that Identifies your fax when your fax/modem
communicate with other fax machines. Normally it should be your phone number.
The length of this string should not exceed 20 characters. You can use your
name instead. But please do not leave this item blank.

    The rest of qfax.cfg is about font selection, page formatting etc. You
can keep the default as it is for initial trials. For detailed information
of those options please check the usage.txt file.

    You may put the name of the path that contains QFAX in the autoexec.bat
file's PATH statement so next time you reboot the computer it will recognize
QFAX from any directory. It is preferable that when you start QFAX, you go
to the directory where your text file to be faxed is located. Even though
usage like the following are allowed, too:

      QFAX  \mydir\myfile.txt 1-800-555-1212

    To register QFAX, please read the file register.txt for how to register:

        a. When you have a CompuServe account
        b. When you are NOT in the USA
        c. When you are in the USA

    Or you may simply fill out the register.frm text file, print it out,
and send it to me together with your registration fee.
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If you need helps, contact the author at [e-mail], 1-814-867-1468(H)
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