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ORDERING INFORMATION: BGFT (BackGround File Transfer) The programs run on IBM compatible PCs, XTs, and ATs with DOS version 2.2 or higher. They are distributed on a 5.25 inch DOS floppy disk which is sent by first class mail in a protective mailer. All shipping and handling costs are included in the purchase price. Purchasing the software entitles the registrant to fair use of BGFT (TM) and associated files. Copying the registered pro- grams for the purpose of giving or selling the program to others violates Dirac Systems' copyright. Please allow sufficient time for checks to clear and the mail to get through. We hope that you will find BGFT very useful and will enjoy using it. Thank you! Send $29.50 Canadian (Ontario residents add the Provincial sales tax) by check or by money order payable to 'Dirac Systems': Dirac Systems P. O. Box 476 West Hill, ON CANADA M1E4Y9 You can also use Visa [ ] or MasterCard [ ] (check one); please print the following account information: Card Number: ____________________________________________________ Expiry Date: ___/___ Signature:_________________________________ Authorized User's Name: _________________________________________ Area Code: (______) Phone Number: ______________________________ Please provide the following mailing information: Name: ________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ City: ________________________________________________________ Province/State: _________________________________________________ Country: _______________________ Postal/Zip Code: ______________ Quantity ordered ___________ @ CAN $29.50 = Cost $ ______________ Province of Ontario residents add sales tax $ ______________ Total Enclosed $ ______________ BGFT (TM) Version 2.11 A BackGround File Transfer System Rick MacDonald, MSc Rafael Moya, PhD Tim Chapman, PhD Dirac Systems P. O. Box 476 West Hill, ON CANADA M1E4Y9 Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / ------------------------------------- - o - / \ TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.1 Concept. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.2 Registered User Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1.3 Why Register?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2. Red Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.1 Disclaimer of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.2 Copyright Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3. Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3.1 Files in the Distribution. . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3.2 Trying it Out. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 4. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 4.1 The Resident Programs 17 4.2 The User Interface: BGFT.EXE . . . . . . . . . . 18 4.2.1 Organizing the Files. . . . . . . . . . . . 18 4.2.2 Setting Up the Environment. . . . . . . . . 19 4.2.3 Setting Up Your Modem . . . . . . . . . . . 20 5. Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 5.1 Starting BGFT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 5.2 The Menu System and Mouse Support. . . . . . . . 22 5.3 Data Entry Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 5.4 The Help System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 5.5 Configuring BGFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 5.5.1 Colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 5.5.2 Modem Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 5.5.3 Communication Port Settings . . . . . . . . 28 5.5.4 Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 5.5.5 More Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 5.6 Terminal Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 5.7 Background Dialing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 5.8 Background File Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 5.8.1 The File Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 5.8.2 Downloading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 5.8.3 Manually Moving Downloaded Files. . . . . . 39 5.8.4 Preparing Files For Uploading . . . . . . . 40 5.8.5 Uploading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 5.9 Utility Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 5.10 Exiting BGFT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 5.11 External Protocols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 6. Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 6.1 Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 6.2 Alt_Key Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 6.3 Multitasking and Communications. . . . . . . . . 52 6.4 BGFT and DESQview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 6.5 BGFT and Microsoft Windows . . . . . . . . . . . 54 6.6 Systems Without a Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . 55 6.7 Problem Solving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 6.8 Operating Limitations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 6.9 Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 6.10 Command Mode Options Using BGFTOPT.EXE. . . . . 57 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 1. Introduction --------------- BGFT is an extraordinary file transfer system for the IBM PC/XT/AT. It allows files to be transferred over a serial commu- nications link, in the 'background', while the PC is being used for other purposes. Files can be transferred by downloading, or uploading, using either the Xmodem-CRC, Xmodem-1K, or Ymodem- Batch file transfer protocol. This means, that when you transfer files by modem, to or from your favorite Bulletin Board Service (BBS), you can be writing a letter with your word processor, updating your financial statement with a spreadsheet or doing most of the other things that are possible with your computer. What makes BGFT special? BGFT works in the background. It over- comes traditional background conflicts with the Disk Operating System (DOS). Drive A:, or B:, is used as a special download or upload 'file buffer' for BGFT; meanwhile, DOS is freed up to be used by other application programs. A convenient background dialer also makes the package ideal for accessing busy BBSs. The background features of BGFT can be used with other suitable telecommunication packages like Qmodem, PROCOMM PLUS, and Telix. Script files are provided for them. BGFT is versatile. BGFT is also Windows 3 compatible. It is usually not possible to run a background DOS program while running a Windows program in the foreground on a 286 computer. BGFT can do it, even with 8086 computers; this cannot be said for most telecommunication pack- ages. A Windows program is provided to show BGFT's file transfer progress while running Windows applications. BGFT also works well with multitasking systems like DESQview, particularly on computers with limited memory. BGFT is compact. BGFT comes as a standalone telecommunications system and in a form for specialized uses; it requires only MS DOS Version 2.2 or greater to operate. BGFT is being marketed as Shareware with a registration fee of $29.50 Canadian (Ontario residents add sales tax, the Canadian Federal Government's Goods and Services Tax is not required). Check, Visa or MasterCard are accepted. BGFT is available from Dirac Systems directly. It is sent in a protective mailer by first class mail and all delivery costs are included. Dirac Systems' address is: BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 1 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ Dirac Systems P. O. Box 476 West Hill, ON CANADA M1E4Y9 The registered and unregistered package for BGFT share all the same features described above. The only difference is that there is no initial screen on the registered executable files, BGFT.EXE and BGFTOPT.EXE. Otherwise, all files are identical. 1.1 Concept ----------- BGFT started as a program written by one of the authors who could not stand waiting to use his computer while it was downloading files. That prototype was in use for over two years and did thousands of background file transfers with a slow 4.77 MHz IBM PC clone and a 1200 baud modem. That program was developed into the BGFT presented here which was first released commercially in January 1990. BGFT is intended to provide efficient background file transfers on ordinary personal computers. It works well on IBM PCs, XTs, ATs and compatibles. A 1200 or 2400 baud modem is ideal although baud rates up to 9600 are supported. The emphasis of BGFT is on performing background file transfers and not on being a full featured telecommunications program. In most cases, however, BGFT will serve as complete communications program. It has many of the important features like config- urability, dialing directory maintenance, menuing system, color, context sensitive help, mouse control, connectivity to communica- tion ports 1 to 4, terminal emulations and so on. BGFT's background dialer will be a superior choice for accessing busy BBSs since the user can do something else with the computer while waiting for a connection. BGFT is a communications environment that actually consists of two programs; one operates in the background and one in the foreground. The first, a small terminate and stay resident (TSR) program, BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM, acts as a file transfer 'driver' which is capable of carrying out background file transfers independently once it has been commanded to do so by a foreground program. The main foreground program, BGFT.EXE, acts as a stand alone user interface to control the resident program's operation. Another foreground program, BGFTOPT.EXE, interacts with the resident in terms of command line options; it is used for specialized applications such as providing external background protocols for other telecommunication programs. BGFT is a robust background program. BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 2 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ has a special way of avoiding DOS conflicts that have plagued other background utilities. In the technical sense, the background driver for BGFT is unusual because it does not use DOS calls; therefore, it does not have to wait until a foreground program finishes using DOS. This enables BGFT to run concurrently with other programs that use DOS. The advantages of this approach are easily demonstrated. Simply print out a text file using the DOS PRINT command, which is a background driver that uses DOS. Then use the DOS TYPE command, which is a foreground program that uses DOS, to view a long text file. After a few seconds, the printing will stop due to a DOS conflict, and will remain stopped until the type command has finished. This type of operation obviously is not suitable for a file transfer program since the file transfer would time out under these conditions. The present design of BGFT uses the concept of a file buffer. The file buffer is on a DOS formatted diskette, specially initialized by BGFT, in the floppy drive A: or B:. It is written to, and read from, by BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM. Downloaded files are stored temporarily in the file buffer and moved to DOS files on the hard disk or second floppy drive under user control, with BGFT.EXE or BGFTOPT.EXE. Files to be uploaded are first moved to the file buffer with the foreground program, then accessed by BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM while uploading. The design of the user interface is such that the use of the file buffer is nearly transparent to the user. 1.2 Registered User Support --------------------------- Registered user support is available via Dirac Systems' BBS; the telephone number is modem (416) 283-7157. You may also write to us at: Dirac Systems P. O. Box 476 West Hill, ON CANADA M1E4Y9 Dirac Systems will answer your questions, to help you get the most out of BGFT; registered users will get preferential atten- tion. Also, Dirac Systems will consider making changes to suit your needs. Try giving us a call. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 3 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ We support BGFT on CompuServe; there are two membership numbers that you can contact: 72570,2633 (Tim Chapman) 73670,2424 (Rick MacDonald) Dirac Systems is also pleased to join, with the good graces of Canada Remote Systems (CRS), to offer unparalleled BBS support throughout North America. Users of our products can send Email to the "Shareware Authors" or "Vendors" conferences on NorthAmeriNet (NANET). Address inquiries to Rick MacDonald or Tim Chapman on CRS in the Toronto, Ontario area. You can also contact Rafael Moya on the Rose Media BBS in Toronto. We can also be reached through the UUCP mail network via CRS. Our Email addresses are: canrem!rick.macdonald canrem!tim.chapman or as: rick.macdonald@canrem.uucp tim.chapman@canrem.uucp Use the second format when sending UUCP mail from non-UUCP sites (eg. from BITNET or from Internet); it is more likely to succeed. Rick MacDonald also has the Email address: macdon@ists.ists.ca 1.3 Why Register? ----------------- There are a number of reasons you should register. As you can see from the last Section, there will be extensive user support. The registered version of BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM are uniquely serialized and replace the unregistered ones. This will get rid of the opening screens advertising the registration request on the foreground programs. We are marketing BGFT through the Shareware method. You get to evaluate its full capabilities on a fair trial basis. This is beneficial to the customer because he or she can determine wheth- er the software product fulfills a need on their own hardware. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 4 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ We expect you to register the software if you are going to con- tinue to use it after the trial. This shows that the product has value. It is the moral and financial responsibility of the user to then pay for registration. We are able to offer a superior product at a low cost due to Shareware. Many hours of labor are spent in its production and continuing support. A fair return is our measure of product value. The authors want to support you and BGFT in the future but must have user patronage to do it. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 5 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 2. Red Tape ----------- 2.1 Disclaimer of Warranty -------------------------- This software and documentation are sold 'as is' and without warranties as to performance of merchantability or any other warranties whether expressed or implied. Because of the various hardware and software environments into which these programs may be put, no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is of- fered. Good data processing procedure dictates that any program be thor- oughly tested with non-critical data before relying on it. The user must assume the entire risk of using the program. Any li- ability of the seller will be limited exclusively to product replacement or refund of purchase price. 2.2 Copyright Notice -------------------- The BGFT package includes the following executable programs: BGFT360K.COM Resident program for use with a 360K file buffer. BGFT720K.COM Resident program for use with a 720K file buffer. BGFT.EXE Main foreground program to control residents. BGFTOPT.EXE Command line foreground program for residents. BGFTSPY.EXE Windows 3 application to monitor file transfers. BGFTFLPY.EXE Puts BGFT initialized floppy back to DOS floppy. BGFTDIR.COM Directory lister for BGFT or DOS floppies. BGFTXDLG.EXE PROCOMM/Telix/Qmodem phone directories to BGFT. Other support files are: BGFTREAD.ME Latest BGFT notes and revision histories. BGFTORDR.FRM Order form for registering BGFT package. BGFT.DOC BGFT full documentation; this file. BGFT.HLP BGFT.EXE help screens. BGFT.SCR Other BGFT.EXE screens. BGFT.DLG Sample BGFT dialing directory. BGFTINIT.BAT Initialize resident's baud rate and COM port. PROCOMM PLUS Specific: BGFTDXPC.ASP PROCOMM PLUS script for Xmodem-CRC/1K download. BGFTDYPC.ASP PROCOMM PLUS script for Ymodem-Batch download. BGFTUXPC.ASP PROCOMM PLUS script for Xmodem-CRC upload. BGFTUIPC.ASP PROCOMM PLUS script for Xmodem-1K upload. BGFTUYPC.ASP PROCOMM PLUS script for Ymodem-Batch upload. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 6 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ Qmodem Specific: BGFTDXQM.SCR Qmodem script for Xmodem-CRC/1K download. BGFTDYQM.SCR Qmodem script for Ymodem-Batch download. BGFTUXQM.SCR Qmodem script for Xmodem-CRC upload. BGFTUIQM.SCR Qmodem script for Xmodem-1K upload. BGFTUYQM.SCR Qmodem script for Ymodem-Batch upload. Telix Specific: BGFTADD.BAT Batch file adds BGFT external protocols to Telix. BGFTTELX.DAT Data file for BGFTADD.BAT; modifies TELIX.CNF. BGFTSLC.BAT Batch file to compile all Telix support scripts. BGFTDXTL.SLT Telix script for Xmodem-CRC/1K download. BGFTDYTL.SLT Telix script for Ymodem-Batch download. BGFTUXTL.SLT Telix script for Xmodem-CRC upload. BGFTUITL.SLT Telix script for Xmodem-1K upload. BGFTUYTL.SLT Telix script for Ymodem-Batch upload. Windows 3 Icon: BGFTSPY.ICO Windows 3 icon for BGFTSPY.EXE. These files are Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems, with all rights reserved. These products are commercial software and are licensed to the registered user, and are not to be distributed in any way, electronically or otherwise. The shareware evaluation package includes all the files listed above except that BGFT.EXE and BGFTOPT.EXE have special momentary screens which inform the user about registration. See Section 3.1 for some fuller descriptions of the files. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 7 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 3. Getting Started ------------------ The best way to find out about BGFT is to try it. Its online menu and help systems make an operating manual virtually unnecessary. There are only a few simple setup steps and then you will be off and running. On installing BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM, about 33K of memory is used up for the resident part. This is relatively small when it is considered that this controls the download and upload functions in background. BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM was deliberately kept small to leave you plenty of memory for your foreground applications. Even on expensive multitasking systems there is only one CPU doing all the work, so it must be shared between all processes. BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM must use some CPU time to do its work; this means that your foreground programs may appear to run slightly slower than their usual speed. This will depend on the speed of your computer and the baud rate of the file transfer. 3.1 Files in the Distribution ----------------------------- The BGFT package is distributed on a 360K floppy diskette. All the necessary files have been archived to save space; to unar- chive them see Section 4.2.1. The following files will be pro- duced by the self unarchiving file, BGFT211.EXE: BGFT.DOC - This is the documentation file. BGFT360K.COM and BGFT720K.COM - The 'resident' portion of the system. You run one of these programs to install the communica- tions driver for BGFT, for the file buffer of size 360K or 720K, as appropriate. The 720K buffer requires a 1.2 Megabyte 5.25 inch or any 3.5 inch floppy drive, on an AT class computer. The resi- dent program uses the floppy drive A: or B:, as selected; see Section 4.1. BGFT.EXE - The main foreground 'interface' portion of the pro- gram. It provides user control over the background file transfers and facilitates moving files to and from the file buffer. BGFTFLPY.EXE - You can fix a floppy diskette, that has acciden- tally been initialized for use as a BGFT file buffer, back to a DOS floppy. BGFTDIR.COM - Indicates whether a floppy diskette in drive A:, or B:, is a 'BGFT floppy' or a 'DOS floppy', and prints out its directory to the screen. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 8 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ BGFTOPT.EXE - Command line processor which does foreground con- trol of the resident programs, similar to BGFT.EXE. BGFTOPT can be used as an external transfer protocol option for other commu- nication programs such as Qmodem, PROCOMM PLUS, and Telix. It is explained in detail in Section 6.10. To see the help listing on how it is used, enter, BGFTOPT or, BGFTOPT /? For example, if you want to terminate (Kill) the background dialer you would enter, BGFTOPT /K BGFTOPT.EXE is meant for use by the expert user who has special- ized applications, such as for external communication program protocols as explained in Section 5.11. It is necessary that the user realize that the resident must be communicated with in particular ways; for example, it should be told the communica- tions port that is being used and the baud rate before it can communicate to the outside world (use an edited version of the following batch file to do this). BGFTINIT.BAT - Initialize resident's baud rate and COM port. The file should be edited to the user's preference. The main foreground program, BGFT.EXE, protects the user from most inadvertent errors by means of the configuration file. It is also easier to use. BGFTINIT.BAT is not required if BGFT.EXE is used. Below is a list of Telix SALT language scripts which use BGFTOPT.EXE as means to use external BGFT transfer protocols using the resident background system. Each script has comments to indicate its installation as an external protocol and operation (see Section 5.11). The example ideas can be used for any script-like language that has adequate capability (eg, able to exit without hanging up). BGFTDXTL.SLT Telix script for Xmodem-CRC/1K download. BGFTDYTL.SLT Telix script for Ymodem-Batch download. BGFTUXTL.SLT Telix script for Xmodem-CRC upload. BGFTUITL.SLT Telix script for Xmodem-1K upload. BGFTUYTL.SLT Telix script for Ymodem-Batch upload. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 9 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ There are a number of Telix support files; see Section 5.11 on their use: BGFTADD.BAT Batch file adds BGFT external protocols to Telix. BGFTTELX.DAT Data file for BGFTADD.BAT; modifies TELIX.CNF. BGFTSLC.BAT Batch file to compile all Telix support scripts. There is also a support package for PROCOMM PLUS; it is made up of the following files: BGFTDXPC.ASP PROCOMM PLUS script for Xmodem-CRC/1K download. BGFTDYPC.ASP PROCOMM PLUS script for Ymodem-Batch download. BGFTUXPC.ASP PROCOMM PLUS script for Xmodem-CRC upload. BGFTUIPC.ASP PROCOMM PLUS script for Xmodem-1K upload. BGFTUYPC.ASP PROCOMM PLUS script for Ymodem-Batch upload. There is also a support package for Qmodem; it is made up of the following files: BGFTDXQM.SCR Qmodem script for Xmodem-CRC/1K download. BGFTDYQM.SCR Qmodem script for Ymodem-Batch download. BGFTUXQM.SCR Qmodem script for Xmodem-CRC upload. BGFTUIQM.SCR Qmodem script for Xmodem-1K upload. BGFTUYQM.SCR Qmodem script for Ymodem-Batch upload. BGFTXDLG.EXE - Automatically translates a Qmodem, PROCOMM PLUS or Telix telephone list to the BGFT format. The QMODEM.FON, PCPLUS.DIR or TELIX.FON file must be present in the directory in which the BGFT.DLG file will be produced. Just run BGFTXDLG and choose the translation you want. It will inform you that any BGFT.DLG file in the directory will be overwritten; you can escape the process, if required. A number of warnings will be produced where items are found that are not appropriate for BGFT operation. For example, the maximum baud rate is 9600, so that higher ones are set to 9600. You can use your printer and issue a 'Ctrl_P' to capture the warning list; you could also use file redirection (see your DOS manual for information). Fatal errors occur only for gross file problems or incompatibilities that preclude further useful processing. BGFTSPY.EXE - A Windows 3 program to display information regard- ing the background file transfer packet count and BGFT resident status. Its display may be used in minimized (recommended) or maximized mode. An icon is provided, BGFTSPY.ICO. BGFT.DLG - Dialing directory file. BGFT.HLP - BGFT's online help file. BGFT.SCR - BGFT's screens. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 10 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ BGFTORDR.FRM - The order form for purchasing BGFT. BGFTREAD.ME - Release notes. For users with a hard disk, it is recommended that these files be located in a separate subdirectory such as '\BGFT'. This directo- ry can be created using the DOS Make Directory command; see your DOS documentation for further information on how to do this or see Section 4.2.1 below. BGFT.EXE can be told where its data files are by means of an environment variable; see also Section 4.2.2. 3.2 Trying it Out ----------------- The following assumes that this is the first time that you are using BGFT. You should have, as a minimum, set up a '\BGFT' directory and unarchived all the files, in that directory, as described in Section 4.2.1. The following example will show you how to down- load a file from a BBS using a modem. As you get more experienced you can set up a configuration file, an environment, and so on. These conveniences will allow some of the operations described next to be bypassed. 1) Place a new floppy diskette in drive A: and format it with the DOS FORMAT command for 360K. Part of the procedure below will be to initialize this diskette so that it can be used as a file buffer for BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM. It is important that the floppy diskettes must not have any bad sectors; use the 'CHKDSK' program that came with your version of DOS to make sure. It is not a good idea, anyway, to keep damaged or suspect floppies. Consider this floppy to be a 'scratch' diskette for use with BGFT. We emphasize that ALL DATA ON THE DISKETTE WILL BE DESTROYED WHEN BGFT USES THE FLOPPY. However, one of the supplied programs, BGFTFLPY.EXE, will recover data lost by inadvertently initializing a DOS diskette containing good data. 2) At the DOS prompt, type BGFT360K or BGFT720K, followed by the 'ENTER' key; this installs the resident part and makes drive A: the default file buffer. A Copyright message displayed at the top of the screen is an indication that the resident part has been successfully installed. 3) At the DOS prompt, type 'BGFT', followed by 'ENTER'; this runs the user interface. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 11 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 4) If you have a color system, BGFT will prompt you to see if you wish to override the default colors with black and white. 5) A data entry form appears to enable you to set the communica- tion port settings to suit your hardware configuration. Make sure that your modem is on the desired communication port and operating. Then - Enter the communication port number ('Comm Port #') to which your modem is connected. Valid entries are: 1 (default), 2, 3, or 4. - The information window at the bottom of the screen tells you to use the up or down cursor keys to get to various items. Go to 'Baud Rate' to choose the normal baud rate of your modem; valid choices are: 300, 1200 (default), 2400, 4800, or 9600. - Enter the number of 'Data Bits' [7 or 8 (default)], 'Stop Bits' [1 (default) or 2], and the 'Parity' [N (default) for None, E for Even, O for Odd, M for Mark, or S for Space]. Use the defaults if you are unsure; most BBSs use them. - When you have made your choices, press the F10 key. You will be asked to "Type Y to save changes to disk, N otherwise". Choose 'Y' (or 'y'); the choices can be overridden later using the 'Set_Up' menu if required. 6) The standard opening BGFT screen will then appear. Running BGFT automatically activates the resident part; this is evidenced by the appearance of the resident part's status display 'RDY' (ready with no errors), shown in the upper right corner of the screen. 7) As prompted, press any key to continue. The opening screen disappears. For unregistered users, BGFT should then show a screen to remind you to register the program for your own use. Read this screen and then press any key to continue. 8) A window message informs you that the modem is being initial- ized. On completion of the modem initialization, you will be in Terminal Mode. Typing Alt_Z (see Section 6.9) will show the Terminal Mode Options and the 'ESC' key will clear the help screen and return you to Terminal Mode. The Alt_Z key sequence provides context sensitive help throughout the program; use it when needed. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 12 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ Alt_O provides a convenient overview help to assist you in navi- gating around BGFT's features. Alt_M will get you the Main Menus and, by following the prompt at the bottom of the screen, a little bit of exploration will show you the layout of the system. 9) From the Main Menu, use the Arrow keys, '<--' or '-->', to highlight the 'Utility' option. Hit 'ENTER' to go to the Utility sub-menu. Use the arrow keys to highlight the 'Initialize' op- tion. On hitting 'ENTER', a window will warn you that the disk- ette has not previously been used by BGFT. Type 'Y' or 'y' to proceed with the initialization. A window will indicate that the initialization is in progress as shown by the floppy drive light. The floppy diskette is ready for use as a BGFT file buffer. This needs only to be done only once; a floppy initialized in this way can be reused again and again for file transfers. At this point, BGFT is set up and ready to go. On subsequent running of BGFT, your setup requirements will be read from the configuration file, BGFT.CNF, and so the above setup steps do not need to be repeated. In the following you will return to terminal mode where you will use the background dialer to dial a BBS and then initiate a background download. 10) Type Alt_T to get to the Terminal Mode (the screen in termi- nal mode will say 'BGFT Terminal Mode: type Alt_Z for help.' at the bottom). Using Alt_T is a short cut to bypass the menu system; you could have used the menu to select 'Previous State', or hit 'P' or 'p', or hit 'ESC', all which would have returned you to the Main Menu, then chosen 'Term_mode' to get to the Terminal Mode). 11) From Terminal Mode you can check your modem's readiness by: - Typing 'AT', followed by 'ENTER'. The modem should respond 'OK'. Some modems will also accept 'at' for the attention prompt. When BGFT initialized the modem in step 5 above, it sent the command 'ATE1' to cause the modem to echo responses in terminal mode. If you do not get an 'OK' you should consult Section 5.5.2 and your modem documentation. It is assumed that your modem's attention commands are nominally Hayes compatible; see Section 4.2.3. - To dial a number type 'Alt_D' to display the dialing direc- tory. The dialing directory provided has been set up to BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 13 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ contain two entries for Dirac Systems' BBS; one for local dialing and one for long distance dialing. The first entry is 'selected' as shown by the highlighted bar. - Type 'Alt_A' to add a dialing entry between entries 1 and 2. Follow the prompts to add the number of the BBS you want to dial. The new entry will be a new entry 2; the previous entry 2 will be renumbered to entry 3. Remember that Alt_Z will give help as required. Once the dialing data entry form has been completed, accept your input using the F10 key or hit 'ESC' if you wish to abandon your input. Assuming you hit the F10 key, a window will pop up to ask if you want to save the changes to disk. Type 'Y' to make the change permanent in the disk file, BGFT.DLG, for future use; typing 'N' keeps the entry only as long as the dialing directory is on screen. - The new number will be shown as 'selected' by the highlight bar and is ready for dialing. By simply hitting 'ENTER' an information window appears displaying the number dialed; at this point 'ESC' will abort dialing. Typing any other key puts you into Terminal Mode. BGFT defaults to tone dialing. If you have pulse dialing you must use the 'Set_Up' menu as described in Section 5.5.2(2). It is recommended that you set up a configuration file at some point to customize BGFT to suit your needs; it will make operation much more easy. See Sections 4 and 5. You should be able to hear the modem dial the selected number. The dialing that takes place is actually done in the background. This means that you can actually exit BGFT, done by typing Alt_X, and dialing will continue. Indeed, you can run any of your normal software as dialing continues. See Section 5.7(6). For this example, we assume that the connec- tion is made soon. - When a connection is made, BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM will 'beep' and the status display in the top corner of the screen will indicate 'RDY'. - Hit 'ENTER' a couple of times from BGFT until the BBS re- sponds; then logon normally and give the commands necessary to tell the BBS to start downloading a file using Xmodem- CRC, for example. The BBS will ask you to start your receiv- er. - Take care not to confuse Xmodem-CRC and Xmodem-1K; they are different. See Section 5.8. Some BBSs refer to Xmodem-CRC as BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 14 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ Xmodem and Xmodem-1K as Ymodem. - Press the 'PgDn' (page down) key to pop up the download protocol selection menu, and then select 'Xmodem-CRC'. It is important that you select the same protocol that you told the BBS. Be sure that the 'Num Lock' key is not active. - Check that the file name displayed in the pop up window is the one you requested from the BBS, if is not then correct it, and then hit 'ENTER' to accept the file name. - An information window will pop up to inform you that file transfer is in progress. Also, file transfer will be indi- cated by the data block count being shown in the resident part's status display (upper right corner of your screen). Occasionally you will see the floppy drive light come on as data is written to the floppy diskette. - Now you can exit BGFT by typing Alt_X and use your computer for whatever purposes you want while the background file transfer is occurring. You will be prompted from a pop up window whether you really want to exit or not. Type 'Y' to exit. Unregistered users will see another screen. Press any key to continue. Alt_X is an example of a 'hot' key; see Section 5.10 and Section 6.2(1). You can configure BGFT using the Setup menu to exit without confirmation; this is much quicker. 12) On exiting BGFT you will be back to the DOS prompt but the file transfer will be occurring in background. Now you can run one of your frequently used programs. - When the downloading is completed, BGFT360K or BGFT720K will beep a few times to let you know it has finished. - To retrieve the downloaded file you must run BGFT again. To do this, exit the program you were running and type 'BGFT' at the DOS prompt. As before, you must get through the opening screens; there is not a reprompting for any communi- cation parameters or reinitializing of the modem. - BGFT will 'beep' to tell you that there is a downloaded file in the file buffer. - A window will prompt you for the directory into which you wish to move the downloaded file. The default directory is the current one that you were in when you ran BGFT; however, you can configure BGFT to a download directory of your BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 15 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ choice (see Section 5.5.4(5)). - Type 'Y' to accept. A window will pop up to indicate that BGFT is moving file to the desired directory. - On completion of the file move you will then be in Terminal Mode. Continue to communicate with the BBS in an interactive mode or log off. Type Alt_X to leave BGFT. The download demonstration is now complete. You can try other downloads such as Xmodem-1K or Ymodem-Batch; see Section 5.8.2. You can also try uploads; see Section 5.8.4-5. Unfortunately, some programs interfere with multitasking environ- ments, in particular, BGFT's background file transfers. For example, some misbehaved games have been found to be a problem. In most cases, the interference will be of the form of retries during transfer; however, in some cases, it may be impossible for BGFT to function correctly. It is best to experiment with your application programs to see if they cause any problems. BGFT has been tested with a wide range of commercially available business software and has been found to function well. Some improperly written programs may cause interference when run in a multitasking mode; if you have problems with one of your applications we would be pleased to know so we can add it to a list to watch out for. See Section 6.9 for BGFT limitations. Dirac Systems has used DESQview 386 and a standard foreground communications program, running on a 22 MHz IBM PC 386 compati- ble, for testing communication capabilities in a multitasking environment. BGFT works as well, or better, than that expensive system on ordinary computers such as a 4.77 MHz XT with limited memory. That's what we call 'value'. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 16 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 4. Installation --------------- The BGFT environment is set up by installing the resident part, BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM, and then running the interface part, BGFT.EXE. BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM exists as a TSR to do the dialing and file transfers in background and to be accessed by BGFT.EXE on demand. BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM can easily be installed from any directory. The user makes the decision which floppy drive will be used as the file buffer. When BGFT.EXE is first run, it informs the resident part which communications port and baud rate to use. It is recommended that BGFT.EXE be installed so that it can be used from any directory on the user's system. This can be done by putting your BGFT directory in your DOS PATH statement and set- ting the BGFT environment variable; BGFT.EXE can then access its configuration file, dialing directory, help files, and so on from anywhere. A hard disk is highly preferable since operation on a two floppy system will be extremely limited. Further details on configuring BGFT are presented in Section 5.5. 4.1 The Resident Programs ------------------------- The resident program, BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM, accepts some command line options. However, for normal operation, it is only necessary to invoke the program with the command: BGFT360K to use drive A: as the default file 360K buffer, or, BGFT720K to use drive A: as the default file 720K buffer. Or, you may find it convenient to use: BGFT360K /B or, BGFT720K /B to use floppy drive B: instead for the respective file buffer. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 17 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ The command line options recognized by BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM are: /1 - use COM port 1 (only if BGFT.CNF does not exist). /2 - use COM port 2 (only if BGFT.CNF does not exist). /3 - use COM port 3 (only if BGFT.CNF does not exist). /4 - use COM port 4 (only if BGFT.CNF does not exist). /B - uses drive B: as the file buffer. /C - chain interrupts. Use if COM 1 has a mouse and if COM 3 has a modem, similarly for the COM 2,4 pair. Otherwise, do not use (eg, COM 1 and COM 4 are OK.) /E - 'spawn' the resident program (do not run as a TSR). /I - initialize the diskette to BGFT format on startup. (not normally recommended) /L - loopback mode (echo's characters on given port). (not normally used) 4.2 The User Interface: BGFT.EXE -------------------------------- 4.2.1 Organizing the Files -------------------------- It is recommended that you keep all the files associated with BGFT in one directory. Specifically, use the DOS make directory command to make a directory from the root directory, eg.: MD BGFT BGFT is distributed via BBSs in an archived format as either BGFT211.ZIP or BGFT211.ARC. Copy the archive file BGFT211.ARC or BGFT211.ZIP into the directory '\BGFT', eg.: COPY BGFT211.ZIP \BGFT Then use the change directory command to enter the new directory: CD \BGFT To unarchive BGFT211.ARC you will require an unarchiving utility such as PKXARC by PKWARE Inc. To do this, type the following: PKXARC BGFT211 To unarchive BGFT211.ZIP you will require PKWARE's PKUNZIP, Version 1.02 or greater. Type the following: PKUNZIP BGFT211.ZIP and the files will be unpacked. When you register BGFT we send you a package; copy all the dis- BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 18 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ tribution files on the floppy we send you into the new directory. Supposing that the distribution diskette is in drive A: and that your '\BGFT' directory is on hard drive C:, you would enter: COPY A:*.* C:\BGFT The file BGFT211.EXE contains all the registered distribution files for BGFT. It will automatically unarchive the necessary files. Simply enter BGFT211 You should be careful about overwriting your dialing directory. 4.2.2 Setting Up the Environment -------------------------------- If you wish to run BGFT from any directory then you should include the '\BGFT' directory in a PATH statement in your AUTOEX- EC.BAT file. For example, if you have installed BGFT in the directory '\BGFT' on drive C:, then the following PATH statement would suffice: PATH = C:\BGFT BGFT uses a number of support files. In particular: BGFT.HLP - used for context sensitive help, BGFT.CNF - used to store the user configuration, BGFT.DLG - used to store the dialing directory, BGFT.SCR - used for program screens. Although BGFT will function without BGFT.HLP, it will inform you that the help file is not available. You are strongly recommended not to modify the help file in any way because this will almost certainly upset the correct functioning of the help system. BGFT will work happily without the files BGFT.CNF and BGFT.DLG; it will create these files the first time you save the user configuration and the first time you save the dialing directory, respectively. Again, if you modify these files, by some means other than by using BGFT, the functioning of BGFT may become unpredictable. Updated versions of BGFT may change the format of the files so that it is recommended that old ones should be deleted. BGFT is designed to look for these four support files in one of two possible locations. First, BGFT looks in the current directory; if it cannot find the files there, it will look in a user directory specified by the environment variable 'BGFT'. The environment variable can be set, in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, as BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 19 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ given in the following example: SET BGFT=C:\BGFT In this example, the environment variable 'BGFT' is set to the directory '\BGFT' on drive C:; that is, to the directory contain- ing all the BGFT system files. This is highly recommended. If the environment variable method is used then BGFT will place the files BGFT.CNF and BGFT.DLG in the directory specified by the environment variable the first time it creates them. If you wish to set up independent versions of these files in other directories, but still set the environment variable, then you should copy a version of these files, from the directory speci- fied by the environment variable, into the desired directory, and then use BGFT to modify these files to suit your needs. For example, if you require to use more telephone numbers than BGFT allows (256), simply set up another DOS directory and place in it a copy of the file BGFT.DLG. With this new DOS directory as the current directory, run BGFT, and use it to modify the copy of BGFT.DLG to suit your needs. 4.2.3 Setting Up Your Modem --------------------------- Your modem must be 'nominally' Hayes compatible. This means that it must respond to the normal 'ATxx' command set; for example, 'ATDT 555-6789' will dial the number 555-6789, with touch-tone dialing. The initialization string and the dialing command can be changed via the 'Modem_params' option in the 'Set_up' menu. If your modem can detect a BUSY connection, then the dialer can be configured to redial immediately. It is important to note that your modem must be set up such that the carrier detect line is active when a connection is made. BGFT assumes that the carrier detect line will indicate the status of the connection, ie. connected or disconnected. If this is not the case then there are several consequences. First, BGFT must be set up to be in 'direct connect' mode (see Section 5.5.2). Second, the background dialer will be inoperable but file transfer will still be possible. In most cases, a Hayes compatible modem can be easily set up to manipulate the carrier detect line, so this should not be a problem; refer to your modem setup documentation for further information (see also Appendix 6.7, Problem Solving). BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 20 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 5. Operation ------------ Section 3.2 described how to operate BGFT in a basic step by step way. Experienced users will demand more, so this Section gives the details that will be needed. This Section describes the operation of BGFT from a 'functional' point of view. This means that the menus are not described in order of appearance or in detail, except where deemed necessary; most of the menus are self explanatory. After a little bit of experimentation with the menu system, BGFT will be found to be easy to use. 'Hot' and 'warm' keys are also provided if you wish to bypass the menu system; see Section 6.2 for the Alt_Key summary. 5.1 Starting BGFT ----------------- BGFT is normally invoked with no arguments specified on the command line: BGFT In this case BGFT runs in its normal interactive mode. However, it will accept the following command line 'switches' which will cause it to carry out specific operations: 1) BGFT /H The command line help switch, /H, or any unsupported switch, will activate a help screen. 2) BGFT /K BGFT terminates (kills) background dialing and then exits. 3) BGFT /M This forces BGFT to read the file buffer, and if downloaded files are detected, to initiate the sequence that moves the downloaded files, from the file buffer, to your chosen downloaded file directory and then proceed to terminal mode. This is useful if you switched your computer off after downloading files into the file buffer but did not move them from the file buffer to hard disk first. Some manual operations will be required. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 21 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 4) BGFT /N When BGFT is first run, it will initialize the modem with the modem command string from the configuration file. There may be times when you are already connected by some other means and want to use BGFT for the first time but do not want to send out the modem string. To avoid send the string, use the command line switch, /N. 5) BGFT /R BGFT suspends the resident part and then exits. This is useful to gain quick access to the floppy drive when the resident part is active. You cannot use the selected drive A: (or B:), for non- BGFT purposes, while the resident part is active. 5.2 The Menu System and Mouse Support ------------------------------------- Choices in the menus are selected as described in the next para- graph when not using a mouse. If your system has a mouse, see Section 5.5.3(1) for configuring it. BGFT will automatically detect it and enable it to used to select items in 'bar' or 'pull down' menus. In the following description appropriate mouse movement may be used instead of the arrow keys. Also pressing the left mouse button corresponds to 'ENTER' and simultaneous press- ing of the left and right buttons corresponds to 'ESC'. The function of the right button is context sensitive. The main menu system for BGFT, which is activated by typing 'Alt_M' (or pressing the right mouse button) while in terminal mode, is a two line display at the top of the screen. This dis- play is in the form of a 'sliding' menu with the top line as a list of sub-menus or options that can be activated by either typing the first letter of the option/sub-menu name, or using the left and right arrow keys to select it, followed by hitting 'ENTER'. When a given option/sub-menu item is highlighted, the second line shows a list of the items that will appear in the sub-menu or a description of the action resulting from the given selection. Hitting 'ESC' returns you to terminal mode. Typically, the ESC key exits a BGFT menu or window without any action being taken and returns you to your previous state or menu. Selecting an option may cause a pop up menu to appear, showing the next level of choices available. If such a menu pops up, you can either select an option by using the first letter of the option or by using the vertical arrow keys to select an option, followed by hitting 'ENTER' to accept, or 'ESC' to exit with no action. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 22 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ The main menu entries are briefly described as follows: 1) Clear This option clears the terminal mode screen. 2) File Selecting this item gives a sub-menu that lists operations that can be performed on the file buffer: start download, start up- load, move files into or out of the file buffer, and list files in the file buffer. 3) Utility The utility sub-menu specifies utility type operations that can be carried out: acknowledge transmission errors, end transmis- sion, initialize the file buffer, suspend the resident program to access floppy, toggle on/off the status display ('RDY' window), send the modem initialization command and display data on the status of BGFT. 4) Dial This gives the dialing directory sub-menu and pop up window from which background dialing can be initiated. You can select an entry, edit it, add another, remove one, dial it, or kill the background dialing. 5) Setup The 'Set_up' sub-menu allows changing, and saving to disk, of BGFT's configuration options. You can alter the colors (if you have a color system), change modem parameters, change communica- tion port settings, define user options, move the 'RDY' status window and 'Save_setup' to disk. 6) Run_shell This will run a DOS shell. This allows you to suspend execution of BGFT.EXE and run other applications from the DOS prompt. When you get to the DOS shell, the DOS prompt will issue the additional message: "Type 'EXIT' to return to BGFT" so that you will be reminded that you are in the shell and that, to return to BGFT, you must enter 'EXIT' at the DOS prompt. When you are in the shell, BGFT is still in memory. If you DOS PRINT a file but, if the PRINT driver was not loaded into memory before BGFT, then the driver will 'lock' BGFT into memory. When BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 23 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ you return to BGFT, do a file transfer in the background, and then exit, BGFT will still be locked into memory and about 200K of space will be unavailable to do foreground tasks. Therefore, if you expect to use TSRs like PRINT while in the shell, then load them before running BGFT. 7) Term_mode Selecting this option exits the menu subsystem and returns to terminal mode. Typing 'Alt_T' at any location in BGFT has the same effect. Hitting 'ESC' will also get you to terminal mode from the main menu. 8) Emulation This option pops up a menu with a list of the terminal emulations that can be selected to suit the computer system that you are connected to. The available emulations are: None, ANSI, VT100, and VT52. BGFT has a limited set of basic terminal emulations because these are normally sufficient for background file transfer. The VT100 keypad is mapped to the PC Function keys as follows: PF1 > F1 PF2 > F2 PF3 > Shift_F1 PF4 > Shift_F2 7 > F3 8 > F4 9 > Shift_F3 - > Shift_F4 4 > F5 5 > F6 6 > Shift_F5 , > Shift_F6 1 > F7 2 > F8 3 > Shift_F7 Enter>Shift_F8 0 > F9 0 > F10 . > Shift_F9 Enter>Shift_F10 'Shift_F10' indicates that the Shift key and then the F10 key should be held down together momentarily. 9) Quit This exits BGFT.EXE. Typing 'Alt_X' at any time has the same ef- fect. All other menus are accessible from the main menu. 5.3 Data Entry Forms -------------------- All BGFT input data forms have the following features: - Complete all entries with the ENTER key or vertical arrow BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 24 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ keys. - Alt_Z provides on-line help, - Hitting key F10 signifies that the screen is OK and accepts any changes; you will then be prompted to confirm that the changes are acceptable and also be asked if you wish to save them to disk (whether changes were made or not), - Hitting 'ESC' abandons any changes, returning to the menu bar or previous state. 5.4 The Help System ------------------- BGFT provides the following three types of context sensitive help: 1) A message line, at the bottom of the screen, is provided for practically all functions of BGFT, to indicate current status of the given function or to give brief guidance on the available options. For example, a reminder that typing 'Alt_T' will return you to terminal mode. 2) The second line of the bar menu system, described above, gives a brief description of a highlighted menu option. 3) A help key for more detailed help information. BGFT uses Alt_Z as the help key. The help key is active practically anytime keyboard input is required, such as when using the dialing directory. Pressing the help key in terminal mode gives a list of 'hot' and 'warm' keys used to speed up selected BGFT operations from terminal mode. 5.5 Configuring BGFT -------------------- BGFT allows you to change its appearance to suit your needs and preferences. In particular, a setup menu is provided that allows you to customize BGFT. The setup menu can be accessed via the main menu or directly from terminal mode using the Alt_S 'warm' key. 5.5.1 Colors ------------ If you have a black and white system then the screen appearance can be changed only to toggle a white or black background. If you configure BGFT to be black and white but then move to a color system, you will have to delete the configuration file, BGFT.CNF, BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 25 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ and reconfigure to get colors. The following Section is only applicable if you have a CGA, EGA or VGA color system. If you have a monochrome monitor with a color type video card then the options in this Section will have limited affect on the display. The 'colors option' allows you to change the colors of the var- ious BGFT screens. The method of changing color is first to select the screen feature that you wish to modify using the menu bar. At this point a window pops up showing the current colors for the given screen feature. Simply follow the instructions listed in the pop up window to change the colors. For example, if you wish to change the colors of the terminal mode screen then: - Select the terminal mode option, 'Term_Mode', from the menu bar. - Type 'f' or 'F' to step through the available foreground colors. - Type 'b' or 'B' to step through the available background colors. WYSIWYG stands for 'What You See Is What You Get' so that the color changes that you make by following 1) to 3) above are those that you will actually see when you return to the terminal mode screen. Once you are happy with your color scheme, hit 'ENTER' to accept the colors and return to the menu bar. If, on the other hand, you decide that you would rather keep the old color scheme, simply hit 'ESC' instead of 'ENTER'. As usual, type 'Alt_T' to return directly to terminal mode or, alternatively, follow the menu bar. 5.5.2 Modem Parameters ---------------------- On selecting the modem parameter option, 'Modem_params', from the menu bar, a data entry form pops up allowing you to select var- ious modem setup commands. The following are the possible parameters that can be modified: 1) Modem Initialization String This entry should be used to set the initialization string to be sent to your modem on starting BGFT. BGFT was designed to work with Hayes compatible modems, so you should check your modem BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 26 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ documentation to decide appropriate setup commands. BGFT does not automatically send the modem attention string 'AT', so you should include that at the start of the command. If you start BGFT without a configuration file then it uses ATE1 S7=255 S0=0 V1 as the default string. The S7 modem register is used by the modem to wait the indicated number of seconds for a connection. Howev- er, BGFT configures its own wait time (see 4) and 5) below) which will override it. Change this with care to suit your needs and your modem. 2) Dialing Command The following commands instruct the modem to auto-dial: ATDT instructs the modem to use Tone dialing, ATDP instructs the modem to use rotary-Pulse dialing. BGFT defaults to tone dialing if you are not using a config- uration file. You must use one of these commands if auto-dialing is to work. 3) Hang Up Command BGFT uses two methods to hang up the line. The quickest, and so probably the most desirable, is by inhibiting 'DTR'. However, you will have to check your modem documentation to make sure that this feature is supported by your particular modem model. On earlier, and consequently slower modems, this would be done by means of the appropriate 'dip' switch settings. On later modems, for example, the Hayes Smartmodem 2400, this can be done with software through a suitable modem command. The second method, which is somewhat slower than the DTR method, is to send the modem hangup string, for example: ATH0 See your modem documentation for further information on this command. BGFT handles the appropriate time delays so that you should not include any time delay instructions. 4) Time Between Dialing This command sets the number of seconds BGFT will wait for a carrier before it gives up, assuming that the line was not busy. The 'Time Between Dialing' allows you to set the interval between dialing cycles from 1 to 999 seconds. If you run BGFT without a BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 27 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ configuration file it defaults to 55 seconds. International connect times can take over a minute; local calls typically take 30 seconds or less. 5) Test for 'BUSY' BGFT is able to use modem information, if available, as to whether the line is busy when dialed. If the line is busy, BGFT will drop the line without waiting for the connection and back- ground redialing will recommence. Default is 'Y' to enable this feature. 6) Direct Connection If you are using a null modem connection, to communicate with another computer, rather than a modem then you should enter 'Y'. In that case, the above modem commands are ignored. If you are using a modem then you should select 'N'. If you run BGFT without a configuration file then it will default to 'N'; it assumes that you are using a modem. 5.5.3 Communication Port Settings --------------------------------- Selecting the communications port option, 'Comm_port', pops up a data entry form that allows you to make the following communica- tion port selections: 1) Communication Port Number BGFT is designed to work with one of the communication ports 1 (default), 2, 3, or 4; you must have the appropriate hardware installed. You cannot set up background communications on more than one port at one time. It is recommended that your modem be connected to communication port 2 and, if you have a mouse, that it be connected to port 1. Port 2 has a higher priority when dealing with hardware inter- rupts; having your modem there will aid in communications. There are general hardware limitations on the PC for users who wish to use a combination of odd or even serial communication port pairs. This is due to the physical construction and the way hardware interrupts were designed to be handled on the PC. For example, some users may want to have COM 1 for the mouse and COM 3 for the modem since some internal modems use COM 3. This is not recommended (the mouse on COM 1 and modem on COM 4 is all right). Under BGFT, there is a 'work around' solution provided. The mouse driver should be loaded in before BGFT360K or BGFT720K is activated and the resident part should be loaded with the '/C' BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 28 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ command line option. For example, BGFT360K /C This will inform the resident part about the existence of the mouse on the other paired port and allow for a proper 'chaining' of interrupts between the modem and the mouse. This option should not be used if they are on an odd and even COM port as recommend- ed. If you attempt to run BGFT without a configuration file then it will check to see whether or not a communication port has been specified earlier via the BGFT360K or BGFT720K command line. If not, it will prompt you to specify an appropriate communication port number. 2) Baud Rate BGFT allows you to specify the following baud rates: 300, 1200 (default), 2400, 4800, and 9600 If you run BGFT without a configuration file it prompts you to specify a value. When using the automatic dialer, baud rate must be specified. This is done by setting the baud rate in the dialing directory which will override any value set previously set up. 3) Data Bits Serial communications come in data formats, usually of two forms: 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and No parity (8 1 N) or, 7 data bits, 1 stop bit, and Even parity (7 1 E). Most BBSs use (8 1 N) but some mainframe computer networks may use (7 1 E). With BGFT you may chose several formats. Valid entries for data bits are: 7 or 8 (default). 4) Stop Bits Valid entries for stop bits are: 1 (default) or 2. 5) Parity Valid entries for parity are: N for No (default), E for Even, O for Odd, M for Mark, or S for Space. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 29 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 5.5.4 Options ------------- The user option menu pops up a data entry form to allow selection of user options, to suit your needs. The following are the avail- able options: 1) Confirm Exit As BGFT is a background utility, it is highly desirable to be able to get into and out of it as quickly as possible. For example, you might want to initiate the upload of a collection of unrelated files using Ymodem-Batch and then quit out to DOS to run your favorite spread sheet package. To this end, BGFT has a 'hot' key, Alt_X, that allows you to exit BGFT from any location. When using the program for the first time it can be a little disconcerting to discover just how easy it is to exit BGFT. Consequently, this user option allows you to request a confirmation prompt before exiting. After frequent use of BGFT you will almost certainly want to turn confirmation off. If you run BGFT without a configuration file it defaults to 'Y', for confirmation. 2) Make Backups BGFT has a number of supporting files, in particular, the dialing directory file, BGFT.DLG, and the configuration file, BGFT.CNF. When you run BGFT and make changes that modify these files you have the option of keeping a backup file. If, for example, you do not like the changes you made to the configuration file, then, if you have selected the make backups option, you can recover your previous configuration file simply by renaming (see your DOS manual): RENAME BGFTBAK.CNF BGFT.CNF after deleting the unwanted BGFT.CNF. Similarly, for the dialing directory files: RENAME BGFTBAK.DLG to BGFT.DLG If you run BGFT without a configuration file then the backups 'on' option is chosen. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 30 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 3) Sound On This option allows you turn off all sound effects related to the operation of BGFT, for example, the sound that you hear when BGFT has established a connection or has completed a file transfer. This can be useful if you are running BGFT late at night and you do not wish to disturb others. Turning sound off for BGFT will not turn sound off for any other application program that you might be running while BGFT is performing its background activities. If you run BGFT without a configuration file then it defaults to sound 'on'. 4) Confirm Data BGFT uses a number of data entry forms similar to the one used here to select user options. After having made appropriate selections, the pop up data entry form is removed, either by hitting the key F10 to signal that the changes are OK, or 'ESC' to abandon changes. If the confirm data option is selected then you are given another chance to confirm the changes before they become permanent. This helps prevent inadvertently spoiling data. If you run BGFT without a configuration file then the 'yes' default of 'Confirm data' is used. 5) Auto Save File Directory When BGFT downloads a file it first of all downloads the file onto the floppy diskette located in drive A:, if that was the file buffer chosen. Indeed, dedicating a floppy drive to BGFT is the price that is currently paid for BGFT's superior performance and trouble free operation. The files that are transferred onto the floppy diskette are in a format that cannot be accessed by DOS and so have to converted to a DOS readable form and moved to another drive before they can be used. When file transfer is complete, and you return to BGFT from whatever you were doing while transfer took place, BGFT will semi-automatically transfer the files that had been downloaded into the file buffer, to the hard drive directory specified by 'Auto Save File Directory'. They will be converted to a DOS readable format in the process. If you do not wish to have this process done semi-automatically then simply enter 'MANUAL' instead of a path specification. You may manually move files from the file buffer to another drive using the 'File' menu. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 31 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ If you run BGFT without a configuration file it will default to 'MANUAL' mode because it has no way of knowing which directory you want the files to be moved to. Each time you run BGFT it checks with the resident part to see if any files have been downloaded, that is, assuming that you had specified a 'Auto File Save Directory' name. It does this, rather than reading the file buffer directly, to save time and to enable you to get into the program quickly in the case that no files have been downloaded, for example, after an upload. However, if you switch your machine off, or reboot it after a download, then BGFT will not initiate an auto-move of files until after your next download. In that case you may wish to use the manual method from the 'File' directory to move your downloaded files or use the '/M' command line option. 6) Tab Width When using terminal emulation you may need to set the tab width as required. Note, however, that some computer systems you con- nect to, may change the tab width to suit their needs. If you run BGFT without a configuration file, the default tab width is 8. 5.5.5 More Options ------------------ Selecting 'Next' from the 'Set_up' menu presents a sub-menu that has one effective entry, 'Move_wind'. This is used to relocate the status RDY window along the top line. This can be used so that both the RDY window and some other concurrently running software will not conflict with the top right hand corner which is the default RDY position. The RDY display can be turned off with Alt_W from the terminal mode; also see the 'Utilities' menu. After selecting 'Next', use the left and right arrow keys, or mouse, to drag the RDY display along the top of the screen. Hit 'ENTER' when you have reached the spot you want, or ESC to keep the old position. 5.6 Terminal Mode ----------------- When you first run BGFT, after turning on your computer, you arrive in terminal mode after you have negotiated the opening screens. At this stage you will be either connected to your modem or you will be in direct contact with another computer via a null modem connection (a direct connection). These two cases are described separately below: BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 32 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 1) Using a Modem If you are using a modem, assuming you have set your modem con- figuration switches appropriately and/or have set the modem ini- tialization string to suit (including the 'ATE1' command), then characters typed at the keyboard will be echoed on the screen. For example, typing 'AT' followed by hitting 'ENTER' will produce the familiar 'OK' response from the modem. In fact, you can type any valid modem command string and the modem will respond accord- ingly. For example, you can manually type the appropriate com- mands to dial a given telephone number; normally you would not do that because it is so much more convenient to use the dialing directory and so get the benefits of background dialing. If you are an occasional user of your modem, you are recommended not to send manual commands to your modem via terminal mode because BGFT makes certain reasonable assumptions about how your modem is set up. If you somehow get your modem into a weird state, inadvertently via manual terminal mode commands, then the response of BGFT may become unpredictable. Just in case, BGFT allows you to reinitialize the modem; this is done via the 'Modem' option from the utility menu. To do this, BGFT first sends the 'ATZ' command which, for earlier modems, such as the Hayes Smartmodem 300, resets the modem to its power up condition, initializes its variables, reads the configuration switch settings and does the power up test. For later modems, such as the Hayes Smartmodem 2400, the 'ATZ' command resets the user configuration. 2) Direct Connection Any characters you type are transmitted directly to the other computer and what you see on the screen depends upon how the other computer is set up. 5.7 Background Dialing ---------------------- An important feature of BGFT is that it handles dialing in the background. That means that if you initiate dialing and then exit BGFT, dialing will continue even though you may use your computer for other activities. When dialing is complete and a connection is made, an audible beeping sound will be heard, that is, assuming that you are using the default option of 'sound' on. If you wish to terminate dialing before a connection has been made, then this can be done by using the Alt_K 'warm' key if you are running BGFT in terminal mode, or by typing 'BGFT /K' from the DOS prompt assuming that you left BGFT earlier. To assist you with the process of dialing, BGFT has a dialing directory. The dialing directory can be accessed from terminal BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 33 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ mode via the main menu or the Alt_D 'warm' key. You can select any number as described in 1) below. Hitting 'ENTER' will dial the number if you are connected to a modem. The process of adding, deleting and editing and manipulating dialing entries can be done either using the menu or using 'warm' keys. The following operations are possible for the dialing directory when it is accessed from the Main Menu with the 'dial' choice: 1) Selecting a Dialing Entry Choose 'select' and hit 'ENTER'. The currently selected entry is shown by the highlighted cursor bar. To select another entry: - Use the up and down arrow keys to move one entry at a time. - Use the 'PgUp' and 'PgDn' keys, on the key pad, to move one page up and down one page at a time. - Use the 'Home' key, on the key pad, to move to the first entry in the directory. - Use the 'End' key, on the key pad, to move to the last entry in the directory. - Move the mouse up or down. - By typing the first digit of the dialing entry number (not to be confused with the actual telephone number), a window pops up showing the digit typed. By completing the number and hitting 'ENTER', the entry with the given number is selected. If you enter a number out of range, a message to this effect will be displayed and you will have to repeat the process using a valid number. - Typing 'f' or 'F' will display a pop up window that allows you to specify a character string to search for in the forward direction; the search is sensitive to case. The dialing entry which contains the first occurrence of the given string will be selected. Wildcards are not supported. - Typing 'b' or 'B' will display a pop up window that allows you to specify a character string to search for in the backward direction; the search is sensitive to case. The dialing entry which contains the first occurrence of the given string will be selected. Wildcards are not supported. - If you are not using menus and if after having highlighted a selection, you hit 'ENTER', then the selected number will be BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 34 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ dialed. If you are using menus, Alt_M will return you to the menu bar from which you can select the 'dial' option. Use the right arrow key to display additional information con- tained in the dialing directory. The password for the computer that you are going to logon to can be seen in this way. Use the left arrow key to return to the original display. The actions can also be achieved with horizontal mouse movement. Hit 'ESC' to get back to the menu. 2) Editing Dialing Entries You can edit the selected (highlighted) dialing entry by choosing the 'edit' option from the menu bar or, if you are not using menus, by means of the Alt_E 'warm' key. A pop up data entry form, identical to that used when creating new entries, allows you to edit all the fields of the highlighted dialing entry. You will be prompted to determine if you wish to make these changes permanent by writing the modified dialing directory to disk. 3) Adding Entries You can add a dialing entry by choosing the 'Add' option from the menu bar or, if you are not using menus, by means of the Alt_A 'warm' key. The new dialing entry is added immediately after the selected (highlighted) dialing directory entry. On initiating the 'Add' option, a data entry form pops up requesting the following information: Name: Choose this name to make it easy to identify the telephone number. Keywords that you may include can facilitate the search feature. Number: The telephone number may include the characters: '(', ')' and '-' to assist with readability. The characters, 'W' and 'R', are also allowed by some modem manufacturers and are permissible. Password: This is optional since it is not used except for your own information. It should be the password that you will have to use when you logon to the remote computer system. Baud: BGFT allows 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, and 9600 baud rates. Terminal: This allows you to store, in the dialing directory, the type of terminal emulation you require. This means when you dial a particular number, BGFT will automatically set the terminal emulation to the one specified by this field. The valid choices are: NONE, ANSI, VT100, and VT52. Data bits: Choose '7' or '8' (default). BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 35 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ Stop bits: Choose '1' (default) or '2'. Parity: Choose 'N' for None (default), 'E' for Even, 'O' for Odd, 'M' for Mark, or 'S' for Space. After completing the data entry form (F10), you will be prompted to see if you wish to make these changes permanent by writing the modified dialing directory to disk. 4) Removing Entries You can delete the dialing entry under the highlighted dialing directory cursor bar by selecting the 'Remove' option from the menu bar or, if you are not using menus, by means of the Alt_B 'warm' key. You will be prompted to see if you wish to make this change permanent by writing the modified dialing directory to disk. 5) Dialing an Entry An entry can be selected as described in 1) above. If you are using menus you can choose the 'Dial' option and dialing will be initiated. If you are not using menus simply hit 'ENTER'. On initiating dialing an information window pops up to allow you to confirm that you have dialed the desired number. Assuming that your modem is correctly set up then you will hear it start to dial. At this time you may do one of the following: - Wait until you hear the resident part beep to inform you that a connection has been made. You may also hear the familiar sound that the modem makes, if the modem speaker is enabled, also telling you that a connection has been made. The information window automatically clears and terminal mode is entered. You would normally hit 'ENTER' until the remote computer issues you with a logon identification prompt. - Hit any key (except 'ESC') to clear the information window; this takes you to the terminal mode screen. Terminal mode will be disabled but it will automatically enable once the connection has been made. The advantage of going straight to terminal mode, as de- scribed above, is that you can now make use of some of BGFT's features (via the Alt_Keys or menus) while dialing continues in background. For example, you could select the files menu and prepare some files for uploading and so not waste time waiting for the connection to be made. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 36 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ - Type 'Alt_X' and leave BGFT and then run some other application program while dialing continues in background. This background ability is what makes BGFT significant. It is very convenient to have a background dialing capability if you are trying to connect to a busy BBS. Most application programs these days allow you to temporari- ly return to DOS without quitting the application. When you hear the resident part beep, to tell you that the connection has been made, you can, if your system has sufficient spare memory, temporarily leave your application and then rerun BGFT from the DOS prompt. By so doing, you can logon to the remote computer and initiate the desired file transfers, then leave BGFT and 'EXIT' back to your applications program, carrying on from where you left off. BGFT will take care of your file transfers in background. - Type 'Alt_R' and suspend BGFT.EXE to run other applications from the DOS prompt. You can EXIT back to BGFT when the connection is made. - Hitting 'ESC' will cause dialing to be terminated. This is useful if you have inadvertently dialed the wrong number. 6) Kill Background Dialing Termination of background dialing can be done in three ways: Background dialing may be terminated at any time using the Alt_K 'hot' key while running BGFT. It may also be terminated by selecting the 'Kill' option from the dialing menu bar. If you have exited BGFT and you wish to terminated background dialing, simply run BGFT with the '/K' command line option, eg.: BGFT /K This will instruct the resident part to terminate dialing and will automatically exit BGFT. 7) Resident's Status Window The resident part displays specific dialing information in the upper right hand corner while it performs the task of background dialing. The following is a explanation of the displayed codes: WAIT: dialing is in progress, PAUS: dialing has timed out, the resident part will wait BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 37 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 'time between calls' seconds and then redial, DIAL: dialing is being reinitiated, STOP: dialing was terminated using one of the following, ESC from the dialing information window, the Alt_K 'hot' key, or the '/K' command line option. 5.8 Background File Transfer ---------------------------- BGFT supports uploads and downloads for: - Xmodem-CRC: This is the classic CRC version of the Xmodem protocol which sends 128 byte packets. No checksum is done by BGFT as it is much less reliable than CRC checking, so it was not included. Xmodem-CRC is sometimes known as just Xmodem. - Xmodem-1K: This is the one Kilobyte (1024) byte packet version of Xmodem-CRC. Xmodem-1K was sometimes known as Ymodem. - Ymodem-Batch: This is also known as DSZ-Ymodem. This protocol allows for multiple file transfers and its implementation in BGFT is excellent. Since the resident part of BGFT uses a file buffer to avoid having to do DOS calls while running in the background, it is occasionally necessary to do some file buffer 'housekeeping'. This means that before uploading, the DOS files must be moved into the file buffer and, after downloading, the files must be moved from the file buffer to DOS files. 5.8.1 The File Buffer --------------------- BGFT uses the concept of a file buffer to avoid having to access DOS during file transfer (see Section 1.1). When downloading, the data received is copied into the file buffer. After downloading is completed, the file in the file buffer may be copied into a regular DOS file, on another drive, through the use of the 'File_move' command from the 'File Menu'. For uploading, the files must first be copied to the file buffer, with the 'File_move' command, before the upload is initiated. When using a given floppy drive as the file buffer, that drive becomes unavailable for use by other programs. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 38 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 5.8.2 Downloading ----------------- There are three file transfer protocols available for download- ing: Xmodem-CRC, Xmodem-1K, and Ymodem-Batch. Section 3.2 described the basic operations to enable your comput- er to accept downloads with BGFT. When the host computer is ready to download to your computer you choose the corresponding proto- col set up on the host by hitting the 'PgDn' key. You may use the up or down arrow keys to highlight which choice you want. Mouse users can move their mouse for the same effect. A window presents the available download protocols. Be sure that your floppy drive door is shut when you want to do file transfers. If Xmodem-CRC or Xmodem-1K is selected, then BGFT will prompt for the file name to be used; if BGFT's 'guess' at the file name is OK, which it is if the file name was the last token typed, just hit 'ENTER' to accept it. If the file name was not the last token typed, simply use the up arrow key to show the previous tokens. Continue until you find the file name. You may also edit the displayed token if desired; use Alt_Z to show the editing details. If Ymodem-Batch is selected, the file name is received from the sending computer system as part of the Ymodem-Batch protocol. When using Ymodem-Batch it is important to keep in mind the size of your file buffer (360 or 720 Kilobytes). If BGFT receives a file that will overflow the file buffer, it halts the transfer and shows an error in the status display. If attempting to download with Ymodem-Batch a file that already exists in the file buffer, the file will be saved with a modified name. The modified name is formed by using punctuation to replace the first character of the file name. Thus the name used is recognizable and the original file is not overwritten. The se- quence of characters used to replace the first character of the file name is: '$', '#', '&', '@', '!', '{', '}', '~'. Only 8 levels of renaming are available; however, this should be more than enough in most cases. 5.8.3 Manually Moving Downloaded Files -------------------------------------- To move downloaded files manually from the file buffer to a DOS file, select the 'File' option from the main menu or type 'Alt_F' from terminal mode. Then select the 'Move' file option followed by the 'Save File After Download' option from the pop up menu. A window pops up and displays the name of your preferred download BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 39 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ directory, that is, if you have specified one previously using the 'Set_up' menu. If on the other hand you did not specify a download directory, then BGFT assumes that you wish to use the current directory. You may edit the directory name to suit; hit 'ENTER' to initiate the moving of all downloaded files from the file buffer to the specified directory. BGFT displays the name of the file that it is currently moving (saving). 5.8.4 Preparing Files For Uploading ----------------------------------- There are three file transfer protocols available for uploading: Xmodem-CRC, Xmodem-1K, and Ymodem-Batch. Uploads from your computer are initiated by hitting the 'PgUp' key and transmission protocols are chosen in a similar fashion to downloading. The receiving computer should have been prepared to receive the files with the same protocol which is used to send files. To prepare files for uploading, first go to the 'File' option either using the menu bar or by means of the Alt_F 'warm' key from terminal mode. In both cases a menu bar appears, select the 'Move' option. At this point a pop up menu appears, select the 'Prepare Files For Upload' option. A window appears to allow you to select the directory containing the files that you wish to upload. You may do one of the following: 1) Hit 'ENTER' to accept the displayed directory which will be the current directory. There is no provision to have a default upload directory, as was done for the download directory, since the file buffer is already a holding area for files to be upload- ed. 2) If the current directory does not contain the files that you wish to upload, then you may edit the directory name and then hit 'ENTER' to accept. 3) Hitting 'ESC' will return to the 'File' menu bar with out fur- ther action. Having done 1) above, the files in the chosen directory will be displayed. Move the vertical arrow keys, or use the mouse, to highlight the file that you wish to upload. Then hit 'SPACE', or the right mouse button, to tag the file (note the '*' tag). Repeat this for all the files you wish to upload and then hit 'ENTER', or the left mouse button, to instruct BGFT to copy the tagged files into the file buffer. Up to 31 files may be tagged. There will be a short delay while the tagged files are copied; BGFT then returns you to the 'File' menu bar. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 40 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ The moved files may have different file sizes than the originals; this is merely a result of transferring files in 512 byte packets and will have no impact on the files themselves. There is also a search facility on the list of files that can be prepared for moving. See Section 5.7(4) for the basic method; typing Alt_Z in the 'Prepare Files For Upload' will also provide help. To check that you have copied all the files that you intended, select the 'List' option. The files contained in the file buffer will then be displayed. Files tagged ready for upload are marked with a 'u'. If, for some reason, the file buffer contains files that were previously downloaded, then they will be tagged with a 'd'. Ymodem-Batch upload will upload all the files marked 'u' in the file buffer. If you decide that you do not need to upload all the files that you placed in the file buffer, after all, then you may delete files as described below: 1) Select the 'List' option to list the files. 2) Move the cursor bar to highlight the file you wish to delete. 3) Hit 'SPACE', or the right mouse button, to tag the file. 4) Repeat 3) to tag all files you wish to delete. 5) Type 'Alt_D' to initiate the deletion. BGFT responds by asking you if you are sure that you wish to delete the tagged files, type 'Y'. After a brief pause, the files are deleted and an examination of the file buffer list confirms that the unwanted files have been removed. 6) Hit 'ESC' to return to the 'File' menu bar. If you deleted files then an information window will appear to inform you that the file buffer is being reorganized. This reorganization is done so that the file buffer is optimized for file transfer. This may take some time if the file buffer contains many large files. 5.8.5 Uploading --------------- There are three file transfer protocols available for uploading: Xmodem-CRC, Xmodem-1K, and Ymodem-Batch. Before negotiating an upload with the host, use the file menu to copy the files to be uploaded into the file buffer; see Section 5.8.4. If Ymodem-Batch is used, then all files marked for upload will be uploaded. If one of the Xmodem upload protocols is used, then the files must be specified individually. You will be prompted for the file BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 41 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ names at the appropriate time. 5.9 Utility Functions --------------------- Utility functions can be accessed via the utility menu, which can be selected from the main menu or directly from terminal mode using the Alt_U 'warm' key. The utility functions enable you to perform such tasks as initializing the floppy diskette that you intend to use for file buffering. The following functions are available: 1) Acknowledge Communication Errors Occasionally, transmission errors will occur that will terminate transfer or prevent transfer from being successfully initiated. These errors could, for example, be due to a poor quality tele- phone line connection or due to running a poorly behaved applica- tions program while you are running background file transfers (see Appendix 6.7). Errors are identified by the error codes displayed in the resi- dent part's status window; these codes are listed in Appendix 6.1. The errors appear in the form '!!n' where 'n' is some num- ber. To acknowledge an error, select the 'Acknowledge' option from the menu bar. The resident part's status display is cleared and shows the familiar 'RDY'. If you reenter terminal mode after an error condition has occurred, then BGFT will automatically acknowledge errors. In the event of a Ymodem-Batch upload abort, you will get a timeout condition which may last for an extended period (approxi- mately one minute); you will not be able to acknowledge this error during this period, since it is not yet a hard error. If you are in a rush, then you will have to 'Kill' (see Section 5.7(7)) the transfer to get the 'hard' error condition. The 'Kill' transfer function automatically acknowledges the 'hard' error condition that generates it. You will not be able to access the file buffer until any errors have been acknowledged. 2) Ending Transmission If you are uploading or downloading files and you wish to 'Kill' the transfer, then select the 'End_trans' option. 3) Initialize the Floppy Diskette BGFT uses a floppy diskette as a file buffer when either uploading or downloading files. Furthermore, BGFT uses a non- BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 42 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ standard format for the files that it buffers on the floppy diskette, so that it is necessary to use BGFT to initialize the floppy diskette before use. This needs to be done only once. BGFT has a number of features designed to reduce the likelihood of accidentally initializing a regular DOS formatted diskette. If by chance you do manage to initialize a DOS formatted diskette containing files that you wish to keep, all is not lost. The BGFTFLPY.EXE utility allows you to recover an inadvertently initialized diskette. BGFT must only use error free diskettes. To initialize a diskette, simply place a error free DOS formatted diskette into the selected floppy disk drive, then select the 'Initialize' option. If the diskette has not previously been initialized you will be prompted to confirm that you wish to continue. If the diskette has previously been initialized then initialization will occur without further prompting providing that it does not contain any files. If BGFT is, for some reason, unable to initialize the diskette, then an information window will appear instructing you on how to proceed. This happens if the floppy drive is left open, for example. 4) Turning the Resident Part Off When the resident part is active it takes full control of the chosen floppy drive, even if you have exited BGFT and are not transferring files. This means that if you try to use the drive for any other purpose, such as using the DOS format command, it will be unavailable and DOS will report an error. To enable you to use the drive, you can turn the resident part off using the 'Resident' option. Normal functioning of BGFT cannot be achieved unless the resident part is reenabled. Reenabling the resident part can be done by selecting the 'Resident' option again, or simply by rerunning BGFT, as BGFT automatically enables the resident part when ever you run it. Frequently it will be necessary to disable the resident part when you are not running BGFT. For example, suppose that you were using BGFT for file transfers earlier in the day and now you have a need to use the floppy drive for some other purpose. Rather than run BGFT, and go to the utility menu to turn the resident off, you can toggle the resident part from the command line using the '/R' option. Use: BGFT /R The resident part may also be activated/suspended using the Alt_A 'warm' key from terminal mode. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 43 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 5) Status Occasionally, you may find that the resident part's status win- dow, which normally displays the 'RDY' code, is not desired and that you would like to turn it off. A good example is if you are using a screen capture program, in that case you would capture the 'RDY' as well. To toggle the resident status display on/off, select the 'Status' option. You can also toggle the status display, from terminal mode, using the Alt_W 'warm' key. 6) Modem Initialization By selecting the 'Modem' option, the modem initialization string is sent to the modem. This option is only available if you are not using the direct connection option and the line is not con- nected. This option is useful for resetting the modem in the case that you have changed the modem settings (possibly by running some other communications software which may have some other modem setup requirements). The same modem commands are used when you run BGFT for the first time after turning your computer on. 7) Data On selecting the 'Data' information option, BGFT will display a window that shows the status of a number of key parameters, including the current state of the resident part. In particular, DORMANT denotes that the resident part is 'idling' and ready to accept any commands from BGFT. RECEIVE denotes that the resident part is downloading into the file buffer. TRANSMIT denotes that the resident is uploading from the file buffer. SYNCHRONIZING is an intermediate state associated with RECEIVE and TRANSMIT. ERROR denotes that the resident part is in an error state associated with a 'hard' error condition. On ac- knowledging this error state the resident part will return to the DORMANT state. WAIT denotes that the resident part is waiting for a retry condition to clear. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 44 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ You can also activate this option using the Alt_I 'hot' key from any location in BGFT. 5.10 Exiting BGFT ----------------- You may exit BGFT by selecting the quit option from the main menu or by means of the 'hot' key, Alt_X. If you set 'Confirm Exit' to on, as per Section 5.5.4(1) above, then a window pops up to ask you if you are sure; typing 'y' will exit from BGFT, typing 'n', or any other key, will return you to where you were before you requested exit. If you chose not to set 'Confirm Exit', as per Section 5.5.4(1), then BGFT will cleanly and swiftly exit to DOS. Exiting BGFT will not affect the resident part, particularly if the resident part is transferring files. Also, you can reenter BGFT at any time; however, if you enter BGFT while background transfer is in progress, then you will be prevented from entering terminal mode until the transfer is completed. BGFT also provides an Alt_R key to enable you to run a DOS shell. This means that when you have initiated a file transfer you could run a shell so that you can run a DOS application while file transfer continues in the background. However, this is not the recommended way because BGFT.EXE uses a substantial amount of memory. The recommended way is to exit BGFT with Alt_X. This way enables you to maximize the amount of memory available for your DOS applications. BGFT was carefully designed to allow quick in and out access. It remembers your configuration so that you would reenter into the same state that you were in when you left. When you are running the unregistered package you will always see a screen that provides you with registration information. Hit any key to clear this screen and so complete the exit operation. 5.11 External Protocols ----------------------- The background capabilities of BGFT can be used with most popular telecommunications programs such as Telix, PROCOMM PLUS, and Qmodem, as an external protocol. BGFT's supported download or upload protocols are Xmodem-CRC, Xmodem-1K, and Ymodem-Batch. BGFT.EXE is not used to do this; the program BGFTOPT.EXE allows the installation of BGFT as an external protocol. Users of BGFTOPT.EXE will think of many other uses for it. For example, background dialers can easily be set up. BGFTOPT.EXE is explained in detail in Section 6.10. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 45 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ The basic idea to using BGFT as an external protocol to other telecommunication programs is to use the script capabilities of those programs. One of the main requirements to do this is that the script be capable of exiting the host telecommunications program without hanging up the telephone. While receiving files in the background, it is not recommended that the telecommunication programs be reentered into terminal mode; file transfers may be disrupted. BGFT.EXE is aware of the resident so that it will not go into terminal mode while back- ground file transfers take place. Files downloaded via the BGFT file buffer can be moved to any de- sired DOS path by using BGFTOPT.EXE. Use BGFTOPT /3. to move all the downloaded files, stored in the file buffer, to the present DOS directory (be sure the '.' is used). Use a path- name to move them to a different path, for example, use BGFTOPT /3C:\BGFT to move the files to the BGFT directory. BGFTOPT.EXE will over- write any files that are duplicates with ones in the file buffer. If you do not want duplicate files to be overwritten, then use BGFT.EXE which gives you full control, in particular, it allows you to rename duplicate file names. To move files from the DOS directory to the file buffer for up- loading use BGFTOPT.EXE. For example, to move the file, TEST.TXT, to the file buffer for uploading use BGFTOPT /mTEXT.TXT 1) Using BGFT as an External Protocol for Telix Background file transfer using BGFT with Telix is accomplished by means of the provided Telix SALT scripts. These scripts provide for the selection of a BGFT file transfer protocol and initiation of BGFTOPT.EXE to start the background file transfer. Having done this, the scripts will then make Telix automatically exit to DOS without hanging up the telephone line. The file transfers will occur just as if they were started with BGFT.EXE. To set yourself up for Telix background file transfers using BGFT move the following files to your Telix directory: BGFTDXTL.SLT Telix script for Xmodem-CRC/1K download. BGFTDYTL.SLT Telix script for Ymodem-Batch download. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 46 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ BGFTUXTL.SLT Telix script for Xmodem-CRC upload. BGFTUITL.SLT Telix script for Xmodem-1K upload. BGFTUYTL.SLT Telix script for Ymodem-Batch upload. BGFTSLC.BAT Batch file to compile scripts. BGFTTELX.DAT Data file to append to TELIX.CNF. BGFTADD.BAT Batch file to update TELIX.CNF. BGFTINIT.BAT Batch file to initialize BGFT for Telix. BGFTOPT.EXE Interface program to the resident part of BGFT. The Telix SALT compiler, CS.EXE, must exist in your Telix direc- tory. In your Telix directory, run BGFTSLC.BAT to compile the SALT scripts for the external protocol interface between Telix and BGFTOPT. To add the protocols to Telix, you can either follow the direc- tions in the scripts (manual installation), or run the batch file BGFTADD.BAT. This appends the protocol information to TELIX.CNF. BGFTADD.BAT will install the external protocols as 'A', 'B', and 'C' under the names: BGFTXmdm - install BGFTDXTL as Xmodem-CRC download. - install BGFTUXTL as Xmodem-CRC upload. BGFTImdm - install BGFTDXTL as Xmodem-1K download. - install BGFTUITL as Xmodem-1K upload. BGFTYmdm - install BGFTDYTL as Ymodem Batch download. - install BGFTUYTL as Ymodem Batch upload. If this is not desirable, for example, if you already use other external protocols as 'A', 'B', or 'C', then you must do the installation manually by following the directions in the scripts. When you do Alt_O and choose Protocols in Telix you should see the following external protocols: Key Protocol Upload Download BAT or DL Name Filename Filename Script Name A.. B BGFTXmdm bgftuxtl bgftdxtl Script Y B.. I BGFTImdm bgftuitl bgftdxtl Script Y C.. F BGFTYmdm bgftuytl bgftdytl Script N Do the following when you want to use the external protocols. In- BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 47 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ stall BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM for the particular floppy drive you wish to use as the file buffer; put a suitable BGFT initialized floppy into the drive. Recall that the floppy can be initialized either by BGFT.EXE or BGFTOPT by using BGFTOPT /i The batch file BGFTINIT.BAT is used to initialize BGFT prior to running Telix. This file must be edited to contain the desired information about your modem's communication port number and baud rate prior to use (default is 1200 baud, serial communication port 1). You must run the batch file BGFTINIT.BAT to make sure that BGFT is set up properly. THIS MUST BE DONE before using BGFT as an external protocol for any communications package. When you are ready to start a file transfer, select the correct BGFT protocol from the list given by Telix when 'PgDn' or 'PgUp' is pressed. Not all Telix prompts are valid in the BGFT context; see the SLT files for further information. When the file transfer has been completed, you may enter Telix again without disturbing the connection by using: TELIX O (the 'O' tells Telix not to send the modem initialization string). Notes on use: - Some modems respond to a 'break' character by switching to command mode. This will prevent BGFT from carrying out background file transfers. Telix appears to generate a 'break' when it exits; therefore, the modem should be set to ignore 'break' (this is usually possible, consult your modem manual). - BGFT360K.COM, or BGFT720K.COM, must be loaded first, that is, before the communication program that is to call the external background protocol. If the BGFT resident part is loaded after, then the communication program will be locked into memory. This takes up unnecessary memory when you want to end its calling duties and work in the foreground while background transfers take place. (In fact, when you use BGFT often, you will probably want to install the resident part from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, just like your other favorite TSRs). - It is important not to enter Telix again while a transfer is proceeding. Unlike BGFT, Telix is unable to detect that a back- ground file transfer is occurring, and will go into terminal mode, thereby interfering with the file transfer. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 48 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ - Uploads are done with files that are in the file buffer and not with those in the Telix default upload directory. Nevertheless, Telix will search the upload directory and will report no match- ing files if the named file is not found. Telix has to be tricked; the same files on the file buffer should be in the Telix upload directory, to keep both BGFT and Telix happy. See the file, BGFTUXTL.SLT, for an explanation. - Xmodem-CRC and Xmodem-1K downloads are treated the same when using BGFTOPT.EXE; that is, they use the same BGFTOPT command line switch, '/=1'. The resident part is able to select between the two automatically on download. - Xmodem-CRC also uses the '/=1' switch for upload. In this case, the file for upload switch, '/u', and the file for download switch, '/e', differentiate the uploading and downloading func- tions. 2) Using BGFT as an External Protocol for PROCOMM PLUS PROCOMM PLUS also has a good script language to allow BGFT to be used as an external protocol. The manner in which this is done is explained in detail in the file, BGFTDYPC.ASP. Essentially, the PROCOMM PLUS ASPECT scripts are run with the PROCOMM PLUS Alt_F5 command and not as installed external protocols. When BGFTOPT.EXE is run, the resident part of BGFT will do the file transfer and PROCOMM PLUS will be exited with the connection kept on-line. As with Telix, you will be able to use your computer for other things while the files are being transferred in the background. The user should not reenter PROCOMM PLUS when transfers are occurring. The ASPECT language scripts should be in the directory used by PROCOMM PLUS. A list of available script files is found in Section 3.1; they have a file extension, ASP. 3) Using BGFT as an External Protocol for Qmodem Qmodem is a very simple program to interface to BGFT capabili- ties. Qmodem has similar usage as PROCOMM PLUS and the detailed instructions are to be found in BGFTDYQM.SCR, which is the Qmodem script to download with BGFT's Ymodem-Batch. A list of available script files is found in Section 3.1; they have a file extension, SCR. The version of Qmodem considered for script operation is 4.2E. Qmodem scripts are run by typing 'Alt_F' and providing the file name to execute. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 49 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 6. Appendices -------------- 6.1 Error Messages ------------------ The resident part displays error messages in its status window when it is turned on. The status window is a small four character 'window' normally located at the upper right corner of the screen. The error messages are displayed in the form: '**n' or '!!n' (where n is a number). The '**' messages are 'soft' errors which do not cause file transfer to stop; the '!!' errors are 'hard' which will cause the file transfer to terminate. All hard errors must be acknowledged. You should use the Utility menu to acknowledge hard errors or enter terminal mode where the acknowledgement is done automatically. The following is a list of the error messages: **0 In download or upload this is a timeout while synchronizing to the host. It is normal to receive one of these at the beginning of a transfer. **1 In download (only), this is a timeout while receiving a block. The usual cause of this is that something has hap- pened to lose a character; for example, running a program during background transfers that disables interrupts for an excessive period of time, which is common of some CGA programs. **2 This is a block check error during transfer. The block will be present according to the Xmodem-CRC, Xmodem-1K, or Ymodem-Batch protocols. **3 This is a CRC error, meaning the block had bad data in it. This may be experienced if the telephone line is noisy. **4 This is a duplicate block error, meaning the host sent the same block twice for some reason. This is highly unusual. !!0 This is a fatal timeout that would occur if the host was not responding. !!1 This error means that the host canceled the transfer. !!2 This is a fatal block error that occurs if the host sends the wrong block. !!3 This occurs when the user requests to halt the transfer. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 50 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ !!4 This occurs when a floppy I/O error occurs, thereby abort- ing the transfer. !!5 This occurs during download (Ymodem-Batch only) if the file being received is too large to fit into the space remaining in the file buffer. !!6 This occurs when the Ymodem-Batch upload header is not acknowledged. 6.2 Alt_Key Summary ------------------- An 'Alt_Key' combination, Alt_X, is performed by pressing the 'Alt' key and then the given key 'X' (or 'x') together momentari- ly. BGFT provides both menus and Alt_Key combination to navigate through the program. The Alt_Key combinations are used to provide a fast alternative to the menu system and can be viewed as 'acce- lerator' keys. There are two kinds of these 'accelerator' keys: 1) 'Hot' Keys In particular, BGFT provides the following 'hot' keys, which have the same function wherever they are applied: Alt_I gives Information on BGFT360K or BGFT720K status. Alt_K Kills background dialing. Alt_R Runs a DOS shell. Alt_X Exits BGFT. To avoid the possibility of spoiling input data, Alt_X is not active if in the process of entering data via one of the data entry forms. 2) 'Warm' Keys Warm keys are keys that are active only within a given context. BGFT provides online help to give the following 'warm' key information on-line. Terminal Mode: Alt_A to suspend/Activate the resident part. Alt_C to Clear the screen. Alt_D for Dialing directory. Alt_F for File options. Alt_H to Hang up the line. Alt_M to show Menus. Alt_O for an Overview of BGFT operation. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 51 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ Alt_S to Set up configuration. Alt_U for Utility options. Alt_W to toggle the status Window. Dialing Directory: Alt_A to Add a new entry after the current entry. Alt_B to delete (Banish) the current entry. Alt_E to Edit the current entry. Alt_H to provide Help for selecting entries. Alt_M to show Menus. Alt_T to return to Terminal mode. Prepare Files for Uploading: Alt_M to show Menus. Alt_T to return to Terminal mode. Floppy Diskette Directory Listing: Alt_D to Delete the tagged files. Alt_M to show Menus. Alt_T to return to Terminal mode. 6.3 Multitasking and Communications ----------------------------------- Multitasking with DOS is one of those ideas that is much simpler in theory than in practice. DOS just was not designed to do more than one job at a time. Even the common exceptions to this, such as the DOS print spooler or 'pop up' type programs, are specific to the application at hand and the techniques used to achieve the multitasking are not generally applicable. The 'lifeline' of a multitasking system is interrupts. Even more importantly, a communications program relies on interrupts to process characters when they are received. If the characters are not 'taken away', then they will be lost. If an application pro- gram can easily disable interrupts then multitasking, and there- fore communications, is going to be unreliable at best. Unfortu- nately with DOS on a PC, this is the case. Another major problem with DOS, as far as multitasking is con- cerned, is that DOS is non-reentrant. This means that DOS cannot be easily shared by applications running at the same time. This is because its data areas are not protected from simultaneous ac- cess. Most TSRs, eg. pop ups, work around the reentrant problems by trying to determine when DOS is busy; however, many DOS internal routines, such as the 'TYPE' command for example, keep DOS busy BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 52 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ for as long as they execute. This again is a problem for multi- taskers. OK, that is the bad news. The good news is that it is possible to circumvent DOS, or in some cases to ignore it. BGFT uses the latter approach. It does not use DOS in any part of the file transfer operation; therefore, it cannot be affected by DOS being busy. Disabling interrupts is another story. With a PC running DOS there is just no way to prevent disabling interrupts from happen- ing if a running piece of software does it. This is true even with sophisticated multitaskers like Microsoft Windows 386 and DESQview 386. BGFT performs as well as running a 'standard' communications program under one of those multitaskers but does not require an Intel 80386 CPU and does not use anywhere near as much memory. The consequence of the interrupt disabling problem for file transfer is that retries will occur during downloading. If this is considered to be a serious problem in your application, then there are some possible hardware solutions such as the NS16550AS chip for your COM port; if you are a registered user, contact Dirac Systems for assistance in this area. BGFT will automatically detect the presence of the NS16550AS chip and take advantage of its capabilities. 6.4 BGFT and DESQview --------------------- BGFT works exceptionally well with DESQview, particularly on computers that have expanded memory or with DESQview 386 which emulates EEMS by using extended memory. This is because of the following two reasons: 1) On the Intel 80386 CPU, the 'LOADHI' program can run BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM outside the 640K DOS address range. This means that the resident part of BGFT does not use up any conventional memory. When installing QEMM.SYS it is necessary to specify the 'ram' option. This is configuration dependent; see your DESQview user's manual or give us a call as we may be able to help. 2) BGFT does not need to be made non-swappable. Thus DESQview can swap BGFT.EXE to disk or to expanded memory without affecting the communications. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 53 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ If you use DESQview then give BGFT a try. That is the advantage of Shareware. 6.5 BGFT and Microsoft Windows ------------------------------ BGFT is Microsoft Windows 3 compatible. Many DOS based telecommu- nications programs cannot even run under Windows. Others will have problems when trying to run Windows applications and DOS programs; this is especially true for 286 or 8086 based machines. BGFT allows the user to engage in DOS as well as Windows 3 activ- ities while doing background transfers. Even Windows based tele- communication programs will generally not let you do that if not running in 386 protected mode. You must install the BGFT resident, BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM, before running Windows. You must also initialize the resident with the communications port and baud rate by using a variant of the supplied batch file, BGFTINIT.BAT. Alternatively, you can run BGFT.EXE briefly to automatically do the initialization. You may then run Windows and use BGFT as you would normally. Your Windows documentation will show you how to install BGFT.EXE as a non-Windows application. The basic procedure is as follows. In the Program Manager of Windows choose the DOS applications group that you may have. Choose 'File' from the Program Manager and then choose 'New' to install BGFT as an item of the group. Where is asks for a 'Description' put in 'BGFT'. Click with your mouse onto the 'Command line' prompt and enter the path name where BGFT can be found; for example, C:\BGFT\BGFT.EXE You can activate BGFT by clicking twice on the icon you choose from the Program Manager. A Windows 3 program, BGFTSPY.EXE, is included with BGFT to allow you to monitor background file transfers while you use other Windows programs. Install BGFTSPY.EXE as above and call it BGFTSPY; the supplied icon, BGFTSPY.ICO, will also be loaded. This program is most useful in minimized mode as it will show, in a compact form, the file packet number during file transfers and other status messages from the BGFT resident program. In maxi- mized mode it will show more information. It is loaded in iconic form which is minimized mode; click twice on the icon for maxi- mized mode. You should only run BGFTSPY.EXE if the BGFT resident program has been installed. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 54 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ To use BGFT.EXE with older versions of Microsoft Windows it is again necessary to load BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM prior to running Windows; this is true for both Windows/286 and Windows/386. BGFT may then be executed as a 'standard' application under Windows. Windows will complain about a conflict with the COM port; select BGFT.EXE in the dialogue box and OK. For Windows/386 it is important that the parameter 'windowmem- size' in the WIN.INI file is left at the default of 640. The primary advantage to using BGFT.EXE under Windows, instead of a standard DOS communications package, is that BGFT.EXE can be 'swapped' out of memory whereas the standard DOS communications package would have to remain 'locked' in memory, using up valu- able address space. This may be of importance in some applica- tions such as Windows 2.X with expanded memory. If you use both DOS and Windows on an AT compatible computer then BGFT may be your best bet. Try it out. 6.6 Systems Without a Hard Drive -------------------------------- Even though BGFT360K.COM or BGFT720K.COM makes exclusive use of drive A: or B: floppy, it is possible to use the system with a computer having only two floppy drives. Of course, the range of operation will be limited, but it is possible. In order to run your application from drive B:, it is necessary to set the COMSPEC environment variable to point to COMMAND.COM on drive B:. Use a command like: SET COMSPEC=B:COMMAND.COM which may be placed in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Of course, COM- MAND.COM must be present on drive B: in order for DOS to operate correctly. 6.7 Problem Solving ------------------- Some programs, usually games, are not compatible with BGFT. In most cases, the conflict will be evident as retries during download. The retries are caused by the application disabling interrupts and, therefore, causing characters to be lost. The best thing to do is to experiment; in some cases, reducing the baud rate may help. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 55 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 6.8 Operating Limitations ------------------------- Users should be aware of the following limitations: 1) Maximum baud rate is 9600. Higher baud rates will tie up your CPU too much for effective foreground use by other programs. 2) Floppy diskette file buffers should not have any bad sectors. 3) The floppy drive used for the file buffers is unavailable for DOS while under the control of BGFT360K or BGFT720K. 4) The file buffer can have a total maximum of 31 files. The files can be downloads or uploads. 5) When running graphics applications with a monochrome graphics card, BGFT360K or BGFT720K does not automatically disable its status display as it does with color systems. This is easily overcome by the user manually disabling the display from the Utility menu before running the application. Even if this is not done, there will usually only be a remnant of the BGFT360K or BGFT720K display window appearing during monochrome graphics applications. 6.9 Nomenclature ---------------- Alt_X: An 'Alt_Key' combination, performed by pressing the Alt key and then the given key 'X' (or 'x') together momentarily. ASPECT: Trademark of Datastorm Technologies Inc. AT: Advanced Technology computer based on an Intel 80286 or higher central processing unit. BBS: Bulletin Board Service. BGFT: BackGround File Transfer System, trademark of Dirac Sys- tems. BIOS: Basic Input/Output System. CompuServe: Registered trademark of CompuServe Incorporated. CRC: Cyclic Redundancy Check. CRS: Canada Remote Systems. DESQview: Trademark of Quarterdeck Office Systems. DOS: Disk Operating System. ENTER: The Enter or Return key. ESC: The Escape key. Fxx: A function key, for example, F10 to accept data from a data entry form. IBM: Registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Microsoft Windows: Registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. MS DOS: Registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. PROCOMM: Registered trademark of Datastorm Technologies Inc. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 56 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ PROCOMM PLUS: Trademark of Datastorm Technologies Inc. PgDn: Page Down key, for requesting a download. PgUp: Page Up key, for requesting an upload. Qmodem: Trademark of The Forbin Project. SALT: Trademark of Exis Inc. Smartmodem: Registered trademark of Hayes Microcomputer Products. SPACE: The Space bar. Telix: Trademark of Exis Inc. TSR: Terminate and Stay Resident. 6.10 Command Mode Options Using BGFTOPT.EXE ------------------------------------------- BGFTOPT.EXE can be used in place of BGFT.EXE where a simple user interface is needed. For example, BGFTOPT.EXE would be used for installing BGFT external file transfer protocols in another communications package. BGFTOPT.EXE is used to send certain pertinent messages to the resident about the file transfer such as the chosen communication port, baud rate, and file name. The supplied files with file extension SCR, SLT and ASP give examples on how BGFTOPT is used to support background file trans- fers for external protocols in Qmodem, Telix and PROCOMM PLUS. See the files for further explanations, in particular, the Ymo- dem-Batch download scripts. BGFTOPT.EXE is able to send and receive a number of messages from the resident part of BGFT. This is accomplished by using the command line switches that are provided. For example, suppose you are in the DOS shell and the 'RDY' window indicated an error condition such as '!!1' due to the host canceling the transfer. This 'hard' error condition can be acknowledged by entering: BGFTOPT /A The '/A' is referred to as a switch and is a DOS command line argument (input) to BGFTOPT.EXE. The case of the switch is not significant, so that '/a' would produce the same result. The space is not required between BGFTOPT and the switch '/' symbol. However, there should not be a space between the '/' and the 'a'; for example, '/ a', would be incorrect. Some of the switches can be chained, such as: BGFTOPT /a1 which would acknowledge any error and then hang up the phone. The chain is parsed from left to right. A chain starts with the '/' symbol. If quiet mode, '/q', is not switched on, then most switches will BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 57 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ give a little message. For example, the '/a' switch will announce "Acknowledging error" plus an internal BGFTOPT reporting number which can be used to test for an error exit (in general, BGFTOPT will return with a '0' if no error occurs). The switch chain, '/qa', will not produce a message, for example. The chains can be broken with no effect such as in the case: BGFTOPT /a /a This is the same as if there was one switch chain, '/aa'. If the chain is broken then there must be at least one space separating each chain. Continuous chains can be used for the following set of symbols: ? a h i k q s t 1 4 5 6 9 This is shown in the usage prototype which appears when the help screen is produced by using the '/?' switch. The first part of it looks like: BGFTOPT[/?ahikqst14569 ] The square brackets indicate the any one of the symbols can be chained together in any logical fashion; they may be repeated. Sometimes broken chains must be used so that the command line parser can determine the correct instructions for BGFTOPT. Notice that the prototype above ends with a space just before the ']'; this indicates that the other command line switches should be switches that are separated by at least one space. The prototype for these switches could be shown as: BGFTOPT[ /~<#>][ /b<#>][ /d<filename>][ /m<filename>][ /r<#>] [ /u<filename>][ /3<pathname>][ /7<parity>][ /8<parity>] [ /0<P|T><#>] For example, one could manage the switches like: BGFTOPT /5a /r2 /b1200 /~1 /dtest.txt /s which would activate the resident part of BGFT, acknowledge any errors, reconnect the second serial communications port, set the port's baud rate to 1200 baud, choose Xmodem download, tell BGFT to expect a file called 'test.txt', and send a signal to the remote host to start sending the file. The following notes describe all the available switches. See above for examples on their usage. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 58 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 1) /~<Protocol> 1 for XMODEM-CRC or XMODEM-1K download or XMODEM-CRC upload 2 for YMODEM-Batch download 3 for YMODEM-Batch upload 4 for XMODEM-1K upload One of the four values (1, 2, 3, or 4) is to be entered for <Protocol> depending on the desired transmission protocol. The number should be right next to the '~'. The resident part of BGFT will automatically distinguish whether a downloaded packet for Xmodem is of the 128 byte (CRC) or 1024 (1K) byte size. Also, for Xmodem, selecting upload or download is done when entering the file name. When using Ymodem upload or download, there is no need to give a command line entry for the file names since the proto- col provides them. YMODEM stands for Ymodem-Batch. Summary: Xmodem-CRC download needs the switch, '/~1'. Xmodem-1K download needs the switch, '/~1'. Ymodem-Batch download needs the switch, '/~2'. Xmodem-CRC upload needs the switch, '/~1'. Ymodem-Batch download needs the switch, '/~3'. Xmodem-1K upload needs the switch, '/~4'. 2) /? Display this help screen This displays a help screen which shows the Copyright informa- tion, the prototypes for BGFTOPT, and a short reminder what each switch does. The reminder is stated in a similar fashion as to what is seen in this list of switches. The screen is displayed when an unknown or illegal command is entered. The help screen is also displayed when only 'BGFTOPT' is entered, that is, without any switches. BGFTOPT will return '0' if both the port and the baud rate are set, and '1' otherwise. 3) /a Acknowledge error Hard errors must be acknowledged. 4) /b<Baud> 300,1200,2400,4800,9600 One of the five indicated values is to be used for <Baud rate>. The number should be right next to the 'b. The communications port must have its baud rate set appropriately. 5) /d<filename> Download file entry The name of the file being downloaded should be inserted right next to the 'd'. The Xmodem download protocols require that a BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 59 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ file name be supplied; Ymodem-Batch does not. 6) /h Halt background file transfer A file transfer, either upload or download, which is in progress may be terminated with this switch. This will produce a hard error condition '!!3' which must be acknowledged. The remote sys- tem, that was communicating, will time out due to not hearing from the halted system. 7) /i Initialize file buffer The file buffer is initialized for use by BGFT. The correct floppy drive will be accessed since it is known by the resident program, which should be loaded and active. Any DOS floppies used as the file buffer must have been formatted by DOS and checked by CHKDSK for error free condition. Using this function on BGFT initialized file buffers will delete BGFT directory information. This effectively 'erases' the buffer. 8) /k Kill background dialer Background dialing is terminated with this switch. 9) /m<filename> Move file to buffer One file at a time may be moved to the file buffer for uploading. The resident part must be loaded and active to move the files; it knows where the file buffer is. More files may be moved up to the limit of 31 total files on the file buffer. The filename, includ- ing paths, should be right next to the 'm'. For example, to move the file TEST.TXT from the present directory, the active directo- ry on another drive F:, or the path D:\BGFT to the file buffer use, respectively: BGFTOPT /mTEST.TXT BGFTOPT /mF:TEST.TXT BGFTOPT /mD:\BGFT\TEST.TXT 10) /q Quiet message mode Subsequent command line switches to the right of the first 'q' will have their switch messages to the standard output disabled. Another 'q' will not turn the messages back on. Subsequent BGFTOPT command line entries will not be quiet. If '/q' is used as the only command line argument there will be no help listing. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 60 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 11) /r<Reconnect COM port> 1,2,3,4 This switch indicates that one of the four indicated values is to be substituted for <Reconnect COM port>. The number should be right next to the 'r'. The number corresponds to the number of the communication port which is to be reconnected. The communica- tions port must be set. 12) /s Start background file transfer Uploads and downloads must be initiated with this switch after setting up the transmission. 13) /t Terminal emulator A basic terminal emulator is invoked which enables sending key- board instructions to the remote host. This can be used for logging in to a BBS, for example. The terminal is exited by typing 'Ctrl_E' or 'Alt_X'. 14) /u<filename> Upload file entry Xmodem-CRC and Xmodem-1K require that a file name be provided when uploading a file from the file buffer. It should be placed right next to the 'u'. Ymodem-Batch does not require a file name. 15) /1 Hang up phone This will hang up the telephone line just as if 'Alt_H' was used in BGFT. 16) /3<pathname> Dump files to pathname After a download, the files are in the file buffer. They may be dumped to the indicated path with this command. For example, to dump to the present DOS directory use (include the '.') BGFTOPT /3. As a further example, you can dump to the BGFT directory on drive C: by using BGFTOPT /3C:\BGFT 17) /4 Wait for end of transfer This switch will not allow a normal exit of BGFTOPT after being parsed. BGFTOPT will wait until the transmission is over before continuing. BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 61 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 18) /5 Turn resident program on The resident part is turned on with this switch; the file buffer is taken over and is made inaccessible from DOS. The switch is 'one way'; turning the resident off requires the '/6' switch. 19) /6 Turn resident program off The resident part of BGFT will be turned off. This allows access to the file buffer. This should only be done when the resident is not otherwise busy with the file buffer. The switch is 'one way'; turning the resident on requires the '/5' switch. 20) /7<parity> 7 bit & parity N,E,O,S,M One of the five indicated choices is to be substituted for <Parity>. The letter should be right next to the '7'. The letter corresponds to the required parity: N for None, E for Even, O for Odd, S for Space, or M for Mark. Only one stop bit is supported. The resident part of BGFT will automatically revert to the cor- rect settings for file transfer (normally 8 data bits, no parity, and one stop bit). 21) /8<parity> 8 bit & parity N,E,O,S,M One of the five indicated choices is to be substituted for <Pari- ty>. The letter should be right next to the '8'. The letter corresponds to the required parity: N for None, E for Even, O for Odd, S for Space, or M for Mark. Only one stop bit is supported. The resident part of BGFT will automatically revert to the cor- rect settings for file transfer (normally 8 data bits, no parity, and one stop bit). 22) /9 Start background dialer The resident's internal dialing string is set up with the '/0' switch and the actual dialing is commenced with this one. 23) /0<P|T><#> Pulse or Tone & number This command needs two inputs. The first is for the type of dialing that your phone line supports. The <Tone|Pulse> means that you have a choice of tone or pulse dialing; use 'T' or 'P' respectively. The desired phone number must be entered for <#>. The number should be entered in a form suitable to the modem. Generally, this is a combination of numbers and certain specific punctuation characters (for example, the ',' is a pause and '-' is a separa- tor). (If you plan to use this in a batch file you will have to use '.' instead of ',' since the batch file processor considers BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 62 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ ',' to be a separator. BGFTOPT will convert and understand it.) For example, to start tone dial to Dirac Systems' local BBS use: BGFTOPT /0T283-7157 /9 BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 63 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ INDEX ----- Acknowledge, 23, 42, 50, 57, BGFTTELX, 7, 10, 47 58, 59 BGFTUIPC, 6, 10 ANSI, 24, 35 BGFTUIQM, 7, 10 ARC, 18 BGFTUITL, 7, 9, 47 ASP, 6, 10, 49, 57 BGFTUXPC, 6, 10 ASPECT, 49, 56 BGFTUXQM, 7, 10 ATDP, 27 BGFTUXTL, 7, 9, 47, 49 ATDT, 20, 27 BGFTUYPC, 6, 10 ATE, 13, 27, 33 BGFTUYQM, 7, 10 ATH, 27 BGFTUYTL, 7, 9, 47 ATxx, 20 BGFTXDLG, 6, 10 ATZ, 33 BGFTXmdm, 47 AUTOEXEC, 19, 48, 55 BGFTYmdm, 47 BIOS, 56 Background, 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, BITNET, 4 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, Break, 48 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, Buffer, 1, 3, 6, 8, 11, 13, 31, 33, 36, 37, 38, 42, 45, 15, 17, 18, 21, 23, 31, 32, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 54, 56, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 46, 57, 60, 61, 62 48, 49, 51, 56, 60, 61, 62 Banish, 52 Batch, 7, 9, 10, 47, 48, 54, Carrier, 20, 27 62 CGA, 26, 50 Baud, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 17, Checksum, 38 29, 35, 48, 54, 55, 56, 57, CHKDSK, 11, 60 58, 59 CNF, 7, 10, 13, 18, 19, 20, BBS, 1, 3, 4, 11, 13, 14, 15, 25, 30, 47 16, 37, 56, 61, 63 Color, 2, 12, 23, 25, 26, 56 Beep, 14, 15, 36, 37 COM, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, BGFTADD, 7, 10, 47 14, 17, 18, 28, 29, 48, 53, BGFTBAK, 30 54, 55, 61 BGFTDIR, 6, 8 CompuServe, 4, 56 BGFTDXPC, 6, 10 COMSPEC, 55 BGFTDXQM, 7, 10 CRC, 14, 38, 50, 56, 59 BGFTDXTL, 7, 9, 46, 47 CRS, 4, 56 BGFTDYPC, 6, 10, 49 CS, 47 BGFTDYQM, 7, 10, 49 BGFTDYTL, 7, 9, 46, 47 Datastorm, 56, 57 BGFTFLPY, 6, 8, 11, 43 DESQview, 1, 16, 53, 54, 56 BGFTImdm, 47 Dialer, 1, 2, 9, 13, 20, 29, BGFTINIT, 6, 9, 47, 48, 54 60, 62 BGFTOPT, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 45, Diskette, 3, 8, 11, 13, 15, 46, 47, 48, 49, 57, 58, 59, 18, 19, 31, 42, 43, 52, 56 60, 61, 63 Documentation, 6, 8, 11, 13, BGFTORDR, 6, 11 20, 27, 54 BGFTREAD, 6, 11 DORMANT, 44 BGFTSLC, 7, 10, 47 Download, 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, BGFTSPY, 6, 7, 10, 54 11, 13, 15, 16, 23, 32, 39, BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 64 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 40, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 61 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 PCPLUS, 10 DSZ-Ymodem, 38 PgDn, 15, 34, 39, 48, 57 DTR, 27 PgUp, 34, 40, 48, 57 PKUNZIP, 18 EEMS, 53 PKWARE, 18 EGA, 26 PKXARC, 18 Email, 4 Port, 6, 9, 12, 17, 18, 23, Emulation, 24, 32, 35 28, 29, 48, 53, 54, 55, 57, Error, 39, 42, 43, 44, 50, 58, 59, 61 51, 57, 58, 59, 60 Printer, 10 ESC, 12, 13, 14, 22, 24, 25, PROCOMM, 1, 6, 9, 10, 45, 49, 26, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 38, 56, 57 40, 41, 56 Exis, 57 QEMM, 53 Expanded, 53, 55 Qmodem, 1, 6, 7, 9, 10, 45, Extended, 42, 53 49, 57 Quarterdeck, 56 Forbin, 57 Format, 4, 10, 11, 18, 19, Redirection, 10 31, 43 Registration, 1, 4, 5, 7, 45 Fxx, 56 Rotary-Pulse, 27 Games, 16, 55 SALT, 9, 46, 47, 57 Graphics, 56 Script, 1, 6, 7, 9, 10, 46, 47, 49 Hangup, 27 Setup, 8, 13, 15, 20, 23, 25, Hayes, 13, 20, 26, 27, 33, 57 26, 27, 44 HLP, 6, 10, 19 Smartmodem, 27, 33, 57 Sound, 31, 33, 36 IBM, 1, 2, 16, 56 Space, 8, 12, 24, 29, 36, 40, ICO, 7, 10, 54 41, 51, 55, 57, 58, 62 Initialization, 12, 13, 20, SYNCHRONIZING, 44, 50 23, 26, 33, 43, 44, 48, 54 Internet, 4 Telecommunications, 1, 2, 45, Interrupt, 53 46, 54 Telephone, 3, 10, 20, 33, 34, Limitations, 16, 28, 56 35, 42, 46, 50, 61 LOADHI, 53 Telix, 1, 6, 7, 9, 10, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 57 Microsoft, 53, 54, 55, 56 Timeout, 42, 50 Monochrome, 26, 56 Transfers, 2, 6, 8, 13, 16, Mouse, 2, 18, 22, 28, 29, 32, 17, 37, 38, 39, 42, 43, 46, 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, 54 48, 49, 50, 54, 57 Multitasking, 1, 8, 16, 52 Translation, 10 TRANSMIT, 44 NANET, 4 TSR, 2, 17, 18, 57 NorthAmeriNet, 4 Upload, 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Parity, 12, 29, 36, 58, 62 23, 30, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, PATH, 17, 19, 31, 46, 54, 60, 45, 47, 49, 50, 51, 57, 59, BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 65 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \ 60, 61 Utility, 13, 18, 23, 30, 33, 42, 43, 50, 52, 56 VGA, 26 VT, 24, 35 Warranty, 6 Wildcards, 34 Windows, 1, 6, 7, 10, 53, 54, 55, 56 Xmodem-CRC, 1, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 38, 39, 40, 41, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 59, 61 Ymodem-Batch, 1, 6, 7, 9, 10, 16, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 57, 59, 60, 61 ZIP, 18 BGFT, Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems \ / Page 66 -------------------------------------------- - o - P.O. Box 476, West Hill, ON, M1E 4Y9, CANADA / \