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BGFTREAD.ME
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BGFT - A Background File Transfer System
----------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 1990-1991 Dirac Systems
This is the file BGFTREAD.ME for BGFT (TM). It reviews the histo-
ry of the release versions.
BGFT is a file transfer system for the IBM-PC and compatibles
that allows a user to transfer files over a serial communications
link in the 'background' while the PC is being used for other
purposes. This means that when you transfer files by modem to or
from your favorite BBS, you can be writing a letter with your
word processor, updating your financial statement with a spread-
sheet or doing most of the other things that are possible with
your computer!
You can use BGFT to dial in the background.
BGFT is a standalone system requiring only MS-DOS (Version 2.2 or
greater) to operate. It also works well with multi-tasking sys-
tems like DESQview, particularly on computers with limited memo-
ry. It is also compatible with Windows 3.
Please note that BGFT requires exclusive use of a floppy disk
drive (either Drive A: or B:) while file transfers are occurring.
This is normally not a problem for computers with a hard disk.
Please read the manual, BGFT.DOC, for more information and for
quick setup instructions.
For those of you who don't like to read manuals, the following
must be done before BGFT will operate correctly: a blank, DOS
formatted, error free diskette must be placed in Drive A: before
running one of the resident programs, BGFT360K.COM or
BGFT720K.COM. Use the 360K version for 360K floppies and the 720K
version for higher capacity floppies and drives. Then, after
running BGFT.EXE, the diskette must be initialized for exclusive
use by BGFT by means of the 'Initialize' option in the 'Utility'
menu. Use Alt_M to get the main menus in BGFT.EXE. After that,
the menu system in BGFT will provide all the help needed to
operate the program.
If you have an existing version of BGFT, you will want to make
sure you do not overwrite your dialing directory, BGFT.DLG, with
the one in the package. You should replace all other files with
the new ones.
Please use the form, BGFTORDR.FRM, to order and register your
personal copy of BGFT.
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REVISION HISTORY:
----------------
VERSION 2.11:
------------
This is a maintenance release to enhance the performance of the
resident programs, BGFT360K.COM and BGFT720K.COM. The foreground
part, BGFT.EXE, has not been changed in any functional way.
The following are the most significant changes:
1) Ymodem download has been modified. Some versions of the BBS
PCBOARD software had Ymodem protocols that caused BGFT to timeout
at the end of transfers. This is now fixed.
2) The dialer has been changed considerably to make it more
reliable and to properly handle the BUSY string returned from a
modem. Also a problem was discovered where the dialer would 'see'
a CONNECT even though there was none. This has been fixed.
GVC modem users will have better performance.
New Features:
We are now releasing all the resident programs and utilities as
Shareware. The full product is available for evaluation including
the ability to make your existing telecommunications program use
BGFT's background capability for file transfer. This is done
using the program, BGFTOPT.EXE, and the ability of your program
to handle suitable script activities. Scripts are given for
PROCOMM Plus, Qmodem, and Telix.
A Windows 3 program, BGFTSPY.EXE, is included to allow Microsoft
Windows users to monitor the progress of their BGFT file trans-
fers in minimized iconic or maximized form.
The utility, BGFTXDLG.EXE, to translate PROCOMM Plus (version
1.x), Qmodem (version 4.2x) and Telix (version 3.1x) telephone
directories to BGFT format is included.
The utility, BGFTDIR.COM, to allow directories of DOS and BGFT
floppies to be displayed is included.
The documentation now includes the full text and has been updat-
ed.
Please read the file, BGFTREAD.2ND, regarding the evaluation
packages that will be released. Purchase price includes all
features.
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VERSION 2.10:
------------
BGFT has under gone considerable change both to enhance its
capabilities and improve its performance.
Enhancements:
1) The communications parameters for the previous version were
restricted to 8 Data Bits, 1 Stop Bit and Even parity. This has
been changed to provide a choice of 7 or 8 Data Bits, 1 or 2 Stop
Bits, and None, Even, Odd, Mark or Space parity.
2) Mouse support has been added. This makes it very easy to
navigate BGFT's screens and menus. To use the mouse features you
must have installed a Microsoft or Mouse Systems compatible mouse
before running BGFT.
3) When using the Xmodem protocol it is necessary to instruct
both the remote and local computers the name of the file to be
sent or received, unlike Ymodem which sends the filename in the
first block of data sent. To make life easier, BGFT saves your
key board input in a buffer, so that when it needs to know the
file name, you may step back through the file buffer until you
see the name of the file that you had previously typed in re-
sponse to the remote computer. In other words, BGFT will remember
the file name so that you only have to enter it once. For exam-
ple, if you are downloading a file with Xmodem, it is a common
feature of BBSs for the desired file name to be the last "word"
you typed before the remote computer instructed you to start the
download. Now, on initiating download by pressing the PgDn key,
BGFT will first ask you for the required protocol, for this
example select Xmodem CRC. Then a window pops up displaying the
filename that you typed earlier. Pressing ENTER will then use
this file name and start the download. On some BBSs the file name
is not the last word typed before initiating BGFT's download
sequence, in which case the file name window will show you the
last word typed and not the desired file name. To display the
desired file name simply press the up arrow key until the file
name appears and then start the download as usual by pressing
ENTER.
4) VT100 and VT52 terminal emulations have added to the unregis-
tered version of BGFT.
5) It is now possible to relocate the RDY status window anywhere
along the top line of the screen.
6) The previous version did not set the date of files transferred
with Ymodem, this has now been added.
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7) The previous version created some confusion when using the
background dialer. To overcome this, the parameters used to
control the dialer were modified. In particular, the dialer is
now controlled by two parameters, namely a time to wait before
re-dialing and a busy test check. If the busy test check is set
to yes, then if the dialer encounters a busy signal it hangs up
the phone, waits 2 seconds and then dials again immediately. This
feature is only available if your modem supports the BUSY re-
sponse.
Several modifications were made to improve the performance of the
dialer.
8) The Xmodem 1k protocol has been added. In addition the
protocol pop up window was modified to provide a better descrip-
tion of the available protocols.
9) When running a shell (i.e., using Alt_R), BGFT provides you
with a reminder that you are in a shell by prompting you to "Type
exit to return to BGFT", any time you are at the DOS command
line.
The BGFT user interface's use of memory has been reduced to
provide more memory for other applications when running a shell.
In the event that you still don't have sufficient memory to run
your application simply leave BGFT's user interface by typing
Alt_X and any background activity will continue while you run the
desired application.
10) The context sensitive help system has been improved to pro-
vide additional help information.
11) An additional command line option, /N, has been added to
prevent BGFT from sending the modem initialization string the
first time the program is run. Note BGFT "remembers" your previ-
ous sessions (up until you turn you machine off or reboot), and
so does not automatically send the modem initialization string on
subsequent sessions. The /N option should therefore only be used
the first time you run BGFT and then only if you modem is already
set up as required by BGFT. Typically you might use this option
if you had established a connection by some other means and now
want to use BGFT to download/upload files in background.
Significant Bug Fixes:
1) It is now possible to format the other floppy drive while
background transfer is progressing.
2) On some systems, an incoming call would cause a system hangup,
this has now been fixed.
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3) Problems experienced in copying files, to or from the other
floppy drive to the file buffer, have now been fixed.
4) Problems experienced when changing the port number have now
been corrected.
5) A contention problem, experienced when using the DOS print
utility, has now been fixed. This problem occurred only if
"print" was loaded after BGFT's resident part.
6) A number of other changes have been made to make BGFT's opera-
tion more reliable, particularly modifications to make the trans-
fer protocols more robust.
VERSION 2.01:
-------------
Mostly 'cosmetic' changes from version 2.00 (changes in the
monochrome menus, for example).
VERSION 2.00:
------------
First commercial release of the registered version.
SUPPORT:
-------
Support on the Dirac Systems' BBS is available for all users.
Phone (416) 283-7157 with your modem.
On CompuServe we have accounts 73670,2424 (Rick) and 72570,2633
(Tim).
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
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or as:
macdon@ists.ists.ca
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.
Thank you for your interest in BGFT.
Rick,
Rafael,
Tim \ /
------------- - o -
Dirac Systems / \
P. O. Box 476
West Hill, ON
Canada M1E4Y9
May 2, 1991
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