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Text File | 1991-10-14 | 54KB | 1,097 lines

ChessCOM (c) Version 2.8 The GRAPHICAL Connection to BBS-Chess (c) Copyright (c) 1988-1991 by B.H. Forbes All Rights Reserved Welcome to the SHAREWARE version of ChessCOM ! This program will convert the standard ANSI graphics of any REGISTERED version of BBS-Chess to high speed, high resolution bit-mapped graphics. In order to use this version of ChessCOM (c), you SHOULD have an EGA/VGA (or better) graphics adaptor and monitor. However, If you do not have EGA/VGA monitor, you can STILL use ChessCOM, and even though you won't be able to use all of the ChessCOM features, you will GREATLY enhance your use of BBS-Chess. This is VERSION 2.8.... it has many improved features over the 1st versions including... FULL MOUSE SUPPORT. Click that BBS-Chess menu item... click the piece to be moved, and then click to where you want the piece moved to..., click that game from the list of games, click, click, click. It can't get much easier than this !! NOTE: If you have a mouse, ChessCOM will "attempt" to use it. If your mouse is setup properly, all is well.... if it is NOT setup properly, not only will the mouse NOT work, ChessCOM may not work at all. See the PROBLEMS section if you are having problems. +-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I M P O R T A N T =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+ | ----------------- | | NOTE: This also opens the door for BLITZ chess, 4-KNIGHTS, SPEED, | | and TOURNEY chess.... all of which are TIMED BBS-Chess games. | | If your sysop has a REGISTERED copy of BBS-Chess and does NOT have | | these NEW BBS-Chess features, tell 'em to call for FREE upgrade ! | +-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+ Files you should have received with CHESSCOM.ZIP ------------------------------------------------ These are the only files that "should" have been in the .ZIP If you got more (or less), you should try to find a more complete version. 1. CHESSCOM.EXE.... The main program. 2. CHESSCOM.DOC.... This file 3. MAILER.......... Send this to BBS-Chess headquarters after you register ChessCOM. 4. DNLOADZ.BAT..... Batch file for DOWNLOADING files via ZModem 5. UPLOADZ.BAT..... Batch file for UPLOADING files via ZModem Files that get created when ChessCOM first runs. ------------------------------------------------ - CHESSCOM.CFG.... Contains your comport and baudrate settings - CHESSCOM.GRX.... Your GRAPHICS colors when playing BBS-Chess - CHESSCOM.COL.... Your TEXT mode colors when playing BBS-Chess - CHESSCOM.INI.... Your ASCII Modem Init String file. - CHESSCOM.MAC.... ChessCOM Macro strings. Files that you'll have if you have registered ChessCOM. ------------------------------------------------------- If you have a REGISTERED version of ChessCOM, you'll also have two more files. - CHESSCOM.DIR.... Your ChessCOM Dialing directory. - CHESSCOM.REG.... The serial number of your registered version. Page 2 Table of Contents Introduction .......................... Page 1 - Files you should have received Table of Contents....................... Page 2 What is ChessCOM ....................... Page 3 Limitations when NOT using EGA/VGA...... Page 4 - Hercules/Mono limitations - CGA monitor limitations Shareware limitations................... Page 4 - Why limitations ? How to Register ChessCOM................ Page 5 - How to contact the author New Versions of ShareWare ChessCOM...... Page 6 Starting ChessCOM....................... Page 6 Using ChessCOM.......................... Page 6-7 - Switching to Graphics Mode (ALT G) - Switch to TEXT mode (ALT T) - Setting chessboard colors (ALT S) Macro (Hot Keys)........................ Page 7 ChessCOM keys........................... Page 8a-8b DOORWAY Mode............................ Page 9 Uploading/Downloading files............. Page 9-10 Using The MOUSE with ChessCOM........... Page 10-11 - Moving a piece, selecting menu items, etc. - Places the mouse should work - ChessCOM mouse usage - BBS-Chess mouse usage SoapBox Stuff - Help YOUR sysop!........ Page 12 Problems - General...................... Page 13-14 - Screens of garbage - Modem won't dial - Modem won't connect - Dialing directory not being saved - Colors not being saved - Colors whacked, restoring defaults - Modem Init whacked, restoring defaults - Mouse not selecting games from "LIST" - Mouse won't move a chess piece Mouse Problems (IRQs, Drivers, etc)..... Page 15-16 Version Notes, what changed??........... Page 17-18 What's Next, Changes "a-comin".......... Page 19 Page 3 What is ChessCOM ? ------------------ ChessCOM (c) is a communication program that acts like most other communication programs but with one MAJOR difference. When you use ChessCOM to call a BBS and play a REGISTERED version of BBS-Chess, it will trigger BBS-Chess into its HIGH SPEED, HIGH RESOLUTION Color Graphics Mode. Instead of seeing the standard "letters" for chess pieces, you see great-looking chess pieces in colors that YOU select. Graphics, over a modem ?? It's GOT to be slow. Right ?? Nope..., ChessCOM will paint an entire chessboard, complete with colored GRAPHICAL pieces, in less than TWO seconds ..., and that's on a SLOW 1200 baud modem!! Will ChessCOM work with ALL versions of BBS-Chess ? --------------------------------------------------- What happens if you call a BBS that does not have the "graphical" version of BBS-Chess ? Nothing unusual... you get the same screens you would with any standard communication program. ChessCOM GRAPHICS MODE will work with ANY registered copy of BBS-Chess Version 2, 3, or 4 but.. it will only work IF the Sysop of the BBS has installed the new graphical version of BBS-Chess. The graphics upgrade is available for FREE to ANY registered owner of BBS-Chess. So, if your Sysop does not have the graphical version of BBS-Chess, tell him to "get with the times" and have him contact BBS-Chess headquarters at Byte Busters BBS, The BEST in Chess, (713) 852-4541. Limitations when NOT using EGA/VGA ---------------------------------- You will get the most out of ChessCOM if you have an EGA or VGA quality monitor. Full choice of colors for the BBS-Chess board and pieces, full mouse support on ALL BBS-Chess screens, and SUPER-FAST BBS-Chess screens whether you are in GRAPHICS mode or TEXT mode. Hercules/Mono Limitations ------------------------- If you have a Hercules/Monochrome monitor, your ONLY limitation is the selection of colors (obviously). Previous versions of ChessCOM disabled the mouse features but.... ChessCOM 2.8 not turns 'em back on !! CGA monitor Limitations ----------------------- If you have a CGA monitor, you lose the ability to display graphics. Sorry, but there just isn't enough pixels on a CGA (300x200), or enough colors (four maximum) to do justice to a BBS-Chess chessboard. However.. just because you have a CGA does NOT mean that ChessCOM is not for you. CGA users will get SUPER fast BBS-Chess screens, will have FULL use of the mouse (on ALL BBS-Chess screens) and... you will be able to CUSTOMIZE the colors for the BBS-Chess board and pieces. If you are tired of the yellow and red chessboard of BBS-Chess... CHANGE IT using the ALT S key (SET-UP Colors). Page 4 Shareware limitation of ChessCOM (c). ------------------------------------- This SHAREWARE version of ChessCOM is FREE, but it does have a few features that have been disabled. 1. You'll be able to customize the board and chess piece colors to YOUR preference (using ALT S for SETUP) but, you will not be able to save your settings. They will revert back to the default colors once you exit ChessCOM. 2. This new release of ChessCOM Version 2.8 includes, among other things, a new "Dialing Directory" that you can use to store all your favorite BBS phone numbers. However, you will NOT be able to SAVE these numbers in the SHAREWARE version - you must have a REGISTERED version of ChessCOM to be able to save any and all changes. 3. All functions that use a SHELL to DOS are disabled. This means you won't be able to upload or download files, nor will you be able to "hot-key" to your favorite editor or file viewer. With the REGISTERED version, you can SHELL out of ChessCOM and use your favorite EXTERNAL file transfer program. (ie. ZModem), plus... configure ChessCOM to HOT-KEY to your favorite editor and file viewer (ie. QED.EXE, LIST.COM, etc). Heck, with the registered version of ChessCOM, you can "shell" out, fire up a different terminal program, and use any of it's file transfer protocols. You can also use a different terminal program to dial a BBS, and then when ready to play BBS-Chess, exit that program, fire up ChessCOM, and be ready to play. That's pretty much it for the limitations. Previous versions of ChessCOM also limited the number of GRAPHICS screens you could view but this limitation has been removed. Why the limitations? -------------------- ChessCOM is a "try-before-you-buy" package. If you like the package, you should "buy it". Shareware authors catch all types of flak, and get tagged with all types of names ("cripple-ware", "demo-ware", etc.) when features are disabled, and I am sure to catch my share but believe me... without the limitations, very few people would "register" and buy the program. And... if the product does not get bought and supported, it soon gets dropped - it simply takes too much time and work to keep producing decent products. Heck, there are over 6000 lines of code in ChessCOM, and over 100,000 lines in BBS-Chess. Had it not been for those sysops that registered BBS-Chess, I would have dropped it a long time ago. These "hobbies" always find a way of becoming a full-time job if they are successful. BBS-Chess is now almost FOUR years old and still growing strong, with full support. Very few shareware packages last that long and the only reason that it's still around, and still being supported, refined, and improved, is because it is supported. Enough said... if you like the product, and would like to register (spelled "buy") it, see the next page. Page 5 Registering ChessCOM. --------------------- A REGISTERED copy of ChessCOM can be obtained from ANY Sysop that has the graphical version of BBS-Chess. The cost of one REGISTERED version of ChessCOM is in the $24-$29 price range. The actual cost may vary depending on your location, method of shipment, taxes, etc. All you have to do is contact your sysop, ask him what he charges for ChessCOM, and then if you like the price, send him the moola. Once he gets your hard-earned cash, he will give you a serial number that will convert your existing shareware version into a full-blown, full featured ChessCOM. Once you have your serial number, just type CHESSCOM R from DOS. The "R" means you are ready to register your program... it will then ask for your name, and the serial number that the sysop has given you. Once you enter the correct serial number, your copy will then become registered with all features activated. You will know instantly if the "registration" worked because your name will appear on the very first screen of ChessCOM. ****************************************************************** BE ADVISED !! Your registered version of ChessCOM will be serialized to your name and you can be sure that BBS-Chess knows the name and serial number of ALL registered copies! ****************************************************************** After you have registered your copy, if you will send me your name and mailing address, I will put you on the list of people that get notified when new versions become available. My mailing address is: B.H. Forbes 19811 Pine Wind Drive Humble, Texas 77346 or... you can always reach me at.... Byte Busters BBS, the BEST of Chess, (713) 852-4541 If your Sysop has elected not to provide registered copies, you can always get it from me HOWEVER, I ask that you make every effort to get the copy from your local Sysop. Why? Your sysop gets a pretty nice commission on the purchase. This helps him pay for phone lines, better equipment, and.... more DOORS for the callers to use. Very few DOORS are "free"... almost all of them request that the sysop send money. If you buy ChessCOM from your favorite sysop, he'll make some money and I know he'll definitely appreciate your support. See the "SoapBox Stuff" section for more info. Page 6 New versions of ChessCOM ------------------------ As long as ChessCOM is supported by your registrations, you can be assured that ChessCOM will continue to be refined and improved. What about new releases?? What happens when a new shareware version of ChessCOM is released... one that has more features? Do you have to "re-register" that new version? NO !! Just download the new shareware version and when it fires up, it will automatically detect that you have previously registered and register itself. You'll not have to do anything... it's all automatic. There is a list of planned, future improvements... features that are being considered, etc, for later release in the "Whats Next" section. If you have some features that you would like see added, feel free to contact us and give us your thoughts. Starting CHESSCOM ------------------ To run the SHAREWARE version of ChessCOM, simply type CHESSCOM from the DOS prompt. The first time ChessCOM runs, it will ask you to enter your comport number, and the maximum baudrate of your modem. You can always change these settings later with the ALT P key. NOTE: The dialing directory has an entry for each BBS that you call and each entry includes the baudrate for each BBS. You should set each BBS's baudrate to "whoever is the slowest"... you or the BBS you are calling. If the modem speed is not set correctly, you will most likely get garbage on your screen after you connect to the BBS. If this happens, simply hit ALT H to HANGUP, reset the baudrate and then try again. If you are having problems connecting, see the "Problems" section. Using CHESSCOM -------------- Once you have connected to the BBS, type the normal command that will run BBS-Chess. When BBS-Chess starts, it will check to see if you are using ChessCOM and if so, automatically fire up the HIGH SPEED GRAPHICS routines. You'll see the results beginning with the BBS-Chess Menu. Get ready for some super graphics, and super fast screens !! If you would rather go back to the standard "non-graphic" version of BBS-Chess, simply hit ALT T (for TEXT). You can switch back again by hitting ALT G (for GRAPHICS). NOTE: Once in BBS-Chess... line noise may prevent a clean display. Simply hit "F" (for FRESH Screen) at any time and your screen will be redrawn. This "F" only works while in BBS-Chess !! Do it outside of BBS-Chess and no-tellin what will happen. File listings? I dunno. You can freely switch back and forth from TEXT to GRAPHICS at ANY time while in BBS-Chess. If you are connected to a BBS, but not playing BBS-Chess, and try to go to GRAPHICS mode, you may get erratic results. Nothing "should" happen, but you never can tell what the BBS will do when it sees the "Switch to Graphics" command come down the line. When you exit BBS-Chess, it will automatically switch ChessCOM back to the standard TEXT mode. Page 7 ALT S - Chessboard Colors ------------------------- You can hit ALT S at ANY time to set the colors of the board and pieces to your liking. You can do this while playing BBS-Chess, before you dial up a BBS, or even after you have connected to a BBS but not yet in BBS-Chess. 1. If NOT connected to a BBS - ALT S sets GRAPHICS mode colors. 2. If CONNECTED to a BBS, but NOT PLAYING BBS-Chess - hitting ALT S will set your TEXT mode colors. 3. If PLAYING BBS-Chess - ALT S will set the colors for whatever mode you are currently in. If in Graphics mode, you'll be setting the GRAPHICS colors. If in Text mode... yep, TEXT mode colors. Note: ChessCOM will let you set colors for BOTH Text mode and Graphics mode. You can have one set of colors for Text Mode, and another set of colors for Graphics mode. See also the ALT-C command. Other ChessCOM Commands. ------------------------ Once in ChessCOM, hit ALT Z (for HELP) to get a short summary of other ChessCOM commands. There are however, TWO sets of commands that are not listed in the ALT Z help screen. Macro keys, and DOORWAY mode. Macro Keys (ALT 1 thru ALT 9) ------------------------------ You can create up to NINE "macro keys" to "play-back" a command or a particular key sequence. For example, you can program ALT 1 to send your name and password when logging on to a BBS. When the BBS system asks for your name, simply hit ALT 1 and ... qwik as a flash, it's dumped out the port. To edit or display display all "recorded macros"... hit ALT 0. Here is a typical CHESSCOM.MAC (do not include the comments !) -------------------------------------------------------------- pat forbes mypassword <--- 1st line in file, becomes ALT 1 pat forbes mypassword^M <--- 2nd line in file, becomes ALT 2 pat forbes y mypassword^M <--- 3rd line in file, becomes ALT 3 ...etc.... up to NINE lines total (ALT 1 thru ALT 9) The ^M tells the macro to also send a <carriage return>. Page 8a ALT I - ChessCOM Information ------------------------------ If you have a registered version, will show you the initial ChessCOM screen with your name and serial number. This is the serial number that BBS-Chess will see when you play BBS-Chess on any BBS system. If you have the free shareware version, ALT-I will give you some info on ChessCOM. ALT D - Dialing Directory ---------------------------- Will bring up your dialing directory showing the name, phone number, and baudrate for BBS's that you can call. You can edit or change this directory but...if you don't have a registered version, you will NOT be able to save your entries. They will revert back to the original numbers stored as default. ALT M - Manual Dial --------------------- You can use this key to "one-time-shot" a phone number. All you have to do is to enter the complete phone number that you want ChessCOM to dial. ALT H - Hangup/Disconnect --------------------------- Will "attempt" to hangup the phone line if connected to a BBS. If not connected, it will still try, but obviously, won't have anything to "disconnect". ALT X - Exit to DOS/Quit ChessCOM ----------------------------------- Will exit the program. If you have a registered version, it will check to see if you are still connected to a BBS. If so, it will ask if you want to disconnect the line when you leave. If you have the unregistered program (free/shareware), the program will always disconnect the line when you leave. ALT E - Exit via SHELL to DOS ------------------------------- Will exit to DOS and leave ChessCOM running in memory. Type EXIT to return to ChessCOM. Used for quick/temporary exits to DOS while in ChessCOM. NOTE: Not available on the free/shareware version. ALT G - Graphics Mode ----------------------- If playing BBS-Chess, will switch to the high speed graphics mode. Unless you have a CGA monitor, you should be seeing graphic chess pieces. CGA monitors cannot get graphics, but they do get super-fast text/ansi screens (with set-able colors). ALT T - Text Mode ------------------- If playing BBS-Chess, will switch from GRAPHICS to standard TEXT mode chess pieces. Unless you just like the letters better than the graphics, you'll probably never want to switch back to text. Page 8b ALT C - General ChessCOM setup -------------------------------- 1. General Setup o Capture File default filename o Name of your editor (ie. QED, KEDIT, etc. Use what you like the most, must be in your path) o Name of your viewer (must be in your path) o Beep on Connect ?? (Y/N) o If beep on connect, how long?? (seconds) 2. BBS-Chess GRAPHICS mode colors (Also ALT S) 3. BBS-Chess TEXT mode colors (Also ALT S) 4. ChessCOM Macro Key editor. 5. Modem paramaters (comport,baudrate, parity, etc) 6. Modem IRQ settings. 7. Modem "No Connect" result strings. ALT R - Reset Screen ---------------------- Will clear the screen, and reset the colors to the default ChessCOM colors. (Blue background, white letters). Useful when an ANSI screen has set your colors and failed to reset them back to normal. ALT P - Modem settings ------------------------ Quick access to the modem paramater setup screen. Can also use ALT-C discussed earlier. Use this to set your default baudrate, parity, etc. ALT 0 - Macro Keys -------------------- Quick access to the macro key editor. See also ALT-C Alt F1 - Capture Session (On/Off) --------------------------------- Will capture EVERYTHING (raw data) that comes across the screen. Alt F1 will toggle it ON (if it's off) or OFF, if it's on. Alt F7 - Edit a file -------------------- Will let you use YOUR editor to edit files. You MUST have already set your editor in the ALT C setup routines, and whatever you put there MUST be in your path. NOTE: Feature is DISABLED for Shareware version. Alt F8 - LIST a file -------------------- Will let you use YOUR LIST/Viewer to VIEW files. You MUST have already set your VIEWER in the ALT C setup routines, and whatever you put there MUST be in your path. NOTE: Feature is DISABLED for Shareware version. Alt F9 - Surprise !! -------------------- Pull up ANY graphics screen and see what happens. I used this when I was debugging the program and decided to leave it in. Note: "It" can be saved !!! Can you figure out how?? Alt F10 - Resend Modem Init String ---------------------------------- Just in case you know what you are doing, and need to re-send the init string to the modem for some reason. Page 9 DOORWAY Mode (ALT = toggles DOORWAY Mode ON/OFF) ------------------------------------------------ If you don't know what DOORWAY mode is, then don't worry about this key. If you do know about it, then you know why it "might" be needed. Whether you know about it or not.... remember one thing. Once in DOORWAY mode, ALL FUNCTION KEY ASSIGNMENTS ARE DISABLED including ALT X to exit and ALT D for Dialing Directory. In addition to disabling function keys, the screen colors are set to black and white, the bottom status line is removed, and the mouse is disabled. To return to normal mode, simply hit ALT = again. The function keys will then be re-activated, and your colors and status line will be displayed. Uploading/Downloading with ChessCOM. ------------------------------------ There are NO internal file transfer routines built-in to ChessCOM. However, the REGISTERED version of ChessCOM has the ability to SHELL to DOS so that you can use any of the popular file transfer programs (such as DSZ for ZMODEM). We have supplied 2 batch files to help you with the file transfers. You can use DNLOADZ.BAT to download a file, or UPLOADZ.BAT to upload a file. Both of these bat files use DSZ, and both assume that DSZ is located "somewhere" in your path. Even though these two bat files are included, you can use ANY program you prefer. In fact, you can even use another communications program. If you want to use your own program, simply SHELL to DOS from ChessCOM using ALT E (Exit/Shell to DOS) or PgUP/PgDn. When you get to DOS, run your program, and when done with your program, simply type EXIT to return to ChessCOM. NOTE: If you exit ChessCOM using ALT E, PgUP, or PgDN, then ChessCOM is still in memory, active, and waiting to be "re-activated". This means you might run out of memory if you try to run another large program. If this happens, use ALT X to exit ChessCOM. Using ALT X will remove ChessCOM from memory and you'll have to type CHESSCOM to fire it up again. Using DNLOADZ.BAT and UPLOADZ.BAT --------------------------------- To use these bat files, you must first leave ChessCOM by typing ALT X, ALT E, PgUP, or PgDN. 1. Using ALT X completely removes ChessCOM from memory. Type CHESSCOM to start it up again. 2. Using ALT E, PgUP, or PgDN SHELLS to DOS, leaving ChessCOM in memory. Type EXIT to start ChessCOM up again. Once you have left ChessCOM (using one of the above keys), you can then use DNLOADZ.BAT and UPLOADZ.BAT to download or Upload a file using DSZ.COM or DSZ.EXE (ZModem). Yep... you MUST have DSZ in order to download using ZModem. DSZ is available on just about every BBS in the country. Page 10 Downloading ----------- If you simply type DNLOADZ, then the files will be DOWNLOADED to the current directory. If you want the downloaded files to go somewhere else (to a different directory), simply include that directories' name when you type DNLOADZ. ie: DNLOADZ C:\TEMP will put downloaded files into a directory called C:\TEMP. Uploading --------- Using UPLOADZ.BAT is just as easy... simply type UPLOADZ [filename] ie. UPLOADZ C:\TEMP\MYFILE.ZIP will upload a file called MYFILE.ZIP that is in the C:\TEMP directory. NOTE... again... you cannot SHELL to DOS with the free shareware version. This feature is only available on the REGISTERED versions. Using the MOUSE with ChessCOM Version 2.8 ----------------------------------------- The MOUSE (and arrow keys) should be "alive and active" on any screen that "could" use them. The LEFT button is the one used to select or "click" an item.... the RIGHT button (if applicable) will act like the ENTER key of your keyboard. The MOUSE will also be active while playing BBS-Chess. You can use it to MOVE PIECES, you can even use it to "Take-Back" moves. Try it at various places when playing BBS-Chess and see if it is "active". Please note though that the mouse will be turned off and on, as applicable within the program. To use the mouse to move a piece: put the mouse on the piece to be moved, click the piece by hitting the LEFT button of your mouse, LET GO OF THE BUTTON, move the mouse to where you want to move the piece to and "click it again" with the LEFT button. The piece "should" take off... and zip to its new location. DO NOT try to DRAG the piece to it's new location !!! Again, to move a piece with the mouse... ---------------------------------------- 1. Position the mouse cursor on the piece to be moved. You can position the mouse ANYWHERE within the square of the piece to be moved. 2. Click the LEFT mouse button. 3. Let go of the button <-- VERY IMPORTANT !! (Do NOT attempt to "drag" the piece) 4. Position the mouse cursor on the "new square". 5. Click the LEFT mouse button again. If you did it right, the piece "should" have moved. If it didn't, move the mouse off the chessboard, click the LEFT mouse button a few times, then try again. Places the mouse should work ---------------------------- The mouse "should" be alive and active on any screen that "could" use it. The right button on the mouse will (if applicable), act as the ENTER key on your keyboard. The LEFT button is used for selecting and "clicking" items or choices. Page 11 ChessCOM mouse Usage -------------------- o Dialing directory... position mouse and click it to "tag/untag" o Help screen (ALT Z).. position the mouse and click it. o Changing the Chess board and piece colors. (ALT S) o Setting modem parameters... position the mouse and click it. BBS-Chess mouse Usage --------------------- You can activate any BBS-Chess command simply by clicking the command. You don't have to be EXACT on where you put the mouse... just get it close to what you want it to do. o Virtually ALL BBS-Chess screens including MOVING A PIECE, selecting a BBS-Chess menu item, selecting a game from a list being displayed on the screen - even hitting the "L to LIST" games. (See the NOTE below !) o Clicking BBS-Chess commands like "N" for Next Game, or "T" for Take-Back, "X" for Exit.... etc. Just position the mouse anywhere on the command, and click it by hitting the LEFT mouse button. o Getting fresh screens from BBS-Chess and toggling graphics on/off. **************************************************************** NOTE: If you are in TEXT mode, you can use the mouse to click on the "L to List Games" prompt of BBS-Chess, and you can then use the mouse to click a specific game from the list that BBS-Chess puts on the screen. However... if in GRAPHICS mode, you may or may not be able to click on the game list. This is NOT a problem with ChessCOM. It is a problem with the BBS-Chess that you are playing. Tell the sysop to call me and get a new (and FREE) upgrade that corrects this problem. **************************************************************** Page 12 SoapBox Stuff - It's the SYSOPS' turn ! -------------------------------------- Of all the people that seem to be hurting the most, it seems that the Sysops of today's BBS systems are the ones that continually have to shell out major bucks for their expensive "hobby". Some try to make a business out of it by charging annual fees while others may ask for some sort of contribution. Most receive VERY little, if anything at all. Regardless of how they pay for their stuff, it does cost BIG bucks to set-up a BBS system, takes a huge hunk of time, and at times, can be very frustrating dealing with irate (spelled immature) callers. On top of all this, sysops are continually being pressured by door (and BBS software) authors to shell out more bucks... just so the sysop can provide his callers with nice features. Well, I think it's time for the Sysop to be on the RECEIVING end of this cash flow and.... this is why I ask that, if you decide to purchase a copy of ChessCOM, that you do so by buying it from your Sysop. The Sysop gets a commission on every copy of ChessCOM that is purchased from him. It ain't much... he won't be heading off on a luxury ocean cruise with the proceeds, but it will be a way that he can put money BACK into his pocket instead of shelling it out all the time. With ChessCOM, I wanted to find a way to put some money back in their pockets, and help them pay for the BBS system that they provide to you. Please, if you use ChessCOM, purchase your registered copy of ChessCOM through your local or favorite BBS Sysop, and help him keep his system up. He'll appreciate it, and you'll be doing your part by supporting him. PS: I said the sysop won't make a lot of money, but I already know of a few sysops that have put SEVERAL HUNDRED buckeroos in their pocket for distributing ChessCOM. Page 13 Problems - General ------------------ These are a few of the questions and problems I've seen since we started releasing ChessCOM a few months ago. 1. ChessCOM connects, but your screen fills with garbage. ------------------------------------------------------ Solution: If the garbage is totally unreadable, then you have the wrong baudrate set for that BBS. Use the "E" command from the Dialing Directory (ALT D) and change the baudrate to whoever is slowest - you are the BBS. 2. The phone won't dial correctly. ------------------------------- Solution: Hit ALT P and make sure you have set the "Phone Type" set correctly. (Pulse dial or Tone dial) 3. Modem dials, you hear the connect, but ChessCOM won't connect. -------------------------------------------------------------- I've heard of this, but cannot get it to happen consistently. My phone lines are terrible, and if the connection is not clean as a whistle, ChessCOM won't connect. However, I have the same problem with my ProComm... which uses the exact same Modem Init string.... maybe there is a "tie" here??? Anyway, since it is not consistent, I can't find the problem so I can fix it.... therefore.... NO FIX is available. Solution: Hit the SPACE bar and have ChessCOM try again. 4. Dialing directory changes and colors are not being saved. --------------------------------------------------------- Solution: Register the program !! The SHAREWARE version will NOT save changes you make to colors, or dialing directories. 5. Your colors are whacked, and you can't get them back to normal -------------------------------------------------------------- Solution: Erase CHESSCOM.GRX to reset the GRAPHICS colors to default. Erase CHESSCOM.COL to reset the TEXT mode colors to default. Page 14 6. The Modem Init string is whacked, and you can't get it back. ------------------------------------------------------------ Solution: Erase CHESSCOM.INI to reset the init string to: "AT E1 S7=255 S11=55 V1 X4 S0=0 M1" where..... AT....... Attention modem... commands comin at ya ! E1....... Show me what I type (Echo ON). E0=Echo OFF S7=255... How much time to wait for a carrier when dialing. 255=take your time - keep looking if it's ringing. S7=5 says, if they don't answer and establish a carrier within 5 seconds, disconnect. S11=55... Speed of modem dial... 55 says scream it !! S11=255 says... go veerrryy sloooooow. V1....... Show modem results in English/Verbose.. not codes. X4....... Enables modem features. S0=0..... Ring to answer on if someone calls YOU. 0=don't answer !! M1....... Sound/Speaker ON. M0=Off 7. Mouse will not work when selecting a game from the list. -------------------------------------------------------- Solution: Tell the sysop to contact me for a free upgrade that fixes this problem. 8. Mouse will not move a piece. ---------------------------- Solution: Don't try to DRAG the piece to its new location. Click the piece that you want to move, LET GO OF THE BUTTON, move the mouse to the new square, then click the mouse again. 9. I registered ChessCOM, but the new version is not recognizing it. ---------------------------------------------------------------- If your serial number starts with a "3", there was a bug in the early versions of ChessCOM. The "3" may be the error. Solution: Type CHESSCOM R to start the program, and replace that 1st "3" with a "4". If this still don't work, contact your sysop and ask for the number again. 10. Everytime ChessCOM starts up, it goes to the Color Setup -------------------------------------------------------- Solution: Register ChessCOM !! The SHAREWARE version will always throw this screen up each time you start the program. Page 15 Mouse Problems -------------- If you have a mouse, and ChessCOM does not "see" it, or it does not work... perhaps the following will help. If ANY ONE program wants to use TWO devices, and BOTH devices have the EXACT Interrupt (IRQ), then the program will fail. The program tells Device #1 to do something, but since Device #2 has the same IRQ, the two devices get confused and fight over the command. ******** I M P O R T A N T ******** Don't think that just because your communication program works fine, and your desk top publisher (that uses the mouse) works fine, that all is well. The problem arises when the SAME program is trying to use BOTH devices within the SAME program...., AT THE SAME TIME. (Like ChessCOM... using the comport AND the mouse port) *************************************** ChessCOM tries to use the comport and the mouse at the same time and it is constantly checking for input from the modem, and also checking for movement of the mouse. Both are SERIAL devices with designated (and "set-able") IRQ numbers. The IRQ's can be changed (set) by moving jumpers on each device (or card) but you'll need the book on the card. If your mouse is set as the same IRQ as your modem, ChessCOM will NOT work. Heck, this makes sense... you send something out the comport, and the goofy mouse thinks it's his command - it goes whacko. You move the mouse, and the dumb modem things something is coming in thru the comport - and it spits a line of garbage across the screen. All because their IRQ's have been set wrong... they equal each other!! Now, what makes this more confusing is the COM designations. Sure... you have a COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, etc.. your mouse is on COM1 and your modem is on COM3... fine you think, but what are the IRQ's for each of these devices?? Little known fact... most PC's come with the IRQs of COM1 and COM3 equal to each other. Ditto for COM2 and COM4. On a standard IBM PC Clone, the following is almost ALWAYS true.... Com1 IRQ equals Com3 IRQ Com2 IRQ equals Com4 IRQ In other words, if you have a modem on COM1, and a mouse on COM3, (unless you have changed the IRQ) they BOTH have the same IRQ and.... if ANY program tries to use both of them AT THE SAME TIME, the program will bomb. Likewise, if your modem is on COM2 and your mouse is on COM4, they share the same IRQ, and will fail if any ONE program tries to use BOTH devices. I could go on, but the point is academic... if you want your programs to work, you must be very careful about what your call them, or better yet, what you set their IRQ's to. In essence, ----------- Modem on COM1, then mouse should be on COM2 or COM4 Modem on COM2, then mouse should be on COM1 or COM3 Modem on COM3, then mouse should be on COM2 or COM4 Modem on COM4, then mouse should be on COM1 or COM3 Page 16 Mouse on COM1, then modem should be on COM2 or COM4 Mouse on COM2, then modem should be on COM1 or COM3 Mouse on COM3, then modem should be on COM2 or COM4 Mouse on COM4, then modem should be on COM1 or COM3 If you have a conflict, you have two choices. Change the comport, or grab the book on the device, and change the IRQ. Ignore these rules and you are destined to have problems... maybe now, maybe later but you WILL have problems. Mouse STILL don't work?? ------------------------ If the mouse does not work, and you know you have a good mouse and a good mouse card, then the problem is simple. If you are running a program that uses the mouse, and you "SEE" the mouse cursor, but the mouse cursor will not move, then you have one of THREE problems. 1). IRQ problem - it is set the same as something else. 2). Bad mouse card (or mouse), or bad cable/connection. 3). Bad or incompatible mouse driver. (get another driver and try it!) If you know for a fact that the mouse and mouse card are ok, then it is definitely an IRQ problem. Believe it... On the other hand, if you do not SEE the mouse cursor, then the problem is an improperly loaded mouse driver. Is your mouse on COM1 and you loaded the driver by saying MOUSE 2, or is your mouse on COM2 and you loaded the driver by typing MOUSE (which defaults it to COM1) ?? You gotta load the driver right, and you gotta be careful where you hook the things... hook the mouse to COM1 and the modem on COM3, and it won't matter how you load the driver because "you gonna have problems" sooner or later. (NOTE: Mouse cursors are usually an arrow on graphics screens, and a "block" on text screens) I hope I have not confused you... if I have, I apologize. If you do have problems, leave a message on some BBS and ask for help. Perhaps there is someone a phone call away from getting your problems resolved.... Page 17 Version Notes: -------------- 1.0.... First beta release 2.0.... Second release o Added mouse, (whatta bear) o Added arrow key usage and detection where needed. o Activated dialing directory, editing screens. o Allowed saving of colors, comport settings. 2.1.... Changed CONNECT detection due to problems with some HST modems. Now looks for CONNECT or... carrier. 2.2.... o Intermittent problem with self-registration corrected o Corrected problems with using mouse, when it was not there. 2.3.... o Added support for 38400 baudrates. 2.4.... o Bug Fix... ALT M (Manual Dial) bombing out. (Special THX to Steve Harris and one of his callers for spotting and reporting this bug) o Changed SHELL to DOS key from ALT F to ALT E, o Added PgUP and PgDN keys for uploading/downloading (to be more consistent with other terminal programs) o Created UPLOADZ.BAT and DNLOADZ.BAT for use when Uploading or Downloading files (ZModem). o Added "Click the Mouse" detection on the opening screen. (You can now click the mouse where it says: "Hit ESC to abort, or any other key to Continue" o Removed the beeps when an invalid key is hit. Heck, "invalid" to ChessCOM may be "valid" for a BBS. o Added User-Defined Macros (ALT 0-9) o Added DOORWAY Mode (ALT = toggles ON/OFF) o Fixed the code for arrow keys when using full screen editors on BBS's that offer them. 2.5.... o Another "bug fix". The macro keys ALT1-9 were disabled... forgot to "uncomment" that goofy code. o Changed default init string from ATE0 to ATE1 so you can see what you type. (Characters get "echoed"). o Added ALT0 to display all macros. o Added ability to edit the Modem Init String for those that don't like mine (or need more things sent). o Added the ability to send a "prefix" with each number that gets dialed.... to allow for example, sending *70 to disable call waiting (on phone systems that allow it). 2.6.... o Nothing serious... mostly cosmetic. o CHESSCOM.MAC (macro file) changes not being re-read upon return from DOS Shell. o Default Modem parameters being changed to those of last number dialed. o Text Status Line not reflecting change in modem settings if different than default settings. 2.7... o I knuckled under to pressure... CGA and Monochrome systems can now use ChessCOM. o Colors can now be saved for both GRAPHICS mode and TEXT mode. Page 18 o Text mode screens when playing BBS-Chess will now "flat-fly"... no more waiting 30 seconds for a text or ansi screen to paint on your screen. o Corrected a bug in the "On-Line Registration". A serial number starting with a "3" should SOMETIMES have been a "4". (See Problems, Page 14, Item 9) o Changed Status line... removed "ALT G = Graphics" if not in BBS-Chess. 2.8... Lots of new changes !! o No more "10 screen limit" on the Shareware version. o Bug-Fix for HST modems not connecting. o Built-in ANSI support. No longer need DEVICE= in your CONFIG.SYS o Full Mouse Support now for HERC cards. o Log Session to disk... will capture everything that comes across the screen for later viewing. (Alt F1) o Hot-Key EDIT a file... using YOUR editor. You won't have to learn new editing commands... you can use the one you are used to. (Alt F7) o Hot-Key LIST/VIEW a file. Will use ANY program that you might be already using. (ie. LIST.COM). (Alt F8) o Beep On Connect.... turn it on or turn it off! (Alt-C for congiguration - GENERAL SETUP) o Configurable comport settings... IRQ's, addresses, etc. (Alt-C for configuration, MODEM IRQ's) o Modem result code setup, for HST's or other modems that have a different "NO CONNECT" string. (Alt-C) o Full editor support for MACRO keys. o Easier Chessboard Color setup... TEXT or GRAPHICS mode. o Save your "surprise" by hitting ALT C, go in and then leave the General Seup menu item. Huh??? What Surprise? (It's in these docs!!) Page 19 What's Next ?? -------------- If ChessCOM is truely as popular as it has been for these first few months.... and if it gets your support, then you can look forward to several new features. NOTE: Items with a "--->" were implemented with the release of 2.8 Terminal Mode Stuff ------------------- o Set ALL colors of ChessCOM... not just BBS-Chess colors. ---> o Log terminal session to disk or printer. o Recall last "x lines" that have scrolled off the screen. ---> o View files and directories while inside of ChessCOM. o Internal file routines... YModem, Xmodem, etc. o Context sensitive help screens... both in Detail and Summary o Extended or Multiple Dialing directories. ---> o User "setable" IRQ's and base addresses. ---> o Built-in ANSI.... no longer requiring ANSI.SYS. o Script files for auto-logging to a BBS. BBS-Chess Mode Stuff -------------------- o Capture BBS-Chess games for playing/viewing, etc off-line. o Overlay versions to reduce memory requirements. o A slick little.... "Help Me Make a Move" feature for NEW or beginner BBS-Chess players... just learning the game, or players rated under a specified rating.... like maybe 1400 ???? o A "Timed" feature..... log me on to the BBS, get and download all of my BBS-Chess games, then log me off.... WHILE I SLEEP !! and last but not least.... o HOST MODE... fire up ChessCOM as a full fledged BBS system with graphics that will knock your socks off... graphics never before seen on a BBS system. --------------------------------------- The End.... I hope not !! Support ChessCOM... help it continue to grow and improve. Both your sysop and I will appreciate it. Good luck...., and I hope you enjoy ChessCOM, and BBS-Chess. B.H. Forbes. ---------------------------------------