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QCOM.EXE
Revision 2.60
SEP 2, 1991
------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1990,1991 by Richard W Turenne
Winnipeg, Mb.
All Rights Reserved
All users are granted a limited license to try QCom for evaluation
purposes to determine its' suitability.
QCom is USER SUPPORTED. It is not Public Domain and is not free.
If you decide to use this program, please show your support by
registering it.
To add INCENTIVE, those who register will be shown how to utilize
the user-defineable functions. Users can pre-define other
external dos functions, or other external protocols, or batch files,
and access them with a single keystroke.
---------------------------------------------------
QCom.Doc Page - 1
INTRODUCTION:
QCOM is a compact communications program that attempts to pack in
maximum of function, form and ease of use into a small package. It
was decided to primarily use external protocols for files transfers
because there are many available from which to choose. And as the
technology of protocols progresses, it's a simple matter to keep your
communication software operating at the current state of the art.
This version of QCom now has XModem protocol built in. It was added
for two reasons: First without an external protocol of some sort,
QCom was helpless to transfer files. Second, the XModem built into
QCom works noticeably faster than the one in DSZ.
QCOM is tailored to use the shareware program DSZ by Omen Technology
to handle most file transfers. When a file is to be transferred,
QCOM passes the proper commandline to DSZ which then handles all the
work of transferring and error checking. It provides commonly used
Xmodem, Ymodem and Zmodem transfer methods.
(QCom can also be set up to use any other external protocol. See the
section on OTHER EXTERNAL PROTOCOLS.)
When the file transfer is finished, QCOM resumes control.
NOTE:
DSZ.COM (or GSZ.EXE) MUST be present in the default directory or in
the DOS path if you wish to transfer files. It may be obtained from
many local online sources.
FIRST TIME SETUP AND CONFIGURATION:
Run the QCom Setup utility called QS.EXE. Enter Com Port, screen
colors and select your modem from the list. Pressing ENTER will
update the QCom configuration file. Follow any instructions
relating to modem switches or jumpers.
Run QCOM. Wait a few moments while the modem is being initialized.
An error message usually means the modem has not been properly
initialized.
You may need to refer to your modem instruction manual if you still
have problems. One way to check initialization is to press ALT-M
when at the terminal screen to re-initialze the modem. If you get
"ERROR" back from the modem then there is something in the string
that it doesn't understand. Refer to your modem manual to remove any
incorrect modem commands from the string. Pressing ALT-O when in
QCom allows you to edit the modem string contained in the
configuration file. Also see the Trouble Shooting section that
follows later.
QCom.Doc Page - 2
CONFIGURATION Continued...
All configuration data is stored in the text file called QCOM.CFG.
If you wish, you can edit the file with any ascii editor as long as a
few rules are adhered to:
a)The sequence and number of items in the file must not be altered.
b)Each line should be no longer than 80 characters. Longer lines
are truncated to 80 characters.
c)Comments, if used, must be kept behind semicolons.
d)The editor must not insert any hidden formatting or control
characters into the text. If in doubt about your editor, edit it
within QCom using ALT-O.
NOTE:
The "|" character will send a carriage return to the modem. The
"~" is a half-second pause to allow the modem time to execute the
commands in the initialization string. Some modems need more time
than others. The pause is executed by QCom and the modem will not
actually receive the "~" character.
Function key definitions are shown in the last ten lines. You can
configure your own "macros" here. Control codes can be sent with
the use of the "^" character.
Example:
^[ = an escape character
^M = a carriage return
Refer to an ASCII chart for others.
COMMANDLINE PARAMETERS:
In addition to specifying a script, the user can specify an
alternate configuration file and an alternate phone directory file.
This allows network users to have CFG and FON files tailored to
their individual needs.
Switches are:
/S = load and execute script file
/C = load alternate configuration file
/P = load alternate phone directory
Usage is: QCOM [/Sfilename.SCR] [/Cfilename.CFG] [/Pfilename.FON]
Users may use the options in any sequence. The switches (/S,/C,/P)
must NOT have a space preceeding the filename. When the commandline
options are not used, QCom still defaults to QCom.CFG and QCom.FON.
QCom.Doc Page - 3
TERMINAL EMULATION:
This version has built-in support for ANSI-BBS and straight TTY.
Pressing ALT-K will toggle between the two.
STATUS LINE EXPLANATION:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Alt-Z:Help │SEC │ Host system name Online 05:55:55 │Z│ COM1:2400N8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
│ ││││ │ │ │ │ │
│ ││││ │ │ │ │ │
Commands ││││ │ │ │ │ │
Script on --┘│││ │ │ │ │ │
Echo On -----┘││ │ │ │ │ │
Capture On ---┘│ │ │ │ │ │
Alarm Off -----┘ │ │ │ │ │
Host name ---------------┘ │ │ │ │
Carrier status ---------------------------┘ │ │ │
Time connected -----------------------------------┘ │ │
Transfer protocol --------------------------------------┘ │
Communication port, baud, parity and databits ------------------┘
FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOLS:
Transfer protocols are what DSZ uses as a method of flow-control and
error-checking when transferring files. These protocols are
specified when adding to the Dialing Directory. The Dialing
Directory is displayed when you press ALT-D.
The use of ZModem protocol is recommended if the host computer has
the option available. QCom defaults to ZModem with crash recovery
and Moby Turbo enabled (z-rm). This can be changed by bringing up
the configuration screen with ALT-O and editing the default ZModem
line.
When selecting XModem protocol, QCom defaults to using the built-in
XModem instead of DSZ's. This can be changed by editing the
appropriate line in QCom.CFG (press ALT-O in QCOM).
If it becomes necessary to change your transfer protocol while on-
line, you can do so by pressing ALT-T. A box will pop up to allow
you to make the change. The current protocol is displayed in the
right-hand box on the status line (see STATUS LINE EXPLANATION
below). It is VERY important that the protocols at the receiving and
transmitting ends are the same, otherwise DSZ will give a "Time Out"
error message and abort without transferring anything.
Finding the required information on setting protocols in the DSZ
documentation can be challenging. QCom gives the user a menu to
simplify selection and will send the command string that DSZ looks
for. The following show the protocol commands QCom sends to DSZ.
QCom.Doc Page - 4
FILE TRANSFER CONTINUED...
Protocol: DSZ Command string:
ZModem "z -rm" (Can be changed in QCom.CFG)
YModem Batch "b -cy"
YModem-G "b -cgy"
XModem-CRC "x -cy"
XModem-1K "x -cky"
XModem-1K-G "x -cgy"
The command that QCom gives to DSZ is the port and CONNECT baud rate
currently in use, followed by an "s" or an "r" (depending on whether
the file is being sent or received) and the protocol string as in the
above examples.
TIP: Other options can be added by using SET DSZOPT=options in the
autoexec.bat file. See the DSZ docs for options.
The download path is added to the end of the commandline when
downloading. An unregistered copy of DSZ will ignore download paths
(this author will make no provision to defeat this).
The upload path precedes the filename specified by the user when the
upload command is issued.
TIP: If you upload files from different sub directories, keep the
default upload path blank in the QCom.CFG file. When prompted for the
file to upload, enter the path and filename together
(Eg. C:\QCOM\QCOM.ZIP").
Another tip: Put the line "SET DSZLOG=C:\QCOM\QCOM.LOG" in your
Autoexec.bat file and DSZ will keep a log of your file transfers in
QCOM.LOG (This assumes that you have installed QCom on drive C: in a
subdirectory \QCOM. You may change the path and log filename as you
wish.).
File transfers may be aborted with ESC followed by several CTRL-
BREAK's.
OTHER EXTERNAL PROTOCOLS:
QCom can be set up to use most external protocols. Non-registered
uses can jump to Dos (ALT-J) and manually execute the external prot-
ocol. Registered users will be shown how to pass parameters to the
external protocols and execute them with a single keystroke.
Note: An unregistered copy of QCom is not "crippled". The instruct-
ions for using this feature of QCom are provided to all those who
register.
QCom.Doc Page - 5
VARIOUS FUNCTIONS:
ALT-A:
Toggles the sound functions on or off.
ALT-B:
Allows the user to scroll back through the last 500 lines of
received data. Search capabilities are provided for finding
particular text and the whole buffer can be written to disk
using the Save command,"S" (the filename defaults to
"QComBuff.Txt") or erase it with "E".
The user can toggle the Ansi codes on or off while viewing the
buffer, by pressing "M".
ALT-C:
Communication parameters can be modified here. These changes
are in effect until changed again or until QCom ends.
Com Port must be set in QCOm.CFG. Port changes will not take
effect unless QCom is restarted.
ALT-D:
Displays the dialing directory. Use the arrow keys to select
a number and ENTER to dial that number. Other keys that are
PGUP, PGDN, HOME and END. HOT TIP: Pressing ALT and a letter
will put the cursor on the first line beginning with that
letter.
Add a new entry with "A" or edit an existing one with "E". To
delete an entry press "D". You can dial the phone with a
manually entered number using "M".
Phone entries can be tagged or untagged with the Space bar.
This will cause QCom to continuously dial all tagged numbers
until a connection is made. Dialing of tagged numbers will
commence when the Enter key is pressed. Once a connection is
made and broken you will be returned to the Dialing Directory.
Continuous dialing will resume where it left off if Enter is
pressed again.
ALT-E:
Toggles local echo on or off. This is used when the host does
not echo back the characters that you enter. An "E" is
displayed in the left-hand box on the status line when local
echo is on.
ALT-G:
Toggles output to printer on and off. Allows all incoming text to be
sent to the printer. Host must be sending straight text with no ANSI
codes otherwise printout will be unintelligible. Make sure the printer
is online.
ALT-H:
Sends the hang-up string to the modem and toggles DTR.
ALT-I:
Will save the current screen image to a text file as specified
in the QCom.CFG file. Default filename is QCOM.SCN which can
be changed by editing the QCom.CFG file (use ALT-O).
QCom.Doc Page - 6
VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Continued...
ALT-J:
Allows a quick exit to DOS without ending QCOM. External
programs can be executed while on-line. The user could make
use of other external file transfer protocols here if desired.
ALT-K:
Toggles between ANSI and TTY terminal emulation.
ALT-L:
Toggles the "capture" function. If on, all incoming text will
be saved in a file named as specified in the QCom.CFG file.
Default is QCOM.CAP. IF the file does not exist in the
default directory, it will be created. Otherwise data is
appended to an existing capture file. A "C" is displayed in
the left-hand box on the status line when capture is on.
Also see the paragraph on QCFilter.
ALT-M:
Sends the modem initialization string to the modem. This
string is automatically sent upon start-up (providing no
carrier is present).
ALT-O:
Brings up the QCOM.CFG file to the screen for editing.
Press F10 to save the file and to set the Communication
parameters as shown in the file. Esc exits and makes no
changes.
If it were necessary to change baud or any other Communication
parameter while online, use ALT-O to edit and F10 to set
parameters. Changing the port specified here will have no
effect unless QCom is restarted.
ALT-P:
Sends the current password from an entry of the Dialing
directory when you have dialed and connected to that entry.
ALT-Q:
Load and execute a script.
ALT-R:
Re-dials the last phone number dialed when no entries are
"Tagged", or if entries are "Tagged", it will continue dialing
those.
ALT-S:
Toggles the Script Save function. See the Script section for
more information on making and using scripts.
ALT-T:
Allows changing of the transfer protocol currently in effect.
This can be done while on-line.
ALT-V:
Allows the use of an external editor or file viewer. The
editor (or file viewer) of choice is defined in the
configuration file.
QCom.Doc Page - 7
VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Continued...
ALT-U:
Will send a pure ascii text file to the host with no error-
checking. Ascii transfer is used to send a text file to the
host PC. For example, you might use it when sending a message
to an electronic mail service. Instead of editing the message
on-line, you can prepare your message in advance. Once on-
line, go into the message editing screen on the host and then
use ALT-U to upload your file.
ALT-W:
Wipes the screen clear.
ALT-X:
Ends QCOM.
ALT-Y:
QCom becomes the host computer. It will wait for any incoming
phone calls. When a call is received, QCom will answer the
phone. At this point QCom reads in the file called
QCOMHOST.MSG and sends the contents to the caller's PC. You
can edit this file to suit your own needs with any text
editor. Also included is an Ansi colored version of the same
file called QCOMCOLR.MSG. If you wish to send this ansi file
instead, then it must be renamed to QCOMHOST.MSG.
After this message file is sent, the caller is shown the
following menu:
"(A)rea (F)iles (C)hat (U)pload (D)ownLoad (P)rotocol (G)oodbye"
The caller can select one of the choices or the Host can enter
selections.
"Area" allows the user to change to a different subdirectory.
"Files" allows the user to list specified files in that
subdirctory.
"Chat" will allow a dialogue between each PC. To end Chat
and return to the menu, the Host must press ESC.
"Upload" will send a file to the Host using DSZ ZModem.
"Download" will send a file to the caller in a similar manner.
If the caller specifies the correct path and filename, he will
be able to download a file from anywhere on the Host system.
"Protocols" will allow the caller to select XModem, YModem or
ZModem protocols when transferring files.
"Goodbye" will terminate the connection.
As Host, you can also terminate the call by pressing ALT-H to
hangup. QCom will then wait for the next caller. ALT-X will
also terminate the call and in addition, end QCom.
A local Host mode test is available: Press ALT-Minus. Allows
you to prepare and preview your own host welcome messages.
PGUP:
Uploads (sends) a file to the other system. You will be
prompted to enter a filename to upload. The file can be
preceeded by a path only if NO upload path is specified in
QCOM.CFG. If the host supports batch uploads then you can
take advantage of DSZ's capabilities; when prompted for a file
to upload enter the name of a file containing a list of the
files you wish to upload. Preceed the filename with an "@" .
Example: "@files.lst".
QCom.Doc Page - 8
VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Continued...
PGDN:
Downloads (receives) a file from the host computer. If XModem
or YModem are the protocols in effect, you'll be prompted to
enter the filename to receive. QCom tries to guess the
filename based on recently entered text and places its' guess
at the prompt.
If ZModem is in effect, entry of filenames is not required.
ALT-=:
Toggles "Doorway" mode. This removes the status line when in
Doorway mode and gives full screen display for using remote
applications.
Allows you to make full use of all keys while online. All
Alt-key combinations except ALT-= are sent out and their usual
functions are disabled in this mode. For example, PgUp,
PgDn, Home, End and the cursor key codes are transmitted. You
might make use of this when using a full-screen editor while
online or when using your PC as a dumb terminal on a non-DOS
system such as Unix. Status line and all key functions are
restored when Doorway mode is turned off.
ALT-Minus:
Enables local HostMode test. End the test by selecting "G"
for GoodBye.
F1-F10:
Sends the text as listed in the last ten lines of QCom.CFG.
You can put your name, password, special key codes or whatever
you wish here. 80 characters max on each line.
QCom.Doc Page - 9
SCRIPT FUNCTIONS:
QCom has a built-in Script-save feature to simplify the creation
of scripts. Scripts can speed up logging in to a system and
automatically send commands and text to the host to accomplish
repetitive tasks easier.
See the included QCOM.SCR for more examples on scripting.
In a QCom script, the semicolon is all important. It divides each
line into incoming and outgoing text. Lines beginning with a semicolon
are commands that QCom will execute. Statements in parentheses
are comments for the purpose of explanation here and are not saved
in a real script.
Any line without a semicoln is ignored by QCom and can be used as
a comment line if you wish.
Sample script :
;ECHO ^M This is the start of my script! ^M (sends message to screen)
;a-L file.txt (capture the session to file.txt)
Do you want graphics (Enter)=no;^M
What is your first name?;PUT FIRSTNAME HERE^M (sends first name)
What is your last name?;PUT LASTNAME HERE^M (sends last name)
Password (Dots will echo)?;a-P (sends password from Directory)
Scan Message Base Since 'Last Read' (Enter)=yes;^M
Press (Enter) to continue;^M
min. left) Main Board Command?;d^M (downloading a file)
Filename to Download (Enter)=none?;file.arc^M
;D/L file.arc (downloads "file.arc")
Press (Enter) to continue;^M
min. left) Main Board Command?;g^M (goodbye!)
;a-H Y (give hangup command)
;a-Q MyBBS.SCR (execute another script)
The following is an example of a script that connects to
CompuServe through DataPac:
;ECHO Logging in to CompuServe. Pease wait...
;...^M (send "..." when connected)
DATAPAC;P 12345678^M (send node id number)
Host Name:;CIS^M (CompuServe Information Service)
User ID:;12345,6789^M (insert your user ID)
Password:;a-P (sends password from dialing directory)
Enter choice!;5^M (check for mail or whatever)
Do you wish additional information (Y or N)!;N^M
etc, etc.
In order to use a script automatically, put the name of the
script file in the SCRIPT column in the Dialing Directory.
One way to create a new script is to capture a session and then
edit it to conform to the above format, using the semicolons to
separate incoming and outgoing text. Any unnecessary text can be
deleted from the capture file (such as news bulletins, etc.).
Rename the file using ".SCR" as the extension in your script
filename.