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1991-04-17
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STARDIAL
Version 5.00
(c) 1991 by Vic Baron
CIS: 71210,3632
All Rights Reserved
_______
____|__ | (tm)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
The author, Vic Baron, is a Member of The Association of
Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP has established stringent
standards for its members and wants to make sure the Shareware
principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a
shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the
member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can
help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but
does not provide technical support for members' products.
Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at:
ASP Ombudsman
545 Grover Road
Muskegon, MI 49442-9427
or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe MAIL to ASP Ombudsman
70007,3536.
DISCLAIMER
This program is provided "as is" with no warranties
whatsoever, either expressed or implied, including without
limitation, warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose. The entire risk as to the quality and
performance of the program is with you. Should this program be
defective, you assume the entire cost of all necessary servicing,
repair or correction.
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
A. INTRODUCTION ............................................. 1
1. What is STARDIAL? ....................................... 1
2. What is Starlink? ....................................... 1
3. What STARDIAL is NOT! ................................... 1
4. Why STARDIAL ............................................ 1
5. Features ................................................ 2
6. STARDIAL Files .......................................... 3
B. Acknowledgements ......................................... 3
C. Context sensitive help ................................... 4
D. Hot keys ................................................. 4
E. Configuration ............................................ 6
1. Autoconfig and /c ....................................... 6
2. Configuration Fields .................................... 6
a) User ID Field .......................................... 6
b) Password Field ....................................... 6
c) Tymnet access number Field ............................. 6
d) Communication Parameters ............................... 6
e) Modem Dial Prefix Field ................................ 6
f) Modem Initialization String ........................ 6
F. Starting STARDIAL ........................................ 7
1. Command Line Mode ....................................... 7
2. Using STARDIAL with a comm program ...................... 7
a) Call STARDIAL directly ................................. 7
b) Shell to Dos ........................................... 7
c) Exit your comm program and call STARDIAL ............... 7
G. Terminal Mode ............................................ 7
H. Main Menu ................................................ 8
1. Select Outdial .......................................... 8
2. Access Tymnet ........................................... 8
3. Terminal Mode ........................................... 8
4. Maintenance ............................................. 8
I. Dialing .................................................. 10
1. Automatic Queue Redial .................................. 10
2. Aborting the Redial .................................... 10
3. Resuming the Redial. .................................... 10
4. Manual Dialing. ......................................... 10
J. In Case of DIFFICULTY .................................... 11
1. Connecting to Tymnet -- ................................ 11
2. Tymnet doesn't recognize your username/password-- ....... 11
3. Tymnet can't connect to the BBS number-- ................ 11
4. Garbage characters on screen-- .......................... 11
5. Can't make a menu selection -- .......................... 11
6. See double characters on the screen-- ................... 11
7. Using the Manual Mode ................................... 12
K. Distribution ............................................. 13
L. Registration Form ........................................ 13
M. Contacting the Author .................................... 13
S T A R D I A L R E G I S T R A T I O N F O R M ........ 14
Appendix A .................................................. 15
Appendix B - Examples ....................................... 16
Appendix C - Quick Start .................................... 17
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 1
April 15, 1991
_________________________________________________________________
A. INTRODUCTION
1. What is STARDIAL?
STARDIAL is an Autodialer package for the Starlink user which
runs on an IBM and compatible . STARDIAL is a standalone
communications package that lets you to maneuver through the
Starlink system with a minimum of keystrokes. If you are
currently using script files with your communications program,
STARDIAL is much faster. Entry of new outdial port numbers and
BBS numbers is very simple via STARDIAL's full screen editing
functions. STARDIAL's context-sensitive help will let even an
inexperienced user to operate it and it's flexible file
transfer protocols make up and downloading a breeze.
2. What is Starlink?
GALAXY STARLINK is an asynchronous outdial service that
permits members to make long distance modem-to-modem calls
from various points around the United States and Canada to
computers in remote cities at a low hourly cost. There are,
as of this date, over 1000 local access numbers and over 150
outdial modems in the United States and Canada.
3. What STARDIAL is NOT!
Very simply, STARDIAL is NOT a full featured telecom package
and is not intended to be. STARDIAL has ASCII capture
capabilities and limited terminal capabilities. However, it
has a full complement of file transfer protocols, including
Autodownload Zmodem, and the ability to have three user
installed external protocols. It may also be used with several
of the popular external protocol 'drivers' for even more
protocols.
4. Why STARDIAL
Simply put--laziness. The truth of the matter is that most
software is written by the author to solve a particular
problem that he/she has. Then, along comes someone and
mentions the fact that they always wanted a program to do
that....etc.
In order to use the Starlink service and connect with a BBS,
you first have to dial the local Tymnet number and log in with
your userid,outdial port number and password. Once connected
to the outdial city, you then enter the number of the BBS you
are trying to reach. This is a lot of typing. Even if some of
it is set into a script or macro, there's still quite a bit of
keyboard activity. With STARDIAL, several keystrokes or a few
clicks of the mouse and the process starts and will
automatically log on to Tymnet, connect to the outdial city
and dial the local BBS number.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 2
April 15, 1991
_________________________________________________________________
5. Features
- Can be used as a standalone dialer.
- Eight built in protocols for fast file transfer.
- Zmodem Autodownload for easy file transfers.
- Three User installed external protocols.
- ASCII capture file for easy message retrieval.
- Context-sensitive help available from anywhere in the
program at the press of a hotkey.
- Features a simple dumb terminal (uses ANSI.SYS if
installed).
- Allows user configuration.
- Supports multiple directories with 200 entries
in each directory.
- Lets users add, delete, and update directory
entries.
- Sort on BBS or OUTDIAL with instant update
- 10 number automatic redial queue
- Call several numbers in the same outdial without
logging out.
- Supports COM1 -- COM4.
- Tracks date of last connect and number of connects.
- Support for environmental variable for path
- Full screen editing in data input modes.
- Supports both 1200 and 2400 baud access.
- Provides a friendly menu/window environment.
- Mouse support with automatic detection.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 3
April 15, 1991
_________________________________________________________________
6. STARDIAL Files
STARDIAL.EXE - The main executable file.
STARDIAL.DOC - This documentation file.
STARDIAL.HLP - STARDIAL online help file.
STARDIAL will create three (3) additional files.
STARDIAL.CAP - The STARDIAL capture file.
STARDIAL.CFG - The STARDIAL configuration file.
STARDIAL.DAT - Database of outdial and BBS numbers.
Although STARDIAL will support multiple directories, it will
always load the default directory at startup. To create
additional directories just REName your current STARDIAL.DAT
file to something else and run STARDIAL. A new STARDIAL.DAT
will be created. STARDIAL supports an environmental variable,
SDIAL, to provide path information for the STARDIAL support
files. You would use the DOS SET command to set the variable
to your path.
SET SDIAL=C:\COMM\STARDIAL
would set your path to C:\COMM\STARDIAL which is where
STARDIAL would look for it's files. If the environmental
variable is not set, STARDIAL will look in the default
directory for it's files.
B. Acknowledgements
STARDIAL was written completely in Borland's C++ version 1.0.
Borland C++ is a trademark of Borland International
DSZ is a trademark of Omen Technology.
Telix is a trademark of Exis,Inc.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 4
April 15, 1991
_________________________________________________________________
C. Context sensitive help
There are approximately 20 help screens available within STARDIAL
at the touch of a key. Pressing F1 (Function key 1) will provide
context sensitive help from anywhere within STARDIAL. In order
for this feature to be functional, the help data file,
STARDIAL.HLP must reside in the same directory as STARDIAL.
Pressing the F1 key will open a help window and display the
available help without interfering with the operation of
STARDIAL.
D. Hot keys
ALT-B - Dial BBS. Sends the Starlink dial string "D #######"
to the modem. Very useful when in manual mode.
ALT-C - In addition to the regular (F1) help screens, a quick
command summary may be obtained by pressing ALT-C from
anywhere within STARDIAL.
ALT-D - Display Dialing Directory and manually select a BBS
for the ALT-B command.
ALT-E - Toggle local echo and LF on/off while in terminal
mode. Sometimes you need to provide local echo (half-
duplex) and line feeds. If you enter data and can NOT
see it on your screen, press ALT-E. This is a toggle,
meaning that it toggles on/off with each keypress. A
small window will open on the screen and indicate the
current status.
ALT-H - Drop DTR and send ATH0 to the modem to disconnect
the call. Effective ONLY in Terminal mode.
ALT-J - Jump to DOS. Shell to DOS to run additional programs.
ALT-L - Toggle capture file open/closed. Searches for a file
called STARDIAL.CAP in default directory. If found,
data is appended to the file, otherwise the file is
created in the default directory.
ALT-M - Send userid:port;password<ret> for manual logon.
If you are connected to Tymnet and want to do a manual
logon, use ALT-D to bring up the dialing directory and
select an outdial from the directory. STARDIAL will
construct your logon string for you. Then press ALT-M
<ret> and the string will be sent to Tymnet to connect
you with the outdial. You could then dial the BBS
that you selected by pressing ALT-B <ret>.
ALT-P - Send Tymnet Password to modem in Terminal mode. On
some occasions something will interfere with the logon
process and Tymnet will ask for your password. Press
ALT-P <ret> and your Tymnet password will be sent
through the modem.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 5
April 15, 1991
_________________________________________________________________
ALT-R - Redial the remaining numbers in the redial queue.
STARDIAL will create a dialing queue of up to 10
numbers and dial them in sequence until a connection
is established. After completion of the call, press
ALT-R from the Main Menu to continue with the redial.
ALT-S - Toggles sorting of directory display between the BBS
and the OUTDIAL. Directory display is updated at once
and the sort key is highlighted.
ALT-T - Toggles the communication port parameters between 7E1
and 8N1. Currently most of the Tymnet numbers are at
7E1 but most BBS's are at 8N1. In order to achieve
proper connection, STARDIAL will switch to 8N1 as soon
as connected to a bbs.
ALT-U - Send Tymnet User Name to modem in Terminal mode.
See the information under ALT-P. This would be the
same circumstance except it is your user ID.
ALT-X - Exit STARDIAL with confirmation. Connection will
be terminated.
Alt-Z - Toggle Zmodem Autodownload feature ON/OFF. When
STARDIAL senses a Zmodem download starting, it will
automatically start the internal Zmodem protocol.
This can be toggled OFF with ALT-Z.
PgUp - Display the Upload file protocol menu for selection.
PgDn - Display the Download file menu for selection.
FUNCTION KEYS
F1 -- Opens a context sensitive help window fromanywhere
within STARDIAL. If multiple pages are available, use
pg/up -- pg/dn to manuever. Cross referenced items are
highlighted and may be selected by pressing <ret>.
F10 -- Exit Terminal mode and return to the Main Menu. This
does not disconnect the call and can be very useful
when switching outdials. When you get the log in:
prompt from Tymnet, hit F10 to exit Terminal mode,
select another outdial from the directory, enter
terminal mode again and press ALT-M to attempt a
manual logon.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 6
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_________________________________________________________________
E. Configuration
1. Autoconfig and /c
When STARDIAL is called, it checks the default directory for
its configuration file - STARDIAL.CFG. If it is not found, the
user is put into the configuration input screen. Full screen
editing of the input fields with controlled input in certain
fields make configuring STARDIAL easy. After the input is
ended, you are asked if you wish to save the file. A 'N'
answer will cause the parameters to be used for that session
but NOT be saved to the disk. At any time that you wish to
change the configuration, STARDIAL may be called with the
command line option /c - which will cause STARDIAL to
automatically enter the configuration screen upon startup.
2. Configuration Fields
a) User ID Field -- Enter your Tymnet username. The special
Tymnet modifiers <ctrl V and ctrl I> may be entered as ^V
and/or ^I. That means press the '^' key and then the 'V' or
'I' keys. Do not press the CTRL key.
b) Password Field -- Enter your Tymnet password.
c) Tymnet access number Field -- Enter the number you use to
call Tymnet, including area code if necessary.
d) Communication Parameters -- Enter your communication port
(1-4) parameters. For Tymnet, most connections are currently
at 7E1 (7 data,Even parity,1 stop).
e) Modem Dial Prefix Field -- This is usually ATDT for tone
telephones and ATDP for pulse (rotary) dial phones. Consult
your modem manual for proper string.
f) Modem Initialization String -- Enter your modem
initialization string. The one parameter that STARDIAL keeps
fixed is:
V1 - (Enable verbal result codes).
***<<WARNING>>***
This and all other information in the configuration file is
stored in plain Ascii format. If you give a copy of STARDIAL
to anyone make sure you remove your personal information.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 7
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_________________________________________________________________
F. Starting STARDIAL
1. Command Line Mode
The command syntax for calling STARDIAL is the same whether it
is being called from a batch file or as a standalone.
Command Syntax -- STARDIAL [/c]
valid options are:
/c -- Configure STARDIAL
2. Using STARDIAL with a comm program
Although STARDIAL is a complete standalone with no need of
support from other comm programs, it is possible to run it
from another program. You can --
a) Call STARDIAL directly
This method assumes your comm package has a means for
executing external programs either as a hot-key or a direct
DOS command. STARDIAL will execute and when completed, leave
you back in your comm program.
b) Shell to Dos
This method involves calling up DOS (shell) and then
calling STARDIAL directly.
c) Exit your comm program and call STARDIAL
You may not have enough memory for the other methods to
work so you simply exit your comm program (without dropping
the carrier) and call STARDIAL. When STARDIAL has done its
job it will exit back to DOS at which time you can call up
your comm program again.
G. Terminal Mode
The terminal is a very simple terminal which buffers input
and output and displays the input/output to the screen. It will
supports ANSI codes if ANSI.SYS or equivalent is installed.
Basically the terminal is there for simple interaction with the
system in the event that something interferes with the dialer.
You can enter direct modem commands to dial a bbs from the
terminal mode and do file transfers, etc without leaving
STARDIAL.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 8
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_________________________________________________________________
H. Main Menu
All of STARDIAL's functions originate from the main menu. There
are five possible selections. STARDIAL has access-controlled
menu selections, meaning that if a selection is not available at
that time, it is shown dark and the cursor will skip it. For
example, if STARDIAL were entered while connected on a call, the
'Access Tymnet' selection would be unavailable as it is primarily
for dialing.
1. Select Outdial
The Dialing Directory will be displayed and you may select up
to ten (10) outdial and BBS combinations that you would like
STARDIAL to call. Enter the numbers of the selections that you
wish and they will be stored in a dialing queue. Pressing
return will automatically start the dialing process. To dial a
single number, highlight the entry or enter it's number and
press return. The selection will automatically be dialed.
Selecting an outdial will remove the restriction to the Access
Tymnet selection.
2. Access Tymnet
This selection will dial the Tymnet number in the
configuration file. If a connection is made an attempt will be
made to log in to the Tymnet system. After logging in it will
attempt to connect to the selected outdial and dial the BBS
number selected. This selection can NOT be accessed if you are
online or if an outdial has not been selected.
3. Terminal Mode
This is the basic dumb terminal mode. After a connection has
been established with the Tymnet outdial you are put in this
mode.
4. Maintenance
This is the selection that lets you to maintain your dialing
directory and is the first section other than the
configuration section that will be visited.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 9
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_________________________________________________________________
When the maintenance entry is selected, you are presented
with a sub-menu with the selections Create -- Delete -- Load
-- Update Protocol --Quit. Since Quit is self-explanatory,
let's start with the CREATE selection.
CREATE -- You will see the directory entry screen which has
five fields --
Record No: -- contains the entry number to be added.
Outdial Id -- enter the 3-5 digit outdial no.
City -- enter the outdial city
BBS Name -- enter name of the local bbs
BBS Number -- enter the LOCAL phone # of the bbs.
Enter as many entries as you wish up to 200. ESC ends input.
DELETE -- When this is selected, the dialing directory is
presented. Highlight the entry you wish to delete and press
<ret>. The entry will be deleted and the directory display
will be updated.
LOAD -- This selection will let you to change dialing
directories. You are prompted to enter the filename of the
directory. If the variable SDIAL is set, the path will be
searched for the directory file.
***NOTE***
On startup, STARDIAL will always try to load STARDIAL.DAT as
the default directory. If it cannot find it, STARDIAL.DAT will
be created in the specified directory. In order to create
multiple directories you may make copies of your current
STARDIAL.DAT and rename them or, to create blank directories,
REName the current STARDIAL.DAT to something else and just run
STARDIAL. A new STARDIAL.DAT will be created automatically,
blank and ready for input.
UPDATE -- This selection will display the dialing directory
and let you to select an entry for modification. Once
selected, the data entry screen will display with the fields
filled to their current values. You may move freely through
the fields with the editing keys, changing the entry, until
you have completed your modifications.
PROTOCOL -- This selection opens a window and lets you to
install three additional external file transfer protocols. If
any have been previously defined, they will be displayed for
possible modification. You are prompted for the name of the
protocol and the respective files to be run for uploads and
downloads. STARDIAL will pass the Baudrate and Port parameters
to the file.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 10
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_________________________________________________________________
I. Dialing
STARDIAL lets you to dial up to ten entries repeatedly until a
connection is established, or you abort the attempt. You
select the list of entries, by pressing a numeric key while in
the dialing directory menu which opens the dialing queue
window and the number is then entered as the first digit in
the dialing string. You may scroll through the directory and
make your selections. Each entry should be separated by a
space. If you select more than ten (10) entries, only the
first ten will be dialed, the rest will be ignored. Pressing
<return> will cause STARDIAL to commence dialing the currently
selected entries.
1. Automatic Queue Redial
When a connection is established the entry is removed from the
queue, so that when you later resume the redial, only the
remaining entries will be dialed. STARDIAL will keep track of
the outdial currently logged on and, if the next BBS number in
the queue is in the same outdial, will NOT logout but just
dial the next number in sequence.
2. Aborting the Redial
You may abort the redial process by pressing the ESC (Escape)
key, putting you in Terminal mode where you must press ALT-H
to hang up and abort the dialing process.
3. Resuming the Redial.
After completing a call, to resume dialing the remaining items
in the queue, you must exit to the Main menu (F10) and press
ALT-R and the queue will continue. STARDIAL will reset the
parms to 7e1 before continuing the dial. If STARDIAL senses
that the BBS has disconnected the line, you will see the
message 'Hanging Up' and hear STARDIAL redialing Tymnet to
reestablish the connection.
4. Manual Dialing.
Should there be a need to have the modem dial a number
manually, commands can be sent directly to the modem when in
Terminal mode.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 11
April 15, 1991
_________________________________________________________________
J. In Case of DIFFICULTY
Although STARDIAL is extremely flexible, there are several
instances where you could have some difficulty.
1. Connecting to Tymnet --
If you have an extremely noisy line that prevents STARDIAL
from recognizing a connection with Tymnet, it is recommended
that you try another access number, if one is available in
your area or wait a few minutes and try again. If you keep
getting an "Unable to Connect" message, double check your
configuration. After you see the CONNECT xxxx message, there
can be up to an 8 second delay while TYMNET sends sync signals
to establish the proper data rate. This can be quite
frustrating but hitting <return>'s does NOT help, in fact, it
may prevent connection.
2. Tymnet doesn't recognize your username/password--
Again, line noise could be the culprit. Tymnet expects a
specific sequence of characters for the username/password and
if an extra character slips in, it will be rejected. Simply
press ALT-U<ret> to send the username manually and ALT-P<ret>
to send the password.
3. Tymnet can't connect to the BBS number--
This is a problem specific to Tymnet not STARDIAL. If you have
selected the automatic redial queue, STARDIAL will
automatically attempt to reach the next number in the queue.
4. Garbage characters on screen--
You may be at the wrong comm port setting. Press ALT-T to
toggle between 7E1 and 8N1. Tymnet uses 7E1 and it is easy to
forget to switch back, especially after a connection to a BBS.
5. Can't make a menu selection --
Remember that STARDIAL will not let you to select a dialing
routine while you are already connected. Go to Terminal mode
and press ALT-H to hangup. Then return to the main menu and
try again.
6. See double characters on the screen--
If you see two of each character that you type, lliikkee
tthhiiss, you have forgotten to switch the local echo off.
Press ALT-E and the problem should disappear.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 12
April 15, 1991
_________________________________________________________________
7. Using the Manual Mode
Assuming you have connected with TYMNET -- if you are at the
'log in:' prompt, skip the first step. If you are already
connected to an outdial and are in Terminal mode --
Enter L<ret> -- log out of outdial. Get 'log in:' prompt.
Enter ALT-D -- to display directory - highlight entry and
press <ret>
Enter ALT-M<ret> -- to manually dial the outdial.
Enter ALT-B <ret> to dial the selected BBS.
**HINT**
If you become familiar with the way Tymnet sends messages, you
can pretty well tell where you are and what is happening from
this info. If you've forgotten to switch parms back to 7E1 and
have garbage characters on the screen, no problem, just press
ALT-T to switch to 7E1 and then enter the commands above. If
you just keep pressing <RET> to find out where you are, you
will cause Tymnet to disconnect the call and you'll have to
redial. It can be a bit confusing at first but when you get
accustomed to it, the manual mode is a very rapid way of
dialing numbers.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 13
April 15, 1991
_________________________________________________________________
K. Distribution
* This program is being distributed via the SHAREWARE
concept and as such, may be copied freely with the following
restrictions:
* The program must be supplied in it's original
unmodified form, including documentation.
* STARDIAL may not be distributed as part of any commercial
application or service without the express, written consent
of the author.
* Vendors of Shareware/Public Domain software may not
distribute this program without the express, written consent
of the author, unless said Vendor has been approved by the
Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP).
L. Registration Form
STARDIAL is not free. It is however left up to you to decide
whether or not it suits your needs and whether you should pay for
it. If you continue to use STARDIAL then you should register your
copy. Upon registration you will receive, by return mail, a
diskette containing the registered version of STARDIAL which does
not have the 'Unregistered Version' screen. I will provide
support for all registered users by Email. You will be entitled
to free updates for one full year. The registration form is on
the following page.
M. Contacting the Author
Please send all registrations or correspondence to:
Vic Baron
GTX
5419 Dahlia Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90041
I can also be reached on Compuserve -- CIS: 71210,3632
EXECPC 1-414-964-5160
Thank you.
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 14
April 15, 1991
_________________________________________________________________
S T A R D I A L R E G I S T R A T I O N F O R M
TO: Vic Baron Date___/___/___
GTX
5419 Dahlia Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90041
FROM: Name:_____________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________
City:______________________ State: __________ ZIP: _______
Phone - Day: ( ) __________ Evening: ( ) __________
STARDIAL $20.00
(CA residents add 6% tax) _____
(Foreign orders add $10.00 for shipping) _____
Total $_____
Where did you get STARDIAL (BBS name, phone number, etc.)?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Date Registered ___________________
==========================================================
COMMENTS:_________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 15
April 15, 1991
_________________________________________________________________
Appendix A
Editing Keys
Cursor Movement
---------------
Arrow keys - cursor movement
Ctrl-LeftArrow - word left
Ctrl-RightArrow - word right
Home - beginning of field
End - end of line/field
Ctrl-Home - beginning of first field
Ctrl-End - end of last field
Tab - next field
Shift-Tab - previous field
Inserting and Deleting
----------------------
Ins - toggle insert mode
Del - delete character at cursor
BackSpace - delete character left
Ctrl-BackSpace - delete word left
Ctrl-T - delete word right
Ctrl-U - delete to end of field
Ctrl-Y - delete to end of form
Other Editing Keys
------------------
Enter - process current field
Ctrl-Enter - process all fields
Ctrl-R - restore field
Esc - abort data entry
Stardial Autodialer Version 5.00 16
April 15, 1991
_________________________________________________________________
Appendix B - Examples
1. Using STARDIAL with an internal protocol.
STARDIAL supports 9 internal file transfer protocols in
addition to three user installed external protocols.
Xmodem/Checksum
Xmodem/CRC
1-K Xmodem/CRC
1-K Xmodem-G
Ymodem Batch
Ymodem-G
Zmodem
Ascii
Kermit
When you are ready for a file transfer, press PgUp for the
Upload menu or PgDn for the download menu. If a filename is
required, STARDIAL will prompt you for one. A file transfer
window will open giving you a progress report on the
transfer. Pressing Ctrl-X will abort the transfer. If the
transfer fails, an error message will be shown if the cause
can be determined.
2. Using STARDIAL with an external protocol.
When using STARDIAL with an external protocol such as DSZ
you must have previously installed the protocol in the
Maintenance menu. Should you want to download a file from a
BBS, you would start the download from the remote and then
press PgDn for the download menu. Select your external
protocol and press return. Stardial will load the protocol
and pass the baudrate and port number. When the transfer is
completed you are returned to STARDIAL.
3. Getting mail while in STARDIAL.
When you just need to call a BBS and check for your mail,
you can use STARDIAL's capture capability which will let you
transfer your mail to a file called STARDIAL.CAP. When
connected to the BBS and before reading your mail, press
ALT-L. A window will open with a message 'CAP ON' indicating
that the capture file has been opened and capture is now in
effect. Any characters received by the modem will be stored
in the file.
STARDIAL will strip ANSI escape sequences from the buffer
for legibility but doesn't affect the console. You would
then proceed to 'TYPE' your mail or otherwise do an ASCII
dump of the mail to the file. When the session is completed
you may press ALT-L again and get the 'CAP OFF" message OR
if you use ALT-X to exit STARDIAL, the file will be closed
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automatically.
Appendix C - Quick Start
QUICK START
I want to call my favorite BBS, ZZZ BBS, using STARDIAL.
Also I'd like to download a file from ZZZ BBS.
------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Before you begin you need to gather the following pieces of
information:
Your Starlink user ID (Not Galaxy handle)
Your Starlink password (Not Galaxy password)
Local telephone number of Tymnet
Your modem dial "prefix field" (Use ATDT)
Initialization string of your modem
Outdial Number of ZZZ BBS
The outdial number is not the area code, but unique to
Tymnet/Starlink. Program Exchange (Home of JMODEM) has an
area code of 303, but corresponding Outdial Number is 2584.
Consult an information packet from Galaxy/Starlink.
Telephone Number of ZZZ BBS
2. Unzip STARDIAL and place all STARDIAL files (except DOC
file) in a directory.
3. In response to the DOS prompt, type STARDIAL and <Enter>.You
will get Configuration Menu. Fill the blank menu space with
the pieces of information you have gathered at the
beginning. For Communication Parameters, use 7E1. This
configuration process is required once. (You can repeat the
configuration as often as you want by restarting STARDIAL by
typing STARDIAL /c.)
4. Type Y(es) to confirm Configuration, and press <Enter> key.
You now get the main menu of STARDIAL. "Select Outdial" is
highlighted. With the arrow keys (or a mouse), highlight
"Maintenance" and press <Enter> key.
5. You get the maintenance menu. Choose "ADD" and enter
required information about ZZZ.BBS. After completing your
entry, get back to the main menu by pressing <ESC>.
Highlight "Select Outdial" and press <Enter> to get the
dialing directory. Now you see that ZZZ.BBS is listed in the
directory.
6. Place the highlight on ZZZ.BBS and press <Enter> key.
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7. The messages from Tymnet/Starlink appear on the screen:
"Dialing Tymnet ...", "CONNECT 2400" (1200 if your baud is
1200), and other messages to tell you that dialing for your
selection is proceeding. Be patient, because this process of
completing a connection to a BBS can take up to 20 seconds.
Do not tap on <Enter> key.
8. Unless ZZZ BBS is busy or "off-the-air", you will be
connected. Go ahead and complete a normal logon procedure
required by the BBS. That's it!
9. Wait! You wanted to download a file from ZZZ BBS. STARDIAL
can use it's internal protocols or get help from the
"outside" to perform a file transfer, for protocols such as
ZMODEM and JMODEM.
9.1 Before you start on STARDIAL, place external protocol
files, such as DSZ.COM (for ZMODEM protocol),
JMODEM.EXE (for JMODEM) in the directory path where
they can be accessed and install them in STARDIAL using
the Maintenance menu.
9.2 Once linked up with ZZZ BBS, you proceed normally in
asking ZZZ BBS for down-loading a file. ZZZ BBS will
tell you when it is ready to transmit a file. Then you
type PgDn. Then download protocol menu will be
displayed. Select your protocol and press <Enter> key.
9.3 Note: You need to know more about the parameters which
are required for correct and effective use of ZMODEM,
JMODEM, XMODEM and other protocols.
10. After logging-off from ZZZ BBS, press Alt and H keys at the
same time (ALT-H) to hang-up your phone, and ALT-X to exit
STARDIAL.
NOTE: STARDIAL (more exactly speaking, its Terminal mode) can
receive and show any messages from the BBS and transmit any of
your messages to the BBS. STARDIAL can also capture messages
from the BBS PC to a capture file on your disk drive.
QUICK START has attempted to show you a simple way of using
STARDIAL to perform down and uploading of binary files using
protocols such as ZMODEM. STARDIAL has almost as many features as
any other standalone telecom software. Consult the documentation
for more advanced ways of running STARDIAL.