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A U T O S I G Version 5.2 April, 1987 Manual Revision A Communications Program for Accessing CompuServe This manual describes the installation, features and functions of the AUTOSIG program. This program is being developed by a Project Group from the CompuServe IBMNET. The group consists of, but is not restricted to: Vernon Buerg [70007,1212] Don Watkins, SYSOP, [76703,750] and others! AUTOSIG Version 5.26 - April 26, 1987 (c) Copyright 1985,1986,1987 by Vernon D. Buerg T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ========================================================================== I. Introduction ...................................................... 1 II. Installation ..................................................... 3 Getting started .................................................. 3 Check-off List ................................................... 3 Install Program Files ............................................ 3 Setting CIS Forum Options ........................................ 4 Setting CIS Terminal Options ..................................... 6 Change CIS Terminal Settings ..................................... 6 Set Modem Switches ............................................... 9 III. Operation ....................................................... 10 Overview ......................................................... 10 ATO File Names ................................................... 10 Starting the Program ............................................. 11 Start-up Switches ................................................ 12 Primary Menu ..................................................... 15 Primary Menu keys ............................................... 15 PC Options Menu .................................................. 17 Forum Options Menu ............................................... 19 Forum Selection ................................................. 19 Forum Information ............................................... 19 HOST Options Menu ................................................ 23 IV. Main Function Menu ............................................... 27 Function Menu .................................................... 27 Function Categories .............................................. 29 Online Download Functions ........................................ 30 Offline Message Processing ....................................... 32 D - Download messages online. .................................... 32 V - View SAVEd messages. ......................................... 32 P - Preview Leave/Reply file. .................................... 32 S - Send messages online. ........................................ 32 W - Write new messages off-line .................................. 32 R - Read and reply offline. ...................................... 34 Summary of R>ead responses ................................... 37 M - Mark messages offline ........................................ 38 O - Change forum Options ......................................... 40 C - Change to Primary Menu ....................................... 40 1 - AUTOmatic first pass ......................................... 40 2 - AUTOmatic second pass ........................................ 40 G - Go online, terminal mode. .................................... 40 N - Update DFN file. ............................................. 41 E - Shell (EXEC) to a new copy of COMMAND ........................ 41 K - Delete message file .......................................... 41 B - Beep on/off toggle ........................................... 41 L - List bulletins ............................................... 41 X - Return to SYSTEM. ............................................ 42 Z - Send OFF and disconnect ...................................... 42 AUTOSIG User's Manual Contents 1 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ========================================================================== V. Special Processing ................................................ 43 CIS High Message Number .......................................... 43 Multiple SIG Sessions ............................................ 44 AUTO - Automatically Access Several SIGs ......................... 45 EASYPLEX (E-Mail) Operation ...................................... 48 ATO Address Book - ATOPPN ........................................ 50 Overview ........................................................ 50 Address Book Commands ........................................... 52 VI. Terminal Mode .................................................... 55 Introduction ..................................................... 55 Defining Function Keys ........................................... 56 Terminal Mode Special Keys ....................................... 58 Protocol File Transfer ........................................... 59 Downloading with "B" protocol ................................... 59 Uploading with "B" protocol ..................................... 60 File Transfer with DC2/DC4 and Prompting ......................... 61 PgDn - Log to disk .............................................. 61 PgUp - Upload from disk ......................................... 61 VII. Message Editor .................................................. 62 Description of use ............................................... 62 Editor Control Keys .............................................. 64 Editor Function Keys ............................................. 65 Editor Import Function ........................................... 66 Replying to messages ............................................. 67 VIII. Accounting Log - ACLS .......................................... 68 Log Files ........................................................ 68 Figure 11. ACLS Accounting ...................................... 69 Figure 12. ACLS Sample Output .................................... 69 IX. Errors and Problem Reporting ..................................... 70 Internal Errors .................................................. 70 Trouble Shooting ................................................. 71 AUTOSIG User's Manual Contents 2 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ========================================================================== Appendices ........................................................... 75 Acknowlegements .................................................. 75 Disclaimer ....................................................... 75 Appendix A - Copying and sharing AUTOSIG. ........................ 76 Appendix Q - Quick Reference Words ............................... 77 Appendix M - Typical Displays and Messages ....................... 81 Appendix V - Using Virtual Disks ................................. 82 Figures Figure 1. PRIMARY MENU .......................................... 16 Figure 2. PC OPTIONS MENU ....................................... 18 Figure 3. FORUM OPTIONS MENU .................................... 22 Figure 4. HOST OPTIONS MENU ..................................... 26 Figure 5. FUNCTION MENU ......................................... 28 Figure 6. AUTO BUILD LIST MENU .................................. 47 Figure 7. AUTO /1 and /2 Display ................................ 47 Figure 8. ATOPPN Menu ........................................... 51 Figure 9. TERMINAL FUNCTION KEYS ................................ 57 Figure 10. TERMINAL MODE ALT KEYS ............................... 57 Figure 11. ACLS Accounting Summary .............................. 69 Figure 12. ACLS Sample Output ................................... 69 AUTOSIG User's Manual Contents 3 AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 1 I. Introduction AUTOSIG is a program written specifically for CompuServe Special Interest Group access. It provides an automatic way of processing SIG messages that is quick and economical. AUTOSIG is a FREE communications program written with Quick Basic and assembly language. It is provided as a executable (.EXE) program for the IBM PC. It is fully compatible with Compaq computers, the Tandy 1000 and 1200, and most other clones. In addition to its main purpose of offloading messages, it is a terminal program which can be used to access other areas of CompuServe and download from the Data Libraries using "B" protocol. AUTOSIG was inspired by a program called SUPER.SIG in DL1 on the TRS100 SIG which was written by Howard Benner [70235,1337]. The first version of AUTOSIG was written entirely by Vernon Buerg [70007,1212] as a way to cut down on his monthly bills. This first version was further expanded and modified by Vernon Buerg, Frank Lipschutz and others as part of the INF Project Group established by Don Watkins, Sysop of IBMNET. A sister program, ACLS was written by Tom Neff. The major features of AUTOSIG (ATO) are: - automatic dialing and access to CompuServe (CIS) through local, Tymnet, or Telenet nodes - automatic downloading of SIG messages and bulletins - automatic retrieval and transmission of Email messages and EasyPlex binary files - file transfer, upload and download, using CIS "B" error checking protocol - user defined program Function keys - full screen editor for composing messages offline - automatic transmission of your messages using the SED or EDIT editor options - split screen mode for CB use and conferencing (CO) - offline display, printing, and saving of SIG messages AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 2 I. Introduction A word or two about the Deeper meanings of ATO ---------------------------------------------- ATO - To go on-line (from the Hayes command set) ATO is to my thinking a community hack in the true sense of the word, that is, lots of people contributing time and effort just for the sheer joy (?) of programming and 'bumming' code. For instance I did the first version of the full screen editor, and before I knew it, Vern had made the sucker *nice* as well as cut the amount of code in half. Frank would come along and perform a function in one instruction that had previously taken two. Hacking at its best and perhaps the way it should be. The latest version incorporates a total rewrite of ATO by Vern Buerg but to additional features he has added the majority of while are written in assembler. It is indeed a tribute to his talents and contributions to the PC community. On a personal note I must say that Vern is one of the best programmers I've had the pleasure of knowing. He is truly an example of what the computing fraternity is all about. ATO is now over 3 years old so perhaps it's a good time to talk about the original design goals: - Make it reasonably easy to use (although with function comes complexity) - Don't compete with any commercial programs. - ATO is free and is not to be shareware (not that I have anything against shareware, but ATO belongs to the forum community). ATO is not meant to be 1) the best all purpose communications program in the world, 2) the most flexible or 3) the fastest. No doubt there will always be raging debates over the "best" communications program. ATO makes no such claims. ATO DOES represent a lot of work by a lot of people that expect nothing in return other than the hope that you enjoy the fruit of their efforts. Isn't that nice? Perhaps you feel that it's worth paying for. If so send some money to a charity and feel good about it. If you feel a program that allows little flexibility for you to change how things are done we encourage to try out the many programs on the market that allow user written scripts. There are some excellent user supported and commercial programs on the market and you may find you enjoy "rolling your own". AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 3 II. Installation Getting started Check-off List Refer to this manual to perform the following steps: _____ 1. Install the ATO files on your disk _____ 2. Set your CIS Forum Options _____ 3. Set your CIS Terminal Options _____ 4. Set your modem's switches _____ 5. Start ATO ----- 6. Enter your PC Options _____ 7. Enter your HOST definitions _____ 8. Enter your FORUM definitions _____ 9. Go online with ATO Install Program Files The AUTOSIG program consists of the following supplied files: AUTOSIG.EXE - The main program file, you may rename it to ATO.EXE for convenience. AUTOSIG.DOC - This manual AUTOSIG.REQ - List of hardware and software requirements for running ATO. The actual file names may vary depending on the version in use. ================================================================ Installation is complete once the EXE file has been placed on your disk. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 4 II. Installation Getting started Setting CIS Forum Options Like any new program you'll (hopefully) be anxious to run ATO right out of the box, but before running AUTOSIG, certain SIG options must be in effect. ATO depends upon certain sequences of events and control characters and if those aren't set you'll run into problems. Don't be put off by the size of this manual! Most parts of ATO are fairly intutive and you'll not need to memorize the whole thing. You will get some benefits by just scanning the manual so if you should have a problem perhaps you'll recall that you saw a mention of the condition in the manual and can then refer back. So first you'll want to figure out which forums you want to visit and then log on with whatever program you used to obtain AUTOSIG. Don't logon with AUTOSIG until these options have been set as it'll just get more confusing than it needs to be. So you're now logged on at your "normal" baud rate (normal being what you'll be using with AUTOSIG) and go to the first forum on your list. At the Function: prompt or top menu type OP to set these options: MENU - if currently in Menu mode, select Command mode (Set Use menus to NO) PC ^G - set prompt character to control-G (bell), you may use other prompt characters, but will have to change the ATO PC Options, or supply a start-up command switch TM - Type waiting messages [NO] Hit enter to exit the OPtion area and make the changes permanent. Now go to the next forum in your list and set the same options there. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 5 II. Installation Getting started The prompt character is ^G (control-G), the bell character. You will not hear the bell while AUTOSIG is running, but will during other sessions using other communications programs. You may change the prompt characters during non-AUTOSIG sessions, but do be sure and change it back before running ATOSIG again. G is set by using Shift-6, and not CTRL, for the "^" character. Most communications program have a "filter" or "strip and convert" option so you may be able to convert a "7" (BELL) to a "0" (NUL) when using other communications programs. ATO doesn't care if you have your default editor defined as EDIT or SED (EDIT doesn't have line numbers whereas SED does). Uploading messages to EDIT is a bit faster, but if you use interactive mode and feel comfortable with SED by all means keep it as your default editor! ATO trys hard to let you have your parameters set the way YOU want then and not the other way around. Other SIG options (non-stop messages, etc.) are set for you temporarily by ATO each time you access a SIG. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 6 II. Installation Getting started Setting CIS Terminal Options You MUST make the following change to your CompuServe Parameters in order for ATO to work properly. IMPORTANT: Any changes to CIS terminal options must be made at the same baud rate at which you use AUTOSIG. CIS maintains two sets of parameters for your user id -- one at 300 baud one for 1200 baud and yet another for 2400 baud. The speed you're running with when you make changes determines whether they become part of your 2400, 1200 or your 300 baud options. Change CIS Terminal Settings So now your forum options have been set in the forums you'll be visiting using AUTOSIG so now you need to set your global options. From any ! prompt enter GO TERMINAL. This takes you to the DEFALT area. You'll be presented with the following menus (more or less, the DEFALT menus may change from time to time): CompuServe Terminal 1 Instructions 2 Setting Your Terminal Type 3 Setting Your Logon Actions 4 Setting Delays for Printers 5 View or Change Current Terminal Parameters 6 Setting your Service Options Last Menu Page. Key digit or M for previous menu. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 7 II. Installation Getting started You'll get a listing of your current terminal settings which will look something like this: Your Terminal Type: Other Baud Rate: 1200 Current Terminal Parameters: 1 Terminal width 80 CHARACTERS 2 Page size is now 24 LINES 3 Form Feeds are SIMULATED 4 Horizontal Tabs are SIMULATED 5 Terminal Supports UPPER/LOWER 6 Caps Lock is OFF 7 Line Feeds are SENT 8 Parity is EVEN 9 Blank Lines are SENT 10 Inquire for VIDTEX is ON Select item to be changed or press <ENTER> for no change. ! 8 <--------------- Select item 8 then <enter>. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 8 II. Installation Getting started You should see the following list of possible choices: 1 Parity is Zero 2 Parity is Even 3 Parity is Odd 4 Parity is One Current setting is 1 <ENTER> leaves it unchanged You should get back the earlier menu with "Your terminal type". Just press <Enter>, but first make note of your current terminal type. If it is "Vidtex", you'll be fine. If want to change it to "CRT" to avoid receiving Vidtex's code in AUTOSIG or any other non-Vidtex communications program. If you elect to use CRT or "Other" as your terminal type you'll need to make one additional change. Select entry #10 ("Inquire for VIDTEX") and set it to OFF. This is an important switch!! Once you set your parameters and after you press <enter>, you'll get the main menu back: 1 Instructions 2 Setting Your Terminal Type 3 Setting Your Logon Actions 4 Setting Delays for Printers 5 View or Change Current Terminal Parameters 6 Set your Service Options Last Menu Page. Key digit or M for previous menu. ! 2 <----------------- Select item 2 then <enter> If you selected 2, follow the menu to change your terminal type to "CRT", press <enter>, and you'll be back at the menu above. You'll be presented with two choices: 1 Make all changes effective for future sessions 2 Changes effective for this session only <ENTER> makes changes effective for this session only. Key Choice: 1 <---------------- Select item 1 then <enter>. Our experience is that setting parity to ZERO will not affect the operation of any other communications programs you might be running; if it does please let me know. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 9 II. Installation Getting started Set Modem Switches ATO has the facility to accept any modem commands and, thus, support for many modems has been added. If you're using a non Hayes modem you'll need to study your manual very carefully to determine the needed modem parameters. The ATO crew has access to a limited number of modem types so any tip or hints you have for using ATO on a certain modem is very welcomed. On Hayes modems the setting of the DTR (Data Terminal Ready) switch will determine whether or not the modem is disconnected when ATO is exited. With the switch ON (or UP), the modem is disconnected. The following modem switch settings (for a Hayes SmartModem) are recommended (but not absolutely necessary): 1 - DOWN Modem remains connected after ATO is terminated. UP Modem disconnects when ATO is exited. 2 - UP V1 Modem sends result codes in English. 3 - DOWN Q0 Result codes are sent to the terminal. 4 - UP E1 Modem echos characters while in command mode. 5 - DOWN Modem will not answer phone. 6 - UP Enables Carrier Detect sensing. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 10 III. Operation Overview ATO is a menu driven program. That is, ATO presents you you with a series of menus from which you choose the action that you want performed. The first menu is the Primary Menu. From it, you proceed to the main Function Menu and to the Forum, Host and PC options menus. At any given time, ATO is in one of several possible "modes" of operation. These are the Menu mode, Offline mode, Online mode, and the Terminal mode. ATO File Names In addition to he program file, ATO requires that a definition file be present. This definition file (AUTOSIG.DFN) contains information about the host systems that you call, about the forums that you visit, and about the computer that you use. If there is no DFN file, ATO will create one for you. Other files are created by ATO depending on the functions that are performed. Some of these are temporary files, such as the editor's work file; and others are meant to be kept, such as the files containing downloaded messages. In most cases, empty files are deleted at program termination. The PPN processor uses a file name of the form "signame.PPN", or a file name that you supply. Each file has a name in this format: sigX.ATO - where "sig" is the name of the DFN being used, X is a one letter file function code, and the file extension is always .ATO. For example, file IBMCOML.ATO is created for the (W) function with the IBMCOM SIG configuration. H - message headers, from functions Q and H. M - downloaded messages, from functions F, T, R, U, I, A, and Y. L - original messages, from function (W), or from the <R>eply option while reading messages offline. S - SAVEd messages, a permanent message file from the <S>ave option while reading messages offline. R - temporary file created for downloading messages AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 11 III. Operation Starting the Program Once you have your Forum OPtions set up and your global CompuServe TERMINAL defaults set, you are ready to go! You start ATO by invoking it with a DOS command. A compiled version of the program is supplied (AUTOSIG.EXE) for execution by DOS. At the DOS prompt, enter the name of the AUTOSIG program: A>AUTOSIG DOS now loads the program and begins its execution. You should be presented with the ATO Primary Menu screen. If nothing is displayed, your computer may not be compatible with the way the your PC manages the monitor display. You should then press the F10 key to tell ATO to terminate and return to the DOS. You then restart ATO by adding the characters /T to the start command. This tells ATO to use a different method of writing to your monitor, for example: A>AUTOSIG /T AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 12 III. Operation Start-up Switches (These are advanced features that are not needed unless you have compatibility problems with your computer, or you have ATO up and running and want to explore additional features.) Many ATO options can be specified before you load the AUTOSIG.EXE program by adding a space, "/", and a letter to specify the option, e.g.: AUTOSIG /T /B /C. The letters may be in upper or lower case. Some of these "switches" can fix incompatibility problems, while others bypass menus or customize the program for you. Following are the switches currently available: /B locks the keyboard during auto functions. This allows you to supply ATO console input through a batch file system or use a utility such as KEYFAKE or KEYIN to control ATO. /C clears the screen when full, preventing scrolling. Useful if your color monitor flickers while lines roll on and off the screen. /F Eliminates most form feeds issued when P>rinting SIG messages. This switch forces a continuous printout from the time you enter ATO from DOS until the time you exit. Your messages will be printed continuously with form feeds issued only as the printer nears the perforation or end of the page. If you issue a LF or FF directly to your printer, ATO's line counter will get out of synch. /G Allows you to re-specify the prompt character. The default is ^G (GG on the command line), i.e. the BEL character. /H Disables testing of the monitor's retrace. This results in faster displays, but may cause flicker on some monitors. This options does not apply to the use of monochrome monitors. /I Allows using a Mouse as an Input device at the Primary Menu. /K Keep (SAVE) Easyplex messages instead of using DELETE to DELETE them. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 13 III. Operation Start-up Switches /M Feature used for [R]ead [M]arked function. Used as follows: /M and ^P=Y = RM always sent whenever entering a SIG. /M and ^P=N = RM sent only if "You have... messages" no /M, ^P=Y = RM sent after first "Function:" prompt for Q only. no /M, ^P=N = RM sent only if "You have ... messages" /P Causes ATO to send a CTRL-P when logging on, and at the start of each SIG. This overrides whatever you have set in your ATO O>ption menu. It bypasses all CIS opening announcements, SIG messages, announcements of waiting messages and waiting Email. Much faster, but at the risk that you may miss something important. /Q selects Quiet mode; most of the beeps and bells are disabled /S instructs ATO to automatically sort the QS headers whenever the Mark command is used /T eliminates an assembly language routine that ATO uses to address the video memory directly. If you're using a clone and your screen blanks unexpectedly, try this switch. ATO is compatible with DesqView, Double DOS, and APX Core. You need not use the /T unless you have problems, i.e. blank or missing displays. /V Debugging option to print errors. Printer must be on-line. d: allows you to specify a drive, other than the drive where AUTOSIG is stored, for your configuration and log files. Adding, for example, "C:" (no "/"), makes ATO look to the C: drive for DFN and LOG files. See the RAMDISK section for one way to use this option (Appendix V). Optionally, you may set an environment variable called ATO to define the drive and path for all ATO files. For example, SET ATO=C:\CISFILES would instruct ATO to find its file on drive C, in the directory called CISFILES. The individual Forum path names over-ride this value. This variable is supplied to allow you to tell ATO where to find its DFN and "log" files. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 14 III. Operation Start-up Switches /1 (slash one) is the equivalent of selecting "(Z) /1" from the SIG menu to activate the first pass of the AUTO function /2 is the equivalent of F2 Primary menu key to activate the second pass of the AUTO function. Don't worry about all of these switches!! They can be used to modify the way ATO works, but you don't need to worry about any of them until you really get your feet wet with ATO and then perhaps not even then. Also, most of the options can be changed by invoking the PC Options Menu. Just keep them in mind as you get more comfortable with ATO and you might find a use for them. These switches can be combined in any order that suits your way of using ATO. For example, a command that might be used with a RAMDISK is: AUTOSIG /p /f C: This tells ATO that, although AUTOSIG.EXE is on drive A:, the DFN and LOG files are on drive C:; that opening CIS and SIG bulletins should be bypassed, regardless of how the ^P option is set; and that the printer should issue form feeds only when it nears the end of a page -- not at the top of each SIG. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 15 III. Operation Primary Menu The Primary Menu is displayed when ATO is started. It consists of the Host Selection menu, the Item Selection menu, and the Forum Selection List. Refer to figure 1. The Host menu offers a choice of CompuServe services to call. The Forum menu offers a choice of Communications Forums (SIGs) to access. The Item menu selects the operation to perform. For the first use of ATO, you should: - edit the PC Options entries to set the display colors and other hardware related items; use the ESCape key. - edit the Host entries to supply your userid, password, the CIS phone number, and other service items; use the F4 key. - edit the Forum entries to identify the forum(s) that you wish to access; use the F3 key. Primary Menu keys - <enter> selects the Item that is highlighted (the Item bar) - ESCape selects the PC Options Menu for viewing and editing - F- function keys perform the operation described in the Item list - Numbers select a Host - Letters (A through X) select a Forum - the letter Z highlights all forums which have "work", i.e. files - TAB moves the Item bar to the next item - shift+TAB moves the Item bar to the previous item - PgDn or PgUp selects the next Forum and moves the mark - the up or down arrow selects the next Host and moves the mark AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 16 III. Operation Figure 1. PRIMARY MENU The Primary Menu for the first use of ATO: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ +===================+ +----------------+ +===========================+ | Host Selection | | Item Selection | | Forum Selection List | |-------------------| +----------------+ |---------------------------| | 0) CIS300 | cr Select Marked | A) IbmCom M) *none* | | 1) CIS1200 | Esc Reconfigure PC | B) Email N) *none* | | 2) CIS2400 | F1 AUTOmatic pass 1 | C) IbmSw O) *none* | | 3) Tymnet | F2 AUTOmatic pass 2 | D) *none* P) *none* | | 4) CIS | F3 Edit FORUM options | E) *none* Q) *none* | | 5) CIS | F4 Edit HOST options | F) *none* R) *none* | | 6) CIS | F5 Add a new Forum | G) *none* S) *none* | | 7) CIS | F6 Delete a Forum | H) *none* T) *none* | | 8) CIS | F7 Modify AUTO list | I) *none* U) *none* | | 9) CIS | F8 Sort forums by name | J) *none* V) *none* | +-------------------+ F9 Run ACLS and exit | K) *none* W) *none* | F10 Exit to DOS | L) *none* X) *none* | +---------------------------+ (up arrow) prev host ENTER select marked PgUp prev forum (dn arrow) next host TAB next item PgDn next forum ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 17 III. Operation PC Options Menu Pressing the ESCape key, or positioning the Item bar to "Reconfigure PC" selects the PC Options Menu for viewing and editing. The middle section of the Primary Menu (the Item menu) becomes the PC Options Menu. Refer to figure 2 for a sample display of the menu. "Normal COLOR f,b" This allows you to set the colors to be used for the "f" foreground and "b" background for non-highlighted areas. Refer to the BASIC manual COLOR command for a list of valid numbers. Note: 7,0 may provide a better display on a monochrome monitor. --------------------------------------------------------------- "Hilite COLOR f,b" This setting allows you to set the color to be used for high-lighted messages and fields. Refer to the BASIC manual for a list of valid codes. Note: 15,0 may be better for a monochrome monitor. -------------------------------------------------- The new color settings take effect when you exit the PC Options menu and return to the Primary menu. "Logon ^P" Enter a Y to have ATO send a ^P to CIS at logon time. This bypasses the initial CIS messages and menu. If you boot AUTOSIG using " /P", this setting is irrelevant. With /P, the program will send a ^P at logon and at the start of each SIG, bypassing all announcements. Bypassing announcements may mean you miss important information (like new versions of AUTOSIG). Each of the slash-letter items are the same as those described for the command line switches. The command line values over-ride the PC Options values unless you change them here. If you have used AUTOSIG in a prior version please be aware that the structure of the configuration file has changed and a new DFN file is now required. The previous DFN file can no longer be used. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 18 III. Operation Figure 2. PC OPTIONS MENU +-----------------+ Host Selection | Edit PC Options | Forum Selection List +---------------------------+ 0) CIS300 | Normal color 7,1 | A) IbmCom M) *none* 1) CIS1200 | Hilite color 14,1 | B) Email N) *none* 2) CIS2400 | Printer lines 74 | C) IbmSw O) *none* 3) Tymnet | /H Skip retrace Y | D) *none* P) *none* 4) CIS | /K Keep Email N | E) *none* Q) *none* 5) CIS | /M Skip RM N | F) *none* R) *none* 6) CIS | /C Cls each msg N | G) *none* S) *none* 7) CIS | /B Disable kybd N | H) *none* T) *none* 8) CIS | /F Printer FF N | I) *none* U) *none* 9) CIS | /S Sort QS hdrs Y | J) *none* V) *none* | /T Slow screen N | K) *none* W) *none* | /Q Quiet beeper Y | L) *none* X) *none* | /P Logon ^P N | | /G Prompt char ^G | | /I Allow mouse N | +---(Press ESCape to exit)--+ AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 19 III. Operation Forum Options Menu Forum Selection The Forum Selection list contains three standard forum entries, Email, IbmCOM, and IbmNew. None of them is required, but if you intend to access Easyplex, you must have a forum with the name EMAIL. To select a forum, enter the letter shown next to its name. If you want to access a new forum, select the F5 Add a Forum item. You are then presented with the Forum Options menu. Fill in the menu items with the new information as desrired. For example, on the initial Primary Menu, the next forum letter would be "D". The defaults for each new Forum are taken from the previous forum entry, or from the "C" forum in this case. You can change forum options later by using the (O) function from the main Function menu. You may also use the PgDn and PgUp keys to change the forum selection. The >> mark moves next to the selected forum's name. The forum is not actually changed until ATO sends a "Go page" command to CIS. This is done when you select a command from the Function menu. Forum Information Information is required for each SIG Forum to be accessed. A Forum Options menu is presented by selecting item F3 from the Primary Menu, or when the (O) change Options function is chosen from the main Function Menu. The menu consists of a list of questions. Answer each question appropriately. If no change is required, press ENTER. If no more questions are to be answered, press ESCAPE. The information is required for performing dialing and logging on. "SIG name" Enter a name of up to SEVEN characters. This name is displayed on the Function Menu. Since this name is used to create files, be sure that it contains valid DOS filename characters. That is, do not use * (asterisk), ? (question mark), or . (period). ATO will shorten the SIG name to seven characters should you enter more. "GO to page " AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 20 III. Operation Forum Options Menu Enter the CIS page number to go to after an automatic logon, e.g. IBMCOM. Please see appendix Q for a list of forum names and their quick reference words. "Hostname override" If access to a Forum can only be made through one particular Host, then supply the name of that Host here. For example, a Host called "CONFERENCE" may be useful for defining a 300 bps Host for CB or conferencing. "Files drive:\path" Tells ATO which drive and directory to use for access to its files. If left blank, ATO will use the current directory on the current drive. You may supply a drive, and/or a path name. For example, C:\ATO. Except for the AUTOSIG.DFN file and the log (AUTOSIG.mth) files, all files are accessed from this drive and path. "Starting msg # or N " Normally N is used so that all New messages are processed. But a message number can be substituted. This number replaces the CIS High Message Number (HMN) and is used by the QS, SF and RF SIG-commands for the Q, H and F functions. "Append message file " Enter an N to re-use the message file whenever messages are downloaded. Enter a Y to accumulate messages in the message file. If you do enter "Y", please watch free disk space carefully, and use the "K" option from the main menu to erase files when free space becomes short. "Log sessions" Enter a Y to record on-line time in a log file. The log file name is AUTOSIG.mmm, where 'mmm' is an abbreviation for the current month. Enter an N to disable logging. "Stay connected " Enter a Y if you wish to remain connected after a message upload/download session. If you want to go to another SIG during the current call this option should be set to Y. Enter an AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 21 III. Operation Forum Options Menu N to disconnect from CIS after exiting a SIG. If you use the "AUTO" option (see page 32), this setting in irrelevant. "Send forum ^P" Enter a Y to instruct ATO to send a ^P immediately after a Go Page. This suppresses all CIS messages until the Forum "Function:" prompt is sent. "Sections (# or ALL)" Leave this blank if you intend to access all Forum sections, or if you prefer to use the CIS Option command to set your section access. Otherwise, you enter a list of section numbers. ATO will only access messages from those sections. Refer to the CIS "SS" command for more information. "PPN file name" Enter the name of your user id address book, e.g. AUTOSIG.PPN. If left blank, a filename of the form "signame.PPN" is used. Note: The Forum Options menu is exited by using the ESCAPE key. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 22 III. Operation Forum Options Menu Figure 3. FORUM OPTIONS MENU +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Forum Configuration Options | Forum Selection List | |------------------------------------------------+---------------------------| | SIG name,to 7 char IbmCom | A) IbmCom M) *none* | | GO to page IBMCOM | B) Email N) *none* | | Hostname override | C) IbmSw O) *none* | | Files drive:\path C:\ATO | D) *none* P) *none* | | Starting msg # or N N | E) *none* Q) *none* | | Append msg file y/n Y | F) *none* R) *none* | | Log sessions y/n Y | G) *none* S) *none* | | Stay connected y/n N | H) *none* T) *none* | | Send forum ^P y/n N | I) *none* U) *none* | | Sections (# or ALL) | J) *none* V) *none* | | PPN file name AUTOSIG.ppn K) *none* W) *none* | +------------------------------------------------| L) *none* X) *none* | ESCape when finished +---------------------------+ PgUp prev forum PgDn next forum AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 23 III. Operation HOST Options Menu For each computer system that you intend to call, a HOST entry is required. You must have at least one HOST entry completely defined. A host is simply a computer system that ATO can access via the telephone. You are probably using ATO to call CompuServe and access forums, but ATO can also access special CIS services, such as Easyplex and the Business Information Service (BIS). Except for Email, you probably have no need to worry about special host services. "HOST name" Identifies the system that you are calling. Enter a one to 17 character name. You may include blanks, commas, or any other characters. "CIS phone number" Enter your local CIS or net telephone number. If you access CIS through TYMNET, prefix the number with a T, e.g. T555-1212. If you use TELENET, prefix the number with the letter G, e.g. G555-1212. If the phone number is too long to fit in this field, place the first part of it in the Modem Commands field. ATO sends both fields to the modem when dialing. "Your userid " Enter your CIS numbers separated by a comma, e.g. 70000,000. You may also combine your password with the userid by following your userid with a backslash, and then with your password, e.g. 70000,000\mypassword. This results in skipping the password prompt from CIS, and makes the logon slightly faster and less susceptible to line noise problems. "Your password " Enter your CIS password. (Special note. Remember that your password will now be on your diskette or hard disk and remember to keep it secure. Though it may be a hassle, do change your password on CIS periodically and go thru the routine of changing it in your configuration file; it's worth the extra time and trouble). AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 24 III. Operation HOST Options Menu "IPX/Tymnet address " If you are using Tymnet to call CIS, you may enter the name of the CIS host here. The default is CIS02. "What baud rate " Enter the modem speed to be used, normally a value of 300, or 1200. Other speeds may be specified but will work only if your CIS node supports them such as 450 or 2400 baud. The other COM parameters are set automatically to 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and No parity. ATO will not change the baud rate while you are connected. You must exit ATO, or log off, to change the baud rate. "Modem dial commands " Enter an appropriate command sequence for your modem. The default commands are for the Hayes modem and should be retained. This field may also be used to extend the telephone number. The default may contain "M0". If you want to hear the handshaking between ATO and CIS, delete these two characters. "COMmunications port " Enter either COM1:, COM2:, COM3: or COM4: to specify which Asynchronous Communications Adapter (port) is to be used. The colon is optional. COM3 and COM4 are supported in a limited manner. "Modem Connect text" Tells ATO what your modem sends when the phone is connected. The default is "CONNECT". ATO ignore any data after this, so that the text may connect a baud rate, e.g. "CONNECT 2400" and "CONNECT 1200" are the same. "Modem Disconnect text" Tells ATO what your modem sends when the phone becomes disconnected. The default is "NO CARRIER". ATO also checks for "BUSY" and "NO DIALTONE". The special character ~ (squiggle) may be used to have ATO pause AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 25 III. Operation HOST Options Menu one second, a } (right curly brace) to send a carriage return, and a ^ (caret) to indicate a control character such as ^D. "Modem Hang-up command" Tells ATO what to send to the modem to disconnect the phone. The default for a Hayes-compatible modem is ATH. "Modem Reset command" Tells ATO what to send to the modem to rest it. The default for Hayes-compatible modems is "~+++~ATZ" which results in a one second pause, sending three plus signs characters, another one second pause, and then the command ATZ. "Host 1st ready prompt" Tells ATO what the Host will send when it is ready for your requests. The default is "CompuServe". "Host 2nd ready message" This is used in addition to the first ready prompt. ATO waits for either of the 1st or 2nd ready messages. "Bulletin file name" This supplies the drive, path, and filename that ATO is to use for saving bulletins. That is, ATO saves all logon messages up until a Forum command is sent. "HOST connect response" This is the code that should be sent when you are connected to the HOST. Typically this would be ^C for a direct CIS note. Important note for 2400 baud users: Many CompuServe 2400 baud nodes use MNP and there is a slight delay before the CIS modem is ready to accept the ^C. If this is the case, you may use the special "wait" character (~) to delay sending the ^C. E.g. ~~~^C would cause a 3 second wait before sending the ^C. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 26 III. Operation Figure 4. HOST OPTIONS MENU ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ +=====================================================================+ | Host Selection | HOST Configuration Options | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 0) CIS300 | Host name CIS300 | | 1) CIS1200 | CIS phone number 111-1111 | | 2) CIS2400 | Your userid 70000,0000 | | 3) Tymnet | Your password password | | 4) CIS | IPX/Tymnet address | | 5) CIS | IPX Code | | 6) CIS | Userid prompt User ID: | | 7) CIS | Password prompt Password: | | 8) CIS | What BAUD rate 300 | | 9) CIS | Modem dial commands ATM0V1DT | +-------------------+ COMmunications port COM1 | ^ v next host | Modem Connect text CONNECT | TAB next item | Modem Disconnect text NO CARRIER | ENTER select marked| Modem Hang-up command ATH | PgUp prev forum | Modem Reset command ~+++~ATZ} | PgDn next forum | Host 1st ready prompt CompuServe | | Host 2nd ready message Executive | | Bulletin file name bulletin.ato | | HOST connect response ~~~~~~^C | +-------------------------------------------------+ Use ESCape to Exit, PgDn/PgUp to edit next HOST ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 27 IV. Main Function Menu Function Menu After the SIG Forum has been selected, you are presented with the main Function menu. Refer to Figure 5. The Forum name is the name of the forum that you selected from the Primary Menu. You can change to another SIG, or define and create a new one, by using option letter C(hange forums). After any SIG session a "suggestion" letter will appear in the "Select a letter" section of the menu. The highlighted letter will be based upon the activities that you last performed on the SIG whose configuration file is currently active. For instance, if you've just finshed using the T command to download messages a R<ead> will appear to read the messages you've downloaded. The default "suggestion" is executed by pressing the enter key. During automatic operation, any keyboard input (except ESCape) is sent to CIS. Thus, if an error occurs, you can type in the correct command or response. Or, if you wish to stop automatic processing, use the ESCape key twice to enter Terminal Mode. Note: The automatic sequence can be terminated when online by hitting the ESCAPE key twice. Thus, if problems develop, you can gain manual control by going into Terminal Mode. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 28 IV. Main Function Menu Figure 5. FUNCTION MENU Host: CIS300 Forum: IbmCom +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Online Download Functions | Offline Message Processing | +-------------------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | F Read Forward all messages | R Read and reply offline | | Q Quick Scan message headers | D Download marked messages | | H Scan headers in message order | M scan and Mark msgs offline | | J Scan headers in thread order | P Preview Leave/Reply file | +-------------------------------------+ S Send new messages online | | T Read Thread all new messages | V View SAVEd messages offline | | U Read CIS-marked messages only | W Write new messages offline | | I Read all messages from this ID +---------------------------------------+ | Y Read all messages to this ID | 1 AUTO 1st pass | $ Run ACLS | +-------------------------------------| 2 AUTO 2nd pass | C Change menus | | G Go online, terminal mode | B Beep ON/off | K Delete file | | O Change forum options | L List bulletins | ^v next host | | E Shell to new copy of COMMAND | N Update DFN file | Esc PC options | | Z Send OFF and disconnect | X Exit to system | PgDn next sig | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ _ Select a function Memory: 22904 Conn: 1.4 @ 116 HMN:12345 Date: 04-26-87 Time: 05:23:00a ------------------------------------------------------------------- "Host: CIS300" - tells you that the HOST selected is called CIS300 "Forum: IbmCom" - tells you that the current Forum is called IbmCom "Memory: 22904" - tells you how much memory ATO has available for itself. If this value falls below 10000, you need to make more memory available to ATO. "Conn: 1.4 @ 116" - tells you that you have been connected for 1.4 minutes and that your through-put is averaging 116 characters per second. "HMN:12345" - tells you the ATO High Message Number AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 29 IV. Main Function Menu Function Categories Functions are grouped by category. The Online Download Functions (or RUN options) are used to access CIS and process SIG messages. The Offline Message Processing functions are used to read and edit messages. Program Control and Forum Configuration processing are the other categories. Here is a synopsis of the functions ATO can perform: o Automatic Logon (G) Dials the CIS phone number, supplies your userid and password to gain access, instructs CIS to go to a specific page. o Downloading of messages (F,Q,H,T,U,I,Y,A). in the SIG, issues RM to save waiting personal messages, then issues SF;nnnn to list all new message headers with nnnn the number from the configure file, and goes to (M) below, OR issues RTN or RF;nnnn to list all new messages directly and goes to (R) below, OR issues QS;nnnn to download abbreviated messages headers, logs off or stays connected depending on the configuration. o Offline scanning and marking of message headers (M). o Downloading of selected messages (D). Automatic logon, issues RI or RT ONLY commands for each message selected, logs off. o Offline reading and replying to messages (R,V) o Writing new messages to send (W) o Uploading of original messages and replies (S,P) Automatic logon, issues RE and supplies message replies, issues L and supplies new message text, logs off o Special CIS message handling: - ignores BEL and ;; messages, - responds to (UA RE T) and "Press enter to continue:" messages, - sends ^U to prevent line noise interference. - sends ^Q after one minute of non-activity in case of network problems - processes XON and XOFF requests AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 30 IV. Main Function Menu Online Download Functions The download functions may be one of the letters Q, F, H, or T. They select the method for downloading messages and determines what other ATO functions are to be automatically performed. (F) downloads all messages in message number order by using the SIG software RF command. The messages are read beginning with the High Message Number specified in the Forum configuration options. Both the CIS and ATO HMN are updated after all messages have been downloaded. (Q) downloads message headers using the CIS Quick Scan command. Each message header represents one or more messages from a thread of messages. When all of the message headers have been downloaded, ATO returns to the Function Menu. By selecting the Mark function, you tell ATO to present the message headers to you for marking. If you are interested in the message thread, mark it by responding with an M. Upon returning to the Function Menu, you may select the Download function which accesses CIS and downloads the messages that you Marked. (H) is similiar to Q, except that the message headers are downloaded in message number order using the SF command, and they represent only one message each. These headers include the From, To, Date, and Subj fields. (J) is similar to H except that headers are downloaed in thread order rather than in numerical order. (T) Downloads all messages in thread order starting with the message number that you supplied in the DFN definition (or New) by issuing an RTN command. The starting message number depends upon your setting of the HMN in the Configuration menu. Both the CIS and ATO HMN are updated after all messages have been downloaded. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 31 IV. Main Function Menu Online Download Functions (U) is the equivalent of "RM" from the Function: prompt. It will read all new messages on the SIG that are addressed to you. (A) Downloads all messages addressed to "All". (I) Downloads messages that you have sent by using the RS command with your ppn. (Y) Downloads messages addressed to your ppn by using the RS command. These U,A,I,Y responses are handy for housecleaning, or for a quick check to see if a message you left has had any replies. In general, they are not an efficient way to use Forums or AUTOSIG, so they are not prompted. Think of: "I" = "I wrote"; "Y" = "You wrote"; "U" = "Unread" (or the end of "You wrote"), and "A" = "All". AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 32 IV. Main Function Menu Offline Message Processing D - Download messages online. The RI or RT commands generated by the (M)ark option are sent to CIS, and the text of the selected messages is saved for viewing by option (R). The message file is named "sigM.ATO". V - View SAVEd messages. A permanent message file is available. To place messages into this file, use the <S>ave option while reading messages offline. You can then display or print the file by using the function (V). The permanent message file is named "sigS.ATO". P - Preview Leave/Reply file. The original and reply messages from the sigL.ATO file are loaded into the message editor work areas. ATO then invokes the full screen editor so that you may "Preview" the messages. All editor functions are included. Function keys to keep or discard the message from the sigL.ATO file are provided. S - Send messages online. Original messages that you composed, and any replies that you made to messages while reading offline, are sent automatically to the SIG. The local file is named "sigL.ATO". W - Write new messages off-line Use the W command to prepare messages off-line. ATO will send these messages for you when you use the Send command. The format and prompting is similiar to those of the CIS Leave command. You are first prompted for the addressee (To:), and then for the subject of the message. At the To: prompt, you may enter the person's name and userid, or press Enter to invoke the ATOPPN Address Book processor. The ATOPPN processor can fill in the person's name and userid for you. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 33 IV. Main Function Menu Offline Message Processing Once composed, the messages can be sent automatically by selecting option (S). The messages are accumulated in the file named "sigL.ATO" which includes original messages and REplies to messages which were read offline. See the section on the message editor for more information. This function also allows access to your ATO address book. The the ATO address book section of this manual for more information on how to use it. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 34 IV. Main Function Menu Offline Message Processing R - Read and reply offline. You can read messages by using the R command at the Main Menu. If there are any messages stored in the forum's message file, they are displayed. Each message is displayed one screen full at a time. If a message requires two screens, a "more" prompt will appear in the lower right hand side of the screen. At this "More" prompt, you may enter any of the Read responses, or press Enter to continue to the next page. From the second screen of a multiple screen message, you may redisplay the first screen by using the A (again) command. The following option list is displayed at the end of each message: # 13895 <Enter> Quit Bak/Top/End/Agn Loc/Nxt Mail Hdr/Pr/Sav Re/Ua/Join Del If you choose to reply, the compose offline (W) function is invoked and you are placed in the message editor. Upon completing your reply, the next message is presented. ATO creates RE commands followed by your message text in the ATO leave file (xxxL.ATO). AUTOSIG provides insurance if the message you replied to was deleted before you got back online. As a backup, the Fm: and Subj: lines of the original message are stored, and, if CIS can't find the original message, your reply will be left as if you had written a new message with the same subject. UA> lets you reply to the sender of the original message but allows you change the subject and/or section number. J>oin lets you reply to the receiver of the message, the reverse of the UA command. In a sense, it lets you "Join" the conversation, not by replying, but by talking to the person who is to receive the current message. When you type "J", you'll be given the choice of changing the subject. S>ave puts the current message in the "xxxS.ATO" file for archiving. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 35 IV. Main Function Menu Offline Message Processing T>op returns you to the top of the message file. The message display resumes with the first message B>ack displays the message prior to the current message. Multiple messages can be displayed by issuing the B>ack command several times. E>nd is the opposite of T>op. It takes you to the last message in the file. A>gain simply repeats the same message. Useful only when a message goes to a second screen. L>ocate searches for a text string in the current message file. The L>ocate function only searches forward. When asked to enter the Locate text, you may enter up to 128 characters including blanks, commas, or any other special characters. The search is case sensitive. If you supply text in upper case, L>ocate only stops when the upper case text if found. N>ext repeats the L>ocate search until the last message is reached. Q>uit terminates the (R)ead function and returns you to the main Function Menu. H>dr causes a printer formfeed and prints the current message to the printer. This is handy when you want a single message on hardcopy as in comparsion to the P>rint command. P>rint copies the current message to the printer. A title line is printed at the top of the first page. It gives the name of the SIG and the current time and date. The system printer, LPT1, is used. ATO will send a form feed when it thinks that a printer page is full. You tell ATO (in the PC Options menu) how many lines per page you printer can process. M>ail is like the R>eply command except that the reply is mailed to an Easyplex user. The MA command is used instead of the S command. <enter> continues to the next message. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 36 IV. Main Function Menu Offline Message Processing NOTE: Not all commands are available for every message. For example, the D>elete command is offered only for messages you wrote or that were addressed to you. Similarly, if you're reading a S>ave file, which is archival, rather than an active file, the various functions for replying are not available. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 37 IV. Main Function Menu Offline Message Processing Summary of R>ead responses A Re-display the message starting with the first screen B Back up one message; display the previous message D Delete the message by sending a D command to CIS E Display the last message (End of message file) F Forward this message to another user (sysops only) H Print the message on a new page with a header J Reply to the message but send it to the originator (From:) L Locate text in the message file M Reply to the message but Mail it as an Email message N Locate the Next occurance of the L text P Print this message Q Quit and return to the ATO Main Menu R Reply to this message S Save this message to the ATO Save file (xxxS.ATO) T Display the first message (Top of message file) U Reply to this message but change the subject alt-E Invoke DOS to enter a command This is similiar to using the E command from the main menu. A DOS "shell" is invoked that allows you to enter DOS commands while ATO is running. When you are finished entering DOS commands, type EXIT to return to reading ATO messages. DOS 3.0 or higher is required. alt-I Insert userid in ATO Address Book The userid in the Fm: part of the message is added to your ATO PPN file. alt-M Invokes the ATO PPN Address Book processor This is the same as entering alt-M from the main menu. The ATO PPN processor is invoked. This allows you to examine or update your ATO PPN file. PgUp Display the previous message (like B) PgDn Display the next message (like Enter) HOME Display the first message (like T) END Display the last message (like E) AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 38 IV. Main Function Menu Offline Message Processing M - Mark messages offline The CIS message headers are listed one screen full at a time. You may Mark any that you wish to read later. For each message that is marked, an RI command is generated. Note that the immediately following the display of the message number is the number of messages in that thread. Marking messages: 28 headers; HMN= 28580 TOP 28521- 0: Transmitting graphics 4 / Telecommunications 28522- 3: Still using DOS 2.0!! 0 / General Interest 28526- 0: Using monitor as TV' 7 / SysOps' Desk 28529- 1: IBM Clones 0 / General Interest 28531- 0: Is it soup yet? 0 / General Interest 28534- 1: SET COMSPEC= ? 0 / General Interest 28539- 1: PRO CONN 7 / SysOps' Desk 28542- 0: JRAM/XT questions 0 / General Interest 28545- 0: Two dispboards 0 / General Interest 28547- 0: Fast fourier transforms 6 / PC Junior 28555- 0: Fractuals 6 / PC Junior 28557- 0: ATO 8 / Group Projects 28559- 1: PCJR.BBS 7 / SysOps' Desk 28563- 1: Modula Two 3 / Programming 28564- 0: NUSQ.COM/LU.EXE 7 / SysOps' Desk M>ark Enter>unmark ESCape>abort Q>uit when finished S>ort ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 39 IV. Main Function Menu Offline Message Processing Use the cursor control keys to select messages to be marked. The PgDn key displays the next screen full; PgUp displays the previous screen full. Enter an M to mark a message to be downloaded. Any other key will clear the Mark field and the message will not be downloaded. You may S>ort the headers by section number at any time while you are marking them. Once sorted, you may not S>ort again. The sort effects the order that the messages are downloaded. That is, unsorted headers result in messages being downloaded in chronological order, while sorted headers produce messages in section number order. When the last screen-full of message headers is displayed, the first line of the screen includes the word BOTTOM: Marking messages: 28 headers; HMN= 28580 BOTTOM After all messages headers have been processed, you are given a choice of going online to download the marked messages, or to return to the function menu: "Ready to go back online? Y/N". AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 40 IV. Main Function Menu Offline Message Processing O - Change forum Options Invokes the configuration routine so that you may change the forum options for any forum; such as the set sections option, or the stay connect option. C - Change to Primary Menu Invokes the Primary menu so that you may change or edit forums, or hosts, or modify your AUTO list. If you have selected the "remain connected" option during the configuration process you can use this feature to go to another SIG during the current call and execute an ATO function. 1 - AUTOmatic first pass Invokes AUTO to process your AUTO forum list and access each forum for which you have supplied commands. 2 - AUTOmatic second pass Invokes AUTO to process all forums in your AUTO list which have a S> or D> file to be processed. That is, replies to be sent or marked messages to be downloaded. G - Go online, terminal mode. Tells ATO to go into Terminal Mode. If you are not already online, you are asked "Do you want to auto-logon? (y/N)". Answering with a Y results in ATO dialing the Host and going to the selected Forum. The next messages from ATO, "---- TERMINAL MODE ---" and "Enter ctrl-D to exit, alt-A for keys" tell you that you are online and in Terminal mode. Operation from this point is up to you. To terminate the online mode, enter ctrl-D. File transfer and program function keys are available in terminal mode. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 41 IV. Main Function Menu Offline Message Processing N - Update DFN file. This function writes all ATO information to the DFN file. This is normally done when ATO exits, but you can use it want to be sure, for whatever reason, that the DFN file has been updated. E - Shell (EXEC) to a new copy of COMMAND Invokes DOS so that you may run other programs or enter DOS commands. ATO remains active and in memory, but the communications line is suspended. To return to ATO, enter the EXIT command to DOS. Warning! Some versions of DOS have problems with this function! DOS 3.x is recommended if you use this function. Program Control Options K - Delete message file Use this option to erase (delete) the message (M), save (S), header (S), or bulletin (B) file for the current Forum. You are asked to confirm the request and may respond with an N to ignore it. B - Beep on/off toggle This toggles the BEEP that ATO sends when a session sequence, or error has occured. The default is BEEP on. With BEEP off, no sounds are made when an error occurs, or when your attention is required. L - List bulletins List all bulletins and data captured in your bulletin file. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 42 IV. Main Function Menu Offline Message Processing X - Return to SYSTEM. $ - Exit to ACLS The X option terminates AUTOSIG and returns to DOS. If ACLS.EXE is present on the current disk, the $ option is available. Use the $ option to exit ATO and then to run the Accounting Log Summary program. This requires that you rename AUTOSIG.EXE to ATO.EXE. Z - Send OFF and disconnect This option allows you to send the OFF command to CIS and hang up the phone. Use this option after multiple SIG sessions, i.e. after using the "stay connected" configuration option. There is a pause of about ten seconds after disconnection so that you may see any final messages, such as your connect time. These commands are not shown on the menu: alt-M Invoke the ATO PPN (Address Book) processor alt-N Reset the HMN to N F1 Run first AUTO pass F2 Run seconds AUTO pass AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 43 V. Special Processing CIS High Message Number The CIS high message number (HMN) is used as the starting message number for many of ATO's functions. ATO keeps a record of the HMN for each forum in the ATO Definition (AUTOSIG.DFN) file. The HMN may be a number or the letter N. An N is used to tell CIS to process new messages only. The CIS and ATO HMN is automatically updated with the number of the last message processed during an online function. That is, the CIS and ATO high message number is set to the number of the last message downloaded by the T (read thread) or F (read forward) commands. The HMN is not affected by the commands that download message headers until you process the headers with the Mark command. This allows ATO to use the SF and QS message header scanning functions regardless of the CIS HMN. The ATO HMN is not updated until you have processed the message headers. The HMN is also used for numbering Email messages. ATO automatically numbers Email messages for reference purposes and for naming any binary files that are automatically downloaded. You may choose any starting number for Email messages by putting the desired number, or an N, in the forum options for the Email entry. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 44 V. Special Processing Multiple SIG Sessions AUTOSIG offers two ways to access several SIGs during one logon. To do it automatically, see the section on "AUTO". You can also use the O>ptions menu to instruct AUTOSIG to stay connected as you move from SIG to SIG. You may "run" functions on multiple SIG's with AUTOSIG, but it requires that you set the "Stay Connected" option in the initial SIG configuration to "Y(es)". The procedure for multiple SIG actions during one connect sessions are as follows: 1) Select the first SIG you want to visit. Make sure that the stay connected option is set to yes. 2) Select the function menu option to perform the task you want. 3) After the call is placed and the RUN option is executed you will be presented with the main AUTOSIG menu again. The message in the upper right hand of the screen should display the message "PC is connected". You are still connected. 4) Use the C option (Change to another SIG) to see the configuration files on the disk. 5) Select the letter for another SIG. 6) After the new SIG is selected enter the option for that SIG (i.e. Q,F,H,T,S, etc.). 7) Repeat this process for as many SIG's as you want to visit. 8) Unless the last SIG you visit has the "Stay connected" option set to "N(o)" in the configuration select the Z option from the main AUTOSIG menu to send CIS a OFF command to disconnect. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 45 V. Special Processing AUTO - Automatically Access Several SIGs AUTO is a feature of ATO that enables an internally-generated batch file for AUTOSIG. Menu-driven, it permits specifying a routine for ATO to follow for online sessions. The batch file is stored in the DFN file. Refer to Figure 6. for an example of the AUTO Build menu. There are three parts to AUTO: - the AUTO list, which you create using an ATO editor - the first AUTO pass, also referred to as /1 or 1 or F1; in which ATO automatically access CIS to download Email messages, messages headers, or message thread - the second AUTO pass, also referred to as /2 or 2 or F2; in which ATO processes your offline requests such as sending replies or download marked messages If you have never defined an AUTO list, you will need to select the Modify AUTO list item from the Primary menu. You are then presented with an AUTO list of forums and commands. Move the cursor next to a forum you wish to access automatically. Enter the letters for each command that you wish to perform, e.g. Q to download Quick Scan headers. You may delete a forum from the AUTO list by entering all blanks after the forum name. Press the ESCape when you are finished, and you are returned to the Primary menu. Your AUTO list has now been stored in the AUTOSIG.DFN file. AUTO can be enabled in many ways: by using " /1" as part of your command to load AUTOSIG, e.g., "AUTOSIG /1". (The space before the slash is necessary.) Use the " /1" extension only if a routine has already been created. Or you can select the pass 1 (F1) or pass 2 (F2) items from the Primary menu, or use the 1 or 2 commands from the main Function menu. Any routine created is saved and becomes permanent until changed. ATO can then be run normally or with the " /1" or " /2" switches, or from the F1 or F2 keys at the Primary menu. The /1 and /2 switches are different from the F1 and F2 keys. The switches invoke AUTO immediatley. The F1 and F2 keys require that you enter the time of day when AUTO is to execute. If you just press the <enter> key, AUTO begins immediately. Otherwise, you may enter the time and/or day when AUTO is to run. The time must be supplied in the format "hh:mm" where "hh" is the hour in military/24 hour format, and "mm" is the minutes. For example, if you want AUTO pass 1 to begin at 4:35 pm, you would enter 16:35. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 46 V. Special Processing AUTO - Automatically Access Several SIGs If AUTO is to start on another day, you supply the date after the time in the format ",mm-dd" where the coma is required between the time and date, and "mm" is the current month number (e.g. 9 for September), and the "dd is the day of the month. For example, to start AUTO at 4:35 pm on September 9, enter "16:35,09-09" when asked "When?". AUTO will S>end or D>ownload messages automatically as well. After the first pass with AUTO, the "2" option can be used. Selecting this causes AUTO to scan your disks to see if there are messages waiting to be sent or downloaded. If there are, ATO will go online again to perform those functions. If you have returned to DOS in the interim, the extension " /2" will do the same thing. AUTO stays in this mode until you return to DOS. Because of this, you can use the Q> option for a quick scan; use " /2" to download the messages; R>ead them offline; compose replies offline; and then use " /2" again to S>end replies. IMPORTANT: Whenever you select AUTO, whether /1 or /2, it checks all forums in the AUTO list which have commands to see if there are any D> or S> files. If a forum has all blanks, it is not accessed, whether there are D> or S> files for it or not. If you'd prefer to use ATO without AUTO, it can still help. You can use " /2" anytime you want to go online to download messages you marked offline, or to send new messages. It's a good way to see how quickly AUTO works, and you won't be taken back online unless you have a live D> or S> file. In use, the main menu item of choice offline becomes "C". Also, your O>ption choice of "Y" or "N" for "Stay connected y/n" in your AUTOSIG.DFN file is overridden by AUTO, so there's no need to change it from what you normally use 'manually.' You can exit out of AUTO at any time by hitting <Esc> <Esc>. If you do it before your modem sends "CONNECT", AUTO will hang up and return you to the main menu; otherwise, from what you normally use 'manually.' You can exil out of AUTO at any ready for keyboard input. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 47 V. Special Processing AUTO - Automatically Access Several SIGs Figure 6. AUTO BUILD LIST MENU | A CLM_____ | Command letter options | B DDJ_____ | --------------------------------- | C Email___f | F Read Forward all messages | D HP______ | Q Quick Scan message headers | E IBMCOM__u | H Scan Forward message headers | F IBMHW___u | T Read Thread all new messages | G IbmNew__u | U Read CIS-marked messages only | H IBMSW___u | A Read new messages to ALL | I ProSIG__ | I Read all messages from this ID | J DDJFOR__ | Y Read all messages to this ID | K HamNet__u | --------------------------------- | L IBMjr___ | Next to the forum name, enter | M Borland_ | the letter(s) for each function | N MACDEV__ | to perform, up to five commands. | O IPX_____ | --------------------------------- | P CO300___ | | Q MSOFT___ | Press ESCape when finished | R *none*__ | | S | | T | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Figure 7. AUTO /1 and /2 Display Building AUTO list | A | | B | When? ENTER to run immediately, | C Email___f | or HH:MM,MM-DD [23:30,08-15] | D | or ESCape to cancel. | E IBMCOM__q | | F IBMHW___q | | G IbmNew__q | | H IBMSW___uq | | I | | J | | K HamNet__t | | L | | M | AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 48 V. Special Processing EASYPLEX (E-Mail) Operation Although SIG and Forum messages are one way of communicating when you know that the addressee will check the forum, AUTOSIG makes sending messages via CIS's electronic mail system ("EasyPlex") simple. It's a good idea to use EasyPlex when you're not sure if the receipent is going to be on the SIG in time to pick up the message before it scrolls off. In AUTOSIG's Email routine, messages are reformatted so they can be handled just like SIG messages. You may also send EMAIL by composing a reply to a forum message and then using the M or MA option. When you use AUTOSIG for the first time, or if your main drive disk doesn't have a .DFN file created by AUTOSIG, the menu will offer at least two selections: IBMCOM and EMAIL. Instructions for IBMCOM are elsewhere. Select the menu letter for EMAIL (probably 'B'), then select the Edit HOST Options item, F4. You are presented with a Host Options menu for editing. Change the CIS phone number and enter your ID# and password. The 'Forum name' must contain "MAIL", "Mail" or "mail"; the CIS page number must be "EASYPLEX" or "EASY" for this part of AUTOSIG to work correctly. Next, go online normally and, at the "!" or "OK" prompt, type Go easy. Select menu option 5 (ADDRESS book). At the next prompt, select 5 again (Enter/Change your NAME). Type in the name you want to appear in the 'From:' line of your EasyPlex messages, and then log off following the menus. Having done that, EasyPlex will appear to be identical to the SIGs, with only a couple of exceptions: - The "To:" prompt will only accept a CIS ID number. If you forget, AUTOSIG will remind you. - Some AUTOSIG menu options, because of the way EasyPlex works, are not available. <Q>uick and scan and <M>ark, for example don't work with EasyPlex. - Email messages are numbered by ATO beginning with number 1. You may change this starting number by selecting the Edit Forum Options item from the Primary menu, and changing the High Message Number (HMN) for your EMAIL forum. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 49 V. Special Processing EASYPLEX (E-Mail) Operation ATO may contain a SIG defined for Email, even if you never intend to use this feature. The name of the 'SIG' can be changed, but it must contain "MAIL", "Mail", or "mail". If ATO freezes while using the Email function, it's probably because you haven't entered your name in the EasyPlex address book (see above), or because your parity isn't set to zero. Although the Email routine imitates a SIG, it uses a different uploading procedure (a prompted file transfer, rather than a line-by-line dump). The prompt character is not used by ATO during Email operation. Be careful when using the Preview command to avoid altering the last line of an Email message. The last line contains special information for ATO to use when sending the message. Binary EMAIL messages are automatically downloaded using the CIS B protocol. The resulting file has a name of the form "EMAILMSG.nnn" where nnn is the message number assigned by ATO. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 50 V. Special Processing ATO Address Book - ATOPPN Overview ATOPPN allows you to maintain your own local address book of up to 1000 user names and IDs. Using ATOPPN makes finding people's names and ID numbers easy. ATOPPN is one of those features that's much easier to use than it is to explain, so here's a short summary of functions. After getting the "flavor" of ATOPPN your best bet is to go for it. ATOPPN is invoked by using the alt-M command at the Main Menu at a R>ead prompt, or at the To: prompt when Writing messages. The display consists of a command menu and a list of user IDs and names. You may enter a letter to invoke a function, or press a cursor positioning key to scroll the display of user IDs and names. The cursor positioning keys are: HOME - position to the first PPN entry END - position to the last PPN entry down arrow - position to the next entry up arrow - position to the previous entry PgUp - move back 20 entries PgDn - move ahead 20 entries The "current" entry is shown in two places: on the left side above the command menu, and highighted in the list of PPNs. This is the entry that is the subject of any Change or Delete commands, and of the Paste command. You may exit the program by using the Q command to save changes and quit, or the ESCape command to not save any changes and abort. The display gives you the name of the PPN file and of a file which contains downloaded CompuServe messages. You may change the PPN file name with the B command, or the message file name with the X command. The PPN file contains ASCII records, one for each user ID. Each record ends with a carriage return (CR) and line feed (LF). The user ID begins in column 1 and ends in column 10. The name begins in column 12 and may be up to 24 characters long. The ATOPPN menu appears as follows: AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 51 V. Special Processing ATO Address Book - ATOPPN Figure 8. ATOPPN Menu +--------------------------+ +--------------------------+ | AUTOSIG PPN Database | 0 | AUTOSIG.PPN | +------------------------------------+ +---------------------------------------+ | A - Add a manual entry | | | | B - switch PPN database file | | | | C - Change current entry | | | | D - Delete current entry | | | | E - Erase PPN file | | | | F - Find name or userid | | | | M - switch Message file | | | | L - sort by Last name | | | | N - sort by Name | | | | P - Put entry in TO: field | | | | R - Repeat Find to next | | | | S - Sort by userid/ppn | | | | U - Update file from msgs | | | | Q - Quit, return to ATO | | | +------------------------------------+ | | _ Select a letter | | | | | | Msg file: IBMCOMM.ATO | | | | +---------------------------------------+ Use ESCape to abort, no updates Use cursor keys to scroll display 0 AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 52 V. Special Processing ATO Address Book - ATOPPN Address Book Commands A Add manual entry You are asked to enter a new user ID (PPN) and name. The user ID must be two numbers separated by a comma. The name may be up to 24 characters long. Follow the CIS convention. The new entry is added to the end of the file. For example, you could enter Their name first 70000,0000 B Switch PPN database file You are asked to enter the name of the PPN file you want displayed. You may include a drive and/or path name. For example, C:\ATO\IBMCOM.PPN is acceptable. C Change current entry You are prompted to supply new name information for the current entry. You can not change the PPN number. D Delete current entry The highlighted current entry is deleted. The next entry becomes the new current entry. E Erase PPN file You are prompted to verify that you want to delete the PPN file, and may reply with Y to delete the file, or N to keep the file. F Find name or userid You are prompted for a text string. ATOPPN searches the PPN file for that text. The search is case insensitive. If the text is found in an entry, that entry is made the current entry. M Switch message file AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 53 V. Special Processing ATO Address Book - ATOPPN You are prompted for a file name that represents a file of downloaded CIS messages. You may include a drive and/or path name. For example, C:\ATO\IBMCOMM.ATO is acceptable. L sort by Last name The PPN file is sorted by ascending order of user last names. Middle initials are ignored but title, like [SuperForum] may obscure the sort. N sort by Name The PPN file is sorted by user name in ascending order. The sort is case insensitive. That is, the names "bill" and "BILL" are treated as the same name. P Put entry to TO: field The user name and ID are returned to the calling program. For AUTOSIG, this information is copied to the "To:" field in the message editor. Otherwise, the information is displayed on the console. For EMAIL messages, only the ID (ppn) is copied. R Repeat Find to next Used after a successful Find command, the M command searches for the next occurrance of the text in the PPN file. S Sort by userid/ppn The PPN file is sorted by user ID (PPN) in ascending order. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 54 V. Special Processing ATO Address Book - ATOPPN U Update file from msgs ATOPPN scans the CIS message file for message headers. It then extracts the user names and IDs from the "Fm:" line. When a new userid is encountered, you are given the prompt: Add 7xxxx,xxxx new user Y>es, n>o, s>top asking, q>quit? Respond with a Y to add the new userid, an N to bypass , an S to add the userid and stop asking each time a new userid is encountered, or with a Q to stop processing the message file. Q Quit, return to ATO You are returned to ATO, and if any changes were made the PPN file is re-written. ESC Abort, return to ATO without updating You are returned to ATO and no updates are processed. The PPN file remains unchanged. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 55 VI. Terminal Mode Introduction In addition to automatic access to CompuServe, ATO can be used as a simple terminal program. This enable you to - go to other CIS areas - upload or download files from DL data libraries - save CIS information in a disk file - use split screen in a COnference Terminal mode in entered by selecting function option (G). You are given the option to automatically logon to CIS. The current configuration setting is used for dialing and page information. When you enter the SIG via the "Go on-line" function ATO sends the string "OP;SED;SM N ;S" which will put you in non stop mode. You may manually send OP;SM A;S to put you back into stop between message mode. Terminal mode is also entered when the "ESCape" key is entered twice from the keyboard while ATO is online. To exit terminal mode, and return to the Function Menu, enter a "ctrl-D" key combination. You are asked: "Have you left forum-name? (y/N) If you went to another forum while in terminal mode, reply Y. Otherwise, press enter. If you have set "Stay connected" in your forum options to No, you are asked: "Stay connected? (Y/n)". Reply Y if you want to stay connected and access more forums. Otherwise, reply N and ATO will log you off. If your terminal is defined as a Vidtex terminal, ATO recognizes most of the special escape sequences for clearing the screen and positioning the cursor. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 56 VI. Terminal Mode Defining Function Keys The keyboard keys F1 through F10 are available as Program Function Keys. Pressing one of these keys "sends" a command that you have assigned to the key. Function key definitions are save in the DFN file for each SIG. You create (or modify) these definitions by using the "alt-K" key combination. Alt-K results in a display of the current key definitions. This is a small window in the upper right corner of the display. Use the cursor positioning keys and other keyboard keys to add or modify data. The Enter key moves to the next key definition line. All function key strings are sent automatically when pressed; there is no way to define a function key string and not have it automatically followed by a carriage return. You do not need to be online to define these keys. Select G>o online for AUTOSIG's main menu, and you'll be prompted to determine if you want to go online. Reply "N", and then hit the Alt-K key combination. Use the ESCape key to end the editing of the key definitions, and to return to Terminal Mode. The first six characters of each key are displayed, as a reminder, on line 25 of the display whenever Terminal Mode is entered. You may remove the line 25 display by using the alt-C keys. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 57 VI. Terminal Mode Defining Function Keys Figure 9. TERMINAL FUNCTION KEYS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ === TERMINAL MODE === === FUNCTION KEY MENU ==== 1 ^O 2 ust 3 S [70007,1212] 4 op;sm a;s 5 rm 6 m 7 dl0 8 bro 9 dl10 10 t Press <ESCape> when finished 1^O 2ust 3 ____ 4op;sm 5rm 6t 7dl0 8bro 9dl1 0m ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Figure 10. TERMINAL MODE ALT KEYS == Terminal Mode ALT- Keys === === TERMINAL MODE === B - toggle Beeper C - Clear screen Do you want to auto-logon? (y/N) D - open capture file E - SHELL to DOS Enter ctrl-D to exit, alt-A for keys F - display Files on disk H - Hang up the phone K - edit F- function keys O - copy F-keys to all SIGs P - toggle Printer R - Reconfigure PC options S - Split the screen for CO U - Upload an ASCII file 1^O 2ust 3____ 4op;sm 5rm 6m 7dl0 8bro 9dl10 0t AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 58 VI. Terminal Mode Terminal Mode Special Keys While in Terminal Mode, ATO assigns special functions to these keys: alt-A displays a list of alt- keys that you may use alt-B toggles the sending of beeps and bells alt-C clears the screen and removes the line 25 display of the F-key definitions alt-D initiate downloading, save all received data in a capture file (PgDn may be substituted) alt-E invokes a DOS shell so that you may execute other programs without exiting ATO alt-F displays the names of files on a selected drive alt-H send modem commands to hang up (disconnect) alt-K displays the function keys and allows you to edit them alt-M invokes the ATO PPN Address Book processor alt-O copies your F- function key definition to ALL your other forums alt-P toggle the system printer on or off to print received data alt-R invokes the PC Options menu so that you may change screen colors or other options alt-S splits the screen (for conferencing), all keyboard input is taken from line 25 and is buffered until a carriage return is entered. The buffer is then sent to CIS. alt-U initate a file upload using the BEL (^G) prompting character (PgUp may be substituted) ctl-HOME Displays function keys on line 25, like KEY ON AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 59 VI. Terminal Mode Protocol File Transfer Files from the CIS data libraries (DLs) may be "downloaded" from CIS to your system by using ATO in the Terminal Mode. You tell CIS to download a file by using commands such as READ, TYPE, or DOW when you are given the DL: prompt by CIS, or from the file prompt given at the file level during the BRO command. To enter Terminal Mode, select the (G) Go Online function from the Function Menu, or press the ESCape key while ATO is performing an automatic function such as T. ATO uses the CIS "B" protocol. When asked by CIS for a download or protocol method, select the B protocol. If you have your terminal defined as Vidtex CIS will assume "B" protocol and you will not see the menu. Downloading with "B" protocol If you use the BRO command just enter D at the end of the file description. When asked for the protocol, select CompuServe "B". You'll get a message "I need a filename for your computer". Enter the drive spec (optional, if not used the default drive is used) and the name you will call the file on your disk. After that, the transfer is automatic. You'll see received block # messages, and after the transfer you'll see number of characters transferred, elapsed time and characters per second. The NAK value represents the number of times CIS requested that a block be retransmitted. The ENQ value should be zero. If not, CIS has tried to interrupt the file transfer and ATO may have trouble continuing. Some binary files use the extension ".BIN". From time to time, you may run into files that are stored in binary but have different extensions, such as ".BQN". To be certain of a good transfer, carefully note the file name and hit T instead of D. You'll be returned to the top of the Data Library. Type DOW FILENAME.EXT/PROTO:B/TYPE:BIN. During B protocol file transfer, the top line of the display tells you the name of the file and when the transfer started. If you are uploading a file, the file's size is also displayed. The bottom line of the display is a status line. It tells you the number of bytes of "Data" that have been transferred to or from a file, the number of bytes "Sent" and "Rcvd", and the number of "Naks" negative response due to errors. The "Data" AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 60 VI. Terminal Mode Protocol File Transfer count is updated every 32 bytes for 300/1200 bps, and every 64 bytes for 2400 bps operation. Uploading with "B" protocol Files may also be uploaded (sent) to DL databases using the "B" protocol. Use the UPL command and follow the directions from CIS. Please follow file name conventions. Basic programs saved as ASCII files should be uploaded with the extension, .BAS. Text files may have any three-letter extension. Please refer to the file DL.HLP in DL1 of IBMNEW for further information on filename conventions. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 61 VI. Terminal Mode File Transfer with DC2/DC4 and Prompting PgDn - Log to disk The "PgDn" key is used to start (or stop) logging to disk. Any data sent by CIS - messages, etc. - are written to a disk file until the "PgDn" key is used again to stop logging. The log file is also closed. after exiting Terminal Mode. You may also use the alt-D keys instead og PgDn to initiate logging. The letter C appears in the lower right corner of the screen to remind you that file capture is in progress. To "download" text files or Basic programs saved in ASCII format, while you're BROwsing through the Data Library, select "R" (without <Enter> ); hit PgDn; name the file as requested by the program; and then hit <Enter> twice. When the download is complete (CIS sends 'Key <Enter> to continue) hit PgDn again to close the file on your PC, followed by <Enter>. PgUp - Upload from disk The "PgUp" key initiates an upload operation. You supply the name of a file to be transferred to CIS. Records from the file are transmitted one at a time as the BEL prompt character is received. Thus, this is a "prompting" protocol. It is useful for uploading messages, or files, when the "A" protocol is not appropriate. If you select the DC2/DC4 transfer protocol, respond Yes to the CIS question "Do you want to be prompted?". Then enter a Ctrl-G key combination as the character you want to be prompted with. You may also use the alt-U keys to initiate an ASCII upload. If you need additional information on file transfer please consult the file DL.HLP in DL1 of the IBM New Users Forum (IBMNEW) or ask one of the Sysops for assistance. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 62 VII. Message Editor Description of use The AUTOSIG editor is a quasi-full screen editor which makes use of most of the special function keys on the PC keyboard. It's not a true word processor in that it will not wordwrap in the same fashion as you'd expect from a "real" editor, but that shouldn't deter you. Since CIS will reformat your message (unless you need to use the Store Unformatted feature) it's not necessary that it look exactly "right". Holes and other items will be displayed properly by the forum software. An honest to goodness full screen editor is in the works, but Any Day Now can sometimes drag on, and on... The screen consists of 25 rows by 80 columns. The first 23 rows contain message lines. Row 24 contains the addressee and subject information for the Leave or Reply message. Row 25 lists the function key definitions. If HELP is turned off by using function key 10, rows 24 and 25 are blank. Each message line is numbered, from 1 to 80, in column 78 of each display row. You may position the cursor to any line on the display, or use the <Enter> key to position to the next line. Because of the way CIS may reformat your message, you can not enter a space in the first column. To get around this limitation, use the right arrow or TAB key to position to the column you want. The maximum number of lines you may enter is 80, but Forum messages are limited to about 2000 characters, or 25 lines. The editor will warn you of this when you reach the 28th line. You should end the message, and start a new one if necessary to continue. The limit of 80 lines is necessary for EasyPlex messages which can be much larger than Forum messages. This editor has a simulated wordwrap. It will advance to the next line at an appropriate point, but will not reformat the message as you edit. The TAB key moves the cursor to the next TAB column. The TAB columns are 1, 9, 17, 25, etc. The ctrl-left key skips to the previous word, the ctrl-right key skips to the next word. About the only thing to keep in mind when using the editor is that the cursor location is always considered the "current" line. If you delete a line your deletion will start with the line where the cursor is. For example, if you have a 20 line message and the cursor is on line 10 and you hit the F6 key, then only line 10, the current line, is deleted. The INSERT function adds a blank line AFTER the current line. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 63 VII. Message Editor Description of use Lines are added to the end when ENTER is used on the last line. There is a major difference between the [Ctrl-End] and Del function as opposed to the DELETE function. A Ctrl-End or Del erasure will leave a blank line which CIS will assume is the end of the message (unless you put a period or other characters back in the line). The DELETE function truly deletes the line and it will not appear in the message upload file. When creating a message always remember that your input might be handled by SED (the Sig EDitor) and a blank line is considered a message termination. If you want to put a blank line in a message enter a period on the line you want blank. If you're using EDIT the periods will not be printed so feel free to put them in. Previous versions of ATO could only upload messages by using the SED Sig EDitor. ATO can now use either the SED or EDIT modes. The EDIT message editor is more difficult for some to use while online, but it is much faster for uploading messages. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 64 VII. Message Editor Editor Control Keys Cursor keys Move cursor in the arrow direction. Three numbers are displayed on line 25 to indicate the current line number, column and last line number. [Ins] Insert character at current cursor location The letter "I" appears on line 25 to indicate that the keyboard is in "insert" mode. [Del] Delete character at current cursor location [Enter] New line, indent to first char struck on current line. [Enter] again moves the cursor to column 1. [Home] Position to column 1 of current line [End] Position to end of text on current line. [Ctrl][end] Erase to end of current line. [PgUp] Display prior 11 lines. [PgDn] Display next 11 lines. [Ctrl][PgUp] Position to first line of current display. [Ctrl][PgDn] Position to last line on current display. [Ctrl][Home] Position to first line of message. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 65 VII. Message Editor Editor Function Keys While creating new messages (W), or replying (R) to a message, line 25 of the screen displays the function key assignments: 1SetTop 2Quit 3Remind 4Send 5Insert 6Delete 7Top 8Bottom 9Import 0Keys - - - - - - - - - - The meanings of the function keys are: F1 SetTop Specify top message display line to be displayed in line 1 of the editor. F2 Quit Abort the current message and return to main menu Omit While P>reviewing, the message is deleted from the Leave/Reply file. F3 Remind During R>ead, redisplays the message being replied to. F4 Save Save current message (in sigL.ATO). Keep While P>reviewing, the message is kept in the Leave/Reply file. Alt-F4 Hitting Alt and F4 at the same time will save a message you wrote to a file with the exten- sion .FIL. This is used for creating chrono- logical files of messages you wrote, which may be useful in Email, where you cannot read your messages online once they have been sent After saving to the file, this command performs the F4 function. F5 Insert Insert a line after the current line. F6 Delete Delete the current line. F7 Top Display from first line of message. F8 Bottom Display to last line of message. F9 Import Read a file into the editor work area F10 Keys Toggle display of function key definitions and the "Leave" or "Reply" message header. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 66 VII. Message Editor Editor Import Function You press F9 to tell ATO to import a file. This allows you to read a file into the editor work area. Thus, you can insert data from files directly into your messages. When you press F9, ATO asks you to where to find the file: Enter import d:\path [C:\ATO] You may press enter to use the Forum options drive and path (e.g. C:\ATO), or you may type in a new drive and path. Next, ATO displays a list of files in that directory. For example: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AUTOSIG .DFN AUTOSIG .JUN ATO360 .DOC ATO .EXE ACLS .EXE PANELS .2 IBMCOMM .ATO IBMCOML .ATO IBMCOMS .ATO File to import: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Enter the name of the file you wish to Import, or press Enter to change to another directory. If ATO can not find the file, you will receive the message: filename not found. Key 'X' to abort; any other key to retry. Press X to cancel the import request, or press Enter to re-enter the drive and path names. When you import a file while writing a message, that file becomes part of the message you are writing, and it is displayed. Because files with the extension ".ATO" are in the precise format of CIS messages, they cannot be imported, and an error message will be displayed. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 67 VII. Message Editor Replying to messages When you select F4 or Alt-F4, you are presented with the options: S>ave, P>rivate, U>nformatted, X>SPU, M>ail, D>elete original or <Enter> "S" will send the message and permit CIS to reformat it to the screen format set by anyone who reads it. "U" will send the message exactly as written. This is convenient if you include tables in a message. "P" sends the message privately on SIGs where this option is enabled. IMPORTANT: AUTOSIG does not trap errors if you attempt to send a (P)rivate message on a SIG where the Sysop does not allow this type of message. Don't use this option unless you're certain that it is permitted. At this writing, the IBM Forums allow private messages, as do most others. "X" sends the message Privately, as is, and instructs CIS to not reformat it. "M" sends the message as Easyplex (Email) by using the MA command "D" deletes the original message (if addressed to you). Other options may be displayed at this point, depending on CIS requirements and whether you are using W>rite, U>ser address, J>oin, or R>eply. These include prompts for the adressee's User ID (PPN), and the Section number. Simply follow the prompts to finish storing the message. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 68 VIII. Accounting Log - ACLS Log Files There is one other set of files created and maintained by AUTOSIG. They are the AUTOSIG.mmm Log files. The 'mmm' is an abbreviation for the current month. The Log files contain a record of your time on Compuserve. There is one record in the file for every access to CIS by ATO. Each record contains the following: Date,Baud,Time-on,Time-off,Elapsed-time,Sig-name[flag] The file can be displayed with the TYPE command, or other text display programs such as LIST. The [flag] code indicates the condition in which you exited the SIG. "+" means that the AUTO option was in use; "*" indicates that you selected the "Stay Connected" option; no flag means that this was the only SIG accessed, or that this was the last in a series. A "-" means that you uploaded a file and you will receive a credit for the time used. If you are using the multiple SIG feature (the stay connected option) there is a possibility that the SIG name for each session may be incorrect depending on what functions are performed. Once you take control of the program, the log file will charge all online time to the last SIG you accessed. If you like to keep detailed records of SIG usage, continue to keep manual records even if you don't use the multiple SIG feature. There will always be minor differences in the AUTOSIG.log and your manual records, so keep this in mind. Also, remember that the log file keeps records of your time online to the tenth of a minute, while CIS rounds each logon up to the next minute. This is one reason why AUTOSIG's AUTO and Stay Connected options can be much more economical, since the CIS rounding up doesn't take place until you log off. There is a companion program to AUTOSIG called ACLS and authored by Tom Neff. You'll note a dollar sign ($) next to "X" on the main menu. When you've finished with AUTOSIG, you can enter "$" instead of "X", and you will branch to ACLS, which offers several ways of reading summaries of your connect charges. You can also select this option in the middle of an AUTOSIG session to get a quick accounting, as ACLS provides the option of branching back to AUTOSIG. ACLS assumes that the ATO program file is name "ATO.EXE" and not "AUTOSIG.EXE". When using ACLS remember that it calculates an approximate cost usually on the high side. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 69 VIII. Accounting Log - ACLS Log Files Figure 11. ACLS Accounting Summary ACLS Selection Menu +-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | | Summary Report Option Keys | | A C L S +--------------------------------------+ | | M Month to date | | A Usage Log Summary Utility | D Today only | | for AUTOSIG | O Other month or file | | | | | Version x.xx | A Restart AUTOSIG | | | X Exit to system | +-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | by Tom Neff & the AUTOSIG Crew | Select one | +-------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+ Figure 12. ACLS Sample Output ACLS v1.7 06-22-1985 16:22 AUTOSIG.JUN since 06-22-1986 Vis- 300 Nonprime 300 Prime 1200 Nonprime 1200 Prime Forum its min cost min cost min cost min cost Total ------- ---- ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ------- IBMCOM 2 4.5 0.94 0.94 IBMSW 2 6.1 1.27 1.27 *other 0.4 .10 .10 ---- ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ------- Total 4 0.0 0.00 0.0 0.00 11.0 2.21 0.0 0.00 $2.31 Notes: The *other values represent connect time that can not be attributed to a specific Forum due to the rounding up of connect time to whole minutes. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 70 IX. Errors and Problem Reporting Internal Errors If an error occurs during execution, a message is displayed on the top line of the display, such as ERROR 52 in LINE 1020. The message contains an error code which is described in the BASIC manual, and the line number where the problem occurred. If you can't resolve the problem, make a note of the error message and give the information to one of the authors. After the error, the Function Menu is displayed. Depending on the problem, you may decide to continue or terminate. Any files created by ATO are left on the current drive. Thus, you may restart processing at a later time. By far the most common problem is a lack of response by AUTOSIG when it receives the SIG "Function" prompt. Rather than giving the command based upon your menu selection it just sits there. The problem is more than likely due to an inconsistency between the prompt character that's been defined in the SIG OPtion area and the ^G that ATO uses. If you are using a computer that may not be IBM compatible, the screen displays may be empty. This is due to the way ATO places data directly into the monitor's display buffer. The /T command-line parameter can be used to force ATO to write to the display without using the IBM-specific display buffer addresses. See page 7-8 for further information on this parameter, and others that can help resolve compatibility problems. Remember that the default ATO prompt character is a Ctrl-G (Bell) character. This must be entered in the SIG OPtion area as ^G (the ^ key is the shifted 6 key). The CIS OPtion program will not accept CTRL-G as a valid prompt character. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 71 IX. Errors and Problem Reporting Trouble Shooting AUTOSIG traps and recovers from all possible errors that the authors have identified. There are only two occasions when you're likely to see any indication of an error. The first is if you see ASCII 243 on your screen (the mathematical symbol for "less than or equal to"). This indicates that ATO has trapped an error at the modem. This is likely to happen once or twice both logging on and logging off, and is not a problem. If it happens repeatedly elsewhere, check your modem and the wires connecting it to the PC. The second is if you didn't let ATO run its full course and broke out of the program or turned your computer off before returning to DOS. This will not harm your computer, but it may leave some stray files behind. No corrective action is needed, except to always try to let ATO run its full course, from DOS to execution and back to DOS. Since ATO has so many files open it's a good idea to do a CHKDSK to identify any lost clusters. This action will probably result in your "high message number" being corrupted if you use on of the AUTOSIG functions that maintains and depends on that number. Other than these two problems, if you see a message in the upper right corner of your display indicating "Error nn at Line nnnnn", please leave a message the IBM Communications Forum (IBMCOM). One of the authors will respond. If you're having problems with ATO's display, this is probably caused by incompatibility between your computer and some of the ATO code, which is IBM-PC specific. Although ATO runs fine "as is" on most compatibles, there are several "switches" that can get around compatibility problems. See the section on Switches. There are other problems that can arise when CompuServe is acting up and sends something ATO doesn't expect. Again, most of these problems are trapped and fixed automatically, but, given the infinite number of possible miscues that CIS can generate, not all can be fixed. Here are some of the possible ones: AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 72 IX. Errors and Problem Reporting Trouble Shooting ATO FREEZES; NO ACTION AT ALL Make sure that you have set your SIG prompt character at ^G, especially if this happens at the Function: prompt. Otherwise: Wait a full minute. The problem could be that CIS is busy. If there is still no sign of activity, hit <ESCape> twice followed by CTRL-C. This should put you into direct contact with CIS at a menu that gives you several options, including Logoff. Select that one and try again later. MESSAGE SENT TO WRONG SIG This can happen using AUTO on a very noisy phone line. What has happened is that CIS sent a false signal causing ATO to think that it had moved on to another SIG. This error never happens on a good connection. There's no way ATO can fix it. FEEDBACK to CIS might help. FILES BUSY (Code xxnn) ... This is a CIS message that, unfortunately, gives you only two choices: wait it out or pull the plug. None of this is unique to ATO; you'd have the same problem if you logged on manually. If you choose to pull the plug, hit <ESCape><ESC>, which will return you to the ATO menu with the message that the "PC is CONNECTED". Hit "Z". This will send "OFF" to CIS and disconnect the modem. Once CIS recognizes your action, it will log you off. {{ Characters This symbol is encountered when there is a lot of noise on the line. Your best bet is to abort ATO as quickly as possible if you see this symbol repeatedly. EASYPLEX problems You can name the EasyPlex "SIG" whatever you like, as long as the name contains "MAIL", "Mail" or "mail". Although ATO makes EasyPlex look and act like a SIG, when you leave a message, you are actually doing a file transfer, rather than a line-by-line dump. Your parity MUST be set at "zero" or "none". To fix this, G TERMINAL and reset parity. CIS keeps different parameters for you at 300 and 1200 baud, so make sure that you're online at the same baud rate at which you normally use ATO. The other likely EasyPlex problem is if you haven't inserted your name in the EasyPlex address file. Check the AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 73 IX. Errors and Problem Reporting Trouble Shooting EasyPlex section for more information. Message you sent arrives To: and From: YOU ATO tries in several different ways to recover from inability to send a reply to a message. As a last resort, ATO will send your message to you. If it looks like you're talking to yourself, it simply means that ATO and CIS couldn't find any other way to deliver the message. % NTWCPR - Communications Problem, PLEASE WAIT.(SFD 00166 050) % NTWJRP - Job Recovery in Progress. Type ^Q to continue. ATO will wait out most CIS problems and resume faultlessly. However, there is one situation (a CIS failure followed by a recovery) when CIS asks you to send a CTRL-Q. If you do this manually at the CIS prompt, ATO will recover as well. If you don't, CIS will disconnect you in about two minutes and ATO will return to the main menu. ATO fails sending a P)rivate message Some Sysops have chosen not to permit (P)rivate messages. Since ATO cannot possibly keep up to date on what options are available on the various SIGs, it's up to you to know whether you can send a private message on a given SIG. If in doubt, send it public (using 'S' or 'U'), check first with the Sysop, or try it 'manually' before trying it with ATO. ATO hangs up or aborts a file transfer File transfers can fail for any number of reasons, including so much line noise that CIS simply aborts. By watching the NAK and ENQ values, you can get an idea of how smoothly a tranfer is proceeding. An excessively high NAK value indicates that the line connection is poor and you should probably log off and call back. It may help to try another phone number, or lower the baud rate. In any event, report your problems to FEEDBACK and they may credit your account for the time lost. If you're asked if you want a prompt character at the start of a file transfer, make sure you specify ^G. If you're uploading an 8-bit (.BIN) file without the expected ".BIN" extension, don't use the DL menus. In response to the "DLn:" prompt, type UPL FILNME.EXT/PROTO:B/TYPE:BIN <enter>, AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 74 IX. Errors and Problem Reporting Trouble Shooting where FILNME.EXT is the name of the file that you want to upload. You will then be prompted for a filename from your computer. Type in the name EXACTLY as it appears on your message file disk. If the file is on a different disk, make sure you type the drive number first, e.g.,: YOU --> UPL ATO.ARC/PROTO:B/TYPE:BIN CIS --> Filename for your computer? YOU --> C:AUTO.ARC (the drive letter, ":", the filename on your disk) CIS --> Upload in progress Other file transfer problems are most likely because you haven't set parity on CIS-9 to "Zero" or "None". Go there at the same baud rate at which you want to transfer files and follow the menus. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 75 Appendices Acknowlegements A special thanks to those who helped test the numerous interim versions of ATO, including: Barry Simon 76505,2315 David Klatzco 74025,1005 David Turcotte 70150,540 Don Strenczewilk 72617,132 Eric Rosenberg 73307,110 James Bach 76555,273 Jim McKeown 74666,511 Joan Friedman 76556,3643 John Francis 71600,300 John R. White 71436,330 N. Arley Dealey 70130,177 Ray Reyes [TandyNet] 76703,3100 Steven Stern 70327,135 SysOp Conrad Kageyama 76703,1010 SysOp Wes Meier 76703,747 Tom Neff 76556,2536 Disclaimer IBM, Tandy, Microsoft, QuickBasic and Compaq are all registered trademarks. If we missed any our apologies. This program is, of course, offered as is. We can't guarentee it will work on every permutation of equipment. We will make an honest effort to correct and/or add any features that you ask for. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 76 Appendices Appendix A - Copying and sharing AUTOSIG. AUTOSIG is a FREE program available to all for the downloading. In general there are very few "rules" regarding it's distribution: o No fee may be charged over and beyond the normal fee for materials. o AUTOSIG may not be distributed by commercial companies engaged in the selling of public domain software. o AUTOSIG may not be used for commercial ventures. If you're a company and would like to use AUTOSIG please contact the authors with your pitch (Easyplex preferred). o The program may not be distributed without this manual, please! AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 77 Appendices Appendix Q - Quick Reference Words This is a fairly complete list of forums and their quick reference words as of August, 1986. Please note that the list is growing very quickly and for up to minute reference you may: 1) GO INDEX and search there, or 2) type FIND [subject] from your favorite ! prompt. Additionally you'll find that On-Line Today magazine usually contains an updated forum listing every other issue or so. In most cases only the first six characters of a quick reference word are needed; i.e. DDJFOR works the same as DDJFORUM. AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 78 Appendices Appendix Q - Quick Reference Words ADCIS Forum ADCIS AESNET AESNET AI EXPERT Forum AIE-100 Access (Public File Area) ACCESS Amiga Forum AMIGAFORUM Apple User Groups Forum APPUG Ashton-Tate Forum ASHFORUM Associated Press APN Atari 16 Bit Forum ATARI16 Atari 8 Bit Forum ATARI8 Atari Developers Forum ATARIDEV Auto Racing Forum RACING Autodesk Software Forum ADESK Aviation Forum (AVSIG) AVSIG Bacchus Wine Forum WINEFORUM Borland International Forum BOR-100 Broadcast Professionals Forum BPFORUM CB Interest Group CBIG CP/M (CPM) Users Group CPMSIG Changing Your Terminal Type TERMINAL Comic Book Forum COMIC Computer Art Forum ARTSIG Computer Club Forum CLUB Computer Consultant's Forum CONSULT Computer Language Magazine CLM Computers/Actrix/Eagle/Timex CLUB Consumer Electronics Forum CEFORUM Cooks Online Forum COOK DEC PC Forum DECPC Digital Equipment Corporation DECUNET Digital Research Forum DRFORUM Disabilities Forum DISABILITIES Dr. Dobb's Journal Forum DDJFORUM EPIE Forum EPIEFORUM EasyPlex Electronic Mail EASYPLEX Educators Forum EDFORUM Epson Forum EPSON Florida Forum FLORIDA Foreign Language Forum FLEFO Forth Forum/Creative Solutions FORTH Gamers Forum GAMERS Good Earth Forum GOODEARTH HAMNET HAMNET Health Forum HCM-660 Heath Users Group HEATHUSERS Hewlet Packard Forum HP IBM Communications Forum IBMCOM IBM Hardware Forum IBMHW IBM Junior Forum IBMJR AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 79 Appendices Appendix Q - Quick Reference Words IBM New Users Forum IBMNEW IBM Software Forum IBMSW IBM Users Network IBMNET Investors Forum INVFORUM Journalism Forum JFORUM Kaypro Users Forum KAYPRO LDOS/TRSDOS6 Users Group LDOS LOGO Forum LOGOFORUM Legal Forum LAWSIG Literary Forum LITFORUM Living Videotext Forum LVTFORUM Logical Systems Inc Forum PCS-49 MAUG(tm) Apple II & III Forum APPLE MAUG(tm) Apples Online AOL MAUG(tm) MacDeveloper's Forum MACDEV MAUG(tm) Macintosh Users Group MACUS MEDSIG MEDSIG MUSUS Forum MUSUS MicroPro Forum MICROPRO Microsoft Forum MSOFT Model Aviation Forum MODELNET Music Forum MUSICFORUM National Issues Forum ISSUESFORUM OMNI FORUM OMNIFORUM OP-NET Forum SFP-4 OS9 Forum OS9 Ohio Scientific Forum OSIFORUM Orch-90 Music Forum ORCH-90 Outdoor Forum OUTDOORFORUM PDP-11 Forum PDP11 PR Link PRLINK PR and Marketing Forum PRSIG Pascal Forum PCS-55 Pictures Support Forum PICS Political Forum POLITICS Programmers Forum PROGSIG Public Access ACCESS Religion Forum HOM-33 RockNet ROCK SBENET SBENET Safetynet Forum SAFETY Sailing Forum SAILING Science Fiction/Fantasy SCI Science/Math Education Forum SCIENCE Software Publishing Forum SPCFORUM Software Publishing Online SPC Space Forum SPACEFORUM Sports Forum HOM-110 TRS-80 Model 100 Forum M100SIG AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 80 Appendices Appendix Q - Quick Reference Words TRS-80 Professional Forum TRS80PRO Tandy Business Users Group TCBUG Tandy Color Computer Forum COCO TeleComm Forum TELECOMM Texas Instruments Forum TIFORUM The World of Lotus LOTUS Travel SIG TRAVSIG Tropical Fish Forum FISHNET US Entrepreneurs' Network USEN VAX SIG VAXSIG WITSIG WITSIG Whole Earth Software Forum WHOLEEARTH Working-From-Home Forum WORK Writers and Editors Forum WESIG AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 81 Appendices Appendix M - Typical Displays and Messages Messages while dialing Calling: IBMCOM at 16:08:09 via CIS1200 (1200 bps) +++ATZ OK AT M0V1DT555-1212 CONNECT ^C IBM PC Connected 1200 User ID: 70000,0000 Password: CompuServe Information Service 16:09 PDT Saturday 25-Aug-86 OK G IBMCOM AUTOSIG User's Manual Page 82 Appendices Appendix V - Using Virtual Disks The following code can be used as an AUTOEXEC.BAT file for ATO.EXE when used in conjunction with RAMDSK or other programs that use RAM and a phantom drive. In this file, the assumptions are: o Two floppy disk drives (A & B) o AUTOSIG.EXE, AUTOSIG.DFN and AUTOSIG.MTH (.JAN, .FEB, etc.) residenton drive A: o RAMDSK is part of the CONFIG.SYS file and configured as drive C: o A resident clock. If not, replace the REM at line 3 with 'Date'and insert a new line below it: 'Time' o AUTOSIG.EXE has been renamed ATO.EXE In the unlikely event of a crash, your .DFN file is preserved. Go to drive A: and COPY DFN.BKP AUTOSIG.DFN. Otherwise, this file puts all files into RAMDSK and eliminates any disk-spinning from log on to log off. cls echo off REM insert screen blanking program here copy AUTOSIG.DFN c: erase DFN.bkp ren AUTOSIG.DFN DFN.bkp ren AUTOSIG.exe temp.exe copy AUTOSIG.* c: ren temp.exe AUTOSIG.exe copy batch.ato c: b: copy *.ato c: copy *.fil c: a: AUTOSIG /p c: /f REM drive ("c:") above should be one letter higher than your highest REM "/p" and "/f" are optional flags b: erase *.ato c: copy AUTOSIG.* a: copy batch.ato a: erase AUTOSIG.* erase batch.ato copy *.* b: erase *.fil erase *.ato a:|cls I N D E X ========================================================================== "B" protocol ................. 59, 60 $,Invoke ACLS ................ 28, 42, 68 (A) .......................... 31 (B) .......................... 41 (D) .......................... 29 (F) .......................... 30 (G) .......................... 29, 55, 59 (H) .......................... 30 (I) .......................... 31 (M) .......................... 29, 41 (O) .......................... 19, 44 (Q) .......................... 30 (R) .......................... 29, 32, 65 (S) .......................... 15, 33, 41, 47 (T) .......................... 30 (U) .......................... 31 (V) .......................... 32 (W) .......................... 10, 29, 34, 65 (Y) .......................... 31 (Z) .......................... 14 .mth ......................... 20, 82 /1 ........................... 14, 45, 46, 47 /2 ........................... 14, 45, 46, 47 /B ........................... 12, 18 /C ........................... 12, 18 /F ........................... 12, 14, 18, 82 /G ........................... 12, 18 /H ........................... 12, 18 /M ........................... 13, 18, 78 /P ........................... 13, 14, 17, 18, 82 /Q ........................... 13, 18 /S ........................... 13, 18 /T ........................... 11, 12, 13, 18, 70 /V ........................... 13 1 - AUTOmatic first pass ..... 40 2 - AUTOmatic second pass .... 40 A>gain ....................... 35 Acknowlegements .............. 74 ACLS ......................... 1, 16, 28, 42, 66, 68, 69 ACLS Selection Menu .......... 69 ADDRESS book ................. 21, 32, 33, 37, 42, 48, 50, 51, 58 Address Book Commands ........ 51 Alt-A ........................ 40, 57, 58 I N D E X ========================================================================== Alt-B ........................ 58 Alt-C ........................ 56, 58 Alt-D ........................ 58, 61 Alt-E ........................ 37, 58 Alt-F ........................ 58 Alt-H ........................ 58 Alt-I ........................ 37 Alt-K ........................ 56, 58 Alt-M ........................ 37, 42, 50, 58 Alt-O ........................ 58 Alt-P ........................ 58 Alt-R ........................ 58 Alt-S ........................ 58 Alt-U ........................ 58, 61 Append ....................... 20, 22 ATO File Names ............... 10 ATOPPN ....................... 32, 50, 52, 54 AUTO ......................... 12, 14, 16, 21, 28, 40, 42, 45, 46, 47, 57 68, 72, 74, 78 B - Beep on/off toggle ....... 41 B>ack ........................ 35 Blank line ................... 63 Bulletin ..................... 25, 26, 41 C - Change to Primary Menu ... 40 C(hange ...................... 27 Change CIS Terminal Settings . 6 Check-off List ............... 2 CIS phone number ............. 15, 23, 26, 29, 48 COLOR ........................ 12, 17, 18, 80 COMmunications port .......... 24, 26 Configuration Options ........ 22, 26, 30 Ctl-HOME ..................... 58 D - Download messages online. 32 D>elete ...................... 36, 67 DC2/DC4 ...................... 61 DEFALT ....................... 6 DesqView ..................... 13 DFN .......................... 10, 13, 14, 17, 20, 28, 30, 40, 41, 43, 45 46, 48, 56, 66, 82 Disclaimer ................... 75 Disconnect ................... 21, 24, 25, 26, 28, 42, 44, 58, 72, 73 Download ..................... 1, 20, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 39, 43, 45, 46 55, 59, 61 I N D E X ========================================================================== Downloading .................. 1, 10, 29, 30, 58, 59, 76 Downloading with "B" protocol 59 DTR .......................... 9 E - Shell (EXEC) to a new copy 41 E>nd ......................... 35 EasyPlex ..................... 1, 12, 19, 23, 35, 48, 49, 62, 67, 72, 73 76, 78 Email ........................ 1, 13, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23, 37, 43, 45, 48 49, 53, 65, 67 Environment .................. 13 Errors ....................... 13, 59, 67, 71 ESCape ....................... 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 26, 27, 45, 47, 50 51, 55, 56, 59 Figure 10. TERMINAL MODE ALT K 57 Figure 11. ACLS Accounting .. 68 Figure 12. ACLS Sample Output 69 Figure 3. FORUM OPTIONS MENU . 21 Figure 6. AUTO BUILD LIST MENU 46 Figure 7. AUTO /1 and /2 Displ 47 Figure 8. ATOPPN Menu ........ 50 Figure 9. TERMINAL FUNCTION KE 56 Files drive:\path ............ 20, 22 Filter ....................... 5 Forum Information ............ 19 Forum Options,Menu ........... 3, 6, 16, 19, 21, 28, 39, 40, 43 Forum Selection,List ......... 15, 16, 18, 19, 22 Function menu ................ 10, 19, 27, 30, 35, 44, 45, 70 G - Go online, terminal mode. 40 GO to,page ................... 4, 19, 20, 22, 29, 55, 82 Hayes,modems ................. 2, 9, 24, 25 Host 1st,ready prompt ........ 25, 26 Host 2nd,ready message ....... 25, 26 Host name .................... 23, 26 Host options,menu ............ 16, 48 Host Selection ............... 15, 16, 18, 26 Hostname override ............ 20, 22 Import,into editor ........... 65, 66 Install Program Files ........ 3 Item Selection,menu .......... 15, 16 Join ......................... 34 K - Delete message file ...... 41 L - List bulletins ........... 41 L>ocate ...................... 35 I N D E X ========================================================================== Log sessions ................. 20, 22 Logging ...................... 13, 19, 20, 61, 71 Logon ^P ..................... 17, 18 M - Mark messages offline .... 37 M>ail ........................ 35, 67 MA,Mail message .............. 23, 35, 48, 52, 75 MENU ......................... 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 19, 20, 21, 27, 30, 34, 35, 37, 40, 44, 45 46, 48, 50, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 65, 68, 69 70, 72, 73 Message Editor ............... 32, 33, 53, 63 MNP .......................... 25 Modem commands ............... 58 Modem Connect,text ........... 24, 26 Modem dial,commands .......... 24, 26 Modem Disconnect,text ........ 24, 26 Modem Hang-up,command ........ 25, 26 Modem Reset,command .......... 25, 26 Modem switch,settings ........ 9 Multiple SIG,Sessions ........ 42, 44, 68 N - Update DFN file. ......... 40 N>ext ........................ 35 NAK,Resend bad blocks ........ 59, 73 O - Change forum Options ..... 39 OP,Setting Forum OPtions ..... 1, 4, 14, 24, 27, 34, 35, 37, 38, 54, 59 61, 65, 67, 70, 73, 75, 79 Overview ..................... 49 P - Preview Leave/Reply file. 32 P>rint ....................... 35 Parameters ................... 5, 6, 8, 9, 24, 72 Parity ....................... 7, 8, 24, 49, 72, 74 Password ..................... 15, 23, 26, 29, 48 PC Options,MENU .............. 3, 4, 10, 14, 15, 17, 18, 28, 35, 57, 58 PgDn ......................... 15, 16, 19, 22, 26, 28, 37, 39, 50, 58, 60 61 PgDn - Log to disk ........... 60 PgUp ......................... 15, 16, 19, 22, 26, 37, 39, 50, 58, 61 PgUp - Upload from disk ...... 61 Preview,messages to send ..... 28, 32, 49 Primary Menu ................. 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 27, 40, 45, 48 Primary Menu keys ............ 15 Protocol ..................... 1, 49, 59, 60, 61 Q>uit ........................ 35, 38 I N D E X ========================================================================== R - Read and reply offline. .. 33 Reconfigure PC ............... 16, 17, 57 Reply ........................ 28, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 48, 52, 55, 56, 62 65, 73 Run .......................... 4, 16, 28, 29, 41, 42, 44, 45, 47, 59, 71 S - Send messages online. .... 32 S>ave ........................ 10, 32, 34, 36, 67 S>ort ........................ 38, 39 Sections ..................... 21, 22, 40 Send forum ^P ................ 21, 22 Set Modem Switches ........... 8 Setting CIS Forum Options .... 3 Setting CIS Terminal Options . 5 Setting Your Terminal Type ... 6, 8 SIG name ..................... 19, 22, 68 Split,screen for CO .......... 1, 55, 57 Start-up ..................... 4 Starting msg # ............... 20, 22 Stay connected ............... 20, 22, 42, 44, 46, 55, 68 Summary of R>ead responses ... 36 Switches ..................... 3, 8, 12, 14, 17, 45, 71 T>op ......................... 35 Telenet ...................... 1, 23 Terminal Mode ................ 10, 27, 28, 40, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 61 Terminal Parameters .......... 6, 8 Terminal program ............. 1, 55 Trouble,Shooting ............. 23, 59 Tymnet ....................... 1, 16, 18, 23, 24, 26 UA,Use addressee ............. 29, 34 Upload ....................... 1, 20, 55, 57, 58, 61, 63, 74 Uploading .................... 5, 29, 49, 59, 60, 61, 63, 73 Uploading with "B" protocol .. 60 Userid ....................... 15, 23, 26, 29, 32, 37, 51, 52, 53, 54 V - View SAVEd messages. ..... 32 Vidtex ....................... 7, 8, 55, 59 W - Write new messages off-lin 32 X - Return to SYSTEM. ........ 41 Z - Send OFF and disconnect .. 42 ZERO,parity .................. 8, 49, 59, 72, 74 ^C ........................... 25, 26, 81 ^G ........................... 4, 5, 12, 18, 58, 70, 72, 73 ^P ........................... 14, 17, 18, 21, 22 ~,Pause char ................. 24, 25, 26