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READ.ME
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1987-01-20
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-----------------------------------
BYE-PC for DOS _____
and the |ibm |
IBM-PC, XT, AT | (*) |
by |__U__|
MCODE Software
-----------------------------------
BYE-PC is an implementation of the popular BYE program for cp/m
machines designed to run on the IBM-PC family of computers. This system
carries the latest copies of a demo package for BYE-PC as well as the
source code for registered users. The demo package can be found in
directory A5: and is available to all callers for distribution. To
receive the source code you will have to purchase the package to become
a registered user. The source code is completely written in assembly
code and offers interrupt driven communications for optimal performance.
This system will become the main distribution point for BYE-PC users
and modifications will be returned to this point for re-distribution.
Once a user is registered, all software written for use with BYE-PC
is available and all modifications are available. The initial cost of
BYE-PC is a one time cost and is required by the author due to the
lengthy initial development time of the package. All rights to the
source code are retained by the author and requires that persons who
purchase the source code enter an aggreement upon purchase of the
package. The source code aggrement is in the file 'COPYRGHT.BYE' in
directory A5:. If you wish to purchase the code and enter the agreement
then you can contact the author or the sys/op for more information.
Source Code Development Package Contents:
BYE102.ASM --> Complete ASM source code for BYE-PC.
BYEXFACE.C --> BYE-PC inteface module to 'C' programs.
SHELL.C --> DOS security shell for use with BYE-PC.
XMDM.C --> Complete XMODEM source code for use with BYE-PC.
STAT.C --> BYE-PC status control application program.
CHAT.C --> Complete source code for CHAT program.
All source code modules will compile using either Microsoft(TM)
ASM or the MSC 'C' compiler. The author uses the Microsoft(TM) languages
exclusivly. If a user feels that he/she has a made a modification of
significance to other users, the module can be returned to this system
for redistribtion to other users. This method will allow the package to
mature into a full featured system just as the original version of
BYE written for cp/m systems bye Irv Hoff, Kim Levitt and others.
To order the develpment package you can contact the system operator
or the address below. If you do not wish to modify the source code but
still wish to purcase a copy of the program, the author can assist you
in setting up a system for you. As of yet a RBBS has not been written
for use with BYE-PC. I will leave this as a challenge to programmers
who can do a better job of writting a bulletin board system. 'C' offers
numerous advantages for bulletin board software developers compared to
Basic. I have however, provided a complete interface for 'C'programers
to access BYE-PC functions for status and hardware control of the modem.
BYEXFACE.C greatly simplifies the task of writting any communications
software to work in conjuncion with BYE-PC. Low level funcions are
provided to allow complete control of the modem and set status levels
within BYE-PC that other programs can reference (SHELL, XMDM, etc..).
Source Code Development Package Ordering:
The source code development package sells for $49.95 and contains
all of the source code for the modules described above. Once a user
is registered, they will receive disks that contains all of the
source code for all of the above specified modules. This pacakage
is designed for programmers that program in Assembly and 'C' who
wish to become a part of the BYE-PC network and contribute to the
package as it grows. Modifications will not be re-sold by the author.
The author has no intentions of exploiting other programmers work.
Only the original distribution package is sent to people wishing to
purchase the system. If newcomers want the latest revisions and updates
by other programmers, then they will have to contact the Board Walk MBBS
to receive the latest versions available. The initial cost has been
implemented due to the total failure of the shareware approach to
distribution of user developed software.
Contact the sys/ops of the Board Walk MBBS or write to the author
at the following address:
MCODE Software
c/o R.E. Starr, Jr.
3444 Dresden Drive
Montgomery, Al. 36111
(205)284-0241 (7-8pm CST only!)
You may also leave a message to me on the Board Walk. Address any
messages to author Bob Starr on the Board Walk MBBS.
*********************************************
** Setting up a the demo version of BYE-PC **
*********************************************
This demo package contains several executable files that demonstrate
how BYE-PC functions. In order to set up BYE-PC you will need to select
the appropriate communications port on your system. After you select
the appropriate you port, you need to set up the 'AUTOEXEC.BAT' file to
reload BYE-PC after the call is completed or carrier is lost. I usually
setup BYE-PC to operate off of drive A: and set the path to look on
drive A: and then drive C:. In either case, all you need is something
to set your path up correctly and put BYE.COM in the path somewhere.
The disk should contain the system tracks and COMMAND.COM to boot.
When the caller hangs up and the system warm boots it will reload BYE-PC
for the next call. My autoexec file looks like the following:
Example: {AUTOEXEC.BAT}
PATH A:\;A:\SYSTEM;C:\DOS
GETCLOCK
BYE -->
(optional) SHELL --> BYE Security Shell (opt.)
The demo package contains the following files:
COPYRGHT.BYE --> BYE-PC Copyright Notice and License agreement.
BYE-COM1.COM --> BYE.COM for use with COM1 systems (300/1200).
BYE-COM2.COM --> " " " " " " " " COM2 " " (300/1200).
SHELL .EXE --> Demo sample of SHELL for DOS security.
CHAT .EXE --> Demo sample of CHAT for BYE.
XMODEM .EXE --> Complete Xmodem Protocol file transmissions.
STAT .EXE --> BYE-PC status control program.
BYEXFACE.H --> BYE interface header for MSC.
BYEXFACE.C --> BYE-PC interface to MSC Compiler.
Your will need to select either one of the BYE-COMx.COM files and
rename it to BYE.COM and place it in the root directory of your
BYE-PC system disk. Set the corresponding AUTOEXEC.BAT file up as
shown above. Next copy all of the .EXE files to the BYE-PC sysetm
disk to allow for Xmodem downloading, chat, and status checks.
If you wish to see how security functions can be performed while in
DOS add the name SHELL right after BYE in the AUTOEXEC file. As soon
as a caller logson and BYE-PC becomes active the shell will load and
allows for checking of invalid drive, and paths names.
The Modem
These are only demo versions of BYE and only work withs Hayes
compatable modems. I have not yet implemented the 2400 bps version
yet and only 300 and 1200 baud are currently available. BYE-PC can
be configured to work with other modems but, the Hayes seems to be
the standard for use with PC's. The modem must have a ribbon cable
that provides all standard modem interface signals to operate correctly.
I am currently using an ADC Hayes compatable with the standard Hayes
switch settings. You will have to check the switch settings in the
modem manual to make sure that the following are set:
Swtiches Settings (see modem manual)
Command Reckognition.....................ON
Numeric result codes.....................ON
Auto answer enable ......................OFF
Echo commands enable.....................OFF
Send result codes........................ON
Ignore DTR line..........................OFF
Ignore DTR line..........................OFF
Response to Carrier Detect...............ON
Once you have the switch settings correct and the ribbon cable
hooked up to the correct port you can boot from the disk by using
Ctrl-Alt-Del. As soon as BYE-PC loads the modem will reset and the
initialization strings are sent to the modem. If the characters are
printing one at a time very slowly, then you do not have the cables
hooked up properly or the computer serial port is not set up properly.
The standard serial port for an IBM PC is configured in DCE mode to
work with devices such as a modem and should not cause any problems.
If you are using a different type of serial port from the IBM-PC
standard you make sure it is setup in DCE mode or the appropriate
conversion cable is made.
Once the modem is initialized it is ready to receive calls. To exit
BYE-PC just press Ctl-C and the user is prompted for the Resume exit
message. Depressing the Return key will exit BYE-PC and return to DOS.
Depressing 'R' will resume the call wait mode. Once a caller calls the
modem will begin testing for the correct baud rate of the call. The
remote end must depress the Carriage Return key <CR/Return> until the
nulls question responds back. The carriage return is used to determine
the baud rate rather than the modem response codes. Once the number of
nulls is answered the user will drop into DOS or the DOS SHELL program.
PC BIOS Draw Backs?
Once in DOS users can run any program that writes to TTY functions
such as DEBUG, EDLIN, TREE, (etc...). Note that you can not use
programs such as Word Star, Lotus and other programs that write directly
to video ram. While this is a major drawback, you can still upload and
download files and run bulletin board systems just as the cp/m systems.
In the quest for fast programs and fancy windows and screens programmers
bypassed the BIOS on pc's and caused the rest of the world problems in
compatability. BYE-PC traps BIOS calls from the keyboard and tty-video
to provide remote operation of the system. Any program that is compiled
in a high level language and uses <stdin> and <stdout> as the device
streams should work fine without any problems. 'C' is a very good
development language to use to write application programs in. I have
not used BASIC yet for any application programs. Interpretive BASICA
will not work because it re-initializes the serial port to the defaults
when it loads up. When the port is initialized it disables all inter-
rupts to the port and effectivly disables BYE-PC.
While all of the above problems seem like major drawbacks, its really
no worse than the cp/m systems because you have all of the same fun-
ctions except for remote BASIC operation. ARC and LU programs will
work fine as well as any programs written assembly language that
adhere to a set minor rules.(1) Use the BIOS to test for keyboard
data ready and to actually get the keyboard data, (2) Use all
write to tty fucntions to display character strings. Coming from the
old cp/m world, these facts present no problems compared to old cp/m
systems. You still have a much faster and capable machine for handling
data and the interrupt driven i/o allows for greater reliabilty and
ease of use.
Using 'BYEXFACE.C' to write applications in 'C'
If you are a programmer and wish to test some of the capabilities of
BYE-PC I have included the source code for interfaceing BYE-PC to 'C'
programs. This interface was used to create XMODEM, STAT, SHELL, and
CHAT for the utilities provided in this demo package. This code will
compile using the Microsoft C Compiler verison 3.0 or 4.0. Compile
this module directly and link it to the application that make calls to
BYE-PC. This interface can be used to create a RBBS system to interface
with BYE-PC. A good bulletin board system will set the appropriate
status levels before allowing a user to enter DOS. Once in DOS, SHELL
will check the status with BYE-PC before allowing users to perform a
task. The source to SHELL can lock users out of any DOS function that
user requires. If you wish to develop a bulletin board sytem, please
contact me and we can discuss setting up the status levels for SHELL.