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1990-04-27
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900426 COM-AND 2.6 Page 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This release of COM-AND:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o This is the seventh release of COM-AND (version 2.6). This release
corrects problems reported with version 2.5 and adds features.
o Run instructions and installation procedures will be found following
this page.
o Changes to the previous version (additions and corrections) are to
be found following run/installation pages.
o The author asks for comments and criticisms of this program.
You may contact the author:
CABER Software PLINK, GEnie id: TARTAN
R. (Scott) McGinnis UNISON id: SCOTTM
P.O. Box 3607 Mdse Mart
Chicago, IL 60654-0607
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Release history (not including beta releases)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
860806: PC-VCO 1.0
860929: PC-VCO 1.1
861119: PC-VCO 1.2
861222: PC-VCO 1.3
861226: PC-VCO 1.31
870814: PC-VCO 2.0 COM-AND 2.0 CCHESS 1.0
871202: PC-VCO 2.1 COM-AND 2.1 CCHESS 1.1
871211: CBRIDG 1.0
880122: CCOLOR 1.0
880713: PC-VCO 2.2 COM-AND 2.2 CCHESS 1.2 CBRIDG 1.1 CCOLOR 1.1
881202: COM-AND 2.3
890309: COM-AND 2.4
891020: COM-AND 2.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900426 COM-AND 2.6 Page 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Files in this distribution:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA26-1.ARC:
COM-AND.EXE 2.6 executable
COM-AND.PIF PIF file for Windows
COM-AND.DVP DVP file for DesqView
README.DOC This file.
REGISTER.DOC Registration form
CA26-2.ARC:
COM-AND.DOC Documentation for version 2.6 manual functions
CASCRIPT.DOC Documentation for version 2.6 script language
README.DOC This file.
REGISTER.DOC Registration form
CA26-3.ARC:
SCRIPTS.DOC Summary documentation for scripts
REGISTER.DOC Registration form
README.DOC This file.
*.CMD REMAP.CMD, XLATE.CMD, LEARN.CMD, FILEMGR.CMD...
CA26-4.ARC:
OVERLAY.* Sample script overlay files
TALKER.* Sample script overlay supprting limited speech synth
VOICE.* Voice driver and documentation for TALKER
VEND.COM Voice driver termination utility
PC-VCO.EXC Excpetion file for TALKER.CMD script
README.DOC This file.
REGISTER.DOC Registration form
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* COM-AND creates any files it requires that it does not find on the
drive:subdirectory where it is loaded (or on the drive:subdirectory
where the environment variable COM-AND= directs the processor)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* To print the document files, deARC the file onto disc and use the DOS
command "PRINT <file>.DOC". COM-AND documents are formatted 54 lines
to the page, with top-of-forms as page breaks, using tab characters.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900426 COM-AND 2.6 Page 3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Run instructions:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o To run COM-AND from the DOS prompt:
(Install the release as described below)
C> COM-AND
(Run this way, the F1 menu makes many accessories available to
you. You can modify (and create) new accessories with the 'r'
subcommand at any time.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Set your current subdirectory to the subdirectory where you wish
to install COM-AND... where you've already installed previous
COM-ANDs (if you've used one). I'd suggest "\COM-AND".
2) DeARC the distribution file. Have a care not to overwrite files
you want to keep!
3) Load COM-AND (i.e. C> COM-AND <return>)
o Check Alt-S
.. Modem parms are set for HAYES - you may want to change them.
.. The backscreen buffer size defaults to 4K. You can set it
up to 64K, for redisplay and transcripting.
.. Remember to save the new settings.
o Check Alt-P
.. Choose the COM port you use (1/2/3/4).
.. Default speed selection is not usually important (if you always
use the dialing directory). Set it anyway.
.. Remember to save new settings.
o Check Alt-O
.. Set flags the way you want them (e.g. exit query on, d*mned
advert off, and so on; Note BIOS/DIRECT and PCJr settings)
.. Remember to save new settings.
4) Review the accessories (F1).
You may review the contents of accessory definitions with the 'r'
subcommand. You may wish to add entries for a listing program
and editor.. and perhaps PC-VCO... CCOLOR...
5) Exit COM-AND with Alt-X.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900426 COM-AND 2.6 Page 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions and corrections this release:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
Changes and corrections to 2.5 COM-AND:
---------------------------------------
o Corrected the .DFT file to retain modem init string (when upgrading
from version 2.4{or 3} to 2.5 or 6)
o Changed display routines to 'fix' cursor ONLY for EGA adapters
o Changed display routines for PS/2 VGAs to provide proper 50 line mode
o Changed accessory/shell loader to preserve the number of screen lines
25/43(50) [though screen is still set b&w during accessory/shell]
o Corrected screen repaint (Alt-J, COLOR stmt) to allow for menu mode
o Changed comm driver to send XOFF whenever a character is received in
threshold conditions (only one XOFF was previously sent)
o Corrected CISB (not Quick-B) receive to show status screen (ugh)
o Corrected CISB/Quick-B response to ENQ received during download
o Corrected KERMIT to format last values before exit (for calllogging)
o Corrected ZMODEM to retain error number when recovery not on (was lost)
o Changed ZMODEM to catch carrier drop immediately (was deferred 1 block)
o Corrected ZMODEM to properly show blocksize under all option settings
o Corrected ZMODEM to properly format final values for calllogging
o Changed ZMODEM/comm driver interface to allow XOFF+parity as proper
flow control (this is a test... for Telenet users)
o Changed ASCII send comm driver interface to allow XOFF+parity bit
o Changed code to repaint border when screen clear is performed.
This is required if ANSI changes colors and then clears screen.
o Changed Alt-D dial hangup to eliminate spurious calllog entry (and to
ensure modem disconnected (if waiting for connect))
o Changed Alt-R escape (and script DIAL) to hangup before return
o Purge Y/N prompt during encrypt does not interfere now with last
Alt-N selection
o Changed hangup during dial to send modem escape (after dropping DTR
if that option is set). Some modems require this to hangup during
wait for connect (they don't 'see' DTR dropped)
o Corrected bug in remapping code (when keypress not remapped)
o Corrected tab expansion in CRT mode to multiple-of-8
o Corrected Alt-V to actually save emulation selected for next session
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900426 COM-AND 2.6 Page 5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions and corrections this release:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
Additions to 2.5 COM-AND:
-------------------------
o Improved script interpretor's speed by approx 10% (new lookups)
o Improved screen display speed by approx 10% (cut fat, trimmed crusts)
o Improved XMODEM/YMODEM speed by approx 10% (new CRC algorithm)
o Improved ZMODEM send speed by approx 7% (bufferred sends)
o Added optional re-init of modem after hangup to Alt-O
o Added 'modified' hardware flow control (RTS) to Alt-O
o Reorganized Alt-O generally
o Added a flow control mode dynamically raising RTS when able to
receive and waiting for CTS before sending (modified hardware flow)
o If there is insufficient memory to load COM-AND, COM-AND exits not
an error code of 1. [How did it get loaded in the first place?]
o Added mention of menu mode cursor keys to HELP display (F10)
o Accessories for COM-AND now permit scripts to be executed, if the
accessory is coded to do so (CCOLOR so modified will be released)
o All windows now circle backwards (as well as circling forwards)
when scroll bar is moved.
o Added error count to calllog record for Up/downloads
o Command buffer (char 255) now accepts script statement as well as
file name (statement must be preceded by ".").
o Added XOFF to status line display in CRT mode
o Added indicator of XOFF during ASCII send (if not paced or timed)
o Extended VT100 subset emulated considerably.
o Added VT52 sequence ESC/< (switch to VT100 mode)
o Added more protective code to detect and correct for lost write-ready
interrupt during bufferred sends (especially on 4.77 MHz machines)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900426 COM-AND 2.6 Page 6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions and corrections this release:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Script changes and corrections:
-------------------------------
o Corrected STORE DEFAULT to store CURRENT comm settings (not default)
o Corrected SET COLOR to remove artifact from screen display (sorry!)
o Corrected STORE DIAL to store dialing directory as currently set
o Corrected STORE ACCESSRY to store accessory directory as currently set
o Increased number of script static string variables to 30 (S0 to S29)
o When dynamic variables have been ALLOCATEd, string variables V0 through
Vn-1 ('n' being the number allocated) are available in place of Sx
o Indexing is now implemented on string variables as well as numerics.
e.g: S0 = S0[2](2:3) ; Extract cols 2-3 from S2 and place in S0
o SET commands now will ALL take string variables in place of keyword
operands (e.g. SET FLAG(9) S0 ; S0 must contain "ON" or "OFF")
o The ELSE statement now allows a short form as IF allows. Example:
ELSE N0 = N0+N5 ; No ENDIF needed for this ELSE
o Numeric comparisons now allow 'normal' form... Example: IF 5 GT N0
NOTE: parentheticization should not be used in the first expression,
as IF (...) expects an AND/OR/XOR following; e.g. IF ((N10-2) GT N0)
is incorrectly interpreted, even though it reads well.
o Corrected potential error on CALLLOG after script RESET statement
o Expanded SET XSUI to store a value that may be returned by _XSUI
o Corrected screen border problem when colors set through script
o Corrected SET DEFAULT color problem in current session
o Corrected SET TEXT to store a value that may be saved in the DFT file
o Corrected "_EXIT" to return null valye DURING exit script
o Corrected CUROFF twice error (losing cursor)
o Corrected CUROFF for some VGAs
o FATTR, FSIZE, FTIME, and FDATE now all will reference a hidden file
o Changed STORE DIAL to update the Long Distance from memory at same time
o Enabled display in char area and echo in text window during script
o Allowed for "access denied" error while searching for a script file
name (when a subdirectory name collides with the target script name)
o Corrected ESC during script when 1) ON ESCAPE set, 2) ON ESCAPE label
does not exist, and 3) 'N' is answered at default ESCAPE pop-up
o Corrected FGETS handling of text records - stop on CRLF
o Corrected READ to return empty buffer on EOF
o Corrected FOPENO to flush buffered data to old file before opening new
file (only when old file was not closed with an FCLOSEO).
o Corrected EXIT code to close files left open by uncompleted FCALLs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900426 COM-AND 2.6 Page 7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions and corrections this release:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Script language additions:
-------------------------------
ALLOCATE <number> ; Allocate dynamic variables, up to 100
DEALLOCATE ; Deallocate dynamic variables
IF [NOT] ALLOCATED ; Test if dynamic variables currently available
IF [NOT] FKEY ; Like HITKEY, test for ftn key pending
IF [NOT] FULL ; Test if we have XOFFed host
IF [NOT] OVERLAY ; Test if overlay currently loaded
IF [NOT] XOFF ; If currently XOFFed by host
LOAD ALLOCATED <fname> ; Load allocated variables from a file
OVERLAY <fname> ; Load a machine language overlay (EXE or COM)
OVERLAY CLEAR ; Clear overlay if loaded
RND <modulus> Nx ; Rtn random # between 0 and <modulus-1>
SCALL <addr> [<parms>] ; Call a machine language routine
SCREEN y1,x1 y2,x2 <attr> Sx ; Multi-line window display
; Displays from variables: Sx to S(x+(x2-x1))
STORE ALLOCATED <fname> ; Store allocated variables to a file
SET BAR <attr> ; Set status bar fore/background
SET DEFAULT <attr> ; Set menu window fore/background
SET DOSLEVEL <num> ; Set COM-AND exit-to-DOS return value
SET INAFTER ON!OFF ; Set Init modem after hangup
SET RDMA <number> ; Set max # redials for DIAL statement
SET RTSF ON!OFF ; Set RTS flow control (set HARDFLOW on too)
SET TEXT <attr> ; Set text area fore/background
SET WATCHDOG <number> ; Set XOFF watchdog timer (seconds)
------------------------------------------
Script language intrinsic functions added:
------------------------------------------
_ALLO ; Rtns # allocated variables (0,1,2...100)
_DOW ; Rtns # (0 = Sunday, 1 = Monday, etc)
_INAF ; Rtns ON/OFF (Init modem after hangup)
_LEGE ; Rtns user set legend text
_OVER ; Rtns overlay file name or NULL
_RDMA ; # redials allowed during DIAL statement
_RDPN ; Pass number during which last DIAL connected
_RTSF ; Rtns ON/OFF state of RTS flow control
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900426 COM-AND 2.6 Page 8
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Updated scripts in CA26-3:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BREAKOUT.CMD ; Speed improved
DIALER.CMD ; Modified to work with more modem types
LISTER.CMD ; Minor modifications
REMAP.CMD ; Modified to catch circular redefinitions
REMAP.DOC ; Updated to amplify discussion
SCRDUMP.CMD ; New, screen dump script
STRIPPER.CMD ; Fixed handling of long line, when the 80 col
; .. break occurs within a blank string: " "
TELENET.CMD ; Minor modifications
UNISON.CMD ; Minor modifications
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Known bugs in the current release:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o KERMIT 12 and 16 bit checksums don't seem to work with Jan van der
Eyjk's PCKERMIT. I have not yet found the incompatibilty.
o Reports came, but could not be reproduced, of the CPU clock losing
time. Now reports have come in suggesting that the clock speeds
up (!) when run in the background under DesqView.
No instances have been found due to COM-AND. Several instances have
been tracked to TSR's and special hardware (e.g. ALL-Charge card).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900426 COM-AND 2.6 Page 9
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related release; PC-VCO:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC-VCO is Visual Conferencing for the IBM PC. It is completely
compatible with all three flavors of MacIntosh VCO/VMCO. It has
been in use for more than a year by several groups of people. On
GEnie, the IBM RT has a regularly scheduled VCO conference every
Wednesday at 9PM Eastern Standard Time.
The concept of VCO is that each conference attendee draws a set of
16 (or 18) ICONs, and posts them publically. Other attendees down-
load the ICONs (called face files), and add them to their own lib-
rary of faces. 8 (or 9) expressions (happy, sad, etc) are supported.
When someone speaks in a VCO conference, the appropriate ICON is
displayed on all PC-VCO screens. People who've not uploaded face
files are depicted as Charlie Brown, Don Martin, or OPUS.
PC-VCO interfaces to a public domain text-to speech synthesizer.
The quality is less than might be desired, but its a start!
PC-VCO now includes its own speech driver for faster processors.
PC-VCO has been distributed (its seventh release) as PC-VCO22.ARC.
PC-VCO may be used on either CGA, EGA or Hercules graphics adapters.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related release; CCHESS:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CCHESS is Conference Chess - two people can play chess over PLINK's
PARTY, CIS CB, etc. CCHESS provides a graphics depiction of a chess
board, and a log of the last few moves. Game play can be performed
entirely with a mouse (if you desire - not necessary). Games may be
saved, and restored later for continuation.
Version 1.2 is a production release - beta testing is complete.
However, I am still looking for comments, criticisms and thoughts
from those interested in on-line interactive gaming.
CCHESS has been distributed (its second release) as CCHESS12.ARC.
Please read the CCHESS.DOC document for a description of CCHESS.
CCHESS may be used on either CGA, EGA or Hercules graphics adapters.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900426 COM-AND 2.6 Page 10
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related release; CBRIDGE:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBRIDGE is Conference Bridge - four people can play bridge over
PLINK's PARTY, CIS CB, etc. CBRIDGE deals cards, displays hands,
displays (and protects) the bidding, and monitors game play.
Bidding can be reviewed at any time, as can game play.
Version 1.1 has completed its beta trials. It has found quite
usable. It may be 'rough' in spots... I am looking for comments,
criticisms and thoughts from those interested in on-line interactive
gaming.
CBRIDGE has been distributed (its first release) as CBRIDG11.ARC.
Please read the CBRIDG.DOC document for a description of CBRIDGE.
CBRIDGE may be used on either MDA, CGA, EGA or Hercules adapters.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related release; CCOLOR:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CCOLOR is another accessory for conferencing. It tracks the conver-
sation, and assigns different colors to each speaker. Each speaker's
text is highlighted and easy to see. Of course, a color adapter,
CGA or EGA is required. It has to be seen to be appreciated!
CCOLOR has been distributed (its second release) as CCOLOR11.ARC.
CCOLOR may be used on either CGA, or EGA adapters.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A new release of CCOLOR (1.2) may be expected shortly after COM-AND
2.6's release, with screen clock and chat mode additions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------