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Shareware Overload
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jaxhost5.zip
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WHATS.NEW
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1990-01-28
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NEW FEATURES of JaxHost v5.0
----------------------------
This powerful yet simple home-to-office and office-to-office communications
utility just keeps getting better. Here are the latest additions to its
features:
- A powerful new capability eliminates the need for utilizing controlling
batch files in the JaxHost environment (such as the HOST.BAT and
OFF.BAT of v4.1 and earlier releases). You may specify on the
configuration screen a command with command line parms totaling as
many as 128 bytes. This command is executed by JaxHost when the
proper password is given. When the command terminates, control is
returned to JaxHost, the caller is logged off, and the system recycles
to await another call. This feature may be used to directly invoke
Ken Brown's RemDoor (Example of command: REMDOOR 1), Marshall Dudley's
Doorway (Example: DOORWAY com1 /g:on /m:100 /o: /s:* /v:d^u /r:^x
/c:dos), or simply to execute C:\COMMAND CTTY COM1 (if your particular
setup and needs are such that DOS's CTTY command works well for you).
The command EXIT would log you off, if you use the CTTY option or the
Doorway option. This new capability simplifies user setup
and provides very tight integration with other communications
oriented packages. If the configured command area is left empty,
JaxHost reverts to merely dropping to DOS upon successful password
entry, relying on an invoking batch file to issue a CTTY command or
invoke another command, etc., as with previous JaxHost releases.
- Internal carrier detect monitoring is performed by JaxHost when it
executes a configured command as descibed above. When operating in
this new mode, there is no longer a need for a WATCHDOG TSR to do
the monitoring so that the system might be recycled (rebooted)
upon accidental loss of carrier. JaxHost will reboot the system
as needed.
- In order to provide broader applicability to different modems and modem
cables, JaxHost is no longer dependent upon there being a ring detect
signal wired between modem and comm port. The software can now be
configured to detect the "RING" result code reported by most modems.
The user may specify whether true ring detect or software "RING"
detect is to be used.
- A self-registering function has been added. Now when entering the
command JAXHOST REGISTER you are prompted for your registration name
and number (provided to you upon registering the product). The process
converts the BBS copy of the program to a registered copy, removing
EVALUATION COPY, removing a shareware screen and delay encountered
by each caller, and inserting the registered user's name into the
executable.
- The old JAXHOST.EXE has been split up into two files, JAXHOST.COM and
JAXHOST.OVR. The latter is called from JAXHOST.COM whenever F3 is
depressed (or upon start-up when JHCONFIG is missing) to specify new
or changed configuration information.
- Added faster CRC checking (executable validation function). Now
performed in 1/4 the time it formerly took.
- Changed DTR behavior when using F1 to exit from JaxHost with
the modem offhook. DTR is no longer dropped.
- Incorporated code to give back cycles to DESQview or DoubleDOS if
the presence of either is detected. Noticed that JaxHost was
loading the BBS machine more than I wanted while it was waiting
for a call or a keystroke. The new code results in virtually
no load in a DESQview environment when waiting.
- Reduced maximum comm port speed from 38,400 to 19,200. Found this
wasn't working properly in at least one environment. Will research
further for possible increase again in a future release.
NEW FEATURES of JaxHost v4.1
----------------------------
Actually this is a maintenance release -- no new features over v4.0
- The configuration processor (available on F3) was not properly setting
up Ring Back mode when requested (Bn where n is number of rings) unless
a callback phone number had been specified. (There is no need to
specify a number if not using the callback mode, but the logic got
screwed up somehow.) Many thanks to Randy Young for finding this one.
- Found that JaxHost was having some modem speed setting problems and
was not logging off with its customary "Bye . . ." when calling in
at a speed at other than that at which the modem was opened.
NEW FEATURES of JaxHost v4.0
----------------------------
- Completely re-written using Turbo C v2.0.
- New colorful control/status screen with date/time, screen blanking,
call status monitoring, and new function key controls. Can selectably
exit program with modem onhook or offhook (line busy).
- Configuration screen with context-sensitive help and pick list option
entry (ASCII configuration file format retained for easy modification
from remote).
- Modem init string is now configurable.
- Comm port speeds to 38,400 bps.
- Comm port may autobaud or be locked at fixed speed.
(Supports the newer buffered/MNP modems. Provides maximum transfer
speeds for text and binary file transfers that might be implemented
with external file transfer protocol modules.)
- Added "Long Ring" answering mode (configurable from 1 to 9 rings).
- Added "Ring Back" answering mode (configurable from 1 to 9 rings OR it
may be non-specific). Answers 2nd call if received within one minute
of 1st which was of specific (or non-specific) number of rings.
- Normally fast (direct) screen writes used. Command line parm available
to force BIOS screen writes (the S parm -- "S" stands for SLOW).
- New LOCAL mode for testing or for changing configuration data without
accessing a comm port or modem (the L command line parm).
- JaxHost now senses when modem is not available or not turned on. Rather
than hang, it now reports modem not responding and cycles down.
- JaxHost contains built-in virus protection. The copy you receive cannot
be modified without detection. If any modification is made to the
JAXHOST.EXE, it will report that it is terminating for your protection.
- Due to popularity of the earlier callback security feature, and its use
by folks wishing to minimize long distance charges, "Triggered Callback"
has been added. Triggered Callback is a combination of callback security
and Ring Back. A sequence of 2 calls placed to JaxHost causes JaxHost
(without answering either call) to call out to the pre-configured number.
Upon connecting, it requires the answering remote to enter the
correct password as per the normal logon procedure. This is a NO COST
answer for those living "long distance" away from work and not wanting to
incur ANY expense in getting on their machine at work to do their boss's
bidding.
Additional notes:
Customized forms of JaxHost are available for your business. One that
appears to be of most interest is the host/menu variation. When JaxHost
is awaiting a call, a menu of functions that may be performed on that
machine is on the local screen. If one is selected, JaxHost goes offhook
(line busy) until the function is completed and a return to the menu has
occurred. This appears to be a good way of assuring that business machines
at multiple sites remain "communications ready" whenever they are not
being used for local operations.
If you have specialized PC-to-PC communications needs, let us know.
Chances are that a customized version of JaxHost will satisfy your
requirements. (Contact info at the end of JAXHOST.DOC.)
- Jack Kilday
1/28/90