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Text File | 1991-05-13 | 29KB | 675 lines

DIALM A TELEPHONE DIALING PROGRAM Revision 6.6 Written by Robert Wilcox 920 N. Washington St Owosso, MI 48867 DIALM is a telephone dialing program which was written as an exercise in programming for the Microsoft or compatible mouse. It was later revised so that the mouse is not required, and phone number file maintenance and the ability to use multiple phone number files was added. Revision 3.0 added the use of dialing prefixes. Revision 3.1 corrected a minor bug and 3.2 added a help screen. With revision 4.0 DIALM has the ability to time and log calls. Revision 4.1 corrected a problem with sorting large dialing directories. Revision 6.0 was a completely rewritten version. It retains most of the features of the earlier versions and has an improved user interface because of the use of pop-up windows. A better method of displaying the phone number directory allows for a much faster number search. Each directory entry now includes the name, phone number and three address lines plus one "note" line. Each line can contain up to 32 characters (A "Rolodex" type entry). Printing functions have been added which allow you to print out the phone directory in its entirety or an individual directory entry. You can even address an envelope! The log file can also be viewed or printed. DIALM runs on an IBM PC, XT or AT or compatible computer. It requires a HAYES or HAYES compatible modem on either port COM1 or COM2. The program will run without a modem, but of course dialing will not be possible. A mouse is useful but not required. Revision 6.6 adds the ability for registered users to eliminate the opening and closing graphics screens and to change the colors of the "SELECTED NUMBER" window. ================ PROGRAM FEATURES ================ DIALING DIRECTORIES =================== DIALM uses a telephone number directory file stored on disk which is created and updated from within the program. File size can be specified by the user. Maximum size depends on available memory and is about 600 entries. The default is 500 entries. Each entry contains a name, the number and a 3 line address and a 1 line note or other descriptive string. Any number of directory files may be available on disk and the one to be used can be selected from the command line or after the program is running. Directory files may be on any drive or sub-directory. The program will look for directory files on the default drive and sub-directory unless otherwise specified (see below). Other drives and sub-directories can be easily selected. Dialing directories created with DIALM version 3.0 or higher can be updated to the version 6.6 format with DIAL3TO6.EXE. Directories may be sorted by name, address, phone number or "note". (New feature in version 6.4). See PROGRAM SETUP for more information. DIALING ======= Numbers to be dialed may be searched for from the main menu or may be selected from a dialing directory window or numbers may be entered from the keyboard. See SELECTING AND DIALING NUMBERS for instructions on using these features. PREFIXES ======== Ten dialing prefixes (A through J) are stored by the program and are created by the user. For instance, prefix A might be "1-800". The number A-555-1212 would then be dialed as 1-800-555-1212. Prefixes allow you to dial numbers longer than will fit in the space provided in the dialing directory and make it easier to enter often used area codes, etc. LOGGING ======= Each call can be logged to a file containing the date, time and length of the call and up to 10 lines of notes which may be entered while the call is in progress or added to the log file at a later time. The log file can be viewed or printed from within DIALM or the user may type, copy or print this file from the command line since it is a standard ASCII (text) file. The log file is called "DIALM.LOG" and is stored in default subdirectory or in a directory specified by the user. Beginning with revision 6.6, the log file can be viewed or printed from the logging menu, that is while the call is in progress, as well as from the UTILITIES function. ========================== PROGRAM FEATURES CONTINUED ========================== ATTACK (DEMON) DIALING ======================= When a number is dialed which is busy the program will attempt to re-dial it after a short pause, up to 25 times. The pause is adjustable, or attack dialing may be disabled (see PROGRAM SETUP). SPEAKER PHONE MODE ================== Placing a semi-colon (;) at the end of a phone number in the directory entry will allow the speaker in your modem to remain on after dialing is completed. This feature can be useful for listening to weather services etc. If the semi-colon is used, busy signals will not be detected by the modem and attack dialing will be disabled. Also you must use the HANGUP command to hangup the modem. SCREEN BLANKING =============== You may select to have the screen go blank after 5 minutes of inactivity while in the main menu or number select menu. When the screen is blank, pressing any key or mouse button will restore the screen. CALENDAR ======== A calendar of the present month can be selected from the main menu or from the logging screen. The month and year can be advanced or backed up by using the arrow keys or clicking on the arrows with the mouse. PROGRAM SETUP ============= Many of the program's features mentioned above and others can be modified by selecting "PROGRAM SETUP AND INFO" from the main menu. COLOR - COLOR or MONO ("black & white") modes can be selected. MENU COLORS - if in COLOR mode, some of the menu colors can be selected. DIAL TYPE - TONE or PULSE dialing can be selected. SCREEN BLANKING - You can have the screen go blank after a period of inactivity. MODEM INIT - a modem initialization string can be specified. MAILING LABELS - can be set to be printed in all upper-case or as entered. RE-DIAL DELAY - The length of the delay before re-dialing a busy number ("attack-dialing") may be selected. Setting the delay to zero disables attack-dialing. ========================== PROGRAM FEATURES CONTINUED ========================== SORTING - New with version 6.4, you may now select how the directory entries are sorted. The directory may be sorted on any of its components, (name, address, phone number or note) or the directory may be left un-sorted. One possible use of this feature would be to make entries such as illustrated here: Name: Mary Doe 123 N. Main St. Anytown Number: 555-1212 Note: DOE If sorting on the NOTE was selected, this record would be sorted as "DOE" rather than "Mary". PRINTING UTILITIES ================== The phone directory can be printed on a printer connected to LPT1. You may select either a short form (names and numbers only) or a long form (names, numbers, addresses and notes) or an address label format (names and addresses). If a number has been selected, you may print it in either an address label format or an envelope addressing format. You can view the log file on the screen or print it on the printer. SHELL TO DOS ============ New with version 6.2, you can execute a DOS shell allowing you to maintain files, etc. Type "EXIT" to return to DIALM from the shell. ========================== PROGRAM FEATURES CONTINUED ========================== POP-UP MENUS ============ DIALM uses pop-up menus and other windows. Some of these are illustrated below. ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ Jan. 15, 1991 DIALM POPUP TELEPHONE DIALER Ver. 6.6 04:12:23 pm ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ ╒════════════════════════════════╕ │ Select a Function │ │════════════════════════════════│ │DIAL SELECTED NUMBER │ ┌──[ S E L E C T E D N U M B E R ]────┐ │HANGUP │ │ │ │SELECT A NUMBER │ │ Name: Jones Roofing │ │SEARCH THE DIRECTORY │ │ Addr: 12345 Any St. │ │REPEAT THE SEARCH │ │ P.O. Box 100 │ │UPDATE THE DIRECTORY │ │ Anytown, MI 12345 │ │NUMBER FROM KEYBOARD │ │ Phone: 555-1212 │ │EDIT PREFIXES │ │ Note: Ask for Jim. │ │LOG THIS CALL │ └────────────────────────────────────────┘ │GET NEW DIRECTORY │ │PROGRAM SETUP AND INFO │ │UTILITIES │ │QUIT THIS PROGRAM │ ╘════════════════════════════════╛ Make selection using cursor keys & press ENTER or use mouse =================== USING DIALM'S MENUS =================== There are several ways to make a selection from the menus: 1) Press ENTER or click the left mouse button to select the high- lighted entry. 2) Move the mouse cursor over the desired entry and click the left button to highlight the entry. Click it again on the same entry to select it. 3) Press the first letter of the desired selection on the keyboard. If there are two or more selections with the same first letter, pressing the letter again will move to the next selection starting with that letter. When the correct selection is highlighted, press ENTER or the left mouse button. 4) Use the PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN, HOME, END and arrow keys until the desired selection is highlighted, then press ENTER or the left mouse button. The directory display menu shows 10 entries at a time. If there are more entries available, arrow characters will appear in the top and bottom borders of the menu. Clicking the left mouse button on an arrow character will execute the appropriate page-up or page-down command. The ESC (escape) keyboard key has special meaning in some menus. Pressing the right mouse button is the same as the ESC key. Moving the mouse cursor outside of the menu area and pressing the left button is also the same as the ESC key. In some menus ESC will cause the QUIT command to be highlighted. This allows mouse users to exit the menu or program by clicking the right button followed by the left button. ============== ERROR MESSAGES ============== Sometimes a message will appear followed by a several second delay. You may press ESC on the keyboard or click the right mouse button to speed things up after you have read the message. ================ INSTALLING DIALM ================ DIALM is supplied in a ZIP file. Using PKUNZIP extract the files from the ZIP file as follows: PKUNZIP DIALM64 Copy all EXE files and all BIN files either to the subdirectory from which you intend to execute DIALM or to any subdirectory listed in your PATH. The CFG and DIR files can be copied to the same directory or to another directory you specify (see ENVIRONMENT COMMANDS). Example: COPY *.EXE C:\UTIL COPY *.BIN C:\UTIL COPY *.CFG C:\UTIL COPY *.DIR C:\UTIL This would install the required files on drive C: in a subdirectory "UTIL". (Make sure the UTIL subdirectory exists before executing these commands). Users upgrading from a previous version of DIALM should not not copy the .CFG and .DIR files if it is desired to preserve ones already in existence. Users of monochrome (black and white) systems should install the MON files instead of the BIN files and then rename them with the BIN extension. COPY *.MON C:\UTIL\*.BIN should do it in one step. ============== STARTING DIALM ============== To start DIALM type: DIALM [CR] where [CR] means press the RETURN button. If the screen is hard to read because it doesn't display color correctly, use the command line parameter "/B" to force the program to use black and white, i.e., DIALM /B [CR] A directory file name may also be entered on the command line. If one is entered the program will attempt to use the file. DIALM C:\DAT\PHONES [CR] This will load in the directory file named PHONES.DIR in the sub-directory DAT of drive C. The size of the directory file can be specified on the command line: DIALM /SIZE:100 This would limit the file to 100 entries. This might be useful when using DIALM on computers with limited memory or disk space. CAUTION: If you set the file size with this parameter and then access a larger file, only part of the file will be read in. If you should then update a directory entry, the part of the file not read in will be lost!!! For safety you should regularly back up your directory files. Be sure to leave a space before each parameter on the command line. The opening screen can be speeded up somewhat by pressing ESC on the keyboard or a mouse button after the program starts. ========================================= CREATING AND UPDATING DIALING DIRECTORIES ========================================= To create a new dialing directory select "GET NEW DIRECTORY" and enter the name you wish to use for the directory. If the directory doesn't already exist you will be asked if you want to create it. If you answer "YES" the directory file will be created on the disk. Then select UPDATE DIRECTORY and ADD ENTRIES and follow the directions on the screen. You will not be allowed to save a "blank" entry. That is, the name field must start with a printable (non-blank) character. When you are done adding entries, select "QUIT" to go back to the main menu. A directory entry may be edited by first selecting it and then selecting EDIT AN ENTRY from the update menu. In order to delete an entire directory entry, first select it, the select DELETE AN ENTRY from the update menu. A deleted entry may be restored by selecting OOOPS from the directory update menu. Any of the 10 most recently deleted entries can be restored. An entry may be restored numerous times which might be useful for entering several similar directory entries. A deleted entry can be restored to a different dialing directory from which it was deleted. Just access a new directory with the GET NEW DIRECTORY command, and then restore the entry. Entries may be copied to the clipboard by using the COPY TO CLIPBOARD option. Entries thus saved are available to the OOOPS command just as if they had been deleted. ============================================ IMPORTING DATA FROM EXISTING DIRECTORY FILES ============================================ The separate program IMPORT can be used to read certain directory files into DIALM format files. The types of files IMPORT can read at this time are ASCII (comma delimited) files as well as directory files from the following communication programs: PROCOMM+ QMODEM 4.x TELIX TELEMATE COMMO Importing from communication program files might be useful if you have such files with numbers you use for voice calls and you want to use DIALM for these calls. Some of these files can create DIALM files larger than DIALM can read. If this occurs, split the input file into smaller files before running IMPORT. Besides being useful for adapting already existing data files, some users might find it easier to enter data into an ASCII file and then import it into a DIALM file than to enter the data directly into DIALM. Examples of ASCII files are shown below. Type 1: A. B. Jones 123 S. Main ST Anytown MI 48888 517 555-0000 J. B. Smith 9999 W. South ST Podunk MO 99999 123 555-2121 Type 2: A. B. Jones,123 S. Main ST,Anytown MI 48888,517 555-0000 J. B. Smith,9999 W. South ST,Podunk MO 99999,123 555-2121 Type 3: "A. B. Jones","123 S. Main ST","Anytown, MI 48888","517 555-0000" "J. B. Smith","9999 W. South ST","Podunk, MO 99999","123 555-2121" IMPORT will read any of the above types of files. Note that quotes are required around any field which contains a comma. When importing from an ASCII file you can view the first 20 fields on the screen. You then select how many fields are in each record. In the above examples there are 4 fields in each record. You then indicate which field is to be used for the name, address lines 1, 2 and 3, phone number and note. If there are more fields than those 6 used in DIALM, you can indicate that those fields are to be ignored. IMPORT will then read the file and write the DIALM directory file. Usage: IMPORT inputfile.ext outputfile If the file names are omitted, IMPORT will ask for them. ============================= SELECTING AND DIALING NUMBERS ============================= In order to dial a number that you have placed in a dialing directory, the number must first be selected. This may be done by either executing "SELECT A NUMBER" or "SEARCH THE DIRECTORY" from the main menu. "SELECT A NUMBER" will bring up a new window showing the first 10 entries in the dialing directory. You may scroll through the entire directory by using the cursor control keys or the mouse as described previously under "USING DIALM MENUS". Pressing a letter key will display the entry beginning with that letter. Subsequent pressings of the same letter will advance to the next entry beginning with that letter. When the desired entry is highlighted you may select it by clicking the left mouse button or by pressing the ENTER key. The selected entry will then be displayed in a new window and the next entry in the directory window will be highlighted. If the selected entry is not the one you want you may continue this process. When you have selected the entry you want, press ESC or the right mouse button to return to the main menu. The "DIAL SELECTED NUMBER" command will now be highlighted. To dial this number press ENTER or the left mouse button. "SEARCH THE DIRECTORY" will ask you to type in a search string. All fields of each entry are searched for a match. If a match is found in an entry that entry will be selected and will appear in the SELECTED ENTRY window. You may dial that number by pressing ENTER or the left mouse button as before or you may continue searching by executing "REPEAT THE SEARCH". A number to be dialed may also be entered from the keyboard by using the NUMBER FROM KEYBOARD command. ==================== ENVIRONMENT COMMANDS ==================== Four program parameters can be set up at the DOS level and if set DIALM will use these parameters automatically each time the program is run. 1) Modem (COMM) port. DIALM will find the modem on either COM1 or COM2 (usually). If your modem is on COM2 you can speed things up by putting the port number in the environment. At the DOS prompt type: SET COMPORT=2 2) Modem baud The program communicates with the modem at 1200 baud because that seemed to work better for my particular modem. If your modem doesn't work at 1200 baud you can specify another baud (such as 300 baud) by the following command: SET COMPORT=:300 If you want to specify both the port and the baud, combine the commands: SET COMPORT=2:300 This program supports only COM1 and COM2 modem ports. 3) Directory file You may specify a directory file to be used by DIALM. This file will be used unless overridden by a command line parameter described above. SET DIAL=C:\PHONE.DIR You should use the correct path and file name to describe your file after the '='. 4) Subdirectory for configuration and log files You may specify where the configuration and log files will be kept. SET DIALMCFG=C:\LOG\ If the DIALMCFG is not set with this command, the files will be kept in the default subdirectory (the subdirectory logged on to when DIALM is executed). If you use this program regularly and need to use the SET commands mentioned above, they should be placed in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file so they will not have to be entered each time the system is booted up. If you get the error message OUT OF ENVIRONMENT SPACE, and you are using DOS 3.2 or later, put the following line in your CONFIG.SYS FILE: SHELL=d:\COMMAND.COM /P /E:256 Where d:\ is the drive and directory where your COMMAND.COM is located. (This will probably be C:\ if you have a hard disk or A:\ if you boot from a floppy disk.) The environment space where the SET variables are stored will be increased from the default 160 bytes to 256 bytes. If you are using DOS 3.1, use /E:16 instead of /E:256. If you are using DOS earlier than 3.1 the environment space can only be increased by patching COMMAND.COM. ====== MODEMS ====== The modem should use the "HAYES AT" commands. A initialization string can be stored in the configuration file and sent to the modem each time the program runs. Here are some common initialization commands: AT Attention - must start the command string. E1 Echo all commands. Q0 Result codes ON. V1 Result codes are verbal rather than numeric. X6 Wait for dialtone. "NO DIALTONE" and "BUSY" results enabled. M1 Turn on the modem's speaker. L1 Adjust modem's speaker volume. Not all modems will accept the X6 initialization. Please consult your modem manual to verify this and other initialization codes. If your modem issues "NO DIALTONE", "BUSY" and "RINGING" result codes they should be enabled as DIALM will recognize them. Use of an initialization string will override any switch settings on the modem. Some switchless modems default to a mode that prevents DIALM from recognizing the modem. The command AT&S0 sent to the modem will probably correct this. This must be done before DIALM is executed. The included batch file DIAL.BAT will initialize the modem and then execute DIALM. If your modem has non-volatile memory you will probably have to execute this only one time. If it doesn't have non-volatile memory you will have to execute it every time you run DIALM. Edit the command to match what your modem requires. Consult your modem manual. Put the initialization code to the left of the greater-than symbol (>); Put COM1: or COM2: after the greater-than symbol depending on which port you are using. REM DIAL.BAT ECHO OFF ECHO AT&S0&C1&D2&W>COM2: DIALM %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 DIALM was tested using a 2400 baud "HAYES compatible" modem running in a AT-compatible computer with 640K of memory and with VGA graphics adapter. ======= SUPPORT ======= I would be interested in hearing of any problems with the program and will attempt to fix them in a later release. DIALM is distributed as user-supported software. If you find the program is useful you may send a donation of $10.00 to: Robert Wilcox 920 N. Washington St Owosso, MI 48867 Users who register the program will receive information on how to eliminate the opening screen. I can be reached through the EXEC-PC bulletin board (414) 789-4120. Address messages to: BOB WILCOX. My CompuServe address is 71601,1541. ====== THANKS ====== Thanks to all who helped in testing DIALM and those who gave helpful suggestions. ========================== WARRANTIES AND LIMITATIONS ========================== You are granted permission to freely distribute DIALM in its original form, without alteration, so long as this documentation is distributed along with it and no fee is charged except for a reasonable fee for media and shipping costs. The runtime module BRUN45.EXE supplied with this program is copyright Microsoft Corp. and is supplied according to provisions of the Microsoft License Agreement. I suggest that you distribute in the original ZIPped format. I DO NOT WARRANT THAT DIALM IS FIT FOR ANY PARTICULAR USE OR IS MERCHANTABLE. THIS PROGRAM IS NOT WARRANTED TO BE FREE OF BUGS, NOR IS IT PROVIDED WITH ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE WHETHER DIALM IS SUITABLE FOR YOU. IN NO EVENT SHALL I BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR LOST DATA OR PROFITS TO ANY PERSON OR ENTITY THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF THE USE OF THIS PROGRAM. END OF DIALM.DOC LAST REVISED 5/8/91