Copyright: Copyright (c) 1996 Woodruff Software Systems


Overview

WinFOSSIL for Windows NT v1.00 (BETA 2) - Release Date 7/8/96

WinFOSSIL™ for Windows NT is a 32-bit FOSSIL (Fido-Opus-SeaDog Serial Interface Layer) driver.  It enhances the performance of existing MS-DOS communication applications such as many bulletin board programs and terminal emulation packages.  WinFOSSIL for Windows NT provides a fast path from the applications interface to the 32-bit communications drivers.

WinFOSSIL for Windows NT is produced by Woodruff Software Systems (FidoNet: 1:343/294).  See the technical support section for further contact information.

Who should use WinFOSSIL for Windows NT:

If you use MS-DOS communications software under Windows and have it configured to use a FOSSIL driver such as X00, BNU or many of the other FOSSIL drivers available for MS-DOS.

Who should not use WinFOSSIL for Windows NT:

If you have not heard of the term FOSSIL and do not run MS-DOS-based communication applications under Windows NT then WinFOSSIL probably is not for you.


Technical Support

Technical support is available through the following methods:

US Mail:

Woodruff Software Systems

1020 SW 10th St.

North Bend, WA 98045

E-Mail:

woodruff@halcyon.com

FidoNet/BBS:

Bryan Woodruff at 1:343/294 (+1 206 888 2407)

WWW:

http://www.woodruff-software.com

The latest information is always posted on the WWW site.  The latest version of WinFOSSIL for Windows NT can be obtained from the following locations:

FTP:

ftp://ftp.halcyon.com/local/woodruff/WinFOSSIL NT/

http://www.woodruff-software.com

BBS:

Woodruff Software Systems (North Bend, WA USA) +1 206 888 2407

FidoNet:

FREQ magic name: NTFOSSIL.ZIP

1:343/294 Woodruff Software Systems - North Bend, WA USA


Application Compatibility

WinFOSSIL for Windows NT has been tested with the following software packages:

•	BinkleyTerm 2.60 (MS-DOS version)

•	Maximus 3.01 (MS-DOS version)


ANSI screens are displayed slowly

Cause:

The timeslice is being released when the application when the application does not expect it.  For example, the application may implement an internal buffering scheme where it sends characters when there is room in the port’s output buffer.  Often, in this case, the port is found to be inactive and WinFOSSIL releases the timeslice when the application intends to send another character to the port.

Solution:

Disable the ”Release timeslice when no port activity detected” option using the WinFOSSIL control panel.


Revision History

Revision History:

v1.00

•	Initial release.


How to enable WinFOSSIL
To enable WinFOSSIL for a particular port

1. 	Click here to start the WinFOSSIL Control Panel application.

2. 	Select the port identifier.

3. 	Check the box marked ‘Enable FOSSIL’.

4. 	Adjust the settings for the port as required.

5. 	Click OK to save your settings.

Tips

•	WinFOSSIL can enable up to 16 ports.  The port identifier is a value from 0 to 15 and has a default mapping to COM1 to COM16 respectively.  You may change any port identifier to map to different device name.  For example, you may choose to map port ID 3 to LPT1 if you have a parallel modem attached to the printer port.

•	WinFOSSIL is not enabled for any port by default, therefore, you must select the “Enable FOSSIL” option for each port you wish to have accessible by FOSSIL applications.


How to select options for WinFOSSIL

To configure options for a particular port

1. 	Select the port identifier.

2. 	Ensure that the check box is set for ‘Enable FOSSIL’.

3. 	Enable or disable the following options as appropriate:

•	Don't release timeslice while carrier detected
This enables WinFOSSIL to refuse requests from an application to release timeslices a while the carrier is set.   Some applications or protocol engines (such as CE-XYZ) release timeslices while servicing a file transfer and after the timeslice is released, the protocol engine never recovers.  Enabling this option forces Windows to manage timeslice based on inactivity in the MS-DOS session instead.  Default is ON.

•	Release timeslice when no port activity detected
This enables WinFOSSIL to manage the release of timeslices more aggressively by forcing the application to releasing the timeslice when it calls WinFOSSIL for the port status.  This reduces overhead for the MS-DOS session but may cause problems with some applications when answering the phone (Intermail and FrontDoor may exhibit this behavior) or during file transfers.  Default is OFF.

•	Enable performance statistics monitoring
This option enables the performance statistics registration with the system.  This allows you to monitor various statistics regarding port activity using the Windows NT System Monitor utility.  Enabling this feature may cause system performance degradation on some slower machines.  Default is OFF.

•	Automatically open port when use detected
This option enables WinFOSSIL to automatically open a FOSSIL port when an application uses a FOSSIL command without first opening the port.  When this feature is not enabled, the application will communicate with the BIOS rather than the WinFOSSIL driver. The problem occurs when a DOOR program expects the FOSSIL port to be active or hot when passed from the BBS software.  Default is ON.

•	Keep port open during MS-DOS session
This option enables WinFOSSIL to keep the FOSSIL port open as long as the MS-DOS session is active.  This option is required for MS-DOS applications that do not already share the port (or leave the port “hot”).  The carrier will be dropped when handing off a call from application to application unless this option is enabled  Default is ON.

1. 	Click OK to save your settings or select another port identifier to continue.


How to install VFOSSIL with WinFOSSIL
To install VFOSSIL with WinFOSSIL

1. 	If you have been installing VFOSSIL in your AUTOEXEC.BAT, you should move this operation into your main “BBS.BAT” file.

2. 	Install a line VFOS_IBM (or whatever is appropriate for your version of VFOSSIL) in your BBS.BAT before starting the mailer or BBS program.

3. 	Install a line VFOS_DEL (or again, whatever is appropriate for your version of VFOSSIL) in your BBS.BAT before exiting to the MS-DOS prompt  for system shutdown.

Tips

•	WinFOSSIL installs application hooks for each specific MS-DOS session.  VFOSSIL has been known to incorrectly handle simultaneous access from multiple processes.  WinFOSSIL resolves this problem by allowing this TSR to be installed independently in each MS-DOS session.


How to use WinFOSSIL with non-standard IRQs and/or ports

To use WinFOSSIL with non-standard IRQs and/or ports

WinFOSSIL does not require any special configuration information for non-standard IRQs and/or ports.  If the port is properly configured for Windows NT, simply specifying the port name to WinFOSSIL is sufficient.


How to uninstall WinFOSSIL
To uninstall WinFOSSIL for Windows NT

1. 	Click here to start the Add/Remove Control Panel application.

2. 	Select WinFOSSIL.

3. 	Click the Add/Remove button.  Uninstallation will proceed.

4. 	Click OK when the process is completed.


How to lock or unlock the baud rate from the command line

To lock or unlock the baud rate from the command line:

WnFosCtl is a utility installed into the Windows directory which allows a batch file to lock or unlock the baud rate programmatically.

The syntax is:

WNFOSCTL <port ID> [<command> [options]]

where port ID is the identifier of the port (0 = COM1, 1 = COM2 and so on), and command is one of the following:

•	UNLOCK - unlocks the port baud rate

•	LOCK <baud> - locks the port baud rate to <baud>

To unlock the baud rate of COM2:

WNFOSCTL 1 UNLOCK

To lock the baud rate of COM1 to 115200:

WNFOSCTL 0 LOCK 115200


Registration Information

Registering WinFOSSIL:

WinFOSSIL is SHAREWARE, you are granted a 30-day trial period after which you are expected to pay the license fee if you continue to use this product.  Please see LICENSE.TXT for further legal ramblings.

Woodruff Software Systems

1020 SW 10th St.

North Bend, WA 98045


License Information

License:

DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.

DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT

Users of WinFOSSIL for Windows NT must accept this disclaimer of warranty: WinFOSSIL for Windows NT is supplied as is.  The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose.  The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of WinFOSSIL for Windows NT.

WinFOSSIL for Windows NT is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system.  The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products.  If you find this program useful and find that you are using WinFOSSIL for Windows NT and continue to use WinFOSSIL for Windows NT after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $25.00 US to Woodruff Software Systems.

The $25.00 US registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time.  You must treat this software just like a book.  An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time.

Additional charges:

•	3.5" diskette with the latest version, US $5.00.

•	International shipping, US $2.00 each diskette

•	Washington state residents must add 8.2% sales tax.

Commercial users of WinFOSSIL for Windows NT must register and pay for their copies of WinFOSSIL for Windows NT within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn.  Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Woodruff Software Systems.

Anyone distributing WinFOSSIL for Windows NT for any kind of remuneration must first contact Woodruff Software Systems at the address below for  authorization.  This authorization will be automatically granted  to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering WinFOSSIL for Windows NT immediately (However Woodruff Software Systems must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the  latest version of WinFOSSIL for Windows NT.).

You are encouraged to pass a copy of WinFOSSIL for Windows NT along to your friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it.  All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the WinFOSSIL for Windows NT system.

Woodruff Software Systems

1020 SW 10th St.

North Bend, WA 98045

email:	woodruff@halcyon.com

www:	http://www.halcyon.com/woodruff/www

ftp:	ftp://ftp.halcyon.com/local/woodruff

FidoNet:	1:343/294 (+1 206 888 2407)

We accept Visa and MasterCard.  You may register via InterNET or FidoNET at your own risk.  PGP encoded messages are accepted.  PGP key is available as PGPKEY.TXT in the archive.


Enable WinFOSSIL Control
Marking this checkbox enables the port for WinFOSSIL control, if this is not enabled, WinFOSSIL lets all requests for this port pass-through to default handlers.


Port Identifier
The port identifier is a value from 0 to 9 identifying the port to WinFOSSIL.  This is also the port ID used by FOSSIL-aware applications.


Port Name
This is the name of the port assigned to the identifier which allows you to map a device ID to a named device such as LPT1 or COM3.  The default mapping is COMn+1 where n is the port ID.  For example, port ID 0 maps to COM1 by default.


Buffer Size
This is the size of the respective buffer for the selected port.  Larger buffers may be required for higher baud rates.  16K is usually sufficient for all rates.


Locked Baud Rate
This setting optionally forces a port to a fixed (or locked) baud rate.  When specified, FOSSIL-aware applications can not affect the baud rate of the specified port.


Configuring options
This list of options controls various aspects of WinFOSSIL for the selected port.  For specific details on each of  the options see the “How to …” section of this help file.