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C O M M I E
===========
A Public Domain Communications Package
from
D. P. Software Ltd.
COMMIE is a straightforward, simple-to-use communications package
designed specifically for calling bulletin boards. It has a number of
features designed to make life easy:
* Built-in telephone directories - as many as you like.
* Up to 9 different modem types supported.
* A separate log file may be kept for each Bulletin Board.
* Automatic logging of each call made.
* User-definable function key macros.
* External file transfer protocols - add your own.
* Optional error correction for modems that support it.
* Built-in ANSI graphics support.
* Built-in message editor.
=======================================================================
C O M M I E I S P U B L I C D O M A I N
This means that you are free to copy it, pass it on, and use it in any
way you wish. You are NOT free to sell it for profit or offer it as
part of a bundled software package for commercial gain.
=======================================================================
CONTENTS Page 2
=======================================================================
SETTING UP COMMIE .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3
Serial Port Settings .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4
Strings sent to modem .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5
Strings received from modem .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7
Filenames and Paths .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8
General Configuration .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9
Screen colours .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10
FUNCTION KEY MACROS .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11
DIALLING DIRECTORY .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12
The Directory screen .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12
Adding an entry .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13
Editing (changing) an entry .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14
Deleting an entry .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14
Finding an entry .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14
Changing directories .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14
THE LINE EDITOR .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15
CALLING A BULLETIN BOARD .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16
Automatic dialling .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16
Manual dialling .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16
THE TERMINAL SCREEN .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 17
THE STATUS LINE .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18
FILE TRANSFER .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19
File transfer protocols .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19
Uploading (sending) files .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20
Downloading (receiving) files .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 21
Adding your own external protocols .. .. .. .. .. .. 22
THE MESSAGE EDITOR .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 23
Using the Message Editor .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 23
Uploading messages to a Bulletin Board .. .. .. .. .. 23
COMMAND SUMMARY .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24
Commands available from the Dialling screen .. .. .. 24
Commands available from the Terminal screen .. .. .. 25
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 27
SETTING UP COMMIE Page 3
=======================================================================
When you run COMMIE, the first thing you see is the Dialling Directory
screen. Before you add the details of your favourite Bulletin Boards,
however, it is necessary to set up COMMIE to work with your particular
configuration of computer and modem.
Press ALT-C, and you will be presented with COMMIE's configuration
menu, containing the following options:
Serial Port settings defines the serial port to be used
and the default protocols.
Strings sent to Modem defines the commands that COMMIE
will send to the modem in order to
control its operation.
Strings returned by Modem defines the responses that COMMIE
can expect to receive from the
modem.
Filenames and Paths defines the names used by your log
files and key-macro files and the
directories in which they are
kept.
General configuration defines the way COMMIE operates
and the parameters used for auto-
matic dialling.
Screen colours allows you to change the screen
colours to suit your own taste.
Make your choice from the menu by using the arrow keys to highlight the
required option, then press ENTER. The following pages explain the
options in detail.
SETTING UP COMMIE Page 4
=======================================================================
SERIAL PORT SETTINGS
--------------------
Communications port: COMMIE can use Port 1 or 2. If only one
serial port is fitted to your computer, it
will probably be configured as Port 1.
Baud rate: This version of COMMIE supports the
following baud rates:
300, 1275, 1200, 2400
1275 is a special case in which data is
SENT from you to the Bulletin Board at
75 baud and RECEIVED by you from the Board
at 1200 baud. The other three baud rates
are the same in both directions.
Set the baud rate to the maximum speed your
modem is capable of.
Parity: The options are ODD, EVEN or NONE. Most
British Bulletin Boards (except Prestel
ones) operate with NONE.
Data bits: Options are 7 or 8. The normal setting is 8
Stop bits: Options are 1 or 2. The normal setting is 1
Error correction: Use this option only if your modem is
capable of supporting error correction.
Even then, whether or not to enable error
correction is a matter of personal taste.
If in doubt, leave it OFF.
Press ALT-S to save your changes, or ESC to exit without saving
anything.
SETTING UP COMMIE Page 5
=======================================================================
STRINGS SENT TO MODEM
---------------------
The first section of this menu deals with modem types and descriptions.
Configuration number: You may specify details for up to 9
different modem types. This number, besides
allowing you to specify which modem type
you are configuring, will also tell COMMIE
which configuration to use.
Name: This is your description of the modem type
that goes with the configuration number.
The main section of the menu defines the command strings to be sent to
the modem.
There are three special characters you can use when defining these
strings:
! represents a carriage return
^ indicates a control character, eg ^G means Ascii
character 7 - a beep from the speaker.
~ causes a delay of half a second when sent to the modem.
Initialisation: This is the string of characters required
to initialise the modem ready for dialling
out. The following example is for a Miracle
WS4000:
AT S0=0 S7=50 V1 X1 !
...which, being interpreted, means:
AT ATtention - this is a command
S0=0 disable auto-answer
S7=50 time limit for carrier detect
V1 send VERBAL results codes
X1 select extended results codes
! carriage return
SETTING UP COMMIE Page 6
=======================================================================
STRINGS SENT TO MODEM - continued
---------------------
Dial prefix: The string of characters which issues a
dial command. COMMIE will allow you to
specify a different string for each baud
rate, although many modems don't need this
and can use the same string for each rate.
The normal entry for a Hayes-compatible
modem is AT DP. Remember NOT to put a
carriage return after this string as it
will be followed immediately by the number
to be dialled.
Dial suffix: NOW you can put the carriage return.
Dial cancel: The command to abort a dial whilst in
progress. For most modems this is a simple
carriage return.
Hang-up: The command which causes your modem to
break connection and return to command
mode. For Hayes-compatible modems this is
usually:
~~~~ +++ ~~~~ AT H0
Each ~ causes a delay of half a second.
Error correction: If your modem supports error correction,
enter the commands that enable and disable
it. For a Dowty Quattro, for example, these
are AT&E2! and AT&E0! respectively.
Press ALT-S to save your changes, or ESC to exit without saving
anything.
SETTING UP COMMIE Page 7
=======================================================================
STRINGS RECEIVED FROM MODEM
---------------------------
Just as in the preceding menu, the first section of this menu deals
with modem types and descriptions.
Configuration number: You may specify details for up to 9
different modem types. This number, besides
allowing you to specify which modem type
you are configuring, will also tell COMMIE
which configuration to use.
Name: This is your description of the modem type
that goes with the configuration number.
The main section of the menu defines the various results codes that
COMMIE may expect to receive from the modem. The following examples are
for a Miracle WS4000, although the exact text may vary between modems:
Dial failure - busy : BUSY
no dial tone : NO DIAL TONE
no answer : NO CONNECT
no carrier : NO CARRIER
other : ERROR
Connect : CONNECT
Disconnect : NO CARRIER
Press ALT-S to save your changes, or ESC to exit without saving
anything.
SETTING UP COMMIE Page 8
=======================================================================
FILENAMES AND PATHS
-------------------
COMMIE maintains four types of files which may be named by the User.
They are:
Function Key files: These files contain your macro definitions
for the function keys, and have the
extension .KEY
Call Record: The Call Record file is a special log which
contains details of each call you have
made, together with dates, times and
durations. It has the extension .REC
Text Logs: Text Log files contain a complete
transcription of all communications
activity. They have the extension .LOG
Dialling Directories: Dialling Directory files contain the names,
numbers and other details of the Bulletin
Boards you specify. They have the extension
.FON
The default name for all the above files is "COMMIE".
Unless you specify otherwise, all these files will be kept in the
current directory. Any file transfers (uploads and downloads) will also
use the current directory. It is recommended that you use this menu to
specify separate directories for Uploads, Downloads and your Log and
Key files. This keeps things tidy!
Press ALT-S to save your changes, or ESC to exit without saving
anything.
IMPORTANT: If you specify a directory that doesn't already exist,
COMMIE will create it for you. It will NOT, however, move existing
files into that directory. If, for example, you have a number of Key
files in a directory called \COMMIE\KEYS, and you decide to change the
directory name to \COMMIE\MACROS, you will need to move your Key files
into the new directory manually. It is best to decide upon your
directory names before you start using COMMIE, and then to stick with
them.
ALSO IMPORTANT: Text Log files cannot be written to a floppy disk drive
at baud rates higher than 1200. This is because diskette I/O is not
fast enough to keep up with serial I/O at higher speeds. Before opening
a Log file, COMMIE will check the speed/drive configuration and will
refuse to open the file if the combination is wrong. Log files may be
written to a fixed disk drive at any baud rate.
SETTING UP COMMIE Page 9
=======================================================================
GENERAL CONFIGURATION
---------------------
This menu allows you to configure your terminal screen and the
parameters that COMMIE uses when dialling.
Keyboard echo: Most British Bulletin Boards operate in
full duplex mode, which means that
characters you type are echoed back to you
by the Board and are echoed on your screen.
If the Board you are calling does not use
full duplex (unlikely) or if you are using
COMMIE for direct communication between
computers (ie.without a modem) then this
option automatically echos all your
keystrokes to the screen.
ANSI graphics: With this option ON, COMMIE provides full
ANSI graphics emulation, without any need
to have ANSI.SYS loaded. ANSI graphics,
used when calling a BUlletin Board that
supports it, provide colour graphics on
your terminal.
Sound: This option enables/disables COMMIE's
internal sound - the beeps, buzzes and
other strange noises that indicate a
successful connection, and the like. It
will have no effect on sounds transmitted
by a Bulletin Board.
Connection timeout: This parameter controls the length of time
COMMIE will spend in dialling and waiting
for a connection. The recommended setting
is 50 seconds.
Auto redial: When this option is ON, COMMIE will redial
a number if the engaged tone is received,
and will keep on redialling until either a
connection is made or you tell it to stop.
Pause before redial: When Auto redial is ON, this parameter
defines the time to wait between receiving
the engaged tone and beginning the redial.
The pause is needed to allow the telephone
exchange to clear down the call. The
recommended setting is 5 seconds.
Press ALT-S to save your changes, or ESC to exit without saving
anything.
SETTING UP COMMIE Page 10
=======================================================================
SCREEN COLOURS
--------------
This menu allows you to define your preferred screen colours for
COMMIE, and also the style of window used.
Windows come in three flavours - without shadows, with light shadows or
with dark shadows. On a very few computers, shadows take a long time to
draw. If this is the case on your computer, you will probably want to
turn them off.
COMMIE will present you with a menu of the various types of screen it
uses, and for each one it provides a minature demonstration screen and
a list of available colours. Use the arrow keys to select the colours
required and your choice will be reflected in the demonstration screen.
Press ALT-S to save your changes, or ESC to exit without saving
anything.
FUNCTION KEY MACROS Page 11
=======================================================================
COMMIE allows you to set up any number of Key files containing function
key macros - strings of characters that can be generated simply by
pressing a function key. You can, if you wish, have a different key
file for every Bulletin Board you call. The appropriate Key file will
be loaded automatically when the Board's number is dialled.
One excellent use of function key macros is for your name and password.
It is sensible to have a different password for each Bulletin Board you
call. Keeping your passwords as function key macros saves you having to
remember them all.
A Key file will hold 40 macros - that is 10 function keys in normal,
shifted, control and alternate modes.
To create or edit a Key file, press ALT-K. COMMIE will prompt you for
the name of the Key file (The extension .KEY is assumed, so there is no
need to type it in). If the file does not already exist, it will be
created. You will then be presented with a window in which all 40 macro
definitions are displayed in 4 sections - one each for normal, shifted,
control and alternate modes.
You may move around the screen using the arrow keys. Pressing END takes
you first to the end of the current section, then to the end of the
list. Similarly, pressing HOME takes you first to the start of the
current section, then to the start of the list.
To edit or add an entry, simply type it in. For fuller details of the
editing options, see the section on the LINE EDITOR.
There are four special characters which can be included in your macros:
! represents a carriage return.
^ indicates a control character. eg ^L is ascii character
12 (top of form).
~ generates a .pause of half a second when the macro is
used.
$ has a special use. When used as the first character of
the macro, it forces a temporary jump to DOS. Used by
itself, it has the same effect as pressing ALT-J (see
COMMAND SUMMARY). When followed by a valid DOS command,
it will execute the command and then return to COMMIE.
Using the $ character, you can call your favourite
editor or file viewing utility with a single keystroke.
Press ALT-S to save your changes, or ESC to exit without saving
anything.
DIALLING DIRECTORY Page 12
=======================================================================
COMMIE can use any number of Dialling Directories, each of which can
contain up to 250 entries. Each directory is kept in a file with the
extension .FON. The default directory name is COMMIE.FON
THE DIRECTORY SCREEN
--------------------
The contents of the current Dialling Directory are displayed showing,
from left to right:
The name of the entry (generally the name of a Bulletin
Board).
The telephone number.
The protocol used. This comprises 5 sections: baud rate,
parity, data bits, stop bits and error correction status.
example: 2400 N81 E
2400 baud ─────────┴┴┴┘ │││ │
No parity ──────────────┘││ │
8 data bits ─────────────┘│ │
1 stop bit ───────────────┘ │
Error correction enabled ───┘
The name of the Log file associated with the entry, if any.
The name of the Key file associated with the entry, if any.
When COMMIE is invoked, the first Dialling Directory entry (if one
exists) will be highlighted in reverse video. You may move the
highlight using the arrow keys. Pressing HOME and END take you to the
start and end of the list, respectively, whilst PG UP and PG DN display
the previous or next page.
DIALLING DIRECTORY Page 13
=======================================================================
ADDING AN ENTRY
---------------
To add a new entry to the Dialling Directory, press CTRL-A. A window
will be displayed in which you may specify the following details:
Name: The name of the Bulletin Board. Up to 24
characters may be used.
Number: The telephone number. This may comprise
only the digits 0 to 9, spaces dashes and
brackets. The non-numeric characters can be
used to neaten the appearance of the
telephone number, and will be ignored when
the number is dialled.
Baud rate: Options are 300, 1275, 1200 and 2400. Many
Bulletin Boards advertise their acceptable
baud rates by means of CCITT ratings rather
than transmission speeds. The correlation
between the two forms of notation is as
follows:
v21 = 300 baud
v22 = 1200 baud
v22bis = 2400 baud
v23 = 1275 baud
Parity: Options are ODD, EVEN and NONE. Most
British Bulletin Boards require NONE.
Data bits: Options are 7 and 8. Most British Bulletin
Boards use 8 data bits.
Stop bits: Options are 1 and 2. The normal entry is 1.
Error correction: Defines whether error correction is to be
enabled for this entry. Use only if your
modem is capable of supporting error
correction. If in doubt, leave it OFF.
Log file: Defines the Text Log file that is to be
used for this entry, if any. The file name
can have up to 8 characters. The extension
.LOG is assumed and need not be typed in.
Key file: Defines the Function Key macro file that is
to be used for this entry, if any. The file
name can have up to 8 characters. The
extension .KEY is assumed and need not be
typed in.
For details of the editing options available to you, see the section on
the LINE EDITOR. Press ALT-S to save your changes, or ESC to exit
without saving anything.
When you add (or change) a Dialling Directory entry, it will be
positioned in alphabetic order within the directory listing.
DIALLING DIRECTORY Page 14
=======================================================================
EDITING (CHANGING) AN ENTRY
---------------------------
To edit a Dialling Directory entry, move the highlight to the
appropriate entry and press CTRL-E. You will be presented with the same
window as is used to add new entries (see previous page). You may then
make the necessary changes. For details of the editing options
available to you, see the section on the LINE EDITOR.
Press ALT-S to save your changes, or ESC to exit without saving
anything.
DELETING AN ENTRY
-----------------
To delete a Dialling Directory entry, move the highlight to the
appropriate entry and press CTRL-D. COMMIE will check that you really
want to delete the entry before proceeding.
FINDING AN ENTRY
----------------
COMMIE has a facility to help you quickly find specific entries in a
large Dialling Directory. Press CTRL-F, and you will be prompted for
the name of the entry to find. You need not type in the complete name.
COMMIE will attempt to match the characters you type with the first
characters of the name. Case and punctuation are ignored.
If a matching entry is found, COMMIE will highlight it. If more than
one matching entry exists, COMMIE will highlight the first occurrance.
Another simple way of finding a specific entry is to key the first
letter of its name. COMMIE will move the highlight bar to the first
entry beginning with that letter.
CHANGING DIRECTORIES
--------------------
To load a different Dialling Directory, press CTRL-L. COMMIE will
prompt you for the name of the new directory. If it doesn't already
exist, it will be created. The Dialling Directory screen will change to
display the contents of the new directory.
THE LINE EDITOR Page 15
=======================================================================
Whenever you input or edit entries in COMMIE, you are using its built-
in line editor. Do not confuse this with the MESSAGE EDITOR which is
detailed elsewhere in this manual.
The space in which you make your entry is called the "input field" and
is normally displayed in reverse video, so that you can see how big it
is. Your entry cannot be larger than the size if the input field.
By default, the line editor starts off in Overtype mode, denoted by a
small, flashing cursor. Any characters you type will appear at the
cursor and over-write anything already in the input field.
Pressing the INS key will toggle between Overtype and Insert modes.
Insert mode is denoted by a large flashing cursor. Any character you
type will appear at the cursor, and any characters following it will be
shifted to the right.
Pressing the DEL key will delete the character at the cursor whilst
BACKSPACE will delete the character to the left of the cursor. In
either case the remaining characters will be shifted to the left, to
fill the gap.
Some input fields accept only a limited range of characters, numbers,
for instance. If you type an unacceptable character, a warning tone
will sound through the speaker.
Press ENTER to confirm what you have input, or ESC to abandon it. In
some parts of COMMIE where several inputs may be made at once (eg. when
editing a Dialling Directory entry), pressing the up or down arrow keys
will have the same effect as pressing ENTER.
Here is a summary of the editing commands available to you:
right arrow Moves the cursor one place to the right.
CTRL-right arrow Moves the cursor to the end of the field.
left arrow Moves the cursor one place to the left.
CTRL-left arrow Moves the cursor to the start of the field.
INS Toggles between Overtype and Insert modes.
DEL Deletes the character at the cursor.
BACKSPACE Deletes the character to the cursor's left.
CTRL-BACKSPACE Deletes the cursor character and everything
to its right.
ENTER Confirm (finish) your input.
ESC Abandon your input.
CALLING A BULLETIN BOARD Page 16
=======================================================================
AUTOMATIC DIALLING
------------------
To dial into a Bulletin Board, use the arrow keys to highlight the
appropriate Dialling Directory entry, and press ENTER.
A window will appear showing the name and telephone number of the
Bulletin Board, and COMMIE will instruct the modem to begin dialling.
COMMIE will allow the period of time you have specified in the General
Configuration screen to make a successful connection. As the dialling
proceeds, the time remaining will be displayed.
If a successful connection is made, COMMIE will issue a warbling sound
through the speaker and will transfer to the Terminal Screen.
If there is a problem, eg. the line is engaged, or no connection is
made within the timeout period, COMMIE will display the reason. The
next step depends upon whether you have enabled Auto redial in the
General Configuration screen. If Auto redial is enabled, COMMIE will
pause for the specified time, then attempt a redial. If Auto redial is
not enabled, COMMIE will await your instructions. Pressing the SPACE
BAR will start a redial, whilst pressing ESC will abandon the attempt.
Dialling may be abandoned at any point up until connection by pressing
the ESC key.
MANUAL DIALLING
---------------
To dial a number that does not appear in your Dialling Directory, press
ALT-M. You will be prompted for the telephone number to dial. Once you
have input this and pressed ENTER, dialling will proceed exactly as
detailed above.
When dialling manually-input numbers, COMMIE adopts the default baud
rate, protocol and error correction status, and uses the default Log
file and Key file. The current settings are shown in the Status Line at
the bottom of the screen (see the section on the STATUS LINE). If they
are not satisfactory, use ALT-P to bring up the Protocol window.
THE TERMINAL SCREEN Page 17
=======================================================================
The Terminal Screen displays all communications input and output to the
user. It is called automatically upon a successful connection, or it
may be called manually by pressing ALT-T whilst in the Dialling
Directory screen.
Calling the terminal screen manually provides a means of communicating
directly with the modem. Try, for example, typing "AT" and pressing
ENTER. If all is working correctly, the modem should respond with "OK".
At the bottom of the screen are two lines of information. The lower of
the two is the Status line (see the section on the STATUS LINE). The
upper line gives the name of the Bulletin Board to which you are
currently connected, and displays a clock showing how long the
connection has lasted.
The commands available to you whilst in the Terminal screen are a
little different to those available from the Dialling Directory. For a
full list of available commands, see the COMMAND SUMMARY section.
Three commands, in particular, are worthy of note:
PG UP allows you to upload (send) files to a Bulletin Board.
PG DN allows you to download (receive) files from a Bulletin
Board. (see the section on FILE TRANSFERS for fuller
details)
ALT-U allows you to upload a prepared message to a Bulletin
Board. (see the section on UPLOADING MESSAGES for details.)
Whilst in the Terminal screen, pressing a function key will transmit
the macro associated with that function key, as previously defined by
you. See the section on FUNCTION KEY MACROS for further details.
Press ALT-Q to exit from the Terminal screen, or ALT-H for online help.
THE STATUS LINE Page 18
=======================================================================
COMMIE's Status line is displayed at the bottom of the screen at all
times, in both the Dialling Directory and the Terminal screen. The
information it provides, reading from left to right, is as follows:
Current protocol This comprises 5 sections: baud rate,
parity, data bits, stop bits and error
correction status.
example: 2400 N81 E
2400 baud ─────────┴┴┴┘ │││ │
No parity ──────────────┘││ │
8 data bits ─────────────┘│ │
1 stop bit ───────────────┘ │
Error correction enabled ───┘
The current protocol may be changed
temporarily by pressing ALT-P to call up
the Protocol window.
Echo status The Keyboard Echo status. This may be
toggled between ON and OFF by pressing
ALT-Y.
ANSI status The ANSI graphics status. This may be
toggled between ON and OFF by pressing
ALT-G.
Sound status The Sound status. This may be toggled
between ON and OFF by pressing ALT-S.
Log The current Log file, if one has been
specified. You may enable/disable the Log
file by pressing ALT-L.
Key The current Key file, if one has been
specified.
The defaults for all these items are those set up in the Configuration
screens. (see the section on SETTING UP COMMIE). They remain in force
if the Terminal screen is called manually, or if a Manual Dial is made.
If, however, a Bulletin Board is called from the Dialling Directory,
the Status Line will change to reflect the requirements of the Board
being called.
FILE TRANSFER Page 19
=======================================================================
COMMIE acknowledges and makes use of the DSZ external file transfer
protocols from Omen Technology Inc. Several different protocols are
provided with COMMIE, from DSZ and other sources. Some of these,
including the DSZ ones, are Shareware. So if you intend to use COMMIE
seriously you should do the honourable thing and register your copy of
these protocols. Details are given in the documentation accompanying
the protocol.
This manual is not the place for a technical discussion on the various
transfer protocols. Suffice to say:
XMODEM is the most common form of file transfer, and is
(DSZ) supported by just about every Bulletin Board. It
transfers one file at a time. It is sometimes known
as Ward Christensen protocol, after its inventor.
YMODEM is sometimes known as Batch Xmodem, although this
(DSZ) description is not strictly accurate. It can
transfer a series of files in one session.
ZMODEM is a powerful batch transmission protocol, designed
(DSZ) for speed and reliability even where there is a lot
of interference on the telephone line. It is not
supported by all Bulletin Boards, but is worth
using where available.
SEALINK is a enhanced version of the XMODEM protocol which
(SEA Inc.) is able to deal with multiple files. It was written
by System Enhancement Associates, hence its name.
One particular advantage of SEALINK is that it uses
Relaxed Xmodem protocol, which is often able to
link with certain Bulletin Board Systems that
cannot accept standard XMODEM. The Towernet system
is one of these. If you want to upload files to a
Towernet board, use SEALINK.
WXMODEM are proprietary versions of the XMODEM protocol
MULTILINK which offer greater speed of transmission and
multiple file handling.
KERMIT is a unique protocol which can handle file transfer
between computers of different types.
FILE TRANSFER Page 20
=======================================================================
UPLOADING (SENDING) FILES
-------------------------
IMPORTANT: You cannot upload files at the split baud rate of 1275,
which effectively means transmitting at 75 baud. If your modem is
capable only of 300 baud and 1275 baud (v21/v23), use 300 baud instead.
To upload a file while online to a Bulletin Board, press PG UP. You
will be presented with a window containing the various transfer
protocols available. Use the arrow keys to highlight the required
option and press ENTER.
Next, you will be prompted to input the name(s) of the file(s) you want
to upload. There is a slight difference here between Xmodem and the
other protocols. Xmodem can handle only one file at a time, so only one
filename may be input. COMMIE attempts to make a sensible choice of
filename from the text that has passed between you and the Bulletin
Board, and presents it to you to speed things up. Ymodem and Zmodem,
being batch protocols, may accept more than one filename.
A pathname may be included. If no path is given, COMMIE assumes the
file to be in the directory defined as the "Upload directory" in the
FILENAMES AND PATHS screen. As each filename is input, COMMIE checks to
ensure that the file exists.
The file transfer can now begin, and the external routines take over
from COMMIE. If you wish to abort the transfer, press CTRL-BREAK.
At the end of the transfer, whether it be aborted or terminated
normally, control returns to COMMIE, which reports on the time taken by
the transfer. Press ENTER to return to the Terminal screen.
FILE TRANSFER Page 21
=======================================================================
DOWNLOADING (RECEIVING) FILES
-----------------------------
The procedure for downloading files from a Bulletin Board is very
similar to that for uploading. From the Terminal screen, press PG DN,
and you will be presented with a window listing the available
protocols. Use the arrow keys to highlight the protocol required and
press ENTER.
If you have selected Xmodem, you will next be asked for the name of the
file to be received. Again, a pathname is optional, the specified
Download directory being assumed as a default. One advantage of using
Xmodem is that the received filename can be different to the
transmitted filename. For Ymodem and Zmodem, no filenames are required
because they are transmitted along with the file contents.
Control now passes to the external routines and the file transfer
begins. Press CTRL-BREAK if you wish to abort the transfer. At the end
of the transfer, control returns to COMMIE, which reports on the time
taken.
Press ENTER to return to the Terminal screen.
IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS such as not returning to the Terminal screen at
the end of a file transfer, it is likely that there is insufficient
free memory available for the external routine to run properly. In this
case, examine the amount of memory taken up by memory-resident
utilities (such as SideKick), and try to reduce it.
FILE TRANSFER Page 22
=======================================================================
ADDING YOUR OWN EXTERNAL PROTOCOLS
----------------------------------
File transfer is controlled by the COMMIE.EXT file. It lists the avail-
able protocols and defines how they are called. Each line of the file
comprises 5 fields, separated by commas. The 5 fields are as follows:
Field 1: 'U' for an upload protocol or 'D' for a download protocol.
Field 2: The menu entry. Up to 15 characters enclosed in quotes.
Field 3: Defines whether filenames must be manually entered by the
user:
'0' - no filenames to be entered.
'1' - a single filename
'2' - multiple filenames
'-1' - for XMODEM - a single filename implied in the
text.
Field 4: The DOS command line to call the external protocol. Up to
50 characters enclosed in quotes. The following special
sets of characters may be included, and will be translated
when the command line is passed to DOS:
%C - the communication port in use.
%B - the current baud rate.
%P - the parity: 'n', 'e', or 'o'
%F - the filename(s) to be transferred.
Field 5: Description of the key combination, if any, required to
abort the file transfer. eg. "Ctrl-Break". Up to 14 char-
acters enclosed in quotes.
NOTE THAT ALL FIELDS MUST BE COMPLETED. A NULL STRING IS SHOWN AS "".
Any line beginning with a semi-colon will be regarded as a comment.
Blank lines will be ignored.
THE MESSAGE EDITOR Page 23
=======================================================================
The main purpose of a Bulletin Board is for the exchange of messages
between users. Under normal circumstances, messages are typed in at the
keyboard whilst online, but occasionally you may wish to prepare a
message offline if it is particularly long or if you want to repeat it
on several boards. COMMIE provides facilities to make the sending of
prepared messages quick and easy.
Press Alt-E from the Dialling Directory screen and you will be taken
into the MESSAGE EDITOR. A prompt at the bottom of the screen will ask
for the name of the file (message) you wish to edit. If the message you
specify already exists it will be displayed for editing. If not, you
will be presented with a blank screen ready to recieve it.
The commands available to you in the message editor are the same as
those in the LINE EDITOR (see page 15) with a few important additions:
Up Arrow Moves the cursor to the previous line.
Down Arrow Moves the cursor to the next line.
Home Goes to the start of the message.
End Goes to the end of the message.
CTRL-backspace Deletes the text to the right of the cursor.
(pressed twice) Deletes the rest of the message.
Simply type in the text of your message. Words will wrap round at the
end of the line. If you press ENTER, signifying the end of a paragraph,
a block character will appear on the screen. This is just so that you
know where your carriage returns are. Don't worry about line length or
blank lines - COMMIE will take care of all this for you when you upload
your message.
To save your message, press ALT-S. To exit without saving, press ESC.
Messages are straightforward text files which reside in your default
upload directory. They do not HAVE to be created by the message editor.
You can copy any ascii file into the default upload directory and edit
it using the message editor.
UPLOADING MESSAGES
------------------
When ready to send a prepared message, press ALT-U. COMMIE will prompt
you for the name of the message file. Having checked that the file
exists, COMMIE will transmit the message exactly as if you had typed it
at the keyboard.
When uploading messages, COMMIE transmits the text as fast as the
Bulletin Board can handle it, so the speed at which the message is sent
(and echoed back to your screen) will reflect the chosen baud rate.
Remember that at split speed the transmission rate is effectively 75
baud, or approximately 8 characters per second. Quite slow, really, but
still faster than you can type - unless you are a very good typist
indeed! 2400 baud is 32 times faster than this.
COMMAND SUMMARY Page 24
=======================================================================
COMMANDS AVAILABLE FROM THE DIRECTORY SCREEN
--------------------------------------------
ENTER dial highlighted number Dials the currently-highlighted
Dialling Directory entry.
ALT-C Configuration setup Calls the Configuration Setup
window. Allows COMMIE to be
configured for your particular
combination of computer and modem.
ALT-E message Editor Calls the MESSAGE EDITOR.
ALT-H Help Displays a help window containing
these commands.
ALT-J Jump to DOS Temporarily jumps to DOS, where
another program or a DOS command
can be executed provided sufficient
memory is available. Type EXIT to
return to COMMIE.
ALT-K maintain Key files Allows you to maintain the Function
Key Macro files.
ALT-M Manual dial Dials a manually-entered number.
ALT-P change Protocol Allows current protocol - baud rate,
parity, data bits and stop bits to
be changed.
ALT-T Terminal mode Calls the Terminal screen.
ALT-X eXit Exits COMMIE and returns to DOS.
ALT-G toggle ANSI graphics Toggles internal ANSI, allowing
colour graphics with Bulletin
Boards that can support it.
ALT-L toggle text Log Enables/Disables Log files. When
ON, all text passing through the
modem is recorded in the specified
file.
ALT-S toggle Sound Toggles COMMIE's internal sound
generation.
ALT-Y toggle keYboard echo Toggles echoing of typed characters
to the screen. Needed for direct
link-ups.
COMMAND SUMMARY Page 25
=======================================================================
COMMANDS AVAILABLE FROM THE DIRECTORY SCREEN - continued
--------------------------------------------
CTRL-A Add new directory entry Adds a new entry to the current
Dialling Directory.
CTRL-D Delete directory entry Deletes the highlighted entry from
the Dialling Directory.
CTRL-E Edit directory entry Allows the highlighted entry to be
edited.
CTRL-F Find directory entry Finds a specified Dialling
Directory entry.
CTRL-L Load new directory Loads or creates the specified
Dialling Directory.
COMMANDS AVAILABLE FROM THE TERMINAL SCREEN
-------------------------------------------
ALT-C Clear screen Clears the Terminal screen.
ALT-H Help Displays a help window containing
these commands.
ALT-J Jump to DOS Temporarily jumps to DOS, where
another program or a DOS command
can be executed provided sufficient
memory is available. Type EXIT to
return to COMMIE.
ALT-P change Protocol Allows current protocol - baud rate,
parity, data bits and stop bits to
be changed.
ALT-Q Quit terminal mode Exits the Terminal screen and
returns to the Directory screen.
Instructs modem to hang up if it is
connected.
ALT-U Upload message Transmits a prepared message to a
Bulletin Board.
PG UP send file(s) Calls file upload routine.
PG DN receive file(s) Calls file download routine.
COMMAND SUMMARY Page 26
=======================================================================
COMMANDS AVAILABLE FROM THE TERMINAL SCREEN - continued
-------------------------------------------
ALT-G toggle ANSI graphics Toggles internal ANSI, allowing
colour graphics with Bulletin
Boards that can support it.
ALT-L toggle text Log Enables/Disables Log files. When
ON, all text passing through the
modem is recorded in the specified
file.
ALT-S toggle Sound Toggles COMMIE's internal sound
generation.
ALT-Y toggle keYboard echo Toggles echoing of typed characters
to the screen. Needed for direct
link-ups.
ALT-B send Break Transmits a 500ms break via the
modem.
CTRL-Q send XON Transmits XON signal. Used for
serial handshaking.
CTRL-S send XOFF Transmits XOFF signal. Used for
serial handshaking.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Page 27
=======================================================================
"No man is an island." Shakespeare said it first, and it certainly
applies to the development of COMMIE.
Thanks is given to all those who helped in this project by providing
code, testing early versions, cajoling, encouraging and even bullying!
In particular, I'd like to thank:
"Lookout" - Sysop of THE CROW'S NEST Bulletin Board, for thinking
of the whole thing in the first place and for no end of help and
encouragement.
(CROW'S NEST - 0793 813633 - v21/v23/v22/v22bis - 7pm to 7am daily)
"Crystal Gazer" - Sysop of CRYSTAL TOWER Bulletin Board, for
suffering through an early version.
(CRYSTAL TOWER - 01 886 2813 -v21/v23/v22/v22bis - 24hrs daily)
Brian Robinson - Sysop of LONDON UNDERGROUND Bulletin Board, for
supplying the DSZ protocols and other invaluable stuff.
(LONDON UNDERGROUND - 01 863 0198 - v21/v23/v22/v22bis - 24hrs
daily)
Steve Underwood - author of the Towernet BB software, for general
help on comms.
Jim Bates - Journalist, raconteur, assembly language programmer
extraordinaire and all round Good Chap.
Dave Collins - self-confessed User, for encouragement above and
beyond the call of duty!
... and all others who have expressed an interest in COMMIE.
John Sutcliffe
June 1988
D. P. Software Ltd.
58 Atherstone Road
Loughborough
Leics. LE11 2SJ
Tel. (0509) 214835
