Libris Britannia 4/science library(b).zip/science library(b)/COMMUNIC/BULLETIN/1806B.ZIP/WILD-TD.LZH/PROTOCOL.HLP

Text File | 1991-03-01 | 10KB | 183 lines

     =============== WILDCAT! FILE SYSTEM TUTORIAL ==================

     The files area allows users to move files between your system and
     WILDCAT!. Downloading is the process of moving files from WILDCAT!
     to your computer, and uploading is moving files from your computer
     to WILDCAT!.

     Data transfer can be done in a number of ways in WILDCAT!.  New
     error checking protocols are being added on a regular basis, but
     the most common transfer methods are XMODEM, YMODEM and standard ASCII.
     XMODEM protocol was originally developed by Ward Christensen, a
     pioneer in micro communications.  XMODEM is included in many
     communications programs including PC-TALK III, QMODEM, CROSSTALK,
     SMARTCOM and many more.  You will recall that WILDCAT! allows each
     user to specify a default transfer protocol for all file transfers.
     We suggest that the default be set to NONE until you have become
     familiar with the options available since the more advanced choices
     require a blank default.  Before talking any more about specific
     protocols, lets review the general method of locating a file or
     program to download from a WILDCAT! system.

     The explaination which follows assumes the SYSOP has adopted the
     standard WILDCAT! Files System Menu, and is using the recommended
     prompts. Since every WILDCAT! system has the option of changing the
     wording of this menu, you may find some slight variation of the
     menu prompts which will perform the same functions.

     WILDCAT! allows the System Operator the option of storing files in
     separate subdirectories or areas, each of which is devoted to different
     types of files or programs.  File areas usually have names like GAMES,
     UTILITIES, etc., and contain files of that type.  Select the LIST command,
     usually displayed as [L]ist on the menu and you will be prompted for the
     specific file area you wish to view.  The complete names of the files
     available will be listed along with file size, date added to the system,
     time needed to download at your baud rate, the number of times it has
     been downloaded, and a brief description of each file.


     XMODEM FILE TRANSFER

     WILDCAT! supports two variations of the XMODEM protocol called
     XMODEM and XMODEM/CRC respectively.  One of these two protocols is
     required if you intend to transfer files with extensions of EXE,
     OBJ, COM, ARC, LBR, xQx, as well as tokenized BASIC programs.
     Files containing the IBM PC special ASCII characters (ones with
     ASCII values above 128) must also be transferred with XMODEM,
     including Wordstar files.  These files cannot be transferred in
     ASCII mode since ASCII transfer is only 7 bit and these types of
     files require the full 8 bit transfer of the data with no
     translation of the contents of the file.

     XMODEM also offers the advantage of error checking on a block by
     block basis to assure that the data sent contains no errors.  It
     does this by adding a checksum byte to the end of each block of
     data; the receiver calculates its own checksum and compares it to
     the one received.  If an error is detected in the transmission,
     XMODEM will request that WILDCAT! retransmit the block of data.

     In addition to the above checksum comparison, XMODEM/CRC adds
     another level of error detection using a complex CYCLICAL
     REDUNDANCY CHECK algorithm.

     Please be certain to select and use matching protocol types for
     accurate data interchange.  QMODEM, a product of John Friel and the
     FORBIN PROJECT supports both XMODEM and XMODEM/CRC, and will usually
     contain additional protocols added to WILDCAT!.

     To perform an XMODEM file download, first determine the name of a file
     by using the <L>IST command.

     1.  Select <D>OWNLOAD from the FILES MENU

     2.  Select the transfer protocol you want to use by entering the
         number which corresponds to it, ie. 3 for XMODEM/CRC.

     3.  Enter the COMPLETE file name.  WILDCAT! will check to make sure the
         file exists and then proceed.  If the file is not found, check the
         spelling in the [L]ist.

     4.  WILDCAT! will indicate how many blocks are to be sent and wait
         for you to begin you transfer procedure.  Once WILDCAT! indicates
         it is READY TO SEND you should then open your recieve or capture
         file (QMODEM & PC-TALK.III Alt-R command) and start the XMODEM
         receive process.  PC-TALK.III starts XMODEM for you ONLY IF you put
         '=X' at the end of the download filename.  QMODEM will ask for the
         protocol type much the same way as WILDCAT!

     5.  The file will be transferred automatically block by block under
         XMODEM until the entire file has been sent. You may abnormally
         abort the transfer by sending WILDCAT! an ASCII CAN code (CTRL-
         X). PC-TALK.III & QMODEM will do this for you if you enter an
         Alt-R during the file transfer, or it can be entered from the
         keyboard.

     7.  When the file transfer is finished, XMODEM automatically closes
         your capture file for you. XMODEM also ensures that no garbage
         gets into your file; binary files and text files are sent to
         you with 99.6% error free transmission with XMODEM and better
         than 99.9% with XMODEM/CRC.

     ASCII DATA CAPTURE

     ASCII transfer is simply the sending of information as characters,
     and is limited to 7 bit information.  The transfer of files in
     ASCII mode can be done if your system is capable of any type of
     data capture.  To download a file using the ASCII method, follow
     the same sequence of steps listed above for XMODEM, but select
     protocol type 1, ASCII.

     4.  WILDCAT! will ask which type of ASCII transfer you want,
              1.  PROMPTED
              2.  TIME DELAY
              3.  NO DELAY

     NO DELAY is the simplest and will cause WILDCAT! to send the file
     full speed to your system with no pauses.  If it is a long file and
     your system has only a small communications buffer, you may find
     your computer is unable to keep up with receiving & writing the file
     without losing some characters.  If so, change to a TIME DELAY as
     indicated below.

     TIME DELAY will allow you to specify the amount of time between each
     transmitted character in hundredths of a second.  For example you
     could specify 10 as the time delay and WILDCAT! would wait 10/100 of
     a second (one tenth) between each character sent.  A delay between
     10 and 50 will allow almost any system to successfully receive ASCII
     even if a buffer problem has been found.

     PROMPTED transmission allows receiving the file line by line with a
     pause between each line until a specified character has been
     received by WILDCAT!.  You must tell WILDCAT! what character will be
     sent by your system to signal that it is ready for the next line.

     5.  Open your capture or receive file as indicated by WILDCAT!
         (Opening your capture file is done by using the Alt-R command in
         PC-TALK & QMODEM)  After setting up to receive the file on your
         end, you have to send WILDCAT! one carriage return so that it
         knows you are ready to start.

     6.  The file will be sent a line at a time until the entire file is
         sent.  You will see the lines of ASCII code (readable text and
         numbers) on your screen as they flow to your system.  A Ctrl-X
         (ASCII CAN) can be sent anytime to abort the transmission of the
         data.

     7.  When the file transfer is finished, WILDCAT! will send you an
         End Of File Marker (Ctrl-Z) and tell you to close your capture
         file (PC-TALK & QMODEM Alt-R)

     Addtitional transfer protocols available include IMODEM and YMODEM-G,
     both of which require special modem hardware error checking for
     proper operation.  If your modem supports MNP or ARQ they may be
     selected.  If you are unsure, use another protocol.

     Batch file transfer may also be acomplished through external protocols
     such as KERMIT, YMODEM-batch and others.  Your communications program
     must be set up for these protocols and the system you are calling
     must have made them available.

     FILE UPLOADING

     File uploading to WILDCAT! is very similar to downloading.

     Uploading of ASCII files can be done without interruption between
     lines.  WILDCAT! can handle data uploading at up to 2400 baud
     without any problem.

     Before sending a file be sure WILDCAT! has enough disk space to take
     the file. When you select <U>PLOAD at the File menu, the system will
     tell you how much disk space is free on the upload drive.

     UPLOAD GROUND RULES

     You are encouraged to donate programs to the library on this system.
     Any type of program or document is welcome, however, a few ground
     rules are in order.  The files donated must contain only information
     that is in the public domain.  No private or commercial information
     should be placed on this system.  The SYSOP is not responsible for
     any of the data that is shared on this system.