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DIALM A TELEPHONE DIALING PROGRAM Revision 7.3 Written by Robert Wilcox 920 N. Washington St Owosso, MI 48867 DIALM is a telephone dialing program which was originally written as an exercise in programming for the Microsoft or compatible mouse. (Hence the "M" in the name). It has been extensively rewritten over the years, and this revision was written using Visual Basic for DOS. With DIALM you can dial the phone, automatically re-dial busy numbers, and keep a log of calls made. You can also print out the entire phone phonebook or an individual phonebook entry. You can even address an envelope! The log file can also be viewed, edited and printed. DIALM runs on an IBM PC, XT or AT or compatible computer with at least 450 Kbytes of free memory. A mouse is useful but not required. It requires a HAYES or HAYES compatible modem on either port COM1 or COM2. DIALM will run without a modem, but of course dialing will not be possible. This documentation assumes that a phone line is connected to your modem's LINE jack and that a telephone instrument is connected to the modem's PHONE jack. ================ PROGRAM FEATURES ================ DIALING DIRECTORIES ------------------- DIALM uses a disk-based telephone number phonebook file which is created and updated from within the program. The number of entries a phonebook may have is limited only be the amount of memory available (usually 200 to 300 entries). Each entry contains a name, the number and a 3 line address and a 1 line note or other descriptive string. The registered version of DIALM will use as many phonebook files as you have room for on your disk and you may easily select the one to be used either from the command line when starting the program or from within the program. Phonebook files may be on any drive or sub-directory. The program will look for phonebook files on the default drive and sub-directory unless otherwise specified (see below). Other drives and sub-directories can be easily selected. DIALING ------- Numbers to be dialed may be selected from the dialing directory window. A number may also be entered from the keyboard. See SELECTING AND DIALING NUMBERS for further instructions. FAST TONE DIALING ----------------- For phone lines and modems that support it, a fast mode of tone dialing may be selected. 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 a note which may be entered while the call is in progress. The log file can be viewed, edited or printed from within DIALM. Registered versions of the program will have automatic starting of call timing enabled. ATTACK (DEMON) DIALING ---------------------- When the number dialed is busy the program will attempt to re-dial it after a short pause, up to 20 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 phonebook 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. ========================== PROGRAM FEATURES CONTINUED ========================== 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 correct keys. ALARM ----- An alarm can be set up to display a message at a selected time. Several alarm sounds are available. If the alarm is set when the program ends, the alarm time and message is saved and re-loaded when the program is started again. RINGING LOG ----------- The program logs each ringing of the telephone. The log consists of the date and time the phone rang and may be viewed in a pop-up window and saved to a disk file. SCREEN SAVER ------------ The program can blank the sreen when there is no mouse or keyboard activity for a time you specify in SETUP. To restore a blanked screen, press any keyboard key. You can also blank the screen by double-clicking on the "DIALM SPEED DIALER" box. DAY OF THE YEAR --------------- Press and hold the mouse button on the date display to see the day of the year. ============= PROGRAM SETUP ============= Many of the program's features mentioned above and others can be modified by selecting the "SETUP, PROGRAM OPTIONS" menu command (ALT+S,P). DIALING OPTIONS - TONE or PULSE dialing. FAST dialing (for TONE dialing only). BUSY number redialing. AUTOMATIC Call Timing Start (Registered Version) If busy number redial is selected, the maximum number of redials and the delay between redials can be set. MODEM INIT - a modem initialization string can be specified. A re-initialization string can be sent upon exiting the program. RE-DIAL DELAY - The length of the delay before re-dialing a busy number ("attack-dialing") may be selected. SCREEN OPTIONS - Show Seconds: If checked, the clock display will include seconds. (You can also toggle the display of seconds by clicking on the clock display on the main screen). View Entry at Start: If checked, the view entry window will be visible by default. SCREEN SAVER - If activated, the screen saver delay can be set from 1 to 30 minutes. ALARM OPTION - The alarm may be automatically cleared when it is answered. ALARM TYPE - One of several alarm sounds may be selected. RETURN ADDRESS - An address stored here is used as the return address when addressing envelopes. ================== PRINTING UTILITIES ================== The phonebook 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. ======================= DIALM MENUS AND SCREENS ======================= This is DIALM's main screen: ┌───────────────────────────────────┐ │ File Hangup Setup Update About│ ┌───────────┐┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐┌───────────┐ │08-11-1993 ││ D I A L M P H O N E D I A L E R ││ 6:43:39 pm│ └───────────┘└────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘└───────────┘ < Phone List: DIALM > ┌───────────┐┌──────────┐╔══════════╗ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐│ Find ││ Alarm │║ ║ │ Argus Press Newspaper └───────────┘└──────────┘║ Dial ║ │ Arlington Computer Products ┌───────────┐┌──────────┐║ ║ │ Art ░│ Find Next ││ Ring Log │╚══════════╝ │ AT&T Billing questions ░└───────────┘└──────────┘┌──────────┐ │ BC Voice Response ░┌───────────┐┌──────────┐│ │ │ Best Chevy Olds ░│ ││ ││ QDial │ │ Benefit Link ░│ View Entry││View Rings││ │ │ Best Eastern ░│ ││ │└──────────┘ │ Best Western ░└───────────┘└──────────┘┌──────────┐ │ Betty ░┌───────────┐┌──────────┐│ │ │ Bob M ░│ Edit ││ View Note││ Kybd Dial│ │ Carol G ░└───────────┘└──────────┘│ │ │ Colleen Sand ░┌───────────┐┌──────────┐└──────────┘ │ Consumers Power Billing ░│ New ││ Call Log │┌──────────┐ │ Corunna TV Center ░└───────────┘└──────────┘│ │ │ Country Ranch ░┌───────────┐┌──────────┐│ Exit │ │ Crosstalk Tech Line │ Prefixes ││ Calendar ││ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────┘└───────────┘└──────────┘└──────────┘ * Select a number to dial PgUp PgDn Home End <First Letter> * And here is the dialing window: ╔╣═══════════════════════════════ DIALING ═══════════════════════════════╠╗ ║┌ Dialing ──────────────────────────────────┐ Pick up phone & ║ ║│┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐│ Press-> ╔═══════════╗ ║ ║││Information ││ here -> ║ ║ ║ ║│└─────────────────────────────────────────┘│ when -> ║ Ringing ║ ║ ║│ 1-555-1212 │ phone-> ║ ║ ║ ║└───────────────────────────────────────────┘ rings-> ╚═══════════╝ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ┌───────────┐ ║ ║ │ │ ║ ║ │ Cancel │ ║ ║ │ │ ║ ║ └───────────┘ ║ ╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ ====================== USING DIALM'S COMMANDS ====================== You may execute commands in DIALM by pressing a button, accessing a menu command or double-clicking on a list item. In some cases you may activate an activity in more than one way. For instance, to edit the current phone- book entry, you may use the "Edit" command button or the "Edit Current Entry" Update menu command. 1 - Command buttons ------------------- A button may be "pressed" by moving the mouse cursor over the button and clicking the left mouse button. Each button has a caption which indicates the purpose of the button. In most cases one of the characters in the caption will be highlighted. The button may be accessed by holding down the ALT key while pressing the highlighted letter. For instance, to dial a number you may press ALT+D. You may also use the TAB key to move the focus to the desired button and then press ENTER. In most cases one button on any screen will be the "default" button. It will be automatically selected when the ENTER key is pressed unless the focus has been changed with the TAB key. Also one button will usually be the "cancel" button and it will be executed by pressing the ESC key. 2 - Menu commands ----------------- These commands appear at the top of a screen. For instance, on the main DIALM screen the menu commands are: ┌───────────────────────────────────┐ │ File Hangup Setup Update Help│ └───────────────────────────────────┘ Menu selections may be made with the mouse or keyboard. To use the mouse, place the cursor on the desired menu command and click the left button. To use the keyboard, press the ALT key and access letters for each command will be highlighted. You may press the access letter to execute the command or you may use the cursor control (arrow) keys to select a command and then press ENTER to execute it. Some menu commands have drop-down menus. For example, choosing the Update command will drop down the following sub-menu: ┌───────────────────────────────────┐ │ File Hangup Setup Update About│ └────────────────────┌────────────────────────────────┐ │ Edit Current Entry Ctrl+E │ │ Add New Entry Ctrl+A │ │ Copy Current Entry Ctrl+C │ │ Delete Current Entry Ctrl+D │ │ Restore Deleted Entry Ctrl+R │ └────────────────────────────────┘ You may select from the sub-menu in the same manner described for the main menu. Some commands will have shortcut keys listed to the right of the menu item. You may use the shortcut key instead of opening the menu and choosing the command. 3 - Double-click commands ------------------------- Double-click means to click the mouse button twice in rapid succession. Double-clicking has several functions in DIALM. For instance, double- clicking on an entry in the phone list window will dial that number, and double-clicking within the view-entry window will select editing of the displayed entry. 4 - Check boxes --------------- Check boxes are used to select certain options. When an option has been selected, an "X" will appear in the box: [X] Fast dialing To select or de-select an option, click on the box with the mouse, or move to the box with the TAB key and press the spacebar. 5 - Option buttons ------------------ Option buttons are sometimes called "Radio Buttons" since only one option in a group may be selected. ( ) Option 1 (o) Option 2 To select an option, click on the option with the mouse, or move to the option with the TAB key and use an arrow key until the desired option is selected. 6 - Drive select ---------------- To select a drive for reading or saving a phonebook, move to the drive- select box and press an arrow key to select the next drive in a sequence, or press ALT+down-arrow to open a list of drives. 7 - Phonebook select -------------------- A phonebook may be selected by moving to the directory box and using an arrow key to the selected phonebook and pressing ENTER. 8 - "Hidden" commands --------------------- Click and hold a mouse button on the date display to get "day-of-the-year". Click the "DIALM SPEED DIALER" box for a message. Double-click the "DIALM SPEED DIALER" box to blank the screen. Click the time display to toggle the display of seconds. =========================== MESSAGES ON THE BOTTOM LINE =========================== When you move around the screen with the TAB key, a message at the bottom of the screen will explain the function of the button that currently has the focus. Certain errors that occur will also be explained on this line. ================ INSTALLING DIALM ================ See the file "INSTALL.DOC". ============== STARTING DIALM ============== If your modem is on COMM port 2, first enter the following SET command: SET COMPORT=2[CR] (Read the section ENVIRONMENT COMMANDS for more information on this.) To start DIALM first change to the DIALM subdirectory: CD \DIALM[CR] Then type: DIALM [CR] A phonebook file path and name may be entered on the command line. If one is entered the program will attempt to use that file as the current phonebook. DIALM C:\DAT\PHONES [CR] This will load in the phonebook file named PHONES.DIR located in the "DAT" sub-directory on drive C. The size of the phonebook 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. If you do not use the SIZE parameter, the default is 200 entries. You may experiment with larger sizes if you have plenty of free memory. 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 phonebook entry, the part of the file not read in will be lost!!! For safety you should regularly back up your phonebook files. Be sure to leave a space before each parameter on the command line. ========================================= CREATING AND UPDATING DIALING DIRECTORIES ========================================= Unregistered users of DIALM are limited to using a single phonebook . After the program is registered, you may use an unlimited number of directories. To create a new phonebook select "Create New Phonebook" from the File menu, or press CTRL-N. Enter up to 8 characters for the name you wish to use for the phonebook. You do not have to enter the file type unless the name you want to use is the same as an existing sub-directory, in which case you must add ".DIR" to the filename. If the file doesn't already exist it will be created on the disk and you will automatically be put into the ADD ENTRY window. You will not be allowed to save a "blank" entry. That is, the name field must start with a printable (non-blank) character. Select "Accept" to add each entry to the phonebook. When you are done adding entries, select "Done" or press ESC to go back to the main menu. A directory entry may be edited by first selecting it and then selecting "Edit current entry" from the update menu or the Edit button from the main screen. In order to delete a directory entry, first select it, then select "Delete Current Entry" from the update menu. A deleted entry may be restored by selecting "Restore Deleted Entry" 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 phonebook from which it was deleted. Just access a new directory with the "Get New Phonebook" command, and then restore the entry. Entries may be copied to the clipboard by using the "Copy Current Entry" update option. Entries thus saved are available to the "Restore Deleted Entry" command just as if they had been deleted. ============================= SELECTING AND DIALING NUMBERS ============================= After numbers have been entered into a phonebook , the entries will appear in the phone list window with the first entry highlighted. (See "MAIN MENU"). A number may be selected by using the arrow keys to move the highlight to the desired entry. To rapidly move through a long list the HOME, END, PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN keys may also be used. Pressing a letter key will move to the first entry that begins with that letter. Subsequent pressings of the same letter will advance to the next entry beginning with that letter. Mouse users can place the mouse cursor over the desired entry and click the left button. To dial the selected number simply press the ENTER button. There are several alternative ways to cause dialing to begin and you may use whichever you desire: - Double-click the mouse button with the cursor on the desired entry - Move the mouse cursor to the DIAL button and click the left button - Press ALT+D (Hold down the ALT key while pressing the D key. You may search the phonebook to find a number to dial. Press the "Find" button and you will be asked 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. Pressing the "Find Next" button or the F3 key will repeat the search. A number to be dialed may also be entered from the keyboard by using the "Kybd Dial" button. When dialing begins, the dialing screen will appear. (See DIALM MENUS AND SCREENS). You may cancel dialing at any time by selecting the "Cancel" button or by pressing the ESC key or by clicking the right mouse button (while the mouse cursor is on a blank area of the window). You should hear the dialtone and the dialing sounds in the modem's speaker. When you hear the ringing sound, pick up your telephone and press the "Ringing" button (or press ENTER). Two new buttons will appear labeled "Time Call" and "Note". If you want to time the call select the "Time Call" button (or press ENTER) when the phone is answered. Pressing the same button again will stop timing the call and a new button labeled "Log" will appear. You may press "Note" to edit a note to be saved in the log. If you select "Log", the call information will be saved to a log file. If you press "Cancel" the call information (but not the note) will be lost. If the number is busy and "Busy Number Redial" has been selected, a redialing window will appear showing the time remaining until the redial will occur. From this window you may select immediate redial, cancel redial or you may extend the number of redials. Redialing the last dialed number can be easily done by using the "QDial" button. If the cursor has been moved off of the previously dialed number, the cursor is returned to it and the number is dialed again. ================ LOGGING FEATURES ================ Information about each outgoing call can be logged to a file. The information will be the date, time and length of the call plus an optional note about the call. (See "Selecting and Dialing Numbers"). The file may be edited and printed from within DIALM. To view the log, press the "Call Log" button (ALT+L). The date and time of each incoming call will be automatically saved to a log file. To view this log or to add information about a call, press the "Ring Log" button (ALT+G). ==================== 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. The SET commands can be placed in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file so they will be entered automatically each time the system is booted up. 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 phonebook 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 '='. This command will allow you to execute DIALM from any location (without first changing to the DIALM directory). 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 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. An 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. X4 Wait for dialtone. "NO DIALTONE" and "BUSY" results enabled. M1 Turn on the modem's speaker. L1 Adjust modem's speaker volume. These commands will not be exactly the same for all modems. Please consult your modem manual to verify these initialization codes. If your modem issues "NO DIALTONE", "BUSY" and "RINGING" result codes they should be enabled so that DIALM can 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 example 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 "ECHO AT&S0&C1&D2&W>COM2:" 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 ======= DIALM is distributed as user-supported software. Registration of the program will eliminate the opening screen delay and will add the ability to use multiple phonebooks and to automatically start timing calls. To register DIALM send $24.95. If you have already registered an earlier version at $10.00, send only the upgrade fee of $14.95. Please include in your note your name, mailing address, and current version number. A registration form in the file REGISTER.DOC may be used. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please add an additional $5, and I will send you the most recent version available. I will send your registration key, which you can then use with the File Register command to unlock the program. I would be interested in hearing of any problems with the program and will attempt to fix them in a later release. Address correspondence to: Robert Wilcox 920 N. Washington St Owosso, MI 48867-1774 Tel: 517.725.8531 Internet: bwilcox@execpc.com WWW: http://www.execpc.com/~bwilcox (the latest version is available here) EXEC-PC bulletin board: (414) 789-4210, Address messages to: BOB WILCOX. ====== 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 VBDRT10.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 6/22/95