The Original Shareware 1.1

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Text File | 1990-02-10 | 29KB | 707 lines

& Introduction UNICOM is a data communications application specifically designed for users of the Microsoft Windows operating environment (versions 2 and 3). UNICOM can perform data communication tasks in the background while other applications are running. You may switch to another Windows application at any time. UNICOM Release 1.4 includes the following features: X/Y/ZMODEM, Kermit, CompuServe B, Quick B and ASCII file transfer protocols implemented for full background operation. Color ANSI-BBS, VT52 and TTY Terminal Emulation supporting user selectable terminal fonts that span OEM and ANSI character sets. A 250 Line Terminal Scroll Buffer is provided. A new Script Language supports more than 35 commands with a Trace Mode for debugging. A Script Scheduler allows pre-programmed execution of up to eight script files each at specific days and times. Directory assisted batch dialing and redialing is supported for users with Hayes compatible modems. An Online Help System allows instant access to general help and script command topics. The user manual is also available for direct reference from the online help. A unique journaling feature lets you record mouse and keyboard operations for later playback. Keyboard macros, File logging, File Paste and Print Screen. UNICOM provides some unique features that support the Windows environment. You can: Transfer the contents of a Clipboard from one computer directly into the Clipboard of another. This provides you with the ability to transfer many types of Windows-unique data formats between computers. Some of these formats include: Excel Spreadsheets (SYLK, DIF), Bitmap Images (from Paint), Metafile Pictures (from Designer), Text (from Notepad) and any format that can be placed on the Clipboard. Operate your computer in a multi-user mode with UNICOM's host mode. A built-in command processor allows a validated remote user to examine or transfer files on a designated disk drive. This operation is transparent to any user who may be at the keyboard directly operating other Window applications. Operate multiple program instances. Advanced users with the appropriate hardware configuration may initiate simultaneous background file transfers with multiple remote systems. Send a Screen Snapshot directly to the Clipboard. & Hardware and Software Requirements UNICOM requires Microsoft Windows version two or three to be installed and properly configured on your computer. If your particular version of UNICOM does not operate properly with Windows version 3, contact Data Graphics for information on how to obtain a release of UNICOM designed for that version. Before installing UNICOM on your computer check the following: 1) If a BUS mouse is installed in your computer, make sure the mouse interrupt level does not conflict with interrupts reserved for serial port operation. The BUS mouse interrupt is set via a jumper on the interface board. Consult your mouse installation manual. 2) Your serial port(s) (COM1 and COM2) should be set for interrupt operation using IRQ4 and IRQ3 respectively. The interrupt levels are typically selected via jumpers located on your serial interface board or on the motherboard. Consult your computer reference manual. 3) Microsoft Windows version 2 may contain a BUG in the communication port driver. If your version of Windows is dated before April 1989, you should obtain a replacement communication port driver (named COMM.DRV) from Microsoft and reinstall Windows using this replacement file. 4) A Hayes compatible modem must be present to support UNICOM's directory assisted dialing and call hang-up features. The modem dip switch settings should be set to the manufacturers DEFAULT positions. The modem must be configured to return VERBOSE responses. Also, please note that certain operations such as Clipboard to Clipboard transfers require enough temporary memory and disk storage to hold the data being transferred. This storage is released after the transfer operation is completed. & Installing UNICOM The UNICOM 1.4 distribution disk should contain the following files: File Description UNICOM.EXE - The UNICOM executable program. UCLIB.EXE - UNICOM Runtime Support library. UNICOM.DIR - A sample dialing directory. UNICOM.CFG - A default program configuration file. UNICOM.WRI - The UNICOM Online Manual. UNICOM.HLP - Online Help Text File. UCSCRIPT.HLP - Script Online Help Text File. UC-READ.ME - UNICOM release notes. CSERVE.SCR - An example UNICOM login script file To install UNICOM, 1) UNICOM requires that Microsoft Windows 2.x or 3.x be installed and working on your computer. If you are upgrading from a previous version of UNICOM, do not mix your old UNICOM.CFG with that of a new UNICOM release. UNICOM configuration files are not compatible across releases. 2) Insert the distribution disk in your floppy disk drive. 3) Copy the files to any directory on the destination drive where you wish to store UNICOM. You will need to remember this directory path and enter it into the UNICOM file path window from within the program setup menu. The support file: UCLIB.EXE must be placed in a directory listed in your search path as defined by your MS-DOS PATH environment variable. This PATH environment variable is set in the MS-DOS AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Consult your DOS operating manual for more information about the DOS PATH environment variable. 4) Before running UNICOM, it is a good idea to check the items listed in the previous Hardware and Software Requirements section. 5) Activate UNICOM and enter your license number by pressing the ENTER LICENSE NO. button that appears on an opening start- up screen. The license number is printed on your receipt and should be saved for future reference should the program need to be re-installed. Licensing disables the opening startup screens and prevents their return during program operation. Should UNICOM be moved to another computer or modify the Windows WIN.INI file, it may be necessary to enter the license number again to disable the built-in nagware screens should they reappear. & Running UNICOM UNICOM may be activated from DOS using the following syntax: UNICOM [configfile] By omitting the optional [configfile] parameter, UNICOM will look for a default configuration file named UNICOM.CFG. From DOS, type the command (depending upon your windows version): WIN UNICOM -or- WIN386 UNICOM To activate UNICOM from the Microsoft Executive or File System, doubleclick (using a mouse) on the file: UNICOM.EXE. When invoked without a configuration file parameter, additional UNICOM instances will attempt to access a configuration file named UNICOM2.CFG. If this file cannot be located, the port settings will default to COM2, 1200, N, 8, 1. When UNICOM is activated for the first time, a file path setup window will appear prompting you to enter a UNICOM files, upload and download directory. The files directory should be set to the drive and directory where UNICOM has been installed. The download directory should be set to the drive and directory where files received from data transfers are to be stored. The upload directory should be set to the drive and directory where UNICOM will first look to locate files for upload selection. Enter the pathnames into the edit fields within the dialog box. Paths defined here are valid only for the current UNICOM session. To make the paths permanent, activate the SAVE SETUP option from within the SETUP menu. Paths are stored in your Windows WIN.INI file. An error message will be displayed if any of the path fields contain an invalid directory or if UNICOM could not locate its executable files in the directory specified in the FILES DIRECTORY field. At the start of each program run, the configuration file 'UNICOM.CFG' is accessed (from the file path set previously) to determine what communication port will be used and other operating parameters. If UNICOM cannot locate this file, the port will default to COM2, 1200 baud, No Parity, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit. Should a communication port fail to open, UNICOM will display a message box to indicate the failure. The port configuration dialog window will be displayed automatically. A valid communication port should be selected. When a communication port is successfully opened, UNICOM will try to initialize the Hayes compatible modem if the port was configured for a modem connection. Should the message "Modem Not Responding" appear, this means UNICOM could not get the modem's attention. Make sure the communicatons port and modem are configured properly. Ensure that the modem is set to return VERBOSE responses. & UNICOM and Windows 3.0 This product will be supported for the Windows version 3 environment when it becomes available. Should this version of UNICOM fail to operate under Windows 3.0, contact Data Graphics for information on how to obtain a Windows 3 specific version. Registered users may upgrade free of charge. & How to Obtain Additional Help Technical support is available for registered users of this product. Free technical support is available to new (unregistered) users who require first time help in setting up the program for evaluation. Please call (206) 932-8871 during technical support hours only (6pm-10pm Pacific time). If you have difficulty using UNICOM or have a general question, please contact David Gan at Data Graphics. He can be reached via CompuServe EASYPLEX Email at 71631,464 -or- phone (206) 932-8871 during Technical Support hours between 6p.m. and 10p.m. Pacific time Monday-Thursday. & HOW TO REGISTER THIS COPY OF UNICOM Registration of this product will allow you to disable the built-in 'nagware' screens and support additional enhancements of this product (which you can receive free!). UNICOM can be ordered : By Mail: Please send the enclosed order form with payment to: Data Graphics 7735 46th S.W. Seattle, WA 98136 By Phone: Call (206) 932-8871 between 9am and 9p.m. Pacific time if you wish to use your VISA or MasterCard. A license number will be issued to you over the phone. By Email: Credit card orders can be accepted via CompuServe EASYPLEX electronic mail. Send your electronic mail order to: 71631,464 and your license number will be sent to you via return email. & NEW FEATURES IN UNICOM 1.4 ANSI-BBS Color Terminal Emulation is now included. Terminal Scroll-back operation of 250 lines. A New Script Language has been include that supports more than 35 statements and commands. Script Tracing has been added to allow viewing of each command as it is executed. This feature will assist you when debugging script command files. An Online Script Language Help System is provided as a quick reference to the many new script language commands. Terminal Fonts are now User Selectable and Sizeable that span ANSI and OEM character sets. Eight Script files may be programmed for scheduled execution using a new Script Scheduler. The Modem Init String can now be user-provided or selected from the modem setup window. A User Defined Dialing Prefix is supported to support extended phone numbers for special dialing. Systems to be dialed using a prefix are identified using an asterisk in the first column of directory system name. Directory entries can be dialed with a double mouse click. The dialing directory will remember your selections. An Error Report Disable option has been added to disable reporting of selected communication errors should they occur. Windows Control Panel, Notepad, and additional UNICOM instances can be activated from a menu. There is no need to leave UNICOM to invoke these utility programs. & Transferring Files A powerful feature of UNICOM is the ability to exchange information between computers. The protocols provided with this software will allow you to transfer files between many different computers. UNICOM performs this transfer task in the background, so you may switch to other running applications. Downloading Files To download a file into your computer, start the download procedure on the remote system and select the DOWNLOAD FILE option from the Control menu. The PgDn key or the DOWNLOAD screen button may also be used. UNICOM will then prompt you to select a protocol from a dialog box. You may choose from XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM, Kermit, ASCII, CompuServe B and Quick B protocols. After a selection has been made, UNICOM will prompt you for a filename in which to store the file. You are not prompted for this information for ZMODEM, CompuServe B and Kermit transfers since the name is provided by the remote. NOTE: The communication port is switched to 8-N-1 automatically for all transfer protocols (except ASCII). The port is switched back to the previous settings after the transfer is completed. Throughout the course of the file transfer, an information window is displayed so that you may easily monitor the transfer operation. This window provides the following information: the name of the file, number of bytes transferred, current block number, error count and any messages generated from the use of the selected protocol. A bar graph display has been added to give you a visual read-out as to the amount of data received or transmitted. To abort a transfer in progress, mouse users may select the ABORT button from the information window. Keyboard users must press the ESC key. Uploading Files To upload a file to the remote system, instruct the remote computer to receive a file from you. Initiate the file upload on your computer by selecting UPLOAD FILE from the Transfer menu. The PgUp key or the UPLOAD screen button may also be used. An upload file selection window will appear that will allow you to search your disk for the file to be selected. The file to be uploaded may be entered by name or selected from the listbox containing directory entries. The upload file directory listbox may be set to display files from a different drive. Just enter the drive letter and terminating colon (example D:) in the edit box then press return. The listbox will be directed to display the directory on that drive. For ZMODEM file transfers, a Batch Upload File Selection box will appear containing two listboxes. The listbox on the left displays the current directory of files from which to select. The listbox on the right contains the selected files for transfer. Batch selections are made by double clicking the mouse on a selected file. Keyboard users must highlight the selection and use the tab key to activate the ADD button. Once this is done, the file is added to the right listbox containing selected files. Use the ADD button from this window to make batch selections. When you are finished, select GO! to initiate the ZMODEM upload. & Clipboard Transfers The contents of the Clipboard may be transferred between two computers equipped with UNICOM software. Using this feature, many types of Clipboard formats may be exchanged. Some of these formats include: Bitmaps, Metafile Pictures, Text, User Defined Formats, SYLK, TIFF and more... To send a Clipboard format to a remote UNICOM, the user on each end must agree to the transfer operation by using the keyboard to communicate the request. This transfer must be coordinated by both parties so that both UNICOM's can be commanded at the same time - one to receive, the other to transmit. A Clipboard format is transferred as a temporary file between two UNICOM systems. This requires sufficient temporary disk and memory space on both computers to hold the format. & Dialing from the Directory To use the automatic dialing feature built-in to UNICOM, the dialing directory must be populated with entries each containing a name, phone number and communication parameters. The directory maintenance buttons located on the lower right corner of the dialing directory allow the directory to be edited and saved. Once you have created your directory, UNICOM can establish a phone connection for you. Just highlight the desired directory entry using the mouse or keyboard then select the DIAL button. UNICOM will set the communication parameters and begin dialing. Hayes compatible modems require that commands be issued using specific communication settings. If the communication parameters for the entry being dialed are different from the table below, the modem may not respond properly when UNICOM sends a command to dial. BAUD Word Size Parity Stop Bits 0 - 300 7 or 8 Even 1 or 2 7 or 8 Odd 1 or 2 7 or 8 None 1 or 2 1200 or 7 Even 1 or 2 greater 7 Odd 1 or 2 8 None 1 or 2 & Journaling Journaling is a feature used to record a UNICOM session for later playback. Keyboard and mouse interaction with UNICOM can be recorded and played back exactly as it was recorded. This can be useful for demonstrating the use of the program or to completely automate an interaction with a remote computer. Journaling has some built in Microsoft limitations: Some dialog windows will only respond to actual input during a journal play- back. & Pasting Clipboard Text Clipboard text may be pasted (transmitted) to the remote host computer. This operation is equivalent to uploading an ASCII file. An ASCII file can be copied to the Clipboard using a program such as Notepad. The text can then be pasted (uploaded) to the remote host by selecting PASTE from the Edit menu. The ASCII upload settings apply to this operation. Select the 'ASCII Xfer' menu selection from the Setup menu to view (or change) the ASCII transfer settings. & Host Mode Operation Host mode allows remote password protected access to the files within all directories on a designated drive. The password and assigned drive are set by selecting the HOST option from the Setup menu. To toggle host mode ON or OFF, select HOST MODE from the Control Menu. Once enabled, UNICOM monitors the port for a remote user login. A remote user MUST TRANSMIT TWO CONSECUTIVE CARRIAGE RETURNS to cause UNICOM to display the HOST IDENTIFICATION STRING and prompt the user for a login name. Once a login name is entered, the user is prompted for a password. Should the password be accepted, the remote user is granted access and presented with an option menu. Passwords are case sensitive and should be entered by the remote user exactly as it appears in your host configuration screen. & HELP!: Solving Communication Errors -------------------------------------------------------------- UNICOM and Error Reporting -------------------------------------------------------------- UNICOM uses the Microsoft Communication port driver built into Windows to communicate to the outside world. Communication errors are detected by the Windows port driver. UNICOM reports errors in the form of PORT STATE messages anytime the driver encounters an error. Unlike many other communication programs, UNICOM is not in low level control of your hardware. When an error occurs in communication, it is detected by the driver then reported by UNICOM. In other words, to correct communication errors, the solution must be to the satisfaction of the Microsoft Port driver built into Windows. It is through UNICOM by which you instruct how communication is to be set. If UNICOM complains, it does so on behalf of the Microsoft driver. ------------------------------------------------------------- Identifying Communication Errors ------------------------------------------------------------- The first step in solving a communication difficulty is to identify the cause. The three most common causes are listed as follows. 1) A mismatch in port settings may exist between your PC and the remote system that you are connected to. Make sure that UNICOM and the remote system are set to communicate using the same baud rate, parity, stop bits and wordsize. 2) Your PC hardware may be configured improperly and thus preventing proper operation of the port. The hardware settings to be aware of include: * A BUS Mouse Interrupt Level jumper setting (located on the bus mouse interface card) should be set to an interrupt level that does not conflict with an interrupt reserved for your serial port. Consult your mouse installation manual. * Check the interrupt settings for you serial port(s). COM1 should be set for IRQ4. COM2 should be set for IRQ3. Interrupt settings are typically selected via a jumper on your serial card or motherboard. Consult your computer reference manual. 3) Your version of Windows may contain a bug in the communication port driver provided by Microsoft. A bug exists in Windows 2.0 - 2.1 dated before April 1989. You should obtain a file called COMM.DRV (or COMMDR.ARC ) from Microsoft and re-install Windows using this replacement file. This file should be available on CompuServe in the MS-APP area in library 1 or 2. -------------------------------------------------------------- Solving Communication Errors -------------------------------------------------------------- Correcting problems is often accomplished through a process of elimination. If the problem you are having is cause 1 (above), it cannot be addressed until causes 2 and 3 are checked and corrected (if necessary). At this point it is assumed that you have verified your hardware configuration and have re-installed Windows using the replacement communication driver. If the problem still persists, it is very likely a mismatch in communication settings between your PC and the remote host computer. See 'HELP with CompuServe' for troubleshooting communication difficulties with this service. Setting Communication Parameters Setting communication parameters involves determining the baud, parity, wordsize and the number of stop bits required for the computer you wish to connect with. It then becomes a matter of setting your PC to match the parameters of the remote computer using UNICOM's Comm Port setup option. If you are not sure of the communication parameters required by the remote computer contact the operator of the system or refer to the following table. System Type Typical Settings ----------------------------------------------- Bulletin Boards 8-N-1 TYMNET 7-E-1 TELENET 7-E-1 CompuServe 7-E-1 (and/or 8-N-1) Some network services or data links impose their own communication operating parameters when connecting your PC with a remote host computer. If you are sure of the operating parameters required by the remote host and are still experiencing difficulty, the data link may be the cause. If this is the case, an alternate (or more direct) method of connection may be required. If you have exhausted all the above possibilities and just can't solve the problem, feel free to contact Data Graphics - See 'How to Obtain Additional Help'. & HELP with CompuServe PROBLEM: After dialing into CompuServe, characters appear 'garbled' before and/or after entering my USERID number. ANSWER: CompuServe requires that you be aware of 3 communication settings: 1) The CompuServe access port settings. The Access port prompts you for the system, user id and password. Settings are either 7E1 or 8N1. 2) The CompuServe online TERMINAL settings. After entering your USERID during login at your access port, CompuServe will switch to ONLINE settings. These online settings can be viewed or changed by typing GO TERMINAL from the CompuServe prompt. 3) Your PC Communication Port Settings set by UNICOM using the Comm Port menu selection from the Setup menu. Should your PC Communication settings differ from 1 or 2 above at any time, UNICOM may report a PORT STATE RX-PARITY message and characters received can be lost. When you first call into CompuServe via an access port, your PC communication settings must match those of the access port. There are two types of settings with CompuServe: 8 Data Bits, No Parity and 1 Stop Bit, or 7 Data Bits, EVEN Parity and 1 Stop Bit DO THIS: 1) Determine the Parity and Word Size (or Data Bit Size) settings for the CompuServe access port that you dial into. You may need to contact customer service at 800-848-8990 for this info. 2) Log into CompuServe and change your TERMINAL SETTINGS to match the parity and word size of your dial-in access port. Type GO TERMINAL at the CompuServe ! prompt. Make this setting permanent when asked to make the change for the session only or permanent (for all future sessions). 3) Set UNICOM to match the parity and wordsize for CompuServe in the Dialing Directory using the Change option. & HELP!: Directory ADD, CHANGE and EDIT PREFIX buttons PROBLEM: The ADD, CHANGE and Edit Prefix buttons in UNICOM's dialing directory do not activate the directory editor using Windows 386. ANSWER A low memory condition (conventional memory) may (at times) prevent these edit windows from appearing when activated. The following steps are recommended: 1) Upgrade to a newer version of Microsoft Windows. 2) After placing the following line in your config.sys, reboot your computer. BUFFERS=30 3) Operate UNICOM without executive replacement programs. (i.e. remove Command Post) 4) If all else fails, contact Data Graphics. Any one or more of the above steps should be tried to eliminate the problem. & NOTE: UNICOM, Windows and COM3 QUESTION UNICOM provides a COM3 option in the port configuration Window but I can't access this port - I do have the hardware. What's wrong? ANSWER UNICOM depends upon the capability of the Microsoft communication port driver built into Windows from which to communicate with the outside world. Unlike most other comm programs, UNICOM does not control or talk directly to your serial I/O ports. All communication is done via the Microsoft serial port driver provided with Windows. Windows 2 supports COM1 and COM2 only. Support for COM3 will be provided in a future version of Windows.