The LineShare (tm) software makes it possible for several applications/tools to use the same serial port(s) simultaneously. It can detect the type of incoming calls and route the call to the proper software. For fax modems, LineShare can employ the "adaptive answering" feature supported with many modern modems, i.e. the automatic detection of the incoming call type (fax or data).
LineShare can be used with any modem and with any types of incoming calls, if there is a method to detect the type of a call. Those methods (algorithms) are programmed using the LineShare scripting language.
When started, LineShare takes the selected serial port and controls that port itself, running the selected LineShare script.
It also creates several "subports" and register them with CTB, so their names and icons appear in port lists of CTB-compatible applications/tools. These virtual subports are for use with communication servers. The number and names of subports to be created are defined in the LineShare script.
When a server (like ARA™, or FaxSTF™, BBS, or Mail) opens such a "subPort", LineShare emulates a modem without connecting the server to the real device. So, several servers can work simultaneously, each sending commands to its own dedicated subport.
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Note: LineShare emulates a generic Hayes®-compatible Fax Class 1 and 2 modem.
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When an incoming call is detected, LineShare detects the type of the call and attaches the proper subport to the real line - so the call will be processed with the proper server.
When a server sends the dial command through its port, LineShare resets the real device, sends commands to tune the device as necessary for that server and dial the requested number. After connection is established, LineShare attaches the virtual subport to the real device - and then the server starts the communication session.
When a session is completed, LineShare disconnects the subport from the line and connects the subport to the emulator.
The name (and icon) of the real port controlled with LineShare remains visible and this port can be used with any communication program: when an application attempts to open that port, LineShare resets the modem and allows the application to use the real device. When the application closes the port, LineShare starts line monitoring again.
Put LineShare, LineShare scripts and ARA/LineShare on the System Folder icon - Finder will place the LineShare control panel into the Control Panels folder, the LineShare Scripts folder - into the System folder, and the ARA/LineShare file will be placed into the Extensions folder (the latest is not supported in some versions of Finder).
Restart the computer.
3. Enabling line sharing.
a) Open the LineShare control panel.
b) Select the serial port with the modem you want to share.
c) Click the Attach button. The Attach dialog box appears.
d) Select the proper script: it should correlate with your modem type and with types of services you want to provide - for example: "Fax Class2&ARA&Data".
e) Click the Attach button.
f) Select the desired options (the modem type,number of rings, etc)
The list of attached "subports" appears in the control panel.
LineShare starts to tune your modem for receiving incoming calls.
Click the Opions button and modify the settings, if necessary.
Note: it is recommended to restart your computer at this moment: it eliminates many problems with the not-Serial Port Arbitrator (SPA) compatible application. There is a small incompatibilty with SPA even in the ARA software itself - so it is really better to restart.
3. Tuning servers.
a) Open the server control window (Remote Access Setup for ARA, Chooser for FaxSTF 2.x, etc).
b) Select the proper serial port (i.e. "Data@Modem Port" instead of "Modem Port" for ARA, "Fax@Modem Port" for FaxSTF, etc).
c) if the LineShare script you've selected is designed exactly for ARA, you can select the "ARA/LineShare" script in the Remote Access Setup - this is the simplest ARA script, modem independent: it can be used since all modem-dependent commands are executed in the LineShare script.
d) if a server has an option that allows you to set the number of rings to wait before processing the call - set this to 1: the number of rings to wait is controlled with LineShare and non-1 settings result in additional delays only.
Please be carefull with non-application servers (like FaxSTF): after you have selected the new modem port, many of them don't close the previosly used port in the proper manner. It happens without LineShare as well - but it's unlikely that you changed ports before installing LineShare. So, it is recomended to restart the computer again.
--------------------------- Scripting Language ----------------------
The LineShare scripting language is an extension of the Apple's CCL used with ARA.
This language is defined in the LineShare user guide.
Press the Option key - the Detach button in the LineShare control panel changes to the Debug button: click it and use the Go/Stop and Step buttons to debug a new LineShare script.
The script is read into RAM when you Attach subPorts, so Detach and re-Attach them if you have modified the script.
With this Demo version, you'll be able to make 3-4 connections, then LineShare Demo will suspend itself. It will resume line monitoring after the system restart.
