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Text File | 1992-04-13 | 15.8 KB | 384 lines

QuikDial 1.3 Guide ****************** 04/13/92 QuikDial is a memory resident utility that permits you to dial telephone numbers using your PC's modem. It can scan the display for numbers to dial or you can interactively enter the numbers. QuikDial makes use of expanded memory (EMS) or extended memory (XMS) or a hard disk swap file to store most of its code when not in use. Because of the ability to "swap" code in and out of active memory, only about 6,800 bytes of valuable low DOS memory are consumed when QuikDial isn't active. If you are presently using some other phone dialer utility, that program may be consuming significantly more low memory. For example, SideKick, a Borland product which includes a phone dialer, uses over 100,000 bytes of low memory. QuikDial Features ----------------- * Provides support for modems connected to communications ports 1, 2, 3 and 4. * Accepts default long-distance area code assignment to eliminate need for local area code to be included in long distance phone numbers within your area. Just including the "1-" characters at the start of the number will direct QuikDial to use the default area code. * Accepts up to 3 different default prefixes to support the use of phone lines demanding a prefix to gain access to an external line or special services. Hot keys will automatically add the prefix to a number before dialing. * Automatic screen-scan searches the display for phone numbers to dial. * Easy redialing of busy numbers. * Easy command line unloading if you need to free-up all available low DOS memory. * Command key help prompts which may be hidden at the user's preference. * User defineable hotkey combination. * Support for international telephone numbers beginning with 011 international code. Page 1 QuikDial Guide ************** Installation and Command Line Parameters ---------------------------------------- Installing QuikDial is relatively easy. It can be included in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file so that it is always available when you use your PC. The following example suggests a possible location for QuikDial in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file: ECHO OFF CLS C:\UTILITY\QUIKDIAL /1 /AC313 /PFA09 /PFB0953829 /PFC1202 ... (additional AUTOEXEC batch code might be located here) ... The previous batch file fragment suggests that QuikDial is stored in a directory on C: named \UTILITY. Notice that five parameters are included on the example command line. The first parameter, "/1", tells QuikDial that your modem is attached to communication port 1. If your modem is configured as port 2, 3 or 4, you would insert that appropriate number in place of the 1 digit on the command line. The second parameter, "/AC313", tells QuikDial that your default area code is 313. The third, fourth and fifth parameters are default prefixes. If you include an area code parameter, QuikDial will automatically add the specified area code to any phone number which begins with the "1-" characters. Thus, at least when you are using QuikDial, you can return to the simpler days of long distance dialing within your own area - no more having to specify your own area code! Of course, if you commonly make long distance calls to some area other than your own, you can instead make that other code the default. If you use a phone system which requires you to enter a code to access an external phone line or special features, you can tell QuikDial to use the appropriate prefix when dialing a number. Up to 3 different prefixes can be assigned for use. Each prefix is introduced with a PF identifier, /PFA or /PFB or /PFC. The PF identifier is followed by the desired prefix up to ten characters in length. The parameters are optional. When no parameters are included, QuikDial assumes the modem is attached to port 1. Additionally, no default area code or prefixes will be available during that operating session. The comments in braces describe the key strokes, they are NOT part of the command! Page 2 QuikDial Guide ************** To unload QuikDial from memory, use the /U directive. As with any memory resident program, QuikDial must have been the last memory resident program loaded in order to unload it. The default hotkey combination to popup QuikDial is <Ctrl>-<Alt>-D. If that combination conflicts with some other application or you prefer some simpler combination, you can redefine the hotkey. Use the /K comand line parameter to define your preference. The combination should include at least one of the following keywords: CTRL, ALT, LEFTSHIFT, RIGHTSHIFT. The keywords should be followed by an alpha, numeric or function key name. The examples below should help you figure this out. QUIKDIAL /KALTCTRLP { Alt-Ctrl-P } QUIKDIAL /KCTRLD { Ctrl-D } QUIKDIAL /KALTF10 { Alt-F10 } QUIKDIAL /KCTRLLEFTSHIFTF10 { Ctrl-LeftShift-F10 } Using QuikDial -------------- To give QuikDial a try, go to the DOS command line and enter the following line: C:QUIKDIAL /[1,2,3,4] /AC[your area code] This example assumes that the QuikDial executable file named QUIKDIAL.EXE is located in the default directory on C: of your computer. Be sure to insert the number of the communication port that your modem is attached to in the first parameter and include your area code in the second parameter. If your modem is connected to port 1, you may ignore the port parameter. Port 1 is the default port when no port parameter is specified. After you have executed the command and included the appropriate parameters for your own modem port and area code, hold down the <Ctrl> and <Alt> keys and then tap the <D> key. If there is a telephone number presently displayed on your screen, QuikDial will find that number and display it in a highlight box. The number may be edited using the cursor control keys. Pressing <Enter> will cause the number to be dialed. When more than one number is displayed on the screen, QuikDial first checks the line where the cursor was last located. If a number was located on the line where the cursor was located, you will be presented with that number first. To scan the rest of the display for numbers, press the down arrow key. QuikDial Page 3 QuikDial Guide ************** will then search the screen from top to bottom for other phone numbers. When it finds a number, you will then be presented with that new selection in the highlight box. To abort the screen scan operation, press the <Esc> key. You will then be presented with an empty number highlight box. At that point you may type in the number you want to dial. Press <Enter> after you have finished typing in the number. You may press <Esc> to exit QuikDial without dialing. If no number is visible on the screen, QuikDial will ask you to enter the phone number you want to dial. After the number is determined either by picking it from your screen or by manual entry, QuikDial will enable your modem, dial the number, signal with a two tone sound that the number has been sent to the modem and advise you to pick up the handset and press <Enter>. Be sure to pick up the telephone handset before pressing <Enter> since QuikDial will disconnect the line before you have a chance to proceed with the call. If the number is busy, the call can be redialed by pressing <Space>. The command line parameters can be entered in any order. The two following examples will produce the same results: QUIKDIAL /3 /AC313 /PFA123 /PFB09313 /NOHELP QUIKDIAL /PFA123 /NOHELP /AC313 /PFB09313 /3 After picking up the handset and pressing <Enter>, QuikDial exits until you activate it again with the <Ctrl>-<Alt>-<D> hotkey combination. If you change your mind about placing a call, just press the <Esc> key to exit QuikDial with no number dialed. Even if a number is already dialed but you have not picked up the handset, pressing a key on the keyboard will disconnect the line and end the call and cause QuikDial to exit. Prefix Codes ------------ To use a prefix code, you must first specify the proper code(s) on the DOS command line when QuikDial is installed. For example, let's assume the prefix we want to use for local calls is 09, 09-313 for long distance calls and 09-202 for long distance calls to another area we frequently call. The proper command line syntax would be: QuikDial /PFA09 /PFB09313 /PFC09202 Notice that each prefix is introduced with a PF identifier, /PFA or /PFB or /PFC. The PF identifier is followed by the desired Page 4 QuikDial Guide ************** prefix up to ten characters in length. Now when a number is scanned from the screen or entered in the highlight box, pressing <Alt-1> (the <Alt> key and the <1> key in combination) will automatically insert the prefix code 09 in front of the number before it is dialed. Similarly, pressing <Alt-2> will insert the 90313 code and <Alt-3> will insert the 09202 code in front of the number. Help Boxes and Audible Signals ------------------------------ By default, different prompts are displayed in help boxes just below the number entry highlight box. The prompts advise you of the various keys and the actions associated with the keys. After you become familiar with QuikDial, you may prefer to work without the prompts displayed. If you reach that point, you can specify your preference when QuikDial is installed. Once again your preference is expressed with a command line parameter of /NOHELP. The following command would initialize QuikDial with the /NOHELP parameter: QUIKDIAL /2 /AC313 /NOHELP QuikDial indicates the start of its actions with a two audible signal by default. For quiet operation, you can turn the signals off with a /QUIET parameter. QUIKDIAL /2 /AC313 /NOHELP /QUIET Hints and Suggestions --------------------- Since QuikDial uses EMS or XMS, it is not recommended that you attempt to load it high using DOS 5's LOADHIGH command or similar utility services available through third party memory managers. You can try it, but using EMS and XMS is a tricky business - QuikDial may not load properly or performance may be erratic when it is loaded high. During my testing, I have successfully loaded all the program high into XMS by not creating any EMS. However, this is not a good solution for me since I use other software which demands EMS. In the event that neither EMS or XMS are available, temporary disk storage buffers will be created in C:\. If no space is Page 5 QuikDial Guide ************** available in C:\ or no hard disk or RAM disk named C: is installed, QuikDial will not load. The disk buffers are only created in the event EMS or XMS are unavailable. It is difficult at best to use QuikDial on a system with no hard disk, EMS or XMS. The program is not designed to load in its entirety in low DOS memory. It is possible to use the DOS SUBST command to create a virtual C: on a floppy drive directory. However, QuikDial will swap out very slowly in comparison to the speed attained with EMS, XMS or a hard disk. Registration ------------ QuikDial was written by David Nicholson in 1991. It is a copyrighted work. The copy of QuikDial you are using is licensed by Nicholson Consulting Services (NCS). If you have purchased, registered or received a copy of QuikDial from NCS, you have acquired the right to use the software on your own computer. You do not own the right to alter this documentation or the executable program code. Users who acquire the software from electronic bulletin boards or some source other than directly from NCS are expected to register their copy of the software with NCS and pay a registration fee of $25.00. Payment must be made to: David A. Nicholson Nicholson Consulting Services 502 Adams Street Plymouth, Michigan 48170 CompuServe 73407,3020 Registered users will receive free telephone support for the product. Additional enhancements are planned for QuikDial. Registered users will receive a copy of the next enhanced version when it becomes available. I welcome comments or suggestions from ANY USER, whether you are registered or not. Page 6 QuikDial Guide ************** 03/27/92 Version 1.2 -------------------- Minor maintenance revision fixed several problems reported by users including: 1. More than one number on a line is now correctly found. 2. Properly locates a number in a spreadsheet. 3. Screen scan finds a wider variety of numbers as valid phone numbers. E.g., (555)555-5555, 1-999-9999 and 555 555-555. 04/13/92 Version 1.3 -------------------- Problems fixed: 1. Cursor location is correctly identified in spreadsheet programs. 2. International phone numbers identified by 011 code at start of number are now properly identified as valid numbers. Enhancement: Hotkey is now user defineable. Problems I'm still working on include: Conflicts with fax boards, conflicts with DesqView. Page 7