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PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE (TM)
Version 1.0
February 12, 1988
Program Documentation
Copyright (C) 1988 DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
All Rights Reserved
Copyright (C) 1988 DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. All rights reserved.
No part of this manual may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed,
stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language (natural or
computer), in any form or by any means, except as described in the
following license without the prior written permission of DATASTORM
TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
You are granted a limited license to use the software described in this
manual. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the
terms of that license, which is described beginning on the next page.
Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does
not represent a commitment on the part of DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC., may make improvements and/or changes in
this manual and/or in PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE and/or in PROCOMM PLUS at
any time.
ProComm is a registered trademark, and PROCOMM PLUS, PROCOMM PLUS TEST
DRIVE, DATASTORM, the DATASTORM logo, the PROCOMM PLUS logo, ASPECT, and
Intuitive Communications are trademarks of DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
THIS SOFTWARE IS NOT FOR SALE
-----------------------------
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE is subject to the following license terms and
conditions.
SINGLE COPY SOFTWARE LICENSE
DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
----------------------------
THIS IS A SINGLE COPY SOFTWARE LICENSE granted by DATASTORM
TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a Missouri corporation, with its mailing address at
1621 Towne Drive, Suite G, Columbia, Missouri 65202. PROCOMM PLUS TEST
DRIVE is licensed to you as the end user. It is not sold.
1.0 PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE is copyrighted material. You may use it on
a trial basis provided you do not violate the copyright and if you
follow these simple rules. Use of PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE on a
regular basis requires purchase as described later.
1.1 You may not make any changes or modifications to PROCOMM PLUS TEST
DRIVE, and you may not decompile, disassemble, or otherwise
reverse-engineer it. You may not rent or lease it to others.
1.2 You may make copies of PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE only under the
terms of the following section entitled "Limited License to Copy".
2.0 This Software is Commercial Computer Software under Federal
Government Acquisition Regulations and agency supplements to them.
The Software is provided to the Federal Government and its agencies
only under the Restricted Rights Provisions of the Federal
Acquisition Regulations applicable to commercial computer software
developed at private expense and not in the public domain. The Use,
Duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to
restrictions as set forth in subdivision (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights
in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at 252.227-7013.
3.0 LIMITED WARRANTY. DATASTORM does not warrant that the functions
contained in the software will meet your requirements or that the
operation of the software will be uninterrupted or error free. The
warranty does not cover any media or documentation which has been
subjected to damage or abuse by you. The software warranty does not
cover any copy of the software which has been altered or changed in
any way by you or others. DATASTORM is not responsible for problems
caused by changes in the operating characteristics of the computer
hardware or operating system which are made after the delivery of
the software.
3.1 ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE LIMITED TO THE TERM OF THE
iii
EXPRESS WARRANTIES. Some States do not allow limitations on how
long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not
apply to you.
3.2 DATASTORM SHALL NOT IN ANY CASE BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT OR OTHER SIMILAR DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY
BREACH OF THESE WARRANTIES EVEN IF DATASTORM OR ITS AGENT HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Some states do not
allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
3.3 The warranties set forth above are in lieu of all other express and
implied warranties, whether oral, written, or implied, and the
remedies set forth above are your sole and exclusive remedies.
4.0 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. In no case shall DATASTORM's liability
exceed the license fees paid for the right to use PROCOMM PLUS TEST
DRIVE or ten Dollars ($10.00), whichever is greater.
5.0 INTEGRATION. This License constitutes the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties and supersedes any prior
agreement or understanding whether oral or written, relating to the
subject of this License. This Agreement may only be modified by a
written agreement signed by DATASTORM.
iv
LIMITED LICENSE TO COPY
-----------------------
You are granted a limited license to copy PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE only
for the trial use of others subject to the software license described
above, and also the following:
- PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE must be copied in unmodified form,
complete with the following files:
PCPLUSTD.EXE - The TEST DRIVE program
PCSTD.EXE - The TEST DRIVE Setup program
PCPLUS.KBD - The TEST DRIVE keyboard file
PCPLUS.HLP - The TEST DRIVE help file
PCPLUSTD.DOC - The TEST DRIVE documentation
CVTDIR.EXE - A dialing directory convert program
PRINTHLP.EXE - A help file convert program
- The full and unmodified PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE documentation
(PCPLUSTD.DOC) must be included with the copy.
- No fee, charge or other compensation may be accepted or requested
by anyone without express written permission from DATASTORM. This
includes disk vendors.
- PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE may not be distributed in conjunction with
any other product or service without a specific license to do so
from DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE may be distributed only in North America.
DISTRIBUTION OF PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE OUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICA IS
STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
Operators of electronic bulletin board systems (Sysops) may post PROCOMM
PLUS TEST DRIVE for downloading by their users without written permission
only as long as the above conditions are met. A fee may be charged for
access to the BBS as long as no specific fee is charged for access to the
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE files.
Distributors of public domain and user supported software, such as disk
vending services, may distribute copies of PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE
subject to the above conditions only after obtaining written permission
from DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Such permission usually is granted;
please write for details.
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introducing PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Purchasing PROCOMM PLUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Welcome to PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Starting PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
What You'll Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Installing PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Setting Up PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Setting Up Your Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Setting Up PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Starting PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Exiting PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Using PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Learning PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE features . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
ASPECT Script Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
PROCOMM PLUS Order Blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
vi
Introducing PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE is the "try before you buy" version of PROCOMM
PLUS. DATASTORM has created it to allow you to "test drive" PROCOMM PLUS
before committing your hard earned dollars. This has benefits for both
the users and the authors as described below.
First of all, though, you must be aware that PROCOMM PLUS and PROCOMM
PLUS TEST DRIVE ARE NOT FREE SOFTWARE, NOR ARE THEY IN THE PUBLIC
DOMAIN. Both programs are fully copyrighted works protected to the full
extent of US and international copyright law.
Why allow a program "test drive"? PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE is based on a
marketing technique called "shareware" or "user-supported software",
which is a means for the computing community to receive quality software
while directly supporting authors. It is based on the idea that the
value and utility of software is often best assessed by the user on his
or her own system. Only after using a program can one really determine
whether it serves personal applications, needs and tastes.
The benefits to users are fairly obvious: you are allowed to thoroughly
evaluate the software before purchasing it. How many times have you
purchased an expensive piece of software only to find that it doesn't do
what you need?
Software authors benefit by creating a distribution channel of satisfied
users who recommend and pass along their product. This "pyramid effect"
can be a very effective marketing technique, and is vastly less expensive
than traditional marketing techniques. This is not to say that "test
drives" and more traditional methods like magazine advertising are
mutually exclusive. They may be used together very effectively to target
different segments of the market.
What does this mean to you? While you are granted a limited license to
evaluate the program on a trial basis, regular use of the program
requires purchase. What is a "trial basis"? Kicking the program around
over a weekend to see how it works is certainly using it on a trial
basis. Installing and using the program in a production test environment
for two weeks is trial use. Using the software twice a week for regular
work for three months is not and therefore requires purchase. Using the
program regularly for any regular task, especially if it has replaced
other software, is not trial use. These examples are not intended as
definitive rules, but more as general guidelines.
You are not allowed to modify the software under any conditions. We do,
however, encourage you to create "add-on" support utilities and programs
to enhance your and others' enjoyment of the program.
You may copy the program for the trial use of others subject to the rules
1
outlined in the previous section "Limited License to Copy". In general,
you may only copy the program in complete and unmodified form, as we
distribute it.
You may not charge any fee for copies of the program without written
permission from DATASTORM. This applies especially to disk vendors.
Some services mislead customers into thinking they have purchased the
software, rather than just the disk and duplication service. If you have
purchased this product from a disk vendor and feel they were misleading
about what you have purchased, please write us and we will investigate
the matter.
You may not include PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE with any other product,
whether hardware or software, without specific license. For example, you
may not include PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE on the hard drives of computers
you sell, or include it with copies of software you have developed.
2
Purchasing PROCOMM PLUS
After using PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE for a while, you need to decide if
you want to continue using it on a regular basis. If not, please feel
free to continue copying it for the trial use of others, or to pass your
copy along to a friend.
If you do decide to continue using it, it must be purchased. You can
purchase the regular version of PROCOMM PLUS directly from DATASTORM; it
can also be found at many retailers around the world.
Please note that there are two versions of the software: PROCOMM PLUS and
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE. The TEST DRIVE version may be copied and used
for evaluation as described above. The purchased version of PROCOMM
PLUS, however, may only be copied for backup purposes. After receiving
your purchased copy of PROCOMM PLUS you may continue to copy PROCOMM PLUS
TEST DRIVE for friends; you may not copy PROCOMM PLUS.
Why should you purchase PROCOMM PLUS? To pay for the software which you
are gainfully using, and to support its authors and encourage them to
produce more high quality software. And because regular use of PROCOMM
PLUS TEST DRIVE without purchase is a violation of the license under
which you use it.
When you purchase PROCOMM PLUS you will receive the following:
- Perpetual license to use the software you have purchased.
- A two disk program set including the program itself, an external
setup program, an installation program, a keyboard remapping
program, a small but fast text editor and other useful utilities.
You will also receive numerous sample script files for logging onto
your favorite on-line services, dialing directories for several
major cities, and lists of BBS systems around the world.
- A 300+ page professionally written and printed manual which
includes a tutorial, index and introduction to telecommunications.
- 90 days telephone technical support.
- Free membership offers to several on-line services.
- Much, much more.
To order via credit card, call our toll free number (800) 626-2723 or
call our business office at (314) 474-8461. Cash and check purchasers
should use the order form in the back of this manual.
3
Welcome to PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE is everything you need to go on-line. Here's a
summary of its major features:
Fully-Automated Dialing Directory
You can keep the names and numbers of up to 200 computers in a Dialing
Directory--and you can create and use any number of Dialing Directories.
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE lets you include up to 10 dialing codes in your
Dialing Directory entries, so you can easily access long-distance
carriers or dial out through a PBX system. You can have PROCOMM PLUS TEST
DRIVE dial either a single number or a list of numbers, and PROCOMM PLUS
TEST DRIVE will automatically redial if a number is busy. It keeps track
of the date of your last call, and the total number of calls for each
entry. In addition, it keeps a log of the date and time of all calls so
that you can easily verify your telephone bills.
Error-Correcting File-Transfer Protocols
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE supports 13 standard protocols, and it allows you
to specify up to 3 "external" protocols.
A Powerful Script Language
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE's ASPECT script language is an extremely
powerful, full-featured programming language with conditionals
(If/Then/Else and Switch/Case), advanced screen handling, file I/O,
mathematical functions, looping, memory variables, subroutines and much
more. You can use script files to perform automated log-ons, unattended
file transfers, and many other tasks. Or, you can use a script file to
have PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE "come alive" any time, night or day. For
example, tell PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE to call your favorite information
service, download the required data, and print a report; all while you
get a good nights sleep, and when telephone and connect rates are at
their lowest!
Terminal Emulation
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE emulates 16 popular video-display terminals.
Terminal emulation permits you to run full-screen mainframe applications
using your PC as a remote terminal.
Context-Sensitive Help
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE can give you full-screen detailed help no matter
where you are in the program. The context-sensitive help facility always
knows "what you are doing" and displays help on the current task.
4
Keyboard Macros
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE features 10 "global" macro keys for storing
frequently transmitted character strings such as user ID's and passwords.
Line Settings
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE operates at the following baud rates: 300, 1200,
2400, 3800, 9600, 19,200, 38,400, 57,600 and 115,200. It can operate with
Space, Even, Odd, Mark or No parity; 7 or 8 data bits; and 1 or 2 stop
bits. PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE supports up to 8 user-definable serial
ports.
Host Mode
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE's powerful Host mode allows remote access to your
machine for unattended file transfers, electronic mail, DOS access,
remote program execution and more. The host operator can assign
individual user ID's, passwords and security levels to the remote users.
Chat Mode
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE lets you split the screen for on-line
conferencing in CompuServe's CB Simulator, GEnie's LiveWire CB Simulator,
and The Source's CHAT facilities.
User Hot Keys
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE lets you run up to two external program by
pressing a "hot key" without exiting PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE!
Multi-tasking Environments
You can run PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE under Windows, TopView, DESQview,
and TASKVIEW.
5
Starting PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE
What You'll Need
- Computer: an IBM PC, XT, or AT computer (or a computer that is
compatible with any of these).
- Memory: at least 192K of available RAM.
- Operating System: PC-DOS or MS-DOS, version 2.0 or later.
- Disk Drives: at least one floppy-disk drive, or at least one
floppy-disk drive and one hard-disk drive.
- Display: A monochrome monitor with a monochrome display adapter; a
composite monitor with a Color Graphics Adapter; an Enhanced Color
Display with an Enhanced Graphics Adapter; or a monitor and display
adapter compatible with any of these.
- Modem: Virtually any modem, Hayes-compatible or not, external or
internal, any speed.
- Serial port: Required only if you're using an external modem.
Installing PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE
If you received PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE directly from DATASTORM, or from
an authorized distributor, there is very little to do to install it.
Simply copy the contents of the distribution disk onto a working diskette
or your hard disk. Be aware that PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE will create a
number of support files, so leave plenty of room.
If you downloaded PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE from a BBS or on-line service,
it probably came in archived format. A file archive, usually identified
with a file extension of .ARC, is a group of related files that have been
collected together and then compressed into a single file. Before using
the files within the archive they must be un-archived into their original
and separate form. This can be achieved using any of a number of
"archive utilities" such as ARC.EXE (from System Enhancement Associates),
ARCE.EXE (also from SEA) or PKXARC.COM (from PKWARE). These programs use
different command syntax; to get a listing of the proper commands to use,
execute the program without any parameters. For example, entering
PKXARC [CR]
will give you a listing of the command options available for PKXARC.
6
Setting Up PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE
Setting Up Your Modem
Before you can start using PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE, you need to make sure
that your modem is set up properly.
What you need to do to your modem depends on whether you have an internal
modem (a modem on a board inside your computer) or an external modem (a
modem separate from your computer).
To set up an external modem
If you have not already connected your modem to your computer and to the
telephone line, do so now--your modem's manual describes how to do this.
Most modems have a set of switches that set certain operating
characteristics for the modem. You'll need to check the setting of two
of them in order to use PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE to its fullest.
Look in your modem's manual for information about these switches. (The
manual may refer to them as "modem switches," "configuration switches,"
or "DIP switches.")
You'll need to set two of your modem's switches:
- The CD (Carrier Detect) Switch. This is switch 6 on most
Hayes-compatible modems. Set this switch so that your modem
controls the CD line (with the other setting of this switch, the CD
line is not controlled by the modem).
- The DTR (Data Terminal Ready) Switch. This is switch 1 on most
Hayes-compatible modems. Set this switch so that your modem
monitors the status of the DTR line (with the other setting of this
switch, the modem ignores the status of the DTR line).
Note: If your modem doesn't have switches, it will have software commands
you can use for the same purpose. Look in your modem's manual to find
the commands that control CD and DTR, then include these commands in the
modem's initialization command.
To set up an internal modem
An internal modem can be set to work on any of two (or more) "COM ports"
(communications ports).
COM ports--also known as serial ports--are typically used for (in
addition to modems) serial printers and mouse pointing devices. If such a
device is already connected to your computer, it is using one of your COM
ports, and you won't be able to use that port for your modem. You should
find out which COM port is used for that device, then make sure your
modem is set to work on a different COM port. (Refer to your modem's
7
manual for information about setting its COM port.)
It doesn't matter which COM port your modem will be using, as long as you
tell PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE which COM port that is. PROCOMM PLUS TEST
DRIVE can work with any of eight COM ports--COM 1 through COM 8.
Note: If your modem has a CD or a DTR switch, set it as described above
for an external modem. If it doesn't have these switches, check your
modem's manual to see if there are software commands you can use for the
same purpose. If there are, include these commands in the modem's
initialization command.
Setting Up Your Computer
To run PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE most efficiently, you'll need to make sure
that your CONFIG.SYS file and your AUTOEXEC.BAT file contain certain
commands.
To set up a hard-disk system
The AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files, if they exist, are located in the
root directory of your disk. If you're not familiar with these files,
consult your DOS manual or a book about DOS to see how to modify these
files as recommended below.
You can start PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE from any directory on your disk by
specifying the PCPLUS directory (the directory where you've installed
PROCOMM PLUS) in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file's PATH command.
When PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE needs to access files it uses for the
Dialing Directory, the Setup facility, keyboard macros, and the
translation table it normally looks only in the current directory (and
creates them there if they do not exist). If you want to keep these files
in some other directory, specify that directory in a SET PCPLUS command
in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file--PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE will look for those
files in that directory if it doesn't find them in the current directory.
For example, if you wanted to keep the PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE files in
the directory \COM\PCPLUS, you would include this command in your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
SET PCPLUS=C:\COM\PCPLUS
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE needs to access many files at the same time. So
that these files can be accessed, you need to include this command in
your CONFIG.SYS file:
FILES=20
To speed up accessing your disk, include a BUFFERS command in your
CONFIG.SYS file:
8
BUFFERS=20
To set up a floppy-disk system
Include a FILES and BUFFERS command in your CONFIG.SYS file, as described
above for a hard disk system. If you're not familiar with the CONFIG.SYS
file, consult your DOS manual or a book about DOS to see how to create or
modify it.
Setting Up PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE
If you're just starting with PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE for the first time,
you'll probably want to go on-line as soon as possible. Although PROCOMM
PLUS TEST DRIVE lets you change over 100 set-up specifications, the only
thing you must do in order to get started is make sure that PROCOMM PLUS
TEST DRIVE knows which COM port your modem is using. To do so, access
the Line Settings option (Alt-P) after starting PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE.
Note: If you're using a modem that's not Hayes-compatible (your modem's
manual will tell you if it is), you must give PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE
certain information about how your modem works. You can do this using the
Setup facility (Alt-S) after you start PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE.
Starting PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE
- Make sure the DOS prompt (C>) is showing on your screen.
- Change to the drive and/or directory where your PROCOMM PLUS TEST
DRIVE files reside.
- Type PCPLUSTD and press [Enter].
The PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE logo appears on your screen, and PROCOMM
PLUS TEST DRIVE initializes your modem.
- Press any key to display the PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE information
screen.
This screen describes the terms under which you may use and copy PROCOMM
PLUS TEST DRIVE. When you purchase PROCOMM PLUS no such screen will
appear.
- Press any key to enter PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE Terminal mode.
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE enters Terminal mode.
Note: PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE uses an overlay structure. If you are
running from a floppy diskette, from time to time PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE
will need to access the PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE disk in drive A. You
must leave this disk in drive A while you are running PROCOMM PLUS TEST
DRIVE.
9
Exiting PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE
To exit PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE and return to DOS:
- Press [Alt-X].
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE asks you to confirm that you want to exit and
return to DOS.
- Press [Y] to confirm that you want to exit.
10
Using PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE
You can enter PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE commands when PROCOMM PLUS TEST
DRIVE is in Terminal mode. The bottom line of the screen is called the
"Status line". The status line contains information about current
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE settings and options.
You tell PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE what you want to do by giving it
commands. You enter a PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE [Alt] key command by
holding down the [Alt] key while you press the appropriate function key
or letter key. For example, here's how to enter the [Alt-Z] command,
which displays the Command Menu (a list of all the other [Alt] key
commands):
- Hold down the [Alt] key and press the [Z] key.
You can enter nearly all of the commands listed on the Command Menu the
same way you entered the [Alt-Z] command--by holding down the [Alt] key
while you press the other key. You can display the Command Menu whenever
you need to find out what command to use. However, you can enter a
command using [Alt] at any time, regardless of whether not the Command
Menu is displayed on your screen.
Note: The Command Menu is part of PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE's help
facility. Pressing [Alt-Z] displays information about whatever you're
doing. For example, if you were to press [Alt-Z] now (with the Command
Menu on the screen), PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE would display help
information about Terminal mode.
To clear the Command Menu from your screen:
- Press [Esc].
Learning PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE features
PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE comes with a 40K on-line help file (called
PCPLUS.HLP) to speed you on your way to learning the system. To access
the help facility simply press [Alt-Z] at any point in the program. Help
text specific to the task at hand will be displayed. This on-line help
facility is more than adequate for learning the majority of PROCOMM PLUS
TEST DRIVE features. When you purchase PROCOMM PLUS you will receive a
300+ page professionally written and printed manual that includes
sections on every feature, a tutorial, an index and an introduction to
telecommunications.
If you prefer to read printed text, we've included a program called
PRINTHLP.EXE which will create a readable, printable copy of the help
text in a file called PCPLUSTD.TXT.
11
ASPECT Script Language
One of the most powerful features included in PROCOMM PLUS and PROCOMM
PLUS TEST DRIVE is the ASPECT script language. ASPECT is an extremely
powerful, full-featured programming language with conditionals
(If/Then/Else and Switch/Case), advanced screen handling, string
manipulation, file I/O, mathematical functions, branching, memory
variables, subroutines and more.
Script files can be used to perform automated logons, unattended file
transfers and many other tasks.
Introduction
Each line in an ASPECT script file begins with a command word and may be
followed by one or more "parameters," which specify the particular way
you want the command to work. Commands and parameters conform to certain
rules which are called "syntax." Like the syntax of spoken language,
"command syntax" ensures that the meaning of the command statement is
clear and unambiguous. ASPECT script files have a file extension of ASP.
Command Words
- Each command word begins on a separate line.
- Each command word must be spelled out completely.
- Commands and parameters are not case-sensitive except string
information between quotes.
- The maximum length of a command line is 132 characters, including
spaces.
- Each command must be complete on one line.
- Comments are delimited with a semicolon(;). Any characters to the
right of a semicolon are ignored and can be used for programmer's
comments.
Command Parameters
- Command parameters (arguments) always follow a command word on the
same line.
- You must enter a parameter unless it is enclosed in brackets.
- String variables and quoted strings are limited to a maximum of 80
characters.
12
- Numeric variables and integer numbers are signed integers with a
range of -32768 through 32767.
- Labels are up to eight characters in length, end in a colon, and
begin on a separate line; e.g. LABEL1:
- To use a quotation mark within a text string, precede it with the
special escape character "`" (ASCII 96); for example, MESSAGE "She
said `"Hello`".
Complete coverage of ASPECT is impossible within the scope of this test
drive, but all of the following commands are available and fully
documented in PROCOMM PLUS:
ADD integer|Nx integer|Nx Nx FWRITE "string"|Sx integer|Nx
ALARM [seconds] GET Sx [length]
ASSIGN Sx "string"|Sy GETFILE protocol [filename]
ATGET row col attrib length Sx GOSUB label
ATOI Sx Nx GOTO label
ATSAY row col attrib Sx|"string" HANGUP
BOX row1 col1 row2 col2 attrib HELP
BREAK HOST
BYE IF [NOT] condition
CHDIR "[driveid:]\path" ELSE
CLEAR [attrib] ENDIF
CONNECT INC Nx
CUROFF INIT Nx integer|Nx
CURON ISFILE "filename"|Sx
CWHEN ITOA Nx Sx
DATE Sx KERMSERVE SENDFILE|GETFILE
DEC Nx |FINISH|LOGOUT
DEFAULT KFLUSH
DIAL "[ldcode] entry [ldcode]"|Sx LOCATE row col
DIR "string"|Sx LOG
DIV integer|Nx1 integer|Nx2 Nx3 OPEN ["filename"|Sx]|CLOSE|SUSPEND
DOS "command" [WAIT] |RESUME
ELSE MACRO number|Sx
EMULATE terminal MATGET row col attrib length Sx
EXECUTE "asp_file"|Sx MDIAL "[ldcode] Number [ldcode]"
EXIT |Sx
FATSAY row col attrib "fmt_str" MESSAGE "string"|Sx
[[Sx|Nx]...] MGET Sx [length]
FCLOSEI MLOAD "filename"|Sx
FCLOSEO MUL integer|Nx integer|Nx Nx
FGETC Sx PAUSE seconds
FGETS Sx PRINTER ON|OFF
FIND Sx "target"|Sy QUIT
FOPENI "string"|Sx TEXT|BINARY RETURN
FOPENO "string"|Sx TEXT|BINARY RFLUSH
FPUTC "C"|Sx RGET Sx [length] [delay]
FPUTS "string"|Sx RUN "program"|Sx [WAIT]
FREAD Sx integer|Nx Nx
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SCROLL lines row1 col1 row2 col2 SUBSTR Sx "string"|Sy start_posit
attrib length
SENDFILE protocol "filename"|Sx SUSPEND UNTIL Hour|Sx Minute|Sx
SET parameter value SWITCH Sx
ALARM ON|OFF CASE "target"|Sx|"_NULL"
ASCII BLANKEX ON|OFF ENDCASE
ASCII CHARPACE milliseconds [DEFAULT
ASCII DN_CR CR|CR_LF|STRIP ENDCASE]
ASCII DN_LF LF|CR_LF|STRIP ENDSWITCH
ASCII ECHO ON|OFF TERMINAL
ASCII LINEPACE tenths TIME Sx 0|1
ASCII PACECHAR number TRACE ON|OFF
ASCII TABEX ON|OFF TRANSMIT "string"|Sx
ASCII UP_CR CR|CR_LF|STRIP TYPE "filename"|Sx
ASCII UP_LF LF|CR_LF|STRIP WAITFOR "target"|Sx
ATIME seconds [delay|FOREVER]
BACKSPACE NONDEST|DEST WHEN "target" "response"|Sx
BAUDRATE rate BREAK time
CR CR|CR_LF
DATABITS 7|8
DLDIR "path"|Sx
ENQ ON|OFF|CISB
HARDFLOW ON|OFF
KERMIT 8QUOTE char
KERMIT BLOCKCHECK 1|2|3
KERMIT CQUOTE char
KERMIT EOLCHAR char
KERMIT FILETYPE TEXT|BINARY
KERMIT HANDSHAKE char
KERMIT PACKSIZE number
KERMIT PADCHAR char
KERMIT PADNUM number
PARITY EVEN|ODD|NONE|MARK
|SPACE
PORT COM1|COM2|...COM8
RDELAY seconds
REMOTECMD ON|OFF
SCROLL ON|OFF
SOFTFLOW ON|OFF
SOUND ON|OFF
STOPBITS 1|2
TRANSLATE ON|OFF
TXPACE millisecs
WRAP ON|OFF
SHELL
SNAPSHOT
SOUND Frequency Duration
STRCAT Sx "string"|Sy
STRCMP Sx "string"|Sy
STRCPY Sx "string"|Sy
STRFMT Sx "fmt_str" [[Sy|Ny]...]
SUB integer|Nx integer|Nx Nx
14
Technical Support
Obviously we cannot offer technical support to the tens of thousands of
people trying PROCOMM PLUS TEST DRIVE before they purchase. However,
when you purchase PROCOMM PLUS you will receive free telephone support
for up to 5 calls during a 90 day period from the date DATASTORM receives
your registration card. Additional technical support may also be
purchased to extend your 90 day free period.
In addition to the telephone support you receive when you purchase
PROCOMM PLUS, DATASTORM has created a product support RoundTable on
GEnie, the General Electric Network for Information Exchange. The
RoundTable has been created as a means for DATASTORM's customers to ask
technical questions, download related and user supplied support programs
and files and share ideas with other users. To find out what your local
GEnie access number is call (800) 638-9636.
To access the DATASTORM ROUNDTABLE, enter the command "DATASTORM" from
GEnie's command prompt.
15
PROCOMM PLUS Order Blank Remit to: DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
PO Box 1471
Columbia, MO 65205
YES! I want to order PROCOMM PLUS. Please send:
___ copies of PROCOMM PLUS at $75 each $ ____________
one year of extended technical voice support for
___ copies of PROCOMM PLUS at $55 each (a savings of
$15 off the regular price of $70)
$ _____________
Subtotal: $ _____________
(Missouri residents please add 6.475% tax) Tax: $ _____________
Non-US shipping please add $10: $ _____________
Total Enclosed: $ _____________
Name: ______________________________________________________
Co : ______________________________________________________
Addr: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
City: ______________________ State: _______ Zip: ___________
Phone:______________________________________________________
Payment by: MC _____ VISA _____ CHECK _____ CASH _____
Cardnumber: _________________________________________________
Expiration: _________________________________________________
Cardholder
Signature: _________________________________________________
Written purchase orders are accepted in amounts over $100 only. Sorry,
no CODs.
ORDERS OUTSIDE THE US: Use MC or Visa, or send check or money order in
US funds drawn on US bank. Otherwise add $10 for collection.
16