You can use the Black Night Connection Set (specifically the modem and telnet tools) to simplify your connection to CompuServe using MacCIM or any product that uses the CompuServe HMI protocol (e.g. PowerTalk, Claris Emailer, CompuServe Navigator).
Special Note: I have no commercial or casual relationship with CompuServe except that I am a CompuServe Client. CompuServe does not endorse or support his connection method, and they may not even know it exists.
Why use the Black Night Modem Tool ?
Perhaps there isn't a configuration string for your modem, or maybe you want to override your facsimile software. For whatever reason the Black Night Modem provides an excellent alternative to CompuServe's built in modem handlers.
Why use the Black Night Telnet Tool ?
The Black Night Telnet Tool allows you to access CompuServe using MacCIM over the Internet. This has always been available, but you need a Telnet Tool to do so, and most of the available tools simply don't work.
You may wish to access CompuServe over the Internet because it may be quicker to connect, it may cost you less, or you may be using PowerTalk or Claris Emailer and you want to check your CompuServe mail at the same time as you check your Internet mail.
This guide sets out what you need to do to change your existing configuration to one that uses the Black Night Connection Tools. It is not a step by step guide as to how to configure MacCIM, PowerTalk, Claris Emailer or the CompuServe Navigator.
CompuServe using the Black Night Modem Tool
To set up MacCIM (or a similar CompuServe application) for use with the Black Night Modem Tool, launch MacCIM and select "Settings:Connection…" from the "Special" menu.
You will probably wish to make a new setting. I've made one called "via modem" based on my previous setup that used the CompuServe internal modem handler.
The first thing to do is to select "Black Night Modem Tool" as the "Method" (it may have been called "Port" before). This will dim the "Baud" menu and change the title of several of the other items.
Make sure that you have "Direct Connect" selected as the "Connect Type" and then click on the "Configure…" button. This will activate the Black Night Modem Tool configuration dialog, where you'll need to enter the telephone number and any other relevant details.
CompuServe using the Black Night Telnet Tool
To set up MacCIM (or a similar CompuServe application) for use with the Black Night Telnet Tool, launch MacCIM and select "Settings:Connection…" from the "Special" menu.
You will probably wish to make a new setting. I've made one called "via telnet" based on my previous setup that used the CompuServe internal modem handler.
The first thing to do is to select "Black Night Telnet Tool" as the "Method" (it may have been called "Port" before). This will dim the "Baud" menu and change the title of several of the other items. Now select "Internet" as your "Network".
Make sure that you have "Direct Connect" selected as the "Connect Type" and then click on the "Configure…" button. This will activate the Black Night Telnet Tool configuration dialog, where you'll need to enter the host address "gateway.compuserve.com" and any other relevant details, most of which should be left as they are.
