home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
A.C.E. 2
/
ACE CD 2.iso
/
FILES
/
DOCS
/
GPFAXDOC.LHA
/
GPFaxPart1.doc
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-11-27
|
93KB
|
2,075 lines
GPFAX TR29 GENERIC V2.342
Manual Supplied by GAZ
Typed Edited by DIT 13-02-1994
For FIREFLASH of SKIDROW
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GP FAX INTRODUCTION 5
Specifications 5
Features of GPFax 5
Telecommunications Software and GPFax 7
General 7
Anatomy of the Group 3 Fax 8
Theory 8
GPFax - The Reality 9
Fax Resolution 10
Automatic paging within Created Fax Documents 11
Hints on Creating Fax Documents 12
Simple Documents 12
More Complicated Documents 13
Multitasking and Memory 14
Amiga Serial Device 14
Disk Space 15
Choice of Fonts 15
Printing and the GPFax Printer Driver 16
Printing Received Faxes 17
INSTALLATION 18
The Installation Procedure 18
Floppy Drive Users 18
Manual Installation 19
Absolutely Required Assignments 19
THE GPFAX USER INTERFACE 20
Gadget and Buttons 20
The 'Information' Gadget 20
Decision Gadgets (Buttons) 21
String Gadgets (Text Boxes) 21
Cursor Keys, Number Keys and Numeric Keypad 22
Status Windows 22
Error Messages 23
The Global File Requester 23
WildCard selection of File Names 25
GPFax User Guide Page 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LOADING GPFAX 26
From WorkBench 26
TOOLTYPES 26
From CLI 28
Program Created Icons 29
FIRST TIME OPERATION 30
Modem Connection 30
Default Environment 30
GPFAX ENVIRONMENT 31
Default Fax Header Details 31
Default Text Font, Margins, Lines per Page 32
Text Margins 33
Pagination and Lines per Page 34
Modem & Service Details 34
OPTIONS 36
THE PHONE BOOK 44
Mouse and Keyboard 44
Phone Book Entries 45
Numbering Grouping 45
Maximum Connection Speed 46
Manual Transmission of Faxes 46
Adding New Entries 47
Cover Page Details 47
Editing a Phone Book Entry 49
CONVERT TO FAX 50
Converting IFF Picture Files 50
Converting ASCII Text Files 51
Formatting Commands 51
Style Commands 52
GPFax User Guide Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TRANSMIT FAX 54
Selecting the Number to Dial 55
Automatic Transmission of Faxes 56
Sending Faxes - Immediate Send 56
Scheduling Faxes 56
Manual Transmission of Faxes 58
Inactivity timer 58
RECEIVE FAX 59
Manual Reception of Faxes 59
Receive Security 59
VIEW REPORTS 60
Type of Displayed Reports 61
Viewing and Printing 61
Deleting Entries and Associated Fax Files 62
Extended Log Reports 64
Re-Transmision of Faxes 65
DISPLAY / PRINT FAXES 66
THE SCHEDULER 68
Editing Fax Schedules 69
The Report Field 69
Viewing Scheduled Faxes 70
ICONIFY 71
Under WorkBench 1.3 71
Under WorkBench 2.0 72
USING AREXX WITH GPFAX 73
The ARexx Port 73
General Notes 73
ARexx Function Key Macros 74
GPFAX USER GUIDE PAGE 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Special Internal ARexx Functions 74
ARexx on Receive 74
Auto Detection of Fax or Data 74
Case of Text Strings 76
General Commands 76
Program Switch Commands 78
Send/Receive Fax Commands 79
Log Book Functions 80
Font And Margins Commands 80
Special Commands 81
Creating AREXX Scripts 84
USING GPFAX v2.2 and TRAPDOOR or GETTY 85
Definitions: Modems, LISTEN and UNLISTEN 86
Baud rate locking 86
LISTEN, UNLISTEN and Shared Serial Ports 87
Using TRAPDOOR v1.80 and GPFax 88
Using TRAPDOOR v1.83 and GPFax 91
Using FaxGETTY and GPFax 93
APPENDIX A - VIEWFAX 95
APPENDIX B - MODEMS 96
Types of Modems - CLASS 2 96
Types of Modems - CLASS 1 97
APPENDIX C - FAXX IFF 98
APPENDIX D - HANGUP CODES 101
INDEX 104
GPFax User Guide Page 4
GPFAX INTRODUCTION
SPECIFICATIONS
GPFax has been designed to fully support the fax capabilities of many
fax compatible modems. The program provides full send and receive
capabilities of group 3, Class 1 or 2 facsimile modems as defined in the
preliminary standards documents issued under TIA TR29.2 (Class 2) and in
accordance with the CCITT T4 and T30 specifications.
There is a number of specific versions of GPFax available. These are
GPFax - Supra Class II Version - For Supra modems: Supra Fax Modem Plus
and Supra Fax Modem V32
GPFax - Generic Class II Version - Far all other modems, which support
the TR29 Class II draft standard such as maestro, ZyXEL U 1496
and many others.
GPFax - Special Avtek CD930 MegaPlusFax V32 Version - For Avtek CD930
and NetComm M7F models which do not support RTS/CTS handshaking
in fax mode. A special version is required to use Xon/Xoff
handshaking.
GPFax - Generic Class 1 Version - For modems which support the Class 1
standard such as the USRobotics modems, Avtek Mega Data/fax and
NetComm Pocket Fax modems (Rockwell 224ATF), the Comma Corp
V3242 and Spirit II (Analog Devices), and others.
FEATURES OF GPFax
* Send and receive faxes to and from remote fax machines or fax
compatible modems. Fully compatible with most modems supporting
the Group 3 Class 2 (TIA TR29.2) or the Class 1 fax standards.
* Complete 'Intuition' interface - fully mouse or keyboard driven.
* Send multiple pages of text or IFF picture files to multiple
phone numbers with automatic page markers and fax header stamp.
GPFax User Guide Page 5
* Automatic generation of fax cover sheet for company name, voice
and fax numbers, to, from, and attention fields, with ability to
include letterhead and signature images.
* Automatic or manual reception of faxes with time, date and
sender identification stamping.
* Conversion of text and IFF picture images to 'G3' fax format.
Files are stored as CBM defined standard IFF FAXX FORMs.
* Conversion of G3 faxes to standard IFF ILBM format for off-line
editing with paint programs such as Deluxe Paint program.
* GPFax printer driver and 'Print Popup' function allows easy
creation and direct transmission of faxes from any standard
Amiga word processing, desktop publishing or paint program.
* Integrated phone book stores most used numbers and pre-prepared
fax cover sheet information. Ability to 'group' numbers.
* Complete log book of all transmitted and received faxes.
* Print received faxes on standard Amiga printer.
* Scheduler for unattended transmission of faxes at later time.
* Fully user defined 'environment' for default fax cover pages and
font selection.
* Full ARexx support with more than 30 commands.
* For Class 2 modems, auto-detection between FAX and DATA
connections. Interfaces with BBS software to provide a fax
server capability for dial-in users.
* Iconified for full functional background operation. Application
Icon support for Workbench 2 and above. Under Workbench 2, GPFax
provides extra functionality of application icons. The user
simply 'drags' icons on top of the program icon to preform many
program functions.
GPFax User Guide Page 6
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE AND GPFax
The current version of GPFax is designed to run as a stand alone send
and receive fax program. It does not combine any telecommunications
features as we recommend or GPTerm-Amiga for your consideration.
Although not recommended, it is possible to multitask GPFax with other
communications software the GPFax and the communication program both open
the Amiga serial device in shared mode, and the other software provides
some option to shutdown its monitoring of the serial device. (This
capability is often known as an 'unlisten' function.)
GENERAL
GPFax works on any Amiga under WorkBench 1.3 or higher in PAL of NTSC
video modes. Some extra functionality is available under WorkBench 2 as
discussed below.
We have dispensed with the standard Amiga menus to give the user a more
direct 'point and click' interface with the same functionality. In
addition, GPFax may be completely driven from the keyboard.
If running GPFax from it's own screen, you may not depth arrange the
windows but you may move around the screen by dragging the windows with
the drag gadget in the window title.
GPFax User Guide Page 7
ANATOMY OF THE GROUP 3 FAX
THEORY
All modern facsimile devices use what is known as the Group 3 facsimile
format as defined in the CCITT recommendation document T4. In essence,
this describes a procedures for digitally encoding a black and white
image on a line by line basis at 3.85 or 7.7 line per millimetre. Half
tones can be readily generated by a dithering pattern as on a black and
white printer. In many ways the method is similar to that used by the
Amiga and other computers to store and display graphic images in a raster
line bit map format.
Historically, the format derives from the mechanical method by which a
facsimile machine reads a document. As it is fed past the scanner element
a fraction of a millimetre at a time, each line is digitally encoded than
transmitted.
The digital image of a typical document might be 1728 pixels wide by
1144 pixels long or 1,976,832 pixels in all. If this image were simply
transmitted at 9600 baud with no overhead, it would take approximately
206 seconds or three and a half minutes. To reduce transmission time,
various methods of digital compression have been developed. The most
common method (and that used by GPFax) is known as HUFFMAN coding or one
dimensional run-length encoding. This can be dramatically reduce the
image size and hence the transmission time. The mathematics of the
encoding method have been optimised for the conversion of text documents
with short runs of alternating black and white dots. The method is less
efficient for multi-colour computer graphic images, which in extreme
cases, can more than quadruple the file size!
Facsimile machines are designed to transmit A4 pages of text with a
small built-in margin for any errors caused by misalignment of the paper,
scanner tolerances and the like. Conversion of different sized pages by
reduction or enlargement is also offered by many machines.
GPFax User Guide Page 8
GPFax - THE REALITY
The GPFax software emulates most of the functions of a typical facsimile
machine while adding extra features made available by using computer
graphics images, word processors and desktop publishing programs.
GPFax attempts to reproduce a standard A4 page 210 mm wide by 297 mm
long, as the basis for all fax documents it creates. Since the Amiga can
accurately create a precise digital fax image on a dot for pixel basis,
the GPFax 'page' is defined as 1728 pixels wide by 1144 pixels high with
a vertical resolution of 3.85 lines (pixels) per millimetre. In facsimile
terms, this is known as 'standard' resolution. In printing terms this
reduces to a horizontal and vertical resolution of 204 dpi by 98 dpi in
'standard' mode or 204 by 196 in 'fine' mode.
Traditional facsimile machines often vary in there ability to reproduce
the standard A4 page due to misalignment of the paper or other problems.
To overcome a potential loss, when directly converting text to fax
format, GPFax leaves a margin of 34 pixels on the left and 14 pixels on
the right of each page. The 'effective printing area' of each page is
thus 1680 pixels wide within this boundary. No margins are provided at
the top or bottom. You should leave blank lines if required. When
creating fax files by direct printing from within desktop publishing
programs, we recommend that you leave margins of at least 15mm (0.5in) on
each side of the page to ensure that data is not lost by the remote
facsimile machine.
For text to fax conversion, GPFax determines the maximum characters per
line from the width of the selected font. For example, with the GPFax/18
font with a character width of 11, this means 76 characters per line.
When converting IFF images, GPFax will centre all images on the page
within the full 1728 pixel area. If the auto-scaling option has been
selected, the image will be scaled by the integer result of 1680 divided
by the image width - the original aspect of the image is retained. For
example, a typical 640 wide image will be doubled and a 320 wide image
will be multiplied by a factor of five. If paging has been selected, the
scaled size will be limited by the maximum page height of 1144 pixels.
(See latter)
GPFax User Guide Page 9
When faxes are created by the GPFax printer driver, the page is defined
as full width of the fax at 1728 pixels wide.
*************************************************************************
* *
* Note: It is important to ensure that any faxes created with this *
* option have sufficient margins. Allow at least 15 mm (0.5in) margins *
* on each side of the document. *
* *
*************************************************************************
GPFax stamps each transmitted page with one line header information
detailing company name, fax number, time and date, and page number.
Unlike some fax machines, this is added outside the boundaries of the
document and adds approximately three millimetres to the page length.
Optionally, you may chose to place this stamp at the bottom of the page
followed by an optional horizontal line as an end of page marker.
FAX RESOLUTION
GPFax will receive faxes in either 'standard' or 'fine ' mode depending
on the request from the transmitting facsimile machine or modem. If you
intend to use Optical Character Recognition software (after converting
the fax to an IFF image), Fine mode provides for 'square' pixels and
produces a better result.
GPFax is capable of creating faxes in either standard or fine mode.
Standard mode has a vertical resolution of 3.85 lines per mm or 98 dpi.
Fine mode doubles this to 7.7 lien per mm or 196 dpi. Obviously using
fine mode will also double the size of the fax file as well as the time
to send it.
For most standard faxes you will not find any great advantage in using
fine mode since the enhanced resolution will not dramatically improve the
quality of the text. However, when using the printer driver with the
programs such as Deluxe Paint, PageStream etc., the difference is quite
noticeable. If the original images are full colour and ere printed as
grey scale, the extra resolution will generate a significantly better
dither pattern.
Fine or standard resolution may be chosen from the 'OPTIONS' menu or by
selecting between printer densities 2 and 6 in programs such as
PageStream or Professional Page.
GPFax User Guide Page 10
AUTOMATIC PAGING WITHIN CREATED FAX DOCUMENTS
When converting your documents to fax format, GPFax can either create
one long fax or segment it into A4 length pages. This function is an
option available from the 'ENVIRONMENT'. Paging is turned on by default.
The automatic paging applies to direct conversion of text or IFF files
and when using GPFax printer driver.
Consider GPFax acting like a traditional dot matrix printer fed with
either continuous fan-folded paper or single A4 sheets.
PAGING OFF
GPFax acts like a fan-folded printer and the effective page length
will be as long as required. (If you have the disk space you could
readily create a 30 M (100 foot) long fax! It would only require
about 3 Mb of space?)
PAGING ON
GPFax acts like an A4 sheet feed printer. Each created fax file
(page) will have an effective length of 297 mm. GPFax will split any
fax document into pages after converting 1144 pixel lies of fax
information or on receiving a form feed character or, when
converting text on reaching the number of lines per page as defined
in the 'ENVIRONMENT'. This number represents the number of lines of
printed text, NOT the actual page length which is defined as A4.
*************************************************************************
* *
* Note: When using desktop publishing programs, turn paging off and let *
* the application program perform paging as required. *
* *
*************************************************************************
Selecting page mode has some other implications.
When converting IFF images to fax, the automatic scaling will be limited
by the page length. The scaled image cannot be greater than 1144 pixels
high. For example, a 320 by 512 image will only be scaled by a factor of
two instead of five.
GPFax User Guide Page 11
If imbedded commands (see later) for including graphics are used in a
text document, the graphic must be fit within the number of lines
remaining on the page, otherwise the page will be flushed and the graphic
will be placed at the top of the next page.
HINTS ON CREATING FAX DOCUMENTS
SIMPLE DOCUMENTS
For simple notes, use a text editor such as CygnusEd or MicroEmacs (even
ED?) to enter the text. Format the text as required in the final fax,
ensuring that the number of characters per line (including spaces) is
within the boundaries defined by the GPFax environment variables. If page
mode is selected you do not need to worry about the document length.
When your document layout is correct, simply 'Print' it as you would
with a printer. The GPFax printer driver will then automatically create
the fax file for you. Alternatively, save the text to disk and then use
the 'Convert to Fax' function to generate the fax file.
Experiment with the default GPFax font to determine the best 'look' for
your application. You may view the results of your efforts by using the
'Display / Print' function to display the created fax.
GPFax can automatically convert text and IFF to fax format before
sending them. When you are confident with your method, skip the manual
convert option and send the files directly using the 'Transmit' function.
The text to fax function also supports limited formatting of the text
with imbedded bold, italic, and underlining commands, plus the ability to
imbed commands to include two colour graphics images. With practice,
these functions provide a powerful and rapid method of creating simple
fax documents.
Before GPFax allows you to transmit a list of files in sequence, it is
easy to chain simple text documents and IFF pictures and transmit them in
one session.
GPfax User Guide Page 12
MORE COMPLICATED DOCUMENTS
For documents which require extensive formatting, the BEST METHOD is to
use a wordprocessing program such as FinalCopy, ProWrite or PenPal etc.
or complete desktop publishing programs such as Professional Page or
PageStream to create the documents. Choose a page size of A4, 210mm by
297mm, approximately 70 characters per line and 70 lines per page.
Remembering the factors discussed above, it is important that you leave a
suitable margin on each side of the page. With desktop publishing
programs, if correct paging is required, ensure that the appropriate
options for 'form feeds' has been selected within that program and
'PAGINATION' in GPFax is turned off.
Once you have created the document in the required format, ensure that
GPFax is also running with the printer driver option selected, and just
print your document as usual. GPFax will trap the printer output and
create a file or files in fax format almost exactly as it would appear on
the printer.
*************************************************************************
* *
* Note: Make sure that your desktop publishing program is set to use *
* the 'normal' Amiga Preferences printer and the GPFax printer driver *
* option is selected. For example, in PageStream, select the *
* 'preferences.Printer' from the Configure Printer menu. *
* *
*************************************************************************
GPFax User Guide Page 13
MULTITASKING AND MEMORY
GPFax has been crafted for the Amiga's multitasking environment. In
particular, the input and output serial transfer routines have been
optimised for maximum performance.
Apart from rapid disk access, transmitting faxes is not a demanding
task. GPFax will effectively multitask with other software while sending.
Receiving faxes at 192000 baud rate while multitasking, especially on a
68000 machine under WorkBench 1.3 is more demanding. Some other programs
are poor at multitasking and may cause problems. A program which
excessively monopolises the Amiga's resources, affects the Amiga's
interrupts, or is attempting to display intensive multi-bitplane graphics
may cause the Amiga to loose incoming serial data. Experiment! If
problems arise, find the offending program and do not multitask while
running GPFax. These problems will be less evident under Workbench 2 and
above.
GPFax will operate on any Amiga (PAL or NTSC video) under WorkBench 1.3
or WorkBench 2.0 or higher, with a minimum of 1 Megabyte of memory from a
floppy disk drive or a hard disk. Performance has been optimised to allow
floppy disk usage but is not guaranteed. When using floppy based systems,
run GPFax alone.
Because of the memory requirements to display faxes, combined with the
speed of reading and writing to floppy disks, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND A
MINIMUM OF 1 MEGABYTE OF CHIP MEMORY AND AT LEAST 0.5 MEGABYTES OF FAST
RAM MEMORY PLUS A HARD DISK DRIVE for efficient performance.
AMIGA SERIAL DEVICE
GPFax functions on the standard Amiga serial port or any third party
serial board which provides 19200 baud operation with support for RTS/CTS
handshaking. Since RTS/CTS handshaking is used to control the flow of
data between the Amiga and the modem, a minimum of a standard 7 wire
serial cable must be used with the program. (Class 1 versions use
Xon/Xoff handshaking.)
GPFax User Guide Page 14
GPFax prefers exclusive access to the Amiga's serial device. However, it
will operate happily with other programs which use the serial port in
shared mode and have a facility for 'un-listening' to the port. (See
'Environment' for further details'). Not all programs will correctly
support shared serial port access. When operating in shared mode, other
programs must not access the serial port while GPFax is running since
this may cause loss of data or upset the special fax initialising
routines of the modem.
DISK SPACE
GPFax saves outgoing and incoming faxes in the 'GPFAX:FAX_OUT' and
'GPFAX_IN' directories. Other information stored in the GPFAX: directory
includes the phone book, log book, scheduler, environment and
miscellaneous files.
Fax files can be quite large, typical 30000 bytes but potentially any
size. Also, since GPFax stores a report for all faxes, the size of the
log book file can grow indefinitely.
************************************************************************
* *
* Regular check on remaining disk space and delete unwanted faxes and *
* log book entries when no longer required. *
* *
************************************************************************
CHOICE OF FONTS
When converting text files to fax format, directly or via the printer
driver option, GPFax can use any standard Amiga font including
Compugraphic fonts under WorkBench 2. This default font is under user
control and stored as part of GPFax's environment data. Experiment!
The fonts supplied with the program, GPFax/11 and GPFax/18, are used to
create fax cover pages. Both these fonts must be moved to your
FONTS:directory (done automatically by the install script). The GPFax/18
font is similar to a Courier/18 font. This is a good, general purpose
font for conversion of text to fax and provides approximately 76
characters per line.
************************************************************************
* Note: the GPFax/11 font is designed for use internally by GPFax and *
* should not be used for creating your own fax documents. *
* *
************************************************************************
GPFax User Guide Page 15
PRINTING AND THE GPFax PRINTER DRIVER
With GPFax, all output sent to the standard Amiga printer device from
any program can be trapped and converted into a fax formatted file ready
for transmission. The GPFax printer driver (GPFax.driver) intercepts all
printing to simplify generation of faxes. ANY program which 'prints' to
the printer ('PRT:' or printer.device) while GPFax is running can
automatically create files in fax format.
*************************************************************************
* *
* IMPORTANT: Do not install the GPFax.driver from preferences. The *
* GPFax.driver will not function if the main program is not running *
* and will not act as a stand alone printer driver if installed by *
* the Amiga 'Preferences' program. *
* *
*************************************************************************
The GPFax printer driver is specifically designed to be installed
automatically by the program when it is run. GPFax will automatically
swap between your Preferences defined printer driver and its own driver
as required. We do not advise changing Preferences while GPFax is running
as this may result in the GPFax.driver being saved as the default printer
driver.
The printer driver will create each fax in either standard or fine mode
depending on the state of the 'RES - FINE' switch in the Options menu.
Alternatively, if printing from program which allows you to select
different printer densities, you may select between standard and fine
resolution by using density 2 for standard mode and density 6 for fine
mode. In PageStream, select the 'Configure Printer' menu and then select
Preference.Printer. Use densities 1-6. Do not use density 7. This does
not page correctly. For Prowrite, in the Printer Setup Menu select the
'no gap between pages' option. For other programs you may need to
experiment to obtain the best output.
GPfax User Guide Page 16
PRINTING RECEIVED FAXES
When producing hard copy output on your printer, such as generated or
received faxes (or the log book reports), GPFax will use the standard
printer driver (as defined in Preferences) and output the faxes as a
bitmap graphic images to any standard Amiga parallel printer. (Serial
printers are not supported.)
GPFax assumes standard A4 width paper (210mm wide) and requires a
minimum horizontal resolution of 240 dpi and a vertical resolution of 98
dpi for a standard and 196 dpi for fine modes. For best results use a
printer which is capable of a least this resolution and set the density
(from Preferences) to produce a density of at least this value. (Refer to
your printer and Amiga manuals on how to do this.)
************************************************************************
* *
* NOTE: Some printers and printer drivers expect to generate an 8 inch *
* wide page. Since a fax is designed to be reproduced on an A4 width *
* page of 210mm or 8.26 inches, some printer drivers may not be able *
* to print a fax at full width. In such cases GPFax will auto-scale *
* the width and height of the image to fit the 8 inch page while *
* retaining the correct aspect. This may cause problems of 'poor' copy *
* quality. If this happens, it can be overcome with many drivers by *
* setting the printer preferences to use DIN A4 (if your driver *
* supports this!!) or, alternatively, try the WIDE TRACTOR setting. *
* This will not actually print off the edge of the paper but may allow *
* the printer enough horizontal density to print the full 210mm or *
* 8.26 in wide fax. *
* *
************************************************************************
GPFax User Guide Page 17
INSTALLATION
THE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
BACKUP your master disk now!
*************************************************************************
* *
* Never run the software from the master disk. Always write-protect *
* the master-disk. Make one backupcopy and put the original in a safe *
* place. Remember that to obtain program updates you may be required *
* to return your original disk to the place of purchase or local *
* distributor. Never over copy your original disk with any updates - *
* the `original` may also be required for subsequent updated program *
* files. *
* *
*************************************************************************
The GPFax program is designed to operate from its own directory on the
hard disk. All associated files and sub-directories must be placed under
this main directory path.
As recommended by Commodore, we have supplied the standard `Installer`
program to install GPFax correctly. Hard Drive installation may be
preformed manually, but to ensure correct installation, we suggest you
use the `Installer` option from the master disk. Double click in the
`INSTALL-GPFax` icon and follow the instructions provided.
A NOTE FOR FLOPPY DRIVE USERS
If your system does not have a hard drive, the size of the fax files
will cause you to run out of disk space very quickly. Top over come this,
make a backup copy of the master disk and delete all files not required
to run GPFax, such as any files in the FAX_IN and FAX_OUT directories and
the `Installer` program.
GPFax User Guide Page 18
MANUAL INSTALLATION
Create a new directory (drawer) with an appropriate name on your hard
disk. Copy the main program GPFax and associated icon to this drawer.
Under the is directory, create the two required directories named FAX_IN
and FAX_OUT.
Copy GPFax:devs/printers/GPFax.driver to your DEVS:printers directory.
Copy the GPFax:fonts/GPFax directory and the GPFax.fonts to your
Fonts:directory.
Absolutely required assignments
GPFax MUST know where the main directory is located. After installing
the program, modify the assign list file of S:startup-sequence (S:user-
startup for WorkBench2) and ASSIGN GPFax: to wherever the main program
directory was created. For example, assuming the program was installed on
partition WORK, modify the startup-sequence (or assign list file) by
adding the
ASSIGN GPFax: WORK:GPFax
GPFax also uses the T: directory for generating of temporary files. This
must be assigned for GPFax to operate. If not already done, we suggest
that you add the command `ASSIGN T:RAM:` to your user-startup file.
GPFax User Guide Page 19
THE GPFax USER INTERFACE
Considerable effort has been devoted to the user-interface for GPFax to
provide the user with a powerful program which is easy to use.
GPFax provides a fully mouse or keyboard driven interface. We have
dispensed with the standard Amiga menu system in order to provide a more
direct `point and click` interface. All options are available directly on
the screen by selecting the appropriate gadget button. The initial large
screen with its main options is referred to as the `Main Menu` in the
manual.
GPFax provides, the same `look and feel` under any version of the Amiga
WorkBench operating system. To manage this, a multi-windowed display is
provided, only the front window of which will be active at any time. The
only observable difference between Workbench 1.3 and 2 is in the way the
iconify icon is displayed and processed.
To move the top window to view what is underneath, select the window
title gadget with the mouse and drag the window to its required position.
Keys may be used to activate various functions within GPFax. All suck
keys are marked with an underscore in the gadget`s text.
GADGETS AND BUTTONS
Gadgets and buttons are either decision gadgets, which preform a
function or select an option: string gadgets or text boxes, where you
enter text details: or special `information` buttons.
By using the mouse, any gadget or button in the active window may be
selected at any time. Alternatively, gadget buttons may be selected using
the keyboard as discussed below.
THE `INFORMATION` GADGET
GPFax uses a special global button - the information symbol 'I' - to
provide access to more information or wider choices for various options.
Selecting this button will either display a file requester, a font
requester, or other list.
GPFax User Guide Page 20
THE GPFax USER INTERFACE
DECISION GADGETS (BUTTONS)
Whenever a string gadget or text box is not being used, any of the
gadget buttons may be chosen by pressing the appropriate key of the
gadget text. The key is usually marked with an underscore. For example,
pressing `O` will select the `OK` gadget, pressing `C` gadget will select
the `CANCEL` gadget. Pressing the `ESC` key always selects the `CANCEL`
option.
When an `error message` is displayed, select the option either by
pressing the first character of the gadget text, or by pressing `Y`, `N`,
or `ESC` keys. `Y` selects the left hand option, `N` or `ESC` selects the
right hand (or cancel) option.
STRING GADGET (TEXT BOXES)
The RETURN key may be used to jump through the series of string gadgets
displayed in a window. (The RETURN and `ENTER` keys are functionally
identical.)
Pressing RETURN will accept the entered text information and activate
the next gadget in sequence (if any).
Pressing RETURN on the last string gadget in a sequence will deactivate
all string gadgets. This allows access to the main keyboard to select
other gadgets by using their keys, as above.
Pressing RETURN when no string gadget is active, will activate the first
gadget in the sequence.
Pressing SHIFT + RETURN will ignore the current gadget and select the
previous string gadget in sequence. The first gadget of a list activates
the last gadget.
Pressing CTRL + RETURN, deactivates the string gadgets to allow access
to normal keys to select other gadgets or buttons.
GPFax User Guide Page 21
CURSOR KEYS, NUMBER KEYS AND NUMERIC KEYPAD
(1-=,PgUp, PgDn, End, Home etc.)
Providing a string gadget or text box is not in use, and depending on
the circumstances, these keys any preform various functions to scroll a
list, select a file from a list or move around a display fax. For
example, in a file requester, cursor down will scroll the display file
list; `PgDn` will jump scroll the list; and the 12 keys on the top row of
the keyboard (keys `1` through `=`) will select, or deselect a file from
the list. When viewing faxes, `End` displays the bottom right corner of
the fax and `Home` displays the top left.
Further specific examples of key usage are discussed in the following
sections of this manual.
STATUS WINDOWS
GPFax displays a status window to provide information about the current
actions of the program. Many status windows provide an `Abort` gadget to
stop that operation. Some provide an `OK` option only.
In some cases, the status window will remain until a gadget button is
selected. However, in most cases status windows have a default timeout of
approximately 5 - 10 seconds and will disappear after this time.
*** See FIG 1 ***
GPFax User Guide Page 22
ERROR MESSAGES
*** See FIG 1 ***
If GPFax detects an error while performing a function, a small error
window will be displayed. If the error is recoverable, choices similar to
`Retry` or `Cancel` will be presented. Fix the problem and select `Retry`
to repeat the operation again, or select `Cancel` to quit. In other
cases, the error may be fatal and only `OK` or similar option will be
available. All other options are locked while error messages are
displayed.
The `Retry` and `Cancel` gadget buttons in these error windows respond
to the mouse, to the first letter of the displayed text, or to the `Y`,
which selects the left hand or `OK` option, or `N` or `ESC`, which
selects the `Cancel` option.
THE GLOBAL FILE REQUESTER
A large double file requester is used in GPFax to allow selection of
file names. (For example in the `Transmit Fax`. `Display/print Fax` and
`Convert To Fax` functions.) This feature has been specifically designed
to enable the building of a list from multiple directories. The selected
list of files is then fed to the appropriate program function. The
displayed list on the right hand side shows the list of selected file
names.
Initially, when first displayed, the list of files in a directory is
shown unsorted. A file may be chosen directly from the display, or the
list may be sorted by selecting either the main scroll gadget or the
arrow gadgets with the mouse, or by pressing the up or down cursor keys.
GPFax User Guide Page 23
*** See FIG 2 ***
To build a list of files, highlight the required file name in the left
hand display and transfer the name to the right and display. Either type
in the required file name and press RETURN, or double click the name of
the file with the left mouse button. Alternatively, if a string gadget or
text box is not in use, the top row of keys on the keyboard (`1` through
`=`) highlight the corresponding file from the top down.
The smaller window displays the list of available `Devices`, `Volumes`,
or `Assigns`. The gadget button immediately below this window will toggle
through three alternatives. Select the gadget with the left mouse button,
just click the right mouse button, or press the appropriate key on the
keyboard.
The `Fax_Out` gadget button at the top of the display allows quick
access to the FAX_IN and FAX_OUT directories.
GPFax User Guide Page 24
Cursor keys, shifted cursor keys and numeric keypad Pup, PgDn, Home,
End, etc. will scroll the left hand display.
The gadget buttons below the selected file list on the right, allow
manipulation of this list. Highlight the unwanted file with the mouse and
select `Remove`. Alternatively, select `Tag` to highlight all files
followed by `Remove` to delete all files from the list. When transmitting
file, the `View` option allows you to check any particular file.
The list of selected files in the right hand display is never sorted. It
is designed to feed the selected files in the displayed order to the next
program function. Move the file names into the right hand display in the
order desired. To transmit a list of files in a specific order, they must
be entered into the selected list in that order.
WILDCARD SELECTION OF FILE NAMES
The file requester supports standard wild card characters when searching
for file names. Both AmigaDOS and UNIX style are supported.
The AmigaDOS pattern match character are `#` and `?`.
The UNIX Style pattern match characters are `*` and `?`.
For example, when sending a fax, you may have generated a series of
files called PRT123.p01, PRT123,p)2 etc. To selected all these files,
first sort the file list by selecting the scroll gadget, then enter
PRT123#? into the filename string gadget and press the RETURN or ENTER
key. This will the transfer all the matching files to the right hand
window ready for viewing or transmission.
GPFax User Guide Page 25
LOADING GPFax
GPFax may be run from either WorkBench or from the CLI.
FROM WORKBENCH
To load and run the program from WorkBench
either a) double click the main program icon
or b) double click any icon created by GPFax
Selecting one of the configuration icons (GPFax_env, GPFax_log,
GPFax_sch and GPFax_pho) will load and run the main program, then jump to
that function. Selecting the icon for a FAX file will load and run the
main program and jump to a display of that fax.
When the program is iconified, a double click of any of the above icons
will activate the program and display that function on the WorkBench
screen without opening the main GPFax screen.
The operating of the program may be modified adding TOOLTYPES to the
main program icon.
*************************************************************************
* *
* Note: Icon TOOLTYPES are interpreted differently under WorkBench 1.3 *
* and Workbench 2.x. If you wish to set a particular tooltype under *
* 1.3 you MUST ENTER `name=something`. i.e. LOCKBAUD=TRUE. If you do *
* not wish to use a particular tooltype, either remove the keyword *
* completely or enclose the whole expression in parentheses, i.e. *
* (LOCKBAUD=TRUE). This applies to ALL TOOLTYPES. *
* *
*************************************************************************
TOOLTYPES FOR ALL VERSIONS OF GPFax
SCREEN=WORKBENCH or CUSTOM - Tells GPFax to use the workbench or its own
custom screen.
USEWBCOLOURS=TRUE - It is not possible to set the colours used by GPFax
directly but it is possible to tell GPFax to use your current Workbench
colour instead of its own set. This option is mainly for use with grey
scale monitors such as the Commodore 2024.
GPFax User Guide Page 26
NOSERIAL=TRUE - Do not open the serial device on startup.
NOPRINTERDRIVER=TRUE - Disable the GPFax printer driver.
QUIET=TRUE - Start GPFax in iconified mode.
ICON_X=<val> 0 - 600 and ICON_Y=<val> 0 - 250/190 sets the X and Y
coordinates of the application icon on the WorkBench screen.
INITSTRING=<xxx> Override the modem initialisation string defined in the
GPFax environment.
TOOLTYPES FOR CLASS 2 VERSION ONLY
BAUDRATE=19200 or higher. Sets the computer to modem (DTE - DCE)
connection speed. Does not work with all modems. This is specifically for
use with BBS software and high speed modems capable of performing fax
connections at 38400 (e.g. ZyXEL). For example, if using GPFax with a
`Trapdoor`, it is often better to lock the DTE - DCE speed at the highest
possible rate at 19200 or above. This option has been tested with ZyXEL
modems at 38400 with TrapDoor.
LOCKBAUD+TRUE - lock baud rate to 19200 (or baudrate speed set above)
permanently - do not change incoming data baud rate on auto/fax calls. If
this is not set (default), when a data call is detected, GPFax will
change the serial speed to the baud rate reported by the modem before
sending out the ~Data Call' text and executing the AREXX script. (See
AREXX Section.)
MAXSPEED=<value> where value is 0 - 5 (2400, 4800, 7200, 9600, 12000,
14400) GPFax automatically interrogates the modem to determine the
maximum speed capability for fax transmission. Many modems can now use
14,400 for fax. It is possible to override this check by setting the
internal MAXSPEED variable in the software. DO NOT USE THIS OVERRIDE
UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. In conjunction with the modem, GPFax will
intelligently determine the optimum speed for sending and receiving
faxes.
GPFax User Guide Page 27
************************************************************************
* *
* Special Note: AUTO detection of maximum fax speed is NOT done if *
* either (a) GPFax is run with no serial options, or (b) the modem is *
* not switched on when program starts. In such cases, the maximum *
* speed will be set to the default value of 9600 bps. *
* *
************************************************************************
TOOLTYPES FOR CLASS 1 VERSION ONLY
MODEMTYPE=USR or AVTEK or COMMA or AC3 - This sets the initialisation
string and the method of handshaking to either Xon/Xoff or RTS/CTS (AC3)
for the particular modem. (See Appendix C for further details.
DELAY=<x> inter-character delay in milliseconds when transmitting
command init strings. Generally not required. For USR modems use a value
of 2.
FROM THE CLI
When running GPFax from the CLI, you may use the following command line
options -
-B<speed> set DTE-DCE speed to 19200 or higher (Class 2)
-D<x> Command delay (Class 1 Only)
-F<0-5> max fax speed (Class 2 Only)
-IT<string> Replace the init string in environment with <string>
-L Lock Baudrate for Fax/DATA (Class 2 Only)
-NP Disable GPFax printer driver
-M<type> USR etc. (Class 1 Only)
-Q Open in iconified mode
-S Do not open serial device
-Z Use WorkBench Screen
GPFax User Guide Page 28
PROGRAM CREATED ICONS
To allow easy access to various functions, GPFax creates icons for all
of its internal configuration files and for both received and converted
faxes unless this option is specifically disabled.
These icons are
GPFax_env The main program environment which holds all the default
settings, default fax cover page details and program
options.
GPFax_pho The phone book.
GPFax_sch The table of scheduled faxes and results thereof.
GPFax_log The log book holds the results of all sent and received
faxes.
FAXxxx.Pyy Default icons for all received faxes or those created by
converting IFF or text files. The program senses whether
these are received or converted faxes. Converted text files
will have the suffix `_TFAX.Pyy` to distinguish them from
the original files.
PRTxxx.Pyy Default icon for all faxes created by using the printer
driver option in the FAX_OUT directory.
GPFax User Guide Page 29
FIRST TIME OPERATION
MODEM CONNECTION
When GPFax loads, it expects to have the modem correctly connected to
the Amiga serial port (or third party serial board) and switched on. If
the check for the modem fails, an error requester will be presented with
`Retry` or `Cancel` option.
*** See FIG 1 ***
If you plan to use the modem during this session, we strongly recommend
that it is switched on at this point, otherwise the modem may not be
initialised correctly for the fax session.
It is not recommended that the modem be turned off while the program is
running. Turning the modem off and an again will usually cause its
internal registers to be reset to an unknown state. GPFax may not
function correctly in such cases.
If you wish to run GPFax just to view faxes, run the program with the
`no serial` option to override this check for the modem.
***********************************************************************
* *
* Note: For efficient send and receive operation, GPFax needs to *
* interrogate the modem when first run. If the modem is not switched *
* on when GPFax is run, it is possible that the modem may be *
* incorrectly initialised. Only use the `no serial` option if you do *
* not intend to send or receive faxes during the current session. *
* *
***********************************************************************
GPFax ENVIRONMENT
DEFAULT ENVIRONMENT
When GPFax is run for the first time, a blank environment form will be
displayed. Enter your company or personal details as discussed in the
next pages and select `OK`. This will save the environment in the GPFax`s
directory, for later reference.
GPFax User Guide Page 30
This window displays information required by the program to correctly
send faxes, and to create faxes from ascii text files. It also shows the
various settings required for the modem-phone connection. Enter the
required details and select `OK` to save these details to disk.
*** See FIG 3 ***
DEFAULT FAX HEADER DETAILS
These settings are used create the page header stamp for each fax and
details for default fax cover page. Creating a cover page for specific
phone numbers is discussed on the `Phone Book` section.
COMPANY An important Field. Enter a company or personal name. Used on
the fax cover sheet and page header stamp.
GPFax User Guide Page 31
Fax No An important Field. Enter your fax phone number. This field is
sent as your FAXED in initial handshaking between your modem
and remote fax machine or modem when sending or receiving
faxes. It is also used on each page header stamp.
Phone Your voice phone number. Used on fax cover sheet.
LETTERHEAD AND SIGNATURE
These are default values. Enter the full path names for your letterhead
or signature graphic files. These files MUST be (2) colour standard IFF
pictures. If the supplied image contains more than two colours, GPFax
will only use the first two colours. These images will be scaled if
scaling is on.
The LETTERHEAD graphic can be optionally included at the top
of a fax cover sheet, before other general information.
The SIGNATURE graphic can be optionally included at the bottom
of the last page of a transmitted fax.
Select either `information` gadget to display a file requester for
easier file name selection.
DEFAULT TEXT FONT, MARGINS, LINES PER PAGE
These fields define the default text font and page margins to be used
when converting text files to fax format, either by direct printing
through the printer driver or from the `Convert to Fax` option from the
main menu. The `Paginate` and `Lines/Page` gadgets control the page
format for all fax conversions.
GPFax User Guide Page 32
We have supplied two fonts with the program -GPFax/11 and GPFax/18.
These fonts are similar in style to Topaz and Courier respectively. The
GPFax/18 font generates 76 characters per line. The GPFax/11 font is
designed to be used internally by GPFax and should not be generally be
used (some characters have been changed for special use). We recommend
that you start using the GPFax/18 font. Being a Courier style of font, it
provides output similar to that used by many printers and typewriters.
Alternatively, select any other font and an associated size.
NAME Select the font name (use the `i` gadget to display a list of
fonts from your FONTS: directory and select name and size.)
(Default: GPFax.font)
SIZE The size of the default text font. (Default 18) By definition,
this defines the Y Size or height of the font not the X Size or
width. We recommend using a font which has a
horizontal/vertical size of at least 11 pixels. Smaller fonts
may result in unreadable text at the other end. When in doubt,
use a larger font and view your converted documents at 1:2
scale to get an idea of the output.
**********************************************************************
* *
* Note: Changing either the font name or font size will reset the *
* margins. The default left margin will set to five (5), and the *
* right margin to five less than the maximum characters per line *
* allowed for this font/size combinations. The line per page value *
* will also be reset to the maximum for an A4 page with a font of *
* this height. *
* *
**********************************************************************
TEXT MARGINS
For text to fax conversion, GPFax automatically leaves 34 pixels on the
left and 14 pixels on the right of fax page, leaving an `effective
printing area` 1680 pixel wide. Margins are used in the same manner as
with standard wordprocessors and define the are within this `effective
page` where text will be drawn.
GPFax User Guide Page 33
All margins are defined in terms of the selected font character size.
The LEFT MARGIN - the number of character spaces on the left hand
edge of the page. (Default: 5)
The RIGHT MARGIN - desired total width of the line in characters of
the selected font. The right margin cannot exceed
the maximum characters defined by the font width.
PAGINATION AND LINES PER PAGE
As discussed previously, a `standard` fax is based on a A4 page size
with a length of 297mm. GPfax will automatically break all created fax
documents into pages if `paginate` if selected. The number of lines per
page defaults to the maximum by entering a new value less than or equal
to the maximum.
*************************************************************************
* *
* Note: the `Lines per Page` value does not change the actual page *
* length but changes only the number of printed lines of text per page. *
* *
*************************************************************************
MODEMS AND SERIAL DETAILS
These define the parameters for the serial device and the dialling
details.
DEVICE The Amiga Serial device to be used.
UNIT The serial unit number. (Default: 0)
RINGS Number of `RINGS` detected before answering phone. (Default value
2) For Supra Silent Answer, set this value to 2 more than your
answering machine.
************************************************************************
* *
* Note: Because of telecommunications regulations in some countries, *
* the `Rings` value defaults to TWO, but you may edit this back to ONE *
* if required. *
* *
************************************************************************
GPFax User Guide Page 34
SHARED SERIAL DEVICE This defines whether to open the serial device
in `shared access` mode or `exclusive` mode. If
using ARexx Data script option, you must use
`shared` mode. If GPFax and another program do not
function together, switch to exclusive mode an run
GPFax alone.
RETRY The number of redial attempts if a number is busy
or does not answer. (Default: 3)
REDIAL DELAY The time delay in seconds between redial attempts.
Minimum delay is (5) seconds. (Default: 30)
DIAL MODE Select the mode appropriate to your telephone
service. Either `Pulse` (rotary dial) or `Tone`.
(Default: Pulse)
PABX This sequence is sent immediately before the phone
number when dialling. It is designed for cases
where your modem and phones are connected through
a switchboard which requires an extra dialling
prefix. For example, use, `0W`. If supported by
your modem, this will dial a `0` then wait for dial
tone before dialling the rest of the number.
MODEM INIT This is the actual string of characters sent to the
modem to initialise the fax mode. The standard
default sequence used by GPFax may vary depending
on your modem type. Do not change this sequence
unless advised, your modem may fail to operate
correctly unless the proper sequence has been
entered. (To reset to default string, just delete
all characters and press RETURN.) (See Appendix C
for details)
GPFax User Guide Page 35
OPTIONS
The OPTIONS window displays the various user selections which allow you
to modify the operation of GPFax.
Selections may be made with the mouse or by pressing the appropriate key
marked with an underscore. For example, `S` will toggle the `SECURITY`
option.
Selecting `OK` accepts the settings and saves them to disk.
*** See FIG 4 ***
GPFax User Guide Page 36
The following options control the main functions of the program
SCHEDULER Enables the scheduler. Scheduled faxes will be sent at the
defined times. (Default: On)
*********************************************************************
* *
* NOTE: The scheduler MUST be enabled for correct operation of the *
* `Print Popup` function. See below for details. *
* *
*********************************************************************
AUTOANSWER If enabled, GPFax will answer the phone and start fax
reception after detecting the number of `Rings` as defined
above. If AutoAnswer is disabled, faxes may still be received
manually by selecting the `Receive Fax` from the main menu.
(Default: Off)
LOG REPORT Turns log reporting on or off. When off, GPFax will not
append reports about each session to log book file. (Default:
On)
PRT DRIVER If selected, GPFax will trap all outputs to the printer (PRT:
or printer.device) from other programs and redirect the
output through the GPFax.driver to create fax files. The
resulting fax is saved in the GPFax:FAX_OUT directory under
the name PRTxxx.pyy, where xxx is the next file in sequence
an yy is the page number. See `Prt Popup` below for more
details.
If not selected, normal output to the printer is restored and
the default printer driver from Preferences is reinstalled.
GPFax will not trap printer output. (Default: On)
************************************************************************
* *
* Note: Do not select the GPFax.driver from Amiga Preferences! GPFax *
* selects and installs the fax driver or your normal printer driver as *
* required. *
* *
************************************************************************
GPFax User Guide Page 37
PRT POPUP When printing from another application, GPFax will `popup` a
window, allowing you to select the file name for the fax, the
phone number and the time and date to send the file. This
information will then be entered into the scheduler and the
fax will be sent automatically without further user
intervention.
***********************************************************************
* *
* Note: Ensure that 'Prt Driver`, `Prt Popup` and `Scheduler` gadgets *
* are selected for correct operation. *
* *
***********************************************************************
When `Printing` from an application, the Print Popup window will appear.
*** See FIG 5 ***
a) Enter the file name you wish to call this fax file, or leave at the
default name (PRT).
b) Enter the phone number or select the `i` gadget to display the
phonebook and select a number.
c) Select the time and date to send the fax. If these settings are not
changed, the fax will be sent immediately the printing has finished.
d) Select `QUEUE` to enter the above details into the scheduler so that
fax can be queued to be sent. If no phone number has been selected,
the file will simply be created and not transmitted.
e) Select `STORE` to simply save the printed fax under the given file
name and not send it.
f) Select `ABORT` to cancel the fax printing. Note that with some
applications programs this may bring up a requester such as `not
enough memory` or similar.
GPFax User Guide Page 38
MODE Determines the operational mode of the modem and allows `Adaptive
answer` or automatic detection between FAX and DATA calls. (See
ARexx section for more details.) Select `FAX ONLY` or `FAX/DAT.`
(Class 1 allows FAX ONLY mode)
***********************************************************************
* *
* NOTE: For the SUPRA version, you may also select `SILENT ANSWER` *
* mode. This enables you to connect an answering machine in parallel *
* with your modem. Set the number of Rings to two or more than your *
* answering machine. After the answering machine has picked up the *
* phone, the Supra modem will listen to the line to detect the fax *
* calling tones. If found, the modem will take over the line and *
* receive faxes. Refer to your instructions from Supra for more *
* details but note that Fax/Data detection is not possible in `Silent *
* Answer` mode. It is a FAX ONLY mode. *
*
***********************************************************************
IMAGE SCALE Defines whether IFF picture files are scaled up with respect
to fax size. This setting is a simplistic one, with limited
aspect correction. For more efficient scaling, use
DeluxePaint or similar program and print the image directly
while running GPFax with the printer driver option selected.
(Default: On)
NOTES ON SCALING
Scaling is performed by a simple integer multiplication. Only integer
aspect correction is performed. The scaling factor is determined by
dividing the fax printing are by 1680 dots by the width of the image. The
image width and height is then scaled by this factor. For example, a 640
wide image will doubled in both vertical and horizontal size. A 320 wide
image will be quintupled (multiplied by five). Any image wider than 840
will not be scaled. (See the section on `AUTOMATIC PAGING`)
************************************************************************
* *
* CARE: Scaling some images may cause excessively long faxes to be *
* generated. For example, a 320 by 512 image will be generate a scaled *
* fax of 1600 dots wide and 2560 lines high! *
* *
************************************************************************
GPFax User Guide Page 39
FORM FEEDS Defines whether GPfax will perform a form feed between
separate pages when printing hardcopy of faxes or reports
to the parallel printer (Default: On)
QUIET MODEM Tells the modem not to turn on the speaker during fax
transmission and reception. Simply sends either `ATM0` or
`ATM1` to the modem during initialisation of the send and
receive phases. It may not function on all modems (Default:
Off)
PAGE MARKERS Many low cost fax machines do not cut each page as it is
received, but instead produce one continuous output of all
incoming pages. This option simply adds a dotted line at
the end of each page to clearly define the end of page.
(Default: Off)
STAMP BOTTOM When each page is transmitted, GPFax normally stamps the
top of each page with a one line header which defines the
time and date of the fax, your company name and fax number,
and a count of page transmitted. This option allows you to
place this stamp at the bottom of each page instead
(Default: Off)
WB2 ICON Defines whether an `Application Icon` is placed on the
WorkBench screen when the program is run under WorkBench
2.04 or later. Not Available under Workbench 1.3 (Default:
On)
GPFax User Guide Page 40
VIEW MODE The button allows you to chose the screen resolution used
to display faxes. The available choices depend on which
version of WorkBench your system is running.
UNDER WB 1.3 - A cycle gadget is displayed. Select `HIRES`
to use a 640 x 256 screen (200 for NTSC). Select `HR-LACE`
to use a 640 x 512 screen (400 for NTSC)
UNDER WB 2.04/5 - As above but the display will open using the
`standard` overscan setting from WorkBench.
UNDER WB 2.1 and WB 3 - An information `i` gadget is displayed.
Selecting this will display a standard Screen Mode
Requester revealing the various monitor screen modes and
overscan settings available with you particular equipment.
*** See FIG 6 ***
*************************************************************************
* *
* NOTES: When the screen mode requester is first displayed, because *
* GPFax does not enforce any particular monitor type, the initial *
* settings may not be correct. Choose an appropriate display mode and *
* select `OK`. *
* *
* Some of the display modes may not be suitable either for GPFax *
* or for your equipment. In general, select the largest display *
* screen suitable for your equipment. Be aware that the larger *
* the screen display, the larger the amount of CHIP memory *
* required to display the fax. *
* *
* For 2024 users - Select the appropriate 2024 monitor type to *
* display the faxes on a 1024 x 1024 screen. *
* *
*************************************************************************
GPFax User Guide Page 41
USE SECURITY Allows screening of incoming faxes to prevent automatic
reception of unwanted faxes (1Junk Faxes`).
SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
With the increasing quality of junk faxes being transmitted, if your fax
number becomes known, it is highly likely that faxes will be transmitted
to your machine at any time from a source unknown to you.
GPFax allows a simple screening of incoming calls. During the initial
handshake phase between your modem and remote fax machine, the remote fax
machine transmits its sender`s ID to your system. With security enabled,
this ID string is checked against numbers in the phone book. If a match
is found, the call will be accepted and incoming faxes will be saved to
disk. If there is no match, the incoming data will be ignored, and an
entry will be appended to the log book recording the `apparent` ID string
received with the word `JUNK` in the report field. This allows you to
check the number from which the call originated. Note, however, that this
number is simply the ID string which has been programmed into the sending
fax machine. There is no guarantee that the call originated from that
phone number.
Care must be taken when security is enabled. It is easy to reject calls
that you actually wish to receive! It is vital that one number string in
the phone book exactly matches the string sent in the ID field by the
sender`s machine. GPFax ignores any leading spaces, but other spaces and
characters are recognised. If the security rejects a fax when it should
not, check the log for the sender`s ID and ensure that there is an exact
match for this ID in your phone book.
GPFax User Guide Page 42
RES - FINE This switch determines if faxes generated by direct TEXT or
IFF conversion are created in STANDARD resolution (98 dpi) or
FINE resolution (196 dpi). We suggest STANDARD resolution for
normal documents. Select FINE if creating faxes with fine
details such as complicated drawings etc. This settings only
effects the creation of the fax file. ONCE A FAX HAS BEEN
CREATED IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE RESOLUTION.
When generating fax files from a desktop publishing program
by direct `printing` using GPFax printer driver, select
between fine and standard mode by changing the printer
density between 6 and 2.
The following are only available if ARexx is running at the time you run
GPFax. (See the `ARexx` section for more details.)
AREXX RECEIVE Enables the execution of the ARexx receive script.
AREXX DATA Enables the ARexx DATACALL script on auto detection of
Data calls. Serial port must be in shared mode for this to
function.
GPFax User Guide Page 43
THE PHONE BOOK
The phone book holds information about often dialled fax numbers. When
security is enabled, the phone book entries are also used to screen the
transmitted ID string of the sending fax machine to allow or deny
permission to receive faxes.
*** See FIG 7 ***
MOUSE AND KEYBOARD
Like all windows in the GPFax system, either the mouse or keyboard may
be used to drive the choices. The CURSOR KEYS and PGUP/PGDN scroll the
displayed list of phone entries. Pressing the top row of keys on the
keyboard (`1` THROUGH `=`) selects or de-selects from the 12 displayed
entries.
GPFax User Guide Page 44
PHONE BOOK ENTRIES
A phone book entry holds the Name / Identification, Fax number, Group
Name, Notes and specific fax cover page details for this number. Each
cover page associated with a particular number is specified to that
number only. Most often when sending to the same number, the cover page
details will not vary between calls. However, the details may be readily
edited if required.
The row of gadget buttons at the bottom of the phone book window allows
addition of new entries, editing or deletion of highlighted entries, and
other functions.
NUMBER GROUPING
Each phone book entry can be given a optional group name or number. This
is a simple mechanism whereby you can quickly select multiple phone
numbers when transmitting faxes. For example, one group may be `dealers`,
another `customers` and so on. Entering `dealers` into the group field of
the transmit function will quickly highlight all members of this group.
*** See FIG 8 ***
GPFax User Guide Page 45
MAXIMUM CONNECTION SPEED (* CLASS 2 ONLY *)
Each phone book entry has a MAXIMUM connect speed setting. This
displays, 2400, 4800, 7200, 9600, AUTO. This setting allows you to
request a particular initial MAXIMUM speed for the modem to use when
connecting to a remote fax machine. (This is NOT related to the modem to
your computer speed which is always at 19200 or higher.)
Generally, leave this setting to AUTO and let the modem determine the
best speed. However, if you find that certain numbers always connect at a
low speed, or, if the modem fails to connect to a remote system normally,
drop the initial connect speed until you obtain a reliable connection.
This option does may not work on all modems including some earlier Supra
modems and depends on the actual ROM revision in the modem. (Contact the
manufacturer for details).
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OF FAXES
Under some circumstances, the person to whom you wish to send a fax may
not have a facsimile machine on automatic answer. You may have to call
the number manually and ask the person to place their fax machine into
receive mode before sending the fax. In these cases you can still enter
these numbers into the phone book and can mark them as manual send by
entering
MAN!
As the first four characters of the number. (See `TRANSMIT` for more
details.)
GPFax User Guide Page 46
ADDING NEW ENTRIES
Select the `ADD` Gadget and enter the name, number, group, and any note
for a particular remote system. To enable the use of an automatic cover
page, select the `COVER` gadget and enter the cover page details. When
security is enabled, the phone book entries are also used to screen the
ID string of the sending fax machine to allow or deny permission to
receive faxes.
COVER PAGE DETAILS
When a cover page is selected for the first time, the default settings
from your environment are copied into the new cover page. These may be
edited as required.
COMPANY NAME Your name for this conversation. THIS FIELD MUST BE FILLED
IN.
FROM The name of the person sending the fax. (You?)
FAX # Your fax number if you have one. Leave blank if not
required.
VOICE # Your voice telephone number. THIS FIELD MUST BE FILLED IN.
TO The name of the company to which the fax is addressed.
ATTN The name of the person to whom the fax is addressed.
GPFax User Guide Page 47
FAX # The default number to dial (copied from the phone book
number)
IMAGE The file path name of any two (2) colour IFF picture to be
included as a letterhead.
SIG. The file name of any two (2) colour IFF picture to append
to the last page of any transmitted faxes.
If the `IMAGE` button is highlighted, the image will be included in the
header and the signature image (if selected) will be appended to the LAST
PAGE of this session. A signature image will only be sent if a header is
sent. If no letterhead or signature images are required, toggle these
gadgets to `off`. Select the `i` gadget button to display a file
requester for easy selection of file path name.
Although GPFax will automatically scale any IFF image for letterheads
and signatures, the best method is to create the required image with
DeluxePaint by using a page of approximately 1024 by 200. Auto scaling of
letterhead and signatures images can cause unexpectedly large faxes.
(Note that cover pages are generated in the `T:` directory and can be
viewed like normal faxes if you wish to see exactly what was sent.)
Alternatively, do not use automatic cover pages but generate your own
using a full desktop publishing program such as PageStream.
Selecting `USE` attaches the defined cover page to the particular phone
entry.
Selecting `FORGET` will dump this cover page information.
GPFax User Guide Page 48
EDITING A PHONE BOOK ENTRY
To edit a specific entry, first highlight the required entry, then
select `EDIT`.
TAG/UNTAG
Select `TAG` or `UNTAG` to display the search pattern window. Enter the
required pattern and select `OK`. All the four main fields are searched
and each entry will be highlighted where a match is found in any field.
Standard UNIX style Case Sensitive pattern matching is used. Wild cards
are an `*` (match anything) and `?` (match any single character.)
Repeated searches are cumulative (will highlight repeated matches to the
new pattern).
DELETE
Deletes the highlighted entries from the phone book. This deletion will
be permanent only after the changed phone book is saved to disk.
SAVE AND LOAD
These gadgets save the currently displayed phone book to disk or reload
the old copy from disk. Note that it is possible to change or delete any
number of entries then, provided the edited phone book has not been saved
to disk, to select `CANCEL` and `LOAD` to recover the old phone book.
NOTE ON RECEIVE SECURITY
If `SECURITY` has been enabled from the `OPTIONS` menu, GPFax will look
up the ID sent by the remote fax machine in the phone book. This is done
by comparing the character sequence of the phone book. This is done by
comparing the character sequence of the Phone Entry number field with
that transmitted by the remote fax machine.
RESORT
This option sorts the phone entries in alphabetical order by name.
Selecting `RESORT` a second time will re-sort the entries by group. Note
that entries with no group will be placed first.
GPFax User Guide Page 49
CONVERT TO FAX
*************************************************************************
* *
* Important Note: The Convert to Fax functions should only be used for *
* simple applications. For most cases it is better to create faxes *
* directly from the application program using the GPFax printer driver *
* function. *
* *
*************************************************************************
The conversion-to-fax routines have been designed to convert quickly any
standard ASCII text file or two (2) colour IFF picture file to the G
fax format. By default, the converted fax file is placed in the FAX_OUT
directory ready for transmission.
Being designed to perform quick conversions, this function offers only
very limited formatting possibilities. If extensive formatting, half tone
images, or drawings are required, use the GPFax printer driver option in
association with a desktop publishing program such as ProWrite,
Professional Page or PageStream or paint programs such as DeluxePaint.
CONVERTING IFF PICTURE FILES
If the file is a two (2) colour IFF file, GPFax will create a fax file
of the same name with .IFAX appended.
IFF picture files should only be two colour images. This function is
designed to allow the rapid creation of a simple two colour drawing with
added text and send it as a fax. If the image contains more than two
colours an option is provided to use just the first two colours.
Since a fax is 1728 pixels wide, it is often convenient to create a 1728
pixel wide page in DeluxePaint to produce a full size fax directly. If
this method is chosen, ensure that sufficient margins (50 pixels each
side) are left to allow for any loss by the receiving station. GPFax will
attempt to scale the image if `IFF SCALE` has been selected from the
`OPTIONS` menu.
All converted IFF pictures are automatically centred on the 1728 dots
wide fax page. Scaled images will be scaled then centred.
GPFax User Guide Page 50
CONVERTINGASCII TEXT FILES
If the file is not an IFF picture, or an already converted fax, GPFax
will assume the file is normal ascii text and attempt to convert it to a
fax format. This option is designed to write simple letters using a text
editor (such as CygnusEd or MicroEmacs) and convert them rapidly to
faxes.
Text is converted using the `ENVIRONMENT definitions for font, size,
left and right margins, and lines per page if page mode is selected.
Limited formatting is available within text files by using embedded
commands. GPFax performs only limited word wrapping if the line is too
long with the remaining text being placed on the following line. This is
provided as a safety feature only and should not be relied upon to format
text.
*************************************************************************
* *
* Note. You should ensure that each line of text does not exceed the *
* maximum characters per line and is formatted in the required manner *
* before converting to a fax. *
* *
*************************************************************************
If page mode has been selected, GPFax will break the page when the
number of printed lines exceeds the lines per page value, or receives a
form feed, or includes a graphic which forces the page to exceed 1144
pixels in length. Remember, the number of lines per page is the number of
lines of text printed, not the actual page length which is always A4.
FORMATTING COMMANDS
By embedding the following commands in plain ascii text, limited
formatting is available.
The control sequence identifier (CSI) is defined as the `\` or back
slash character. Formatting commands consist of the CSI followed by one
or more characters. Unknown sequences are ignored. Command sequences are
not included in the characters per line count.
GPFax User Guide Page 51
STYLE COMMANDS
STYLE COMMANDS MAY APPEAR ANYWHERE WITHIN THE BODY OF THE TEXT AND
REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL TURNED OFF.
\B Bold On \b Bold Off
\I Italics On \i Italics Off
\U Underline On \u Underline Off
\X Reverse text on \x Reverse text Off
\\ Place a single `\` in the text
Style commands may be combined to mix effects. For example, the sequence
`\B\I\UHello World\u\i\b` would generate the text in bold, italic
underlined.
OTHER COMMANDS
The following commands MUST appear as the first characters of a line and
on separate lines. Note that all the following commands must be entered
as UPPERCASE.
\P Insert a page break at this point
\G<file name> Include a two colour graphic file.
Example \G work:picture
This command must be followed by the full path name to the two
colour IFF image file. Graphics will be centred on the page and
automatically scaled if scaling has been selected from the options
menu.
If page mode is on, the graphic (or scaled graphic) must fit within
the remaining lines on the page, If not, the
GPFax Users Guide Page 52
remaining lines are left blank and the image is placed at the top
of the next page.
\H Include the header file defined in the `ENVIRONMENT`.
\S Include the signature file defined in the `ENVIRONMENT`.
The same conditions apply for these commands as for the \G command
above.
ALWAYS CHECK FILES AFTER CONVERSION!
After converting IFF or text, it is advisable to use the `DISPLAY/PRINT`
function to view the fax before it is transmitted. As well as saving you
time it will also save the embarrassment of badly formatted text!
GPFax User Guide Page 53
TRANSMIT FAX
This is one of main workhorses of the GPFax program. It allows
transmission of any number of prepared faxes, text files or two (2)
colour IFF pictures to any number of remote fax machines or fax modems.
In general, we recommend that faxes be prepared before transmission with
the 'CONVERT TO FAX' option or by using the GPFax PRINTER DRIVER.
However, the transmit facility will process the files to be sent and
convert any text files to fax format before transmission.
From the file requester, select the particular list of files to be
transmitted. Any non-fax files will be converted and placed in the
FAX_OUT directory ready to be sent.
*************************************************************************
* *
* Note: The file names used for the converted files are the original *
* file names with '_TFAX' appended. Any files in the FAX_OUT directory *
* with the same names will be overwritten without warning. *
* *
*************************************************************************
Once all files have been checked and converted if necessary, the
following window will be presented.
*** See FIG 9 ***
GPFax User Guide Page 54
SELECTING THE NUMBER TO DIAL
The phone number to dial may be entered directly into the displayed box
or chosen from the numbers in the phone book. Alternatively a group name
may be entered.
If it is not already active, pressing RETURN will activate the 'NAME OR
NUMBER PATTERN' string gadget. Pressing SHIFT + RETURN will alternate
between this and the GROUP gadget.
NUMBER OR NAME PATTERN
Either a number or name pattern may be entered. The number or pattern
will be checked against the phone book entries until the first match is
found. Pattern matching is case sensitive and uses the Amiga style '#'
and '?' characters or the UNIX style '*' and '?' as wild cards. For
example, entering 'Pe*' will search for the first entry in the phone book
whose first two characters are 'Pe'.
If a match is found with a phone book entry, GPFax checks to see if it
has an attached cover page and highlights the 'COVER PAGE' button if one
is available.
GROUP
Enter the name of one of the groups in your phone book. All entries
associated with that group will be automatically selected.
PHONE BOOK
To access the phone book directly, press RETURN on a blank field or
select the 'i' gadget. From the phone book, highlight the required
number(s) to dial. Multiple selections are made by highlighting multiple
entries. The phone book may also be edited, have new numbers added or
cover page details changed as required (as discussed previously).
GPFax User Guide Page 55
COVER PAGES
Once the required number or numbers have been selected, highlight the
'COVER PAGE' gadget, if cover pages are required.
For SINGLE NUMBERS, if a cover page has been selected and there is no
matching selection in the phone book, the default cover page details will
be presented allowing entry of 'one-off' details.
For MULTIPLE NUMBERS, if the main 'COVER PAGE' gadget is selected, a
cover page will be sent only for those entries which have attached cover
page information. Otherwise no cover page will be sent with that
particular fax transmission.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF FAXES
SENDING FAXES - IMMEDIATE SEND
Use the 'NOW' gadget to send faxes to the selected number or numbers. If
the number is engaged or busy, GPFax will wait for the 'REDIAL DELAY'
time specified in the Environment and retry up to the maximum attempts
specified by the 'RETRY' variable.
A log book entry is written for successful or failed sessions.
SCHEDULING FAXES
To send the faxes at a later time, select the 'LATER' gadget. This will
display the following window, and allow entry of a specified time and
date for each phone number selected. Set the time and date required with
the mouse or cursor keys.
Cursor Up/Down Hours up or down
Cursor Left/Right Minutes up or down
SHIFT CURSOR up/Down Days up or down
Only a time greater than the current time may be selected.
GPFax User Guide Page 56
*** See FIG 56 ***
Once the time is set, selecting 'OK' will enter the fax file list and
phone entries into the scheduler. If enabled, the scheduler will send the
faxes as the time becomes due. If the scheduler is not enabled, the faxes
will be queued until you enable the scheduler.
*************************************************************************
* *
* Note: Once faxes have been entered into the scheduler, ONLY the
*
* schedule time may be subsequently altered. It is not possible to edit *
* the list of faxes or the phone number. *
* *
*************************************************************************
The scheduler will make a log book entry which records the result of
each transmission attempt. If the attempt was successful, the entry will
be removed from the scheduler.
Manual cover pages cannot be generated for scheduled faxes. The
scheduler uses the cover page information associated with the particular
phone entry. If the entry has cover details and is enabled, a cover page
will be sent, otherwise not.
GPFax User Guide Page 57
end of part 1