Vectronix 2/VECTRONIX2.iso/FILES_01/COMA_270.LZH/MANUAL/ENGLISH/GENERAL.TXT

Text File | 1994-12-19 | 26KB | 620 lines

Contents chapter 1

introduction


1.0     preface

1.1     general

1.2     For whom can CoMa be useful

1.3     hardware requirements

1.4     connection modem and computer

1.5     CoMa as .APP or .ACC?

1.6     safety copy, installation on hard disc

1.7     the licensed CoMa version

1.8     licensing of COMADEMO.APP

1.9     adjusting of parameter for CoMa

1.10    exit dialogbox 'parameter'

1.11    parameter 'expert'

1.12    data name of fax pages in CoMa

1.13    star button



1.0 preface



Congratulation, you decided on a mature software product from Softbaer for your
ATARI computer. You will be able to learn to handle your correspondence via a
fax-modem quickly, cleanly and safely. CoMa can work as FTP-Server as well. This
gives You the ossibility to logg in Your computer wherever You are and down- or
upload files.

If You are the owner of a Zyxel or a Creatix LC144VF Modem You can make Your
computer a answering maschine too if You take CoMa-Voice! This answering
maschine is much more comfortable as any other analog maschine ever could be!
CoMa recognizes if You get a fax, data-call or a voice-call and switches into
the right part of the programme.

This handbook contains all advice necessary to install and use the programme. We
assume that you are already well versed in the usage of your ATARI computer and
advice such as 'mouse click left', dialogbox, GEM window or menu panel should be
familiar to you.  If not consult the handbook to your computer again. Our
handbook for First Million (an office software programme from SOFTBEAR) delivers
a crash course in chapter 2 as well.

If you really get stuck we will be able to advise you by telephone. You will be
able to contact our hotline via 0799/525038. We are there after 6pm and at
weekends, which obviously reduces the cost of the telephone call. Should you
encounter any problems whilst working with CoMa, or have ideas of your own,
don't hesitate to contact us. It is our company's philosophy to try to solve all
problems. Another advice to all programmers who want to create a driver for a
programme. You find all necessary information and parts of programmes to enable
you to do so in the folder 'DEVELOP'.

Wishing you lots of fun with CoMa and always a good 'connection'.



1.1 General



CoMa is the abbreviation of Communication Manager and is a fax programme with
extreme fast speed, which functions on all ATARI ST(e), TT and Falcon personal
computers. CoMa has no problems with MultiTOS or Magix. The programme is 100%
multi-task! Display of incoming faxes is on-line, this means that every line
received is displayed on the monitor.

CoMa is data-compatible to all QFax pro data. This means you can use all already
existing fax drivers (Calamus, Signum3!, etc) to create a fax page.

CoMa can also read and process 1st word documents and graphic data directly in
IMG-format. It is not necessary to convert those data. This speeds up the screen
display tremendously. It is not necessary to apply Hufman coding back-transfer
for fax pages. Best would be if your favourite application could produce a IMG
data file (with 200 dpl resolve). Hufman coding is calculated in CoMa practical
'on-line'.  A pre-coding is therefore not necessary.

Another advantage is the display of up to 8 fax pages simultaneously. A GEM
window is opened for every page. It is easily possible then to look at these
pages on a large monitor before the computer sends them as faxes. The
installation of the programme is very easy despite all these functions. You do
not have to configure a long text directory with a great number of keywords. All
you have to do is to edit the 'parameter' dialogbox. Existing problems with the
serial port are not an issue for COMA. This programme has no problems with the
serial port, if You use the programme HSMODEM witch is in the folder 'AUTO' on
the disk. This programme speeds up the serial port and makes all the corrections
that still are necessary because of a mistake in TOS. We want to thank Harun
Scheutzow for his help and the permission to put HSMODEM ontu the disk of CoMa.

CoMa enables you to use two different head- and foot-logos (via additional load
you can use as many graphics as necessary). You can change your fax page via
touch of a button from a business document to a private one. Our communication
software is especially interesting for owners of modern modem systems which
contain a 'voice'-modus. For example one has to one's disposal a very
comfortable digital telephone answering machine which contains several texts,
inclusive personal messages. The differentiation between telephone call and fax
will be made automatically. We support this funktion for two type of modem. At
first the Zyxel 1496 which has a large spreading. The second modem is the
Creatix LC144VF which has a very good price.

So if You have CoMa voice You only need to have the computer switch WAKE_UP and
change Your good old ATARI into a smart communication manager. WAKE_UP is
specialy made for CoMa and starts the computer when the phone rings. After
receiving a fax or a call WAKE_up switches the computer off. So the computer is
only working as long as necessary.



1.2 For whom is CoMa useful?



CoMa was developed so that we are able to deliver a fax programme which is easy
to install and can be used intuitively for your office software. You can send
all forms or serial letters from the software FIRST MILLION without any problem
by the click of your mouse as fax. First Million is calling a tomatically from
the programme CoMa.

The extent of the programme has grown tremendously in the meantime and therefore
CoMa has turned into its own independent fax programme which can be used without
connection to First Million.

All owners of a modern fax modem will value the advantages of a secure and fast
fax software.  The programme supports all transmission speed up to 14400 Bit/s
and should work reliable with all available modem types who use fax standard
Class 2.

But,as with many computer standards, there is still some scope for definition of
class 2 which can lead to problems.

You will be delighted with the ease in transmitting your fax documents if your
modem sticks to the preset. Should you have problems contact us immediately, we
will try to help as fast as possible.



1.3 hardware requirements



The programme is written fully in C ie assembler, as is the case with other
software products from us, and keeps to the GEM-guidelines, which means that
CoMa functions on an old 520St without any problems as well. It also functions
safely with MultiTos or Magixl. The programme works of course on the Atari
Falcon!

You can use CoMa as programme as well as accessory. Accessory needs much less
memory than other fax programmes. You can use any closing from 640x200 pixeln
because CoMa has been programmed to close independently. Graphic cards available
on the marked pause no problems either.



1.4 connection between Modem and computer



You will need a serial cable for the connection between modem and computer which
should receive a shield if possible in order to keep noise ratio at bay. This is
necessary because the connection is operated with Baud 19200. Serial cables are
available at various electronic distribution companies at easonable prices.
Please make sure it is a 1;1 cable (DB-25 plug to Sub-D-25 socket). It is a bit
more complicated for the Atari TT STE or Falcon. You will need a cable with a
DB-25 plug and a DB-9 socket.

DB-25 (Modem)           DB-9 (TT)

Pin 2(TX)               Pin 3

Pin 3 (RD)              Pin 2

Pin 4 (RTS)             Pin 7

Pin 5 (CTS)             Pin 8

Pin 6 (DSR)             Pin 6 (not needed for CoMa)

Pin 7 (earth)           Pin 5

Pin 8 (DCD)             Pin 1 (not needed for CoMa)

Pin 20 (DTR)            Pin 4

Pin 22 (RI)             Pin 9, important otherwise automatic reception                            does not
function



1.5 CoMa as APP or ACC?



CoMa can be installed as a normal programme or as an recallable ACC. Because
CoMa is using only 170 kB memory for a workable minimal configuration it is not
a good solution to use it as a programme. It will probably be the exception to
work seriously with 512 kB. But if there are any space problems the CoMa.ACC can
be renamed into CoMA APP.

CoMa must always be started from the desktop.

The reception of fax pages will be more difficult because you have to leave a
programme when the telephone rings in order to start COMA.APP and to click the
function "Receive" in the CoMa dialogue box. Furthermore you cannot send a
document directly from First Million without MultiTOS. Result: hardly anything
passes COMA.ACC, even if the Atari has to receive a memory extension.

We should not forget another problem: memory eating programmes which reserve the
whole memory for themselves after the start. You cannot use CoMa from such a
programme because you cannot request memory for the data ( for exampel Calamus
1.09N).



1.6 security copy, installation on the hard disc



You receive a diskette with CoMa as soon as this handbook is delivered. Please
make a back-up copy of this diskette immediately and always work with the copy.
There are several data files with eight folder on the diskette. If you are using
a hard disc please copy COMA.APP (COMADEMO.APP) onto the boot partition into the
top level ( or into a file). Drive C is normally the boot partition. If you have
not enough space on drive C you can choose a different drive for the demographic
in IMG-format and the eight folder. You will have to create the path for the
graphic and the folder in any case if you do not wish to copy the diskette
completely onto the boot drive. (chapter 1.7).

Our development parcel is included in the folder DEVELOP. With this aid it will
be relatively easy  to create relevant printer driver, if necessary. The more
elegant method is via the IMG-file! If you use our development parcel, the
created printer driver will be publ c domain! Please take note that CoMa is
capable to directly input and use graphic data in IMG-format. If your
application is capable to create a IMG-data you do not need a fax driver at all.
The screen layout is then faster by factor 10, just as a side effect. Hufman
decoding is not necessary in order to disp ay the data on the monitor. (graphic)


Boot your computer by pushing the reset-button.  You will now find the CoMa
entry below the ATARI sign.



1.7 licensed CoMa version



It is not easy for software companies to remain competitively on the market
because the whole trade is showing  decreasing tendencies. It is understandable
therefore that we think very hard to prevent the distribution of our products
without bill of sale (also called pirate copies). Copy protections either soft-
or hardware solution is not considered practical because of the extensive
expenditure and it limits the usage of the programme. Additional the user has to
bear inconveniences with hardware protections. We believe we have found a more
elegant solution to the problem.

Every customer receives a version of the programme licensed to his name  and
every fax will send this information as 'recognition' in the first line of the
fax. It is not possible for the customer to de-activate this stampline. Should
you fax No change you can edit this in the window 'parameter', but you cannot
change the name of the licensee.

The stampline contains the page nos., the date and the time, apart from the
sender details. The date and time can only be correct if the clock of the system
has been set correctly.

We have installed a limited version of the system in various mailboxes and
networks to enable you to test the programme. It is possible to receive
unlimited with the shareware of CoMa, but one can only send up to 500 lines,
appropriately the sending part should be rather called 'cripple ware'. How you
can change your shareware to a licensed version can be seen in chapter 1.8 and
2.17!



1.8 licensing of COMADEMO.APP



If you have either taken our programme from a mailbox or bought it at a dealer
you will need the registration key in order to transform the limited shareware
into a fully functioning programme.

You are able to receive the registration key very quickly if you call up the
dialogbox 'registration' when you start the programme. Put in your personal
details and print the registration form (chapter 2.17). After receipt of your
order we will send you the number code immediately. Of course you can also
request the code by telephone (see hotline).

The dealer will contact us immediately in case you have bought the programme
from a shop and you normally receive your licensed CoMa version at once.



1.9 Adjusting parameter for CoMa



You will have to make some adjustment in the dialogbox 'parameter' before you
can start with CoMa.

Please click the entry 'CoMa' on the menu panel once and the main dialog box for
the accessory CoMa will appear. The button to change to parameter dialogbox can
be found there, please click once and you get a pop-up-menü with six funktions.
Fax, Expert, FTP, Print, Voice, Messages,

         HSMODEM activ

This shows you, that the programme HSMODEM is activ to speed up the serial port
and handle the CTS/RTS signal correct. This programme also opens up higher data
transmission rates for the serial port, which are necessary for the operation of
the voice-module from CoMa. CoMa will not work without HSMODEM activ! So please
make shure it is installed correctly.

Chapter 2.23 shows you what you have to know to intall HSMODEM!

          Modem-protocol

The probability exists that not all modems adhere 100% to the preliminary class
2 standard of fax transmission . An automatic protocol function has been
included in the programme therefore and the whole communication of the programme
with the modem will be stored on a file should your Modem not co-operate
correctly with CoMa. All you have to do is to activate the button if there are
mistakes in the transmission or receive.

The protocol file is called MOD-PROT.TXT and is situated on the system path.
Please send the error message and the file to us and we will be able to
programme a solution so much faster for you.

           online screen redraw

If you chose this button the page will be shown on the screen in a GEM-window
during decoding whilst loading. You do not have to recall any help programme or
leave the programme CoMa. You can slightly move the screen content with a click
of the left mouse button on the window of the shown fax page and are now able to
read the whole document.

If you receive a fax the page will always be displayed at once so you are able
to see immediately who is sending the fax. The window is scrolling automatically
during screen layout.

          max. dial, repeats after XX sec.

Note down the number of repeats you wish the programme to make if the connection
is busy. This option is only functioning properly if the modem evaluates the
busy sign correctly and is passing this information to the computer. You can
edit the waiting time between repeat dials in the field 'repeat after XX'
seconds.

           answer at  X rings

You will have to adjust this field if you want to receive fax during your
absence as well. If you put in 0 your modem will connect only manual. Problems
connected with automatic receiving are described in depth in chapter 2.12. dial
orders

              fax files and system data

Finally you can adjust the path for the system file and the 2 folder which are
necessary for the programme to file the pages. You will have to make some
alterations if you want to start CoMa from the hard disc. But you can save
yourself this procedure if you copy the whole content of the disc onto drive C.
The actual path is taken over as default setting when you start COMA.ACC (as
well as COMA.APP) You only have to make alterations therefore if you distribute
the file onto several drives. You will then have to proceed as follows:

Click on the line of the path that has changed.  The fileselectbox will then
appear. It is very simple to put in the path by just clicking the drive and the
file. Coma will remember all other paths as well (fax number organisation, file
for IMG-file etc.) if you chose save parameter.

Unfortunately this only works from the TOS-version 1.4 or higher. If you have
got an older TOS you have to cancel the path line and edit the letter of the
drive and file by hand. It is sensible anyway to consider the purchase of a new
TOS version because the old ones did contain some errors.

        Port

You can dial the desired port in a pop-up-menu because Atari's new computers
have got various serial ports.

The not available ports are deactivated in computers with only 1 serial port and
cannot be selected.

The port  adjusted by the control field will be used if the button 'actual' is
selected.

         DTE-Speed

You can adjust the transmission speed between computer and modem with this
pop-up-menu. The value is normally 19200 Baud. Some ports (TT and Falcon) can
operate higher transmission rates.

         Fax-Speed

This selection field enables you to adjust a certain transmission speed. Select
the highest transmission rate that your modem supports. The modem will be then
instructed directly to start with this speed for fax transmission. Should the
fax machine not have this speed the transmission rate will be cut till
transmission is possible.

         logbook

If you like to protocol your connections you should activate this button. Coma
then creates a text file LOGBOOK.TXT in the folder SYSTEM. You can check here
always when and to whom you have send a fax.

         zoom 25%

The zoom factor with which a fax page is displayed after load is selected here.
You can adjust the display with the button "+" and "-" from the digit block at
any time.

        Send 100 dpi

If you want to reduce your connection time (and therefore your telephone
expenses) you can send your fax with 100 dpi resolution. That does not look so
elegant any more, but you have this function if you need it.

         Modem Type

You can select the standard via two pop-up menues. Usually this will be of the
type "class 2". New modem can be installed as "class2.0", if they work with the
new standard.  If You use CoMa-Voice please activate the menue "Voice".

         ID  sending identification

You can decide from now on if the stamp line should contain apart from your name
your telephone number as well. You can input the number in this field.

         Receive max. DIN A4

If you have little RAM the computer will loose a fax page if somebody sends you
a very long pages (more then a DIN A4 page with only 1 MByte RAM). This button
helps you to prevent this!

        quit if all windows are closed

This function terminates CoMa if the last faxwindow has been closed.

        3-D look

With 16 or more colours you can switch on the famous 3-D outlook of CoMa.

        Making a QFAX.INF

Our programme can still read fax-files in QFax format even though this leads to
loss of speed in comparison to IMG files. The programme assumes always that the
path for the file outgoing is located in a file named QFAX.INF.

We have installed a routine which creates such a file automatically so that you
do not have to create such a file with a text editor. You only have to click the
button "QFAX.INF" after you have selected the path for the folder OUTGOING. If
you already have got a file with the name QFAX.INF on your hard disc you will
see a warning message. You can abandon the procedure now.

Please take care that the path for the file OUTGOING in QFAX.INF is identical
with the path in the parameter dialogue box of CoMa



1.10 leave of dialogue box "parameter"

        Abandon

If you leave the box via function "abandon" all changes will be ignored.

         OK

You accept the changes with the button ok, but they are not memorised eternally.
If you switch the computer off they will be lost. The ok button is important if
you want to try out what kind of effect the adjustment has without wanting to
memorise them for good.

         parameter saving

The programme will save the parameter in the file COMA.INF if you activate the
button "save" and will read them into the computer at the next start again.

The path for the function "Load IMG" and "Save IMG" will be memorised here as
well.



1.11 Parameter "Expert"



With the funktion "expert" in the pop-up-menue "Parameter" you can call a new
dialog box. For normal cases it will not be necessary to make here any changes.
This dialog is reserved for the experts or, if there are problems in the use of
CoMa.

In order to cover all eventualities we have installed five different dialling
strings.

          Send

If your modem is connected directly to the telephone line it is probably
sufficient to leave the order line as it is.  Perhaps you have got an extension
between modem and telephone line. Then you will have to adjust the waiting of
the modem to the free line sign (X3) and the dialling of the telephone line (0)
as well as a pause (.). Sign mentioned in (  ) are the Hayes orders which every
modem should understand. The dialling string for the mentioned example would
look as follows:

                     ATX3DPO

         No dial

Sometimes it is desirable to be able to transfer a fax during a telephone call,
obviously assuming the other party has got combi-fax possibility. In this case
the programme should not dial again and the dial tone detect has to be switched
off. The modem disconnects immediately if it does not recognize a free-sign.

The command necessary (according to Hayes) is "XI" or "X3".

Dial command should be as follows:

                    ATX3D

If you activate the button "no dialling" in the main dialogue box the modem
connects immediately without dialling and starts the transfer of the chosen fax
pages.

Transfer can only function if the telephone used for speaking has been connected
to the modem.

        Receive

We have designed a special dial string if you should need to give your modem
specific commands for the reception of fax pages .

        Polling (Receive)

Some companies, institutions or government departments are offering a new
service for fax owners. You can call with your fax and "poll" certain fax pages.
If your modem is compatible to polling you have to introduce a special dial
command. The given example refers only to the Zyxel modem (for Firmware 6.10 +
6.11).

         Polling (Send)

CoMa also gives you the possibility to create a folder for polling from your
computer.

         Init

The commands in this field are send to the modem in the beginning of every
transmission. Next to this you find a place put a delay time between the init
string and the next commands. Some modem can not make a reset and receive
commands.

         Min. scantime

Some modem give a wrong infomation to the receiving fax-maschine. You can now
create a scantime by try and error.

        wait for "Ring"

        without RI-wire

These two commands are only for a special use of Zyxel modem.

        add XY byte each line

Some modem need time to decode the received fax-data. If the data are to fast,
it will course mistakes. In this case it is usefull to put in some bytes to fill
up a line.

         clear DTR after automatic receive

This function supports the automatic computer switch Connect 1. This switch
needs a DTR on/off after an automatic receive to switch off the computer. Our
automatic switch does not need this function, it works even without it!



1.12 file name of fax page in CoMa



The name will always show the day, the hour and the minute in which the page has
been received if the fax has not transmitted an identification. A fax of the
12.5.93 at 17 hrs 25 min would be recorded as 12_17_25.FO1. The same time with
the extension counted on would have been recorded if you had received 2 more
pages (12_17_25.FO2 and 12_17_25.FO3.

If the fax machine sends the telephone number as identification the fax file
will be stored under this number. This has the advantage that you can identify
the sender of the fax immediately. This should be the norm because most fax
machine have this identification by now.



1.13 the star button



You have learned already that you can display the fax page in a window and that
you can change the display with the keys "+" and "-". the letters are somewhat
squeezed if the pages are reduced too much.

In order to eliminate this effect and to increase the readability we have
installed a function to "thin out" the lines in the display. You can switch from
normal, to thick and thin display with the star button of the key board. You
will recognise the advantage of this function very quickly.