ProfitPress Mega CDROM2 …eeware (MSDOS)(1992)(Eng)/ProfitPress-MegaCDROM2.B6I/COMM/MISC/JAXHOST6.ZIP/WHATS.NEW

Text File | 1991-07-28 | 10.6 KB | 212 lines

  NEW FEATURES of JaxHost v6.0
  ----------------------------
  This powerful yet simple home-to-office and office-to-office communications
  utility just keeps getting better.   Here are the latest additions to its
  features:

 - NEW FEATURE:  If you configure the system with no password (delete
   any existing -- or the default -- password) then JaxHost/DWHost will
   immediately exit (Drop into configured application such as Doorway).
   This useful when used with applications which implement their own
   security.

 - NEW FEATURE:  We now have fully configurable comm port setup.  If
   you specify a comm port number greater than 2 on the setup, you
   are prompted for the port address and IRQ number.

 - NEW FEATURE:  As an aid in trouble-shooting, all strings sent to the
   modem AND all modem responses are displayed on the status screen
   adjacent to the new label of "Modem:".   As new strings are sent or
   received from the modem while it is in command state, it is inserted
   into the display at the right, shifting earlier data to the left in
   order to keep the same length display.

 - No longer is an "ATZ" sent to the modem.  This just in case someone
   has a "V0" as the intial setting (thus V1 would be turned off to V0
   and we would no longer have verbal response codes).  We would not get
   an "OK" and thus would detect "Modem Reset Error".

 - Bug fix -- if the comm base locations 40:0 thru 40:7 were all nulls
   (BIOS had not initialized to the installed ports), the code would
   exit on an error.  This has been fixed such that the comm base
   locations are set according to how this program is configured.
   (Example: If we are configured for COM1:, the system memory locations
   of 40:0 and 40:1 are set to 0F8h and 03h respectively.)

 - Added ability to escape Modem Reset Error loop by hitting F1 or F2 (the
   normal program termination keys for JaxHost).   (This had been installed
   in DWHOST earlier).

 -  Extended the "wait for CD" duration when answering a call from 20 seconds
    to 45 seconds.  (Some v.32 modems can take a while to synch up.)  (This
    also had been added to DWHOST a while ago.)

 - Fixed minor bugs in which "Bye . . ." was being sent to the modem
   when terminating the program AND a logoff message was being sent
   to the log also when leaving the program if not running from batch
   file.

 - Added a slow speed initialization of the modem.  The modem init string
   is sent to the modem at 10 char/sec.  Thereafter, strings are sent
   at full speed.

 - Corrected a problem where the modem would not be taken offhook on
   some modems when True Ring Detect is selected (True Ring Detect = Yes)
   on the configuration screen.

 - Modem AT command of E0 has been added to the default init. string.


  NEW FEATURES of JaxHost v5.0
  ----------------------------

    - A powerful new capability eliminates the need for utilizing controlling
      batch files in the JaxHost environment (such as the HOST.BAT and
      OFF.BAT of v4.1 and earlier releases).   You may specify on the
      configuration screen a command with command line parms totaling as
      many as 128 bytes.  This command is executed by JaxHost when the
      proper password is given.  When the command terminates, control is
      returned to JaxHost, the caller is logged off, and the system recycles
      to await another call.   This feature may be used to directly invoke
      Ken Brown's RemDoor (Example of command:  REMDOOR 1), Marshall Dudley's
      Doorway (Example: DOORWAY com1 /g:on /m:100 /o: /s:* /v:d^u /r:^x
       /c:dos), or simply to execute C:\COMMAND CTTY COM1 (if your particular
      setup and needs are such that DOS's CTTY command works well for you).
      The command EXIT would log you off,  if you use the CTTY option or the
      Doorway option.  This new capability simplifies user setup
      and provides very tight integration with other communications
      oriented packages.  If the configured command area is left empty,
      JaxHost reverts to merely dropping to DOS upon successful password
      entry, relying on an invoking batch file to issue a CTTY command or
      invoke another command, etc., as with previous JaxHost releases.

    - Internal carrier detect monitoring is performed by JaxHost when it
      executes a configured command as descibed above.  When operating in
      this new mode, there is no longer a need for a WATCHDOG TSR to do
      the monitoring so that the system might be recycled (rebooted)
      upon accidental loss of carrier.   JaxHost will reboot the system
      as needed.

    - In order to provide broader applicability to different modems and modem
      cables, JaxHost is no longer dependent upon there being a ring detect
      signal wired between modem and comm port.   The software can now be
      configured to detect the "RING" result code reported by most modems.
      The user may specify whether true ring detect or software "RING"
      detect is to be used.

    - A self-registering function has been added.  Now when entering the
      command JAXHOST REGISTER you are prompted for your registration name
      and number (provided to you upon registering the product).  The process
      converts the BBS copy of the program to a registered copy, removing
      EVALUATION COPY, removing a shareware screen and delay encountered
      by each caller, and inserting the registered user's name into the
      executable.

    - The old JAXHOST.EXE has been split up into two files, JAXHOST.COM and
      JAXHOST.OVR.   The latter is called from JAXHOST.COM whenever F3 is
      depressed (or upon start-up when JHCONFIG is missing) to specify new
      or changed configuration information.

    - Added faster CRC checking (executable validation function).  Now
      performed in 1/4 the time it formerly took.

   -  Changed DTR behavior when using F1 to exit from JaxHost with
      the modem offhook.  DTR is no longer dropped.

    - Incorporated code to give back cycles to DESQview or DoubleDOS if
      the presence of either is detected.  Noticed that JaxHost was
      loading the BBS machine more than I wanted while it was waiting
      for a call or a keystroke.  The new code results in virtually
      no load in a DESQview environment when waiting.

    - Reduced maximum comm port speed from 38,400 to 19,200.  Found this
      wasn't working properly in at least one environment.  Will research
      further for possible increase again in a future release.

  NEW FEATURES of JaxHost v4.1
  ----------------------------
  Actually this is a maintenance release -- no new features over v4.0

    - The configuration processor (available on F3) was not properly setting
      up Ring Back mode when requested (Bn where n is number of rings) unless
      a callback phone number had been specified.  (There is no need to
      specify a number if not using the callback mode, but the logic got
      screwed up somehow.)   Many thanks to Randy Young for finding this one.

    - Found that JaxHost was having some modem speed setting problems and
      was not logging off with its customary "Bye . . ." when calling in
      at a speed at other than that at which the modem was opened.


  NEW FEATURES of JaxHost v4.0
  ----------------------------

  - Completely re-written using Turbo C v2.0.

  - New colorful control/status screen with date/time, screen blanking,
     call status monitoring, and new function key controls.  Can selectably
     exit program with modem onhook or offhook (line busy).

  - Configuration screen with context-sensitive help and pick list option
      entry (ASCII configuration file format retained for easy modification
      from remote).

  - Modem init string is now configurable.

  - Comm port speeds to 38,400 bps.

  - Comm port may autobaud or be locked at fixed speed.
     (Supports the newer buffered/MNP modems. Provides maximum transfer
      speeds for text and binary file transfers that might be implemented
      with external file transfer protocol modules.)

  - Added "Long Ring" answering mode (configurable from 1 to 9 rings).

  - Added "Ring Back" answering mode (configurable from 1 to 9 rings OR it
      may be non-specific).   Answers 2nd call if received within one minute
      of 1st which was of specific (or non-specific) number of rings.

  - Normally fast (direct) screen writes used.  Command line parm available
    to force BIOS screen writes (the S parm -- "S" stands for SLOW).

  - New LOCAL mode for testing or for changing configuration data without
       accessing a comm port or modem (the L command line parm).

  - JaxHost now senses when modem is not available or not turned on.  Rather
      than hang, it now reports modem not responding and cycles down.

  - JaxHost contains built-in virus protection.  The copy you receive cannot
    be modified without detection.  If any modification is made to the
    JAXHOST.EXE, it will report that it is terminating for your protection.

  - Due to popularity of the earlier callback security feature, and its use
    by folks wishing to minimize long distance charges, "Triggered Callback"
    has been added.   Triggered Callback is a combination of callback security
    and Ring Back.  A sequence of 2 calls placed to JaxHost causes JaxHost
    (without answering either call) to call out to the pre-configured number.
    Upon connecting, it requires the answering remote to enter the
    correct password as per the normal logon procedure.  This is a NO COST
    answer for those living "long distance" away from work and not wanting to
    incur ANY expense in getting on their machine at work to do their boss's
    bidding.

Additional notes:

    Customized forms of JaxHost are available for your business.  One that
    appears to be of most interest is the host/menu variation.  When JaxHost
    is awaiting a call, a menu of functions that may be performed on that
    machine is on the local screen.  If one is selected, JaxHost goes offhook
    (line busy) until the function is completed and a return to the menu has
    occurred.   This appears to be a good way of assuring that business machines
    at multiple sites remain "communications ready" whenever they are not
    being used for local operations.

    If you have specialized PC-to-PC communications needs, let us know.
    Chances are that a customized version of JaxHost will satisfy your
    requirements.   (Contact info at the end of JAXHOST.DOC.)

                                                - Jack Kilday
                                                  7/28/91