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- QCOM.EXE
- Revision 2.90
- APR 2, 1992
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- ------------------------------------------------------------------
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- Copyright 1990-1992 by RTFM Software and Richard W. Turenne
- Winnipeg, Mb.
- All Rights Reserved
-
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-
- All users are granted a limited license to try QCom for a reasonable
- evaluation period to determine its' suitability.
-
-
- QCom is USER SUPPORTED. It is not Public Domain and is not free.
- This means, if you decide to use this program, please show your
- support by registering it with the author.
-
-
- To add INCENTIVE, those who register will be shown how to utilize
- the user defineable functions. Users can pre-define other
- external dos functions, or other external protocols, or batch files,
- and access them with a single keystroke. Additionally, they will be
- able to eliminate the "nag" screen when ending QCom.
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- ------------------------------------------------------------------
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- -Page 1-
-
-
-
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
-
- Minimum of one floppy drive, 256K or more memory, and a modem of
- course.
-
-
- INTRODUCTION to QCom:
-
- QCOM is a compact communications program that attempts to pack in
- maximum of function, form and ease of use into a small package. It
- was decided to primarily use external protocols for files transfers
- because there are many available from which to choose. And as the
- technology of protocols progresses, it's a simple matter to keep your
- communication software operating at the current state of the art.
-
- Note: All references to DSZ also apply to GSZ by Omen Technology.
-
- QCOM is tailored to use the shareware program DSZ by Omen Technology
- to handle most file transfers. When a file is to be transferred,
- QCOM passes the proper commandline to DSZ which then handles all the
- work of transferring and error checking. It provides commonly used
- Xmodem, Ymodem and Zmodem transfer methods.
- (QCom can also be set up to use any other external protocol. See the
- section on OTHER EXTERNAL PROTOCOLS.)
-
- When the file transfer is finished, QCOM resumes control.
- NOTE:
- DSZ.COM must be present in the default directory or in the DOS
- path if you wish to transfer files. DSZ or GSZ may be obtained from
- many local online sources.
-
-
- FIRST TIME SETUP AND CONFIGURATION:
-
- Run the QCom Setup utility called QS.EXE. Enter Com Port, screen
- colors and select your modem from the list. Pressing ENTER will
- update the QCom configuration file. Follow any instructions
- relating to modem switches or jumpers.
-
- Run QCOM. Wait a few moments while the modem is being initialized.
- An error message usually means the modem has not been properly
- initialized. Correct modem initialization is critical to all
- operations that involve the modem. If the string from QCom Setup
- is incorrect, please advise the author so that corrections can be
- made.
-
- In the mean time, you may need to refer to your modem instruction
- manual if you still have problems. One way to check initialization
- is to press ALT-M when at the terminal screen to reinitialize the
- modem.
- If you get "ERROR" back from the modem then there is something in the
- string that it doesn't understand. Refer to your modem manual to
- remove any incorrect modem commands from the string. Pressing ALT-O
- when in QCom allows you to edit the modem string contained in the
- configuration file. Also see the Trouble Shooting section that
- follows later.
-
-
- -Page 2-
-
-
- CONFIGURATION Continued...
-
- All configuration data is stored in the text file called QCOM.CFG.
- If you wish, you can edit the file with any ascii editor as long as a
- few rules are adhered to:
-
- a)The sequence and number of items in the file must not be altered.
-
- b)Each line should be no longer than 80 characters. Longer lines
- are truncated to 80 characters.
-
- c)Comments, if used, must be kept behind semicolons.
-
- d)The editor must not insert any hidden formatting or control
- characters into the text. If in doubt about your editor, edit it
- within QCom using ALT-O.
-
- NOTE:
- The "|" character will send a carriage return to the modem. The
- "~" is a half-second pause to allow the modem time to execute the
- commands in the initialization string. Some modems need more time
- than others. The pause is executed by QCom and the modem will not
- actually receive the "~" character.
- Function key definitions are shown in the last ten lines. You can
- configure your own "macros" here. Control codes can be sent with
- the use of the "^" character.
- Example:
- ^[ = an escape character
- ^M = a carriage return
- Refer to any good ASCII chart for others.
-
-
-
- COMMANDLINE PARAMETERS:
-
- In addition to specifying a script, the user can specify an
- alternate configuration file and an alternate phone directory file.
- This allows network users to have CFG and FON files tailored to
- their individual needs.
-
- Switches are:
- /S = load and execute script file
- /C = load alternate configuration file
- /P = load alternate phone directory
-
- Usage is: QCOM [/Sfilename.SCR] [/Cfilename.CFG] [/Pfilename.FON]
-
- Users may use the options in any sequence. The switches (/S,/C,/P)
- must NOT have a space preceding the filename. When the commandline
- options are not used, QCom defaults to QCom.CFG and QCom.FON.
-
- TERMINAL EMULATION:
-
- This version has built-in support for ANSI-BBS and straight TTY.
- Pressing ALT-K will toggle between the two.
-
-
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- -Page 3-
-
-
-
- STATUS LINE EXPLANATION:
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- Alt-Z:Help │SEC │ Host system name Online 05:55:55 │Z│ COM1:2400N8
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
- | |||| | | | | |
- | |||| | | | | |
- Commands |||| | | | | |
- Script on -- ||| | | | | |
- Echo On ----- || | | | | |
- Capture On --- | | | | | |
- Alarm Off ----- | | | | |
- Host name --------------- | | | |
- Carrier status --------------------------- | | |
- Time connected ----------------------------------- | |
- Transfer protocol -------------------------------------- |
- Communication port, baud, parity and databits ------------------
-
-
- FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOLS:
-
- Transfer protocols are what DSZ uses as a method of flow-control and
- error-checking when transferring files. These protocols are
- specified when adding to the Dialing Directory. The Dialing
- Directory is displayed when you press ALT-D.
- The use of ZModem protocol is recommended if the host computer has
- the option available. QCom defaults to ZModem with crash recovery
- and Moby Turbo enabled (z-rm). This can be changed by bringing up
- the configuration screen with ALT-O and editing the default ZModem
- line.
- When selecting XModem protocol, QCom defaults to using the built-in
- XModem instead of DSZ's. This can be changed by editing the
- appropriate line in QCom.CFG (press ALT-O in QCOM).
-
- If it becomes necessary to change your transfer protocol while on-
- line, you can do so by pressing ALT-T. A box will pop up to allow
- you to make the change. The current protocol is displayed in the
- right-hand box on the status line (see STATUS LINE EXPLANATION
- below). It is VERY important that the protocols at the receiving and
- transmitting ends are the same, otherwise DSZ will give a "Time Out"
- error message and abort without transferring anything.
-
- Finding the required information on setting protocols in the DSZ
- documentation can be challenging. QCom gives the user a menu to
- simplify selection and will send the command string that DSZ looks
- for. The following show the protocol commands QCom sends to DSZ.
-
- Protocol: DSZ Command string:
-
- ZModem "z -rm" (Can be changed in QCom.CFG)
- YModem Batch "b -cy"
- YModem-G "b -cgy"
- XModem-CRC "x -cy"
- XModem-1K "x -cky"
- XModem-1K-G "x -cgy"
-
-
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- -Page 4-
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- FILE TRANSFER CONTINUED...
-
- The command that QCom gives to DSZ is the port and CONNECT baud rate
- currently in use, followed by an "s" or an "r" (depending on whether
- the file is being sent or received) and the protocol string as in the
- above examples.
-
- TIP: Other options can be added by using SET DSZOPT=options in the
- autoexec.bat file. See the DSZ docs for options.
-
- The download path is added to the end of the commandline when
- downloading. An unregistered copy of DSZ will ignore download paths.
- The upload path precedes the filename specified by the user when the
- upload command is issued.
-
- TIP: If you upload files from different sub directories, keep the
- default upload path blank in the QCom.CFG file. When prompted for
- the file to upload, enter the path and filename together
- (Eg. C:\QCOM\QCOM.ZIP").
-
- Another tip: Put the line "SET DSZLOG=C:\QCOM\QCOM.LOG" in your
- Autoexec.bat file and DSZ will keep a log of your file transfers in
- QCOM.LOG (This assumes that you have installed QCom on drive C: in a
- subdirectory \QCOM. You may change the path and log filename as you
- wish.).
- File transfers may be aborted with ESC followed by several CTRL-
- BREAK's.
-
- OTHER EXTERNAL PROTOCOLS:
-
- QCom can be set up to use most external protocols. Non-registered
- uses can jump to Dos (ALT-J) and manually execute the external prot-
- ocol. Registered users will be shown how to pass parameters to the
- external protocols and execute them with a single keystroke.
- Note: An unregistered copy of QCom is not "crippled". The instruct-
- ions for using this feature of QCom are provided to all those who
- register.
-
- SCREEN COLORS:
-
- Screen colors can be changed by modifying values given in the
- configuration file QCom.CFG. The easiest way is to use QS.EXE, the
- QCom Setup program.
-
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- -Page 5-
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- VARIOUS FUNCTIONS:
-
- ALT-A:
- Toggles the sound functions on or off.
- ALT-B:
- Allows the user to scroll back up to 500 lines of received data.
- Search capabilities are provided for finding particular text and
- the whole buffer can be written to disk using the Save command,
- "S" (the filename defaults to "QComBuff.Txt") or erase the buffer
- with "E". "Q" is for quoting previously received text. When "Q" is
- pressed another menu of choices is presented and one line of text
- will be highlighted. This highlighted line can be moved through
- the buffer with the cursor keys, Home, End, PgUp, or PgDn. Lines
- can be tagged or untagged by pressing "T" or the SPACE bar. Once
- text is selected, it can be save to disk with "F" or immediately
- sent to the host with "S". This last feature allows you to quote
- lines from a message and return them to the host's editor when
- answering that message online. "U" will untag all tagged lines
- as will sending or filing.
- ALT-C:
- Communication parameters can be modified here. These changes
- are in effect until changed again or until QCom ends.
- Com Port must be set in QCOm.CFG. Port changes will not take
- effect unless QCom is restarted.
- ALT-D:
- Displays the dialing directory. Use the arrow keys to select
- a number and ENTER to dial that number. Other keys that are
- PGUP, PGDN, HOME and END. HOT TIP: Pressing ALT and a letter
- will put the cursor on the first line beginning with that
- letter.
- Add a new entry with "A" or edit an existing one with "E". To
- delete an entry press "D". You can dial the phone with a
- manually entered number using "M".
- Phone entries can be tagged or untagged with the Space bar.
- This will cause QCom to continuously dial all tagged numbers
- until a connection is made. Dialing of tagged numbers will
- commence when the Enter key is pressed. Once a connection is
- made and broken you will be returned to the Dialing Directory.
- Continuous dialing will resume where it left off if Enter is
- pressed again.
- ALT-E:
- Toggles local echo on or off. This is used when the host does
- not echo back the characters that you enter. An "E" is
- displayed in the left-hand box on the status line when local
- echo is on.
- ALT-G:
- Toggles output to printer on and off. Allows all incoming text to
- be sent to the printer. Make sure the printer is online.
- ALT-H:
- Sends the hang-up string to the modem and toggles DTR.
- ALT-I:
- Will save the current screen image to a text file as specified
- in the QCom.CFG file. Default filename is QCOM.SCN which can
- be changed by editing the QCom.CFG file (use ALT-O).
-
-
-
- -Page 6-
-
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-
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- VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Continued...
-
- ALT-J:
- Allows shelling out to DOS without ending QCOM. External
- programs can be executed while on-line. The user could make
- use of other external file transfer protocols here if desired.
- Though there is a better way. See registration section.
- ALT-K:
- Toggles between ANSI and TTY terminal emulation.
- ALT-L:
- Toggles the "capture" function. If on, all incoming text will
- be saved in a file named as specified in the QCom.CFG file.
- Default is QCOM.CAP. IF the file does not exist in the
- default directory, it will be created. Otherwise data is
- appended to an existing capture file. A "C" is displayed in
- the left-hand box on the status line when capture is on.
- ALT-M:
- Sends the modem initialization string to the modem. This
- string is automatically sent upon start-up (providing no
- carrier is present).
- ALT-N:
- Split-screen separates incoming and outgoing keystrokes
- during a "chat" session.
- ALT-O:
- Brings up the QCOM.CFG file to the screen for editing.
- Press F10 to save the file and to set the Communication
- parameters as shown in the file. Esc exits and makes no
- changes.
- If it were necessary to change baud or any other Communication
- parameter while online, use ALT-O to edit and F10 to set
- parameters. Changing the port specified here will have no
- effect unless QCom is restarted.
- ALT-P:
- Sends the current password from an entry of the Dialing
- directory when you have dialed and connected to that entry.
- ALT-Q:
- Load and execute a script.
- ALT-R:
- Re-dials the last phone number dialed when no entries are
- "Tagged", or if entries are "Tagged", it will continue dialing
- those.
- ALT-S:
- Toggles the Script Save function. See the Script section for
- more information on making and using scripts.
- ALT-T:
- Allows changing of the transfer protocol currently in effect.
- This can be done while on-line.
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- -Page 7-
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- VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Continued...
-
- ALT-V:
- Allows the use of an external editor or file viewer. The
- editor (or file viewer) of choice is defined in the
- configuration file.
- ALT-U:
- Will send a pure ascii text file to the host with no error-
- checking. Ascii transfer is used to send a text file to the
- host PC. For example, you might use it when sending a message
- to an electronic mail service. Instead of editing the message
- on-line, you can prepare your message in advance. Once on-
- line, go into the message editing screen on the host and then
- use ALT-U to upload your file.
- ALT-W:
- Wipes the screen clear.
- ALT-X:
- Ends QCOM.
- ALT-Y:
- QCom becomes the host computer. It will wait for any incoming
- phone calls until ESC is pressed. When a call is received, QCom
- will answer the phone. QCom sends the contents of QCOMHOST.MSG
- to the caller's PC. You can edit this file to suit your own
- needs using an ANSI "editor" like TheDraw.
-
- After this message file is sent, the caller is shown the
- following menu:
-
- "(H)elp (A)rea (F)iles (C)hat (U)pload (D)ownLoad (P)rotocol (G)oodbye"
-
- The caller can select one of the choices or the Host can enter
- selections.
- "Help" sends a brief help screen to the user.
- "Area" allows the user to change to a different subdirectory.
- "Files" allows the user to list specified files in that
- subdirctory.
- "Chat" will allow a dialogue between each PC. To end Chat
- and return to the menu, the Host must press ESC.
- "Upload" will send a file to the Host using DSZ ZModem.
- "Download" will send a file to the caller in a similar manner.
- If the caller specifies the correct path and filename, he will
- be able to download a file from anywhere on the Host system.
- "Proto" will allow the caller to select XModem, YModem or
- ZModem protocols when transferring files.
- "Goodbye" will terminate the connection.
- As Host, you can also terminate the call by pressing ALT-H to
- hangup. QCom will then wait for the next caller. ALT-X will
- also terminate the call and in addition, end QCom.
- A local Host mode test is available: Press ENTER when waiting
- for incoming calls. This allows preparation and preview of
- your own host welcome messages or help screens.
-
-
-
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- -Page 8-
-
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- VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Continued...
-
- PGUP:
- Uploads (sends) a file to the other system. You will be
- prompted to enter a filename to upload. The file can be
- preceded by a path only if NO upload path is specified in
- QCOM.CFG. If the host supports batch uploads then you can
- take advantage of DSZ's capabilities; when prompted for a file
- to upload enter the name of a file containing a list of the
- files you wish to upload. Precede the filename with an "@" .
- Example: "@files.lst". Or you can use QCom to create a list
- file for you. When prompted for a file to upload press ENTER
- with any global file specification (*.* or *.zip). You will
- be shown a box containing filenames based on that specification.
- From here simply use the cursor keys to select a files and Mark
- them with "M". When finished marking press ENTER and QCom will
- create "Files.LST" and pass that to DSZ for you.
- PGDN:
- Downloads (receives) a file from the host computer. If XModem
- or YModem are the protocols in effect, you'll be prompted to
- enter the filename to receive. QCom tries to guess the
- filename based on recently entered text and places its' guess
- at the prompt.
- If ZModem is in effect, entry of filenames is not required and
- in fact, pressing PGDN is not required because QCom will call
- DSZ automatically when it receives the Zmodem Receive string.
- ALT-=:
- Toggles "Doorway" mode. This removes the status line when in
- Doorway mode and gives full screen display for using remote
- applications.
- Allows you to make full use of all keys while online. All
- Alt-key combinations except ALT-= are sent out and their usual
- functions are disabled in this mode. For example, PgUp,
- PgDn, Home, End and the cursor key codes are transmitted. You
- might make use of this when using a full-screen editor while
- online or when using your PC as a dumb terminal on a non-DOS
- system such as Unix. Status line and all key functions are
- restored when Doorway mode is turned off.
- ALT-Minus:
- Enables/disables debugging during script execution. Status
- line displays the next line of text which QCom is looking for.
- Ctrl-END
- Sends Break signal to host. Used for terminating some mainframe
- connections.
- F1-F10:
- Sends the text as listed in the last ten lines of QCom.CFG.
- You can put your name, password, special key codes or whatever
- you wish here. 80 characters max on each line.
- Ctrl-F1
- Displays the "Function Key Macros" as they appear in QCom.CFG.
- Ctrl-F2
- Displays the "Alt Key Macros" for registered users.
-
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- -Page 9-
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- SCRIPTS:
- Scripts are used for automating repetitive tasks such as dialing,
- logging in to an online service, and transferring files or electronic
- mail. A script is generally made up of a series of commands for QCom
- to execute at the appropriate time. The script can tell QCom to send
- text to the host or it can make QCom execute one of its' internal
- functions.
-
- MAKING A SCRIPT:
- QCom has a built-in Script-save feature to simplify the creation of
- scripts. To create a typical login script you would do the following:
-
- 1. From the Dialing Directory dial the number.
- 2. When the host answers and immediately after the Dialing box
- clears, press Alt-S to start the script saver. It will prompt you
- to enter the name of your script. If, for example, you're calling
- CompuServe, you could name it CIS.SCR.
- 3. QCom will save each line of incoming text which prompts you for
- input. For example the host may prompt you...
- ENTER YOUR FULL NAME :
- To which you respond by typing in your name and pressing ENTER
- when the name is complete. Always type entries in, don't use
- Function key macros when saving a script. If/when prompted to
- press "ANY" key always press ENTER. QCom will store the host's
- prompt, and the text you have entered in the script.
- (Also Note: BBS software that has "HotKey" menu choices where the
- user is not required to press ENTER after selecting a letter is
- great BUT... when it comes to saving a script QCom will NOT save
- the line unless you press ENTER. So when saving a script turn off
- the Hotkey feature at the BBS end.)
- 4. QCom will also store any commands you give it such as ALT-L
- to turn on the capture function.
- 5. When you wish to stop saving a script press Alt-S again.
- 6. To have this new script execute when you call this number again,
- add the name of your script into that entry in the Dialing
- Directory. The next time you dial that number the script will be
- loaded and executed.
-
- Sample script :
- put a message on screen
- ;ECHO ^M This is the start of my script! ^M
-
- let's capture the session to file.txt
- ;a-L file.txt
-
- Do you want graphics (Enter)=no;^M
- What is your full name?;John Doe^M
-
- sends password from the Directory entry we just dialed
- Password (Dots will echo)?;a-P
- Scan Message Base Since 'Last Read' (Enter)=yes;^M
- Press (Enter) to continue;^M
-
- receiving (downloading) a file
- min. left) Main Board Command?;d^M
- Filename to Download (Enter)=none?;file.arc^M
-
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-