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Text File | 1992-10-03 | 14.3 KB | 313 lines

═╦═ ╦ ╦ ╔═╗ ╔═╗ ╔═╗ ╔═╗ ═╦═ ╔╦╗ ╔═╗ ═╦═ ╔═╗ ═╦═ ╔═╗ ╔═╗ ║ ╠═╣ ╠═ ╠═╝ ║ ║ ╠╦╝ ║ ║║║ ╠═ ║ ╚═╗ ║ ╠═ ╠╦╝ ╩ ╩ ╩ ╚══ ╩ ╚═╝ ╩╚═ ╩ ╩ ╩ ╚══ ═╩═ ╚═╝ ╩ ╚══ ╩╚═ Fast Port Lock and Unlock Utility for Spitfire The PortMeister 1.01 October 3, 1992 Copyright (C) 1992 Mike Robinson The Soft Parade Shelton, Connecticut, USA 203-924-5603 The Portmeister is a PC communications port lock and unlock utility designed for use on a Spitfire BBS. It adjusts the computer-to-modem (DTE/DCE) data communications speed on the fly. It does not alter the modem-to-modem link speed. It works well with the US Robotics Dual Standard modem, including the new 16800 HST model. It may also work with other modems which use the Hayes AT command set, but this has not yet been tested. The PortMeister can handle the new high speed result codes returned by some modems such as CONNECT 12000, CONNECT 14400, CONNECT 16800. The high speed result codes can be suppressed on newer US Robotics Dual Standards by setting S27=128. The PortMeister does NOT require this setting. It will work fine as long as the word "CONNECT" appears anywhere in the result code. On my BBS, I like to see the high speed result codes, so I use the default S27=0. Download time estimates are more accurate when the correct connect speed is passed to Spitfire. Many BBSs run with what is sometimes called a "locked" comm port. This means the comm port is set to a fixed speed, usually either 19200 bps or 38400 bps. This is fine for most operations, but there are some doors (external programs) which will not operate properly at such high speeds. These are usually older programs that are limited to a maximum speed of 9600 bps. One possible solution would be to run the BBS full time at the slower speed. But this slows the entire BBS down. A better solution for many is to change the port speed on the fly as required. *** SETUP *** The PortMeister requires these modem settings: 1. The escape code response must be set to NOT DROP CARRIER when the modem goes to command mode. On a US Robotics Dual Standard this is done by setting DIP SWITCH 9 DOWN. 2. The modem must return the word "CONNECT" somewhere in the result code. Most modems using the Hayes AT command will do this when set to any one of the following: X0, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7. See also Q0 and V1 below. These are also required. 3. The modem must also have the following command settings which are usually the same as those used by Spitfire. Note that the actual command may be different if you are not using a USR Dual Standard. But the command function and effect must be the same. &B1 Fixed DTE Rate. A fixed DTE Rate (port speed) must be set. Since this is a modem command, the computer port speed can still be changed and the modem made to follow the DTE rate. The PortMeister will not work correctly for link rates higher than 9600 bps if the port speed is set to follow the link rate. Q0 Result Codes Displayed. (With a US Robotics Dual Standard this can also be done by setting DIP switch 3 down.) V1 Verbal Result Codes. (With a US Robotics Dual Standard this can also be done by setting DIP switch 2 up.) S2=1 Escape character is ASCII character number 1. (smiley face) This is the same escape code as used by Spitfire. In it's simplest form, The PortMeister is copied to the Spitfire home directory and executed in a batch file like this: PMEISTER UNLOCK SFMNUEXT ( SFMNUEXT shown, but any program can be run here. ) PMEISTER LOCK This is the way I run it on my BBS. For most people, this will be all that is required. It's that simple. The PortMeister will search the current directory and find the data file SFDOORS.DAT, SFFILE.DAT, SFMAIN.DAT or SFMESS.DAT. But if you like to get complicated about things, there are more options. You can execute it from any directory and specify the path and name of the data file like this: PMEISTER UNLOCK C:\SF\SFDOORS.DAT SFMNUEXT PMEISTER LOCK C:\SF\SFDOORS.DAT And if you really want get fancy, you can do this: PMEISTER UNLOCK C:\SF\SFDOORS.DAT C:\SF\PMEISTER.CFG SFMNUEXT PMEISTER LOCK C:\SF\SFDOORS.DAT C:\SF\PMEISTER.CFG In this case, you are specifying the path to the configuration file too. The configuration file is OPTIONAL. The PortMeister will run fine without it. It is only required if you want to change the timing of the commands to the modem or you want to change the escape character used. If the path and name to the configuration file is not specified, then it will search the current directory for PMEISTER.CFG. If the config file is not found, then the default configuration values will be used. *** OPTIONAL CONFIGURATION FILE *** The PortMeister reads each line in this file. If the line begins with a keyword then the configuration is modified according to the information that follows the keyword. If a line begins with anything other than a letter, it is ignored. The order of the lines is not important. The keywords are NOT case sensitive, but they must be spelled correctly. EscapeChar 1 ; This defines command mode escape character sent to the modem. ; I doubt you will ever have to change this since Spitfire requires ; that the escape character be ASCII character 1 (smiley face). ; The default is 1. PreTics 27 ; This is the pause in clock tics BEFORE the command mode escape code ; is sent to the modem. There are approximately 18 clock tics in 1 ; second. This setting is critical to proper operation. Most modems ; require at least a one second pause with no data before sending ; the command mode escape code. ; The default is 27 tics (which equals 1.5 seconds) ; This seems to work best here. Experiment if you like, but be ; careful. There is a wide variation of responses. If a certain ; timing works for a 9600 bps caller, it may not work for a 1200. PostTics 18 ; This is the pause in clock tics AFTER the command mode escape code ; is sent to the modem. Most modems require at least a one second ; pause with no data after sending the command mode escape code. ; The default is 18 tics (which equals 1 second) *** HOW IT WORKS *** 1. The PortMeister is executed in unlock mode. It reads the caller's connect speed on line 5 of SFDOORS.DAT, SFFILE.DAT, SFMAIN.DAT or SFMESS.DAT. It unlocks and sets the port to this speed. If the connect speed is higher than 9600 bps, then the port speed will be set to 9600. It then modifies and saves SFDOORS.DAT (or equivalent) with both the connect speed (line 5) and maximum speed (line 20) set to the new lower port speed. It saves the original values in a temporary file named PMEISTER.DAT. 2. The door or external program is then run. This is often an extended menu type of program such as SFMNUEXT or SFEXTEND. 3. The PortMeister is executed in lock mode. It reads and then erases PMEISTER.DAT. It then restores the port and SFDOORS.DAT (or equivalent) to their original settings. *** REGISTRATION *** This is SHAREWARE. You may use this program for a free 30 day trial period. After that, you must register it or stop using it. You may give away free copies of this entire unmodified package, but you may not sell it. I retain all rights to this program. In the registered version the * EVALUATION COPY * message on the logo is replaced by your name. Registration is $10 (TEN) dollars in US funds. Personal check, bank check or money orders are acceptable. Registered Sysops are entitled to free program support, free upgrades to all future versions, and free access to all files and features on my BBS. Support is available from me on my BBS, in CircuitNet and in FidoNet. Suggestions for future improvements from registered Sysops will receive careful consideration. In order to register the program, you will have to call my BBS and download your personal registration key and instruction file. This key will work for all future versions, so there will be no need to download any specially compiled versions of the executable program itself. If you do not yet have access to my BBS, please be sure to send along a password and birthdate with your registration. Then I can set up your logon account in advance. Please be sure to specify your name exactly as you would like them to appear on the logo. ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- The PortMeister 1.01 REGISTRATION FORM Your Name: (40 characters maximum) BBS Name: BBS Phone Number: Password to use on Mike Robinson's BBS: (14 characters maximum) BirthDate to use on Mike Robinson's BBS: (mm-dd-yy) Your Address: Send this form and $10 (TEN) dollars in US funds to: Michael Robinson 9 Richard Boulevard Shelton, CT. 06484 Personal check, bank check or money orders are acceptable. ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- InterNet address: Mike.Robinson@485.n141.z1.fidonet.org ╔═══════════════════╗ ╔══════════════════════╗ ╔═══════════════════╗ ║ The Soft Parade ║ ║ Sysop: Mike Robinson ║ ║ 1200 to 16800 bps ║ ║ Shelton, CT. USA ║ ║ Spitfire version 3.2 ║ ║ HST V.32bis ║ ║ 203-924-5603 ║ ║ Open 24 hours 7 days ║ ║ MNP 5 V.42bis ║ ║ FidoNet 1:141/485 ║ ║ CircuitNet 203004 ║ ║ USR Dual Standard ║ ╚═══════════════════╝ ╚══════════════════════╝ ╚═══════════════════╝ Latest version of The PortMeister may be File Requested (freq'ed) by any Fido compatible mailer 24 hours a day using the magic name: PMEISTER 24 hour crash mail & file requests of any file listed in FILES. Magic Names: PMEISTER SFROM EZROM CATCHEM RATIO FILES File Name: pmeister.exe Size: 35,329 Date: 10-3-1992 File Authentication: Check Method 1 - D844 Check Method 2 - 032E PKZIP archive security notice for this archive should read: Authentic files Verified! # FEZ251 MICHAEL N. ROBINSON Legal Stuff: Use this program at your own risk. No guarantees of any sort. "Spitfire" is a registered trademark of Buffalo Creek Software. The PortMeister Revision History Version 1.00 - Sep 8, 1992 - Initial Public Release Version 1.01 - Oct 3, 1992 - Documentation changes and elaborations. Fixed bug reading timing delays from PMEISTER.CFG. ******************************************************************** OTHER PROGRAMS BY MIKE ROBINSON: SFROM120.ZIP 75,909 03-07-93 SF-Rom 1.20 Spitfire CD-ROM Door SF-Rom Door is a file access and download door designed for use on Spitfire 3.x BBS. Files may be located on CD-ROM disk(s), magnetic disk(s), or both. It provides browsing, text search and download capabilities from within the door. It can even track the number of files/bytes downloaded, enforce daily limits, and then record this information in the main Spitfire database. The door can be run online, locally in the BBS, and locally from the DOS command line. Up to 100 CD-ROM disks are supported with up to 500 file areas on each disk. Shareware with $20 registration. EZROM120.ZIP 79,877 05-31-93 EZ-Rom 1.20 CD-ROM Download Door. For Wildcat or any DOOR.SYS BBS. EZ-Rom Door is a file access and download door designed for use on Wildcat 3.x BBS or any BBS that can create a DOOR.SYS file. Files may be located on CD-ROM disk(s), magnetic disk(s), or both. It provides browsing, text search and download capabilities from within the door. It can even track the number of files/bytes downloaded, enforce daily limits, and then record this information in the main Wildcat database. The door can be run online, locally in the BBS, and locally from the DOS command line. Up to 100 CD-ROM disks are supported with up to 500 file areas on each disk. Shareware with $20 registration. FidoNet file request EZROM for latest version. SFCAT20.ZIP 37,127 01-19-92 Catchem 2.0, View/Sort User Lists Catchem 2.0 is a Spitfire 3.x utility to display sorted user list files. The idea is to display this information so that you can easily observe patterns and weed out duplicate or bogus users. Even though a birth date, phone number or password may not be exactly the same for 2 users, they may be close enough to arouse suspicion. Free Program. FidoNet file request CATCHEM for latest version. RATIO101.ZIP 20,223 05-28-93 Ratio 1.01 Upload Ratio Bulletin RATIO 1.01 is a Spitfire 3.x BBS utility program that makes a nice color/ascii bulletin of the 36 callers with the worst file download/upload ratio. Free Program. FidoNet file request RATIO for latest version.