The CIA World Factbook 1992

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RCOMM - Resident Communications Version 1.0 Copyright (c) 1986, 1987 by Thomas Duller, All rights reserved. Table of Contents Features............................................... 1 Files Required......................................... 2 Getting Started........................................ 3 Functions.............................................. 4 Hotkey Explanation..................................... 6 Technical Notes........................................ 7 Disclaimer............................................. 8 Program Messages....................................... 9 Other Stuff............................................10 RCOMM - Resident Communications Version 1.0 Page 1 Copyright (c) 1986, 1987 by Thomas Duller, All rights reserved. This document relevant to release 1.0 Did you ever put off writing a letter or balancing your checkbook or doing a spreadsheet because you wanted to download a file from your favorite BBS? Me too. So I wrote this program and now you can do BOTH! With RCOMM you can do memory resident uploads and downloads while you do whatever you ought to be doing instead in the foreground. Features include: * Hayes or Novation Autocat modem dial commands. (I use an Autocat so I left my dial routines in.) * Memory resident XMODEM (checksum or crc) and YMODEM batch upload. * Memory resident XMODEM (checksum or crc) and YMODEM batch download. * Memory resident XMODEM (checksum) autodownload as made popular by - EXEC-PC Multi-user BBS Milwaukee, Wi. (414) 964-5160, - RYBBS, - and soon to be released (as I understand) as an extension to RBBS. * Pop-up terminal mode. * PC-TALK compatible dialing directory. * Not copy protected. * Shareware. Try it out before you buy it. RCOMM - Resident Communications Version 1.0 Page 2 Copyright (c) 1986, 1987 by Thomas Duller, All rights reserved. The following files and programs are required to run RCOMM. 1. RCOMM.COM - This is the main program. 2. RCONFIG.EXE - Use this program to define certain default values. These values include such things as: a. Default baud rate, parity, etc. b. Comm port. c. Screen colors. These are defined using the standard numbers defined by DOS and BASIC. They are: 0 = Black, 1 = Blue, 2 = Green, 3 = Cyan, 4 = Red, 5 = Magenta, 6 = Brown, 7 = Light gray, 8 = Dark Gray, 9 = Light blue, A = Light green, B = Light cyan, C = Light red, D = Light magenta, E = Yellow, F = White. d. Modem initialization string. e. Other miscellaneous stuff like whether sound should be on or off, default path names for the configuration and dialing files, and default autodownload path. This program creates a file called RCOMM.DAT which must reside in the same directory as RCOMM.COM. I have included an RCOMM.DAT on the distribution disk which will at least let you get started. You should really create your own configuration before doing too much though. 3. RMAINT.EXE - This program is to be used for maintaining your dialing directory. The dialing directory file is PC-TALK compatible, and in fact is called PC-TALK.DIR. You may keep your dialing directory on any disk or directory. The RCOMM.DAT file has an entry containing the pathname of this file. 4. RCOMM.DAT - As I mentioned above, this file is created by RCONFIG.EXE. I have included a default file containing the following data. For 2 floppy systems: a. Hayes modem. b. 1200 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, uses COM1 port. c. Path for autodownload and Ymodem batch drive b:, no path. d. No modem initialization string. e. PC-TALK.DIR resides on drive a:. f. Screen color is white on black. For hard disk systems: a. Hayes modem. b. 1200 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, uses COM1 port. c. Path for autodownload and Ymodem batch c:\download d. No modem initialization string. e. PC-TALK.DIR resides on c:\rcomm. f. Screen color is white on black. 5. PC-TALK.DIR - I have included a PC-TALK.DIR just to get you started. If you currently use PC-TALK, you should replace this file with your own. RCOMM - Resident Communications Version 1.0 Page 3 Copyright (c) 1986, 1987 by Thomas Duller, All rights reserved. Getting started. ******************************************************************************* 1. Your "CONFIG.SYS" file should contain extra files and buffers. I suggest: "FILES=25" and "BUFFERS=25". This should be done because when RCOMM has disk files open in the background there may not be enough file handles left for foreground tasks. ******************************************************************************* 2. If you have a two floppy system, insert the floppy containing the original RCOMM files in drive a: and a blank formatted floppy in drive b:. Enter "A:INSTALLF" and RCOMM will be installed on drive b:. You may want to run RCONFIG.EXE to change some default parameters first but it is not required. 3. If you have a hard disk system, insert the floppy containing the original RCOMM files in drive a: and enter "A:INSTALLH". This procedure will create a sub-directory named "RCOMM" for the program files and another sub-directory named "DOWNLOAD". You can run RCOMM right away from the "RCOMM" directory. If you downloaded RCOMM right to your hard disk just enter "INSTALLH" and it'll figure out what to do. 4. Run RCOMM.COM and give your favorite BBS a buzz. RCOMM - Resident Communications Version 1.0 Page 4 Copyright (c) 1986, 1987 by Thomas Duller, All rights reserved. Terminal Function Keys: <alt>-C - Clears the screen. <alt>-D - Dial phone. The directory will be displayed on the screen. You may then select an entry to be dialed. If you have call waiting, you will be given the option to disable it. The string used to do this is "*70" for touch tone or "1170" for pulse. This seems to be the standard method. If dialing from the directory, the modem will be set up based on the directory. Otherwise the default settings will be used. <alt>-H - Hang up phone. <alt>-Q - Quick dial phone. If you already know the record number of the entry you want to dial you can use this function to bypass the directory display. <alt>-R - Receive a file. You will be prompted for what protocol to use. The following protocols are available. 1. XMODEM checksum. This is the most commonly used protocol. It consists of 128 byte blocks followed by a checksum character. 2. XMODEM CRC. This is almost identical to XMODEM checksum except that each 128 byte block is followed by a 2 byte crc code. 3. YMODEM (batch). This is basically XMODEM CRC with 1k blocks. You may download more than one file at a time. The sending system sends the filename in the first block of each file. (Actually it sends a block number zero). If you selected protocol 1 or 2 you will be prompted for a filename. Enter FULL FILENAME including DRIVE, PATH and FILENAME. If you only enter a filename and then change drives while the download is in process the result will not be a very pleasant sight. Likewise if you remove the disk you are downloading to. As soon as the initial handshaking is completed RCOMM will begin displaying a status screen. To continue downloading in the background, just exit using the "ALT-X" function. When the download is complete, RCOMM will emit a fairly high pitched "beep" to let you know it is done. If downloading multiple files, there will be a "beep" after each file. RCOMM - Resident Communications Version 1.0 Page 5 Copyright (c) 1986, 1987 by Thomas Duller, All rights reserved. If you select YMODEM, or autodownload, the filename will be taken from the sending system. If you have specified a drive and pathname in the autodownload section of your config file, the filename will be appended to them. If not, the files will be placed into the current drive/directory. <alt>-T - Transmit a file. You will be prompted for what protocol to use. The following protocols are available. 1. XMODEM checksum. This is the most commonly used protocol. It consists of 128 byte blocks followed by a checksum character. 2. XMODEM CRC. This is almost identical to XMODEM checksum except that each 128 byte block is followed by a 2 byte crc code. 3. YMODEM (batch). This is basically XMODEM CRC with 1k blocks. Wildcards are allowed if you want to send multiple files. You will then be prompted for a path/filename. Enter FULL FILENAME including DRIVE, PATH, and FILENAME. See <alt>R for the importance of entering all of this data. Like <alt>R, this function also performs the file transfer in the back- ground. When the upload is complete, RCOMM will emit a fairly high pitched "beep" to let you know it is done. <alt>-X - Exits to DOS. RCOMM will remain resident in memory. RCOMM - Resident Communications Version 1.0 Page 6 Copyright (c) 1986, 1987 by Thomas Duller, All rights reserved. Re-activating RCOMM: Once RCOMM has been made resident you may re-activate it by hold- ing the <right-shift> and <ctrl> keys down simultaneously. Whatever application you are running in the foreground will be saved and RCOMM will pop in. If there is a file transfer in progress RCOMM will display the file name and buffer number, otherwise you will get the Ready... screen. When you are ready to "pop back out" to your foreground task use the "<alt>-X" function. At this point, the foreground application will be reinstated. RCOMM - Resident Communications Version 1.0 Page 7 Copyright (c) 1986, 1987 by Thomas Duller, All rights reserved. Technical notes: RCOMM has been tested as thoroughly as possible by the author and a few beta testers. The first few versions "blowed up real good" under certain circumstances. These bugs have all been dealt with. One of my beta testers has a consistent problem bringing Framework up. This has been tried on several machines and only happens on his. Framework comes up alright but RCOMM is dead. RCOMM has run successfully along with most major software packages, including other datacomm products on another port. If you encounter any incompatibility please notify me and I will try to resolve it in future releases. ------ ==== NOTE ON HAYES MODEMS ==== You should set switch 6 to the UP position on your hayes modem. RCOMM checks the carrier detect line to see if the phone has been answered. ------ RCOMM uses the following interrupt vectors: 08h - Raw timer 21h - DOS function 28h - DOS idle 63h - User defined. RCOMM is a "well behaved" program. When it is finished with an interrupt, it passes control back to the previous owner. RCOMM should get along well with any foreground program as well as any other "well behaved" TSR's. RCOMM - Resident Communications Version 1.0 Page 8 Copyright (c) 1986, 1987 by Thomas Duller, All rights reserved. These programs are provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a par- ticular purpose. The entire risk as to quality and performance of these programs is with you. Should the programs prove defective, you assume the entire cost of all necessary repair, servicing, or correction. In no event will the author be liable to you for any damages, including any lost profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of, or inability to use this program. If you use this program and find it to be of value, your contribution would be appreciated. $25.00 is suggested. In any case these programs may be freely distributed as long as: 1. The copyright notices are not bypassed or altered. 2. All files and programs are included. For release 1.0 this includes: RCOMM.COM RCONFIG.EXE RMAINT.EXE RCOMM.DOC RCOMM.DAF RCOMM.DAH INSTALLF.BAT INSTALLH.BAT PC-TALK.DIR READ.ME 3. No fee is charged for use, copying, or distribution. (User groups and clubs may charge a reasonable fee for expenses and handling.) Send contributions to: Thomas Duller P. O. Box 27095 Milwaukee, WI. 53227 Please include a note telling me where you received RCOMM and what you would like to see in future releases. Requests for enhancements will all be taken seriously, but keep in mind, I just do this for fun. There will be future releases, but only when I get around to it. This initial release was about two years in the making. Hopefully, now that the hard part is done, the upgrades will come quicker. Since I'm new to the Shareware biz I haven't decided how to distribute upgrades, but I reserve the right to charge a minor upgrade fee for postage and handling and whatever. Probably $5.00 or so. You may also contact me though EXEC-PC Multi-user BBS (414)-964-5160 (user name "Tom Duller"). RCOMM - Resident Communications Version 1.0 Page 9 Copyright (c) 1986, 1987 by Thomas Duller, All rights reserved. Most messages displayed by RCOMM are self explanatory, there are a few that bear further explanation. Message: RCOMM already resident - use <right shift>/<ctrl> to activate. Reason: You are trying to start RCOMM and it has already been installed. Action: Use the <right shift>/<ctrl> hotkey to pop it up. Message: File RCOMM.DAT not found on current drive or directory. Run RCONFIG.EXE to create. Reason: When loading, RCOMM couldn't find it's default file. Action: Either load RCOMM.DAT to the current drive/path or run RCONFIG.EXE to set defaults. Message: Dialing directory file not found on specified path. You may dial manually. Reason: The phone directory isn't where RCOMM.DAT says it should be. Action: Either 1. Exit and copy it to where it should be or 2. Enter the number by hand. Message: Enter path/filename : Reason: You are going to up/download a file using a non-batch protocol. Action: While this may seem to be a simple enough question, keep in mind that you *must* enter drive,path,*and* filename. The reason for this is explained in detail on page 4 under the <alt-r> command. RCOMM - Resident Communications Version 1.0 Page 10 Copyright (c) 1986, 1987 by Thomas Duller, All rights reserved. You may notice that background uploading with any protocol seems a little slow. The reason for this is that a happy medium must be struck between the upload and the foreground application. If the upload was to go full blast the foreground task would be hopelessly sluggish. The result is that a 1200 baud upload really goes at about 800 baud when in the background. If RCOMM is in the foreground uploading goes at full speed. The slow background upload could be considered a nice feature when uploading to BBS's which give credit for upload time (grin). Downloads run at the same speed whether background or foreground because in- coming characters are buffered and handled in large chunks. There is another feature which I didn't put in the regular documentation be- cause it's a little risky. Ymodem-G batch is also supported. When beginning a transfer you can use it by hitting "4" at the protocol prompt. It's not one of the listed options, but it works. In the foreground, there are no problems at all. In the background, uploading works fine, but if you try to use Ymodem-G for background downloading there is a VERY good chance that the datacomm buffer will overflow and your computer will lock up. Use it if you want to, but don't complain to me when you have to boot out of it.