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README.1ST
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1996-09-15
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Before you use QuickStar FAX Pro V1.07 for the first time...
QuickStar FAX Pro is a MS-DOS shareware program which allows you to
send plain text faxes from the DOS command line of your PC computer, using
a Class 1 or Class 2 fax/modem in your PC computer that's connected to a
telephone line. QFAX can be used manually to send faxes. Or it can be called
from a batch file or from your own program repeatedly to send out many faxes
to multiple fax receivers. If you are too busy to read through the whole
readme.1st file, please press PageDown now and go directly to the end of
this file. There is a QUICK START UP GUIDE for QFAX at the end. QFAX is
developed by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP)
and is distributed as a shareware program. For contact information of ASP,
the official ASP OMBUDSMAN's statement and the concept of shareware please
read the register.txt file.
QFAX sends text fax VERY FAST! A regular 12 full pages text file can be
transmitted within 4 minutes at 14400 bps modem speed! That is MUCH FASTER
than what most other fax programs can do! Certainly fax speed depends on the
capability of both fax devices. But QFAX achieves the best possible fax speed
under the same fax conditions and helps you to reduce long distance telephone
bill if you need to send fax from time to time!
QFAX is very easy to use, too. To send a quick fax all you need to type
in is something like this:
qfax myfile.txt 1-800-555-1212
Or you can write your own computer program to invoke the above MS-DOS
command to send multiple faxes out. By doing so you can send a batch of one
hundred or even one thousand faxes easily using one command, and without the
need of an operator to sit in front of the computer screen! A very simple C
program called manyfax.c as well as the compiled executable is included to
demonstrate how you can write your own fax application making use of QFAX.
BUT! Before you use QFAX for the first time you need to check the following:
0. Can QFAX be used on your computer?
The system requirements of QFAX are: 8086 or above IBM-PC compatible
computers, including HP palmtop computers. (For HP palmtop There is a
separate version specifically written for HP palmtop. Available in
eddie.mit.edu:/pub/hp95lx/NEW/hpfax###.ZIP, with ### being the version
number.) You need a Class 1 or Class 2 fax compatible fax/modem to use
QFAX. QFAX is a MS-DOS program and can be run from either the DOS
prompt or from the DOS window launched from the Windows. It can also
be called by other programs as a command line fax sender.
1. Check the completeness of the QFAX V 1.07 package you get.
It should include the following files:
file_id.diz A small file describing QFAX (required by BBS's)
vendinfo.diz A description file used by shareware distributors
readme.1st The file you are reading now
qfax.cfg The QFAX configuration file
qfax.exe The main fax sending program
qfaxrec.exe The fax receiver, decoder and converter program
usage.txt The file explaining detailed usages of QFAX
register.txt A text file telling you how to register QFAX
register.frm Registration form to be used for registration
qfaxconf.exe Small program to help you to determine the modem
port and create customized qfax.cfg file
manyfax.c A simple C program that you can use to send out
lots of faxes automatically, without attendance
manyfax.exe The compiled program of manyfax.c
manyfax.fdb A text format database file containing fax numbers
miscinfo.txt Misc notes. About the Author. Where to find QFAX.
2. The QFAX.CFG may need to be edited and configured to fit the specific
configuration of your computer. You can either edit QFAX.CFG file by
using DOS edit, or you can use qfaxconf.exe program to help create a
customized QFAX.CFG file. You may simply type "qfaxconf" at the DOS
command line to start. See the USAGE.TXT file for details.
3. Read the REGISTER.TXT file for the license agreement and statement of
limited warranty. Simply using QFAX implies that you have read and
understand those conditions. And you agree to those conditions.
4. Read the USAGE.TXT for information on how to use QFAX. The usage is
simple and straightforward but there are still something you want to
learn before you start for the first time.
If you have done all of the above and have configured the QFAX.CFG file
according to the instructions given in the USAGE.TXT file, you can go ahead
to test QFAX and use it regularly.
If you find QFAX useful to you, please register it with the author. The
REGISTER.TXT tells you the benefit you will obtain from registration and
method of how to register. The registration is simple and cheap!
If you have any further questions regarding the usage of QFAX that you
can not find the answer from the USAGE.TXT file, do not hesitate to ask the
author. The REGISTER.TXT file has contact information on how to reach the
author.
QFAX is a shareware program and may be redistributed freely. But there
are some conditions: You must distribute QFAX in its original and complete
and zipped format and you are not allowed to change content of any file.
You are not allowed to distribute QFAX for purpose of profit. No charge
can be made on the distribution of QFAX except for a reasonable charge for
the handling and material cost of the distribution. Under above conditions
please feel free to distribute the QFAX software package.
Finally, if you ever forget how to use QFAX, simply type "qfax" and it
will give you a quick reminder screen!
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Update History of QuickStar Fax Pro:
Sep. 1, 1995 First Release of QFAX. Filename: qfaxv10.zip
Sep. 2 - Sep. 30 Some modifications to make QFAX work more reliable. Add
an option to let user decide whether to pause or not
before the beginning of fax transmission.
Oct. 1, 1995 Release of V1.01. Filename: qfaxv101.zip
Oct.2 - Dec.9 More tests and improvements made to QFAX. Some bugs fixed.
Dec. 10, 1995 Release of V1.02 Filename: qfaxv102.zip
Feb. 25, 1996 Release of V1.03 Filename: qfaxv103.zip
Apr. 8, 1996 Release of V1.04 Filename: qfaxv104.zip
Apr. 20, 1996 Release of V1.04B Filename: qfax104b.zip
Jun. 16, 1996 Release of V1.05 Filename: qfaxv105.zip
Jul. 15, 1996 Release of V1.06 Filename: qfaxv106.zip
Aug. 15, 1996 Release of V1.06 for HP Filename: hpfax106.zip
Sep. 15, 1996 Release of V1.07 Filename: qfaxv107.zip
Improvements of V1.03 comparing with V1.02 include the following:
a.Greatly reduced the amount of memory used by QFAX, making it more
suitable to be called by other programs so the user can construct
their batch fax sending system.
b.A fax receive and/or decode program is added to the package.
c.Some improvement of the fax subroutines.
Improvements of V1.04 from V1.03 include the following:
a.A memory allocation bug fixed.
b.Self-check subroutine added to make sure that the program is an
authentic file. If it is infected by a computer virus or modified
by a computer hacker, it will give warning.
c.Added some more configurable parameters, including the Wait For Modem
Connection Time. The qfaxconf.exe program is improved to include the
new parameters in configuration of qfax.cfg file.
d.QFAX104B.ZIP is the same as QFAXV104.ZIP except it stores 8x16 font
directly in the program. QFAX104B.ZIP can be used on HP100LX/HP200LX
palmtop computers.
Improvements of V1.05 from V1.04 include the following:
a.The memory usage of qfax.exe has been reduced by more than 100 KB.
So the program is more suitable to be called from other applications.
b.A few improvements made the Post Page Message more reliable.
c.The self-check subroutine in V1.04 has been removed to reduce the
size of the program.
Improvements of V1.06 from V1.05 include the following:
a.Improved the fax part greatly so it works more reliably on some USR
modems and others. Total fax connection time is displayed at the end.
b.Improvement of the command line interface so it can now be used to
fax pre-processed fax files and support wild card file names. Now
multiple files can be faxed together in one fax session.
c.QFAXREC.EXE has more functions. It can now be used to receive a fax
call, or convert fax files of ANY format into a PCX file, or into a
fax file that can be used by QFAX.EXE.
d.QFAXREC.EXE now takes much less memory to run.
Improvements of V1.07 from V1.06 include:
a.Some discovered bugs are fixed. The fax procedure is more reliable now.
b.New features added to QFAX.EXE. Now you can configure pause time
before re-dial if the phone line is busy. You can specify whether
to remove the created *.fax file or not in the qfax.cfg file.
c.Improved QFAXREC.EXE so it's more reliable, and now fax receive works
with Class 2 fax/modem, too.
d.Modified QFAXCONF.EXE to adopt added features in qfax.cfg file.
If the current version of QFAX you have is more than a few months old,
the author may have already released a newer version of QFAX. Please contact
the author at 102773.370@CompuServe.com, qfax@USA.COM or make phone call to
1-(814)-867-3385(H) for updates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quick Start Up Guide
To start using QFAX, you need to do two things:
a.Configure the qfax.cfg file for your PC and fax/modem
==> Configure the correct CommPort number
==> Use the correct InitString for your modem
==> Put your own phone number in the PhoneNumber line
b.To send a plain text fax, the easiest way is use the command like:
qfax myfile.txt 1-800-555-1212
There are other possible QFAX command line syntaxes. The formats all
look like this: (For a description of option flags check usage.txt)
qfax [-option flags] file1 [file2] [file3...] fax_number
You can have zero, one, or many option flags right behind the QFAX
command and before the file names. You can specify one or many file
names followed by a fax number. If you forgot the fax number QFAX
will ask you for it after the program starts.
QFAX.CFG is a plain text file and you can use any plain text editor to
change it, like using the DOS edit command. Or you can run the qfaxconf.exe
program to configure and modify qfax.cfg file. To run qfaxconf.exe, just
type "qfaxconf" from the DOS prompt. This program is pretty self-explained.
The format of QFAX.CFG file is pretty straight forward once you see the
example qfax.cfg file. The detail of the format is described in USAGE.TXT.
The 3 most important things you need to configure in QFAX.CFG is the
CommPort number, InitString and PhoneNumber. You do not need to change any
thing else if you just want to use the default setting.
The CommPort number is the COM Port that the modem occupies. QFAX need
number to access the modem correctly. Available numbers for CommPort are
from 1 to 8. The base addresses and IRQ numbers are listed as below. Check
your modem manual or consult a knowledgable person to find out what port
your modems is set to.
CommPort COM/IRQ Base_address Description
1 COM1/IRQ4 3f8 --> commonly used by the mouse
2 COM2/IRQ3 2f8 --> most commonly used modem port
3 COM3/IRQ4 3e8
4 COM4/IRQ3 2e8 --> commonly used modem port
5 COM3/IRQ2 3e8 also called COM5
6 COM4/IRQ2 2e8 also called COM6
7 COM3/IRQ5 3e8 also called COM7 -> commonly used alternative port
8 COM4/IRQ5 2e8 also called COM8
The InitString is an AT command string that QFAX sends to the modem to
initialize the modem for faxing. QFAX will not be able to send fax properly
if the InitString is not set up properly, even if it says "Initialize OK".
The correct InitString depends on the type of fax/modem you use.
But most fax/modems use one of the following:
AT&F&C1&D2
AT&F
AT&F&C1&D2&K3
AT&F&A3&B1&H1&R2&I2&C1&D2 <--- Recommended for USR modems
For initial test of QFAX you may want to attach "M2L3" to the end of the
InitString, like "AT&F&C1&D2M2L3". This AT command will keep the speaker of
the modem connected all the time so you can hear how the fax process goes on.
Once every thing works fine you can remove "M2L3" to make it quite.
Some fax/modems, like U.S.Robotics, use different InitStrings. Check at
the end of usage.txt file for a complete list of recommended InitString for
various fax/modems. Or check your modem manual to find one. My experience is
"AT&F&C1&D2&H1" will work fine for most USR modems, other than the above one.
The PhoneNumber is a string that Identifies your fax when your fax/modem
communicate with other fax machines. Normally it should be your phone number.
The length of this string should not exceed 20 characters. You can use your
name instead. But please do not leave this item blank.
The rest of qfax.cfg is about font selection, page formatting etc. You
can keep the default as it is for initial trials. For detailed information
of those options please check the usage.txt file.
You may put the name of the path that contains QFAX in the autoexec.bat
file's PATH statement so next time you reboot the computer it will recognize
QFAX from any directory. It is preferable that when you start QFAX, you go
to the directory where your text file to be faxed is located. Even though
usage like the following are allowed, too:
QFAX \mydir\myfile.txt 1-800-555-1212
There are certain LIMITATIONS to the un-registered shareware version of
QFAX. Those limitations includes: 1.Nag screen at start to ask you for a
license number 2.You will be unable to adjust page size, line spacing and
character spacing, after a certain trial period. though the faxing is still
fully functional. All those limitations will be lifted once you register the
shareware with the author. If you want to use QFAX for purpose of un-attended
automatic batch fax sending, it is 100% sure you need to register to make it
work, otherswise it will keep to ask you for a license number, which means
you will have to sit there to enter a zero to get it going.
To register QFAX, please read the file register.txt for how to register.
Or you may simply fill out the register.frm text file, print it out, and then
send it to me together with your registration fee.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
For helps, contact me at 102773.370@CompuServe.com, or call 1-814-867-1468(H)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------