PsL Monthly 1994 February/psl_9403.zip/psl_9403/DOS/COMMUNIC/ALPHPG.ZIP/PAGER.DOC

Text File | 1993-11-21 | 8KB | 209 lines

INTRODUCTION

The DPD (Data Processing Directions) Alphanumeric Paging
Software is designed to perform batch operation of message
transmission from a PC to a message carrier via a Hayes
compatible modem. It is written to transmit two fields per
envelope: destination id and message. A message is currently
limited to four twenty character lines. This accomplished by a
menu driven software system that permits simple selection of
needed functions.

Functions are logically grouped to minimize screen switching and
to present routinely used functions together in a common
selection mechanism.

GENERAL PROCEDURES

Help

Context sensitive help is available for many screens and
functions. Pressing function key F1 will call up a help screen
when one is available. To exit from a help screen, press the ESC
key. While the help screens do not replace this manual, they are
designed to complement this manual to enable you to use the
system.

Menus

When you first start the program, you will see a menu offering
you the basic system selections. In all menus you may select an
item by using the arrow keys to highlight the desired item or
you may type the first letter of the item. If there is more than
one item starting with the same letter, repeated entry of that
letter will cycle through the target items. Once properly
positioned, press enter to complete the selection.

Tables

A tables is a selection mechanism that permits adding, deleting,
and changing of data items. These functions are invoked by the
INSERT, DELETE and ENTER keys. Some tables will have a "locator"
field in the upper left hand corner of the screen. If the
locator field is present, entering data will position the
selection bar on the item containing data most closely matching
the selection criteria that you are entering. Other tables may
offer filter data next to the locator field. Entering data into
this field will limit the display of table data to items exactly
matching the filter item.

Forms

A form is a window that allows an individual record to be added,
changed or deleted. Forms are usually opened based upon a table
response. A form may be terminated and its effects reversed by
pressing CTRL-ESC.

Response Windows

A response window is a window that opens in response to some
menu selections. It will allow you to enter additional
information to control your requested process.

Navigation Keys.

Key Function
--- --------
Enter    Accept Data in field
CTRL-Enter              Accept Data in record
CTRL-Home               Erase current field
CTRL-End Erase to end of field
Esc Cancel change to field
Insert   Add new record
    Enter char insert mode
Home     Go to top of screen
    Go to beginning of field
Pg Up    Go to top of screen or scroll up one
         page
Delete   Delete record or character
End Go to bottom of window
    Go to last char of field
Pg Down  Go to bottom of screen of scroll down
         one page
Arrow Keys              Move cursor.

The addition of pressing the control key while pressing one of
the above function keys alters the function of the key. CTRL-esc
will cancel changes and exit from a form, exit from a menu and
response box. If you can't seem to get out of a function, ESC.
If that fails try CTRL-esc. In the case of movement keys, the
movement spans the entire file. In a field, CTRL-home deletes
the data in the field while CTRL-end deletes the data from the
cursor on.

INITIAL SETUP

There is a specific order in which the initial setup tasks must
be performed to insure proper system initialization.

Setup Steps
First:
    Set up the terminals (the message distributor that you
    will call) by selecting Configure System followed by
    System Preferences. Prefix the phone number with dt or dp
    (see help screens).

    The modem init string contains the control sequences
    necessary to cause the modem to function properly for
    dialing and task initialization. It should include the AT
    code followed by the codes to set no echo (E), quite mode
    off (Q0), numeric result codes (V0) and extended result
    codes on (x4).

    Leaving the modem init string blank will default to "AT E
    L3 Q0 X4 V0 &C1 &D2", which is the string that seems to
    work the best. Your modem manual will offer you a complete
    description of control commands. Note: if only one
    terminal is entered it will be used automatically. If more
    than one is entered, you will be prompted for which one
    prior to sending messages.

    If you are using a high speed modem, you may need to
    include &Q6N0 to lock the baud rate and disable error
    correction.  I also include S95=0 which turns off status
    reporting. As you may have noticed, high speed modems can
    be touch beasts.  This release of the pager program
    includes longer time out periods to accommodate some of
    the slower initial response time on the HS modems.  It is
    working on a ZOOM 14.4 fax modem.  If you're having
    problems the solution is probably in the init string.

Second:
    Set up the pagers by selecting Pager Setup. If you wish to
    enter groups, they must be established (under the message
    and group maintenance menu item) before they can be
    referenced by the pager record.

To send a message:
    Select Send a Message from the main menu. To write the
    message select Compose a message. The help screens should
    offer enough help to get you started. Just remember ESC
    gets you out of the help function. If you elect to send
    the message later, it will be queued to the message file
    as an open item ("snt flg" = O). Selecting Send Messages
    from the message composer screen will cause all messages
    (up to the count entered) to be sent to the run time
    selected terminal. If you have entered messages that
    should be directed to different terminals, it would be
    necessary to limit the send by using the count. However,
    the intent is that messages be sent now and directed to
    one terminal.

Observations:
    Since messages, in a given transmission, are directed to
    one terminal; pagers on different terminals should NOT
    belong to the same group.

Notes on operation:
    There is a two second guard time before and after the
    modem escape sequence (+++) yielding a four second delay
    prior to dialing.

    A low/hi tone indicates a timeout retransmission. Two high
    tones indicate a successful operation.

    When the program disconnects, it simply returns to the
    send menu. If multiple messages were sent, examining the
    message file (checking the "snt flg") will indicate the
    success of failure of the transmissions. If only one
    message is sent, the error indication will stay on the
    screen long enough to be obvious.

Finally:
    This is a shareware product. You are free to try it
    without incurring any expense liability and you may copy
    the distribution file and pass it on to others (please).
    However, if you intend to use it you are obligated to pay
    for it. I am asking eighteen dollars

    Paying for it offers these advantages: 1) you will have a
    clear conscience - knowing that you have helped a
    struggling software developer survive another day, and 2)
    you will be informed on how to get rid of the annoying
    commercial beep - boop screen.

    Please note: I am more that willing (even anxious) to hear
    suggestions about product improvement or, if you are a
    registered user and have problems, I will help you resolve
    them by telephone or Compuserve Email.

NEW:
    There is a "drone" version of the program available that
    permits the sending of messages but has NO configuration
    capabilities.  Useful for satellite distribution.

Name:___________________________________

Address:________________________________

Compuserve ID:__________________________

How Obtained:___________________________

Make check payable to:
Data Processing Directions, Ltd.
1241 Walters Avenue