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- QANALYST
-
-
- The First Professional Phone Bill
- Analyzer for Qmodem
-
-
- Version 2.0
-
-
-
-
- Barn Owl Software
- P.O. Box #74, O'Fallon, IL 62269
- voice: (618) 632-7345
- BBS: (618) 398-5703
-
-
-
-
- Copyright (c) 1988,89 by Barn Owl Software
-
- ┌─────────┐(tm)
- ┌─────┴───┐ │
- ──│ │o │──────────────────
- │ ┌─────┴╨──┐ │ Association of
- │ │ ├─┘ Shareware
- └───┤ o │ Professionals
- ──────│ ║ │────────────────────
- └────╨────┘ MEMBER
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Contents
-
-
-
- Legal notices 1
- Qanalyst warranty · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 2
- Evaluation copies · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 2
- Disk vendors · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 2
- Colleges & teachers · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 3
- Registering Qanalyst · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 3
- Volume discounts · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 3
-
- Chapter 1 Getting started 5
- 1.1 Requirements · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 5
- 1.2 Setting up Qanalyst · · · · · · · · · · · · · 5
- 1.3 Setting up Qmodem · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 6
- 1.3.1 Session logging · · · · · · · · · · · · · 6
- 1.3.2 Date/time separators · · · · · · · · · · 6
- 1.4 Floppy drive users · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 7
- 1.5 A word to the wise · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 7
- 1.5.1 DOS 3.20 users · · · · · · · · · · · · · 7
- 1.6 Compatibility · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 8
- 1.6.1 Call Data Standard · · · · · · · · · · · 8
- 1.6.2 With other programs · · · · · · · · · · · 8
- 1.6.3 Task/Omni/DESQView · · · · · · · · · · · 8
- 1.6.4 MicroSoft Windows · · · · · · · · · · · · 8
- 1.6.5 DoubleDOS · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 8
-
- Chapter 2 Using Qanalyst 10
- 2.1 Command line summary · · · · · · · · · · · · 10
- 2.2 Program initialization · · · · · · · · · · · 11
-
- Chapter 3 Main menu options 13
- 3.1 Verification mode · · · · · · · · · · · · · 13
- 3.2 Edit configuration mode · · · · · · · · · · 14
-
- Chapter 4 Log file maintenance 16
- 4.1 Condense · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 16
- 4.2 Remove · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 17
-
- Chapter 5 Qanalyst reports 18
- 5.1 Sample reports · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 18
-
- Chapter 6 Phone-rate file maintenance 19
- 6.1 Holiday schedule · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 21
- 6.2 Local rates · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 22
- 6.3 Toll rates · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 25
- 6.4 Long-distance rates · · · · · · · · · · · · 26
- 6.5 Other rates · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 26
-
- Chapter 7 Utility options 27
- 7.1 Editing the utility options · · · · · · · · 28
-
-
-
-
-
- Appendix A Error messages 31
- A.1 Regular error messages · · · · · · · · · · · 31
- A.2 Fatal error messages · · · · · · · · · · · · 34
- A.3 Exit codes · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 35
-
- Appendix B Qanalyst v1.0 users 37
-
- Appendix C Helpful hints 39
- C.1 Invoking Qanalyst · · · · · · · · · · · · · 39
- C.2 One call? One phone number? · · · · · · · · 39
- C.3 Getting rates from Ma Bell · · · · · · · · · 40
- C.4 Get the correct time · · · · · · · · · · · · 41
- C.5 Shelling to DOS from Qmodem · · · · · · · · 41
- C.6 Special calling problems · · · · · · · · · · 42
- C.7 Special phone rates · · · · · · · · · · · · 43
-
- Appendix D Troubleshooting 44
- D.1 Log file problems · · · · · · · · · · · · · 44
- D.2 Qmodem log anomalies · · · · · · · · · · · · 44
- D.3 Phone-rate file problems · · · · · · · · · · 45
- D.4 Report problems · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 45
- D.5 Modem problems · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 46
-
- Appendix E Acknowledgments 48
- E.1 Dedication · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 48
- E.2 The beta testers · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 48
- E.3 Many thanx to · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 48
-
- Index 49
-
-
- Figures
-
- Figure 3.1: Configuration screen · · · · · · · · · · ·13
- Figure 4.1: Sample maintenance messages · · · · · · ·16
- Figure 5.1: Analysis status messages · · · · · · · · ·18
- Figure 6.1: Phone-rate menu · · · · · · · · · · · · ·19
- Figure 6.2: Append-records status messages · · · · · ·20
- Figure 6.3: Holiday schedule screen · · · · · · · · ·21
- Figure 6.4: Phone record screen · · · · · · · · · · ·23
- Figure 7.1: Utility options screen · · · · · · · · · ·27
- Figure C.1: Sample QANALYST.SCR SCRipt file
- for Qmodem v4.0 · · · · · · · · · · · · ·41
- Figure C.2: Sample QANALYST.SCR SCRipt file
- for Qmodem v4.1 and later · · · · · · · ·41
-
-
- Tables
-
- Table 1.1: Mandatory Qanalyst files · · · · · · · · · 5
- Table 1.2: Optional Qanalyst files · · · · · · · · · · 5
- Table A.1: Qanalyst exit codes · · · · · · · · · · · ·36
-
- Legal notices 1
-
-
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- Legal notices
-
-
- QANALYST Version 2.0
-
-
- Barn Owl Software
- P.O. Box #74, O'Fallon, IL 62269
-
-
- Voice line: (618) 632-7345, regular business hours
-
- Support BBS: (618) 398-5703, three modem lines supporting up to
- 9600 baud (USR HST) modems
-
- CompuServe: send an EasyPlex message to userID 74017,1344
-
- GEnie: leave notes in QMODEM RoundTable, QANALYST subtopic
-
- Telex: send to 3762848. The first line of your message must read
- as "TO:EASYPLEX:74017,1344"
-
- Qanalyst software and documentation copyright (c) 1988,89 by Barn
- Owl Software. All rights reserved worldwide.
-
- Barn Owl Software is in no way connected with The Forbin Project,
- Inc. except for being legally registered to use Qmodem software.
- Some Qanalyst versions may be incompatible with some Qmodem ver-
- sions because of this.
-
- Any specific hardware/software names used in this manual are the
- (registered) trademarks of specific companies.
-
-
-
- ┌─────────┐(tm)
- ┌─────┴───┐ │
- ──│ │o │──────────────────
- │ ┌─────┴╨──┐ │ Association of
- │ │ ├─┘ Shareware
- └───┤ o │ Professionals
- ──────│ ║ │────────────────────
- └────╨────┘ MEMBER
-
- 2 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- "This program is produced by a member of the Association
- of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make
- sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you
- are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with
- an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may
- be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve
- a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not
- provide technical support for members' products. Please
- write to the ASP Ombudsman at P.O. Box 5786, Bellevue,
- WA 98006 or send a Compuserve message via easyplex to
- ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536"
-
-
- Qanalyst warranty
-
- Qanalyst software and documentation are provided to users under
- the shareware concept, in which users may thoroughly test the
- program before paying for it. Because of the diversity of condi-
- tions, hardware, and other software under which the program may
- be used, no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose can be
- offered.
-
- Barn Owl Software offers a 30-day money back guarantee after
- registration. You may return all materials for a full refund, no
- questions asked, during this time. All materials must be in good
- condition.
-
- Materials supplied by Barn Owl Software are warranted to be free
- of defects for thirty (30) days from the date of receipt. Users
- may return defective materials during that time for replacement
- at no charge. We will reimburse you for the return postage as
- well.
-
-
- Evaluation copies
-
- You may try Qanalyst on a 30-day trial basis to determine if this
- program meets your needs. You must then either register the pro-
- gram, or quit using it.
-
- You may not modify Qanalyst in any way that changes the program's
- computer instructions unless these methods are approved by Barn
- Owl Software.
-
- You may give UNMODIFIED copies of Qanalyst to others so they can
- evaluate it for their needs, subject to the same restrictions and
- conditions above.
-
- Disk vendors
-
- The Association of Shareware Professionals has set up standards
- for disk vendors to follow if they wish to obtain "ASP approved"
- status. You can learn more by writing directly to the ASP vendor
- membership committee, P.O. Box 5786, Bellevue, WA 98006.
-
- Legal notices 3
-
-
-
- Barn Owl Software, like many other members of the ASP, lets ASP
- approved disk vendors distribute Qanalyst without having to ask
- first. We send ASP approved disk vendors a set of master disks
- at no charge.
-
- If you are not an ASP approved disk vendor, please send a copy of
- your catalog with your request to distribute our product.
-
- Colleges & teachers
-
- Barn Owl Software will be happy to help teachers who offer
- courses on Qanalyst. We can supply master disks and/or manuals
- as course materials. Please contact us for details. Our address
- is on page 1.
-
-
- Registering Qanalyst
-
- If you want to keep using Qanalyst after your 30-day trial
- period, mail a registration form with proper payment. (Qanalyst
- will ask you if you want to print one, or you can just press "I"
- at the main menu.) Please register your copy of Qmodem before
- you register your copy of Qanalyst.
-
- Your Qanalyst registration includes the following:
-
- ■ No charge for using an upgrade. Your registration will be
- valid for ALL future versions of Qanalyst, period.
-
- ■ One year of BBS support at (618) 398-5703, voice support
- at (618) 632-7345, and newsletter support.
-
- ■ The latest version of Qanalyst is sent on disk.
-
- ■ Order disks & manuals anytime at the registered user rate.
-
- ■ Help "beta test" future versions of Qanalyst if you wish,
- before they are publicly distributed.
-
- Volume discounts
-
- Corporate licenses are available for Qanalyst. If your company
- will be using ten or more copies of the program (anywhere in the
- world, not just at a specific site), you should consider pur-
- chasing a corporate license. There are no limits on how many
- copies of Qanalyst your company can use when you possess a cor-
- porate license. Contact Barn Owl Software for details. Our
- address & phone numbers are on page 1.
-
- The cost of any previous licenses can be applied toward your cor-
- porate license. You can trade in old licenses much like a used
- car. (You get full value for your trade-in, too.) Please
- contact Barn Owl Software for details.
-
- 4 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- The following discounts apply for manuals. This is a per order
- discount, not an accumulative order discount.
-
- 1 - 4 manuals···························· 0% discount
- 5 - 9 manuals····························10% discount
- 10 - 19 manuals····························20% discount
- 20 - 49 manuals····························30% discount
- 50 - 99 manuals····························40% discount
- 100 or more·································50% discount
-
- Barn Owl Software accepts purchase orders, but only for amounts
- of $100 or more.
-
- Getting started 5
-
-
-
-
- ____________________________Chapter 1____________________________
- Getting started
-
-
- 1.1 Requirements
-
- Qanalyst will run on an IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2, or compatible
- computer. You must use DOS 2.0 or better and have at least 155k
- of free memory.
-
- The following tables describe the necessary and the optional
- files which make up Qanalyst:
-
- Table 1.1: Mandatory Qanalyst files
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- QANALYST.EXE The actual program
- QANALYST.OVR The program's "overlay" file
- SESSION.LOG A Qmodem v4.x log file, but it can be any filename
- you choose
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-
- Table 1.2: Optional Qanalyst files
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- QANALYST.CFG Qanalyst configuration file, but it can be any
- filename you choose
- QANALYST.PRF CDS standard phone-rate file, but it can be any
- filename you choose
- QMODEM.CNF Qmodem v4.x configuration file
- QANALYST.DOC Contains this documentation
- READ.ME! Contains late-breaking Qanalyst notes
- SAMPLE.BAT Runs a sample Qanalyst session
- SAMPLE.* The various sample files used by SAMPLE.BAT
- VENDOR.DOC A documentation file specifically for disk vendors
- DISCOUNT.DOC A documentation file specifically for people who
- need corporate licenses or volume discounts
- WHATSNEW.DOC A documentation file telling what's new in Qanalyst
- LOWERIBM.EXE Changes IBM graphic characters in the QANALYST.DOC
- file so some Epson printer owners can print out the
- Qanalyst documentation
- LOWERIBM.DOC Contains the documentation for LOWERIBM.EXE
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-
- 1.2 Setting up Qanalyst
-
- Qanalyst is pretty easy to install. Just copy all the files into
- your Qmodem directory, or create a new directory to hold the
- Qanalyst files. Data files can be placed in other directories if
- you wish. You're good to go if you know where the support files
- will be stored.
-
- 6 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- You should check the utility options to make sure everything is
- set up the way you like. See chapter 7 for details.
-
- You can always get an accurate analysis of your modem usage, but
- you'll need to create phone-rate files if you want to study your
- modem expenditures. This is covered in a later section.
-
- There are a number of SAMPLE files included in the Qanalyst
- application. Feel free to play around! You can get a feeling of
- how Qanalyst works by entering "SAMPLE" at the DOS prompt.
-
-
- 1.3 Setting up Qmodem
-
- Qanalyst v2.0 is compatible ONLY with logs created by Qmodem ver-
- sions 4.x. It will not work properly with any logs produced by
- earlier versions and it may not work properly with logs created
- by later versions. Caution: if you're upgrading from Qmodem
- v3.x, start new log files! Don't keep appending to older-version
- logs, it'll just confuse Qanalyst.
-
- The Qmodem v4.x log file format has three major problems that
- affect Qanalyst. Please read appendix section D.2 for details.
- You should take special note if you use Qmodem's ALT-D manual
- dialing, external protocols, or the Host Mode security callback
- feature.
-
- 1.3.1 Session logging
-
- Qanalyst can only tell you about calls listed in your log file.
- You can save yourself from a lot of hassle by configuring Qmodem
- so it begins using the log file right when it starts up. Every
- call you make will then be recorded in your log. Use the Qmodem
- ALT-N/O/T/U command to set the "aUto start Log" option. Consult
- your Qmodem manual if you are unfamiliar with this.
-
- WARNING! Be careful when running Qanalyst from Qmodem's DOS
- shell under version 4.0! (Consult your Qmodem manual if you are
- unfamiliar with this.) Unpredictable things may happen if both
- programs try to use the same log file at the same time. Consult
- appendix section C.5 for details. This problem was corrected
- with the release of Qmodem v4.1.
-
- 1.3.2 Date/time separators
-
- Qmodem v4.x lets you alter the date/time string format. You can
- decide if dates will be written as "xx-xx-xx" or "xx/xx/xx", or
- even "xx█xx█xx". It's up to you. See chapter 7 if you use a
- date separator other than "/" or "-", or a time separator other
- than ":".
-
- Chapter 1, "Getting started" 7
-
-
-
- 1.4 Floppy drive users
-
- Qanalyst will work with a floppy drive system. The analysis
- requires only one sweep of the log file(s) and all data is stored
- in memory, so you won't be slowed too much by floppy drive access
- times. You may find it difficult to perform maintenance, though.
- Qanalyst will terminate with an error message if it runs out of
- room on the disk. (The program will warn you if it thinks there
- may not be enough room for it to do its job.)
-
- Be aware that Qmodem will turn off the log if it runs out of disk
- space. You may lose some important log entries and the log may
- become corrupted if this happens. Make sure you have enough disk
- space so the log file can grow while you're using Qmodem.
-
-
- 1.5 A word to the wise
-
- chronology (kra näl'a jee) n., ... 2. the arrangement
- of events, dates, etc. in the order of occurrence 3. a
- list or table of dates in their proper sequence ...
- nd
- ─── New World Dictionary, 2 ed.
-
- Your log file must (repeat must) be correct if you expect
- Qanalyst to work right. This means you have to set the DOS date
- and time whenever you boot up. If you don't do this, your log
- file will show you made some calls on 1-1-80 just after midnight.
- That's not right!
-
- Please, don't change the DOS date or time while Qmodem is
- running. It will be reflected in your log file and that may mean
- trouble when it's Qanalyst's turn to use it.
-
- Qanalyst can check log files to make sure they were written in
- chronological order, if you want it to do so. See chapter 7.
-
- 1.5.1 DOS 3.20 users
-
- Some people who use DOS 3.20 may already know about a weird bug
- which doesn't change the DOS date when the clock strikes mid-
- night. Qanalyst will attempt to handle phone calls that continue
- past midnight if DOS 3.20 corrupted the log file, but the program
- may still terminate with an error message or produce an inaccu-
- rate report.
-
- We say "some" people may have this bug. DOS 3.21 corrected the
- problem but, for whatever reason, some DOSs tell applications
- they are operating under DOS 3.20.
-
- 8 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- 1.6 Compatibility
-
- 1.6.1 Call Data Standard
-
- Qanalyst is compatible with "CDS", the Call Data Standard, in
- that it reads & writes CDS phone-rate data files. However, it
- does not recognize CDS call history logs, nor does it work with
- CDS single-call files.
-
- Forbin Project, Inc. has committed to switch to the powerful CDS
- standard for Qmodem v5.0. We will then be able to provide com-
- plete CDS support.
-
- 1.6.2 With other programs
-
- At this time, we know of no other program specially designed to
- modify Qmodem v4.x log files. However, we recommend that you
- refrain from using them. Qanalyst makes a few assumptions about
- Qmodem log files that other programs may ignore or approach from
- a different angle.
-
- 1.6.3 Task/Omni/DESQView
-
- Qanalyst is fully compatible with TaskView, OmniView, and
- DESQView. It will automatically adjust itself to work in any of
- these environments. Load Qanalyst like any program that writes
- screen data via the BIOS. (Consult your multitasking manual if
- you are unfamiliar with this.) Qanalyst needs at least 155k of
- memory to run. You should give it up to 640k if you can spare it
- because Qanalyst needs to "grow" in memory while it is working.
-
- 1.6.4 MicroSoft Windows
-
- When creating your .PIF file, specify that Qanalyst directly
- modifies the screen. Set the "KB required" value to 155k and set
- the "KB desired" value to 640k. (Consult your Windows manual if
- you are unfamiliar with this.)
-
- You can, however, declare that Qanalyst writes information to the
- screen via the BIOS as long as you invoke the program with the /B
- command-line option (see page 10). This special case lets you
- run Qanalyst as a "background" task while you're working on other
- projects in the foreground.
-
- 1.6.5 DoubleDOS
-
- Qanalyst is NOT fully compatible with DoubleDOS. If you try to
- run Qanalyst as the background task, you'll get intense screen
- bleed-thru. (Consult your DoubleDOS manual if you are unfamiliar
- with this.) You should run Qanalyst as the foreground task.
-
- Chapter 1, "Getting started" 9
-
-
-
- You can, however, run Qanalyst in the background partition if you
- use the /B command-line option (see page 10). Qanalyst writes
- information to the screen via the BIOS in this instance, letting
- you work on another project in the foreground.
-
- 10 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
-
- ____________________________Chapter 2____________________________
- Using Qanalyst
-
-
- 2.1 Command line summary
-
- QANALYST [cfg-file] [options...]
-
- Qanalyst begins when you enter "QANALYST" at the DOS prompt.
- There are also quite a few options you can use to alter the way
- the program runs, but don't worry. Some options are for advanced
- concepts, and some may not even apply to you.
-
- cfg-file Qanalyst configuration filename. Qanalyst looks for
- QANALYST.CFG, but this option lets you specify another
- name. You can also specify a path if you wish.
-
- /8 Toggle 8x8 font. This option toggles the EGA/VGA "8x8"
- font to provide more than 25 lines on a screen. It only
- works if an EGA or VGA monitor is present.
-
- /B Batch file execution. Qanalyst asks you to confirm the
- current configuration before doing anything else. This
- option orders the program to use a configuration file
- as-is. Note: This options requires a cfg-file name, or
- QANALYST.CFG must be available where Qanalyst can find
- it (see page 11).
-
- /BL Last call analysis. Reports cover only the last call
- you made, even if the call is still in progress. This
- option implies batch file execution. See appendix
- section C.2 for further details.
-
- /BS[ph#] Single-number analysis. Reports cover only a specific
- telephone number you declare. This option implies batch
- file execution. See appendix section C.2 for further
- details.
-
- /E Ignore EMS. Qanalyst will use expanded (LIM EMS) memory
- if there is enough available to store a copy of its
- overlay file. This command tells Qanalyst to ignore EMS
- memory.
-
- /F[date][:nnn]
- Default "From" date. Qanalyst normally uses the first
- date in each log file as the default "From:" date for
- analysis and maintenance. This option lets you specify
- a different date. It's extremely useful with the /B
- command-line option because it lets you do batch-mode
- work on specific dates in a log file. The syntax is
- "/Fxx-xx-xx". If you don't specify a date, Qanalyst
- will use today's date. ...You can also specify a
- variable /T value from the /F parameter by including a
-
- Chapter 2, "Using Qanalyst" 11
-
-
-
- ":nnn" at the end. This tells Qanalyst you want to set
- the default "To:" date to be nnn days forward of the
- "From:" date. (See the /B option if you just want a
- report on the last call you made.)
-
- /I Ignore Qanalyst configuration files. Qanalyst is geared
- to hunt for its configuration file. This option tells
- the program to use its internal defaults. Note: The /B
- and /I options are mutually exclusive.
-
- /N Noiseless operation. This option toggles the program
- into total silence at startup.
-
- /T[date][:nnn]
- Default "To" date. Qanalyst normally uses the last date
- in each log file as the default "To:" date for analysis
- & maintenance. This option lets you specify a different
- date. It's extremely useful with the /B command-line
- option because it lets you do batch-mode work on
- specific dates in a log file. The syntax is
- "/Txx-xx-xx". ...You can also specify a variable /F
- value from the /T parameter by including a ":nnn" at the
- end. This tells Qanalyst you want to set the default
- "From:" date to be nnn days back from the "To:" date.
- (See the /B option if you just want a report on the last
- call you made.)
-
- Syntax: You must put a space between each option. Qanalyst
- accepts parameters in any order. And, you may use "-x" instead
- of "/x" if you wish.
-
- See appendix C for visual aids on starting Qanalyst at the DOS
- prompt.
-
-
- 2.2 Program initialization
-
- When Qanalyst starts up, it displays an opening "shareware"
- screen which contains the program's copyright notice. Qanalyst
- will wait for you to read it and then "PLEASE WAIT" will appear.
- The program is now initializing itself.
-
- Qanalyst searches for the configuration file QANALYST.CFG if you
- didn't specify one at start-up. It searches:
-
- 1. The default directory;
- 2. The directory where the Qanalyst program is kept;
- 3. The directories listed on the DOS PATH (consult your DOS
- manual if you are unfamiliar with this); and,
- 4. The directory designated by the QMODEM= environment
- variable (consult your Qmodem manual if you are unfamiliar
- with this).
-
- 12 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- Qanalyst searches for QMODEM.CNF, the Qmodem configuration file,
- like it searches for the Qanalyst configuration file. If found,
- Qanalyst will use Qmodem's screen colors to make you feel a bit
- more "at home" with the program.
-
- Qanalyst uses the log and phone-rate files described in the con-
- figuration file. If it finds no such file, it will search the
- default directory for a phone-rate data file called QANALYST.PRF
- and a Qmodem log file called SESSION.LOG (or whatever you called
- it in the QMODEM.CNF file).
-
- Chapter 3, "Main menu options" 13
-
-
-
-
- ____________________________Chapter 3____________________________
- Main menu options
-
-
- 3.1 Verification mode
-
- The configuration screen will eventually appear:
-
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Log file #1
- Qmodem Log file: C:\QMODEM\SESSION.LOG
- Qanalyst config: C:\QMODEM\QANALYST.CFG
- Phone-rate data: C:\QMODEM\QANALYST.PRF
-
- Analyze this log file: No YES ╒══ Main menu commands ═══╕
- Starting date: 03/22/88 │ BEGIN WORKING │
- Ending date: 04/21/88 │ Next log info │
- │ Previous log info │
- Maintain phone log file: No CONDENSE Remove │ First log info │
- Starting date: 03/22/88 │ Add new log info │
- Ending date: 04/21/88 │ Drop this log │
- │ Edit this log info │
- │ Save configuration │
- │ Utility options │
- Phone bill rpt: None SUMMARY Detailed │ edit phone-Rate data │
- U/D stats rpt: NONE Summary Detailed │ prInt registration form │
- Report title: │ Toggle bells & whistles │
- Send report to: PRINTER File Screen │ eXit to DOS │
- ╘═════════════════════════╛
- Begin! Analyze/maintain log file(s) as directed
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Figure 3.1: Configuration screen
-
- The options shown above may not be the same as the ones you see
- on your screen. Qanalyst modifies the screen to show options
- that are currently active. If an option is capitalized and high-
- lighted, it means it is the selected option.
-
- Use the cursor keys to select a command (press ENTER when ready),
- or press any capitalized & highlighted letter. Both will make
- Qanalyst perform the selected menu function:
-
- BEGIN WORKING. Qanalyst will proceed with the current
- configuration.
-
- Next log info. Displays the configuration for the next log.
- The top line of the screen shows which of the log files is
- displayed.
-
- Previous log info. This is like the "Next" command, but it
- moves you backward through the log configurations.
-
- First log info. Displays the configuration for the first log.
-
- 14 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- Add new log info. Lets you add another log to the configura-
- tion. You can specify up to 20 log files.
-
- Drop this log. Removes the current log from the
- configuration.
-
- Edit this configuration. Lets you change details about what
- Qanalyst should do with the current log. See section 3.2.
-
- Save configuration. Saves all configuration data (including
- the utility-option data explained below) to a file. If no
- filename was specified, QANALYST.CFG will be created in the
- default directory.
-
- edit phone-Rate data. Lets you view, edit, & save phone-rate
- data which is used when analyzing a log file. See chapter 6
- for detailed information.
-
- Utility options. Lets you view & edit some advanced options
- available in Qanalyst. These options are saved with the log
- configuration data. See chapter 7.
-
- prInt registration form. Sends a Qanalyst registration form
- to the printer.
-
- Toggle bells & whistles. Turns beeps ON and OFF.
-
- eXit to DOS. Stop the program. You can also press ALT-X like
- in Qmodem, or plain old CTRL-C.
-
-
- 3.2 Edit configuration mode
-
- If you edit the current log's configuration, you can change the
- settings that tell Qanalyst what to do with it. Options will
- become capitalized and highlighted, meaning you can modify them.
-
- The following lists each option available on the configuration
- screen and the possible settings:
-
- Qmodem Log file: the name of a Qmodem v4.x log file.
-
- Qanalyst config: the name of a Qanalyst configuration file.
-
- Phone-rate data: the name of a Qanalyst phone-rate data file.
-
- Analyze log file: tells Qanalyst whether to include the log
- file in a report.
-
- Starting date: and Ending date: come up if you request an
- analysis. They show the inclusive dates of log entries to
- be studied for the report. Note: these dates are not saved
- as part of the configuration file. If you want to work
- with specific dates, you have to declare the starting/
-
- Chapter 3, "Main menu options" 15
-
-
-
- ending dates each time you use Qanalyst. (See the /F & /T
- options in section 2.1 for more details.)
-
- Maintain Qmodem Log file: is set to the type of maintenance to
- be performed on the log. See chapter 4.
-
- Starting date: and Ending date: come up if you request log
- maintenance. They show the inclusive dates of log entries
- to be condensed or removed. Note: these dates are not
- saved with the configuration file. If you want to work
- with specific dates, you have to declare the starting/
- ending dates each time you use Qanalyst. (See the /F & /T
- options in section 2.1 for more details.)
-
- Phone bill rpt: comes up only if a log file will be analyzed.
- Choose the type of phone bill analysis report you desire. See
- chapter 5.
-
- U/D stats rpt: comes up only when a log file will be analyzed.
- Choose the type of upload/download analysis report you desire.
- See chapter 5.
-
- Report title: comes up only if a log file will be analyzed.
- This text will be printed at the top of every page of a
- report.
-
- Send report to: comes up when you request a report. Set it
- to where you want the report to go.
-
- Output file: comes up when the report will go to a file.
- Enter the name of a file to hold the report.
-
- File exists: comes up when the report will go to a file.
- Set this to Append to attach the report to the end of
- the file, or set it to Overwrite to erase the old infor-
- mation in the file.
-
- Press ESC when you're satisfied. This takes you back to the
- verification mode. Qanalyst will go to work when you tell it to
- BEGIN WORKING.
-
- 16 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
-
- ____________________________Chapter 4____________________________
- Log file maintenance
-
-
- Qanalyst will maintain your log file by condensing or removing
- information from it (if you choose). This is useful if you want
- to remove entries that have shown up on a phone bill, or if you
- just want to keep a small log file.
-
- Qanalyst looks at every log entry to see what must be kept or
- deleted. Retained entries are sent to a temporary file. When
- finished, it gives the original file a ".BAL" extension and
- renames the temporary file so it is the new log file. An older
- backup file will be deleted if found, even if it is set to read-
- only status.
-
- Note: Qanalyst accounts for the fact that a call might continue
- past midnight. When condensing or deleting log entries, it
- treats all entries for a call as if the entire call took place on
- the day it started. (DOS 3.20 users should consult section 1.5
- for more information.)
-
- Qanalyst displays various status messages (shown below) when it
- maintains a log file. You can always stop the program and return
- to DOS by pressing ALT-X or CTRL-C.
-
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Using C:\QMODEM\SESSION.LOG
- Selected Qmodem log call entries will be condensed.
- Writing new log to temporary file. Please be patient.
- There may not be enough free space on the disk.
- Deleting backup log file.
- Renaming old log file to SESSION.BAL
- Renaming temp log file to SESSION.LOG
- Condensing resulted in a 71% smaller log file.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Figure 4.1: Sample maintenance messages
-
-
- 4.1 Condense
-
- Qanalyst removes unneeded log entries that fall within the
- specified "To/From" dates. A log entry is kept only if:
-
- 1. It is vital to Qanalyst; or,
- 2. It is a STAMP log entry; or,
- 3. It doesn't look like Qmodem created it.
-
- If you choose to condense a log that will also be analyzed,
- Qanalyst will determine if it can safely condense the log first.
- This is why you may sometimes see Qanalyst analyzing files before
- condensing them.
-
- Chapter 4, "Log file maintenance" 17
-
-
-
- 4.2 Remove
-
- Qanalyst removes all log entries that fall within the specified
- "To/From" dates. It still keeps anything that doesn't look like
- Qmodem created it.
-
- If you specified the log file for an analysis as well, then the
- analysis will always occur first. It is otherwise possible to
- remove some calls before they're analyzed.
-
- 18 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
-
- ____________________________Chapter 5____________________________
- Qanalyst reports
-
-
- Qanalyst produces summary and/or detailed analysis reports of the
- log file(s) if you so choose. There are a total of four
- different analysis reports you can generate. You can also print
- a phone-rate data report if you wish (see page 20 for details on
- that type of report).
-
- Qanalyst must first analyze the log(s) in order to create a
- report of any kind. It displays various status messages while it
- does the analysis:
-
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Using C:\QMODEM\SESSION.LOG
- Searching for the first selected log entry.
- Now analyzing the selected log entries.
- Remember, condensed log files operate faster.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Figure 5.1: Analysis status messages
-
- The report(s) you specified will be created when analysis is
- complete. You can stop the program and return to DOS at any time
- by pressing ALT-X or CTRL-C.
-
-
- 5.1 Sample reports
-
- We've included some files that will generate sample reports so
- you can see Qanalyst in action. Feel free to print them out or
- view them on the screen. Make sure the SAMPLE.* files are in the
- current directory and type "SAMPLE" at the DOS prompt.
-
- Chapter 6, "Phone-rate file maintenance" 19
-
-
-
-
- ____________________________Chapter 6____________________________
- Phone-rate file maintenance
-
-
- The "edit phone-Rate data" command on the main menu lets you
- view, edit, and save phone-rate data. Qanalyst uses this infor-
- mation when it analyzes the log file(s). The program will work
- without phone-rate data, but it won't be able to calculate the
- cost of each phone call.
-
- Note to previous Qanalyst v1.0 users: There has been a major
- addition to the phone-rate data. Host BBS usage costs can now be
- specified separately from the actual cost of the phone call. But
- don't worry, Qanalyst will still read your old phone-rate files.
- See appendix B for details.
-
- Setting up a phone-rate data file isn't hard if you keep one
- thing in mind. Keep phone-rate data only for numbers that are an
- EXCEPTION to the defaults. See appendix section D.3 for more
- details about phone-rate files.
-
- The phone-rate menu will appear if you choose to view or edit the
- phone-rate data:
-
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Log file #1
- Qmodem Log file: C:\QMODEM\SESSION.LOG
- Qanalyst config: C:\QMODEM\QANALYST.CFG
- Phone-rate data: C:\QMODEM\QANALYST.PRF
-
- Analyze this log file: No YES
- Starting date: ╒════ Phone-rate menu ═════╕
- Ending date: │ Return to higher menu │
- │ Append from these logs │
- Maintain this log file: │ Condense phone-rata data │
- Starting date: │ Save phone-rate data │
- Ending date: │ Print phone-rate data │
- │ edit Holiday schedule │
- Phone bill rpt: None SU│ edit Local phone rates │
- U/D stats rpt: NONE Su│ Edit toll phone rates │
- Report title: │ edit long-Distance rates │
- Send report to: PRINTER │ edit "Odd" number rates │
- │ Toggle bells & whistles │
- │ eXit to DOS │
- ╘══════════════════════════╛
- Return to the next higher menu level
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Figure 6.1: Phone-rate menu
-
- The phone-rate menu shows the current selection in reverse video.
- Use the cursor keys to select a different command (press ENTER
- when ready), or press a capitalized and highlighted letter. Both
- make Qanalyst perform the selected menu function:
-
- 20 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- Return to higher menu. The phone-rate menu will disappear and
- the main menu will reappear. Qanalyst will check the phone-
- rate data before exiting and, if it finds redundant records,
- it will ask you if you want to remove them. (See below for
- details about "condensing" the phone-rate data.)
-
- Append from these logs. Qanalyst will study each log, looking
- for numbers not already stored as phone-rate data. New phone
- numbers will be added when they are found. Prefix and area-
- code default records will be created for each phone number if
- they don't already exist. ("Default" phone-rate records are
- discussed below.) Caution: See appendix section D.3 before
- you use this command.
-
- A window will open up on the screen for the status messages.
- Qanalyst displays a "." (number is known) or "!" (new number
- for the phone-rate data) each time it comes across a phone
- number in the log file(s).
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Using C:\QMODEM\SESSION.LOG
- Remember, condensed log files operate faster.
- !....!!.!!!!!....!....!...!.!.!!.............!................
- .!.............!.......................
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Figure 6.2: Append-records status messages
-
- Condense phone-rate data. This is pretty much the opposite of
- the "Append from logs" command. Qanalyst studies the phone-
- rate data for any redundant records and deletes them. This is
- very handy after you make changes to records brought in by the
- "Append from logs" command, since it removes redundant phone-
- rate records.
-
- Save phone-rate data. This command saves the current phone-
- rate data to a file. QANALYST.PRF is created in the default
- directory if no filename was specified. If Qanalyst finds any
- redundant phone-rate records, it will ask if you want them
- removed before saving them to a file. (See above for details
- about "condensing" the phone-rate data.)
-
- Print phone-rate data. Sends a special phone-rate data report
- to the printer.
-
- edit Holiday schedule. Lets you enter specific dates Qanalyst
- will view as a holiday (instead of a regular day of the week).
- See section 6.1.
-
- edit Local phone rates. Lets you view and edit the phone-rate
- information for local numbers. See section 6.2.
-
- Edit toll phone rates. Lets you view and edit the phone-rate
- information for toll numbers. See section 6.3.
-
- Chapter 6, "Phone-rate file maintenance" 21
-
-
-
- edit long-Distance rates. Lets you view & edit the phone-rate
- information for long-distance numbers. See section 6.4.
-
- edit "Odd" number rates. Lets you view & edit the phone-rate
- information for phone numbers that do not fall under the other
- three categories. An overseas phone number is a good example.
- See section 6.5.
-
- Toggle bells & whistles. Turns beeps ON and OFF.
-
- eXit to DOS. Stop the program. You can also press ALT-X like
- in Qmodem, or plain old CTRL-C.
-
-
- 6.1 Holiday schedule
-
- The "edit Holiday schedule" command on the phone-rate menu lets
- you view and edit information about upcoming holidays. When
- Qanalyst is calculating the cost of a call, it checks the holiday
- schedule to see if any portion of the call fell on a holiday.
-
- The following screen will appear if you choose to view/edit the
- holiday schedule:
-
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- No holidays listed in the schedule.
-
-
-
- ╒═══ Holiday commands ════╕
- │ Return to higher menu │
- │ Add a holiday │
- │ Delete a holiday │
- │ Kill all old holidays │
- │ Toggle bells & whistles │
- │ eXit to DOS │
- ╘═════════════════════════╛
- Return to the next higher menu level
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Figure 6.3: Holiday schedule screen
-
- The holiday menu shows the current menu selection in reverse
- video. Use the cursor keys to select a different command (press
- ENTER when ready), or press a capitalized and highlighted letter.
- Both make Qanalyst perform the selected menu function:
-
- Return to higher menu. The holiday menu will disappear and
- the phone-rate menu will reappear.
-
- Add a holiday. Lets you add a date to the holiday schedule.
- Up to 24 holidays can be entered.
-
- Delete a holiday. Removes a date from the holiday schedule.
-
- 22 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- Kill all old holidays. Lets you delete all the old holidays
- with a single keystroke.
-
- Toggle bells & whistles. Turns beeps ON and OFF.
-
- eXit to DOS. Stop the program. You can also press ALT-X like
- in Qmodem, or plain old CTRL-C.
-
-
- 6.2 Local rates
-
- The "edit Local phone rates" command on the phone-rate menu lets
- you view/edit information about local phone rates. First, let's
- cover some important concepts about phone-rate data.
-
- Local numbers
- are composed of seven digits. Dashes, spaces, and
- commas are ignored.
-
- New phone record
- is created for the phone-rate data when Qanalyst
- discovers a phone number it doesn't already know
- about. The program creates new phone records while
- it analyzes the log files. You can enter phone num-
- bers into the phone-rate data that can be saved to a
- file so a number is "known" when Qanalyst studies the
- log files. Caution: see appendix section D.3 before
- saving any phone-rate data.
-
- Root default record
- contains default data covering any phone number which
- is NOT already defined in the phone-rate data. Root
- default records always exist, they never have to be
- created. Qanalyst uses the phone-rate data in the
- root default record to initialize new records, with
- some exceptions...
-
- Area-code default record
- contains data covering any specific area code. These
- are made up of a "1" followed by an area code and
- seven zeros. (Spaces and dashes can be used, so
- "1 618 000-0000" is acceptable.) If an area-code
- default record exists, Qanalyst uses its data instead
- of the root default data when initializing records
- for new phone numbers with that area code.
-
- Prefix default record
- contains default data covering any specific telephone
- prefix. These are made of the first three numbers of
- a seven-digit phone number, followed by four zeros.
- If "398-0000" or "1-618-398-0000" is included in the
- phone-rate data, Qanalyst will use it to initialize a
- record for a phone number in the 398 prefix.
-
- Chapter 6, "Phone-rate file maintenance" 23
-
-
-
- A window will open up on the screen where local phone-rate data
- will be displayed:
-
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- DAYTIME PHONE CO. cost info for LOCAL phone records
- Phone number: ROOT DEFAULT RECORD
- ╒═══ Phone record menu ════╕
- Phone Co. charges by the: MINUTE Hour │ Return to higher menu │
- First minute: $0.00 │ view phOne co. cost data │
- Subsequent minute: $0.00 │ view Host BBS cost data │
- Daytime rates start at: 08:00:00 (24hr clock) │ view Daytime rates │
- │ view eVening rates │
- │ view nIghttime rates │
- DAYTIME PHONE CO. master override-rate schedule: │ Next phone record │
- Sunday rate: Daytime Evening NIGHTTIME │ Prev phone record │
- Monday rate: DAYTIME Evening Nighttime │ First phone record │
- Tuesday rate: DAYTIME Evening Nighttime │ Specific phone record │
- Wednesday rate: DAYTIME Evening Nighttime │ Edit this phone record │
- Thursday rate: DAYTIME Evening Nighttime │ Add new phone record │
- Friday rate: DAYTIME Evening Nighttime │ Kill this phone record │
- Saturday rate: Daytime Evening NIGHTTIME │ Toggle bells & whistles │
- Holiday rate: Daytime EVENING Nighttime │ eXit to DOS │
- ╘══════════════════════════╛
- Return to the next higher menu level
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Figure 6.4: Phone record screen
-
- The first two lines show in a glance what phone number data is
- being displayed, what section of rate data is being displayed
- (phone company rates or host BBS rates), what portion of the data
- is displayed (daytime/evening/nighttime), and what category the
- number falls under (local/toll/long-distance/"odd").
-
- The above screen shows the data connected with daytime local
- phone company rates. You can work with the data for evening or
- nighttime rates by choosing the appropriate menu command, or you
- can switch over to the host BBS daytime/evening/nighttime rates
- by choosing the appropriate menu commands.
-
- Be careful when you modify phone-rate data! Make sure you modify
- only the data you want to modify. If you make an error in your
- data entry, say you enter host BBS rates in a phone company
- portion of the record, then future reports could be thrown off.
- (See page 20 for information about printing out the phone-rate
- data. See Appendix C about problems that can mess up a report.)
-
- The phone record menu shows the current menu selection in reverse
- video. Use the cursor keys to select a different command (press
- ENTER when ready), or press a capitalized and highlighted letter.
- Both make Qanalyst perform the selected function:
-
- Return to higher menu. The phone record menu will disappear
- and the phone-rate menu will reappear.
-
- 24 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- view phOne co. cost data. Switches the data on the screen so
- phone company rates can be viewed & edited.
-
- view Host BBS cost data. Switches the data on the screen so
- host BBS rates can be viewed & edited. This data is usually
- only needed by people who use CompuServe, GEnie, or other "pay
- as you use them" networks.
-
- view Daytime rates. Switches the screen so daytime phone-
- rate data can be viewed & edited. (Phone company daytime
- rates are separate from host BBS daytime rates.)
-
- view eVening rates. Switches the screen so evening phone-
- rate data can be viewed & edited. (Phone company evening
- rates are separate from host BBS evening rates.)
-
- view nIghttime rates. Switches the screen so nightly
- phone-rate data can be viewed & edited. (Phone company
- nighttime rates are separate from host BBS nighttime
- rates.)
-
- Next phone record. Displays the next phone record.
-
- Prev phone record. Displays the previous phone record.
-
- First phone record. Displays the root default record for the
- local (or toll or long-distance or "odd") phone numbers.
-
- Specific phone record. Displays data for the specific phone
- number entered by the user. It's a quick way to view informa-
- tion for a given record. A message appears if the number
- isn't stored in the phone-rate data. If you specify a phone
- record in a different category (local/toll/long-distance/odd),
- Qanalyst will shift over to that category.
-
- Edit this phone record. Lets you change the displayed cost
- data for the current phone record. If daytime phone company
- cost data is on the screen, then only daytime phone company
- data can be altered at this time. This also goes for evening
- & nighttime data, and host BBS cost data, when they appear on
- the screen. (Remember, each phone record has six different
- data entry screens!) The following lists each alterable item
- on the phone record screen and its possible settings:
-
- Calls are charged by the: will be set either to Minute or
- Hour, depending if the costs are considered as hourly or
- minute-by-minute rates.
-
- First minute: or First hour: will appear depending how you
- set the charge rate above. Enter a number in the format
- "x.xx". If you pay eight cents per minute for the first
- minute, enter "0.08". If you pay $7.55 per hour for the
- first hour, enter "7.55". Note: make sure you enter the
- correct value! Don't enter a minute cost when the charge
-
- Chapter 6, "Phone-rate file maintenance" 25
-
-
-
- rate above it says it's an hourly rate. Reports will be
- WAY OFF the dollar mark if you mess this up.
-
- Subsequent minute: or Subsequent hour: appears depending on
- how you set the charge rate above. The value you enter
- here will be the cost for subsequent minutes or hours spent
- on a call. Enter the data just like you did for the first
- minute or hour costs.
-
- Uploads are free: comes up only if a charge shows up in the
- host BBS cost data for that record. This tells Qanalyst if
- it should suspend host BBS charges during an upload (except
- for an ASCII upload).
-
- Daytime rates start at: (or evening/nighttime rates) shows
- the time at which these charges go into effect. Enter the
- starting time in 24-hour (military) format: 1:00pm = 13:00,
- 2:00pm = 14:00, and so on. (Hint: "13:00" can be shortened
- to "13".)
-
- DAYTIME master override-rate schedule: (evening & nighttime
- schedule) determines the rate at which a call is calculated
- depending on the day of the week the call is made. In most
- cases, a daytime call made on a weekday will be charged at
- daytime phone company and daytime host BBS rates. But on
- weekends and holidays, daytime calls are usually billed at
- the evening or nighttime rate. Set each day of the week
- (including "holiday") to the rate which is really in effect
- at that time.
-
- Add new phone record. Lets you enter a new phone number into
- the phone-rate data.
-
- Kill this phone record. Lets you delete the displayed record
- from the phone-rate data.
-
- Toggle bells & whistles. Turns beeps ON and OFF.
-
- eXit to DOS. Stop the program. You can also press ALT-X like
- in Qmodem, or plain old CTRL-C.
-
-
- 6.3 Toll rates
-
- Toll rate information is entered like the local rate information.
- (See section 6.2.) Toll numbers start with a "1" or a prefix
- code and have seven digits after it.
-
- Note to Qanalyst v1.0 users: Qanalyst now handles the ALT-D
- prefix code capability in Qmodem v4.x. See appendix B for more
- information.
-
- 26 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- 6.4 Long-distance rates
-
- Long-distance rate information is entered like local rate infor-
- mation. (See section 6.2.) Default area-code records can be
- created for long-distance numbers. Long-distance numbers start
- with a "1" or a prefix code and have ten digits after it.
-
- Note to Qanalyst v1.0 users: Qanalyst now handles the ALT-D
- prefix code capability in Qmodem v4.x. See appendix B for more
- information.
-
-
- 6.5 Other rates
-
- "Odd" phone numbers do not fall under the other three categories.
- Office intercom systems and overseas phone numbers are good
- examples. "Odd" phone numbers are entered similar to long-
- distance phone numbers. (See section 6.4.)
-
- Credit card calls ── calls which start with a "0" instead of a
- "1" ── are considered "odd". This lets two sets of records be
- defined for the same phone number since costs are different for a
- credit card call. Users can also create default prefix and area
- code records which would apply in these cases.
-
- Note to Qanalyst v1.0 users: Qanalyst now handles the ALT-D
- prefix code capability in Qmodem v4.x. See appendix B for more
- information.
-
- Chapter 7, "Utility options" 27
-
-
-
-
- ____________________________Chapter 7____________________________
- Utility options
-
-
- The "Utility options" command on the main menu lets you view and
- edit some of the more advanced options available in Qanalyst.
- The following screen will appear if you choose to view/edit the
- utility options:
-
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ╒══════════════════════════════ Utility options ═══════════════════════════════╕
- │╒═════════════ Reports ══════════════╕ ╒═════════════ Program ══════════════╕│
- ││ Number of copies: 1 │ │ Currency symbol: $ ││
- ││ Left indent (chars): 1 │ │ Status msg delay (sec): 15 ││
- ││ Hdr/ftr margin (lines): 3 │ │ Return from analysis: No YES ││
- ││ Lines per page: 66 │ │ Round calls to next min: No YES ││
- ││ Printer device name: PRN: │ │ Auto-save for PRF data: NO Yes ││
- ││ Sort by BBS identity: No YES │ │ Use EGA/VGA 8x8 font: NO Yes ││
- ││ Always print a summary: No YES │ │ Use growing windows: NO Yes ││
- ││ Single-sheet paper: NO Yes │ ╘════════════════════════════════════╛│
- ││ Eject using formfeed: No YES │ │
- │╘════════════════════════════════════╛ │
- │ ╒═ Utility options menu ══╕│
- │╒════════════ Log files ═════════════╕ │ Return to higher menu ││
- ││ Date separator: / │ │ Edit these options ││
- ││ Time separator: : │ │ Printer-specific items ││
- ││ Full chrono log check: NO Yes │ │ Save configuration ││
- ││ Remove U/D entries: No YES │ │ Toggle bells & whistles ││
- │╘════════════════════════════════════╛ │ eXit to DOS ││
- │ ╘═════════════════════════╛│
- ╘══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛
- Return to the next higher menu level
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Figure 7.1: Utility options screen
-
- The Utility options menu shows the current menu selection in
- reverse video. Use the cursor keys to select a different command
- (press ENTER when ready), or press a capitalized and highlighted
- letter. Both make Qanalyst perform the selected function:
-
- Return to higher menu. The phone record menu will disappear
- and the phone-rate menu will reappear.
-
- Edit these options. Lets you change the settings of utility
- options (see below).
-
- Printer-specific items. Lets you view and change the settings
- of items that are specific to a particular printer. Qanalyst
- can even be quick-configured for some popular printers. Press
- ESC to return to the next higher menu.
-
- 28 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- Choose a printer. Lets you quickly configure Qanalyst for
- some of the many popular printers on the market. Check
- your printer manual to see if your printer "thinks" like
- one of the printers listed on the screen. Press ESC to
- return to the next higher menu.
-
- Change the printer name. Lets you enter a new name for the
- printer. This is for your information only.
-
- Printer init string. This is the first thing sent to the
- printer when a report is printed. One special key, the
- CTRL-P key, lets you put control codes in the string. If
- you wanted to insert a formfeed for example, press CTRL-P
- and then press CTRL-L. (An "L" will appear in a different
- color from the regular text.)
-
- prInter exit string. This is the last thing sent to the
- printer when a report is printed. See above.
-
- Begin boldface command. This is the command you'd send in
- order to turn ON the boldface printing capability of your
- printer.
-
- End boldface command. This is the command you'd send in
- order to turn OFF the boldface printing capability of your
- printer.
-
- Save configuration. Saves all configuration data, including
- the utility-option data, in a file. This command is identical
- to the one on the main menu. QANALYST.CFG will be created in
- the default directory if no filename was specified.
-
- Toggle bells & whistles. Turns beeps ON and OFF.
-
- eXit to DOS. Stop the program. You can also press ALT-X like
- in Qmodem, or plain old CTRL-C.
-
-
- 7.1 Editing the utility options
-
- If you edit the utility options, you can "tweak" Qanalyst so it
- does just what you like. Options will become capitalized and
- highlighted, meaning you can modify them.
-
- The following lists each item on the Utility options screen and
- its possible settings:
-
- Date separator. Qanalyst assumes log entry dates appear in
- one of two formats: "xx/xx/xx" or "xx-xx-xx". The "/" or "-"
- symbol is called a date separator character. This option lets
- you specify a third separator character. Qanalyst will
- automatically insert the date separator defined in QMODEM.CNF
- if it finds the file at startup. (Qanalyst still looks for a
- "/" or "-" date separator, don't worry about that.)
-
- Chapter 7, "Utility options" 29
-
-
-
- Time separator. Qanalyst assumes log entry times appear in
- one format: "xx:xx:xx". The ":" symbol is a time separator.
- This option lets you specify a second separator character.
- Qanalyst automatically inserts the time separator defined in
- QMODEM.CNF if it finds the file at startup. (Qanalyst will
- still look for the ":" time separator, don't worry about
- that.)
-
- Full chrono log check. Qanalyst assumes a log file runs in
- chronological order. But if you want to be certain, set this
- option to Yes to make Qanalyst check the chronology of every
- log entry. NOTE: the initial reading of each log file will
- take about six times longer to complete! (Everything else
- runs the same, though.)
-
- Remove U/D entries. Qanalyst removes log entries concerning
- uploads & downloads during a condense if you set this to Yes.
- This is useful for people who (1) don't care to see reports on
- files they transferred and (2) don't call places like GEnie or
- CompuServe. Condensed log files will retain upload/download
- log entries if you set this to No.
-
- Number of copies. This dictates how many copies of a report
- will be printed. Use the up & down arrow keys to change this
- value.
-
- Left indent (chars). The number of spaces Qanalyst will "pad"
- on the left side before it prints a line. This is especially
- useful for people using wide paper because they can center the
- report on the page. Use the up & down arrow keys to change
- this value. The centering formula is (x-78)/2, where x is the
- number of characters you can print on a line.
-
- Hdr/ftr margin (lines). The number of blank lines Qanalyst
- puts at the top & bottom of each page. Use the up & down
- arrow keys to change this value.
-
- Lines per page. The number of lines on a page of paper. Use
- the up & down arrow keys to change this value.
-
- Printer device name. If Qanalyst sends a report to a printer,
- it will send it to this device name. Many printers are set up
- to be the "PRN" device, but some people have different needs.
- Do NOT put a colon at the end of the device name.
-
- Sort by BBS identity. Set this to Yes to make Qanalyst sort
- the detailed reports by BBS name. Set this to No to sort the
- reports by their phone numbers.
-
- Always print a summary. Set this to Yes if you want Qanalyst
- to print a summary report when you choose to print a detailed
- report.
-
- 30 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- Single-sheet paper. Set this to Yes if you want Qanalyst to
- stop at the end of each page so you can load another sheet.
-
- Eject using formfeed. Set this to Yes if your printer uses
- the common "formfeed" symbol to eject a page. (Most printers
- will accept this.)
-
- Currency symbol. America uses "$" to designate money. Use
- the up & down arrow keys to change this character if you wish.
-
- Status msg delay (sec). The maximum number of seconds a
- status message remains on the screen before it disappears.
- Use the up & down arrow keys to change this value.
-
- Return from analysis. Set this to Yes if you want to go back
- to the main menu screen when analysis/maintenance is complete.
- Set it to No if you want to go back to DOS. (This is ignored
- when the /B command-line option is used.)
-
- Round calls to next min. Set this to Yes if the phone company
- begins charging for a call as soon as the other party picks up
- the phone. It takes modems a few seconds to connect with each
- other, and Qanalyst normally rounds each call up to the next
- higher minute to make up for this. PC-Pursuit users may want
- to set this to No if calls begin with one free minute. Note:
- every call, to every telephone number, is affected by this
- option.
-
- Auto-save for PRF data. Qanalyst will automatically generate
- a new phone-rate data file after analyzing the log(s) if this
- is set to Yes. It will leave the phone-rate data file as-is
- if it is set to No. Caution: See appendix section D.3 before
- changing this option.
-
- Use EGA/VGA 8x8 font. This works only on computers using an
- EGA or VGA (or better) monitor. It is equivalent to the /8
- option (see page 10 for details). Qanalyst switches into the
- 8x8 font when this is set to Yes, and will use whatever font
- is active when it is set to No. The switching occurs as soon
- as you return to the main menu screen.
-
- Use growing windows. This is equal to the "Growing Windows"
- option in Qmodem. Windows will "grow" as they appear and will
- "shrink" as they disappear. Try it, it doesn't hurt anything.
- Qanalyst automatically uses the growing-windows toggle defined
- in QMODEM.CNF if it finds the file at startup. (Hint: choose
- growing windows, go to the main menu, and then go back to the
- utility options. Windows will grow all over the screen.)
-
- Appendix A, "Error messages" 31
-
-
-
-
- ___________________________Appendix A____________________________
- Error messages
-
-
- A.1 Regular error messages
-
- Regular error messages appear for a few seconds to tell you
- something is wrong. The following is a list of such messages and
- their possible causes. (We left out the obvious possible causes
- like an unformatted disk or an open drive door.)
-
- Cannot send report to a read-only file.
-
- Cannot send report to an invalid filename.
-
- Caution: using a v1.0 config file.
- Qanalyst determined the configuration file is stored in the
- v1.0 format. Check to make sure the data is what you expect.
-
- Caution: using a v1.0 phone-rate file.
- Qanalyst determined the phone-rate file is stored in the v1.0
- format. Check to make sure the data is what you expect.
-
- Could not find that file.
-
- Couldn't find log listed in configuration.
- One or more log files listed in the configuration file could
- not be found.
-
- Couldn't recognize "xxxxxxxx".
- Multiple command-line options were specified without a space
- or tab to separate them. "/I/N" is not acceptable, you must
- say "/I /N".
-
- An invalid command-line option was specified.
-
- The specified Qanalyst configuration file doesn't exist.
-
- DOS says today is Tue 1-1-80! That's not right!
- The DOS date is not set properly. It won't affect Qanalyst,
- but it could mean a bad log file. See section 1.5 for more
- information.
-
- 32 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- Error detected while writing a report to the printer or file.
- The printer has gone off-line for some unknown reason.
-
- The disk has become full.
-
- Tried to write a file on a write-protected disk.
-
- You declared an invalid printer device name in the utility
- options. See chapter 7.
-
- You declared a printer initialization (or exit) string which
- somehow shuts down the printer so no more text will be
- accepted. See chapter 7.
-
- Too many files open at once. Check your CONFIG.SYS file to
- see about increasing the FILES= entry. (Consult your DOS
- manual if you are unfamiliar with this.) If you use a program
- that can remove TSRs from memory, it may not have closed the
- files used by those TSRs.
-
- Error while reading or writing the xxxxxxxx file.
- The file is not a valid Qanalyst v2.0 configuration file or
- phone-rate file, or QMODEM.CNF v4.x file. (You might be
- trying to read a file generated by a later version of
- Qanalyst.)
-
- The disk has become full.
-
- Tried to write or erase a read-only file. (Note: This error
- doesn't occur if Qanalyst tries to erase a backup log file.
- The file will be erased whether or not it is read-only.)
-
- Tried to write or erase a file on a write-protected disk.
-
- Printer is not connected, or is not turned on.
-
- Printer is not ready, for some unknown reason.
-
- Sorry, that is a backup log file.
- The log file has a ".BAL" extension. Rename the file.
-
- That file is labeled as "read-only".
-
- That is not a valid filename.
-
- That phone record already exists.
- The phone number you tried to add to the phone-rate data has
- already been entered. Qanalyst will display the record
- for you.
-
- The DOS PRINT program has control of the printer.
- Background printing is being performed on your system. The
- program will simply wait for the printing to finish.
-
- Appendix A, "Error messages" 33
-
-
-
- The log file has no log entries.
- The file is not a true Qmodem log file.
-
- The file exists but is empty.
-
- You used a date separator and/or a time separator character
- other than the ones specified in Qanalyst.
-
- The log file is corrupted in some way!
- The computer lost power or rebooted while Qmodem was using the
- log file. Some log entries were lost before being written to
- the log file.
-
- Qanalyst is executing inside a Qmodem-invoked DOS shell and is
- trying to use the same log file. WARNING: Unpredictable
- things may happen if you do this! Be smart ── don't run
- Qanalyst from a Qmodem DOS shell. (Consult appendix
- section C.5 for more details.)
-
- The log file was condensed by a program that does not retain
- vital log entries, or changes them to a different format.
-
- The log file is not in chronological order!
- The DOS date & time weren't set properly each and every time
- the computer was booted. See section 1.5 for more
- information.
-
- An internal clock/calendar device failed to roll over to the
- new year or failed to recognize a leapday. Juko products have
- this design flaw, among others.
-
- You reset the computer time to make up for Daylight Savings
- Time just before or after a Qmodem session.
-
- The log file was created by a computer using DOS 3.20 but is
- being analyzed by Qanalyst under a different DOS version. See
- section 1.5 for details.
-
- There may not be enough free space on the disk.
- Qanalyst is about to perform maintenance on a log file but has
- noticed the disk is nearly full. The program will still do
- maintenance but will terminate with an error message if it
- runs out of working space. The original log file will not be
- harmed if this occurs.
-
- Warning: a DOS 3.20 bug can corrupt logs!
- This information message appears whenever Qanalyst runs on a
- computer using DOS version 3.20. See section 1.5.
-
- 34 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- A.2 Fatal error messages
-
- Fatal errors are errors which force Qanalyst to come to an abrupt
- end. "QANALYST PROGRAM TERMINATED:" appears on the screen with
- an explanation message right below it. The following is a list
- of such messages and their possible causes.
-
- Bad parameter or filename on the MS-DOS command line.
- An invalid command-line option was specified.
-
- The /B option was specified but the program could not find a
- configuration file. Declare a valid filename on the DOS
- command line, or put QANALYST.CFG where it can be found.
-
- The /B option and /I option were specified together. These
- two options are mutually exclusive.
-
- The /F or /T option was not correctly specified. The format
- must be "/F" or "/Fxx/xx/xx". Don't put a space anywhere
- in it.
-
- The date specified for the /F option is later than the date
- specified for the /T option. Swap the dates.
-
- The /F or /T option specifies an invalid date.
-
- Cannot send report to a read-only file.
- The /B option was specified and the report was to be sent to a
- file, but it is designated as a read-only file.
-
- Cannot send report to an invalid filename.
- The /B option was specified and the report was to be sent to a
- file, but the filename is invalid. It might now be a direc-
- tory or a volume label instead of a legitimate filename.
-
- Couldn't find log listed in configuration.
- The /B option was specified but one or more of the log files
- listed in the configuration file could not be found.
-
- Error while reading or writing the xxxxxxxx file.
- See the reasons listed for this same error message in appendix
- section A.1.
-
- The phone-rate file is corrupted.
-
- Error detected while writing a report to the printer or file.
- See the reasons listed for this same error message in appendix
- section A.1.
-
- Appendix A, "Error messages" 35
-
-
-
- Not enough memory to continue.
- Qanalyst "grows" while it analyzes log files, and grew too
- large to fit in memory. Remove memory-resident programs and
- try it again. If you use multitasking software, increase
- Qanalyst's memory allotment or remove other programs from the
- queue.
-
- Qmodem Log file: xxxxxxxx was positioned at line nnnn.
- An information message showing which log file Qanalyst was
- using and the line number it was positioned at when the pro-
- gram terminated. This message appears only if the problem
- involved a log file.
-
- Runtime error nnnn at xxxx:yyyy
- This "catch-all" error message means a problem occurred that
- Qanalyst wasn't programmed to handle. Please tell Barn Owl
- Software if you get this message and give a detailed descrip-
- tion of what you did that led up to it. Call the support BBS
- 24 hours a day at (618) 398-5703.
-
- The log file has no log entries.
- See the reasons listed for this same error message in appendix
- section A.1.
-
- The log file is corrupted in some way!
- See the reasons listed for this same error message in appendix
- section A.1.
-
- The log file is not in chronological order!
- See the reasons listed for this same error message in appendix
- section A.1.
-
-
- A.3 Exit codes
-
- Qanalyst generates an exit code when it is done that tells how
- the session went. The code is known as the "ERRORLEVEL" in batch
- files. (Consult your DOS manual if you are unfamiliar with
- this.) The possible exit codes are:
-
- 36 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- Table A.1: Qanalyst exit codes
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- 0 : Normal termination (or user pressed ALT-X or CTRL-C)
- 1 : Error while reading or writing the configuration file
- 2 : Error while reading or writing the phone-rate file
- 3 : Error while reading the QMODEM.CNF file
- 4 : Error while writing a report to the printer or file
- 5 : Error while reading or writing the log file
- 6 : The log file has no log entries
- 7 : The log file is not in chronological order
- 8 : The log file is corrupted in some way
- 9 : Bad parameter or filename on the MS-DOS command line
- 10 : Couldn't find log file listed in configuration
- 11 : Not enough memory to continue
- 12 : Cannot send report to a read-only file
- 13 : Cannot send report to an invalid filename
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
- Appendix B, "Qanalyst v1.0 users" 37
-
-
-
-
- ___________________________Appendix B____________________________
- Qanalyst v1.0 users
-
-
- This appendix is for users upgrading from Qanalyst v1.0. A num-
- ber of changes have been made to the program. This will offer
- the upgrading Qanalyst user a quick look at what's new.
-
- The biggest addition to Qanalyst is its ability to analyze your
- uploads and downloads. This of course includes the cost to
- transfer those files.
-
- Qanalyst can now generate a report based solely on the last call
- you made or on a specific telephone number, even if the call is
- still in progress. See appendix section C.2.
-
- Host BBS charges can now be entered separate from the cost of the
- phone call itself. (This will be a boon to CompuServe and GEnie
- subscribers.) You can even specify if a host BBS suspends
- charges during uploads, meaning a more accurate cost analysis.
- See chapter 6.
-
- Qanalyst v2.0 automatically reads its v1.0 files.
-
- Qanalyst v2.0 isn't compatible with Qmodem v3.x logs. Don't keep
- appending to an old Qmodem log file! Start a brand-new log when
- you get Qmodem v4.x.
-
- We no longer call it the "phone log file." We now refer to it
- simply as the "log file". Some users were confusing the phone
- log file with the phone-rate file.
-
- The following command-line options are no longer valid: /L, /P,
- /S, and /W. They are now part of the configuration file data and
- you can change them on the screen. See section 7.
-
- The following command-line options were added: /E, /F, and /T.
- See section 2.1.
-
- You can now declare specific to/from dates on the command line.
- You are no longer forced to analyze/maintain an entire log file
- when running under the /B command-line option.
-
- Qmodem v4.x's ALT-D prefix codes are now reflected in the log
- file, giving users the power to tailor some phone numbers so
- Qanalyst views them as toll records instead of long-distance or
- "odd" records, for example. (Consult your Qmodem manual if you
- are unfamiliar with this.) See appendix section D.4.
-
- Qanalyst now sorts the detailed report by BBS name, not by phone
- number. You can still request sorting by the phone number if you
- wish. See chapter 7.
-
- 38 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- The Append-from-phone-logs menu command has been augmented by the
- Condense-phone-rate-data menu command. See page 20 and also see
- appendix section D.3.
-
- There is better support for people who use MicroSoft Windows or
- DoubleDOS multitasking software. See section 1.6.
-
- Qanalyst can now initialize your printer and use boldface to
- accentuate reports. See page 27.
-
- Appendix C, "Helpful hints" 39
-
-
-
-
- ___________________________Appendix C____________________________
- Helpful hints
-
-
- C.1 Invoking Qanalyst
-
- Here are a few visual aids for Qanalyst's start-up options:
-
- QANALYST
- Starts the program with no special instructions.
-
- QANALYST /I/N
- Wrong! You must put a space between each option. The program
- will only see the /I option in this case.
-
- QANALYST /N
- The program starts up in silent mode. You can turn the bells
- & whistles on or off at any menu.
-
- QANALYST /B /F1-1:60 C:\DOS\DATA\MY-DATA.CFG
- The program runs automatically, using the configuration infor-
- mation in MY-DATA.CFG. (You could print a report of your
- calls whenever you boot up, for example.) The program will
- only operate on log entries that fall between 1-1-89 and the
- date which is 60 days later ── in this case, 3-2-89.
-
- QANALYST /F /T
- The program defaults to log entries falling on today's date.
- It's an easy way to summarize what calls you made and what
- files you've transferred so far today.
-
- QANALYST /I /E
- Orders the program to use its internal defaults instead of
- looking for a configuration file. It will also ignore LIM EMS
- memory if present.
-
- QANALYST /BL /T:1 C:\QMODEM\LASTCALL.CFG
- The program runs automatically and generates reports on the
- very last call you made, even if the call is still in
- progress. LASTCALL.CFG is a special Qanalyst configuration
- file set up for this purpose.
-
-
- C.2 One call? One phone number?
-
- Qanalyst v2.0 introduces the option of "last call," "current
- call," and "single number" analysis. You can now order the pro-
- gram to generate reports based solely on the last call you made
- (even if it's still in progress), or just on calls to a specific
- telephone number.
-
- 40 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- Use the /BL option when you want to generate a report on the last
- call you made. Use the /BS option when you want to generate a
- report for a specific telephone number. Please become familiar
- with the /B option first. (See page 10.)
-
- Be sure to create a special Qanalyst configuration file for each
- purpose and include the name on the command line when you use the
- /BL or /BS option. You can even get Qmodem to do all the work
- for you in a SCRipt file if you want. (See appendix section C.5
- for hints.)
-
- If you use the /BL option, you must list only one log file in
- your configuration file. If you use the /BS option, you may
- specify all the log files you want (up to 20).
-
- You can, of course, specify /BL and /BS together. You can get a
- report of the last call you made to a specific BBS whether or not
- it was the very last call you placed.
-
- If you want a report on the current call in progress, you should
- also use the command-line option "/T:1" (see page 11). This will
- considerably speed up the analysis process.
-
-
- C.3 Getting rates from Ma Bell
-
- Your biggest problem with Qanalyst may be getting phone-rate data
- out of your phone company. The following tips are probably the
- most important ones you'll find in this manual.
-
- AT&T, MCI, and US Sprint refuse to offer electronic access to
- their phone rate databases. These companies claim they are more
- than happy to tell you their rates if you talk to an operator.
- Barn Owl Software recently filed a complaint with the FCC about
- this. If you want to make your voice heard, write to the Federal
- Communications Commission, Information & Complaints, Room #6202,
- Washington, DC 20544.
-
- Operators usually say long-distance calls are charged by the
- mileage between you and the other line. However, if you know the
- cost for one number in a given area code, you can pretty much use
- that figure for all numbers in that area code. Area code default
- records come in quite handy in Qanalyst.
-
- Operators will usually supply you with two complete sets of
- phone-rate data for a given area code or toll prefix. Try not to
- ask for more data in a single call. Remember, operators have to
- help other customers too.
-
- If you use AT&T, call (800) 222-0300 and ask for a "cheat sheet"
- of nationwide long-distance rates. It shows distances to many
- cities and the rates for various distances. Their chart can help
- you calculate phone-rate data on your own. (The other long-
- distance services probably have a similar chart.)
-
- Appendix C, "Helpful hints" 41
-
-
-
- C.4 Get the correct time
-
- One thing you can depend on is the fact that all phone companies
- set their timing clocks according to an atomic clock. You can
- find out the absolute correct time by dialing one. You might
- want to call one occasionally to make sure your computer is set
- to the correct time.
-
- You can hear the correct time from the Naval Observatory's master
- atomic clock by dialing (900) 410-8463. There is a fifty-cent
- charge for each call.
-
- You can also get the correct time from any ham radio tuner by
- tuning to 10.0000MHz. The time is called out by voice and by
- Morse code once a minute with an audible tick every second.
-
-
- C.5 Shelling to DOS from Qmodem
-
- We've said it before and we'll say it again. You run a risk of
- corrupting your log file if you use Qanalyst while you're in a
- Qmodem v4.0 DOS shell. The problem surfaces when both programs
- fight for control of the same log file at the same time. This
- problem was corrected with the release of Qmodem v4.1.
-
- The Qmodem v4.0 problem can be fixed if you use Qmodem's ALT-0
- command just before you shell to DOS. You will of course have to
- press ALT-0 again to restart the log when you exit the shell.
-
- If you want to use Qanalyst from inside a Qmodem DOS shell, we
- recommend you use the following QANALYST.SCR SCRipt file:
-
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ; SCRipt to *safely* run Qanalyst from a Qmodem v4.0 DOS shell.
- TURNOFF LOG
- DOS "QANALYST"
- LOG SESSION.LOG
- RETURN
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Figure C.1: Sample QANALYST.SCR SCRipt file for Qmodem v4.0
-
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ; SCRipt to run Qanalyst from a Qmodem v4.1 or later DOS shell.
- DOS "QANALYST"
- RETURN
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Figure C.2: Sample QANALYST.SCR SCRipt file for Qmodem v4.1 and later
-
- Next, attach this SCRipt to one of your function keys so you can
- call it with a single keystroke. (Consult your Qmodem manual if
- you are unfamiliar with this.) Put "@SCRIPT QANALYST.SCR" in the
- function key.
-
- 42 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- If you decide to execute Qanalyst from Qmodem, you can press a
- single function key. Qmodem will relinquish SESSION.LOG while
- you work in the DOS shell.
-
- You can modify this SCRipt slightly so Qanalyst reports only on
- the last phone call you made, even if the call is still in
- progress. See appendix section C.2 for more details.
-
-
- C.6 Special calling problems
-
- There are a number of cases where people dial local or toll num-
- bers that can confuse Qanalyst. In Maryland for example, you
- have to dial your area code to make a toll call. In Los Angeles,
- you never dial a "1" prefix to reach a toll number. Brookville,
- Indiana residents don't have to dial all seven digits for a local
- call (they can get away with five). The list goes on.
-
- Qanalyst has to draw the line at some point: it can't handle
- every possible dialing anomaly. But there are a few ways you can
- fool Qanalyst into handling these cases so the phone numbers show
- up in the right place on your report. The methods presented here
- have their pros & cons, and this is by no means a complete list.
- They're here to spur your imagination to find a solution to your
- dialing anomaly.
-
- Please note that most of these methods involve Qmodem v4.x's
- enhancements to the ALT-D prefix code capability. See appendix
- section D.4 and also consult your Qmodem manual before you play
- with prefix codes.
-
- If you have to dial your own area code to make a toll call, you
- can create a Qmodem ALT-D prefix code that contains the "1"
- prefix and your area code. Next, change your dialing directory
- entries so they show the prefix code instead of your area code.
- The prefix code will show up in your log file and Qanalyst will
- internally convert it to a "1". As far as Qanalyst is concerned,
- it's working with a toll number.
-
- Or, you can just create a default area code record for your area
- code. It will act like the toll root default record. The toll-
- rate function of the program will simply go unused.
-
- If you don't need a "1" prefix to call a toll number, create a
- Qmodem ALT-D prefix code with no information in it. Add this
- prefix code to the appropriate dialing directory entries. Qmodem
- will write it in the log file and Qanalyst will think you dialed
- a toll number.
-
- If you don't need to dial all seven digits to connect with a
- local BBS, it's best to put the whole phone number in the dialing
- directory entry. Two digits won't make a difference to Qmodem.
-
- Appendix C, "Helpful hints" 43
-
-
-
- C.7 Special phone rates
-
- If you pay a set rate for calls no matter how long you talk,
- specify that cost as the daytime/evening/nighttime "first minute"
- phone company rate. The "subsequent minute" phone company rate
- should be set to zero.
-
- If you have AT&T's "Reach Out America" plan, enter the same rate
- for the first & subsequent hour nighttime rates. Qanalyst
- doesn't calculate calls like AT&T does on this plan. (Change the
- nighttime rates on the long-distance root default record and any
- long-distance records you've declared). And remember to set the
- nighttime starting time to 22:00.
-
- PC-Pursuit users may want to consider setting the Utilities menu
- "Round calls to next min" option to No. This might improve the
- accuracy of long-distance reports. See chapter 7 for more
- information.
-
- 44 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
-
- ___________________________Appendix D____________________________
- Troubleshooting
-
-
- D.1 Log file problems
-
- Remember to exit from Qmodem with the ALT-X command before you
- shut off your computer! Failing to do so may corrupt the log
- file. Important information will be lost before it is written to
- disk. You should ALWAYS terminate Qmodem with the ALT-X command.
- Be nice to your log file.
-
- Be sure to start new log files if you ever change the Qmodem
- date/time separator characters. Qanalyst expects these to remain
- constant in each log file. You'll confuse Qanalyst if it changes
- to some other character.
-
-
- D.2 Qmodem log anomalies
-
- The Forbin Project made quite a few changes to the log file
- format based on our suggestions, but they didn't heed all of our
- advice. Please be aware of the following:
-
- 18:24:01 01-17-89 MANUAL DIAL > ATDT398-5703^M
- All MANUAL DIAL commands are logged regardless of whether a
- connection is made. The modem command sequence itself is
- entered into the log file (not just the phone number).
- Qanalyst cannot properly extract the phone number in many
- cases, and it sometimes mishandles a call that fails to
- connect. Qanalyst will highlight any MANUAL DIAL entries in
- its reports because of this.
-
- Caution: if you use Qmodem's Manual Dial capability and you
- enter a bad number (say you forgot to put a "1" at the start
- of a long-distance number), your error will show up in the log
- file.
-
- Please avoid Qmodem's manual dialing capability. We suggest
- you temporarily place the number in a free phone directory
- entry, tag it for dialing, and then remove it when you're
- done.
-
- 18:32:06 01-19-89 @HOST CALLBACK KAREN MILLER Number > 398-5703
- All HOST CALLBACK attempts are logged regardless of whether
- the remote user establishes a re-connect. Qanalyst can handle
- it correctly in most cases, but there are a few exceptions
- where the program will unknowingly generate an inaccurate
- report.
-
- Appendix D, "Troubleshooting" 45
-
-
-
- 01:11:25 11-18-89 Download Executing DSZ-DN.BAT.
- 01:11:26 11-18-89 @SHELL DSZ-DN.BAT 19200 1
- 01:12:18 11-18-89 ++ @SHELL Successful
- Qanalyst cannot handle external protocol file transfers. What
- you see here in line #3 is misleading: Qmodem is simply saying
- it had enough memory to drop to DOS. It tells you nothing
- about the true status of the file transfer(s).
-
- For this reason, Qanalyst will report all external protocol
- file transfers as having aborted. We apologize for this, but
- we know of no way to accurately track external protocol
- transfers.
-
- Forbin Project has committed to switch to the Call Data
- Standard with the release of Qmodem v5.0. External protocols
- will be able to "tell" Qmodem what they did if they, too,
- adhere to CDS.
-
-
- D.3 Phone-rate file problems
-
- Be careful when you use the "Append from phone logs" menu command
- or the "Auto-save for PRF data" option! Both will create records
- for specific phone numbers, which can cause big problems
- later on.
-
- These commands let you quickly create a phone-rate data file with
- records for every phone number in the log(s). You can make
- changes to records without having to create them first.
-
- The problem comes along later, when you make more changes to the
- phone-rate data. If you change an area-code default record and
- you didn't realize there were still some records for specific
- numbers, your reports will probably be inaccurate. Qanalyst will
- ignore the area-code default record if it finds a prefix default
- record or a specific-number record.
-
- The "Condense phone rate data" menu command will remove any
- redundant phone-rate records. Be sure to use it when you finish
- making changes to the phone-rate data. You won't have to change
- so many records later on if your phone rates go up or down. (Why
- keep redundant data?)
-
- If you call networks which charge you for your online time
- (CompuServe and GEnie are good examples), check your phone-rate
- files and separate the network's charges from the phone company's
- charges. This helps produce more accurate reports.
-
-
- D.4 Report problems
-
- If your report cost totals come out weird, it usually means you
- supplied bad phone-rate data. Check the following:
-
- 46 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- 1. Did you specify the proper to/from analysis dates for each
- log configuration? Did you accidentally enter a log con-
- figuration twice? (Some people do this on purpose to
- generate reports for a non-contiguous calling period.)
-
- 2. Does the phone-rate data file contain a record for the
- specific phone number? If so, Qanalyst will use that cost
- data instead of looking at a default record. See appendix
- section D.3.
-
- 3. Did you specify minute or hourly rates? Costs will be 60
- times larger or smaller if you mix these up. (If Qanalyst
- prints '****' instead of a number, you probably entered an
- hourly rate and said the cost was by the minute.)
-
- 4. Did you specify when daytime/evening/nighttime rates go
- into effect? Did you enter the times correctly?
-
- 5. Did you specify if uploads are free of host BBS charges?
- (This only applies if you entered host BBS cost data.)
- Did you use a v1.0 phone-rate file? Study your phone-rate
- data to make sure it's accurate. It could be that a host
- BBS charge was combined with a phone company charge.
-
- 6. Did you set the master override-rate schedules properly
- for daytime/evening/nighttime rates? Did you set them for
- phone company costs as well as for host BBS costs?
-
- You might find it easier to print the phone-rate data so you can
- see it on paper. The "Print phone-rate data" menu command is
- explained on page 20.
-
- Problems may be hidden in the Qmodem ALT-D prefix codes. (Con-
- sult your Qmodem manual if you are unfamiliar with this.)
- Qanalyst tries its best to handle the prefix codes but it can't
- account for every possibility.
-
- Qanalyst internally strips all front-end prefix codes and appends
- a "1" to the number unless it is already present. Prefix codes
- at the end of the number will be stripped off. Any prefix code
- in the middle of the number will be left where it stands.
-
- As you can see, dialing a local number with front-end prefix
- codes would make Qanalyst think you dialed a toll number. (This
- is just one example, of course.)
-
-
- D.5 Modem problems
-
- The following bulletin was taken from The Forbin Project BBS (the
- official support board for Qmodem). It details some of the
- problems which affect log files and thus affect Qanalyst. Many
- thanx go to John Friel for this useful information.
-
- Appendix D, "Troubleshooting" 47
-
-
-
- Registered Qmodem users can contact the Forbin Project BBS at
- (319) 233-6517 to read many other helpful bulletins.
-
- Problem: When I start up Qmodem, the Online/Offline indicator
- in the status line always says ONLINE. Why?
-
- Answer: The modem is sending a signal back to Qmodem saying
- it is connected to another computer. On Hayes 2400 modems &
- clones using the '&' (ampersand) extended commands, there is
- usually a command to control the CD (carrier detect) signal.
- The default mode (unfortunately) is for CD to be on all the
- time which makes Qmodem think it is ONLINE. To make things
- right, send the following command to your modem from Qmodem's
- terminal mode:
-
- AT&C1
-
- You will have to check your modem manual to verify this
- command in case it is not quite 100% Hayes compatible.
-
- Modems this is known to cure:
- Hayes 2400 (all models)
- Hayes V-Series (all models)
- Practical Peripherals (all models)
- Anchor Automation Patriot 2400i
-
- Some modems, as in the case of the Courier HST from
- USRobotics, have a switch which by default has Carrier forced
- true. Switch number 6 is DOWN from the factory and must be
- set to UP to work correctly. Running the HST20.SCR will bring
- this fact to light.
-
- 48 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
-
- ___________________________Appendix E____________________________
- Acknowledgments
-
-
- First, a note of thanks to every registered Qanalyst user. The
- shareware concept is based on the honesty & integrity of the
- person using the program. Registered Qanalyst users have proven
- there's still a lot of honesty in the world.
-
- Please support all the shareware products you use. And look for
- the ASP's distinctive three-disk logo ── you can bet there's a
- professional standing behind his or her program!
-
-
- E.1 Dedication
-
- To my computer-widow wife, Denise, without whom I would have no
- one to tuck into bed at night. (Can I say "I love you" in the
- Qanalyst manual?) I hope no one will mind that I listed her name
- in the index. <grin>
-
-
- E.2 The beta testers
-
- Everyone on the beta test crew is a registered Qmodem user.
- There were quite a few beta testers since I opened up the testing
- to all registered users, so forgive me for not listing everyone
- by name. They know know who they are! Thanx, guys.
-
-
- E.3 Many thanx to
-
- John Friel III and The Forbin Project, for the all-powerful
- Qmodem that got me started as a modemer;
-
- Karl Brendel, author of QFE (another great Qmodem enhancement
- program) and a good friend to have in the ASP;
-
- Philippe Kahn and his crew at Borland International, for the
- Turbo Pascal compiler and every structured program it spawns, for
- the Sprint word processor which created this manual, and for the
- monetary support he provides to the Association of Shareware
- Professionals;
-
- Kim Kokkonen and his crew at TurboPower Software, for their great
- Turbo Pascal toolkits & other fantastic products;
-
- Jim Button, for pioneering the concept of shareware and for
- helping form the Association of Shareware Professionals.
-
- Index 49
-
-
-
- _________________________________________________________________
-
- Index
-
-
- /8 10, 30 F
- /B 8, 9, 10, 11, 30, files 5
- 34, 37, 40 floppy drive 7
- /E 10 Forbin Project 1
- /F 10, 15, 34
- /I 11, 34 G
- /N 11 GEnie See: networks
- /T 11, 15, 34
- H
- A hints 25, 30, 39, 40
- AT&T holidays 21
- Reach Out America 43
- L
- B legal notices 1
- backup file 16 license
- BAL 16, 32 corporate 3
- Barn Owl address 1 volume discounts 3
- batch mode See: /B
- M
- C MicroSoft
- Call Data Standard See: Windows 8
- CDS
- cautions 6, 20, 22, 30, N
- 44, See Also: networks 1, 24, 45
- warnings notes 5, 6, 10, 11, 14,
- CDS 5, 8, 45 15, 16, 19, 24, 25,
- cfg-file 10 26, 29, 30, 32, 42,
- CompuServe See: See Also: cautions
- networks
- CONFIG.SYS 32 O
- configuration 10, 11, OmniView 8
- 12, 13, 14, 28, 31,
- 34, 39 P
- PC-Pursuit 30, 43
- D phone-rate data 19, 22
- Denise 48 phone rates 22
- DESQView 8 PIF file See: MicroSoft
- disk vendors 2
- distributors See: disk Q
- vendors Qanalyst
- DOS 3.20 7 limited license 2
- DoubleDOS 8 support 3
- DSZ 45 syntax 11
- QMODEM.CNF See: /B
- E Qmodem
- ERRORLEVEL 35 DOS shells 33, 41
- exit code 35 log anomalies 44
- external protocols 6
-
- 50 Qanalyst v2.0 User Manual
-
-
-
- prefix code shareware 2, 11
- capability 25, 26,
- 37, 42, 46 T
- versions 6 TaskView 8
- Telex See: networks
- R The Source See:
- registration 3 networks
- corporate 3 trademarks 1
- volume discounts 3
- reports V
- bad reports 7, 23, visual aids 39
- 24, 44, 45
- just on last call 39 W
- on the call in warnings 6, 33, See
- progress 39 Also: notes
- warranty 2
- S
- screens Z
- EGA/VGA 10 Zmodem See: DSZ
-