ReadCIS is a program to automate CompuServe navigation from the Psion Series 3a computer. ThreeCIS is the script that performs the online work. ReadCIS requires ThreeCIS version 3.0 or higher.
ReadCIS and ThreeCIS are shareware, and can be registered together online. This trial version can send only one Cismail message per session, and visits only one forum. The registered version can send five mail messages, works with three forums, and includes a Help module which provides a summary of all Names and Switches by pressing the <Help> key. Registration details are at the end of this file.
THREECIS FEATURES
Offline operation:
1) Configures the 3 Link serial port or 3Fax modem.
2) Allows user to control modem settings for travel: dial tone recognition, tone or pulse dialing, dialout code, and speaker status, without editing initialization string.
3) Allows user to choose from 5 stored phone numbers, enter a manual number, or use a built-in directory of CIS nodes.
Automatic online operation:
4) Dials and logs on through a direct CIS node, or through the Falnet, Fenics, GNS Dialplus, Infonet, Mercury and Transpac supplementary networks.
5) Receives Cismail messages and binary files, deletes or saves mail in online mailbox.
6) Sends Cismail, maximum five text messages per session, plus one binary mail file.
7) Collects Associated Press Latest News summaries, UK Press Association stories, AP France and Deutsche Presse-Agentur news headlines, Online Today stories, financial quotations, weather forecasts, and if you are a ZiffNet member, MacBeat and MacWeek articles.
8) Visits three forums, collects waiting messages, new messages, or all messages posted in last 24 hours in selected sections, sends forum messages, and retrieves library files.
9) Navigates to user selected online area, configures CIS for interactive use, calls user written script, or logs off.
READCIS FEATURES
File Management
10) Displays Cismail, news stories, financial reports, weather forecasts, and forum messages from In Basket.
11) Allows user to select Word, Reader, or VR3a for viewing news stories and forum messages.
12) Creates and edits Cismail, forum messages and replies in Out Basket. Files are automatically named and stored in the correct formats.
13) Allows user to optionaly choose word processor with word wrap for Cismail creation.
14) Prepares files to be sent via binary Cismail.
15) Deletes message files, singly or in groups.
16) Archives selected files to separate directory.
Script Management
17) Creates, deletes, and shows current status of script switches.
18) Toggles switches On/Off.
19) Allows user to hide infrequently changed switches.
20) Launches script for online execution.
Most script features are turned "Off" by default. Please read this entire file, even if you have used an earlier version, because there have been changes in logic. Pay special attention to MODIFYING NAMES, CUSTOMIZING THREECIS, and FILE MANAGEMENT sections, which are essential to making the script do exactly what you expect.
In particular, if you are not using Psion's 3Fax modem, read the discussion of MODIFYING NAMES/Modem Names/Initialize and CUSTOMIZING THREECIS/Modem Switches, because you must create an Initialize Name and use one or more Switches that will set your modem and the 3a for the same type of handshaking, and the correct serial port speed.
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
To use this script you must have:
Psion Series 3a computer with 3Fax modem;
-OR- all of the following:
1) Psion 3Link RS 232 interface;
2) Psion Modem Adapter Cable, or null modem adapter and gender changer;
3) Hayes compatible modem.
If you do not have the 3Fax modem, Psion's Modem Adapter Cable is strongly recommended, because many null modem adapters do not connect the proper pins for RTS/CTS hardware handshaking.
At least one SSD is also recommended for reading news stories and forum messages. These files can be quite large, and the internal disk may provide inadequate storage. Also, an improperly configured modem can cause a serial overload, which may lock the computer and require a reset. Files stored on the internal disk could be lost. If you use the internal disk, backup your files before each online session, and close applications to make the internal disk as large as possible.
FILE INSTALLATION
Copy files to any 3a disk in the specified directories:
\APP\
Readcis.opa ReadCIS program
\SCO\
3cis.sco Logon, mail & services script
Forums.sco Forum script (Optional)
Cisnames.nam Names file; stores variables
To finish installation, press <Psion-I> from system screen, choose "Readcis.opa" (change the disk if necessary to find it), press <Enter>. The ReadCIS icon will appear.
If it is not already on your screen, you should also install the Comms icon. Attach 3Link or 3Fax to the Series 3a, press <Psion-I>, set the Disk to C, and choose "Comms.app" or "Fcomms.app". It is most convenient to install ReadCIS and Comms side-by-side.
You should also assign a button to ReadCIS, as explained on page 228 of the User Guide. These instructions assume that you have assigned it to [Control+Word].
INITIAL SETUP
Before the script will run, information must be added to the Names file, following these procedures:
1) Attach 3Link or 3Fax to Series 3a.
2) Start ReadCIS.
3) Press <Psion-+>. (If you see "File or device in use", press <Esc>, press [System] button, press <Psion-L>, turn Remote Link off, try again.)
4) Wait for "Online..." to appear in lower right corner.
5) Press <Psion-L> to load names. Choose "Cisnames" (change disk if necessary to find it), press <Enter>.
6) Press <Psion-M> to modify names. The first Name should be "Audible". If not, you are using the wrong file.
7) Type value for each Name as explained in MODIFY NAMES. Press <Tab> after each entry.
8) After supplying all values press <Enter>.
9) Press <Psion-S> to save values entered in Names file. Use the filename "Cisnames.nam". Press <Y> to confirm overwrite. If you do not save, values are lost when you return to ReadCIS.
10) Press <Psion-X> to return to ReadCIS.
MODIFY NAMES
Provide a value for each variable in Cisnames.nam. Jump directly to a Name by pressing the first letter; each starts with a unique character.
Modem Names
Initialize: String used to initialize modem. 3Fax users leave set to &F. Otherwise, consult modem manual to determine the type of handshaking it supports, and commands to invoke it. If Series 3a and modem are not set for same type of handshaking you will experience serial overflows, dropped characters, missed prompts and frozen connections. Choosing the right settings is essential for proper script operation.
- If modem supports RTS/CTS hardware handshaking, and you are using Psion's Modem Adapter Cable, include the command to activate it, such as \Q3, &K1 or &H1. Do not use any command without verifying that your modem recognizes it.
- If you are using a null modem adapter you probably will need to use XON/XOFF software handshaking, even if the modem supports RTS/CTS hardware handshaking. Typical commands are \Q1, &K2 or &H2. You will also need to create an XONXOFF.ON switch as described in CUSTOMIZING THREECIS.
- If modem manual does not specifically mention hardware handshaking, you must use software handshaking, but no command is needed to invoke it. You will need to create an XONXOFF.ON switch as described in CUSTOMIZING THREECIS.
Extended: X value used to initialize modem. Set to X4. Use X1 if modem erroneously reports NO DIALTONE.
Audible: M value used to initialize modem. Set to M1 to hear the modem dial and handshake. Use M0 for silent operation.
Phone Names
Tone: Selects tone or pulse dialing. Set to T for tone. Use P for pulse (rotary) dialing.
Dialout: Code to access outside telephone line. Initially blank, but you may need to use, for example, 8 or 9 when calling from hotel or office. Place comma after code to pause b
