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ComputerTalk Magazine 4
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CTM9210.ZIP
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ART8
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1992-09-27
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╓──────────────╖
║ ProComm Plus ║
║ for Windows ║
╙──────────────╜
by Tony Curro
Each day brings a plethora of Windows products. DataStorm
Technologies has recently released ProComm Plus for Windows (PC PLUS).
ProComm Plus takes full advantage of the MS Windows environment. It is a
full Windows product with pull down menus, full mouse support, and even DDE
support.
Installation of ProComm Plus for Windows requires 4,520K for a
complete install. This includes a demo of ProComm Plus for Windows. While
you are in the installation stage, you enter you name and serial number.
You are then asked if you wish to register your product. If you state that
you do, ProComm Plus for Windows will then call the DataStorm BBS and
upload the information you provided on screen. You can then call for
technical support as a fully registered user. The whole call procedure
takes a couple of minutes.
When you start ProComm Plus for Windows you will see either 8 or 12
icons along the action bar. This is dependent on your graphic mode. If
you are below 800x600 you will see 8; 800x600 or above you will see 12.
Even when lower graphic modes, you can select ALL these options via the
drop down menus or key presses.
ProComm Plus for Windows comes with 34 terminal emulations and a
powerful scripting command language. Included, are detailed examples of the
Windows ASPECT Script Language using scripts for automated log-on to CIS
and DataStorm BBS. Creating a quick log-on script is very simple using PC
Plus. You start record mode when you dial a BBS. As you log-on all the
information is recorded. Once you are at the point where you wish to stop,
you end record. Now you have the option of naming and compiling the file.
In many instances you do not have to edit the scripts. I had to edit 2 or
3 out of over twenty-four that I created. A Host Script is also included,
which allows unattended file transfers, E-Mail, individual security levels
and more. There is a Windows ASPECT Script Language manual included with
over 300 pages of explanations of each command and has a short
tutorial. Simple log-on scripts can be created by anyone. However, the
advanced scripting features might be a little bit much for the novice user.
PC Plus has all the popular transfer protocols' built-in. These
include Zmodem, CIS B+, ASCII, Ymodem-G and more. Viewing .GIF files as
they are being downloaded is another feature of PC Plus. I am not a big
.GIF fan, but the several that I did try worked very smoothly, and I did not
notice and drastic slowdown of the transfer. You can even convert a .GIF
file into a .BMP file for use as a Windows background file. Sending and
receiving files requires you to click on either the Up or Down folders on
the action bar. For upload's you are presented with a list of files.
Double-clicking on a file will send it. You can also send files in batch
mode. Zmodem has AutoZ D/L that requires no intervention on your part to
receive a file. Another feature, which DataStorm unveiled in version 2.0 of
their DOS program, is the File Clipboard. No more having to jot down names
of files, which we usually misspell anyway. Just select and tag the files
you wish to download.
You can call a BBS in several ways: manual dial, opening the phonebook
and selecting board name, or using the drop down quick dial option. PC
Plus comes with a fully automated dialing directory that can be set
differently for each service you call. You can also have multiple dialing
directories and switch between them with a few mouse clicks. Directories
also have options to include notes, be set up in a "dialing queue," keep
information about times called and other information, and to have the
entries sorted in a variety of ways. Each phone directory can store 250
entries. The manual also has a chapter on converting ProComm Plus DOS
dialing directories into PC Plus for Windows directories.
Meta keys are another task simplifier. Setting up keys are easy and
can be used to run DOS programs, Windows programs, or even to send your
name, password or other text directly to a BBS while on-line. The
scrollback buffer can review the last 31 pages of text that have scrolled
off your screen.
Two other features of PC Plus are the: Dialog Editor and the User
Window Builders, both let you build interactive dialog boxes or graphical
displays on screen and save the results as source code for use in Windows
ASPECT scripts. Both have sample files included in the manual.
I have been using ProComm Plus for Windows for over a month now. I
have not experienced any problems whatsoever. I have phoned many BBSs and
have done numerous uploads and downloads, all of which never gave me a
problem. I have used several other communications programs for Windows, and
have found ProComm Plus for Windows to be the most stable. The others have
aborted d/l's, logged me off, dropped the transfer rate to a snail's pace,
and other sundry adventures. DataStorm has put its vast knowledge of
creating communication programs over the years to good use. When it did
create one for Windows it did create one that deserves to carry the
DataStorm name.
Owners of the DOS version can upgrade to the Windows version for
$69 by calling 1-800-326-4999 and using MasterCard of VISA.
╓─────────────────────────╖
║ Product Information ║
╟─────────────────────────╢
║ PROCOMM PLUS ║
║ for Windows ║
╟─────────────────────────╢
║ List Price: $149 ║
║ (limited intro. ║
║ price) ║
╟─────────────────────────╢
║ DataStorm Technologies ║
║ 3212 Lemone Blvd. ║
║ Columbia, MO 65201 ║
║ 314 443-3282 ║
╙─────────────────────────╜