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1996-02-14
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Beginners guide to Comms on the Amiga
By Perphirel
Hello again, this issue I'll be looking into the strange world of comms
and the Amiga, and how to get on the internet and bbs's etc. read on
MODEM BASICS
Well first of all you a need a thing called a 'modem'. This actaully
stands for modulator/demodulator and actually coverts computer
information/data into beeps and weird sounds and send them down your
phone line to another computer.
The speed of a modem is the most crucial thing in purchasing a modem, the
faster you buy the less you pay in your phone bills.
Modems range from 300 bps upto 33600bps or baud rate. Bps/Baud rate is
how much data is sent through the modem down the phone, the higher the
better. Dont buy anything under 14400 bps, unless you want a big phone
bill. Currently 14400 modems are selling at about 60-120 pounds. A good
make is USROBOTICS, and the Sportser modem is especially reliable, other
good modems include, Zoom, Supra and Zxyel.
BABT approved modems and none BABT approved whats the difference? Well
BABT approved modem will work 99% of the time on British telephone
systems. There has been trouble with some non-BABT modems, like not
being able to hang up right. This happens when the modem has not been
adjusted to the British tones. So if you buy a non BABT modem its your
own fault if it don't work
I'VE GOT THE MODEM NOW WHAT?
Well you have to connect one end to your computer and the other end to
your phone line. The Modem should be supplied with a cable that plugs
into your Serial port of the Amiga, the other end is usually a telephone
plug that plugs into your wall telephone socket. Firstly you need comms
software, this should be supplied with your modem, If not you can order
from your local PD library. A good PD comms software is called TERM.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Well you should idealy have a HardDrive and 1 meg of ram free for
effcient modeming, but here is a list for the bare minimum for your
machine.
A500 1.3 : External Disk Drive HIGHLY recommended,
1 Meg Ram needed, more is recommended,
HardDrive Recommended.
Software: Ncomm3.0
Internet: YES, no WWW
Ok you can get Ncomm and a couple of other things on your disk by
'crunching' down the programs to fit on 1 disk, by using a utility like
powerpacker.
A500+ 2.0 : Same as above
Software: Ncomm3.0 or any other
Internet: Yes, no WWW
Same as above but version 2.0 of the operating system gives more
flexability and generally more stable.
A1200 : External Disk Drive recommended
HardDrive Recommended
Extra 2meg ram + HardDrive required for WWW
Software: Term, Ncomm + others
Internet: Yes,Yes
Version 3 OS now you can use WWW (world wide web) on internet and set
your serial rate at 38400 to for more effciency.
A4000/T : You got everything you need!
Software: Term, Ncomm + Others
Internet: Yes, Yes
No problems here, you can use your machine with no problems, as you have
everything you need already.
SETTING YOUR SOFTWARE
Basically all you have to do is set a couple of things:
Only applies to 14400 modems and above
1. Baud rate set to 19200 for A500/+ owners or you'll
get transfer problems
38400 + for AGA machines 1200/4000
2. Zmodem/Zmodem Upload/Zmodem Download/Zmodem Resume on
This applies for all machines, note these functions
can be found on your comms software options menu or
something similar
3. RTS/CTS set this to on (all machines)
4. Parity, 8, Bits none, Stop Bits 1
or 8n1 (all machines)
5. Duplex Full (all machines)
6. Emulation, set this to IBM usually
7. Intialization string, optional set to ATZ
GETTING STARTED
After you have done that try to dial a friends house by using the dial
feature, the modem should dial out and your friend should pickup the
fone, this is a good indication that your modem is working.
Ok the next step calling a bbs, find a number (available in BBS section
of miggybyte) and eventually your modem should make funny noises after
being connected and you should get a string on the screen like this:
CONNECT 14400/LAPM/V42/ARQ or somehting similar this means you have
succesfully connected. Eventually you will get a prompt by the bbs
Software and just follow the instructions and you should be ok.
Sometimes your modem may not connect, if this happens consult your manual
on commands, usually typing ATB1 or ATB0 does the trick, or try ATZ, to
reset the modem back to normal.
If you have any other problems you can try to contact the 'sysop' of the
bbs you have called, by going to page option or call sysop on the bbs.
They will usually help you out and be generally friendly.
Anyway thats all for this time, I havent covered all the issues but just
the basics, when you get online you should ideally call the sysop and ask
for they will be glad to help you.
END
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