Copyright: ® 1997 Roger Lee Heath


Contents
welcome to advanced internet connectivity

Welcome to Activator(tm) the Internet Connectivity Management Tool!
Please contact us through the link below should you have any questions.

fast high quality internet connections...

What is the Activator and How do I use it?

Multiuser Internet Access DialUp Accounts

Using the Stock Quotes and Graphing

Using the FTP Client

Installation and Troubleshooting

Guide to Online Terms or Glossary

General Help with Modems

button command functions:

CONNECT TO INTERNET - Dials up internet connection and activates internet access then loads interactive 'PUSH' support program. (Note: You must have an Activator(tm) 'key' from your ISP installed for this to work. You may obtain a key by using the 'Connect Direct' button below.)

CONNECT DIRECT - Connects to the primary host system (using Excalibur Terminal for Windows) over conventional telephone modem dialup line. This is where you may obtain an Activator(tm) Internet Account Key for the above button to function or call for support and troubleshooting.  (This must be done to activate the above 'Connect to Internet'  button)

HELP - Loads this help file.

DISCONNECT - Disconnects only an ongoing current Internet connection.

EXIT (disconnect) - Closes all dialup connections and closes the Activator(tm)

NOTE: When first loading Activator you must select a modem and insert a simple dialup networking entry named 'Activator' and a dialup phone number as 'Activator' to function properly Should your connection be disconnected for any reason, the Activator(tm) will automatically attempt a reconnection unless the 'Disconnect' or 'Exit' buttons are clicked!

pull-down menus:

The Activator(tm) client pull-down menus load this help file, but also enable you to edit your ISP Internet local dialup phone number and the pathway to your Excalibur Terminal program, if you are using the Excalibur Terminal/Browser. Now you may also load the FTP client if you wish to use FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to obtain files. Also, there is now a nice Stock Quotes and Graphing client as well. In addition, you may make individual passworded internet dialup accounts for business employees and family members!

system requirements:

This is a beta version of Activator(tm) client and runs on Windows95 or NT. Also, before this client will run your must have installed DialUp Networking ( DUN ) and TCP/IP protocol. These come with Win95 and NT. NT installs DUN when you install RAS in NT...

internet connection quality control assurance:

One of the most important features of Activator(tm) is it's built-in connection quality control features. After you login to the internet using the Activator(tm) client an analysis of the quality of your Internet connection occurs. If it is very poor, then you will be disconnected and asked to attempt a reconnection. Ideally, this helps you to obtain a quality connection so that you don't waste time with very bad connections. For a list of all the error codes and their meaning, please click the link below for a detailed list of software and hardware codes returned by the Activator(tm) client!

Activator(tm) Connection Codes

Special notes for Excalibur Users

How to Contact Us

Glossary

Activator(rm) is (C)opyright by Roger Lee Heath   All rights reserved.
Certain parts of Activator(tm) are Patent Pending by Jack McMorris

Use of this software implies acceptance of the Activator(tm) software use License Agreement. For more information, please click on link below.

Activator(tm) is a trade mark by Roger Lee Heath.
R. Lee Heath, 2555 Victor Avenue, Suite 602, Glenview, IL 60025-4866
Tel: 847-729-7522  Fax: 847-729-9719 E-mail: activator@wyndows.com
Activator(tm) WebPage: http://www.wyndows.com/activator

This HLP issued with version 1.0.52 - 12/25/97

Activator(tm) License Agreement


general
fast internet with an 'Activator(tm) Account'...!!

What is the Activator(tm)?

Activator(tm) was concieved to qualify, simplfy, streamline, and secure connecting to the Internet. It is a compliment to Windows95 and NT Dialup Networking (DUN) systems. Activator(tm) not only provides for 'one click' connection to the internet, but also makes your Internet account information secure.

How does the Activator work?

Activator(tm) has five simple buttons. When you first load Activator(tm) it may not connect to the Internet. This is because you must obtain an Activator Account  Access Key file that is then placed on your PC to fully automate connecting to the Internet. This key contains the vital information to connect and use the Internet.

Installing Activator... what is required?

Activator requires that you already have installed DUN (Dial Up Networking).and the TCP/IP Network Protocol. These come with Windows are are already on your Windows CDROM or disks. You may check to see if DUN is installed by clicking on 'My Computer'. If it is installed, then an icon with the name 'Dialup Networking' will appear. If it does not appear insert your Windows CDRom disk and then Add/Remove Programs when it loads. Then under 'Communications' check 'Dialup Networking' and proceed to install it.

To see if TCP/IP network protocol is installed on your computer simply click on Start, then Control Panel, then Network. You should see two things essential to normal operations, a DialUp Adaptor, and TCP/IP Protocol. If these are not there, you may click Add, then Protocol, then TCP/IP (under Microsoft). You may also click Add, then Adaptor, then Dialup Adaptor (under Microsoft).

How do I get an Activator(tm) access Internet 'key'?

On your Activator(tm) you will see the button 'Connect Direct'. This is the button commonly used to connect to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to obtain an internet access Activator(tm) account key. Your ISP basically makes an access key file for you to be placed into your Activator(tm) folder or disk directory. This then 'activates' the 'Connect to Internet' button for 'one click' login into the internet!

How do I connect to my Internet Provider to get a 'key'?

If your ISP has an Excalibur based dialup server, you may obtain your 'key' for access there! Excalibur even may automatically install a key, making life even easier and 'turning on' all Activator(tm) Account access functions!

The 'Connect Direct' button only works if you have installed the award winning Excalibur Terminal/Browser on your system in addition to the Activator(tm). Once Excalibur is installed you may call into the main host server via direct telephone modem dialup to turn on all Activator(tm) access features.

NOTE: If the 'Connect Direct' button on Activator(tm) does not work initially, you may have to use Excalibur alone to connect to your ISP first....  then all buttons, including 'Connect Direct', on your internet Activator(tm) are made functional by the key file installs of the Excalibur ISP host system.

What is Excalibur?

What about multiple user dialup internet access?

Activator may create multiple user dialup accounts that limit times that the internet may be accessed. This may be beneficial to both businesses and the home where administrators and parents wish to limit access to the internet by select users at select times.

Click here for Information on Multiple Dialup Accounts

Where do I get more information about Activator(tm)?

Click here for contact information


Excalibur
excalibur and gateway winsock file changes

What is the Excalibur Information Server?

Excalibur is Windows Magazine award winning best of 100 applications of 1995. It is a graphical modem dialup software used to call the Excalibur Information Server host program. The Excalibur Client Terminal/Browser is free and must be installed independent of the Activator(tm) and may provide your Internet Service Provider, you, and other callers with a full interactive service support, entertainment, and content delivery system.

Faster more compatible internet connections...

If you are using an Excalibur based internet gateway like Zedsock(tm), Flipsock(tm), or the Weber(tm) , you will be very pleased with your new 'Activator(tm) Account'. It provides for new speed and internet applcations compatibility.

One way this is achieved is to use native Microsoft Windows95 or NT winsock files. Winsock files perform interpretation of internet  program commands for Windows. If you are using Zedsock(tm), Flipsock(tm) or the Weber(tm) for access now, you will need to rename all WINSOCK.DLL and WSOCK32.DLL files on your disk. Then you must reinstall the Microsoft winsocks on your machine and reboot your machine, so that no incompatible winsocks are loaded in your machine's memory.

If you do not have the appropriate files, please ask for them from your ISP.

After you have installed your Excalibur system Activator(tm) keys, scripts and these winsock files, this will activate your Activator(tm) 'Connect to Internet' button!


access
multiple user internet access self-control

activator dialer allows many internet user dialup accounts

This is a quick guide to creating, using, and managing multiuser internet access dialup accounts feature of the Activator modem dialer client program:

24 hour quick local access times reference chart

00:00 = (12 mid )  13:00  ( 1pm   )
01:00 = ( 1 am  )  14:00  ( 2pm   )
02:00 = ( 2 am  )  15:00  ( 3pm   )
03:00 = ( 3 am  )  16:00  ( 4pm   )
04:00 = ( 4 am  )  17:00  ( 5pm   )
05:00 = ( 5 am  )  18:00  ( 6pm   )
06:00 = ( 6 am  )  19:00  ( 7pm   )
07:00 = ( 7 am  )  20:00  ( 8pm   )
08:00 = ( 8 am  )  21:00  ( 9pm   )
09:00 = ( 9 am  )  22:00  (10pm   )
10:00 = (10 am  )  23:00  (11pm   )
11:00 = (11 am  )  23:59  (11:59pm)
12:00 = (12 noon)

setting up multiuser dialups and user access times

This version of Activator includes the ability to create and administrate individual user dialup accounts on any Windows 95 or NT computer! With this feature a business administrator or parent may create individual user or family member user accounts on the computer limiting access to the internet. Each user may have their very own login name and secret password. When turned on, this feature then prompts the user for his or her login and password. If valid, the user is then connected to the internet.

This feature also includes the ability for the administrator of these accounts to limit access times. Each account may be created giving hours of the day that the user is allowed access to the internet. Each time Activator logs in it confirms the time on it's preassigned time server, and if access is not allowed at that time, the connection is terminated. If the user is allowed access, but his or her time is reached when access is not allowed, then that user is disconnected. (typically within 10 minutes of when access time stops)

how to get started or turn on this feature

To turn on this feature in Activator, you must obtain and install an  Administrator password key file from your internet service provider or system administrator. Once you do so, this feature is activated and you may then create individual user dialup accounts all by yourself on your own machine for your own business or family members!

using the administrator dialog to manage dialup accounts

Below is the main dialog of the administrator account manager. To start this dialog use the pull-down menu in Activator and click on 'Setup' then 'Access Accounts'. You will be prompted to enter a user name and password. The user must be Administrator and the password must be the password given to you confidentially by your internet service provider or system administrator. After you enter the proper login and password, click 'OK' and the dialog will appear. Then you, as Administrator, may create and change or update individual dialup accounts that may be used to connect the internet.

Pictured at left is the account setup dialog. When loaded it displays the Administrator's account. Users passwords may be viewed in this dialog, so it is appropriate the Administrator perform these operations while alone.

Adding a New User:
To add a new user, simply click "Add New User'  and enter the new user's account name, password and set the time range allowed for this user's access. When finished, just click 'Update' to save this account.

Editing an Account:
To reedit a user's account settings just use the drop-down list box on this dialog to select the user account. Make the changes to the account and then click 'Update' to save the new settings.

Important Notes:
To make the new settings active you must exit or unload the main Activator program and then reload it. Then the new user account settings will work.

Exercise care in reediting the Administrator's login password. If you change it and forget it, then you will not be able to open the Administrator Panel wiithout requesting a new password key file.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All logins and passwords are 'case-sensitive' and must include exact upper case and lower case letters to operate properly.

how dialup accounts security works

Activator does NOT make new dialup accounts on your internet provider's or administrator's connection servers. It only creates dialup accounts on the local client dialup computer machine only. Only one user account may be used at a time and cannot be used on other computers.

Activator client saves the login names and passwords into a file called users.dat. These are encrypted, so they may not be read accept by the login of an Administrator on the client dialer program. If any person attempts editing of this data file, with say a hex editor, this file will disable accounts. If any user attempts a changing of the clock on the local computer machine, this will not enable access. Each time Activator logs in it is given the 'real time' by it's host time server. If the time is not permitted, the user will be disconnected. Resistance is futile.


Contacts
how to contact us

You may contact us at:

R. Lee Heath
2555 Victor Avenue, Suite 602
Glenview, Illinois 60025-4866 USA

Telephone: 847-729-7522
Fax: 847-729-9719

Excalibur tcp/ip: @activator.wyndows.com
Excalibur bbs: 847-729-2902

E-Mail: activator@wyndows.com
Web: http://www.wyndows.com/activator


AddOns
using stock quotes and graphs

the stock quotes and graphs client

This version of Activator includes a nice powerful stock quotes and graphs client. This client obtains quotes and graphs from the Yahoo server. These quotes and graphs are delayed 15 minutes or longer. If you wish to see details about Yahoo policies regarding this data please read these policies at http://www.yahoo.com. No accuracy of data is guaranteed by Activator or it's developers, the client simply displays data from Yahoo. Here is how to use it:

On the initial dialog just enter your symbols with a space between each symbol. Then click 'Stock Info Now' to see the securities quotes. To save these quote symbols for future use click 'Save Symbols'.

To obtain a graph of a security just click on 'Graphs' in the initial dialog. Then on the Graphs dialog enter a symbol and use the pulldown list box to specify a time period, e.,g. '1y=1 year'... and click 'Get Graph'.


FTP
using the FTP client

the activator ftp client

This version of Activator includes a nice minature FTP client. FTP stands for 'File Transfer Protocol'. Many FTP servers exist on the internet where files may be obtained directly from manufacturers or developers. Also, FTP is the most popular way to maintain websites. You will find this client program in the pull-down menu of Activator client called 'Internet'

To login to an FTP site just enter the address of the site e.g. 'ftp.microsoft.com'. Most sites accept 'Anonymous logins. To login to such sites click the 'Anonymous' switch and enter your e-mail address as the password. If you are going into a private site, like a website, just enter your login or UserID, and password. Uncheck the Anonymous and click OK when your settings are properly setup.

Once you have setup you login just click 'Connect' on the above dialog. Highlight the file you wish to transfer and click 'Download File' or 'Upload File'. When finished click 'Exit'.


Trouble
installation and troubleshooting your setup

Installing Activator... what is required?

Activator runs on Windows95 and Windows NT4.x(SP3) systems only.

Activator requires that you already have installed DUN (Dial Up Networking).and the TCP/IP Network Protocol with DialUp Adaptor. These come with Windows are are already on your Windows CDROM or disks. You may check to see if DUN is installed by clicking on 'My Computer'. If it is installed, then an icon with the name 'Dialup Networking' will appear. If it does not appear insert your Windows CDRom disk and then Add/Remove Programs when it loads. Then under 'Communications' check 'Dialup Networking' and proceed to install it. If you are using WindowsNT you must have installed RAS (Remote Access Service) which will have installed DUN...

To see if TCP/IP network protocol is installed on your computer simply click on Start, then Control Panel, then Network. You should see two things essential to normal operations, a DialUp Adaptor, and TCP/IP Protocol. If these are not there, you may click Add, then Protocol, then TCP/IP (under Microsoft). You may also click Add, then Adaptor, then Dialup Adaptor (under Microsoft).

After properly installing these, you may need to reinstall the Activator for proper operations to occur.

Installing an 'Activator' Dial Up Networking (DUN) entry?

When Activator installs, it will ask you to create a Dial Up Networking entry in Windows. To make this entry work you must use the name 'Activator' for it. This is case sensitive, so you must use an upper case 'A' and lower case 'ctivator' in the spelling of this entry. You may use any bogus telephoner number, say '1234567' as Activator overrides this when it dials.

Automating dialup and disconnection?

Activator may work within any Windows scripts programs designed to load programs and run them. Button keyboard  counterparts are:

Control-I = Connect to Internet
Control-D = Disconnect
Control-X = Exit (disconnect)

How do I change my dialup phone number?

When Activator installs it usually installs the recommended dialup number. If you want to change this just use the pull-down menu at the top of Activator then click 'Options' and then 'Properties'. You may then edit the proper phone number there. If you are in doubt about the proper phone number call your provider for it.

If you are in the U.S. and use call waiting, you may generally shut this off by placing a '*70,' in front of the telephone number used.

Activator will not dial and connect properly?

If Activator does not connect properly you may not have TCP/IP and Dialup Adaptor 'BINDED' in your setup. To se if this is the case open 'My Computer', then 'Dial Up Networking'. Right click on your 'Activator' entry. Then when attempting to call again recreate or reenter the 'Activator' DUN entry as described above.

Generally speaking another important reason why activator may not authenticate is because you have setup TCP/IP improperly. Click on 'Start' then 'Settings' then 'Control Panel' then 'Network'. Select Protocol TCP/IP. Most connections require that you 'Obtain IP Address automatically'.

Activator connects but I cannot browse or do email?

If your browser or email cannot find servers upon requests to browse or check email, your Windows may need a DNS server set into your TCP/IP setup. To do this follow this procedure. Click on 'Start' then 'Settings' then 'Control Panel' then 'Network'. Select Protocol TCP/IP and under DNS Configuration click 'Enable DNS' For host and domain you may generally enter your email address... for example johndoe@domain.com woul be Host: johndoe Domain: domain.com. Then under DNS search order you may ask your provider for the best number or enter several popular DNS server numbers, for example:

204.70.83.5   = MCI DNS Server
199.191.129.139  = AT&T DNS Server
152.163.199.42 = AOL DNS Server

Again, for the fastest DNS server, ask your provider, this may affect the speed which your utilities look up servers on the internet.

Windows login popup dialog shows up and no full login occurs?

If your Activator connects but you do not login completely and you hang up only to see the 'Windows Logon' dialog asking you for a password then you may stop this from interfering from your login process. Sometimes this occurs with new installs of Windows network protocols. If you want to eliminate this dialog then delete your '.PWL' file in your Windows directory. Upon rebooting Windows will ask you to logon. Enter a user name, but NOT any passwords, and this dialog will disappear...


glossary

A

Address

ARQ

ASCII

Asynchronous

Auto Answer

B

Baud Rate

Baud

BBS

Bit

bps

Browser

Buffer

Bulletin Board System

Byte

C

Cafe

Carrier

CCITT

Chat

Client System

Client

Conference

CPS

CRC

Cyberspace

D

Data Compression Protocols

Data Transmission Protocols

DLL

Download

Driver

DTE

DTR

DUN

E

Echomail

E-Mail

Error Control Protocols

Excalibur

Expanded Memory

Extended Memory

F

File Attachment

Flame

Flow Control

Freeware

FTP

Full Duplex

G

Gateway

Gopher

GPF

GUI

H

Hacker

Half Duplex

HLP

Host System

Host

Hotspot

http

I

Internet

IP

IRC

IRQ

ISP

L

Local Area Network (LAN)

M

Mail Door

Mailing Listserver

Message Thread

MNP - Microcom Networking Protocol

Modem

N

NetMail

Newsgroups

NRAM

O

ON/OFF Hook

P

Packer

Packet

Parity

Protocol

Provider

Public Domain

R

Remote Echo

Resolution

S

Server

Shareware

Signature

Snail Mail

SysOp

T

TCP/IP

telnet

Thread

U

Unpacker

Upload

URL

UseNET Newsgroups

V

Virus

W

WebSite

WinZip

World Wide Web

WWW

Z

Zip


modems
modem connection issues

general online speed 'em up suggestions

There are a number of ways to speed up your online operations. Here are a few tips. First add memory. If you have only 4 megabytes you will be pleasently surprised what boosting your system to 8 megabytes or more will do. Second you can get a higher speed modem. 2400 baud, 14400 baud will work, but a 28800, 33600, or 56000 baud modem will be much faster. Finally, you might consider a faster video card. Windows 'accelerator' type video cards are available to speed your displays of online information!

a word about interrupts

In Windows 95 and NT you may select up the proper modem driver in your Control Panel. These systems are designed to eliminate software conflicts in a driver. However, if you are using Windows 3.1 or 3.11 and your PC 'freezes' up after moving your mouse or using your modem you might have an IRQ or interrupt conflict. Most PCs use COM1 serial port and the modem is on COM2 serial port. What is not generally known is that COM 3 uses the same interrupt IRQ as COM1 and that COM4 uses the same interrupt as COM2. If your modem is on COM3 you made just need to change the IRQ setting on this modem to an IRQ number that is not used on your system. You can do this in Ports in Control Panel.

initialize the modem with the highest best settings

High-speed modem communications can sometimes prove a real challange. .. particularly if you just installed a new modem.

Be certain you are initializing your modem properly after installing Excalibur Terminal. This is done by clicking 'System' and then 'Modem Init..'.. Be sure to first select the proper modem or use the 'Hayes' or default settings if you modem is not listed. If you are not getting 28800 baud connections, you settings in Terminal may be wrong too. There are not only settings in the Terminal Setup, BUT ALSO in your 'Dialing DIR...(directory)' setup. You may need to edit or change these to a higher setting to get to higher speeds. If you have a 14400 baud modem use 19200 baud settings. If you have a 28800 baud modem use the 38400 settings, 56000 uses 57600 etc.

Keep in mind that the slower the speed the higher the reliability of the connection. If you have an older modem in particular, without some of the latest modem technology chips, you may actually benefit by selecting a slightly lower modem speed for greater reliability and less disconnects.

Here is a short list of additional suggestions that should help you make and keep a good connection.

(1) If you are running Windows for Workgroups 3.11, there is a bug     in your Serial.386 driver that seriously hampers high-speed  communications under Windows.  In the Excalibur Support library  is the new Microsoft Driver. (SERIAL.EXE)

(2) If you are using a computer with AMI BIOS dated 11-92 or earlier, there is a bug in the BIOS when using high-speed modems on COM3 or higher.  There is a fix for this as well in Excalibur Support.  (AMIFIX.ZIP)

(3) If you are using a modem with a 16550 chip (use MSD.EXE in your  Windows DIRectory to check) then you need to replace the COMM.DRV  in your SYSTEM.INI with CYBERCOM.DRV.  It allows high speed  communications under Windows.  It is also located in the Support Files Library on most systems, and it works on ALL Windows ver3.1 & up.  (CYBER.ZIP) The 16550 port utilizes special buffers to significantly improve hispeed communications.

(4) And, because of the way that Windows multitasks, it is possible  that it is ignoring your modem just enough to force you to drop carrier.  Check your modems manual for exact register (some are different), but I have found that by setting S10=60 or higher I  have VERY reliable communications, even at 28.8K. The S10 Register on my modem is the "Delay between carrier loss and hang up".  If you make the equivalent adjustment to your modems INIT string, you will see similar results under Windows (I hope!)

(5) Also, be sure that "Baud Rate Fallback" is NOT checked in the Excalibur Term under SYSTEM - SETTINGS - MODEM.

(6) One other thing in the Term, do NOT set it to 115,200 baud. This is not yet supported and may cause problems.

(7) Some have reported better connections by setting Windows Control  Panel, Ports Setup (Advanced) to 'Hardware' hand-shaking as opposed to the Windows default of 'XON/XOFF' software hand-shaking, the Windows default.. be very careful not to alter the memory values in advanced setup. &K3 in your modem string is supposed to do this, but it's good to use both...

(8) One of the most common sources of line noise is never addressed. Bad cables and jacks oxidized for years can be a major source of noise. In addition tangled power cords and phone lines can cause low frequency noise to be induced into telephone line cables, so it's always a good idea to seperate your power cables from signal cables... low frequency 'hum' (60 Hertz or cycle) is in the same audio range of audio circuits.

(9) If you are using call-waiting the 'click' will always disconnect you! Add to your dialing string or to the beginning of every number in your dialing directory '*70,' ((star 70)no quote marks) and  this will temporarily turn off call-waiting. Note the comma will pause for one second....before actually dialing. If you have a pulse dialing phone use 1170 as the sequence.

(10) Normally your modem terminal string should include Carrier Detect by DCD. This should be done in your modem initialization string by &C1 and &D2 normally.Note: With Excalibur Terminal you will not see phone line noise... all this happens invisibly in the background... so if you get disconnected or have slow file transfers, this may be the real reason. Ask your Excalibur sysop to briefly watch your file  transfers and connections. Sometimes he can observe 'resends' and 'ack' errors on Excalibur's host program, 'Camelot' as evidence of noise.

(11) One problem that can cause modem disconnects is an improper video driver. Some 'S3' type of video chip based systems will use COM4 which shares an IRQ interrupt (potentially) with a modem on COM2... as default IRQ or interrupts go. The solution for this might be to change the IRQ on the COM2 based modem. Also, if you are using a poor video driver or a wrong one, this can cause time delays in Windows online processes ending up actually disconnecting you from the online system.

Ameritech in Illinois offers 'Line Backer' service to assure quality phone lines. If you pick up your telephone receiver and listen and hear static or background voices, that's a problem. The line should be 'quiet', have your telephone company troubleshoot your line!

If you have run out of possibilities in finding a problem, always remember you may have a corrupt terminal installation file... if this is the case you need to download the latest EXCALTRM.EXE file and perform a complete reinstallation of Excalibur Terminal... it only takes one wrong bit to mess  things up and with such a large file the possiblity of a bad download is always increased..


ErrorCodes
ppp conection quality error codes

Below are the error codes which are returned on the Activator(tm) client if connection problems occur. Keep in mind that the client initially anaylzes the quality of the PPP connection to the database server, and if it is bad then disconnects the caller. In some instances a text status message is returned, otherwise a error number is returned in the status line of the client so you may help troubleshoot setup with your ISP...

Error Codes

Value	   	Description
 601	Invalid Port Handle
 602	Port Already Open
 603	Buffer Too Small
 604	Wrong Info Specified
 605	Cannot Set Port Info
 606	Port Not Connected
 607	Event Invalid
 608	Device Does Not Exist
 609	Device Type Does Not Exist
 610	Buffer Invalid
 611	Route Not Available
 612	Route Not Allocated
 613	Invalid Compression Specified
 614	Out Of Buffers
 615	Port Not Found

 616	Async Request Pending
 617	Already Disconnecting
 618	Port Not Open
 619	Port Disconnected
 620 	No Endpoints
 621	Cannot Open Phonebook
 622	Cannot Load Phonebook
 623	Cannot Find Phonebook Entry
 624	Cannot Write Phonebook
 625	Corrupt Phonebook
 626	Cannot Load String
 627	Key Not Found
 628	Disconnection
 629	Remote Disconnection
 630	Hardware Failure
 631	User Disconnection
 632	Invalid Size

 633	Port Not Available
 634	Cannot Project Client
 635	Unknown
 636	Wrong Device Attached
 637	Bad String
 638	Request Timeout
 639	Cannot Get LANA
 640	NetBIOS Error
 641	Server Out Of Resources
 642	Name Exists On Net
 643	Server General Net Failure
 645	Auth Internal
 646	Restricted Logon Hours
 647	Account Disabled
 648	Password Expired
 649	Not Dial In Permission
 650	Server Not Responding

 651	From Device
 652	Unrecognized Response
 653	Macro Not Found
 654	Macro Not Defined
 655	Message Macro Not Found
 656	DefaultOFF Macro Not Found
 657	File Count Not Be Opened
 658	Device Name Too Long
 659	Device Name Not Found
 660	No Responses
 661	No Command Found
 662	Wrong Key Specified
 663	Unknown Device Type
 664	Allocating Memory
 665	Port Not Configured
 666	Device Not Ready
 667	Reading INI File

 668	No Connection
 669	Bad Usage In INI File
 670	Reading Section Name
 671	Reading Device Type
 672	Reading Device Name
 673	Reading Usage
 674	Reading Max Connection BPS
 675	Reading Max Carrier BPS
 676	Line Busy
 677	Voice Answer
 678	No Answer
 679	No Carrier
 680	No Dialtone
 681	In Command
 682	Writing Section Name
 683	Writing Device Type
 684	Writing Device Name
 685	Writing Max Connection BPS

 686	Writing Max Carrier BPS
 687	Writing Usage
 688	Writing DefaultOFF
 689	Reading DefaultOFF
 690	Empty INI File
 691	Authentication Failure
 692	Port Or Device
 693	Not Binary Macro
 694	DCB Not Found
 695	State Machines Not Started
 696	State Machines Already Started
 697	Partial Response Looping
 698	Unknown Response Key
 699	Receive Buffer Full
 700	Command Too Long
 701	Unsupported BPS

 702	Unexpected Response
 703	Interactive Mode
 704	Bad Callback Number
 705	Invalid Auth State
 706	Writing Init BPS
 707	X25 Diagnostic
 708	Account Expired
 709	Changing Password
 710	Overrun
 711	RASMAN Cannot Initialize
 712	Biplex Port Not Available
 713	No Active ISDN Lines
 714	No ISDN Channels Available
 715	Too Many Line Errors
 716	IP Configuration
 717	No IP Addresses
 718	PPP Timeout

 719	PPP Remote Terminated
 720 	PPP No Protocols Configured
 721	PPP No Response
 722	PPP Invalid Packet
 723	Phone Number Too Long
 724	IPXCP No Dialout Configured
 725	IPXCP No Dialin Configured
 726	IPXCP Dialout Already Active
 727	Accessing TCPCFGDLL
 728	No IP RAS Adapter
 729	SLIP Requires IP
 730	Projection Not Complete
 731	Protocol Not Configured
 732	PPP Not Converging
 733	PPP CP Rejected

 734	PPP LCP Terminated
 735	PPP Required Address Rejected
 736	PPP NCP Terminated
 737	PPP Loopback Detected
 738	PPP No Address Assigned
 739	Cannot Use Logon Credentials
 740	TAPI Configuration
 741	No Local Encryption
 742	No Remote Encryption
 743	Remote Requires Encryption
 744	IPXCP Net Number Conflict
 745	Invalid SMM
 746	SMM Uninitialized
 747	No MAC For Port
 748	SMM Timeout
 749	Bad Phone Number

 750	Wrong Module


license
Activator(tm) software license

Activator(tm) Client/Server Connectivity Management System
Copyright (C) 1997 by Roger Lee Heath
All Rights Reserved

This product uses patent pending licensed products from
Jack McMorris or Zed Software.

License Agreement

You should carefully read the following terms and conditions
before using this software.  Unless you have a different license
agreement signed by Roger Lee Heath, your use of this software
by you indicates your acceptance of this license agreement and
warranty.

Registered Version

The Activator(tm) Client is for free distribution to clients of
the authorized fully registered user of the Activator(tm) Database
Server (ACTDBSRV.EXE) only. No charges, fees, sales, or
modifications to the client may be made without express written
permisson of R. Lee Heath. The Activator(tm) Client is free
software, however, it remains the property of R. Lee Heath and its
use is governed by this License Agreement.

One registered copy of Activator(tm) Database Server may either
be used by a single person or single business who uses the software
personally on one computer or server only, for each registered
or licensed accounts server use license registration from Roger Lee
Heath. You agree, through the use of this software, to use only on
one server or one machine for each such individual license account
registration package from R.Lee Heath.

Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Illinois.

Disclaimer of Warranty

THIS SOFTWARE AND THE ACCOMPANYING FILES ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND
WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY
OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. Because of the
various hardware and software environments into which Activator
(tm) client and server may be put, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED.

Good data processing procedure dictates that any program be
thoroughly tested with non-critical data before relying on it.
The user must assume the entire risk of using the program.  ANY
LIABILITY OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT
REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.

Evaluation and Registration

This is not free software.  Subject to the terms below, you are
hereby licensed to use this software one time for evaluation
purposes only without charge for a period of 10 days.  If you use
this software after the 10 day evaluation period a registration
fee is required.  Payments must be in US dollars drawn on a US
bank, and should be sent to R. Lee Heath as outlined in a current,
order form for the products. Current order forms and pricing may
be changed by R. Lee Heath at any time, but may be obtained
by writing R. Lee Heath, 2555 Victor Avenue, Suite 602, Glenview,
Illinois 60025-4866 USA.

Unregistered use of Activator(tm) Database Server after the 10-day
evaluation period is in violation of U.S. and international
copyright and patent laws.

Distribution

Distribution of this product by any one other than fully authorized
distributors appointed in writing by R. Lee Heath is prohibited.

Any questions or for updates to this license agreement should be
directed to:

R. Lee Heath
2555 Victor Avenue, Suite 602
Glenview, Illinois 60025-4866 USA

e-mail: heath@wyndows.com


Address

In online terms this commonly refers to a particular machine or computer system connected to the Internet. Machine 'addresses' exist on the Internet for servers for e-mail sending and receiving, web page or web site access, and almost everything functioning on the Internet.


ARQ

Automatic Repeat Request. A general term for error control protocols featuring hardware detection and retransmission of defective data. This term is used primarily by US Robotics.


ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Exchange.  A 7-bit binary code representation of letters, numbers and special characters. It is universally supported in computer data transfer.


Asynchronous

Asynchronous - Data transmission in which the actual data is preceded by a start bit and followed by a stop bit since the time between transmitted characters varies. Compare Synchronous.


Auto Answer

The modem feature which enables detection of a ring and answering  without assistance from a program.


Baud Rate

The number of discrete signal events per second occurring on a communications channel. It is often referred to as Bits per second (BPS) which is technically inaccurate but widely accepted.


Baud

The number of discrete signal events per second occurring on a communications channel. It is often referred to as Bits per second (BPS) which is technically inaccurate but widely accepted.


BBS

Bulletin Board System


Bit

Binary Digit. A single basic computer signal consisting of a value of 0 or 1, off or on.


bps

Bits Per Second - refers to the speed at which a modem can transmit data


Browser

Commonly refers to an Internet Browser like Netscape or MS-Internet Explorer where you may 'browse' the World Wide Web as if it were one big book of infromation to read and view!


Buffer

A memory area used for temporary storage during input/output operations.


Bulletin Board System

A host system, into which callers may dial with their modems to read and send electronic mail, upload and download files, and chat online with other callers.


Byte

A group of Bits acted upon as a group, which may have a readable ASCII value as a letter or number or some other coded meaning to the computer. It is commonly used to refer to 8-bit groups. 1 kilobyte = 1,024 bytes; 64K = 65,536 bytes or characters.


Cafe

Popular today are Internet Cafe's where one may go and dine and also play on the Internet.


Carrier

A continuous frequency capable of being either modulated or impressed with another information-carrying signal. Carriers are generated and maintained by modems via the transmission lines of  the telephone companies.


CCITT

A French acronym for the International Telephone and Telegraph Consultative Committee. This international organization defines the standards for telephone equipment such as the Bell 212A standard for 1200 baud, CCITT V.22 for 2400 baud and CCITT V.32 for 9600 baud.


Chat

Refers to a service provided by many online systems where users may communicate realtime in an interactive conversation by typing messages to other users in the chat 'channel'


Client System

Another word for the callers (users) computer calling the BBS.


Client

Another word for the callers (users) computer calling the BBS.


Conference

An area of public messages on a Bulletin Board System, usually with a particular topic and, often, a conference host or moderator to guide the discussion. Also called Folder, SIG (for "Special Interest Group") or Echo.


CPS

Characters Per Second. A transfer rate estimated from the bit rate and length of each character. If each character is 8 bits long and includes a start and stop bit for Asynchronous transmission, each character needs 10 bits to be sent. At 2400 baud it is transmitted at approximately 240 CPS.


CRC

Cyclical Redundancy Check. An error-detection technique consisting of a cyclic algorithm performed on each "block" of data at the sending and receiving end of the transmission. As each block is received, the CRC value is checked against the CRC value sent along with the block. Many protocols including XMODEM-CRC and ARQ will request a resend until the block is received correctly.


Cyberspace

A term coined by novelist William Gibson to describe the world of data created by million of computers worldwide


Data Compression Protocols

Compression of data by the modem allows more information to be  transferred in a shorter time frame. Protocols for data compression include CCITT V.42bis and MNP 5,


Data Transmission Protocols

These are standards for modulation and transmission of data at various speeds. The standards are Bell 103 & V.21 for 300bps, Bell 212A & V.22 for 1200bps, V.22bis for 2400bps, V.32 for         9600bps and V.32 bis for 14,400bps. Proprietary protocols are also used extensively for higher baud rates.


DLL

Dynamic Link Library - very similar to an actual computer program which runs as software on a PC, but a DLL is usually run or loaded as a part of an regular computer program.


Download

Receiving a file from a Bulletin Board System, using a terminal program (for example QModem or Excalibur Terminal) and a transfer protocol (for example Zmodem).


Driver

A driver is software that works in conjunction with the particular hardware or device on your computer. Drivers are used for video displays, modems, hard-drives, mouse, and almost every device. If you have an old driver or an improper driver the device might not work properly or reliably.


DTE

Data Terminal Equipment. The device that is the originator or destination of the data sent by a modem.


DTR

Data Terminal Ready. A signal generated by most modems indicating a connection between the DTE (computer) and the modem. When DTR is "high" the computer is connected.


DUN

Dial Up Networking - a feature within Windows that permits modem connections to other machines


Echomail

Public Message Conferences on a Bulletin Board System which are shared and distributed among other Bulletin Boards as part of an Echomail Network.


E-Mail

Electronic Mail - refers to messages that are sent via computers to other users on a bbs or network like the Internet


Error Control Protocols

These are various modem-based techniques which check the reliability of characters or blocks of data at a hardware level. Examples include MNP 2-4, V.42


Excalibur

Online software developed by Excalibur Communications in Tulsa, Oklahoma.. the best online software in the world!


Expanded Memory

Extra memory (above 640k) on your XT or AT-compatible computer,  which is installed with an EMS driver, and may be used by some programs to store data.


Extended Memory

Extra memory (above 640k) on your 80286 or 80386 compatible computer. Not normally usable by DOS applications, but may be configured as a virtual drive or a disk cache on an 80286 computer, or as Expanded Memory on an 80386 computer.


File Attachment

Method by which an actual file may be 'attached' to an e-mail message and sent through a computer network with that message.


Flame

To be pummeled with hostile e-mail by an Internet purist.


Flow Control

A mechanism that compensates for differences in the flow of data to and output from a modem or computer. Either hardware or software can be used for this control to prevent data loss. Hardware flow control using the modem makes use of a buffer to store data to be sent and data received. Flow control is necessary if the Communications port is locked at a higher rate than the connection rate. This is especially important for high speed modems, like 14,400 bps and above, that should almost always be setup for CTS/RTS hardware flow control.


Freeware

Computer software which may be distributed on Bulletin Board Systems, and for which the author requests no license fee or registration fee.


FTP

File Transfer Protocol - 'FTP' - a standardized text based method of transferring files over phone lines from one computer to another usually froman 'FTP' Server on the Internet.


Full Duplex

Signal flow in both directions at the same time. It is sometimes used to refer to the suppression of online LOCAL ECHO and allowing the remote system to provide a REMOTE ECHO.


Gateway

Similar to bridges, gateways connect incompatible networks or applications so data can be transferred. Excalibur systems commonly use gateways to open up a path to Internet Access with utilities like Flipsock, Zedsock, or The WEBer.


Gopher

A menu driven, information finding and retrieval tool providing acces to databases, text files, and other resources on the Internet.


GPF

A General Protection or GP fault occurs when an application overwrites memory belonging to another application. Since the memory has become corrupted, Windows steps in and terminates the application. It is not always easy to tell which Windows application caused the GP fault. Sometimes the error message window will provide an application name and a memory address, but this information is not always reliable. The best thing to do when you get a GP fault is to save your work in your other applications, and exit and restart Windows as soon as possible.


GUI

Graphics User interface - Pronounced 'gooey', a GUI uses graphical symbols in combination with keystrokes and a mouse or pointing device to carry out commands.


Hacker

Slang term for a technically sophisticated computer user who spends a lot of time at a computer. He or she 'hacks' at the keyboard all the time...


Half Duplex

Signal flow in both directions, but only one way at a time. It is sometimes used to refer to activation of LOCAL ECHO which causes a copy of sent data to be displayed on the sending display.


HLP

A Windows HLP Hypertext File - This refers to the computer filename extension of Windows help files (like this one). You may load HLP files using Windows File Manager or File Explorer and simply double-clicking on them


Host System

Another name for a Bulletin Board System (BBS)


Host

Another name for a Bulletin Board System (BBS)


Hotspot

A hotspot is an area of a screen that works like a button but doesn't look like a button. If you click it some task or program will begin just like clicking a button with your mouse pointer!


http

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol - refers to the protocol used to load or transfer a web page from an internet website server. These 'addresses' starting with HTTP are usually typed into the top of a web browser like Netscape or MSIE to loadup a specific web page.


Internet

A worldwide network of computer systems originally founded for the US Defense Department but is now also privatized and in use by some BBS systems for data, message, and file transfers on a global scale.


IP

Internet Protocol - Normally refers to an Internet machine address number or the location number of the machine or computer on the internet.


IRC

Internet Relay Chat - A type of interactive communication on the Internet where users chat realtime to each other through a chat server.


IRQ

Interrupt ReQuest - refers to a number of a hardware interrupt request by software commonly utilized in drivers for various devices on a computer using MS-DOS. These interrupts are used to keep devices functioning virtually at the same time. Generally each device on the computer must have a different IRQ number to operate properly. Certain IRQs are preassigned in DOS to the keyboard, harddrive, printer ports, etc.


ISP

Internet Service Provider - usually refers to a bbs system that provides Internet access and services such as e-mail, ftp, websites, etc.


Local Area Network (LAN)

A group of computers joined with cables and software, allowing hard disks and other devices to be shared among many users.


Mail Door

A subsection of a Bulletin Board System which creates .QWK mail packets for downloading and reading messages offline. Then .REP (reply) packets can be created offline and then uploaded saving online telephone connection costs!


Mailing Listserver

E-mail electronic private discussion groups that link a relatively small group of people with a common interest. If you belong to a mailing list, you will receive mail from any member of the list that posts mail to it.


Message Thread

A group of BBS messages and replies linked and sorted by topic.


MNP - Microcom Networking Protocol

A set of hardware error protection protocols (MNP levels 1 - 4) and data compression techniques (MNP level 5) developed by Microcom, now in the public domain. It makes use of CRC and retransmission of defective blocks by checking performed within the modem.


Modem

MODulator / DEModulator - a device that permits computers to communicate over telephone lines using audio data signals.


NetMail

Private electronic mail which is transmitted by a user calling one Bulletin Board System to another user calling a different Bulletin Board System. Also can refer to mail received from over the internet.


Newsgroups

A group of public messages about a single topic on the Internet. Newsgroups bring together thousands of people on the Internet to discuss shared interests.


NRAM

Nonvolatile Random Access memory. A user-programmable memory chip whose data is retained when power to the chip is turned off. NRAM is used in many modems to store default settings.


ON/OFF Hook

A descriptive term referring to manually lifting a telephone receiver (taking it OFF Hook) and replacing it (going ON Hook). OFF Hook produces a busy signal on the phone line.


Packer

A program to compress multiple files into a single file, such as PKZIP, ARC or LHARC


Packet

A mail packet (with a .QWK extension) from a host system


Parity

An error detection method used in both communicaions and computer memory checking to determine character validity. Communications now makes use of more efficient "block" checking although parity must still be matched in a communication session for transfer to take place correctly. Host communication in the BBS environment omits parity checking (no parity).


Protocol

A system of rules and procedures governing communications between two devices. File transfer protocols in your communications program refer to a set of rules governing how error checking will be performed on blocks of data.


Provider

In online terms commonly refers to the business or individual who you use to dial-up and access the Internet.


Public Domain

Computer software on which no copyright exists (usually by a specific statement to that effect by the author), and which may be freely used and distributed.


Remote Echo

A copy of the data being received is returned to the sending system for display on the screen. See Full/Half duplex.


Resolution

Refers to video resolution displayed on a computer display. There are several levels of resolution VGA (640x 350 pixtels), Super VGA which is 800x600 or 1250x850 etc. Resolution may also refer to the amount of colors displayed, like 16 colors, 256 colors, etc.


Server

Server commonly refers to a software designed to 'serve-up' data or to 'receive-data' on a network. there are many kinds of Servers on the Internet, for e-mail, web pages, file exchange, etc. E-mail utilities will work with an e-mail server, Web Browsers will work with a website server, etc.


Shareware

Computer software which is distributed on the "Honor System", which may be freely copied and  distributed, but for which a registration fee or payment is required for continued use beyond an initial evaluation period.


Signature

In online terms this normally refers to the text that appears at the end of an e-mail message that is usually the senders name and Internet E-mail address. Most Internet e-mail programs permit 'preconstructing' signatures so one doesn't have to type them over and over..


Snail Mail

Refers to using the old postal service to deliver mail by hand.


SysOp

The SYStem OPerator of a Bulletin Board System. The person responsible for setting up and maintaining the BBS. (CoSysop usually helps the SysOP...)


TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol - A language giverning the communication between all computers on the internet. TCP/IP is a set of instructions that dictates how packets are passed over multiple computer networks. Also included is packet error checking to insure that they arrive at their destination in the right order.     When used in regard to the Excalibur Terminal tcp/ip means the machine address to 'dial' 'telnet style' to connect to an Excalibur bbs over an internet connection!


telnet

Telnet refers to a method of connecting to a bbs over the Internet or a network. Usually this is done using a telnet client.  If one connects to an Excalibur system, the Excalibur Terminal must be used instead of a telnet client.


Thread

A group of BBS messages and replies linked and sorted by topic.


Unpacker

A program to uncompress a file from a Packer like PKUNZIP, UNARC...etc.


Upload

To transfer a file from your computer to another computer, using your terminal program (for example Qmodem) and a transfer protocol (for example Zmodem)


URL

Universal Resource Locator - a naming or addressing convention that enables you to locate a page on the World Wide Web


UseNET Newsgroups

Internet discussion groups; may be considered free floating bulletin boards becuase once a message is 'tacked up' anyone can go and see it.


Virus

A rogue computer software program created to 'infect' other computer softwares with copies of itself. Viruses may clone themselves and multiply constantly seeking new hosts. Some viruses are benign serving more as an annoyance, while others are designe to damage programs and data. Most Excalibur based bbs systems scan and destroy computer viruses.


WebSite

An address and place oin the Internet where a Web Browser (like Netscape) may be used to 'read' files and images. These are usually managed by individuals or business to make information or products and services available on the Internet.


WinZip

<What are ZIP files anyway>


World Wide Web

A Internet-work wide, menu based, software program providing hypertext and hypermedia links to information resources the world over on the internet


WWW

Refers to World Wide Web or the Internet's hypertext servers. A Internet-work wide, menu based, software program providing hypertext and hypermedia links to information resources the world over on the internet.


Zip

Refers to a method of compacting related files into a single file with a 'ZIP' filename extension. The intent is to simplfy distribution of file groups. Once on the users computer, he or she must 'UNZIP' the file to actually use the files inside it.