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Text File | 1993-03-03 | 28.7 KB | 707 lines

This file contains changes made in QmodemPro/OLX since the manual was printed. It also contains information on releases since v1.0 in reverse chronological order, including references to minor fixes implemented with QmodemPro v1.02. The second section of this file contains documentation corrections with page references. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * A conversion program is always being updated that converts Procomm Plus v1.1, Procomm Plus v2.0, Telix 3.x and Boyan 5.x. The latest version of the program is available for download from the MSI HQ BBS and is called FONCVT.ZIP. This file is also available on the online services where MSI support is available. See your Customer Access booklet for additional information on these online services. QmodemPro v1.02 * Fixed the Script UPLOAD command to work with non-batch internal protocols. * Included support for pressing ^@ to send a Null out the device. * Fixed the internal editor so that the cut & paste options will work as documented. * Cleaned up the stray allocations from an edit session. It was allocating memory and not freeing it after the edit. It was possible to run out of memory and cause internal failures after repeated editing, such as Scripts from the Alt+D/Edit dialog. * Fixed the network bug where the NFO directory would still be created on the server where the QMPRO.EXE file was located instead of where the QMPRO.CNF file is. * Fixed a problem with running under OS/2 and QEMM that caused a problem when loading the Phone Book. This was related to an uninitialized collection pointer. The common OS/2 Error was SYS3176. * Fixed a NASI/NACS lockup where the Dialer could get stuck if your default device was not NASI/NACS and you tried dialing an entry that was NASI and the NASI driver was not loaded. Now you will get a message: Device: NACI not loaded. * If the NACS port goes IDLE, a Dial attempt will reinitialize it automatically. * Corrected a problem with the Mouse Cursor disappearing when a DOS shell was executed while in a Dialog (such as Alt+D). * Protocols will no longer try to upload the Volume Label on a diskette. * The CIS B+ protocol is no longer available in Host mode (its use is properly limited to CompuServe). * Changed the Xmodem/Ymodem Upload code to recover from line noise better. It was looking at garbage characters as NAKs, and the error count sometimes caused a transfer failure. * Zmodem downloads were always reporting CRC32 even though it was really using CRC16 (per the Config/Protocols/Internal/Zmodem options). Zmodem was working correctly as this was a cosmetic correction only. * Fixed a bug in the Zmodem download where if the success tones were played, the incoming data would be flushed before being viewed. * Made a fix to the Zmodem download so that it is more tolerant to timeouts on the line. * Fixed the problems of the script command 'Dial Group=' causing problems with scripts not returning to previous level scripts correctly. The usual symptom was that the master script either did not return or it started executing from the beginning. It is remotely possible that multiple chained scripts could also be likewise confused and this cures both problems. * With the fix to the script Dial command, it became necessary to insure that it did not become recursive. i.e. a script running from the Dial Group= also call another Dial Group= script command. So, this is now trapped and will generate a Script Edit Error with the message Recursive Dial GROUP= issued and invoke the script editor. * Fixed the Host Download problem where non-batch protocols could not find the requested files, even if the F command did show them. * Changed the Scrollback status line so that a "*" will appear after the Lines:xxx count if there is incoming data that has not been displayed. * Corrected the online help for Config/Phonebook where it talks about the Add/Ins mouse button for Keyboard users: Keyboard users should note that the [A] key will always add, [Alt+A] will follow the mouse button setting and the Ins key will always perform the insert. * Added a Status Box that is displayed if all NACS ports are busy. This can show up at startup or after using Alt-K. * Added detection of a NACS port disconnection due to IDLE timeout. If the NACS port goes IDLE, the "offline" indicator in the status line will change to "No Port". Any attempt to transmit through the port will reward you with a Warning dialog saying the "NACS port Disconnected." Use Alt+K to establish another connection. * Fixed the dialer dialog so that entries that were defined with "**Current Device**" or "**Default Device**" will be substituted for the actual device that is being used. * Fixed the Faxing bug where it would not send a fax if the Config/Fax defined a cover letter but it did not exist. * Fixed the Script $SENDMAIL flag so it will only be TRUE if there is in fact a Packet waiting to be sent regardless of how the dial was initiated. * Fixed a bug where Continuous Dial mode from the Groups was sticking on if the dialed group never completed. The effect was that untagging the undialed group entries and tagging others made the others act like they were now part of a group. * Added code to CIS B+ downloads so that the files will go in the default download directory instead of the current directory if the user did not specify drive:\path info to CIS. * Changed the /CONFIG command line option so that only the Config items in the menu are selectable the first time through. * Changed Int14 so that it will use whatever port is selected instead of always using the default COM1. * Corrected a bug in the VT220, VT320 emulations that would cause protected fields to work incorrectly. It might have also caused random memory overwrites and strange behavior or lockups. * Added support for the VT220 & VT320 Insert mode. Somehow, this was overlooked from the original implementation. * XON/XOFF software flow control incorrectly was stripping the high bit when in 8-bit mode before testing for either the XON or XOFF. Also made an enhancement so that XON/XOFF is disabled while OFFLINE. * You can now tell if you have received an XOFF. The ONLINE area of the status line will change to "TxWait" (Xoff received), "RxWait" (Xoff sent) or "AllWait" (both are true). If no pending XON or XOFF condition exists, then it will show the normal ONLINE or DOORWAY info. * Changed the timing with internal protocols and scripts. It should no longer be necessary to include the DELAY 1000 in script just before an UPLOAD or DOWNLOAD script command. * Reduced the number of mouse calls (hide and show) to speed up operation. * Fixed a bug in the script parser that was keeping the "$$" from being seen as a single $ character. * Fixed a bug in the Host Startup. If carrier was present when the host was invoked, a confirmation dialog was presented to confirm that you really wanted to start it. Regardless of your action, it would start the host anyway. Now, the NO button will not start the host. * Fixed a problem with the INI file where the actual Device Name was not being stored or reloaded when the command line parameter /R was used to restart QmodemPro. * Fixed the Script DEVICE and PORT commands so they set the $SUCCESS and $FAIL flags per the description in the manual on page 232. * Revised the Config/Device/Hardware screen for better support of NASI/ NACS devices. There is a new [NACS Preferences] button that allows you to define what Server, General and Specific NACS device should be used. In the dialog, there are three fields and a list of current NACS devices that are available on the network. None of the entry fields are required and if left blank are considered "wildcard" matches to the network. If a field is filled in, then that is entry -must- be available on the net to make a successful connection to a modem. For example: You have three NACS Servers on the network with the following defined ports: Server General Specific GROUCHO 1200 PORT01 GROUCHO 1200 PORT02 GROUCHO 2400MNP PORT03 GROUCHO 2400MNP PORT04 HARPO 2400MNP PORT05 HARPO 2400MNP PORT06 HARPO 9600V32 PORT07 HARPO 9600V32 PORT08 ZEPPO 2400MNP PORT09 ZEPPO 2400MNP PORT10 ZEPPO 9600V32 PORT11 ZEPPO 9600V32 PORT12 ZEPPO V32BIS PORT13 ZEPPO V32BIS PORT14 ZEPPO V32BIS PORT15 ZEPPO V32BIS PORT16 In the dialog, if you define: Server [ ] General [ ] Specific [ ] All servers are checked, and the first available device will be selected. Remember, a blank field acts as a wildcard match. In the dialog, if you define: Server [GROUCHO ] General [ ] Specific [ ] The first available port on GROUCHO will be selected. In the dialog, if you define: Server [ ] General [2400MNP ] Specific [ ] The first available port on any server with an available 2400MNP General device will be selected. In the dialog, if you define: Server [GROUCHO ] General [2400MNP ] Specific [ ] The first available port on GROUCHO with an available 2400MNP General device will be selected. In the dialog, if you define: Server [ZEPPO ] General [V32BIS ] Specific [PORT16 ] Only PORT16 will be checked on ZEPPO. No others will be checked. Should you be dialing and the NACS cannot find a match, even with wildcards, the dialer will generate the following message and cycle as if it was a BUSY detected: Device: NACS Device not available. * The NASI/NACS baud rate support has been increased to 115200. Several other ACS compatible 6B interfaces including NASI 3.0+ support higher rates than 19200. This has been tested with Novell NASI 3.0, Multi-Tech MultiCom AsyncGateway (MCSI), and USRobotics Modem Sharing Kit (MASI) all the way up through 115200. It should be noted that USRobotics MASI needs to be at least version 1.6.1 and use the -N command line switch to be compatible. Consult with USRobotics Technical Support about obtaining the corrected MASI driver that is compatible with non-USR software such as QmodemPro. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- OLX v3.02 This release is a version number change only to maintain QmodemPro and OLX with the same minor version number (x.02). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- QmodemPro v1.01 * Revised the Config/Hardware screen. Under Virtual Memory, the Reserve K is now Maximum K. Virtual Memory will now use up to the specified K and leave the rest alone. This means that you do not have to set aside some for the DOS shells, as these are now unaffected. Users were just too confused by the concept of "leaving this much alone". For example: Overlay memory : The Overlay takes 512K (either EMS or XMS) Virtual memory : Up to the Maximum defined DOS Shell : whatever it takes, (usually in the 350-500K range) * Host Mode Fixes: - The Config/Host (*) Full Path ( ) DL Path Only radio buttons were turned around. - Even if you did manage to set it to DL Path Only (really Full Path) it was always looking in the DL Path for the files. Now it will correctly look for the above setting and use the correct test to see if the file exists. - The internally generated protocol list now includes external protocols that have been defined. * Fixed the sending of Faxes when using the [OK for ALL] button. It was not writing the duplicate information to the QMFAX.NFO file, and so the file to Digitize was blank and the digitizer was expecting input from the keyboard! If the user pressed ^Z and Enter, the program would "unhang" itself and continue. * The mouse is now hidden from view until you need it. This prevents flickering when text is scrolling on the screen. * The phone book entries now correctly retain external protocols that use the same letter as one of the internal ones. This also means that pressing PgUp or PgDn will focus the correct external protocol. * Changed the Auto-Start download for external protocols. The default Download path was not being passed in the %4 batch file variable. * The $NOTEFILE script variable is now set correctly after a connection. It was either blank or pointed to the last entry that actually used a notename. It now is pointed to the correct notename based on the entry number as it should be. * Included the new enhanced Doorway auto-start sequence into the ANSI emulation. This will require the use of DOORWAY 1.21 or greater. Doorway now sends out an ^[[=255h to turn on remote Doorway, and ^[[=255l to turn it off when you exit. * Corrected the VT102 Device Attribute response sequence. It was telling the remote it was a VT100 instead of a VT102. * Changed the Alt-D Auto-Start to work if the user is told there is a carrier and he sends the modem init string. It was not waiting long enough for the modem to reset before testing to auto-start the phone book. OLX changes: * Fixed problem with work directory when it was not specified with a complete path name. * Fixed problem with Alt+X when pressing it from a file viewer. * Fixed problem with PgDn near the end of the file in the file viewer. * Fixed problem with the Replied flag not getting set in the Inbox if a messages is replied to from within a QWK conference. * Fixed problems with reading empty messages (message with no text). * Fixed problem with entering alias names in the From field. * Fixed problem with the read flag when reading the first message in a conference in split screen mode. * The registration name is automatically uppercased to avoid the problem with upper/lower names and the installation program. * Fixed problems with running OLX from a drive different from the one OLX is installed on. * Fixed some problems with cut and paste and cursor positioning in the editor. * Fixed problem with always zipping reply packets. The correct packer is now used. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- DOCUMENTATION CHANGES * You may note that several screen snapshots in the manual do not exactly match those in the program. The differences are not significant. p. 38 * A new command line option, /DEVICE= allows overriding the Config Default Device if the declared device exists in your device list. This also includes a change to the Alt+D/Revise/Device combo box to include a pre-defined entry of "**Default Device**". If an entry is marked as using this "**Default Device**", then it uses whatever the Config Default Device is currently set to when dialed. The /DEVICE= command line option allows you to specify a Device name that has embedded spaces. To do so, substitute the underscore '_' for them, i.e., QMPRO /DEVICE=HST_Dual_on_Com1 is valid. p. 38 * The new /VGA=[mode] switch allows users of VGA and EGA cards to switch into a non-standard video mode at startup. Substitute the video mode number for [mode]. As long as your video card supports setting the AL register to the desired mode, this option will operate correctly. p. 38 * A new command line option /CONFIG allows starting QmodemPro with immediate startup of the menu bar, even before any communication ports are activated. This allows you to set up a different device, perhaps for a different port, even before QmodemPro starts. p. 64 * The Revise Entry dialog in the phonebook supports a new device type called "**Current Device**". If you have this device selected, it will use whatever device is currently active, either by dialing another entry, or set via Alt+K. Used in conjunction with the /DEVICE= command line, you can have one entry that can dial through multiple devices by using Alt+K first. p. 66 * The Editor command was changed to Edit, and now has added functionality. p. 66 * Phonebook sorting was also added. There is a [Sort] button in the [Edit] dialog on the phonebook screen. Some of the highlights include: * Sort by any field in the phone book either ascending or descending. * Remembers the last sort criteria. * Sorts the Group files to match the phonebook. * Sorts the NFO Fax info file to match the phonebook. * Renames the attached Note files to match the phonebook. * Uses a memory/disk based virtual memory scheme using the QuickSort algorithm. p. 85 & 232 * Added Entry number support to the Script DIAL command and the @DIAL meta key command. So, the following are valid: @DIAL TForbin 2 3 23 TMustang {Function key example} DIAL "TForbin 2 3 23 TMustang" ;Script example The above indicates the dial should flag all entries with the text Forbin, and entries 2, 3, and 23, and all entries with the text Mustang. p. 85 & 232 * Added GROUP support to the Script DIAL and @DIAL meta command. The syntax is: @DIAL GROUP=QWK Mail Runs {Function key example} DIAL "GROUP=QWK Mail Runs" ;Script example Note that embedded spaces are OK in group names. If the Group is defined as "Continuous Dial", then each number is dialed in sequence until all have been dialed or untagged. If a login script is attached to any of the entries in the group to be dialed, the login script MUST end with a RETURN instead of the normal EXIT command. This is the signal to return to the dialer and continue dialing. If there are no more entries to dial, then the original script will continue to execute. p. 105 The special offer for obtaining DOORWAY at a reduced price is no longer available from the author of that program. p. 208 * Script filename entry forces the .SCR suffix and it is not required from the Alt+F dialog. p. 213 * Quotes were inadvertently stripped from many script examples. On this page the text at the top should read: WAITFOR "Enter your password :" SEND "$PASSWORD^M" p. 217 Quotes stripped, should read: DIAL "1" p. 218 Quotes stripped, should read: WAITFOR "Password" p. 220 Quotes stripped, should read: IF "$0" = "_EOF_" DONE DISPLAYLN "$0" The "_EOF_" indicates End Of File, and is used to test for the end. p. 224 Quotes stripped, should read: ATWRITE 1 24 30 "$0" ASSIGN 0 "Test string" ASSIGN THAT "$THIS" p. 232 The "Pprefix" option is not an option for the DIAL command. p. 234 Quotes stripped, should read: DISPLAYLN "TEST MENU" p. 248 Quotes stripped, should read: IF "$0" = "" Nul_label p. 249 Quotes stripped, should read: DISPLAY "$0" p. 252 Quotes stripped, should read: IF "$0" = "_EOF_" done p. 254 Quotes stripped, should read: SEND "AT^M" p. 258 Quotes stripped, should read: SEND "$PASSWORD^M" p. 261 Quotes stripped, should read: SEND "ATZ^M" WAITFOR "OK" p. 291 * Config/Device now contains a "Default Device" field that can be set with the new [Default] button. This is the device that will be used when you start up QmPro, and the device used when entries are added to the phonebook automatically by OLX. This will also make it easier to add the /DEVICE= command line option. We suggest assigning the "Default Device" to all phone book entries except those that require special modified settings. This enables you to change the modem assigned to ALL phonebook entries by simply specifying a different default device. p. 299 * Support for Direct Connect devices through the Phonebook was added since the manual went to print. To make use of a direct connect device, create a new device and edit the [Term Cmds] section to have the word DIRECT as the Connect Message: ╔═[*]════════════ Commands for Direct Connect COM1 ════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ Modem Init ║ ║ ║ ║ Dial Prefix OK Message ║ ║ ║ ║ Dial Suffix Cancel Dial ║ ║ ║ ║ Connect Msg DIRECT Auto Answer ║ ║ ║ ║ No Connect 1 Hangup ║ ║ ║ ║ No Connect 2 Redial Intr. ║ ║ ║ ║ No Connect 3 Delay During 60 ║ ║ ║ ║ No Connect 4 Delay After 10 ║ ║ ║ ║ OK ▄ Cancel ▄ ║ ║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The Connect Msg MUST be the word DIRECT (not case sensitive) and the dialer will report an immediate "DIRECT connection established" message and exit. It will also run any script attached to this entry to automate logons and such to whatever mini or mainframe is at the other end. The Dialing directory entry Number field should be left blank, as should the Dial Prefix and Dial Suffix (as shown above) so that nothing extra is sent to the remote system until the script executes. p. 309-310 The FAX @ codes are listed incorrectly. We have enclosed a sample FAX cover sheet consisting of a graphic .PCX file and a text page. The .PCX file is named COVER.PCX and is used in the cover page which is called FAXCOVER.TXT. To use this cover page simply place the name FAXCOVER.TXT in the FAX config option for Cover Page. It uses the correct @ codes which are summarized below: The codes that were removed or renamed for clarity are: @SYSTEM@ Renamed @TOSYSTEM@ @SITE@ Renamed @FROMSYSTEM@ @OURFAX@ Renamed @FROMPHONE@ @PHONE@ Renamed @TOPHONE@ @TPAGES@ Renamed @PAGES@ @PAGE@ Removed (page counter is automated at top of each page) @MEMO@ Removed @ATTN@ Removed The codes translate as: @TOSYSTEM@ name of the FAX system as listed in the QMPRO phonebook. @FROMSYSTEM@ name of the FAX system in your QMPRO FAX config setting @PAGES@ total number of pages in the FAX, including cover page @TOPHONE@ number of the FAX system as listed in the QMPRO phonebook @FROMPHONE@ number of the FAX system in your QMPRO FAX config setting p. 320 * Kermit setup in Config now has a [Default] button to reset the parameters to startup in case you change them and can't remember what they were. p. 320 * The CIS B+ protocol can auto-start if desired. If you set a dialing directory entry default protocol to CIS B+, when you connect to that system (CompuServe) the CIS B+ protocol will be autostart-enabled for the duration of the call regardless of the settings in the Internal Protocol/CIS B+ section of Config. If any other protocol is specified in a dialing directory entry, autostart of CIS B+ is controlled by the config options. In this second case the autostart character (ENQ) must be correctly indicated in config for autostart to function. The advantage of specifying CIS B+ for your CompuServe phonebook entry is you can get CIS B+ autostart without setting the config options to start it every time an ENQ character is received (not a good idea during normal BBS calls). You should leave the CIS B+ Config option set to Disabled (for normal BBS operation) and still have auto CIS B+ transfers as long as the CompuServe dialing directory entry specifies the B+ Protocol. p. 324 * The external protocol Revise dialog now uses radio buttons for the Batch Upload and Download support questions. * The enclosed scripts make use of the phonebook fields for Name and Password, and will not operate properly without them completed. See the text of each script for additional reminders. * The Device Mismatch dialog that can appear when loading a phonebook has an additional button [Revise with Default]. If you select this, all the phonebook entries that point to the mismatched devices in the list will be converted to your current Default Device. This will update the phonebook file on disk as well so you do not get this dialog the next time you load it. If you are sharing the phonebook between two unique systems, you can still press [Continue] and the update will be skipped. * The Alt-O Change Drive/Dir command was added. It works identically to the one in the Alt+6 Batch Entry Window (BEW). Both Drives and directories can be changed from this dialog, and it is designed to replace the old 5.x Alt-O and Alt-L commands. p. 329 * Revised the Config/Hardware screen. Under Virtual Memory, the Reserve K is now Maximum K. Virtual Memory will now use up to the specified K and leave the rest alone. OLX You may note that several screen snapshots in the manual do not exactly match those in the program. The differences are not significant. The following short list outlines the pages with minor corrections since the manual went to print: * The help system has been enhanced. You can go back to the previous help screen by pressing Alt F1 or clicking on the bottom of the screen. p. 127 * The references to SERVICE in the screen snapshots and the text should read PACKET. p. 132 * The screen and reference to SERVICE has been changed to PACKET. p. 149 * The screen and reference to SERVICE has been changed to PACKET. * The descriptions for FAX address and phonebook entries is correct as described in the documentation, however we think that some additional information may help you make use of these features more easily. When you have a FAX number for a company and will be sending FAX messages to multiple people in the company, you should set up only ONE QmodemPro phonebook entry for the entire company. The phonebook entry might read "MSI FAX Machine". Set up this FAX phonebook entry before entering any messages to anyone individually. The address book in OLX should then contain the individual names of the people at the company who will be receiving FAXs from you. For example, you might have the previously mentioned MSI FAX machine entry in the QmodemPro phonebook, but have address book entries in OLX for RICK HEMING, JIM HARRER, SCOTT HUNTER and GREG HEWGILL. This type of configuration results in the FAX being attached to the correct QmodemPro phonebook entry because the phone numbers match. The message is then sent to the individual and the @codes are correctly substituted for @FROM@ and @FROMSYSTEM@.