PDA Software Library/pdasoftwarelib.iso/PSION/COMMS/PCIS10/PSIONCIS.TXT

Text File | 1993-08-24 | 14.5 KB | 345 lines

PSIONCIS 1.0

INTRODUCTION
This is a cutdown version of a script I wrote to automate
Compuserve navigation from the Psion Series 3 computer.
The script is optimized for my requirements while traveling,
and is not designed to be anyone's primary CIS access tool.

SCRIPT FEATURES
1) Configures the 3 Link serial port;
2) Allows user to control modem settings for travel related variables:
   dialtone recognition, tone or pulse dialing, dialout code and speaker
   status, without editing basic initilization string;
3) Allows user to choose from 5 stored phone numbers or enter a manual number;
4) Automatically dials and logs onto CIS (direct nodes only, no
   supplementary network support);
5) Downloads waiting CIS:MAIL, deletes retrieved messages, but leaves
   binary mail in mailbox;
6) Uploads outgoing CIS:MAIL, maximum 5 text messages per session,
   including faxes, no support for binary mail.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
To use this script you must have:
1) Psion Series 3 Computer;
2) Psion 3 Link RS 232 Interface;
3) Psion Modem Adapter Cable,
   -OR-
   Psion Serial Cable plus Null Modem
     Adapter and Gender Changer;
4) Hayes compatible Modem.

It is recommended that you have at least one SSD. An improperly
configured modem can cause a serial overflow, which may lock up the
Series 3 and require a reset. Files stored on the internal disk
could be lost.  If you must use the internal disk, please backup
your files before any online session.

FILE INSTALLATION
You must install the Comms application as explained in the 3 Link manual.
In the event you need to modify my serial port configuration script
(Cis.sco), install the Script Editor also.

Copy the files in this archive to the directories indicated. You may need
to create some new directories, including a \CIS\ directory on your
DEFAULT drive.  Some files can be on any drive, but others must be on
your Default drive. I recommend you not use a flash card as your default
drive when running this script, because messages you create or retrieve
will quickly exhaust the storage space.

FILENAME     DRIVE  DIRECTORY FLASH?
Cis.als      Any     \APP\     OK
Cis.sco      Any     \SCO\     OK
Psioncis.sco Any     \SCO\     OK
Psioncis.nam Any     \SCO\     NO
Cis.scr      Any     \SCR\     NO
Edit.wrd     Default \CIS\     NO
Mail.wrt     Default \WDR\     OK
Fax.wrt      Default \WDR\     OK

After copying all files install Cis.als on your system screen, using
<Psion-I>.  I suggest you place it next to the Comms application.
A simple CIS icon will show on your system screen. If anyone would like
to design a nicer icon, I will incorporate it into a future version.

INITIAL SETUP
Before you can run the script you must add information to the Names file.
To access the file follow these steps:

1) Attach the 3 Link to the Series 3.

2) Start the Comms application by selecting "Comms [C]" from the list of
   scripts under the Comms icon. Make certain you are using the Comms
   icon, not the Script Editor. (If you see a "File or device in use"
   message, press <Esc>,<Psion-L>, turn Remote Link off, and try again.)

3) Press <Psion-L> to load names; choose the file called "Psioncis"
   (change the drive, if necessary to find it), and press <Enter>.

4) Press <Psion-M> to modify names. The first Name should be "Dialout".
   If not, you are using the wrong file.

5) Fill in the value for each Name as explained in MODIFY NAMES section
   below. Press <Tab> after each change.

5) After completing all values press <Enter>.

6) Press <Psion-S> to save the changes you have made to the Names file.
   If you do not save your changes, they will be lost when you exit Comms.

7) Press <Psion-X> to exit Comms.

MODIFY NAMES
You must provide a value for each variable in the file Psioncis.nam.
Names are stored alphabetically, but are grouped here by function.
Jump directly to a Name by pressing the first letter; most start with
a unique character.

Modem Initilization

Initialize: String used to initialize modem. I have included mine, but
there is no reason it should work with your modem.  Do not include the
M or X options in this string, as they will be stored separately.
The script issues  AT&F, returning the modem to the factory defaults,
before sending your string.

Extended: The X value used in modem initialization. I have set it to X4,
which recognizes US dialtone & busy signal, and provides extended connect
messages (e.g. CONNECT 2400, rather than simply CONNECT).  You may need
to change this value when calling from another country, with a US modem,
due to the different dialtone and busy signal.

Loudspeaker: The M value used in modem initialization.  I have set it to
M0 for silent operation, but you may change to M1 to hear the modem dial
and handshake.

Phone Parameters

Tone: Selects Tone or Pulse dialing.  I have set it to T for Tone, use P
if you require Pulse.

Dialout: Code required to access an outside telephone line. I have left
it blank, but you may need to enter 8, or 9, when calling from a hotel
or office.

Node1: Phone number of CIS USA toll free 2400bps node. There is a
surcharge for using it, but it is often cheaper than paying .50 or .75
to make a local call from a hotel.

Node2: Phone number of CIS node you use from Home.  I have left it blank,
because I do not know where you live.

Node3: Phone number of CIS node you use from work.

Node4: Phone number of CIS node in London, UK.

Node5: Phone number of CIS node in Paris, France.

CIS Parameters

Userid: Your CIS user ID number.

Password: Your CIS password.  Do not confuse it with the password you
may assign to protect the Psioncis.nam file.

Windup: Command sent to CIS at the end of the script.  I have set it to
OFF, to logoff, but if you prefer to stay on line to do interactive work,
you may use another command, like TOP or GO BASIC.

ONLINE SETUP
To insure compatability with the script, and to make CIS easier to use
with the Series 3, you should change your online settings.  This can be
done with the Series 3, but it will be easier with an 80X25 screen.
To change settings GO TERMINAL, and choose option 2, CHANGE PERMANENT
SETTINGS from the menu. These are all my settings, with the important
ones for Psion operation marked with an asterisk.

LOGON/SERVICE OPTIONS
*1 First service at logon
                       [COMMAND]
*2 CompuServe Mail waiting
                   [NOTIFY ONLY]
 3 Personal menu established
                           [YES]
    (Select this to create or
    change a personal menu.)
 4 TOP goes to            [MENU]
 5 Online editor          [EDIT]
 6 Forum presentation mode
                          [MENU]
 7 Basic Service Alerts     [NO]

PERM DISPLAY OPTIONS
 1 PAGED display           [YES]
*2 BRIEF prompts           [YES]
 3 CLEAR screen between pages
                           [YES]
*4 BLANK lines sent         [NO]
 5 Line feeds sent         [YES]

TERMINAL TYPE/PARAMETERS
*1 TERMINAL type         [OTHER]
*2 Screen WIDTH             [39]
*3 LINES per page            [8]
 4 Form FEEDS        [SIMULATED]
 5 Horizontal TABS   [SIMULATED]
 6 Chars. received (CASE)  [U/L]
 7 Chars. sent in CAPS      [NO]
 8 PARITY                 [ZERO]
 9 Output DELAYS             [1]
10 ERASE when backspacing  [YES]
11 Micro inquiry sequence at logon
                            [NO]
FILE TRANSFER/GRAPHICS
FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL
 1 PROTOCOL preference  [XMODEM]
GRAPHICS SUPPORT
 2 GIF SUPPORT              [NO]
 3 NAPLPS SUPPORT           [NO]
 4 RLE SUPPORT              [NO]

These settings may be incompatible with those required by other Comms
programs, but most automated CIS navigators, such as Compuserve
Information Manager and TapCIS use the "Micro inquiry sequence" at login,
so these settings are ignored. However, if there is a conflict with
another program, set parameters to match the other's requirements and
try the script anyway, it will probably run, but your manual navigation
of the system will be more difficult.  Also, you may wish to experiment
with LINE PER PAGE settings. I have found that 11 works well in areas
like AP NEWS. You can temporarily change this setting at any ! prompt
by typing SET LINES X  where X is the number of lines.

RUNNING THE SCRIPT
1) Attach 3 Link and Modem to Series 3;

2) Start the script by selecting Cis from the list under the Comms icon.
Make certain you are using the Comms icon, not the Script Editor.

3) The script Cis.sco performs two functions: it configures the 3 Link
serial port, and it calls the script Psioncis.sco which does the logon
and online work.  If the script does not work properly with your modem,
open the file Cis.scr in the Script Editor to examine the setup
parameters. You may edit this script, translate it using <Psion-T>
overwriting Cis.sco with a new version.

4) The Main Menu gives three options. If you need to change anything in
the Names file, choose Modify Parameters and follow the instructions in
the MODIFY NAMES section, above. If you wish to go online without
retrieving or sending CIS:MAIL choose Cismail Toggle [On], press
<Enter>, and the menu will show Cismail Toggle [Off].  Otherwise choose
Select Node & Dial, and press <Enter>.

5) The script will initialize your modem and display the Dialing Menu.
Choose the node you wish to call, press <Enter>, and the script will
dial, logon and retrieve waiting CIS:MAIL, without futher intervention.
You can stop the script at any time by pressing <Esc>.

6) If the script displays "No Dialtone", "Busy" or "No Carrier" alerts,
press <Esc> and the A/ command will be issued to redial.  All other
alerts terminate the script. If a failure occurs online the alert will
offer a brief explanation of the problem.  Please read information
displayed before pressing <Esc>. Most online failure alerts also
include a number, which will help me determine where the problem occurred.

READING CIS:MAIL MESSAGES
All CIS:MAIL retrieved in an online session is stored in \CIS\Newmail.wrd
on your default drive. This file will appear on your system screen,
beneath the CIS icon. To read your mail, simply select the file and press
<Enter>. You can then work with this file like any other Psion Word
document.

CREATING CIS:MAIL MESSAGES
To create a CIS:MAIL message, follow these steps. Please don't second
guess me by omitting any steps until you understand the whole process.

1) Select the file Edit under the CIS icon, and press <Enter>.
The first time the file will contain on a single carriage return.

2) Press <Psion-N> to create a new file.

   Name the new file:     Edit
   Set Use template to:   Yes
   Choose Template Name:  Mail.wrt
   Press <Enter>
   Press <Y> to overwrite existing file.

3) The mail template consists of two lines:
    To:
    Subj:
with the cursor positioned after the colon on the first line. Type the
name and CIS address on the first line, for example:
    To: Dennis Lefebvre 71660,1273
then use the down arrow key to move to the subject line, and type in a
subject, for example:
    Subj: Test Message
then use the return key to move to the next line and compose your message
just like any other Word document, but do not use emphases (e.g. bold,
underline, italic) or non-ASCII characters, because the file must be
saved as text. The template sets Text file type <Psion-Q> to Line.
This causes Word to save the file with a carriage return at the end of
each line, approximately every 80 characters, as required by CIS.
Word wrap is operational to simplify editing, and you need press <Return>
only at the end of a paragraph, but be aware that in Line mode Word will
insert two carriage returns in the saved file for each one you use, so a
column of short lines will always be double spaced. The template has
"Show as symbols" <Psion-H> set to Yes for carriage returns, to remind
you of this "feature".

4) When you have completed your message press <Psion-A> to save the file.

   Use File name:    Mail1
   Set Use new file: Yes
   Set File type:    Text

To compose another message, press <Psion-N>, or to exit press <Psion-X>.
The first message must be named Mail1, the second Mail2, and so forth
through Mail5, the files must be in the \CIS\ directory on your default
drive. Each must have a .wrd extension, which will be automatically
added. The series of file names must be unbroken; if there is no Mail1
file, the script will not look for Mail2, etc.

5) If you must edit a message you have already saved, be sure to use
<Psion-A> to Save As text, completing the dialogue exactly as for a
new file. If you do not explicitly save as Text, and set Use new file
to Yes, you will end up with a .wrd format file when exiting, <Psion-X>.

CREATING CIS FAX MESSAGES
Fax messages are created just like other CIS:MAIL messages, but use the
Fax.wrt template.  On the To: line insert the recipient's name after the
colon, but before >FAX:, and put the fax number, including the national
dialing prefix, after >FAX:.  For example:

TO: Dennis Lefebvre >FAX:[phone]

You _must_ include a name in the space indicated, or the script will fail.
Fax messages must be saved with a name Mail1 - Mail5, just like any other
CIS:MAIL message.

FILE MANAGEMENT
The Series 3 Comms program includes no file management tools. It can
create new files, and check for the existence of specific files, but
it cannot append to existing files, nor move, rename, or delete files.
Therefore the user must manually deal with files, else unread mail
could be overwritten or outgoing messages sent twice.

The script checks for the existence of \CIS\Newmail.wrd at startup,
and warns you that it may be overwritten by new messages.
If you have already read the file, and do not care to save the
contents, just press <Esc> and the script will run normally.
Otherwise, move or rename the file to protect it.

After uploading Mail1 - Mail5 you must similarly delete, rename or
move those files, else they will be sent again. I have created a
series of subdirectories under \CIS\ for each person that I regularly
correspond with; it's easy to rename and move a file to a subdirectory
of the current directory, in one operation, using Purple Software's
File Manager program.

DISCLAIMERS
This script works reliably on my computer, with my modem, but I cannot
assume any liability for lost data, telephone cost, or CIS charges if
it doesn't work properly for you.  Use at your own risk.  The script is
provided free of charge, but I retain ownership. I will be happy to
answer questions or provide assistance on CIS:PALMTOP or through
CIS:MAIL @ 71660,1273.