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COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories ----------------------------------------- COM-AND: Communications and integrated communications accessories for the IBM PC ----------------------------------------- COM-AND is distributed freely and may be copied by anyone for any number of machines, for purposes of evaluation. The author offers COM-AND and its accessory programs as a package, as "shareware". If you USE the program a registration of $35.00 is required. The author may be reached: CABER Software R. (Scott) McGinnis P.O. Box 3607 Mdse Mart Chicago, IL 60654-0607 PLINK, GEnie id: TARTAN CIS id: 73147,2665 Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories COM-AND version 2.6 is copyright 1989 CABER Software (R. Scott McGinnis). All rights are reserved world wide, excepting redistri- bution under the ShareWare concept. COM-AND is distributed freely and may be copied by anyone for any number of machines, under the ShareWare concept. COM-AND is distributed as ShareWare. You may use COM-AND without charge for the purposes of evaluating its usefulness to you. It is suggested that this evaluation period be limited to a few days of actual use. If you find COM-AND to be worth continued use, then you are asked to pay for it. The payment is called a "registration fee". Complete the included registration form and mail it with your payment. Registration of COM-AND includes all published accessory programs (which currently are PC-VCO, CCHESS, CBRIDGE, and CCOLOR), and several utilities (unPACKIT and unSTUFIT). Accessories and utili- ties are published separately. One registration covers the use of any and all of these programs. By registering your copy of COM-AND (or any ShareWare product), you are promoting and supporting the convenient distribution method and free evaluation policy that brought you this copy of COM-AND. If you have received this copy from a Users' Group, "Software Library" or "SIG", and have paid a small fee (usually $3 to $10), you have NOT acquired a registration or continued right to use COM-AND. This fee was for the convenience of obtaining the diskette with COM-AND on it. The fee does NOT apply to the registration fee. You may NOT distribute COM-AND or its documentation in connection with ANY commercial venture, product, publication or service without written approval. COM-AND may not be disassembled or modified without express written consent of its author. COM-AND is supplied "as-is" with no warranties expressed or implied. Neither CABER Software nor the author will be liable for any damages or lost revenues incurred through the use of this program or any of its accessories and utilities beyond the registration price paid. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories COM-AND version 2.6 is available as shareware through PLINK, GEnie, UNISON, NWI, Delphi and CIS. COM-AND is also available through many Bulletin Board systems. Individuals are welcome to download COM-AND for purposes of evaluation. Commercial users of COM-AND must register COM-AND with the author or one of the individuals listed here. Site licenses (multiple copy registrations) are available from: CABER Software R. (Scott) McGinnis P.O. Box 3607 Mdse Mart Chicago, IL 60654-0607 PLINK, GEnie, Delphi ID: TARTAN CIS id: 73147,2665 Commercial users of COM-AND may register it with the author above or through: SupportWare Mike Todd P.O. Box 14927 Long Beach, CA 90803-1449 (213) 439-6104 In Japan, COM-AND may be downloaded as shareware from PC-VAN. COM-AND is available in Japan as a commercial product tailored for specific machines through: Discotel Japan (Ciari Soft) Kurakuen 3 ban-cho 2-50 Nishinomiya 662 Japan Contact: Claude Ciari Tel (0798)73-0052 PC-VAN NEC by Ciari ID: CCIARI Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Table of Contents ----------------- I. Introduction .............................................. page 1 A. What is COM-AND ......................................... page 1 B. Version 2? .............................................. page 2 C. This document ........................................... page 2 II. Running the program ....................................... page 3 III. CRT Display ............................................... page 5 IV. Accessory Programs ......................................... page 7 V. Menu mode .................................................. page 9 VI. Commands: available in CRT and accessory modes ............. page 11 VII. Commands: CRT mode only .................................... page 14 VIII. Commands: Accessory only ................................... page 17 IX. Dialing (Alt-D, Alt-R and Alt-H) ........................... page 18 A. Dialing (Alt-D) ......................................... page 18 B. Dialing directory maintenance (Alt-D) ................... page 19 C. Redial (Alt-R) .......................................... page 20 D. Hangup (Alt-H) .......................................... page 20 E. A note on modem speed ................................... page 20 X. Macros (Alt-M and Alt-0/9) ................................. page 21 A. Revise entry (0-9) ...................................... page 21 B. Load a new file (Alt-M subcommand F) .................... page 22 C. Clear entries (Alt-M subcommand C) ...................... page 23 D. Execute entry (Alt-0 through Alt-9) ..................... page 23 XI. Encryption/Decryption (Alt-N) .............................. page 24 XII. Program Configuration (Alt-S, Alt-P, Alt-O and Alt-J) ...... page 27 A. Setup (Alt-S) ........................................... page 27 B. Communications Parameters (Alt-P) ....................... page 31 C. Options (Alt-O) ......................................... page 33 D. Colors (Alt-J) .......................................... page 40 XIII. File Transfer (PgUp, PgDn, Alt-F, F4) ...................... page 41 A. XMODEM Up/Download ...................................... page 43 B. YMODEM Up/Download ...................................... page 44 C. ZMODEM Up/Download ...................................... page 45 D. KERMIT Up/Download ...................................... page 46 E. CIS-B and Quick CIS-B Up/Download ....................... page 47 Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Table of Contents ----------------- XIII. File Transfer (continued) F. ASCII Upload ............................................ page 48 G. ASCII Download .......................................... page 50 H. File directory (Alt-F) .................................. page 51 I. Default download path (F4) .............................. page 51 XIV. Logging and Call-logging (F7, F9, Alt-U) ................... page 52 A. Disk logging [transcripting] (F7) ....................... page 55 B. Log hold [transcripting] (F9) ........................... page 55 C. Annotate call-log (Alt-U) ............................... page 55 XV. Miscellaneous Functions .................................... page 56 A. Default Drive:Subdirectory (F3) ......................... page 56 B. Keyboard display (F8) ................................... page 56 C. Chat mode (Alt-A) ....................................... page 56 D. Redisplay [backscreen] (Alt-B) .......................... page 56 E. Clear screen (Alt-C and received TOF) ................... page 57 F. Echo (Alt-E) ............................................ page 57 G. Blank line suppression (Alt-G) .......................... page 57 H. 43/25 line toggle (Alt-L) ............................... page 57 I. Kermit Parameters (Alt-K) ............................... page 57 J. Time and Alarms (Alt-T) ................................. page 58 K. Playback (Alt-W) ........................................ page 58 L. Program termination (Alt-X) ............................. page 58 M. Parity (hi-bit) mask (Alt-Z) ............................ page 59 XVI. DOS Gateway (Alt-F10) ...................................... page 60 XVII. Emulation (Alt-V) ......................................... page 61 A. Display Emulation ....................................... page 61 B. Translation ............................................. page 62 C. Remapping ............................................... page 63 XVIII. Script Language ............................................ page 64 XIX. Program Requirements ....................................... page 65 XX. Program and Author Information ............................ page 66 Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Appendices ---------- A. Switches and Parameters .................................... page 67 B. COM-AND Error display ...................................... page 70 C. Files ...................................................... page 71 D. Windowed XMODEM (WXMODEM) .................................. page 72 E. ANSI ,VT100, and VT52 sequences ............................ page 73 1. ANSI sequences .......................................... page 73 2. VT100 sequences ......................................... page 75 3. VT52 sequences .......................................... page 77 F. Vidtex and RLE files ....................................... page 78 1. Vidtex .................................................. page 78 2. RLE Files ............................................... page 79 G. External Protocol drivers .................................. page 80 H. Modem Configuration ........................................ page 82 1. DTR (Data Terminal Ready) ............................... page 82 2. CD (Carrier Detect) ..................................... page 82 I. Environment variables ...................................... page 83 1. COM-AND= ................................................ page 83 2. COMSPEC= ................................................ page 83 3. Other variables ......................................... page 83 J. Background operation ....................................... page 85 K. Encoded music .............................................. page 86 L. BIOS Comm Read/Write ....................................... page 87 M. MODEM Initialization ....................................... page 88 N. COM-AND's Backscreen ....................................... page 91 O. Customizing COM-AND ........................................ page 92 P. Command Index .............................................. page 95 Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 1 I. Introduction A. What is COM-AND? COM-AND for the IBM PC and compatibles is a communications program that may be used by itself, or with several integrated accessory programs (which themselves may be used independent of COM-AND). COM-AND provides standard comm program functions: a dialing directory, macros, disk logging, binary and ASCII file transfers, scripted execution and so on. Four accessories are available for use with Version 2.6 of COM- AND. These accessories are for use over conferencing services such as People/Link's PARTY, GEnie's RTC and CIS's CB: PC-VCO provides a way to 'see' and 'hear' people talking. CCHESS supports chess games with another conference user. CBRIDG supports bridge games with other conference users. CCOLOR tracks conference users, coloring each speaker's received text differently These accessories are available uploaded separately, not as a part of COM-AND's release. Please refer to the accessory documents for more detailed discussions of their function. COM-AND Version 2.6 executes as a CRT based comm program either in 25 line text mode on a CGA or monochrome screen, or 25/43 line mode on an EGA display. When an accessory is loaded through COM-AND (or when COM-AND is loaded by an accessory), most of the functions of COM-AND are available through the accessory. COM-AND and its accessories (PC-VCO, CCHESS, CBRIDG, and CCOLOR) may be copied freely and distributed to anyone for any number of machines, for purposes of evaluation. The author offers COM-AND as "shareware". If the program is USED, a registration of $35.00 is asked for the entire package. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 2 I. Introduction (continued) B. Version 2? Version 1 of this software was released more than three years ago as PC-VCO. In other words, the accessory and communications pro- gram were one program. Creation of version 2.0 necessitated the splitting the original software into two executable programs. From that point in time, accessories have been released as individual programs, with this or future versions of COM-AND as base. Version 2.6 is the tenth release. C. This document This document describes the features of COM-AND, both standard communications features and as much of the accessory program features as may be appropriate. For the most part, however, the discussion of accessory functions will be limited. Accessories are released separately. For detailed discussions of accessories, please refer to each accessory's documentation. For details of the script language, please refer to the file CASCRIPT.DOC included with this release. This document addresses manual use of COM-AND. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 3 II. Running the program Generally, COM-AND is invoked at the DOS prompt with the command: ----------------------------------------------------------------- "d>" COM-AND <options> Where "d>" is the DOS prompt, and <options> is/are (<parm> (<parm> ...)) and <parm> is either a switch or a parameter Refer to Appendix A for a description of switches and parameters. ----------------------------------------------------------------- COM-AND could be invoked with a command such as: "d>" COM-AND to simply start COM-AND, or, for example, the command: "d>" COM-AND DIAL 1 to dial dialing directory entry #1 as soon as COM-AND is loaded. The command: "d>" COM-AND /FSCRIPT would be used to perform the commands contained in the file SCRIPT (or SCRIPT.CMD or SCRIPT.ENF, whichever is first in the directory). COM-AND requires no other file for its execution. It will create a parametrization file, dialing directory, and macro definition if none are present. If files (.DFT, .DIR, and .MAC) from previous versions of PC-VCO (1.31 and before) are renamed COM-AND.* they will be converted to the new format. Note that once loaded, COM-AND does not require its executable disk file again. No program disk need be retained in the default drive if loaded from floppy diskette (though it will be needed again to change the dialing directory, or macro, or accessory definitions). Files used by COM-AND are discussed in Appendix C. Default pathing of file names is discussed in Appendix I. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 4 II. Running the program (continued) The first time COM-AND is loaded, it will use default settings (as described in Appendix A). The comm port used as a default (COM1) may on some machines be unusable as a serial port. If this happens, boot the machine and reload COM-AND thusly: "d>" COM-AND /I The /I switch directs COM-AND to NOT issue a modem initialization string. When COM-AND is loaded in this manner, the serial port is unused until a character is to be transmitted. The very first time COM-AND is used, perform the following: 1) Set the current subdirectory to the subdirectory where you will install COM-AND... where previous versions have been installed. DeARC the distribution files. Have a care not to overwrite files you want to keep! 2) Load COM-AND (as above) o Check Alt-P .. Choose the COM port you use (1/2/3/4). .. Default speed selection is not important if you always use the dialing directory. But set it anyway. .. Remember to save new settings. o Check Alt-S .. Modem parms are set for HAYES - you may want to change them. .. The backscreen buffer size defaults to 4K. You can set it up to 64K, for redisplay and transcripting. .. Remember to save the new settings. o Check Alt-O .. Set flags the way you want them (e.g. exit query on, d*mned advert off, and so on; Note BIOS/DIRECT and PCJr settings) .. Remember to save new settings. 3) Review the accessories (F1). You may review the contents of accessory definitions with the 'r' subcommand. You may wish to add entries for a listing program and editor.. perhaps PC-VCO... perhaps CCOLOR... 4) Exit COM-AND with Alt-X. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 5 III. CRT Display When COM-AND is loaded, a pop-up informs that initialization is occurring. Initialization of the modem is performed automatically by COM-AND. The modem initialization string specified through the Setup function (Alt-S) is issued to the modem when COM-AND is loaded, after the modem port is set to the default rate, parity, data and stop values specified (at run time or through Alt-P). Other initialization includes: looking for a mouse, and loading files (dialing directory, macro, and accessory definitions). Once initialization is complete, the PC serves as a 24 (CGA and mono- chrome) or 24/42 line (EGA/VGA) CRT. The first 24(42) lines are a scrolling region for received text. The 25th(43rd) line is used for program identification, status and keyboard display. Carriage return/line feed combinations received cause the text area to scroll. Text typed in at the keyboard is transmitted out the COM port. What is received through the COM port is displayed on the screen. Special escape sequences are performed by COM-AND (optional). Control char- acters (except null) are displayed according to the IBM character set (optional). Received characters may be masked to 7 bits (optional). In order to connect to a host, the first step would usually be to dial the phone number of the Network node you wish to access. For example, with a Smartmodem, typing the following directs the modem to dial the phone: AT E1 DT 245-9110 <return> This sequence instructs the Smartmodem to echo entry (E1) and dial using tone dialing (DT) PLINK Chicago (245-9110) as a local call. Modem initialization could be done between the E1 and DT as needed. This sequence is automated in COM-AND through a dialing directory (Alt-D). Phone numbers and parameters are maintained in the directory. Services are called through the same Alt-D command. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 6 III. CRT Display (continued) Many people prefer to make connection to a host with a script, how- ever. Scripts for dialing and connecting to several popular services are included with this release of COM-AND. A script is a 'program' written for another program, in this case for COM-AND. Whether the connection is made manually or through a script, every- thing that happens appears in the text area of the CRT display. The keyboard on the IBM PC provides ordinary typewriter-like keys and other keys (e.g. F1, F2...). The 'other' keys are used by COM-AND for control purposes, as the mention of Alt-D above shows. The Alt- key, when held down while another key is pressed, is treated as a special keystroke. Press Alt-D and a window pops-up displaying the current dialing directory. Press F2 and a window pops-up displaying the scripts available on the current subdirectory for execution. The remaining chapters of this document describe the functions of COM-AND as they may be manually invoked. A separate document (SCRIPT.DOC) summarizes the scripts released with this version of COM-AND. [An individual scripts may or may not have its own document covering its use.] A separate document (CASCRIPT.DOC) describes the script language and concepts. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 7 IV. Accessory Programs Released with the 2.6 version of COM-AND are four programs that are labelled 'accessories': PC-VCO, CCHESS, CBRIDG and CCOLOR. PC-VCO, CCHESS, CBRIDG, and CCOLOR are programs in their own right, and may be used with or without the COM-AND program (according to your pre- ference in comm program). Accessory programs are usually loaded with COM-AND for a special purpose (such as PC-VCO: Visual Conferencing), after connection has been established through COM-AND. When COM-AND is loaded as above (i.e. "d> COM-AND"), accessories would be loaded 'on top' of COM-AND through the F1 Menu. However: the accessory program may be loaded first. When PC-VCO is run from the DOS prompt without the '/P' switch, it looks for the COM-AND program on the current subdirectory (or in the subdirectory indicated by a 'COM-AND=' environment variable). PC-VCO will not run without the '/P' switch unless it can find COM-AND. PC-VCO loads COM-AND, and the F1 menu in COM-AND is made unavailable for use. The integration of accessory programs into COM-AND means that: (1) the accessory loads COM-AND if COM-AND isn't loaded already (unless the accessory was loaded "/P"), (2) COM-AND functions such as macros and dialing directory are available in the accessory when COM-AND is loaded, and (3) settings made in COM-AND carry over to the accessory when it is loaded, and settings made in the accessory carry over to COM-AND when the accessory terminates. When an accessory program loads COM-AND, COM-AND is limited to the use of just that one accessory (and no other, although it will gate- way to DOS). When COM-AND is loaded first, a menu of accessories, arranged somewhat like the dialing directory, is presented. One accessory after another may be selected, each new accessory selec- tion terminating the previous one. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 8 IV. Accessory Programs (continued) An accessory is loaded by pressing F1, and selecting the entry you wish to execute. [The F1 menu is available only on the CRT side, only when COM-AND is loaded first.] The F1 menu defines an accessory as: o A title which is displayed in the menu o A subdirectory for use during the accessory (optional) o A script file to be performed (optional) o A program to be loaded, along with parameters (optional) An accessory to COM-AND, therefore, might be any COM-AND script, or most any program, or both. You are not limited to the ones coded for COM-AND. If you have a favorite editor that you'd like to use to keep notes on-line, define it as an accessory... If you like to look at READMAC (or GIF) graphics during conferences, define an accessory for each of several favorite pictures... To create a new entry, use the revise subcommand ("R"). You are prompted for each of the above values. The subdirectory you specified will be used as the default for all program and file accesses when you invoke the accessory. The program name must be given in full (e.g. XXX.COM or YYY.EXE). Batch files are not executable as accessories (at this time); however, you may use "COMMAND.COM /C FILE.BAT" to effect the execution of a batch file. Accessories integrated into COM-AND (such as PC-VCO) permit switching between CRT and accessory modes. A loaded accessory is terminated with the "T" subcommand of F1, or by simply loading a new accessory. COM-AND supports multiple accessory directory files. A new accessory directory is manually selected with the 'F' subcommand of the F1 window. Note that the new file name is also reflected in the Alt-S window (but isn't saved for the next time). External protocol drivers may easily be implemented as accessories. Refer to the Appendix G for a discussion of one such driver's implementation as an accessory (DSZ for file transfers). Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 9 V. Menu mode An easy way to get to know a new program is through a summary of functions it provides. In COM-AND, the F10 key provides a command summary. Like most communications programs, COM-AND ties its func- tions to special keys (Alt-D for dialing, Alt-F for file directory, and so on). This is done for purposes of speed... host services charge by the minute... every keystroke counts! However, beginning with version 2.5, almost every function of COM-AND is available through a 'menu mode'. When COM-AND is run with the /V switch (or if menu mode is set permanently through Alt-O, Options), the top line of the screen will be given to a 'menu bar'. Each item on the top bar may be selected in turn, and a menu pulled-down listing functions. The equivalent keystroke is displayed for every item in the pull-downs. In menu mode, items from the top bar may be selected with the mouse, or the cursor keys. Pulldown windows are opened in the same way. Keystrokes active on the top bar (when no pull-down is open) are: Mouse Keystroke Menu mode ON Menu mode OFF --------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------- Left motion Cursor left Top bar select Backspace sent Right motion Cursor right Top bar select Space transmitted Downward motion Cursor down Open pull-down It beeps Upward motion Cursor up Open pull-down It beeps Once an item from the top bar is 'opened' or 'pulled-down', the usage changes slightly. Within a pulldown, keystrokes are: Mouse Keystroke Menu mode ON ------------------- --------------- --------------------------- Left motion Cursor left Open pulldown to left Right motion Cursor right Open pulldown to right Downward motion Cursor down Select next successive item Upward motion Cursor up Select previous item Left button click PgDn Select next successive item Right button click PgUp Select previous item Left double click Carriage rtn Execute selected item Right double click ESCAPE Cancel window Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 10 V. Menu mode (continued) Within function 'windows' (such as Alt-D dialing), the above key- strokes and mouse actions have the same general meaning. [Only in menu mode pulldowns do left/right motions/cursor keys open new windows, however.] At this point, a note on mouse usage seems appropriate... COM-AND will use a Microsoft Mouse (or equivalent) if it finds one, if the /M run-time switch is not set. Even for the miceless, left, right, up, and down motions should be self-explanatory. However, mention of 'buttons' and 'double clicks' requires some discussion. The Microsoft Mouse has two buttons that may be pressed. COM-AND implements the left button as PgUp and the right button as PgDn, as shown in the table above. However, when a button is pressed, it is not 'executed' immediately. COM-AND will wait for a short moment to determine if the button is being pressed once, or twice in rapid succession. A left 'double click' is taken as a carriage return, and a 'right double click' is taken as ESCAPE. The interval after which COM-AND takes a button press as a single press may be changed through Alt-S, Setup. All of this is to say that in any COM-AND window where there are multiple items, one of which is to be selected, the cursor keys, mouse up/down motions, and mouse buttons may be used to select an item. [Every window where this is the case 'highlights' the current selection.] A double click on the mouse left button will execute the selection (just as a carriage return), and a double click on the mouse right button will cancel the function (just as ESCAPE). The menu mode of COM-AND allows all 'customary' functions, such as dialing, hanging up, toggling disc capture, exiting the program, and so on, to be performed entirely with a mouse (or the cursor keys even). Of course, someone somewhere must have done the typing to update the dialing directory, to define the macros... But as stated at the outset, its an easy way to get to know the program. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 11 VI. Commands: available in both COM-AND and Accessory COM-AND provides the following command keys both on the CRT side, and during an accessory: F1 Switch between text (CRT) and accessory modes: As described above, the F1 key behaves differently, according to the way COM-AND was loaded. When COM-AND is directly loaded, F1 provides a menu of accessories and functions. When an accessory loads COM-AND by default, the F1 key is restricted to switching back and forth between CRT and accessory modes. F10 Help screen: All currently implemented commands are summar- ized on this screen. Any command may be executed directly while this screen is displayed. The help screen displayed is either by COM-AND or from the accessory, according to the current mode. Alt-F10 DOS Gateway: If sufficient memory is available, COM-AND executes a shell program. This is normally a second copy COMMAND.COM for full access to DOS while a communication session is in progress. Ctl-End Break: This sends a true 'break' signal. Ctl-Prt Printer: Toggle (i.e. turn on/off) printing to LP1. Alt-C Clear: Clear the text area of the screen. Alt-D Dialing directory: Enter, change, execute, and print dialing directory entries through the Alt-D menu. Alt-E Echo: Toggle full/half duplex. [This function may also be controlled through the dialing directory (echo on).] In full duplex (echoplex), the host must echo back what is typed for it to be seen. In half duplex, COM-AND echoes what is typed immediately. Alt-F File directory: A display similar to the DOS DIR command command is displayed in a window. Alt-G Blank line suppression: Toggle. COM-AND will suppress blank lines (double spacing) if you wish. This may be made a pro- gram default through the Alt-O options menu. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 12 VI. Commands: available in both COM-AND and Accessory (continued) Alt-H Hangup: Hangup the phone. Alt-I Program information: Author information. Propaganda. Alt-M Macros: Define a macro for Alt-0 through Alt-9. Alt-N Encrypt/decrypt a file: This function implements the Federal Data Encryption Standard; secure but slow (I'll work on that!). Encrypted files may be used as scripts. Files cannot be encrypted/decrypted in place!!! Note: Should the encrypted file be modified in any way, or the password be lost, there is little chance of recovery. Neither CABER Software nor the author will be liable for any damages or lost revenues incurred through the use of this function beyond the registration price paid for COM-AND. Alt-O Options: Set controlling flags for COM-AND. Note that although this menu may be used from either COM-AND or accessory, it really only effects COM-AND settings. Alt-P Comm Parameters: Set baud rate, parity, number of data and stop bits for use when COM-AND is initially loaded. These settings are overridden by run-time switches. What- ever the current setting, the dialing directory overrides. Note: Although this menu may be used from either COM-AND or accessory, it really only effects COM-AND settings. Each accessory has an Alt-P function as well accessible only when the accessory is loaded with the '/P' switch. Alt-R Redial the last number dialed: The program will redial the last number dialed until the function is terminated (with ESC), or connection is made. Alt-S Setup: Define initial program values, such as Modem initial- ization, the Modem Hangup sequence, and file names. Note: Although this menu may be used from either COM-AND or accessory, it really only effects COM-AND settings. Each accessory has an Alt-S function as well which may or may not be accessible when COM-AND is loaded. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 13 VI. Commands: available in both COM-AND and Accessory (continued) Alt-T Elapsed time: The time the program was loaded, and the time the last call (Alt-D or Alt-R) was placed are displayed. The 'last call time' may be reset. A real-time alarm may be set (for one time use, or permanently). Alt-U Annotate call-log: COM-AND will (if you wish) keep a log of calls, hangups, disconnects and so on. You may enter free- form notes into the log through this window. Alt-X Exit the program: If the modem you use reports 'carrier' and you exit without hanging-up, you will be asked if a hangup is desired. NOTE: a script may override the Alt-X function. When this happens, after Alt-X is pressed (and after the hangup query if it is needed) a script may start! Alt-Z Parity mask: Toggle. The high bit mask is used only for text received and displayed. It has no effect on file transfers (XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM, KERMIT, and CIS-B). Alt-0/9 Send a Macro: A string of characters defined through the Alt-M command described above is transmitted. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 14 VII. Commands: CRT mode only COM-AND provides the following command keys only in CRT mode: F2 Execute a script: A window is opened to request the name of the script file. The extension ".CMD" is attempted if the given name does not have an extension, and the given name is not found. Similarly, the extension ".ENF" will be tried. F3 Set current drive:path: You may change the default disk drive and path from within COM-AND using this feature. The current drive:path affect uploaded files and file name searches (Alt-F), when no qualification is provided. NOTE: The F3 setting is retained even after COM-AND is terminated. F4 Set default drive:path for downloads: All download file transfers (XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM, KERMIT, CIS-B, ASCII, logging, and RLE) will use this setting if the target file name supplied (one way or another) does not specify the drive and/or path. NOTE: The F4 setting is retained for the next time COM-AND is used. Each change to F4 is saved! F5 ASCII upload: Files may be transferred to a system using a simple 'send' (as if they were entered by hand). Transfer may occur with or without a host prompt (some special char- acter issued for every line). Transfer may be timed (paced) in either case. Line feeds may or may not be suppressed. Tabs may or may not be expanded as blanks, as you wish. This function is also available through PgUp. F6 ASCII download: This differs from transcripting in that no extra characters are added to the file (such as line feeds after received carriage returns, or an end-of-file byte). Transcripting is intended to result in an ASCII edit file, or a printed log. ASCII download may be used to save sessions (or parts of sessions) exactly as received. This function is also available through PgDn. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 15 VII. Commands: CRT mode only (continued) F7 Logging or transcripting: Log received text to a disk file or device. You specify the file to be used. If not empty, new logging will be appended to the end of existing data. You will next be asked if the backscreen (the last text received) is to be saved. Logging need not be started before an event that you wish to record. What is logged is not exactly what is displayed on the screen. If hi-bit masking is turned on, characters will be logged with their high bit turned off. An ASCII end-of-file is added when the file is closed. Opening and closing the log marks the log with date and time. Transcript marking may be turned off with the Alt-O function. Log hold (below) does not mark the log. F8 Toggle display of typed characters (for use with half duplex connections, otherwise known as 'no echo'). The keyboard display takes over the 25th (CGA) or 43rd (EGA) line. F9 Hold the log: no entry will be made to the log from this point until hold is turned off (by pressing F9 again) or the log is closed. The fact that the log is held is displayed on the status line. PgUp Upload: A menu of all available protocols for file transfer is displayed. One must be selected, and the upload then proceeds as below (under "File Transfer"). PgDn Download: A menu of all available protocols for file transfer is displayed. One must be selected, and the download then proceeds as below (under "File Transfer"). Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 16 VII. Commands: CRT mode only (continued) Alt-A Toggle split screen 'chat mode' on and off: The screen is split in chat mode, one window for received text, and one for typed. The size of the chat window is set through Alt-S setup. Some accessories also support Alt-A. Alt-B Redisplay (backscreen): You may review the backscreen buffer page by page. Some accessories also support Alt-B. Alt-J Set screen colors: You may set foreground and background color values for the CRT screen, the status line, and menu windows. Some accessories have their own Alt-J. Alt-K Set KERMIT parameters: The values as supplied are suitable for most systems. It is not recommended that you change these settings unless you fully understand their meaning. Alt-L Toggle EGA/CGA (43/25 line) modes: Some accessories have their own Alt-L. Alt-V Emulation: You may select terminal emulation, and enable/ disable translation and/or remapping through Alt-V. Note that both translate and remap require prepared data. Alt-W Playback: Display text from a file in the CRT screen area. This may be used to set screen colors using ANSI controls (overriding the screen colors set through Alt-J). Alt = Menu mode: Alt-Equal toggles the menu mode interactively. --------------------------------------------------------------- Note also functions defined above under "Commands: both modes". --------------------------------------------------------------- Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 17 VIII. Commands: Accessory only A discussion of accessory commands must properly be referred to the accessory document. However, a few comments are in order here. Each accessory must have an Alt-P function identical to COM-AND's Alt-P Comm Parms Menu, to allow setting of default parameters. The defaults have effect when the program is run 'piggyback' (the '/P' switch) through the DOS gateway of another communications program. Each accessory must have some kind of Alt-S setup command which defines accessory-specific flags and values. In all accessories currently released, the accessory setup function is available through the 'Controls' pull-down. When the accessory is loaded '/P', the Alt-S key is enabled to access the accessory setup as well. [When loaded with COM-AND, Alt-S calls up COM-AND's Setup window.] Each accessory integrated into COM-AND defines Alt-X as program termination: not accessory termination, but process termination! Use Alt-X from an accessory to terminate the accessory AND the COM-AND program. Alt-X from COM-AND terminates COM-AND and any loaded accessory. The F1 key is used to switch between COM-AND and an accessory, and may be used to terminate the accessory without terminating COM-AND. As of version 2.6 of COM-AND, certain accessories will allow COM-AND scripts to be performed while the accessory is active. This includes scripts executed automatically through Alt-D dialing. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 18 IX. Dialing (Alt-D, Alt-R, and Alt-H) A. Dialing (Alt-D) . Dial from directory The dialing directory is invoked with the Alt-D command, in either CRT or accessory mode. After the directory window is opened, an entry may be dialed by selecting the appropriate number. The directory entry does not have to be on screen. The entry number you give may be preceded or suffixed with a long distance entry code (+,-,#,@). Whether you prefix or suffix the code, the long distance entry string will PRECEDE the dialed number. Timing commands (e.g. Smartmodem use of "," to pause for a fixed time) may be included. The modem dialing string specified through the Alt-S window is issued; the long distance number (if given) is issued; the telephone number is issued; and finally the dialing suffix string specified through the Alt-S screen is sent. Communications parameters are selected when the dialing direc- tory entry is created. Each service requires certain settings for comprehensible communications. However, one note: COM-AND will change settings to 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit when file transfer commences, if appropriate. When transfer completes, previous settings are reinstated. You only need to know what the specific service requires for conversational mode. . Manual dialing (M) From the Alt-D dialing directory, you may invoke manual dialing with the command "M". You will be asked to enter a number to be dialed. Enter the number you wish to dial; it will be prefixed with the modem dialing string (specified through the Alt-S window) suffixed with the dialing suffix, and issued. Manually dialed numbers use the communications parameters in effect at the time the number is dialed. The rule for comm parameters is: The Comm Parms window (Alt-P) is overridden by run-time parameters; the setting specified by the (last) dialing directory entry used (if any) overrides both. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 19 IX. Dialing (continued) B. Dialing directory maintenance (Alt-D) . Revise entry (R) A directory entry is revised with the "R" command. You will be prompted for an entry number (you may use the command "Rn" too, where "n" is the entry number). Answer each prompt as you want the value to be. You may cancel the change at any prompt with the ESC key. When all the prompts are completed you will be asked whether the change is to be saved to disk. If you say no the change will not be available the next time you use COM-AND. . Delete entry (D) A directory entry is deleted with the "D" command on the Alt-D window. You will be prompted for the entry number (you may use the command "Dn" too, where "n" is the entry number). The chosen entry is displayed. If you answer "y" to the query, the entry will be deleted in memory and on disk. . Revise Long distance directory (L) The Long distance directory is a directory within a directory. Four entries may be created (labelled: "+", "-", "#", and "@") and then used to prefix a dialing command (or to suffix). The Long distance entry is free form. Any string that your modem will accept may be entered. The Long distance directory is pulled-up from the Alt-D window with the command "L". An entry may be modified by selecting its label ("+","-","#","@"). . Print directory (P) The dialing directory (current in memory) is printed from the Alt-D window with the command "P". Printer output is directed to the standard output device (PRN). You are prompted to ready the printer. Strike any key except ESC to begin printing. ESC cancels the request. The printed directory is two pages, each of 50 lines (plus heading). Top-of-forms (decimal 12) are issued at the start of each page. Column headings are similar to the Alt-D headings. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 20 IX. Dialing (continued) B. Dialing directory maintenance (continued) . Load file (F) A new dialing directory may be loaded with the 'F' command at any time. Note that when you change the directory file, the change also is reflected in the Alt-S window (but isn't saved for the next time unless you save the values in Alt-S). C. Redial (Alt-R) The last dialing directory entry used to dial (or manual number as entered) may be recalled and redialed. The redial sequence cycles. It waits for the "Connect string" (as specified through the Alt-S window) for a fixed period, then resets the modem using the "Escape string" and tries again. Time spent redialing is updated every time a redial is attempted. You may force a new attempt with the space-bar. You may change the delay interval by pressing the END key: you will be prompted for a new value (in seconds). D. Hangup (Alt-H) The connection (if any) may be interrupted and the "Hangup string" (specified through the Alt-S window) issued (or DTR dropped, according to your Alt-O preference), using the Alt-H command. One note about Alt-H hangup: According to your modem and your setup of COM-AND, it is possible that the connection may not be properly broken. A second Alt-H may or may not finish the job. Modems configured to follow DTR always respond to dropping DTR. Through Alt-O, you may opt to re-initialize the modem after hangup. The re-initialization will take some time, but insures that the modem is left in a uniform state. E. A note on modem speed Some new modems connect to the PC at one speed and connect to the host at a second speed. If you use a modem of this type, remember to set the speed in the dialing directory to the speed used modem- to-PC. Usually this is a higher rate. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 21 X. Macros (Alt-M and Alt-0/9) A. Revise entry (0-9) COM-AND is distributed with an empty Macro directory. Entries are displayed and modified through the Alt-M command. A macro entry is any string of text which is to be transmitted on-line with one keystroke. Carriage returns may be embedded in the string (as exclamation points "!" ... Exclamation points themselves must be entered doubly: "!!"). Control characters may be embedded in the string (represented as caret/letter "^x" ... ^a = 1, ^b = 2, and so on... Carets themselves, too, must be doubled: "^^"). The macro definition window is invoked with Alt-M. Select the entry number to be revised by entering its number (0...9). You will be prompted for the new entry. One interesting note: COM-AND keystrokes may be programmed into macros themselves. For example, the macro: "^@<SOURCE!" actually invokes the F2 (execute script) window, and passes the name "SOURCE" with a terminating carriage return to the F2 window. The ^@ indicates that the following character is to be interpreted as an 'extended keystroke', i.e. not-ASCII. The extended charac- ter set is: Macro seq Key Macro seq Key Macro seq Key --------- --- --------- ----- --------- ----- ^@; F1 ^@^^ Alt-A ^@1 Alt-N ^@< F2 ^@1 Alt-B ^@^X Alt-O ^@= F3 ^@. Alt-C ^@^Y Alt-P ^@> F4 ^@ (space) Alt-D ^@^P Alt-Q ^@? F5 ^@^R Alt-E ^@^S Alt-R ^@@ F6 ^@! Alt-F ^@^_ Alt-S ^@A F7 ^@" Alt-G ^@^T Alt-T ^@B F8 ^@# Alt-H ^@^V Alt-U ^@C F9 ^@^W Alt-I ^@/ Alt-V ^@D F10 ^@$ Alt-J ^@^Q Alt-W ^@I PgUp ^@% Alt-K ^@- Alt-X ^@Q PgDn ^@& Alt-L ^@^U Alt-Y ^@u Ctl-End ^@2 Alt-M ^@, Alt-Z Note, too, that Alt-A (requiring "^^") is unprogrammable. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 22 X. Macros (continued) A. Revise entry (continued) In the above example, the F2 key was represented by "^@<". When the F2 key is pressed a window is opened and a search for all files *.CMD and *.ENF takes place. In simpler terms, pressing the F2 key takes TIME. COM-AND defines the ASCII value 255 as a short cut to execute a script or script statement. The macro: " SOURCE!" where the first character (displayed as blank) is ASCII 255, will perform the same sequence... without opening the F2 window. DOS provides an obscure method for entering characters by their ASCII value. To enter the ASCII value 255: hold down the Alt-key, type '2' on the numeric pad, then type '5' on the numeric pad, then type '5' again on the numeric pad, and finally, release the Alt-key. The Alt-key must be held for the duration of the 2-5-5. The numeric pad must be used. If the first character following the 255 is ".", the text will be executed as a single script command. Otherwise, the text is interpreted as a script file name to be executed. In this way single script statements or entire script files may be tied to a macro key (Alt-0 through Alt-9). B. Load a new file (Alt-M subcommand F) When COM-AND is loaded, the Macro Definition file as named through the Alt-S setup menu is loaded. You may load a different file of macros after that point with the (F)ile subcommand of Alt-M. Note that when you change the macro definition file, the change also is reflected in the Alt-S window (but isn't saved for the next time unless you save the values in Alt-S). Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 23 X. Macros (continued) C. Clear entries (Alt-M subcommand C) You may clear all macro definitions in COM-AND's memory (but not in the current file) with the (C)lear command. To clear the file, make blank entries (blank, <cr>) for 0-9. D. Execute entry (Alt-0 through Alt-9) Macros are issued with the commands Alt-0 through Alt-9, outside of Alt-M. The entry indicated by the number will be immediately issued. What happens after that is strictly up to what you've entered, the service you're on, and the people around you. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 24 XI. Encrypt/Decrypt (Alt-N) Beginning with version 2.2, COM-AND performs file encryption and decryption. COM-AND encrypted script files are automatically recognized and decrypted in memory. Dialing directory, Macro definition and Accessory definition files are not automatically decrypted, but might be decrypted and reloaded through a script. COM-AND implements three encryption methods: o full Federal Data Encryption Standard; the DES algorithm in software is not fast but may be considered fairly secure. The DES is appropriate for files you wish to exchange publicly, but wish to secure. However, it is SLOW. o a simple encryption method; this method is appropriate for script files which you plan to keep on your own machine, and only wish to protect from casual perusal (e.g. passwords). o a one-way encryption method; this method is only for scripts. No password is required for this encryption. When a script file encrypted this way is encountered, no password prompt is issued to the screen. COM-AND will not decrypt one-way encrypted files from Alt-N. The Federal Data Encryption encodes data in 64-bit 'chunks'; each bit of each byte goes through many transformations, and may end up anywhere in the 64-bit area. The simpler methods also encodes in chunks, but do not 'smear bits'. DES encryption is most secure. 'Simple' encryption is less secure. One-way encryption is least secure (it is present because transparent script decryption was requested). Encrypted files are slightly larger that the original file. Infor- mation as to true file size, file date/time and CRC checking is added to the file. When the file is decrypted, the method used to encrypt is recognized automatically, and the file is restored to its original size, date and time. The decrypted file is deleted immediately if a CRC check fails. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 25 XI. Encrypt/Decrypt (continued) When you encrypt or decrypt a file (or when the script processor recognizes an encrypted file with the exception of one-way encryp- tion) you will be asked for a password. COM-AND accepts up to 32 characters for the password, and uses them to derive a 'key' for the file. The password you supply is not the decrypting key. For maximum protection, it is recommended that you use the full 32 characters for the password. --------------------------------------------------------------------- However, you must be able (somehow) to remember the password. Should you lose the password, or if the encrypted file is modified in any manner, there is very little chance of recovering the data. Neither CABER Software nor the author will be liable for any damages or lost revenues incurred through the use of this function beyond the registration price paid for COM-AND. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Encryption and decryption must be performed from one (input) file to another different (output) file. Do not attempt to encrypt or decrypt a file over itself. If there is insufficient space on the target disk for the file, you will be told, and allowed to select a new target disk or diskette or to abort. Alt-N invokes a menu allowing selection of Encryption or Decryption. You will be prompted for each required parameter. When the process begins, a display similar to file transfers provides an estimate for the time required and a measure of its performance. The COM-AND script processor searches for the extension ".ENF" as well as ".CMD". The script processor searches first for the given file name. If no match is found it then searches for the same file name with the extension ".CMD". If no match is found the second time, it searches for the same file name with the extension ".ENF". [If the name was unqualified with drive:subdirectory and if there is a COM-AND= environment variable, another three searches will be performed on the drive:subdirectory indicated by the COM-AND= variable.] Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 26 XI. Encrypt/Decrypt (continued) Thus, if you wish to encrypt a script file with no extension or with the extension ".CMD", you must use one of two strategies: o encrypt the file using a DIFFERENT name... and use the different name when invoking the script (F2)... or o encrypt the file to the same name with the extension ".ENF" and then delete the original (after backup of course). It is suggested that either the 'simple' method or 'one-way' method be used to encode script files. Script files encoded with these methods are decrypted and executed transparently... there will be perceptible delays if the DES encryption is used for a large script. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 27 XII. Program Configuration (Alt-S, Alt-P, Alt-O, and Alt-J) A. Setup Screen (Alt-S) 1. Modem control . Modem initialization string The modem initialization string is issued when COM-AND is first loaded. It is not issued when the port is changed during execution. If blank, it will be ignored. Carriage returns and control characters are specified as with macros. Refer to Appendix M (Modem Configuration) for examples. . Modem dialing prefix The Modem dialing prefix commands the modem to begin a dialing sequence. It is followed by a number from the dialing directory (and long distance string, if specified). . Modem dialing suffix The Modem dialing string terminates each dialing command. For Hayes type modems it should be a "!" (translated by COM-AND to be a <cr>). It may be any string appropriate to your modem. Carriage returns and control characters are specified as with macros. . Hangup string The hangup string is issued through the Alt-H command (after a modem escape is issued), if "drop DTR" is not set in Alt-O. Carriage returns and control characters are specified as with macros. Delays of 1/2 second each may be specified with a tilde (~) (see "modem delay char" below). . Escape string The modem escape is issued before the hangup string (Alt-H), and before each redial (Alt-R). Delays of 1/2 second each are specified with a tilde (~). Carriage returns and control characters are specified as with macros. . Connect string The connect string is used by the Alt-D dial and Alt-R redial commands to determine when connection has been made. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 28 XII. Program Configuration (continued) A. Setup Screen (continued) 2. Files All files specified here are searched under the current drive:subdirectory, and under the drive:subdirectory indicated through the COM-AND= environment variable, unless the name given is explicitly qualified. . Call-log file name The call-log file name determines the file to be opened to receive call-logging (if call-logging is enabled, see below, Alt-O Options). . Dialing directory The dialing directory file is used to initialize the program's dialing directory. The current dialing directory may be changed at any time from within COM-AND. . Macro Directory The macro directory file is used to initialize the program's macro definitions. You may change the current macro definition at any time from within COM-AND. . Accessory directory The COM-AND accessory function F1 requires a file to contain definitions for accessories. You may have several files of definitions and change at any time from within COM-AND. . RLE temporary file COM-AND will recognize RLE graphics images when they are encountered in the received stream, and buffer the image to disk. This file name specifies the temporary file name. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 29 XII. Program Configuration (continued) A. Setup Screen (continued) 3. Timings and Values . Backscreen buffer size Up to 64K for the backscreen buffer may be selected (or turn it off altogether by setting it to 0K). This buffer is used by the Alt-B redisplay, and by the F7 transcript command. . Break delay COM-AND issues a true break through the Ctl-End key. The duration of the break is controlled here. "Break delay" specifies the number of milliseconds the comm line is held. . Alarm duration The alarm duration value gives the number of seconds the alarm tune sounds when a function is terminated. Set this to zero to inhibit the special termination alarm. . Modem char delay The modem char delay gives the number of milliseconds COM- AND delays after each character of a modem control sequence (e.g. dialing, hangup, initialization). Certain modems require their control sequences be enunciated slowly. . Reconnect delay The interval between Alt-R redial (and scripted dialing) attempts is established here. 45 seconds is recommended for long distance dialing. 30 seconds is usual for local calls. . Chat Window The size of the lower window of chat mode (where what you type appears) may be changed. The size of the chat window is limited to between 2 and 10 lines. . Bell tone COM-AND implements its own bell sound. You may set the tone to any frequency (in Hz) that pleases. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 30 XII. Program Configuration (continued) A. Setup Screen (continued) 3. Timings and Values . Mouse vertical sensitivity The vertical sensitivity of the mouse may be set here. The higher the value used, the less sensitive the mouse. The most sensitive value is 0. . Mouse horizontal sensitivity The horizontal sensitivity of the mouse may be set here. The higher the value used, the less sensitive the mouse. The most sensitive value is 0. . Mouse double click interval The double click interval of the mouse may be set here. When a mouse button is pressed twice within this interval a different action is taken than when it is only pressed once. . Modem delay character The modem delay character defaults to a tilde (ASCII 126). It represents a 1/2 second display in strings sent to the modem (above) and strings sent with the script command TRANSMIT. It may be redefined here if you wish. . Xfer Screen Update Interval At 9600 baud and above, the time taken to paint the status screen becomes a signifigant percentage of the overall time required for a file transfer. Setting the screen update interval to '5' will have a visible impact even at 2400 baud. 4. Save You may change values for one execution of COM-AND, or you may change them for all subsequent executions of COM-AND. If you save values, the values you've saved will be set the next time you use COM-AND. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 31 XII. Program Configuration (continued) B. Communications Parameters (Alt-P) 1. Rate + Parity + Data bits + Stop Bits Baud rate, parity, number of data bits and number of stop bits are specified in combination through the first selections of the Alt-P window. These selections are the only way to specify baud rate through this window. Other parameters (parity, data bits, and stop bits) may be set individually (below). Do not change the current setting after you've connected to a service. XMODEM and YMODEM and ZMODEM transfers can and do change to no parity (if necessary), but you shouldn't. 2. Parity, Data bits and Stop bits Individual settings for parity, number of data bits and number of stop bits comprise the next items of this menu. You also set these values when you create a dialing directory entry. Again: do not change the current setting after you have connected to a service. The settings on this screen are effective mostly when the program is initialized. The dialing directory (if used) overrides the current setting. 3. COM ports The last items on this menu are the candidates for COM ports. Select the appropriate port for your modem. This item is usually selected once, and then left alone. NOTE: If your computer is equipped with fewer than four COM ports, an attempt to configure a missing port results in the report that the port speed is 115k baud. When a board is added with the additional port (e.g. an internal modem set to work as COM3 or COM4), COM-AND will recognize it. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Note: All parameters may be set through the command parameters. These parameters override the Alt-P default settings. Example: "d>" COM-AND COM3 1200 DATA8 STOP1 NONE Refer to Appendix A for the list of run-command parameters. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 32 XII. Program Configuration (continued) B. Communications Parameters (continued) 4. Save Current settings for the next execution of COM-AND are saved through the "Save" selection. Settings are saved to disk. 5. Set Base/IRQ COM-AND defaults the four supported comm ports to the values: COM1: base address: 0x3f8, interrupt request # 4 COM2: base address: 0x2f8, interrupt request # 3 COM3: base address: 0x3e8, interrupt request # 4 COM4: base address: 0x2e8, interrupt request # 3 These may be changed through a submenu of the Alt-P menu. Select 'Set Base/IRQ', and the submenu is opened. Current values are displayed. Select a port and you will be prompted for new values. Each port's base address is limited to the values 0-1023 (or 0 - 0x3ff). Each port's interrupt request number is limited to the values 0-7. The default values are appropriate for most applications. Most people will never need to change these settings. How ever, should you need to do so, the capability is available. DO NOT CHANGE these assignments unless you are sure you have need to do so, and have the correct values at hand. If you do not save the changes, COM-AND will revert to the defaults the next time it is loaded (after Control-Alt-Delete, for example!). If COM-AND is directed to use a comm port address that, in fact, does not exist, the result may range from: nothing happening whatsoever, to complete machine lockup (if there IS in fact a device at that address able to respond to interrupt requests). It is recommended that new settings be tried before saving. The meaning of the 'names' COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4, as far as COM-AND is concerned, are determined simply by these assignments. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 33 XII. Program Configuration (continued) C. Options (Alt-O) 1. Settings otherwise available . Echo (also Alt-E) Some services turn around what you type so that you see it (full duplex or echoplex), and some don't (half duplex). You may force COM-AND to display what you enter in the CRT window by toggling echo. Setting echo on (through the Alt-O window) will turn echo on now. Saving it will cause echo to be turned on the next time you run COM-AND. Echo is toggled dynamically with the Alt-E command. . Parity mask (also Alt-Z) You may mask parity from received text by setting the parity mask on permanently through the Alt-O window. I've found this to be useful; mandatory when I've needed it. Parity masking is toggled dynamically with the Alt-Z command. . Keyboard display (also F8) Some talk systems are more friendly when what you type is not mixed in with what you receive. Turning system echo off (if the system echoes key-entry) is accomplished in a number of ways (note that this is different from Alt-E above), each unique to the particular system. However, all of a sudden there is a new problem: you don't see what you're typing! Keyboard display in COM-AND is one attempt to solve this problem. What you type will be displayed on the status line when keyboard display is turned on. You may enable it on permanently through this option. Keyboard display may be toggled dynamically with F8. . Chat mode (also Alt-A) Chat mode is another attempt to allow you to see what you've typed when echo has been turned off. Instead of just one line of keyboard display, chat mode allows you to see the last few (up to 10) lines you have typed. Chat mode is toggled dynamically with Alt-A. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 34 XII. Program Configuration (continued) C. Options (Alt-O) (continued) 1. Settings otherwise available (continued) . Blank line suppression (also Alt-G) You may enable blank line suppression on when COM-AND is loaded, through this selection. Blank line suppression is dynamically toggled with Alt-G. . In/Out Translate (also Alt-V) You may turn on in/out character translation on when COM-AND is loaded, through this option. Note that the file COM-AND. XLT must be prepared prior to the use of this function. COM-AND.XLT is prepared with the script XLATE.CMD. . Remapping (also Alt-V) You may turn on keyboard remapping on when COM-AND is loaded, through this option. Note that the file COM-AND.RMP must be prepared prior to the use of this function. Please refer to to the script REMAP.CMD and its documentation REMAP.DOC. 2. Settings available only through Alt-O . Nondestructive Backspace You may toggle a destructive/nondestructive backspace func- tion through this option. Nondestructive backspaces are not required by many systems, but now and then it comes up. . Backspace sent as delete You may toggle the character transmitted as a backspace func- tion through this option. Either backspace (decimal 8), or delete (decimal 127, a.k.a. rubout) may be transmitted. . CR -> CRLF received You may toggle a CR/CRLF on received CR function through this option. Most systems generate a CR and a LF to terminate a line, but a few only generate a CR. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 35 XII. Program Configuration (continued) C. Options (Alt-O) (continued) 2. Settings available only through Alt-O (continued) . Alarm noise An alarm tune (of sorts) sounds when the Alt-R redial makes connection, and when file transfer is complete. The noise is also played when certain error conditions occur. When disabled, the alarm window is held open without noise. The duration of the noise (or noiseless pause) is controlled through Alt-S Setup. . Exit query Some people disdain the query "do you really and truly mean it" when they type Alt-X. Some feel it mandatory. COM-AND is distributed with exit query disabled. You may enable it, if you're so inclined, through this Alt-O selection. . Mark transcript COM-AND will mark every disk transcript taken (beginning and end) with the date and time. You tell COM-AND not to mark further transcripts through this Alt-O selection. The transcript function also has the capability to add the backscreen (the full backscreen buffer's worth) to the transcript. Turning transcript marking off means that there will be no delimiter between the backscreen and transcript. . Initial advertisement When COM-AND was distributed, the Information screen (Alt-I) was set to be displayed when the program was run. You turn the display off through this Alt-O setting. . Use BIOS for screen saves You may set BIOS screen accesses permanently through this option. COM-AND defaults to direct screen buffer reads and writes. Some machines (and environments, like Windows) require this option be set. See also Appendix J on multi- tasking, and "Use DOS for screen writes", below. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 36 XII. Program Configuration (continued) C. Options (Alt-O) (continued) 2. Settings available only through Alt-O (continued) . Use DOS for screen writes You may set DOS screen writes permanently through this option. When received text is written through DOS, ANSI.SYS or other console driver is invoked (if you turn all emulation off). See also Appendix J on multi-tasking, and "Use BIOS for screen saves", above. . Display control characters COM-AND permits displayable control characters to be dis- played (as many BBS's use them). You may turn this feature off and on through Alt-O according to the system you use. . Software flow control (XON/XOFF) COM-AND supports software flow control using the XON/XOFF discipline for receipt and for ASCII sends. You may enable and disable this feature according to the system you use. . Hardware flow control (unidirectional) COM-AND supports a hardware flow control, raising RTS before transmitting and waiting for CTS. This function may be permanently established here, according to your modems needs. . RTS Flow control (bidirectional) COM-AND supports a second manner of hardware flow control, raising RTS when able to receive and waiting for CTS before transmitting. This function may be permanently established here, according to your modem. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 37 XII. Program Configuration (continued) C. Options (Alt-O) (continued) 2. Settings available only through Alt-O (continued) . Drop DTR to hangup COM-AND disconnects either (1) by dropping DTR momentarily or (2) using the hangup escape sequence specified in the Alt-S setup. Only use the first method if your modem is configured to follow DTR (see Appendix M, Modem Configuration). . Re-initialize modem after HANGUP COM-AND will, or will not retransmit the modem initialization string (Alt-S above) after a HANGUP is performed. If modem settings are altered for individual hosts, reinitializing after HANGUP ensures that the modem is always in a proper default state. . Call-logging COM-AND logs successful connections, hangup, carrier drop- outs, file transfers and file encrypt/decryptions to a call-log when call-logging is enabled. The name of the current call-log is declared through Alt-S. . Screen clock COM-AND will display the current time (as "hh:mm:ss" if no connection is known, and as "hh:mm (hh:mm)" showing current time and time since connection) on the status line when the Alt-O screen clock is enabled. . Suppress bells COM-AND will suppress bell characters received if this option is enabled. . Menu mode COM-AND supports a menu mode allowing most all customary functions to be performed with a mouse. This mode may be set permanently here (interactively toggled with Alt equal). Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 38 XII. Program Configuration (continued) C. Options (Alt-O) (continued) 2. Settings available only through Alt-O (continued) . Respect CD COM-AND monitors carrier detect unless you turn the function off through Alt-O (or the /T run-time switch). Carrier detect (CD) is monitored during file transfers and after successful connection through the dialing directory. . PCJr (disk I/O suspends comm) PCJr mode suspends the comm line (with an X-OFF) during disk I/O. You may set/reset PCJr mode through this option. . Capture/Display RLE files COM-AND recognizes RLE files as they are received, and cap- tures them to disk while displaying them (if you have EGA or CGA). It may be permanently enabled it here. See also Appendix J on multi-tasking. . Allow MUSIC COM-AND will play music escape sequences when received if this function is enabled. Music escape sequences are of the form: "ESC,[,M,<BASICA encoded string>,^N". . Allow REMOTE COM-AND implements a REMOTE function performing script commands received over the communications line. REMOTE sequences are of the form: "ESC,^,<script command>,<cr>". . Slow output COM-AND performs file transfers at an unusually high speed. The technique is called 'interrupt driven writes'. Some Net- work modems fail when pressed so hard. This option may be used to slow COM-AND file transfers down a bit. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 39 XII. Program Configuration (continued) C. Options (Alt-O) (continued) 2. Settings available only through Alt-O (continued) . ZMODEM auto download COM-AND will start a ZMODEM receive under the host's control when this option is enabled. It may be disabled to avoid false triggers (for example, by "friends" in CB/chat). . ZMODEM recovery The ZMODEM protocol defines a 'recovery' function for down- loads. When the file being received already exists, and this option is enabled, the transfer picks up at the end of the file (presumably where a failed transfer ended). [The prev- ious transfer may have used any protocol (!).] When disabled, ZMODEM downloads go to a unique file name each time. 3. Save Values set through this screen are not automatically saved to disk. Values set through this screen are immediately used by COM-AND. To configure COM-AND to have the same settings the next time it is loaded, you must save them with the "Save" selection of the Alt-O menu. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 40 XII. Program Configuration (continued) D. Colors (Alt-J) You may set foreground and background colors for (1) the CRT text area, (2) the status line, and (3) main menus (queries are set to black on white for contrast). The color names are those used in the IBM Technical Reference; if you have different names for some of the color values, I apologize. My wife and I have argued for years over 'beige'. If the "Use DOS for screen writes" option is set, then the text colors selected above will be ignored. If this option is set, and the internal ANSI emulator is not turned off, then no color at all (beyond your DOS configuration) is available for text. Like other option menus, you may experiment with settings. Unless you save your settings, they are lost when the program terminates. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 41 XIII. File Transfer (PgUp, PgDn, Alt-F and F4) COM-AND supports several file transfer methods, to and from your PC. Transfers to your PC are called downloads (down from the host). File transfers from your PC are called uploads (up to the host). The file transfer methods currently implemented are: o XMODEM (Windowed, CRC and checksum) o YMODEM (BBS YMODEM, a.k.a. XMODEM1K) o Batch YMODEM (True YMODEM (tm), and YMODEM-G) o ZMODEM (batch) o KERMIT (Windowed or not windowed) o CIS-B (classic and Quick (B+), for CompuServe) o ASCII (without error checking) To begin a transfer, on the CRT side of COM-AND you must tell the host (system) that it is to begin a transfer. Each system is diff- erent in this respect. Once the host is ready to start the transfer, begin the transfer in COM-AND. The transfer is started in COM-AND with the PgUp key (for upload) or PgDn key (for download). The items on the menu presented are explicit; if you select CRC XMODEM, Windowed XMODEM will not be used, even if the host supports it. The definition of CRC XMODEM allows a 'drop' into checksum XMODEM, on the other hand, if the host doesn't support CRC. Each system you might wish to use has an optimal transfer method. Select the method from the menu. According to the transfer method selected, you may then be queried for a file name (or wildcard template in the case of KERMIT, ZMODEM and Batch YMODEM uploads). At this point, COM-AND takes over the transfer. With the exception of ASCII transfers, the sequence is usually: o Synchronize with the host o Negotiate parameters for the transfer o Transfer a file or files o Report error or completion of transfer Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 42 XIII. File Transfer (continued) COM-AND displays an estimate of the time required for the transfer (for downloads the estimate is for 30K chunks, unless the protocol provides the true file size). The transfer rate (in terms of bytes per second actually delivered) and efficiency (in terms of percent of maximum linespeed) is computed and displayed every few seconds. The download statistics window displays: . the file name of the file being transferred, . the method . the time so far, . the file size so far, . the number of blocks received, . the number of errors encountered, . a description of the last error encountered. . an estimate for the transfer time (to the nearest 30K interval, unless the protocol supplies the true file size) . and the efficiency of the transfer (percent linespeed) The upload statistics window displays: . the file name of the file being transferred, . its size, . the method . the number of blocks being transferred, . the time so far, . the number of blocks sent, . if windowing the current 'window' size . the number of errors encountered, . a description of the last error encountered. . an estimate for the transfer time . and the efficiency of the transfer (percent linespeed) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Protocols are not available through accessory programs. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 43 XIII. File Transfer (continued) A. XMODEM Up/Download Files may be transferred to/from a system that accepts checksum, CRC, or Windowed XMODEM, using COM-AND. When you request XMODEM upload, you are asked for a file. Once the file's existence has been assured, COM-AND begins protocol negotiation with the host system. One of the possible protocols will be negotiated, according to your choice and the host's implementation. Up to 60 seconds are allowed for the negotiation. If that time is exceeded, the transfer fails. You may restart it, of course. When you request XMODEM download, you are asked for a file name. Once the file has been created (you will be queried for a purge if it already exists), COM-AND begins protocol negotiation with the host system. One of the possible protocols will be negotiated according to your choice and to the host's implementation. COM- AND drops through WXMODEM after 24 seconds. COM-AND drops through CRC XMODEM after 24 seconds. If the host does not acknowledge CRC XMODEM, then finally, CHECKSUM is requested. Up to 100 seconds are allowed for the negotiation. If that time is exceeded, the transfer fails. You may restart it, of course. COM-AND is intended primarily for users of networks and services available through the networks. For this reason, COM-AND implements what is referred to as "relaxed XMODEM". The networks introduce timing delays into file transfers that the original XMODEM standard did not contemplate. However, the relaxed XMODEM works quite well with BBS's that expect strict XMODEM. Because COM-AND is intended for a network environment, a new XMODEM variant: Windowed XMODEM or WXMODEM is implemented. WXMODEM was designed to accommodate network delays and maximize performance. It also accomodates network flow control (XON/XOFF). WXMODEM gives approximately 35% faster transfer rates in network environments. For details about WXMODEM refer to Appendix D. COM-AND changes the communications parameters to 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit when XMODEM begins. It restores settings to their original state after XMODEM completes. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 44 XIII. File Transfer (continued) B. YMODEM Up/Download (BBS YMODEM and Batch YMODEM/YMODEM-G) Files are transmitted/received using one of several YMODEMs: . simple YMODEM (Bulletin Board YMODEM, also known as XMODEM1K, different from True YMODEM (tm)) . Batch YMODEM (properly named "True YMODEM (tm)") . Batch YMODEM-G (a streaming version for special connections) When one of the YMODEM uploads is selected, you are asked for a file (or in the case of Batch YMODEM and YMODEM-G, a wildcard template). Once the file's existence has been assured, COM-AND begins protocol negotiation with the host system. Up to 60 seconds are allowed for the negotiation. If that time is exceeded, the transfer fails. You may restart it, of course. When a simple YMODEM/XMODEM1k download is selected, you are asked for a file name. Once the file has been created (you will be queried for a purge if it already exists), COM-AND begins proto- col negotiation with the host system. Up to 60 seconds are allowed for the negotiation. If that time is exceeded, the trans- fer fails. You may restart it, of course. When a Batch YMODEM or YMODEM-G download is selected, you will NOT be asked for a file name. The host supplies the name(s). For this reason, if the supplied name duplicates one on your default download subdirectory, the file name will have its last character (usually the extension) changed to '$'. YMODEM (in all its variants) is more efficient in a networked environment than simple XMODEMs (CRC and checksum) simply because it transfers longer blocks of data at a time. However, YMODEM is subject to the same problems (lack of flow control, for one) that XMODEM users know well in networked environments. Variations on YMODEM abound. The various namings of this protocol proliferate; even YMODEM's developer has changed his naming of the protocol; thus COM-AND uses the most common names (and the name given it by the developer in its original specification). COM-AND changes the communications parameters to 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit when any YMODEM begins. It restores settings to their original state after YMODEM completes. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 45 XIII. File Transfer (continued) C. ZMODEM Up/Download When ZMODEM upload commences, a wildcard template is requested (for example, FILE*.ASM). Once the (first) file's existence has been assured, COM-AND begins protocol negotiation with the host system. Up to 60 seconds are allowed for the negotiation. If that time is exceeded, the transfer fails. COM-AND detects and automatically begins ZMODEM receive when the 'auto' option of Alt-O is enabled. If this option is disabled, the ZMODEM receive must be manually started. When a ZMODEM download begins, you will NOT be asked for a file. The host supplies the name(s). ZMODEM defines a recovery mode (which is enabled/disabled through Alt-O). When recovery is disabled, and the supplied name duplicates one on the default download subdirectory, the file name will have its last character (usually the extension) changed to '$'. When recovery is enabled, and the name supplied duplicates one on the default download sub- directory, the transfer begins at the old end-of-file. Presum- ably, the file is there as the result of a failed transfer. On download, once the file has been created (or opened if recover- ing) COM-AND begins protocol negotiation with the host system. Up to 60 seconds are allowed for the negotiation. If that time is exceeded, the transfer fails. You may restart it, of course. ZMODEM is more efficient in a networked environment than XMODEM (CRC and checksum) for several reasons. First, ZMODEM transfers longer blocks of data at a time (up to 1024 byte blocks). Second, ZMODEM was designed to accomodate software flow control (XON/XOFF) as used by many hosts and networks. Third, ZMODEM sends contin- uously, until the receiver detects an error (streaming). COM-AND does not implement some of the 'management' and 'trans- port' options intended for batch and automatic operation. COM-AND does not implement ZMODEM fall-back to YMODEM or XMODEM either. COM-AND changes the communications parameters to 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit when ZMODEM begins, and enables soft flow control. It restores settings to their original state after ZMODEM completes. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 46 XIII. File Transfer (continued) D. KERMIT Up/Download The KERMIT protocol was developed at Columbia University and has been very popular at many computer sites. Files may be trans- ferred to and from a system that accepts KERMIT or Super KERMIT, using COM-AND. When you request KERMIT upload, you are asked for a file template (e.g. *.EXE). Once the first file's existence has been assured, COM-AND begins protocol negotiation with the host system. Up to 60 seconds are allowed for the negotiation. If that time is exceeded, the transfer fails. You may restart it, of course. When you request KERMIT download, you will NOT be asked for a file name. The host supplies the name. For this reason, if the supplied name duplicates one on your default download subdir- ectory, the file name will have its last character (usually the extension) changed to '$'. Once the file has been created, COM-AND begins protocol negotiation with the host system. Up to 60 seconds are allowed for the negotiation. If that time is exceeded, the transfer fails. You may restart it, of course. KERMIT has grown in many directions over the years. Originally it was a 7-bit protocol. Extensions were added to accomodate 8-bit data, and to negotiate the 'width' (7 or 8 bits) of the transfer. Extensions have been added to support a simple data compression method (run length encoding). Extensions have been added to accomodate windowing (called Super KERMIT). COM-AND supports all KERMIT facilities through the windowing extensions. COM-AND will negotiate window lengths of up to 8. COM-AND does not support the (later) large block size extension. COM-AND will attempt to negotiate an 8 bit data path if you have set your comm parameters 8N1. COM-AND does not (now) change parity and data bits settings for the transfer. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 47 XIII. File Transfer (continued) E. CIS-B and Quick CIS-B Up/download The CIS-B protocol was developed at CompuServe and is their protocol 'of choice'. Files may be transferred to and from CompuServe (CIS) using COM-AND. When you initiate CIS-B on CIS either sending or receiving), you tell CIS the name of the file to be transferred to/from your PC. CIS will then instruct COM-AND to open that file. Once the file's existence has been assured, COM-AND begins protocol negotiation with CIS. Up to 60 seconds are allowed for the negotiation. If that time is exceeded, the transfer fails. You may restart it, of course. When using VIDTEX emulation in COM-AND, it is not necessary to manually select PgUp/PgDn to send and receive files. COM-AND recognizes CIS's instructions to begin a protocol transfer once you have instructed CIS as to the transfer under this emulation. A variant of CIS-B known as Quick-B (B-Plus) is also available in COM-AND. Quick-B supports limited windowing and larger block lengths. It also changes the quoting mechanism to optimize binary transfer. Both CIS-B and Quick-B (B-Plus) are available. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 48 XIII. File Transfer (continued) F. ASCII Upload (PgUp, and F5) Files may be transferred to a system using a simple 'send' (as if entered by hand). When ASCII upload is requested, you are prompted for a file name. Once the file has been opened, you are prompted with a small menu with various options: . Host prompting Transfer may occur in one of two ways: 1) with a prompt from the host (some special character) or 2) without a host prompt for every line. If 'Host prompting' is set 'On', you will be asked for the prompt character (either an ASCII or a control character). The prompt character is entered as you see it, unless it is a control character (e.g. enter ^J for a line feed). . Send linefeeds Line feeds may be suppressed during the transmission. ASCII text files contain line feeds that you (usually) do not send. . Expand tabs Similarly, tab characters may or may not be expanded during the transmission. ASCII text files contain tabs that you (usually) want to expand before transmission. . Stop at control-z You may specify that the transfer is to terminate when an an end-of-file character (control-Z) is encountered. This is the case in most ASCII files. . Respect XON/XOFF ASCII upload uses the default XON/XOFF setting established through Alt-O. You may change the setting here temporarily for the transfer here. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 49 XIII. File Transfer (continued) F. ASCII Upload (continued) . Expand blank lines You may choose to expand null lines to a blank line. This is convenient on some BBS's. . Line pacing You may choose to send lines of text with fixed delays between lines. This is needed on some systems. You may set the delay in intervals of 1/10th of a second. Transfer is, in all cases, paced (timed). Transmission begins at maximum speed. You may alter the pacing with the Ctl-PgUp and Ctl-PgDn keys during the transmission. Ctl-Home will increase the speed to its maximum. Ctl-End decreases the transmission speed to its minimum. ESC or F1-F10 will terminate the send. The ASCII send function in COM-AND responds to XON/XOFF sequences transmitted by the host (if this feature is enabled). When an XOFF is received, COM-AND waits up to 30 seconds for a subsequent XON to be received. Transmission is suspended while COM-AND waits. Transmission resumes after 30 seconds, or after COM-AND receives an XON. ---------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: When host prompting is specified, the first line is sent and then COM-AND waits for a host prompt. Should the prompt from the the host be lost (inadvertently, of course), the left arrow key (or function key (F1-F10)) will send the next line. ---------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: When host prompting is specified, COM-AND 'looks ahead' in the file being transmitted. COM-AND does not wait for a prompt when end-of-file follows after the last carriage return (and linefeed if linefeeds aren't being transmitted). Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 50 XIII. File Transfer (continued) F. ASCII Upload (continued) ---------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: When stop-on-control-z is specified, COM-AND transmits a carriage return on end-of-file (if a carriage return was not the last character transmitted). ---------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: The percent transmitted will be incorrect when the file being transmitted is small (less than 1000 bytes). Don't be surprised. I was. Sorry 'bout that. G. ASCII Download (PgDn, and F6) ASCII downloads differ from transcripting in that no extra characters are added to the file (e.g. line feeds after received carriage returns, and end-of-file are added when transcripting). Transcripting is intended to result in an ASCII edit file (or a printed log). ASCII downloads may implement binary transfers. XON/XOFF flow control is performed during an ASCII download according to the current Alt-O setting. Anything you type while the download function is being performed will be sent to the host system also. ESC or F1-F10 terminates the receive function and closes the capture file. COM-AND special functions (macros, scripts etc) are not available during an ASCII receive. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 51 XIII. File Transfer (continued) H. File directory (Alt-F) A directory of files on any legitimate disk may be requested with the Alt-F command. A search mask is requested. Enter one just as you would with the DIR command of DOS. For example: D:*.TXT specifies all files with the extension "TXT" from the "D" drive. File names and modification dates are displayed, 20 at a time. When the list is exhausted, the amount of free space remaining on the specified drive is displayed. Should you wish a directory search of a subdirectory, you must enter a full file mask. The mask: C:\TEMP specifies a search on the root directory for a file named TEMP with no extension. If you wish to search the TEMP subdirectory of the root directory, enter: C:\TEMP\*.* I. Default download path (F4) All file receive functions of COM-AND write to a default path, unless the given file name is qualified (with a drive and/or path). The default drive:path is set through the F4 function. Please note that this setting is automatically saved for the next use of COM-AND. No "do you wish to save this setting" prompt is used here - the setting is permanent until next changed. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 52 XIV. Logging and Call-logging COM-AND supports two methods of logging activity for later review. The two methods are transcripting and call-logging. The transcript records every character of received text... the call-log records calls made through the dialing directory, hangups, carrier dropouts, file transfers, accessory programs, and file encryption/decryption. Generally speaking, the transcript function is invoked when you wish an exact record of everything you've seen (COM-AND even allows you to transcript text seen BEFORE transcripting is turned on). It is not used all the time. The call-log is enabled once, and left to record all system activity. A transcript is an ASCII file recording all text you captured. The only discussion of its contents needed is to point out that COM-AND marks the time of transcript start and end, unless you direct other- wise (through Alt-O, transcript marking). The call-log, however, requires some further discussion. The call- log is an ASCII file too. The call-log contents are fixed in format. An example of such a log might be: COM-AND loaded CONNECT: CIS 2400 (chicago) 2400,E,7,1,COM2;ATDT263-5636 Dnl BAROQUE.BAS 7552 ( 0:00:32) 98.3% QuickB 0 errs DISCONNECT ( 0:02:33) CONNECT: Source (Chi) C S15 1200,N,8,1,COM2;ATDT938-0600 Dnl YES.BAS 2008 ( 0:00:27) 64.3% Super KERMIT 1 errs DISCONNECT ( 0:04:57) CONNECT: Scintillation 2400,N,8,1,COM2;ATDT953-4922 Dnl MAZE.ARC 34816 ( 0:02:36) 92.9% YMODEM (chk) 0 errs CARRIER dropped: ( 0:06:02) COM-AND exited ( 0:14:57) COM-AND loaded * Annotation line entered through Alt-U * I'm going to encrypt/decrypt a file for demonstration ENCRYPT: COM-AND.EXE to ENCRFILE 154567 ( 0:00:17) DECRYPT: ENCRFILE to DECRFILE 154568 ( 0:00:11) COM-AND exited ( 0:02:33) ACCESSORY: PC-VCO Maug mode: PC-VCO.EXE /2/m/s Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 53 XIV. Logging and Call-logging (continued) In the above example, the timestamp from each line has been removed to make it more easily read in document form. Each line of the call-log is discussed below. o COM-AND loaded The "COM-AND loaded" line is issued to timestamp the time COM-AND was invoked from DOS. This is only logged, of course, when call- logging had been previously enabled. o CONNECT: <name> <commparms> ;<dialing string> The "CONNECT" line is logged when a connection has been made through the dialing directory (Alt-D, Alt-R, and script DIAL and MANUAL commands). <Name> is taken from the dialing directory. <Commparms> record the current setting and port after connection. <Dialing string> records the dialing sequence passed the modem. o Dnl <file name> <size> <time> <eff>% <method> <errs> Upl <file name> <size> <time> <eff>% <method> <errs> The "Dnl" and "Upl" lines record downloads and uploads (performed through PgDn, PgUp keys, and script GETFILE, SENDFILE commands). <Size>, <time>, <eff>, <errs> and <method> record the file size, transfer time, efficiency of transfer, count of errors, and method used (XMODEM, CISB etc). Errored transfers are also recorded, with "error = nnn" in place of <size><time><eff%>. COM-AND error numbers are listed in an appendix of the document CASCRIPT.DOC. Note that ASCII file transfers are not call-logged. o DISCONNECT (<time>) The "DISCONNECT" line records a manual hangup (Alt-H). If a connection is known, the time since the connection was made is recorded. o CARRIER dropped: (<time>) The "CARRIER dropped" line records a loss of carrier when a connection is known. The time since the connection was made is recorded. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 54 XIV. Logging and Call-logging (continued) o * <annotation> Annotation lines (added through Alt-U) are delimited with asterisks (note that lines written to the call-log through the script CLOG statement are not necessarily delimited). o ENCRYPT: <fromfile> to <tofile> <size> (<time>) DECRYPT: <fromfile> to <tofile> <size> (<time>) The "ENCRYPT" and "DECRYPT" lines record successful file encryp- tion and decryption (Alt-N and script ENCRYPT, DECRYPT commands). <Fromfile>, <tofile>, <Size>, and <time> record the files used, file size, and processing time. Errored encryption and decryption attempts are not recorded. o COM-AND exited (<time>) The "COM-AND exited" line is issued to timestamp the time COM-AND terminated. The total time COM-AND was in use is recorded. o COM-AND exited (CONNECT=<time>) (<time>) This form of the "COM-AND exited" line is issued to timestamp the time COM-AND terminated, when a connection is known. The time since the connection was made is recorded as well as the total time COM-AND was in use is recorded. o ACCESSORY: <F1 menu name> <program invocation> The "ACCESSORY" lines record a program loaded by COM-AND through the F1 Accessory menu (accessory entries which do not load a pro- gram are not recorded). The entry name and the program invoca- tion are logged. Accessory terminations and process creation errors are not logged. Accessories that are simply script files are not logged. Keyboard commands relating to logging and call-logging follow on the next page. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 55 XIV. Logging and Call-logging (continued) A. Disk logging [transcripting] (F7) You may transcript what you receive to a disk (or PRN) with the "Disk logging" function. The transcript will be marked with the date and time it began and ended if transcript marking is set on through the Alt-O screen. COM-AND keeps the last characters received in a buffer for back- screen (or redisplay). The size of the buffer is adjustable through Alt-S. When you invoke transcripting, you will be asked if the backscreen is to be saved first. If you respond "Y", the backscreen will be written to the transcript file before the "BEGIN" mark (if marking is enabled). F7 is a toggle (press it a second time to terminate logging. B. Log hold [transcripting] (F9) The transcript may be suspended with the F9 toggle. The logging status is displayed on the status line (if KBD buffer hasn't been enabled). When the log is held, what is received is not copied to the transcript. No mark is made to show that the transcript was held. This key is a toggle (press it again to resume logging). C. Annotate call-log (Alt-U) Notes may be made directly to the call-log (not the transcript). When Alt-U is pressed, COM-AND tests to determine if the call-log if active. If it is not active you will be asked if you wish to open a call-log. However, the call-log will be closed when you exit COM-AND and not reopened the next time, unless you save the option through Alt-O. The Alt-U window allows you to enter a line at a time to the call- log. Each line will be delimited with an asterisk ("*") in the call-log. When you press <cr>, the line is written to the call-log. The last three lines so entered are displayed for convenience. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 56 XV. Miscellaneous Functions A. Default Drive:Subdirectory (F3) You may change the default drive:subdirectory at any time through the F3 window. This affects files uploaded but not files down- loaded (see File Transfers). When the program terminates, you will be left on the selected drive:path. B. Keyboard display (F8) Some talk systems are more friendly when what you type is not mixed in with what you receive. Turning echo off (if the system echoes key-entry) may be accomplished in a number of ways (note that this is different from program echo, Alt-E, above). However, all of a sudden there is a new problem: you don't see what you're typing! Keyboard display in COM-AND is one attempt to solve this problem. What you type will be displayed on the status line when keyboard display is turned on. Keyboard display may be set on permanently through the Alt-O options window. C. Chat mode (Alt-A) Chat mode is another attempt to make typing more friendly when what you type isn't echoed by the host. A 'chat window' of 2-10 lines may be opened just above the status line. The last few lines you've typed are displayed there. Chat mode may be set on permanently through the Alt-O options window. D. Redisplay [backscreen] (Alt-B) COM-AND saves the last characters received for redisplay (up to the buffer size set through Alt-S). When you request redisplay, the screen is cleared and the first page of the backscreen buffer is presented. You may page backwards and forwards using the 'PgUp' and 'PgDn' keys. Pages begin with the oldest receipt, and continue to the point where the redisplay was requested. The 'End' key will find the last page of the redisplay. You will see each page as it is displayed. You may stop the search for the end of the buffer by pressing any key. Exit redisplay with the ESC key. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 57 XV. Miscellaneous Functions (continued) E. Clear Screen (Alt-C and received TOF) The command Alt-C entered at the keyboard will clear the screen. Similarly, when the host sends a control-L (^L or decimal 12) the screen is cleared. F. Echo (Alt-E) COM-AND writes keypresses directly through the COM port. Some services turn around what is sent so that it is visible (full duplex or echoplex) and some don't (half duplex). You may force COM-AND to display what you enter in the CRT window by toggling echo. Setting echo on through the Alt-O window will turn echo on now, and the next time you run COM-AND. Echo is set through the dialing directory and permanently through the Alt-O options window. The dialing directory overrides this, of course. G. Blank line suppression (Alt-G) Blank lines may be suppressed from the display if you wish. This is especially useful where double spacing is done in a conference area. Blank line suppression may be set permanently through the Alt-O options window. H. 43/25 line toggle (Alt-L) If you have an EGA adapter, you may have 43 line screen displays. If you enter COM-AND from a 43 line screen, COM-AND automatically displays in 43 line mode. Alt-L may be used to toggle 25 line/43 line modes during COM-AND. Do not use Alt-L during VIDTEX sessions on CIS. CIS will not use the new setting. I. Kermit parameters (Alt-K) The parameters that COM-AND will use during the KERMIT negoti- ation may be changed and saved using the Alt-K menu. It is not recommended that you change these values unless you understand their meaning completely. The supplied defaults are suitable for most KERMIT installations. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 58 XV. Miscellaneous Functions (continued) J. Time and alarms (Alt-T) The time elapsed since the program was started, and since the last Alt-D dialing command or Alt-R is displayed through the Alt-T window. The 'last call' time may be reset (if you are actually connected) manually here (or through a script). An alarm may also be set here, either for the single session or permanently (every time you use COM-AND). When the alarm is triggered, a pop-up window and noise announce the fact. K. Playback (Alt-W) You may display the contents of a file in the CRT area with the Alt-W Playback command. You will be asked for a file name. The contents of the given file will be written to the text area as if the text were being received. Playback is paced (timed). It begins at minimum speed. Alter the pacing with the Ctl-PgUp and Ctl-PgDn keys. Pause the playback with the space bar. Cancel the display with ESC. L. Program termination (Alt-X) COM-AND is exited (and returns to DOS) through the Alt-X command. The usual query "are you sure" is issued if "Exit query" is turned on with the Alt-O selection. When you exit COM-AND, unless you ran COM-AND with the /P switch (piggyback), you will be queried if a hangup is to be performed if carrier is still reported by the modem. [If piggyback was set, you will not be queried.] NOTE: a script may override the Alt-X function. When a script has done this, after Alt-X is pressed (and after the hangup query if it is needed) a new script may start! Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 59 XV. Miscellaneous Functions (continued) M. Parity (hi-bit) mask (Alt-Z) You may mask parity from every received character by setting the parity mask on permanently through the Alt-O window. I've found this to be useful, mandatory when I've needed it. Some services require you to logon with 8 data bits, no parity, if you intend to download (or upload files). When there is an X.25 network between your PC and the service, certain characters (such as backspace may be transmitted with parity on, regardless of your setting). In these cases, parity masking is very nice to have. Toggle the current parity mask setting with Alt-Z. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 60 XVI. DOS Gateway (Alt-F10) COM-AND provides a gateway to a DOS shell through the Alt-F10 key. The DOS gateway requires a few preliminaries, however. . There must be sufficient memory for the current DOS shell (COMMAND.COM usually), COM-AND, and a second DOS shell. If there isn't, the Alt-F10 will be rejected for 'insufficient memory'. . There should be an environment variable 'COMSPEC' that points to the DOS shell to be loaded by Alt-F10. If this variable is missing (has been deleted), COMMAND.COM on the default drive, root directory will be used (if present). When the DOS gateway is entered, you will be able to execute any DOS function that the shell supports. Memory available to that shell will be decreased by the presence of COM-AND still running. You return to COM-AND by exiting the DOS shell. If the shell is COMMAND.COM, type the command 'EXIT' to return to COM-AND. ------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTE: In order to make full use of the DOS gateway, you should provide yourself with the capacity for more open files than the default. The number of files that may be open at one time is increased by editing the file CONFIG.SYS on the root directory of your boot disk, adding (or changing) a line: "FILES=n", where n is a number from 1 to 20. At least 12 is recommended. Refer to your DOS manual for particulars. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 61 XVII. Emulation (Alt-V) COM-AND performs various terminal emulations. COM-AND defines 'terminal emulation' as three individual functions: o Display emulations o Translations of received and transmitted characters o Keyboard remapping All three functions are controlled through the Alt-V menu. However, translations and remapping require preparation external to COM-AND. A. Display emulation COM-AND supplies five display emulations: TTY, ANSI, VidTex, VT100, and VT52 in the current program. Display emulations are selected through Alt-V. The setting is enabled as soon is it selected. Save the setting if COM-AND is to use the setting every time it is loaded. . TTY is appropriate for most BBSes and host systems. What is received is displayed and what it typed is sent. . ANSI is appropriate for some BBSes and some host systems. The host is given considerable control over cursor positioning and display colors. [Details of ANSI display sequences are discussed below in Appendix E.] . VidTex is appropriate only for the CompuServe (tm) system. The mode MUST be set before logging onto CompuServe if you wish to use this mode. CompuServe does not allow you to change 'modes' after logging on. [See Appendix F.] . VT100 and VT52 emulations are appropriate only for certain host systems and communications applications. [Details of VT100/VT52 display sequences are discussed in Appendix E.] Display emulation in COM-AND only refers to COM-AND's response to certain control sequences received from the host. Selection of a display emulation has no effect on character translation or on keyboard remapping. Character translation and keyboard remapping must be specified independently (see the following). Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 62 XVII. Emulation (continued) B. Translation COM-AND will translate characters both incoming and outgoing if you wish. Characters are translated immediately upon receipt, and just before transmission, using two tables (one incoming and one for outgoing) supplied in the file COM-AND.XLT. When translation is enabled, the only cases where characters are NOT translated is within the binary protocols (XMODEM, YMODEM, KERMIT, and CIS-B), and when modem commands are issued. The file COM-AND.XLT is a binary file. It must be supplied by you. COM-AND.XLT consists of two tables: each 256 bytes in size. Within a table, the 'nth' byte contains the translation for the character of value 'n'. Within the 'incoming' table, you are translating character with value 'n' received, to something else (hopefully ASCII). Within the 'outgoing' table, you are translating a character (probably ASCII again, e.g. a keypress) of value 'n' into something else. On the incoming side, translating a character to a null effectively causes that character to be ignored by COM-AND. Obviously, the creation and maintenance of such a file is quite an effort. It requires an ASCII table t'boot! A script, XLATE. CMD is supplied to serve to format, display and edit the tables. You'll still need the ASCII table, however. [Within the PC, all characters are treated as ASCII (as defined by IBM of course).] Translation is enabled and disabled through Alt-V (it may also be enabled or disabled through the XLATE.CMD script). The table(s) may be edited at any time. The new values are not used by COM-AND until translation is re-enabled (turned ON) after the changes were made. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 63 XVII. Emulation (continued) C. Remapping To complete the overall function of 'emulation', COM-AND provides an internal 'keyboard remapping' function. Remapping makes COM- AND see a keystroke as another keystroke or even a string of keys. When a remapped key is pressed, COM-AND sees the key(s) that redefine it instead. Remaps allow the COM-AND to provide a keyboard similar to a term- inal being emulated. One immediate difficulty presents itself, however... within COM-AND, certain keys have certain meanings (e.g. F1 for a help screen, Alt-F10 for shell-to-DOS and so on). When you redefine a key that COM-AND uses, either some other key must be redefined to replace it or the function in COM-AND is lost while the remap is in effect. Remaps only affect actual keystrokes when pressed; they do not have any affect on characters within the binary protocols (XMODEM, YMODEM, KERMIT, and CIS-B), or script TRANSMIT text. Remaps are specified through a binary file, COM-AND.RMP. It must be created outside of COM-AND. COM-AND.RMP consists of one table, defining keys that are remapped and their new value(s). Needless to say: the creation and maintenance of such a file is more effort than dealing with the translation tables! A script, REMAP.CMD is supplied to create a suitable COM-AND.RMP file. REMAP.CMD compiles a simple language for remapping. Keys (such as F1) are given 'names' (Function key F1 is 'F1'). A simple syntax is defined to redefine any key COM-AND can detect. REMAP.CMD expects a source file prepared with a text editor (like a script). It compiles the source file into COM-AND.RMP. Sample remaps (in source form) are provided in REMAPS.TXT. Remapping is enabled/disabled through Alt-V (also through the REMAP.CMD script and Alt-O). The table may be reconstructed at any time; the new table is not used by COM-AND until remapping is enabled again (turned ON) after the changes were made. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 64 XVIII. Script Language A script automates certain manual tasks, and allows COM-AND to run unattended (if the script has been tested (!!!)). Scripting is invoked in several ways: o when COM-AND is loaded: .. COM-AND.CMD, if found in the current directory or the subdirectory indicated by the 'COM-AND=' environment variable, is executed immediately; .. the /F switch in the run command specifies a script to be executed immediately (after COM-AND.CMD, if present); o interactively (F2) o attached to a dialing directory entry Script commands are read by COM-AND from an ASCII file (word pro- cessor files are not usually ASCII files (!)). Programmer's text editors and EDLIN (provided with DOS) may be used to create and modify a script file. If you use a word processor to update a script, be sure that the particular word processor will output an ASCII file (often called non-document format, perhaps even ASCII). Once a script begins, execution of COM-AND is automatic, driven by the script. However, the ESC key may be used to terminate most scripts at any time. During dialing, two ESCs are needed... one to terminate the dial function, and the second to end script. Generally, a script takes the form: <perform some action> <wait for an identifiable response> <perform some action... and so on... For example, a script might dial a number listed in the dialing directory and wait for the "ID = " prompt from the dialed host. The scripts included with COM-AND provide examples of such simple scripts. However, the COM-AND script language is not limited to just such tasks... programs may be loaded and passed parameters, screen windows may be opened and scrolled... A nontrivial BBS has been written as a COM-AND script, and is provided with the distribution for the interested (and intrepid!). Documentation for the COM-AND script language is presented in the separate document CASCRIPT.DOC. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 65 XIX. Program Requirements This program will only function on an IBM PC or DOS compatible machine. COM-AND does direct-to-screen buffer fetches and stores (unless BIOS screen updates are directed using the /C switch or the Alt-O options menu). Note that COM-AND is TopView aware even without the /C switch or Alt-O option. COM-AND supports MDA, CGA, EGA, VGA and Hercules. COM-AND supports a Microsoft Mouse if one is available. COM-AND disk I/O is done through the 'Handle' oriented I/O routines added to DOS 2.0. Therefore DOS 2.0 is a minimum requirement. COM-AND (Version 2.6) requires 251K for itself. You need 384K minimally to use COM-AND and the DOS Gateway, and more to take advantage of accessories. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 66 XX. Program and Author Information This program was written using Microsoft Macro-Assembler. The author likes assembler. Assembly language is an entirely appropriate vehicle for some of the program, and a not-inappro- priate vehicle for the rest of it. Everything, in moderation... COM-AND has been written by, and is supported by R. Scott McGinnis of Chicago (CABER Software), Illinois. My PLINK and GEnie IDs are: TARTAN. My CIS ID is 73147,2665. Comment and suggestions (and criticism in moderation) are welcomed: CABER Software R. (Scott) McGinnis P.O. Box 3607 Mdse Mart Chicago, IL 60654-0607 I want to thank the sysops on GEnie, Paul Homchick, David Kozinn and Charles Strom for their support of this program in its early days (known as PC-VCO). Their opening an RTC just for PC-VCO made it possible to reach a wide audience quickly and to gather comments and criticism from people using the program. I also thank my wife, Elizabeth, who supported this effort and doesn't laugh at me (except for the time I tried to squeeze between a grape arbor and a board fence...). She has been my companion and partner for many years and I am grateful. This program (Version 2.6) may be distributed freely along with its accessories with the caveat that the Author information displayed at program termination is not removed. If the program is USED after a reasonable evaluation period, a registration of $35.00 is required. PROCOMM, PCPLus, and ASPECT are trademarks of the DataStorm cor- poration. DSZ is a trademark of OMEN Technology. Windows is a trademark of the MicroSoft Corporation. DesqView is a trademark of the QuarterDeck Corporation. Smartmodem is a trademark of the Hayes Corporation. Version 2.6: 900426 COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 67 A. Switches and parameters Program Switches: /A 'Chat mode': COM-AND may be set to default to the chat mode split screen through the Alt-O options menu. However, you may wish to turn chat on for some systems and off for others. The /A switch allows the decision to be made through a batch file. /B 'Black and White mode': COM-AND may be set to use or not use colors on-screen with the Alt-J Colors menu. /B on the command line is an expedient way to turn colors off temporarily. /C 'Compatible': COM-AND normally does direct screen buffer reads and writes for its pop-up menues. The /C switch forces COM-AND to use BIOS for all such references (e.g. when under WINDOWS). /E 'no EGA': Turn off EGA support (forcing 25 line mode when COM-AND is entered in 43 or 50 line mode). /F 'Execute script': The /F switch followed by a legitimate file name (for example /FPLINK.CMD) will cause the designated file to be used as a script after COM-AND is loaded. Note that a file name extension of .CMD will be added if none is given and the name as-is is not found. /G 'Blank line suppression': Blank lines are used to double space on some systems. Alt-G toggles a blank line suppression feature interactively. /G in the run command turns the feature on when COM-AND is loaded. This feature may also be set through Alt-O. /I 'No Init': inhibit the modem initialization string from being transmitted at run-time. /J 'PCJr': Set PCJr mode for streaming transfers (logging, WXMODEM, CIS Quick-B, and Super KERMIT) if you have a PC-Jr. /K 'KBD Buffer': Turn on KBD buffer. /L 'EGA mode': Set 43 line mode on upon entry. This feature is automatic if COM-AND is entered from a 43 line screen. This feature may be toggled within COM-AND with Alt-L. /M 'No Mouse': Turn off MOUSE support (e.g. when running under WINDOWS or DesqView). Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 68 A. Switches and Parameters (continued) /P 'Piggyback': COM-AND will open the COM port in such a manner as to retain another program's already opened line. When COM-AND is exited, the previous state is restored. /R 'Report Receive Errors': This switch causes all receive errors to be reported. During testing, certain nodes of certain net- works consistently reported framing errors. The apparent error did not interfere with communications so report of it was suppressed. /S 'Hardware flow control': This switch causes a more robust disci- pline to be used when transmitting characters. When this switch is set, RTS is turned high before each write and response (CTS) awaited. A timeout of 20 seconds is imposed. Certain modems will not work with this discipline (though the Hayes Smartmodem for one seems happy as a clam). Other modems or interconnects require it. The option may be set permanently through Alt-O. /T 'Carrier override': This switch forces COM-AND to ignore the carrier detect sense reported by the MODEM. COM-AND tests the carrier detect sense during all file transfers, and through the script processor. A few modems apparently cannot (???) report carrier detect. This switch allows COM-AND to be used on those modems (to perform file transfers). /V 'Menu mode': This switch forces COM-AND to initialize in menu mode. The top line menu comes up after initialization. /W 'Slow transfers': This switch forces COM-AND to slow down its file transfers. COM-AND uses interrupt driven writes for file transfers... which is too fast for some network modems (!). This switch allows COM-AND to be used on those modems (to per- form file transfers). /X 'Debug mode': This switch enables certain resident debugging keys (such as Ctl-F2, which writes a dump of memory to disk). I do not recommend you use it. I document it only for the curious. /Z 'REMOTE commands': This switch allows COM-AND to perform script commands received through the sequence: "ESC ^ <text> <cr>". This switch overrides the Alt-O setting. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 69 A. Switches and Parameters (continued) Program parameters: COM1 COM-AND uses the COM1 port COM2 COM-AND uses the COM2 port COM3 COM-AND uses the COM3 port (base addr 3e8h) COM4 COM-AND uses the COM4 port (base addr 2e8h) 300 COM-AND uses port at 300 baud 1200 COM-AND uses port at 1200 baud 2400 COM-AND uses port at 2400 baud 4800 COM-AND uses port at 4800 baud 9600 COM-AND uses port at 9600 baud 19K COM-AND uses port at 19.2K baud 38K COM-AND uses port at 38.4K baud 56K COM-AND uses port at 56.6K baud 115K COM-AND uses port at 115K baud EVEN COM-AND uses port with even parity ODD COM-AND uses port with odd parity NONE COM-AND uses port with no parity DATA7 COM-AND transmits/receives 7 data bits DATA8 COM-AND transmits/receives 8 data bits STOP1 COM-AND uses and expects 1 stop bit STOP2 COM-AND uses and expects 2 stop bits DIAL <n> After initialization, COM-AND dials directory entry <n>, using the rate, parity, data and stop bits as specified. Program switches require no delimiters. Parameters must be preceded by a blank (in succession). For example: A> COM-AND 1200 Run the program at 1200 baud A> COM-AND /L1200 43 line mode, 1200 baud A> COM-AND /L 1200 43 line mode, 1200 baud Program defaults are: "d"> COM-AND COM2 300 EVEN DATA7 STOP1 Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 70 B. COM-AND Error display. One command not listed in the F10 help display is Alt-Y. This command displays RS232 and file errors encountered. RS232 errors list both the last error condition recorded and a count of errors. RS232 errors are: Receive error. The hex value represents: Bit 0: Shouldn't occur in display, but what do I know. Bit 1: Overrun. Indicates that a character in the 8250 Receive buffer was not read before the next character was received. This program enables interrupts to read the COM port. Bit 2: Parity error. Indicates that the parity of the received character does not match that specified. This bit report is normally suppressed, but may be enabled with the /R switch. Bit 3: Framing error. Indicates that the character received lacked a valid stop bit. Bit 4: Break interrupt. Not too many systems send a break. Other bits of the LSR of the 8250 are masked off. Send error. The hex value represents: Bit 7: A timeout occurred in one of three places: . Waiting for DSR to go true . Waiting for CTS to go true . Waiting for the transmit holding register to clear The first two conditions are normally suppressed, but may be overridden with the /S switch. Other bits are masked out. There is serious trouble (or my over- sight) if anything but Hex 80 is reported. Buffer overflow. This program uses an interrupt service routine to read the COM port. The ISR fills a 4096 byte buffer. The application takes characters out of the circular receive buffer one by one. Buffer overflow may occur when the application is suspended; for example when a menu is pending attention, and flow control is not enabled. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 71 C. Files COM-AND expects the following files on the default drive/subdirectory (or COM-AND= environment variable specified drive/subdirectory): COM-AND.DFT Parameter save area (Alt-S, Alt-O and Alt-P) COM-AND.DIR Dialing directory (change name in Alt-S) COM-AND.MAC Macro definition (change name in Alt-S) COM-AND.ACC Accessory definitions (F1) (change name in Alt-S) COM-AND will create the .DFT file at load-time if not found. COM-AND will automatically update the .DFT file if the program version number is different from the .DFT file version number. COM-AND will create if not present (filling with default values): an empty dialing directory, and empty macro definition, and an empty accessory definition. Different versions of COM-AND will require different structures to the .DFT file... previous versions (with the exception of 1.0) will be accepted; however when a new major (e.g. 1.0, 2.0, ...) is released the previous .DFT file probably should be purged (and recreated by COM-AND). COM-AND also uses: COM-AND.XLT Translation tables; see XLATE.CMD script COM-AND.RMP Keyboard remapping table; see REMAP.CMD script COM-AND.LOG Default call-log file COM-AND.TUN Tune file (if present; ASCII file, PLAY data) COM-AND.CMD Automatic script (if present, executed at init) COM-AND.RLE RLE save file (used during receipt of RLEs) The ".RLE" and ".LOG" file names may be changed through the Alt-S (Setup) Menu. COM-AND currently implements the rule for file names: If the given file name carries a drive spec (i.e. C:) or path (subdirectory), the name is taken 'as is'. If neither is provided the default drive and subdirectory are added to the file name. COM-AND will share Dialing Directory and Macro Definition files with PROCOMM 2.4.2 and before. In this case the subdirectory on which these files may be found must be specified through the Alt-S func- tion, and the values saved for subsequent executions. COM-AND's updates to these files will be acceptable to PROCOMM, and PROCOMM's to COM-AND (true at least through Version 2.4.2 of PROCOMM). Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 72 D. Windowed XMODEM (WXMODEM) In June, 1986, Peter Boswell of PLINK issued a specification for an XMODEM protocol variant called Windowed XMODEM (WXMODEM to its friends). WXMODEM was designed primarily to overcome delays that are imposed by the X.25 networks. X.25 network delays are mostly imperceptible to conversational users of the networks... however, people performing file transfers might expect to see up to 50% of the transfer time eaten up in these delays! Asynchronous communications lines do not suffer these same delays. When someone accustomed to Bulletin Boards (dialed through a direct phone line) enters the network environment, the 'feel' of file transfers is found to be entirely 'too slow'. The difference is entirely in the network (and many times intervening satellite hops). Windowed XMODEM also accomodates the requirements of new services such as PC Pursuit... allowing XON/XOFF flow control to be exer- cised by the network during a binary file transfer (this is not possible with XMODEM, as transparency is required). Flow control allows higher data rates to be supported while retaining existing network interconnects. Windowed XMODEM was implemented on PLINK in September, 1986. Many comm programs on many different machines have been modified or written to implement WXMODEM for PLINK communications. The differ- ence in throughput between CRC XMODEM and WXMODEM is astounding. I measure at least 35% and sometimes as much as 40% improvement in transfer times over CRC XMODEM. In real terms, this means the diff- errence between 24 minutes and 40 minutes for a download of the same (approximately 120K) file at 1200 baud. Windowed XMODEM is still a new protocol. Its developers discovered quite a few practicalities not addressed in the original specific- ation during its implementation. However, WXMODEM is now available on Delphi, and for various BBS's (TCOMM, and RBBS for example). For the technically inclined, the Windowed XMODEM specification will be found on many bulletin boards and most systems as WXMODEM.ARC. An excellent analysis of XMODEM problems in an X.25 environment was also published (electronically) by Peter Boswell. In the latter paper, Peter quantifies exactly the delays and their predicted overhead in an X.25 environment. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 73 E. ANSI, VT100, and VT52 graphics 1. ANSI sequences COM-AND is capable of displaying ANSI graphics on the CRT side. ANSI graphics are used by some services and Bulletin Boards to enrich the display through screen formatting and colors. Beginning with Version 2.0 of this program, ANSI graphic software is entirely contained within COM-AND. Any errors in implementa- tion must be addressed to this developer. COM-AND implements the ANSI sequences as follows: ESC,'[#;#H' CUP: Cursor position; 1st #=row, 2nd=col ESC,'[;#H' CUP: Alternate cursor position to col ESC,'[#H' CUP: Alternate cursor position to row ESC,'[H' CUP: Alternate cursor position to home ESC,'[#;#f' HVP: Horiz/Vert pos; 1st = row, 2nd = col ESC,'[;#f' HVP: Alternate horiz/vert pos to col ESC,'[#f' HVP: Alternate horiz/vert pos to row ESC,'[f' HVP: Alternate horiz/vert pos to home ESC,'[#A' CUU: Cursor Up # rows ESC,'[#B' CUD: Cursor Down # rows ESC,'[#C' CUF: Cursor Forward # cols ESC,'[#D' CUB: Cursor Backward # cols ESC,'[6n' DSR: Device status rpt (rtns CPR) ESC,'[#;#R' CPR: Cursor position rpt (1st=row, 2nd=col) ESC,'[s' SCP: Save cursor position ESC,'[u' RCP: Restore cursor position ESC,'[#J' ED: Erase display (# = 0,1,2) ESC,'[#K' EL: Erase line (# = 0,1,2) ESC,'[&m' SGR: Set graphics rendition (&-> #[;#...]) ESC,'[=#h' SM: Set mode ESC,'[?7h' SM: Set mode ESC,'[=#l' RM: Reset mode ESC,'[?7l' SM: Reset mode The only sequence defined in ANSI.SYS (the device driver that supplies ANSI emulation) that is not implemented in COM-AND is: Esc,'[...p' KKR: Keyboard key redefinition. I am considering implementing this sequence, with a menu to sup- port it as a 'different' sort of Macro facility. I'd like to hear comments from people reading this. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 74 E. ANSI, VT100 and VT52 graphics (continued) 1. ANSI sequences (continued) Under MS-DOS/PC-DOS, ANSI graphics are usually performed by the ANSI.SYS device driver. Replacements for ANSI.SYS are available on all the systems and boards, offering increased functionality and additional utility. For example, the FANSI device driver (sold by Hersey Micro Consulting) offers: . improvements in screen display speed, . considerably more control sequences than ANSI.SYS, . DEC VT100 emulation (which therefore is available to you in COM-AND if you use FANSI and turn DOS screen on), . a backscreen function which pages last-to-first, . one finger typing, . increased typeahead buffer size, . and many many other functional enhancements The implementation of ANSI within COM-AND does not negate any of the above features (except perhaps terminal emulation). In order to use ANSI.SYS or any of its replacements through COM- AND, you must have a device driver installed in your DOS. All that is required is that the line: DEVICE=ANSI.SYS be added to the file CONFIG.SYS on the root directory of the boot disk, and the PC rebooted (Ctl-Alt-Del). If there is no file named CONFIG.SYS on the root directory of your boot disk, create one containing the line above (see also the note on DOS gateway), and then reboot. Other device drivers, as FANSI mentioned above, will have their own installation requirements. Refer to the documentation for the device driver you wish to use for instructions. Once you've installed the ANSI device, you must turn COM-AND's ANSI and VIDTEX emulation off through the Alt-V menu. You must also turn on 'DOS screen writes' through Alt-O. With ANSI and VIDTEX off, and DOS on, all received text is routed through the ANSI device. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 75 E. ANSI, VT100, and VT52 graphics (continued) 2. VT100 sequences COM-AND is accepts a subset of VT100 escape sequences in display emulation. VT100 emulation is available through the Alt-V option 'VT100' (or in a script, 'EMULATE VT100'). The VT100 was created to be an ANSI terminal. The difference between COM-AND's VT100 and ANSI modes is minor. There are the following differences to the above ANSI sequences: o Erase display does not position to home in VT100 o Erase line does not position to beginning of line in VT100 In addition to the ANSI sequences above, COM-AND VT100 emulation also adds the following sequences: ESC,'[?2l' Switch to VT52 mode ESC,'<' VT52: Change to VT100 (redundant) ESC,'>' Keypad numeric mode ESC,'=' Keypad application mode ESC,'7' Save cursor and attributes ESC,'8' Restore cursor and attributes ESC,'#3' Set cursor line to DH DW top half (literal '#') ESC,'#4' Set cursor line to DH DW bot half (literal '#') ESC,'#5' Set cursor line to SH SW (literal '#') ESC,'#6' Set cursor line to SH DW (literal '#') ESC,'#:' Set cursor line to DH SW top half (literal '#') ESC,'#;' Set cursor line to DH SW bot half (literal '#') ESC,'[#;#r' Set scrolling region ESC,'[?#l' Reset (parameter controls) ESC,'[?#h' Set (parameter controls) ESC,'[>#l' Reset (parameter controls) ESC,'[>#h' Set (parameter controls) ESC,'[20l' Reset LF to new ln (unused) ESC,'[20h' Set new line mode (unused) ESC,'[#q' LED controls (unused) Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 76 E. ANSI, VT100, and VT52 graphics (continued) 2. VT100 sequences (continued) COM-AND's VT100 emulation Displays from one of two character sets, designated G0 and G1 in VT100 nomenclature. The identity of each set and the current controlling set is determined through the following sequences: ESC,')A' Designate UK set as G1 ESC,')B' Designate ASCII set as G1 ESC,')0' Designate graphics set as G1 ESC,')1' Designate Alternate char set as G1 ESC,')2' Designate special graphics as G1 ESC,'(A' Designate UK set as G0 ESC,'(B' Designate ASCII set as G0 ESC,'(0' Designate graphics set as G0 ESC,'(1' Designate Alternate char set as G0 ESC,'(2' Designate special graphics as G0 SI (15) Shift in (use G0 char set) SO (14) Shift out (use G1 char set) COM-AND implements the UK set identically to ASCII at this time. The graphics set, alternate set and special graphics sets use an approximation from the high order characters (128-255). Finally, COM-AND supports these inquiry sequences: ESC,Z Report identity ESC,'c' Report device attributes ESC,'0c' Report device attributes The response to these three 'report' sequences above is the same in all cases: VT100 without a printer (which is ESC,'[?1;2c'). Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 77 E. ANSI, VT100, and VT52 graphics (continued) 3. VT52 sequences COM-AND is capable of accepting VT52 escape sequences as well. CIS in VIDTEX mode uses a mix of ANSI, and VT52 sequences to format the screen. Beginning with version 2.3 of this program, VT52 cursor control is available if the Alt-V option 'VT52' is enabled (or in a script, 'EMULATE VT52'). COM-AND implements the following VT52 sequences: ESC,'A' CUU: Cursor up ESC,'B' CUD: Cursor down ESC,'C' CUF: Cursor forward ESC,'D' CUB: Cursor backward ESC,'H' CUH: Cursor home ESC,'J' ES: Erase from cursor to end of screen ESC,'K' EL: Erase from cursor to end of line ESC,'Yrc' CUP: Horiz/Vert pos; r= row+32, c= col+32 ESC,'j' CS: Clear screen and home cursor ESC,'<' VT100: Switch to VT100 mode Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 78 F. Vidtex and RLE files 1. Vidtex COM-AND emulates a 'VIDTEX' screen mode as an option. Vidtex is a special service of CompuServe (CIS). It is enabled: o Alt-V (set VIDTEX screen mode ON), or o script "SET ENQ CISB" or "EMULATE VIDTEX" statements Vidtex screen mode provides several features to the CIS user: o Screen displays are formatted to appear 'full screen'. If color is available, it is used. The current screen size is known to CIS as well. o File transfers are automatic. CIS asks the name a file is to take on your machine, and then prompts COM-AND for the transfer. PgDn and PgUp are not needed. o RLE files are displayed automatically. There are several drawbacks to the VIDTEX screen mode, too: o CIS assumes you are going to use Quick-B for file transfers. It doesn't ask for alternatives. o Alt-L screen size may not be toggled during a VIDTEX session. The screen size at the time of logon is reported to CIS, and there is no method (now) to report a change of size. o Vidtex control sequences are captured (along with text) when transcripting. These are easy to edit out, but distracting. Again, VIDTEX can't be turned off easily during a session. o Other systems may from time-to-time use the ENQ character for special functions. You should ensure that VIDTEX mode is off when you use such a system. CIS inquires the capability of a communication program with the sequence: ESC,'I'. COM-AND responds (in VIDTEX mode) with: #IBX,SSyx,AC/CA/CC,GH,GM,PB,DT,+<checksum> The SS parameter specifies screen size. The AC/CA/CC choice is made according to whether color is set through Alt-J. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 79 F. Vidtex and RLE files (continued) 2. RLE files Although created on CompuServe, RLE (run length encoded) graphics files have been popular for some time on the services and BBS's. One reason is because the format is not machine specific. Most any flavor of PC having a graphics display may view and create graphics images in RLE format. The resolution is limited (256 horizontal pixels by 192 lines). RLE images are monochrome (although I know that there are some people who've experimented with color information embedded in RLE files). But RLE files do provide one medium of graphics exchange between differing personal computers. RLEs are encoded as 7 bit ASCII data. Normally, an RLE file would be viewed through something like an ASCII download. [PLINK, for one, has trouble with this. It backscans text lines, removing blanks. That is death for an RLE graphics image.] COM-AND recognizes RLE control sequences when they are encountered in the stream of received text. When COM-AND encounters an RLE sequence, it attempts to switch to graphics mode. If successful, COM-AND then displays the image as it is received, and buffers the image in a temporary file. Upon completion of the image, COM-AND prompts for a save file name. You may ignore the save step, and throw away the picture in good conscience, as you now know what it shows. Or you may of course opt to save it for later playback. You may disable this feature of COM-AND through the Alt-O options menu. --------------------------------------------------------------- CIS Users NOTE: CIS 'tests' your terminal program each time you request an RLE viewing. COM-AND responds to the test only if you have set emulation to 'VIDTEX' or used the equivalent script statement. If the option is not enabled, CIS will tell you "Your terminal program is not equipped ... do you wish to proceed?" If you answer "Y", CIS will send the RLE file, and COM-AND will display it nicely. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 80 G. External protocol drivers COM-AND supports external protocol drivers through its F1 (access- sories) menu. You may edit the entries in the F1 menu to load and execute just about any program you might wish (and have memory for). If you limit the F1 entries to simple script invocations, you may also use the script name through F2. For example, you might wish to add ZMODEM or True YMODEM (tm) capability to COM-AND. You may do this with Chuck Forsberg's DSZ.COM program. DSZ is a module that may be run from within other comm programs to perform ZMODEM transfers (and X/Ymodem transfers too). DSZ is revised quite often (to expand its function), and is available on most systems. For downloading purposes, no script is needed to invoke DSZ. How- ever, as mentioned above, the F1 entry will be coded to use a script to allow the same script to be manually invoked through F2. The file name used for the downloaded file will be determined by the sender. Revise an F1 entry (with the 'r' subcommand) as follows: Name: Download using YMODEM Subdirectory: (whatever subdirectory your DSZ occupies) Program: (leave this field blank) Script: DSZDOWN.CMD The script DSZDOWN.CMD might be written: ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMPARMS S1 ; read current settings S2 = "DSZ.COM port " * S1(14:14) * " rb " ; Ask for YMODEM rcv RUN S2 ; Load and run DSZ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Note: change " rb " to " rz " for ZMODEM ------------------------------------------------------------------ DSZ requires a file name for uploading. You can accomplish this by editing the F1 menu as follows, and creating a script. Name: Upload using YMODEM Subdirectory: (whatever subdirectory DSZ/DSZUP occupies) Program: (leave this field blank) Script: DSZUP.CMD An example script DSZUP.CMD follows on the next page. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 81 G. External protocol drivers (continued) The script DSZUP.CMD might be written: ------------------------------------------------------------------ MESSAGE "^MEnter the upload file name: " GET S0 ; Read keyboard COMPARMS S1 ; read current settings S2 = "DSZ.COM port " * S1(14:14) * " sb " * S0 ; ask for YMODEM sb" RUN S2 ; Load and run DSZ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Note: change " sb " to " sz " for ZMODEM ------------------------------------------------------------------ DSZ defaults to COM1 and your current baud rate. The above scripts adjust for the comm port you're using. The above scripts (or better) are included in the SCRIPTS.ARC file released with COM-AND. NOTE: DSZ is user supported. If you use it, please register it! DSZ may be found on most bulletin boards, and on every major system. Registration information is provided with every release of DSZ. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 82 H. Modem Configuration COM-AND default values do not require your modem to be configured in any particular manner. However, certain features cannot be used unless you configure your modem before you use COM-AND. 1. DTR (Data Terminal Ready) COM-AND, by default, hangs up using the command sequences defined through the Alt-S setup (hangup and modem escape). However, you may alternately select 'Drop DTR to hangup' through the Alt-O options. Dropping DTR is the only way to hangup certain modems, and is generally much faster than the command sequences. Most Hayes compatible modems allow configuration of the DTR sense through a switch-block. If you wish to use DTR to hangup, be sure that your modem follows the DTR signal. Refer to the documenta- tion provided with your modem to be sure that option switches are set appropriately. 2. CD (Carrier Detect) COM-AND (presently) uses the CD sense line for several purposes. The 'CONNECTED' test supported in the script language, test for carrier detect upon exit, and the file transfer protocols all require that the modem report carrier detect. True carrier detect is the only way to determine if you are 'on-line' or 'off-line'. Many Hayes compatible modems are sold with a carrier detect override (in other words the modem reports carrier detect all the time). When carrier detect is overridden, COM-AND cannot detect when carrier is lost during a file transfer or whether to ask if you want to hangup when you exit to DOS. Be sure that the modem is reporting true CD (instead of it just saying 'yes'). Most Hayes compatible modems allow configuration of the CD sense through a switch-block. Refer to the documenta- tion provided with your modem to be sure that option switches are set appropriately. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 83 I. Environment variables COM-AND uses environment variables to default files names. Two environment variables are relevant to COM-AND. The "COM-AND=' environment variable specifies a default path for certain file names, and "COMSPEC=" specifies the shell program name. 1. COM-AND= COM-AND searches the current subdirectory and then the subdirec- tory indicated by the environment variable "COM-AND=" (if present) for the following files: . COM-AND.DFT (Default settings and values) . COM-AND.DIR (Dialing directory) . COM-AND.MAC (Macro definitions) . COM-AND.ACC (Accessory definitions) . COM-AND.RMP (Remap definition) . COM-AND.XLT (Translate tables) COM-AND also uses this environment variable searching for script file names. However, script files are also searched using (a) the supplied extension, (b) the extension ".CMD" and (c) the extension ".ENF" (for encrypted files). So, the search for script files is a little bit longer than the search for the above files. COM-AND accessories use the "COM-AND=" environment variable to find COM-AND.EXE when they are loaded without COM-AND. For this reason it is recommended that COM-AND.EXE be in that subdirectory. Refer to your DOS manual (the SET command) for information about environment variables and how to create them. As an example, you might place COM-AND in the C:\COM-AND subdirectory. You should then add the following line to your c:\AUTOEXEC.BAT file: SET COM-AND=C:\COM-AND Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 84 I. Environment variables (continued) 2. COMSPEC= COM-AND uses the environment variable "COMSPEC=" to identify the shell program to be used when Alt-F10'ing or executing the SHELL script command. This environment variable is already set in most installations. 3. Other variables COM-AND's script language allows access to environment variables through the ENVIRON statement. Scripts written for COM-AND may therefore be sensitive to environment variables. The script statement "EBL" and EBLSET" look for a 'BATINT=' environment variable to set the (hex) interrupt number for EBL. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 85 J. Background operation COM-AND may be used as a background process with several of the available multi-tasking operating environments. In particular, file transfers are bufferred, and send is interrupt driven to provide maximum efficiency when used as a background processor (which of course means more efficiency in foreground mode, too). COM-AND has been made 'shadow-buffer' aware... if an operating environment such as DesqView or Windows establishes a shadow-buffer for the screen, COM-AND uses it. Thus, COM-AND does not need to be flagged as "writing directly to the screen" under such environments. The only exception to this is RLE displays in interactive mode (RLE displays are inhibited during the script processor). RLE displays switch the screen from text to graphics modes; during RLE display all access to the screen is performed using BIOS write-pixel calls However, you should turn RLE displays off (through Alt-O) if you plan on using COM-AND regularly in background mode, and view RLEs. The distribution of COM-AND includes a PIF file for Windows and a DVP file for DesqView. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 86 K. Encoded music Beginning with version 2.3, COM-AND uses encoded music strings for several different purposes: . If the file COM-AND.TUN exists on the default drive:subdirectory (or on the COM-AND= drive:subdirectory), and it contains a valid encoded music string (not to exceed 40 notes), COM-AND will use the encoded string for its alarm. . The alarm tune may be changed with a "SET TUNE" command through a script file. The new alarm tune holds until it is changed, or until COM-AND is terminated. . A script may PLAY an encoded music string during its execution (up to 80 notes). . An escape sequence to play music has been implemented (for some RBBS boards). The escape sequence is "ESC [M <music string> ^N" allowing up to 255 characters for the <music string>. The script ALARM.CMD is included with this release. ALARM contains a number of simple melodies that may be substituted for the alarm tune. The ALARM script allows the tunes to be sampled, and one may be selected permanently (if it doesn't hurt the ear...). Permanent selection means that the script creates a file, COM-AND.TUN which will be used by COM-AND every time it is loaded. Syntax for music statements will be found in an appendix to the CASCRIPT.DOC document. The interested reader is referred there. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 87 L. BIOS com Read/Write Beginning with version 2.3 of COM-AND, BIOS read/write comm port calls are intercepted by COM-AND. When the port number matches the comm port currently opened by COM-AND, COM-AND makes available its interrupt driven read/write procedures. Only read/write are supported. Open (change parameters) and status are stubbed. COM-AND's interception of BIOS comm port calls opens some doors for the wary. For example, the following script is useful: KFLUSH ; Clear the keyboard buffer STACK "CTTY COM2:!" ; Stack a cmd for DOS SHELL ; Shell-to-DOS After the shell-to-DOS, DOS functions are available through the comm port. If COM-AND had previously established a connection through the modem (dialed another PC, or used the CONNECT script to answer the phone), then DOS would be available to the caller! [Note that only very-well-behaved programs may be used through this link. A program that writes to screen memory or intercepts keyboard interrupts WILL NOT be available, and will make it difficult to terminate remotely.] Programs using no more communications support than that provided by BIOS may use COM-AND's communications, and act as accessories. Such programs, when loaded through the accessory menu (or DOS Gateway) take advantage of COM-AND's communication support (and XON/XOFF flow control). The author would be interested in hearing of any applications developed to use this feature, and would be interested in discussing its future refinement. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 88 M. Modem initialization COMMON MODEM PARAMETER INITIALIZATION VALUES for USE WITH COM-AND and OTHER COMMON COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAMS, by Jim Aspinwall ----------------------------------------------------------------- As a user of computer modems and communications software, you should be aware of several aspects that affect your modem, your software, and successful on-line operation. It seems that the most common problems we have encountered have to do with how or if the modem reports back on the status of the Carrier Detect (DCD or CD) signal. That is, whether or not you are on-line, connected to another modem. Also, how the modem responds to the Data Terminal Ready (DTR) signal from the terminal or PC. In many cases the modems we use have default or factory configura- tions that cause DCD to indicate that you are on-line at all times, even if there has been no connection made; and the modem acts like the terminal or software is active all of the time. This situation does not always prohibit proper communications, but it does make some operations inefficient, or causes error messages that are inaccurate. Setting these and other parameters to the values we have shown below, or equivalent values specific to your modem, have resulted in very successful on-line operations for a great many users. You must also correlate some of the modem values to corresponding values in your communications software. One value of particular note is the modem's S7 register. The value in this register sets how long the modem waits for a carrier after dialing a call. Most modems use 40 seconds as a default. It is likely that your com- munications software also provides a Wait-For-Carrier parameter for its operation. If these two values are different, you may get unexpected results in originating calls. Either the modem hangs-up before the call is established while the software is still waiting, or the software aborts the call origination before enough time has elapsed. Setting the parameter at the modem S7 register does not set the value in your software, and setting the value in the software does not reset it for the modem. There are a few other parameters that may exhibit this difference, so you should read the modem and software documen- tation carefully. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 89 M. Modem initialization (continued) As annoying as it may seem to issue YET ANOTHER reminder about doc- umentation, it IS very helpful to read through it all, even if you think you will not understand or need it all, at first. Once you have become familiar with what information is where you will be able to recognize problems and their solutions as they arise. Many veteran users are pleasantly surprised Product R&D Corp.: (per Charlie) ----------------- AT&C1S7=60S11=40V1X1 MICROCOM 9624c: (per Mike, modified 891103) -------------- Modem Init: ATE1\C1\G0\J1\K5\N3\Q0&T5\V1V1\X1S0=0^M Dial Command: AT\N3DT Alt-P: 9600,N,8,1,COM1 Alt-O: Keyboard=ON Drop DTR=ON Alt-S: Break Delay=250 ms Alarm Duration=3 sec Everex 2400 internal (older style?): (per Jim) ----------------------------------- Switches 1 and 2 - as appropriate for COM 1,2,3 or 4 Switches 3,4,5 - OFF (default) String = AT&D2S7=60^M (the &D2 sets proper DTR, can also be done with S21=48 or S21=112 (default=96)) Leading Edge 2400B half-size internal: (per Jim) ------------------------------------- Switches 1 and 2 - COM 1,2,3,4 selection Switches 3,4,5,6 - OFF - default String = ATS7=60X3^M (there are no &... settings and no S21, DCD and DTR are set by switches) Practical Peripherals 2400 half-size internal: (per Jim) --------------------------------------------- Switch on rear selects COM 1 or 2 String = AT&C1&D2L0X3^M (S21=117 is another way of doing &C1&D2) Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 90 M. Modem initialization (continued) Everex, Evercom 24+ (MNP): (per Mike) ------------------------- Modem INIT string: AT\N3\Q1\K5\V1\X1\C1^M Dialing Prefix: AT\N3DT (\N3 forces the modem to MNP) Break Delay: 250 ms Drop DTR on Hangup: ON Ven-Tel Pathfinder 18k: (per Jim) ---------------------- Init String: ATS0=0S7=60S51=5S52=1S53=1S58=2S66=1S95=2&W^M AutoAnswer Off/Wait 60secs for carrier/Serial Port at 19,200 DTR active/DCD active/Hardware handshake/Lock Serial Port/Auto MNP With these settings set into the modem and written (&W) once the user can recall them (INIT) using AT&E^M, instead of the entire string. It is handy to place this string in a comm. program macro for later use, should the modem get reset to factory values or other events change the desired settings. FACTORY Jim's Function and Notes DEFAULT Usage about settings ------- ----- ------------------ S0=1 S0=0 This depends on ORIG/ANSWER side S7=40 S7=60 Longer for some calls/systems... S45=0 S45=0 Keep disabled (0) for secure/support operations S50=0 S50=0 Auto-speed (starts high, allows other uses) S51=4 S51=5 19,200 VS. 9600 SERIAL LINE S52=0 S52=1 DTR must be active... S53=0 S53=1 DCD must be active... S58=3 S58=2 Hardware handshake is faster S61=45 S61=0-255 Speaker volume, =<45 is best. S66=0 S66=1 Lock serial speed, flow control S95=0 S95=2 Auto-reliable MNP mode S110=255 S110=255 Compression depends on other side S110=1 To control remote's compression ON S111=255 S111=255 Protocol depends on other side S111=10 KERMIT 8,n,1 S111=20 XMODEM S111=30 UUCP Note : Only items with remarks need to be changed and re-written to the EEPROM ( with &W) vs. factory defaults. ATZ recalls all parameters to Factory defaults. AT&E recalls EEPROM values. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 91 N. COM-AND's Backscreen This is not a defense. It is offered in the way of a useful explanation, and even offers a solution to a problem (I hope!). COM-AND implements the 'backscreen' function (Alt-B) in an unusual manner. Unlike most backscreen capable applications, when COM-AND's backscreen is invoked, the oldest text in the backscreen buffer is displayed. Most backscreen functions display the most recent text first, allowing immediate access to what has scrolled off screen. Further, COM-AND only pages through the backscreen. You cannot scroll its backscreen line-by-line. COM-AND's unusual backscreen is determined by three factors (ignoring its author's limitations, please). The factors are: o COM-AND allows the unformatted capture of text that has scrolled off the screen (with only the edits imposed by transcripting). o COM-AND's backscreen is available to its accessories. The text is displayed as if it had been received by the accessory itself. Similarly, text received during an accessory is available later to COM-AND, and displayed as if COM-AND had received it. o Other products may be used with COM-AND to provide a more usual manner of backscreen. The author would be pleased to discuss the tradeoffs implied by (1) dropping the capture buffer feature and accessory backscreen, or (2) implementing two backscreen buffers, one for capture, and another for display. For those who absolutely require a backscreen that displays the most recent text first, the author recommends FANSI heartily. FANSI is discussed above (Appendix E). FANSI is available commercially from its developer. Buyers are given instruction on the use of its backscreen. FANSI is so generally useful, that this author finds it difficult to use a machine without it. With FANSI (or some other backscreen capable system utility), COM-AND offers the best of both worlds: immediate access to the oldest bufferred text (with capture), and immediate access to the most recent. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 92 O. Customizing COM-AND Several methods are immediately available to customize COM-AND for particular purposes. Some script authorship is required, but the result a communications program tailored to an exact application. Beyond customization of the existing COM-AND product, other custom- izations are possible and negotiable. 1) COM-AND initialization When COM-AND is loaded, it performs an initialization process (opening the comm port, sending an init string, opening files, and so on). After initialization, a shareware advertisement is dis- played (unless turned off in Alt-O). After the advert, if a script named COM-AND.CMD is found in the current default subdirec- tory OR the "COM-AND=" environment variable indicated subdirec- tory, that script is executed. A simple COM-AND.CMD script may be created to display an opening screen, set options and values to your preference, and to offer an initial menu. For example, a menu might be offered making func- tion key F1 dial a certain number, function key F3 enter COM-AND proper and function key F5 exit COM-AND back to DOS. 2) COM-AND termination When COM-AND is terminated (either by Alt-X or through the script statement "BYE"), COM-AND tests for carrier (may be turned off by Alt-O or "SET CDRESPECT OFF"). If carrier is found (if tested), a prompt for hangup is issued. After the carrier test, COM-AND tests to determine if an "exit script" has been established. If an exit script has been named, COM-AND attempts to execute it. Exit scripts are defined through the script statement "SET EXIT". If the indicated file does not exist, COM-AND terminates. If the indicated file exists, COM-AND executes it as a script. Upon Alt-X then, COM-AND may be customized to provide a menu of choices (e.g. dial another system, and a list of systems). When established, the exit script determines if COM-AND is actually to terminate, or to continue. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 93 O. Customizing COM-AND (continued) 3) DOS after COM-AND An interesting feature of COM-AND's script language is the state- ment "STACK". STACK places a string into the BIOS keyboard buffer. An exit script might easily offer selections that invoke other programs through DOS. For example, the script: SET TTHRU OFF ; Turn off script typethrough STACK "DIR *.*!" ; Set-up to execute a DOS DIR cmd BYE ; Terminate com-and and do a DIR terminates COM-AND (without hanging up... be careful), and executes a DIR *.* through DOS. More interesting things might be found, I'm sure, to do with DOS.... but the point is made. 4) Keyboard remapping COM-AND maps the Alt'd and function keys on the PC keyboard in a manner consistent with (the author's experience of) common usage. Other maps for the PC keyboard may well be imagined. The keyboard remap function (available through the REMAP.CMD script) makes it very possible to change the assignments. As the simplest example, COM-AND's F10 help window might be con- sidered inadequate (the author thinks it is...). To change this sad state of affairs, the following remap might be created: F10 = 255 "HELP" CR This remap says in effect: When the F10 key is pressed, COM-AND will see the character with value 255, the characters "H" "E" "L" and "P", and a CR. 255 as a character is documented above under Alt-M Macros. The character 255 in COM-AND has the same function as F2 (run a script), but does not pop up a window and search the drive for all files *.CMD and *.ENF. "HELP" would be interpreted by the 255 function as a script name (either HELP., HELP.CMD or HELP.ENF on the default or COM-AND= subdirectory). The CR causes the 255 function to execute the script named HELP. So... one might write one's own help window (see the help screens in FILEMGR or LEARN), call it HELP.CMD, put it in the COM-AND= subdir, and never see the author's idea of a HELP summary again. It might be paginated, indexed, what-have-you. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 94 O. Customizing COM-AND (continued) 5) Functional customization The author of COM-AND will customize a version of COM-AND for anyone licensing 30 or more copies of COM-AND (site license). This customization is limited to: . Alt-I Information screen: 10 lines of the program informa- tion screen are devoted to a description of COM-AND and its accessories in the 'standard' edition. CABER Software will encode any information a licensee (meeting the quantity restriction) requests in this space. CABER Software will retain the last lines of the window for itself. . Copyright statement upon termination: CABER software will change the program termination notice from: "Freely redistributable; R. Scott McGinnis <date>" to "Licensed from CABER Software (all rights reserved), <date>, by: <licensee name>" . Customization is limited to the current version of COM-AND. The same customization, applied to later releases of COM-AND may be had from CABER Software upon request, for a fee of $15.00 each release. CABER Software will not automatically update customized versions. Other functional customizations are negotiable. Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices COM-AND: IBM PC Communications and Accessories Page 95 P. Command Index ------- Commands available in CRT and Accessory ------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- Key Meaning Page --------- --------------------------------------------- ----- F1 Switch between CRT and Accessory. 11,7-8 F2 Perform a script 14,64 F3 Set current disk/subdirectory 14,56 F4 Set default download disk/subdirectory 14,51 F5 ASCII upload. 14,48 F6 ASCII download. 14,50 F7 Toggle logging (transcripting). 14,55 F8 Toggle display of typed characters. 14,56 F9 Toggle Log hold. 14,55 F10 Help screen. 11 Alt-F10 DOS Gateway. 11,60 Alt-A Toggle chat mode (on CRT screen) 16,56 Alt-B Redisplay (backscreen). 16,56 Alt-C Clear the screen. 11,57 Alt-D Dialing directory. 11,18-19 Alt-E Toggle echo (full/half duplex). 11,57 Alt-F File directory. 11,51 Alt-G Toggle blank line suppression 11,57 Alt-H Hangup. 12,20 Alt-I Program information. 12 Alt-J Set screen colors 16,40 Alt-K Set KERMIT parameters 16,57 Alt-L Toggle 25/43 line modes 16,57 Alt-M Define a macro for Alt-0 through Alt-9. 12,21 Alt-N Encrypt/Decrypt a file 12,24 Alt-O Set program options. 12,33-40 Alt-P Comm Parameters. 12,31 Alt-R Redial the last number dialed. 12,20 Alt-S Setup. Define initial program values. 12,27-30 Alt-T Elapsed time. 13,58 Alt-U Annotate call-log 13,55 Alt-V Emulation, Translate, and Remap 61 Alt-W Playback 16,58 Alt-X Exit the program. 13,58 Alt-Y Error information. 70 Alt-Z Toggle parity mask. 13,59 Alt-0/9 Send a Macro. 13,21 PgUp Begin an upload 15,41-51 PgDn Begin a download 15,41-51 Ctl-End Send a Break. 11 Ctl-PrtSc Toggle printer (LP1) 11 Version 2.6: 900426 Appendices