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PC-TALK III DOCUMENTATION FOR UPDATES INCORPORATED IN FILE PCT366.MRG (Documentation Revision 3) by Jim Gainsley, 116 Third Ave N., Mpls MN 55401 (612) 338-6124 CompuServe [70346,457] 7/15/84 GENERAL This update is: Version 3.66, Level 840715. Some of the features require machine code routines. These are provided as object code files. This version can only run in a compiled form, linked with these machine routines, all as normally provided by the IBM PC Compiler version 1.0 and Linker version 2.0. The program runs only under DOS 2.0(1). After linking the object files, CHDIR.OBJ, GETDIR.OBJ, & DSK.OBJ are no longer necessary to the program and needn't be available to the PC-TALK.EXE runfile. TO MAKE THIS VERSION OF PC-TALK III, THE FILE PCT366.MRG MUST BE MERGED INTO THE DISTRIBUTION VERSION OF PC-TALK III (PC-TALK.BAS), LEVEL 830424. IN USE, THE MODEM'S DTR REQUIREMENT MUST BE DISABLED. (1200B users see Sec 8 under Bibiographic Data & Sources.) If you have the 8087, the program may be linked with the Seattle Computer 8087.LIB support, which provides about 3% smaller program size, as well as some small additional run speed. If the program is optimized, i.e. all line numbers, except referenced line numbers, removed, then the /N compiler parameter must be used. This provides much superior compilation and also about a 3% saving in file size. The finished program is big, about 88kb minimum, i.e. optimized & with 8087 support. The /S compiler parameter must be used in all cases to insure optimum compilation. Without optimization or 8087 support, the .EXE runfile is about 94kb. We use the following compiler command line, with C: as the default drive (a ramdisk), and with an optimized basic program. (PCTALK is the Orig. PC-TALK into which PCT366.MRG has been Merged). (PCTALK.CMP is the name we give to the optimized PCTALK.) C>a:BASCOM PCTALK.CMP;/O/E/N/S/C:4096 (Do not use the /X parm) We use the following Linker command line: C>a:LINK PCTALK IBMCOM CHDIR GETDIR DSK,B:PC-TALK,NUL,8087 Our PC has 640k of ram of which 192K is devoted to the system and the remainder to a ramdisk, Drive C: We copy the object code files, IBMCOM.OBJ, GETDIR.OBJ ,CHDIR.OBJ, DSK.OBJ, & our 8087.LIB file to C. After Merging PC-TALK.BAS and PCT366.MRG, to form PCTALK.BAS, which takes about 5 minutes -- be patient, we also copy that file, PCTALK.BAS, to Drive C., where it is then optimized. (GETDIR.OBJ, CHDIR.OBJ, & DSK.OBJ are in this .LBR.) Optimizing was done with GILMORE SYSTEM'S GS-UNNUM program, from CIS, Gene Plantz's BBS, or from Gilmore Systems ,Box 511 Nutting Lake, MA. 01865. BE SURE GET AT LEAST VER 1.02. It takes 3:50 to do the 1075 lines of code. Note that many although many REM lines will have numbers, it is of no significance to the Compiler. 1 The compiler disk is in Drive A: and also contains the necessary BASCOM.LIB. Naturally, if you don't have the 8087 support, the 8087 must be omitted from the linker command line. (Replace the comma after NUL with a ; ) All of the work is done in the ramdisk, with the resulting PC-TALK.EXE runfile being placed on Drive B:. The PCTALK.OBJ object code, resulting from the Compiler's BASCOM portion of the operation is also created on C: and is about 122kb. Beyond the use in the interim stages of producing the .EXE runfile, the files PCTALK.CMP (optimized basic program stage), and PCTALK.OBJ (the object code needed for linking), have little use, except in problem solving, and need not be saved. The above command line for the compiler produces no list file, as we find little use for it and it's big, big. We have patched our compiler with the 7 recommended IBM patches. PCT366, Level 840715 PROVIDES THESE FUNCTIONS AND FEATURES: (All, except as noted, were provided by PCT365.MRG or PCT366, Level 840704) 1) The FREEWARE notice and start-up screen have been combined. It is no longer necessary to "press any key to continue". The start-up screen contains additional information regarding some of the new features and the files necessary to compile the program, as well as the Version and Level numbers. 2) The Set/Clear Alt 1-0 Temporary command, Alt-=, has been changed to Shift-Tab. This was done since Prokey Ver. 3.0 uses the Alt= combination to define macros. The Shift-Tab was formerly used to call the PC-TALK version number, which has now been made a constant part of the Start-up screen. 3) The Command Summary Menu has been updated to include the new services provided, and has been alphabetized, thus providing easier reading. A small fix in the graphic border was made. 4) A carriage return is now automatically provided after the modem initialization commands are sent, (Line 425). Hayes mode modem commands all begin with AT. Commands with this beginning must be terminated with a <cr> in order to take effect. Previously, one would have to enter a curly bracket in the default menu section to obtain this. Doing that messed up that menu, by inserting a blank line. Example: To set the modem so the speaker is always on, you formerly had to enter in the default section under Modem Init: ATM2} Now you may omit the "}". 5) Split-screen function: Pressing Cntrl-Home, provides that all of your keyboard input will occur on screen line 25, while all received input occurs on the upper 24 lines as before. A modification in line 10005 (Gosub 2820) now restores msg line at termination. Pressing Cntrl-Home again toggles mode OFF. ** NEW WITH PCT366, LEVEL 840715 ** Send multiple lines by use of substitute CR character '}'. Also, much improved coordination between macro module (F-Key & Alt-Key) and Split-Screen & also the ECHO feature. Also, 2 fixes regarding the operation of Split-Screen. The ECHO feature used with split-scrn in some cases gives an aesthetically undesirable result, but there are no data or com problems. 2 6) A Hangup Command has been added. Pressing Alt-H causes the modem to hangup. With Hayes modems: At all times up to the point at which a carrier has been detected, it is only necessary to press any character key to hangup. After a CONNECT, it is necessary to wait one second, type 3 "+" signs, wait one second and then issue an AT type command, (to hangup it would be ATH0 <cr>). The Alt-H command now provides all of these things and tries the sequence 3 times. (Failures are more or less normal.) 7) The REDIAL routine has been rewritten to be more informative. Improvement has been made in the recognition and effect given to pause commands in dial strings, so that it is better phased with the delay period. A recycle provision has been made. By pressing the letter "R" the redial starts over. This is useful when operating behind a switchboard, and in reducing redial cycle time. Delay before disconnect may also be changed here. ** NEW WITH PCT366, Level 840704 ** The Dialing Directory may be directly accessed, & 3 sub-choices for temporarily shortened delays are available. 8) Provision is now included to save and restore strings for the Alt-1/0 keys to and from a file. Similar to that provided for the Function keys. Alt-I and Alt-U. 9) Path and Subdirectory support. Alt-G. 10) When using Alt-V, View File, the disk free space is now provided in the compiled version, as it was in the Basic version. 11) Provision has been made to automatically change comm params when receiving or transmitting files via XMODEM, to N,8,1. 12) The Manual Dialing feature has been enhanced by addition of an options line which allows one to change the Comm params prior to dialing in the manual keyboard mode. (Previously, only the default params could be used.) 13) *** NEW WITH PCT366, Level 840704 *** Timed and Character pacing has been added to the Function Keys & Alt-1/0 keys. You can mix Timed & Char pacing in a string & you may also incorporate variable length fields, i.e. you may stop the string at any point, type an entry & then continue sending. ** Note: ** (Disregard if you previously used PCTFK or PCTFKA.) The first time the new program is booted the default file, PC- TALK.DEF, will be reinitiallized & program defaults installed. YOU WILL THUS HAVE TO RE-ENTER YOUR OWN DEFAULT PARAMETERS. 14) *** NEW WITH PCT366 *** Disk Free Space can also be shown under the file xfer module. Additional commands available: '/' has same meaning as '?' when used in first position of Specification. ?/ or // gives free space on logged drive. Msg line enabled to show sub-commands. 3 15) Misc: A number of changes have been made in such things message line presentation, message legending, null suppression, screen clearing, appearance, timing & error trapping. Though some new variables have been added, none will affect the original PC- TALK III. We have also extensively revised and increased the Comments. Though many lines have been added, no renumbering was done, though the urge was great from 11100 up. The code was reorganized in PCT366, Level 840715 to accept direct Merge of an IBM 3101 Colors/Music/Windows program. The program PCTCMW, was also slightly modified to better integrate into PCT366, and is included in the .LBR as PCCMWF.MRG. No .DOC is available for it, and the Merge hasn't been tested, though it is mechancally ok. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA & SOURCES (All files necessary to this pgm are incl. in .LBR & are public domain, except for #1, which is Freeware.) 1) PC-TALK III, Ver 3.0, Level 830424: Andrew Fleugelmen, The Headlands Press, P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 (Of course not included in PCT366.MRG.) 2) PCT3SC.MRG -- Split-Screen: Wes Meier, Source: CIS 3) PCFIX2.MRG -- Automatic switching of comm params for XMODEM: Author unknown. Source: Gene Plantz, Chicago BBS 4) DSK.BAS, DSK.DOC, DSK.ASM, DSK.OBJ -- Give disk free space under View File (Alt-V). We've enhanced this to operated in the file xfer modules also. By: Jack Wright Source: Ben Blackstock, Hawkey BBS Iowa. (DSK.BAS is Merged into PCT366. DSK.OBJ is used at linker time.) 5) Portions of PCT35.MRG & PCT36.MRG (including GETDIR.OBJ & CHDIR.OBJ) -- Subdirectory and Path support, & various fixes. The Hangup code was not used, since it depended upon the MODMINIT$, which, at least in our case is set to do other things. There were two unimplemented functions; Change logged drives w/o going through defaults and Keyboard pacing. Both had the goto's in place, which caused a crash if used and which we've fixed. We also made one fix in his line 11118 (added DRIV$+ after NEWDIR$= and in line 11180, (modified the last statement in the line). : Also fixed 1 bug each in Alt-key section -- del lines 11134 & 64 and made sub-rout line 11195, adding QL=12 -- which now permits specifying a filename longer than 3 char. when entering after exiting the dialing directory. John Chapmen, Source: CIS 6) SPLITFIX.MRG, provides for sending multiple lines in Split- Screen mode, and one fix for Backspace when ECHO is ON, in split mode. (We made one fix to this mod to prevent crashes in the compiled ver. when bckspcg beyond position 1 in line 25.): by Dennis Cheves, Source: Tampa IBM-PC BBS. 4 7) The author has provided the following: New Freeware Notice screen and presentation, with the aggravation removed -- Andy should get his place in the sun. New Start-up Screen and Command Summary Menu. New Redial routine with Recycle command 'R' and change disconnect time ']'. New Hangup routine, Alt-H. New options provision for Manual dialing. Function Key timed and character pacing routine. The use of PgUp and PgDn for terminating file transmit and receive modes. Improvements in message line handling. Restructuring and addition of Rems. Misc. cleanup. (Although we can't find it stated anywhere, it appears that if you try to read an empty comm buffer, you get Illegal function call. If you trap this and attempt to CLOSE, you will sometimes get hung. So, we modified the master trap, line 9905, so as not to do a CLOSE if ERR=5.) 8) Those having Hayes 1200B Internal modems will experience a problem when the Automatic Comm Param Change feature is called for XMODEM file xfer. The program as is will cause a loss of DTR signal which will result in a disconnect. (In May 1984, Hayes released a new ver of the 1200B, which has 3 switches. A Jumper, P2, controls DTR support. Determine from the manual which position, AB or BC, disables the DTR and use that one for PC-TALK. The following fixes need not then be used.) The user may use either of the following fixes to correct this problem. The code fix is by Dan Frank and is called FIX365.MRG. The Hardware fix is by Kim Redlack, and is discussed in the file 1200BDTR.FIX. Both are in this library. A rather neat modem fix for this problem is given in the file 1200B.FIX by Stephen Satchell. *** NOTE: *** The Code fix still will not correct a 1200B disconnect which is produced by use of the ALT-P Change Comm Params Module, which will take place when line 5085 is executed. The Hardware fix solves this problem also. NOTE: By way of summary, in addition to this document & the BASIC Compiler's IBMCOM.OBJ, the only other files that you need to implement all of the above are: PCT366.MRG GETDIR.OBJ CHDIR.OBJ DSK.OBJ I also want to thank the others for the super contributions they have made to the continuing development of the finest comm program that ever was! (The following pages replace the equivalents in the PC-TALK MANUAL.) 5 --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev. 2) --- === Contents === To Users of PC-TALK version 2.00 4 Summary of Commands 6 Making Working Copies of PC-TALK 9 Starting PC-TALK 11 === Screen, Keyboard, and Printing === Echo: Alt-E 13 The Width Alarm: Alt-W 13 Printscreen: Shift-PrtSc 14 Simultaneous Printout: Ctrl-PrtSc (or Ctrl-PgUp) 14 Screendump: Alt-S 16 Clearscreen: Alt-C 16 === Receiving and Transmitting Files === Receiving a File: Alt-R (or PgDn) 17 Transmitting a File: Alt-T (or PgUp) 19 The Binary transmit option: '=b ' 20 The Pacing transmit option: '=p ' 21 XMODEM Transmitting and Receiving: '=x ' 24 A Note on Communications Terminology 26 === More File Commands === Status Messages: Alt-M 27 Viewing a File & Disk Free Space: Alt-V 28 (See also bottom of Page 18) Deleting a File: Alt-Y 29 The Logged Drive: Alt-L 29 File Specification Conventions 30 === Dialing === The Dialing Directory: Alt-D 32 Adding to the Directory 34 Other Directory Options 35 Auto-dialing 36 Long Distance Services: '+# ' and '-# ' 36 Manual Dialing: 'm ' 38 Redialing: Alt-Q 38 Stripping and Converting Characters 39 Pacing Instructions 41 --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev. 2) --- === Parameters and Defaults === Communications Parameters: Alt-P 44 Program Defaults: Alt-F 45 === Input Strings === The Function Key Directory: Alt-K (or Alt-J) 52 Using the Function Key Assignments 53 Pacing, Timed & Character 54A Temporary Alt Keys, Alt-1 thru Alt-0: Shift-TAB 55 Saving & Recalling Tem. Alt assignments: Alt-U, Alt-I 57 === Miscellaneous Features and Commands === Elapsed Time: Alt-Z 58 Exit: Alt-X 58 Sending a Break Signal: Ctrl-End 58 Command Summary: Home key 59 Split-Screen operation: Cntrl-Home 59 Select another Subdirectory: Alt-G 59 Hangup: Alt-H 59 Toggle Commands 59 === More Applications and Advanced Features === XON/XOFF: Alt-O 60 Communications Errors: <<>> and <<OVERFLOW>> 60 === PC-TALK III File Information === Programming Information 63 Copying PC-TALK 64 Modifying PC-TALK 64 Thank You! 66 FREEWARE 67 Appendix A: Communications Parameters 69 Appendix B: The XMODEM Protocol 70 --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev. 2) --- 6 === Summary of Commands === Home Displays an on-screen summary of these commands. Ctrl-Home Split-Screen Operation. Keyboard input appears at bottom of screen. (Hit Esc to erase line.) Ctrl-PrtSc When activated, simultaneously prints all (or Ctrl-PgUp) screen output to the printer. (Toggle) Ctrl-End Sends a 'Break' signal to the remote computer. Shift-PrtSc Prints current screen contents at any time. Shift-TAB Permits programming of keys Alt-1 through Alt-0 as temporary input while the program is running. Alt-C Clears the screen. Alt-D Calls up the Dialing Directory. Permits storing parameters for 60 phone numbers and auto-dialing. Alt-E When activated, Echoes keyboard input to the screen. (Toggle) USE IF YOUR KEYBOARD INPUT IS BLANK OR DOUBLE. Alt-F Permits temporary or permanent changes to the program defaults. Alt-G Select another Subdirectory on the same drive. Alt-H Hangup: Disconnects from telephone line. Alt-I Programs the contents of a Temp Alt Key file to the designated Alt keys 1 thru 0. --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev. 2) --- 7 Alt-K Calls up the Function Key Directory. Permits (or Alt-J) specifying up to 40 Function key combinations to input permanent i.d. #s and logon sequences. Alt-L Changes the Logged drive for file specifications. Alt-M When activated, sends status Messages as part of the transmit and receive routines. (Toggle) Alt-O Permits re-starting transmission manually when the remote computer has sent an XOFF signal. Alt-P Permits changing the communications Parameters. Alt-Q Redials the last number dialed. "R" to recycle, Space Bar to Terminate, Alt-D to directly access Dialing Directory, "]" to change Time-Delay- before-disconnect, plus 3 options to temporarily change disconnect time. Allows fast recycling. Alt-R Starts/Stops routines to Receive input from (or PgDn) the communications port to files on disk. Sub- commands allow display of disk directory and free space. Alt-S Writes contents of the screen to a file SCRNDUMP.PCT on the Logged drive. Alt-T Starts/Stops routines to Transmit files from (or PgUp) disk through the communications port. Can also obtain disk free space & disk directory. Alt-U Stores the contents of the Temp Alt Keys 1 thru 0 in disk file. Alt-V Starts/stops routine to View a file which has been saved to disk. Gives disk free space. Alt-W Sets an optional Width alarm for keyboard input. Alt-X Exits the program and returns to DOS. Alt-Y Permits deleting a file from disk. Alt-Z Displays the elapsed time for the current call. --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev. 2) --- 8 File Specification Commands: ? or ?+[spec] - When given as response to a file specification, lists files currently on logged or specified drive. Wild card characters * and ? are allowed. / may be used in place of ?. <space> - When given as response to file specification, re-inputs the last file Transmitted, Received, or Viewed. <Enter> - When given as response to file specification, cancels Transmit, Receive, View, & Delete routines. =p[n][c] - When added to the end of a Transmit file specification, paces transmission one line at a time--either every n seconds or after the prompt c is received. =b - When added to the end of a Transmit file specification, permits transmitting file in binary format. =x - When added to the end of a Transmit or Receive file specification, invokes the XMODEM error- checking protocol. Communications parameters are automatically changed to the required No parity, 8 data bits & 1 Stop bit. String Specification Commands: (Used for both F-Keys & Alt-1/0 Keys) | - Switch Character: Used to indicate that the NEXT Character is a prompt to be waited for. If that next character is a the F-Key Dly Char, then a 3-sec. delay will take place. |~|~= Two 3-sec delays. |?|~ = Wait for ?, then wait 3-sec. ~ - (Tilde) F-Key Delay Character. The character used for this function can be changed in the Defaults. } - Signifies a carriage return as part of the string. <space><Enter> - Clears a previously specified string. <Enter> - Leaves a previously specified string unchanged. --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev. 2) --- 18 characters as they are being received, you can specify those characters with the Strip option described below. PC-TALK can receive binary files without any special file receiving specification. You do have to be careful, however, to open and close your file for receiving so that you do not receive any extraneous characters or messages from the remote computer. The recommended procedure for receiving binary files is to have the Message option (described below) ON for the receiving computer and OFF for the transmitting computer and for the transmitting computer operator to give the receiving computer ample time to open and close the file. Please note also that if you want to receive a binary file, you must not have any stripping in effect and must be communicating at 8 data bits. (These communications parameters are described below.) PC-TALK is also capable of receiving files using the XMODEM error-checking protocol. The use of this protocol is described separately below. ---------------------------------------- Disk Free Space & Directory Functions: After pressing PgDn (or Alt-R) the Specification: prompt is presented. The Msg line will show subcommands available for reading disk directories, free space and files. Example formats are as follows: (d: stands for any drive designator, A: B: C: etc.) ? =Directory of logged drive. ?/ =Directory & free space of logged drive. (Can also use //) ?d: =Directory of drive other than logged drive. ?d:/ =Directory and free space of drive other than logged drive. NOTE: The / may be used in place of the ?. Since the / is the unshifted ?, only one keystroke is needed. Thus, you will probably want to use the / rather than the ?. The ? was preserved since it was a part of the original program. --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev. 2) --- 38 Manual Dialing: 'm' You can also use auto-dialing to call phone numbers not stored in the Dialing Directory. From the main Dialing Directory prompt, type 'm' <Enter>. The current Comm params will be displayed & you will be given options to use or alter them. (Note: if the current params in effect are different from the default, & if you select default, call the number and then go to Redial (Alt-Q), you will see the current params listed on the screen, but the call will be made with the default params.) A prompt will then ask for the phone number to be dialed. Type the phone number and press <Enter>, and the number will be dialed automatically. As in the Dialing Directory, preceding the phone number with '+' or '-' will route the call through one of the supplemental long distance service numbers (if they have been stored in the Directory.) ---------------------------------------- Redialing: Alt-Q If you have a Hayes Smartmodem<tm>, the last phone number you have dialed can be redialed at any time by pressing Alt-Q, which calls into effect the Redial routine. The routine will display the time the Redial routine was started, the time the current "pass" started, the number of the pass, and the no. of seconds into the pass. The redial delay period, or cycle length which was set in the Default table, can be changed for a redial session by pressing ' ] ' when in Redial. This allows faster cycling when telephone conditions permit. (This delay does not affect the internal modem delay in register S7.) You are also given 3 options for temporarily altering the delay, which thus allow even faster recyling, increasing your chances of connecting. When a connection is made, the program will sound an alarm, prompting you to hit any key to resume communications. You can exit from the auto-redial routine at any time before a connection is made by pressing the space bar. You can cause an immediate recycle at anytime during a pass by pressing ' R ' (or 'r'). You may go directly to Redial from normal dial. The first pass will automatically abort the in-progress normal dial sequence. Pressing the space bar will not hangup if connect has occurred. Pressing Alt-D anytime in the redial sequence takes you to the Dialing Directory. You can adapt the Redial routine for longer or shorter delays, or for other modems with auto-dialing features, from within the Default routine described below. --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide --- 52 === Input Strings === The Function Key Directory: Alt-K (or Alt-J) One of PC-TALK's other powerful features is the Function Key Directory, which is called up by pressing Alt-K. (To accommodate users of the KEYNOTE program, you can also call up the Function Key Directory with Alt-J.) The Function Key Directory permits you to assign permanent strings of up to 126 characters to the ten Function keys F1 through F10, and to the combinations of Alt-, Shift-, and Ctrl- F1 through F10. A total of forty keys can thus be assigned permanent strings, which can be used to input i.d. numbers, logon sequences, frequently-used phrases and other text with a single keystroke. Timing and Character pacing can also be employed. The information in the Function Key Directory is stored in a file called PC-TALK.KEY and is loaded every time PC-TALK is run. The first time the Function Key Directory is called up, you will see that the keys F1 through F10 have no strings assigned to them. To program a key (or to revise a previously programmed key), press 'r' at the first prompt. You will then be asked to specify which Function key (1 through 10) you wish to revise. Type the appropriate number and hit <Enter>. You will then be prompted to enter the string you want to assign --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev. 2) --- 54A You can include control characters (ASCII 0 through 31) as part of the input string. The program will display these characters as their highlighted letter equivalents (e.g., an ASCII 12 will be displayed as a highlighted letter 'L'). You can change the character used as the carriage return substitute from the right curly bracket to any other character from within the Default specification routine. This carriage return substitute only affects how the string is specified and how it is displayed on the screen; the program always stores a "real" carriage return (ASCII 13). Thus, you can switch back and forth using different characters as the substitute. Timing & Character Pacing: When logging onto a BBS or for other purposes, it is possible to create time delays or have the string sent out a part at a time, the transmission of each part being dependent upon a certain prompt character sent from the receiver. Placing a vertical bar, '|', followed by a tilde (~) at any point in the string will cause a 3 second time delay to occur before the next part of the string is sent, for each |~ combination used. This timing character can be changed in the default file to any character you wish. It is called F-Key Dly Char: (bottom right). Pressing ']' during a timing sequence cause another time period to be added. You may also cause the transmission of any part of a string to be dependent on a particular character sent by the receiver by first placing a vertical bar '|' followed by the character you wish to wait for. For instance with CompuServe the colon ':' & '!' are often used as prompts. You may use as many sequences of '|:' etc. as you wish in a string. Pressing ESC at anytime terminates sending of the rest of the string. What happens if you either don't know the prompt to expect or the expected prompt doesn't appear or is different from what you --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev 1) --- 55 expected? Easy, in the first case simply either build in dummy prompts. In all cases, when the program is waiting hit '{' and the next segment will be sent. To test a new string, simply hit the F-Key, then type the expected characters and the string will "play" out. (Modem must be on.) Programmers Note: The program looks at the last 4 characters printed to the screen for the prompt character. Example 1: |~^C|:777777,777}|:pass*word}|!G PCS131} Logs you onto CompuServe and takes to the IBM SIG with one keystroke. Program waits for 3 sec., then a colon two times, and the ! the next. Example 2: |~^C|:777777,777}|:pass*word}|~|~G PCS131} Does the same thing, but with time delays, each tilde = 3 seconds. Variable Length Fields: You may insert a "break" in the string, enter whatever you wish from the keyboard and then, using the '{' Send subcommand, have the rest of the string continue. Simply enter in the string a | followed by a character you are not likely to receive, say a little used cntrl code like Cntrl- (ASCII 31) or perhaps a Null (Cntrl 2). The program will of course treat this like a wait-for character -- which will never come. You may type what you wish (except the {), then type the '{'. --------------------------------------------- A new user of the program does not need to have the PC-TALK.KEY file on his/her disk. If the program does not locate PC-TALK.KEY on the program disk, it will initialize and create a new blank Function key file. The same is true for the file PC-TALK.DIR, which contains the information used by the Dialing Directory. --------------------------------------------- Temporary Alt Keys: Alt-1 through Alt-0: In addition to the permanent Function key combinations described above, the ten key combinations Alt-1 through Alt-0 can be used for temporary custom input while communications are in progress. Pressing Shift-TAB during communications will display a prompt on line 25 of the screen, asking for the key to be used. Type any of the numbers 1 through 0. (Pacing features also apply.) Originally, Alt-= was used for this function. This was changed due to interference with Prokey. --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev. 2) --- 56 You will then be prompted to enter the temporary string for that Alt key. All keystrokes entered subsequently will input text for that key, until you press <Enter> (maximum 50 characters). As with the Function key assignments described above, you can use a right curly bracket '}' to include a carriage return as part of the temporary string. Control characters will be displayed as their highlighted letter equivalents. When a temporary Alt key has been assigned, the program will display the first seven characters of the programmed input on line 25 of the screen and return to normal keyboard operation. Once an Alt key 1 through 0 has been assigned, pressing it will send the assigned string, just as though it had been typed from the keyboard. The Alt keys can also be used to input filespecs. You can change an Alt key assignment at any time by pressing Shift-TAB, followed by the number of the key to be respecified and the new assignment. If you want to clear a key, press Shift-TAB, the number of the key, and then type <space> <Enter>. If no Alt-key assignments are in effect, the display on line 25 will disappear. **NOTE the difference between these Alt key assignments and the Function key assignments described above: The Alt keys can be easily reprogrammed during communications and are displayed on line 25 of the screen. This makes them con- venient for holding temporary input strings needed for quick --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev. 2) --- 57 reference. However, the Alt-key assignments are not saved when the program is terminated, unless you save them with Alt-U. To permanently save the temporary Alt-key 1 thru 0 assignments in a file, press Alt-U. You will be asked for a filename. To recall them from such a file, press Alt-I and give the filename. The Function key assignments are stored permanently on disk and reloaded each time PC-TALK is run. This makes them convenient for storing id numbers and logon sequences. When making changes to the Function Keys or Alt Keys, your keystrokes are not output to the communications channel. --------------------------------------------- --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev. 2) --- 59 CAUTION: do not attempt to use the combination of the Ctrl key and the ScrollLock/Break key as this may terminate PC-TALK. This does not however, apply to a compiled version. Command Summary: Home key An on-screen summary of all the PC-TALK program commands described above can be displayed at any time by hitting the Home key. Split-Screen: Cntrl-Home (Toggle) All keyboard input from you appears on the bottom line of the screen in place of the message line, while all input from remote computer appears above. Press ESC to erase the line. You may divide the line into any number of sub-lines by terminating each sub-line with the carriage return substitute character, usually the '}'. Each time the <cr> is pressed one sub-segment will be sent. To discontinue the mode press Cntrl-Home again. Alt-C doesn't erase line 25. Macros may be sent during the split-screen operation. Select another Subdirectory: Alt-G Permits selection of subdirectories and the use of path commands, on the current logged drive only. (<cr> to cancel.) Hangup: Alt-H Causes the modem to disconnect. When connected, it is necessary to gain the modem's attention in order to give it commands. This process requires a 1 second silent 'guard' time, 3 '+' signs and another 1 second silent guard time. The hangup routine looks for the 'return codes' sent by the modem to signify command execution. It will try the sequence up to 4 times, in the event there was a disturbance during the guard times. The command given is 'ATH0'. In a normal sequence, you will hear 2 tones and Beep Beep, the latter indicating successful completion. Toggle Commands: The following keys toggle on/off their respective functions and operate at any time while the program is running: Alt-T Transmit File Alt-E Echo (PgUp) Alt-R Receive File Alt-M Messages (PgDn) Alt-V View * Ctrl-PtrSc Printout Cntrl-Home Split-Screen operation * Alt-V will ask for another specification. Press <cr> to exit. --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 --- --- PC-TALK III User's Guide (Rev. 2) --- 63 The first time PC-TALK III is run, the program looks for three support files. If it does not find them, these three files will be created on the program disk: (They are ASCII comma separated data files.) PC-TALK.DIR -- The file that stores Dialing Directory information. PC-TALK.KEY -- The file that stores Function Key information. PC-TALK.DEF -- The file that stores Default Menu information. ---------------------------------------- Programming Information -- (PC-TALK III MERGED WITH PCT366.MRG) When PC-TALK III has been Merged with PCT366.MRG, Do not use the file PCTKREM.MRG appearing on the Orig PC-TALK III dist. disk. PC-TALK.EXE can be compiled directly from PC-TALK.BAS, as all timing functions are handled independently through the BASIC SOUND and TIME$ functions. Once PC-TALK.BAS has been saved in ASCII format, it can be compiled using the IBM BASIC Compiler with the following commands: BASCOM PC-TALK.BAS /E/O/S/C:4096 (Add /N, if optimized)* LINK PC-TALK+IBMCOM+CHDIR+GETDIR+DSK * Even though with an optimized Basic source code you will have approx. 1500 bytes free without the /S, the author of this revision strongly recommends you use the /S. Experiment has shown that considerably different compiling is obtained with it. The '4096' argument determines the size of the communications buffer and can be increased if you have sufficient memory. For all but the most demanding applications, however, the 4096-byte buffer should be more than sufficient. Note however, that you should not make the buffer bigger than 4608-bytes as there is a small chance you may get the error 'out of string space' when running the Ver 3.66 Level 840704 program. --- FREEWARE - P.O. Box 862, Tiburon, CA 94920 ---