Shareware Grab Bag/Shareware Grab Bag.iso/090/xchange.arc/READ.ME

Text File | 1988-02-19 | 25.4 KB | 472 lines

                                  XChange
                              Nochange Software
                            540 Silver Pine Trail
                         Roswell, Georgia  30076-3323
           [phone] voice (registered copies only/24 hours/day)
                     [phone] voice (24 hours/day)
                             [phone] data


NOTE: If you are a Nochange #1 BBS user or just want a quick demo, please
      skip to the section below entitled "How About An Immediate Demo?"

Introduction
------------

     This archive contains an evaluation copy of Release 4.04 of XChange.
XChange is an unattended file transfer program which lets you set up your
own private network of remote Personal Computers.  XChange can transfer
files between users without anyone being present.  XChange is a powerful
communications tool in use by several Fortune 500 companies to ease the woes
of data transfer between PCs.  It is particularly useful in environments where
branch offices and home offices need to transmit files between each other.
This is the same commercial program you've seen mentioned and reviewed in
Computer Software News, Computer Reseller News, PCWorld, Link-Up, Personal
Computing, PCResource, PCWeek, PC Magazine, and several others.  Although
designed for business, XChange can also be used by individuals in creative
and unique ways.

   THIS COPY OF XCHANGE IS NOT CRIPPLED OR OTHERWISE DIFFERENT THAN THE
COMMERCIAL VERSION.  WE CANNOT ACCEPT SUPPORT CALLS ON OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER
FOR EVALUATION COPIES OF XCHANGE, ALTHOUGH WE WILL GLADLY PROVIDE LIMITED
SUPPORT ON OUR REGULAR NUMBER [phone] 24 HOURS/DAY.  THE EVALUATION
VERSION OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT COME WITH COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION.  WHEN YOU ORDER
THE PACKAGE, YOU RECEIVE A PROFESSIONAL, 3 RING VINYL BINDER WITH COMPLETE
DOCUMENTATION, ACCESS TO OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER FOR 24 HOUR SUPPORT, AND
XCHANGE UPGRADES.  TO QUOTE ONE REVIEWER, "XCHANGE HAS ONE OF THE MOST
USABLE MANUALS I'VE ENCOUNTERED, LOADED WITH PRACTICAL EXAMPLES OF HOW TO
MAKE THE SOFTWARE WORK IN THE PRACTICAL WORLD."

     We hope you will indulge us in the following commentary.  XChange was
not designed as "shareware".  In other words, we didn't write it and put
it out there hoping to make a few extra bucks with it.  We wrote it
specifically as a commercial software product and we are a full-time
commercial company.  Several people earn their entire income by
writing, supporting, enhancing, marketing, and distributing XChange.

     Shareware distribution provides the quickest, easiest, and most
inexpensive way to get a copy of XChange into your hands for evaluation.
We want as many people as possible to be able to evaluate and use XChange
in their day-to-day business and personal lives.  We believe you will
ultimately purchase XChange if you really have a need for unattended file
transfer.  Therefore, we have made this unprotected copy of XChange
available through the normal shareware channels.

     It is our hope that this evaluation version will be distributed across
the major network and BBS circuit.  You are free to give copies to anyone
you wish.  We do ask that companies, individuals, and groups who use XChange
on a regular basis pay for it.  If XChange has helped you reduce costs
and the time required for tedious file transfers, please remember that we
expect you to purchase a copy.  At one time or another, you will want
either support or an upgrade.  We cannot provide either unless you
purchase XChange.

     We offer liberal quantity discounts and the best software
pricing in the industry.  You will not find another program with XChange's
capabilities for less - we promise.  Nor will you find a company with the
same committment to customer satisfaction and support - we promise.  If you
don't believe us, all we ask is that you give XChange a try.  If you don't
agree with our promises, you have 30 days from date of purchase to return
XChange for a full refund (minus shipping charges).

     This document is intended to give you just what you need to know in order
to start using XChange.  There are many features not discussed in this
document which are covered in the complete package documentation.  We suggest
that you PRINT the file XCHANGE.HLP since it contains many tips and hints
about running XChange.  This is the same file which you see when you press
the F1 key for help.

How To Install and Run XChange
------------------------------

     To install XChange, you should create a directory called \XCHANGE.
Unarchive this archive in it.  That will put all the XChange programs in your
\XCHANGE directory.  If you received this copy directly from us on a
diskette, then all you need to do is COPY the files from diskette to the
\XCHANGE directory you created on your hard drive.  Because XChange can
only talk to another copy of XChange, you will want to install it on
two computers.  These two computers will be communicating with each other.
Both must have Hayes modems (or compatibles) installed in them.

     NOTE: If you have the PKARC.COM and PKXARC.COM programs, please put a
copy of them in the directory you are running XChange from.  When these
programs are available, your files will be compressed and decompressed
automatically.  If you do not have PKARC.COM and PKXARC.COM in the current
directory, they will be sent to you automatically the first time you call
our system.

     To bring XChange up, type XCHANGE at the DOS prompt.  If you have a
monochrome monitor you will want to type XCHANGE MONO.  This will start the
program.

     TO GET HELP, PRESS THE F1 KEY ANYTIME.  If you put the cursor on a
field that you have a question about, and press F1, you will be given an
explanation of that particular field.

     Once you have started the program, press the F6 key to get to the
configuration menu.  XChange comes pre-configured for the most popular
computers.  You will want to make sure that both of your computers have the
same SYSTEMPASSWORD.  You will also want to make sure that you have the
correct PORT (COM1 or COM2) specified.  If you make errors, XChange will
catch them for you.  Always press the F10 key to return to the main
XChange screen.

     You should now decide which computer will be calling and which will be
answering.  On the computer that will be calling out, press the F8 key.
You will want to put a  C  in the action column.  This will indicate that
an outgoing call is to be made.  For the USERID, enter TEST and for the
USERPASSWORD, enter TEST.  If you have a question about what you should enter
for any other field, put the cursor on that field and press the F1 key for
more help.  After you press the F10 key and return to the main screen, you
are done with this machine.

     Go to the machine which will be accepting the incoming call.  Press the
F7 key and enter a USERID of TEST and USERPASSWORD of TEST.  This is what
will allow the other machine to actually log on.  Press the F10 key to
exit this screen.  Then press the F8 key.  For ACTION, enter an  S  for
SEND.  For the filename template, enter the name of a directory you wish
to be sent to the other machine.  For example, you may want to enter
\SOURCE\*.C  or  \123\*.WKS.  You will probably want to leave the fields
marked "(optional)" blank.  For SEND NEW FILE(S) ONLY, you will want to put
a Y.  Again, if you want more information about a particular field, just
put the cursor on it and press F1.

     Once you have pressed the F10 key and returned to the main screen, you
will want to go to the machine which is calling out and press the F5 key.
This tells XChange to make the outgoing call immediately instead of waiting
for the time you specified in the schedule.  At that point, XChange will
call the other machine and receive the files you specified.  Because the
XChange screens are self-explanatory, you will have no problems seeing what
is happening.


Running XChange On A Non-Hard Drive System
------------------------------------------

     The problem with XChange on a 2 diskette drive system with no hard disk
is that by the time you put all the XChange files on the A drive, you have
very little room left for receiving any files.  This is easily overcome
by running XChange while on the B drive.  The B drive has a blank diskette
in it which is used entirely for receiving data.  The A drive has all the
required XChange program on it.  Here's how to do it:

1) Format a bootable diskette (FORMAT /S).

2) Copy *.EXE and the PKARC.COM and PKXARC.COM files from the XChange
   distribution disk to the newly formatted disk.  This will put all
   the required programs on your A drive.

3) Reboot on the new diskette.

4) Set your PATH to A:   This is done by simply typing PATH A:  (You may
   wish to put this in an AUTOEXEC.BAT file on your A drive.)

5) Put a blank diskette in drive B.  Copy your old XCHANGE.SCH, XCHANGE.USR,
   and XCHANGE.CFG files to this diskette.  These are the only files ever
   required on this disk.  (If you don't have old ones, just skip this
   step and XChange will create them for you automatically.)

6) Type B: to make sure your B drive is the active drive.

7) Type A:XCHANGE from the B> prompt.  XChange will now run with your B
   drive as the current drive and receive files to it.  On the machine
   which is issuing the "S"end and "R"eceive commands, it is generally NOT
   a good idea to specify a specify disk drive in the "File(s)" field.
   For example, specifying \MYDIR\*.* is fine since both machines will use
   whatever the current disk drive is even if they are not the same.  But,
   specifying A:\MYDIR\*.* will force both machines to use the A drive.
   It is suggested that you not use explicit disk drives in your "S"end
   and "R"eceive commands unless you have reason to do so.


How About An Immediate Demo?
----------------------------

     The XChange program is designed to build an immediate demo system for
you the first time you bring it up.  All you have to do is press the F5
key to immediately begin dialing our system at [phone].  Our system
will begin to send you files into a directory called \DOWNLOAD.  These
files include the latest version of XChange and any new information.
If you want to save some download time, just copy your XChange files into
a directory called \DOWNLOAD so our computer won't send the XChange
files to you unless they have been updated.  We strongly suggest you copy
your versions of PKARC.COM and PKXARC.COM into the \DOWNLOAD directory
so our system knows you have them.  (If we have more recent copies,
yours will be updated automatically.)  Our system is VERY busy so if
you get a busy signal, just let XChange keep dialing (it may take several
hours to get in...)

     By the way, once our system is done sending you files, you will be
able to run a program called RETRIEVE from the \DOWNLOAD directory.  It
lets you specify individual files to receive from us.  The next time you
call our system after running RETRIEVE, you'll automatically receive the
files you selected.  We have several hundred of the finest public domain
and shareware programs available which you can select via the RETRIEVE
program.  (If you're confused, just run XChange and watch it pull back
the RETRIEVE program from our system automatically.  You then type
RETRIEVE from the DOS prompt and follow the instructions.)

     For those that are interested, our XCHANGE.SCH file says
"S"end \DOWNLOAD\*.* with "New File(s) Only" set to Y.  The \DOWNLOAD
directory has the latest release of XChange in it along with any specific
files you requested.  The other schedule entry is a "R"eceive \UPLOAD\*.*
with "New File(s) Only" set to Y.  This allows you to put any file(s) you
want to send us in your \UPLOAD directory.  We will receive them
automatically.  If you'd like to send us a message or a file, just put it
in your \UPLOAD directory and call us using XChange.  We look at our
uploads daily.

What We Didn't Tell You
-----------------------

     We have purposely left out a great deal of information about XChange in
this document.  If you are interested in whether XChange has a certain
feature which you need, please call us at [phone].  For example, there
are many command line parameters such as BLANK, NOW, HCONNECT, and GCONNECT
which are used in special situations such as PCPursuit.  If it looks like
XChange may be what you need but you're not sure if it has a certain feature,
we invite you to call us.  Chances are, XChange can do exactly what you want.

     XChange can be used to set up very complex networks.  It allows you
to easily consolidate information from many sites at a regional office and
then transmit to headquarters.  Likewise, it allows you to transmit data
from headquarters to hundreds or thousands of sites in a single night.
You can set up a distributed network using XChange quickly, easily, reliably,
and inexpensively.


Potential Uses For XChange
--------------------------

     XChange can be used to:

   - keep branch offices and home offices perfectly up-to-date
   - send and receive files between your office and home computer
   - make automatic offsite backups of critical data
   - set up large networks of remote Personal Computers for sending and
     receiving spreadsheets, databases, documents, financial information,
     sales, etc.
   - keeping software clients up-to-date with the latest releases of
     software being developed
   - installing entire software packages on remote Personal Computers
   - BBS's who desire an efficient method to send software to users  (We
     use XChange exclusively on our BBS to send files to users ... it is
     faster than any other available protocol and much more efficient.  If
     you are a Sysop and want additional information about using XChange
     under your BBS, please call us at [phone].)


Major Features of XChange
-------------------------

     XChange is:

   - extremely reliable (more than competitive products or "scripts")
   - flexible and adaptable to many different telecommunication
     environments including BBS or other host/remote software
   - simple to use
   - very fast, oftentimes simulating TWICE the speed of your modem
   - professionally supported 24 hours/day on a toll-free line at no
     additional cost (registered copies only)
   - well documented (110 page manual including examples for registered
     copies only)
   - inexpensive and cost effective
   - able to be automatically updated by calling our computer
   - not copy protected or serial number protected

Practical Examples Of How XChange Can Be Used
---------------------------------------------

     Many people are curious as to how other companies and individuals are
using XChange.  We have provided this section to give you an idea of how
XChange can be set up.  If you have questions about how to use XChange as
described, once again we invite you to call us at [phone] or use the
toll-free number [phone] if you have purchased XChange.  These examples
are just a few of the many we've heard about.


 Example One - Branch Offices Calling The Home Office
 ----------------------------------------------------

 The most frequent use of XChange is to send and receive datafiles between
 home and branch offices.  One of the beauties of XChange is that each
 branch office can use an identical disk with a very simple schedule.  The
 home office will control the entire network.  If the home office decides
 it wants to send or receive a whole new set of files, it is the only
 location which needs to change its schedule.

 For this setup, each branch office has a simple, one line schedule.  It
 contains a single "C"all entry with the home office phone number.  When
 the home office computer is called, it takes control.  REMEMBER, THE
 HOME OFFICE COMPUTER CAN BOTH SEND AND RECEIVE FILES TO AND FROM THE
 BRANCH OFFICE REGARDLESS OF WHO CALLED WHO!  Many people are used to
 communication programs which only allow the caller to send and receive
 files.  XChange does not have this restriction.

 The home office schedule may have several "S"end and "R"eceive entries.
 If the home office decides that tomorrow they want all their branch offices
 to have a copy of the \BUDGET directory, they simply add a "S"end entry
 for \BUDGET\*.* to the schedule.  The people in the branch office do not
 have to do anything different or change anything.  They will automatically
 receive the \BUDGET directory from the home office.

 Naturally, there are alot of variations which can be used.  Individual
 branch offices can call with a different USERID so that the home office
 sends/receives particular files only to that branch.  Different sets of
 files can be exchanged between home and branch based on the day-of-week.
 XChange also allows the home office to group one or more branch offices
 into regions and areas so that different sets of files can be exchanged
 between different groups of remote users.  Using &&USERID or &&USERREGION
 or &&USERAREA in the "File(s)"  field of a "S"end or "R"eceive command,
 XChange can use different directories for each user or group of users.
 For example "S"end \&&USERREGION\*.* would send \WEST\*.* to anyone in
 the western region, and \EAST\*.* to anyone in the eastern region.
 Because the home office controls regions and areas, you can move various
 branch offices to different regions without ever having to notify the
 people in the branch office.  Companies who re-organize frequently or
 have a need to send or receive different sets of data from different
 offices will really appreciate this feature.


 Example Two - Home Office Calling The Branch Offices
 ----------------------------------------------------

 In order to keep a close watch on telephone expenses or for budgetary
 purposes, many companies would like to have the flexibility described above
 but they need the home office to initiate the phone calls.  All that needs
 to be done in this case is for the branch offices to have a one line
 schedule.  It contains a single "X" (swap) entry.  Presto - you can do
 everything just like it was described above except the home office will
 call the branches.  The swap tells XChange to pretend that the branch
 office initiated the phone call.  The home office is still in control of
 all the "S"ends and "R"eceives.


 Example Three - Home And Branches Sharing Control
 --------------------------------------------------

 At some technical installations, both the home office and branch office
 want to control the schedule.  This happens frequently when two technical
 people such as programmers want to trade files but neither can afford to
 give the other complete control.  In this case, all that has to be done is
 for an "X" (swap) type entry to be included after all "S"end and "R"eceive
 entries in the schedule of the machine being called.  The machine being
 called (referred to as the "host" as opposed to the machine doing the
 calling which is referred to as the "guest") will do all the required
 "S"ends and "R"eceives and then give control to the guest machine.  The
 guest machine may have a whole new set of "S"ends and "R"eceives which
 it then executes.


 Example Four - Many Remote Sites
 --------------------------------

 Some businesses have the need to send and receive files from hundreds of
 sites on a nightly basis.  A good example is a fast-food chain or a retail
 store outlet with 500 sites.  The home office needs to retrieve sales
 and inventory information as well as send new prices.  In this situation,
 district offices often act as "data collectors".  They are responsible
 for sending and receiving files from the home office early in the evening.
 They in turn send and receive files from the stores in their geographic
 area a little later in the evening.  Later, the home office retrieves the
 information which the district office collected from its individual sites.
 This is true distributed processing and works well in the XChange
 environment.  It also allows the individual sites to have less expensive
 modems installed (i.e. 1200 baud).  The district and home offices are the
 only ones which typically need high-speed (9600 baud) modems because of
 the large amounts of data they will be transmitting.  XChange allows you to
 easily set up a large network with different speed modems for the most
 cost-effective and efficient processing.


 Example Five - Using XChange To Call Non-XChange Sites
 ------------------------------------------------------

 In some environments, the home office wants XChange to call remote sites
 which are not using XChange.  An example would be cash registers which are
 not PC compatible but use asynchronous communications.  The cash registers
 cannot possibly run XChange.  XChange allows this to be done by simply
 putting the [ ] symbols in the Username field of a "C"all entry.  The
 brackets normally surround the name of a .BAT batch file which is to be
 invoked after the connection is made.  For example, if the Username field
 said [POLLSALE.BAT] then XChange would simply call the number specified
 and execute the POLLSALE.BAT file once the connection was made.  The
 POLLSALE.BAT would invoke whatever program was needed on the host system
 to communicate with the cash registers (i.e. Kermit).  After the .BAT
 file was complete, control is returned to XChange so that it can
 continue with other outgoing calls.  Methods are provided for passing
 the communications port, baud rate, and success or failure of the calls
 between XChange and external programs such as POLLSALE.


 Example Five - Using XChange Under A BBS
 ----------------------------------------

 XChange is easily slipped into already existing communications environments.
 For example, we at Nochange Software run a BBS which appears to be a
 "normal" BBS for anyone calling in.  But, when a user calls our BBS with
 the XChange program, it automatically recognizes this and invokes XChange.
 We then proceed to send them groups of files which they have requested.
 All that needs to be done is for your BBS program to recognize that XChange
 is calling by looking for the word XCHANGE (no CR/LF) immediately after a
 connection is made.  When it sees the word XCHANGE, it should then invoke
 the XChange program (typically done via a .BAT file) with the HCONNECTxxxxx
 parameter.  The xxxxx represents a 5 digit baud rate (i.e. 01200 or 02400)
 so your BBS program must be able to pass that to XChange.  That's all
 there is to it.

 Example Six - Using XChange Under Another Comm Program
 ------------------------------------------------------

 Some people like to call an XChange system via PCPursuit.  XChange does not
 have the built-in ability to use the PCPursuit network.  What these people
 do is use their normal communications program (Procomm, Qmodem, Smartcom,
 etc.) to establish the connection.  Once that is complete, they drop out
 of their communication program (leaving carrier active) and bring up
 XChange by typing XCHANGE GCONNECTxxxxx USERIDyyyyy USERPASSzzzzz
 This tells XChange that it is a "guest" at baud rate xxxxx (must be
 5 digits i.e. GCONNECT01200) and it should signon with a userid of
 yyyyy and a userpassword of zzzzz.


 Example Seven - Using XChange To Update Clients
 -----------------------------------------------

 Software developers who want to provide extraordinary support to their
 clients can use XChange to easily send them program updates.  The setup
 would be identical to a "home office/branch office" situation.  The client
 acts as the branch office.  XChange makes this sort of updating very
 convenient because of the "Send New File(s) Only" capability.  Only new
 program updates will be sent to the client.  They will be installed in
 the exact directory where they are supposed to be.  For example, a
 software company may have 35 .EXE files in the \PAYROLL directory.  In
 order to automatically update clients with new programs, the developer
 simply has a "S"end \PAYROLL\*.EXE "New File(s) Only"=Y schedule entry.
 When the client calls, only the new or updated programs are sent.  We
 cannot overemphasize the ease and simplicity with which clients can now
 be kept up-to-date with XChange.  We use it this way ourselves and have
 saved countless hours and headaches, not to mention diskette and
 mailing costs.



How To Find Out More, Get Help, And Order XChange
-------------------------------------------------

     Nochange Software is available on Compuserve as 75066,2763 or on GEnie
by typing NOCHANGE at any prompt.  You can leave messages or questions about
XChange on those computers or call our computer at [phone].  We are
available for technical support on the GENie network every Sunday night at
9PM EST at the NOCHANGE Roundtable (just type NOCHANGE at any prompt to
get there).  You can also call us at [phone] if you have questions
but have not purchased the package yet.  Our toll-free number is available
24 hours/day for those who have purchased the package.

     If you would like to order XChange, please call us at [phone].
We accept Visa/MC or can ship UPS COD.  We ship UPS ground within 24 hours
of your order.  If you require faster service, we are happy to ship next-day
air for a nominal charge.  You'll find our sales people to be helpful,
courteous, and dedicated to satisfing you.

End of READ.ME file