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====== GIFLink 1.12 =========================== Order Form ====== Please send cheque or money order made payable to "White River Software", overseas order in money order, please. (Note that the current postage from US to Canada is $0.40.) For multi-user license, please contact us. White River Software P.O.Box 73031 Limeridge Mall Postal Outlet Hamilton, Ont. L9A 5H7 Canada ----------------------------------------------------------------- Qty. Item US/CAD Amount ___ GIFLink Registration @ $30/$35 $________ (with latest version and document on disk, and the registration number to remove any annoying functions) ___ Telemate Registration @ $49/$55 $________ (Full feature integrated communication program, simply the best in the market) ___ GIFLITE Registration @ $30/$35 $________ (A GIF-to-GIF Compressor that reduces GIF size by 30% and yet preserves the same quality and resolution!) Less $10 discount if you order any two or $20 discount if you order all three $(______) Shipping and handling outside US and Canada @ $4 $________ Subtotal $________ Ontario resident please add Prov. Sales Tax (8%) $________ Canadian resident please add Goods & Services Tax (7%) $________ Total US$________/CAD$________ Disk size: [ ] 5.25 [ ] 3.5 (Please check one) Name ________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Country _____________________ Phone (______) _________________ Where did you first hear about GIFLink ?_________________________ Comments ________________________________________________________ ================================================================= ====== GIFLink 1.12 ======================== Special Offer ====== We offer a special discount if you are a TELEMATE REGISTERED USER. So order GIFLink and GIFLITE now because this offer will not last long. Please send cheque or money order made payable to "White River Software", overseas order in money order, please. (Note that the current postage from US to Canada is $0.40.) White River Software P.O.Box 73031 Limeridge Mall Postal Outlet Hamilton, Ont. L9A 5H7 Canada ----------------------------------------------------------------- Qty. Item US/CAD Amount ___ GIFLink Registration @ $30/$35 $________ (with registered version and document on disk) ___ GIFLITE Registration @ $30/$35 $________ (A GIF-to-GIF Compressor that reduces GIF size by 30% and yet preserves the same quality and resolution!) Less $5 discount if you order any one $15 discount if you order both $(______) Shipping and handling outside US and Canada @ $4 $________ Subtotal $________ Ontario resident please add Prov. Sales Tax (8%) $________ Canadian resident please add Goods & Services Tax (7%) $________ Total US$________/CAD$________ Disk size: [ ] 5.25 [ ] 3.5 (Please check one) Telemate Registration Number ____________________________________ Name ________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Country _____________________ Phone (______) _________________ Comments ________________________________________________________ ================================================================= GIFLink (tm) 1.12 ________________________________ User Manual (c) Copyright 1993 White River Software All Rights Reserved. 23 June 1993 P.O.Box 73031 Limeridge Mall Postal Outlet Hamilton, Ont. L9A 5H7 Canada TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 What is GIFLink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 REGISTRATION 2 Evaluation Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Multi-user License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 USING GIFLINK 4 Command Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 rz Zmodem receive (batch protocol) rb Batch Ymodem receive (batch protocol) rb -g Ymodem-G receive (batch protocol) rg Ymodem-G receive (same as rb -g) ry Ymodem receive ro Xmodem-1K receive rx Xmodem receive sz Zmodem send (batch protocol) sb Batch Ymodem send (batch protocol) sb -g Ymodem-G send (batch protocol) sg Ymodem-G send (same as sb -g) sy Ymodem send so Xmodem-1K send sx Xmodem send qb CompuServe Quick B send and receive view View GIF images Running GIFLink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 [Esc] Abort transfer [K] Keep partial [D] Delete received [R] Resume aborted [S] Skip file COMMAND OPTIONS 7 -b Define the baud rate you want to use . . . . . . 7 -c Define the connection you want to use . . . . . 7 -d Delete received files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 -e Define the effective baud rate . . . . . . . . . 8 -f Specify a file transfer directory . . . . . . . 8 -fifo Disable 16550 FIFO buffer . . . . . . . . . . . 9 -hs Enable slow handshake . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 -k Do not keep partially received files . . . . . . 9 -l Specify a DSZ-type log file . . . . . . . . . . 9 -m Use monochrome 64 grey scale display mode . . . 9 -p Define the COM port you are using . . . . . . 10 -p Define the COM base address and IRQ . . . . . 10 -r Enable Zmodem crash recovery . . . . . . . . . 11 -rg Enable Zmodem crash recovery and GIF recovery 11 -tm Enable direct Telemate support . . . . . . . . 11 -v Specify the display mode . . . . . . . . . . . 12 -w Wait a number of seconds between files . . . . 12 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 13 SET GIFLINK=<Options> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SET TMCFG=<TM.CFG> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SET DSZPORT=<Port> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SET DSZPORT=<Base,IRQ> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SET DSZLOG=<DSZ.LOG> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SET DIRRX=<Download Directory> . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 CALLING GIFLINK FROM COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS 16 Installing GIFLink in Telemate . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Customizing your GIFLink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Auto Download Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ERRORLEVEL EXIT VALUES 18 EXAMPLES 19 PRODUCT LINE 22 What is Telemate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 What's Special in Telemate? What is GIFLink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 What is GIFLITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 GIFLINK INTRODUCTION 1 INTRODUCTION __________________________________________________________________ High resolution VGA's and full color scanners have led to the availability of a mass volume of high quality digitized images. Most of the images found on Bulletin Board Systems (BBS's) are stored in the Graphics Interchange Format (GIF). Do you spend a lot of time in transferring those GIF images? Would you like to preview the images while you are downloading them? Or maybe abort the transfer (or skip the images) as soon as you realize you do not like the GIF images? (Think about all the download credit you can save!) WHAT IS GIFLINK GIFLink is an easy to use external protocol driver that allows you to view the transmitting GIF images in stunning SuperVGA graphics. And it is the first protocol driver that uses full screen computer graphics in SuperVGA mode. GIFLink supports most of the popular file transfer protocols such as Zmodem, Batch Ymodem, Ymodem-G, Xmodem and CompuServe QuickB. If the files being transmitted are not GIF images, GIFLink will work just like a normal protocol drivers. This allows GIFLink to transmitted any files, not just GIF images. GIFLink also has a special VIEW mode so that you can look at the received GIF images in a slideshow format or preview the images you are going to sent. Using GIFLink is much like using the other protocol drivers. If you have used any external protocol driver, you will find yourself already familiar with the command structure and options. And it is easy to install as an external protocol for most communication softwares. If you have any questions, you can write to us, or leave e- mail to "Winfred Hu" in the following BBSs' TELEMATE conference or in CompuServe to [72070,3515]. We appreciate suggestions and ideas. PC Connect: Toronto, Canada (416)733-9052 2400 Land of the Gypsy's: Oregon, USA (503)297-0626 14400V.32 User To User #1: Dallas, USA (214)492-6565 USR-HST/ds User To User #2: Dallas, USA (214)492-5695 HAYES V.42 GIFLINK REGISTRATION 2 REGISTRATION __________________________________________________________________ GIFLink is NOT FREE. You MUST REGISTER after the 15-day evaluation time period. Registration Fee : $ 30.0 US or $ 35.0 CAD GIFLink is a Shareware product. It is distributed through public access channels so that you can have the opportunity to evaluate the product before making a decision to buy. If you decide to use this software, then you are under both legal and moral obligation to register it with the author. It is fully protected by State, Federal and International copyright laws. To register your copy of GIFLink, fill in the order form and mail along with a cheque or money order of US$30 / CAD$35 payable to "White River Software" to White River Software P.O.Box 73031 Limeridge Mall Postal Outlet Hamilton, Ont. L9A 5H7 Canada CompuServe users can register GIFLink through the new Shareware registration service. GO SWREG and search for GIFLink. When you register, you will receive the program diskette of the latest version and your registration number. Registration entitles you to continue using the current version and all future versions. The registration number will remove any limitation and annoying functions in the unregistered version of the current and the FUTURE releases. EVALUATION VERSION The evaluation version or the unregistered version distributed through the Shareware channel has the following limitation and annoying functions: 1. Only the first 2 images are shown in SuperVGA full color. The rest are shown in 64 grey-scale level. 2. An ending screen and a flashing 'PLEASE REGISTER' label appears reminding you that it is a evaluation copy. 3. A random time delay is added at the end of the program. All limitation and annoying functions are removed in the registered version. GIFLINK REGISTRATION 3 LICENSE You are free to copy and distribute GIFLink for NON-COMMERCIAL use IF: NO FEE IS CHARGED FOR USE, COPYING OR DISTRIBUTION, AND IT IS NOT MODIFIED IN ANY WAY. Computer user groups or clubs may make copies of GIFLink for distribution to members for a fee that covers copying and other administrative costs. Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) that operate through subscription fees may post GIFLink for download by its subscribers. Shareware vendors distribute GIFLink, which includes the program and the document, for a fee under US$8 which covers copying and other administrative costs. Otherwise, the distributors have to obtain a written permission from the author. THIS DOCUMENTATION MUST BE DISTRIBUTED TOGETHER WITH THE PROGRAM! CD-ROM producers have to obtain a written permission from the author. MULTI-USER LICENSE We offers multi-user licenses to schools, companies and other associations. Orders for less than 10 users include the same amount of GIFLink programs on disk. For orders of more than 10 users, a master copy of GIFLink is provided and the licensee is responsible for copying the disks. The prices are as follows: Number of Users: Price (US) Discount 1 - 10 @ $ 30 (no discount) 11 - 20 @ $ 27 10 % 21 - 50 @ $ 24 20 % 51 - 100 @ $ 21 30 % 100+ $ 3000 (one time fee) DISCLAIMER This program is provided AS IS without any warranty, expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. TRADEMARKS GIFLink, GIFLITE and Telemate are trademarks of White River Software. Graphics Interchange Format and GIF are trademarks of CompuServe Inc. Many specific products found in this manual are trademarks of specific companies. GIFLINK USING GIFLINK 4 USING GIFLINK __________________________________________________________________ GIFLink requires an IBM PC/AT/fully compatible computer, DOS 3.0 or higher, VGA or SuperVGA display card, a modem and a minimum of 240K bytes of memory. GIFLink supports most major SuperVGA adapters, including Ahead, ATI, Chips & Tech, Everex, Genoa, Paradise, Oak, Trident (both 8800 and 8900, 9000), Tseng (both 3000 and 4000 chipsets), Video7 and video cards with VESA capability. Note: If your communication program have the ability to swap itself out when running an external program, you should enable the feature so that GIFLink can have enough memory to run. COMMAND LINE All the commands used can be entered on the command line at the DOS prompt. These options tell GIFLink to carry out certain commands when the program is loaded. The GIFLink command line structure is: GIFLINK [Options] Command [Files] [@ListFile] Parameters lists in [] are optional. If no option and command is specified, GIFLink will display a help screen listing the basic options, commands and examples. [Options] are the GIFLink options that you can specify. The following is a summary of all options available. -b Define the baud rate you want to use -c Define the connection you want to use -d Delete received files -e Define the effective baud rate -f Specify a file transfer directory -fifo Disable 16550 FIFO buffer -hs Enable slow handshake -k Do not keep partially received files -l Specify a DSZ-type log file -m Use monochrome 64 grey scale display mode -p Define the COM port you are using -r Enable Zmodem crash recovery -rg Enable Zmodem crash recovery and GIF recovery -tm Enable direct Telemate support -v Specify the display mode -w Wait a number of seconds between files <Command> tells GIFLink to receive or send files using one of the many file transfer protocols, or view GIF images. It is not optional and must be present in the GIFLink command line. The following is a summary of the commands: GIFLINK USING GIFLINK 5 rz Zmodem receive (batch protocol) rb Batch Ymodem receive (batch protocol) rb -g Ymodem-G receive (batch protocol) rg Ymodem-G receive (same as rb -g) ry Ymodem receive ro Xmodem-1K receive rx Xmodem receive sz Zmodem send (batch protocol) sb Batch Ymodem send (batch protocol) sb -g Ymodem-G send (batch protocol) sg Ymodem-G send (same as sb -g) sy Ymodem send so Xmodem-1K send sx Xmodem send qb CompuServe QuickB send and receive view View GIF images [Files] is one of more file names to be transferred. It can contains wildcard character '*' and '?' in a batch protocol. [@ListFile] is a file containing a list of the files to be sent. It can only be used when you are sending or viewing the files. You should used this list file when the files cannot be expressed as a wildcard easily. The names in the list file are separated by a space or a carriage return and the names can contain wildcard characters. RUNNING GIFLINK Starting GIFLink is easy, just type GIFLINK -p2 rz in the DOS command line. It tells GIFLink to use COM2 at the current speed and receive files using Zmodem. More advanced options will be described in the next section, the CALLING GIFLINK FROM COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS and the EXAMPLES section. When GIFLink is running, it shows the transmitting GIF images in the optimal size so that the full image always fits in the screen. And it also displays a number of useful information such as COM port, baud rate, file name, estimated transfer time, image resolutions and so on. Now let's look at what you can do inside GIFLink. [Esc] Abort transfer To abort the transfer, press the [Esc] key. GIFLink will abort the transfer and exit. If you are calling GIFLink from a communication program, it will return to the communication program. You may need to press [Ctrl X] several times to abort the transfer. GIFLINK USING GIFLINK 6 [K] Keep partial Pressing the [K] key will toggle the 'Keep partial' option. It is equivalent to the -k command line option. When this option is on, GIFLink will keep the aborted or skipped files. Otherwise, the partially received files will be deleted. [D] Delete received Pressing the [D] key will toggle the 'Delete received' option. It is equivalent to the -d command line option. When this option is on, the current file will be deleted after it is received! It is very useful when you have limited disk space or do not wish to keep the GIF images being transmitted. This option does not delete all the received files. It only deletes the current file after it is received. On the other word, you can choose which files you want to keep and which ones you want to delete during the transmission. [R] Resume aborted Pressing the [R] key will toggle the 'Resume aborted' option (Zmodem crash recovery and GIF recovery). This option is equivalent to the -rg command line option and it is available for Zmodem receive command only. [S] Skip file Zmodem has a special mechanism to skip a file without aborting a batch transfer. Pressing the [S] key will skip the current file and start to receive the next file. This option is available for Zmodem receive command only. GIFLINK COMMAND OPTIONS 7 COMMAND OPTIONS __________________________________________________________________ All command options must be preceded by a '-' or '/' character. Of the many options, the -p<Port> option is the most important one and should be included in the command line. All the options are described below. -b<Baud> Define the baud rate you want to use. This option allows you to define the baud rate you want to use. The valid <Baud> values are 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 For example, -b2400 tells GIFLink to use 2400 baud. If you are using a high speed modem which has a 14400 bps or higher throughput, you should use the 19200 or 38400 baud rate in GIFLink and lock the modem at that transfer rate. Please refer to the modem manual for locking the transfer rate. Normally, there is no need to specify this option because GIFLink will detect which baud rate the COM port is currently using. -c<Connection> Define the connection you want to use. GIFLink can use a number of methods to talk to the remote system (connections), namely Modem, Computer, FOSSIL and BIOS. The valid <Connection> values are M Direct modem connection C Direct computer-to-computer connection F Connect through FOSSIL driver B Connect through BIOS 14H For example, -cF specifies a FOSSIL connection. The default method is Modem connection and GIFLink will use its own high performance COM interrupt routines to send and receive data. RTS/CTS flow control is used if the CTS signal is active initially. You should use the Computer connection if you are using a null modem or a direct computer-to-computer cable. With this connection, GIFLink will skip detecting the carrier signal which may not present in the null modem or cable. Like the Modem connection, the Computer connection uses the RTS/CTS flow control if the CTS signal is active initially. GIFLINK COMMAND OPTIONS 8 A FOSSIL driver is a COM interrupt driver which is commonly used by Bulletin Board System softwares. There is no need to use the driver unless you encounter some compatibility problem with the GIFLink's internal COM interrupt routines or you need a special service in a FOSSIL driver (e.g. IRQ sharing). A BIOS connection is only useful if you use a computer network and your network driver overrides the BIOS 14H interrupt and provides high performance data transmission. Otherwise, you should not use this option because you will encounter data lost at 2400 baud or above. -d Delete received files. This special option allows you to delete the files after it is received! It is very useful when you have limited disk space or do not wish to keep the GIF images being transmitted. You can also press the [D] key to toggle this option when GIFLink is running. The GIF image is not deleted until it is received. -e<Baud> Define the effective baud rate. Some modems allows you to lock the COM port at a higher baud rate then the actual baud rate in order to yield the maximum throughput. However, this influences the estimation of the maximum cps (character per second) rate. This option corrects the estimation. For example, -e14400 tells GIFLink to estimate the maximum cps rate at 14400 baud. -f<Directory> Specify a file transfer directory. Depends on the transfer command, this option specifies either the upload (for send command) or download (for receive command) directory. For example, -fD:\TRANSFER specifies D:\TRANSFER as the file transfer directory. All files are assumed in the file transfer directory unless a pathname is specified. If both the file transfer directory and a pathname are not given, the current directory will be used. The DIRRX environment variable also indicate where GIFLink should put the received files. For example, SET DIRRX=D:\DOWNLOAD have the same effect as the -fD:\DOWNLAOD option for a receive command. The -f option always overrides the environment variable. GIFLINK COMMAND OPTIONS 9 -fifo Disable 16550 FIFO buffer. By default, GIFLink will use the FIFO buffer when a 16550 UART chip is found. The FIFO buffer will provide extra protection against data lost. If this option is specified, the FIFO buffer will be disabled. This option has no effect on a FOSSIL or BIOS connection. The FOSSIL driver or the network driver should have its own option to control the FIFO buffer. -hs Enable slow handshake. Some computers encounter COM data lost during disk I/O. In this case, you should specify this option so that GIFLink will lower the RTS signal (which suspend COM activity) during disk I/O. If you are using a disk cache program, you should also disable the caching mechanism before running GIFLink. -k Do not keep partially received files. By default, GIFLink keeps partially received files. This option allows you to delete an aborted files. You can press the [K] key to toggle this option when GIFLink is running. -l<DSZ.LOG> Specify a DSZ-type log file. GIFLink can generate a DSZ-type log file if you specify this options. For example, -l\COMM\DSZ.LOG will put the usage log into the \COMM\DSZ.LOG file. The DSZLOG environment variable can indicate where GIFLink should put the usage log. For example, SET DSZLOG=\COMM\DSZ.LOG have the same effect as the -l\COMM\DSZ.LOG option. The -l option always overrides the environment variable. If both the DSZLOG environment variable and the -l option are NOT present, GIFLink will not generate a DSZ-type log file. -m Use monochrome 64 grey-scale display mode. Normally, GIFLink displays the GIF images in SuperVGA 256 color display mode. If you have a black and white monitor, you may want to specify this option. GIFLINK COMMAND OPTIONS 10 -p<Port> Define the COM port you are using. This is the most important option for GIFLink. It tells GIFLink which COM port it should use. The range for <Port> is 1 to 8. For example, if you are using COM2, you should use -p2 in the GIFLink command line. The DSZPORT environment variable can indicate which COM port GIFLink should use. For example, SET DSZPORT=2 have the same effect as the -p2 option. The -p option always overrides the environment variable. If you are using only one modem, you should use the DSZPORT environment variable so that you do not need to specify the -p<Port> option every time. By default, GIFLink use COM1 if both the -p<Port> option and the DSZPORT environment variable are not specified. -p<Base,IRQ> Define the COM base address and IRQ you are using. GIFLink uses the following base address and IRQ number: Port Base address IRQ ---- ------------ --- COM1 3F8 (Hex) 4 COM2 2F8 3 COM3 3E8 4 COM4 2E8 3 COM5 3220 4 COM6 3228 3 COM7 4220 4 COM8 4228 3 If you have a different setting, you can use the -p<Base,IRQ> option to specify the base address and IRQ number. For example, -p3E8,5 tells GIFLink to use 3E8 as the COM base address and IRQ5. GIFLink will indicate COM5 is being used because it always redefines COM5 to the new base address and IRQ, although the actual COM port may not be COM5. You should NOT use the -p<Port> option when you are using the -p<Base,IRQ> option. The DSZPORT environment variable can indicate which COM base address and IRQ number GIFLink should use For example, SET DSZPORT=3E8,5 have the same effect as the -p3E8,5 option. The -p<Base,IRQ> option always overrides the environment variable. GIFLINK COMMAND OPTIONS 11 -r Enable Zmodem crash recovery. This option enables Zmodem crash recovery which allows you to resume an aborted transfer. It is available for the Zmodem receive command only. Before resuming an aborted transfer, GIFLink performs a date check to ensure that it is the same file. If the date check fail, GIFLink renames the new file instead of resuming the transfer. -rg Enable Zmodem crash recovery and GIF recovery. In addition to the Zmodem crash recovery, GIFLink have a special option called GIF recovery. When a GIF file is being resumed, GIFLink will display the interrupted GIF image before starting the recovery process. It is available for the Zmodem receive command only. Without this option, the recovering GIF image will not be displayed. -tm<TM.CFG> Enable direct Telemate support. GIFLink supports Telemate (the best communication program) directly. It will read a Telemate configuration file and enable or disable certain options. If the configuration file is not found, this option is discard and do not generate any error. If it is found, GIFLink will write the log into the Telemate usage log file TM.USE directly using the proper format. If you want to generate a DSZ-type log file instead, you must specify the -l<DSZ.LOG> option to override the -tm option. For example, -tmC:\TELEMATE\TM.CFG tells GIFLink where to find the Telemate configuration file. If you have defined the TMCFG environment variable, you can simply specify the -tm option without the filename. For example, -tm will read the Telemate configuration file indicated by the TMCFG environment variable. If the environment variable is not defined, GIFLink will attempt to read TM.CFG from the current directory. The following option in the Telemate configuration file have effect on GIFLink: COM port Connection Zmodem crash recovery 16550 FIFO RTS/CTS flow control Upload directory Download directory Log directory Usage log GIFLINK COMMAND OPTIONS 12 You should specify the -tm option as the first option and then use the other options to override the setting in the Telemate configuration file. -v<Width,Height,Color> Specify the display mode. GIFLink supports a broad range of SuperVGA adapters and display modes. The following display modes are supported: 1024,768,256 800,600,256 640,480,256 640,400,256 1024,768,16 (grey-scale) 800,600,16 (grey-scale) 640,480,16 (grey-scale) All 16 color modes displays the GIF images in 16 grey-scale level. 256 color modes displays the GIF images in full colors. (UNREGISTERED version only displays the first 2 GIF images in full colors. The rest are displayed in 64 grey-scale level.) For example, -v1024,768,16 tells GIFLink to switch to 1024x768 in 16 grey-scale display mode. If the display mode you specified is not supported by your display adapter, GIFLink will switch to a lower resolution automatically. You can also use abbreviate resolution. For example, -v800 specifies 800x600 256 color display mode and -v640,400 specifies the 640x400 256 color display mode. If GIFLink cannot find the display mode your display adapter actually support, you should look for a VESA driver in the driver diskette that come with your adapter. If you do not have one, please contact your dealer for the VESA driver. Most major SuperVGA producers have their own drivers to ensure compatibility with other programs. -w<Second> Wait a number of seconds after each file. You can define a delay after each file transfer. The delay allows you to look at the GIF image before the next transfer. The delay should not be more than 10 seconds. Otherwise, the remote system may abort the file transfer. For example, -w5 specifies a 5 seconds delay. The default delay is 1 second. GIFLINK ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 13 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES __________________________________________________________________ GIFLink supports a number of common environment variables used by other external protocol drivers. It makes the GIFLink command line a lot shorter, and easier to set up if you are using other external protocol drivers. You should put the statements in the AUTOEXEC.BAT so that they are defined automatically every time you turn on your computer. In case if DOS reports that it is running out of environment space, you can put the following line in the CONFIG.SYS. SHELL=\COMMAND.COM /p /e:1200 The /e:1200 enlarges the environment space to 1200 bytes. Use a larger number of you run out of space again. The environment variables are read in the following order and the later options will override an earlier ones. DSZPORT DSZLOG DIRRX GIFLINK (GIFLink command line options) SET GIFLINK=<Options> You can put the most frequently used options in the GIFLINK environment variable. For example, SET GIFLINK=-tm -v800 -rg enables direct Telemate support, specifies 800x600 256 color display mode and enables Zmodem crash recovery and GIF recovery. You should not put the receive command or send command (e.g. rz/rb/sz/sb) in the variable. Otherwise, you will not be able to override it in the GIFLink command line. SET TMCFG=<TM.CFG> This environment variable helps GIFLink and Telemate to locate the Telemate configuration file. If you use the -tm option in GIFLink which enables direct Telemate support, GIFLink will find the Telemate configuration file automatically if you have this environment variable defined. For example SET GIFLINK=-tm SET TMCFG=C:\TELEMATE\TM.CFG GIFLINK ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 14 tells GIFLink to use C:\TELEMATE\TM.CFG as the Telemate configuration file. Note: This environment variable is not read until you specify the -tm option. SET DSZPORT=<Port> This environment variables defines the COM port you want to use. For example, SET DSZPORT=2 tells GIFLink to use COM2. You can use the -p<Port> option in the GIFLink command line to override this variable. If you are using only one modem, you should use the DSZPORT environment variable so that you do not need to specify the -p option every time. SET DSZPORT=<Base,IRQ> This environment variables defines the COM base address and IRQ you want to use. For example, SET DSZPORT=3E8,5 tells GIFLink to use 3E8 as the COM base address and IRQ5. You can use the -p<Base,IRQ> option in the GIFLink command line to override this variable. Again, if you are using only one modem, you should use this environment variable so that you do not need to specify the -p option every time. SET DSZLOG=<DSZ.LOG> This environment variable defines the location of the DSZ-type log file. For example, SET DSZLOG=C:\COMM\DSZ.LOG tells GIFLink to put the DSZ-type log in C:\COMM\DSZ.LOG. You can use the -l<DSZ.LOG> or -tm<TM.CFG> option to override this variable. GIFLINK ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 15 SET DIRRX=<Download Directory> This environment variable specifies the download directory. For example, SET DIRRX=D:\DOWNLOAD tells GIFLink to put the received file into the D:\DOWNLOAD directory. You can use the -f<Directory> option to override this variable. GIFLINK CALLING GIFLINK FROM COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS 16 CALLING GIFLINK FROM COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS __________________________________________________________________ GIFLink can be installed easily as an external protocol in most modern communication programs. Normally, a batch file is called to run an external protocol. And we will use the batch files GIFZ-U.BAT and GIFZ-D.BAT in the following example. The GIFZ-U.BAT contains the Zmodem send command: GIFLINK -p%2 sz %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9 where %2 is the COM port currently used by Telemate. %3 and the rest are the files to be sent. Other communication programs may pass the COM port and file name in different orders. Please refer to the document of your communication program for details on parameter passing. Similarly, the GIFZ-D.BAT contains the Zmodem receive command: GIFLINK -p%2 rz GIFLink supports a rich number of file transfer protocols and Zmodem is generally recommended because of its reliability and flexibility. That is why we put the Zmodem send and receive commands in the batch files respectively. You can put other protocol commands (e.g. sb/rb) into your own batch files. IMPORTANT: If your communication program have the ability to swap itself out when running an external program, you should enable the feature so that GIFLink can have enough memory to run. If GIFLink cannot find the display mode your display adapter actually support, you should look for a VESA driver in the driver diskette that come with your adapter. If you do not have one, please contact your dealer for the VESA driver. Most major SuperVGA producers have their own drivers to ensure compatibility with other programs. Installing GIFLink in Telemate If you are using Telemate 4.00 or higher, the default Telemate configuration has already set up GIFLink as an external protocol. All you have to do is to customize your GIFLink setting in the GIFZ-U.BAT and GIFZ-D.BAT batch files or the GIFLINK environment variable. Note: You should enable the 'Maximize DOS Shell' option under the Options/General dialog so that GIFLink can have enough memory to run. If your Telemate configuration does not have GIFLink, please following the steps below: GIFLINK CALLING GIFLINK FROM COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS 17 First, copy GIFLINK.EXE, GIFZ-D.BAT and GIFZ-U.BAT into your Telemate directory, or into a directory included in your PATH environment variable. Then run Telemate and go to the Options/External protocol dialog. You can install GIFLink in one of the empty slot. Press [Tab] to go to the field and fill in the content as follows: Field Content ----- ------- Protocol Name GIFLink Key F Upload Batch GIFZ-U Download Batch GIFZ-D Prompt Download name (blank) Auto Download Sequence (blank) Then press [Enter] to end the dialog and select the Save Options in the Options menu to save the changes. Now you have installed GIFLink as an external protocol in Telemate. Customizing your GIFLink Although you can edit the GIFZ-U.BAT and GIFZ-D.BAT to customize your GIFLink, you can use the GIFLINK environment variable to define the default setting. For example, you can put the following in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. SET GIFLINK=-tm -v800 -k This command enables direct Telemate support, uses 800x600 256 color display modem and erases partially received files. Auto Download Sequence If you are using GIFLink as your Zmodem protocol driver, you should turn OFF the 'Zmodem Auto-Download' option under the Telemate Options/Protocol dialog. Otherwise, Telemate internal Zmodem will kick in before you can activate GIFLink. You can define the Auto Download Sequence as "*^XB00" under the Telemate Options/External protocol dialog to activate the download process whenever the sequence is received. GIFLINK ERRORLEVEL EXIT VALUES 18 ERRORLEVEL EXIT VALUES __________________________________________________________________ When exit, GIFLINK sets the ERRORLEVEL exit value to one of the following: 0, Success: All files are transferred successfully. 1, Failure: Any error that aborts the program, for example, invalid command line, file not found, not enough memory or a failure in transmission. GIFLINK EXAMPLES 19 EXAMPLES __________________________________________________________________ 1. The simplest form of GIFLINK is GIFLINK rz In this example, GIFLink receives (downloads) from the remote system using Zmodem. It uses the following default setting: COM Port COM1 (unless DSZPORT is defined) Baud rate Current speed in COM1 Connection Modem Display mode 640x480 256 color (or lower) Zmodem recovery Off GIF recovery Off Direct Telemate support Off 16550 FIFO buffer On (if found) RTS/CTS flow control On (if CTS is active initially) Slow handshake Off Keep partial On Delete received Off DSZ-type Log Off (unless DSZLOG is defined) Wait time after file 1 seconds 2. The following illustrates the use of COM2 and Zmodem crash recovery. GIFLINK -p2 rz -r In this example, GIFLink receives files using COM2 at the current speed. Zmodem with crash recovery is used. Although it resumes an aborted transfer, it does not display an interrupt GIF image. If you want to display the interrupted GIF image before the resume process, you should use the -rg GIF recovery options. For example, GIFLINK -p2 rz -rg 3. For Ymodem-G with slow handshake, GIFLINK -hs -fD:\DOWNLOAD rb -g GIFLINK -hs -fD:\DOWNLOAD rg Both commands use Ymodem-G with slow handshake. COM activity is suspended during disk I/O. It prevents any conflict of the COM and disk activity. If you are using a disk cache software, you should disable the caching mechanism before running GIFLink. The -fD:\DOWNLOAD option also tells GIFLink to put the received file into the D:\DOWNLOAD directory. GIFLINK EXAMPLES 20 4. For Xmodem with a FOSSIL connection, GIFLINK -cF -k rx D:\DOWNLOAD\GIFLINK.GIF This example uses Xmodem and saves the received file into D:\DOWNLOAD\GIFLINK.GIF. The -cF option tells GIFLink to use a FOSSIL driver to talk to the modem. The -k option erases partially received file. 5. In case if you do not want to keep the received files, GIFLINK -d rb This example uses Batch Ymodem to transfer the files. The -d option allows you to delete the current file after it is received! It is very useful when you have limited disk space or do not wish to keep the GIF images being transmitted. 6. If you are using a black and white monitor, GIFLINK -m -fifo sy GIFLINK.GIF This example sends GIFLINK.GIF files using Ymodem. The -m option tells GIFLink to display the GIF image in 64 grey-scale level. The -fifo option disables the 16550 FIFO buffer. 7. To generate a DSZ-type log file, GIFLINK -l\COMM\DSZ.LOG sb @LIST.TXT This example sends all the files specified in LIST.TXT using Batch Ymodem and creates a \COMM\DSZ.LOG log file in DSZ format. If you want to create a Telemate usage log, you should use the -tm option. For example, GIFLINK -tm\TELEMATE\TM.CFG sb @LIST.TXT The command creates a Telemate usage log TM.USE in the Telemate log directory. 8. To send or receive file using CompuServe QuickB, you should first select upload or download and enter the file name in the CompuServe command line, then run GIFLink. GIFLINK qb Note: You should NOT use the internal CompuServe QuickB as the default protocol in your communication programs. GIFLINK EXAMPLES 21 9. If you want to preview the GIF images you are going to sent, or look at the received images, GIFLINK -v800 -w10 view *.GIF The view command displays all the GIF images in the current directory. The -v800 option specifies the 800x600 256 color display mode. The -w10 option specifies a 10 seconds delay after each GIF image. GIFLINK PRODUCT LINE 22 PRODUCT LINE __________________________________________________________________ If you enjoy this Shareware, we invite you to try out the rest of our high quality Sharewares. We produce top rated programs and those who try them love them. And we believe you will like them too. You will find our Sharewares under the following file names (or similar ones if an update is available). Telemate TM412-1.ZIP TM412-2.ZIP TM412-3.ZIP TM412-4.ZIP GIFLink GIFLK112.ZIP GIFLITE GIFLT200.ZIP If you cannot find them in a local BBS, you can find them in our Support BBS's and most large BBS's: PC Connect: Toronto, Canada (416)733-9052 2400 Land of the Gypsy's: Oregon, USA (503)297-0626 14400V.32 User To User #1: Dallas, USA (214)492-6565 USR-HST/ds User To User #2: Dallas, USA (214)492-5695 9600 V.32 WHAT IS TELEMATE Telemate is a full featured communications program with an easy-to-learn and easy-to-use integrated environment. Its multithreading feature allows you to prepare messages, view files while you are downloading and printing files. Each task run in its own movable and resizable window. The Windows-like mouse interfaces let you complete a connection and select options without touching a key. The back scroll buffer works just like the built-in editor and viewer and you can save parts of the content to files. Through the clipboard, you can cut and paste text among windows and quote message from the back scroll buffer to the remote system. Telemate has the most popular protocols built-in, including Zmodem, Ymodem-G, Xmodem, Kermit and CompuServe QuickB. Writing a script program is as simple as writing a BASIC or PASCAL program. The learn script mode can also generate script files for you. GIFLINK PRODUCT LINE 23 What's Special in Telemate? Integrated Environment: Telemate is much more than a tele- communications program. Telemate is a flexible, full featured environment, with an interface that is easy to learn and use. An editor, viewer and mouse support are built into Telemate. All of these features are accessible from menus and keyboard. Multithreading: Telemate has multithreading (or internal multitasking) built-in. While you are dialing or downloading, you can prepare messages, view files, or scroll back to the last connection. You can have them all at the same time, running in their own windows. Mouse Support: While the other communication programs still require a mouse-menu TSR to emulate their function keys, Telemate considers the mouse as an integral part of its design, providing a smooth user interface, regardless of the input method you prefer. Built-in Editor and Viewer: The editor allows you to prepare your messages, edit documents or type letters. And the viewer can display files without disturbing the editor. Back Scroll: The very large back scroll buffer works just like an editor. Portions of the buffer can be saved to disk. By pressing just a few keys, you can tag file names, quote a message and search the buffer for matches. Clipboard: Through the clipboard, you can cut and paste text among windows. You can prepare a message in the editor and then copy or paste it to the terminal, or you can tag file names from the back scroll buffer and paste them to the terminal. File Transfer Protocols: Telemate has the most popular protocols built-in, including Zmodem, Ymodem-G, Xmodem, Kermit and CompuServe QuickB. In addition, there are eight slots for external protocols. Easy-to-learn Script Language: Writing a Telemate script program is as simple as writing a BASIC or PASCAL program. If you don't have any programming experience, the Learn Script mode can generate script files for you. Enhanced Video support: Without any additional hardware, Telemate lets you select a screen height from 25 to 32 lines on your normal CGA adapter and 7 choices of screen height on an EGA or VGA adapter. GIFLINK PRODUCT LINE 24 WHAT IS GIFLINK GIFLink is an easy to use protocol driver that allows you to view the transmitting GIF images in stunning SuperVGA graphics. And it is the first protocol driver that uses full screen computer graphics in SuperVGA mode. GIFLink supports most of the popular file transfer protocols such as Zmodem, Batch Ymodem, Ymodem-G, Xmodem and CompuServe QuickB. If the files being transmitted are not GIF images, GIFLink will work just like a normal protocol driver. So GIFLink will transmit any files, not just GIF images. GIFLink also has a special VIEW mode so that you can look at the received GIF images in a slideshow format or preview the images you are going to sent. WHAT IS GIFLITE GIFLITE is a high quality GIF-to-GIF image compression program. It compresses the GIF files so that they will require much less disk space yet still preserve the same quality and resolution. With GIFLITE, digitized GIF images can be further compressed by an average of 30%. What makes GIFLITE special is that the resulting GIF files are almost identical to the original file. Human eyes can hardly tell them apart. GIFLITE conforms to both GIF87a and GIF89a standards. All non- image information is preserved in the resulting GIF files. The compressed images can be read by standard GIF decoders, such as VPIC v4+, CSHOW v8.3+ and GIFLink. Using GIFLITE is much like using the other file compressors. If you have used any file compressor, you will find yourself already familiar with the command structure and options.