CAB 2.5 and PPP-Connect


Half a dozen shiny new plug-in modules and the long awaited PPP-Connect persuaded Kev Beardsworth to take another look...


CAB is now supplied with PPP-Connect internet connection software for MagiC which supports both PPP and SLIP connections. Although PPP-Connect and the modules are the main attraction there are a few changes in CAB itself.

The General options dialog has been tweaked to accommodate some extra options to display the toolbar horizontally or vertically without or without icons or text. Another option sets the width of CAB's window sliders and a "Popup mouse button control" option includes a new links popup.

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Links in documents can now be pasted directly to the Clipboard, Hotlist or displayed in a new CAB window. Other options are available depending on the available modules.
The Hotlist dialog now offers an import option to load other CAB hotlists or NetScape and Microsoft Explorer bookmark files. CAB Modules

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Software in the MODULES folder can be accessed by selecting the modules entry from the File menu. CAB modules are designed for use under a multitasking OS although most also offer limited functionality under single TOS.

Advertising filter

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They're everywhere already but have you noticed most of the banner style adverts are usually the same size? By specifying image sizes, directories, file and host names the majority of adverts can be filtered out and optionally replaced with a library image of your choosing - the default "censored" banner image is very satisfying. The downside is you're bound to loose a few images but the filter can be overridden or the individual image downloaded manually.
Until NetScape and Microsoft Explorer implement similar filters we can quietly enjoy the benefits of using a minor browser. Atari web authors would be well advised to change the size of any banner images by a pixel or two to make sure their images are not filtered out.

CAB Cache Editor

After a surfing session you may have files you'd like to keep or use but they're hidden deep inside your cache and labelled with some cryptic filename. This module makes it easy to retrieve them.
The CAB Cache Editor can display, move, delete or export any file in the cache. Select the target site, folder or file in the left hand selector and manipulate it using the buttons on the right.
Using the Cache Editor it's easy to delete unwanted items - certainly more selective than the CAB Free cache option!
Like CAB itself, CAB modules can use the AV protocol, so the Cache Editor will pass files via an AV server to display them in any application you like. For example images could be displayed in Imagecopy, archives unpacked using Two In One and sound files played using GEMjing - all without leaving the module.

Image Catalog

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This module can search any path on your hard drive and create an HTML document including any GIF and JPG images found which can in turn be displayed as pages inside CAB if desired. The "Paths recursive" option is useful for searching subdirectories.
Thumbnail images can be created or the original images scaled "on the fly" along with the size and filename of each image.

Check hotlist

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How old is your hotlist? Mine is several months old and I haven't visited some of the sites for ages. This module checks every site in your hotlist to check if it's still valid and displays its findings directly in the hotlist dialog. Sites currently unavailable are displayed in red - they're not deleted in case the sites are merely temporarily down. If your home page is your hotlist small icons are added used to denote current sites.

HTML Steganography

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Using this module it's possible to hide messages inside your HTML files without changing the size of the file. It's certainly one way CAB users could pass messages to other CAB users under the noses other browsers but, as the manual explains, it's a demonstration of the technique rather than a serious tool for secret agents!

AutoSurf

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This module extends the concept of offline reading to the internet by downloading entire WWW sites at the touch of a button for reading offline.
There's no easy way to know in advance how many files a target site contains so AutoSurf enables various criteria to be defined to restrict downloads to a sensible size.
Simply enter the target URL, or select AutoSurf from the links popup, and off it goes. Files are downloaded in the background under a multitasking operating system so you can carry on browsing.
Apart from saving online time this module makes it easy for web authors to backup their web pages or download entire sites without missing anything.

CAB Download

This module downloads binary files in the background. It's not listed directly in the Modules entry but is accessed from the link popup menu. A neat dialog in displayed to select a destination for the file to be downloaded and then displays the download in progress.

CAB, the taxi to the internet highway, seems more of a limousine these days!


CONFIGURING PPP-CONNECT


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PPP-Connect is easy to configure with neat, easy to understand, dialogs - you probably won't even need the manual! Before PPP-Connect CAB could be connected to the internet using STiK, STiNG or MintNet. These involved editing ASCII configuration files and for many people establishing a reliable connection proved elusive.
By contrast PPP-Connect is point and click with separate connect and configuration utilities along with a couple of useful utilities, a single AUTO folder program and a CAB.OVL file. Be careful to use the CAB.OVL supplied with PPP-Connect - the CAB.OVL files for use with STiK, STiNG or MintNet will NOT work.
Used together with the information supplied by your internet provider, typically a password, username, access telephone numbers and the log-in procedure, ICONF.PRG can be configured in minutes (example files for various IPs, including CiX, are included).
Many of the option dialogs remain greyed out, unless expert mode is activated, which in practise means beginners can leave PPP-Connect to take care of the techie details.
After configuration ICONNECT.PRG is used to establish an internet connection - I run this from the CAB Modules entry. If a problem is encountered some useful information is displayed to help you solve the problem.

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Seconds out, only a few seconds away from an internet connection


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This window appears after establishing an internet connection.



CAB 2.5 AND PPP-CONNECT

[] Publisher:
ASH
[] Distribution:
UK: System Solutions
Tel: +44 (0)181 693 3355
Fax: +44 (0)181 693 6936
Email: Mike@System-Solutions.co.uk
Web pages: http://www.system-solutions.co.uk/cafe
Cost: £29.95 or £15.00 from CAB 2

[] Requires:
Any Atari, hard disk recommended, PPP-Connect requires MagiC
[] Pros:
PPP-Connect easy to setup and reliable, the CAB modules are excellent
[] Cons:
PPP-Connect bundle useless for non-MagiC users

96%



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