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Simtel MSDOS 1992 June
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tlx_hype.arc
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1988-11-05
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..main
T E L I X v3.10
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Program Reference Manual -- Online Version
C O N T E N T S
A. How to Use this Online Manual ....................\how_to_use\
B. About This Online Manual .........................\about\
1. Introduction ......................................\introduction\
2. Getting Started ...................................\getting started\
3. Program Features ..................................\features\
4. The Dialing Directory .............................\dialing\
5. File Transfers ....................................\transfers\
6. Telix Configuration Menu ..........................\configuration\
7. Terminal Emulation ................................\emulation\
8. Using Script Files ................................\scripts\
9. Host Mode .........................................\host mode\
10. Appendices and Index .............................\appendices\
..end(main)
..how_to_use
Just a holder.
..end(how_to_use)
..about
Just a holder
..end(about)
..introduction
..window(introduction) ,,3,3,76,19
1 Introduction
1.1 Machine Requirements.............................\require\
1.2 Telix Files......................................\files\
1.3 Start-Up Directory...............................\start up\
..end(introduction)
..getting started
..window(getting started) ,,3,3,76,19
2 Getting Started
2.1 Starting a Telix Session.........................\session\
2.2 Terminal Mode....................................\term mode\
2.2.1 The Help/Status Screen.........................\help screen\
2.2.2 The Status Line................................\status line\
2.3 Communications Parameters........................\comm parms\
2.4 Using Telix Menus................................\telix menus\
2.5 Entering and Editing Strings.....................\strings\
2.6 Output String Translation........................\out translation\
2.7 Ending a Telix Session...........................\ending\
..end(getting started)
..features
..window(features) ,,3,3,76,19
3 Program Features
3.1 Hang-Up...........................................\hang up\
3.2 Capture File......................................\capture\
3.3 Printer...........................................\printer\
3.4 Usage Log.........................................\usage\
3.5 Scroll-Back.......................................\scroll-back\
3.6 Keyboard Definitions/Macros.......................\macros\
3.7 DOS Shell.........................................\shell\
3.8 DOS Command.......................................\command\
3.9 Editor............................................\editor\
3.10 DOS and File Functions...........................\functions\
3.11 Screen Image.....................................\image\
3.12 The Translate Table..............................\translate\
3.13 Chat Mode........................................\chat\
3.14 Clear Screen.....................................\clear\
3.15 Local Echo.......................................\echo\
3.16 Add Line Feeds...................................\line feeds\
3.17 Break Signal.....................................\break\
3.18 Miscellaneous Functions..........................\miscellaneous\ [PgDn]
3.18.1 Sending Modem Strings..........................\modem strings\
3.18.2 Setting the Screen Size........................\screen size\
..end(features)
..dialing
..window(dialing) ,,3,3,76,19
4 The Dialing Directory ...............................\d directory\
4.1 The Display ......................................\d display\
4.2 Editing an Entry..................................\d edit\
4.3 Adding Entries....................................\d add\
4.4 Clearing Entries..................................\d clear\
4.5 Finding an Entry..................................\d find\
4.6 Dialing...........................................\d dialing\
4.6.1 Long Distance Codes.............................\d ld codes\
4.7 Other Functions...................................\d other\
4.7.1 Inserting Blank Entries.........................\d insert\
4.7.2 Deleting Entries................................\d delete\
4.7.3 Revising Long Distance Codes....................\d revise\
4.7.4 Creating a Dialing Directory....................\d create\
4.7.5 Loading a Dialing directory.....................\d load\
4.7.6 Printing the Dialing directory..................\d print\
4.8 Automatic Queue Redial............................\d queue\
4.9 The Quick Dial Bar................................\d bar\
..end(dialing)
..transfers
..window(transfers) ,,3,3,76,19
5 File Transfers ......................................\f xfer\
5.1 Downloading (Receiving) Files.....................\f down\
5.2 Uploading (Sending) Files.........................\f up\
5.3 File Transfer Protocols...........................\f protocol\
5.4 Which One to Use..................................\f which\
..end(transfers)
..configuration
..window(configuration) ,,3,3,76,19
6 The Telix Configuration Menu ........................\c menu\
6.1 Screen and Color Settings.........................\c screen\
6.2 Terminal Settings ................................\c term\
6.3 General Settings..................................\c general\
6.4 Modem and Dialing settings........................\c modem\
6.5 Filenames and Path Settings.......................\c filespec\
6.6 ASCII Transfers...................................\c ascii\
6.7 Protocol options..................................\c protocol\
6.8 Kermit Transfers..................................\c kermit\
6.9 Comm port setup...................................\c comm\
6.10 Saving Changes and Leaving.......................\c save\
..end(configuration)
..emulation
..window(emulation) ,,3,3,76,19
7 Terminal Emulation...................................\t emulation\
7.1 TTY...............................................\t tty\
7.2 ANSI-BBS..........................................\t ansi\
7.3 VT102.............................................\t vt102\
7.4 VT52..............................................\t vt52\
..end(emulation)
..scripts
..window(scripts) ,,3,3,76,19
8 Using Script Files...................................\s script\
..end(scripts)
..host mode
..window(host mode) ,,3,3,76,19
9 Host Mode............................................\h host\
..end(host mode)
..appendices
..window(appendices) ,,3,3,76,19
Appendices and Index
10 Appendix A - Command Summary by Keystroke..............\appendix a\
11 Appendix B - Troubleshooting (Problems/Solutions)......\appendix b\
12 Appendix C - Product Support...........................\appendix c\
13 Appendix D - Installing External Protocols.............\appendix d\
14 Appendix E - Dialing Directory File Format.............\appendix e\
15 Index..................................................{not available}
..end(appendices)
..require
..window(require) ,,4,4,73,18
1.3 Machine Requirements
Telix will run on an IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2, or true compatible with at
least 170k of free memory. This is memory available after DOS has
been loaded. For a few functions, such as the DOS Shell, more memory
is helpful. Telix will support up to 8 defined comm ports (COM1
through COM4 are predefined), any number of disk drives, and a printer
connected to the parallel port.
To get full use of Telix your modem must meet certain stan dards as
well, especially for the Host Mode script. The Carrier Detect
signal should not be forced high (on) by the modem, so that Telix
can tell when you are online. This is usually controlled by the
setting of a dip switch on the modem. The DTR (Data Terminal Ready)
signal should not be ignored by the modem.
..end(require)
..files
..window(files) ,,4,4,73,18
1.4 Telix Files
Telix comes with a number of files and creates more in its normal
operation. Some files included in the Telix package are:
TELIX.EXE - The Telix program itself
TELIX.DOC - The Telix program reference manual
CS.EXE - The SALT script language compiler
SALT.DOC - The SALT script language reference
CONVERTF.EXE - Converts phone directories to Telix for-
mat
HOST.SLT - The Host Mode script file (source)
HOST.SLC - The Host Mode script file (compiled)
HCONFIG.SLT - Host Mode configuration script (source)
HCONFIG.SLC - Host Mode config. script (compiled)
*.KEY - The various key definition files for the
terminals supported by Telix
Files (optionally) created and used by Telix include:
TELIX.FON - The default dialing directory file
TELIX.LD - The Long Distance Codes file
TELIX.CAP - The default session capture file
TELIX.IMG - The screen image save file
TELIX.KEY - The default user key macros definition file
HOST.CNF - The Host Mode configuration file
Telix at one time or another can have a number of files open,
especially during Host Mode and a few other instances. If Telix tells
you it is having problems opening files then it is probable that
including the line:
'files=20'
in your CONFIG.SYS file could clear up the problem. This allows DOS
to open more files (the default is 'files=8'). For more information
on the config.sys file see your DOS manual.
..end(files)
..start up
..window(start up) ,,4,4,73,18
1.5 Start-Up Directory
When you run Telix it will remember the disk directory you ran it
from. After this point, even if you have changed the current
directory with the 'Change directory' command, Telix will know that it
should look for its program files on the start-up directory. Some
files will also be written on this directory unless you specify
another.
If you set the environment variable 'TELIX', Telix will have another
(even better) way of knowing where to look for its files. The command
form at the DOS prompt is:
set TELIX=pathname
where pathname is a the legal DOS pathname of the directory in which
the Telix files are located. Do not leave any space be tween the '='
and the arguments. For example, if you used 'set TELIX=C:/TELIX',
Telix would know to look for its files in the Telix directory on drive
C. This way, no matter where you run it from, Telix will always be
able to find its files. To reset this environment variable to nothing
the command is:
set TELIX=
For more information on environment variables see your PC/MS-DOS
manual.
..end(start up)
..session
..window(session) ,,4,4,73,18
2.1 Starting a Telix Session
To start the Telix program type the following while at the DOS
prompt:
Telix [O] [Q] [B] [Sfilename] [Cfilename] [Ffilename]
The letters in the square brackets are optional command line switches
affecting what Telix will do upon start-up. The square brackets
should not be entered. The order and case of the options does not
matter but they MUST be separated by at least one blank.
Specifying the 'O' option upon start-up tells Telix that you are
already online (connected to a host systems), and that it should not
try to initialize the modem.
The 'Q' option in the command line chooses quiet mode for the current
session. When quiet mode is on Telix will not sound any alarms (e.g.,
when a file transfer is over), no matter what the default setting for
alarms is. This is useful for those late night sessions. Any bell
characters sent by the re- mote system are still sounded however.
Specifying 'B' in the command line forces Telix to use the PC's BIOS
for all screen write operations, whatever the default setting for
screen writes might be. This is useful when you want to run Telix in
a multi-tasking environment such as Desqview, Topview, or MS Windows
for just one session.
The 'S' option indicates that a script file (explained elsewhere) is
to be run immediately upon start-up. The 'S' should be followed
immediately (no blanks) by the name of the script file to execute.
The 'C' option indicates that another Telix configuration file than
the standard TELIX.CNF should be used. If it doesn't exist, it will
be created. In this way, you may have multiple configurations for
Telix. The name of the configuration file should immediately follow
the 'C', and should include the ex- tension.
The 'F' option indicates that another dialing directory (FON) file
than the default TELIX.FON should be loaded at start-up. The name
should immediately follow the 'F'. Note that another dialing
directory file may also be loaded from within Telix (in the dialing
directory screen).
Upon starting, Telix will display a title screen for a period of 25
seconds or until you press a key. Please read the message on the
title screen carefully. After you are past the title screen, you will
be in 'terminal mode' unless Telix can't find the configuration file
(usually TELIX.CNF), in which case it will ask you a few questions
about your machine and modem, and then will write a configuration file
for you.
..end(session)
..term mode
..window(term mode) ,,4,4,73,18
2.2 Terminal Mode
Immediately after starting Telix, and for most of the time while using
it, you will be in Telix's terminal mode. While in this mode any
normal (ASCII) characters you type will be sent to the modem port, and
any incoming characters will be printed on the screen. It is from the
terminal mode that most Telix commands are initiated. Most commands
are selected by pressing two keys at the same time. For example, to
access the dialing directory, you would press Alt-D. That is, while
holding down the Alt key, you press the D key.
..end(term mode)
..help screen
..window(help screen) ,,4,4,73,18
2.2.1 The Help/Status Screen
While in terminal mode, pressing the Alt-Z sequence will switch you to
a help screen showing you a summary of all the available commands. If
the key for a command is pressed while the help screen is still on,
the screen will be turned off and the command will be executed.
On the bottom of the help/status screen is some information regarding
some current settings and the status of the current connection, as
follows (in slightly compressed form).
+--------------------------------------+---------------------+
| Time..10:39:00 Online .... No | Capture...Off |
| Date..06-29-88 | Printer...Off |
| Baud..2400 Terminal .. VT102 | Script....None |
| Comm..N,8,1 Port ...... COM1 | Reg. Key..TELIX.KEY |
| Echo..Off Add LF .... Off | Dial Dir..TELIX.FON |
+--------------------------------------+---------------------+
Items included are: the current time and date, the connect status, the
elapsed time for the call in progress, the current communications
parameters, the state of the capture file and printer, the currently
executing script file (if there is one), the current dialing
directory, the current keyboard macro definition file, and a few other
items.
..end(help screen)
..status line
..window(status line) ,,4,4,73,18
2.2.2 The Status Line
Telix has an optional status line which may be displayed at the bottom
or top of the screen (it may be controlled via the Telix Configuration
Menu). The status lines displays the current communications setting
such as baud rate and parity, the state of the Capture file, whether
or not the printer is on, the currently executing script file (scripts
are explained elsewhere), and whether Telix is On-line or Off-line.
..end(status line)
..comm parms
..window(comm parms) ,,4,4,73,18
2.3 Communications Parameters
Pressing Alt-P allows you to change the Communications Parameters.
This is the format in which Telix sends data over the modem, and
expects to receive it in. After pressing Alt-P a window is displayed
with the current parameters at the top, and the options in the rest of
the window. To change a value press the letter of the setting you
want.
+-+ Comm Parameters +----------------+
| |
| Current: 2400,N,8,1,COM1 |
| |
| Speed Parity Data |
| |
| A: 300 J: None Q: 7 |
| B: 1200 K: Even R: 8 |
| C: 2400 L: Odd |
| D: 4800 M: Mark Stop |
| E: 9600 N: Space |
| F: 19200 S: 1 |
| F: 38400 T: 2 |
| F: 57600 O: N-8-1 |
| F: 115200 P: E-7-1 |
| |
| 1: COM1 3: COM3 5: COM5 7: COM7 |
| 2: COM2 4: COM4 6: COM6 8: COM8 |
| |
| Choice, or <Enter> to exit? |
+------------------------------------+
There are a number of parameters that can be changed. The baud rate
is the speed that you want to communicate at (it should really be
called bps rate, which stands for bits per second. 1200 baud and 2400
baud are the two most common speeds in use, and represent about 120
and 240 characters per second, respectively. Baud rates all the way
up to 115200 are supported by Telix, however a fast PC is needed for
the higher rates (a stock 4.77 MHz XT can handle 9600 and possibly
19200 baud, higher rates need an AT class computer). Parity is a form
of error checking. Allowable parities are None, Even, and Odd. Data
bits is the number of bits in each character. Allowable values are 7
and 8. Finally, the number of stop bits parameter can be set to
either 1 or 2. The most common format for BBS use is a baud rate of
1200 or 2400, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. On many large
networks such as Compuserve, the data format used is E71.
The communications parameters menu also allows you to select the
communications port you want to use. Note that by default only the
first four comm ports are defined (the last four are duplicates of
COM1).
Changing any parameters changes them only for the duration of the
current communications session. If you want a set of parameters to be
the default when you start Telix, use the Telix Configuration Menu.
..end(comm parms)
..telix menus
..window(telix menus) ,,4,4,73,18
2.4 Using Telix Menus
Whenever Telix must ask you to select an item from a group of options,
it uses the same basic type of menu. The options will be arranged
vertically for a vertically oriented menu, and next to each other for
a horizontally oriented menu. There are two ways to select the item
that you want. Each menu option has one of its letters in bold text;
pressing that letter will select the corresponding option. As well,
one option in the menu is always highlighted in inverse video. The
arrow keys on the PC's keypad will move the highlight up and down or
left and right. When the highlight is over the option you want to
select, press Carriage Return.
..end(telix menus)
..strings
..window(strings) ,,4,4,73,18
2.5 Entering and Editing Strings
While using Telix, you will often have to enter a string of
characters, for example a filename, or a list of numbers to dial.
Telix gives you full editing powers when you enter a string. As you
type characters, you may use the Backspace key to delete previously
entered characters. The Left and Right arrow keys allow you to move
back and forth in the string to edit what you have entered. By
default, any characters you en- ter overwrite any that are already
there. Pressing the Ins key will place Telix in insert mode, and any
existing characters are pushed ahead as you type. Pressing Ins once
more places you back in overwrite mode. Finally, pressing the
Ctrl-Left and Ctrl-Right arrow keys allows you to move back and forth
in the string by increments of a word.
..end(strings)
..out translation
..window(out translation) ,,4,4,73,18
2.6 Output String Translation
In quite a few instances while using Telix, the user must specify a
string to be sent out over the modem port. Sometimes this string must
contain characters which can not be printed on the screen, for
example, control characters, and even pauses. There has to be a way
of indicating these special characters, and it is done through the use
of special characters called translation characters. When these
translation characters are encountered in an output string they are
translated into other characters. The default translation charac-
ters are:
^ - when this character is encountered in an output
string it will make the following character a con-
trol character. For example, ^A will send out the
code for Control-A. A few common control characters
are ^M, which is the Carriage Return character, ^J,
which is the Line Feed character, and ^[, which is
the Esc character. To send out the ^ character it-
self, use two ^'s, as explained above.
~ - when this character is encountered it will make
Telix pause for 1/2 a second. There is no way to
send the actual ~ character out. Two in a row will
be converted to two pauses.
There is one thing to keep in mind. These characters are only
translated on strings sent out to the modem, for example, the dialing
prefix, the hang-up string, a keyboard macro, the modem initialization
string, and a few other cases.
..end(out translation)
..ending
..window(ending) ,,4,4,73,18
2.7 Ending a Telix Session
To exit the Telix program, press Alt-X. Telix will ask you if you
really want to exit. Press 'Y' to confirm the exit, 'N' or Esc to
return to Telix.
If Telix detects that you are still on-line (connected to another
computer), it will also present a third option, 'Hang-Up'. If this
option is selected, Telix will make sure that the connection is broken
before exiting.
..end(ending)
..hang up
..window(hang up) ,,4,4,73,18
3.1 Hang-Up
Pressing Alt-H will make Telix attempt to hang-up the modem. Unless
this is disabled in the configuration Menu, Telix first attempts to
hang up the modem by turning off a signal on the RS-232 port called
the DTR line. This works with most modems. If this doesn't work,
Telix then sends the hang-up string defined in the Configuration
Menu to the modem. If this still doesn't work and Telix detects that
you are still online, Telix will warn you. If Telix is consistently
telling you that hang-ups fail even when they work, your modem is
almost certainly overriding the Carrier Detect signal. See the
appendix on common problems for the solution to this.
..end(hang up)
..capture
..window(capture),,4,4,73,18
3.2 Capture File
Telix allows you to capture (record) data coming in from the comm port
and printed on the terminal screen, to a disk file. To open the
capture file, press Alt-L. You will be prompted for the filename to
save the log to. Press Return to use the default filename. All data
is added to the end of the file if it exists already. To turn off the
log press Alt-L again and select the "Close" option. To temporarily
pause capturing data to the file, press Alt-L and select the "Pause"
option. While capturing is paused, any characters received are not
saved to the file. To then un-pause capturing, press Alt-L and select
the "Unpause" option.
..end(capture)
..printer
..window(printer) ,,4,4,73,18
3.3 Printer
The printer may be toggled on and off by pressing Ctrl-@ to record
information coming in from the comm port and printed on the terminal
screen. If Telix hangs when printer logging is turned on, the printer
is turned off, and should be turned on to proceed.
..end(printer)
..usage
..window(usage) ,,4,4,73,18
3.4 Usage Log
Telix allows a usage log to be opened, which keeps track of calls you
make and file that you transfer. This is handy for keeping a record
of your long distance calls, for example. The Usage Log is toggled on
and off with the Alt-U key. If it is currently closed, you are
prompted for the name to open it to (TELIX.USE is the default). If it
is currently opened, then it is closed. You may also set the Usage
Log to be opened by default at Telix start-up (via the Configuration
Menu).
Following is a sample portion of a log:
88-05-17 00:12:41 Telix Usage Log Created.
88-05-29 00:12:41 Telix Usage Log Opened.
88-05-29 00:13:06 Connected with : TBoard
88-05-29 00:13:06 ++ At phone # : 123-4567
88-05-29 00:13:06 ++ Settings : 2400,N,8,1
88-05-29 00:14:53 Hangup command selected.
88-05-29 00:16:25 Connected with : Joe's BBS
88-05-29 00:16:25 ++ At phone # : 1-987-654-3210
88-05-29 00:16:25 ++ Settings : 2400,N,8,1
88-05-29 00:17:17 Download using Telink protocol.
88-05-29 00:17:19 ++ File : D:/DL/ZTC100.ARC
88-05-29 00:41:09 ++ Chars per second : 165
88-05-29 00:41:11 ++ File : D:/DL/SRC100.ARC
88-05-29 00:58:26 ++ Chars per second : 165
88-05-29 00:58:28 ++ File : D:/DL/OPT100.ARC
88-05-29 01:22:54 ++ Chars per second : 165
88-05-29 01:23:11 Hangup command selected.
88-05-29 01:23:12 Exiting Telix.
88-05-29 01:23:12 Telix Usage Log Closed.
The log is quite simple in form and easy to understand. Lines that
start with '++' are a continuation of the previous line. Following is
a listing of possible entries:
Key Log Entry
---- -----------------------------------------------
Alt-U Telix Usage Log Created.
Telix Usage Log Opened.
Telix Usage Log Closed.
Alt-D Connected with : (entry name)
++ At phone # : (phone number)
++ Settings : (comm settings)
Alt-R Download using (name) protocol.
++ File : (pathname)
++ Chars per second : (CPS)
++ Transfer aborted.
Alt-S Upload using (name) protocol.
++ File: (pathname)
++ Chars per second : (CPS)
++ Transfer aborted.
Alt-H Hangup command selected.
Alt-X Exiting Telix.
The entries on the right are related to the commands shown on the
left. Note that a script file has the ability to stamp text into the
Usage Log, so other entries are possible.
..end(usage)
..scroll-back
..window(scroll-back) ,,4,4,73,18
3.5 Scroll-Back
To review past screens of characters press Alt-B. You will be in the
Scroll-Back display. You will be able to move through the last one
thousand to 64 thousand characters received (depending on the setting
in the Configuration Menu) by using the arrow keys to scroll line by
line, the Home and End keys to go to the beginning and end of the
buffer, and the PgUp and PgDn keys to scroll through the buffer a page
at a time.
To find a certain string in the buffer press 'F'. Telix will prompt
for the string to search for. If the string is found the line
containing it will be placed at the top of the screen. To search for
the same string as last time press Return when asked for the search
string.
To save the screen image to a file press 'I'. Telix will prompt you
for the file to save the image to. If the file al- ready exists, the
screen image will be appended to it. To print out a screen image to
your printer press Shift-PrtSc.
..end(scroll-back)
..macros
..window(macros) ,,4,4,73,18
3.6 Keyboard Definitions/Macros
Telix will let you assign text to a key so that it is sent to the comm
port when that key is pressed. This is usually called a keyboard
macro, and is useful in saving keystrokes (for example, you can assign
your name to a key). Telix actually keeps two key definitions tables
in memory at all times (each table holds the text assigned to each
key), the user table and the terminal table. The terminal table is
used for terminal emulation key assignments. When Telix is told to
start emulating a certain terminal, it loads into this table
definitions specific to that terminal. Therefore, for each terminal
there is a key definition file which is loaded as needed. The user
table on the other hand is relatively constant. You might want to
assign your name to the Atl-1 key for example. This kind of
definition would be put in the user table.
When a key is pressed, Telix follows this procedure: If there is a
definition for that key in the terminal key table, send that text;
otherwise if there is a definition in the user table for that key,
send the text; otherwise if the key represents an ASCII value, send
that value; otherwise if the key is a Telix command (like Atl-D),
perform that command.
The keyboard definition/macro editor is entered with the Alt-K key
sequence from terminal mode. Telix will ask you if you want to access
the user or the terminal key definition table. Unless you wanted to
modify the keys for a specific terminal, you would always select the
user table. Telix will present the following menu:
Load Save Clear Display displayKey Edit eXit
To load definitions from a previously saved key definition file into
memory, select the 'Load' option. Telix will ask for the name of the
key definition file (and use the extension '.KEY' if none is
specified). Current key assignments will be cleared. The standard
key definition file is "TELIX.KEY" and is loaded at start-up if it
exists.
To save the current key definitions to a disk file, select the 'Save'
option. Telix will ask what file to save them to, and use the
extension '.KEY' if none is specified.
Selecting 'Clear' will clear all the current key definitions in this
table.
Selecting 'Display' will show what text is assigned to each key.
Selecting 'displayKey' will allow you to look at what is assigned to
one specific key, by pressing it when prompted.
To actually enter or edit the text assigned to a key, select 'Edit'.
Telix will print the existing definition and allow you to edit it.
Enter the characters that you want the key to send when pressed.
Control characters and pauses can be included in the definition in the
manner described previously in the manual under Output String
Translation. Remember that if you make any changes they will be lost
when you exit Telix unless you use the 'Save' option as described
above, to save them to disk.
Telix also allows you to run a script file when a certain function key
is pressed. If a function key definition has an '@' character as its
first character Telix will assume the rest of the definition is the
name of a script file, and will try to execute it. For example
pressing the function key whose definition is '@logon' would run the
script file called 'logon.scr'. If you really want to send out an '@'
character as the first character in the key definition, then use two
of them instead. e.g., the definition '@@Hello' would send out
'@Hello'.
..end(macros)
..shell
..window(shell) ,,4,4,73,18
3.7 DOS Shell
Pressing Alt-J will let you jump to a DOS shell. You will see the DOS
prompt and will be able execute any DOS command, for example 'dir'.
If there is enough memory left, you can even run programs. To exit
the DOS shell type 'exit' and press Return. You will be back in
Telix with the screen undisturbed from before your jump to the shell.
In order to run the DOS shell, there must be enough memory left, and
Telix must be able to find the file called COMMAND.COM. If either of
these requirements is not met, Telix will tell you so. (The file
COMMAND.COM is the DOS command interpreter. It is usually pointed to
by the DOS environment variable COMSPEC. See your DOS manual for more
information). If you run a serial port related program in the
shell, there is a good chance that it will re-initialize the com port
and another piece of information called the com interrupt vector.
If this happens, Telix will notice and re-initialize the port to the
old values when you return from the shell.
..end(shell)
..command
..window(command) ,,4,4,73,18
3.8 DOS Command
Pressing Alt-V allows you to enter one DOS command or filename to
run. This command is then executed and control is returned to Telix.
As can be seen this is similar to the DOS shell, but is useful when
you have only one command to enter. There are many uses for this
command. For example, if your file viewing utility is called 'List',
you could press Alt-V and then enter 'List TELIX.DOC'. This would
load your file view utility and let you look at the TELIX.DOC file.
After you terminated this program you would be back in Telix. Any DOS
command is legal, for example 'copy a:*.arc c:', or 'ren data dat1'.
If for some reason you might want Telix to pause after the command is
finished, add a ';' character to the end of the command string, for
example 'type TELIX.DOC;'. This stops the last screen-full typed from
scrolling by too quickly when control returns to Telix.
..end(command)
..editor
..window(editor) ,,4,4,73,18
3.9 Editor
Pressing Alt-A will allow you to run your favorite editor from within
Telix. In order to do this you must go to the Configuration Menu
and supply the full name and path of your editor in the 'Filenames
and paths' area. As well, there must be enough memory left, and if
you specified a batch file to be run, Telix must be able to find the
DOS command processor COMMAND.COM.
..end(editor)
..functions
..window(functions) ,,4,4,73,18
3.10 DOS and File Functions
Pressing Alt-F will display a menu of some common DOS operations.
For convenience, a few commands available elsewhere have been
included.
+-+ DOS Functions +------+
| |
| Jump to DOS shell |
| Files directory |
| Change drive/directory |
| Delete file |
| DOS command |
| Run editor |
| Exit |
| |
+------------------------+
1: Jump to DOS Shell. This performs the same function as the
Alt-J command.
2: Files directory. Telix will prompt you for the optional
filespec, for example '*.doc'. If you want to list all
the files in the current directory then just press Re-
turn. Telix will then do one of two things. If you have
defined a directory program to use (in the Configuration
Menu), Telix will run it. Otherwise Telix will use its
own internal directory program, which is similar to the
DOS 'dir' command but also displays the time it would
take to transfer each file shown. The time is correct for
the current default upload file transfer protocol.
3: Change drive/directory. The current directory is dis-
played and you are asked to enter a new one. You can en-
ter a new drive, a new directory, or both. This will be-
come the current directory. Note that this is slightly
different from the DOS 'chdir' command.
4: Delete file. You are asked to enter the filename of the
file to delete.
5: DOS command. This performs the same function as the Alt-V
command.
6: Run editor. This performs the same function as the Alt-A
command.
..end(functions)
..image
..window(image) ,,4,4,73,18
3.11 Screen Image
Pressing Alt-I saves an image of the screen to the Telix Screen Image
file. This file is usually called TELIX.IMG, but can be renamed in
the Configuration Menu. If the file exists, the image is added to the
end of it.
..end(image)
..translate
..window(translate) ,,4,4,73,18
3.12 The Translate Table
Sometimes it is necessary for certain incoming or outgoing characters
to be changed to another value or stripped altogether. For this
purpose, Telix keeps in memory and incoming and an outgoing character
'translate table'. For every character in the ASCII set, the table
defines what it should be changed to. By default, no character
translation is performed, as for each character, the new value is
defined to be the same as the old one. The translate table facility
is entered by pressing Alt-W while in terminal mode. Telix will ask
whether you want to work with the incoming or outgoing table, and then
display the translate table screen with the following menu at the
bottom:
Load Clear Save Edit Other eXit
Most of the screen is used to display translation values. Each column
holds on the left the original character (ASCII value), and on the
right the new character. Only half the ASCII set can be displayed on
one screen. Select the 'Other' option to toggle the display to show
the other half of the character set.
The 'Load' option is used to load a previously saved translate table
definition file. Telix will ask for the filename, including
extension.
The 'Clear' option is used to reset all values in the translate table
in memory, so that no translation is performed.
The 'Save' option is used to save the current translate table
definition to a disk file. Telix will ask for the file name to save
the table to. You must include the extension if needed (a common
extension for this purpose is '.XLT").
The 'Edit' option is used to actually edit the translate table. Telix
will ask for the old ASCII value, and the new one. If the new value
of a character is defined as 0, that character is completely striped.
It is sometimes useful to have an incoming and/or outgoing translate
table load automatically when Telix is run. If the file TELIXIN.XLT
exists at Telix start-up, it is assumed to be a default incoming
character translate table, and is loaded into that slot. Similarly,
if the file TELIXOUT.XLT exists at start-up, it is assumed to be the
default outgoing translate table, and loaded.
..end(translate)
..chat
..window(chat) ,,4,4,73,18
3.13 Chat Mode
Normally while using Telix with a remote host, your characters are not
echoed by Telix. When you type a character, it is sent to the remote
host, which checks it and then sends it back to you, and only then is
it printed on your screen. However if two users want to chat with
each other this becomes a problem, because each user's software
expects the other side to echo the characters back, and since it
doesn't, nothing is printed. Telix has a special Chat Mode to deal
with this.
When you press Alt-Y Telix enters Chat Mode. Any characters you type
are printed on your screen immediately, without having to be echoed
by the other side. As well, it takes only a Carriage Return to
advance to a new line, a Line Feed character is not needed
immediately afterwards. Telix also splits the streams of text. Any
characters you type are displayed on the bottom half of the screen,
while the characters coming from the remote side are displayed on the
top half of the screen. When you wish to exit Chat Mode, press the
Esc key.
..end(chat)
..clear
..window(clear) ,,4,4,73,18
3.14 Clear Screen
To clear the screen press Alt-C. The screen will be cleared to the
default colors, and the cursor will be placed in the upper left-hand
corner.
..end(clear)
..echo
..window(echo) ,,4,4,73,18
3.15 Local Echo
Pressing Alt-E will toggle local echo on and off. If local echo is
on, characters you type are printed on the screen. If local echo is
off characters you type are not printed on the screen, they must be
sent back to you by the remote host to be printed by the screen. Most
hosts are set up so that local echo should be off; they will do the
echoing. This is called a full duplex host. Often however when
talking to another user, or when talking to a half duplex host, local
echo must be turned on to see the characters you type.
..end(echo)
..line feeds
..window(line feeds) ,,4,4,73,18
3.16 Add Line Feeds
When a line of characters is received from a remote system, it is
usually terminated by a Carriage Return followed by a Line Feed
character. If the Line Feed character is missing lines will overwrite
each other. If this seems to be happening when you are connected to a
remote host then you must make Telix add Line Feeds to each incoming
Carriage Return. Pressing Shift-Tab will toggle the adding of
Line-Feed characters. If this option is on, every time a Carriage
Return is received, a Line Feed is added immediately after it.
..end(line feeds)
..break
..window(break) ,,4,4,73,18
3.17 Break Signal
Some hosts require the use of a special modem signal called a Break
signal, to do certain tasks like end transmissions. To make Telix
send a Break signal to the remote host press Ctrl- End.
..end(break)
..miscellaneous
..window(miscellaneous) ,,4,4,73,18
3.18 Miscellaneous Functions
Pressing Alt-M while in Terminal Mode will cause Telix to display the
Misc. Functions menu
+-+ Misc. Functions +-----+
| |
| Send Modem Init string |
| Send Auto-Answer string |
| 80x25 screen |
| 80x43 screen |
| 80x50 screen |
| eXit |
| |
+-------------------------+
..end(miscellaneous)
..modem strings
..window(modem strings) ,,4,4,73,18
3.18.1 Sending Modem Strings
To re-send the Modem Init string defined in the Modem and dialing page
of the configuration Menu, select the first option of the Misc.
Functions Menu.
To send the Modem Auto-Answer string defined in the Modem and dialing
page of the configuration Menu, select the second option of the
Misc. Functions Menu. If this string is properly defined, the modem
will be placed in auto-answer mode.
..end(modem strings)
..screen size
..window(screen size) ,,4,4,73,18
3.18.2 Setting the Screen Size
The third through fifth options of the Misc. Functions Menu deal with
setting the screen size (height). These options are valid only on EGA
and/or VGA systems. Note that a standard EGA system can switch only
between 25 and 43 lines, and can not handle 50. Note that some VGA
cards can switch only between 25 and 50 lines, and can not handle 43.
Trying to use one of these options on a system not equipped with an
EGA or VGA video card is not allowed.
..end(screen size)
..d directory
..window(d directory) ,,4,4,73,18
4. THE DIALING DIRECTORY
Telix allows you to keep telephone numbers in files called dialing
directories. A dialing directory is variable sized and can hold from
1 to 1000 entries. Besides the number, many other fields of
information are stored, such as the communications parameters needed
to talk to the service. All the fields are described below. The
default dialing directory file is called TELIX.FON, but you can have
as many directories as you want and load them as needed.
To access the dialing directory press Alt-D while in terminal mode. A
small window will appear, asking you to enter the entries to dial or
to press Return to see the dialing directory. For the moment just
press Return. This first window is simply a very quick way to dial
your most commonly called numbers. Once you have pressed Return the
dialing directory will appear.
..end(d directory)
..d display
..window(d display) ,,4,4,73,18
4.1 The Display
Most of the screen is taken up by a window showing 15 (or more,
depending on the screen mode) of the possible 1000 entries in the
dialing directory. On the bottom of the screen is a menu of options,
here shown on two lines so that it will fit:
Dial List Toggle Find Manual Redial Add Edit Clear
Unmark Other eXit
This menu works in a similar manner to the other menus found in Telix,
as described in the section 'Using Telix Menus'. In addition, since
dialing is such a common function, if any numeric key is pressed, it
is assumed that the 'List' function is wanted and this number is
carried over as the first digit entered for that function. At the
same time you may view the dialing directory. To scroll through the
directory one entry at a time, use the Up and Down arrow keys. Use
PgUp to go back one page, and PgDn to go forward one page. Press Home
to go to the beginning of the directory, and End to go to the end of
the directory. It should be emphasized that whenever the line 'Scroll
with Up, Down, Home, End, PgUp, and PgDn' is displayed, you may scroll
through the directory.
For each entry, many items are stored. All the fields can not be
displayed at the same time; you may toggle which fields are shown on
the screen by selecting the 'Toggle' command. Each entry contains
information under the following headers:
Name: This is the name of the remote service (i.e., Compuserve, Genie,
Telix Software Support BBS, etc.).
Number: This is the phone number which Telix should dial to reach the
remote service.
Line Format: These are the communication parameters (such as baud
rate, parity, etc.) needed to talk to this service.
Script: A script file may be linked to each entry in the dialing
directory. When Telix connects to this service, that script file is
then run, and may for example automatically log-on, entering your name
and password as needed, for greater convenience and speed.
LastCall: This is the date of the last successful call you made to
this remote service.
Total: This is the total number of successful calls you've made to
this number.
Terminal: This is the terminal Telix should start emulating when a
connection has been reached to this number.
P: This is the first letter of the protocol which should be set as the
default if a connection is reached to this number.
E: This controls whether local echo should be on or off when a
connection is reached with this number.
L: This controls whether the Add Line Feeds setting should be on or
off when a connection is reached with this number.
H: This controls whether Telix will strip the high (most significant)
bit of incoming characters in terminal mode.
BD: This controls whether a received backspace sequence is de-
structive (that is, if the character backspaced over should also be
erased).
BK: This controls what value the Backspace key sends, either
Backspace, or Del.
DP: This (advanced) setting is used to tell Telix what Dialing Prefix
to use when dialing this entry. One use for it is to turn on or off
MNP (error correcting) support in modems, to avoid delays when the
number called does not support it anyway.
Password: This filed may hold a password for the remote service
represented by this entry. The password may be used by a script file
to automatically perform a log-on operation. Please note that this
field is not encrypted, so if security is a problem, do not store your
passwords in the dialing directory!
..end(d display)
..d edit
..window(d edit) ,,4,4,73,18
4.2 Editing an Entry
To edit the currently highlighted dialing directory entry select
'Edit' from the dialing directory menu. A window will appear with
the old contents of the entry. You may edit each field, starting with
the first (name). to leave the contents of a filed as-is, press
Return. Pressing Esc one or more times will get you out of the edit
window without any changes being made.
Once all the fields have been edited, Telix will ask you if the 'Last
Call' and 'Total Calls' fields should be cleared. Answer yes or no as
needed. Telix will then ask for confirmation before writing any
changes to disk.
..end(d edit)
..d add
..window(d add) ,,4,4,73,18
4.3 Adding Entries
To add a blank entry to the end of the dialing directory, select 'Add'
from the dialing directory menu. A dialing directory may hold up to
1000 entries.
..end(d add)
..d clear
..window(d clear) ,,4,4,73,18
4.4 Clearing Entries
To clear an entry or a range of entries select 'Clear' from the
dialing directory menu. Telix will ask you to select the range of
entries to clear, by moving the highlight bar and pressing Enter.
After confirming your choice, Telix will clear the selected entries
back to empty entries.
..end(d clear)
..d find
..window(d find) ,,4,4,73,18
4.5 Finding an Entry
To search for a particular entry in the dialing directory select
'Find' from the dialing directory menu. You will be asked to give the
string to search for. If Telix finds the entry with that string in
it, that entry will be highlighted. If while searching for the string
Telix reaches the end of the directory, it will wrap around to the
beginning and continue the search. If the string still can not be
found Telix will say 'Sorry, string not found'. If you want to search
for the same string as last time, just press Return when asked for the
search string.
..end(d find)
..d dialing
..window(d dialing) ,,4,4,73,18
4.6 Dialing
Telix allows you to dial a group of dialing directory entries
repeatedly until a connection is established, or you abort the
attempt. Selecting the 'Dial' function from the dialing directory
menu will make Telix commence dialing in sequence all the currently
marked entries.
You may also dial a user-entered list of entries, by selecting the
'List' function from the dialing directory menu. Telix will ask you
to enter up to 10 entries to dial in sequence (to make List dialing
even more convenient, you may also select the 'List' function by
pressing a numeric key while in the dialing directory menu; this
number is then carried over and entered as the first digit in the
string you are asked to enter). While you are entering the list of
entries to dial you may also scroll through the directory as described
above. If you specify more than one entry to dial, each should be
separated by a space.
Sometimes you may want to dial a number that is not in the dialing
directory. To do this select the 'Manual' option of the dialing
directory menu, which stands for 'manual dial'. You will be asked to
enter a number to be sent to the modem. Whatever you supply will be
sent out exactly as is, except for Long Distance codes (see below),
which are still valid.
..end(dialing)
..d ld codes
..window(d ld codes) ,,4,4,73,18
4.6.1 Long Distance Codes
A Long Distance code is an advanced dialing option which adds some
flexibility. There are four Long Distance code characters: !, @, $,
and +, which when encountered while dialing expand to user-defined
strings (see section below on revising Long distance codes).
If Telix is dialing a number from a dialing directory entry, and one
of the Long Distance code characters is encountered in the number,
Telix will instead send whatever string has been assigned to that
code. For example, a dialing directory entry could contain the phone
number '!967-1111'. If the string '9,,' was assigned to the ! LD
code character, Telix when dialing this entry would first send the 9
followed by the commas, and then send the rest of the digits.
LD codes may also be used with the 'List' dial function. When you
place one of them in front of or behind an entry number to dial, it
will be expanded to a string. For example you could have the
exclamation sign '!', be expanded to '9,', or any string you specify.
You may place up to 3 Long Distances codes in front and one Long
Distance code after each entry number. For example, specifying the
entry '+21!' would send the string for the '+' Long Distance code,
followed by the number from entry 21, followed by the string for Long
Distance code '!'. The string
'10 +15 20!'
entered at the prompt would dial entry 10, then entry 15 with a Long
Distance code in front of it, and finally entry number 20, with a Long
Distance code after it. These numbers are redialed repeatedly until
a connection is reached. To learn about the redial window see the
Redial function below.
..end(d ld codes)
..d other
..window(d other) ,,4,4,73,18
4.7 Other Functions
Selecting 'Other' from the dialing directory menu will present a menu
of secondary functions, dealing with the deletion or insertion of
entries in the dialing directory, with revising Long Distance Codes,
and with the handling of dialing directories (Telix allows you to have
as many dialing directories as needed and switch among them at will).
..end(d other)
..d insert
..window(d insert) ,,4,4,73,18
4.7.1 Inserting Blank Entries
To insert blank entries in the dialing directory, select 'Insert' from
the dialing directory 'Other' menu. Entries will be inserted at the
current position of the highlight bar. Telix will ask how many
entries to insert and will ask for confirmation before proceeding.
..end(d insert)
..d delete
..window(d delete) ,,4,4,73,18
4.7.2 Deleting Entries
To delete an entry or a range of entries in the dialing directory
select the 'Delete' option from the dialing directory 'Other' menu.
The range to delete is selected by moving the highlight bar. After
confirming your choice, the entries will be deleted and any following
entries will move up to where the deleted entries were.
..end(d delete)
..d revise
..window(d revise) ,,4,4,73,18
4.7.3 Revising Long Distance Codes
To revise the Long Distance codes, select the option called 'Edit_LD'
from the dialing directory 'Other' menu. There are four Long Distance
code characters: ! @ - +. As described int he section on dialing,
when you place one of them in front of or behind a number to dial, it
will be expanded to a string. After selecting this option you will be
shown a menu of the available long distance codes. Selecting an LD
Code will let you modify the text currently assigned to it. After you
have made your changes, you must save them to disk with the 'Save
changes' option, if you want to use them every time you run Telix.
..end(d revise)
..d create
..window(d create) ,,4,4,73,18
4.7.4 Creating a Dialing Directory
To create a blank dialing directory (which can later be modified),
select the option called 'Create' from the dialing directory screen's
'Other' menu. Telix will ask you for the name the new directory
should use. Any legal DOS filename is suitable, and there is no
default extension. Telix will then create the blank directory on
disk. The current dialing directory is not be affected and will stay
in memory.
..end(d create)
..d load
..window(d load) ,,4,4,73,18
4.7.5 Loading a Dialing directory
To load another dialing directory select the 'Load' option form the
dialing directory screen's 'Other' menu. Telix will ask for the name
of the new directory and then load it into memory. Telix does not
assume any default extension, so if the directory you want to load has
one, include it (e.g., TELIX.FON). The new directory becomes the
default directory for the rest of the session or until you load
another one.
..end(d load)
..d print
..window(d print) ,,4,4,73,18
4.7.6 Printing the Dialing directory
Selecting the 'Print' option from the dialing directory screen's
'Other' menu allows you to print out the current dialing directory, to
the printer, the serial port, or any device or disk file. Telix will
ask you for the device or file to print to. Enter the name or press
Return to use the 'PRN' device (printer). Since these are DOS
devices, Telix has no way of knowing, for example, things such as
whether or not your printer is online. So if Telix seems to lock-up
here, make sure your printer is on and it is set to online.
..end(d print)
..d queue
..window(d queue) ,,4,4,73,18
4.8 Automatic Queue Redial
When Telix has one or more numbers to dial, it redials repeatedly
until a connection is made. To keep you informed of the status of the
redial Telix displays a status window, and alerts you when a
connection is established. The status window is similar to the figure
below.
+-+ Redial +-------------------------------------------------+
| |
| Redial started at 20:15:33 Press: T to change dial time |
| Attempt #10 20:19:27 D to delete from list |
| |
| This attempt: Dialing My Favorite BBS ... 22 |
| number: 967-1111 |
| |
| Last Attempt: Busy |
| |
| Press Space to cycle to next number, Esc to exit. |
+------------------------------------------------------------+
Information included in the status window is the time redial was
started, the time the current attempt was started, the status of the
last attempt, the status of the current attempt, and a countdown timer
for the current attempt.
If you are dialing all the marked entries with the dialing directory
'Dial' command, when a connection is reached, the mark is taken off
the entry connected to, so that when you later select the 'Dial'
function again, only the remaining entries are dialed. If you are
dialing a list of entries selected with the 'List' dialing directory
command, when a connection is established the entry connected to is
taken out of the list, so that when you later select the 'Redial'
command from the dialing directory or the Alt-Q command from terminal
mode, only the remaining entries will be shown.
While redialing, you have the option of changing the time that Telix
waits for a connection, and also the option of deleting a number from
the list to dial, by pressing 'T' and 'D' respectively.
Normally, when a connection has been reached, Telix sounds an alarm to
alert you of this. If a script file is linked to the entry however,
the alarm is skipped so that the script may immediately proceed. It
is thus the responsibility of the linked script to alert the user of
the fact that a connection has been reached.
Pressing Alt-Q while in the terminal mode or selecting 'Redial last'
from the dialing directory menu will allow you to redial one or more
numbers that you entered previously using the 'List' command, so that
you do not have to re-enter them. You will be shown the list and
asked to edit it until you are sat- isfied, and then to press Return.
..end(d queue)
..d bar
..window(d bar) ,,4,4,73,18
4.9 The Quick Dial Bar
You may have noticed that after you press Alt-D an inverse bar is
displayed on the bottom of the screen, asking you to select the
entries to dial or press Return to see the Dialing directory. Up to
now, you have just pressed Return to go on to the Dialing Directory,
but this bar is a quick way to dial commonly called directory entries
whose numbers you have memorized. You may enter a list of entries to
dial just as if you had used the 'List' command of the dialing
directory menu. This saves the dialing directory from having to be
displayed on the screen if you already know the entry or entries you
want to dial. The Quick Dial Bar can also be used to dial a number
manually. To do this just preface the number with an 'm'. For
example, 'm967-1111' would dial 967-1111, just as if you had used the
'Manual' dial option of the Dialing Directory. Either lowercase or
uppercase 'm' is accepted. The use of the Quick Dial Bar may be
disabled via the Configuration Menu.
..end(d bar)
..f xfer
..window(f xfer) ,,4,4,73,18
5. FILE TRANSFERS
Sending files from one computer to another is one of the most useful
things you can do with your modem. Telix supports a full assortment
of the most popular file transfer protocols, including Xmodem,
Xmodem-1k, Xmodem-1k-g, Zmodem, Compuserve Quick B, Kermit, Ymodem,
Ymodem-g, SEAlink, Telink, Modem7, and ASCII. Telix's file transfers
are very fast, surpassing most programs in speed by a respectable
margin. All file transfers use a 10 Kbyte buffer, and full error
detection is standard.
Telix allows you to define up to four external protocols, which are
completely integrated into the file transfer menus. when you select
one of these protocols, Telix executes a DOS batch file or Telix
script file, which must then call the appropriate external driver for
the protocol. In this way, you may add virtually any file transfer
protocol to Telix. Adding external protocols is defined in the
section on the Configuration Menu.
..end(f xfer)
..f down
..window(f down) ,,4,4,73,18
5.1 Downloading (Receiving) Files
To start downloading (receiving) a file from a remote host, you must
usually inform the remote host of the files that you want it to send
to you. You must then start the download on the Telix side. Pressing
the Alt-R key will display a menu asking which file transfer protocol
you would like to use:
+-+ Download file +-+
| |
| Which Protocol? |
| |
| ASCII |
| CIS Quick B |
| Kermit |
| Modem7 |
| SEAlink |
| Telink |
| Xmodem |
| 1k-Xmodem |
| G-1k-Xmodem |
| Ymodem (Batch) |
| YmodEm-g |
| Zmodem |
| Quit |
| |
+-------------------+
If any external protocols are defined, they are also shown as part of
the menu.
If you have selected Xmodem, Xmodem-1k, Xmodem-1k-g, or ASCII, as the
protocol, Telix will ask you for the filename to save the file to.
Telix always watches what you type while online, and will often know
the name of the file you want to transfer, in which case this name
will be displayed and all you have to do to accept it is press
Return. Any legal DOS filename is valid, including a path. If the
filename you supply already exists, Telix will ask you to confirm your
choice or give another filename. If you select any other protocol,
the remote sender of the file will supply the name to save the file
to. If you have entered a download directory name in the
Configuration Menu, Telix will automatically save download files there
if you don't specify another path. Telix has automatic incoming
file protection. If the name is supplied by the host and exists
already the file is renamed by using numerals in the extension, as
needed.
During the transfer, a full status window is displayed showing the
elapsed time, the number of bytes received, and an approximate
Character Per Second rating, which can give an idea of the effective
speed of the transfer. Batch protocols will also display the expected
file size and file transfer time. For ASCII transfers, a status
window is not displayed, only a single status line at the top of the
screen. To abort a file transfer at any time press the Escape key.
..end(f down)
..f up
..window(f up) ,,4,4,73,18
5.2 Uploading (Sending) Files
To start uploading (sending) a file to a remote host you must also
usually inform the host of the file you will be sending it. To start
the upload on the Telix end press the Alt-S key. This will display a
menu asking you which file transfer protocol you want to use to send
the file. After you have selected the protocol, you will be asked for
the file(s) to send. You may use the wildcard characters ? and *
(see your DOS manual, for more information about wildcard
characters). During the file transfer, a full status window is
displayed, unless you are using ASCII protocol, in which case only a
status line is displayed. Information shown is the expected time the
transfer will take, the time remaining, the number of bytes to send,
the number of bytes left, and an approximate Character Per Second
rating, which can give an idea of the effective speed of the
transfer. To abort a transfer at any time press the Escape key.
..end(f up)
..f protocol
..window(f protocol) ,,4,4,73,18
5.3 File Transfer Protocols
Xmodem - This is the most popular protocol in use today, but it is
slowly being replaced by quicker and more reliable protocols. Xmodem
sends files in blocks of 128 characters at a time. When the receiving
computer is satisfied that the block has arrived intact, it signals so
and waits for the next block. Error checking is a checksum or a more
sophisticated
Cyclic Redundancy Check. Telix supports both and will automatically
use the right one. During a download, Telix will attempt to use the
CRC, but will switch to checksum if it seems the host does not support
CRC. The Xmodem protocol also needs a setup of no parity, 8 data
bits, and 1 stop bit. If your communications parameters are different
from these when you start an Xmodem transfer, Telix will switch to the
required setup for the transfer, and back to the original setup after
it is finished. In the Configuration Menu, you may enabled Relaxed
Xmodem timing. This is for use with remote services that can not
tolerate strict timing during Xmodem transfers.
Xmodem-1k - This is a small variation of the above that uses blocks
that are 1 Kilobyte (1024 bytes) in size. This protocol is still
mistakenly called 'Ymodem' by many programs, but people are
gradually moving over to the proper name.
Xmodem-1k-g - This is a variation of the above that is meant for
error-free channels such as error correcting modems or null modem
cable links between two computers. It achieves great speed by sending
blocks one after another without waiting for acknowledgement from the
receiver. Because of this however, it can not re-send blocks in case
of errors (and thus the need for an error-free link). If an error is
detected by the receiver, the transfer is aborted. This protocol is
still mistakenly called 'Ymodem-g' by many programs, but people are
gradually moving over to the proper name.
Compuserve Quick B - This protocol is used only on the Compuserve
Information Service. It is quite fast and specially suited for the
networks used in accessing CIS, which have large turnaround delays.
This is a windowed protocol, which basically means that unless errors
are detected, data is being sent at all times. A CIS Quick B transfer
is totally controlled by Compuserve. After telling CIS what file(s)
to send, the user does nothing. Telix, in terminal mode, then detects
the command from CIS which tells it to start the transfer (note that
CIS Quick B transfer must be enabled in the Configuration Menu, or
they will not work).
Zmodem - This advanced protocol is very fast and incredibly reliable,
and offers many features. Zmodem can transfer a group of files in one
batch, and keeps the exact file sizes and dates. Zmodem can detect
and recover from errors quickly, and can resume an interrupted
transfer at a later time (this feature, called Crash Recovery, may be
toggled in the 'Protocol options' page of the Configuration Menu).
Zmodem is also very well suited for satellite links and packet
switched networks.
SEAlink - SEAlink is an advanced version of Xmodem developed by System
Enhancement Associates. It is a sliding window protocol SEAlink is
15 to 25 percent faster than regular Xmodem. SEAlink passes a file's
name, size, and date when transferring it, and can be used to send
more than one file at a time.
ASCII - in an ASCII transfer, it is as if the sender is actually
typing the characters and the receiver is just recording them. There
is no form of error detection used. Usually only ASCII files can be
sent in this way, as binary files contain characters which would
foul-up the screen.
Ymodem - This protocol is a variation on Xmodem, which allows for
multiple files to be sent per transfer. While transferring files,
it keeps the correct name, size, and date, and may use 128 or 1024
byte block sizes.
Ymodem-g - This protocol is a variation on the above, which achieves
very high transfer rates by sending blocks one after another without
waiting for acknowledgement. This however means than an error-free
link such as an error-correcting modem or null modem cable between two
computers is needed. If an error is detected by the receiver, the
transfer is aborted.
Telink - This protocol is mainly found on Fido bbs systems. It is
basically the Xmodem protocol using CRC checking with an extra block
sent ahead of the file telling its name, size, and date. This
protocol allows more than one file to be sent at a time.
Modem7 - Modem7 is a close cousin to Xmodem that passes the filename
before starting the transfer, thus taking away some of the user's
work. It is common on CP/M systems. This protocol allows more than
one file to be sent at a time.
Kermit - The Kermit protocol; was developed to make it easier for
computers of different types to send files to each other. Almost any
computer using Kermit can be set up to send files to another computer
using Kermit (the same can be said of Zmodem however). Various
options in the Kermit protocol implemented in Telix can be tailored to
the user's needs in the Configuration Menu, option 'Kermit transfers'.
..end(f protocol)
..f which
..window(f which) ,,4,4,73,18
5.4 Which One to Use
Telix supports a large number of built in file transfer protocols. To
this can be added external protocols. It can get confusing to decide
which one to use. When both sides of the connection only support one
protocol, then obviously that is the one to use, no matter what its
deficiencies. Otherwise some protocols are a better choice than
others. On Compuserve, CIS Quick B should be used. For most
purposes, Zmodem is the best all around protocol. It is very fast and
very reliable. Ymodem-g and Xmodem-1k-g are slightly faster. However
these two protocols need an error-free link. After that, Ymodem,
SEAlink, and Xmodem-1k are quite fast and pretty reliable. The last
choice would be Xmodem and its close cousins Telink and Modem7. ASCII
transfers are suitable only for text files and do not perform any
error detection or correction, so they are to be avoided if possible.
..end(f which)
.c menu
6. THE TELIX CONFIGURATION MENU
Telix has many features which can be customized. These include things
like the screen setup, the communications parameters, and many other
items. The default values for these parameters are stored in a file
called TELIX.CNF, the configuration file. Telix will automatically
read this file upon starting up. The first time you use Telix, this
file is created for you with some standard default values. Pressing
Alt-O while in terminal mode brings up the Telix Configuration Menu,
which allows you to change all these default settings.
+-+ Configure Telix +------------+
| |
| Change which default settings? |
| |
| Screen and color |
| Terminal Options |
| General settings |
| Modem and dialing |
| Filenames and paths |
| ASCII transfers |
| Protocol options |
| Kermit transfers |
| Comm port setup |
| Write changes to disk |
| Exit |
| |
+--------------------------------+
The first seven options are parameter areas, the last two deal with
leaving the Configuration Menu.
..end(c menu)
..c screen
..window(c screen) ,,4,4,73,18
6.1 Screen and Color Settings
The fist item of the Configuration Menu allows you to set the screen
and colors default settings. After picking this option you will be
shown a menu listing the various parts of the screen displays (e.g.,
menu foreground colors). If you pick one of these items you will be
allowed to scroll through the possible colors for it by using the
arrow keys. When you have selected the right colors, press Return.
If you want to leave the colors menu without selecting one press Esc.
Another setting on the 'Screen and colors' menu is the 'Screen write
mode'. If you pick this option you will be asked in which way you
want Telix to write to the screen. This depends on the video adapter
present in your system. The first option is a direct screen write.
This is the fastest mode, and should be used if you have a monochrome
adapter, an EGA adapter, or another video adapter that never gets
snow. The second option is a direct screen write with port checks.
This method is slightly slower. You should use this method if you
screen gets snow on it or it flickers while executing the DOS 'dir'
command. One card with which you should use this is the
color/graphics adapter. Don't use this option if your video card
doesn't need it, as it may interfere with communications. The final
method is a screen write with BIOS calls. You should use this method
with applications like Topview, Desqview, or DoubleDOS. This method
is quite slow however.
When you have finished picking the colors, select the 'Keep changes &
exit' option if you want to keep the color changes you have made, or
the 'exit' option if you want to discard them.
..end(c screen)
..c term
..window(c term) ,,4,4,73,18
6.2 Terminal Options
Selecting the second option of the Configuration Menu shows a screen
of settings related to Telix operation while in terminal mode (with
some extending to other areas of Telix). To select a setting to
change type the letter beside it. Telix will then allow you to change
the old setting. Press Esc at this point to exit without changing
anything. Options include:
A: The default communications parameters. These include
baud, data bits, parity, and stop bits. Note that this
will not change the current settings, only the defaults
the next time you run Telix.
B: The default communications port. This can be COM1
through COM8. Note that this will not change the cur-
rent port, only the port used the next time you run
Telix.
C: The terminal Telix emulates by default. Allowable ter-
minals are "TTY", "ANSI-BBS", "VT102", "VT52", and
"AVATAR". Note that this will not change the current
port, only the port used the next time you run Telix.
D: The Status Line. Telix allows a status line to be dis-
played at the bottom or top of the screen. The status
line shows some useful information. This option con-
trols whether Telix displays the status line at the
bottom or top of the screen, or not at all.
E: Local echo on/off. This controls whether or not Telix
should echo on the screen any characters you type while
in Terminal mode. This is usually off for BBS use. Lo-
cal echo on is often also called Half Duplex, while lo-
cal echo off is called Full Duplex.
F: Add line feeds on/off. This controls whether or not
Telix should add line feeds to incoming Carriage Re-
turns characters while in terminal mode. If you are
connected to a remote system and lines are overwriting
each other, this should be on, otherwise it should be
off.
G: Strip high bit on/off. Telix can strip the high (most
significant) bit from incoming data bytes while in ter-
minal mode. This is sometimes useful because it allows
the high/parity bit of incoming text to be ignored.
H: Received backspace destructive on/off. This setting
controls how Telix treats incoming backspace charac-
ters. If backspace characters are destructive, Telix
backs up over the previous character and erases it,
otherwise the existing character is not erased.
I: XON/XOFF software flow control on/off. This controls
whether or not Telix should use the XON/XOFF software
handshaking protocol while in terminal mode and during
ASCII file transfers. This should usually be on.
J: CTS/RTS hardware handshaking on/off. Hardware handshak-
ing is used with high speed modems and null modem cable
links to regulate the flow of data. If the modem sup-
ports Hardware handshaking this should be on. If a null
modem cable is being used and these signals are valid
over the cable, this should be on.
K: DSR/DTR hardware handshaking on/off. Hardware handshak-
ing is used with high speed null modem cable links to
regulate the flow of data. If a null modem cable is be-
ing used and these signals are valid over the cable,
this should be on. Often a null modem cable will allow
one type of hardware handshaking to be used, but not
the other.
L: Compuserve Quick B transfers on/off. Compuserve Quick B
transfers are initiated by Compuserve, which sends a
special character. Telix, upon detecting this character
while in terminal mode, starts the transfer. This op-
tion allows this recognition to be disabled.
M: Zmodem auto-downloads on/off. Telix, while in Terminal
Mode, can detect the packet from another computer send-
ing files using the Zmodem protocol, and automatically
begin a Zmodem download on the local end. This option
allows this feature to be disabled.
N: Answerback string. Some systems require that the termi-
nal program send an identification string when an ENQ
(Ctrl-E) character is received. You may define such an
'answerback' string here. If this string is empty,
nothing is sent. As well, note that the answerback
string is not sent if Compuserve Quick B transfers are
enabled (above), as Ctrl-E is used as part of that pro-
tocol.
..end(c term)
..c general
..window(c general) ,,4,4,73,18
6.3 General Settings
The third option of the Configuration Menu allows you to change some
general default settings. They are:
A: Sound (on/off). If this is off Telix will not make ANY
sounds.
B: Alarm sound (on/off). If this is off Telix will not
make ANY alarm sounds, but will still beep when it re-
ceives the bell code from the remote host, unless the
sound option is also off.
C: Keep aborted downloads (on/off). If this is on, Telix
will keep files which were aborted during a download.
Otherwise Telix will delete these files.
D: Show free space for downloads (on/off). This setting
controls whether or not Telix will display the free
space on the disk when you start a download. The option
to turn it off is provided because the free space dis-
play takes a few seconds for large hard disks.
E: Use of Quick Dial Bar (on/off). When you press Alt-D to
access the dialing directory, Telix normally first dis-
plays the Quick Dial Bar at the bottom of the screen,
which allows you dial entries without having to view
the dialing directory. If you would rather go directly
to the dialing directory when you press Alt-D, set this
option to Off.
F: Confirm Hang-up (on/off). Setting this option to on
will make Telix ask for confirmation before hanging up,
when Alt-H is pressed.
G: Usage Log on by default (on/off). If this option is set
to on, Telix will open the standard Usage Log
"TELIX.USE" at program start up. Otherwise the usage
log must be manual turned on if needed.
H: Scroll-Back buffer size. This setting controls the size
of the Telix Scroll-BAck buffer (in kilobytes). For
changes to this setting to take effect you must save
the changes to disk and restart Telix.
I: Capture file buffer size. This is the size of the disk
buffer that Telix should use for the Capture file when
it is opened. Values from 0 to 4 Kilobytes are allowed.
A larger buffer size means the disk is accessed less
often.
..end(c general)
..c modem
..window(c modem) ,,4,4,73,18
6.4 Modem and Dialing settings
Selecting the fourth option of the Configuration Menu shows a
screen-full of default settings that Telix uses to control the modem
and its output. The default configuration that Telix comes with is
set up for Hayes compatible modems. These modems use the 'AT' command
set. By changing these settings Telix can work with almost any
modem. The parameters are:
A: Modem initialization string. This string will be sent
to the modem when Telix first starts. Different modems
might need different strings. The default string is set
up for Hayes compatible modems. It is:
'ATZ^M~~AT S7=45 S0=0 V1 X1^M where:
AT is the modem attention code.
Z resets the modem to default state
^M sends the terminating Carriage Return
character to the modem.
~~ pauses to give the modem time
AT is the modem attention code.
S7=45 makes the modem wait 45 seconds for a con-
nection.
S0=0 turns off auto answer.
V1 makes the modem respond with words.
X1 makes the modem give extended result
codes. It is important that if your modem
supports a higher 'X' value, you use that
instead. For example, on a Hayes 2400,
'X4' enables BUSY signal detection.
^M sends the terminating Carriage Return
character to the modem.
B: Dialing prefix 1. A Dialing prefix is what Telix sends
to the modem when dialing, before the number, for exam-
ple, 'ATDT' for Hayes compatible modems. There are
three dialing prefixes allowed, and in the dialing di-
rectory you may chose which one to use for each entry.
One use for this is if your modem support MNP, to de-
fine two prefixes which turn MNP support on and off,
thus avoiding the delay when you call a system that
doesn't support MNP.
C: Dialing prefix 2:
D: Dialing prefix 3.
E: Dialing postfix. This is the string Telix should send
after the number when dialing. On Hayes compatible
modems this is just a Carriage Return character, '^M'.
F: Connect string. This is the string which the modem
sends upon getting a connection. e.g., 'CONNECT'
G: No connect strings. These are up to four strings which
the modem sends when it has failed to make a connection
while dialing, for example 'NO CARRIER', 'BUSY', etc.
H: Hang-up string. This is the string Telix should send to
the modem to make it hang up. The default string works
for Hayes compatible modems and is:
'~~~+++~~~ATH0^M' where
~~~ pauses Telix for 1 1/2 secs.
+++ escapes the modem into command mode.
~~~ pauses Telix for 1 1/2 secs.
AT is the modem attention code.
H0 tells the modem to hang up.
^M sends the terminating Carriage Return
character to the modem.
Before sending this string to the modem Telix always
tries to hang-up the modem by a faster way that works
with MOST modems. This is done by dropping (turning
off) a special signal called the DTR (Data Terminal
Ready) line on the RS-232 port. If dropping the DTR
makes the modem hang-up then the hang-up string is not
sent to the modem.
I: Auto Answer string. This is the string that Telix
should send to the modem upon entering Host Mode. This
string should allow the modem to automatically pick up
the phone when it rings, and initialize it in any other
ways that might be necessary.
J: Dial cancel string. This is the string Telix should
send to the modem to cancel the current dialing at-
tempt. On most modems all that is necessary is a Car-
riage Return character, "^M".
K: Dial time. This is the amount of time Telix should wait
for a connection while dialing. This should usually be
set to be greater than the amount of time the modem
waits for the connection.
L: Redial pause;. This is the number of seconds Telix
should wait between attempts while redialing.
M: Auto baud detect (on/off). If this option is on and
Telix dials a number, it will check the modem connect
message for a baud rate indication. If the baud is dif-
ferent than was specified for the entry being dialed,
Telix switches to the new baud rate. This option only
works with Hayes compatible modems. This option must
not be enabled when you have told the modem to maintain
a constant or locked baud rate between the computer and
the modem, as is often done with high-speed, error cor-
recting modems, or modems supporting MNP (e.g. USR HST,
Hayes V-Series, etc.).
..end(c modem)
..c filespecs
..window(c filespecs) ,,4,4,73,18
6.5 Filenames and Path Settings
The fifth option of the Configuration Menu allows you to change
several filename and pathname defaults. They are:
A: Download directory. This is the disk directory in which
Telix should save files which are downloaded
(received). The user can override this by giving a full
pathname when prompted.
B: Upload directory. This is the disk directory where
Telix should look for files to be uploaded. The user
can override this by giving a full filename when
prompted.
C: Script directory. This is the directory in which Telix
should look for script files when trying to execute
them. The user can override this by using a full path-
name in front of the filename when specifying it.
D: Default Capture file. This is the default name Telix
should use when opening the capture file. The user can
override this.
E: Default Usage Log. This is default name Telix should
use when opening the Usage Log. The user can override
this.
F: Directory program. This is the name of the disk di-
rectory program the Telix should run when you select
the 'Files directory' command. If you do not specify a
program here Telix will use an internal routine that
also displays the amount of time it will take to trans-
fer each file in the directory. An example of a program
you could specify here is 'dir/p', which would use the
DOS dir command with pauses at each page full, to dis-
play the directory.
G: Screen Image file. This is the file that Telix should
save screen images (generated with the Alt-I command)
to. the default name is TELIX.MSG.
H: Editor name. This should be name of your editor, in-
cluding the extension of the name (EXE, COM, or .BAT
for batch files), for example "c:\editor.com'. The in-
dicated file must either be in the current directory,
in a directory included in the DOS Path, or the name
must include the full path. You need to set this param-
eter only if you want to run your editor using the Alt-
A, Run Editor command.
..end(c filespecs)
..c ascii
..window(c ascii) ,,4,4,73,18
6.6 ASCII Transfers
The sixth option of the Configuration Menu allows you to customize
Telix ASCII file transfers to your needs, so that Telix may work with
almost any system. The options are:
A: Strip high bit during transfers (on/off). If this pa-
rameter is on, the high (most significant) bit of each
character sent for uploads, or received for downloads,
is stripped. This can be used to ignore parity. On the
other hand, the upper 128 characters in the IBM ex-
tended ASCII character set are then converted to the
lower value.
B: Remote abort character. This is the character which
when received during an ASCII upload or download, is
taken to mean that the remote end is wants to abort the
transfer. One possible value might be 24 (Ctrl-X).
C: Local echo. If this is on, Telix will echo characters
locally while uploading. This should normally be off.
D: Expand blank lines. If this is on, when Telix is send-
ing a file and it encounters a blank line, it will add
a space to that line. This is very useful for systems
that assume a blank line means "end of file", or for
uploading a message on most bulletin boards.
E: Pace character. This is the ASCII value of the char-
acter that Telix should wait for before sending each
line. If this value is 0, Telix will not wait for any
character.
F: Line Pacing. This is the amount of time (in 1/10 sec-
onds), that Telix should wait before sending each line.
This delay is often not necessary, but for some bbs's
for example, it's vital.
G: Character pacing. This is the time delay (in millisec-
onds) that Telix should wait between each character. As
the PC's hardware clock does not have enough resolu-
tion, this is a software loop based delay. Therefore, a
value of 1 here will delay a 4.77 MHz XT approximately
1 millisecond, and faster PCs for a proportionally
smaller time period.
H: Upload CR translation. This is what Telix should do
with Carriage Return chars when uploading ASCII files.
The three options are to do nothing, to strip them, or
to add a Line Feed character afterwards.
I: Upload LF translation. This is what Telix should do
with Line Feed characters when uploading ASCII files.
The three options are to do nothing, to strip them, or
to add a Carriage Return before each.
J: Download CR translation. This is exactly the same as
setting E (above), but applies when downloading ASCII
files.
K: Download LF translation. This is exactly the same as
setting F (above), but applies when downloading ASCII
files.
..end(c ascii)
..c protocol
..window(c protocol) ,,4,4,73,18
6.7 Protocol options
The seventh item of the configuration Menu allows you to configure
external protocols, as well as a couple of other settings.
An external protocol is simply a file transfer protocol that is
implemented outside of Telix. You specify the name of the protocol,
the key used to select it on the file transfer menu, and define how it
is to be called. Items 'A' through 'D' are the definitions for the
four external protocols allowed. When you select a definition to
edit, Telix will ask a series of questions:
Key: This is the key that should be pressed to select
this protocol when the file transfer menu is displayed.
Protocol Name: This is the name Telix will display on the
file transfer menu for this protocol.
Upload Filename: This is the name of the DOS batch file
or Telix script file to call when the user selects an up-
load using this protocol.
Download filename: This is the name of the DOS batch file
or Telix script file to call when the user selects a
download using this protocol.
BAT or Script: This controls whether the above two file-
names are DOS batch files or Telix script files.
DL Name: This option controls whether or not Telix should
ask for the name of the file when performing a download
using this protocol. In many protocols, the sender passes
the name of the file(s) to the receiver, so Telix
shouldn't ask for the download name.
See the Appendix titled 'External Protocols' for information
about what information is passed to the batch or script files
when an external transfer is selected.
Other settings on this page are:
E: Relaxed Xmodem timing. This option controls whether or
not Telix should use relaxed timing when performing an
Xmodem transfer. When calling some services, this op-
tion must be turned on because they can not tolerate
strict timing.
F: Filename guessing. This option controls Telix's use of
filename guessing. When you selected a file transfer to
be performed, telix can often guess the name of the
file to be transferred, based on your past keystrokes.
This option may be turned off here. As well, you may
specify that Telix gives only guesses which it is al-
most certain are filenames, or gives its 'Best try',
which may include guesses with extra characters which
are not necessarily part of the filename.
G: Zmodem receive crash recovery. When an aborted Zmodem
transfer must be resumed, this option should be turned
on. While this option is on, if a file being downloaded
using Zmodem already exists on the disk (and is shorter
than the file the sender has), Telix will tell the
sender to send only the bytes needed to complete the
file. This option should be used with care. The possi-
bility exists that a file with the same name but dif-
ferent contents exists on each system, in which case
you do not want only some of the data transferred.
H: Zmodem send crash recovery. When this option is on,
during a Zmodem upload of files, Telix will try to tell
the sender to resume aborted transfers. This option
should be used with care, as some systems do not sup-
port crash recovery, and will behave unpredictably.
I: Allow Zmodem 32 bit CRCs. Real speed freaks may turn
off the use of 32 bit CRC error checking (still quite
reliable 16 bit CRCs are used instead), to get on the
order of a quarter to a half of a percent speed in-
crease in Zmodem transfers.
..end(c protocol)
..c kermit
..window(c kermit) ,,4,4,73,18
6.8 Kermit Transfers
The eighth option of the Configuration Menu allows you to configure
Telix's implementation of the Kermit protocol to your needs. The
options will not be described here, due to the fact that the Kermit
protocol is relatively complicated, and if you must change one of
these parameters, you should already know what it means.
..end(c kermit)
..c port
..window(c port) ,,4,4,73,18
6.9 Comm port setup
The ninth option of the Configuration Menu allows you to con-
figure/define the communications ports. Telix supports definitions
for 8 comm ports. By default, the first four comm ports are defined
to the standards for COM1 through COM4. The last four comm ports are
by default duplicates of COM1. For each port you may define the base
address (in hexadecimal) of that port, as well as the interrupt
request number (irq) to use. Unless you are absolutely sure about
your information, do not play around with these values! Wrong values
could cause unexpected and possibly disruptive results.
..end(c port)
..c save
..window(c save) ,,4,4,73,18
6.10 Saving Changes and Leaving
Once you have picked your default options you can save them to the
configuration file by selecting the option 'Write setup to disk'. If
you want to keep any changes just for the current session, then exit
the Configuration Menu using the option 'Exit'.
..end(csave)
..t emulation
..window(t emulation) ,,4,4,73,18
7. TERMINAL EMULATION
A video display terminal is basically a relatively dumb computer which
is linked up to another computer (over a cable or modem link) and
displays what that computer sends to it. A mainframe or mini computer
has a large amount of processing power and can drive a number of
terminals at the same time.
There are many different terminal types. Each one follows its own
codes for controlling how information is displayed on the screen. For
example, there are sequences to clear the screen, move the cursor,
scroll the display, and so on. Most terminals also have special keys
which send special sequences back to the main computer.
Telix can emulate several terminals. While in terminal mode, you may
change the terminal type Telix is currently emulating by pressing
Alt-T. The default terminal can also be set in the 'Terminal
settings' page of the Configuration Menu. Following are the choices
Telix offers:
..end(t emulation)
..t tty
..window(t tty) ,,4,4,73,18
7.1 TTY
A TTY (Teletype) terminal is very stupid. It basically displays all
the values it receives, except for about 5 or 6 Control codes (such as
Carriage Return), which move the cursor and ring the bell. Telix does
not have any special key definitions for this terminal type.
..end(t tty)
..t ansi
..window(t ansi) ,,4,4,73,18
7.2 ANSI-BBS
This is a subset of the real ANSI terminal type defined by the
American National Standards Institute. Many BBS programs, when told
to do so, can send sequences supported by this terminal to make screen
display more interesting and colorful.
The ANSI.KEY file contains definitions for the arrow keys, and is
automatically read when this terminal is selected. These definitions
are supported by some full screen editors, for example.
..end(t ansi)
..t vt102
..window(t vt102) ,,4,4,73,18
7.3 VT102
The DEC VT102 terminal is one of the most popular (and most emulated)
terminals in existence. It was developed by Digital Equipment
Corporation. The VT102 terminal has a large number of functions.
Telix supports all of these except for 132 column mode and double
height mode. As well, Telix only emulates double width mode, by
adding a space after every character.
The VT102 keyboard layout used by Telix is stored in the VT102.KEY
file, which is automatically read by Telix when VT102 terminal
emulation is selected. Once Telix has loaded this into memory, the
definitions can be edited through the use of the Alt-K
(Keyboard/macros) function. The default layout is one used by many
comm programs, in which the normal function keys (F1-F10) represent
the left side of the VT's numeric keypad, while the shifted function
keys (Shift-F1 - Shift-F10) represent the right side, as follows:
Telix function Keys DEC VT102 Keypad
F1 - F10 SF1 - SF10
+----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+
|PF1 | |PF2 | |PF3 | |PF4 | |PF1 | |PF2 | |PF3 | |PF4 |
+----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+
+----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+
| 7 | | 8 | | 9 | | - | | 7 | | 8 | | 9 | | - |
+----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+
+----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+
| 4 | | 5 | | 6 | | , | | 4 | | 5 | | 6 | | , |
+----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+
+----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+
| 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | E | | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | E |
+----+ +----+ +----+ | N | +----+ +----+ +----+ | N |
+-----------+ +----+ | T | +-----------+ +----+ | T |
| 0 | | . | | R | | 0 | | . | | R |
+-----------+ +----+ +----+ +-----------+ +----+ +----+
The arrow keys are also defined to send the proper sequences.
There is also an alternate VT102 keyboard layout available, which may
be more suitable to some users, and on some keyboards. It is in the
file VT102ALT.KEY. This layout, instead of using all the function
keys to send out the codes generated by the VT's numeric keypad, will
send the proper codes from the PC's numeric keypad when the Num-Lock
key is depressed (F1 to F4 represent the VT's PF1 to PF4). This
layout is especially handy for users with the enhanced 101 key
keyboard, and for keyboards with the functions keys across the top.
To make use of the alternate layout, while at the DOS prompt type:
ren VT102.KEY VT102OLD.KEY
ren VT102ALT.KEY VT102.KEY
..end(t vt102)
..t vt52
..window(t vt52) ,,4,4,73,18
7.4 VT52
The DEC VT52 is another relatively common terminal type, that is
considerably simpler than the VT102. Telix's key definitions for the
VT52 are stored in the VT52.KEY file.
..end(t vt52)
..s scripts
..window(s scripts) ,,4,4,73,18
8. USING SCRIPT FILES
Telix has an incredibly powerful built-in 'script' or command
language, called SALT (Script Application Language for Telix). In the
simplest terms, a script file is a sequence of commands for Telix to
follow, written using a certain format. Script files can do many
useful things like automatically logging on to a host, setting up
special parameters, performing unnatended file transfers, and many
other tasks. A script file can be linked to a dialing directory entry
so that it is run automatically when that entry is connected to, and
supplies the needed logon information.
Before a SALT script can be used, it must be 'compiled'. The CS.EXE
program included with Telix takes the ASCII 'source' scripts that the
user writes, and compiles or converts them to a form that is easier
for Telix to process, usually takes less space, and loads more
quickly. SALT scripts may actually use any name. However in standard
practice the extension 'SLT' is used for SALT source scripts, and the
same name with the extension 'SLC' is used for the compiled version.
Like any real programming language, SALT has a large number of
features. Because of this, programming in SALT is not easy for the
beginner who has no knowledge of any programming concepts. However
SALT scripts can be used to different degrees. The advanced user can
program complex applications, while even a novice can modify the
sample scripts include with Telix, and run scripts supplied by others.
For advanced users, a separate 100+ page manual describes SALT and its
syntax. The rest of this section describes how to run and compile
SALT scripts.
If you have an already compiled SALT script (ending with the
extension 'SLC' (for example, the HOST.SLC Host Mode script file), it
is very easy to execute. While in terminal mode, press Alt-G. Telix
will ask for the name of the script file to run. If you supply no
extension, 'SLC' is assumed. If a special directory where script
files are to be found has been defined, Telix will look there for
script files, unless a path is given. To define this script directory
use the Telix Configuration Menu. Telix will then load the script
file and follow its instructions. To abort a script while it is
executing, press the Esc key. Sometimes you may have to press Esc
twice, the first time to abort the current function, and the second
time to abort the script itself.
You may have used your text editor to modify one of the sample scripts
included with Telix (most simply require inserting your name in a
clearly marked location near the top). You now need to compile the
script file. To do this, the CS.EXE program is used. While at the
DOS prompt, type 'CS', followed by a space and the name of the script
file you want to compile (the extension 'SLT' is assumed if none is
given). CS will scan through the source file and produce the compiled
version, using the same base name but the extension 'SLC'. If a
syntax error is discovered while compiling the script file, CS will
report it and abort. In that case the error should be fixed and CS
run again. From within Telix, you may quickly run CS either by using
the DOS Command function (Alt-V), or from the DOS Shell (Alt-J).
Remember, every time you make a change to the source file, you must
re-compile it, otherwise Telix will still run the old compiled
version. This sounds tedious, but in practice once a script is
developed it doesn't change very often.
..end(s scripts)
..h host
..window(h host) ,,4,4,73,18
9. HOST MODE
Telix allows you to set up your computer as a remote host, so that
others may call your system and perform operations like transferring
files and chatting. In short it is like having a small BBS on your
system, without all the setup work (however if your security needs are
complicated you should consider using a real BBS program). There are
a few requirements to running Host Mode. Your modem must be able to
pick up the phone when it rings. The CD (Carrier Detect) Mask must be
properly defined in the Configuration Menu, so that Telix can tell
when it is connected to a caller. Telix must also be able to hang up
the modem by dropping (turning off) the DTR line on the RS-232 port.
If one of these requirements is not met you probably can not run Telix
Host Mode on your system.
The Telix Host Mode is implemented as a script in Telix's powerful
SALT script language. To run the Host Mode script, press Alt-G while
in Terminal mode, and then enter 'HOST' as the script file name. The
script 'HOST' will then be run. Several Host Mode configuration
settings are kept in a file called 'HOST.CNF'. The first time you run
the Host Mode script, it will not find this file, and automatically
run the host Mode configuration script 'HCONFIG', which will created
the needed file and allow you to change the default values. At any
time in the future, you should run HCONFIG when you need to config-
ure the Host Mode. HCONFIG will present you with the following
parameters:
A: Level One access password. This is the password that
callers must successfully enter to be admitted to the
Host Mode and have Level One access.
B: Level two access password. This is the password that
callers must successfully enter to be admitted to the
Host Mode and have Level Two (Sysop) access.
C: DOS shell password. This is the password that users of
the Host Mode have to enter to use the Remote DOS Shell
option.
D: Shut down Host Mode password. This is the password that
callers must enter to shut down the Host Mode, when
they press Ctrl-Z.
E: Host Download Directory. Level 1 access callers will
only be able to download (have Telix send them) files
that are in this directory. As well, the 'F'iles com-
mand will show them only the contents of this direc-
tory. Do not under any circumstances define this direc-
tory to the same name as the directory you run Telix
in. If you did that, callers could download the Host
Mode configuration file, which is stored there, and see
your passwords. Level 2 access callers may specify any
download path, but this is the default.
F: Host Upload Directory. Level 1 access callers will only
be able to upload (send to Telix) files into this di-
rectory. Level 2 access callers can specify any path,
but files will go here by default.
G: Connection type. This can be either 'Modem' or
'Direct'. Use 'Modem' if your host system is being ac-
cessed through a modem, or 'Direct' if two computers
are hard-wired. This stops Telix from trying to ini-
tialize a non-existent modem. or trying to determine
the caller's baud.
There is one other important parameter which must be properly set for
Host Mode operation. This is the Auto Answer string, which is defined
in the 'Modem and dialing' page of the Configuration Menu. This
string is sent to the modem when Telix enters Host Mode, and should
make the modem able to pick up the phone when it rings. The default
string is set up for Hayes compatible modems. It is:
'AT X1 S0=1|^M' where
AT is the modem attention code.
X1 tells the modem to reply with extended re-
sult codes. This means the modem indicates
the caller's baud rate.
S0=1 tells the modem to answer after one ring.
^M sends the terminating Carriage Return
character.
There are two optional text files which are displayed to callers if
they exist, called LOGO.MSG, and WELCOME.MSG. They are described
below.
Once the Host Mode has been configured, it can actually be run. Telix
will make a note in the Host Mode audit file HOST.LOG and then will
immediately send the Host Mode init string to the modem. Telix then
waits for a caller. While in Host Mode, on the local side, the user
can always press Esc to exit Host Mode, or End to terminate the
current caller. He can also enter commands for the remote caller, so
that a novice caller can be helped along by the host operator. Also,
at any time, the current caller will be automatically terminated if
there is inactivity for five minutes, or the connection is lost. This
is all noted in the host audit file. If the caller has only access
level one, references to other disk directories than the ones defined
in HCONFIG are ignored, and all operations take place in those
directories. As well, Telix protects your files from being
accidentally overwritten by the caller.
When the Carrier Detect signal turns on Telix knows a caller is
online. At this point Telix will try to determine the caller's baud
rate. Most Hayes compatible modems can be initialized to send the
string 'CONNECT baud' where baud is the baud rate of the caller, when
they sense a connection. If Telix sees this string it will switch to
the appropriate baud. If this string is not received within a few
seconds of the connection, Telix will leave the baud rate at whatever
it was. Also, it should be mentioned that Telix can not determine the
caller's other settings like parity, data bits, and stop bits. These
must already be matching Telix's settings.
At this point, if the file LOGO.MSG exists in the Telix directory, it
is displayed to the caller. It should basically identify the system.
Then Telix will ask the caller for his/her name. The name must be at
least five letters long and is only used when indicating the caller in
the Host Mode audit file. If a password has been defined Telix will
ask the caller for it. The caller has three tries to complete the
password. All password attempts, successful or failed, are written to
the Host audit file. If the caller enters the Level One access
password, he may manipulate only the disk directories defined in
HCONFIG. Any other directories can not be accessed. If he enters the
Level Two access password, the caller may use full pathnames in all
file specifications. The level 2 password should only be kept for
yourself or those you completely trust, as a Level 2 caller can access
any files on your system.
If there is a file called WELCOME.MSG in the Telix directory, it is
then shown to the caller. This file can contain further
identification or news, that you only want valid callers to see.
After each 23 lines the caller is prompted to press any key to
continue. As well, the caller may press Ctrl-S to pause at any time,
and Ctrl-C or Ctrl-K to abort the listing. After the TELIX.MSG file
is displayed the caller is presented with a menu of options:
Files Type Upload Download Shell Chat Goodbye ?
The action to be taken is selected by entering its first letter. Case
does not matter. As mentioned already, the host operator is free to
enter any keystrokes for the caller.
The 'Files' option allows the caller to list the files in the current
disk directory. The caller must press a key after each screen. The
output is not echoed on the local screen. If the caller has access
level two s/he is prompted for a filespec, which may include the *
and ? wildcard characters (see your DOS manual), so that the contents
of other directories than the 'Host download dir' may be listed.
The 'Type' option allows the caller to view any ASCII file in the Host
Download Directory, or in any directory for access Level 2 callers.
The same format and commands are available during this command as for
the displaying of the optional message file TELIX.MSG.
The 'Upload' option allows the caller to send a file to the host. The
caller is shown the following menu (here slightly compressed so it
could fit):
Modem7 SEAlink Xmodem 1k-Xmodem G-1k-Xmodem Ymodem Ymodem-g
Which protocol?
and should select the appropriate protocol by its first letter
(or 'E' for Ymodem-g). If appropriate the caller is also asked
for the filename. The transfer is then initiated. Level 1
callers may only upload files into the 'Host Upload Directory'
defined with HCONFIG.
The 'Download' command allows a caller to receive a file from the
host. The caller must select the protocol as described above, and
then must tell Telix the file(s) to send. The transfer is then
initiated. Level 1 access callers may only download files from the
'Host Download Directory' defined with HCONFIG.
The 'Shell' command is a very powerful but also very dangerous
command. It allows the caller to run a DOS shell on your system,
except that the caller receives the output, and the caller enters the
keystrokes. This command is basically similar to entering 'CTTY COMx'
at the DOS prompt. The remote side has complete control of your
system. This is obviously very dangerous, as the caller can format
disks, delete files, or perform any other operation. To provide
security, a password must be entered to use the remote DOS shell. Be
very careful of whom you give this password to, as they can do
anything they want with your system. As well, don't leave it at the
default that Telix comes with. There are a few limitations in the
remote DOS shell. The caller will see program output only if the
programs use standard DOS output. Programs that write directly to the
video screen will work, but will not be seen by the remote caller. As
well, programs that use non-DOS methods of getting keystrokes will not
receive the callers keystrokes. Finally, under some systems, if the
caller presses Backspace at the DOS prompt when the current line is
empty, DOS will hang on the Host machine. As these are functions of
DOS, there is nothing that can be done about these limitations.
The 'Chat' command allows the caller to chat with the host op-
erator. When the caller presses 'C' the host operator is paged for 20
seconds. Press the Space bar to chat with the caller, or any other
key not to. Accepting the chat will place you in Chat Mode, exactly
as if you had used the Alt-Y command. The caller's keystrokes are
echoed back to him/her however, so that he/she can see them.
Finally, the 'Goodbye' command allows the caller to log off the host.
An entry noting the time and date is made in the host audit file, and
Telix then waits for a new caller.
The caller may also use one other command that is not displayed in
the menu. This is to shut down the Host Mode. If the caller presses
Ctrl-Z and successfully enters the shut down Host password defined in
the Configuration Menu, the Telix Host Mode is shut down and Telix
returns to whatever it was doing before Host Mode was initiated.
..end(h host)
..appendix a
..window(appendix a) ,,4,4,73,18
10. APPENDIX A - COMMAND SUMMARY BY KEYSTROKE
Major Commands Secondary Functions
-------------- -------------------
Alt-B Scroll Back Alt-A Run editor
Alt-D Dialing Directory Alt-C Clear screen
Alt-F DOS and File Functions Alt-E Local echo On/Off
Alt-G Run Script File (Go) Alt-H Hang-up modem
Alt-J Jump to DOS Shell Alt-I Screen Image
Alt-K Keyboard Definitions Alt-T Translate Table
Alt-L Capture File Alt-V DOS command
Alt-M Misc. Functions Alt-Y Chat Mode
Alt-O Configuration Menu Ctrl-@ Printer log on/off
Alt-P Comm Parameters Ctrl-End Send break signal
Alt-Q Queue Redial Last Numbers Shift-Tab Add line-feeds on/off
All-R Download (receive) Files
Alt-S Upload (send) Files
Alt-T Terminal Emulation
Alt-U Usage Log
Alt-W Translate Table
Alt-X Exit Telix
All of these commands should be entered while in terminal mode. Many
will prompt you for further courses of action.
..end(appendix a)
..appendix b
..window(appendix b) ,,4,4,73,18
11. APPENDIX B - TROUBLESHOOTING (PROBLEMS/SOLUTIONS)
Problem:
When the Host Mode script is run Telix always thinks that a caller is
online and immediately asks for the caller's name; or Telix always
says that a Hang-up operation failed even when it did in fact
successfully hang-up the modem.
Solution:
Your modem is almost certainly overriding the true state of the
Carrier Detect signal. This is the factory default on most modems,
but should be disabled. For proper operation, Telix needs to see this
signal on when connected to another computer, and off when not. If
your modem has dip switches, and they are in the same configuration as
on a Hayes 1200 or a USR Courier modem, switch number 6 must be in the
up position. If your modem does not seem to have any dip switches
(look carefully, sometimes the front needs to be popped off), it is
probably controlled solely by software commands. One example of this
is the Hayes 2400. For this modem, and others which follow the same
commands, you should add '&C1' in your modem init string as defined in
the Configuration Menu.
Problem:
When trying to use a multi-tasking system like Topview, Desqview, or
DoubleDOS, with Telix in the background, window displays bleed through
to the active partition.
Solution:
In the Telix Configuration Menu, select the 'Screen and colors
settings' option, then select as the Screen Write Mode, 'BIOS calls
used for writes'. Screen updating will be slower but will not bleed
through.
Problem:
When redialing Telix does not seem to know when a connection has been
reached.
Solution:
Telix knows when a connection has been reached in one of two ways:
when it receives a Connect string from your modem, or when the Carrier
Detect signal turns on (if it was off). Make sure that the Connect
string is properly defined in the Configuration Menu, or that your
modem does turn on the Carrier Detect signal regardless of whether or
not there is a connection.
Problem:
Telix doesn't work with a certain modem.
Solution:
Telix is set by default to use the Hayes 'AT' modem command standard.
There are modems that are not Hayes compatible however, and use other
commands to dial, hang up, and perform other tasks. Make sure that if
your modem is not Hayes compatible Telix has been properly configured
to its commands.
Problem:
When trying to use the DOS Shell, or another function that uses DOS,
Telix warns that it can not find a file called COMMAND.COM, and aborts
the function.
Solution:
The file COMMAND.COM is the DOS command interpreter. Telix must be
able to find it to use many DOS functions. The location of
COMMAND.COM is stored in an environment variable (explained in your
DOS manual) called COMSPEC. COMSPEC is set at boot-up, but if you
boot of a floppy and then change to another floppy or a hard disk, it
will not point to the right place anymore. In short, make sure that
COMSPEC always points to the location of COMMAND.COM, or that
COMMAND.COM is in the current directory.
Problem:
When calling some systems, especially large ones such as Compuserve
or the Source, all incoming characters look like garbage.
Solution:
The communications parameters are probably wrong. Most of these
systems need a setting of Even parity, 7 data bits, and 1 stop bit.
This is different from the normal standard of N81 used for most
bulletin boards.
..end(appendix b)
..appendix c
..window(appendix c) ,,4,4,73,18
12. APPENDIX C - PRODUCT SUPPORT
Telix is a relatively large and complicated program. In order to
support Telix and to provide a means of distribution, a BBS (Bulletin
Board System) for Telix support has been set up.
The Telix Software Support BBS is available 24 hours a day at
416-284-0682. If you have a Telix question or problem, or have found
a bug in Telix, give the support BBS a call. The latest version of
Telix may also be found on the support BBS.
If you're calling about a problem, try to be as specific as possible
when describing the problem. Include any relevant details, such as
your machine's configuration, Telix version number, resident software
installed, steps taken before the problem happens, and any other
things you feel are important. It is very hard to answer vague
questions such as, "Telix doesn't work on my PC. Do you know why?".
At the current time, the support BBS is open to all callers. It is
almost certain that in the future however it will be restricted to
registered users of Telix. Registered users will also receive mailed
notices of updates to the program.
..end(appendix c)
..appendix d
..window(appendix d) ,,4,4,73,18
13. APPENDIX D - INSTALLING EXTERNAL PROTOCOLS
While Telix supports a very large number of protocols internally, it
also allows users to define up to 4 external protocol implementations,
for the utmost in flexibility.
External protocols are defined in the 'Protocol options' page of the
Configuration Menu. Basically, based on this configuration, when the
user selects a transfer with this protocol, Telix will either run a
specified DOS Batch file, or a TELIX SALT script file.
13.1 Batch File Method
If a Batch file has been configured to be executed when the external
protocol is selected, TELIX will execute it and pass to it 3
parameters (with the third sometimes being blank). The first
parameter is the baud rate. This is accessed within the DOS batch
file as %1. The second parameter is the comm port number. This is
accessed as %2. The third parameter is the reply the user gave when
asked what file(s) to transfer. If this is a download and this
protocol has been defined to not need a download name, this parameter
will be blank. This parameter is referred to as %3 in the Batch file.
It is now the responsibility of the Batch file to call a driver
program for the protocol, using the supplied info. For example,
assuming Telix didn't have built-in Zmodem support, a batch file
called SZB.BAT could be defined to perform Zmodem uploads using the
commonly available DSZ program with the following command it.
DSZ port %2 speed %1 sz %3
This would tell DSZ what files to transfer, and also would specify the
proper baud rate and comm port.
13.2 Script File Method
Alternately Telix can run a SALT script file when the user selects an
external protocol. The script should be compiled ahead of time (as
explained elsewhere in this manual). The user's reply to the question
of what files to transfer is stored in the system variable
'_ext_filespec'. The script file is free to implement the protocol in
whatever way it wants to, such as calling an external driver program
using the 'RUN' function, or by actually performing the transfer
itself.
..end(appendix d)
..appendix e
..window(appendix e) ,,4,4,73,18
14. APPENDIX E - DIALING DIRECTORY FILE FORMAT
For programmers who wish to write dialing directory handling
utilities, a text file describing the dialing directory format used by
Telix is available on the Telix Software Support BBS.
..end(appendix e)