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EQUAL PARTNERS Virtual disk system Version 5.00 K.eeping I.nformation S.haring S.imple "If you know DOS then you already know how to use Equal Partners." COPYRIGHT (c) 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 by Downlink Systems ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This document describes the EQUAL PARTNERS virtual disk system, which was created by Downlink Systems, in December of 1986. THE PRIME RULE ---------------- ALWAYS BACK UP ANY DISK, WITH DATA ON IT, THAT YOU CANNOT -------------- RECREATE IN A TIMELY AND COSTLY MANNER OR WHOSE LOSS, EVEN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, WOULD HAVE A SERIOUS IMPACT ON YOUR NORMAL FLOW OF BUSINESS. DISCLAIMER OF ALL WARRANTIES AND LIABILITY ------------------------------------------ Downlink Systems ("supplier") makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to this documentation or with respect to the software described in this publication, its quality, performance, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. The software is sold or licensed "as is". The entire risk as to its quality and performance is with the buyer. Should the programs prove defective following their purchase, the buyer (and not the suppliers, not their distributor or retailer) assumes the entire cost of all necessary servicing, repair, or correction and any incidental or consequential damages. In no event will suppliers be liable for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect in the software, even if suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. i INDEX ------- Disclaimer ...................................... i Index ...................................... ii Introduction ..................................... iii I. WHAT IS EQUAL PARTNERS ........................... 1 II. WHY USE EQUAL PARTNERS ........................... 1 III. HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE USAGE RIGHTS .................. 2 IV. HOW DO YOU USE EQUAL PARTNERS .................... 3 V. DAILY USAGE ...................................... 4 VI. REQUIREMENTS ..................................... 5 VII. INSTALLATION .................................... 6 Server ..................................... 7 Remote ..................................... 8 VIII REMOTE SHUTDOWN - EXPLAINED ...................... 11 IX. VIRTUAL WRITE PROTECTION - EXPLAINED ............. 12 X. VIRTUAL PRINTER - EXPLAINED ..................... 13 XI. STATISTICS - EXPLAINED .......................... 14 XII. RAMDISK SUPPORT ................................. 15 XIII PROGRAM EXECUTION RESTRICTIONS .................. 16 XIV. DISK DRIVE MAPPING .............................. 17 XV. HOW SOME CUSTOMERS ARE USING EQUAL PARTNERS ...... 21 XVI PROGRAM UPDATE SERVICE .......................... 22 XVII VERSION NUMBERS ................................. 23 XVIII TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND NOTES ................. 24 Appendix A - Program Messages .................... A1 Appendix B - Site License ........................ B1 - Commercial License agreement......... B2 Appendix C - Ordering ............................ C1 - Credit card ORDERS ONLY:1-800 ....... C2 Appendix D - Comments ............................ D1 Appendix E - Mailing ............................ E1 ii INTRODUCTION EQUAL PARTNERS is the copyrighted property of Downlink Systems. You are granted a limited license to use , and to copy it and distribute it, provided that the following conditions are met: 1) No fee may be charged for such copying and distribution. 2) EQUAL PARTNERS may ONLY be distributed in its original, unmodified state. Contributions for the use of this program will be appreciated, and should be sent - Downlink Systems c/o D. Conner 1377 K. STREET N.W. SUITE 189 WASHINGTON D.C. 20005 You MAY NOT use this product in a commercial environment or a governmental organization without paying a license fee of $40. A program disk ,printed documentation and 'special' parallel adapter are available for $40.00 U.S. only. See the order form in the back of this manual for more details. EQUAL PARTNERS is user supported software. This means that you may copy the shareware version freely and give the copies away to anyone you wish, at no cost. They in turn are requested to send in a contri- bution if they decide to use it. The user supported software concept (often referred to as shareware) is an attempt to provide software at low cost. The cost of offering a new product by conventional means is staggering, and hence dissuades many independent authors and small companies from developing and promoting their ideas. User supported software is an attempt to develop a new marketing channel, where products can be introduced at low cost. If user supported software works, then everyone will benefit. The user will benefit by receiving quality products at low cost, and by being able to "test drive" software before purchasing it. The author benefits by being able to enter the commercial software arena without first needing large sources of venture capital. But it can only work with your support. We're not just talking about EP here, but about all user supported software. If you obtain a user supported program from a friend or colleague, and are still using it after a couple of weeks, then it is obviously worth something to you, and a contribution should be sent. Upon receipt of a contribution, you become a registered user and will receive a "full" feature, serial- ized version of EQUAL PARTNERS. iii I. WHAT IS EQUAL PARTNERS. ----------------------- Equal Partners is a software solution to the problem of sharing data between 5 1/4 floppy based PCs and the new IBM PS/2s, convertibles, lap-tops that use the 3 1/2 floppy drives (720K and 1.4 meg) , between different PCs with dissimilar disk(ette) storage media, or between different PCs with identical recording media!. Equal Partners addresses this problem by using inexpensive RS-232 serial or parallel adapters. Software device drivers and communication programs attach the physical devices of one PC to the DOS operating system of another PC. These physical devices become an extension of and to the operating system of the other PC so that all DOS functions that use a device letter, to access data, function without concern that these 'virtual' devices are not truly physically attached to the floppy/hard disk controller cards and printers. II. WHY USE EQUAL PARTNERS ---------------------- Equal Partners provides a cost effective solution, as opposed to other similar commercially available products, or to the hardware solution that IBM provides. IBM's solution is an external 5.25 drive and requires an additional out-of-pocket expense in the neighborhood of $400.00. Equal Partners allows you to try its low cost solution for a reasonable time. We are sure you would rather use the $400.00 you saved, to invest, expand and/or enrich your life in other ways. - 1 - III. HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE USAGE RIGHTS TO EQUAL PARTNERS. --------------------------------------------------- Equal Partners is not totally free, a small contribution is asked to allow the authors to feel that their efforts did not fall on unfertile ground. The contribution can consist of several forms: FOR INDIVIDUALS ---------------- 1). Monetary -------- A registration and usage fee of $40.00 is asked, of individuals. This will provide you with notices of upgrades and fixes, as well as allow you access to a version supporting additional com and prallel ports and faster transfer speeds plus other additional features. You may now call a 1-800 number to place a credit card order. 2). Personal - applies to usage of "restricted usage" version -------- Another alternative, if money is a major negative factor, is that we deeply request that you give a part of yourself. Instead of a pound of flesh, a donation to your local Red Cross of 1 pint of blood so that another may 'profit' from your 'gain'/'loss'. This is the least contribution asked and expected. Again, this request applies to you if you continue to use the 'restricted usage' Shareware version, without registering. FOR COMPANY ------------ 1). Monetary -------- For businesses, that benefit from additional utility and time/ cost savings, a PER COPY or site-license is available and REQUIRED ,otherwise, NO usage license is granted, and any use is strictly prohibited. - 2 - IV. HOW DO YOU USE EQUAL PARTNERS ----------------------------- First read the section on REQUIREMENTS, to see if your machine and its hardware configuration can meet the necessary requirements. Secondly, install Equal Partners (see INSTALLATION section). Now the easy part begins. You say, "nothing is ever easy". We say , "if you know DOS then you know how to use Equal Partners". Granted you may not, yet, be a "POWER USER", but we bet you know how to see what's on your disks, does the "DIR" command ring a bell. Now that you know what's there, we also bet you got it there with the DOS "COPY" command or someone did. Starting to catch on yet, we haven't tried to teach you any new convoluted commands with unfamiliar structure and syntax , have we. Guess what!!. You have just graduated from the ACME self study and enlightenment course that certifies you as a "POWER USER" of Equal Partners. Take a break, you deserve it. Oh, come back later to get your EPPU 'certificate of achievement'. Back so soon?. Now to the serious business side of matters. You have all this data , in some form or another, and you need to : consolidate/manipulate/share/archive/transport it between/among/with/to another/same media on another PC. Being a Equal Partners "POWER USER" (EPPU), you know that all you have to do is use the DOS "COPY" command. So, do it, and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. We could go on with how to use the other DOS commands, but we are sure you are ahead of us already. What more can we say, in 25 words or less, that would not confuse you. Again let us stress, if you need to access data on the 'server' PC, just use the DOS commands and the disk drive letters of the 'virtual drives' that are now logically attached to your PC. Also, we are sure that you have guessed by now, that if you can tell DOS where to get the data you need, for a program it should be just as easy. Sure is, just 'tell' the program that the data it needs is on one of the 'virtual drives' and business should continue as always (unless that 'break-even' analysis formula in the spreadsheet is in error). - 3 - V. DAILY USAGE ------------ The daily use of EQUAL PARTNERS begins with typing in the following command on the "remote" or including it in a batch file: EQUAL /device /port The daily use of EQUAL PARTNERS begins with typing in the following command on the "server" or including it in a batch file: PARTNERS /device /port (where: '/device' is '/C' or '/L', and '/port' is '1' or '2'.) (Consult the INSTALLATION section for additional command options.) Then, ANY DOS command or software package (menu, shell..etc) that uses DOS to perform file related functions will be able to perform these same functions on the "virtual" devices, such as disks or printers. (for example: 1DIR, NORTON, PCTOOLS, AUTOMENU, DBASE, WP..ETC) To return to DOS on the "server", once PARTNERS is running, press the "ESC" key. A WARNING: NEVER return to DOS, on the "server" if you still have files in use from the "remote". Always exit the applica- tion(s) on the "remote" before shutting down PARTNERS on the server. You may then re-activate the link to the "remote" from the server, (at any time) by again typing in the command: PARTNERS. Once EQUAL is running , in resident mode, on the "remote", you may inquire as to the original install environment and option settings by typing in the command : EQUAL The EQUAL operating mode on the "remote" may be changed at any time, by typing in the command: EQUAL option-setting with the correct option setting. Some options act as on/off switches, in that if specified will turn the option on (if off) or off (if on). The current status of options displayed , reflects the processing state AFTER all command line options are processed. - 4 - VI. REQUIREMENTS ------------ The hardware requirements are: 1). Your machine must be an IBM PS/2,PC/XT/AT or highly compatible, including laptops and convertibles. 2). The machine uses an 8250 uart,or compatible, to handle the RS232C communications. This requirement is now verified by the Equal Partners software. 3). The machine uses a parallel adapter card that can support bi-directional transfer. Not all parallel cards were manufactured to function as required by Equal Partners. Most clone parallel cards you can buy today will allow Equal Partners to be run to utilize the parallel port feature. You may have to upgrade your parallel cards (most are available for $20-$30). 4). The RS232C cable must have pins 2 and 3 crossed or a straight thru cable with a null modem (see diagram), for serial ONLY. NOTE: a 'null modem' is NOT a real modem but only a cable with a special wiring arrangement. -or- A 'special' parallel adapter is supplied by DownLink Systems when you register. The adapter attaches to any 25-pin serial cable. A well insulated cable is recommended for maximum distance between PC. Ten (10) feet is the normal maximum distance with a good shielded cable. 5). The machine uses the port addresses at memory location 0:400. The port addresses are normally 03F8 for COM1, and 02F8 for COM2 (depending on hardware setup). -or- The machine uses the port addresses at memory locations 0:408, for the parallel option. The port address are normally 03BC for LPT1 and 0378 for LPT2. 6). The disk media must be DOS formatted, in other words the boot sector must contain the BPB info that describes ------------------------- the media (the media type in the FAT is not used). Some vendors that format their own disks do not bother to put the BPB info in logical sector 0, even thought the DOS 3.2 Technical Ref. manual says that DOS will no longer rely on the Media code in the FAT to determine the device characteristics. This requirement has been relaxed by EP version 5.00. 6). As always, sufficient memory must be available. - 5 - The software requirements are: 1). The operating system must be PC DOS 2.0 or above. This product has been tested on PC DOS 2.0 , 2.10, 3.00, 3.10, 3.20, 3.21 , 3.30 and DOS 4.0x and some versions of MS DOS. 2). The PC DOS versions running on both the "server" and the "remote(s)" MUST/SHOULD be identical!!. If the server and remote(s) are running different versions of DOS, the PC with the LATEST version of DOS MUST be ---- configured as the "REMOTE". This will INSURE that your disk(ette)s will not be destroyed. (NOTE: The ABOVE ESPECIALLY applies to ROM based DOS PCs) -------------------------------------------------------- ALWAYS do the DOS command, DIR, on each of the disks on ------ the server. If the reply to the DIR is garbled or you do not think/know it is correct then DO NOT attempt any DOS commands that transfers data to/from the remote and the server. - 5a - VII. INSTALLATION ------------ Equal Partners consists of the following files: 50-50.SYS - device driver EQUAL.COM - communication program PARTNERS.COM - communication program PARTNERS.DOC - this documentation SERVER.BAT - example batch file, with ERRORLEVEL checking REMOTE.BAT - example batch file, with ERRORLEVEL checking README.DOC - revision history and additional comments ????????.??? - any additional files as the product matures Installation assumes two PCs, and the need to exchange data between the PCs. One PC will be designated the 'server' PC and the other PC(s) the 'remote' PC(s). The PARTNERS.COM program may be loaded on and is normally run from the 'server' PC. The 'server' PC could be considered the 'base' PC in that it would normally contain all the master database and spreadsheet programs and files. The 'remote' PC(s) could be lap-tops that individuals had taken 'on-the-road' with them to gather data, for updating to the 'server' databases..etc. - 6 - So, installation on the 'server' of PARTNERS.COM consists of -------------- 1). Copying PARTNERS.COM to a directory in the DOS path, and typing the command , 'PARTNERS' or including it in a DOS batch file (SEE the batch file "SERVER.BAT" included). Command format: --------------- PARTNERS /option/option... at a mininum the type of adapter (serial/parallel) and port, options , MUST be specified at installation. OPTION ------ /C - uses serial card to be used as "bridge" to communicate with the remote (EQUAL). /L - uses parallel card to be used as "bridge" to communicate with the remote (EQUAL). /1 - causes COM1 or LPT1 to be used as "bridge" to communicate with the remote (EQUAL). /2 - causes COM2 or LPT2 to be used as "bridge" to communicate with the remote (EQUAL). /D - allow server (PARTNERS) to be shutdown from a remote. (this option may be turned on/off while PARTNERS running) /Q - QUITE mode, don't display "logo" or other messages, except errors. /P - allow server (PARTNERS) to process print from a remote (this option may be turned on/off while PARTNERS running) /W - allows or inhibits writing to disk drives by a remote. Effectively same as placing a write-protect tab on a disk. (this option may be turned on/off while PARTNERS running) /H - display a HELP screen (all other options are ignored) Note: The DEFAULT option settings are "off" unless noted otherwise. Note: the install results may be tested in a batch file with the ERRORLEVEL statement (SEE file "SERVER.BAT). - 7 - Now, installation on the 'remote' consists of -------------- 1). Including the following command in 'CONFIG.SYS' DEVICE=50-50.SYS 'z' additional disk drives requested (where 'z' can be any number from 1 to 8, default=1) 2). Re-boot, press CTRL-ALT-DEL or power off the remote PC, and power PC back on . This causes the "50-50.sys" statement to add the additional 'virtual' disk drives to the 'remote' PC. Now continue with the next step, below. Note: steps 1 and 2 (above) are only necessary when EP is initially installed. 3). Copying EQUAL.COM to a directory in the DOS path and typing the command, 'EQUAL' or including it in a DOS batch file (SEE batch file "REMOTE.BAT" included). Command format: --------------- EQUAL /option/option.. at a mininum the type of adapter (serial/parallel) and port, options , MUST be specified at installation. OPTION ------ /C - uses serial card to be used as "bridge" to communicate with the server (PARTNERS) /L - uses parallel card to be used as "bridge" to communicate with the server (PARTNERS) /1 - causes COM1 or LPT1 to be used as "bridge" to communicate with the server (PARTNERS). /2 - causes COM2 or LPT2 to be used as "bridge" to communicate with the server (PARTNERS). /N - Normal processing mode. This is the DEFAULT. ONLY mode supported when parallel is selected. /T - Turbo processing mode. It is 4-5 times faster than Normal mode (for serial ONLY) /D - send request to server (PARTNERS) to shutdown and return to DOS. May only be requested once EQUAL installed. /P - directs the remotes LPT1 print to the server or remote. /Q - QUITE mode, don't display "logo" or other messages, except errors. /H - display a HELP screen (all other options are ignored) - 8 - NOTE: The processing modes "N","T" may be changed at any time after EQUAL has been installed, just by specifying the new option on the command line (for serial ONLY). The TURBO mode applies ONLY to usage of the serial port. --------------------------------------------------- The NORMAL mode is the SAFEST mode in a mixed PC hardware configurations. The TURBO mode is the FASTEST, but you may experience some errors in a mixed PC hardware configuration linking totally dissimilar PCs. For example, linking a 10+ mhz AT class PC to a 4.77 mhz class PC may cause problems in TURBO mode, if so switch to NORMAL mode and everything WILL be OK. If the hardware speed of the PCs are within a few mhz of each other, then TURBO mode would be your best operating mode. NOTE: The re-direction of local remote print to the server may be turned on/off at any time after EQUAL is installed, just by specifying the "/P" option on the command line. You don't need a physical printer LPT1 on the remote to use printer re-direction to server option. If you do though, the remotes local LPT1 is temporarily overridden (disabled) until the "/P" is again entered. Printer output cannot be directed to the same parallel port EQUAL PARTNERS is using as a 'bridge' to the other PC. Specifying the "/D" option no longer automatically turns off printer re-direction (if on) and returns LPT1 printer support to DOS on the remote. Printer re-direction MUST be turned off before a remote shutdown request will function. NOTE: The options, "/D" and "/P" require that the corresponding options be turned "on" at the server, otherwise the operation of these options are ignored (or return error condition) by the server. NOTE: The options default settings are "off" unless noted otherwise. NOTE: the install results may be tested in a batch file with the ERRORLEVEL statement (SEE file "REMOTE.BAT). NOTE: including a "{" or "(" or "[" on the command line, will make the rest of the command line serve as "remarks",so that you can add comments at the end of the valid parameters. - 9 - Once installed , any DOS command that would normally access data using a drive designation, will be able to read/write data from one PC to the other PC(s). What this means is that you can 'COPY', 'ERASE', 'RENAME', 'PATH', and execute programs to/on/from the 'virtual' drives without any new commands or procedures. If you know DOS then you already know how to use Equal Partners. - 10 - VIII REMOTE SHUTDOWN - EXPLAINED. --------------------------- The term 'remote shutdown' refers to the act of the server (PARTNERS) shutting down (returning to DOS) at the request of a remote (EQUAL) PC. This option has been added to EQUAL PARTNERS as the result of several inquiries into this capability. First, this option must be 'turned on' at the server. This may be done when the PARTNERS program is started, with the '/D' option or pressing the appropriate function key after PARTNERS is running. This option may be toggled (turned off/on) at any time while PARTNERS is running. You may only want to allow the server to be shutdown when certain remotes are attached. The remote PC requests the server to shutdown by invoking the EQUAL command with the '/D' option. The results of the remotes shutdown request to the server may be tested in a batch file, using the DOS ERRORLEVEL statement (see the REMOTE.BAT file included as an example) The ideal use of this option would be , for example, if the remote PC(s) had transferred data to the server and the normal next step would be for the server to process the data. The process could be calling up a speadsheet or a database or a communications program to further manipulate the data. So, to facilitate this repetitive process a batch file could be set up to invoke PARTNERS and THEN when PARTNERS was shutdown , the batch file could test the ERRORLEVEL code OR test for the existence of the data files that should have been transferred. The batch file would then invoke any application necessary to immediately process the data. After the application had processed the data, PARTNERS could be automatically restarted to pass back the results of the applications manipulation of the data. - 11 - IX. VIRTUAL WRITE PROTECTION - EXPLAINED. ------------------------------------- The term 'virtual write protection' refers to the refusal of the server (PARTNERS) PC to allow ANY disks (real or ram or otherwise) that it is aware of to be written to. The reason for this option is because, from a remotes viewpoint all server disks that it has access to are removable (much like a real floppy disk). You may want to restrict write/update access to the servers disks at any point in time. This may be the case where you only want the users whose remotes are attached to be able to only read data from the server. Virtual write protection is functionally the same as your putting that little silver/black write protect tab on a floppy disk or by moving the tab on a 3.5 micro floppy to the correct position. This option may be turned on when PARTNERS first started by adding the '/W' options to the PARTNERS command. Likewise this option may be toggled (turned off/on) after PARTNERS is running by pressing the appropriate function key. - 12 - X. VIRTUAL PRINTER - EXPLAINED. ------------------------------ The term 'virtual printing' refers to the act of transferring output from an application (DOS or otherwise) to a physical printer that may or may not be attached to the remote PC. The printer is a 'virtual printer' if the printer is attached to the server and the remote PC re-directs its local printer LPT1 to the server. This re-direction is accomplished by appending the '/P' option to the command : EQUAL. On the remote the '/P' option acts as a toggle (directs print to remote or server alternately). The server will only process the remotes re-directed print request if that service is 'on' at the server. Virtual printer support may be activated when PARTNERS is started by adding the '/P' option to the PARTNERS command or by pressing the appropriate function key after PARTNERS is started. The server wil NOT support remote printing if the parallel port is being used to 'bridge' the PCs and the SAME parallel port is trying to be used to write application output to a printer. The remote PRINT will stop printing to the server while the virtual disks are being accessed, but will automatically start back when the virtual disk accessing is through. - 13 - XI. STATISTICS - EXPLAINED ----------------------- The 'server' (PARTNERS) machine maintains a count of the number of read/write requests made by the 'remote'. This count is for the number of sectors of data requested. A sector is normally 512 bytes. This is the smallest amount of data that is stored on a disk, even if you only create a 1 byte file. When you format a disk with the DOS FORMAT command , the disk is logically divided in groups of 512 bytes (called clusters). However , ram disks and other non-standard disks can have sector sizes of 128 or 256 bytes also (see the DOS VDISK command in your DOS manual). Equal Partners works at the DOS level to provide you with 'virtual' disks. If you transfer a file from the server to the remote, there is ADDITIONAL information required and transfered. DOS requires information from the servers directory as well as from the FAT table (File Allocation Table). So you can see, if you transfer a 32,000 byte file from the server to the remote, there is at least 2000-3000 bytes of additional information ALSO being transfered to allow DOS to find and catalogue the file you need (depending on disk size and DOS version). To correctly figure how many characters of information you are tranfer- ing per second to/from the server you MUST not only take into account the file size but ALSO the DOS overhead requirements. The basic formula for calculating the effective file transfer rate is: Characters per seconds= (((# sectors read + # sectors written) * units sector size) + ((# control packets read + # packets written) * 20 bytes)) / number of seconds to read/write data The accumulated usage counts may be displayed by pressing the 'F5' key , on the server PC. Pressing the 'F6' key will clear/reset the counts. - 14 - XII. RAMDISK SUPPORT --------------- If you have a RAM disk, or other high-speed storage, then you can speed up EP somewhat by telling DOS to read from/write to the RAM disk. You do this by substituting the drive letter of the RAM disk in all the DOS commands. For example, if drive H: is your virtual RAM disk, then you would type: COPY H:*.* D: (where D: could be a RAM disk on your 'remote' PC) RAM disks in real memory (memory below 640k) and RAM disks in extended memory (memory above 1 meg on 80286 and 386 PCs) are supported on both the server and the remote(s). Refer to the DOS manual for more details about the DOS commands. - 15 - XIII PROGRAM EXECUTION RESTRICTIONS ------------------------------- If you are using a Shareware version of EQUAL PARTNERS, and have not registered, then the following program execution restrictions apply: 1). Only the serial port is supported. 2). Only 19.2 baud transfer rate is available. 3). Only "NORMAL" mode supported (approx 1kbyte transfer rate) 4). Only sector mode transfer used (not block mode) 5). Only one virtual drive may be specified in config.sys. 6). Only reading from the server is allowed. You may only copy data "from" the server. You may not perform any DOS function that would "write" to the server, including virtual printer. 7). The starting drive, on the server, is always the "A:" drive. This means that the first virtual drive assigned on the "remote" is the first physical drive accessed on the "server". The SHAREWARE version of EQUAL PARTNERS is NOT A DEMO version. The shareware version has ALL the functionality of the registered user version, but the Shareware version is not implemented to the same degree. The Shareware version is basically version 1.0 as it was initially distributed, to allow file transfers from a desktop PC to machines with 3.5 micro floppy drives, in a safe and reliable manner, with little or no relearning on the users part. The Share- ware version does this VERY well. If your requirements then grow such that you need FULL bi-directional PC-to-PC data transfer capabilities at HIGH speeds (4-18 thousand bytes per second) with FULL error checking and recovery , and virtual printer support, then YOU have the option to register your Shareware version, so that you can address your new requirements. - 16 - XIV. DISK DRIVE MAPPING ------------------- This simple illustration shows how the drives and the letters assigned are mapped to the physical vs. virtual drives. 'REMOTE' 'SERVER' +---------------+ +---------------+ | +---------+ o| | +---------+ o| | |A:>dir C:| o| | | Partners| o| | | | | | | v5.00 | | | |Volume in| | | |Copyright| | | +---------+ | | +---------+ | +---------------+ +---------------+ +------------------------+ +------------------------+ | IBM o o | Rs232 ---- cable | IBM + o | | PC --=-- --=-- | ---------| |---------| PC --=-- --=-- | | |<-- ---- | | +------------------------+ | +------------------------+ ^ ^ | ^ ^ ^ | | | | | | | | | | | | Physical Physical | Null Physical Physical Drive A: Drive B: | Modem Drive A: Drive B: | | | or ^ ^ | 'special' | | | parallel | | | adapter | | | -------------------------> Virtual Virtual Drive C: Drive D: There may be Ram disks on either or both the 'server' and 'remote' PCs. Ram disks are highly recommended, memory permitting, because this eliminates all the mechanical delays that real hardware drives exhibit, such as rotational delay, seek times and drive startup..etc. - 17 - Usage Example NO. 1 This simple illustration shows how EQUAL PARTNERS was used to dial a remote BBS, with PCTALK III and transfer data to/from the "server" while BBS communications was maintained on the "remote". This example was actual used by the authors. We could also invision a BBS being run on the "remote" and the "server" being used as non-dedicated aux. storage for the BBS. | | ^ | | | --------- to phone line +--------+ | o o o | <----- external modem +--------+ | | Com2 | | 'REMOTE' 'SERVER' +---------------+ +---------------+ | +---------+ o| | +---------+ o| | |A:>PC-TAL| o| | | Partners| o| | | | | | | v5.00 | | | | | | | |Copyright| | | +---------+ | | +---------+ | +---------------+ +---------------+ +------------------------+ Com1 +------------------------+ | IBM o o | Rs232 ---- cable | IBM + o | | PC --=-- --=-- | ---------| |---------| PC --=-- --=-- | | | ---- | | +------------------------+ +------------------------+ or LPT1 'special' parallel adapter - 18 - Usage Example NO. 2 This simple illustration shows how EQUAL PARTNERS could be used to collect data from various other PCs. As an example, lets say that you are in the insurance business. Your company has an AT in the home office and you have your agents out in the field taking orders and collecting premiums. The agents were given lap-tops , with 3.5 drives. Now you need to get the information stored on the lap-tops to the AT to update the databases. The PARTNERS half of EQUAL PARTNERS could be activated on the AT and as each agent comes in they just "plug" into the RS232 cable attached to the AT. PARTNERS, on the AT, does not care what the other devices are on the end of the RS232 cable at any given time. PARTNERS will automatically adjust to the drive character- istics of what ever "remote" drive unit it reads. So, you can "plug" into the cable attached to the AT, then when through, "unplug" and "plug" in another "remote", whether it be a laptop with 3.5 drives, a laptop with an internal harddisk, or IBM PS/2, PC/XT/AT with a DOS formatted disk drive of some type. 'SERVER' +---------------+ | +---------+ o| | | Partners| o| | | v5.00 | | | |Copyright| | | +---------+ | +---------------+ +------------------------+ | IBM +----+ --=-- | | AT |o | --=-- | | +----+ | +------------------------+ | | +-----+ | | <----- null modem +-----+ or | 'special' parallel adapter | mmmmm Agent "A" Agent "C" wwwww wwwww wwwww | | | +-------------+ +-------------+ +-------------+ | +---------+ | | +---------+ | | +---------+ | | |A:>COPY | | | |A:>COPY | | | |A:>COPY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +---------+ | | +---------+ | | +---------+ | +-------------+ +-------------+ +-------------+ +-----------------------+ +------------------------+ +-----------------------+ | IBM PS/2 | | Zenith Laptop | | Toshiba Laptop | +-----------------------+ +------------------------+ +-----------------------+ - 19 - Usage Example NO. 3 This simple illustration shows how EQUAL PARTNERS could be used to share data among various PCs. This example shows a "server" attached to a "switch box" by telephone wire. A switch box allows the manual switching of internal connections between one "common" and several other devices attached as "A","B","D" and "E" and such. The devices are connected through "C" and what ever setting the physical switch is pointing to. This arrangement could allow several PCs to be attached to a "server" and data updated on the "server" or the "server" used just to store the data prior to "switching" it to another PC. The "server' does not have to be dedicated, only activat- ed when actual data transfer is needed. This example was actually used by Downlink Systems and also by some of our customers. 'SERVER' +---------------+ | +---------+ o| | | Partners| o| | | v5.00 | | | |Copyright| | | +---------+ | +---------------+ +------------------------+ | IBM +----+ --=-- | | AT |o | --=-- | | +----+ | +------------------------+ | | Twisted-pair wires | Twisted-pair wiring +with RS232/EIA adapters | <----- with RS232/EIA adapter |and all pins straight thru | and pins 2/3 crossed. | | | | | +----------------+ | | C | | | / | | | / | <---------- Switch box | | a b d e | | +----------------+ | ^ ^ ^ | (a) | | | (d) | +------------------ | ----------------------------+ | | | | +------> | +----+ | | | (b) | | | | +-------------+ +-------------+ +-------------+ | +---------+ | | +---------+ | | +---------+ | | |A:>DBASE | | | |A:>COPY | | | |A:>WORD | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +---------+ | | +---------+ | | +---------+ | +-------------+ +-------------+ +-------------+ +-----------------------+ +------------------------+ +-----------------------+ | IBM PS/2 --=-- | | Zenith Laptop | | Toshiba Laptop | +-----------------------+ +------------------------+ +-----------------------+ - 20 - XV. HOW SOME CUSTOMERS ARE USING EQUAL PARTNERS ------------------------------------------- CASE 1. ------- This customer has a PC that they use as a server and several PCs that are remotes. The customer wants the remote PCs to run a spreadsheet (Lotus 123) and when through to send the spreadsheet to the server. However, the PARTNERS part of Equal Partners is run on the server as a dedicated task. In otherwords, the server PC is tied up only running PARTNERS. The customer wanted to use the server PC also for his/hers own work and have the office staff send the data to the server at any time without reloading PARTNERS or dedicating the server to the task of just servicing the remotes. This customers solution was to run a commercial product that allows task switching. This task switching software was Software Carousel. Software Carousel allows multiple applications to be loaded into memory BUT only one to actually run at any one time, in the 640k of memory. This is exactly what the customer did, they loaded EQUAL PARTNERS along with several other tasks on the server and with just the press of a key could swap EP into and out of the active 640k, as the needs arose to transfer data from the remotes to the server. CASE 2. ------- This customer also needed the server to be used as a non-dedicated machine, even though EQUAL PARTNERS normally requires the server to run as such. The customer went one step further and actually had multiple tasks running on the server while PARTNERS was also running. This was accomplished with a software package called, DESQVIEW, performing and managing the multitasking environment on the server PC. NOW, a few notes on CASE 1 and CASE 2. Equal Partners was designed to be as well behaved as possible while running under DOS on a PC. In NORMAL processing mode this is true, however in TURBO mode EP takes exclusive use of the computer for short bursts of time. This exclusive use does not allow the computer to service any other tasks, if any, so in a multitasking environment Equal Partners or the other tasks may not co-exist as well or if all (in TURBO mode). Again, we note EQUAL PARTNERS is NOT a LAN of any kind, so YOU bear the responsibility of protecting your disks and their data if you choose to run EP in a shared machine/CPU environment. Basically you have the server and its applications looking at the disks on the server as if they had exclusive use. This is not the case with EP also accessing the server disks and also expecting that it has exclusive use of the data on the server, from the remote. However, if your computer hardware/software configuration works for you, safely, so much the better! - 21 - XVI. PROGRAM UPDATE SERVICE ----------------------- A license to EP entitles you to use all future Shareware versions. New "restricted usage" versions are generally available through normal freeware distribution channels, and we prefer that you obtain them that way. A Program disk containing the latest version is returned on every order of $40 or more. If you wish to purchase a single-user license and want an update disk, please enclose a check or money order for $40. For an additional fee of $50 per year, you can subscribe to our program update service. Subscribers get up to five program updates per year mailed to them as new versions come out. This does not include trivial releases. At present, the normal upgrade fee is $15. For this upgrade fee you get a copy of the new documentation and the upgrade media of your choice, either 5.25 DS/DD diskette or 3.5 720k micro diskette. For orders outside the U.S. add $5.00 to the upgrade fee. - 22 - XVII VERSION NUMBERS --------------- All of our version numbers are given as a number with two decimal places. The units indicate a major revision, such as adding a new feature, maybe such as virtual printer support. The first decimal place (tenths) indicates a minor revision that is not essential, but which may be desired. The second decimal place (hundredths) indicates a trivial revision that will probably only be desired by specific individuals or by die- hard "latest version" fanatics. To sum up: If the units change, then you should get the newer version as soon as you can. If the tenths change, then you may want to get the newer version, but there's no hurry. If anything else changes, then you probably shouldn't bother. - 23 - XVIII TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND NOTES -------------------------------- Equal Partners uses the RS-232C hardware or parallel adapter to interface the PCs and provide the 'bridge' to allow the exchange of data. The hardware consists of the standard 8250 uarts and the DB-25 or DB-9 connectors and cables (RS232 or telephone wire). However , only pins 2,3, and 7 are used. Also pins 2 and 3 (transmit and receive) are required to be crossed-over or you can build or purchase a modem eliminator/null modem. A 'special' parallel adapter is required. The special adapter attaches to one end of a shielded serial cable and the other end of the special adapter to one on the parallel cards. The parallel adapter cannot use telephone wire as more than 8 wires are required. (See your local electronics parts dealer: such as RADIO SHACK: the part number for null modem : : P/N 261496 - at $14.95) This is the basic diagram of the CROSS-OVER pin configuration for the serial null modem ONLY: DB-25 to DB-25 -------------------- ------ ------ | | | | | 2 |-----------------|3 | Pins | | | | | 3 |-----------------|2 | | | ground | | | 7 |-----------------|7 | ------ ------ DB-25 DB-25 DB-9 to DB-25 -------------------- ------ ------ | | | | | 2 |-----------------|2 | Pins | | | | | 3 |-----------------|3 | | | ground | | | 5 |-----------------|7 | ------ ------ DB-9 DB-25 - 24 - The number of wires required (3) indicate that regular telephone 4-6-8 wire could be used to connect PCs , over a distance. This applies to serial port usage ONLY. This HAS been tested by Downlink and works very well even at 115+ kb. Again, you can check with Radio Shack for a DB-25 to RJ11/RJ45 adapter. The Radio Shack part number is : 276-1405 (Modular/EIA adapter kit) and the cost is about $3.00 (male). Also INMAC sells the same type kit. Look in their catalogue under "Modular wiring system" and then look under "Modular EIA adapters". The kit part numbers are 351-3 (male) or 352-3 (female) for the 25-pin EIA to 6-pin RJ-11. The cost is $13.00 each. The 9-pin assembled part numbers are: 357-1 (m) and 357-2 (f) for $12.00 each. - 25 - The following are notes and considerations both technical and otherwise, these must be noted and HEEDED: 1). Both EQUAL.COM and PARTNERS.COM use COM1 or COM2 as the 'bridge'. The port addresses are disabled so that Basic will not interfere, as Basic tries to take over the com ports when loaded, even if does not need them. The parallel ports , LPT1 or LPT2 are used if the parallel port option is selected. The program , 'PARTNERS.COM' will revector and restore the com ports addresses when it is de-activated however. 2). The program ,'EQUAL.COM', installs resident and attaches itself to DOS, so that once installed its there to stay. 3). The data transfer rate is 19.2 baud for the Shareware version. The registered user version is fixed at 115+ baud, for serial , but may be patched to a lower speed if there are hardware problems at 115+. The registered parallel version functions at a variable rate, the transfer rate being dependant on the speed of the slower of the 2 PCs that are connected. 4). Error checking is performed on each block of data. Crc-16 is used to insure the integrity of your financial data and programs. 5). Ram disks with sector sizes between 128 and 512 bytes are supported. This applies to other disk media as well. The sector sizes must be a power of 2. 6). The operating systems on ALL remote(s) and the server SHOULD/MUST be identical. Mixing DOS versions accessing the same data and media MAY/WILL cause problems. Some versions of DOS do not support media types made available in later versions of DOS, so some DOS utilities may not function correctly when accessing disk media or using function calls that were added/modified in later releases of DOS (ex: CHKDSK). 7). Communication baud rates up to 115k+ are possible, for serial ONLY. However, going from 9.6 to 115+ will not give you 10 times the data transfer rate. The internal design of EQUAL PARTNERS allows for a matching of PCs with different CPUs , say a 4.77 mhz processor talking to a 16mhz processor. Obviously the 16 mhz beast could easily overrun the much slower 4.77 cpu. To allow for the possibility of mismatched processor speeds, EQUAL PARTNERS turns the communications line around no faster than the slowest cpu can handle data. This means that going from 19.2 to 115k will send the data between PCs at that speed, but only as fast as the slower of the two PCs can process and request more data from the faster processor. NOTE: the above applies to "NORMAL" mode. "TURBO" mode utilizes ALL the hardware speed to achieve the 4-8kb per second data transfer rate (independent of the other attached PCs). (continued) - 26 - 8). Though we have not brought it to your attention before, we give examples of using a "ABC" switch box to link PCs to a server and other examples of the possibility of multiple remotes attached to a "server". Let us CLARIFY AND EMPHASIZE , that to the remote, all virtual ---------------------- disks (even "server" harddisks) are removable. What this means is that each virtual disk can be virtually removed and other virtual disk(s) placed in the virtual (RS232) drive. If this is abused, then disk directories and data files have the potential of being corrupted or destroyed. This all goes back to the original days of DOS 1.0. For example: You could put a disk in the "A" drive and run a program that reads and updates the disk in the "A:" drive. However if you were careless enough to remove the original disk from the "A:" drive and replace with another disk (with different data..etc) then DOS would not know what you had done, and would just write over the new disk. Well , you can see that you could do the same type of thing with the virtual disks on the remote (and server). SO, if you are going to be switching remote PCs on the RS232 link, ALWAYS DISCONNECT OR SWITCH THE REMOTE WHILE THE REMOTE IS AT THE ----------------------------------------------------------------- "DOS PROMPT", AND NEVER WHILE YOU ARE RUNNING AN APPLICATION ----------------------------------------------------------------- PROGRAM ON THE REMOTE (AS FILES MAYBE IN USE ON THE SERVER)!! ------------------------------------------------------------------ 9). If you are going to run the PC as a EQUAL PARTNERS "server" then: NEVER use the DOS commands , "ASSIGN", "JOIN", "SUBST", or other ----- DOS commands on the "server" that would "hide" the true type and nature of disk devices. Please heed these rules, unless you know absolutely what you are doing and its effects on DOS and applications. In such situations, if you choose to do so, YOU bear the responsibility for the integrity of your data and the effects on the DOS operating system, on both the server and the remote(s)!!. - 27 - Appendix A - Program Messages. All message text is preceded by a formatted message code. The format of the message code is: EPxNNNy where : x= 'D' - for 50-50.SYS program output messages 'E' - for EQUALS.COM program output messages 'P' - for PARTNERS.COM program output messages and NNN= 000 thru 999, which is the message number for this message type. and y= 'D' - for Diagnostic type messages. These messages are normally printed only if a critical error occurs or the program is in a 'test' or debugging mode. 'E' - for Error messages. These type messages indicate that an unrecoverable error occurred and the program could not take any corrective action, except to attempt to return to the DOS prompt. 'I' - for Informative messages. These messages are just to inform you as to the processing state of the program at any given time. 'W' - for Warning messages. These messages indicate that an error occurred, but that the program was able to take corrective action and continue processing. However, the function the program was attempting may or may not have been successfully completed. - A1 - Message Code Message text and its explanation ------------ ---------------------------------------------------- EPD001I - EQUAL PARTNERS Virtual disk driver V5.00 (C)Copyright DOWNLINK SYSTEMS , 1987,1989 This is the copyright message displayed from the virtual disk device driver during PC power-up. EPD002I - 1 virtual disk drive(s) available to DOS This message indicates the number of additional disk drives ('virtual') that DOS can access. These drives may be accessed by the DOS commands or any program by using the drive letters assigned, by DOS, to the virtual disks. Registered users may access up to 8 virtual disks, the shareware version allows access to only 1 virtual disk. EPE001E - installation cancelled - COM channel undefined With version 5.0, the device (serial/parallel) and the port (COM1/COM2 or LPT1/LPT2) MUST be specified on the command line. These are the mandatory minimum parameters required to start Equal Partners. The program was trying to install, but was unable to find a communications port address at the desired memory location or find a 8250 async controller chip (8250 for serial only). EPE002E - installation cancelled - 50-50 driver not installed The device driver, 50-50.sys, was not included in the DOS file 'config.sys'. If your intent is to run this PC as a 'remote', then see the INSTALLATION section for the correct program configurations. EPE003E - installation cancelled - ALREADY installed The program EQUAL.COM has already been installed once. Multiple installations are not allowed. EPE000I - EQUAL activated - Communications link is (COMx or LPTx) This message reflects that the installation of EQUAL is in progress and that the Communications port, COMx or LPTx was the port selected to link the "remote" to the "server" EPE001I - EQUAL running at - ???kb (baud) in XXXXXX mode This informative message indicate the "mode" and the internal speed at which communications and data transfers are taking place. The "mode" (indicate by XXXXXX) will be either "NORMAL" or "TURBO". The baud (indicated by ???) will range from 9.6kb to 115kb or 250 for parallel. Typing in the command , EQUAL, (with or without new mode) will display this message also. - A2 - Message Code Message text and its explanation ------------ ---------------------------------------------------- EPE002I - EQUAL installed - Virtual drives C: thru C: available for use This is the most important type 'I' message that is displayed. This message reflects the additional 'drive' letters you use on all DOS commands and in programs, to access data on the 'server' PC. The drive letters displayed depends on the number of virtual drives requested (up to 8 allowed) on the 'device=50-50.sys' statement in the DOS 'config.sys' file. EPE003I - EQUAL printing - output to LPT1 will print on ....... This messages indicates where the 'remote' is sending its printer output that goes to LPT1. The message will show destination as either 'this PC' or 'SERVER'. A physical printer, on the remote' is not required to use the "/P" option on the EQUAL command line. EPE999I - EQUAL shutdown - returning to DOS This message indicates that EQUAL.COM is returning to DOS. See any additional messages for the exact reason. EPP001E - installation cancelled - COM channel undefined With version 5.0, the device (serial/parallel) and the port (COM1/COM2 or LPT1/LPT2) MUST be specified on the command line. These are the mandatory minimum parameters required to start Equal Partners. The program was trying to install, but was unable to find a communications port address at the desired memory location or find a 8250 async controller chip. EPP002E - installation cancelled - EQUAL is already installed The program is trying to be installed on a machine that already has the EQUAL.COM program installed. You can't make one machine both a 'remote' and a 'server'. EPP997E - PARTNERS shutdown - memory allocation error during install The program was requesting a 64k block of contiguous memory from DOS, and DOS could not satisfy the request. Insure you have sufficient memory by adding memory to your system or removing unneeded ram-resident programs. EPP998E - PARTNERS shutdown - memory modify error during install The program was being "well-behaved' and returning all the memory to DOS that it did not need. This indicates that the program has been modified incorrectly or that DOS has been corrupted. At this point it would be best to re-boot the PC, and reload a fresh copy of DOS and "PARTNERS". - A3 - Message Code Message text and its explanation ------------ ---------------------------------------------------- EPP000I - PARTNERS activated - Communications link is (COMx or LPTx) This message reflects that the installation of PARTNERS is in progress and that the Communications port, COMx or LPTx was the port selected to link the "server" to the "remote". EPP001I - PARTNERS shutdown - by a REMOTE is ........ This message indicates whether the server (PARTNERS) can be automatically shutdown (return to DOS) by a remote (/D). Remote shutdown support must be enabled on the server or the remotes request is ignored. This option may be toggled (changed) with the appropriate function key after PARTNERS is running. EPP002I - PARTNERS printing - by a REMOTE is ........ This message indicates whether the server (PARTNERS) will process printer output to LPT1 that has been sent from the remote. Remote printer support must be enabled on the server or the remotes request returns a printer timeout. This option may be toggled (changed) with the appropriate function key after PARTNERS is running. EPP003I - PARTNERS write protect - on all disks is ...... This message indicates whether the server (PARTNERS) will perform automatic write protect on all disk drives read by a remote. This would be the same as placing a 'write protect' (silver/black) tab on a floppy. In otherwords, you can read a disk but NOT write to it. Since virtual disks are removable , from a remotes point of view, a virtual 'write protect tab' option provides you with similar functionality. EPP998I - PARTNERS installed -waiting for remote response You have entered PARTNERS from the DOS prompt or in a batch file. PARTNERS is now installed (not resident) and is waiting for input on the communications port. The programs EQUAL.COM and 50-50.SYS have to be installed on the "remote" computer to complete the "bridge",so that data may be freely transferred between computers. EPP999I - PARTNERS shutdown - returning to DOS You have either pressed the 'ESC' key or installation failed. EPP001W - Invalid I/O request - flushing input buffer Extraneous or corrupted information was received. The programs only recourse is to ignore the data, flush all buffers and try to get in sync with the other PC. - A4 - Message Code Message text and its explanation ------------ ---------------------------------------------------- EPP001D - AX= BX= CX= DX= This message displays the internal register states. The message is normally display only when a critical error occurs or the programs debugging mode is active. EPP002D - - This message is preceded by message code EPP001D. Several additional message lines will be displayed indicating the reason for this diagnostic message. - A5 - Appendix B - Site License SITE LICENSE Corporate users may wish to obtain a site license for the use of EP. The site license applies only to one geographical area, not to exceed a 50 mile radius. Additional site licenses are required for each unique geographical location. Please use the order form in this manual to request a site license. Site licenses are now negotiated on an individual basis. License fees vary depending on the number of computers on which EP will be used. Equal Partners is now ONLY licensed per single unit quantities of, 1 single unit license - $40 each ($15 upgrade fee each) A site license may be requested and will be negotiated on an individual basis. The following page is a license agreement, which should be signed and sent with your payment when ordering a commercial license. - B1 - Commercial License Agreement The use of EP in a commercial environment or government organization is granted under the following terms: 1. Payment of the license fee must be made payable to DOWNLINK SYSTEMS representative: D. Conner The fee is based on the number of computers which will be used to run EP , as follows: Equal Partners is now ONLY licensed per single unit quantities of, 1 single unit license - $40 each ($15 upgrade fee each) 2. You may use EP on the number of computers included in the license fee. If you have negotiated a site license, then you may use EP on any number of computers within your organization, within a given geographical area. 3. You may make copies of the program and documentation, in their original, unmodified form. You may distribute these copies, within the limits of the number of copies licensed. 4. You may use all future "restricted-usage" Shareware versions of EP under this license. The latest version is available from Downlink for a small service charge of $5.00 for shareware version, on either 5.25 or 3.5 DS/DD) 5. You may NOT modify the program or charge a fee for copying or distributing the program or its documentation. 6. It is your responsibility to make the necessary copies and to deliver them to the computers which they will be used on. 7. We are not responsible for anything that may happen or not happen if you use EP. You're on your own. 8. You are required to complete and sign this form and the ORDER form , and return them to Downlink Systems. This especially applies to any purchases that were made via 1-800 credit card order. I agree to abide by the terms and conditions of this license. _____________________________ __________________________ Signature Date _____________________________ Name (please print or type) _____________________________ Title _____________________________ Company - B2 - Appendix C - Ordering ORDER FORM Check which items you wish to purchase: (_) Noncommercial license for the use of EP. (_) Commercial license for the use of EP on ___ computers (_) Program update fee of $_____ for each of __ computers that EP is currently licensed on. (_) Additional, program update subscription service, $50/year. (not more than five updates, does not include trivial changes, and ONLY applies to licenses up to 10 machines.) (_) Update media is : (_) 5-1/4 floppy | (_) 3-1/2 micro floppy (_) Payment already made via credit card throught PSL. My software serial number is : _____________________ (_) Payment of $_____ is enclosed (check or money order), | +------> payable to : D. CONNER. ---------- Signature: ________________________________ _______________________________________________ Name _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Address ______________________ ________ ____________ City State Zip _______________________________________________ Country *** Send check or money orders payable to : D. CONNER *** ------------------------------------------------- (all other endorsements will be returned and order not processed) Send this completed form to: Downlink Systems c/o D. Conner 1377 K STREET N.W. SUITE 189 WASHINGTON D.C. 20005 - C1 - Appendix C - Ordering: Credit card Register Shareware Through Public (Software) Library (PSL) ---------------------------------------------------------- To place Orders ONLY for Equal Partners : 1-800-2424-PSL ------------ -------------- for Questions ONLY, (NOT Tech Support): 1-713-665-7017. By special arrangement with many shareware authors, you can now conveniently register selected shareware programs through PSL. The authors will ship the latest version and other material directly to you within 48 hours. Some programs are shipped directly by PSL. At this time Equal Partners is shipped only by Downlink Systems. You also get a $5.00 PSL credit without having to send the FREEDISK.DOC form to author to sign and without having to mail it to PSL. Calif. residents add 6.5%. Utah residents add 6.25%. Texas residents add 8% sales tax on all. - C2 - For program disk orders outside the U.S., please add an additional $5, and enclose a check or money order payable in U.S. currency and drawn on a U.S. bank. Any checks/money orders that cannot be deposited -------------------- in a U.S. bank WILL be returned without processing of the order. For commercial license orders, please enclose a signed copy of the the license agreement. Inquires for Corporate wide unlimited usage licenses are welcome. - C3 - Appendix D - Comments USER COMMENT FORM If you have found any errors in this documentation that you would like to bring to our attention, please indicate them below. Please indicate them by page number if possible. If there are other improvements to the documentation, product features that you would like us to consider, or any ways you are using EQUAL PARTNERS that you would like to share, please indicate them here: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ - D1 - Appendix E - Mailing CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM Please let us know when you change your address, so that we can keep you informed of product improvements, etc. NAME: ______________________________________________________________________ COMPANY:____________________________________________________________________ SERIAL NUMBER:______________________________________________________________ Old Address: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ CITY:______________________________________STATE:______ZIP:_________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ New Address: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ CITY:______________________________________STATE:______ZIP:_________________ Telephone:__________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Effective Date of New Address:______________________________________________ MAIL TO : ----------- Downlink Systems c/o D. Conner 1377 K Street N W Suite 189 Washington D. C. 20005 - E1 -