commsService is a easy-to-use telnet application that provides a “rolodex” like communications facility. It's main features are -
• Easy to use, point & click interface, ideal for teaching/library environments.
• The ability to hide the communication configuration settings, ideal for novice users.
• Permits multiple simultaneous communication sessions.
• Allows multiple protocols and terminal emulations, (Comms. Toolbox aware).
• Powerful scripting system that utilises HyperTalk (with comms. extensions).
• The ability to trigger AppleScripts from within communication scripts.
• Session logging.
• An integrated editing environment.
• The ability to create / read configuration files.
• AppleScriptable.
• Drag and Drop editing between windows.
• A powerful parsing feature that allows the scanning of configuration documents.
• Can be used as the 'telnet application' with Netscape.
Abstract.
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The application provides facilities for recording the details of commonly used connections/sessions as a series of parameters on an individual “card”. The ease of use of the interface and the power of the scripting language make this an ideal communications application for the classroom and/or computer lab.
A communications “card” is referred to as a “service”, which is defined as any process running on a local or remote computer, eg. an Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) or a Campus Wide Information System (CWIS). Each service is uniquely defined via a series of 15 parameters that describe attributes such as the name, the method used to connect to the service, the login and logout scripts, etc.
Once the details of the service have been recorded the name of the “card” will then appear in the scrolling list on the menu screen. Repeated connections may then be made simply by double clicking on the name of the required connection in the scrolling list. Multiple, simultaneous sessions may be active at any one time. A typical session might therefore include a serial connection to your local OPAC in one window, whilst another window displays information from a CWIS, and a third displays a remote network connection to a second OPAC.
The application utilises the power of HyperCard’s scripting language, HyperTalk to provide a powerful communication scripting facility. It achieves this by defining a series of communication specific language extensions that enable scripts to communicate directly with services. Any number of scripts may be associated with individual services, including special scripts that facilitate the automatic logging in and out of sessions, etc.
The application also permits the definition of AppleScript subroutines that may be called from within HyperTalk scripts. This facilitates either the import of data, from another application that may subsequently be sent to a session or the export of data, extracted from a session that is to be sent to another application.
Once a series of services have been defined, a copy of the application may be made and then “locked” to prevent access to the service definition cards. This is particularly useful for those circumstances where the end users are to be prevented from seeing/modifying the service details.
commsService is based upon Apple’s Communications Toolbox technology, consequently connectivity is only limited by the range of Connection and Terminal Emulation tools that are available on your machine. NB. The application comes bundled with several tools including a public domain tcp/ip/telnet tool and Apple's VT102 terminal emulation tool.
commsService is AppleScriptable, and thus may be operated remotely or from another application. It may also be used as the 'telnet application' with Netscape.
commsService utilises System 7.5’s drag & drop functionality allowing the easy transfer of selected data to other windows from the same or other applications.
What You Need To Run commsService.
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In order to run commsService and activate any of the sample services you will need -
• System 7.0 or later , (to use the drag & drop feature you require System 7.5 or later).
• If you wish to launch any tcp/ip network services you require MacTCP 1.1 or later.
• The basic set of Communication Toolbox tools. The most useful tools are the Serial port tool, Apple Modem tool and the VT102 Terminal emulation tool (+ VT102 Font).
What You Must Do To Run commsService.
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• Ensure that your system contains the neccassary comms. tools. If it doesn't then commsService will inform you with an appropriate warning message, you will then have to retrieve the appropriate tools as follows -
Using an appropriate ftp application (eg Fetch) retrieve the 'Basic Connectivity Set' (or individual tools) from -
The retrieved tools should then dropped onto the System folder of your machine.
• Install the TGE TCP tool. To do this, simply select and drag the tool to the System folder, System 7 will then take over and install the item appropriately.
Registration
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In its unregistered form, commsService will only launch service definitions that will remain active for 5 minutes, after which they will be automatically closed down. To obtain a registration code, that may be entered into the program that will eliminate this timing restriction, submit the appropriate fee -
$30.00 for a single licence
$300.00 for a site licence.
via one of the following methods -
• Toll Free Ordering: Visa and MasterCard orders may be placed by calling Laser Point at 1-800-894-6758. (Sorry, but American Express cards are not accepted.)
• Electronic Mail Ordering: You may place orders via electronic mail by sending the following information to orders@laserpoint.com
- Name of the product you are registering (commsService)
- Visa or MasterCard Account Number
- Card Type (Visa or MasterCard)
- Card Expiration Date
- Name of card holder
(If you would like to encrypt your mail to Laser Point using PGP, please email us for our PGP public key, or visit our World Wide Web pages at http://www.laserpoint.com and you will find our public key in any product download area.)
• Postal Mail Ordering: You may send cash or checks, drawn in U.S. funds on a U.S. bank, to:
Laser Point
commsService Orders
P.O. Box 2378
Watsonville, CA 95077
• CompuServe: CompuServe customers may wish to use the CompuServe Shareware Registry. GO SWREG and register product ID 8072.
Legal Stuff.
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The commsService Software was written by Tim Barlow.
THOSE PORTIONS OF THE SOFTWARE THAT ARE COPYRIGHTED BY APPLE COMPUTER, INC., NAMELY THE BASIC CONNECTIVITY SET OF COMMS. TOOLBOX TOOLS MAY NOT BE COPIED OR REDISTRIBUTED SEPERATELY WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM APPLE COMPUTER INC.
The MacTCP™ and Communications Toolbox™ software are copyrighted by Apple
Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.
AppleTalk®, AppleScript® and Macintosh® are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
LocalTalk™, MacTCP™ and Communications Toolbox™ are trademarks of Apple
Computer, Inc.
HyperCard is a registered trademark of Claris Corporation.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective corporations.
Use of the commsService software and other software and fonts accompanying your license (the "Software") and its documentation is at your sole risk. The
Software and its documentation, and Tim Barlow's software maintenance and
extended maintenance, if applicable, are provided "AS IS" and without
warranty of any kind and Tim Barlow and Tim Barlow's Licensor(s), including but
not limited to Tim Endres and Apple Computer, Inc. (collectively herein referred to as "Tim Barlow"), EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND AGAINST INFRINGEMENT. TIM BARLOW DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE SOFTWARE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, OR THAT THE OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT DEFECTS IN THE SOFTWARE WILL BE CORRECTED. FURTHERMORE, TIM BARLOW DOES NOT WARRANT OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE OR ITS DOCUMENTATION IN TERMS OF THEIR CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY TIM BARLOW OR A TIM BARLOW AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY OR IN ANY WAY INCREASE THE SCOPE OF THIS WARRANTY. SHOULD THE SOFTWARE PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU (AND NOT TIM BARLOW OR A TIM BARLOW AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE), ASSUMES THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, SHALL TIM BARLOW AND HIS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS
PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE OR ITS DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF TIM BARLOW OR A TIM BARLOW AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE HAS
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY.
In no event shall Tim Barlow's total liability to you for all damages, losses,
and causes of action (whether in contract, tort [including negligence] or
otherwise) exceed the amount paid for the Software and its documentation.
