Welcome to BobTerm 1.21! When I put together the ARC file for BobTerm 1.20, I included the wrong XEP-80 driver. This release corrects it, plus also fixes a couple minor bugs found in the new version of the term. Sorry for any inconvenience! For those of you who hate to read docs, go ahead and load it up. I would STRONGLY suggest printing out the docs at some point, because there are several features that are not apparent. One addition to the docs: The term "Pathname" refers to everything BEFORE the actual 11 character filename. For example, in D1:BOBTERM.COM, the "D1:" is the pathname. The program is named BOBTERM.COM, [L]oad that filename from your DOS menu. The UPDATE.TXT is a list of the changes from version 1.10 to this one. Modem handlers have been provided for the Atari 835/1030/XM301 modems, the Supra/MPP 300 baud modems, and a generic handler for direct- connect SX-212 modems and various other interfaces. (Its named RVERTER.COM.) Simply rename the appropriate file to RS232.COM, and the term will automatically load it for you. No appending is necessary. This arc file, when expanded, will not fit on a single density disk. Enjoy! And remember: If you use BobTerm, consider sending the author a note as well as a token of your appreciation. BOB TERM v1.2 Documentation A ShareWare Terminal Program by:Robert Puff 04/27/90 CIS Mail Address: 76702,1076 GEnie Mail Address: BOB.PUFF Suite 222 2117 Buffalo Road Rochester, NY 14624 BobTerm 1.2 Docs INTRODUCTION BobTerm is a fully featured multi-tasking terminal program for ANY Atari 8 bit machine with at least 48K of memory. BobTerm has been fully tested under MYDOS, SpartaDOS, SpartaDOS X, TopDos, and Atari DOS 2, along with many others. BobTerm supports XModem, XModem-CRC, 1K-XModem, CIS Fast XModem, YModem (batch) and FModem (batch) protocols. Also supported are floating buffer size (depending on your machine and DOS), a chat window with recall, online/real-time clock, RTime8 support, a dialing system, full DOS support, the ability to load modules for additional features (such as XEP80 and SpartaDOS command line support), both RS232 ports on the 850 and P:R:, and much more! SETTING UP BOBTERM BobTerm is compatible with all known RS-232 interfaces, and most direct-connect modems. If your modem is connected to a Black Box or MIO, no set-up is necessary. If you are using an 850 interface or P:R: Connection, BobTerm will automatically load the handler from the interface; no disk handler should be used. When using any other type of interface or direct-connect modem, a disk-based handler is necessary. Handlers have been provided for the Atari 835/1030/XM301 modems, and the Supra/MPP 1000x modems. Also included is a generic R:Verter handler. This is to be used with the Atari SX-212 modem connected with the SIO port, with the Supra 1200 baud modem (using the SupraVerter), and any modem connected through a R:Verter or similar interface. To use a disk- based handler, rename it to "RS232.COM," and place it in your "default directory," which is drive 1 for most DOSes. To create a BobTerm boot disk, boot up your DOS and format a blank disk. Write DOS files to that disk. Now copy the BOBTERM.COM file to this disk, and rename it to AUTORUN.SYS. If you need a modem handler, copy the appropriate file (XM.COM for 835/1030/XM301 modems, MPP.COM for the Supra/MPP 1000x, etc.) to this disk, and rename it to RS232.COM. Users of the Black Box, MIO, 850, or P:R: connections do not need and should not have a RS232.COM file, since the handlers for those interfaces are built-in. Your BobTerm boot disk has now been created. If you want to use any of the module programs for BobTerm, they should be placed on this disk as well. See the section entitled MODULES for more information. BobTerm loads a default dialing list when it first boots (D:BOBTERM.PH1), so after adding all the entries to your dialing list, save it to this disk. BobTerm looks to the "default" drive for all support files, so MYDOS and SpartaDOS X users can place all files for the term in a separate subdirectory for convenience. All other DOSes will look to drive 1 for these files, which is why it is a good idea to make up a boot disk as described above. BobTerm loads right from DOS as a binary file. Use the [L]oad Binary File option of your DOS menu, or consult your DOS manual for the correct command. Internal BASIC will be automatically disabled, but no language cartridges should be present. Use the 'X' command to load the term from the SpartaDOS X command line. HELP MENU FUNCTIONS Modem Parameters Note: Unless otherwise stated, the command within the [] brackets is the character typed to toggle the command parameters. [A] TRANSLATION AND PARITY Changes your translation between ASCII, ATARI, VT-52E and VT-52O. ASCII is the universal text standard, and should be used on most national telecommunications networks, and non-Atari 8 bit Bulletin Boards (When in doubt, use ASCII). ATARI is the Atari-specific ATASCII text mode only usable on boards which support it (typically, only Atari 8 Bit Bulletin Boards). The two VT-52 modes provide the basic ASCII translation plus many of the extended cursor control commands provided in the DEC VT-52 terminal. BobTerm's VT-52 mode is designed to also emulate CompuServe's VIDTEX mode. VIDTEX is used in some of the online games available on CIS. It does not support graphics; only cursor positioning. When using VIDTEX on CIS, do a "GO TERMINAL" and set your page length to 23 and columns to 40. The VT-52 mode also supports some of the Atari ST-specific subset of commands, for further compatibility. Parity is determined by the translation mode. BobTerm does not check incoming parity; it is only generated. The Parity of ASCII mode is None; in VT-52E it is Even, and in VT-52O it is Odd. Parity is non- existent in ATARI translation. The translation and parity may also be changed while in terminal mode by pressing Shift Control F. [B] BAUD RATE Baud rate is the speed at which your modem and the other system's modem can receive information. Rates supported are from 300 baud to 19.2K BAUD, but of course you cannot go any higher than your modem is capable. Note that some modem interfaces (namely the 850 and P:R: Connection) will not support 19.2K BAUD. Baud rates like 9600 and 19.2K are used mostly for "null-modem" transfers, where you hook up the output of your RS-232 interface to another computer's RS-232 port, through a special cable or adaptor. [D] DUPLEX Duplex controls how characters appear on your screen, that is, whether they are put on your screen by the terminal program, or echoed back from the host computer. Full Duplex means that the characters are echoed from the host. Half Duplex means the characters are sent from your keyboard to the screen. Full Duplex is used on most all BBSes and online services (except GEnie), so unless otherwise stated, try Full Duplex first. If you can not see what you are typing, go into Half Duplex. The duplex improperly set to Half will be characterized by seeing double of each character you type. BobTerm also supports "Echoplex". This is enabled by holding [START] while pressing [D]. This will cause everything to be reflected, just as a BBS does. Echoplex is handy for answering a call, when the other person is in full duplex. Remember to switch into echo mode ONLY after connecting, and out of it after disconnecting. You may change the duplex while in term mode by pressing Shift Control D. Dialing Commands [E] DIALING MENU Provides you with various lists from which you pick the phone number(s) you wish to call. See "The Autodialer and Entries" below. [F] ORIGINATE Allows your terminal program and modem to connect to another modem sending a carrier. An example of this is if you originally connected using a voice line, then wished to use your modem. Use this command to connect to a BBS if you are dialing manually (with a telephone). [G] SEND CARRIER Known on other terminal programs as "ANSWER MODE," this will send an answering carrier to the other computer. If connecting to another person also using a term, one should Originate, and the other should "Answer," or send carrier. [H] HANG UP This will disconnect your modem from the telephone line. BobTerm first drops the DTR line; if it sees that a carrier is still present, it will send a +++, wait, then ATH. This should take care most all modem configurations. The online timer will stop. The timer will restart when dialing manually, or if Shift Control T is pressed. System Commands [C] CAPTURE BUFFER The "Capture Buffer" is a feature that lets you record whatever you are receiving. If there is a special message or something you want to save, simply enable your capture ahead of time. When you type [C], it will ask you for the destination filename. Capture will then be turned on; characterized by the screen's border color turning red. You may toggle the capturing by pressing [OPTION]. To close the capture (ending it), use this same option. It will ask you "[C]lose Capture, [V]iew, or [ESC]?" Press [C], and it will save the buffer to disk. *Note that you can also view the contents of the buffer by pressing [V] at this prompt. Use [CONTROL] [1] or the SPACE BAR to pause the listing. You may only view what is currently in the buffer; any data that was previously saved cannot directly be viewed. You would have to close the capture, then use the DOS Function of View a File, and look that way. BobTerm's capturing capability is not limited to just the buffer size. While you are capturing data, you will see the buffer count on the top status line slowly decrease. When it gets to around 256 bytes left, it will pause the other end, save the buffer to disk, and resume operation. This will continue until you temporarily stop capturing (by hitting SELECT), or close the buffer. You cannot change the disk in the drive to which you are capturing until the capture is closed. You may also start capturing by simply pressing [OPTION] (without first setting it up). When the buffer fills, it will prompt you for the destination filename. If you want to cancel the save, simply press [ESC]. *Note that the destination capture name usually is a disk filename, but you could use "P:", sending it to your printer directly. If you want to erase the buffer (say you turned on capture, but you really don't want to save it), you can clear the buffer by selecting [C]. Hit [C] again to select Close, and press [ESC] at the filename prompt. Now hit [ESC] again to return to terminal mode. [Q] QUIT TO DOS This will exit to DOS WITHOUT dropping carrier, allowing you to copy files, run other programs, such as ARC or UNARC, all without hanging up! To return to online, just reload BOBTERM (you may need to change translation, baud rate and duplex). If capturing was enabled, it will be saved before exiting. BobTerm will NOT perform the BOOTUP.BTM modem initialization function if it sees that you are re-entering BobTerm, so no junk data will be sent if you reload the term while the modem is online. BobTerm now will 'unlink' any modem handler that it loaded, resetting LOMEM to whatever it was prior to entering the term. For this reason it is best to let BobTerm load any disk-based modem handler itself. This un-linking should 'clean up' memory usage, thus increasing compatibility. [R] RECEIVE FILE Use this when Downloading, or receiving a file or files from the host computer using a transfer protocol of XModem, XModem-CRC, 1K- Xmodem, YModem, CIS Fast XModem, and FModem. See below for "Send and Receive files explained". [S] SEND FILE This is the entry point for Uploading, or sending files TO the host computer. In addition to the protocols listed above, you may also do a simple text upload (the exact opposite of capturing). See below for "Send and Receive files explained." [J] SYSTEM CONFIGURATION This sets your bootup terminal and system defaults, as well as macro editing. See "[J] System Configuration" below. [K] DOS FUNCTIONS This takes you to a menu which supports the most common DOS functions. Use them just as you would from your DOS menu. Note that the subdirectory commands may not be supported in your DOS (they work under MYDOS and SpartaDOS). The letters chosen for the DOS function commands are those of DOS 2.X / MYDOS menu options, so they should be easy to memorize. These are the options: [A] View a File: Allows you to view text files. Use [CONTROL] [1] or the SPACE BAR to pause, and [ESC] to quit. [B] Set Directory: Used to set a working directory under a DOS that supports subdirectories. [C] Copy a single File: This option is handy when copying a file from your RAMdisk to a floppy, or vice versa. Remember it can only copy one file at a time. The first filename entered should be the source. It may contain wildcards; the first file found will be the one copied. The second filename entered will be the destination name. Do NOT use wildcards on the destination. [D] Delete a File: Asks for a filename. [E] Rename File: Format is: OLDNAME.EXT,NEWNAME.EXT Remember to type both names on the same line. [F] Lock a File: Asks for a filename. [G] Unlock a File: Asks for a filename. [H] Load a File: Use this to load the Sparta XINIT file to format disks. This may also be used in the future to load utility programs for BobTerm. Do NOT use this function with TOPDOS. [I] Format Disk: Prompts for device number to format. It will format under the current DOS. SpartaDos X users are taken to the SDX format menu. This will format a disk in DOS 2 format if using disk- based SpartaDOS. [J] Create Directory: Creates a new subdirectory under a DOS that supports them. [1-9] DISK DIRECTORIES Pressing the appropriate disk device number will prompt you for a "PATH NAME or RETURN". Simply pressing [RETURN] will display the main directory of the drive. If your DOS supports subdirectories, you may enter the subdirectory name, followed by a [>]. If you wanted to look at all files ending with .BAS, you could enter "*.BAS". This function pauses at each page: pressing [RETURN] will continue, [ESC] will abort. [J] System Configuration This area allows to set such things as macros, screen colors, modem port, etc., and optionally save them so that they will be loaded each time you use BobTerm. There are two sub-menus that you encounter when you select this option. The first sub-menu allows you to select from: [1] EDIT MACROS, ETC.: Takes you to the second menu area. [2] RELOAD DEFAULT PARAMETERS: Lets you reload the way BobTerm was set up by your BOBTERM.CNF file. [3] SAVE DEFAULT PARAMETERS: Saves your settings to a file called BOBTERM.CNF on the DEFAULT drive. The second sub-menu is entered by pressing the [1] key above. This menu is the one that actually allows you to edit your macros, screen colors, and modem port. To modify your screen colors, use the arrow keys (without holding CONTROL) until the screen color and intensity is pleasing to you. BobTerm supports a total of 16 macros. A macro is a series of keys which, when pressed, will send out a pre-defined message. The macros in obTerm are grouped by size and type of access. The macros may be chained together, allowing a very large string to be sent. [A]-[H] Allows you to set the "Large Macros" of BobTerm. These macros may be up to 31 characters long. Large Macros are accessed by pressing the SHIFT, CONTROL, and a number key (from 1 to 8) all at the same time. (In these docs, holding SHIFT and CONTROL while typing another character will be referred to as 'SHIFT CONTROL x', where x is the character.) To define a large macro, just press the letter from A-H and type in the macro that you wish to store. *Note that you can use the standard Atari editing keys; use [SHIFT] [DELETE] to clear out whatever is on the line. Press [RETURN] when you are finished entering the macro text. *One special note about Large Macros A, B, and C: These macros are updated by the dialing list. Any macros set by your BOBTERM.CNF file will be over-written by the dialing list, if used. You may, however, reload the defaults AFTER dialing, and restore these three macros. [I]-[P] Allows you to define the "Small Macros" of BobTerm. These macros are limited to 15 characters and are accessed by pressing the CONTROL and a number key (from 3 to 0) at the same time. Entering these macros is the same as the Large Macros. [Q]-[U] Allows you to define five special one character macros that are controlled by the joystick in port #1 of the computer. Typical uses for this would be the CONTROL-S or CONTROL-Q character to stop and start text flow on most BBSes. To execute these macros, simply move the joystick or press the fire button. SPECIAL MACRO CHARACTERS There are five "special" characters that may be included in the Large and Small Macros. These are: CONTROL-P will cause a 3 second delay in the sending of the macro, then resume. You may stack as many of these characters as you need. CONTROL-D will cause a 1/2 second delay. This is useful when sending the "HHH" string necessary for GEnie. CONTROL-, (little heart) will cause the macro to execute as normal, but it will NOT send a RETURN at the end of it. (Normally a RETURN is sent at the end.) The following is a list of changes from version 1.10 of BobTerm to the current 1.21 version: Bug Fixes: ---------- 1. Connects at 19200 Baud within the dialer will no longer switch down to 1200. 2. The delay between redials has been increased to work with a wider range of modems and settings. 3. The line editor now allows full ATASCII cursor editing (editing filenames, macros, etc...). 4. The first character of a macro may be any character, including a pause. 5. ATASCII<->ASCII protocol translation with MIO problem fixed. 6. FModem upload to FoReM boards finally fixed. 7. A couple bugs that caused the header and first blocks of each file in a batch transfer to be repeated were tracked down and fixed. 8. Obscure XModem padding problem fixed. 9. Fixed various lockup points when using the MIO. 10. When saving the capture buffer, a disk error now causes an error message to be displayed (none was shown before). 11. use tO-based OSes may now be used. An example of this is the HAPPYXL program that gives high speed data transfer with modified 1050 drives. 12. A lockup problem occurring when capturing and using the XEP driver was fixed. 13. The filename entry prompt for a full capture buffer makes sure the name you enter is good before saving (it used to just erase the buffer). 14. Doing a COPY E: in the command processor interface for SpartaDOS 3.2 now works. 15. The 835/1030/XM-301 modem handler has been re-written to properly tone dial, as well as respond with the proper messages in the proper timing. 16. Dialing manually drom the dialer no longer unmarks the highlighted entry, and will not perform any automatic logon. Enhancements/Modifications: --------------------------- 1. The non-batch receive protocols are self-adapting, in that they will automatically adjust to the sender's protocol (If you select a CRC protocol). 2. Protocol sends are slightly faster. 3. The FAST CIS XMODEM receive protocol now supports 1k block sizes. I suggest you use the 1k block sizes (by specifying the protocol to CompuServe with PRO:X1K), as it causes the data stream to be continuous. 4. In the batch file selection area, pressing "A" at a file query will mark ALL the rest of the files in the directory mask you have entered. This saves having to hold "Y" for all the entries. 5. Separate pathnames are stored in the config for upload, download, and capture. This saves having to type the path all the time. 6. Separate upload and download default protocols. 7. Spaces are inserted between successive RETURN characters in ASCII Sends, so your formatting will be preserved in message editors that normally 'eat' the blank lines. 8. Fine Scrolling is now available. Use Shift Control S to toggle. Its status is saved in the system config. 9. The Word Wrap flag is now saved in the system config. 10. Parity is now supported. Use the VT-52E for Even, VT-52O for Odd, and ASCII for No parity. Vidtex has not been eliminated, use the VT-52O for CIS Vidtex emulation. 11. The VT-52 emulation is more compatible with VT-100, ANSI, and a few other emulation modes. It does not support the entire VT-100 command set, but its better than it was before. 12. The timer/clock will keep the proper time on 50Hz PAL systems. 13. Internal BASIC is automatically disabled for all DOSes. This took some serious probing into SpartaDOS to make work. Also, OSS carts are also disabled under all DOSes except Sparta. 14. The Dialer's Print List option has been removed, and the buffer size has been decreased by 256 bytes. This had to be done to make room for the new features. If you wish to make a hardcopy of your dialing list, you may use an older version of the term for this. The dialing list format is the same. 15. The Capture buffer may now be viewed before it is saved. The view function is accessed by the [C] command from the main term menu. 16. The TONE/PULSE selection was moved from the main menu to the dialer, where it was actually used. 17. The modem's result messages returned when using the dialer are now displayed. (BUSY, NO DIALTONE, etc...) 18. The dialer now depends upon the modem's result codes rather than the carrier detect signal, and so should work with just about any hayes- compatible modem, regardless of configuration (the messages have to be returned in verbal as opposed to numeric). 19. The dialer now has an option of sending the first macro upon connection. This can be used for automatic logons. I suggest adding one or two Control Ps in the beginning of the first macro to account for the time needed for the other modem to properly connect. 20. The Long Distance code feature now supports the ability to embed the BBS number within the LDX code. See the main documentation for information. 21. When a DOS function is completed, you are returned back to the DOS Functions menu. 22. The DOS Functions have been assigned letters instead of numbers, the letters corresponding to the same ones used by DOS 2.x. This should make operation friendlier and easier. 23. The Command Processor interface for SpartaDOS now has a feel much more like the real DOS. 24. The ability to copy a single file is now available in the DOS functions! 25. The Atari 850 Interface handler is loaded every time; you don't have to power it down prior to coldstarting. 26. Any handler BobTerm loads will be unlinked when the term is exited. This should prevent random lockups that happened with various DOS and handler combinations. Note: it is recommended you use the [Q]uit command to exit the term, rather than pressing RESET. 27. The Control 1 function to start/stop printing may now be used in the View a file, View capture buffer, and command processor interface functions. 28. The macro processor has been enhanced with two new functions: a Control D will cause a 1/2 second delay. This is useful for generating the HHH sequence for logging on to GEnie. 29. A Control N in a macro will cause it to link to the next macro. Thus, you are no longer limited to 31 characters in a macro! Note that neither the Control N nor the RETURN that follows it will be sent. 30. The curly brace characters in the Ascii character set are translated to Control A and Control D characters (for open and close). The braces may be sent by pressing the same keys. 31. The chat buffer may now be sent without a RETURN at the end. Type an ESC prior to hitting RETURN. (Note: version 1.21 fixes a bug in 1.20 that would not let a space be the last character before the ESC.) 32. The $7F character in the Ascii character set is now ignored. This serves no useful function, and caused problems on GEnie. 33. Attract mode is disabled while the dialer is busy dialing numbers. 34. The messages on the top status line have been enhanced. 35. The term screen is displayed while using a transfer protocol. It was found that BobTerm could keep up with 19200 Baud transfers with the screen fully on; so the top three lines indicate the transfer status, and the rest of the screen displays the term screen. Note that any bad bytes received while in the transfer are sent to the term screen, so if you start a transfer while the other side is still sending, you will be able to see the incoming data. 36. The BOBTERM.CNF file is now larger, and is not compatible with config files created by older versions. Delete any old config files you may have. 37. The ST-specific VT-52 color setting commands are now ignored instead of being displayed. That's all I have documented that was changed. Its possible that there may be a couple minor things that have slipped past me. Please be sure to read the main documentation for more detail on the enhancements. When uploading BobTerm to a BBS or giving it to a user, upload the whole ARC file, or make sure the disk contains ALL the data files unaltered. Thank you. Bob Puff 04/27/90 Suite 222 2117 Buffalo Rd Rochester, NY 14624 CompuServe Mail: 76702,1076 GEnie Mail: BOB.PUFF