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FLASH ver. 1.1 Notes
FLASH is a trademark of Antic Publishing, Inc.
Copyright (c) 1986 Alan Page and Joe Chiazzese
GETTING STARTED QUICKLY WITH FLASH
When you run FLASH, the first thing you see is the title
screen with the large FLASH logo and the copyright notice. Hit
the return key (or click inside the box) to make the title
disappear and then click once on the right mouse button to
switch to the menu-bar/capture buffer screen. (Clicking again
on the right mouse button will return you to the terminal
screen). (NOTE: the title screen can be disabled by using any
AUTO command (pg. 33 of the manual).)
The first thing you should do when you run FLASH is to set
up a dial directory for all your phone numbers. To do this, go
to the EDIT section of the menu-bar and select 'Dial
Directory'. Enter your phone numbers into the dial directory as
instructed on page 20 of the manual. If you have a touch-tone
phone, then you may want to change the prefix in the Dialer
Settings box from ATD to ATDT (See right column of page 21 in
the FLASH manual). If your modem does not use the industry
standard 'AT' command set, then you may have to alter other
settings in the dialer. Please refer to the manual that came
with your modem for this.
If you dial up services with different baud rates, then you
should let FLASH know what baud rate to set for each phone
number in your dial directory. To do this, put a '/' character
followed by the first two digits of the baud rate AFTER the
names in your dial directory. e.g. CompuServe/12 @CIS.DO. This
is a new feature in FLASH 1.1 and is not mentioned in the
manual.
If you want to use the CIS.DO file on your FLASH disk to
connect you automatically to CompuServe, then you should leave
the @CIS.DO after the CompuServe name, otherwise remove it.
(Don't forget to fill in your local CompuServe number).
After you have finished editing your dial directory, click
on the SAVE button and save the dial directory as DIAL.DIR (The
File Selector box that appears will show the default name of
DIAL.DIR). Now, to edit the CIS.DO file, select 'LOAD' from
the FILE part of the menu-bar, then select CAPTURE from the
dialog box that appears. After doing this you should see the
sample CIS.DO file from your FLASH disk appear in the window
below the menu-bar. Read pages 29-30 of your FLASH manual and
change the ID number and password to your own personal
CompuServe ID and Password and save the file by clicking on
SAVE and selecting CAPTURE. If you do NOT want your password to
appear in your CIS.DO file, then delete the entire line that
FLASH ver. 1.1 Notes Page 2
contains the password and you will be able to enter it manually
when you log on.
If you have changed any of the dialer settings, select SAVE
from the FILE menu, then CONFIGURATION from the dialog box to
save a new configuration file with the changed dialer settings.
Use the default name of FLASH.CNF so that it will load
automatically next time you run FLASH.
Now that you have set up the dial-directory, return to the
terminal screen by clicking on the right mouse button. Make
sure that your modem is turned on and click on the left mouse
button. The FLASH dialer will appear and you can double click
on the NAME of the service you want to dial and FLASH will
proceed to dial the number for you.
Once you have made a connection, you may want to record
your session in the Flash capture buffer. Look at the bottom
of the FLASH terminal screen. If you see the phrase 'Ca Off'
then FLASH is not recording the session. Hold down the ALT key
and press 'C'. This sequence, ALT-C, will turn the capture
buffer recording feature ON (if it was off) or OFF if it was
ON. When the capture buffer is on you will see Ca 00% (the
factory preset is ON). The number before the % sign indicates
how many percent of the capture buffer has been used so far. If
at any time you wish to look at your captured text simply click
on the right mouse button to change to the capture
buffer/menu-bar screen.
TRYING A FILE TRANSFER
If the telecommunications service you are connected to
allows xmodem file transfers, then you may want to try
downloading a file. First you must tell the remote computer to
get ready to send the file using the xmodem protocol. When you
are prompted by the other end to start the file transfer, hold
down the ALT key and press 'R' (ALT-R). When the file selector
appears, enter the name of the file and hit return. Note that
if the file already exists that Flash will overwrite it. For
information about a method that will force Flash to warn you if
a file already exists, read the section on 'Download files' on
page 14 of the FLASH manual.
USING THE QUICK ALT COMMANDS
Rather than force you to use the menu-bar or command line
to tell FLASH what to do, we have put in a number of short-cuts
that allow you to enter commands quickly using simple key
combinations. Page 50 of the FLASH manual lists these commands
(ver. 1.1 contains a new key combination - ALT-W - which clears
out the capture buffer). Hold down the ALTERNATE key (to the
left of the space bar) and press one of the indicated keys to
try out the ALT command - e.g. ALT-1 shows the directory for
drive A.
FLASH ver. 1.1 Notes Page 3
We have made most of the ALT commands easy to remember by
associating them with a name.
Think of:
ALT-B - [B]aud - Allows you to alter Baud rate and other
RS232 settings.
ALT-C - [C]apture - Toggles capture buffer on and off.
ALT-D - [D]ownload - Download a file using Ascii protocol.
ALT-U - [U]pload - Upload a file using Ascii protocol.
ALT-E - [E]dit - Edit settings.
ALT-H - [H]ard copy - Toggles printer on and off.
ALT-K - [K]ill - Delete a file.
ALT-L - [L]inefeeds - Toggle extra linefeeds on and off.
ALT-M - [M]ode - Change terminal type (mode).
ALT-P - Du[P]lex - Toggle duplex from full to half.
ALT-R - [R]ecieve - Download a file using Xmodem protocol.
ALT-S - [S]end - Upload a file using Xmodem protocol.
ALT-V - [V]iew - View a file from your disk.
ALT-W - [W]ipe - Clear out the capture buffer.
ALT-X - E[X]it - Exit the program.
ALT-Q [Set default path] and ALT-Z [status] have no
associated mnemonic.
FLASH ver. 1.1 Notes Page 4
FLASH VERSION 1.1 - ENHANCEMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS
NEW COMMANDS
Version 1.1 has two new commands intended for use in DO
files and function keys.
1) ADDING COMMENTS TO DO FILES:
Two asterisks at the start of a command indicate a
comment.
e.g. >** This is a comment|
The purpose of the comment is to allow you to document your
DO files so that other people will be able to readily
understand them. (NOTE: Make sure that your comments are not
placed before WA (wait) commands in your DO files, because
the DO file will miss the command you're waiting for while
it's printing the comments to the command line.)
2) TYPING MESSAGES ON THE SCREEN:
TYPE types a message on the terminal screen without
transmitting or saving it in the capture buffer. The format of
the command is >TYPE [message text]| A carriage return/line
feed combination is automatically appended to the end of the
message text. This command allows you set up DO files that
prompt people to take some action or let people know what
action the DO file is performing. Another use is to send setup
strings for certain features while in ANSI mode, e.g. TAB
stops.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SPEED
Scrolling in the capture buffer is now faster than
before, particularly when clicking on the scroller bars. Text
entry is also notably faster.
CLEARING THE CAPTURE BUFFER
A new ALT command, ALT-W allows you to clear out the
capture buffer. You are always prompted before the buffer is
actually cleared. (ALT-W works from the terminal screen only).
SET BAUD RATES FOR PHONE NUMBERS
You can now set baud rates separately for each number in
the dial directory. In the NAME column put in a string of the
form /nn, where nn is the first two numbers of the baud rate.
e.g. /30, /12, or /24 for 300, 1200 and 2400 baud,
respectively. You can put the / anywhere in the name, except
that it MUST come before any '@' so it doesn't get confused
with the auto-logon DO file name. The new baud rate gets set
FLASH ver. 1.1 Notes Page 5
before the number is dialed (if different from the current baud
rate).
Example: CompuServe/12 @CIS.DO
INSTALLING DO FILES AS "DOCUMENT TYPE"
You can now use the GEM function called 'Install Document
Type' with FLASH. Installing the Document Type of DO for
FLASH.PRG will allow you to click on any DO file (as long as
it's in the same folder/drive as FLASH), and FLASH will
immediately load and the DO file will be automatically
executed. Any AUTO command will still be executed before the DO
file is executed.
Installing Document Types is done from the GEM desktop.
Click once on FLASH.PRG to highlight it, then select INSTALL
DOCUMENT from the OPTIONS menu heading and fill in the Document
Type as DO in the dialog box that appears. Then click on OK,
and select SAVE DESKTOP (the Document Type information is saved
in your DESKTOP.INF file).
The following is an example of a convenient way to set up a
DO file that you can click on from your desktop that will run
FLASH and then autolog on CompuServe:
A. Set up your dial directory using the technique
described above, making sure that it calls the @CIS.DO file at
the end of the name.
B. Create the following DO file and save it under a
separate name on your FLASH disk:
>DI CompuServe|
Make sure that the name, above, uses the same spelling
that is in your dial directory.
You must boot your FLASH disk with the new DESKTOP.INF file
for Document Type to work. Now, clicking on this one line DO
file will load FLASH and then execute the dialing and logon
sequence.
INCREASED BUFFER SIZE
FLASH version 1.1 now has a 2048 byte input buffer for the
serial port. This improves the response when running as a
terminal at speeds of 9600 baud and above. Version 1.0 did NOT
use flow control when in terminal mode. Version 1.1 uses flow
control for incoming text only while in terminal mode. This
means that when the buffer is 3/4 full an XOFF is sent. When
the buffer falls to 1/4 full, FLASH sends an XON to signal to
the other end to resume transmitting text. Do NOT use the
program 9600.PRG that was posted on CompuServe (for use with
FLASH ver. 1.1 Notes Page 6
FLASH version 1.0) as version 1.1 incorporates the features of
that program.
MINOR CHANGES
In ECHO mode, line feeds are sent after carriage returns
to the remote terminal if LF is enabled. This way, when you set
up echoplex and have LF on, both ends have LF added after
carriage returns. There is no way to enable added line feeds
for just one end; it's both or nothing.
In Xmodem, instead of choosing between 8-bit 8-bit/CRC
and 7-bit, you now only have to choose between regular and CRC
checksums. This is because the 7-bit choice is really very
obscure and probably ends up getting confused with 7-bit file
type on CompuServe. The 7-bit choice can still be made from the
command line, just in case someone still wants it.
19200 baud is added to the choices for baud rate.
ALT-1 through ALT-9 give directory listings for disks A
through I. If the drive doesn't exist on your system, then the
command is ignored.
ANSI (VT100) EMULATION IMPROVED
ANSI emulation has been worked over extensively and the
problems that some people had been having should now be fixed.
The true VT52 emulation mode has been added so that the escape
code to exit ANSI/VT100 and enter VT52 mode works. Note: In
this mode ONLY, the VT52 PF keys send the appropriate ESC
sequences. As far as the status screen and "MODE" selector are
concerned, Flash is still in ANSI (VT100) mode. If your
mainframe sends the proper escape sequence to Flash, then the
switch between ANSI (VT100) and VT52 will be automatic. If you
wish to do this manually, then you may want to set up a couple
of function keys that will send the necessary sequences using
the new FLASH 'TYPE' command.
ESC [ ? 2 l Start emulating a VT52.
ESC < Resume ANSI operation
Note: To enter the ESC character in the function key
editor, press control - [ (control - left square bracket) and
you will see the tiny ES character appear.
A number of people have been using FLASH as a 48 line VT100
terminal (monochrome monitors only). At their request I have
added two private escape sequences to switch between 48 and 24
screen lines. They are:
ESC [ = 1 h Set to 48 line mode.
ESC [ = 1 l Set to 24 line mode.
FLASH ver. 1.1 Notes Page 7
These are identical in effect to issuing the HI ON and HI
OFF commands.
To use FLASH as a 48 line terminal you may have to change
the terminal settings on the remote computer you are connected
to so that it will format text properly for 48 lines. If you
fail to do this, unexpected results may occur.
If you are using FLASH with a UNIX system, we have included
a separate folder on this disk with instructions for setting up
custom UNIX Termcaps. The folder is called UNIXINFO.
FLASH ver. 1.1 Notes Page 8
HINTS FOR USING FLASH ON COMPUSERVE
UPLOADING MESSAGES
When uploading messages to CompuServe (using ascii upload)
you should set METERING on and STRIP LINEFEEDS on. If you use
the line-oriented editor - the one that prompts you with line
numbers - you should set PROMPTING on and set the prompting
character to ':'.
For ascii uploads to the CompuServe Data Libraries, set
METERING on and leave all the rest of the ascii upload settings
off (unless you choose to use DC2/DC4 protocol).
XMODEM FILE TRANSFERS
I prefer to use Xmodem for all file uploads to CompuServe
because of the possibility of line noise affecting an ascii
upload. The error detection in the Xmodem protocol is generally
successful in avoiding this problem. When uploading to
CompServe, ALWAYS use the CRC checksum. It's better at
detecting errors than the normal checksum and it's actually the
default method used by CompuServe. You can even upload messages
to Easyplex using Xmodem. If you like to compose messages in
the FLASH capture buffer, then you can use Xmodem to upload
either the entire capture buffer or a block that you have
marked out. See the menu-bar selection under UPLOAD and
DOWNLOAD. You can also issue the commands on the command line
'UL CAP XM' and 'UL BLOCK XM' to upload the capture buffer or
block using Xmodem. If you omit the 'XM', then an Ascii file
transfer will be performed instead of Xmodem.
When a lot of people are logged on to CompuServe, then file
transfers will proceed rather slowly. For this reason FLASH has
a special setting to ensure reliable Xmodem transfers during
peak hours on CompuServe. That setting is 'LOOSE' timing and
is found in the Xmodem settings dialog box (the factory preset
for FLASH Xmodem is LOOSE). If you log onto CompuServe using a
DO file, then include the command >XM CLZ| in your DO file so
that Xmodem will always be set up properly for CompuServe.
Ideally, you should try to upload and download files during
non-peak hours, but we've found that using the loose timing
option even allows reliable file transfers during peak hours.
You may sometimes be prompted on CompuServe to indicate
whether your file is in '8-bit' (binary) format, '7-bit'
(Ascii/Text) format, or GRAPHICS/RLE format. This refers only
to the format of the data in the file, NOT the type of Xmodem
transfer. CompuServe currently stores all data in a 7-bit
format, which requires that 8-bit data be stored in a special
Intel Hex format that is quite wasteful of space. If you upload
a text file to a Data Library on CompuServe in '8-bit' file
format, then anyone who tries to read it online will see the
illegible Intel Hex format instead. If you encounter such a
file, remember that it can still be downloaded successfully
FLASH ver. 1.1 Notes Page 9
using Xmodem protocol. You should always specify a file type of
ASCII when uploading text files with XMODEM so that people can
easily read them online. You will either be prompted for file
type or you can force the file type by appending the special
code /type:ascii to your filename.
EXAMPLE: Assume you are uploading a file called SAMPLE.TXT
At the Data Library prompt, type UPL sample.txt/type:ascii
If the file was a program file, e.g. SAMPLE.PRG, type UPL
sample.prg/type:binary
8-bit file type should be used for all program files,
program .rsc files, ST Writer files, and all picture files
EXCEPT RLE files created with one of the RLE file converter
programs - e.g. The GRAFCON ST series of programs from the July
and August Antic Magazine articles by Patrick Bass. RLE files
stored as GRAPHICS/RLE type files.
If you specify a file type of '7-bit' for a file that is
supposed to be 8-bit, then CompuServe will allow the upload to
finish, but the resulting file will be unusable. In the future,
CompuServe may switch to storing all files in 8-bit format
which will eliminate this problem.
If you have any questions about FLASH, I can be contacted
on CompuServe at 76703,2000.
- Alan Page
--
Creating a Flash 'DO' File
-- A quick tutorial --
This file is meant to serve as another sample for creating Flash
DO files. There are 3 sections in this file: this text, the captured
sign-on to a FOREM ST BBS and the corresponding DO file.
As is recommended in the manual one should use the capture to
record the entire process for which you wish to create a DO file -- make
a note of where the BBS or other system seems a little slow. Then look
at what characters preceded your responses. (NOTE: the WA command is
case sensitive).
In the sample DO file some will wonder about the two pauses.
The pauses are due to the fact that FOREM is a little slow in requesting
the two returns at sign-on; sometimes a pause of one second works
and other times on the same system it doesn't thus the 2 second delay
for each return.
I hope this is of some help.
Ed Seward
CURRENT NOTES
-----------------THE NEXT LINE BEGINS THE CAPTURED TEXT---------------
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hit Return
FoReM ST Online - Release 1.06
1200 Baud 8 bit No parity connection at 11:12 PM
Welcome to...
WAACE ST
Brought to you by
The Washington Area Atari Computer Enthusiats
Sysops:
Ted Bell
David Bell
Bruce Blake
Welcome to the new WAACE ST system. Please logon with your REAL name.
Enter ID number or Full Name (0=New User)> 9999999
Enter Your Password: ______
Online: ED SEWARD
You are caller 1505
Last on: Aug 17, 1986
Your were connected for 7 minutes
Time limit this call: 60 minutes
Last caller: Off at 9:54 PM
Announcements
-------------
1) [IMPORTANT]Bulletins (August 8, 1986)
2) How to access this BBS
3) Notice to 8 bit Atari users
Select (Q=Exit)> q
No mail waiting.
-----------------THE ABOVE LINE ENDS THE CAPTURED TEXT-----------------
---------------SAMPLE FLASH DO file BEGINS ON NEXT LINE----------------
>PA 2|
||
>PA 2|
||
>WA >|
9999999|
>WA :|
password|
>RT|
--
Common Questions and Answers about FLASH terminal program
1. I have a touch tone line. How do I tell FLASH to dial using touch
tone?
Answer: Go to the menu-bar and select DIAL DIRECTORY from the EDIT
section. Click on the button that says 'ALTER SETTINGS' and change the Prefix
to ATDT. Then hit return to exit the dialog and select SAVE from the
FILE section. When the File Selection dialog box appears, click on
"Configuration" and save the configuration as the default name FLASH.CNF.
This makes sure that the dialer prefix will stay as ATDT the next time FLASH
is run.
2. I'm trying to upload a message to CompuServe using Ascii upload but
the text appears scrambled and there are missing characters.
Answer: Change the ASCII upload setting to set METERING on. If you are
using the SIG editor that gives you line numbers, then set PROMPTING on and
enter ':' as the prompt character.
3. All of a sudden the cursor is moving on the screen, but I can't
see any text being displayed. What's happened and what can I do to fix it?
Answer: Line noise has resulted in FLASH being sent an escape sequence
that has changed the text color to the white. The same error can cause text
and background colors to become reversed. If you are using a color monitor
then you may see strange combinations of text and background color e.g. red
text on a black background.
The solution is to use the MODE command to reset the terminal emulation
mode. Press on ALT-M and hit enter. This will reset the colors to their
default values while leaving the terminal emulation type unchanged.
4. While uploading or downloading a file using Xmodem I see error
messages on the bottom line of the screen. Does this mean the file transfer
was bad?
Answer: Xmodem is very good at recovering from errors due to line noise
and it's quite normal to see occasional error messages such as Checksum error
or Sector number error. If a fatal error occurs, FLASH will always put a
message on the bottom of the screen which includes the phrase 'Xmodem Aborted'.
In addition, the other computer will usually realise that a fatal error
occurred and also display an error message. FLASH will typically try at least
ten times to send/recieve each block of the file before giving up.
5. How do I edit the FLASH DO files?
Answer: Simple! Just load them into the FLASH capture buffer and edit
them in place then save them back to disk. To embed control codes in a DO
file, simply hold down the control key and press the appropriate key, e.g.
control-C shows up as an arrow facing right.
To load a file into the FLASH capture buffer, select LOAD from the
FILE heading of the menu bar and select CAPTURE from the dialog box that
appears. To save the entire capture buffer, select SAVE from the FILE heading
of the menu bar and click on the CAPTURE box. You can save just a part of
the capture buffer by marking out a block and saving it. The block commands
are all under the BLOCK heading of the menu bar.
If you want to load in a DO file for editing without clearing
out all the other text in the capture buffer, select MERGE from the
FILE heading of the menu bar and then select the filename to merge into
the buffer. You can then edit that file and, after marking it as a block,
save it back to disk using the SAVE BLOCK option under the BLOCK heading
of the menu bar.
---
COMPUSERVE
DL SCANNER DO FILE
This is a FLASH DO file that allows you to quickly scan all the DL's
in the SIG for new uploads. Run the DO file from terminal mode by typing
ALT-A and clicking on BRO.DO. The function key editor will appear to allow
you to edit the number of days (age:3 = all files 3 or less days old). Due
to an oddity in Flash, you must add a '|' to the end of the command in
function key 3. Then hit return and the rest is automatic.
Note, if you get the prompt 'More', then type an 's' and hit return.
Below is the DO file:
>FK 3 sca/age:3/des|
>FK|
DL 0|>WA DL 0 -|
>CA ON|
>GO 3|
>WA DL 0 -|DL 1|>WA DL 1 -|
>GO 3|
>WA DL 1 -|DL 2|>WA DL 2 -|
>GO 3|
>WA DL 2 -|DL 3|>WA DL 3 -|
>GO 3|
>WA DL 3 -|DL 4|>WA DL 4 -|
>GO 3|
>WA DL 4 -|DL 5|>WA DL 5 -|
>GO 3|
>WA DL 5 -|DL 6|>WA DL 6 -|
>GO 3|
>WA DL 6 -|DL 7|>WA DL 7 -|
>GO 3|
>WA DL 7 -|DL 8|>WA DL 8 -|
>GO 3|
>WA DL 8 -|
>CA OFF|
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