1753 lines
83 KiB
Plaintext
1753 lines
83 KiB
Plaintext
|
Volume 4, Number 19 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
|
|||
|
|
| _ |
|
|||
|
|
| / \ |
|
|||
|
|
| /|oo \ |
|
|||
|
|
| - FidoNews - (_| /_) |
|
|||
|
|
| _`@/_ \ _ |
|
|||
|
|
| International | | \ \\ |
|
|||
|
|
| FidoNet Association | (*) | \ )) |
|
|||
|
|
| Newsletter ______ |__U__| / \// |
|
|||
|
|
| / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / |
|
|||
|
|
| (________) (_/(_|(____/ |
|
|||
|
|
| (jm) |
|
|||
|
|
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
|
|||
|
|
Editor in Chief: Thom Henderson
|
|||
|
|
Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews is published weekly by the International FidoNet
|
|||
|
|
Association as its official newsletter. You are encouraged to
|
|||
|
|
submit articles for publication in FidoNews. Article submission
|
|||
|
|
standards are contained in the file ARTSPEC.DOC, available from
|
|||
|
|
node 1/1.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Copyright (C) 1987, by the International FidoNet Association.
|
|||
|
|
All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted
|
|||
|
|
for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances,
|
|||
|
|
please contact IFNA.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Thirteen Weeks to FidoCon!
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Table of Contents
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
1. EDITORIAL ................................................ 1
|
|||
|
|
Filling the Gap .......................................... 1
|
|||
|
|
2. ARTICLES ................................................. 2
|
|||
|
|
Tentative Conference Agenda .............................. 2
|
|||
|
|
Dutchie & Brinkers - A Fidonet Point System .............. 3
|
|||
|
|
How to Remove Disk Labels ................................ 7
|
|||
|
|
High Speed Protocols ..................................... 9
|
|||
|
|
3. COLUMNS .................................................. 12
|
|||
|
|
Hayes modems and compatibles ............................. 12
|
|||
|
|
What's Hopp-ening? Part I of ???? by Ryugen Fisher ...... 23
|
|||
|
|
The Regular Irregular Column ............................. 25
|
|||
|
|
4. NOTICES .................................................. 29
|
|||
|
|
The Interrupt Stack ...................................... 29
|
|||
|
|
Conference Hotel Room Rates .............................. 29
|
|||
|
|
IFNA Board of Directors Ballot ........................... 30
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 1 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
=================================================================
|
|||
|
|
EDITORIAL
|
|||
|
|
=================================================================
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Filling the Gap
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Let's face it. As forms of communication go, electronic mail
|
|||
|
|
falls short. We are all very much used to supplementing words
|
|||
|
|
with tones of voice, facial gestures, and body language. It is
|
|||
|
|
quite possible to communicate fully by the written word, but few
|
|||
|
|
of us are Shakespears or Hemmingways. It takes a great deal of
|
|||
|
|
skill and practice to fully express oneself by the written word
|
|||
|
|
alone.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
But the written word is all that electronic mail gives us. Worse
|
|||
|
|
yet, our minds place more emphasis on the written word than on
|
|||
|
|
the spoken word. A comment which would rate a raised eyebrow
|
|||
|
|
when spoken results in massive flames when written. Sarcasm
|
|||
|
|
becomes well nigh impossible to detect. Off-the-cuff remarks
|
|||
|
|
look like rock-solid statements of position.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Fortunately, there's a way out. Once you actually meet the
|
|||
|
|
people you communicate with, it becomes much easier to interpret
|
|||
|
|
their messages in the way they actually meant them. Coming soon
|
|||
|
|
is your big chance to do just that.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The next to last weekend of August is the Fourth International
|
|||
|
|
FidoNet Conference. This is our big get-together, where you can
|
|||
|
|
finally meet all those people you've been hearing from all along.
|
|||
|
|
This year it's being held near Washington DC, which makes it a
|
|||
|
|
great excuse to visit the nation's capitol. While you're there,
|
|||
|
|
take a few extra days vacation and be sure to visit the Air and
|
|||
|
|
Space Museum. You'll see everything from the Wright brother's
|
|||
|
|
original plane to an Apollo capsule that went to the moon. Also
|
|||
|
|
check out the Washington Zoo and see the pandas. [A tip: Wear
|
|||
|
|
comfortable shoes when you visit the zoo. It's huge. I made the
|
|||
|
|
mistake of wearing a new pair, and almost killed my feet. And be
|
|||
|
|
sure to visit the reptile house.]
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
But first, last, and always, it's a chance to meet your fellow
|
|||
|
|
FidoNet people. There will be interesting speakers, hospitality
|
|||
|
|
suites offering free food and drinks, exhibitors showing their
|
|||
|
|
latest and greatest, and swarms and swarms of people you've heard
|
|||
|
|
from and talked to over the net and always wanted to meet.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
I know I'll be there, and I'll be looking forward to meeeting
|
|||
|
|
you. Stop by my room and say "hi". See you there!
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 2 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
=================================================================
|
|||
|
|
ARTICLES
|
|||
|
|
=================================================================
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Fourth International FidoNet Conference
|
|||
|
|
A Tentative Agenda
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Thursday Night
|
|||
|
|
1500 Registration
|
|||
|
|
1900 Welcome party
|
|||
|
|
2100 Deadline for IFNA board of directors votes
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Friday Morning
|
|||
|
|
0900 Opening ceremonies
|
|||
|
|
1000 High speed modems
|
|||
|
|
1100 Report from the FTSC
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Friday Afternoon - Technical Track
|
|||
|
|
1300 Fido Version 12
|
|||
|
|
1400 Opus
|
|||
|
|
1500 TBBS
|
|||
|
|
1600 Dutchie
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Friday Afternoon - Legal Track
|
|||
|
|
1300 Amateur versus Commercial Electronic Mail
|
|||
|
|
1400 Legal Aspects of Electronic Mail
|
|||
|
|
1500 Software Use and the Law
|
|||
|
|
1600 Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Banquet
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Saturday Morning
|
|||
|
|
0900 FidoNet in North America
|
|||
|
|
1000 FidoNet in Europe
|
|||
|
|
1100 FidoNet Down Under
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Luncheon
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Saturday Afternoon
|
|||
|
|
1300 Routing
|
|||
|
|
1400 Extended Addressing: Zones and Points
|
|||
|
|
1500 The FidoNet<=>UseNet Gateway
|
|||
|
|
1600 Future Directions for EchoMail
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Sunday
|
|||
|
|
1000 IFNA Board of Directors meeting
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
This is still VERY tentative. Most of the speakers have not
|
|||
|
|
finalized the title for their talks yet. We are also still
|
|||
|
|
lining up additional speakers on additional topics. If you know
|
|||
|
|
of anyone willing to speak, or if there is anything else you
|
|||
|
|
would like to hear someone talk about, please contact Brian
|
|||
|
|
Hughes at 109/634.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 3 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Henk Wevers 500/1
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Europe Proudly Announces
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
DUTCHIE
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The first fully operating
|
|||
|
|
POINT PROGRAM
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
DUTCHIE is written by Henk Wevers
|
|||
|
|
Cloeckendaal 38
|
|||
|
|
NL-6715 JH Ede
|
|||
|
|
The Netherlands
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
DUTCHIE Copyright (C) 1987 by Henk Wevers. All rights reserved.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
1. Release date of DUTCHIE.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Dutchie will be released May 1, 1987. From that date it can be
|
|||
|
|
file requested or down loaded from distributing nodes around the
|
|||
|
|
globe. See at the end of this article for details.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
2. What is DUTCHIE ?
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Dutchie is basically written to get most of the load off of
|
|||
|
|
Fido/OPUS/Seadog BBSes. From now on, you can do almost all of
|
|||
|
|
your communication with the BBS offline, Dutchie will take care
|
|||
|
|
of sending/receiving files to and from your host and you can now
|
|||
|
|
even subscribe to local, national and international echomail
|
|||
|
|
conferences. They will be delivered at your home at night and,
|
|||
|
|
if you wish, you can have your mail printed out before you wake
|
|||
|
|
up in the morning. Messages can be entered locally and
|
|||
|
|
transferred to the BBS directly or during lower phone rates at
|
|||
|
|
night.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3. What do I need to run a DUTCHIE?
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
At the moment you need an IBM (compatible) PC with around 512K of
|
|||
|
|
RAM and two floppy disk drives or a hard disk. The BBS that
|
|||
|
|
serves you must run SEAdog, Opus, or Fido, or a combination. For
|
|||
|
|
the best service you should pick a node running SEAdog on top of
|
|||
|
|
the BBS all day.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
I guess that Opus will be capable of handling all services also
|
|||
|
|
in the near future. The version of Opus that will be able to do
|
|||
|
|
so should be 1.00 or above.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The sysop of the serving BBS must run BRINKERS, a program to
|
|||
|
|
serve DUTCHIES. Please check with him or her.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
4. What can Dutchie do ?
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 4 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Oh Boy, we can write a full manual on this, but let's try to
|
|||
|
|
cover most of it.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Communications Program
|
|||
|
|
----------------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
First, Dutchie is a simple but very powerful communications
|
|||
|
|
program for those cases where you want to deal in real time with
|
|||
|
|
the BBS that serves you. We will call that BBS the BOSS from
|
|||
|
|
now, and you the POINT.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Dutchie is capable of emulating an ANSII terminal (VT-100), can
|
|||
|
|
automatically dial the BOSS, and can upload/download with the
|
|||
|
|
following protocols: Xmodem-Modem7-Telink-SEAlink. The latter is
|
|||
|
|
a VERY fast sliding window protocol supported by Opus and SEAdog.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
You can change the baud rate given 300/1200/2400/4800/9600 baud
|
|||
|
|
support, and choose your communications port (1-4).
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
You can shell to DOS during a session to do all kinds of
|
|||
|
|
fiddling.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Message editor
|
|||
|
|
--------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Dutchie has a full screen message editor to enter messages
|
|||
|
|
locally. You can send and receive those messages with Dutchie's
|
|||
|
|
mailer program. A few points:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
- Full screen editor
|
|||
|
|
- Read and write message text from/to disk
|
|||
|
|
- Change messages and resend/change already sent messages.
|
|||
|
|
- Attach file(s) to messages
|
|||
|
|
- Request file(s) from your boss
|
|||
|
|
- Send normal (nightly) mail or crash mail directly to your Boss
|
|||
|
|
- Multiple area support so you can easily maintain different
|
|||
|
|
echomail electronic conferences.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Mailer program
|
|||
|
|
--------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Via your Boss you can be attached to the worldwide Fidonet
|
|||
|
|
without the hassle of running a Bulletin Board. The only thing
|
|||
|
|
you have to do is to make some arrangements with your Boss about
|
|||
|
|
forwarding mail, mail times, and costs for forwarding mail and
|
|||
|
|
files. In the most simple setup all mail and files are routed
|
|||
|
|
through your Boss. He/She will help you to setup things.
|
|||
|
|
Remember, if you want a file from your Boss want to send her/him
|
|||
|
|
a file there is no need to call into that BBS personally. Just
|
|||
|
|
prepare the request or the message at your own time and let
|
|||
|
|
DUTCHIE do the rest. Either at night, during cheap hours or
|
|||
|
|
directly, if you are in a hurry.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The mailer program is simple, and works almost automatically.
|
|||
|
|
There are menu choices for sending or requesting files
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 5 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
immediately as well as getting your mail from your boss as soon
|
|||
|
|
as possible. We call this crashmail. If you are awaiting
|
|||
|
|
crashmail from your boss you can tell Dutchie so and Dutchie will
|
|||
|
|
wait until the mail has arrived and then exit.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
On the other hand, If you want to do the mail at night or will
|
|||
|
|
receive so called echomail conferences from your host during the
|
|||
|
|
night, you can start Dutchie's Nightwatch utility as soon you
|
|||
|
|
have finished working with your machine. Dutchie will deliver
|
|||
|
|
mail at the specified times, can receive mail all night and can
|
|||
|
|
pickup mail that the Boss is holding for you (you pay the phone
|
|||
|
|
bill in this case) or you hold your mail and files until the Boss
|
|||
|
|
picks them up (If you find a rich host. Hurry folks those
|
|||
|
|
systems will have a lot of Dutchies to serve soon!)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The Mail printer
|
|||
|
|
----------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Dutchie can be told to print out all newly received mail at a
|
|||
|
|
specified time. Imagine having your favorite conferences and
|
|||
|
|
your private mail available at breakfast!
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNet
|
|||
|
|
-------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Via your Boss you can exchange electronic mail and files with
|
|||
|
|
other people using the Amateur Public FidoNet around the world.
|
|||
|
|
We are approaching the 2000 attached computers now without any
|
|||
|
|
Dutchie on the net yet! How many will these be in a year after
|
|||
|
|
Dutchie?
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
IFNA
|
|||
|
|
----
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
If you are going to use the Public Fidonet, you should consider
|
|||
|
|
becoming a member of IFNA, the International FidoNet Association.
|
|||
|
|
For a miserable $25, you help prevent the net falling apart.
|
|||
|
|
There is a lot of work done behind the scenes only to keep things
|
|||
|
|
running!
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Advanced DUTCHIE features
|
|||
|
|
-------------------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
If you are unfamiliar with electronic mail we suggest you use
|
|||
|
|
Dutchie in the Basic setup as a POINT under a BOSS for a while.
|
|||
|
|
The BOSS will help you and once you have 'grown up' in the
|
|||
|
|
electronic mail scene you can make yourself more independent and
|
|||
|
|
become a self serving system in the Matrix. (Matrix is the same
|
|||
|
|
as Fidonet, Opus people use this name ).
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The first feature you can enable in Dutchie is the 'External Node
|
|||
|
|
scanner'. This means you need a nodelist that is published
|
|||
|
|
weekly by IFNA. As soon as you have enabled this feature,
|
|||
|
|
DUTCHIE will ask you for a net/node name anytime you were
|
|||
|
|
referring to your BOSS. This means you now can automatically
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 6 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
dial up, poll, request files and send files to all nodes in the
|
|||
|
|
nodelist. You have gained one more degree of freedom.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Another feature is to allow people on your system. If you enable
|
|||
|
|
this a human caller (yes Dutchie knows the difference between a
|
|||
|
|
human and another machine!) is directed to an external program.
|
|||
|
|
This can well be a BBS or just a program of your own you want
|
|||
|
|
them to run. There are PD programs that can be used to make a
|
|||
|
|
sophisticated system.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Now, for the full flavour, Dutchie is capable of much more. You
|
|||
|
|
can hook in external 'pack' and 'schedule' programs to get
|
|||
|
|
another degree of freedom and do all your mailing yourself, or
|
|||
|
|
send where ever you wish. At the moment of writing these
|
|||
|
|
programs will still be in beta test, but they will be released
|
|||
|
|
soon! Opus's packer Ommm can be used to do this, so watch out
|
|||
|
|
for news about this when you are ready for it. Although being a
|
|||
|
|
POINT under a BOSS gives you a lot of services with minimal
|
|||
|
|
hassle and frustration.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
THE PRICE
|
|||
|
|
---------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Ah well, I could make this product shareware, but why bother? It
|
|||
|
|
is free for all noncommercial applications. Restriction is that
|
|||
|
|
it must be used in a private situation, that is no government
|
|||
|
|
building, no firm, whatever. Only running on your privately
|
|||
|
|
owned machine in a private home is allowed. I have put a lot of
|
|||
|
|
work in this just to give you the pleasure of using it. If there
|
|||
|
|
is money to be made on this it should go to me don't you think?
|
|||
|
|
Now, if you don't fall in above category, just contact me. It
|
|||
|
|
won't hurt. I'll probably let you use it for free after a
|
|||
|
|
written request. In special cases, I may want to discuss things
|
|||
|
|
with you person to person. You pay the plane and hotel, I'll
|
|||
|
|
come and tell you that it is ok to use it (you may end up paying
|
|||
|
|
the bill for a vacation for me and my family in the USA if I
|
|||
|
|
think you can afford it ). If you are allowed to use it for free
|
|||
|
|
and you like the program, send me a postcard.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
SYSOPS
|
|||
|
|
------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
To serve POINTS you must run Brinkers. Available free. No
|
|||
|
|
restriction on the use of Brinkers.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 7 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
How to Remove Those Pesky, Tattered, Stuck-On Diskette Labels
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Are you fed up with those ugly, stuck-on diskette labels? Do you
|
|||
|
|
have so many layers of labels on your diskettes that you have to
|
|||
|
|
force them into your diskette drive? Eh, Bunky, is that what's
|
|||
|
|
troublin' you? Well, lift up your head, take a walk in the
|
|||
|
|
sunshine and never give up; help is at hand!
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Removing old diskette labels is a cheap, simple, relatively fast
|
|||
|
|
process requiring three things: you, the diskette and some rubber
|
|||
|
|
cement. I use "Best Test White Rubber Paper Cement" or
|
|||
|
|
"Sanford's Rubber Cement," although any equivalent product should
|
|||
|
|
work just as well. (There is also a "Sanford's Thinner" which is
|
|||
|
|
used to reconstitute rubber cement which has thickened; since
|
|||
|
|
this is probably the solvent alone, it might work just as well as
|
|||
|
|
rubber cement; why don't you try it first and let me know how you
|
|||
|
|
fare?)
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
First, remove as much of the label as possible manually. Doing
|
|||
|
|
this will provide a surface which will be more easily penetrated
|
|||
|
|
by the solvent in the rubber cement and will minimize the amount
|
|||
|
|
of work you have to do later. Work from the corner; remembering
|
|||
|
|
that the diskette is circular inside the jacket, you will be
|
|||
|
|
applying no pressure to the diskette itself if you work from the
|
|||
|
|
corner.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Next, apply a liberal layer of rubber cement to the remaining
|
|||
|
|
label and to any glue residue still stuck to the diskette. This
|
|||
|
|
step is easiest if you have purchased rubber cement in a bottle
|
|||
|
|
having a little applicator brush integrated into the lid. During
|
|||
|
|
this process, observe all of the caveats printed on the rubber
|
|||
|
|
cement container or, if you really enjoy a Cheap High, work in a
|
|||
|
|
small, unventilated area.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Next, allow the rubber cement to work for awhile but don't allow
|
|||
|
|
it to dry completely. You're looking for that magic moment when
|
|||
|
|
the glue holding the label to the diskette has loosened but the
|
|||
|
|
rubber cement has not yet dried.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Then, using your index finger, work from the edge of the rubber
|
|||
|
|
cement area and stroke toward the center of the area. The proper
|
|||
|
|
technique is a combination of a stroking and one-fingered finger
|
|||
|
|
painting motion. You have to do it to get the idea. As you do
|
|||
|
|
this, the rubber cement will dry and will begin to roll up under
|
|||
|
|
your finger. If you have timed things right, the label will roll
|
|||
|
|
up right along with the rubber cement or will be loose enough to
|
|||
|
|
peel away easily, leaving a relatively clean surface underneath.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
After you have done the above, there could still be some
|
|||
|
|
remaining label and/or glue residue. Just repeat the above
|
|||
|
|
process once or twice and every shred of evidence that there was
|
|||
|
|
ever a diskette label on your diskette will disappear, leaving
|
|||
|
|
the diskette pristine!
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Of course, you must be extremely careful to confine the rubber
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 8 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
cement to the label area. That is, don't allow any material, wet
|
|||
|
|
or dry, to stray onto the magnetic surface of the diskette
|
|||
|
|
proper. If you lack manual dexterity, small muscle control or
|
|||
|
|
are just a complete klutz, reconcile yourself to ugly diskettes.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Developing facility with this process will require some
|
|||
|
|
experimentation. Start with a diskette that you don't care
|
|||
|
|
about; then, work your way up to the diskette containing the only
|
|||
|
|
copy of your economic model of the universe.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Good luck. This fascinating contribution to the state-of-the-
|
|||
|
|
art, high-tech frontier of personal computing was provided by:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Joe Vincent
|
|||
|
|
805 Pine Way
|
|||
|
|
Anchorage, Ky. 40223
|
|||
|
|
(502) 244-1541
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Don't send me any money. Don't send me any diskettes. Don't
|
|||
|
|
send me anything. If you have any improvements to the above
|
|||
|
|
process or have alternative methods for removing diskette labels,
|
|||
|
|
please let me know. I might become the Peter Norton of diskette
|
|||
|
|
label removal.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 9 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Kilgore Trout, 107/7
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
High Speed Protocols
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Quite some time ago we performed a series of benchmark tests
|
|||
|
|
aimed at producing an equation for predicting XMODEM file
|
|||
|
|
transfer times. The results of those tests were originally
|
|||
|
|
published in FidoNews, volume 3, number 7. Insights derived from
|
|||
|
|
those tests were directly responsible for the development of the
|
|||
|
|
SEAlink file transfer protocol.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
SEAlink is a variant of XMODEM which employs a sliding window
|
|||
|
|
technique in order to eliminate turnaround time and propagation
|
|||
|
|
delays. Our tests indicated that such delays are the primary
|
|||
|
|
source of lost time in a typical XMODEM transfer at data rates of
|
|||
|
|
1200 bps and higher.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
YMODEM takes a different approach, in that it uses a larger block
|
|||
|
|
size (1024 bytes versus 128 bytes) to reduce the number of times
|
|||
|
|
the line must be turned around. The amount of lost time in a
|
|||
|
|
YMODEM file transfer should therefore be one eighth of that of an
|
|||
|
|
XMODEM file transfer. Additionally, YMODEM has fewer bytes of
|
|||
|
|
protocol overhead for a given file transfer than does either
|
|||
|
|
XMODEM or SEAlink. This makes it a bit more difficult to relate
|
|||
|
|
the two directly.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Our original benchmark results came up with the following formula
|
|||
|
|
for predicting/XMODEM CRC file transfer times on a local
|
|||
|
|
connection:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Equation 1:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Blocks*1340 Blocks
|
|||
|
|
Time in seconds = ----------- + ------
|
|||
|
|
Baud rate 4
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The last term is due to line turnaround and propagation delays.
|
|||
|
|
Assuming that this is invariant, the equivalent formula for
|
|||
|
|
YMODEM would be:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Equation 2:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Blocks*10300 Blocks
|
|||
|
|
Time in seconds = ------------ + ------
|
|||
|
|
Baud rate 4
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 10 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Since SEAlink gets rid of the propagation delay and the
|
|||
|
|
turnaround time, and also does not kill time waiting for the ACK,
|
|||
|
|
the equivalent formula for SEAlink would be:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Equation 3:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Blocks*1330
|
|||
|
|
Time in seconds = -----------
|
|||
|
|
Baud rate
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Given a file size of 1,048,576 (1 meg) at 2400 baud, this yeilds:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Table 1:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Method Blocks Time
|
|||
|
|
------ ------ ----
|
|||
|
|
XMODEM 8192 1h 50m 22s
|
|||
|
|
YMODEM 1024 1h 17m 31s
|
|||
|
|
SEAlink 8192 1h 15m 40s
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
This is based on a turnaround delay of 0.25 seconds (0.27 seconds
|
|||
|
|
was measured). If we assume an additional sattelite lag of 0.5
|
|||
|
|
seconds (single hop, if I remember the numbers correctly), then
|
|||
|
|
we get:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Table 2:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Method Time
|
|||
|
|
------ ----
|
|||
|
|
XMODEM 2h 58m 38s
|
|||
|
|
YMODEM 1h 26m 03s
|
|||
|
|
SEAlink 1h 15m 40s
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Assuming zero turnaround delay gives the values:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Table 3:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Method Time
|
|||
|
|
------ ----
|
|||
|
|
XMODEM 1h 16m 14s
|
|||
|
|
YMODEM 1h 13m 15s
|
|||
|
|
SEAlink 1h 15m 40s
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
So at some point where the turnaround time is between zero and
|
|||
|
|
0.25 seconds, SEAlink becomes faster than YMODEM. So where is
|
|||
|
|
that point? It should be given by the formula:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Equation 4:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
10640 10300
|
|||
|
|
----- = ----- + X
|
|||
|
|
Baud Baud
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
where X is the turnaround delay in seconds (note that this
|
|||
|
|
equation is made by equating equations #2 and #3). This equates
|
|||
|
|
to:
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 11 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Equation 5:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
10640 = 10300 + X*Baud
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
or:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Equation 6:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
340
|
|||
|
|
X = ---
|
|||
|
|
Baud
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Different baud rates yield the following values for X:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Table 4:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Baud X (seconds)
|
|||
|
|
---- -----------
|
|||
|
|
300 1.13
|
|||
|
|
1200 0.28
|
|||
|
|
2400 0.14
|
|||
|
|
4800 0.07
|
|||
|
|
9600 0.04
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
These assumptions are of course based on a clean line. SEAlink
|
|||
|
|
becomes markedly superior to YMODEM in the case of sporadic line
|
|||
|
|
hits, as (1) SEAlink retransmits fewer bytes than YMODEM, and
|
|||
|
|
(2) SEAlink doesn't throw away as much received data when it gets
|
|||
|
|
a bad block.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Conclusions:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
We'll ignore the 300 baud case, since YMODEM is using much to big
|
|||
|
|
a block for 300 baud. Normal XMODEM is quite sufficient for 300
|
|||
|
|
baud use.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
At 1200 baud YMODEM is slightly superior to SEAlink for local
|
|||
|
|
connections on clean lines, due to less protocol overhead.
|
|||
|
|
SEAlink becomes slightly superior on very long distance
|
|||
|
|
connections where propagation delays become a factor. At 2400
|
|||
|
|
baud SEAlink should be slightly superior even on a local
|
|||
|
|
connection, becoming increasingly preferable at higher baud
|
|||
|
|
rates.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 12 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
=================================================================
|
|||
|
|
COLUMNS
|
|||
|
|
=================================================================
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Host net 508, Node:508/4 Tel. int+55 421284
|
|||
|
|
Ignaat Simons
|
|||
|
|
Chopinlaan 3
|
|||
|
|
7333GA Apeldoorn Netherlands
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
HAYES modems and compatables.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
1. Introduction.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
In the world of modem freaks and slowly on in the industrial
|
|||
|
|
world, the HAYES modem is a defacto standard.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The official standards like RS232c (USA) and V24/V28 (CCITT)
|
|||
|
|
describe the Physical part of a data circuit, while the V25
|
|||
|
|
(CCITT) describes the A(uto) C(call) U(unit) function. The
|
|||
|
|
speeds and usage of the modems are laid down by the CCITT V-
|
|||
|
|
standards, mainly in the V21 till V36 books.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Due to the different country and telephone company laws,
|
|||
|
|
modems are different and not compatable with each other,
|
|||
|
|
exept modems of one vendor. Some years ago, it was very
|
|||
|
|
unwise to make a connection with two different modems, even
|
|||
|
|
if they claimed to be according a V-xx norm. Mostly this
|
|||
|
|
was no problem, because a data transport was mainly between
|
|||
|
|
two predefined points via a leased line or switched network.
|
|||
|
|
The connection was buildup manual, or made automatic via
|
|||
|
|
autocall function ACU (V25/RS232).
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The HAYES-300 modem (I think this was the start), besides
|
|||
|
|
the Physical RS232/V24/V28 norm did specify the modem
|
|||
|
|
control command level between modem and terminal via the AT
|
|||
|
|
leadin and the <silence>+++<silence> command to return from
|
|||
|
|
a data state to the command state. Also it describes the
|
|||
|
|
handling of automatic speed detection. This command set
|
|||
|
|
enables operators and application programmers to buildup a
|
|||
|
|
connection via normal conversation. As it could be
|
|||
|
|
programmed, the connection via a switched network was
|
|||
|
|
possible automatical via simple statements like "CALL John".
|
|||
|
|
The original HAYES-300 was not using call procedures like
|
|||
|
|
108/1 or 108/2 (DTR circuit). With the HAYES-1200, this
|
|||
|
|
command set was extended to cope with more than one line
|
|||
|
|
speed, the BELL 103 and BELL 212A. The last one more or less
|
|||
|
|
compatable with the CCITT V22 norm. Also the automatic speed
|
|||
|
|
selection in 'answering' mode was build in. With the HAYES-
|
|||
|
|
2400, the set was dramatically extended with three speeds,
|
|||
|
|
BELL-103, BELL-212A and the CCITT V22 and V22bis norms. So
|
|||
|
|
handling also in 'answering' mode an automatic selection. As
|
|||
|
|
the BELL-212A and V22 uses a PSK (four-level phase shift
|
|||
|
|
keying) and V22bis uses QAM (Quadrature Amplitude
|
|||
|
|
Modulation) technic, which were designed for synchronous
|
|||
|
|
modems, the HAYES-modem translates the asynchrone data into
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 13 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
a synchronous way by inserting and consequently removing a
|
|||
|
|
STOP bit in periods where no character is send. The HAYES-
|
|||
|
|
1200 is not compatible with the BELL-212A/V22 synchronous
|
|||
|
|
modems. The HAYES-2400 is also in this aspect compatible and
|
|||
|
|
serves also the formal Half duplex (RTS/CTS-handling). As
|
|||
|
|
the HAYES-1200 did serve only the CCITT 108/2 mode, the
|
|||
|
|
HAYES-2400 supports also the 108/1 mode. Really you can say,
|
|||
|
|
the HAYES-2400 is a complex intelligent unit. Despite the
|
|||
|
|
well written handbook of HAYES, it is a hard job to make a
|
|||
|
|
compatible one. From all modems (compatibles) I have seen,
|
|||
|
|
there are a few which come close to the HAYES, the most are
|
|||
|
|
fare away.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
As my job is Faultfinder (Support), I really was very
|
|||
|
|
pleased, HAYES did implement in the HAYES-2400, a really
|
|||
|
|
complete circuit test via the S16-register, even with remote
|
|||
|
|
commands, so the fully V54 norm of CCITT. As most Hobbyist
|
|||
|
|
but even profesionals have big problems with reliable
|
|||
|
|
circuit connections, and more the solvation of it, a modem
|
|||
|
|
without this feature nowadays isn't worth the word MODEM so
|
|||
|
|
certainly not the word HAYES.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
2. HAYES-clones.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
What is "compatible". Really nothing if not exactly said
|
|||
|
|
with WHAT. "HAYES compatible" is to vaque. "HAYES command
|
|||
|
|
set compatible" is better. Most modems, so not all, are only
|
|||
|
|
compatible with a "subset of HAYES command set". But also
|
|||
|
|
most "hayes" modems have commands not existing with hayes.
|
|||
|
|
Some unlucky vendors did use commands or registers not used
|
|||
|
|
with hayes-1200 at that time, but later used in the HAYES-
|
|||
|
|
2400. (Bad Ques).
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The best I can say most of the better clones are more or
|
|||
|
|
less compatible upto HAYES-1200.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
As I don't know if besides HAYES-1200 and the HAYES-2400,
|
|||
|
|
also a HAYES-300 exists, I further only refer to this two,
|
|||
|
|
from which both I have the specifications. In Europe a lot
|
|||
|
|
of 'hayes' modems with only the V21 and V23 speeds exists,
|
|||
|
|
which are similar, but absolute not connectable, with the
|
|||
|
|
BELL-103 and BELL-202 norm modems.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
As most application programs only use a small set of the
|
|||
|
|
HAYES-command set, most clones will run with these packages
|
|||
|
|
such that the user is pleased, not to use his fingers and
|
|||
|
|
ear to make a connection. This if he has a user friendly
|
|||
|
|
telephone company (are there), but mostly the results are
|
|||
|
|
hopeless in peak hours, if there is a mismatch between the
|
|||
|
|
modem commands and the terminal commands. I had a modem and
|
|||
|
|
a terminal program and on some day no nice CALL <my mother>
|
|||
|
|
was succesfully. With finger and ear there was no problem.
|
|||
|
|
Reaction of the terminal was "BUSY". The real point was, the
|
|||
|
|
modem did not pickup in ATX2 mode the dial tone from the
|
|||
|
|
Telephone company, so didn't start dialling. As the modem
|
|||
|
|
had not a speaker (for cheapness), I could not use the ATM1
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 14 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
command, to follow the connection process. The dial signal
|
|||
|
|
was strong enough, but the frequency was a little ouside
|
|||
|
|
(WHO's) specification.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3. The HAYES set.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
With this I hope, without copying the whole 250 pages of
|
|||
|
|
both Hayes handbooks, to give enough information to
|
|||
|
|
understand the HAYES-set and the differences.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Hayes propose to use as terminal program, the Hayes Smartcom
|
|||
|
|
II Version 2.1.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3.1. The Physical DCE/DTE-lines.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
With DTE is meant the Data Terminal Equipment (Your terminal
|
|||
|
|
or Host computer) and with DCE the Data Circuit
|
|||
|
|
(termination) Equipment (all equipment between two modems
|
|||
|
|
RS232 plugs). The HAYES-1200B is the 1200 type but as a card
|
|||
|
|
to be fitted into an IBM-PC. The same for HAYES-2400B.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The pin assignments must be in accordance to ISO 2110.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Pin # Circuit Towards Description 1200 2400
|
|||
|
|
EIA/CCITT
|
|||
|
|
1 AA 101 N/A prot. ground x x
|
|||
|
|
7 AB 102 N/A signal ,, x x
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
2 BA 103 DCE transmit data x x
|
|||
|
|
3 BB 104 DTE receive data x x
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
4 CA 105 DCE request to send x
|
|||
|
|
5 CB 106 DTE clear to send H x
|
|||
|
|
6 CC 107 DTE data set ready R x
|
|||
|
|
20 108.1 DCE connect data set x x
|
|||
|
|
20 CD 108.2 DCE data term. ready x x
|
|||
|
|
22 CE 125 DTE ring indicator x x
|
|||
|
|
8 CF 109 DCE data carrier detected x x
|
|||
|
|
23 CI 112 DTE select altern. rate x
|
|||
|
|
12 CI DTE as previous (Bell212) x x
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
24 DA 113 DCE TX-clock (DTE source) x
|
|||
|
|
15 DB 114 DTE TX-clock (synchr.) x
|
|||
|
|
17 DD 115 DTE RX-clock (synchr.) x
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Remark: x means served by the modem.
|
|||
|
|
H means tied to +10 volt (True).
|
|||
|
|
R means tied to pin 8.
|
|||
|
|
Pin 20 (DTR) can be simulated in the 1200 and
|
|||
|
|
1200B type with a dipswitch.
|
|||
|
|
Pin 6 and 8 can be forced to true in the 1200
|
|||
|
|
and 1200B type with a dipswitch.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3.2. The telephone line.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
On the telephone lin level some distinction can be made on
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 15 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
the HAYES-2400, between jack type RJ12/RJ13 (multi line
|
|||
|
|
jack) and the RJ11/RJ41S/RJ45S (single line jack). The 1200
|
|||
|
|
only supports the RJ11 (single line), RJ12/RJ13 (multi
|
|||
|
|
line), which can be set by dipswitches. This typically is
|
|||
|
|
different per country. In the USA and some other countries,
|
|||
|
|
the telephone set remaines connected in parallel to the
|
|||
|
|
modem. In other countries like the Netherlands the telephone
|
|||
|
|
set is switched of, as soon as the modem goes off-hook.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3.3. The modulation frequencies and call setup phase tones.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The following information is not exactly the HAYES-modem
|
|||
|
|
information, but a hopefully readable extract from the
|
|||
|
|
CCITT-norms. As I have not the Bell-norms, more or less the
|
|||
|
|
USA norms are deducted from other documents.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The frequencies used with the different baudrates are:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3.3.1. For the F(requency) S(hift) K(eying) methodes.
|
|||
|
|
These can be used as well as Synchrone.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Norm Send Receive Answ. mode
|
|||
|
|
'0' '1' '0' '1' tone
|
|||
|
|
Bell-103(ORG) 1070 1270 2025 2225 1270 300 FD
|
|||
|
|
Bell-103(ANS) 2025 2225 1070 1270 2225 300 FD
|
|||
|
|
Bell-202(main) 2200 1200 2200 1200 2025 1200 HD
|
|||
|
|
Bell-202(back) 487 387 487 387 - 0-150 HD
|
|||
|
|
V21 (ORGinate) 1180 980 1850 1650 980 300 FD
|
|||
|
|
V21 (ANSwer) 1850 1650 1180 980 2100 300 FD
|
|||
|
|
V23-1 (main) 1700 1300 2100 1300 2100 600 HD
|
|||
|
|
V23-2 (main) 2100 1300 1700 1300 2100 1200 HD
|
|||
|
|
V23 (back) 450 390 450 390 - 0-150 HD
|
|||
|
|
Remark: '0'= "start bit" = "space"
|
|||
|
|
'1'= "stop bit" = "mark"
|
|||
|
|
FD = Full Duplex, HD = Half Duplex.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Important is, the modems use filter technics to seperate
|
|||
|
|
the transmit channel and receive channel. Some autoanswering
|
|||
|
|
modems also by filter technics decide in which mode they are
|
|||
|
|
called.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3.3.2. Automatic answering sequence (V25).
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
If ringing is received on the line, the CE/CT125 circuit
|
|||
|
|
(pin 22) will be raised true. If CD/108 circuit was true,
|
|||
|
|
the modem goes OFF-HOOK. If not the modem waits for a true
|
|||
|
|
signal on CD/108 (pin 20), before it goes OFF-HOOK. The
|
|||
|
|
modem remains after 'off hook', for 1.8-2.5 sec. silent and
|
|||
|
|
then transmits the 2100 Hz. answer tone during 2.6-4.0 sec.
|
|||
|
|
or till 100msec. after a response from the calling station.
|
|||
|
|
At least now 75 msec. silence is maintained. The 2100 Hz is
|
|||
|
|
intended to disable network echo cancellers or echo
|
|||
|
|
suppressors and is reversed in phase every 425-475 msec. Now
|
|||
|
|
the circuit CC/107 (pin 6) is set true to indicate to the
|
|||
|
|
terminal, a connection is ready. The calling modem reacts on
|
|||
|
|
the answer tone also by setting circuit CC/107 (pin 6) true.
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 16 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
A response normally as mentioned is the frequency of a
|
|||
|
|
binary '1'. If the equipment of the telephone company does
|
|||
|
|
not have echo control devices, the 2100 Hz tone may be
|
|||
|
|
replaced by any other tone e.g. directly the binary '1'.
|
|||
|
|
Only after this sequence (or in ommission of it) directly
|
|||
|
|
the autospeed modems will determine the baudrate norm. In
|
|||
|
|
Europe, with its V23-splitbaud rate complexity, there are
|
|||
|
|
Hayes compatibles trying to select at the moment after the
|
|||
|
|
answer sequence to select: V21, V23 (viditel), V22 and
|
|||
|
|
V22bis. This means actually a detection criteria for carrier
|
|||
|
|
frequencies at 980/1180 (V21), 450/390 (V23) and 1200
|
|||
|
|
V22(bis) modulated with 600 baud. At the same time all kind
|
|||
|
|
of frequencies like 2100, 550, 1800 Hz. and busy tone, dial
|
|||
|
|
tones around 425 Hz. has to be ignored.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3.3.3. For the D(iferential) P(hase) S(hift) K(eying)
|
|||
|
|
and the Q(uadrature) A(mplitude) M(odulation) methodes.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
These methodes are primarly for synchrone transmission, but
|
|||
|
|
asynchrone is allowed by inserting extra stop bits between
|
|||
|
|
characters.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Norm Send Rec. Guard tone Mode Methode
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
V22 (ORG) 1200 2400 - 600/1200 FD DPSK
|
|||
|
|
V22 (ANS) 2400 1200 1800(550) 600/1200 FD DPSK
|
|||
|
|
V22(bis) (ORG) 1200 2400 - 1200/2400 FD QAM
|
|||
|
|
V22(bis) (ANS) 2400 1200 1800(550) 1200/2400 FD QAM
|
|||
|
|
Bell-212A (ORG) 1200 2400 - 1200 FD DPSK
|
|||
|
|
Bell-212A (ANS) 2400 1200 - 1200 FD DPSK
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The guard tone is only send in the high channel (2400 Hz.
|
|||
|
|
carrier, so by the answering modem, but can be disabled per
|
|||
|
|
country. The 550 guard tone is another option. Basically
|
|||
|
|
the Bell-212 and the CCITT-V22 are the same. But in detail
|
|||
|
|
there are differences. Which, I don't know yet for sure, it
|
|||
|
|
may be the scrambled '0' instead '1's (see lateron). But in
|
|||
|
|
the HAYES-2400, there is a command ATBn, with which the
|
|||
|
|
BELL-212 (n=1) or V22 (n=0) is selected. This only for the
|
|||
|
|
1200 baud FD mode. The V22bis is fully compatible with the
|
|||
|
|
V22 norm. The difference between V22 (600/1200 baud) and
|
|||
|
|
V22bis (1200/2400 baud) is V22 works with 2 dibits and
|
|||
|
|
V22bis with quadbits. The way of working of PSK/QAM modems
|
|||
|
|
is to complex to explain here, but it is important to know
|
|||
|
|
that a phase change of the modulated carrier of:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
0 degrees is equal to dibit 01
|
|||
|
|
90 degrees is equal to dibit 00
|
|||
|
|
180 degrees is equal to dibit 10
|
|||
|
|
270 degrees is equal to dibit 11
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
These first two bits in the V22bis quadbit are compatible
|
|||
|
|
with the dibits of V22, to remain compatabilty for fallback
|
|||
|
|
mode. The V22bis has another 4 levels of detection by means
|
|||
|
|
of a quadrature amplitude modulation technic.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 17 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3.3.4. Automatic answering mode V22(bis).
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
At calling time the sequence as described above with the FSK
|
|||
|
|
type modem is valid for the V22(bis). The called modem
|
|||
|
|
reacts instead or after the answer sequence with unscrambled
|
|||
|
|
binary '1's at 1200 bit/sec. and well in the upper channel
|
|||
|
|
(2400 Hz. carrier). This till it detects scrambled '0' or
|
|||
|
|
'1's in the lower channel (1200 Hz. carrier). The calling
|
|||
|
|
modem remains silent till it for 155 msec. detects
|
|||
|
|
unscrambled '1's in the upper channel, after which it
|
|||
|
|
remains silent for 456 msec. and then transmit unscrambled
|
|||
|
|
double dibits 00 and 11, if in V22bis mode, for 100 msec.
|
|||
|
|
followed by scrambled binary '1's or if in V22 mode it
|
|||
|
|
transmits direct scrambled binary '1's (*). Here the
|
|||
|
|
distinction 1200/2400 baud is made by the calling modem. The
|
|||
|
|
called modem reacts with scrambled '1's preceded, if V22bis
|
|||
|
|
with the unscrambled double dibit 00 and 11. At the moment
|
|||
|
|
of detection of the double dibits, the circuit CI/112 (pin
|
|||
|
|
12) is set true (indicating 2400 baud). In both cases the
|
|||
|
|
scrambled '1's are observed for 600 msec. after which the
|
|||
|
|
circuit CF/109 (pin 8) is set true. If V22 (1200) the data
|
|||
|
|
transfer is started under control of CA/104 (pin 3). In the
|
|||
|
|
V22bis mode (2400), first scrambled binary '1's are send
|
|||
|
|
form both sides for 200 msec. on 2400 bit/sec. mode. Noted,
|
|||
|
|
that till now all was transmitted on 1200 bit/sec. After
|
|||
|
|
this 200 msec. also the V22bis mode is ready for data
|
|||
|
|
transfer.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
I know it is confusing, but so it works. To make it more
|
|||
|
|
difficult, the (*) mentioned in the text is true for V22bis
|
|||
|
|
and for V22 alternative A and B only. For V22 alternative C,
|
|||
|
|
for the '1's you have to read '0's. As the V22 norm is very
|
|||
|
|
confusing on some aspects, one remark has to be made. In V22
|
|||
|
|
(not V22bis) 3 alternatives can be selected. Alternative A
|
|||
|
|
and B are compatible with V22bis, but alternative C not. The
|
|||
|
|
difference is the scrambled binary '0's stead '1's of the
|
|||
|
|
calling modem. So the real difference between alternatives
|
|||
|
|
A/B and C is, that alternative C includes the possibility
|
|||
|
|
for mode V, for anisochronenous data upto 300 bit/sec. Which
|
|||
|
|
manufacturer tells me which alternative as mentioned in V22
|
|||
|
|
he serves. Or has this to do with the Bell-212 norm. Who can
|
|||
|
|
tell? Has this to do with the famous ATBn command in the
|
|||
|
|
HAYES-2400 modem? See above.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Be carefully with these V22 and Bell-212A norms. As
|
|||
|
|
explained before only the 2400 baud (V22bis) is compatible.
|
|||
|
|
The 1200 sometimes works, but sometimes not. E.g. I had an
|
|||
|
|
USA RIXTON 212 modem, not corrected for the European market.
|
|||
|
|
Also I had a Dutch designed (DATAD) V22(bis) V23 and V21
|
|||
|
|
modem and an English (PACE) for the same speeds. The RIXTON
|
|||
|
|
works pretty most at the time with both the DATAD and PACE
|
|||
|
|
modem. But sometimes it goes wrong and the Eurpeans connects
|
|||
|
|
at 2400, which is strange, but true. With an original HAYES-
|
|||
|
|
1200 (with no ATBn) command as the HAYES-2400 has, nearly
|
|||
|
|
the same result. The two Europeans hardly are connectable at
|
|||
|
|
1200 baud to each other. This has in my opinion to do with
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 18 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
the way of speed selection. We try to come out of this
|
|||
|
|
struggle.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3.4. Some advise on real physical level.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
If you are ggiing into communications with modems and you
|
|||
|
|
have no Telecomfreak-friend close to you and you want no
|
|||
|
|
nervous breakdown in the near future, have at least a
|
|||
|
|
"breakbox", self made or from the shop. This to follow the
|
|||
|
|
different DTE/DCE levels. If you want to log a HAYES session
|
|||
|
|
to evaluate the connection process or data exchange process,
|
|||
|
|
make from your old computer a "DATASCOPE". (See Appendix A
|
|||
|
|
for some suggestions). An other advise is to standardise
|
|||
|
|
your cable set. As some manufactures make a mash of the V24
|
|||
|
|
or RS232C pins, you have not to follow it. On telephone
|
|||
|
|
line level it is handy to have in your surrounding a scope
|
|||
|
|
or frequency counter.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3.5. Connection of the terminal to the HAYES.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The Hayes modem has a minimum and a maximum baud rate. If
|
|||
|
|
you connect a terminal to the modem, make sure you have the
|
|||
|
|
right pins connected in relation with the dipswitches. Also
|
|||
|
|
if you have selected e.g. 108/2 mode, be sure your terminal
|
|||
|
|
program support them. It is possible to connect only the
|
|||
|
|
pins 2,3 and 7. So in this case the DTR and the DCD are
|
|||
|
|
forced true. In general I don't like this methode. With the
|
|||
|
|
Hayes-1200, RTS and CTS are not used, so only full duplex is
|
|||
|
|
possible. With Hayes-2400 you have to use these signals only
|
|||
|
|
if you use the Half Duplex mode (Synchrone mode). Otherwise
|
|||
|
|
RTS (pin 4) is neglected and CTS (pin 5) is set true.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
So if you have connected the terminal properly, at the time
|
|||
|
|
you give an 'A' or 'a', the modem decides what the baudrate
|
|||
|
|
is and set the terminal interface UART according to it.
|
|||
|
|
Hayes is very street forward. This speed is maintained till
|
|||
|
|
after the <carriage return>, which always finishes a command
|
|||
|
|
line. With the next A from a new AT command line, a new
|
|||
|
|
speed can be defined. There is one other possibility. In
|
|||
|
|
auto answer mode or if a call is made, the baudrate can be
|
|||
|
|
else as the speed in the last passed command mode. This on
|
|||
|
|
real modem level, the baudrate detection selects another
|
|||
|
|
speed. The Hayes reacts with the connect code on this last
|
|||
|
|
command mode speed and than switches to the new speed. To
|
|||
|
|
give an example. Suppose the terminalspeed is 2400 baud. A
|
|||
|
|
dial is made towards a 1200 baud only modem. The Hayes will
|
|||
|
|
start the connect phase as described in 3.3.2. but finally
|
|||
|
|
will get a connection on 1200 baud. So he will react towards
|
|||
|
|
the terminal with 2400 baud with 'CONNECT' or '1', switches
|
|||
|
|
back to 1200 baud, which the terminal has to follow,
|
|||
|
|
otherwise it result in a terminal/modem mismatch. Also a
|
|||
|
|
<silence>+++<silence> on 2400 baud will not be accepted.
|
|||
|
|
Only 1200 baud, from this moment on. So suppose the
|
|||
|
|
established call at 1200 baud is broken. The Hayes will,
|
|||
|
|
after the carrier disappear, fall back into command mode
|
|||
|
|
still in 1200 baud. The terminal has to give an AT<string>
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 19 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
on 2400 baud if it wants the original 2400 baud connection
|
|||
|
|
again.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3.6. The differences in the Hayes command set.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Very short a comparision between HAYES-1200 and HAYES-2400
|
|||
|
|
modem will be given and only per command a short functional
|
|||
|
|
recoqnition. First however the Hayes command-input line. It
|
|||
|
|
starts with AT or at (no mix of UPPER/lower) and ends with a
|
|||
|
|
cariage return from now on indicated with <CR>. The only
|
|||
|
|
exeption is the A/ command, which needs no <CR>. During
|
|||
|
|
commandline editing backspace (hex '08') is accepted. One or
|
|||
|
|
more commands can be given after one leading AT. The max.
|
|||
|
|
length of the input string however is 40 char.
|
|||
|
|
Blanks can be inserted for more readability.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Command. What does it. Hayes-1200 Hayes-2400 Return code
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
AT Attention y y OK
|
|||
|
|
A/ Repeat last comm. y y depends
|
|||
|
|
A Off hook (ANS) y y none (data)
|
|||
|
|
Bn 1200 (V22/Bell) - n=0-1,1 OK
|
|||
|
|
Cn TX off/on n=0-1 - OK
|
|||
|
|
D<modif> Dial y y see modifier
|
|||
|
|
En Echo off/on(comm) n=0-1 n=0-1,1 OK
|
|||
|
|
Fn Echo off/on(data) n=0-1 - OK
|
|||
|
|
Hn Hook on/off/spec. n=0-2 n=0-1 none (data)
|
|||
|
|
In prod.code/prom-cc n=0-1 n=0-2 info
|
|||
|
|
Ln Speaker (L/M/H) - n=0-2,1 OK
|
|||
|
|
Mn Speaker off/on n=0-2 n=0-3,1 OK
|
|||
|
|
On Online only O n=0-1 none (data)
|
|||
|
|
P Set pulse dial y y OK
|
|||
|
|
Qn Result code Y/N n=0-1 n=0-1,0 OK
|
|||
|
|
Sr=n Set reg. r to n r=0-16 r=0-27 OK
|
|||
|
|
Sr? Display reg. r r=0-16 r=0-27 contents r
|
|||
|
|
T Set touch dial y y OK
|
|||
|
|
Vn Result code N/W n=0-1 n=0-1,1 OK
|
|||
|
|
Xn Dial process n=0-1 n=0-4,4 OK
|
|||
|
|
Yn Long disconn. - n=0-1,0 OK
|
|||
|
|
Zn Reset only Z n=0-1 OK
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
&Cn DCD on/carrier - n=0-1,0 OK
|
|||
|
|
&Dn DTR modes - n=0-3,0 OK
|
|||
|
|
&F Load factory set - y OK
|
|||
|
|
&Gn Gaurd tone - n=0-2,0 OK
|
|||
|
|
&Jn RJ-jack sel. - n=0-1,0 OK
|
|||
|
|
&Mn Asynch./Synchr. - n=0-3,0 OK
|
|||
|
|
&Pn Pulse ratio - n=0-1,0 OK
|
|||
|
|
&Rn CTS mode - n=0-1,0 OK
|
|||
|
|
&Sn DSR mode - n=0-1,0 OK
|
|||
|
|
&Tn Test local/remote - n=0-8 OK
|
|||
|
|
&V Display conf/tel - y OK
|
|||
|
|
&Wn Write conf. MOS - n=0-1 OK
|
|||
|
|
&Xn Line clock mode - n=0-2,0 Ok
|
|||
|
|
&Yn Sel. default prof.- n=0-1 OK
|
|||
|
|
&Zn Store teleph. nr. - n=0-3 OK
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 20 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Remark: n=0-2,1 means, n can be 0,1,2 and 1=default.
|
|||
|
|
If n=0 this may ommitted. (ATV0 equal to ATV).
|
|||
|
|
All numbers are in decimal (max.=255).
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Dial What does Hayes-1200 Hayes-2400
|
|||
|
|
Modifier it
|
|||
|
|
P Pulse dial y y
|
|||
|
|
R Reverse to ANSW y y
|
|||
|
|
Sn Dial stored tel. - n=0-3
|
|||
|
|
T Touch dial y y
|
|||
|
|
W Wait 2e dialtone - y
|
|||
|
|
. Pause y y
|
|||
|
|
! Flash - y
|
|||
|
|
@ Wait for silence - y
|
|||
|
|
; Return to comm. y y
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The registers.
|
|||
|
|
Reg. What does it. Hayes-1200 Hayes-2400
|
|||
|
|
S0 Ring to answ.on 0-255 0-255,00
|
|||
|
|
S1 Ring count 0-255,00 0-255,00
|
|||
|
|
S2 Escape code 0-127,43 0-127,43 ASCII
|
|||
|
|
S3 Cariage return 0-127,13 0-127,13 ASCII
|
|||
|
|
S4 Line feed code 0-127,10 0-127,10 ASCII
|
|||
|
|
S5 Back space code 0-127,08 0-127,08 ASCII
|
|||
|
|
S6 Wait for dial tone 0-255,02 0-255,02 Sec.
|
|||
|
|
S7 Wait for carrier 1-30,30 1-30,30 Sec.
|
|||
|
|
S8 Pause time comma 0-255,02 0-255,02 Sec.
|
|||
|
|
S9 Carrier detect time 1-255,06 1-255,06 1/10 Sec.
|
|||
|
|
S10 Lost carrier time 1-255,07 1-255,14 1/10 Sec.
|
|||
|
|
S11 DTMF dialing speed 50-255,70 50-255,95 mSec.
|
|||
|
|
S12 Escape code guard 0-255,50 0-255,50 1/50 Sec.
|
|||
|
|
S13 UART status reg. y y
|
|||
|
|
S14 Option reg. y x'AA'
|
|||
|
|
S15 Flag reg. y y
|
|||
|
|
S16 Modem test 0-2,0 bit settings
|
|||
|
|
S17 res. - res.
|
|||
|
|
S18 Modem test time - 1-255,00 Sec.
|
|||
|
|
S19 Res. - Res.
|
|||
|
|
S20 Res. - Res.
|
|||
|
|
S21 Bit mapped options - 00
|
|||
|
|
S22 Bit mapped options - x'76'
|
|||
|
|
S23 Bit mapped options - 07
|
|||
|
|
S24 Res. - Res.
|
|||
|
|
S25 Detect DTR change - 0-255,05 1/100 Sec.
|
|||
|
|
S26 RTS to CTS delay - 0-255,01 1/100 Sec.
|
|||
|
|
S27 Bit mapped options - x'40'
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Remark: 1-255,01 means, range 1 till 255, 01=default.
|
|||
|
|
All numbers are in decimal (max.=255).
|
|||
|
|
x'76' is hexadecimal.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 21 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Return codes Hayes-1200 Hayes-2400
|
|||
|
|
Digit Word
|
|||
|
|
0 OK y y
|
|||
|
|
1 CONNECT y y
|
|||
|
|
2 RING y y
|
|||
|
|
3 NO CARRIER y y
|
|||
|
|
4 ERROR y y
|
|||
|
|
5 CONNECT 1200 y y
|
|||
|
|
6 NO DIALTONE - y
|
|||
|
|
7 BUSY - y
|
|||
|
|
8 NO ANSWER - y
|
|||
|
|
9 reserved - -
|
|||
|
|
10 CONNECT 2400 - y
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
========
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Appendix A. Datascope.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
A datascope looks to both the RXD and the TXD line of a
|
|||
|
|
V24/RS232C line. So only follows what happens on the line.
|
|||
|
|
There are very nice commercial packages as FELINE, HP etc.,
|
|||
|
|
but they are expensive and they use mostly a special POD to
|
|||
|
|
connect to the V24 line. Most of them you have to preset on
|
|||
|
|
one speed and than to start the logging.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
If you have an old computer with better two speed
|
|||
|
|
programmable UART or a SIO chip and you can program them in
|
|||
|
|
Assembler/basic/pascal or C, you can make your one one.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The next story is a simplified logunit only to log
|
|||
|
|
datastreams preceded with a AT-string. Most of the
|
|||
|
|
application programs works in terminal session as well
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
filetransport in a half duplex mode. Or better, never the TX
|
|||
|
|
and RX line transports a character. So basically in default
|
|||
|
|
you have to look to the TXD-line, and look at 2400 baud for
|
|||
|
|
a character x'41','06', '78' or '01'. At that moment you
|
|||
|
|
know that probably the speed is 2400, 1200, 600 or 300 baud.
|
|||
|
|
You get on line speeds 600 and 1200 a framing error, because
|
|||
|
|
the stop-bit is not detected. Now depending the detected
|
|||
|
|
speed you have to wait (time-out) till the rest of the
|
|||
|
|
character is passed, then you have to change the speed of
|
|||
|
|
your comm-port, and await for the 'T', If it is a 'T' than
|
|||
|
|
you have the speed, if not wait on 2400 baud for the
|
|||
|
|
posibilities as described above. The basic idee behind this
|
|||
|
|
is really simple. If you listen with 2400 bit/sec to a 300
|
|||
|
|
bit/sec send character, the start bit is detected and will
|
|||
|
|
serve for the startbit and 7 bits char. bits (so 7 zero
|
|||
|
|
bits). The eights char. bit is formed of the LSB bit and
|
|||
|
|
well 1/8 portion of it. The second portion will be the stop
|
|||
|
|
bit. So if on the line really is transmitted a 600 bit/sec
|
|||
|
|
char., the same is true with 1/4 portions. Furthermore you
|
|||
|
|
have to look to both the TXD and RXD line, if on one a char.
|
|||
|
|
is received. If so you put this char. in its own buffer and
|
|||
|
|
in the other one a x'00'. Lateron you can print it out, one
|
|||
|
|
line from buffer RXD, one line from buffer TXD in Hex or
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 22 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
ASCII (or both) outfit.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Go on on the same speed till you didn't receive for 30 sec.
|
|||
|
|
any character on both lines and start again with AT
|
|||
|
|
synchronisation. In fact the HAYES inside micro computer is
|
|||
|
|
doing the same. Don't try to write the buffer to disk at
|
|||
|
|
first instance, because you need a DMA at least, but also 2
|
|||
|
|
buffers. So buffer it in memory only. You can try to write
|
|||
|
|
to disk in the silence just before the new AT string.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 23 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Ryugen Fisher
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
What's Hopp-ening?
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Most of the readers of this newsletter are unfamiliar with my
|
|||
|
|
name and have little idea why I would be writing an occasional
|
|||
|
|
column. Those who are fortunate enough to get ECHOMAIL have
|
|||
|
|
probably seen my mutterings but might well not recognize the me
|
|||
|
|
as Ryugen Fisher. Instead they know me as "That Old Frog" SYSOP
|
|||
|
|
of 220/1, The Old Frog's Swamp.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Recently, I was asked to serve as the chairfrog of the FTSC (Fido
|
|||
|
|
Technical Standards Committee) and it is in that capacity that I
|
|||
|
|
am writing you today. As some of you may know, the job of the
|
|||
|
|
FTSC is to document and make available to users or developers the
|
|||
|
|
"complicated" parts of the way that Fido and Opus and SEAdog and
|
|||
|
|
?????? talk to each other so that when the systems attempt to
|
|||
|
|
talk to each other, there is every chance that they will succeed.
|
|||
|
|
This is why "Net Mail" and "Echo Mail" and many of your everyday
|
|||
|
|
useful utilities work, because they are written to the
|
|||
|
|
specifications of a published (and available) standard.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Additionally the FTSC advises the Board of Directors about new
|
|||
|
|
products (hardware and software) that might affect the net. In
|
|||
|
|
this effort, I am fortunate enough to have the outstanding
|
|||
|
|
contributions of (in alphabetical order) Ben Baker, Bob Hartman,
|
|||
|
|
Thom Henderson, Tom Jennings [occasionally!], Ken Kaplan, Vince
|
|||
|
|
Perriello, Wynn Wagner and Gee Wong. I doubt that there is a
|
|||
|
|
board anywhere in the world that is not using programs developed
|
|||
|
|
by at least 3 of these illustrious gentlemen. These, then, are
|
|||
|
|
the members of the FTSC committee and I wish to publicly thank
|
|||
|
|
them for their past, present and continuing contributions.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Recently, there have been many questions about the new 9600 baud
|
|||
|
|
modems. Some of you may have them, most do not. Of course, those
|
|||
|
|
folks that do have them are anxious to see them on the weekly
|
|||
|
|
nodelist, and I can not blame them for this. At the present
|
|||
|
|
time, the 9600 baud modems are not listed on the "official"
|
|||
|
|
nodelist although Mr. Mike Johnson (Tulsa) is preparing a list of
|
|||
|
|
9600 HST modems that you can add with XLATLIST to the official
|
|||
|
|
list if you have a 9600 HST and wish to try to link with someone
|
|||
|
|
else that has one. Many people have asked why the 9600 baud modem
|
|||
|
|
is not on the official list, and explaining that is the second
|
|||
|
|
reason for this column.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The first reason that the 9600 baud has not become a "standard"
|
|||
|
|
is that Fido, in any of its versions currently available, will
|
|||
|
|
NOT work at 9600 baud. Opus and SEAdog will handle the 9600 baud
|
|||
|
|
throughput, but Fido just won't do it. I'm sure that you will
|
|||
|
|
agree that this is an important consideration. We hope that as
|
|||
|
|
the new Fido 12 and Opus 1.XX finish their testing, more sysops
|
|||
|
|
will change to one of these systems and thus support 9600 baud
|
|||
|
|
modems. But, while software development is one issue, it is not
|
|||
|
|
the only (or even the major) one.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 24 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The major issue is compatibility. Simple put, unlike the 2400
|
|||
|
|
baud modem that was designed to a standard so that Hayes and USR
|
|||
|
|
and Multitech, etc could all produce a modem that could and would
|
|||
|
|
talk to another brand, in the evolving world of 9600 baud modems,
|
|||
|
|
there are not two brands of reliable modems that can talk to each
|
|||
|
|
other at 9600 baud. Nor do all the brands "step down" to a slower
|
|||
|
|
speed in the same way.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
What this means is that a U S Robotics 9600 HST cannot connect
|
|||
|
|
with a 9600 Telebit and neither of them talk to a 9600 Microcom.
|
|||
|
|
And such major modem manufacturers as Racal Vadic, Hayes, Anchor
|
|||
|
|
and Multitech have not yet even released a product! But, they are
|
|||
|
|
going to. And as each of them is released, we will do our best to
|
|||
|
|
test and evaluate, hoping that a common industry standard will
|
|||
|
|
soon be reached. When that happens, when two diverse brands of
|
|||
|
|
modems are able to repeatedly connect with each other at 9600
|
|||
|
|
baud and can pass the committee's other tests, you can be certain
|
|||
|
|
that you will read about it HERE before you see it in PC WEEK or
|
|||
|
|
INFOWORLD.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
What we are hesitant about is that at this time the FidoNet
|
|||
|
|
network is the largest network in the world and our adoption in
|
|||
|
|
the nodelist of a "non-standard" modem might well (artificially
|
|||
|
|
and prematurely) serve to create a "defacto" standard that
|
|||
|
|
actually RETARDS the development of a really great 9600 baud
|
|||
|
|
modem. At this time, NONE of our testers were willing to spend
|
|||
|
|
their $$$ on the products. And as long as that remains true, we
|
|||
|
|
can not, in good conscience, actively or BY IMPLICATION encourage
|
|||
|
|
you to purchase a 9600 baud modem.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
We would like you to know that questions regarding the "standard"
|
|||
|
|
F-O-S (Fido/Opus/Seadog) interface can be addressed to the FTSC
|
|||
|
|
at 220/1 or via U.S. Snail at:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Standards Committee
|
|||
|
|
P.O. Box 1061
|
|||
|
|
Rhinelander, WI 54501
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Questions can be addressed by IFNA members and non-members alike,
|
|||
|
|
and we will do our best to assist you.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
That "Community and Continuity" Old Frog
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 25 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-- The Regular Irregular Column --
|
|||
|
|
Dale Lovell
|
|||
|
|
157/504
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
I'd like to start off this column by thanking all of those
|
|||
|
|
who have taken the time to write to me. One of the things I like
|
|||
|
|
best about this column is hearing from someone I've been able to
|
|||
|
|
help (or who thought I had something interesting to say). While
|
|||
|
|
the echomail conferences are fine for some things (like asking
|
|||
|
|
questions), I think FidoNews is a better method of distributing
|
|||
|
|
information that you think many people might need. Even
|
|||
|
|
information that would only apply to sysops (a new or improved
|
|||
|
|
utility for example), not all sysops have the time or resources
|
|||
|
|
to read every message in the sysop echomail conference. While it
|
|||
|
|
looks like FidoNews is getting many more submissions recently, it
|
|||
|
|
still looks a little pale at times. Let's all try to keep
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews in mind when we discover any useful information.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-- Oops... I goofed (Correction department) --
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
In my column on PageMaker and Ventura Publisher there is a
|
|||
|
|
mistake. There is a run-time version of Windows. Since Ventura
|
|||
|
|
didn't need GEM (it had a run-time version built-in), but
|
|||
|
|
PageMaker needed Windows (the package even came with a full
|
|||
|
|
Windows) I had assumed that there was no run-time version of
|
|||
|
|
Microsoft Windows. David Dyer-Bennet (Sysop 14/341) brought this
|
|||
|
|
to my attention. It seems that Microsoft includes a run-time
|
|||
|
|
version of Windows in its Windows Development Kit. I don't know
|
|||
|
|
why Aldus didn't take advantage of it with PageMaker, but it does
|
|||
|
|
exist.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-- Postscript, Laser Printers, and such --
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
In the same column I had asked if there were any other
|
|||
|
|
Postscript laser printers in the market. It was brought to my
|
|||
|
|
attention a device by The Laser Connection called PS Jet. PS Jet
|
|||
|
|
replaces the top of a Hewlett Packard LaserJet (or anything built
|
|||
|
|
on the same engine like the Canon Laser printer) and turns it
|
|||
|
|
into a Postscript Laser Printer. Please note that this can NOT be
|
|||
|
|
used with the new HP LaserJet series II, only with their original
|
|||
|
|
LaserJet printers. In addition to this I found a list of
|
|||
|
|
PostScript printers in the latest issue of BYTE magazine. The
|
|||
|
|
list includes the ITT Qume Scrip Ten, the NEC SilentWriter LC-
|
|||
|
|
890, the QMS PS 800 and PS 2400, and the Texas Instruments
|
|||
|
|
OMNILASER 2108. Armed with this list of names I went down to my
|
|||
|
|
local dealer and found out that he is able to order the TI
|
|||
|
|
printer.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Some people suggested to me that something like a LaserJet
|
|||
|
|
and the JLaser board would be much quicker than PostScript. The
|
|||
|
|
problem I'd have with this is Ventura doesn't really give you
|
|||
|
|
that much more for a JLaser. It may be able to do some graphics
|
|||
|
|
quicker and allow you to print in reverse text (white on black),
|
|||
|
|
but it doesn't give you the variety of type faces and sizes.
|
|||
|
|
That's where Postscript really shows its' stuff. With most of the
|
|||
|
|
laser printers you have to define a font in every size you need.
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 26 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
If you design a special font, you have to create it in EVERY size
|
|||
|
|
you intend to use it. A printer using PostScript doesn't have
|
|||
|
|
this liability. A font is defined by it's outline. If the font is
|
|||
|
|
there, great tell it what size you want to use for now. Ventura
|
|||
|
|
knows about this and gives you the greatest variety and
|
|||
|
|
flexibility with a PostScript printer.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Graphics with PostScript are indeed slow, but it also allows
|
|||
|
|
some special things with them. If you import an AutoCad drawing
|
|||
|
|
into Ventura, when printed (to a Postscript device) it will show
|
|||
|
|
with the greatest resolution possible. If you're using a laser
|
|||
|
|
printer, 300 dpi (dots per inch). If you have a Linotype
|
|||
|
|
Linotronic L300 with the PostScript RIP, it comes out at 2540
|
|||
|
|
dpi. This way you are always getting the highest resolution
|
|||
|
|
possible. I don't how PostScript does these tricks, especially
|
|||
|
|
enlarging and reducing a font smoothly, but it does do them and
|
|||
|
|
do them well. For more information on this, I'd recommend you
|
|||
|
|
pick up the May 1987 issue of BYTE magazine. There are several
|
|||
|
|
articles on DeskTop Publishing, with a few dedicated to
|
|||
|
|
PostScript.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-- Updates and comments --
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Incidentally, Xerox has released version 1.1 of Ventura
|
|||
|
|
Publisher. Included in the new release is support for many more
|
|||
|
|
printers (the original version knew about less than a dozen), and
|
|||
|
|
better support for some of the existing printers. One of the
|
|||
|
|
extended features in Version 1.1 is the support of PostScript
|
|||
|
|
download fonts. I've seen a few of these advertised for the PC,
|
|||
|
|
and it's nice to see that Xerox isn't going to ignore what is
|
|||
|
|
going on in the real world. Continuing support can be hard to
|
|||
|
|
find these days. The price for a new copy remains the same ($895)
|
|||
|
|
and updates are $100. I don't see anything wrong with this fee,
|
|||
|
|
as it should include quite a bit of updates to the manual.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
While I would normally complain loudly about having to pay
|
|||
|
|
for an update, I'm not going to complain about this one. While it
|
|||
|
|
would be nice for companies to give top notch support after
|
|||
|
|
you've purchased their product (read give free updates), it would
|
|||
|
|
make software prices unreasonable. Can you imagine the price
|
|||
|
|
increase for a piece of software if "included" in the price was a
|
|||
|
|
few decades of updates? While it would be nice, I can't see it as
|
|||
|
|
being practical. If the update is because of a major bug, I think
|
|||
|
|
it the company should send the updates free. But when it's a
|
|||
|
|
"legitimate" update, I see no reason not to charge a reasonable
|
|||
|
|
fee. If the update just consists of new disks, I can't see
|
|||
|
|
charging that much for it. On the other hand, if the update
|
|||
|
|
includes a new manual (only if needed, I have little use for
|
|||
|
|
duplicates of manuals) I can easily see the need to charge for it
|
|||
|
|
(printing costs can be very high).
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-- MathCAD (MathSoft, List Price $249) --
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
I was given a demonstration of MathCAD this past week by a
|
|||
|
|
professor at a local college. I've been interested in MathCAD
|
|||
|
|
since I saw one of their ads. It looked like an interesting
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 27 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
program and while I still can't afford it, I did want to take a
|
|||
|
|
look at it. The demonstration was by no means a real "test run"
|
|||
|
|
although I did have a chance to play with it for awhile.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
I was very impressed with MathCAD's capabilities. It really
|
|||
|
|
is a "spreadsheet" for engineers in the way that Lotus is a
|
|||
|
|
spreadsheet for accountants. In almost no time at all I was
|
|||
|
|
getting it to calculate the results to somewhat complicated (to
|
|||
|
|
me at least) formulas. Since I knew I was going to get a chance
|
|||
|
|
to try it, I brought several of my old college texts in Calculus,
|
|||
|
|
Computer Science, and Physics. I was able to get MathCAD to solve
|
|||
|
|
many of the examples (and problems) from each textbook, even
|
|||
|
|
going so far as to graph the equations. For the first time I was
|
|||
|
|
able to "see" how much faster different sorting algorithms were
|
|||
|
|
for a number of elements to be sorted. All I had to do was enter
|
|||
|
|
the formula for average number of "swaps" (obtained out of the
|
|||
|
|
textbook) for each algorithm, give a range to represent the
|
|||
|
|
number of elements, and graph each function. Total elapsed time
|
|||
|
|
was less than 10 minutes, and that's including some learning time
|
|||
|
|
as well! When I was in college, it would have taken me over a day
|
|||
|
|
to write a program to analyze the different functions and graph
|
|||
|
|
them, and even then my graphs would have been much cruder (due to
|
|||
|
|
lack of graphics experience and laziness). Since MathCAD lets you
|
|||
|
|
insert text anywhere, my "spreadsheet" could very easily have
|
|||
|
|
been a handout from a college course. Everything neatly labeled,
|
|||
|
|
functions looking like they do in textbooks (no sqr(), but a
|
|||
|
|
"real" root symbol), and explanations for everything. it would
|
|||
|
|
have been nice to have had this when I was in college, a lot of
|
|||
|
|
the work would have been completed in minutes instead of hours.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
While I wouldn't recommend you send your children off to
|
|||
|
|
college with a copy of MathCAD, it would be to easy for them to
|
|||
|
|
just finish the book work instead of actually learning about the
|
|||
|
|
topic. I would recommend this program to anyone who has to do a
|
|||
|
|
lot of function solving in the course of their work. This would
|
|||
|
|
probably include almost anyone designing electronic components,
|
|||
|
|
buildings, and the like. Overall I am very impressed with the
|
|||
|
|
program. It will work with any graphics cards (CGA, EGA, and
|
|||
|
|
Hercules mono) and takes advantage of a math coprocessor if it's
|
|||
|
|
installed. If you plan on running it on an XT (even a turbo XT)
|
|||
|
|
get an 8087, it will crawl without one. I'd go so far as to
|
|||
|
|
recommend a math coprocessor for any machine it's going to be run
|
|||
|
|
on frequently. That's the only drawback I could find in the hour
|
|||
|
|
or so I was able to use the program, and I can barely see that as
|
|||
|
|
a drawback. Anyone who is using their computer for a math
|
|||
|
|
intensive application (like MathCAD or a CAD program) should have
|
|||
|
|
an 8087/80287. It can make a world of difference between barely
|
|||
|
|
running, and running quite well (and quickly).
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-- Winding down --
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The best game I've come across this week is Silent Service
|
|||
|
|
from Microprose (list price $34.95). Last week I mentioned that I
|
|||
|
|
hadn't been able to get it to run. Well, the problem was in their
|
|||
|
|
copy protection scheme. It just didn't like my NEC V20. I ended
|
|||
|
|
up pulling the V20 out and putting the 8088 back in order to get
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 28 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
it to boot. While I can't condone a copy protection scheme that
|
|||
|
|
is this unforgiving (or a program that only supports the CGA
|
|||
|
|
video card like this one), I really do enjoy Silent Service.
|
|||
|
|
There are several different "games" within the program ranging
|
|||
|
|
from target practice to war patrol. I've been busy with the
|
|||
|
|
latter for the most part (I was already familiar with the game
|
|||
|
|
from my Commodore days). I start off at one of the three Pacific
|
|||
|
|
sub bases and patrol the Japanese shipping lanes. I'm told when I
|
|||
|
|
run across a ship or convoy. Since there are many types of ships
|
|||
|
|
I can decide if the convoy is worth the time involved (one
|
|||
|
|
freighter is not worth taking on 3 destroyers). While I've been
|
|||
|
|
concentrating on the big ships (tankers and troop ships), I have
|
|||
|
|
gone after large convoys of freighters. My biggest problems have
|
|||
|
|
been with the "Kaibokan" destroyers. You usually only get one
|
|||
|
|
good chance at hitting a convoy, after the first torpedo "salvo"
|
|||
|
|
the convoy starts zig-zagging and the destroyers escorting them
|
|||
|
|
come looking for you! It is a very accurate simulation of World
|
|||
|
|
War II submarine warfare and can be very addicting. If you
|
|||
|
|
getting tired of the standard shoot 'em up style games yet still
|
|||
|
|
want some action, look into Silent Service. Just be prepared to
|
|||
|
|
deal with strategy as well as good aim.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The best book I've found is "Solutions in C" by Rex Jaeschke
|
|||
|
|
(Addison-Wesley, $17.95 list). It covers some of the more
|
|||
|
|
advanced topics of C, and has helped me to understand my compiler
|
|||
|
|
a little better. Most of the books I've seen on C don't cover
|
|||
|
|
topics like stack and heap management, and in some cases this
|
|||
|
|
could be very important. It also goes into more detail than most
|
|||
|
|
of my other C books on structures, arrays, bit fields and the
|
|||
|
|
like. This is not the book for someone just beginning to learn C,
|
|||
|
|
but it does do nicely for someone who is trying to learn more
|
|||
|
|
than is discussed in most of the books available on C. I plan on
|
|||
|
|
making it a permanent part of my library and would recommend that
|
|||
|
|
others do the same.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
As usual there's quite a bit lying around that I haven't
|
|||
|
|
gotten around to looking at yet. Part of the reason is lack of
|
|||
|
|
time, but some of it is lack of interest. I would really like to
|
|||
|
|
hear from some of you on programs that you've found to be
|
|||
|
|
worthwhile. Not only will you "get your name in lights" (I try to
|
|||
|
|
give credit where credit is due), but you could save me a lot of
|
|||
|
|
time as well. Below you'll find my US mail address, uucp address,
|
|||
|
|
and FidoNet net/node number. If you're sending me netmail through
|
|||
|
|
FidoNet, please route it through 157/1 (157/0 will work as well,
|
|||
|
|
but I hit 157/1 more often). Next week, I'll give you the current
|
|||
|
|
results on my valspeak/LEX project.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Dale Lovell
|
|||
|
|
3266 Vezber Drive
|
|||
|
|
Seven Hills, OH 44131
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
uucp: ..!ncoast!lovell
|
|||
|
|
FidoNet: 157/504
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 29 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
=================================================================
|
|||
|
|
NOTICES
|
|||
|
|
=================================================================
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The Interrupt Stack
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
24 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
Metro-Fire Fido's Second Birthday BlowOut and Floppy Disk
|
|||
|
|
Throwing Tournament! All Fido Sysops and Families Invited!
|
|||
|
|
Contact Christopher Baker at 135/14 for more information.
|
|||
|
|
SEAdogs may GET more information by requesting FPICMAP.ARC
|
|||
|
|
from 135/14.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
20 Aug 1987
|
|||
|
|
Start of the Fourth International FidoNet Conference, to be
|
|||
|
|
held at the Radisson Mark Plaza Hotel in Alexandria, VA.
|
|||
|
|
Contact Brian Hughes at 109/634 for more information. This is
|
|||
|
|
FidoNet's big annual get-together, and is your chance to meet
|
|||
|
|
all the people you've been talking with all this time. We're
|
|||
|
|
hoping to see you there!
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
24 Aug 1989
|
|||
|
|
Voyager 2 passes Neptune.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
If you have something which you would like to see on this
|
|||
|
|
calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1/1.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
A few people have contacted the Radisson Mark Plaza Hotel about
|
|||
|
|
obtaining a room for the upcoming FidoNet Conference and have
|
|||
|
|
been somewhat surprised at the rates quoted. Please rest assured
|
|||
|
|
that conference attendees do NOT have to pay full room rates!
|
|||
|
|
When booking your room, be sure to tell them that you are
|
|||
|
|
attending the International FidoNet Conference. This will get
|
|||
|
|
you a rate of $80 per room for any number of occupants.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 30 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Bob Morris 141/333
|
|||
|
|
Chairman, Elections and Nominations Committee
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
The next two pages are your Official ballot for the Election of
|
|||
|
|
the IFNA Board of Directors. The following are the few rules
|
|||
|
|
which must prevail in this election:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
1. You must send a legible copy of this ballot to the address
|
|||
|
|
listed on the ballot. It must be signed and bear your
|
|||
|
|
net/node number.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
2. You may vote for any one person in your region for the
|
|||
|
|
position of Regional Director. This vote is to be cast in the
|
|||
|
|
LEFT column of the ballot.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
3. You may vote for any eleven people in any regions for the
|
|||
|
|
position of Director at Large. These votes are to be cast in
|
|||
|
|
the RIGHT column of the ballot.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
4. Voting will continue until the end of registration at the
|
|||
|
|
Conference in August. The results will be read during the
|
|||
|
|
opening of the business meeting on the first day of the
|
|||
|
|
conference.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
5. Write-in Votes will be accepted and are requested during this
|
|||
|
|
election.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 31 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
IFNA Board Of Directors
|
|||
|
|
Ballot
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Regional At Large
|
|||
|
|
Region 10:
|
|||
|
|
Steve Jordan _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Region 11:
|
|||
|
|
Ryugen Fisher _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
Theodore Polczynski _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Region 12:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Region 13:
|
|||
|
|
Don Daniels _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
John Penberthy _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
Thom Henderson _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
Gee Wong _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
Brian Hughes _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Region 14:
|
|||
|
|
Ben Baker _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
Ken Kaplan _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
Brad Hicks _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Region 15:
|
|||
|
|
David Dodell _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
Larry Wall _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Region 16:
|
|||
|
|
Bob Hartman _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
Hal Duprie _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Region 17:
|
|||
|
|
Rob Barker _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
Randy Bush _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
Bob Swift _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Region 18:
|
|||
|
|
Wes Cowley _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
FidoNews 4-19 Page 32 18 May 1987
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Region 19:
|
|||
|
|
Mark Grennan _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
Wynn Wagner _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Region 2:
|
|||
|
|
Henk Wevers _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Write-in candidates:
|
|||
|
|
___________________ _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
___________________ _________ ________
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Name ______________________________ Net/Node ___________
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Signature______________________________ Date ___________
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Please complete this and mail it to:
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Robert Morris
|
|||
|
|
IFNA Elections Committee
|
|||
|
|
210 Church Street
|
|||
|
|
West Haven, Ct. 06516
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
or bring it with you when you come to the conference in August.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
These ballots will be counted by myself since with 200 members
|
|||
|
|
the charges for a CPA would be very high. Hard copies will be
|
|||
|
|
made available to anyone wishing to insure that their vote was
|
|||
|
|
included.
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Thank You
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Bob Morris
|
|||
|
|
Elections and Nominations Committee
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|