592 lines
31 KiB
Plaintext
592 lines
31 KiB
Plaintext
Ú¿Ú¿Ú¿Ú¿Ú¿Ú¿ÚÄÄÄĿڿ Ú¿ÚÄ¿ Ú¿ÚÄÄÄĿڿڿڿÚÄÄÄÄ¿
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ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͳ³³³³³³³³³³³ÀÄ¿ÚÄÙ³³ ³³³ À¿³³³ÚÄÄÄÙ³³³³³³³ÚÄÄÄÙÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ»
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º Volume 3 ³³³³³³³³³³³³ ³³ ÀÅ¿ÚÅÙ³ ÀÙ³³ÀÄÄÄ¿³³³³³³³ÀÄÄÄ¿ July 25 º
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º Issue 3 ³³³³³³³³³³³³ ³³ ³³³³ ³Ú¿ ³³ÚÄÄÄÙ³³³³³³ÀÄÄÄ¿³ 1992 º
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ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͳÀÙÀÙ³³ÀÙÀÙ³ÚÄÙÀÄ¿ ÀÅÅÙ ³³À¿ ³³ÀÄÄÄ¿³ÀÙÀÙ³ÚÄÄÄÙ³ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ
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ÀÄÄÄÄÙÀÄÄÄÄÙÀÄÄÄÄÙ ÀÙ ÀÙ ÀÄÙÀÄÄÄÄÙÀÄÄÄÄÙÀÄÄÄÄÙ
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ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
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³This Month's Features³
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ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
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³ Random Factors.......................................Wayne Bell (1@1) ³
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³ ³
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³ Compucom Bites The Dust..............................Omega Man (1@5282) ³
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³ ³
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³ TechnOTES............................................WWIVnews Staff ³
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³ ³
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³ Optimizing HS/Link for WWIV 4.21.....................Lance Halle (1@6211) ³
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³ ³
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³ Filo's Mod of the Month..............................Filo (1@5252) ³
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³ ³
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³ Dateline: @#$*()#!...................................Omega Man (1@5282) ³
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ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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³ Random Factors ³
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³ Creative Commentary by Wayne Bell (1@1) ³
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ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
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First, I'd like to make some comments on distributing mods to WWIV. I
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(obviously) have no objection to distribution of mods, but people need to be
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careful of distributing too much original source code along with the mods. To
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quote from the WWIV source docs, "If your modifications would require you to
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distribute over 100 lines of the initial BBS code, you should contact me
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before you distribute it, sending me a copy, and asking if it's OK. Most
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likely it will be." Do not just distribute the modified routines, or (even
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worse) the whole modified files. There are freeware versions of the program
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'diff' floating around, that will show you exactly which lines were modified.
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In creating 'upgrade' files for new versions of the BBS, I use the diff program
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to help create the upgrades. It really isn't that difficult, and actually might
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help you to catch some change you might have forgotten to document.
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Secondly, on subboard add/drop requests. Please do >NOT< post a message on a
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sub, saying "please drop my system from this sub." Whenever I see a message
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like that, I simply delete it and ignore it. Sub add/drop requests should come
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through E-Mail only, from user #1 on the system to be added/dropped. Or, if
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possible, use automated add/drop requests. Posts about adding/dropping are
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likely to be missed by a sysop skimming posts (or not read at all, if the sub
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is moderated by a co-sysop), and E-Mail from non-#1 accounts is meaningless,
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as it could be anyone on the system sending the E-Mail.
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Thirdly, WWIV v4.21a will probably be out in early August.
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Lastly, net31 will probably be out at the end of July. net31 will return E-Mail
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to unknown users, fixes up a few minor bugs here and there, has some additional
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interfaces for other programs to interface to the net software, and will
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support automated gathering of subs.lst info. I'll go into more detail in the
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automated subs.lst feature after net31 has been out for a while, as it won't be
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very worthwhile until many people are running net31. All you will have to do is
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create a text file listing the sub types you want automatically reported, and
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the net software will do the rest.
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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³ Compucom Bites The Dust ³
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³ Investigative Report by Omega Man (1@5282) ³
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³ With Contributions by The WWIVnews Staff ³
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ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
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Two months ago, TechnOTES reported rumors that Compucom, manufacturers of some
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of the lowest-priced high-speed modems, had ceased operations. While rumors had
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persisted on the netted subs for months of financial problems and production
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setbacks, some of which were reportedly related to the recent death of a major
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Compucom executive, few took them seriously as the same rumors were also being
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passed around regarding both Hayes and US Robotics.
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IN SEARCH OF A CORPSE
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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As the May issue of WWIVnews went to press, the rumors apparently became fact,
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as calls to the Compucom purchase and support lines either went perpetually
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busy or perpetually dead. Those few who could get through the lines to ask
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about the rumor were greeted with a recorded announcement informing of the
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company's demise, and who they could contact for more information.
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As expected, this information spread like wildfire throughout the computer
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networks. However, some doubt was cast on its validity as _PC Sources_ reported
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that Compucom was releasing two new versions of the Speedmodem during the
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summer. A spokesperson for the advertising department of _PC Sources_ explained
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that the report had been confirmed and sent to press two months prior - a
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standard procedure in the journalism industry - and that at that time Compucom
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was still in business. Naturally, this further confused the issue for all
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interested parties, especially when none of the other major computer
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publications were mentioning anything regarding Compucom's status.
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SEANCING THE GHOSTS
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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Only last month, _Boardwatch_ magazine became the first publication to confirm
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Compucom's collapse, which has been verified by subsequent follow-ups by
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members of the WWIVnews staff. One such follow-up resulted in the following
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statement from a former Compucom employee, which has since been reposted on
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several netted subs in the past few weeks:
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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Compucom Statement
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Compucom has closed its doors (due to unforeseeable financial circumstances).
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We here at technical support would like to continue to support the product as
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long as we can ON OUR OWN VOLITION. At this time, we can NOT provide you with
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refunds, RMA's, or Exchanges, though we can help with various support issues.
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We can upgrade you to the latest EPROM, providing you either pre-pay for the
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roms, or have previously returned ROMS. A number of us speedmodem supporters
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are currently planning to establish our own Company, which will give us the
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ability to support the entire line of speedmodems. We will continue to make
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important announcements and information available on the San Diego Support
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BBS (The General) at (619) 281-2622 and in the various speedmodem conferences.
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Q. & A.
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Q. I want my money back
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A. The company is gone, we at tech support on our own volition, are trying to
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inform/help. You may have financial recourse depending on how you paid.
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Q. What about firmware?
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A. We are in touch with the chief design engineer, and hope to work with him
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in continued development.
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Q. What about RMA's?
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A. We will try and send it back to you.
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Q. Warranty?
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A. The Company is out of business.
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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Shortly after this statement began circulating, Shawn Stamps (2@4401) posted
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the following additional information regarding Compucom's European division:
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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[..] the American arm of Compucom is dead. However, the company still thrives
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in Europe (Compucom Europe, Ltd, in Glasgow) and they have been trying to keep
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working on the upgrades, though with Lightning Communications licensing CSP
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(the Compucom proprietary protocol - nasty thing that it is), the european
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counterpart is terminating even the low level of support it has graciously
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provided. I have been keeping in touch with them in the hopes that MAYBE I
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could get ahold of the development hard/software for the damn thing, not to
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make new modems, but to locate new parts and to try to fix the dern things.
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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Finally, a former Compucom employee in the tech support division, who asked to
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remain nameless, made the following commentary to a WWIVnews in e-mail on
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Usenet:
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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The company had been experiencing financial problems for months. That much
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we all knew. What we didn't know was just how bad those problems really
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were. Most of us kept the information to ourselves, though; not because we
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feared losing our jobs, but because we felt really strongly about our work.
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For most of us, it was a labor of love, and we really busted our asses to
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make sure each Speedmodems performed as flawlessly as possible. We really
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feel what we produced weren't just high-tech tools, but works of art with
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a little bit of our souls along for the ride!
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Don't give up on the Speedmodems just yet, tho. We're still trying to supply
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some amount of tech support on our own, and we're trying to arrange some sort
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of financing so we can resurrect the company under our ownership. If you're
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really interested in keeping up with what's going on with what's left of
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CompuCom, regardless of what we wind up calling ourselves, you can keep in
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touch by calling this BBS in San Diego: THE GENERAL BBS, at (619)281-2622.
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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DR. QUINCY SAYS: DEATH BY HAYES?
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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For every answer regarding Compucom's demise, there are quite a few questions
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still unanswered. While those who've purchased eprom upgrades may still be
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able to get them from the continued tech supporters, it's not known what
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recourse is available for those who've not yet received modems purchased
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from Compucom prior to closing. At press time, Compucom had reportedly not
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filed for any form of protection under bankruptcy, and as stated above there
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may not be any satisfaction to be gained from the tech support staff with
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this respect.
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On the bigger picture, there's this nagging question: from a business
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standpoint, what factors actually contributed to the company's financial
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breakdown? Were they related to mismanagement, or was Compucom just another
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victim of the proprietary protocol curse? If the former, which might not
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be likely if the positive customer satisfaction reports prior to closing
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were true, then chalk it up as another example of the decline of American
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business.
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If the latter, which is far more likely, then perhaps it might be wise to keep
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an eye on Telebit, USR, and any other modem manufacturer that deals in
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non-Hayes proprietary protocols. While we all would love to see the price
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hold Hayes has on high-speed transfer protocols that work, the fact that
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Hayes essentially holds the patent on the "better" (read: first at bat and/or
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biggest kid on the block) mousetrap may be too strong to ignore.
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Until someone comes up with a communications protocol that offers severe
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benefits over those offered by Hayes, buyers should consider only buying those
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high-speed modems that support Hayes protocols in addition to their own
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proprietary ones. As it stands right now the risk of getting burned may be
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a bit too high for most of us to take the chance on something that's not 100%
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compatible with Hayes at all speeds.
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Which, of course, just might probably be where Hayes wants us all along.
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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³ TechnOTES ³
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³ Compiled by the WWIVnews Staff ³
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ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
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...brief shareware nOTE: one of shareware's few real success stories, Vern
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Buerg, has become the latest to be infected by the Greed Virus. The next
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release of his List utility, 1.84, will be the first commercial release of the
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product. The new Enhanced List will feature both ASCII and EBCDIC support, 7
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and 8-bit file formats, a hex reader, and built-in utils for managing files
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compressed with several of the major archivers.
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...While these new features may be handy, especially for WWIV sysops who use
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List to view their logs, the price tag is still a bit too pricey for something
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that used to be a hell of a lot cheaper. While one can't fault Buerg for
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trying to make his efforts more worth his financial while, one can't help but
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recall how Qmodem registrations dropped dramatically after John Friel sold it
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to Mustang Software for commercial release. A trimmed-down version for the
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shareware market that helped make Buerg a success would be very prudent,
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especially when very few sysops need EBCDIC support anyway!
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...brief shareware nOTE #2: one of shareware's other few real success stories,
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Phil Katz' PKZIP, still hasn't seen an official release of the long-awaited
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version 2.0. Although there was a beta release of the new version, numbered
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v1.93, according to Katz himself this version was extremely buggy and has
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also been altered so that it appears to be an official release of a 2.xx
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version. PKZIP users are urged not to use any version of PKZIP identifying
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itself as a 2.xx release until further notice. The WWIVnews staff is looking
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further into this matter, and next month's WWIVnews will feature a more
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in-depth look into the current status of PKZIP 2.xx.
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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³ Optimizing HS/Link for WWIV 4.21 ³
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³ by Lance Halle (1@6211) ³
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ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
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After talking at length with Sam Smith, the author of HS/Link, I think I have
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the proper setups to make HS/Link work reliably with PC Pursuit. I also found
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out a couple of other things that really speed HS/Link up for regular
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transfers.
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The first part of this document defines some terms that are used in the rest
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of this discussion. The second part discusses ways of setting up HS/Link to
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optimize normal WWIV BBS connections. The third part describes the problems
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involved using HS/Link on WWIV with PC Pursuit, and how they can be taken care
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of, and part 4 deals with optimizing HS/Link for use with your terminal
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program.
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DEFINITIONS
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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BLOCK
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HS/Link sends data in packets (blocks). Normally each block contains a unique
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sequence number and checksum info to aid in data verification and error
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detection and recovery.
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BLOCK SIZE (-s)
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Size of each block in bytes.
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CONFIGURATION FILE
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An ASCII file that is used to set HS/Link's options. This file can be created
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with HSCONFIG, or with your editor. The default configuration file is
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HSLINK.CFG. This is the file that HS/Link looks for if no other is specified on
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the command line. To specify another configuration file start your command line
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as follows: "HSLINK -@filename". Don't type the quotes. The filename is the
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name of the alternate configuration file you want HS/Link to use. This MUST be
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the FIRST option on the command line.
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CURRENT HS/LINK VERSION
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Be sure to use the LATEST release of HS/Link. While the current version is
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always compatible with older versions, you will not get the benefit of the
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latest enhancements and fixes if you are using an old version. At the time of
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this writing, the latest RELEASE version is 1.12.
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FORCE REMOTE TO USE LOCAL OPTIONS (-!)
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This option causes the remote (called) end to use some of the options specified
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by the calling end. This does NOT affect any of the options having to do with
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security, such as the upload path, or the overwrite option. It does affect
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block size (-s), xon/xoff (-hx), and windows (-w).
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HARDWARE HANDSHAKING - CTS/RTS (default)
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A means of flow control where the modem asserts the CTS (clear to send) line
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when it is able to receive data from the computer. If it's buffer fills up, it
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drops the CTS line. In the same way, the computer asserts the RTS (request to
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send) line when it is able to receive data from the modem, and drops it if it
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is busy. This scheme is used by High Speed modems that can operate with a port
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speed that is higher than the connect speed.
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SLOW HANDSHAKE (-hs)
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Sends Xoff or lowers RTS during disk I/O. This causes the computer to signal
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the modem not to send any data during disk I/O. It is available for systems
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with slow disk access. It may help if you get frequent CRC errors of COM
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overruns on clean lines.
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WINDOW (-w)
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The number of blocks HS/Link will send before stopping and waiting for an
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acknowledgment (ACK)
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XON/XOFF (default)
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A software method of telling the other end to suspend/restart sending data. It
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is not generally necessary for error correcting modems, but no harm is done by
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leaving it enabled. (Do not disable this if Slow Handshaking (-hs) is required
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by your system)
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OPTIMIZING HS/LINK FOR WWIV BBS'S THAT DO NOT MAKE NET CALLS VIA PCP
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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If you operate a WWIV BBS that does NOT make NET callouts via PCP, then the
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following HSLINK.CFG file settings and INIT settings should be optimum for you.
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HSLINK.CFG - use HSCONFIG or a word processor to create
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-A /* don't send ACKs */<< don't type the >>
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-S4096/* sets 4k blocks */ << comments >>
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-W0 /* do not wait for ACK /*
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INIT settings for HS/Link
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Description : HS/Link
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Xfer OK code : 0
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Require MNP/LAPM : N
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Receive command line:
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HSLINK -P%2 -E%4 -U%3
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Send command line:
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HSLINK -P%2 -E%4 %3
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Receive batch command line:
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HSLINK -P%2 -E%4 -U%3
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Send batch command line:
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HSLINK -P%2 -E%4 @%3
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Bi-directional transfer command line:
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HSLINK -P%2 -E%4 -@ @%3
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OPTIMIZING HS/LINK FOR WWIV BBS'S THAT MAKE NET CALLS VIA PC PURSUIT
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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OK, now for the problem with PCP. Being a timeshare net, it does not transmit
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||
data continuously, especially during busy times. There may be delays in data
|
||
transmission. If the HS/Link default block size of 1024, or 4096 is used, and
|
||
the default window of 8 is in effect, HS/link will send 8 of these blocks
|
||
before stopping for an acknowledgment. If PCP is busy, this may be more data
|
||
than it can "swallow" in one gulp. Once PCP gets behind, it may have problems
|
||
recovering, in which case the data may or may not get through. Even if it
|
||
does, the ACK may not get back to the sending end, in which case HS/Link waits
|
||
for it's internal timeout, before trying again. Often PCP cannot recover at
|
||
all, and HS/Link will finally about the transfer.
|
||
|
||
This problem can be resolved by using smaller blocks, and smaller windows. A
|
||
setting of 512 or smaller for the block size is recommended, and a window of 4
|
||
should work fine. This will give PCP smaller blocks of data, and HS/Link will
|
||
stop more often to check that the data has been received.
|
||
|
||
This sounds easy to implement, but there is one problem with WWIV that we have
|
||
to overcome. We are able to set the command line that HS/Link uses for regular
|
||
BBS callers by using the INIT program, BUT we have no way of controlling the
|
||
command line that the NETWORK uses for it's callouts. This means we are stuck
|
||
using the same configuration for both our NET calls and our regular callers.
|
||
|
||
There is a workaround that will do the job for those systems that make NET
|
||
callouts via PCP, but still want their regular callers to get the best speed
|
||
out of HS/Link. We can set the options we want to use for NET callouts in the
|
||
HSLINK.CFG file, since that is the one HS/Link looks for by default. Then we
|
||
can create another configuration file to use when a regular caller activates
|
||
HS/Link. We can specify that alternate configuration file on the HS/Link
|
||
command lines in INIT. If you called your alternate config file BBS_CALL.CFG,
|
||
and it was in your C:\WWIV directory, then your HS/Link setup in INIT should
|
||
look like this:
|
||
|
||
Description : HS/Link
|
||
Xfer OK code : 0
|
||
Require MNP/LAPM : N
|
||
Receive command line:
|
||
HSLINK -@C:\WWIV\BBS_CALL.CFG -P%2 -E%4 -U%3
|
||
Send command line:
|
||
HSLINK -@C:\WWIV\BBS_CALL.CFG -P%2 -E%4 %3
|
||
Receive batch command line:
|
||
HSLINK -@C:\WWIV\BBS_CALL.CFG -P%2 -E%4 -U%3
|
||
Send batch command line:
|
||
HSLINK -@C:\WWIV\BBS_CALL.CFG -P%2 -E%4 @%3
|
||
Bi-directional transfer command line:
|
||
HSLINK -@C:\WWIV\BBS_CALL.CFG -P%2 -E%4 -@ @%3
|
||
|
||
Your default HS/Link config file that will be used for the NET callouts should
|
||
look like the following. It should be named HSLINK.CFG, and should be in the
|
||
same directory as HS/Link. This is the optimum setup for use with PCP:
|
||
|
||
-! /* force remote to use these settings */
|
||
-S512 /* use 512 byte blocks */
|
||
-W4 /* wait for ACK after every 4 blocks */
|
||
|
||
Your alternate config file for use with regular callers should look like this,
|
||
and the name should match what you specified in INIT on the HS/Link command
|
||
line (ie. BBS_CALL.CFG), and should also be in the same directory as HS/Link.
|
||
|
||
-A /* don't send ACKs */
|
||
-S4096/* sets 4k blocks */
|
||
-W0 /* do not wait for ACK /*
|
||
|
||
These should provide optimum setup for those WWIV BBS systems that callout via
|
||
PCP and want the best for their non PCP callers. Regular PCP callers should
|
||
configure their terminal programs to use a setup like the HSLINK.CFG mentioned
|
||
in part 4.
|
||
|
||
|
||
HS/LINK AND YOUR TERMINAL PROGRAM
|
||
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
|
||
The calling party has the responsibility of determining the best HS/Link
|
||
configuration options for his/her particular situation (PCP, Non PCP, etc).
|
||
You should configure HS/Link for your terminal program, and include at least
|
||
the following options in the .CFG file. Be sure to include the (-!) to force
|
||
the remote to also use your preferences.
|
||
|
||
If you are calling via PCP, then your HS/Link config file should look like the
|
||
following one. You should also use PCP's default handshaking:
|
||
|
||
-! /* force remote to use these settings */
|
||
-S512 /* use 512 byte blocks */
|
||
-W4 /* wait for ACK after every 4 blocks */
|
||
|
||
If you use "direct" connections ( regular lines), then your HS/Link config file
|
||
should look like this:
|
||
|
||
-! /* force remote to use these settings */
|
||
-A /* don't send ACKs */
|
||
-S4096/* sets 4k blocks */
|
||
-W0 /* do not wait for ACK /*
|
||
|
||
In the event that you do both PCP and Non PCP calls, you can give one of these
|
||
files a different name (ie NON_PCP.CFG), and then on the HS/Link command line
|
||
for your Non PCP calls, include the following as the FIRST option:
|
||
|
||
-@NON_PCP.CFG
|
||
|
||
Be sure to include the path name, ie @C:\TELEX\NON_PCP.CFG
|
||
|
||
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
|
||
I hope this takes some of the mystery out of HS/Link operation. Sam Smith
|
||
(HS/Link author) has looked this over, and it has his blessings. If you have
|
||
any problems, or discover something I have overlooked, or described
|
||
incorrectly, PLEASE notify me as soon as possible. I will attempt to update
|
||
this document as new information becomes available.
|
||
|
||
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
³ Filo's Mod of the Month ³
|
||
³ by Filo (1@5252) ³
|
||
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
|
||
|
||
The Mod-of-The-Month Selection represents my choice of what appears to be a
|
||
useful, practical mod to WWIV. It does not mean it is the best mod posted or
|
||
even that it works as I may not have tested it. Given the limitations of this
|
||
media, uuencoded mods are NOT eligible for selection as mod-of-the-month.
|
||
|
||
This month's selection is a combination of two mods posted earlier. Each mod
|
||
provided a means of permitting users that experience logon trouble to send
|
||
feedback to the Sysop. Since this problem occurs frequently, it seems to be a
|
||
useful mod. Braves's (1@8131) combination of the two other mods seems to be a
|
||
colorful approach.
|
||
|
||
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
|
||
This mod was made for WWIV 4.21. I always wanted a mod that would allow users
|
||
to be able to do something if they forgot their password or just hit the wrong
|
||
macro or Whatever. I saw this mod and another one on the Mod net and tried
|
||
them.
|
||
|
||
I liked them but wanted what each of them had into one so I combined them and
|
||
added some stuff. I hope you like it. Well on with the Mod!
|
||
|
||
Difficulty - .0001 out of 10
|
||
|
||
Backup your source! (Unless you feel real Lucky!)
|
||
|
||
/* == */ existing code!
|
||
/* ++ */ add!
|
||
/* += */ change!
|
||
|
||
Ok Load up LILO.C
|
||
|
||
|
||
} while ((!hangup) && (!ok) && (++count<3)); /* == */
|
||
if (count==3) { /* += */
|
||
pl("6User not found..."); /* ++ */
|
||
outchr(12); /* ++ */
|
||
pl(" 3ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ»"); /* ++ */
|
||
pl("1Would you like to: 3º 2R)7etry logon 3º"); /* ++ */
|
||
pl(" 3º 2L)7ogon as a newuser 3º"); /* ++ */
|
||
pl(" 3º 2G)7oodbye (hang up) 3º"); /* ++ */
|
||
pl(" 3º 2E)7mail Braves (hang up) 3º"); /* ++ */
|
||
pl(" 3ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ"); /* ++ */
|
||
outstr(" 1Your choice: "); /* ++ */
|
||
ch=onek("LRGE"); /* ++ */
|
||
switch(ch) { /* ++ */
|
||
case 'R': /* ++ */
|
||
nl(); /* ++ */
|
||
getuser(); /* ++ */
|
||
break; /* ++ */
|
||
case 'L': /* ++ */
|
||
nl(); /* ++ */
|
||
newuser(); /* ++ */
|
||
ok=1; /* ++ */
|
||
break; /* ++ */
|
||
case 'G': /* ++ */
|
||
hangup=1; /* ++ */
|
||
ok=0; /* ++ */
|
||
break; /* ++ */
|
||
case 'E': /* ++ */
|
||
email(1,0,0,0); /* ++ */
|
||
hangup=1; /* ++ */
|
||
break; /* ++ */
|
||
} /* ++ */
|
||
} /* ++ */
|
||
checkit=0; /* == */
|
||
okmacro=1; /* == */
|
||
|
||
That's It! Save it and Compile!
|
||
|
||
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
³ Dateline: @#$*()#! ³
|
||
³ Editor's Notes by Omega Man (1@5282) ³
|
||
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
|
||
|
||
32767 bytes per file. It's not just a good idea, it's the law.
|
||
|
||
Wellll...maybe not quite *that* good an idea...
|
||
|
||
This month, that "law", along with the last-minute addition of an in-depth look
|
||
at the demise of Compucom, took it's toll on the space I had allocated for my
|
||
editorial. Since I've rescheduled that editorial for next month's issue, I'll
|
||
take what little space I've got to enlighten everyone on yet another major
|
||
change to WWIVnews that's about to take place in the next couple of months.
|
||
|
||
Laws that are detrimental to that which they are designed to protect can be
|
||
changed if those affected pursue the proper channels of authority. Or, at
|
||
least that's what they told us in our civics classes, right? Well, in the case
|
||
of WWIVnet and WWIVnews, this meant 1@1 himself, Wayne Bell.
|
||
|
||
After consulting with - ok, ok, *begging* - Wayne at length on the matter,
|
||
with the release of Net31 the file size limit will essentially be removed for
|
||
WWIVnews. What Wayne has devised is a way for WWIVnews to be transmitted over
|
||
the network in 32k segments, and reassembled by Net31 into one complete file.
|
||
|
||
What this means is that WWIVnews will see yet more expansion following the
|
||
release of Net31. Some of the original plans for the revamping included some
|
||
regular features that were dropped ue to the file size limit. These features
|
||
included such standard publication staples as a Q&A column, a regular Group
|
||
events update section, a networked sub review column, and a regular update
|
||
piece for onliners and utils.
|
||
|
||
So, once Net31 has had time to be distributed and installed - at least one
|
||
month, maybe two - expect to see these features to finally see the light of
|
||
day. Of course, if you're interested in writing one of these features, feel
|
||
free to drop me a line at 1@5282. Lord knows we're going to have space to
|
||
fill for a change :-)
|
||
|
||
Speaking of that file limit, It seems I've got just enough space left for the
|
||
closing credits. Stay tuned, people - the WWIVnews Adventure is about to really
|
||
get a really swift kick in the butt!
|
||
|
||
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
|
||
³ Closing Credits ³
|
||
ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´
|
||
³ WWIVnews is an independent newsletter published monthly as a service to ³
|
||
³ the WWIV community of sysops and users. The opinions and reviews expressed³
|
||
³ herein are the expressed views of the respective writers, and do not ³
|
||
³ necessarily reflect those of the WWIVnews staff. Reproduction in whole or ³
|
||
³ in part is allowed provided proper credit is given. All rights reserved. ³
|
||
ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´
|
||
³ The distribution sites for WWIVnews are the Klingon Empire BBS (512-459- ³
|
||
³ 1088), WWIVnet node @5282, and the WWIVnews Editorial Desk networked ³
|
||
³ subboard, subtype 15282 host 5282. Information regarding article and ³
|
||
³ editorial submissions, back issue requests, and the WWIVnews Writer's ³
|
||
³ Guide, can be requested in e-mail from the WWIVnews editor, 1@5282. ³
|
||
ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´
|
||
³ WWIV and WWIVnet, copyright 1986,1990 by Wayne Bell ³
|
||
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
|
||
|