FLASH
                           README FILE

                 Copyright 1986 Chazz-Page Systems
                  from ANTIC -- The Atari Resource


NOTE:  MODEM SETTINGS ARE SAVED IN THE CONFIGURATION FILE.  THEY
ARE NOT SAVED WITH THE DIAL DIRECTORY.  AFTER YOU CHANGE YOUR MODEM
SETTINGS, MAKE SURE YOU SAVE THE NEW CONFIGURATION FILE.


There should be 12 files on your FLASH disk (excluding this
README file).  The following is a short explanation of what each
file is, and what it does:

FLASH.PRG   . . . . . . . . . FLASH program (an AUTO 
                               command in the FLASH.CNF file
                               will turn off the title display)
FLASH.RSC   . . . . . . . . . FLASH resource file (must always
                               be on the same disk as FLASH.PRG)

CIS.DO  . . . . . . . . . . . CompuServe Logon DO file, linked to the
                               Dial Directory entry.
SIGSCAN.DO  . . . . . . . . . CompuServe Logon and then go to each of
                               the Atari ST sigs (16 & DEV), and then
                               scan the new messages into the (opened)
                               capture buffer.  Linked to the Dial
                               Directory entry.
SOURCE.DO . . . . . . . . . . The Source Logon DO file, linked to the
                               Dial Directory entry.
MCI.DO  . . . . . . . . . . . MCI Mail Logon DO file, linked to the
                               Dial Directory entry.
DELPHI.DO . . . . . . . . . . Delphi Logon DO file, linked to the
                               Dial Directory entry.
STBBS.DO  . . . . . . . . . . Sample generic ST BBS DO file, linked
                               to the Dial Directory entry.

                              The above DO files are examples that
                              must be customized with your identification
                              numbers and passwords before they are
                              usable.  Modify them by loading them into
                              the capture buffer and adding the
                              appropriate information where you see
                              the prompts "pass-word" or "your,password"
                              or "username" or "PPN" etc.  Then save
                              the file back to the disk and execute it
                              by clicking on the linked name in the Dial
                              Directory.

FLASH.CNF . . . . . . . . . . Configuration file, which stores all of
                               the default values for FLASH parameters,
                               including the modem settings in the
                               Dial Directory.
FUNCKEY.DEF . . . . . . . . . Default function key file, illustrating
                               how function keys can do things like
                               bring up the Status screen or flip to
                               the capture buffer by hitting a function
                               key.
DIAL.DIR  . . . . . . . . . . Default dial directory, illustrating how
                               to link an entry with a DO file.  Alter
                               the modem dialing and prompt settings here.
STWTOPC.TRN . . . . . . . . . Sample translation table.  This file will
                               translate OUTGOING-ONLY characters (press
                               the IN button to switch to OUT) from ST
                               WRITER format to Atari XL/XE Paperclip
                               word processing format.  Most formatting
                               commands are supported in the translation,
                               and all ST WRITER boldface commands are
                               translated to PC BOLD OFF, because ST 
                               WRITER toggles them, unlike PC.  

9600FLOW.PRG  . . . . . . . . This program makes it possible to
                               use Flash at 9600 baud with flow
                               control automatically supported
                               for text coming into the capture
                               buffer.  This is not necessary to
                               use at 9600 baud for transfering
                               files (it's only needed for capturing
                               text into the buffer at that speed).
                               To run it, click on it from the 
                               desktop and it will automatically
                               run Flash after it loads itself.


 

A note about CompuServe RLE (Run Length Encoded) Graphics:  

If you would like to learn more about what RLE Graphics are, and
how you can create your own and upload them to CompuServe for others
to see, the July 1986 issue of Antic Magazine contains an article and
program listing called Grafcon. Grafcon converts any DEGAS or Neo
file to an RLE file (it also converts any resolution picture to any
other resolution picture).  With Grafcon, you can convert your own
pictures and upload them to SIG*Atari for others to see.  The pictures
will be viewable on-line without having to download them.  

For more information about RLE graphics, type GO VIDTEX at any 
CompuServe ! prompt.  There are plenty of places to see RLE pictures,
including:

      GO FBI (top 10 most wanted criminals in America)
      GO HHA (Hollywood Hotline Art Gallery of famous movie stars)
      GO CB58  (CB Special Interest Group - a place where dozens
                of people put up lots of digitzed pictures of
                themselves, their friends, and their idols)
      GO VID100 (Computer Art Gallery)
      GO AWX4   (online weather maps)
      GO CBIG   (more digitised photos)
      GO ARTSIG (more digitised photos)
      GO PCS155 (more digitised photos)      

If you have not set your CompuServe terminal type (at GO DEFALT) to
be VIDTEX, you will get a prompt from the system that your terminal
does not support Vidtex graphics ("type N or Y to continue").  Just
type Y for Yes, and as long as FLASH is in Vidtex mode (alt-M or
MO VI), your screen will clear and then begin displaying the 
picture.  If you have set your terminal type on CompuServe to be
VIDTEX, then you will pass the above "interrogation" without getting
the above-mentioned prompt.  You can also type SET TTY VIDTEX at any
! prompt to temporarily change your CIS terminal status to Vidtex.