Contents
BCOM QUEFILE HELP!

Contents: by pull-down.

About BCOM QUEFILE

File

Dial

Configure

Session

Terminal

QueFiles

Internal

Help


Help Application
About BCOM QUEFILE

Click here^  About BCOM QUEFILE.

BCOM QUEFILE is a complete communications package for your PC. BCOM QUEFILE for Windows provides you the latest and most complete facilities for ASYNC communications using Windows. Here are just a few of the popular features:

Host mode is a comprehensive interactive feature that allows remote users to dial and connect to your PC. Host mode requires remote users to login and provide passwords. Once logged in, a menu is provided that allows users to send/receive files, leave messages, or invoke DOS style commands (e.g. CD, DIR, RD, DEL etc. ).

Dial allows you to store names ,phone-numbers, and connection specific items like baud rate. BCOM employs auto-dial and redials until a connection is made.

BBS Dialer allows you to auto-dial in round-robin fashion users you have selected until a remote computer connects. Great for busy hours of the day when you just want to get on any selected BBS.

File Transfer with eight different protocols that allow you to send and receive files error free. Drag and Drop files to the send toolbar button!

Terminal Emulation lets you enjoy BCOM full ANSI color support from within Windows. Use either the embedded True Type (scalable) or OEM stock font.

BCOM QUEFILE is queue driven and you may stack multiple commands into a queue to simplify many operations.

BCOM QUEFILE was written to conserve disk space and memory. BCOM QUEFILE takes less than 220k of memory and 780k of harddisk space. As a matter of fact, you can have multiple copies of BCOM QUEFILE running at the same time use shared code called MULTI-INSTANCE. For more information ;click on MULTI-INSTANCE here.

BCOM supports only popular features and has removed many unnecessary features (you know, the 20+ configuration panels the competitors use) and thus ends file transfer problems and configuration hassles. You can point then click on a user in a dial directory, transfer files, queue files to send in the middle of the night using QueFile, and do it in blazing speed. BCOM QUEFILE has a toolbar that conveniently allows the user to click on various popular features. With the click of a button you can request BCOM to enqueue host mode or dial another user.

BCOM supports scripting which allows users to automate redundant logon/logoff and file transfer chores.

A DDE client ( DDE1.EXE) example is provided to invoke DDE commands to BCOM QUEFILE servers.

Clipboard Cut and Paste allow you to capture screen data and save it to the clipboard or paste clipboard data straight to the com port!

BCOM QUEFILE help is arranged by menu PULL-DOWN support for your convenience. Menu items with checks besides them indicate an ON or ENABLED state. You may want to use the Quick View menu item under the Configure pull-down to quickly view most menu items from a single point. If you should need more in-depth detail on any subject, refer to your BCOM users guide or .DOC file in the installation directory. Enjoy!!!


About BCOM QUEFILE
BCOM QUEFILE HELP (c) Copyright 1989-1993 BCOM COMPUTER. All rights reserved!

Author: Brent Jamerson


Menu File
File

You have reached the help for the BCOM QUEFILE File pull-down.

Send File Contains all necessary windows and dialog boxes to transfer a file to a remote user. Send file also includes protocol and file options. If you are using the toolbar, you may use the [ [image]] button. For more information on file transfer protocols ;click on FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOLS here.

When using the toolbar, you may Drag and Drop files  onto the send button! Example: tag files by using File Manager, and drag them to the [ [image]] button. Once files are dropped into the SEND button, you will then be asked what protocol to use for file transfer! BCOM supports a chat while transferring option to any other BCOM node, refer to the users manual BCOMWIN.DOC. When file transfer completes, BCOM will beep 3 times or if using a sound board, BCOMALRT.WAV is played stating: "File Transfer Is Complete". For more information on file transfer tips ;click on FILE TRANSFER TIPS here.

Receive File Contains all necessary windows and dialog boxes to receive a file from a remote user. This also includes protocol and file options. If you are using the toolbar, you may use the [ [image]] button. For more information on file transfer protocols  ;click on FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOLS here. BCOM supports a chat while transferring option to any other BCOM node, refer to the users manual BCOMWIN.DOC. When file transfer completes, BCOM will beep 3 times or if using a sound board, BCOMALRT.WAV is played stating: "File Transfer Is Complete" For yet more information ;click on FILE TRANSFER TIPS here.

Capture File (toggle)Capture sent and received characters from your communications port. Use this option to capture a typed conversation with a friend or to record on-line session data. When this option is selected, you are next requested to enter a file name. You must later re-select this option to turn off the capture file. Starting file transfer or exiting BCOM will result in automatically closing the capture file. If your using the toolbar, you may use the [ [image]] button. See Also: Copy Area to Clipboard under the Terminal pull-down, to capture data already on the screen.

Exit Selecting this item will allow the user to terminate BCOM QUEFILE and exit to Windows.


Menu DIAL
Dial

You have reached the help for the BCOM QUEFILE Dial pull-down.

Dial Directory Allows the user to enter, update, store, and dial other users automatically. If you are using the toolbar, you may use the [ [image]] button. To add a new user simply select a line from the listbox on the left side. Then, add user information on the right side. When complete, press the UPDATE button and either  select button QUIT or use the DIAL button to dial the user.  Once the UPDATE button was pressed, BCOM QUEFILE will automatically save the new dial information to disk.To dial users that already exist, just select the user from the listbox on the left side and use the DIAL button. BCOM will notify you of the dial in progress by saying: "BCOM MESSAGE: AutoDial [User]".

If you receive an error from your modem, try changing the supplemental DIAL string under CONFIGURE set strings. BCOM will attempt auto-dialing until a CONNECT is received. To abort, just hit any key while still not connected.

Other DIAL buttons: SORT provides a quick sort on the dial directory entries (you must press the UPDATE button when done to save); DEL deletes the currently selected dial entry (again, press the UPDATE button to save).

Use the NOTE button in conjunction with a selected dial entry to leave a text note concerning a dial entry. Your text note may contain the dial entrys password, a simple reminder, or whatever ideas you want to tag to this dial entry. BCOM will call the Windows NOTEPAD.EXE edit facility.

BBS Dialer User selected dial directory users may be grouped into a BBS user class, where BCOM can rotary (round-robin) dial until a connect string is found. BCOM will then terminate the BBS Dialer and stay on-line. Under dial directory option, use the BBS radio button to provide this support.

Notify Beeps If selected, once a user is dialed from the DIAL screen and connected, BCOM QUEFILE will beep every 2 seconds until a key is pressed.

If using sound board equipped PC, BCOM will play the BCOMBEEP.WAV beep until connected. This allows you to perform other Windows tasks while waiting for a connection.

Related Topic:

QueFiles


Menu Configure
Configure

You have reached the help for the BCOM QUEFILE Configure pull-down.

Com Ports Users setup communication port information like baud rate, parity, port, and more. You may also select your modem from the "modem support" listbox, where BCOM will attempt to set your modem specific setup string, reset string, and more! If you cannot find your particular modem, use one of the Generic Hayes Modems most suitable or fill in the Initialization and Reset strings manually under CONFIGURE SET STRINGS.

Find Your Modem Port Requests BCOM to scan communication ports COM1-COM4 looking for an Hayes(r) AT command compatible modem. When complete, BCOM will return with a message box stating either,"No modem found", or "Found modem on COMx" which will save the configuration information.

Flow Control (toggle) Hardware or Software flow control to/from modem. This is important for EC /MNP modem users, HARDWARE FLOW MUST USUALLY BE ON. (This is the default! )

Connect Type Modem (toggle ) Connection type determines if you are using a MODEM or directly conneted to another computer NULL-MODEM.

NULL-MODEM is helpful when using two computers connected with only a null-modem connector.

DTR or +++ RESET (toggle) Select either DTR transition ( your modem must support this option, typically "AT&D2", to move your modem off-line when in session. You may select the slower "+++" option if your modem does not support DTR.

Set Strings allows the user to configure all string configured items in BCOM QUEFILE. Strings like modem reset string, host password, etc. While most strings fields are obvious, a couple are not( Refer to the BCOMWIN.DOC manual). Reserved String is the sum of all the configured toggle fields. Dial Supplement String (DSS) 1&2 are used to supplement "AT" modem commands to dialed users. The default is 1. For example, it is sometimes necessary to group users into MNP and NON-MNP users. DSS 1 may be &M0 to unhook MNP support where DDS2 may be &M6 full MNP support. The DDS string is stuck between "AT" and the Phone number. Example:[AT->DDS1or2<-Phone number].

Quick View allows the user to quickly display various setup options that are not viewable except by toggling them. They are displayed to the BCOM canvas.

Beeps and .WAV support (toggle) Configure .WAV sounds, beeps, etc. on or off.

Host Users allows you to configure multiple remote users for BCOM host mode. Additional Info: click on HOST INFO here.

Security (toggle) not installed at this time.

Toolbar (toggle)For button bar support ( fast access to menu pull-downs ).

The toolbar looks like this:

You may find more help on the toolbar using the following locations:

[ [image]] See Session Offline+Reset Modem :Session

[ [image]] See Host Mode :Session

[ [image]] See Dial Directory :Dial

[ [image]] See Save Configuration , this section.

[ [image]] See  Send File :File

[ [image]] See Receive File :File

[ [image]] See  Capture File :File

[ [image]] See  Script File :Session

[ [image]] See QueFile :QueFile

Save Configuration Saves entire BCOM configuration to disk. BCOM will never save configuration information unless you invoke the save. If using the toolbar, you may use the toolbar [ [image]] button.


Menu Session
Session

You have reached the help for the BCOM QUEFILE Session pull-down.

Modem Init String Allows the user to send the  modem init string to modem manually. This string was derived from the MODEM SUPPORT listbox under the COM PORT option using CONFIGURE. You may modify this string under CONFIGURE, set strings. This string is sent one time initially when BCOM QUEFILE is opened.

Modem Reset String Allows the user a way to send the modem reset string to modem manually. This string was derived from the MODEM SUPPORT listbox under the COM PORT option using CONFIGURE. You may modify this string under CONFIGURE, set strings.

Host Mode Allows remote users to dial into your computer and access DOS commands and file transfer. Menus are displayed to remote user and Host Mode is secured with user name and password protection. Additional Info:  click on HOST INFO here. If you are using the toolbar, you may use the [ [image]] button.

Auto-Answer String Quick way to send the host initialization string to the modem. You may modify this string under CONFIGURE, set strings.

A FAST 19200:N:8:1 Quick way to reinstall BCOM to new configuration settings.

B FAST 19200:E:7:1 Quick way to reinstall BCOM to new configuration settings.

C FAST 9600:N:8:1 Quick way to reinstall BCOM to new configuration settings.

D FAST 9600:E:7:1 Quick way to reinstall BCOM to new configuration settings.

Script Allows users to build text based scripts (.BCM files ) that can do a number of BCOM QUEFILE commands automated. If using the toolbar, you may use the [ [image]] button. Here is a current list of supported commands:

Script Keyword Format: KEYWORD <arguement(s) passed>

BAUD <rate 300-256000.>.

DELAY <XXX> in half seconds, XXX is an integer < 32,767 halfseconds/ five hours.

CLEAR screen.

COMMENT <use for a comment, does not get executed or printed>.

DIAL <XX> a number from the BCOM dial directory. Uses associated setup

BAUD/ETC. information and auto-redials until a connect.

DO_NEXT_IF <string> matches INPUT text, next script line will execute.

This is great for descision making. Example:

 <gets line of text from remote computer>

DO_NEXT_IF NO CONNECT

RESTART

EXIT exists the BCOM script.

HOST Allows user to enter HostMode from script.

INPUT <string> from modem, use with DO_NEXT_IF and REMOTE from INPUT,

will wait for characters at hard coded timeout of 25 secsonds.

Timeout, carriage return or linefeed terminates input.

KBHIT wait for keyhit from keyboard.

PARITY <X> use a 1 or 0, 0=8bits No Parity & 1=7bits Even Parity.

RESET use bcom disconnect option and reset modem.

PRINT <comment to screen>.

REMOTE also see XFER, allows a remote user to enter "XFER R Y FILESPEC"

string to execute file transfer.

RESTART begin back at start of scriptfile.

SCHAR <X> send singlecharacter X to modem.

SEND <message to modem>, followed by <cr> after SEND = <cr> only sent

SLEEP <XXXXXXXX> seconds to next event, X's is a long integer < 64000000.

seconds ~= 740 days or 2 years worth ( 86,400 seconds in a day ).

TIME <08:20:00> padded military time, waits until 8:20 am to continue

with next script event.

WAIT <XX> <SSSS> where XX is time in seconds to wait for SSSS string,

XX=00 directs BCOM to wait for SSSS string forever.

XFER <M> <T> <FILESPEC> - transfer files using BCOM file transport.

Also see REMOTE. Arguements: <FILESPEC> like *.* or filename.ext.

<M> = mode S|R send/recv, <T> = type of protocol ( character )

X|Y|G  = X/Y/G-YMODEM, A = ASCII/BINARY, K = KERMIT.

This uses the current working directory.

Hit a key at any time during script to abort*. * except when using KBHIT verb.

Offline + Reset Modem Quick way to send your modem to go off-line and reset (HANG-UP) using either the DTR/+++ (off-line option) and by using the modem reset string. If you are using the toolbar, you may use the [ [image]] button.

See also:Configure


Menu Terminal
Terminal

You have reached the help for the BCOM QUEFILE Terminal pull-down.

ANSI emulation If enabled, you allow BCOM to use ANSI emulation . ANSI emulation is a way for other computers to send screen coordinates and attributes to your terminal screen via ANSI standard "esc[" sequences (See the MS-DOS reference manual , ANSI section for more information ). If NO, you will see all ANSI escape sequences. If YES BCOM will use ANSI ESCAPE information to address the screen, providing character color (if COLOR is selected) and character coordinate support.

Optional Emulators Not available as of this time.

Echo Allows the user to see typed characters when the remote connected computer does not echo them back. When set incorrectly, you may see double characters, for example "HELLO" would look like "HHEELLOO".

CRLF/CR Carriage return Line feed/ Carriage return translations. If CRLF/CR option is set to CRLF a CR from remote user is translated into a New Line and a Carriage return.

Else. CR is just a Carriage Return ( the default ).

Color (toggle)Allows the user to turn on/off color support. To use color you will need to have ANSI emulation turned ON as well!

TTF/OEM Stock Font (toggle)Allows the user to switch between True Type font (Scalable) or use the Windows fixed (Non-Scalable) OEM Stock font. If you select the True Type font you may re-size your window and BCOM will scale the font size to 80 columns by the TTFRowsOnScreen ( 25 rows default). Please Note: certain screen variations may produce an aspect ratio to where the screen is offset or the cursor does not track the characters, to avoid this simply slightly re-size the screen, try using the command SnapHeightTo24; adjust the TTFRowsOnScreen or use the OEM stock font.

SnapHeightTo24 Allows the user immediately size the height of the display to 24 Lines (rows) of text. It is very important to snap the length to 24 rows if connected to a remote computer utilizes interactive ANSI drawing based on ARROW UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT. BCOM uses a wrap 100 line buffer that has relative first and last lines as a viewport into a physical screen display.

TTFRowsOnScreen Applies to the True Type Font only! Adjust the number of rows on the screen from 3-99. Unlike the OEM Stock Font which is fixed in size, you may adjust the number of rows and the font size will adjust. Typically you'll want to leave this at the default (25 rows). If you change this, remember the remote computer may still expect you to use 24 rows! In this case, you must adjust the remote computer configuration to display the same amount of rows or screens may be drawn incorrectly. The columns will always stay set to 80.

Copy Area to Clipboard (toggle)Enables or disables user to mark screen text via the mouse and copy it to the clipboard. If enabled, the user may mark a rectangle of text to copy to the clipboard. First move the mouse cursor to a desired start point on the canvas. Then, the user may depress the left mouse button and drag a reverse video rectangle over the desired text. Once the text is selected, un-depress the left mouse button and BCOM QUEFILE will ask the use if they want to copy the text to the clipboard. If so, the user may paste the text into other applications that support the clipboard.

Paste Clipboard to Port If NOT grayed (dark characters exist), this option is enabled. If enabled, the clipboard contains TEXT ( or OEMTEXT) in which BCOM may send directly to the BCOM QUEFILE COM PORT ( COM1, etc.). This allows users to view documents and quickly paste (SEND) a copy to a friend while using BCOM. If disabled (or grayed), there is no TEXT ( or BCOM compatible data ) in the clipboard.

F1 Help/Sent (toggle)Upon the user hitting the F1 key, allows the user to either send the F1 key to the com port, or direct BCOM QUEFILE to strip F1 and call the help facility.

Cursor Home Clears the canvas and homes the cursor to the upper left corner. This is necessary if screen updates are posted and Windows will not or does not repaint the canvas.

Clear Screen Clears the canvas.


Menu QueueFile
QueFiles(r)

You have reached the help for the BCOM QueFile pull-down.

Schedule Allows the user to send/receive files between BCOM NODES ONLY, on a scheduled basis. Queued files on a configurable date and time, can execute file transfer to remote BCOM node left in HostMode automatically. Each QueFile entry should have 5 componets (the bottom 3 boxes of the schedule box). Each entry requires a file name (you may enter wildcards like *.*), direction (send/receive), a dial directory entry, a Date/Time, and the remote BCOM primary host password. That's it! Once you exit the QueFile scheduling screen, BCOM will dial the entry and transfer the file. For more information ;click on FILE TRANSFER INFORMATION here. If using the toolbar, you may use the [ [image]] button.

Once the QUEUE button is pressed, the QueFile will attempt to take control of the foreground session by placing a message like: BCOM MESSAGE: QueFile is now taking control of session! The tagged dial number is auto-dialed until connected and file transfer is initiated. The status may then be checked as to its state, QUEUE, ABORT, or DONE.

Enable (toggle) Allow/Disallow remote BCOM users to use your host mode for their initiated QueFiles. (You must also be in host mode).

Save Queue to disk Saves all QueFile entries in memory to disk using file BCOMWINx.QUE.

Get Queue from disk Retrieves all QueFile entries from disk file BCOMWINx.QUE to memory.

AutoLoad Queue at start-up This option enables/disables BCOM to automatically load BCOMWINx.QUE from disk to memory upon initial program start-up. This allows users to schedule long lists of file transfer entries and have BCOM Queue them even after many computer power-up and downs. If selected, this option also directs BCOM to save QueFile memory to disk file BCOMWINx.QUE on any event status change (i.e. from QUEUE to DONE or ABORT).

Related Topics:

Dial  or  File


Menu Internal
Internal

You have reached the help for the BCOM QUEFILE Internal pull-down.

Debug/Queue(s) This option enables/disables BCOM Debug/Queue(s) (based on the event). Allows the user to see additional technical information such as character position, size, etc.

Clear Queue(s) Clears BCOM Queue stack and flushes any pending operations. If for any reason BCOM appears to be lost, hung, or non-responsive for several minutes, invoke this command.

List Queue(s) Lists the next 20 queued internal events waiting to be executed. It is possible to enqueue more than one operation at a time. For instance, you may stack 10 dial commands, etc.


Menu Help
Help

You have reached the help for the BCOM QUEFILE Help pull-down.

Index Allows the user to enter the Windows Help facility at the Index (contents) for BCOM QUEFILE. All available high level topics will be displayed.

Using Help Allows the user to enter the Windows Help facility using Windows Help for the Help facility. Users unfamiliar with the Windows help facilities should begin here.

About Displays program information on BCOM QUEFILE for Windows. Information concerning licensing, serial numbers and more are contained here.


Muti-Instance
Multi-instance

Multi-instance allows users to start more than a single copy of a program using shared code segments. This is how this works. Usually when a program starts it has its own CODE and DATA areas (called segments). CODE areas are computer machine code and DATA is program data like variables, and user information like data in a phone book. Each program that starts uses its own CODE and DATA segments. Unfortunately, the CODE segments are very large, typically 90% of a program.

BCOM allows users to start additional copies of BCOM QUEFILE for Windows using shared (1) copy of the original CODE segment and multiple copies of DATA segments. This is a big savings and allows you to use multiple COM ports with little memory usage.

The instance number is passed on the PROPERTIES command line:

Example: c:\windows\BCOMWIN.EXE x ; where x is the instance 0-9.

BCOM uses the instance number to form instance specific file names.

Example: BCOMWIN0.DAT, BCOMWIN1.DAT, etc.

Try

Menu Item Dial or Configure


Extended Host Information
Host mode information

BCOM HOST MODE provides remote users access to your computer the same way you access other BBS type computers. When the user connects to your PC, they are presented with a user drawn BANNER, then are allowed to LOGIN. Once successfully logged in, they are presented with a menu. BCOM host mode allows you to provide a list of authorized users logging into your PC.

To initiate HOST MODE, select Host mode under the SESSION pull-down or use the toolbar [Host] button. Once initiated, users may login.

To configure HOSTMODE, you must supply each user with a :

1. User Name. 2. Password.

This gives the user minimal access as a normal user to your PC. They may perform only the following options: Login, Send files to you ( to your Host/Download directory, usually .\host ), Receive Files from your PC ( Only under the .\host directory ), Leave Messages, View the .\host directory, Change Protocols, or Quit. Optionally, you may give them a DOS Password. This provides them much the same power as being on your PC ( Be careful whom you give this password to ). The may do all that normal users do plus: Change Directory, Remove Directory, Make Directory, Delete Files, and Copy Files. You may modify/provide a custom host banner by changing the BCOMWINx.HST file placed in the .\host directory. Where x is the instance of BCOM QUEFILE [0-9].

More information is available; click on MULTI-INSTANCE here.


Extended File Transfer Information
File transfer information

BCOM currently implements 8 protocols(batch and non-batch are different*) for file transfer. In fact... In this age of error-correcting (EC) modems, this is all you need. Here is some quick information: ASCII/BINARY is the equivalent of typing a file to a remote user. XMODEM is and old but reliable simple 128 byte data packet protocol that transfers a single file. Its simplicity and endurance has made it the most popular protocol and is supported on most computer platforms. YMODEM uses mixed 128 /1024 byte mixed packets designed to replace XMODEM. YMODEM is faster; bigger packets can send more data without acknowledgments from the receiver. YMODEM BATCH allows multiple files to be transferred in a single session (i.e. c:\*.* ). The problem with XMODEM and YMODEM batch is, between packet sends the protocols acknowledge each data packet and require a lot of time. For todays sophisticated modems. YMODEM-G BATCH allows users to enjoy the benefits of error checking modems in conjunction with the ability to do real-time hardware level data compression. KERMIT is necessary when working with host computers. YMODEM-G yields higher throughput than all other protocols when used correctly. This requires you to have an MNP/EC modem and to use CTS/RTS hardware level flow control to/from your modem as well as use end-to-end flow control via your modem. Though this sounds complicated, its really not! Check with your modem manual to implement YMODEM-G and enjoy fast file transfer.

*BCOM automatically negotiates non-batch and batch multi-file mode.

Try menu Item File or QueFile


File transfer tips

Sending:

XMODEM, ASCII/BINARY requires a single filename, no wildcards allowed.

YMODEM, YMODEM-G, and KERMIT are batch and its is OK to use wildcards in the filename box( i.e. c:\files\*.* or c:\*.bat or *.?ST). The BCOM TALK feature is valid only when connected to another BCOM node. When using an error correcting compressing style modem, its often faster to send files uncompressed (not zip'd).

Receiving:

XMODEM , ASCII/BINARY require only a filename to be input.

Send and Receive:

When file transfer completes, BCOM will beep 3 times or if using a sound board, BCOMALRT.WAV is played stating: "File Transfer Is Complete". The TRANSPORT box "Last Message" usually contains vital information why you could not transfer a file to the remote PC. Messages like >[0] report a questionable character. Drag and Drop only works with send files. Recived files  have names provided by the remote sending computer. When using an EC style modem, use hardware flow control and a higher baud rate than the modem supports for best throughput. For example, a 9600 baud modem should be run at 19200 baud. If supported, your computer will get a connect message like CONNECT 19200 CARRIER 9600 and super performance 100,000 bytes/minute.

[PC19.2k]--cts/rts--[Modem9600]----/telco /----[Modem9600]--cts/rts--[PC19.2k].

This is OK as long as hardware flow control is CTS/RTS. Refer to your modem manual. Port speeds above 9600 require a 16550 high performance chip!