                About how to use QuickStar FAX Pro V1.0
                  Copyright (c) 1995 Anthony Mai

        QuickStar Fax Pro V1.0 (QFAX) is a shareware program for PCs.
It is a DOS program, but can either run in DOS environment or in the DOS
session launched from the Windows. QuickStar Fax Pro V1.0 is written by
Anthony Mai at Pennsylvania State University, USA.

        QuickStar Fax Pro is aimed at providing an easy and quick solution 
for sending plain text fax from your PC computer using either Class 1 or
Class 2 fax/modem. It cuts the fax transmission time considerably comparing
with some popular fax programs like WinFax. In one test QFAX sends a 14 page
plain text FAX at 14400 bps speed within 5 minutes. WinFax would take more
than 14 minutes to send the same document!

        This un-registered shareware version is COMPLETELY FUNCTIONAL,
although some configuable features temperary disabled. You can use it to
FAX any plain text document with no problem. Once you register your copy
of this software all useful features will resume! Registration is quick
and easy and could be just a phone call away! Please read the enclosed
file REGISTER.TXT to find info of how to register this software with the
author. If you have questions regarding QFAX and you want to contact the
author, you can also find the phone number and E-Mail address at the
end of this file or in the REGISTER.TXT file.

        The usage of QuickStar Fax Pro is very easy. You only need to 
provide the original text file name and fax number to use QFAX.

        QFAX Version 1.0 is distributed in the zipped file QFAXV10.ZIP.
After you get the zipped file QFAXV10.ZIP. You can unzip it using one of 
those popular zip/unzip utilities (Like pkz204g.exe). You should get the 
following files:

        qfax.exe        The main program.
        qfax.cfg        The configuration file
        readme.1st      This file tells you how to set up QFAX. Must read!
        usage.txt       The file you are reading. It serves as the manual.
        register.txt    A text file about how to register QFAX.
        register.frm    Registration form to be used for registration.
        findcom.exe     Small program to help you to determine Modem port
        file_id.diz     A small file describing QCFAX (required by BBS's)

        Before you use QuickStar Fax Pro for the first time, there is
something you need to do. You need to modify the included QFAX.CFG file to
so it is compatible with the set up of your computer. This file is a plain
text file and is intended to provide the program with informations of the 
setting of your fax/modem, the fax setting parameters that you intend to use 
as default, identification of the site from where you will be sending FAX, 
etc.

        The qcfax.cfg is a plan text file and you can use DOS edit or any
simple plan text editor to read and modify it. The format of the qcfax.cfg 
file is as following:

------------------------------ cut here --------------------------------
CommPort        2
PhoneNumber     1-800-555-1212
InitString      at&fe1v1x4&k3&c1&d2
DialRepeatTimes 3
TelephoneLine   Tone
Font            24
LineSpace       12
AsciiSpace      2
Size            748     1002
------------------------------- cut here -------------------------------

    The qfax.cfg file is composed by lines. Each line defines a parameter.
All of those parameters have a default value already built in the program.
So if you do want to use the default parameter for any of the above
parameters you can just remove the line in qcfax.cfg that associate with
that parameter. In fact the default qcfax.cfg file as included in this
distribution package contains only two lines: "CommPort" and "PhoneNumber"
Be careful, if you want to remove any items from this qcfax.cfg file, you
must delete the whole line associated with that parameter, not just the
number that follows the name of the parameter.

    The most important parameter is the CommPort number. It identify what 
COM port your fax/modem uses. Many modems use COM2 and IRQ3 and that's the
default value QuickStar will be using if the CommPort line can not be found.
If that is the case you may remove that line or put a 2 following the word
"CommPort".

Possible COM ports are: (The number on left is what you use in qcfax.cfg)

1    COM1/IRQ4    This is probably the mouse port, not the Modem
2    COM2/IRQ3    --> most commonly used modem port
3    COM3/IRQ4
4    COM4/IRQ3    --> commonly used modem port
5    COM3/IRQ2    also called COM5
6    COM4/IRQ2    also called COM6
7    COM3/IRQ5    also called COM7 -> commonly used alternative port
8    COM4/IRQ5    also called COM8

    Put the number on the left of the right COMM port in the qcfxa.cfg. If 
you are not sure, check you modem manual, or use the included program 

        findcom.exe

    to help you to detect the modem port.

    No less than the COMMPORT parameter is the PhoneNumber parameter. The
United States Federal Laws require that every fascimile device (fax device) 
must identify itself to the remote fax device when transmitting faxes. It
must inform the remote site of its own phone number. Just put your own
phone number after the word "PhoneNumber ". Make sure the string length is 
less than 20 characters (who has a 20 digits phone number, anyway? :-)

Other parameters:

DialRepeatTimes:    Times it will repeat the dial if the line can not be
                    connected. Default value is 3 times;

TelephoneLine:  Put "Tone" for touch tone dialing. Or "Paulse" for paulse 
                dialing. Most phone lines in USA is touch tone (default).

Font:           16 or 24. ASCII Font used (8x16 or 12x24) default is 16.
                The 8x16 font would be enlarged to 16x32. Using 16 will
                give you shorter transmission time but 24 will give you
                higher visual quality of the fax. Default is 16 (8x16).

LineSpace:      Number of blank dots between text lines. Default is 12.
                That means a gap of 12/200 = 0.06 inch between text lines.

AsciiSpace      Character pitch (space between characters measured by dots)
                Each dot is equivalent to 1/200 Inch. The default value
                is 2 dots (2/200 Inch).

Size            Size of the text area of the faxed document, measured in
                1/100th of inch, must be integer. Default is 768x1002, which
                just leaves half inch margin of the standard 8.5"x11" paper.


        Please be noted that un-registered version will not be able to set 
some of the above papameters, i.e., LineSpace, AsciiSpace, Size. And the 
default value will be different from what's listed above. The paper size
will be a bit less than a full page. Once you register it will resume the
best default values and allow you to set them to other values.

        Now, having set up the qcfax.cfg, sending fax from a text file is
straightforward. You can do so by simply type:

        qfax    text_file_name    Fax_number_to_send_to

        It will automatically go though every thing and you hardly need to
do any thing else. Just watch. It will pause in the middle after it finish
processing the files, and before it starts the actual fax transmission. This
gives you a chance to wait until it is appropriate time to start the fax.
Just press the enter key to continue. The process will take less than one 
minute to a few minutes, depend on the file size.

        Sometimes it is desirable to make a phone call to the remote site
first. Talk for a while, then without hanging up the phone line, start to
transmit the fax along the same phone line. Most fax machines can do this.
But most computer fax softwares do not allow this because they always ask
for a phone number and always automatically dials the phone number. But
with QFAX you can do it!

        Just start QFAX in the same way as described above. But simply
use a single comma ("," A "," that appears in the phone number simply means
a short pause of 1 or 2 seconds) as the phone number. Like

        qfax   myfile.txt   ,

        It will start to process the text file. When the processing is done
it will initialize the modem and then wait for you to press enter key to
continue. You can then pick up the phone (must be connected to the same
phone line as the fax/modem is connected), and manually dial the number at
remote site. A human would pick up the remote phone and chat with you. Then
you can press the enter key on your computer, and then hang up your phone.
The other side would press the "start" key on his/her fax machine, and hang
up the phone, too. The fax transmission will then process automatically.

        You can also insert some parameter flags between the command "qfax" 
and the text_file_name. These parameters will then over-ride those defined
in the qcfax.cfg file. These option flags includes:

                -d                 --> Delete the created *.fax file at end
                -16                --> Use  8x16 ASCII Font
                -24                --> Use 12x24 ASCII Font
                -ls   12           --> Line space
                -as   2            --> Ascii space
                -size  748  1002   --> size of text area (width, height)
                -rep  3            --> Repeat dial 3 times if not connected

        If you forget the phone number when you type the command line, the
QuickStar will ask you again for the number. If you simply type "qfax"
with no file name or phone number following it, it displays a quick reminder
screen of how to use it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

About shareware programs

        Shareware is a concept in software distribution. Unlike commercial
softwares which only allow you to use the software after you pay for it,
Shareware programs will allow you to have a 30 days free trial period to
to try and test the program before you make any payment. You pay only if
you find the program useful and you like to keep it.

        As a shareware author I believe people like you are honest and will
be glad to make a flat payment and register the software if you find that
this program is really useful to you! The shareware concept is good for both
the software consumers and software writers, but only with your support will
the shareware concept survive and expand. Shareware authors need your
support to write more and better shareware products!

        The QFAX software have been tested thoroughly before formal release
so as to make sure it will work on most computers. However I can't provide
any guarantee that it will work on your computer. Use it at your own risk.
Like most other softwares, the author hereby disclaims any waranty or
responsibility in regard to the usage of the QFAX software. Please read the
register.txt file for a warranty statement before you proceed to use the
QCFAX software.

        If you have any questions regarding the usage of QuickStar ASCII
Fax Pro Program, feel free to contact me via E-Mail, Phone or Letter. I can
be reached at the address below.

                Mr. Anthony Mai
                Box #28, 10 Vairo Blvd. Apt. 7D
                State College, PA 16803
                U.S.A.
                Tel. 1-(814)867-3385(H)
                            865-2286(W)
                E-Mail: mai@phys.psu.edu

        If you want to register for QFAX, the registration is quick and
easy. And the fee is only $20 (plus sales tax if you are in Pennsylvania).
Please read the REGISTER.TXT file for information regarding the benefit
you will have in registering, and method of how to register.

        Once I receive your registration letter I will let you know the
valid QFAX license number. You only need to enter that number once. Once you 
entered that number QFAX will become full functional right away!

        If you feel that you really likes to be able to use the registered
version of this software right away and you are willing to pay to register
it, you can even give me a call and leave me your name and software serial
number, etc, I can give you the license number right away and you can send
in your registration letter and the payment after that. I do believe people
are worth to be trusted!

        I will also offer a 3 week money back guarantee: If after you send 
in the registration fee, you changed your mind within 3 weeks, you can write 
me a letter asking for a refund. No problem! I will refund what you have 
paid but less $3 for postage and handling. The software will still be yours 
to keep! Isn't that great!
