New Feature


Command Line Paging

The QuickPage for Windows program now allows utilization of ‘Command Line Paging’ 
which can be used from the DOS prompt or the supplied DOS paging interface.  The 
following instructions explain the operation and use of this new feature.

What is Command Line Paging
Command Line paging permits the QuickPage program to Receive and Transmit pages 
sent to it by other programs, other users on a network or by any other device that can 
write text to an ASCII file.  Some typical uses would include network computers that are 
not running QuickPage for Windows,  Mini Computers, or Mainframes that can 
interface with a PC via a serial port.

How does it work
In a nutshell, the sending device simply writes its page information in the proper format 
(discussed below) to a file called ‘PAGE.DAT’ located in the QuickPage program 
directory.  Every 30 seconds the QuickPage program checks this file for newly received 
information.  If QuickPage finds information in this file and the information found is 
valid, it will automatically send the listed message(s) to the specified pager(s) and 
remove the page information from the ‘PAGE.DAT’ file.
NOTE: When writing to the ‘PAGE.DAT’ file, the ‘Append’ method should be used to 
prevent over writing any existing file information.  All pages written to this file must be 
in single line ASCII text format.

Command Line Paging Format

The information sent to the ‘PAGE.DAT’ file must be sent in the proper format utilizing 
the proper command switches. Each command is specified by a command letter, a colon 
and the command itself.

Available Command Switches:
P:  This is the PIN Number switch used to specify which PIN number to use when 
sending the page.  If the PIN Number specified is not located in the QuickPage 
program’s database, the page will be discarded.  Format: P:PIN NUMBER.

D:  This is the Department Number switch used when the message is to be sent to an 
entire department instead of an individual pager.  If the Department Number 
specified is not located in the QuickPage program’s database, the page will be 
discarded.  Format: D:DEPARTMENT  NUMBER.
NOTE: You cannot use the P and D Switches in the same command, you will use one 
or the other for each command.  When using the P or D switch, it must appear first 
in the command line structure. (See examples below)

S:  This is the Sender switch used to specify who is sending the page.  The sender 
Does Not have to be located in the QuickPage program’s database but should be 
limited to 10 characters.  Format:  S:SENDER NAME.

M:  This is the Message switch and is used to specify the message to be sent.  Every 
Command Line page must have at least the M switch specified or the page will be 
rejected.   Format  M:MESSAGE TEXT.

Setting up the Supplied Command Paging program

The install program placed 2 files, named ‘SEND.EXE’ and ‘SENDPAGE.INI’ in a sub 
directory called ‘cmdpage’ under the QuickPage program directory.  These files can be 
copied into the directory of your choice.  Once these files have been copied to a 
directory, the DOS program ‘SEND.EXE’ must be setup in order to work properly with 
your QuickPage program.

Setting up the DOS Program
1)  Start the DOS program by typing ‘SEND’ at the DOS command prompt.
2)  Select ‘Set Default Path’  from the ‘Setup’ menu at the top of the Send form.
3)  Enter the Path to the Drive and Directory that contains the QuickPage for 
Windows program and Select the ‘Save’ button.
4)  (Optional)  Select ‘Edit People List’ to enter PIN number, DEPT Number and 
Sender information.  When entering or Changing information, use the same format as 
the examples already contained in the List Boxes.  PIN Numbers must be preceeded 
with an upper case ‘P’ and Department Numbers with an upper case ‘D’, ie P14564 or 
D3120. You can modify the existing information and/or add new information to these 
list boxes.  When you are done, Select the ‘Save’ button.  The people listing 
information is only useful if you intend to use the supplied DOS interface.
NOTE: Even if you don’t use the DOS interface, the correct Server path must be set 
with this form before you can use the Command Line paging feature.

Paging From the DOS Prompt

From the directory that contains the ‘SEND.EXE’ and ‘SENDPAGE.INI’ files, you can 
send a page directly from the DOS prompt by using one of the following examples.

To specify PIN Number, Sender and Message: send p:14564 s:John m:Test (Enter).
To specify Department, Sender and Message: send d:3120 s:Hailey m:Test (Enter).

If you don’t include a PIN Number or Sender, the default Receiver and/or Sender 
specified in the QuickPage program ‘Default Settings’ will be used.
To specify PIN Number and Message only: send p:14564 m:Test (Enter).
To specify Sender and Message only: send s:Hailey m:Test (Enter).
To specify a Message only: send m:Test (Enter).

Paging From the DOS Interface

If you wish to use the supplied DOS interface, from the DOS prompt type send (Enter).
Upon receiving this command the program will load the DOS paging form shown below.  
From this paging form you can select a Receiver and/or Sender and type in the message 
to be sent.  Once you have Selected or Entered the information you want select the 
‘Send’ button to send the page to the QuickPage program.

Besides a DOS prompt character limitation discussed below. There is one other 
difference between using the Paging Form and using the Command Line.  When using 
the command line, all Alpha Characters are converted to upper case.  When using the 
DOS interface no such case conversion occurs.  This is not a design feature but rather,
it is the nature of the command line structure itself.

Other Things You Should Know

Additional Message Information
When paging from the command prompt, character input is limited to about 130.  
Depending upon the command switches used, this would limit your message to around 
100 characters.

One way around this limitation is to use the supplied DOS interface to send pages.

Another way is to pre-save your message in the DOS interface directory to a file named 
‘MESSAGE.TXT’ (You must use this exact file name).  Then from the DOS prompt, 
specify your message switch using the following format: M:MESSAGE.TXT.  Upon 
receiving this message specification the ‘SEND’ program will open, read and send the 
contents of the MESSAGE.TXT file as if it were a typed in message.

Automatically Splitting Messages
Command Line messages that are longer than your paging companies specified 
Maximum Message Length will automatically be split into acceptable sized elements 
before being sent out by the QuickPage program.

Incorrect PIN or Department Information
Command Line pages that contain invalid PIN or Department Numbers will be rejected 
and removed form the ‘PAGE.DAT’ file by the QuickPage program.  You will not be 
notified of any such rejection.  If you have any problems sending Command Line pages, 
check to make sure the PIN or Department Number you are using is valid and is located 
in the QuickPage for Windows program database.




QuickPage for Windows 2.5 User’s Guide


