System requirements to use OzCIS -------------------------------- *[If you are getting this file via Simtel20 or one of the mirror sites, some changes have been made in the compression method (changed to .zip) and file names. All these changes are indicated here.] The OzCIS distribution files are compressed using the LHA program, version 2.13 - you will need that version or later of LHA to decompress the distribution files. *[These files are zipped. You will need to unzip them with PKZIP.] OzCIS is distributed as 2 files: OZCIS1.LZH and OZCIS2.LZH. You *must* have both files in order for OzCIS to function. The contents of the distribution files: OZCIS1.LZH: OZCIS.EXE - The main program executable OZCIS.OV1 - The primary overlay README.1ST - General info, PLEASE READ BEFORE USING! Includes "Quick Start" info. OZCIS.REQ - This file; details requirements for using the program. OZCIS2.LZH: OZCIS.OV2 - The secondary overlay OZCIS.HLP - Help text database HOSTS.DB - Intro hosts database FORUMS.DB - Intro forums database CVTADDR.EXE - Converts TAPCIS address book file to OzCIS format SORTADDR.EXE - Sorts OzCIS address book alphabetically OZLOG.EXE - Simple log stats display program OZCIS.ICO - Windows 3.x Icon for OzCIS *[There are four .zip files: OZCIS121.ZIP, OZCIS122.ZIP, OZCIS123.ZIP, and OZCIS124.ZIP. OZCIS121.ZIP: OZCIS.EXE OZCIS.OV1 README.1ST (Same in all four files) OZCIS122.ZIP: OZCIS.OV2 README.1ST OZCIS123.ZIP: README.1ST HOSTS.DB FORUMS.DB ADDRBOOK.DB OZCIS.PIF OZCIS.ICO OZCIS.REQ OZLOG.EXE CVTADDR.EXE SORTADDR.EXE CATSPLIT.EXE OZGIF.EXE UTILS.DOC OZCIS124.ZIP: INTRO.DOC CISMAIL.DOC FORUMS.DOC FILES.DOC TERMINAL.DOC MISC.DOC] The following are minimum hardware and software requirements in order to run and use the OzCIS Navigator: * A IBM AT-compatible computer (80286 processor, 10MHz or faster, or a 80386sx, 80386 or 80486 system) or IBM PS/2 MicroChannel(tm) computer with a 286 or better processor, and at least 1Mb of memory. A minimum of 485K of free memory must be available when OzCIS loads; 550K or more is strongly recommended. While the program will run on XT-class machines, use on XTs is not recommended and will not be supported. * A hard disk with at least 1.5Mb free. This is a bare minimum; if you maintain a large number of forums you will need more. Sorry, floppy disk systems are *not* supported. * If a mouse is used, the driver must be of recent enough vintage to support the "Save State" and "Restore State" services. MS v. 6.0 or later, Logitech 4.01 or later, etc. * A serial port and modem. Ports 1 thru 4 are supported for AT-style machines, and ports 1 thru 8 on PS/2s. The modem must be a fully Hayes compatible model, including most high-speed modems such as US Robotics HST/V.32/Dual Standard models or the Microcom MNP-series models. A "direct-connect" option is available for those connecting thru modem servers or pools, but no support for network comm servers is provided. An error-correcting modem (MNP or V.42) is *strongly* recommended. * A method of connecting to CompuServe that provides a full 8-bit data path. OzCIS uses only 8/None/1 port parameters; the network you use to connect to CompuServe must be capable of making such a connection. The following points are recommended capabilities in order to use OzCIS to its best abilities: * A mouse is not required, but using one makes several things a bit easier. * You can use OzCIS under DesqView or Windows. In either case, you need to define a PIF file for the program. In either environment, it is better to run full-screen rather than in a window, though the program will work fine when run in a window where enough processor power is available (in other words, running the program in a window is not recommended on a 386sx-based machine or slow 386dx.) * While DOS 3.1 or later will work, DOS 5.0 is highly recommended since it gives you a good bit more memory to work in. The program has not been thoroughly tested under alternative OS shells such as 4DOS, but preliminary testing shows no conflicts. * While any PC color video system will work for text or graphics in the program, to take full advantage of the program's graphics capabilities a SuperVGA system is recommended. If your SVGA card has an available VESA driver, use it. OzCIS does not at this time support Herc Graphics Workstation or other TIGA or Targa type cards other than in SVGA emulation mode. The program supports UltraVision, and all high-res text modes such as 132-column and/or 43/50-line modes. * While not required, an error-correcting modem is highly recommended. Line noise is the dread enemy of automated online processing; an error- correcting modem eliminates most all potential problems in this respect. Most CompuServe nodes support MNP level 4, while only some suplimental carrier (TYMNET, TeleNet, etc.) nodes provide MNP. In order to use a 9600bps node your modem should be V.42bis compliant or MNP 4 compliant. Caveats, warnings and known problem areas: * Some laptops and recent desktop machines use special ASIC (Application- Specific Integrated Circuit) chips for the serial port hardware rather than the traditional NS8250-style UART chip. These ASICs have varying levels of compatibility with the NS8250-style chips; some are known to be real problem children, especially the ones used in the new Toshiba "SXe" series machines (I've talked to several people who can't get *any* of their comm software to work on these machines.) Great pains have been taken to assure OzCIS works with as broad a range of hardware as possible, however, I cannot promise it will function correctly when used on this kind of hardware. * "Pocket" modems, such as the Migent and PPI mini modems for laptops, use the DTR line in the serial port as an "on/off" switch. These modems frequently need some delay between initializing the port and actually sending commands to the modem. OzCIS provides a configuration option for this purpose. * Some EMS managers tend to keep interrupts turned off for too long a time while performing internal work, causing characters to be dropped at the serial port and creating "Port overrun" errors. The faster your port speed, the more likely this problem is to occur. While recent changes to OzCIS have pretty much eliminated this problem, the chance exists that it can still occur with old or brain-damaged EMS managers, especially when such drivers are used with some disk caching software. If you get port overrun errors, especially at 9600bps or above, try uninstalling your EMS driver and repeating the test; if this cures the problem you have one of these slow drivers and/or disk caches. * While OzCIS supports DesqView 386 fully, DesqView for 286-based machines can *only* be used with OzCIS running full-screen, or else "bleed thru" will result. This is because of limitations in DV286's ability to manage memory and processes on the lesser 286 processor. When configuring you DV "PIF" file, make sure to set OzCIS' "Keyboard conflict" setting to 4 or higher, otherwise bizzare keyboard behavior will result. Steve Sneed TurboPower Software CIS ID# 70007,3574