

          HANDS ON  Remote Control  File Transfers    Page 1





          *** NOTE: USE "INSTALL" or "1STHAND SETUP" to install Hands On ***
              The MAIN manual is HO.TXT; it is available during the setup


          Please pay for this Shareware product if you continue to use it


                             _______
                        ____|__     |               (R)
                     --|       |    |-------------------
                       |   ____|__  |  Association of
                       |  |       |_|  Shareware
                       |__|   o   |    Professionals
                     -----|   |   |---------------------
                          |___|___|    Member






          Table of Contents                                          page #


          1.0   Introduction
          2.0   Installation
                2.1  Trigger Strings
          3.0   Normal Operation
          4.0   Sample File Transfer Sequences
                4.1   Backups and similar file transfers
                4.2   File encryption
          5.0   SUPPORT and the ASP
          6.0   Warranty
          7.0   Acknowledgments

          1.0 Introduction

          The Hands On remote Control software package uses the OMNI
          modem manager and file transfer package (OMI.EXE and family)
          because its very fast and can link many kinds of computers.
          You will notice that OMI is used interchangeably as an
          abbreviation of OMNI.  OMNI will allow you to transfer files
          between your PC and any system that can run omiget and
          omiput.  The source code for omiput and omiget is available to
          registered users for porting them to other systems (We assume
          a UNIX bias).  In addition to being relatively efficient





          HANDS ON  Remote Control  File Transfers    Page 2



          (about as fast as Zmodem and hydracom), the file transfers can
          take place in the background while you use your DOS PC for
          other tasks.  The background file transfers will be a
          lifesaver for some people.

          OMNI can be installed to automate dialing and log-in
          sequences, saving time and frustration at the start of each
          session.  Check the WIZARD.txt for information on how to
          completely automate entire sessions.

          OMNI uses its own terminal emulation, which is very
          efficient.  Omi220 basically emulates a VT220 (or VT100)
          terminal.

          OMNI will allow you to connect an IBM PC to a mini-computer
          either directly or via a modem and telephone line.

          The OMNI package allows you to transparently swap in Omen
          Technology's DSZ file transfer package, which handles bad
          phone lines very well.  Although, its likely that if the phone
          lines get too noisy you will find HANDS ON too frustrating to
          use for remote access because it spends too much time
          correcting and re-sending screen updates to replace previous
          damaged ones.  Of course, DSZ defines compatibility and has a
          range of nifty file transfer features.

          Portions of the Hands On distribution actually alter other
          .exes in the distribution.  This sharply reduces RAM memory
          usage and .EXE file size while increasing speed, but you may
          find virus checkers that go bonkers.  Also, if you pklite or
          diet the .EXE's to make them smaller, you will be destroying
          vital configuration information in the individual .EXE.


          The HO.txt has sample scenarios or session setups as follows:
          APPENDIX A - Configuration Scenarios
               A1    Consultant/Client via Modem
               A2    Remote/Shared via Modem
               A3    Laptop/Desktop via Direct Cable
               A4    Remote/Shared via Common Mini-computer
               A5    Home/Office via Modem


          2.0 Installation

          The installation and configuration process actually modifies
          several files including:  OMIGET.EXE, OMIPUT.EXE, HOTALK.EXE,
          HODIAL.EXE, HOEXTR.EXE, HOEXTS.EXE and HOMODSET.EXE.  The





          HANDS ON  Remote Control  File Transfers    Page 3



          package is installed by editing a configuration file.  For you
          more technical people, a typical configuration file might
          appear as follows:

          OMI Configuration File Note:  Do NOT change the order of these
          parameters, or delete any lines!

          "COM1"        Communications port ("COM2" or base/interrupt)
          9600          Baud rate (typically 2400 or 9600)
          8             Data bits (7 or 8)
          1             Stop bits (1 or 2)
          "NONE"        Parity (NONE, EVEN, ODD, MARK or SPACE)
          "COMSPEC"     DOS Command Interpreter (usually "COMSPEC")
          07            Attribute for normal text
          70            Attribute for marked block text (reverse)
          0F            Attribute for highlighted text (high intensity)
          F0            Attribute for column number when log file is open
          "omiput %s\r" Start of remote command to send (download) files
          "omiget\r"    Remote command to receive (upload) files
          440           Frequency of "bell" tone (Hz)
          100           Duration of "bell" tone (ms)
          256           Block size for file upload (1-256)
          4             Number of block buffers for upload (1-8)
          "YES"         Send "break" in response to framing error? (YES/NO)
          350           Length of "break" (ms)
          10000         Time to wait before giving up transfer (ms)
          3000          Time to wait for first char before timeout (ms)
          1000          Time to wait for subsequent chars in block (ms)
          300           Send <c> every <n> seconds (0 means none)
          "\0x00"       Char to send (<c>) every <n> seconds
          "[OMI] %s"    DOS shell prompt format string
          "\r"          Connect command for modem
          ""            Disconnect command for modem

          The OMIPUT and OMIGET programs are often used from other
          directories, so it maybe useful to edit the setup to include
          their directory as in:  "C:\HO\OMIPUT %s\r".


          2.1 Trigger Strings

          Each of the remaining lines must contain 3 strings and a
          number.  The first string is the trigger string to search
          for.  The second string is the response to be sent after
          finding the trigger.  The third string is the response to be
          sent after timeout.  The number is the time to wait before
          timeout (in ms).






          HANDS ON  Remote Control  File Transfers    Page 4



          "DISCONNECTED"      "\D250\r"          "\r"             5000
          "Enter RESOURCE ? " "\D200G9000\r"     "\r"             5000
          "CONNECTED TO"      ""                 ""               5000
          "\rlogin: "         "\D200whoami\r"      "\B\r"           2000
          "\nlogin: "         "\D200whoami\r"      "\B\r"           2000
          "Password:"         "\D200secret\r"    "\r"            10000
          "Selection: "       "\D100d\r"         ""              40000
          "/users/"           ""                 ""              40000


          - The serial port should be chosen to suit your own PC.  Only
          the standard COM1 and COM2 ports are supported by name;  if
          you want to use COM3, COM4 or non-standard interrupts, then
          you must specify the I/O port base address and interrupt
          number (e.g. COM1 is 03F8/0C).  It doesn't hurt to look at the
          back of the machine to see what is attached to which port.

          - The baud rate should be chosen to match your modem or direct
          connection.

          - Most computers now expect 8 data bits, so this line should
          never need to be changed.

          - Most computers only require 1 stop bit, so this line should
          never need to be changed.

          - Most computers no longer use parity, so this line should
          never need to be changed.

          - This is the path name of your DOS command interpreter (for
          example, C:/DOS/COMMAND.COM - note / not \).  However, if you
          have an environment variable called "COMSPEC", then it is
          better to use this instead (as in the sample file above).  The
          best thing is to try shelling out to DOS using COMSPEC, and if
          this does not work then try using an explicit path.

          - The next four lines determine the video attributes that OMNI
          will use for various purposes.  The first hexadecimal digit
          determines the background color, and the second digit
          determines the foreground color.  If you do not like the
          default colors, then you can play around with these to get the
          effect you desire.

          - The example above shows the correct commands to download and
          upload files on a UNIX system that has omiget and omiput
          installed in one of the default directories.

          - You can change the frequency and duration of the "bell" that





          HANDS ON  Remote Control  File Transfers    Page 5



          OMNI sounds to get your attention.  The settings in the sample
          above should be acceptable to most people.

          - The maximum possible block size for file upload is limited
          by the size of the input buffer on the host computer.  256
          will give best performance if the input buffer is big enough.
          If errors occur frequently, then experiment with a smaller
          value (see the following paragraph also).

          - The maximum number of blocks that can be sent during upload
          without acknowledgement also depends on the size of the host
          computer's input buffer.  If the input buffer is big enough,
          then 8 blocks will work well.  If the input buffer is very
          small, you may need to cut this down to 1 and even cut down
          the size of that 1 (see the previous paragraph).

          - When logging in at speeds other than the default, many
          computers have a bit of trouble working out what speed you are
          using.  For example, you may be sending at 14400 baud, and the
          host may be responding at 9600 baud!  In this situation it is
          often necessary for you to send what is known as a "break" to
          get the computer's attention.  OMNI can be installed to do
          this automatically for you.

          - 350 ms seems to work well with most computers.  If the break
          is too long then you may get disconnected.  If the break is
          too short, then it may not be noticed...

          - After starting a file transfer, OMNI waits for some
          acknowledgement that the host computer is ready to begin the
          transfer.  If this acknowledgement does not appear, then
          eventually OMNI must give up.

          - During file transfer, OMNI sends and receives "blocks" of
          characters.  When OMNI is waiting for a block to be received,
          it will only wait a limited time before sending a "wakeup"
          message to the host computer.  You can choose how impatient
          you want OMNI to be!

          - Once the first character in a block has been received, the
          remainder of the block will normally follow at full speed.
          Therefore, a much shorter gap in the middle of a block
          probably means problems.

          - Some "intelligent" pads will log you out if you type nothing
          for a few minutes.  OMNI can automatically send a character
          every few minutes if you have not typed anything.  The "NULL"
          character "\0x00" is usually quite harmless, and once every 5





          HANDS ON  Remote Control  File Transfers    Page 6



          minutes is frequent enough for most purposes.

          - If you shell out of OMNI to do something at the DOS level,
          the prompt will be modified to remind you what is going on.

          - When OMNI first starts running, it will transmit the connect
          command for the modem.  This may be a dialing command if you
          will always be connecting via modem.

          - When OMNI finishes running, it will transmit the disconnect
          command to the modem.  If your modem automatically hangs up
          when the DTR signal is removed (or you have a direct line),
          then you do not need anything here.  However, if your modem
          ignores DTR, then you may need to send a command to make your
          modem hang up the 'phone.

          - You may have noticed in the sample above special characters
          like "\r", \0x00 and "\D333".  These are used to get
          characters or effects that cannot be entered as part of the
          normal string.  "\r" is the carriage return character.  "\n"
          is the line feed character.  Any character can be coded by
          entering its ASCII value in hexadecimal (for example, the
          carriage return character (hex 0D) could be entered as
          "\0x0D").  Delays (from 1/18th of a second to 255/18ths of a
          second, but specified in milliseconds) can be entered with
          special characters of the form "\D500." (half a second).  The
          "." at the end of the number is ignored, and is only really
          needed if a numeric digit needs to follow a delay.  "\B"
          causes OMNI to send a BREAK.

          - When OMNI starts running, after sending the modem connect
          command, it then starts looking for any of the trigger
          strings.  If it finds one, it transmits the associated
          response string, and marks the next line as the current
          trigger string (if the final trigger string is detected, then
          OMNI ceases checking for trigger strings).  If OMNI receives
          nothing for longer than the timeout specified for the current
          trigger string, then OMNI will send the timeout response
          string for the current trigger string.



          3.0 Normal Operation

          Once OMNI (aka OMI) has been correctly installed, you should
          be able to enter a command such as:  OMI UNIX (use
          configuration file UNIX.OMI) and you will then be fully logged
          in without having to type anything!





          HANDS ON  Remote Control  File Transfers    Page 7



          Any normal key you type will be transmitted to the host
          computer, and anything the host computer sends to you will be
          displayed on your screen.  OMI can thus be used exactly like a
          normal terminal.

          However, OMNI has some extra capabilities not usually found on
          terminals:

          Key         OMI Action
          ===         ==========

          <F1> display on-line help

          <F2> set normal attribute and clear input buffer use this if
          your screen is left with odd colors, or if you want to stop
          the automatic login sequence for any reason

          <Ctrl-F2> restart automatic login sequence

          <Alt-F2> toggle column number display

          <F3> pause display (works better than )

          <F4> resume display (instead of ) use these to stop text
          scrolling off your screen before you can read it

          <F7> toggle LOG file (column number flashes if LOG file is
          active) a log file records everything except "escape"
          sequences that is displayed on your screen, so that you can
          look at it later

          <F8> send DEL character (UNIX interrupt) probably only useful
          on the UNIX system, to stop the current process without
          producing a "core dump"

          <F9> send break to host computer this is the usual way to
          abort a running program on a HP3000

          <F10> exit OMI (or Alt-X) you will be given the option to
          shell out to DOS (so that you can return to OMI later) or to
          exit OMI completely and disconnect the call

          <Ctrl-Home> redisplay recent text that has scrolled off the
          screen this will allow you to scan back through about the last
          four or five screens of text that have scrolled off your
          screen - handy if something important just disappeared off the
          top!  However, if you are interested in going a long way back
          then it is better to start a log file





          HANDS ON  Remote Control  File Transfers    Page 8



          <Ctrl-PgUp> upload file using OMNI protocol use this to
          transfer files from your PC to the host computer.  You can
          transfer either text files or binary files.  You can specify
          multiple files (for example, "*.DBF *.DAT" will transfer all
          the files in the current directory that end with .DBF or
          .DAT).  If the files you wish to transfer are not in the
          current directory, then you can use <F10> to shell out to DOS,
          change directory, and then exit back to OMI.

          <Ctrl-PgDn> download file using OMNI protocol Use this to
          transfer files from the host computer to your PC.  You can use
          the usual multiple file naming conventions of the host
          computer when specifying files to download

          While a file transfer is taking place, a number will appear in
          the top right corner of the screen.  This is the total number
          of bytes remaining before the file transfer is completed.  The
          display will also show the most recent error message, and an
          indication of the efficiency of the transfer (relative to the
          theoretical maximum possible efficiency).

          While a file transfer is taking place, you can also shell out
          of OMI to use your computer for other purposes while the file
          transfer takes place in the background.  The number of bytes
          remaining will still be displayed in the top right corner of
          the screen, so that you have some idea how the transfer is
          going.

          Please note that you can set your modem to automatically
          hangup if it senses an inactive line for a given time.  You
          can also accidentally create such a setup.  See your modem's
          manual for more information.


          4.0 Sample File Transfer Sequence

          The following is a step-by-step set of instructions for
          transferring all the .DBF source files from SALES to a
          sub-directory called PCSALES on the HP9000 (assuming that OMNI
          is correctly installed):

          1) Make SALES the current directory, as in:  cd SALES

          2) Run OMI, as in:  omi unix You should now automatically be
          completely logged in.

          3) Make the pcsales sub-directory the current working
          directory at the host end:  cd pcsales





          HANDS ON  Remote Control  File Transfers    Page 9



          4) Bring up the OMI file upload menu:  <Ctrl-PgUp> (hold down
          the Control key, then type the PgUp key)

          5) Select text file transfer:  1

          6) Enter the names of the files to be transferred:  *.DBF for
          all the files that end in .DBF

          All the files will now be transferred!

          Read the WIZARD.txt for information on the Wizard and the
          Wizard Feeder for ways to automate file transfers.


          4.1 Backups and similar file transfers

          Many people backup using tools like PCtools then transfer the
          resulting files.  Others backup using the scheme shown above.

          You might also consider the QuickFix System, which allows you
          to transfer file changes instead of complete files.  You only
          transfer a file describing the file changes with a tool that
          can update the changes on the original file.


          4.2 File encryption

          Hands On and Omni allow you to choose various methods to
          encrypt files.

          PKZIP, mentioned just above has an encryption option for North
          American users.  The combination of encrypting and archiving
          in one tool is very attractive.

          Most people can use their modem and communications software to
          access a Bulletin Board System (BBS) and download a copy of
          the Pretty Good Privacy software (PGP).  PGP does an excellent
          job.



          5.0 SUPPORT and the ASP

          Compuserve:  Vic Williams at 75020, 2664

          INTERNET:vic_williams@mindlink.bc.ca.

          604 - 433 - 5189





          HANDS ON  Remote Control  File Transfers    Page 10



          P. C. Softsmith
          Suite 606 6455 Willingdon Ave
          Burnaby, B. C., Canada
          V5H 4E4


          portions of this document are:
          Copyright (C)1994-5  P. C. Softsmith  All Rights Reserved

          Please also carefully read the accompanying SHR_WARE.txt
          document.



          6.0 Warranty

          THE DOCUMENTATION AND ASSOCIATED SOFTWARE ARE DISTRIBUTED AND
          SOLD WITH NO WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING
          ITS MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
          THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENTATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
          WITHOUT NOTICE AND DOES NOT REPRESENT A COMMITTMENT ON THE
          PART OF THE VENDOR.

          OTHER PRODUCT AND BRAND NAMES MENTIONED ARE TRADEMARKS OR
          REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE HOLDERS.  FOR
          INFORMATION ONLY, PORTIONS OF THIS DOCUMENT AND THE SOFTWARE
          ARE LICENSED COPYRIGHT MATERIAL COURTESY DOUGLAS THOMSON



          7.0 Acknowledgments

          This product has been developed from TeleReplica with the
          co-operation of the author, and a proportion of each
          registration is being forwarded to Douglas Thomson.

















