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Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 1         Thu Nov 19, 1992
CBARRON                      at 03:55 EST
 
 Ron, I have told it aint needed, and the fix I loaded said it was not, I
think that is what scrolled by, I'll check again.  It might be the wrong fix.

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 2         Thu Nov 19, 1992
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 19:44 EDT
 
 >Ron, It may have changed but Stalker would steal Zmodem downloads from 
  >Aladdin when Stalker was enabled and set for auto-zmodem.
   STalker 3.02 does NOT conflict with Aladdin.  I have it loaded all
 the time, and never disable it for Aladdin use.  I flip back and
 forth between them all the time.  
   We are TRYING to talk Tim into disconnecting from the serial port
 when Aladdin isn't in terminal mode for V 2.0...


  >Ron, I have told it aint needed, and the fix I loaded said it was not, I
  >think that is what scrolled by, I'll check again.  It might be the wrong
  >fix.
    Well, I also thought TOS 3.06 flow control was fixed, but what do
 you have to lose?  Sure isn't working as is...




 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 3         Thu Nov 19, 1992
SFRT-ASST [Kenne@SFRT]       at 21:08 EST
 
The patch programs check version numbers. If it's not needed it won't install
itself.

I know what you're trying to talk Tim into.

I don't feel like schlepping my system arout to find _my_  conflict. It works
at the moment, thank you very much. The Main problem was a program _probably
Stalker_ stealing Zmodem downloads with auto Zmodem was installed AND Stalker
was always enabled.  As I said, that may be fixed, it may be a conflict with
another program and a TSR. 

But Stalker _was_ stealing the serial port for the zmodem downloads and it
wasn't giving it back without a fight.

This is on a MSTE4.

I solved _my_ problem by enabling and dsiabling Stalker as needed.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 4         Fri Nov 20, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 20:04 EST
 
If you're having problems with the RTS/CTS flow control, then check out the
program Serial Fix 1.1.  It's included on the STalker master disks I think and
is probably available here.  It's free and resides in AUTO.  The flow control
and other problems in the RS232 port are TOS-based, not STalker's.  Serial Fix
really does fix them-and has Atari's recognition.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 5         Fri Nov 20, 1992
BRIAN.H [ST~SysOp]           at 20:47 EST
 
Rob
        I have moved your message to category 14 topic 14 Mega STE.

                                *******Brian*********
        Written on Friday 20 November 1992 at 09:45 p.m. AST

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 6         Sat Nov 21, 1992
CBARRON                      at 03:21 EST
 
  My flow control problems are not only with Stalker, but also with Stalker. 
My tos is 3.06. Supposedly rts/cts is fixed with 3.06. At least now I know
where this patch is.  The author of STraight fax is the first to say this
patch is needed with 3.06. Is he mistaken. My modem does not work without it
and tos 3.06, in rts/cts mode.  More experimenting.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 7         Sat Nov 21, 1992
GRMEYER [Gordon/Sysop]       at 10:43 EST
 
STraight Fax is one program that requires STalker to be disabled  during use.
   Gordon PS: CBARRON - this isn't a reply to your message, it's for one
uptopic.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 8         Sun Nov 22, 1992
T.MORALES1 [Tony]            at 16:35 EST
 
  My Midinit.prg doesn't seem to work. This is the first time I've tried to
use it, so I don't know if it ever worked. I get the message: "This program
doesn't seem to be the correct version" when I run it from the Bufsize Btk.

Does anyone have any ideas what the problem might be?

Thanks.

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 9         Mon Nov 23, 1992
SFRT-ASST [Kenne@SFRT]       at 00:10 EST
 
You what would be nice in Stalker? A "FIND" and a "SELECT ALL" under the File
menu.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 10        Mon Nov 23, 1992
GRIBNIF [Dan]                at 18:34 EST
 
Ron,

  Well, I have an 8 x 15 font (which is great for mono) but not an 8 x 7.

Rob,

  It sounds like you are running another program which looks at the serial
port at the same time as STalker. One common mistake people make is to run
STalker as a program while it is also loaded as a desk accessory.

  If this is not the problem, do the characters you type get echoed back to
the STalker window? They should, even in Full Duplex mode.

John Carter,

  The application keypad mode can, and probably is, reset by the host you are
calling. You might want to check your configuration settings on the vax.

  The only other mistake some people make in changing settings in STalker is
in changing the offline settings. If you use the Autodialer, you need to
change the settings by clicking on the "T" button to the right of the
appropriate Autodialer entry for the vax, not from the normal drop-down menus.
Otherwise, the vax's autodialer settings in STalker override the offline
settings as soon as you dial the vax.


Dan
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 11        Mon Nov 23, 1992
W.STEINERT [Rat Fink]        at 22:38 EST
 
Hi,

Has anyone here tried using STalker in remote BBS mode with the Portfolio? I
use STalker with the Portfolio for transfers an it works great, but I'd like
to be able to call home to get files over the phone, and also 'null modem'
transfer at home throught the BBS Mode.

Rat Fink

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 12        Mon Nov 23, 1992
TQUINN [Terry~Sysop]         at 23:54 EST
 
The first 200 messages in this topic have been archived and are available in
Library 13 as File # 26644.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 13        Tue Nov 24, 1992
BAREFOOT [Brad Cox]          at 16:50 EST
 
Rat Fink-

I got the BBS mode to work to transfer files from my Mac.  I had two problems:

First, the Modem Init string in the Remote mode settings dialog caused my
modem not to send status messages and as such was incompatible with my modem
or the setting of "Modem sets DCD Properly" in the Modem Settings dialog.  The
new string that worked for me is "ATSO=1" with a carriage return.  Remember to
save your default setup with Alternate G so it stays that way.

Next, I had to increase the allocation of memory to Backtalk Scripts, in
Preference settings.  The remote mode uses a backtalk script, but if it can't
run due to insufficient memory, there is no warning, it just dosen't work.  A
real head scratcher, that. I think I upped my memory allocation to 64K or
something like that; I remember it still not working when I tried 12K.

Brad @ BAREFOOT
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 14        Wed Nov 25, 1992
W.STEINERT [Rat Fink]        at 21:08 EST
 
Brad,

Thanks for the info. I'll give it a shot! How's life at Barefoot treating you?
Do Digital Master and/or SMPTE Track run on the TT? You can answer in another
topic or E-Mail.

Wayne the Fink


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 15        Thu Nov 26, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 19:09 EST
 
I am a new user to STalker. How do I save (capture) stuff that shows up on my
screen when I log on to a bbs? I'm used to Interlink's feature of being asked
when the bbs session is done whether I want to save the session to a disk file
or not (AFTER the session). Can I do this with STalker? Or do I have to let
STalker know beforehand that I want to save the session to a file? And, if I
have to do it that way, when exactly do I indicate to Stalker to do that?

Also, in mini-bbs mode, is it possible to leave a message for someone at the
other end who is also receiving on Stalker's mini-bbs? How do I do that? Also,
is it possible to see the list of mini-bbs commands without having someone
else on the line?

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Thursday, November 26, 1992  4:08 pm

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 16        Fri Nov 27, 1992
L.DOWDLE1 [Scott Dowdle]     at 05:15 EST
 
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER],

 > How do I save (capture) stuff that shows up on my screen when I log
 > on to a bbs?

     Please refer to pages 37, 57, and 74 of your STalker manual. Also make
sure to familiarize yourself with the Virtual Screen and the Block features...
see pages 22 - 24.  I'm assuming that you are using v3.0x?

 > is it possible to leave a message for someone at the other end who
 > is also receiving on Stalker's mini-bbs?

     Not directly.  You could upload a text file (message) and other people
could download it (using ASCII as the protocol if desired) and upload their
replies.  The "STalkerOp" could created a folder to store user messages in...
for example C:\MESSAGES\.  That way people would know where to look for
messages... and a long directory listing would be sort of a browse messages
function. [grin]

     The only other option is to do some programming work on the REMOTE.BTS
script to add such functions.  I was working on a text editor for REMOTE mode
although I put it on the back burner a few months ago.  The most current
version does have a workable barebones text editor function that would make
creating a messaging feature a little easier.  If you are interested in it,
just send me some GE Mail.

TYL, Scott

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 17        Fri Nov 27, 1992
GRMEYER [Gordon/Sysop]       at 09:52 EST
 
STalker owners might be interested in a new program, just uploaded to the
library.  "STalker STuffr" (STKSTUFR.LZH) is a small utility that communicates
with the STalker3 Desk Accessory.  It will allow you to start BackTALK scripts
in the background, w/out having to open the Stalker window.  It's quite handy
for automating STalker tasks with a CLI or Hotwire.  Check out file #26657
  Gordon
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 18        Fri Nov 27, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 14:57 EST
 
Jason-

To get a capture of the BBS, you have to have STeno loaded as the opposite of
STalker.  Say STalker is loaded as a .prg, then STeno has to be loaded as an
.acc.  Yes, you must start the capture and end it manually.  However, someone
may be able to write a BackTALK script to do that automatically.

Unfortunately, when you're in Remote mode half echo, even though you can see
what a user is doing, you can't break in unless they initiate it ([T]alk to
Sysop).  I wish STalker had that ability.  To let you see what the user is up
to, set the Remote Mode settings to Half Echo, or whatever the middle setting
on the top line is.  To play around with the remote mode yourself, set that to
Local echo.  Certain functions won't be possible then, like uploading :-)
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 19        Fri Nov 27, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Bob]             at 17:07 EST
 
Jason, I just uploaded a modified REMOTE.BTS file to the library.  It will be
file #26706 when released by the sysops.  It contains a primitive e-mail
function to allow the remote user to leave a message on the local machine. 
The remote user could also invoke the chat mode with the [T]alk command, write
the message, then exit chat mode. The text from the chat mode remains on the
local screen until the next time chat is invoked.

To see a list of the remote commands without having someone else on the line,
start the remote mode in "local echo."  In the dialog that's displayed when
you select the "mini-BBS" command, click on "Initial Port Settings" and select
"Local" from the echo choices. This puts the remote script into a local test
mode, treating the local terminal like it was the remote caller. This is great
for testing and getting aquainted with the commands.

 |) |
 |)O|)

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 20        Fri Nov 27, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 21:40 EST
 
I'm having some difficulty getting STalker's mini-bbs to talk to another
Atari's STalker mini-bbs. I'm a new user and have installed STalker on both my
home and work office Atari's.

I have configured both systems so that they are using the BackTalk script
automatically from the F: directory. I have made sure the modem settings are
the same by configuring the Initial Port Settings. Both systems are set up via
STalker to use 2400 baud. I have my Administrative Assistant at the office go
into mini-bbs mode and I dial him from the home office. The modems seem to
connect ok but there is no "hit return" message that comes on either of our
screens. I try hitting return anyway but nothing happens. After waiting for a
long while I tried typing some phrases which he can see at his end.

I've also expanded the default BackTALK buffer size from 4 to 32 K. My
Administrative Assistant tells me that the title line says that the mini-bbs
is waiting for a connection even though my screen (from the transmitting end)
says "Connect 2400," and it looks like the two modems have a lot of their
lights on!

Any advice on what is amiss here?

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Friday, November 27, 1992  10:38 am



 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 21        Sat Nov 28, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 02:29 EST
 
Bob, thanks for the great tips on the mini-bbs and for uploading a modified
REMOTE.BTS. I look forward to dl'ing it!

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Friday, November 27, 1992  11:22 pm

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 22        Sat Nov 28, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Bob]             at 18:57 EST
 
Jason, the fact that your AA's screen says "waiting for connection" after the
modems have connected indicates that somehow Stalker isn't detecting the
connection and activating the remote script.

The default modem setup string for the remote mode disables modem messages
because they foul up Stalker's connection detection. :-) That means the modem
won't send CONNECT on the AA's end when the modems connect.  If the modem
settings don't have "Modem Sets DCD Properly", then Stalker looks for that
CONNECT message from the modem to tell when a connection has been made.

First, it's best if the modem uses DCD (Carrier Detect) to indicate that it's
online.  Check to see that the modem on your AA's machine supports DCD, turn
it on in the configuration if you have to, and make sure that the serial cable
connects the DCD pin from the modem to the computer.  If all of that works,
then make sure the modem settings look for DCD.

If for some reason you can't use DCD, then make sure the modem settings
_don't_ look for DCD and change the remote mode modem init string to delete
the commands that turn off modem messages.

 |) |
 |)O|)

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 23        Sat Nov 28, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 20:31 EST
 
Thanks for excellent help from EXPLORER.5 (Bob), I've got my mini-bbs feature
on STalker working fine now. I had to remove the Q1 from the modem initiation
configuration in the mini-bbs configuration window. That did the trick. Plus,
I'm now using Bob's expanded remote script which is just great, allowing
callers to leave me a message and also allowing for an opening banner.

By the way, I noticed that when I'm in chat mode with a caller (talk mode),
the caller has to be the one to terminate the call with a control C, I can't
initiate that. Is that inherent in STalker? I find that I CAN initiate the
talk mode at my end when he/she is calling in but can't end the chat mode.

One other thing: after a bbs session is in my window, I find I can't move the
cursor with the arrow key. It just prints out letters when I press the arrow
keys. I don't know if this is particular to the new remote script from Bob or
is just the way it is in the other remote script too. I ask this since I'm
looking for a way to block out text using the method of positioning the cursor
and the mouse pointer and then hitting shift. I guess I could try just
dragging the mouse. Any other ideas?

Thanks again, Bob, you were a great help!!

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Saturday, November 28, 1992  5:29 pm

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 24        Sat Nov 28, 1992
L.DOWDLE1 [Scott Dowdle]     at 21:19 EST
 
Gordon,

     I downloaded STalker STuffr and it looks like a great utility but I'm not
sure what to do with it yet.  It is fantastic idea but I need to use my
imagination more.  My first impression is that it is a way to write a batch
file for a CLI that allows one script to run another.  This would allow a much
larger application to be written in modules.  I wonder who will take advantage
of STalker STuffr?  I'd love to see what everyone will do with it.

     Eric put in a few forshadows about the future ability to have one script
branch to another but I don't know if that is still a program goal or not.

     I am a HotWire! user but I don't use the ledger feature at all... no
reason to.  But at least if I wanted to use it to log STalker when it's run as
a DA, I can.

Thanks for a great program!

- - - - -

J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER],

     Hmmm, are you sure that the REMOTE mode has been entered on the remote
system?  It seems as if your modem answers but then REMOTE mode isn't there. 
Trust us, it works! [grin]

Sorry I'm not more help at this point.

- - - - -

EXPLORER.5 [Bob],

     Hmmm, it appears that the REMOTE mode doesn't know that the phone rang
and was answered by the modem.  My guess is that your modem isn't set correct
and that you need to send it a few initialization commands.  Could you tell us
about the modem on the remote end?

TYL, Scott

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 25        Sun Nov 29, 1992
GRMEYER [Gordon/Sysop]       at 00:58 EST
 
Scott -  Thanks for the kind words.  STalker STuffr really won't let one
script run another, but if you have several scripts that run unattended you
can use it with a CLI or HotWire to run each script in turn.  Make sense?
  Gordon
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 26        Mon Nov 30, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 01:03 EST
 
If I have both STalker and STeno, can I have both in MultiDesk or does one
have to be outside MultiDesk. And if one needs to be outside of MultiDesk,
does it matter which one?

So far, I'm playing with a demo of STeno and the latest version of STalker --
I notice that I can't call up STeno from inside STalker with the file menu
option. I'm hoping that is either due to the fact that either STeno is a demo
at this point or that it's an older version. Any ideas on that.

Also, what exactly is the advantage of having STeno combined with STalker
compared to just using the window in STalker? And one other question, please,
what's the difference between STeno and EdHak?

Thanks for the help!

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Sunday, November 29, 1992  10:01 pm

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 27        Mon Nov 30, 1992
M.ALLEN14 [Mike Allen]       at 01:33 EST
 
Jason,

One of the STeno/STalker pair must be outside of MDD.  (Page 41 of the MDD
manual, "Accessories That Talk To Other Accessories")  I normally have STeno
as a regular ACC.  I've found that with STalker and XControl both as resident
accs in MDD, I had problems.  I now have both STeno and XControl as regular
ACCs and STalker as a MDD resident ACC.

        Mike Allen

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 28        Mon Nov 30, 1992
J.CARTER14 [John Carter]     at 03:20 EST
 
I am having a prob with the Vt100 emulation.  I realize that when a clear
screen is occured, the scrollback buffer will be erased, but it seems that it
is being "shutoff", it will not turn back on unitl I switch the emulation to
vt52, press return on line, then switch it back to vt100, then the scrollback
buffer is turned back on. Until another clear screen.  This gets really
anoying when trying to go back thru pages of file lists.

  Any suggestions ???

             John Carter
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 29        Mon Nov 30, 1992
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 05:50 EST
 
Jason,

One thing the manual doesn't mention is that capturing to STeno slows things
down quite a bit (especially as the file grows). Capturing direct to disk with
Alt-R is much faster, especially if you crank up the file transfer buffer size
(I use 64K on my TT).

gnox
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 30        Mon Nov 30, 1992
GRMEYER [Gordon/Sysop]       at 18:21 EST
 
John Carter -
  If it really bugs you, and nobody has a better solution, you might use the
special option that Eric built-in the last update.  It'll turn off the screen
clearing, but your cursor positioning just might get confused.  See the
read.me for info, look for the '666' instructions.
   Gordon
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 31        Mon Nov 30, 1992
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 20:38 EDT
 
Jason,
    You can have STalker and STeno both in Multi-Desk, and each will
 work ok, but you can't get them BOTH to work at the same time, and
 neither will know that the other exists.
    Best bet is to have STalker outside MDD so that you can use the
 other .ACCs while STalker is dialing, or downloading.  With STeno in
 MDD, you can still use it as a capture buffer for STalker (although
 this slows STalker somewhat), and do edits while you are using
 STalker.  I believe the DEMO version of STeno is a .PRG file, and it
 won't call STAlker.  STeno is a simple ASCII text editor, and EdHak
 does that an edits ram or disk sectors, as well.




 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 32        Wed Dec 02, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 01:01 EST
 
Jason-

What's the advantage of having STalker/STeno?  They fit perfectly. You can
setup the two to run concurrently, such as for online chatting.  Use STeno as
the typeahead buffer (unlimited size!), then once you're all done typing, hit
return and STeno zaps it to STalker, where it's sent out on the line.  Or, if
you happen to catch someone on the other line that you wanted to pass a text
file to, you can pull it up in STeno, take a final look, then send it to him
without logging off.  Check out STeno's "STalker" menu.  Umm, say you see a
message you want.  You can highlight it in STalker, then when you release the
mouse a small menu pops up and you can send it to the clipboard. Then, while
STalker is still on line, you can enter STeno, hit Alt-V (paste) and what you
just captured with the mouse is now in STeno ready for work.


Before Gribnif started marketing the two, they were sold commecially as one
package- buy STalker and get a decent text ed called STeno as well!  (Some of
these guys may remember the days when they were *shareware*, but that's before
my time.)


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 33        Wed Dec 02, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 01:57 EST
 
Gnox and others: I've been trying to figure out how to use the Alt-R feature
to capture to disk in STalker 3. Let's say I've got text in the STalker window
and want to capture it to disk. But when I hit alt-R, an item selector comes
up and I enter a file name. But when I access the file, there's nothing in it.
Should I be blocking the text first?

Perhaps the Alt-R feature is for capturing text WHILE CONNECTED TO A BBS(?),
and not for use AFTER logging off? Advice would be appreciated.

Also, I notice that when I am using STalker in the background for downloading,
for example, I get error messages in the message window (like checksum
errors). This occurs when I have exited STalker as an accessory and then gone
into WordPerfect for example to do some work. Is this usual?

Ron, you suggest using STalker as an accessory outside MDD and STeno inside.
But I seem to be able to access desk accessories while in STalker with STalker
INSIDE MDD. Does it really matter? By the way, with a tip from Gribnif's Dan,
I also find that I can use EdHak in place of STeno. STalker accesses EdHak as
if it were STeno.

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Tuesday, December 1, 1992  7:49 am



 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 34        Wed Dec 02, 1992
L.DOWDLE1 [Scott Dowdle]     at 02:52 EST
 
Gordon,

     STalker STuffr WILL let one script run another using a few tricks
involving a CLI, a batch file, and batch file programming using ERRORLEVELs. 
Know what I mean?  Programming is required but it can be done.  I understood
the "each script in turn" but I haven't come up with a use for that yet.
[grin]

- - - - -

Atari-ST RoundTable Category 17,  Topic 3 Message 26        Mon Nov 30, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER],

 > what exactly is the advantage of having STeno combined with STalker
 > compared to just using the window in STalker?

     See if you can find someone who has a copy (assuming you don't) of the
December '91 issue of CURRENT NOTES magazine.  I wrote a review on STalker 3.0
that you can find in that issue and I think it goes over the STalker / STeno
connection rather well.

     I'm sure you will get several replies to your inquiry but briefly, STeno
can be used as STalker's editable capture buffer with cut & paste block
functions in both directions, and a Type-ahead buffer.  While that might not
sound like a lot in one sentence, it definitely is a lot!  Oh, and YES that is
Bob Morrow's actual phone number in one of the screen shots!  Hi Bob!


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 35        Wed Dec 02, 1992
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 05:56 EDT
 
 >Perhaps the Alt-R feature is for capturing text WHILE CONNECTED TO A 
  >BBS(?), and not for use AFTER logging off? Advice would be appreciated.
   Exactly.  However, you CAN capture the text you have in the
 scrollback buffer.  Simply move to the top of the text, and select it
 with the mouse, (moving the mouse to the bottom will cause scrolling
 until the end is reached), and then just select 'save to file'.


  >Also, I notice that when I am using STalker in the background for 
  >downloading, for example, I get error messages in the message window
  >(like checksum errors). This occurs when I have exited STalker as an
  >accessory and then gone into WordPerfect for example to do some work. Is
  >this usual?
    Yes, but STalker should get errors ONLY if you have a dialog box,
 or menu open too long.  Try installing a larger RS232 buffer, if this
 is a regular problem.

  >Ron, you suggest using STalker as an accessory outside MDD and STeno 
  >inside. But I seem to be able to access desk accessories while in
  >STalker with STalker INSIDE MDD. Does it really matter? By the way, with
  >a tip from 
     If you have STalker inside MDD, then you can't access any of the
 OTHER MDD ACCs while STalker is in use.  Since I have more .ACCs
 within MDD than on the desktop, and access to endless others through
 MDD, it seems more useful to have STalker outside MDD.  If you use
 STalker and STeno (or EdHak) together a lot, having BOTH of them in
 the desk menu would be best, thus leaving all your MDD .accs, and the
 others it can load, available.




 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 36        Wed Dec 02, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 18:31 EST
 
gnox,

Bob Goff's manual for STalker does indeed make that point. (I'm prertty sure
Bob wrote the manual ... yes, Bob?)

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 37        Wed Dec 02, 1992
GRMEYER [Gordon/Sysop]       at 18:39 EST
 
Scott -  Well, gee, I hadn't thought of that.  If you have any tips or 
suggestions about Stalker Stuffr let me know.   ;)
   Gordon
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 38        Wed Dec 02, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 22:27 EST
 
Hi, Al! :-) -- I can't remember gnox's question, so I don't know. BTW, I wrote
the BackTALK manual, not the Stalker manual.

 |) |
 |)O|)

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 39        Thu Dec 03, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 21:05 EST
 
Ron, thanks very much for your responses to my questions. That was very
helpful. I have moved STalker out of MultiDesk and now have it as a regular
accessory and this seems to have solved the problem with errors showing up
when I do a background download and access WordPerfect in the meantime.

I didn't know I could have both STeno and STalker as non-MultiDesk accessories
and have it all work. I thought one had to be in MDD. But both seem to work
fine outside of MDD.

A few more questions and observations:

1. I notice that when I first initiate a z-modem download, STalker won't
automatically start the download. This only happens the first time I try to
download. I have to use the menu option (or keyboard command) to start the
download. But when I do a second z-modem download, STalker will start the dl
without my having to use the menu command. Is this normal operation for the
program?

2. I also notice that when I'm done with a bbs session and log off the bbs, I
also have to tell STalker to hang up with the menu item. I also seem to have
to hit the undo key or maybe it's shift-undo to bring STalker back to off-line
status. Again, is this normal operation or is there a shortcut I'm not seeing?

3. I seem to be able to configure STalker so that all DOWNLOADS go into my
folder labeled DOWNLOAD, but when I upload to my office computer, it shows up
in the office hard disk in different directories. Is there any way to
configure STalker so that all my uploads to my office computer will end up in
the same directory each time -- or do I have to tell STalker with the "change
directory" command which directory to send the upload to?

4. One other thing: I've been noticing that when I have STalker as a resident
accessory and have my modem on (but I'm NOT actually in STalker nor in mini-
bbs receive mode!), the modem will sometimes answer the incoming phone with a
modem tone when someone is trying to call me. This happens sometimes but not
each time. The modem phone line is my regular phone line.  Of course, I'd
prefer this not to occur. Is this happening because STalker is a resident
accessory, perhaps? I'd prefer to keep it as an acc versus a program but I
have to keep the phone line clear for incoming calls too. Any input on this?

Ron and others, thanks again for the assistance.

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Thursday, December 3, 1992  3:10 pm


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 40        Thu Dec 03, 1992
L.DOWDLE1 [Scott Dowdle]     at 22:04 EST
 
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER],

 > I've been trying to figure out how to use the Alt-R feature to
 > capture to disk in STalker 3. [...]  Perhaps the Alt-R feature is
 > for capturing text WHILE CONNECTED TO A BBS(?), and not for use
 > AFTER logging off? Advice would be appreciated.

     Hmmm, all of this stuff is in your manual... very clearly in fact.  Are
you even looking at the manual?  I'm not trying to be rude here, but the
manual is your ultimate source of program instruction and information.  Feel
free to ask questions but save yourself some answer delay time, look in the
manual first.

     On page 37 of the STalker manual the first sentence under Receive Text
File... [Alt][R] it says --- This command lets you save incoming text to disk.
So... that won't do what you want it to.  It is basically a capture incoming
text to a disk file command and has to be turned on prior to receiving what
you want to save to disk.

     Luckily you have a few other program options to do what you want.  On
page 43 the Copy Window to Clipboard [Alt][C] command is explained.  Remember
however, that the clipboard is a hidden file named SCRAP.TXT... so if you
aren't using a program that can access a clipboard file, OR if you don't have
some utility that will let you access the clipboard, you'll be out of luck.

     Then on pages 22-24 you get a great introduction to the Data Region and
Virtual Screen, Cut and Paste/Block Functions, Selecting a Block, and Block
Action Window Options.  THIS IS WHAT YOU WOULD WANT TO USE TO DO WHAT YOU
WANT.  READ AND LEARN THOSE THREE PAGES!

 > using STalker in the background for downloading, for example, I get
 > error messages in the message window (like checksum errors)

     STalker's background downloading isn't perfect since it is a GEM Desk
Accessory based type of multitasking which only works within GEM based
applications who give DAs time to do their thing.  If STalker has to suspend
itself for something like a disk load or spelling check then you will get
timeout errors.  That isn't to say that the other end or line noise could also
be part of your problem.  I personally feel that you shouldn't rely on a
STalker background transfer if you are wanting to do a lot of forground
work... unless you really know the forground application you are using and it
is well written and gives DAs what they need.  I'm sure programmer types could
elaborate more than me. [grin]

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 41        Fri Dec 04, 1992
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 00:00 EDT
 
 >1. I notice that when I first initiate a z-modem download, STalker won't
  >automatically start the download. This only happens the first time I try
  >to download. I have to use the menu option (or keyboard command) to
  >start the 
   Jason,
    NO, this is not normal.  I have never noticed it.  Possibly a
 conflict of some kind.

     >2. I also notice that when I'm done with a bbs session and log off the
  >bbs, I also have to tell STalker to hang up with the menu item. I also
  >seem to 
    Same as above.


  >configure STalker so that all my uploads to my office computer will end
  >up in the same directory each time -- or do I have to tell STalker with
  >the "change directory" command which directory to send the upload to?
    I assume you are talking about using the STalker script for the
 'mini bbs'.  If so, I suspect that you will have to make sure that
 STalker's 'current directory' is the correct one before uploading.

  >4. One other thing: I've been noticing that when I have STalker as a 
  >resident accessory and have my modem on (but I'm NOT actually in STalker
  >nor in mini-bbs receive mode!), the modem will sometimes answer the
  >incoming 
     The modem is somehow getting set to 'auto-answer'.  Make sure you
 issue a ATS0=0 command to the modem when you don't want it to answer
 calls.  Good use for a function key.  Setting the modem for ATS0=0&W
 is a good idea, then the mini-bbs init string can be ATS0=1.
     This should prevent STalker from answering the phone, but it WILL
 still record 'ring' each time the phone rings.




 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 42        Fri Dec 04, 1992
BAREFOOT [Brad Cox]          at 01:24 EST
 
I also have had the modem pick up the phone after quitting MINI BBS mode, and
I am running it as a program, not an accessory.

Brad @ BAREFOOT
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 43        Fri Dec 04, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 03:42 EST
 
Bob,

Ah, thanks for the clarification. An excellent manual, BTW, and a model of how
it should be done.

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 44        Fri Dec 04, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 04:09 EST
 
Scott, yes I am looking in the manual before posing most of my questions about
STalker. But, in fact, though I read the part of the manual dealing with Alt-
R, it still wasn't clear to me whether this was designed to be a "capture" of
the buffer material after a bbs session. I am very used to Interlink so I am
trying to "translate" features to see if I still have use of features in
Interlink that I've been used to. I'm sorry if my questions might cause a
reaction in you but my experience in the Atari world is that not all manuals
are clear, at least clear enough for me to always understand them. That's one
of the reasons I'm on GEnie: to ask questions when I need to.

In your message to me, I do appreciate the information you impart in reponse
to the questions I pose.  But I want you to know that I don't appreciate and I
don't like being lectured at. I'm not open to your capitalized admonition to
me that "THIS IS WHAT YOU WOULD WANT TO USE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT. READ AND
LEARN THOSE THREE PAGES." If you feel irritated by my questions then I would
invite you to ignore my questions. If you would like to respond to my
questions, I would welcome that. If you don't want to respond, you certainly
don't have to. But I'm not open to your being critical of me. You can keep
that to yourself.

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Friday, December 4, 1992  12:43 am




 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 45        Fri Dec 04, 1992
L.CHANDLER                   at 04:30 EST
 
I need some help getting Write Script to work. Can someone give me a brief
explanation. It seems to  Crop my carrier after STalker finishes logging on.
I'm trying to write a script to use rather than the Auto logon funtion. Where
are the doc's for these scripts anyway. About all I know about them is what
you guys put up here. Thanks.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 46        Fri Dec 04, 1992
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 05:56 EST
 
Jason,

 > Perhaps the Alt-R feature is for capturing text WHILE CONNECTED
 > TO A BBS(?), and not for use AFTER logging off?

Precisely.  Alt-R has nothing to do with the terminal window. - But I see Ron
Hunter has already dealt with this.  His advice about STalker/STeno/MDD is
also right on.  I use both of them outside MultiDesk.  I also use STeno as a
PRG a lot.

With GEnie for instance, I use Alt-R before I even log on to open a file,
crawl through all the messages <grin>, log off, Alt-R again, and then load the
file into STeno (PRG) for reading.  While doing that I often cut quotes and
paste them into a STeno.ACC window where I compose my replies.  That's what
I'm doing right now, in fact.  (Ron, don't tell me I should use Aladdin; I
can't!) STeno is a really good buy, though I hear that Edhak is also
excellent.

Al,

I guess I missed that part of the manual - apologies to Eric (who wrote it). 
My excuse is that I sort of skimmed the Gribnif manual, having learned STalker
from the old Strata manual.  (A collector's item now, I guess!)

gnox
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 47        Sat Dec 05, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 00:18 EST
 
 >1. I notice that when I first initiate a z-modem download, STalker won't
 >automatically start the download. [...] Is this normal operation for the
 >program?

No, it should start automatically every time.  Does for me, anyhow.

 >2. I also notice that when I'm done with a bbs session and log off the bbs,
 >I also have to tell STalker to hang up with the menu item.

Do you have STalker's "Modem sets DCD correctly" on or off?  (sounds like it's
off)

 >3. I seem to be able to configure STalker so that all DOWNLOADS go into my
 >folder labeled DOWNLOAD, but when I upload to my office computer, it shows
 >up in the office hard disk in different directories.

Not knowing what your office system is, it sounds like a problem on the target
end, not STalker's end.  I don't think it can control
 *where* the files go, just if it should be overwritted, appended to, etc.

 >4. One other thing:[...]the modem will sometimes answer the incoming
 >phone with a
 >modem tone when someone is trying to call me. This happens sometimes
 >but not each time.

This happens to me every now and then.  I don't use STalker.acc, but that's
probably the reason.  When someone calls me (voice) and I later enter
STalker.prg (modem on all the while), I'll see a RING message in STalker's
window, but it didn't bring up the modem.  Tell them not to call when you have
much more serious BBS'ing to do!  :-)  I guess you could just turn off the
modem when it's not in use, or do what Ron suggested (ATS0=0)
 -----------
 L.CHANDLER-

 WRITESCR.BTS shouldn't cause any problems.  Think of it as someone looking
over your shoulder when you log on.  Is your "Modem sets DCD correctly" set on
(blackend)?  (I had problems of this sort when I first got STalker a while
ago.  I think most were related to that modem setting)

The .BTS files are simply uncompiled scripts that can be viewed/ edited in any
ASCII text ed, such as STeno or EdHak.  There is where you'll find most of the
info on what the script does.  The info lines are usually at the top and
"protected" (from the compiler's eyes, if you will) usually by // or --.  That
means the compiler just skips over those lines.  That's how I deal with my
scripts, one of which is awaiting release here.

Also, you might want to look at my WRITESCR.BTS uploaded here (plug!).  It's
not much different from the original version, except you can Quit after you
start it, and can also redirect the output to the printer or a file.  Check
out the BackTALK topic as well.

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 48        Sat Dec 05, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 00:38 EST
 
Bob, when you have had the modem pick up the phone line after quitting minibbs
mode, were you still in STalker or had you left STalker and gone to the
desktop?

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Friday, December 4, 1992  11:47 am

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 49        Sat Dec 05, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 02:21 EST
 
If your modem is auto-answering after you quit the remote mode, you need to
make sure that the modem settings contain an appropriate reset command to turn
off the auto-answer. Stalker sends the modem reset command when remote mode is
terminated.

Al: Thanks! :-)

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 50        Sun Dec 06, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 02:46 EST
 
Jason-

I had either quit STalker.prg or not yet run it.  Either way, when I run
STalker.prg *AFTER* someone calls me voice, I see a "RING" notice in the
window.  However, the modem doesn't answer.  I think I have it set to answer
on the 5th ring,(ATS0=5) so that my answering machine can pick up the line on
the fourth ring, and STalker (in Remote mode) can pick it up on the first. 
Also, so I can answer it in time!  :-)

ATS0=5 tells it to answer on the 5th ring.  Once you set this, do AT&W.  This
will write the new setting to nonvolatile memory. While the modem won't answer
until then, it will post a message of RING until it does answer.


 ....Ok, so I lied.  I just did ATS0=? and it told me 000.  I'm sure it's set
to five or so, though.

Post your modem settings (as found in STalker's "Modem Settings..." menu) and
maybe I/others can be of more help?

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 51        Sun Dec 06, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 13:18 EST
 
Bob Morrow,

I don't think the S0=n is saved in the AT&W configuration.

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 52        Sun Dec 06, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 13:53 EST
 
Robert and Ron, thanks for your responses regarding how the modem is sometimes
answering calls even when STalker is off line. What I've done is to move my
modem onto my fax phone line so that it's actually taken out of the voice-
phone chain completely. That overall works better for me in terms of my home
office anyway.

Robert, I am curious however how I would make sure that the modem settings
contain an appropriate reset command to turn off the auto answer. From what I
gather from your message, STalker automatically sends a reset command to the
modem when remote mode is terminated so that the modem is reset to auto
answer. Where would I put in a command to counteract that, and what command do
I use? Is it something I tell STalker to do or something I tell the modem to
do?

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Sunday, December 6, 1992  10:39 am


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 53        Sun Dec 06, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 14:09 EST
 
Bob, when the modem detects a ring signal on the line, it sends that RING
message to the computer. All the time, unless the modem is set to turn off
messages. Those characters get stored up in the serial buffer, and unless some
program takes them out, they stay there.

In ACC mode, Stalker is always looking at the serial port and processing what
comes in. So, Stalker gets that RING message and puts it in the window for
display whenever the ACC is opened. In program mode, Stalker starts processing
the serial buffer immediately, so the RING message is displayed as soon as the
window is opened. It looks the same from this side of the screen in either
case.

The point is that it's normal and ok to see ring indication in the Stalker
window when you start it up. If you don't want to see it, you'll have to turn
your modem's messages off, but then you loose CONNECT and NO CARRIER and the
lot.

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 54        Sun Dec 06, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 16:00 EST
 
Jason, select "Modem Settings" under the Stalker "Settings" menu. In the upper
left corner of the Modem Settings dialog is an editable string for "Modem
Init." Every time Stalker begins a dialing command and every time Stalker
exits the remote mode, it sends this command to the modem.

Usually, this command is "ATZ", which returns the modem to the default
settings. If you already have "ATZ" there, check to make sure that the modem
hasn't been set to default to auto answer. To do that, go to the terminal
window and enter the command "ATZ<return>". You should see the modem return
the "OK" message. Then enter the command "ATS0?<return>". If the modem says
anything but zero, enter the command "ATS0=0<return>" and then "AT&W<return>".
That turns off auto answer, then saves that setting to the defaults.

I just thought of something. You may not have a modem that stores settings
that way. If the AT&W command doesn't work for you, you'll have to dig out the
manual and figure out how to set the configuration switches on the modem to
set auto answer off. (Modems without non-volatile memory to store the settings
have DIP switches to control the defaults. The AT commands still work to
change the settings while the modem is powered up; the switches only control
the state of the modem on power-up and after the ATZ command.)

I hope this helps.

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 55        Sun Dec 06, 1992
L.DOWDLE1 [Scott Dowdle]     at 16:54 EST
 
Jason,

     I'm sorry if you have detected some sort of personality conflict from
me... there isn't one.  I typed that part in all caps so it would be the most
noticable part of the message, the answer you were looking for.  I thought
that the terminology "Receive incoming text" was self explainitory but I
haven't used Interlink. [grin]  I hope my constant reference to the manual
hasn't offended you.  As I said earlier, I think the manual says things better
than most of us can... including myself. [grin]

     So, are the Block commands awesome or what?

     The "READ AND LEARN THOSE PAGES" part wasn't meant to be some nose up in
the air, condesending (sp?) remark.  It was more in the way of me saying that
once I read and learned those pages I could do terminal session miracles that
I never thought possible.  The tone of a message it sometimes impossible to
figure.  Sorry again if I sounded offensive.

     In regards to modem autoanswering... STalker sends an ATS0=n (where n is
the number greater than 1 of rings to answer on) to your modem to tell it to
answer the modem for REMOTE mode.  What you need to do is tell your modem not
to answer anymore by instructing it to answer on ring zero or ATS0=0.  If your
modem has an Autoanswer light you will see it come on with the ATS0=n and go
off with the ATS0=0. You can put the ATS0=0 in your modem initialization so
STalker will automatically send it after exiting REMOTE mode.  I'm not exactly
an original with that suggestion but I thought I'd expound a little and hope
you don't mind.

- - - - -

L.CHANDLER,

     Write Script shouldn't cause your system to drop carrier.  One of the
most important things to do with any terminal program is to make sure you have
your modem and program configured to talk to each other properly.  As Bob
Morrow said earlier, the DCD function is an important thing to consider.

     Basically what Write Script does it read the local and remote strings to
see what you type in to what remote responses, and then it builds a BackTALK
script.  The script generation isn't perfect and most of the time it is
extremely desirable to edit the timing numbers of the generated script before
you compile it.  If I remember correctly Write Sript uses a built in delay
factor.

     Write Script certainly isn't an end all recording script but it is an
easy way to start an automation process.  I've used it many times, and after
editing the timing statements, it worked fantastically!

I hope I've been helpful in some way. [grin]

- - - - -

Mr. Goff,

     Can you give me a clue as to how one might go about making any of these
wonderful REMOTE scripts run as a normal script... ie without having to
specifically go into REMOTE mode.  I liked your modifications and I plan to
steal them (documented of course) for my work on REMOTE.  Say, I sent you and
early copy of my REMOTE with editor a LONG time ago when you were writing the
ST Informer series. Did you ever get it and what do you think about an editor
that edits? I'm just around the corner with releasing it but my spare time
these days is almost non-existant.

TYL, Scott



 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 56        Mon Dec 07, 1992
GRIBNIF [Dan]                at 18:17 EST
 
Al,

  Bob Goff wrote the BackTALK section of the manual. The first
 section was written by Mike Cohan.

Jason,

  ZModem auto-initiation works great for me every time. Do you have
 another program (like a second copy of STalker, perhaps) running at
 the same time?

  If you have the "Modem Sets DCD properly" option off, then STalker
 has no way of recognizing the fact that the modem has hung up. I
 suspect that this is the reason you have to hit Undo or Alt-H.

  The location where uploaded files appear on your PC is defined by
 the software you are using on the PC. While the ZModem protocol does
 support passing a full path, this is seldom used because it is not
 usually a desirable thing. There is no way to set the remote path in
 Stalker for this reason.

  Whether or not the modem answers the call is entirely its own
 choice. You can, however, send it a command to disable auto answer.
 The most common command is ATS0=0. If you have a command like ATS0=1
 in you modem initialization string, this is most likely the culprit.
 You might also want to save the modem's settings into its non-
 volitile RAM after settings S0=0.

  STalker's Mini-BBS mode sets S0=1 for auto-answer. After using the
 BBS mode, you should try using ATZ to reset the modem or use ATS0=0
 manually to disable the auto-answer.

Brad,

  I suggest you use ATZ to reset the modem after using the Mini-BBS
 mode.

Dan

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 57        Mon Dec 07, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 20:40 EST
 
Al-

According to my Supra cheat-sheet, AT&W does save ATS0=n
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 58        Mon Dec 07, 1992
J.GNIEWKOWSK [GE-Lamp ST]    at 22:53 EST
 
Has anyone had any problems with the remote loop file that was recently
uploaded?  It makes a call to ShowFile() and my BACKTALK.PRG chockes on this,
saying there is no such routine.

Any help?

 John E. Gniewkowski
 GenieLamp ST Editor
 ----------------------
 Monday, December 07, 1992
 10:12:18 pm

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 59        Tue Dec 08, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 00:03 EST
 
Scott, thanks for your apology. I appreciate that. And thanks for your advice
about modem settings. By the way, I downloaded your remote script but had
difficulty compiling it (or is it uncompiling it?). I ran both your remote
script and the demo script in the same folder as Backtalk.prg and the demo
script compiled fine but I saw a list of errors when doing the backtalk.prg
with the remote bts you uploaded. Anybody else run into this, or perhaps I'm
not doing the process correctly.

Robert, thanks for your tips about modem settings too. I noticed that STalker
has ATX4Q0 in the modem init line. That's a default of the program. For now, I
have resolved this difficulty overall by putting my modem and my fax machine
on the same dedicated phone line and am not relying on that phone line for
incoming calls. In fact, I put on a special box that picks up whether the
incoming call is a fax call or a modem call and sends it either to the fax or
the modem. That setup seems to be working fine so far.

Regarding the situation I've been having about z-modem downloads, I can
confirm that the symptom I described -- not having the z-modem automatically
initiate the download the first time I try it. This symptom occurs on both my
TT at the home office and on the Mega 4 at the "office" office. In both
instances I am calling the other office where I've got STalker set up in mini-
bbs receive mode. What happens on the screen when I'm initiating the download
is a string of "**B00000000000000" (without the quotes). I can then initiate
the download by pressing the undo key and then hitting alterate-D. It's a
workable alternative although not as fun as just telling STalker download
using z and then STalker takes it from there. Any thoughts on this would be
appreciated if anyone has an idea of what is going on.

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Monday, December 7, 1992  7:25 pm


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 60        Tue Dec 08, 1992
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 06:04 EST
 
Gribnif,

I received your newsletter the other day (Desktop Notes) and noticed that it
says "STeno fully supports the new Atari clipboard."  My STeno 2.0 only
supports the old (SCRAP.TXT) clipboard.  Did I miss something?  Is there a
version of STeno newer than 06/08/91?

gnox
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 61        Tue Dec 08, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 22:36 EST
 
John, I posted that modified REMOTE script, and I'd be happy to try to figure
out what's going on.

Would you send me the exact error message that Backtalk gives, including the
line number(s)? Is the function name it can't find "showfile()" or
"show_files()"? Are you sure that the archive you downloaded unpacked
correctly, and that the script file isn't chopped off for some reason? I re-
compiled the file on my computer and it works fine -- something has gone amiss
between my computer and yours.

Jason, take a look at the file transfer settings (under the Settings menu.) In
the middle section of the dialog, for binary transfer settings, on the right
side is a button to turn on automatic zmodem transfers. Make sure that box is
black. Let us know if it helps.

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 62        Wed Dec 09, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 02:26 EST
 
John, Jason et al---

OOPS!  My mistake on the BackTALK script REMOTE.BTS.  I imagine the problem
you're having is caused by a lack of the function show_files() command at the
top of the script.  It should look like this:


 include "stalker.bth"

 int   carrier_at_start; -- TRUE/FALSE based on DCD state when we begin
       //  Set these based on the duplex mode so we don't have to keep
       //  checking.  One of these three is TRUE, the others are false.
 int   mode_echo;      -- Are we in ECHO (half-duplex) mode?
 int   mode_full;      -- Are we in FULL mode?
 int   mode_local;     -- Are we in LOCAL mode?
 string  newline;      -- Hold's CR/LF, something we use often.
 int   output_blocked;   -- TRUE if user has typed ^S.  ^Q resets.
 int   saved_key;      -- Room to hold one saved keypress.

 function  get_key     returns int;
 function  get_string    returns int;
 function  keyboard_check;
 function  output_char;
 function  output_string;
 function  parse_filename;
 function  remote_loop   returns int;
 function  run_cli;
 ** function  show_files;
 function  upload_file;

I didn't bother uploading the entire script since it's standard at no extra
cost with STalker.  I didn't know about that line not being there in the
original.

You'll no longer find Scott Dowdle in these $ection$ due to his newborn son's
surgery requirements.  Bills, bills.

Hey Jason-  It's Bob, please.  Robert is too official!  :-)

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 63        Wed Dec 09, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 03:37 EST
 
Why did Robert Goff's REMOTE.BTS compile fine and the others not? Simple!  I
emailed him the entire file; whereas I uploaded here the only part that
mattered.  (Or so I thought.  If the change I just posted makes a difference,
lemme know and I'll delete the file and reupload it, this time correctly...)

It also might require the latest BackTALK.prg, which is 1.02, I believe.  Some
changes have been made since v1.00; so if a command was added to BackTALK
after 1.00; then naturally v1.00 will choke since it isn't aware of the
change.  The only way around that is an up-to-date version of BackTALK.prg.

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 64        Wed Dec 09, 1992
GRIBNIF [Dan]                at 11:14 EST
 
Jason,

  Aha! You have to press Undo first. That most likely means that STalker is in
an endless loop still looking for more autologin info which never appears.
Check your login sequences.

gnox,

  Woops! That is most definitely a misleading statement. STeno is still at
version 2.00, and it does not properly support the new clipboard specification
proposed by Atari. I'm sorry about the confusion on this. (Typo count on the
newsletter is now at 3 <smile>)

Dan
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 65        Wed Dec 09, 1992
SFRT-ASST [Kenne@SFRT]       at 17:43 EST
 
So what are the plans for Steno? and whatever happened to the T/A DA that
someone had created?
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 66        Wed Dec 09, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 23:08 EST
 
Sorry, I was confused about which Bob and which REMOTE script was being
discussed.

There's something definitely dangerous about having two files in the library
named the same thing and uploaded by people with the same first name. :-)

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 67        Thu Dec 10, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 01:01 EST
 
Bob, yes, I do have -- and have always had -- the automatic z modem box
blackened, and still have the symptom that I described. It's not a major
hassle, I just have to remember the workaround when it doesn't automatically
start to download the first time.

Dan, you asked if I have a second copy of STalker running at the same time.
No, I use the accessory version of STalker. I DO have the program version on
the hard disk but I don't have it running! Thanks too for your suggestion
about turning on the modem sets DCD properly button. I did that and I didn't
have to hit undo or alt-H after logging off from the bbs. BUT, I also at that
point was not able to have people connect with ME when they called in with
their modem. I tried that with a number of different callers. They got hung up
on within a few seconds of calling my modem. I can't figure out what might be
causing that, but again, I can live with having to hit undo and then alt-H
when I log off. It's just frustrating when I hear other folks don't have the
same difficulties with z-modem and this hanging up option, and I don't have
the foggiest why it's occurring on my setups.

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Tuesday, December 8, 1992  11:25 pm

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 68        Thu Dec 10, 1992
L.CHANDLER                   at 01:57 EST
 
I bought this Stalker program (paid a good penny for it too), and it  came
with this GIANT manual, which I really liked. However, the last two two thirds
of the book are written in this funny scribbling which I don't have a clue as
to what it means. I'm just trying to get this Writescript.BTK thing to work
and all it does is bomb.Bummer. Nice looking book though.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 69        Thu Dec 10, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 03:02 EST
 
Bob Morrow,

Yep, I tried it and you're right. I had assumed that ATS0=1 wasn't saved, but
it is.

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 70        Thu Dec 10, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 03:06 EST
 
Dan, thanks for your reply: "Aha! You have to press Undo first....meaning that
STalker is in an endless loop still looking for more autologin info which
never appears." You recommended I check my login sequences.

It would be helpful if you could be more specific since I'm a new user of this
program. I don't know exactly how to check my login sequences! Is that the
same as the logON instructions I've given to my different phone dialers? I
don't think so. I've looked in the manual and can't find a reference to login
sequences in there. And, once I find them(!), what exactly should they say so
that I'm not in an endless loop?

I haven't really messed with the default configuration that came with the
program so I'm not sure what exactly to do -- please let me know. Much thanks.

Bob, regarding the Remote file you uploaded that didn't compile. Being a
novice to these kinds of scripts, it would also be great if you would upload
the whole thing rather than my having to figure out how to cut and paste the
whole thing. It's close to Greek to me. By the way, I'm wondering how your
remote script differs from Bob Goff's, who has incorporated a mail feature
that allows someone to post a message.

While I'm commenting on STalker, I'd like to suggest that the chat/talk
function be able to be terminated by the receiver as well as the person
initiating the call to the mini-bbs. It's sometimes frustrating having to
depend on the caller to hit control-C got get out of talk mode. Any easy way
to do that, or perhaps a possibility for a future version?

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Wednesday, December 9, 1992  10:51 pm


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 71        Thu Dec 10, 1992
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 06:18 EDT
 
Jason,
    Just curious, is auto-start zmodem also selected for the
 particular service you are calling in the file transfer section?  It
 can be set for each service... 
    As for people calling you, you need to have a separate setup for
 that, with a different reset (ATZx) command.  Most new modems allow
 at least two saved configurations.


   If pressing 'undo' is necessary for you to be able to hang up, then
 you are in a script, which has not finished.  If you have the drag
 bar turned on, what STalker is waiting for will be displayed there.




 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 72        Thu Dec 10, 1992
GRIBNIF [Dan]                at 12:37 EST
 
Kenne,

  Currently, while we would like to upgrade STeno, it's a matter of having the
time. There are other projects which are taking precendence right now. It is
definitely on the list of things to do, though.

  The T/A DA was written by Ken Badertscher at Atari. Since we were never
given permission to distribute it, I cannot upload it. Perhaps if you send a
message to K.BAD, he can tell you what the current status of it is.

L.Chandler,

  How does WRITESCR.BTK bomb? Do you get an error message or does it just
refuse to run, or what? There really are some very talented people who read
this category who can try to help you out.

Jason,

  Ah, sorry. Go into the Autodialer and press the "L" button to the right of
the name of the service (is it GEnie?) where you are having the problems with
ZModem. This is the Autologin sequence for that service. If one of the strings
in the "Wait for" column is never seen by STalker, then it can cause symptoms
exactly like what you describe.

  One thing we are changing in the README file: the default STALKER.INF file
has settings in the Autodialer for CompuServe and GEnie. A few people have had
problems because they modified the phone numbers to call another service, but
left the Autologin strings defined for GEnie. Perhaps this is what you did. If
so, you can either blank the lines out completely or change them so that they
reflect what the service actually does. For example, here on GEnie I use:

  Wait for       Respond With
                   HHH
    U#             xxx12345,password<CR>


Dan
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 73        Thu Dec 10, 1992
J.GNIEWKOWSK [GE-Lamp ST]    at 18:09 EST
 
Robert,

The error is:

 676 Undeclared Function
 688 Undeclared Function

and the lines are:

 If command == 'B' then
    show_files(FALSE);

 If command == 'F' then
    show_files(TRUE);

What could be wrong???

Ops, I see Bob fixed the problem...

Thanks Bob!

 John E. Gniewkowski
 GenieLamp ST Editor
 ----------------------
 Wednesday, December 9, 1992
 8:20:06 pm


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 74        Thu Dec 10, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 20:12 EST
 
Kene-

TA DA was created by Ken Badertscher, who once worked at Atari..... I was beta
testing STalker 3.? when he emailed us a beta release of it.  Unfortunately, I
have since lost it.  With a few small refinements, it would have been
wonderful.  I don't know whatever happened to it, though.  I suspect it went
with Ken....
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 75        Thu Dec 10, 1992
SFRT-ASST [Kenne@SFRT]       at 22:48 EST
 
I noticed someone else had uploaded their own D/A T-A to the library. It's in
the ST RT Banner.

I'll look at it. It's a four line job.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 76        Fri Dec 11, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 02:44 EST
 
Jason-

 >I tried that with a number of different callers. They got hung up
 >on within a few seconds of calling my modem. I can't figure out what
 >might be causing that, but again..

 Try telling the modem to wait at least 6/10's of a second for it to wait for
carrier detect; i.e.  ats9=06  then save it with at&w.  My particular modem
doesn't support the s9 register anymore.

A while back, I had the exact same problem.  People would call, connect, then
STalker would hang them up.  I can't remember the fix, but it works just fine
now.

See email.


 -------
 L.Chandler-

Does STalker know where to find the *.BTK scripts?  It's set up in the
Preferences menu.  It needs to know where they are.  Is the BackTALK script
buffer large enough?  (same menu)  I have mine set to 13k.

 --------
 The BackTALK topic is #10 here.


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 77        Fri Dec 11, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 22:51 EST
 
SUCCESS!! What a great feeling. The advice about the autologin sequence
(thanks for being more specific, Dan) did the trick!! I think the problem
about having to press undo to get logged off was due to the fact that I set up
my original login sequence to work with the original REMOTE.BTK file that
comes with STalker, and then I later started using the REMOTE.BTK file that
Bob Goff uploaded (a superior version in that it allows posting of messages).
I think the original REMOTE file asked for your name and so I included that in
my login sequence. But Bob's version doesn't. So eliminating that has also
eliminated the need for pressing undo to get logged off.

Wonder of wonders: this also handled my problem with the automomatic z-modem
not always kicking in automatically. The fact that STalker was still using an
antiquated script for REMOTE was hanging that auto function up too. Z-modem
now working beautifully. While I'm on a bbs now, all I see in the slide bar up
top is the name of the bbs and the clock symbol.

I remember reading in the manual that I still have to hit alt-H to go off-
line. Is this correct? I notice that I can NOT to do when I log off and I'm
still able to access another bbs by calling out. Why is it necessary to hit
alt-H?

One other question: I notice that when I'm logged onto a bbs (like the one at
work) and I ask for a full listing of a particular disk partition from the
computer I'm calling, the listing shows up in no particular order that I can
see: it isn't alphabetical or by date, for example. It would be great if I
could have these listings alphabetically -- is there any way to do this? I ask
for the listing so I can know where the file I need to download is, and not
having the listing in any kind of order makes it more difficult to have to
find it. Any way to adjust this? I notice too that the date for each file is
in European style. Any way to make it American style?

Thanks, all, for the great help. It is a marvelous feeling to dope out what's
not working right and see the results when corrected!

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Friday, December 11, 1992  10:15 am

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 78        Sat Dec 12, 1992
D.MACK7                      at 03:07 EST
 
I read on one of the msg bases here that my version of STalker 3.0 may be
outdated.  What are the advantages of upgrading to the next version?  Does it
support large screen monitors?  Has BackTalk been upgraded too?
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 79        Sat Dec 12, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 09:12 EST
 
Jason,

Yes, "no particular order" is the way to describe the list, since it's a no-
sort list.

If TOMSHELL is used by the host computer, any sort of listing is possible. In
other words, the host runs a shell program, and you access that shell from the
remote computer.

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 80        Sat Dec 12, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 14:56 EST
 
Al, is TOMSHELL part of the STalker package? I couldn't find it on my master
disk. What is TOMSHELL exactly?

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Saturday, December 12, 1992  11:43 am

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 81        Sat Dec 12, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 17:45 EST
 
 >I remember reading in the manual that I still have to hit alt-H to go
 >off-line. Is this correct? I notice that I can NOT to do when I log
 >off and I'm still able to access another bbs by calling out. Why is
 >it necessary to hit alt-H?

Glad you got hooked up!  Alt-H is the Hangup command.  The modem should do
this automatically (aka "You're not out of the woods yet!"). Is STalker set to
Drop DTR?  (Modem Preferences menu, I think) If it's on (black box), the line
below it will be shaded.

When you tell a host system that you want to logoff, and do the keystrokes for
that, there should be no need for further input from you.  Ultimately, you
should see "NO CARRIER" on the screen without doing Alt-H.  It should happen
on its own.

 >One other question: I notice that when I'm logged onto a bbs (like the
 >one at work) and I ask for a full listing of a particular disk partition
 >from the computer I'm calling, the listing shows up in no particular
 >order .....

That's the fault of the host system, not STalker.



 *WINDOWS 3.1- Turns your 486/50 into a PC XT in minutes!  :-)
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 82        Sat Dec 12, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 18:36 EST
 
Jason, which version of REMOTE.BTS you use shouldn't make any difference in
how autologon or zmodem works. The change in your autologon is what made the
difference.

The Alt-H command hangs up the phone from your end. Just like a regular
conversation, either end can hang up the phone. When your modem detects that
the other end has hung up, like when you give the bbs the "goodbye" command,
it hangs up your end without command. In cases like that, you don't _have_ to
use Alt-H.

The advantage to Alt-H (in any case) is that it hangs up immediately, possibly
saving a few cents in long distance charges, and it resets all the Stalker
settings to their defaults (since each autodialer entry has its own settings.)

As for how your BBS displays a directory listing, or anything else, Stalker
has absolutely no control. Once connected, Stalker simply displays what the
BBS sends, in the order that it sends it. If the BBS is putting out an
unsorted list, there's no way for Stalker to sort it.

(That's not _absolutely_ true: you could write a Backtalk script that would
digest the listing and regurgitate it in sorted order. I did something similar
once for the online user's listing on BIX. But get some more experience before
you try it.)

(Just for information, the reason it doesn't look like it's in any order is
probably because it's (almost) in the same order that the files were stored to
the disk. That's the standard format used by most directory listing utilities
because it's fastest.)

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 83        Sat Dec 12, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 23:28 EST
 
Jason,

Tomshell is part of STalker. You should have received it on the disk. Did you
buy STalker from a previous owner? This is curious.

Tomshell is a command-line interface with a lot of power and flexibility. When
you set up STalker's remote, you should note that there is a setting for the
CLI to use with it.

It's also here on GEnie.

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 84        Sat Dec 12, 1992
D.MACK7                      at 23:42 EST
 
I read on one of the msg bases here that my version of STalker 3.0 may be
outdated.  What are the advantages of upgrading to the next version?  Does it
support large screen monitors?  Has BackTalk been upgraded too?
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 85        Sun Dec 13, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 12:18 EST
 
When I asked about the alt-H command to hang up, what I meant specifically is
that I notice that the clock symbol continues to run in the scroll bar at the
top after I've logged off of a bbs. I know that the modem has gone back to its
"ready to send mode" -- in other words, it's logged off -- and I've gotten a
NO CARRIER message. But the phrase "STalker Off Line" isn't up there; what's
left up there is the clock symbol with the time continuing to run. Is this
normal? I can stop this by doing the alt-H command. Even though the clock
symbol's up there, I can still dial a new bbs, so it's not like I'm still
connected. I just wasn't sure therefore what was the purpose of the alt-H
command or if I somehow hadn't yet completed the previous bbs-call. I do have
the DTR box shaded.

Al, I bought STalker from my local dealer and I triple checked and know that
TOMSHELL is not on it. Thanks for the tip that it's on GEnie. I think
sometimes Gribnif deletes stuff from their disks when they get too full.

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Sunday, December 13, 1992  9:05 am



 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 86        Sun Dec 13, 1992
GRMEYER [Gordon/Sysop]       at 14:27 EST
 
That is most curious, Tomshell was definitely on my Stalker3 master disk.  Are
you sure you got an original, unchanged disk from the person you bought it
from?
   Gordon
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 87        Sun Dec 13, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 17:36 EST
 
D.MACK-

STalker is presently at 3.02, BackTALK at 1.02.  In 3.00, the Send text to
Printer option doesn't work.  In 3.01 and on it does, as well as some other
changes added, such as a dot that indicates if the printer is on and another
to indicate whether capture is on or not (STeno required, EdHak might do it). 
BackTALK's changes are mostly refinements and additions of improved function
calls.  Tighter code is generated, too.  Umm, they added the B+ file transfer
protocol that CIS uses in 3.02, fixed MSTe/TT Serial 2 port problems, etc.

Worth the upgrade?  For me, yes.  It's not much, say $30 or so.  Get STeno 2
if you haven't already, the addition of the [Undo] feature alone makes it
worth the upgrade.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 88        Sun Dec 13, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 19:06 EST
 
Gordon and others, well, perseverance pays off! The TomShell program WAS
actually on my STalker disk, but "disguised" as Shell.sfx! Once I followed the
procedure to change sfx to tos and then double click on it, TomShell emerged.
I kept looking on my disk for a title of TOMshell and wasn't paying attention
to just "Shell." Thanks for the help!!

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Sunday, December 13, 1992  1:59 pm

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 89        Sun Dec 13, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 22:46 EST
 
TOMSHELL was on my original disk as well.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 90        Sun Dec 13, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 23:16 EST
 
Jason, if Stalker can't tell that the modem has disconnected even if the DTR
box is shaded, then your modem or your serial cable isn't handling the DTR
signal correctly. Check the modem commands to enable DTR, or find a RS232
pinout and see if the DTR signal is connected in your cable. (If you get
really desperate, I can dig up the pinout -- it's only under about three feet
of books here.)

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 91        Mon Dec 14, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 01:52 EST
 
 
 >Jason, if Stalker can't tell that the modem has disconnected even if the DTR
 >box is shaded, then your modem or your serial cable isn't handling the DTR
 >signal correctly. Check the modem commands to enable DTR, or find a RS232
 >pinout and see if the DTR signal is connected in your cable. (If you get
 >really desperate, I can dig up the pinout -- it's only under about three
feet
 >of books here.)

Bob, are you saying that the fact that STalker retains the clock symbol at top
with the time still running is a sign that STalker has not recognized that the
modem is disconnected? I am still not sure if this is normal STalker operation
or not. In other words, should the scroll line at top say "STalker Off-Line"
after I've logged off a bbs?


OK, based on the assumption that the abovedescribed is a symptom of something
not quite right, I experimented with your suggestions: Here's what my modem
manual says about the DTR options --

"The AT&Dn commands control modem response to the Data Terminal Ready (DTR)
signal and determine how the modem responds to a transition of the DTR signal
from the computer.

When on-line, a DTR transition that does not meet or exceed the time value
stored in S25 is ignored by the modem. The factory default for S25 is 5 (0.05
seconds)."

Then, the manual shows a chart with four possible commands. The default seems
to be &D0 (Ignore status of the DTR signal from the computer). Then there are
these choices:

&D1 (Monitor DTR, and, upon an ON to OFf transition of the DTR signal, enter
command mode).

&D2 (Monitor DTR, and, upon an ON to OFF transition of the DTR signal, hang up
the line and enter command mode).

&D3 (Monitor DTR, and, upon an ON to OFF transition of the DTR signal, hang
up, reset the modem, and assume the intialization state. This overwrites the
active configuration profile (ACP) with the appropriate stored profile).

On the basis of my reading of the above, I took turns entering each of the
four commands above and testing each by calling a local bbs and then logging
off. Nothing changed!!! I did these tests with the DTR box shaded and even
unshaded. I entered the command to the modem while in the STalker window and
by entering AT&D# (the # being 0,1,2,3). I was really hoping one of these
commands would make a difference.

You know, I have the same symptom I've described in the first paragraph on my
Atari at work which is also running with STalker so I don't think it's the
serial cable.

Any other suggestions?!?!? I look forward to a resolution here.


- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Sunday, December 13, 1992  10:24 pm


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 92        Mon Dec 14, 1992
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 05:19 EST
 
Dan,

No rush to upgrade STeno - I'm one of its biggest fans as it is, and the only
improvements I'd really like to see are a typeover mode and a keyboard command
for Save As.  The clipboard question struck me because I just ordered Cardfile
and was wondering whether I can cut & paste from STeno to Cardfile or vice
versa. But I'll start monitoring the Cardfile topic before asking questions
like that.

gnox
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 93        Mon Dec 14, 1992
D.FLORY [ALERTsys*Cop]       at 19:02 EDT
 
Jason, you need to AT&C1&D2. If it doesn't work then,  its probably a
 hardware (modem or cable problem).  Stalker should say offline when
 disconnected.

  Dave Flory, ALERTsys*Cop
  06:59 PST - 12/14/92


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 94        Tue Dec 15, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 03:04 EST
 
Jason,

Shell.sfx?? Glad you found it. But what is shell.sfx supposed to be?

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 95        Tue Dec 15, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 03:16 EST
 
Bob Goff, Jason- In your ST manual, there's a complete section posted just for
pinouts and their function.  It's about the only part of the ST manual that's
worth keeping.

Jason-

I'm guessing, but methinks if the clock is still there, then STalker still
thinks it's online in some way.  Does it say "STalker: Off-Line" at the top
when the clock is there?  No, this is not normal.  The clock should disappear
when you see NO CARRIER.

If you have the same problem with the Atari at work using the same cable, it's
highly *likely* that the problem may be in the cable. Try a different one,
then you can say for sure.  These cables are industry-standard, you can get
them anywhere.

 -------
 Ok, I've found a different use for STalker.  It's in ham radio. We call it
packet radio.  Instead of using a phone modem, there's a thing called a TNC
which is basically a radio modem.  To get on another packet BBS (PBBS), I'll
type   c N7PTM  or whatever the station's call sign is.  C means connect to. 
Now all I need to do is figure out how to wire up a rs232 to MIDI cable and
find some places to connect to!  :-)
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 96        Tue Dec 15, 1992
T.EVANS21 [<Ted E.>]         at 07:34 EST
 
 >Category 17,  Topic 3
 >Message 92        Mon Dec 14, 1992
 >G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 05:19 EST
 >
 >Dan,
 >
 >..... The clipboard question struck me because I just ordered Cardfile
 >and was wondering whether I can cut & paste from STeno to Cardfile or vice
 >versa.....
 >----------

Gnox:

You most certainly can... I do it all the time.. In fact I print out small
phone lists this way and Christmas cards list, and........ :)

The two programs work well together.. In fact, I find that the "SEND" command
works better for me than the clipboard.. Or at least I use it a lot more than
the clipboard...

 <-:}Ted{:->  Monday, December 14, 1992 - 7:49:24 am


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 97        Tue Dec 15, 1992
SFRT-ASST [Kenne@SFRT]       at 13:47 EST
 
I don't know... Cardfile to Steno is a breeze with the send command. Steno to
Cardfile isn't all that easy. I find myself <ugh  !>   typing the info into
Cardfile.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 98        Tue Dec 15, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 22:46 EST
 
Jason and I talked on the phone and worked through some troubleshooting with
his system. His CD and DTR both appear to be working, and I can't figure out
why he's having his problems. Time for the experts, I think.

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 99        Wed Dec 16, 1992
R.WALTERS7 [Randy]           at 00:05 EST
 
Gnox

 You can "send" info both ways using EdHak and Cardfile.

Regards
 Randy

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 100       Wed Dec 16, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 01:57 EST
 
 
 >Shell.sfx?? Glad you found it. But what is shell.sfx supposed to be?

Al, the readme docs say to change the sfx to tos, I believe, and then double
click on it -- that produces a Tomshell program. I'm not sure ex0actly what
the tomshell program does or how to make it run however. The docs on that are
sparse.


 >I'm guessing, but methinks if the clock is still there, then STalker still
 >thinks it's online in some way.  Does it say "STalker: Off-Line" at the top
 >when the clock is there?  No, this is not normal.  The clock should
disappear
 >when you see NO CARRIER.
 >
 >If you have the same problem with the Atari at work using the same cable,
it's
 >highly *likely* that the problem may be in the cable. Try a different one,
 >then you can say for sure.  These cables are industry-standard, you can get
 >them anywhere.

Bob, when the clock is up there and still running, it shows the name of the
bbs that I am logging on to. With some assistance long-distance from Bob Goff,
we found that when I darken the DCD box (and grey out NO CARRIER, etc.), then
when I log onto a bbs and then log off, STalker operates the way it should:
the running clock disappears and STalker says "Off Line".....BUT, and this is
a big but for me, when I then put STalker into the mini-bbs receive mode and
have someone call me, the following happens: they can log on to my bbs, and
they can log off with the "g" command -- BUT what then happens is the phone
connection is not broken. In fact, on the STalker screen at my end, STalker
keeps asking for a password and gives other such messages. It just scrolls on
and on requiring modems at both ends to be manually hung up.

Here's what I would like to ask other STalker users. If you also have the DCD
option darkened, would you also have someone call you, accessing your mini-
bbs. And then see what happens when they log off. Is there anything like what
happens to me occur on your system.

I'm really wondering at this point if there's a bug in the program itself or
what? If someone wants to test this out with me directly, please send me e-
mail with your phone number and I will call you up and we can do some testing.

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Tuesday, December 15, 1992  10:52 pm

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 101       Wed Dec 16, 1992
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 05:46 EDT
 
Robert,
   I trust that you have tried STalker with no other .ACCs or AUTO
 programs, and that it is running in ST ram, and that the Fastload is
 turned off?  If so, then it might be a good idea to have a tech.
 check out the RS232 hardware.



 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 102       Wed Dec 16, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 20:55 EST
 
When people call me (I'm in remote mode), the system works fine. They sign on,
do their thing, log off, and then STalker resets, waiting for another incoming
call.   The modem hangs up by itself (DCD is darkened) and a message appears
in the menu bar: "STalker- Waiting for a connection".  That's how it's
supposed to work.

The docs I got for TOMSHELL are fairly extensive (50k?)  When you enter
TOMSHELL either as a stand-alone program or from within STalker's remote mode,
type help and you should see some kind of help screen.  The commands are very
much like older MS-DOS stuff-- cd .. moves you to the root directory, cd
telecomm would move you to the telecomm folder, mv steno.prg c:\ should move
STeno.prg from [wherever] to drive C, etc.  It's very useful if you need to
access your system from work and do extensive stuff.  I'm not sure if you can
delete files, but you can do just about everything else.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 103       Wed Dec 16, 1992
L.CHANDLER                   at 22:47 EST
 
I can't seem to get the Print function from the terminal screen to work. Boy
is this line noisey. What do I have to do? It used to work before I upgraded
to v3.02. Aslo when I Paste To  Steno, I get text "runaround". How do I Adjust
STalker to Paste to Steno and not run off the edges when I print.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 104       Thu Dec 17, 1992
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 06:50 EST
 
Thanks, everyone, for the replies on STeno/Cardfile (and EdHak).

L.CHANDLER, there's nothing you can do about the format of what's sent from
STalker to STeno, but you can always use STeno's F10 on it afterwards.  I
never print from STalker so can't help you there!

Methinks you need a handle ... can we call you "L."?   :)

gnox
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 105       Thu Dec 17, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 20:43 EST
 
Ron- Which Robert?  My STalker runs fine with everything loaded.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 106       Fri Dec 18, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 03:43 EST
 
Bob Morrow,

You sure can delete files from STalker/Tomshell.

It's very powerful.

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 107       Fri Dec 18, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 22:35 EST
 
If you're looking for a typeahead buffer for STalker, I suggest STalky v0.8
(file 26960), a neat three line typeahead .acc for STalker or other term
program.  Works great if you have but don't need STeno loaded, or if you don't
have STeno.  It's free.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 108       Fri Dec 18, 1992
L.CHANDLER                   at 22:39 EST
 
Thanks for the info. Next question,,,How do you guys set STalker to call 
after midnight while you are sleeping? Is there a script?
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 109       Sat Dec 19, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 01:45 EST
 
Well, after hours of work I have finally got STalker working correctly on my
two Atari's that have to "speak" to each other from the home office and the
"office" office. I finally decided to do the "scientific method" and I brought
the office computer home and put it right up there next to the TT at home.
Side by side, and with two modems hooked up to my two phone lines at home, I
could see what worked and what didn't. The problem I had been having was not
being able to log off -- or, rather, STalker not automatically putting me back
into Off-Line status when I had logged off from a bbs, like the one at work.

Thanks to the suggestions and help of you folks in this topic, I was able to
figure out what I needed to have set up in terms of configuration -- which,
for others to follow in my footsteps, are these:

Both modems set up with the AT&C1 and AT&D1 commands, instead of the modem
defaults of AT&C0 and AT7D0.

The DTR box in the modem configuration left undarkened. The DCD box in the
modem configuration darkened.

I left the mini-bbs modem initiat. string as ATQ1S0=1(carriage return).

The two systems now seem able to communicate to each other quite well and I am
breathing some nice sighs of relief. Log off occurs as it should.

At first, I brought home my other Atari from work, a 1040, and did some
testing with that, but it didn't seem to like doing z-modem with the TT. Since
I don't use the 1040 for modem transfers, I figure what the heck, I can let
that problem go.

Thanks again for all your great help. This one was a bear to figure out.

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Friday, December 18, 1992  10:30 pm

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 110       Sat Dec 19, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 22:31 EST
 
Wow, Jason, I really wish I knew _why_ that works. Don't get me wrong, I'm
really happy that it _does_ work! :-)

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 111       Sun Dec 20, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 03:49 EST
 
L. Chandler,

One to get STalker to call after midnight is to use a CodeKeys macro.

That avoids programming STalker's language, which is dense (although
powerful).

Jason,

My brother (MSTe in Florida) and I (TT in New York) do zmodem very nicely
using STalker.

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 112       Mon Dec 21, 1992
E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen]         at 01:37 EST
 
Anyone else have problems with Let 'Em Fly 1.19 and STalker 3.02 when STalker
is installed as a regular desk accessory?  STalker bombs quite well and locks
up my TT030 (TOS 3.06) with LEF on, but if I turn LEF off before I bring up
the STalker window, everything's fine.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 113       Mon Dec 21, 1992
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 06:24 EDT
 
 >Anyone else have problems with Let 'Em Fly 1.19 and STalker 3.02 when
  >STalker is installed as a regular desk accessory?  STalker bombs quite
  >well and locks up my TT030 (TOS 3.06) with LEF on, but if I turn LEF off
  >before I bring up the STalker window, everything's fine. 
   Yep, LEF kills the system when I try to access STalker, so guess
 what I don't USE.  I really LIKE the LEF idea, but conflict with a
 properly written .ACC indicates SOMETHING is very wrong with LEF.




 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 114       Mon Dec 21, 1992
GRIBNIF [Dan]                at 13:45 EST
 
D.Mack7,

  STalker is currently at version 3.02. It, like all STalker versions,
supports large screen monitors. BackTALK has been upgraded continually, too.

  To upgrade from an older STalker 3.xx version, do a search in the libraries
here on GEnie for the uploader address GRIBNIF. There are two patch programs,
and you will need to use at least one of them if you do not already have
version 3.02.

Jason & Al,

  On newer disks, TOMSHELL is in a file in the EXTRAS folder called SHELL.SFX.
This is a self-extracting archive. Read the file SFX.TXT for more info.

Dan
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 115       Mon Dec 21, 1992
GRMEYER [Gordon/Sysop]       at 18:05 EST
 
Gribnif and/or Eric -
  How about documenting some more of the GEM messages that STalker (and STeno)
use to communicate with each other?  
   Gordon
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 116       Mon Dec 21, 1992
J.SAFFER [JASON SAFFER]      at 22:14 EST
 
Ed, yes, LEF also bombs for me on my TT with STalker. Also, Let Em Fly doesn't
like Little Green Selector, which means, for me, that LEF is a no-no.

By the way, how do you turn LEF off before you access STalker?

- Jason Saffer
  Hercules, California
  Monday, December 21, 1992  12:38 am


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 117       Tue Dec 22, 1992
M.STOWE2 [Marg]              at 20:57 EST
 
I was very glad to discover Stalker as an alternative to Flash 2 which I've
never developed a love for unfortunately. One problem I'm having, though, is a
lock-up when I transmit previously written messages etc. from Steno when I'm
on-line. This is not in TA mode but when I transmit from the menu of Steno.
This only happens when I'm on-line to BBS's, it seems to work fine house-to-
house. I'm not using any wierd ACC.'s or residents, just Warp 9, Maxifile,LGS
etc. I always hve to go back to Flash to send messages. What gives? Thanks,
Marg.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 118       Wed Dec 23, 1992
E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen]         at 02:20 EST
 
Jason,

Use the LEF CPX to turn it off.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 119       Wed Dec 23, 1992
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 06:59 EST
 
Marg,

I'm not sure why it locks up on you, but it's easier to save your message to
disk first and then send the file with STalker rather than sending from STeno
to Stalker.  At least that's how I always do it.

  gnox

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 120       Wed Dec 23, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 22:13 EST
 
Marg, if you configure the Stalker clipboard to coincide with the Steno
clipboard, it's almost as easy and much faster to copy the text from Steno to
the clipboard, switch to Stalker, and paste the text from the clipboard to the
modem.

I wish I could tell you why Stalker locks up when you try to transmit directly
from Steno.

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 121       Thu Dec 24, 1992
R.WALTERS7 [Randy]           at 02:56 EST
 
Marg

 I occasionally have had the same problem when uploading from EdHak to
STalker. It will transmit the first sentence or so and then lock up. A warm
boot would always clear up the problem and would not drop the line so I could
return to the BBS/Host and send the message without any errors immediately
after rebooting.

 I had found two problems that could have contributed to the lockups. #1 was
that I had somehow changed my settings for that system's setup from 7 data
bits to 8 data bits. After correcting that, I did not have a problem for
several days. Then it occured again. I then noticed that the disk in my A
drive was physically hot. So, I checked out the fan on the power supply and
found out that it was only working intermittently.(I didn't miss hearing it
since my HD fan drowns out the Mega fan.)
 Now, both problems are fixed and I have not had the Lockup in a few days.
(Knock on wood)
 Check out your STalker settings to make sure that they match the BBS/host
that you are calling.


Robert

 It is much faster to upload text directly than it is to cut and paste. I know
that is the case for EdHak but I do not know about STeno. I have all of my co-
workers jealous because of the ease of use and abilities of the STalker/EdHak
combo. They have to jump through hoops with ProComm,XTalk,PC Anywhere etc. to
do the same editing/uploading with their Clones.


Regards
 Randy

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 122       Thu Dec 24, 1992
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 03:59 EST
 
I started using Aladdin recently, and started using STalker as a PRG, figuring
that would prevent the two of them fighting over the serial port.  :)   The
only problem now is that when I quit Aladdin and then run STalker, I can't
seem to get commands through from the computer to the modem until I reboot.  
:(    I tried Alt-Esc and don't know where to look next - ideas anyone?

  gnox

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 123       Thu Dec 24, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 15:06 EST
 
Eric or Dan (or anyone else):

Which RS232 port pin does STalker use to reflect the modem's CD light/status? 
When CD is active, is the voltage pulled high or low? I need this info to help
me with a ham radio modem which is wired differently than a phone modem.  The
radio thing is configured as DCE (data communications equip).  It has a CD
light, but somehow the signal isn't getting back to the STe, so STalker
doesn't know that it's online.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 124       Thu Dec 24, 1992
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 19:34 EDT
 
 >It is much faster to upload text directly than it is to cut and paste. I
  >know that is the case for EdHak but I do not know about STeno. I have
  >all of 
 Sending data from STeno to STalker is pretty slow.  I get better
 results by saving to the clipboard (on HD or ramdisk), and then
 uploading from the ramdisk.


 Gnox,
    I use STalker as a .ACC and Aladdin every day and have never had a
 problem going from one to the other.  One thing you might check is
 that Aladdin likely uses a different setup for the RS232 port than
 you use with STalker, and your STalker setup might be doing it wrong.
  The .ACC version won't change the setup unless you TELL it to, but
 the .PRG will set the rs232 port to the default settings when it
 loads.  Check them.



 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 125       Thu Dec 24, 1992
L.CHANDLER                   at 21:18 EST
 
I have to ask this question again as I didn't get any responses that I coul
could understand. How do I use STalker to call late at nite automatical ly. Is
there a script I can use that will call at a designated time. Something like
that wonderful Charles has in his STFax! Thanks.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 126       Fri Dec 25, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 02:02 EST
 
L.Chandler-

See the BackTALK topic for the script.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 127       Fri Dec 25, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 14:03 EST
 
Gnox,

Make sure STalker is set up properly. I use two or three copies simultaneously
on my TT, without any interference. Even STFAX coexists nicely with STalker;
because it tests the port, it won't let any other application or accessory
interfere.

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 128       Fri Dec 25, 1992
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 15:02 EST
 
Found my problem: I had somehow disabled SERPTCH2 in my AUTO folder.
Everything's fine now.  Thanks for the help!

  gnox

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 129       Mon Dec 28, 1992
P.BURNETTE                   at 02:20 EST
 
well, i asked this on the flash 2 topic so i'll be sneaky and ask it here to. 
which software is better for recreational computer use; stalker or flash 2??
  thanks in advance...

 paul =)
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 130       Mon Dec 28, 1992
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 05:42 EDT
 
Paul,
    We are likely to be a bit biased here, but IMNSHO, STalker is
 better than Flash 2 for ANY use.




 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 131       Mon Dec 28, 1992
SFRT-ASST [Kenne@SFRT]       at 15:04 EST
 
 "Likely?"

It depends on what you want to do. If you're not a programmer of Pascal or C
then BackTalk is a bit opaque. If you can write a batch file you can write .DO
file.

Stalker sidesteps some of these problems by having a BackTalk script that will
record keyboard actions into another script.

I don't have Flash II, so I can't say a lot about it.

I like Stalker, in fact, I'm using it right now.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 132       Tue Dec 29, 1992
J.ROY18 [Jonathan]           at 03:21 EST
 
Being able to append, instead of simply overwriting, would be my #1 suggestion
for STeno.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 133       Tue Dec 29, 1992
CBARRON                      at 04:02 EST
 
  RE: F2 vs Stalker.
  I have both f2 and stalker 3.02.  I find that it is a toughie as to which is
'best'. Best for what?
    Terminal emulation -F2 wins hands down.
    Most builtin file protocol selection and control - F2 again.
    Easiest to multitask - Stalker.
    Biggest type ahead buffer Stalker/steno.
    Easiest for 'normal' scripting, I am more used to scripting F2, Stalker is
more pascal like and the script needs to be compiled before using. Although
this might be faster to execute, it is more difficult to debug.  Stalker has a
much more powerful scripting language.

   RE:VIDTEX in STalker How? All I seem to get is chars>128 or nothing.  My
CI$ account is set up for vidtex and it will stay that way because it speeds
downloads/uploads over there....

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 134       Tue Dec 29, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 19:13 EST
 
My biggest criteria for which telecomm software to use is whether it's
bulletproof. I want to know that when I fire it up to log on and/or download
that it will work the first time. The original Flash was like that, albeit it
made some simplifications in terminal emulations that helped a lot. I never
noticed the difference.

Stalker's pretty good in that regard, and the extra bells and whistles made
the _very_ occasional glitch worthwhile.

I'm not going to comment on the reliability of Flash II since I haven't had my
hands on the release version. I will say that it wasn't programmed by Alan
Page, and indeed was programmed from scratch. There isn't anything of the
original Flash there except the name and a bit of the interface design.

Flash II is a _very_ full-featured program. It has an amazing amount of
options, terminal emulations, settings, automatic scripts, etc. The DO
language is much easier to use than BackTalk, and although it's not nearly as
powerful as BackTalk John talks about adding extensions to it in later
versions.

The bottom line is, I suppose, that they are very different programs and that
much of the choice depends on personal preference.

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 135       Tue Dec 29, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 20:47 EST
 
Paul-

Don't bother with F2.  Just say "yes" to STalker.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 136       Tue Dec 29, 1992
P.GRIFFITH2 [PGRIF]          at 21:36 EST
 
   I was wondering if Stalker has a "learn" mode so that logons to new BBS's
can can be easily scripted. I hate filling in the blanks in order to log on
automatically. I know that this feature exists on some MS-DOS term programs.
   I am not interested in writing scripts.
   Thanks.
   Paul

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 137       Tue Dec 29, 1992
P.BURNETTE                   at 22:56 EST
 
thankthanks for the comments.  as i said, i need a program for recreational
use; i.e. call genie, download stuff, upload a letter or something.  i am
concerned that i apparantly need another program just to have a buffer.  my
old st-talk that i'm using now captures everything, up untill i run out of
memory.
   as far as "do" files, terminal emulation, and scripting language...  well,
quite honestly i have NO idea what that stuff is.  i'm only semi-computer
literate!
   in fact, i'll even admit that i don't even use aladdin!  i have a funny
feeling i should be.  oh, where does someone find steno?  shareware?
commercial?
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 138       Wed Dec 30, 1992
L.CHANDLER                   at 00:11 EST
 
On the subject of Remote STalker, is there a way to execute a program eg.
STFax! from remote mode.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 139       Wed Dec 30, 1992
J.GNIEWKOWSK [GE-Lamp ST]    at 00:42 EST
 
Robert,

You mention that Flash II _wasn't_ programmed by Alan Page?  Are you sure
about this?

 John E. Gniewkowski
 GenieLamp ST Editor
 ----------------------
 Wednesday, December 30, 1992
 12:19:24 am

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 140       Wed Dec 30, 1992
SFRT-ASST [Kenne@SFRT]       at 01:14 EST
 
About every 8th message about Flash II is a statement that the ONLY thing it
has in common with the original Flash is the name. It's programmed by a guy
down in Oz. No Worries, Mate.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 141       Wed Dec 30, 1992
CBARRON                      at 01:52 EST
 
  Aladin is a nice genie front end that captures what is important, builds a
database of the libraries, and allows easy message replying and mail options.
  Steno is available from Gribniff.
  John@GELamp
  Flash II was written by Paul Nichols of australia. POSITIVE it was not Alan
Page.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 142       Wed Dec 30, 1992
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 05:20 EDT
 
 >in fact, i'll even admit that i don't even use aladdin!  i have a funny 
  >feeling i should be.  oh, where does someone find steno?  shareware? 
  >commercial? 
   For GEnie, you should use Aladdin.  For everything else, STalker
 will do just fine.  I have been telecomputing for over 10 years and I
 find that these two programs serve my needs well.  You DO have a
 capture buffer in STalker, but it is NOT EDITABLE.  That is you can
 scrollback and see what was there, clip parts to the clipboard, and
 quote them (with a supplied script), and upload them to the message,
 with just a few keystrokes, but you can't edit the text in the
 scrollback buffer.  The buffer is of a finite size but you can set it
 quite large.  STeno should be available from your dealer, or you can
 order from Gribnif.


 ---------
 L.Chandler,
    You can execute other programs from Remote STalker, but a program
 like STFax accesses the RS232 port, which would cause you much grief,
 unless you have a MegaSTE, or TT, where you have multiple ports from
 which to use STaker.  The other program must also be set up to allow
 I/O redirection, which I doubt STFax is.


 ----------------
  >Robert,
  >You mention that Flash II _wasn't_ programmed by Alan Page?  Are you
  >sure about this?
    Yes, absolutely.  Flash II was NOT Page's work.



 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 143       Wed Dec 30, 1992
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 06:03 EST
 
I've just discovered that on my TT, STalker and STeno both run in TT ram
regardless of how their flags are set.  Does anybody know why this is?  (Maybe
DAs ignore those flags when they run?)

gnox

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 144       Wed Dec 30, 1992
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 07:17 EST
 
P.Burnette,

STalker will allow you to make the scrollback buffer almost any size you want.
It will also allow you to capture incoming text straight to disk, but of
course you'll need a text editor or word processor to read the captured file.

As for GEnie - never thought I'd say this, but Aladdin is indeed the best
tool.  The manual (also available for download on p.1000) leaves a lot to be
desired, but if you can navigate GEnie without Aladdin, you should be able to
do it better (and much faster) _with_ Aladdin.

  gnox

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 145       Wed Dec 30, 1992
E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen]         at 23:51 EST
 
I've had STalker 3.0 since day one.  I've never written a script. STalker
autologs onto many of the BBSs I call via it's autolog on feature.  No need to
write scripts.

Bottomline: get STalker.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 146       Thu Dec 31, 1992
J.GNIEWKOWSK [GE-Lamp ST]    at 01:33 EST
 
If I made the stupid comment on this topic about Alan Page writing Flash II, I
apologize!  People tell me I have a brain like a sieve, and sometimes their
right, I think... (Yes, I did make the gaffe here)

In an shamefaced plug, I have recently interviewed Alan about his comings and
goings that will be published in this January's GEnieLamp.  He had some
interesting stories to tell!

Again, CBARRON & Ron when you said Alan Page didn't write Flash II, you are oh-
so-right!!!!!! <very embarassed grin>

 John E. Gniewkowski
 GenieLamp ST Editor
 ----------------------
 Thursday, December 31, 1992
 12:39:10 am


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 147       Thu Dec 31, 1992
P.GRIFFITH2 [PGRIF]          at 02:02 EST
 
  I realize that Stalker can be made to autologon to any BBS, I would like to
be able to call a board I have called once before and type in the appropriate
responses needed to get onto the board, and then have the whole proceedure
automatically be saved as an autologon file. I have seen such a thing for MS-
DOS machuines, and I can probably make a recording with Interlink, but will
Stalker do what I am talking about? I already have it, and can not get up the
energy and patience to set up autologon files for all of the boards I call,
some at two different speeds with different phone numbers.
    Thanks.
   Paul
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 148       Thu Dec 31, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 16:47 EST
 
The newer versions of EdHack interface with Stalker in the same ways as Steno -
- is EdHack still shareware?

I'm sure about the authorship of Flash II. In fact, Alan Page is writing a
brand new program called "Storm," coming your way in first quarter of 93 (or
so I've heard, from Alan.)

Yes, the scrollback buffer in Stalker can be configured to keep up to 2000
lines of text. (Or so it says in the dialog; I've never tried to put in a
number like 9999.) That's a lot for normal usage but the whole thing gets
cleared if Stalker receives an ANSI "clear/home" command. (Yes, Eric put in a
bypass to that, but you have to write a script to do it.)

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 149       Thu Dec 31, 1992
BRIAN.H [ST~SysOp]           at 17:48 EST
 
EDHak is up to version 2.36 and is definitely NOT shareware. Please see cat 2
topic 40.

                                *******Brian*********
        Written on Thursday 31 December 1992 at 06:35 p.m. AST

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 150       Thu Dec 31, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 17:58 EST
 
PGRIF-

Yes, you can have STalker write a script for you.  It requires the use of
WRITESCR.BTK, which you place in your autodialer entry.  That is, click on the
"S" box (in the autodialer) to the right of the BBS you want to call. Type in
WRITESCR.BTK.  When you log on to that BBS, WRITESCR.BTK is automatically
executed; kinda looking over your shoulder (but you're not aware of it) as it
records your keypresses and the system prompt that preceeded it. [control]-Z
stops the script writing but keeps you logged on.

Although it is not necessary to edit the script written by WRITESCR, it is
recommended to reduce it's size.  Any ascii editor will work. (STeno for
example)

 --------
 Gnox- I imagine STalker and STeno have their "Use TT RAM" flags set ON. A
program called PRGFLAGS.PRG will take care of that.  It's here somewhere I
think.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 151       Fri Jan 01, 1993
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 02:44 EST
 
PGRIF-

 >I would like to be able to call a board I have called once before and
 >type in the appropriate responses needed to get onto the board, and
 >then have the whole proceedure automatically be saved as an autologon
 >file.

That's what WRITESCR.BTK does,except you do no typing--it does all the work
for you.  (You have to turn on WRITESCR the first time and type in the info,
then compile the resultant script.  After that, you're on autopilot)  However,
WRITESCR doesn't know, care about, or deal with baud rates, transfer
protocols, etc.  That's elsewhere.

Take a look in your autodialer.....  You'll find a bunch of little blocks to
the right of each line.  One sets baud rate, the other file transfer protocol,
etc.  *These are separate for each line*  So, the BBS on line 1 can have a
baud rate of 110 using XModem whereas the same BBS with a different number can
be placed on line 2 and have a baud rate of 19,200 and using ZModem for file
xfers.  Once you make the required changes/ settings, save Stalker's
configuration (don't click on Save in the autodialer, that's if you want more
than one autodialer) by typing Alt-G.  Now Stalker will remember all the
autodialer's entries, as well as other settings.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 152       Fri Jan 01, 1993
P.GRIFFITH2 [PGRIF]          at 02:58 EST
 
Bob M.,
  Thanks for the info on Writescr.BTK. Is it on my master disks? I'll have to
look. I have stayed far away from anything that resembles a script, but this
sounds great.
  On another topic(I know I am off-topic, but Alladin won't let me write a
separate message for each reply), can you (Bob M.) or somebody else, tell me
which jumpers to change on my STe to use TOS 2.05(6).
 Thanks.
   Paul
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 153       Fri Jan 01, 1993
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 03:42 EST
 
Carl,

Pascal-like? Looks like a sort of C language to me.


John E.,

Yes, Bob Goff is sure,and so am I. Flash II was not developed with any
connection to Alan Page.

Al


Gnox,

Are you running those two DAs inside MDD? I've found that all MDDs run in TT
ram, but they don't when I run them normally and have the flags set for ST
ram.

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 154       Fri Jan 01, 1993
CBARRON                      at 04:27 EST
 
 Al,
  It has more of a pascalish syntax with C like library functions, call it
what you want it is unique and typing in C code to do the script will not work
without modificatins... Same for pascal. At any rate it is very powerful, too
bad I have not had the time to experiment with it.
  Also is you MDD configured for ST or TT ram??
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 155       Fri Jan 01, 1993
SFRT-ASST [Kenne@SFRT]       at 04:35 EST
 
At one point Eric mentioned the .DO file interpreter. That _still_ would be
cool.

The WRitescr.btk May may be WRITESCR.BTS. If so you'll have to compile it It's
located in the BackTALK folder of the master disk.

Run the compiled script and then clean it up in a text editor and then compile

the edited script. You'll want to note hot to S  TOP the recording pr  yocess
before you run it.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 156       Fri Jan 01, 1993
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 06:11 EST
 
Bob and Al,  re STalker/STeno running in TT ram,

Thanks for the suggestions, but you're both wrong.  :)  I've been using
Superflag (from Wizworks' `Mother Hubbard' disk) to set and check the flags -
much handier than PRGFLAGS.  Anyway both STalker and STeno are most definitely
set to run in (and use) ST ram, and both are outside MultiDesk.  I can tell
that they're using TT ram because the amount of `free ram' detected by Hotwire
(at the menu after bootup) goes up and down inversely with the buffer size
settings in the ACCs. The `free ram' is always TT ram because that's where the
largest block is; I'm using almost 2 meg of ST ram for a ramdisk.  And ShowMem
confirms all this.

It isn't a serious problem, but it's kind of intriguing!  I thought one of the
experts around here might have a quick answer.  By the way, my MDD also has
its flags set to use ST ram and I think it does.

Hmmm ... just had a thought - I wonder if PinHead (or, as of yesterday, Warp 9
3.7x) has something to do with it?  Maybe I should go ask the CodeHeads.

  gnox


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 157       Fri Jan 01, 1993
EXPLORER.5 [Robert Goff]     at 18:40 EST
 
Stalker will not automatically record your logon keystrokes and associate them
with the BBS number in the autodialer.

There is a recording feature that will store your logon keystrokes in a script
file, which must be compiled. Then you can attach the script file to the BBS
number in the autodialer with a few mouseclicks.

There is a separate autologon feature in the autodialer, in which you manually
enter the prompts to wait for and the responses to be given. There is one set
of autologon commands per autodialer entry.

The autologon commands and the attached script can't be used at the same time.
If an autodialer entry has both autologon commands and an attached script, the
script gets run. If an autodialer entry which has autologon commands gets
called from within a script, the autologon commands are ignored.

 |) |
 |)O|)
 Robert Goff
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 158       Sun Jan 03, 1993
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 03:42 EST
 
Carl,

My MDD is set for no flags set.

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 159       Tue Jan 05, 1993
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 00:58 EST
 
I just got STalker 3.02 for Xmas and there's one thing that's REALLY bugging
me -- why the heck aren't there any line-feed options?  I found that I could
put STalker into ANSI/VT100 mode and turn on the 'Newline' option, but not in
VT52 mode.  STalker's the FIRST terminal program I've seen that HASN'T had
options for line-feeds.

Also, I can't use STalker 3.02 as an .ACC with FontGDOS installed (it just
crashes and reboots after it tries loading in STALKER.ACC).  Any suggestions?
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 160       Tue Jan 05, 1993
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 07:41 EST
 
Steve, for linefeeds try p.45 in the manual.

  gnox

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 161       Tue Jan 05, 1993
GRIBNIF [Dan]                at 12:30 EST
 
S.Johnson,

  Normally, the only time you need the "newline" mode is when you are directly
connecting two modems together, without any sort of BBS software running on
either machine. Usually, we suggest people use the remote BBS mode, since it
makes uploading and downloading files much easier. Nonetheless, it is on my
list of suggestions to make the newline mode work for VT52, also.

  Has anyone else had problems with STalker and FSM? I've got so many
different versions of FSM around I can't figure out which one has what bug,
anymore.

gnox,

  The AES will always load desk accessories into TT RAM (if possible), even
when their flags are not set to load into TT RAM. Don't ask me why they did it
this way.

L.Chandler,

  When the caller is in remote mode (having called STalker), he can only
execute TOS-based programs, like the TOMSHELL program we include with STalker.
This is because there is no way for the output of a GEM program to be sent
over the modem.

  If, on the other hand, you are running STalker in remote mode on your
machine (so that someone can call you), you can run another GEM program at the
same time, if STalker is running as a desk accessory.

Bob,

  Unfortunately, I don't have the manual I need here. It seems to have walked
off. I do know, hoever, that some modem cables don't even have the DCD
connection. This has been a source of confusion for several customers.

Paul,

  Well, as Ron said, we're pretty biased here, and nobody more than I am. I
will tell you, though, that STalker is so well-written that it was the only
telecomm program to work out of the box on the Falcon 030. STalker also has an
extremely user-friendly interface, and because it can run as a desk accessory
or as a program, you can continue to do work in other programs while STalker
downloads files automatically. There is a demo version in the libraries, if
you would like to see for yourself.

J.Roy,

  Append is on the list of suggestions, thanks.

Dan
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 162       Tue Jan 05, 1993
SFRT-ASST [Kenne@SFRT]       at 13:02 EST
 
Dan, if that was a biased reply,  _you're_ extremely fair-minded. <G>

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 163       Wed Jan 06, 1993
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 03:53 EST
 
Steve,

I don't have FONTGDOS so I can't respond to the crashing. But I haven't had
any trouble getting linefeeds in any mode. I use two STalker DAs on two modems
(two lines) and am hooking up a third with a null-modem feed. They work
wonderfully on the TT; since I still have one serial feed left, I might add a
fourth...

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 164       Thu Jan 07, 1993
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 01:01 EST
 
I found out the problem I was having with STalker 3.02 crashing as an .ACC was
a conflict with the Chameleon v1.19 .ACC and not FontGDOS, as I'd originally
thought.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 165       Thu Jan 07, 1993
G.FUHRMAN [gnox]             at 05:54 EST
 
Thanks Dan - that's what I wanted to know.  (About DA loading.)

  gnox

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 166       Sat Jan 09, 1993
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 02:19 EST
 
I still don't get STalker's 'supposed' multitasking abilities (e.g. background
downloading), as whenever I DO try to do something else while STalker is
downloading, I get various CRC and timeout errors.
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 167       Sat Jan 09, 1993
A.STUDER1 [Andrew]           at 07:57 EST
 
I've started a Zmodem transfer with STalker and went on to LZH the latest
version of my BBS software in the background without a problem!  I have a
16Mhz computer, however, so that may make a difference.  I don't see why you'd
get CRC's though, it seems like timeouts of some sort would be more likely.

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 168       Sat Jan 09, 1993
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 09:26 EDT
 
 

  >I still don't get STalker's 'supposed' multitasking abilities (e.g. 
 Steve,
    You must be using a well-behaved GEM application, and you should
 have the RS232 buffer set large enough that STalker doesn't have to
 clear it often, that way you will have a while to make selections
 from dialog boxes and dropdown menus without causing CRC errors.
 BTW, they DO get corrected, right?




 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 170       Sat Jan 09, 1993
SFRT-ASST [Kenne@SFRT]       at 23:24 EST
 
Since you're online I assume you can dload and run VKILLER from the ST
libraries. 
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 171       Sat Jan 09, 1993
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 23:51 EDT
 
Paul,
    First, you really SHOULD form the habit of reading the
 instructions BEFORE trying to use ANY new program, but that woudn't
 have saved you from your problems.
    If you have a virus in your system, and you put a disk in your drive,
 it WILL overwrite the boot sector.  If that boot sector is needed for
 some kind of protection, the disk is damaged.  This would apply to
 ANY disk.  You must get rid of that virus!  Download Vkiller from the
 library, and kill the virus.  Then try the STalker installation
 again.  
    After you have done the initial install, STalker can be installed
 on whatever drive you want, EXCEPT that if you want it to run as an
 .ACC, then it MUST be on drive C:.  This is not STalker's fault, it
 is the way the GEM system is set up.  It can also run as a .PRG, and
 can then be installed on ANY partition, but you lose the convenience
 of .ACC usage, and the background features.
     Good luck with the virus.  If when you kill it (and you can do
 this by turning the computer off, and then booting with NO disk in
 the drive, (be patient), and then formatting a disk from the desktop,
 and using that as a clean disk (HD oFF).  Most of the time you will
 NOT have the virus on the HD, so it might be safe to boot from the
 HD, but with no disk in the A: drive.  But DO get Vkiller.  Perhaps
 Dan can tell you if the virus has rendered the STalker disk
 uninstallable...


 BTW, if all you wanted was a SIMPLE program, STalker is NOT the one
 for you, but then NEITHER is Flash.  These programs are highly
 complex, and sophisticated terminal programs, and a healthy
 investment of time is required to learn to use them properly.




 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 172       Sun Jan 10, 1993
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 03:43 EST
 
Steve,

I'm able to do downloads or uploads on TWO STalkers running as DAs while doing
something else (as long as that something else is a GEM program or desktop
operations).

Al

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 173       Sun Jan 10, 1993
P.BURNETTE                   at 13:57 EST
 
well, i got the replys the next day after booting up my computer how i
regularly do.  who knows what amage i may have done.  what i do NOT understand
is how/why i have a virus.  i have not downloaded any software from anywhere,
and the only software i was using is a fresh-out-of-the-box stalker 3.  does
gribnif have a history of infected disks?  all this has really put me in a
foul mood!!!

paul
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 174       Sun Jan 10, 1993
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 14:15 EDT
 
Paul,
     I have not heard of any STalker disks having a virus.  Just what
 makes you think you DO have a virus?  Did Vkiller say so?  Did it
 name the virus, or just say you MIGHT have one.  What symptoms of a
 virus do you have?


 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 175       Sun Jan 10, 1993
P.BURNETTE                   at 16:22 EST
 
ron,
   i think i've figured it out.  when i tried to run the register program the
program shot up a window saying it couldn't do it because the disk had a
virus.  i then downloaded Vkiller as suggested (thanks) and found out that it
had a "key" or "class 1" virus on it.  well, low and behold almost ALL
 my disks had this virus on there, so the virus lurking in my computer for god
knows how long infected stalker3.  in fact, if it weren't for the virus
detection that stalker must have i never would have known that i had a virus!!
apparantly this was an harmless virus because it hasn't done anything to my
computer for the (at least)  [C [C [C [C it has been there.  i 'killed' it
with the vkiller and proceeded to run the registration program.  i'm now
trying to copy it to my hard disk.  the manual (yes, i am reading it) says to
only copy the stalker.prg and stalker.rsc to the hard disk.  strange.  when i 
do this and run the program it lets me know that i'm it can't find something
it needs.  when i copy the entire disk to the hard drive and then run the
program, it reads from both the hard drive and drive A.  mmmm.  a box came up
telling me i had to rename a path if A wasn't the read drive, but when i tried
opening the file it suggested all i could do with it was read or print it.
        the other weird thing happening now is that if i mouse up to the file
section and quit the program it clears the screen and freezes everthing to
where i have to reboot the computer.
        and hey, where's the buffer on this thing?  out of habit i just
clicked with my right mouse button (on my current st-talk it brings up the
buffer), but nothing happened.  back to the manual!!

   thanks for the previous help.  i'll get all this knocked yet!

paul
 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 176       Sun Jan 10, 1993
MIKE-ALLEN [NM~SysOp]        at 17:05 EST
 
Paul,

did you by any chance buy a copy of WordUp 2 several years ago? There was a
batch that came from NeoCept infected with a key virus.

        Mike

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 177       Sun Jan 10, 1993
AEO.3 [Lyre]                 at 20:15 EST
 
Paul,

Make sure that you run VKiller on *all* of your disks.

Otherwise you might re-infect your computer.  For instance, you could clean
ten disks, use a disk that you thought was safe but which is also infected and
re-install the virus on your system.  Without powering down completely, any
cleaned disks you then use would become infected also.

Viruses are not fun.  You have to make sure that you clean up each and every
occurance of it or the single remaining copy will grow to cover all of your
disks again.

                                        Lyre
                                        ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE

                                        8:05 pm, January 10, 1993

 ------------
Category 17,  Topic 3
Message 178       Sun Jan 10, 1993
NTACTONE [Ron Hunter]        at 23:18 EDT
 
Paul,
    Keep reading the manual.  It ISN'T Flash..  And if you have 1 meg
 or more, install STalker as a .ACC.  Lots better that way.



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