DOCUMENTATION FOR XFER.BAS PROGRAM
Original program by AL JEWER 11/11/81
Re-written by Wayne M. Hammerly 11/19/81
Enhancements added 12/01/81 by wmh
Version 1.3 released 12/16/81 by wmh
+++YOU MUST HAVE SENDOUT.COM+++
HERE'S THE OLD PROBLEM:
You are on your favorite RCPM systems and see five or six
files to transfer to your system, or perhaps you want to send
a group of programs over there To reduce your phone time, you
could prepare a submit file which uses SENDOUT.COM and MODEM.COM
to modem over the files automatically. Writing a SUBMIT file takes
a while, and would be VERY impolite to tie up the RCPM while you
hack away, editing the file. SYSOPs don't like that kind of thing!
Well,if you make a SHORT list of the programs you want, then
run XFER.BAS, it will prompt you for file names & other commands
for both your's and the Remote system, creating the file XFER.SUB
containing all the commands necessary for the transfer. These
commands would include change logged disks, and user areas.
Using this utility, you could be back in minutes,transfering
programs with a minimum of delay.
One word of caution: Unless you have the permission of the
SYSOP, please do not transfer a large batch of files, tying up the
phone for hours on end. I can think of no better way to wear out
a welcome! Most systems have one hour limits, so plan accordingly.
updated commands as of 12/16/81:
If you are Sending files, you will be asked if the remote
accepts the 'C' XMODEM option for CRC checking.
Very few, if any, RCPM systems will accept a 'COM' file
A warning message will be issued if you try sending COM files. You
may eliminate this feature in the source code to send COM files.
How to run XFER.BAS:
Upon running XFER, you will be asked if you wish to send or
receive, and at what baud rate. The next prompt asks you if you
would like to freeze the options. Answer Y (yes) if you want all
transfers to use the same modem options (O,Q,C, ect.) and all
files transfered to or from the same disk. The next two prompts
are self-explanitory. Choosing to freeze the options will cause
the program to issue only the next two commands listed below.
Choosing not to freeze the options will give you all of the
following prompts:
COMMANDS TO THE REMOTE >
Answer with either a command to the remote such as moving to a new
disk or user area, or a carriage return (CR) for no command.
FILENAME >
Use the standard CP/M format of FN.FT as usual. If you need
another command to the remote, such as when changing both drive
and user areas, enter '$$$' at the FILENAME prompt. This will
cause the COMMANDS line to reappear, and you may enter additional
command(s). If you want a command to your system, type 'XXX' for
the filename. Use this comand to to do a DIR or a MODEM D at the
end of the transfer. Be sure to send the BYE command to the remote
before logging off! A CR will terminate the program.
MODEM OPTIONS >
Enter any options IN ADDITION TO the mandatory R or S, such as the
'O' or 'Q' options DO NOT enter an R or S at this prompt!
YOUR DISK TO SEND/RECEIVE FROM/TO >
This is your disk, not the remote's! If you wish to write or
send from the default disk of your system, a carriage return (CR)
will do. You will now return to the top command. YOU MUST INCLUDE
A QUOTE! Type 'B:' to send to or recieve from your drive B.
To end, hit a CR for both the COMMAND and the FILENAME. Remember
to return to the remote and log off with 'BYE' if it is not a part
of the submit file!
Run Xfer a number of time for practice before trying it on line.
Look at the XFER.SUB file to see how the process works.
Happy computing!
+++ Notes on compiling XFER.BAS:
You will see the following line during compilation, ignor it.
0017 0007 300 CLEAR 1000
^ SI
It will not cause an error either in assembly or running.
Using BASCOM 3.21, XFER.COM is 16K. Editing out all of the
REM statements doesn't seem to cut down the size or the run time.
END