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***** Note! *****:

Welcome to DiaLog - A Phone Dialer and Logger and more......

This is the DOS version of DiaLog.  It is presently not compatible with the Windows version and may therefore not be installed in the same directory.

Port 3 and 4 Considerations:

DiaLog can be configured from within to work with modems on ports 1 to 4.  If your modem is on either 1 or 2 and works with other COM programs, it will work fine with DiaLog.

If your modem is on ports 3 or 4 there are several things to consider.  If your modem is working properly on those ports with other COM programs, but not with DiaLog, the other programs are most likely accessing the device addresses directly without going through the DOS function calls, or you already are executing a program such as COMSET (By David Macchia) which add ports 3 and 4 to the DOS system.

Program COMSET.COM is included with the installation disk.  It merely adds the additional 2 ports and does not use any of your memory resources.  It is best to add the statement "COMSET" to your AutoExec.bat file in order to execute it everytime you start your computer.  Place COMSET.COM into a directory that is in your PATH statement, such as "DOS".

There is one more consideration to take into account when using ports 3 or 4.  If your mouse uses port 1, you cannot have the modem on port 3.  If the mouse is using port 2, the modem cannot be on port 4.  This is because DiaLog temporarily assigns port 3 to 1, or port 4 to 2.

As a general rule, if DiaLog says it has trouble with the COM port, you need to run the COMSET program.  If the computer hangs up, you have interrupt problems, such as the mouse and modem trying to use the same port.

Some Limitations:

There presently is a problem with the Microsoft compiler used for this project.  It has problems restoring an iconized form with the mouse if the form is a child form with a menu on it.  The Editor, Calculator and Alarm Clock fall under the child category (they are children of the main DiaLog form).  The Control Panel is also a child form, but it does not contain a menu.

Because of this problem and some related problems, minimizing has been disabled for all forms until Microsoft fixes the bugs.  To take advantage of the password protection feature, simply use the screen saver mode.

There is no real need to iconize a form in the first place.  A form can simply be loaded on top of other forms.  To access the lower forms simply click on the form with the mouse if part of the form is visible, or press <Ctrl-F6> until the form becomes the top form.

Another problem may be encountered while deleting and inserting lines of text in the Editor.  Sometimes a line may appear to be there twice, or not at all.  Simply select <Page Up>, <Page Down> to refresh the display and all will be ok.

As soon as Microsoft provides a bug fix, a new version of this program will be uploaded without any additional registration fee.  Registered users will be informed of the upload.

The author held off publishing this program in hopes that Microsoft would come up with a fix soon.  However, it does not appear that Microsoft is going to fix the problem in the near future.  Since the problems are avoidable, it was decided to publish the program.  (Now is Jan 1995 and MicroSoft seems to have no intention of fixing the above problems - it appears they want everyone to switch to Windows!)
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Disclaimer:

DiaLog COPYRIGHT (c) 1993-1995 WOLFGANG JOHN  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THIS PROGRAM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR ENDORSEMENTS REGARDING THE USE OF, THE RESULTS OF, OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM, ITS APPROPRIATENESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR CURRENTNESS.  THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE USE OF THIS PROGRAM IS ASSUMED BY THE USER.  IN NO EVENT WILL WOLFGANG JOHN OR HIS EMPLOYEES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL, RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECT IN THE PROGRAM, EVEN IF WOLFGANG JOHN HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  THIS DISCLAIMER SHALL SUPERSEDE ANY VERBAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENT TO THE CONTRARY.  IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THESE TERMS YOU MUST CEASE AND DESIST USING THIS PROGRAM.
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Version Changes:

- Version 2.13  1-25-95 -

1.  Added two additional address books for a total of 4.

2.  Fixed a bug that caused DiaLog to exit if an attempt was made to delete a non-existing Log file.


- Version 2.12  1-19-95 -

1.  Explained COM3 and COM4 handling

2.  Added COMSET.COM

3.  Documentation changes


- Version 2.11  5-26-93 -

Some combinations of modem and computer created a speed problem which caused the auto-redial-on-busy feature not to work properly.  This version fixes this problem.

- Version 2.1   5-12-93 - 

1.  Provide auto-redial if busy.


- Version 2.01 3-22-93 -

1.  Fixed bug with Jobcode logging.    


- Version 2.0  1-20-93 -

Original program - no version 1 existed.  This program made version 2.0 to keep it compatible with the Windows' version of DiaLog.
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Deleting DiaLog:

To delete DiaLog from your system:

If you have installed DiaLog for DOS in its own directory, then all you have to do is delete all files from that directory.  (Del c:\Dialog\*.*)  Then delete that directory itself.  (RD c:\Dialog)

If you have installed DiaLog for DOS in the same directory as DiaLog for Windows, then delete all files beginning with Fon.  (Del c:\Dialog\Fon*.*)
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DiaLog to Others:

You are encouraged to pass DiaLog to others.  Simply pass on the compressed file FoneD.exe.

ANYONE WISHING TO CHARGE A FEE FOR DISTRIBUTING DiaLog to others, MUST have been recognized by the ASP (Association of Shareware Professionals), otherwise the distributor is guilty of copyright violation.
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DiaLog Files:

The following files make up the DiaLog system.  They were installed in your DiaLog directory by FoneD.Exe.   See <DiaLog to Others> in this help file before passing DiaLog to another person.

FoneDos.Exe     The DiaLog program
FoneHelp.Hlp    The DiaLog help file
Fonehlp1.Hlp    The DiaLog help file for special
                features
FoneRead.Hlp    This help file
FoneRgst.Txt    A registration form to register
                DiaLog

In addition, the DiaLog system generates some or all of the following files.  The first 5 files MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASSED ON TO ANOTHER PERSON.

DialLst1.dat    The BOOK1 address book
DialLst2.dat    The BOOK2 address book
DialLog1.txt    The log file for BOOK1
DialLog2.txt    The log file for BOOK2
DialJbCd.dat    The job code file

FonCtrlp.ini    The control panel init file
FonEdit.ini     The Editor init file
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Shareware Concept:

Shareware is copyrighted software which is distributed by authors through bulletin boards, on-line services, disk vendors, and copies passed among friends and acquaintances.  It is commercial software which you are allowed to try before you pay for it.  This makes Shareware the ultimate in money back guarantees.

With Shareware you get to try a program for a reasonable limited time (30-45 days), without spending any money other than perhaps for downloading from a bulletin board or paying a Shareware distributor a small fee for his disk.  You are able to use the software on your own computer, in your own work environment.  If you decide the program is not for you, you remove it from your computer and erase all copies, including the data files.  If you do decide to keep it, then - and only then - do you pay for it.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.  Shareware is produced by accomplished programmers, just like retail software.  There is good and bad Shareware, just as there is good and bad retail software.  The primary difference between Shareware and retail software is that with Shareware you know if it's good or bad before you pay for it.

The Shareware system and the continued availability of quality Shareware products depend on your willingness to register and pay for the Shareware you keep.  The registration fees you pay allow Shareware producers to support and continue to develop their products.  Please show your support for Shareware by registering those programs you actually keep and use and by passing them on to others.  Shareware is kept alive by your support!
