FFFFFFFF LL EEEEEEEE XX XX PPPPPP AA CCCCC FF LL EE XX XX PP PP AAAA CC CC FF LL EE XX XX PP PP AA AA CC FFFF LL EEEE XXX PPPPPP AA AA CC FF LL EE XX XX PP AAAAAAAA CC FF LL EE XX XX PP AA AA CC CC FF LLLLLLLL EEEEEEEE XX XX PP AA AA CCCCC This is the "quick" documentation for FlexPac, which is distributed in the shareware version. If you register, you will receive the full 55+ page printed User's Guide. This file is not intended as a replacement for the documentation - it should be enough to install and try FlexPac and perhaps to whet your appetite! The version being distributed vis shareware does not contain the full log function; all other features are in that package. You may use this version as-is, and you may distribute to friends or place on BBS's, as long as the entire package is distributed. See files README.1ST and ORDER.TXT for ordering information. DISCLAIMER: The FlexPac program and its ancillary support programs can be freely distributed and used for any noncommercial purpose. However, there are no warranties or guaranties of any kind implied or expressed. The user is responsible in full for all implications of the usage and installation of the program. The author and other persons associated with the development of the program shall not be liable for any damages directly or indirectly resulting from the installation and/or use of these programs. If you like and use the program, and wish to support the development of good, inexpensive software, please send a small registration fee of $40 plus $3 S&H to Rich Thorne WB5M 133 Light Falls Drive Wake Forest, NC 27587 In return, you will receive the latest copy of the program on diskette and full documentation. You also will receive notice of major fixes and enhancements. Be sure to include your CALL and whether you want 360K/5.25" or 720K/3.25" diskettes. For the full log version, include $75 + $3 S&H. If you are not a registered user of FlexPac, you may still use it but you will occasionally get a small reminder written on your screen reminding you about Shareware. When you register, you will be given a code based on your CALL; using the same procedure that is used to change colors and the screen window arrangement, you can then customize your version of FlexPac so that the reminder does not appear. Quick Installation - Since you are reading this file, you have already done part of the installation. If you downloaded FlexPac from a BBS, or got it from a friend, you probably got it in PKZIP format, and have already UNZIPped the .ZIP file. If you received a distribution diskette from the author, follow the instructions at the end of the README.1ST file included in the package. Simply, once you create a FLEXPAC subdirectory and copy (or UNZIP) all the files to it, all you have to do to start is to type the command FINSTALL. Some of FlexPac's functions: - optomized to work with the PacketCluster (tm) - separate windows on the screen for output from the TNC, and your keyed input - output appears simultaneously, even as you are keying - supports two simultaneous sessions (streams) in different windows - user defined scripts that can automatically process logon, logoff, and other complex functions; this includes a WAIT function so that you can synchronize your script to the system you are connected to - pull down menus to easily select options - the ability to schedule an event at a future time - easy user function key definition - capture of received data to a disk file - optionally calls you by an alarm when someone connects to you - you can edit the line you type, before actually sending it to the TNC - power typing with word wrap (use when sending messages) - full log function with quick dupe (not in shareware version) - displays country, beam heading, and distance on DX spots System Requirements: - IBM PC, PC Convertible, PS/2 or compatible. - PC DOS 2.1 or later (PC DOS 3.0 or later required for DOS subset feature) - 256K RAM - standard serial port (COM1 or COM2) - color graphics adapter (CGA, EGA, VGA, PC Jr, or PC Convertible are OK; IBM MDA (original Monochrome Display Adapter NOT usable). - color display (preferred; monochrome display on color adapter can be used) - TAPR-2 like TNC Note: to use FlexPac you MUST set your TNC for 8 bits, no parity. Keys: Enter sends the current line you have typed Esc sends the character that causes the TNC to go from CONNECT mode to CMD mode - you should then see the CMD prompt on the screen. The character sent is $03 (hexadecimal 3). If you are in scroll back mode, Esc cancels this mode and returns you to normal control. Home moves the cursor to the beginning of the current input line End moves the cursor to the end of the current input line Ctrl-PgUp eliminates the current window from the screen. Ctrl-PgDn erases the current line you are typing in the key area, clears the line, and sets the cursor back to column one Ctrl-Home clears the active window Ctrl-End erases from the cursor to the end of the input line Ins has no effect - always in Insert mode Del deletes the character above the cursor Backspace deletes the character to the left of the cursor and moves the cursor to the left one character (rubout) Alt-s activates the scroll back buffer for the current window Alt-d activates the scroll back buffer for the DX window Alt-m brings up the pull down menu FlexPac Commands: @ALARM @AL manually turns on or off the same alarm tone as used in the connect alarm or talk monitor; the alarm is also turned off by the next keystroke @ALARM | ON | @AL | OFF | @AT specifies an event to be run in the future at the hour (hh) and minute (mm) you specify - the action can be any text, definition, or command; @AT OFF turns off any pending event @AT | hh:mm action | | OFF | @AUTOHELP @AH specifies whether automatic help should be displayed when you enter the incorrect syntax for a command | @AUTOHELP | | ON | | @AH | | OFF | @AUTOSPOT @AH specifies whether an automatic DX spot should be generated as a result of adding a lot entry to the log database | @AUTOSPOT | | ON | | @AS | | OFF | @BELLS allows or suppresses the Ctrl-G (bell sound) on incoming messages @BELLS | ON | | OFF | @BLIP @BL send an automatic message every nnn seconds | @BLIP | | nnn message | | @BL | | OFF | @CAPTURE @CAP controls logging of all data written in a window to a disk file | @CAPTURE | | TO | filename | | | @CAP | | PRINTER | | P | | OFF | @CLEARSCREEN @CLS clears the current window | @CLEARSCREEN | | @CLS | @CLUSTERCALL @CLCALL identifies the callsign of the PacketCluster node; if you DIGI through another station, use that station's callsign, not the cluster callsign | @CLUSTERCALL | call-sign | @CLCALL | @CMD tell the TNC to enter CMD mode @CMD @COMSTAT displays COM port statistics @COMSTAT @CONNECTALARM @CA turns ON or OFF the Connect Alarm facility | @CONNECTALARM | | ON | | @CA | | OFF | @CRWAIT used when BBS systems do not put carriage returns after each line; @CRWAIT specifies how long in seconds to wait for a carriage return; if not found, the pending line is written to the screen anyhow @CRWAIT seconds @DEF allows you to define your own function key definitions @DEF | | Fxx key-definition | CTRL | | C | | ALT | | A | @DELAY delay `tt' seconds during script execution @DELAY tt @DO causes the run of the script labeled "name"; for more information on the proper format, see section "Testing and Controlling In The FLEXPAC.CTL File" @DO script-name | up to 9 tokens | @DOS @DOSNW @DOSNOWAIT do a DOS command or enter DOS subset (DOS 3.0 or later required); the NW or NOWAIT form does not wait for a keypress after the DOS command is executed; to enter DOS subset mode, just say @DOS | @DOS | | @DOSNW | | @DOSNOWAIT | @DX controls routing of DX spot information to the screen and/or printer, and also controls whether there is a DX window on the screen @DX | ON | | SCREEN or S | | OFF | | PRINTER or P | | WINDOW or W | | IDENTIFY | | ON | | ID | | ONF | @ERROR sends an error message to the current window - the message is in the error color, and the alarm tone also sounds @ERROR message @EXIT stops the program immediately; the SHUTDOWN script is NOT run @EXIT @GMT adjusts the FlexPac clock for GMT time; set @GMT to the amount to be added or subtracted from the computer clock time to equal GMT time. @GMT + or - difference in hours @HALT stops TNC communication; also see @RESUME @HALT @HELP give you help on the various FlexPac commands @HELP which-command @KEYS specifies the text that appears on the bottom line of the display @KEYS | | bottom-line-text | CTRL | | C | | ALT | | A | @LATLONG @LL specifies your QTH location latitude and longtide; the format must be as shown; decimals should not be used; xx and yy are whole degrees | @LATLONG | | xxNyyE | | @LL | | xxSyyE | | xxNyyW | | xxSyyW | @LOG starts up the logging window and log function @LOG @MENU display the pull down menu run @MENU @MONITOR @MON causes a short beep on each output line @MONITOR | ON | | OFF | @MYCALL @MYC identifies your callsign to the system | @MYCALL | callsign | @MYC | @MYNAME @MYN identifies your name to the system; the name can be one or more words, but I recommend using only your first name. | @MYNAME | your-name | @MYN | @NEED allows you to specify prefixes you need; when a DX spot appears with the any prefix of the country you specify, the alarm sounds @NEED | PREFIX prefix | | RESET | @RESUME resumes TNC communication; also see @HALT @RESUME @SAY send a line to the current window @SAY message @SEND causes the characters in the specified file to be transmitted @SEND filename @SHUTDOWN @SHUTD causes running of the SHUTDOWN script, which should end with @EXIT | @SHUTDOWN | | @SHUTD | @TALKMONITOR @TM turns ON or OFF the Talk Monitor facility | @TALKMONITOR | | ON | | @TM | | OFF | @TRACE when you enter a FlexPac command, it is normally written to the output screen; when you are writing a script, you may want to suppress these; @TRACE ON turns them on, @TRACE OFF turns them off @TRACE | ON | | OFF | @WAIT suspends running of the script until the specified text appears in the TNC output, at which time running will resume; pressing Esc on the keyboard aborts the WAIT, and the script will then continue; the text can appear anywhere within the received line to be detected properly; see also @WAITNOTFOUND and @WAITTIME @WAIT text-to-wait-for @WAITNOTFOUND @WNF identifies the script that should be run when an @WAIT fails (i.e. the text is not found within the default time or the time specified by @WAITTIME | @WAITNOTFOUND | script-name | @WNF | @WAITTIME @WT overrides the default time (in seconds) of how long to wait for the text in an @WAIT command to appear | @WAITTIME | seconds | @WT | @WORDWRAP @WW enables or disables power typing and word wrap | @WORDWRAP | | ON | | @WW | | OFF | Scripts: You can create scripts of commands. Each script begins with :label, and ends with a :. Execute the script using the @DO command. All scripts must be in the FLEXPAC.CTL file - see this file for examples.