Copyright: Copyright© 1999 Symantec Corporation.  All rights reserved.
Citation: Copyright© 1999 Symantec Corporation.  All rights reserved.


Answering Calls

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Procomm Plus makes it easy for you to connect to other systems, but it also makes it easy for other users to connect to your computer! You can either set Procomm Plus to answer all incoming data or fax calls, or enable Auto Answer whenever you’re expecting a call. Either way, your callers are automatically connected!

Perhaps the easiest way to answer an incoming call is to run the Host script. It turns the Terminal window into a single-line BBS that others can call to transfer files, exchange mail messages and even request faxes!

The Host script is discussed in detail in Host, the BBS Script.

For more information about answering calls, see the following topics:

Auto Answer Modes

Step-by-Step: Answering a Data Call


Auto Answer Modes

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If you don’t want to use the Host script, you can answer calls by selecting an answer mode from the Options | Answer Options menu.  First, click on the Procomm Plus Answers Calls menu item from the Options | Answer Options menu, then select the desired answer option:

Data

Fax

Both Data and Fax

Any change you make to these settings will change the settings for Incoming Call Handling on the System, Modem Connection panel within Setup!  See Modem Connection Options for more information.

If your modem has a speaker and it’s enabled, you’ll hear incoming calls "ringing". If the Terminal window is visible, you may also see a "RING" message from the modem.

If you select one of the Answer Options commands, you won’t need to do anything when someone calls. Otherwise, you’ll need to select an Answer Options command when you receive a call, or manually send the commands to your modem to make it answer the call.

If you're receiving a fax call, you can select the Fax | Answer Fax Now menu item from the Fax Status window. If you're receiving a data call, you can select the Data | Answer Data Call Now menu item from the Terminal window menu to answer it manually.

If you're using a single telephone line for all of your calls including voice, you'll probably want to answer all calls manually. Otherwise, if you've set Procomm Plus to answer all calls automatically, your modem will answer each time someone calls. Your callers will be greeted by your modem's answer tones and will probably hang up and try again.


Capture Files

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Using the Terminal window’s Capture file features, you can record data received while on-line to a disk file. This can be very useful! For example, if you’re calling an information service that charges by the minute for on-line time, you can capture messages and text files, and read them after you’ve disconnected, which can save you connect charges.

Procomm Plus’s Capture file handling is designed to be convenient and flexible. You can record information in one of three different ways, each of which offers its own advantages:

As it appears in the Terminal display

Text is captured as it scrolls off the top of the screen into the Scrollback Buffer. When written to the Capture file, the text is formatted just as it appeared in the display.

Filtered text

All of the text sent by the host system is written to the Capture file, but the emulation’s formatting information is removed. The Filtered text mode is most useful if the data you’re capturing will be processed by a script or application.

Raw text, including emulation sequences

All data sent by the host system is written to the Capture file, including all text, graphics characters and emulation control sequences. A "raw" Capture file can be re-displayed in the Terminal window with the playback function, allowing you to review an entire on-line session without having to reconnect to the host!

Capture files are limited only by your system’s available disk space.

For more information, see the following topics:

Opening a Capture File

Replaying Captured Data


Capturing Data

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As you connect to and interact with other systems, you’ll probably want to save some of the information that’s written to the Terminal display. Using Procomm Plus, you can capture data in several different ways:

•	By selecting it from the Terminal display, as discussed in The Terminal Display and the Mouse.

•	By recording it in a Capture file.

•	By using a Screen Capture.

•	By logging it to a printer using Print Capture, which is available from the Terminal window File menu.

•	By selecting it from the Scrollback Buffer.


Compiling Scripts

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As we mentioned previously, you can use the Compile/Edit ASPECT File dialog to select and compile or execute your scripts. However, the dialog also allows you to configure the ASPECT Compiler and manage your script files! Press <Alt><F3> or click on the Compile/Edit button to open the dialog.

Notes

When you select a script in the File Name list box, whether they’re compiled or not, Procomm Plus reads the first line of the file. If the first line is a comment beginning with a semicolon, Procomm Plus displays the line as a note or comment for that script. For example, if the first line of a script read:

; Revision 1.0 of notes.was, a script example

that text would appear in the Notes field.

Compile

When you click on Compile, the ASPECT Compiler is launched to process the script file you’ve selected in the File Name list box. If the compile is successful, a .wax file is created. Otherwise, the compiler window will display the error(s) which caused the failure, allowing you to correct the problems and retry the compile.

Compile and Run

The Compile and Run button launches the ASPECT Compiler, which processes your script just as it does when the Compile button is pressed. However, if the compile is successful, the compiler window closes and the newly-generated .wax file is immediately executed.

Compile Options...

Click on this button to open the ASPECT Compiler Options dialog, where you can specify how the compiler should process your script files. For more information on this dialog and the settings it controls, see Debugging Options.

New

Click on this button to open the editor you’ve specified in the Editor name & path field in the System, System Options panel in Setup with a new, untitled file. By default, the ASPECT Editor is launched.

Edit

Click on this button to load the file selected in the File Name list box into the editor you’ve specified in the Editor name & path field in the System, System Options panel in Setup. By default, the ASPECT Editor is launched to open the file you’ve selected.

Delete

Click on this button to delete the file selected in the File Name list box. Procomm Plus prompts to confirm before deleting the file.

Exit

Click on this button to close the Compile/Edit ASPECT File dialog and return to the Terminal window.

For more information on writing, compiling and running script files, please refer to the ASPECT Script Reference.


Completing the Connection

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Once Procomm Plus has established a connection with your host or system, it returns you to the Terminal window and reports the connect message on the status line. If you can see what you’re typing and what the host or system is sending to you, you’re on-line!

What happens next depends on the type of system or host you’ve called:

•	A bulletin board system or BBS.

BBSs typically begin sending logon prompts or "marquee screens" as soon as you’ve connected. If you don’t see incoming data within a few seconds, press <Enter> once or twice until you get a response. On some systems, you may need to use <Space> instead, or press <Esc> once or twice.

When you’re logging on to a BBS for the first time, read the opening screens carefully. If the BBS has special information available for new callers, the system operator or "sysop" will often mention it as you’re logging on!

•	Another personal computer, running Procomm Plus or another software communications package.

If the other system is running Procomm Plus’s Host script, you’ll receive its logon prompts as soon as you’ve connected. If you’re connected to the other system via a null modem cable, Host will send its logon prompts as soon as you’ve selected the COM port.

•	A mainframe or minicomputer host system.

Mainframe and minicomputer host systems typically prompt with a fairly cryptic prompt once you’ve connected, and the actual procedure varies widely between systems. If you have questions about connecting or logging in, you’ll need to ask the host’s administrator or help desk for assistance.

•	An information service, such as CompuServe or GEnie.

Information services typically begin prompting for your logon id and password as soon as you’ve connected. Some systems, however, require you to press special key sequences to signal the system. For example, to request a logon prompt for the CompuServe Information Service, you’ll need to press <Ctrl><C> after Procomm Plus has connected.

If you have a problem connecting to an information service, you’ll need to check its user guide, or call its help line for assistance.

If you’re able to complete the logon procedure, you’re given access to the system. If your port settings don't match those used by the host or system, however, you may need to make an adjustment:

Doubled characters.

If each character you type appears twice, lliikkee tthhiiss, or if they do not appear at all, select the Options | Data Options | Advanced... menu item to open Setup. Toggle the Duplex setting. For example, if it’s currently set to Full duplex, then click on Half duplex, and vice versa. Click on OK to accept the new Duplex setting.

Line spacing problems.

If the cursor does not move to the next line when a line is full, or when you press <Enter>, or if text is displayed "double-spaced," select the Options | Data Options | Terminal Options... menu item to open Setup. Toggle the Incoming CR to CR/LF option. Click on OK to accept the new setting.

Garbled characters.

If some of the data from the other computer looks garbled, check the port settings. Select the Options | System Options | Modem Connection menu item to open Setup, and then press the Modem/Connection Properties... button. Select the new settings within the Connection panel.


Connection Log

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Click this button to view the combined record of all of your fax attempts, and of the successful data connections you’ve made with the Connection Directory. The combined record lists the type of event, as well as its date, time, duration and outcome:

Print

Click on this button to send the viewed log file to the printer.

Export

Click on this button to save the viewed log to a text file. Procomm Plus prompts for the name of the exported file, and supplies the default extension of ".txt".

Delete

Click on this button to remove entries you’ve selected from the list.

Clear All

If you want to remove all of the entries from the Connection Log, click on this button.

Close

Click on this button to close the Connection Log dialog.


Customizing the Terminal Window

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Depending on how you use Procomm Plus, you may find that you don’t want to display all of the Terminal window features. You can choose whether to hide or display most of these elements from the Setup menu.

To Toggle This...	Do This...
Meta Keys	Select the View | Meta Keys menu item.
Quick Select Line	Select the View | Quick Select Line menu item.
Status Line	Select the View | Status Line menu item.
The Meta Keys, Quick Select Line and Status Line settings you choose are automatically saved and used for the current and future sessions.

Selecting Action Bars

You can also control the display of the Action Bar, by selecting the View | Action Bars... menu item. This option is also available in the other communication windows of Procomm Plus, such as the Data window. Click on this menu item to open the Load Action Bar dialog, where you can specify the Action Bars that you want to display at the top, bottom, left and right sides of the Terminal window. You can also select an Action Bar to be displayed in a "floating" window that you can place anywhere on your display.

To add an Action Bar, just click on the appropriate drop down list box and select one of the .pwb files from the list. If you want the Action Bar you select to be used in all of Procomm Plus's communications windows except for Fax Manager, enable the Global check box beside the list box.

To remove a bar, select the "[None]" item in the appropriate list. If you want to restore the default Action Bar settings, click on Use Defaults.

To close the dialog and save your changes, click on the OK button. To close the dialog without saving any changes you may have made, click on Cancel.

The selections you make and save in the Load Action Bars dialog will automatically be used as the default Action Bars for future sessions. However, if you attempt to connect to a Connection Directory entry that specifies its own Action Bar preferences, those preferences will override the default Action Bars. For more information, see "Action Bars" in Data-class: Action Bars or Telnet-class: Action Bars.


Data

Select Options | Answer Options | Data to answer only incoming data calls from other computers. Procomm Plus will disconnect all incoming fax or voice calls. This command is only available if you’re using a modem connection.


Data Log

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Click this button to view the record of all successful data connections you’ve made through the Connection Directory. The Data Log includes the event’s date, time, duration and outcome:

Print

Click on this button to send the viewed log file to the printer.

Export

Click on this button to save the viewed log to a text file. Procomm Plus prompts for the name of the exported file, and supplies the default extension of ".txt".

Delete

Click on this button to remove entries you’ve selected from the list.

Clear All

If you want to remove all of the entries from the Data Log, click on this button.

Close

Click on this button to close the Data Log dialog.


Data and Fax

Enable both Options | Answer Options | Fax and Options | Answer Options | Data to answer both incoming fax and data calls. Procomm Plus will disconnect all incoming voice calls. This command is only available if you’re using a fax modem connection and your modem supports Adaptive Answer - check your modem's manual to verify that your modem is capable of Adaptive Answer.


Elements of the Terminal Window

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This topic explains the basic elements of Procomm Plus’s main window, called the Terminal window. If you haven't already opened the Terminal window, you'll need to do so before we can begin exploring it. Just select the Start | Programs | Procomm Plus | Data Terminal menu item on the Windows 95/NT taskbar.

After Procomm Plus loads, it displays its Terminal window:

The Terminal window is visually divided into three horizontal segments:

•	A top segment, including a title bar, the standard Windows control buttons, a menu bar, and a row of list boxes and buttons called the Action Bar. See The Terminal Window Action Bar and Menus for more information.

•	A middle segment, including a display area and a graphical frame and background, and a scroll bar control on the right side of the window. See The Terminal Display Area for more details.

•	A bottom segment, including a row of push button Meta Keys and two rows of fields containing text or graphical displays called the Quick Select Line and the Status Line. See The Status Line Area for more details.

To learn more about customizing the Terminal window, see Customizing the Terminal Window.


Fax

Select Options | Answer Options | Fax to answer only incoming fax calls. Procomm Plus will disconnect all incoming data and voice calls. This command is only available if you have a fax modem connection.


Fax Log

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Click this button to view the record of the fax transmit and receive events that occur on your system. You can view the log within Fax Status. Or, if you’re already viewing the Connection Log or Data Log, you can view the Fax Activity Log by clicking on the Fax Log button on the left side of the dialog.  Each entry in the log is a record of a send or receive fax event, with fields indicating all of the information available about the event:

Status

This field reports whether the fax was successfully sent or received. If the event resulted in a failed or terminated transmission, it lists the cause of the unsuccessful communication.

File

The name of the .fax file involved in the event, if available.

From/To

The sender or recipient of the received or transmitted fax, respectively.

Number

The fax number dialed in the fax attempt.

Date

The date the fax event occurred.

Time

The time the fax event occurred.

Pages

The number of pages contained in the fax.

Duration

The length of time the fax modem was "off hook" during the event.

Depending on the resolution of your graphics display, you may have to scroll the list to view some of the fields. You can also resize the fields by placing the mouse cursor over the graphical separator bars and dragging them to new positions.

You can select an entry in the log by clicking on it, or by highlighting it with the <Tab> and cursor keys. You can also select multiple entries by dragging over them, or by holding down the <Ctrl> key as you click on them.

The command buttons at the bottom of the Fax Activity Log allow you to print, export or delete the log entries:

Print

Click on this button to print the contents of the Fax Activity Log.

Export

Click on this button to save the contents of the Fax Activity Log as a space-delimited text file. A standard Save As dialog allows you to specify a name for the new file.

Delete

Click on this button to delete the entry or entries you’ve selected.

Clear All

To reset the Fax Activity Log and clear its contents, click on the Clear All button. Use this button with caution, as the program does not prompt to verify that you want to reset the log.

Close

When you’re finished viewing the log, click on Close to exit the dialog.


Going On-line

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You can specify settings in a Data- or Telnet-class Connection Directory entry to make your sessions in the Terminal window as convenient as possible, regardless of the variety of hosts or services you connect to.

When you connect to a host or service using a Connection Directory entry, that entry’s settings become the current settings for the Terminal window. If you’ve chosen to display the Quick Select Line, its fields update to indicate the current settings. For example, if you connect to a host using an entry that specifies the Ind$file protocol, that protocol will be pre-selected when you initiate a file transfer, and the Quick Select Line’s protocol field will display "Ind$file".

If you enable the Prompt for download protocol before starting transfer option in the Data, Data Options, Advanced settings panel in Setup, the Terminal window will also prompt for the protocol when you select the Data | Receive File menu item.

If you connect to another system without using a Connection Directory entry, the Terminal window does not adjust any of its current settings.

For our discussions in this section, we’ll use the default Action Bar’s Rapid Connect feature. Keep in mind, however, that the full power of the Connection Directory is available from within the Terminal window at the click of a button!

For an explanation of connecting from the Connection Directory, see Connecting with a Data Entry or Connecting with a Telnet Entry.

For more information, see the following topics:

Completing the Connection

Answering Calls


Kermit Server Finish

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Select the Data | Kermit Command | Finish menu item to terminate the Kermit server, and return to the host operating system.


Kermit Server Get File

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To download a file, you must first logon to your mainframe host and place the host into Kermit server mode.

To download the file, select the Data | Kermit Command | Get File... menu item to display the Kermit Get Command dialog. Enter the name of the file, just as it appears on the host, in the edit field. On some systems, you can also include settings or arguments in addition to the filename. Click on OK to accept the filename and arguments, if any, and begin the host’s transfer.


Kermit Server Logout

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Select the Data | Kermit Command | Logout menu item to terminate the Kermit server and log out of the host, terminating the on-line session.


Kermit Server Mode

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If you connect to a mainframe or minicomputer that supports the Kermit protocol "server" mode, you can easily transfer files between your machine and the host! Procomm Plus offers four commands you can use if the host system is acting as a Kermit server:

Get File

Send File

Finish

Logout

Before you can use the Kermit server commands, you must place your host in to server mode. Once the host is in Kermit server mode, it will only accept information in the form of Kermit packets. For the particular steps required to initiate and use Kermit server mode on your host, consult with your system administrator or help desk.


Kermit Server Send File

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With the host in Kermit server mode, uploading a file is a simple process! Select the Data | Kermit Command | Send File... menu item to display the Send File dialog. You can browse for the filename you want to send, using the standard Windows navigation controls available in the Send File dialog. When you’re satisfied with your selection, click on OK to accept it and begin the transfer!


Launching a Script

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You can launch a script file in four different ways from within the Terminal window:

•	By selecting it from the Action Bar’s Script File list box.

The Script File list box displays the names of the compiled scripts available in your default script path. Click on the list box arrow to select and execute a script. If the filename you want is already displayed in the list box, you can click on the Run Script Action Bar button to execute it.

•	By selecting the Run command.

Select the Tools | Scripts | Run... menu item, or press <Alt><F5> to open the Run ASPECT File dialog.  This dialog displays the compiled script files available in the Script Path specified in the Data, Data Options, Paths panel in Setup. It also allows you to browse for scripts in other drives and paths.

Once you’ve located and selected the script you want, click on OK to launch it. To close the dialog without running a script, click on Cancel.

•	By selecting the Compile/Edit command.

Select the Tools | Scripts | Compile/Edit... menu item, or press <Alt><F3> to open the Compile/Edit ASPECT File dialog.  By default, this dialog displays the source script files available in the Script Path specified in the Data, Data Options, Paths panel in Setup. You can specify other file types by clicking on the List Files of Type list box, and browse for files in other drives and paths.

Once you’ve located and selected the script you want, click on Run to launch it. To close the dialog without running a script, click on Exit.

The Compile/Edit ASPECT File dialog also has other purposes. See Compiling Scripts for more information.

•	By connecting to a Connection Directory entry linked to the script.

If you’ve linked a script to a Connection Directory entry, Procomm Plus will automatically run the script when you connect to the entry. This feature can make logon or repetitive-task scripts very convenient, indeed!


Opening a Capture File

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You can open a Capture file in of two ways:

•	By pressing <Alt><F1>, by clicking on the Capture File Action Bar button, or by selecting the Data | Capture File... menu item.

•	By assigning a Capture file to an individual Connection Directory entry, and connecting to that entry.

Procomm Plus uses the options you’ve specified in the Capture File Options dialog, available from the setup button for Capture on the data tab found by selecting Options | Data Options | Setup Files... menu item.

To close the Capture file, you can either press <Alt><F1>, click on the Capture File Action Bar button, or select the Data | Capture File... menu item.

You can make Procomm Plus’s Capture file handling even more flexible by enabling the Query for file name when capture is started option in the Capture File Options dialog available in the Data, Setup Files panel. If this option is enabled, Procomm Plus will prompt with the following dialog whenever you open a Capture file. The options available in this dialog are the same as those in the Capture File Options dialog, except for two important features: the Capture File Directory and the Capture file list box.

The Capture File Directory reports the current destination of the Capture file. The list box allows you to select an existing file, or to enter a filename to be used for the new Capture file.

When you’re satisfied with your selections, click on OK to accept them and close the dialog. To close the dialog without creating a Capture file, click on Cancel.


Preparing Procomm Plus

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Once the host is ready to send your file, you need to prepare Procomm Plus to receive it. As with the host, Procomm Plus needs to know the protocol you want to use and the file(s) you’re receiving.

If you selected the Zmodem, Kermit or CIS-B+ protocol on the host, and Enable automatic download start is checked in the Data, Data Options, Advanced settings panel in Setup, Procomm Plus will handle the download automatically!

If the Terminal window’s Quick Select Line is displayed, you can check its protocol field to quickly determine the current protocol. If the current protocol isn’t the one you selected on the host, you can select the proper protocol by clicking on the Quick Select Line’s protocol field to display the list of available protocols, then clicking on the one you want.

If you’re not using the Quick Select Line, you can verify the current protocol by opening Setup, and looking in the Data, Transfer Protocol panel. To select a different protocol, simply click on the Current Transfer Protocol list box to display the list of those available, then click on the one you want. Click on OK to accept your changes and close Setup.

After you’ve selected the protocol, click on the Receive File Action Bar button, or select the Data | Receive File... menu item. Procomm Plus displays the Receiving File dialog. By default, Procomm Plus saves the files you receive or download into the Download path directory you specified in the Data, Data Options, Paths settings panel in Setup. For more information, see Paths Options. You can select a different file destination by selecting the directory you want in this dialog.

Click in the File Name edit field, and enter the name of the file the host is sending. If the host is sending multiple files in a batch transfer, enter the name of one of the files. The protocol will handle the remainder of the files in the batch automatically. Click on OK to accept the filename and begin receiving the file.


Preparing the Host

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Before the host can send a file to your machine, it has to know which file you want to receive and the transfer protocol you want to use. The method of locating and specifying a file depends on the kind of host or system you’re connected to.

For example, BBSs typically provide a "Download" or "File" area, where you can browse particular libraries or sections for the filename(s) you want. Information services like CompuServe and GEnie use a similar strategy. On mainframe or minicomputer hosts, you’ll need to check with the system administrator or help desk for instruction.

Once you’ve located the file(s) you want, you’ll need to tell the host which transfer protocol to use when sending the file.

A protocol is a defined set of rules and conventions used in transferring data from one computer to another. A protocol definition includes rules about how errors will be detected and corrected, and the information that is sent in addition to the actual file. For more information, see File Transfer Protocols.

You’ll need to select a protocol that is supported by both the host and Procomm Plus. If you’re connected to a BBS, you’ll probably have a wide selection of protocols. On other systems, especially mainframe or minicomputer hosts, the selection may be more limited.

If it’s available on the host system, we highly recommend the Zmodem protocol. It’s a batch protocol, meaning that you can send or receive multiple files in a single transfer. It also includes the filenames in the transfer and can even resume interrupted transfers. Best of all, if you’ve checked Enable automatic download start in the Data, Data Options, Advanced settings panel in Setup, Procomm Plus will initiate Zmodem transfers as soon as the host begins to send information! Automatic downloading is also supported for the Kermit and CIS-B+ protocols.


Preparing the Host before Sending a File

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Before the host can receive a file from your machine, it needs to know that you want to send a file. It then needs the name of the file you’re sending, and the transfer protocol you want to use. How and where you specify the filename and protocol for the host depends entirely on the host.

For example, a BBS typically provides an "Upload" or "File" area, where you can request permission to send a file. If you have upload privileges, the BBS prompts for the information it needs, then advises you to initiate the transfer. Information services such as CompuServe and GEnie are similar. On mainframe or minicomputer hosts, you’ll need to check with the system administrator or help desk for instruction.

As with a download transfer, you’ll need to select a protocol that is supported by both the host and Procomm Plus.


Receiving Files

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Using Procomm Plus, you can receive, or "download" files from another computer. Downloading a file from another computer essentially creates a copy of the file on your machine.

The actual steps involved in downloading a file vary widely depending on the host or system you’re using. However, each time you download a file, you’ll need to do two things: prepare the host for the transfer, and prepare Procomm Plus to receive the file.

Preparing the Host

Preparing Procomm Plus


Replaying Captured Data

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If you create Capture files using the "raw" setting, you can play them back in the Terminal display. Because raw Capture files include all of the emulation sequences that were originally sent by the host, if you play them back through the same emulation, a replayed Capture file will look just like it did while you were on-line capturing it!

To replay a raw Capture file select the File | Start File Playback... menu item to open the Playback File dialog. The Playback File dialog is a standard "open file" dialog; to select a file, just click on it in the File Name list box. You can also browse for the file you want in other locations.

When you’re satisfied with your selection, click on OK to close the dialog and begin playing the file. To close the dialog without playing a file back, click on Cancel.

As the Capture file is replaying, you can pause and resume it by pressing the <Ctrl><S> and <Ctrl><Q> keys, respectively. To terminate the replay, you can either press <Esc>, click on the File Playback Action Bar button, or select the File | Stop File Playback... menu item.


Running Scripts

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An ASPECT script file is a simple ASCII text file that contains commands to be executed by Procomm Plus. Before the script can be run or executed, it must be processed by the ASPECT Compiler.

Procomm Plus gains several advantages by using compiled scripts:

•	Faster execution. The ASPECT Compiler translates each statement in the script into a group of "tokens" or symbols that Procomm Plus can read and execute directly. This dramatically reduces the executable’s file size, and allows Procomm Plus to execute the script without having to first interpret a larger source file.

•	Support for advanced features. Using ASPECT, you can create your own dialog boxes and custom user screens for your scripts, and take advantage of a tremendous array of functions. Many of these features would have been difficult, if not impossible to provide without using compiled scripts.

•	Security. The tokens generated by the compiler are encrypted to prevent anyone from reading embedded text strings or numbers, such as a password or logon ID. This means that you can distribute compiled copies of your scripts to other Procomm Plus users without revealing any sensitive information.

An uncompiled script, or a "source" file, has an extension of .was, meaning "Windows ASPECT Source," while a compiled script has an extension of .wax, for "Windows ASPECT eXecutable".

If all of these details sound intimidating, don’t worry! Procomm Plus handles most of the details for you automatically. Just remember to save your source script files with an extension of .was, and place them in the Script path you’ve specified in Data, Data Options, Paths panel of Setup. When you compile them successfully, the .wax file will be created automatically in the same location. If the script fails to compile, the ASPECT Compiler provides a list of any error messages and will even save those messages to a text file if you wish.

Procomm Plus also automatically handles another important task for you: updating the compiled script. If you select a .wax file to execute, Procomm Plus searches for a source file of the same name. It compares the creation dates of the two files; if the source file is newer than the executable, it prompts you to determine whether it should recompile to "freshen" the executable!

For more information, see the following topics:

Launching a Script

Compiling Scripts

The Script Recorder


Running the Recorder

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To start the Script Recorder, select the Tools | Scripts | Start Recorder menu item, or press <Alt><]>. While the recorder is running, the menu item is changed to Stop Recorder; you’ll select it again when you’re finished with the activity you want the new script to duplicate. A Script Recorder button is also available on the default Action Bar; it’s even animated while the recorder is running.

Before you start the recorder, make sure you’re ready to begin the activities you want the script to perform. For example, if you want to record a logon procedure, select Scripts | Start Recorder just before you dial the host system. This allows the recorder to "see" all of the prompts you respond to when logging on to the system.

Once you’ve started the recorder, respond to the host system’s prompts or screens just as you do normally. The recorder performs its tasks transparently. In fact, the only differences you’ll see in the Terminal window are a Status Line message stating you are in record mode and the animated Script Recorder button on the default Action Bar!

After you’ve finished the task you want the recorded script to perform, stop the recorder by selecting the Tools | Scripts | Stop Recorder menu item, pressing <Alt><]> or clicking on the Action Bar’s Script Recorder button. The Save Recorded Script dialog appears. The recorder provides a default script name of record.was, but you’ll probably want to specify a different one. To do so, click in the File Name edit field, and enter the name.

The recorder also supplies a generic Notes comment. Again, you’ll probably want to specify a different one by clicking in the Notes field and entering it.

If you want the new script to run when you connect with a particular Connection Directory entry, click on the Attach to Connection Directory entry list box and select the entry name.

To accept the File Name and other settings for the new script and save it, click on the Save button. This closes the dialog and returns you to the Terminal window. If you’d like to save the script and attempt to compile it, click on Save and Compile to close the dialog and launch the ASPECT Compiler. To close the dialog without creating a new script, click on Cancel.


Saving the Scrollback Buffer

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Whether you’re viewing the Scrollback Buffer or not, you can direct its contents to the following destinations:

•	To the Windows Clipboard, by pressing  <Alt><F9> or by selecting the Edit | Scrollback Buffer to | Clipboard menu item. The buffer will be copied as text to the clipboard.

•	To an open Capture file, by selecting the Edit | Scrollback Buffer to | Capture File menu item. The buffer will be written using the same filtering options in effect for the Capture file.

•	To a text file using a filename you specify, by pressing <Alt><F11>, or by selecting the Edit | Scrollback Buffer to | File... menu item.

•	To the printer, by selecting the Edit | Scrollback Buffer to | Printer menu item.

•	To a mail system, by selecting the Edit | Scrollback Buffer to | MAPI Mail menu item. You must be connected to a MAPI-compatible network electronic mail system to use this feature.

The contents of the Scrollback Buffer are not affected by any of these actions.


Screen Captures

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Instead of opening a Capture file, or selecting different segments of the Terminal display, you may sometimes find that it’s more convenient to capture an entire screen of received data. Using Procomm Plus, you can easily copy the contents of the current Terminal display to the following destinations:

•	To the Windows Clipboard, by selecting the Edit | Screen to | Clipboard menu item. The display contents will be copied as text to the clipboard.

•	To an open Capture file, by selecting the Edit | Screen to | Capture File menu item. The buffer will be written using the same filtering options in effect for the Capture file.

•	To a text file using a filename you specify, by selecting the Edit | Screen to | File... menu item.

•	To the printer, by selecting the Edit | Screen to | Printer menu item.

•	To the Scrollback Buffer, by pressing <Alt><K>.

If you’re using a terminal emulation that doesn’t clear the screen or scroll incoming data, Procomm Plus may not record it within the Scrollback Buffer. You can use <Alt><K> to directly "paste" a specific screen image into the buffer!

•	To a mail system, by selecting the Edit | Screen to | Mail menu item. You must be connected to a MAPI-compatible network electronic mail system to use this feature.

The contents of the Terminal display are not affected by any of these actions.


Scrollback Buffer scrollbar
Scrollback Buffer scrollbar.

Most on-line systems, such as BBSs, send "screens" of information by scrolling lines for characters to the Terminal display. You may find that the text you want to reference, such as a filename or other important information, has scrolled off the Terminal display just when you need it. With the Terminal window’s Scrollback Buffer, you can easily review and copy information that has scrolled off of the display.

To view the contents of the Scrollback Buffer, just click on the arrow button at the top of the scrollbar, or on the Scrollback Buffer button on the Action Bar. Or, from the keyboard, press <Alt><Page Up> or <Alt><Up Arrow> to access the Scrollback Buffer from the keyboard. Notice that the scrollbar changes color to indicate that you're viewing the Scrollback Buffer  and that real-time data is not displayed.

The Scrollback Buffer is discussed in much greater detail in Using the Scrollback Buffer!

You can exit scrollback mode by pressing <Esc>, by clicking on the arrow button at the bottom of the scrollbar until the Terminal display returns to real-time data, or by clicking on the Scrollback Buffer button on the Action Bar.

You can adjust the number of pages stored by the Scrollback Buffer by editing the Scrollback pages setting in the Data, Terminal Options settings panel within Setup.


Searching for Filenames with the File Clipboard

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You can either browse for the filename(s) you want directly, or use the clipboard’s Search Up and Search Down buttons.

If you use the Search... buttons, the clipboard scans for valid filenames in the appropriate direction within the Terminal display and Scrollback Buffer. The File Clipboard scans for text that could be used as a DOS filename, meaning that strings of up to eight characters followed immediately by a period and an extension of up to three characters will be detected as "valid."

As each filename is found, it’s highlighted on-screen and also displayed in the clipboard window’s edit field. When you’ve located a filename you want, just click on Add. The filename is appended to the list of files, and the clipboard automatically searches for the next valid filename.

Although the File Clipboard scans for and selects filenames automatically, you’re not limited to its Search... buttons. You can add filenames to the list manually. Just click in the edit field, enter the filename, and click on Add. The filename you enter will be added to the list.

You can also search manually for the filenames you want, by browsing through the Scrollback Buffer and Terminal display. When you locate a filename you want, just double click on it to highlight it, then click on Add to append it to the list.

If you’ve set the Left Mouse Button Action to send a single character with or without a Carriage Return in the System, System Options, Left Mouse panel in Setup, double clicking on a character in the Terminal display when the clipboard is open will not send a character out the port. The File Clipboard, if open, is always considered the "target" of double clicks regardless of the Left Mouse Button Action setting.


Searching for Text in the Scrollback Buffer

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You can also search for text within the Scrollback Buffer.  Select the Edit | Find... menu item to display the Find dialog.  Enter the text you want to search for in the Find What edit field, and click on Find Next to initiate the search. If your search text is found, you can repeat the search by clicking on Find Next again.

You can search Up, towards the beginning of the Scrollback Buffer, or Down, towards the current Terminal display, which is always the last screen in the buffer, by selecting the appropriate option button in the Direction group box.

Regardless of which direction you choose, your search begins at your current position in the Scrollback Buffer. If you want to search the entire buffer, you should move to the beginning or end of the buffer by positioning the scroll bar, then search towards the opposite end of the buffer.

By default, the search will find any series of characters matching the string you entered, but you can limit the search to an entire matching word by enabling Match Whole Word Only. For a case-sensitive search, enable Match case

The Find function can’t locate words that span or "wrap" more than one line.

To close the Find dialog, click on Cancel.


Selecting Text from the Scrollback Buffer

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While you’re viewing the Scrollback Buffer, you can select characters, words or pages of information from the Terminal display and then direct the information you’ve selected to one of the Copy to... destinations. See The Terminal Display and the Mouse for more information.

If you click and drag beyond the upper or lower boundaries of the Terminal display while in the Scrollback Buffer, the buffer will scroll appropriately, allowing you to select multiple pages. You can also save the entire Scrollback Buffer. See Saving the Scrollback Buffer.


Sending Filenames from the File Clipboard

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Once you’ve selected the filename(s) you want, you’re ready to send them to the host! With the File Clipboard, this is as easy as a point and click!

Keep in mind, however, that the host must be ready to receive the filename(s).

To transmit a filename to the host system, select it in the list by clicking on it or highlighting it with the <Tab> and cursor keys. You can even select multiple filenames by holding down the <Ctrl> key and clicking on them, by dragging over them with the left mouse button, or by holding down the <Shift> key as you move the highlight bar with the cursor keys.

Once you’ve selected the filename(s) you want to transmit, click on Send. If you select multiple filenames, they will be sent separated by the character specified in the File separator list box at the bottom of the clipboard window. A terminating carriage return is also transmitted.

The Remove when sent option determines whether the File Clipboard automatically deletes filenames from the list once they’ve been sent to the host system. If this option is checked, the filename will be deleted from the File Clipboard list regardless of the outcome of the file transfer.

Some host systems require you to enter a single filename on each line, while others may allow you to send an entire line of filenames separated by spaces. The File separator character determines what character Procomm Plus will insert between filenames. The default character is a carriage return, but you can select a different separator from the File separator list box. Other common separator characters are space and comma.

Separator characters only appear between filenames. If a single filename is sent, it will not have a separator, but it will have a carriage return.

Also keep in mind that multiple file or "batch" transfers are not supported by all protocols. Generally, the Kermit, Zmodem and Ymodem protocols can handle batch transfers, but you’ll need to confirm this on your host’s system.

With other protocols, such as Xmodem or 1K-Xmodem, you’ll need to transfer files one at a time. To use the File Clipboard with single file transfers, select and send each filename one at a time. If you enable the Remove when sent option, the filenames will be deleted from the File Clipboard as you send them, making it easy to determine which names you’ve sent to the host for processing!

You can also specify the separator to be used each time you open the File Clipboard in the Data, Data Options, General settings panel in Setup. For more information, see File Clipboard separator in General Data Options.


Sending Files

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Using Procomm Plus, you can send, or "upload" files from your computer to another computer. Uploading a file essentially creates a copy of your file on the other computer.

The specific steps involved in sending a file vary widely depending on the host or system you’re using. However, each time you upload a file, you’ll need to do two things: prepare the host to receive the file, and initiate the transfer with Procomm Plus.

Preparing the Host before Sending a File

Sending the File


Sending the File

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Once the host is ready to receive your file, you need to tell Procomm Plus to send it. As with the host, Procomm Plus needs to know the protocol you want to use and the file(s) you’re sending.

A protocol is a defined set of rules and conventions used to transfer data from one computer to another. A protocol definition includes rules about how errors will be detected and corrected, and the information that is sent in addition to the actual file. For more information, see File Transfer Protocols.

If you’ve enabled the Terminal window’s Quick Select Line, you can check its protocol field to quickly determine the current protocol. If the current protocol isn’t the one you selected on the host, you can select the proper protocol by clicking on the Quick Select Line’s protocol field to display the list of available protocols, then clicking on the one you want.

If you’re not using the Quick Select Line, you can verify the current protocol by opening Setup, and looking in the Data, Transfer Protocols panel. To select a different protocol, simply click on the Current Transfer Protocol list box to display the list of those available, then click on the one you want. Click on OK to accept your changes and close Setup.

After you’ve selected the protocol, click on the Send File Action Bar button, or select the Data | Send File... menu item. Procomm Plus displays the Send File dialog, a standard browsing dialog that defaults to the Upload path you specified in the Data, Data Options, Paths settings panel in Setup. See Paths Options.

You can select a file from the current directory by clicking on it in the File Name list box, or browse for other directories or drives with the dialog’s controls.

If the protocol you’ve selected allows "batch" transfers of multiple files, you can select them by holding down the <Ctrl> key as you click on the filenames you want, or by dragging over them. From the keyboard, you can hold down the <Shift> key as you move the highlight bar over them with the cursor keys.

Once you’re satisfied with the filename(s) you’ve selected, click on OK to close the Send File dialog and begin the file transfer.


Step-by-Step: Answering a Data Call

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Answering an incoming data call is much like placing a call. Complete the following steps:

1.	Configure the connection for the incoming caller's terminal settings.

To properly connect, the connection must use the same Parity, Data bits, and Stop bits settings as the incoming caller's system. In most cases, you should use the None, 8, 1 settings for best results. Select the Options | System Options | Modem Connection... menu item to open Setup, and then press the Modem/Connection Properties... button. Select the correct settings in the Connection panel.

2.	Configure the Terminal window's Answer Options to accept data terminal calls.

Select Procomm Plus Answers Calls and Data from the Options | Answer Options cascading menu. For more information about this and the other Answer Options settings, refer to Auto Answer Modes..

Note that Procomm Plus's Host script can also handle an incoming call. See Running Host for more information.

3.	Complete the connection.

Wait for the incoming caller to dial your telephone number. As the caller attempts to connect, you may hear various sounds produced by your modem as it attempts to negotiate the connection. After the connection is established, you'll most likely see "CONNECT" and other messages in the Terminal display indicating the connection speed and other information.

Any characters sent by the other user will appear after these messages. You can type to respond, or use the Chat window to communicate with the other user. For more information, refer to The Chat Window.

Note that if you're using the Host script to respond to incoming data calls, you'll see Host initiate its logon sequence after a connection is established. For more information, see Host in Action.


Step-by-Step: Recording a Script

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To record a script, follow these steps:

1.	Prepare the host or remote system.

To create scripts, the Script Recorder "watches" the characters you type and the information the host transmits in response. You’ll need to activate the recorder just before you begin the activity you want the script to reproduce for you.

For example, if you’re recording a logon script for a BBS, you’d want to start the recorder before connecting to the system.

2.	Start the Script Recorder.

Select Tools | Scripts | Start Recorder from the menu, or click on the Action Bar’s Recorder button. After the Script Recorder is started, the Start Recorder menu command changes to Stop Recorder, and the corresponding Action Bar button is animated.

3.	Complete the procedure you wish to record.

If you’re connecting to a BBS, respond to its prompts and menus just as you would normally. When you’ve finished the activities that you want the recorded script to perform, select Tools | Scripts | Stop Recorder or click again on the Action Bar’s Script Record button to stop recording.

4.	Specify a filename for the new script.

When you close the recorder, Procomm Plus displays a dialog, prompting you for the name for the new source file. If you wish, you can also compile the new script from this dialog.

At this point, rather than compiling your script, you may wish to save and edit it. Scripts generated by the Script Recorder sometimes need "fine-tuning" before they’ll successfully duplicate your tasks.


Terminal display
Terminal display.

The Terminal display is where the characters received by your computer actually appear. These characters form "screens" of information, and typically the "screens" prompt you to interact with the system you're accessing.

The size of the Terminal display is determined by the number of rows and columns specified for the terminal in Setup, the particular emulation you’re using, and the size of the current terminal font. It is also affected by any elements from the other two segments that you’ve "hidden" by toggling them off from the Options menu.

You can also change the size of the display by stretching or shrinking the Terminal window. By default, Procomm Plus will automatically re-size the font to fit the new dimensions of the window. For help in changing this behavior, see "Terminal autosize" in Terminal Fonts.


Terminal frame
Terminal frame.

By default, a graphical frame surrounds the Terminal display. Its purpose is only cosmetic; you can remove it by disabling the Display terminal frame setting in the Data, Window Colors, Workspace panel in Setup.


Terminal workspace
Terminal workspace.

Surrounding the Terminal display and the frame is another graphical region called the Terminal workspace. This region is primarily cosmetic. However, the workspace can be used by ASPECT scripts to display graphical objects for almost any purpose.

The size of the Terminal workspace is determined by the same factors that affect the display. By default, it is filled with a graphical pattern. You can select a different pattern or change its color in the Data, Window Colors, Workspace panel in Setup.


The Chat Window

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If you call many bulletin boards, you may have had a direct, real-time conversation with the operator through the Terminal window. This is usually referred to as "chatting". Chatting is also popular on many large information services. For example, the CompuServe Information Service’s CB Simulator feature allows many users to carry on conversations in a round-table style.

Procomm Plus's Chat window makes it easier for you to chat, because it helps you to differentiate the text you send from the text you receive. Characters you receive from the host system or service are displayed in the Terminal window, while the characters you enter appear in the Chat window as they’re sent.

Any Meta Keys that you’ve configured to transmit text will also work in Chat Mode, and you can also use the Terminal window’s capture and printer functions.

To open the Chat window, select the Data | Chat Window... menu item. The Chat window is very simple to use - just enter the text you want to send!

For your convenience, you can move the Chat window anywhere on your display. You can also specify either line- or character-based transmission of the text you enter. See Chat Mode transmit method in General Data Options.

A chat script is also provided with Procomm Plus, named chat.wax. It provides a "split" window chat interface within the Terminal display, rather than a separate window. Some users prefer this alternative approach.


The File Clipboard

  Related Topics

If you’re downloading a single file from a host system, it’s usually easy to remember the filename and enter it at the system’s prompt. If you’re downloading multiple files, or if you access systems that use exotic filenames, however, it can be tedious indeed! Why not just "pluck" the filenames you want from the Terminal display or Scrollback Buffer? Procomm Plus’s File Clipboard can do it for you automatically!

The File Clipboard works much like a miniature, specialized version of the Windows Clipboard. Instead of cutting, copying and pasting data between Windows applications, it copies filenames from the Terminal display and allows you to send them to a host system at your discretion.

Long filenames can be up to 255 characters in length, but should not include embedded spaces. Enable the Long filename support check box at the bottom of the window if you want the File Clipboard to search for these filenames.

To open the File Clipboard, click on the File Clipboard Action Bar button, or select the Data | File Clipboard... menu item. The File Clipboard window is quite compact, and it’s movable so that you can place it where it’s most convenient. The window contains a menu bar, an edit field and list box, and a variety of command buttons and option controls.

For more information, see the following topics:

Searching for Filenames with the File Clipboard

Sending Filenames from the File Clipboard

The File Clipboard's Menus


The File Clipboard's Menus

  Related Topics

Menu | Item	Description
File | Open...	Allows you to select a text file of filenames to be loaded into the File Clipboard’s list of filenames. The text file can either be one you’ve created or one you’ve saved from an earlier File Clipboard session.
	If you’re creating your own list, format it with one filename per line, each followed by a carriage return. If you place more than one filename on a line, each space-delimited word will be interpreted as a filename.
File | Save As...	Saves the File Clipboard’s filename list as a text file, using a filename you specify.
	By using the Open... and Save As... commands, you can download using a single list of filenames for multiple on-line sessions.
File | Exit	Closes the File Clipboard window. The filename list is not affected; it is maintained until you Clear the list or exit Procomm Plus.
Edit | Copy	Copies filenames you’ve selected in the File Clipboard’s list to the Windows Clipboard as text. From the keyboard, press <Ctrl><C>.
Edit | Paste Text	Pastes filenames from the Windows Clipboard into the File Clipboard’s filename list. From the keyboard, press <Ctrl><V>.


The Meta Keys

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The Meta Keys are multipurpose buttons which are displayed by default at the bottom of the Terminal display. You can configure Meta Keys to:

•	Transmit text, with or without echo to the Terminal display.

•	Run ASPECT scripts.

•	Run programs, including Windows applications or .pif files.

•	Execute a command from the Procomm Plus menus.

•	Generate special terminal emulation key sequences.

For example, if you find that you often open a particular application while you’re using Procomm Plus, or if you repeatedly send the same text to a host system, you can automate your task by configuring a Meta Key to perform the appropriate action! For help in editing Meta Keys, see The Meta Key Editor.

Meta Keys require only a single click to operate. Do not double-click on them, as this could result in script errors or multiple executions of a program.

The Meta Keys are stored in files with a .key extension. To load a different Meta Key file in the Terminal window, open the Data, Setup Files settings panel in Setup and select an available .key file in the Meta Keys list.

Each Meta Key file contains four sets of buttons; each set contains ten buttons. One set of ten buttons is visible at any time in the Terminal window. You can toggle the displayed set of buttons by pressing <Alt><-> or by clicking on the button located at the left end of the Meta Keys.

Although only one set of buttons is displayed at any given time, you can activate any of the Meta Keys by pressing the appropriate key combination. As indicated by the label on the toggle button, each set is mapped to an <Alt>, <Alt><Shift>, <Alt><Ctrl>, or <Alt><Shift><Ctrl> key combination. The buttons within a set are mapped to the <1> through <0> keys, where <1> is mapped to the Meta Key farthest to the left. To activate a specific Meta Key from the keyboard, press the Meta Key's corresponding set and numeric key combination. For example, press <Alt><Ctrl><5> to activate the fifth Meta Key in the <Alt><Ctrl> set.

If the Meta Key buttons don’t appear on your Terminal window, they've been turned off from the Setup menu. To display them, select the View | Meta Keys menu item.

To load a different Meta Keys file, open the Data, Setup Files settings panel in Setup, and click on the Meta Keys list box to select an available .key file.


The Monitor Window

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Procomm Plus’s Monitor window can be a useful tool if you’re experiencing problems with a particular host’s emulation support. The Monitor window provides an exact display of the characters sent to and received from the host system. The information is not filtered, processed or altered by the current terminal emulation, making it perfect for debugging emulation sequences without leaving Procomm Plus!

To open the Monitor window, select the Data | Monitor Window... menu item.  You can move the Monitor window to any location on your display, and resize it to suit your needs. It displays data in two columns. The left column depicts incoming and outgoing characters in hexadecimal value, while the right column displays their corresponding ASCII characters on the same line. Characters you send and receive are color-coded for display and appear in the window in the order they occurred.

For help in configuring the Monitor window colors, For more information, see Window Colors.

The Monitor window includes a simple menu that allows you to exit, or save the window’s hexadecimal contents to a special file named monitor.cap. If a monitor.cap file already exists, the new information will be appended to the old file.

When you select the Monitor window as your active window, the transfer of data is paused, to allow you to scroll and examine the data stream depicted in the Monitor window. If you’ve enabled software or hardware flow control, Procomm Plus will use it to help avoid the loss of incoming characters. This makes it very convenient to switch between the Terminal and Monitor windows simply by clicking on one or the other to activate them in turn.

If the Terminal window is active and new data is sent or received, the Monitor window will automatically scroll to display it. The Monitor window will not display data during a file transfer or fax operation.


The Quick Select Line

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The Quick Select Line is a dual-purpose feature of the Terminal window. It acts as a status line that reports the current value of several important Procomm Plus settings, but also allows you to change those settings with only a click of the mouse!

The Quick Select Line appears at the bottom of the Terminal window. From left to right, the Quick Select Line displays:

•	The current terminal emulation.

•	The current default transfer protocol.

•	The current connection.

•	The current baud rate and port settings.

•	Custom fields.

As you move the mouse pointer over a field, Procomm Plus changes the cursor to a pointing hand to indicate that the field is selectable. When you click on the field, a pop-up list is displayed showing the available choices. Click on the item you want, and the Terminal window will use it as the current setting.

If you click with the right mouse button on any of these fields, Procomm Plus will automatically open Setup to the settings panel related to the field you clicked. The right mouse button has no effect on the custom fields.

At the end of the Quick Select Line are one or more configurable fields. If you’re running in a video resolution of at least 800x600, and Terminal window is large, you may see two or more of these custom fields. The right mouse button does not effect a custom field, but you can click on a custom field to choose one of several display elements.

The default display for the first configurable field is a real-time simulation of the indicator lights on an external modem. This can be very useful in diagnosing problems with a modem or host system! Custom fields can also display:

•	The current terminal row and column position.

•	The available space for download files.

•	The current amount of free memory, as reported by Windows.

The Free Memory selection is the amount of free memory reported by Windows. Since this can include swap files, it may be higher than the total physical memory in your computer.

•	A graphic representation of the amount of data held in the transmit and receive buffers.

•	A real-time clock.

•	The name of the currently-running ASPECT script.


The Script Recorder

  Related Topics

Perhaps the most common use for an ASPECT script is to automate a logon, or to automate certain activities on a host system. Typically, these involve a simple set of keystrokes that are repeated each time you perform them manually. You can use the Terminal window’s Script Recorder to easily create a script that performs such a repetitive process each time you run it!

The Script Recorder monitors a host system’s prompts, and the characters you type in response to them. It then uses this information to generate an ASPECT source file. Once you’ve specified a name for the .was file, and compiled the script, you can run it to respond to those same prompts just as though you were entering the information from the keyboard!

Running the Recorder

Step-by-Step: Recording a Script


The Status Line

  Related Topics

At the bottom of the Terminal window is the Status Line. It is used to display messages and program information, including connection results and the status of file transfers. ASPECT scripts can also use the Status Line as a message area.

For example, this Terminal window Status Line shows that Procomm Plus has opened the COM port, but you're not currently connected to another computer:

If you're currently connected to another computer via modem, the Terminal window also displays the word "online" and the elapsed time for the call at the right side of the Status Line.

If the Status Line doesn't appear in your Terminal window, it's been turned off from the View menu. To display it, select the View | Status Line menu item.

The The Quick Select Line also displays useful information about the status of Procomm Plus and your system.


The Status Line Area

  Related Topics

The lower segment of the Terminal window consists of a row of buttons known as the Meta Keys, a line of clickable fields called the Quick Select Line, and a Status Line.


The Terminal Display Area

  Related Topics

The Terminal display consists of four components:

Terminal display

Terminal frame

Terminal workspace

Scrollback Buffer scrollbar

One of the most useful features of Windows is that its graphical environment allows you to control its operation with a "point and click" of the mouse. Procomm Plus extends this ability into the Terminal display, allowing you to select a character, word, phrase or even one or more pages using the mouse. For more information, see The Terminal Display and the Mouse.


The Terminal Display and the Mouse

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One of the most useful features of Windows is that its graphical environment allows you to control its operation with a "point and click" of the mouse. Procomm Plus extends this ability into the Terminal display, allowing you to select a character, word, phrase or even one or more pages using the mouse. These actions are detailed in the table below:

To Select	Do This
A character.	Click and drag over the desired character.
A word.	Click and drag over the desired word.
	If you want to select a word and transmit it through the current port with a carriage return, you can simply double click on it.
	This is the Terminal window’s default response, but you can choose to send the word without a carriage return, or to send a single character with or without a carriage return. See Left Mouse Button Action in Left Mouse Options.
A phrase.	Click and drag over the desired information.
The current screen.	Click and drag over the information you want to select, or use one of the Edit | Screen to menu items.
From the Scrollback Buffer.	Click and drag over the information you want to select. If you click and drag beyond the upper or lower boundaries of the Terminal display while in the Scrollback Buffer, the buffer will scroll appropriately, allowing you to select multiple pages.
	To select the entire contents of the buffer, use one of the Edit | Scrollback Buffer to menu items.
If you’ve selected information by clicking and dragging, Procomm Plus displays the Copy to... pop-up as soon as you release the mouse button. You can copy the selected information to any one of several destinations simply by choosing it from the pop-up menu:

Choose This	To Do This
Copy to Port	Transmit the selected information through the current port.
Copy to Port with Enter	Transmit the selected information through the current port, followed immediately with the sequence mapped to your terminal emulation’s <Enter> key. In most emulations, the default is a carriage return.
Copy to File Clipboard	Copy the selected information to the File Clipboard.
Copy to Windows Clipboard	Copy the selected information to the Windows Clipboard as text.
Copy to Capture File	Copy the selected information to an open Capture File. This option is only available if a Capture File is already open when you select the information.
Copy to File	Copy the selected information to a file, using a filename you supply.
Copy to Printer	Print the selected information.
Mail	Copy the selected information to your mail application. You must be connected to a MAPI-compatible mail server to use this option.
In addition, many useful functions can be accessed by placing them on the right mouse button. For more information, see The Terminal Display and the Right Mouse Button.


The Terminal Display and the Right Mouse Button

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As you use the Terminal window, you’ll no doubt find that there are certain actions that you perform repeatedly. For example, you may often send or receive files, or open the Scrollback Buffer. One way to make the functions you use most quickly accessible is to place them on the Right Mouse Button Pop-Up.  If you click and hold the right mouse button, the Terminal window displays a pop-up menu with up to ten selections. To select an item from the pop-up menu, just drag the mouse pointer to the item you want, then release the button. To close the pop-up without selecting an item, move the pointer outside of the pop-up and release the button.

The default functions offered in the Right Mouse Button Pop-Up were carefully chosen by Procomm Plus’s designers as those most often accessed by users. However, you can place any function appearing on the Terminal window’s menus on the pop-up menu, or modify the program’s response to the right mouse button. For more information, see Right Mouse Options.

The table below describes the default selections for the pop-up menu:

Choose This	To Do This
Position Terminal Cursor	Transmit cursor codes to a host system to position the terminal cursor to the character location nearest the mouse pointer using sequences read from the current keyboard file.  If the text contains tabs, the cursor might not position properly with the first selection. Simply repeat the pop-up selection until the cursor moves to the proper location.
Send File	Initiate Procomm Plus’s side of a file transfer to a host system. This is also referred to as "uploading". You’ll learn more about sending files in Sending Files.
Receive File	Initiate Procomm Plus’s side of a file transfer from a host system to your computer. This is also referred to as "downloading". You’ll learn more about receiving files in Receiving Files.
File Clipboard	Open the File Clipboard, where you can scan the current Terminal display and the Scrollback Buffer for filenames.
File Capture	Open a Capture File. If you select this item and a Capture File is already open, it will be closed.
Find	Search for text in the Scrollback Buffer.
Hang Up	Terminate a connection made to another system over a modem.
Clear Screen	Clear the Terminal display, returning the terminal cursor to the "home" position in the first row and column, without resetting the emulation or clearing the Scrollback Buffer.
Scrollback Buffer	Open the Scrollback Buffer.
Options Right Mouse	Open the Setup utility, with the Data, Data Options, Right Mouse group pre-selected.


The Terminal Window Action Bar and Menus
The Terminal Window Menus and Action Bar

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Using the Terminal Window Menus and Action Bar

Action Bar Button	Menu | Item	Description
	Rapid Connect No associated menu item.	The Rapid Connect drop-down list box allows you to quickly call an entry, or a group of entries without opening the Connection Directory. By default, Data-class entries are shown in the list box, but you can toggle the displayed class by selecting the appropriate bracketed item from the list. For example, to view Voice-class entries and groups, you’d select the [Voice Numbers] item.
	Script File No associated menu item.	Using the Script File drop-down list box, you can quickly select a compiled script to run. If the script you want is already shown in the list box window, you can  click on the Start Script icon to execute it.
	File | Open Connection Directory...	Displays a standard File Open dialog, where you can select an existing Connection Directory file to be loaded for use. See the Connection Directory for more details.
	File |  Connection Directory...	Opens the Connection Directory and displays the currently-loaded .dir file. See the Connection Directory for more details.
	File | Print Setup...	Displays the standard Windows Print Setup dialog, where you can specify settings like page orientation and printer fonts.
	File | Print Capture	Echoes all received characters to your printer. If you’ve already begun Print Capture, you can end it by selecting the menu item or button again. All of the captured data will not be printed until you terminate the Print Capture function. Most printers can’t print as fast as your modem can receive data, and you may find it easier to capture the data to a disk file for later printing. This can save you on-line time and avoid a possible the loss of printed information.
	File | Start  File Playback...	Allows you to select a Capture file to be replayed into the Terminal display. For more information, see Replaying Captured Data.
	File |  Connection Log...	Opens a dialog where you can view records of your Data- and Fax-class sessions initiated through the Connection Directory. For more information, see Viewing the Connection Log.
	File | Exit	Closes all open data files, closes the Terminal window and returns you to Windows. If you are currently connected or if you have a script executing, you’ll be prompted to confirm your request.
	Edit | Copy Link...	Opens a dialog, where you can specify an ASPECT script to run and a predefined ASPECT global variable whose value will be pasted into another Windows application while Procomm Plus acts as a DDE server. For more information, see The Copy Link Function.
	Edit | Paste Text	Inserts text from the Windows Clipboard into the Terminal window. The text is transmitted through the current port or connection to a remote host or system.  The text is not cleared from the Windows Clipboard. Paste Text should be used only with ASCII text.
	Edit | Find...	Opens the Find dialog, where you can specify text and options to be used to search for text in the Terminal display and Scrollback Buffer. For more information, see Searching for Text.
	Edit | Screen to	Allows you to select a destination to which the contents of the Terminal display will be written. See Screen Captures.
	Edit |  Scrollback Buffer to	Allows you to select a destination to which the contents of the Scrollback Buffer will be written. See Saving the Scrollback Buffer for more information.
	Edit |  Scrollback Buffer	Opens the Scrollback Buffer, as discussed in Using the Scrollback Buffer.
	View |  Action Bars...	Opens the Load Action Bars dialog, where you can specify the Action Bar files you want to use. See Selecting Action Bars.
	View |  Large Action Bars	Toggles the display of large or small Action Bar icon buttons.
	View | ToolTips	Toggles the display of the Action Bar "bubble help" labels. If this menu item is checked or enabled, the Terminal window will also display brief help information on the Status Line when the mouse cursor is left motionless over an Action Bar button for one second. The ToolTips setting is automatically saved for future sessions.
	View | Status Line	Toggles the display of the Terminal window Status Line. See The Status Line for more information. The Status Line setting is automatically saved for future sessions.
	View |  Quick Select Line	Toggles the display of the Quick Select Line. See The Quick Select Line for more information. The Quick Select Line setting is automatically saved for future sessions.
	View | Meta Keys	Toggles the display of the Meta Key buttons. However, Meta Keys can be accessed via the keyboard regardless of whether the buttons are displayed. For more information, see The Meta Keys. The Meta Keys setting is automatically saved for future sessions. The actual .key file used is determined in Setup or by the last Data- or Telnet-class Connection Directory entry you connected with.
	Options |  System Options	Pulls down a submenu, from which you can select a specific panel to access within the Systems group in Setup. See the The System Settings for more information.
	Options |  Data Options	Pulls down a submenu, from which you can select a specific panel to access within the Data group in Setup. See The Data Settings for more information.
	Options |  Meta Key Editor...	Opens the Meta Key Editor, where you can configure the actions performed by the Terminal window’s forty available Meta Key combinations. The keyboard shortcut is <Alt><M>. For more information, see The Meta Key Editor.
	Options |  Keyboard Editor...	Opens the Keyboard Editor, where you can specify the sequences sent or actions performed by the current emulation’s mappable keys. The keyboard shortcut is <Alt><F8>. For more information, see The Keyboard Editor.
	Options |  Translate  Table Editor...	Opens the Translate Table Editor, where you can choose to modify or filter the characters sent or received by the current emulation. See The Translate Table Editor for more information.
	Options |  Answer Options	Allows you to select an answer mode for Procomm Plus or disable auto-answer. For more information, see Answering Calls.
	Data | Modem Command Mode	Sends characters you type directly to the modem.  This function is only available if you're currently using a TAPI connection with a modem.
	Data | Manual Connect...	Opens a dialog where you can enter a phone number or IP address, depending on whether you're in Data or Telnet mode.  If you're placing a data call, Procomm Plus uses the current connection to dial the number just as you specify it.  This function is identical to the Connection Directory’s manual connect feature. See Connecting Manually for more information.
	Data | Answer Data Call Now	Instructs your modem to answer an incoming call in data mode. For more information, see Answering Calls.
	Data | Disconnect	Disconnects the current call.
	Data | Send File...	Initiates your side of a file send or "upload" operation. For more information, see Sending Files.
	Data |  Receive File...	Initiates your side of a file receive or "download" operation. For more information, see Receiving Files.
	Data | Kermit Command	Select this item to send one of four Kermit server commands: Send, Get, Finish or Logout. For more information, see Kermit Server Mode. Kermit server commands are not useful unless you’ve placed the host system in Kermit server mode. For normal Kermit file transfers, use the Send File or Receive File functions.
	Data |  Capture File...	Opens a Capture File, which will be "fed" information as it scrolls from the Terminal display. For more information, see Capturing Data.
	Data |  File Clipboard...	Opens the File Clipboard, where you can conveniently search for and copy the filenames from the Terminal display, and "paste" them to the host system. See The File Clipboard for more information.
	Data |  Doorway Mode	Switches the terminal emulation into Doorway Mode, in which the keycodes generated by the keys you press are transmitted to a host system, rather than the keyboard characters themselves.  While Doorway Mode is in effect, the Terminal window will not recognize <Alt>-key sequences; you’ll have to use the mouse to control the program. Doorway Mode is not useful unless the host system is configured to handle it. Do not enable this mode without a specific need to do so!
	Data |  Send Information	Select this item to send your password, user ID or a miscellaneous string to a host system. These strings are taken from the Logon Info settings of the Connection Directory entry you used to connect to the host. If you didn’t use the Connection Directory to connect, they’re taken from the last entry dialed. Data- and Telnet-class entries include logon information settings that you can access with these menu items. You can configure them by clicking on the Logon Info... button in the class’s Entry Info panel in the Connection Directory.
	Data | Clear Screen	Clears the Terminal display and resets the character attributes and display colors to their original settings. The terminal cursor is moved to the "home" position in the first row and first column. Clear Screen does not clear the Scrollback Buffer. The Clear Screen function is convenient if you’ve been connected to a host system that altered your display settings but didn’t reset them when you ended the session.
	Data | Reset Terminal	Clears the Terminal display resets the emulation to its default start-up state. This resets the character attributes and display colors to their original settings and moves the terminal cursor to the "home" position in the first row and first column. Reset Terminal also resets and empties the Scrollback Buffer and clears the current connection’s transmit and receive buffers.
	Data | Send Break	Generates a time delay signal, called a "break," to a host system. Many host systems recognize a break as a signal to interrupt the current activity.
	Data | Clear XOFF	This function is only available when software flow control is enabled and the Terminal window has received an XOFF character from a host system. It clears an XOFF state, allowing characters to be transmitted out the port.
	Data |  Duplex	Toggles between full duplex and half duplex.  In full duplex mode, Procomm Plus does not display outgoing characters. In half duplex mode, Procomm Plus displays outgoing characters to the Terminal window as they are sent.
	Data |  Chat Window...	Opens a window where you can easily enter text to be sent to a host, and read text that is sent in return. The Chat window is used for direct, real-time "conversation" between yourself and the host operator. See The Chat Window for more information.
	Data |  Monitor Window...	Opens a window where you can view a character-by-character representation of the data received and sent by the terminal emulation. See The Monitor Window for more information.
	Tools | Remote Control	Displays the Procomm Remote launch screen, where you can place a remote call or wait for a remote call.
	Tools | Send a Fax...	Displays the Send a Fax wizard, which will guide you through the steps necessary to send a fax document.  If wizards are disabled, the Send a Fax dialog is displayed instead. See Faxing with Procomm Plus and The Send Fax Dialog for more information.
	Tools |  Fax Tools |  Fax Manager	Opens the Fax Manager, which you can use to organize faxes you've received or sent, as well as your cover sheets. See The Fax Manager for more information.
	Tools |  Fax Tools |  Fax Viewer	Opens the Fax Viewer, which you can use to view, annotate and print faxes you’ve received or sent. See The Fax Viewer for more information.
	Tools |  Fax Tools |  Fax Status	Opens the Fax Status utility, where you can monitor the status of your fax connection(s) and watch the progress of on-going fax activity. See The Fax Status Utility for more information.
	Tools |  Fax Tools |  Fax Cover  Sheet Editor	Opens the Cover Sheet Editor, where you can create your own cover sheets, or modify those included with Procomm Plus. For more information, see The Cover Sheet Editor.
	Tools |  Scripts |  Start Script	Executes the ASPECT script displayed in the Action Bar’s Script File list box. If a script is already running, you can click on this icon to stop it. The icon is animated whenever a script is running. <Alt><.> is the keyboard equivalent.
	Tools |  Scripts |  Run...	Opens the Run ASPECT File dialog, from which you can execute compiled scripts. <Alt><F5> is the keyboard equivalent. For more information, see Running Scripts.
	Tools |  Scripts |  Compile/Edit...	Opens the Compile/Edit ASPECT File dialog, from which you can create, edit, compile and execute scripts. For more information, see Compiling Scripts. <Alt><F3> is the keyboard equivalent.
	Tools |  Scripts |  Start Recorder	Starts the Script Recorder, which reads a host system’s prompts and your responses, and uses them to generate simple ASPECT scripts.  If the Script Recorder is running, the menu item changes to Stop Recorder; select it to stop the recorder. For more information, see The Script Recorder.
	Tools |  Scripts |  ASPECT Editor	Opens the ASPECT Editor, which you can use to create, view or modify text files as well as ASPECT source files. See The ASPECT Editor for more information.
	Tools |  Scripts |  Dialog Editor	Opens the Dialog Editor, which you can use to create or modify custom dialog boxes for your ASPECT scripts. See The Dialog Editor for more information.
	Tools |  Scripts |  User Window Editor	Opens the User Window Editor, which you can use to create or modify custom screens for your ASPECT scripts. See The User Window Editor for more information.
	Tools | Image Viewer	Opens the Image Viewer, where you can select and view images in many different formats. See the Image Viewer for more information.
	Tools | Scheduler	Opens the Scheduler, where you can set Procomm Plus to perform functions automatically at a predetermined time. For more information, see The Scheduler.
	Tools |  Action Bar Editor	Opens the Action Bar Editor, where you can design your own Action Bars for use in the Terminal window. See The Action Bar Editor for more information.
	Tools |  QWK Mail Viewer	Opens the QWKMail Viewer, where you can view and reply to messages you’ve retrieved from a BBS. For a detailed discussion, see The QWK Mail Viewer.
	Tools | Caller ID Directory Editor	Opens the Caller ID Directory Editor, where you can add, modify or delete Caller IDs from the current database. See The Caller ID Directory Editor for more information.
	Window |  Change Window	Allows you to change the current window to one of the other modes of operation including the Data Terminal, the Telnet window, the FTP Client, Internet Mail Client or the News Reader.
	Window |  New Window	Allows you to open a new window in one of the other modes of operation including the Data Terminal, the Telnet window, the FTP Client or the Internet Mail Client or the News Reader.
	Window | 1, 2, 3...	If you have one or more Procomm Plus communications windows open, they will be listed at the bottom of the Window menu. To make one of them the active window, select it from the menu.
	Help | Wizards...	Displays the Procomm Plus Wizard Manager dialog, where you can select automated wizards to lead you through common tasks.
	Help | Help Topics	Opens the Help Topics dialog for the Terminal window.
	Help |  Keyboard Help	Opens on-line help and activates the Keyboard Mappings topic.
	Help |  Script Reference	Opens the Help Topics dialog for the ASPECT reference.
	Help | About  Procomm Plus	Opens a dialog with information about Procomm Plus.


Using the Scrollback Buffer

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Most on-line systems and bulletin boards (BBS) display text by scrolling it to your screen line-by-line. You may find that the text you want to reference, such as a filename or another member’s ID, has scrolled off the Terminal display just when you need it! Using the Terminal window’s Scrollback Buffer, you can easily review and copy information that has scrolled off of the display.

Some on-line systems use random cursor address commands to place information on your screen. Typically, these are database or other record-keeping systems. Procomm Plus may not be able to display such information within scrollback just as it was originally formatted on your screen.

To view the contents of the Scrollback Buffer, just click on the arrow button at the top of the scrollbar, or on the Scrollback Buffer button on the Action Bar. Or, from the keyboard, press <Alt><Page Up>, or press and hold <Alt> and press the up arrow cursor key. You’ll notice that the scrollbar’s color changes to indicate that you are viewing the Scrollback Buffer.

You can specify the color of the scrollbar in the Data, Window Colors, Scrollbar panel in Setup. While the Terminal window is in scrollback mode, a message stating that you are in scrollback mode is displayed on the Status Line at the bottom of its main window.

By default, Procomm Plus maintains 100 pages of scrollback data. You can specify up to 1300 pages in the Data, Terminal Options in Setup, which is roughly equivalent to 32,000 lines of text! However, the maximum number of pages actually available depends on several factors:

•	The amount of Windows memory that Procomm Plus can access.

•	The number of columns you’re displaying in the Terminal display.

•	The current emulation. To allow for immediate response when switching to 132 column operation, the TTY, VT-100, TVI-950 and Wyse 50 reserve extra memory for 132-column operation, even when you’re not using 132 columns.

While you are viewing the Scrollback Buffer’s contents, Procomm Plus updates the position of the buffer’s scrollbar to indicate your position within the buffer, and continues to retrieve any data sent to your computer until the received data buffer is full.

Once the buffer is full, Procomm Plus will use the flow control method you’ve specified in Setup to avoid the loss of incoming characters. However, if the host computer doesn't stop sending data, the information will be lost.

In order for Procomm Plus to use flow control effectively, it must be enabled on both your computer and the system you're connected to.

You can exit Scrollback mode by pressing <Esc>, by clicking on the arrow button at the bottom of the scrollbar until the Terminal display returns to real-time data, or by clicking on the Scrollback Buffer button on the Action Bar.

For more information, see the following topics:

Selecting Text from the Scrollback Buffer

Searching for Text in the Scrollback Buffer

Saving the Scrollback Buffer


Using the Terminal Window

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The Terminal window provides terminal emulation and file transfer services for connections with host systems or Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs) over a modem or a direct serial connection. The Terminal window can also access network resources for a connection, either through an Asynchronous Communication Server or ACS, or through a telnet connection. The settings for these connections are stored in your Data- and Telnet-class Connection Directory entries.

You'll have better results using the Terminal window if you familiarize yourself with it before you connect to a remote system. If you haven't already opened the Terminal window, you'll need to do so before we can begin exploring it. Just select the Start | Programs | Procomm Plus | Data Terminal menu item on the Windows 95/NT taskbar.

See the following topics for an in-depth look at the Terminal window:

Elements of the Terminal Window

Going On-line

Receiving Files

Sending Files

Kermit Server Mode

Capturing Data

Running Scripts

The Chat Window

The File Clipboard

Viewing .GIFs on Download

Viewing the Connection Log

The Monitor Window

The Terminal Window Menus and Action Bar®


Using the Terminal Window Menus and Action Bar

You can access a pull-down menu within Procomm Plus in one of two ways: by clicking on the menu with your mouse, or by pressing the correct <Alt>-key sequence. A menu remains down until you select a command by clicking on it or pressing the underlined letter in the command. To close the menu without making a selection, click on any area of the screen outside the menu or press <Esc>.

Menu items are automatically disabled or "grayed" if they can’t be used for some reason. For example, the Connection Directory button on the Action Bar is grayed while you’re downloading a file, since connecting to another entry would probably involve breaking the current connection.

The table below describes the menu items available within the Terminal window. If a menu item has a corresponding button on the default Action Bar, it’s shown beside the command.

The number of buttons displayed on the Action Bar is automatically adjusted by the Terminal window to match both your current Windows screen resolution and the current size of the window. However, you can always use the scroll arrows to display more buttons, and each command is also available from the menu system.


Viewing .GIFs on Download

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By default, Procomm Plus displays CompuServe Graphic Interchange Files in a separate window as they are downloaded. These picture files usually have a filename extension of .gif. Displaying .gif files as they are downloaded does not affect the overall file transfer speed.

Procomm Plus can display up to eight .gif files at a time. If you download more than eight pictures in a single batch transfer, newer pictures will replace previously-downloaded images in the display windows.

If you’re using Zmodem to download a series of .gif files in a "batch" transfer, you can choose to skip one or more of the files as you view them. This can be very convenient! Rather than download a .gif file you don’t want, click on the Skip File while it’s being displayed. Procomm Plus will force the host system to skip to the next file in the batch download.

If you use the Skip File feature, the host system may report a CRC failure on the skipped file. This won’t abort the batch transfer or corrupt data, however, so your transfer will continue.

If you restart the download of a partial .gif file with the Zmodem point-of-interrupt feature, Procomm Plus will read in the existing portion of the .gif to display the entire picture.

This feature can be enabled or disabled in Setup. A stand-alone .gif viewer is also provided with Procomm Plus; see The GIF Viewer.


Viewing the Connection Log

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By default, Procomm Plus maintains records or "logs" of all of the data and fax connections you make through the Connection Directory. To view the logs, select the File | Connection Log... menu item to display the Connection Log dialog.

You can choose to view your data and fax logs separately, or in a combined log list, simply by clicking on the appropriate button:

Connection Log

Data Log

Fax Log