{COMMO} is a very powerful, high-
performance, communications program.
Designed for the discriminating user, it
has professional features not found in
other programs.
The macro language allows a very high
degree of automation and customizing.

{COMMO} is a very powerful, high-
performance, communications program.
Designed for the discriminating user, it
has professional features not found in
other programs.
The macro language allows a very high
degree of automation and customizing.
{COMMO} 5.5 July 24, 1993


{COMMO} (tm) is a Telecommunications Program that offers great power, speed
and flexibility in a small, easy-to-use package.

{COMMO} is Shareware. Please see REGISTER.FRM, COMMO.DOC or MACRO.DOC for
complete pricing and ordering information (I am now accepting payment by
CREDIT CARD). Registration allows you to eliminate the opening advertisement
and to personalize your copy of the program.

Guidelines for SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTORS are given in the file VENDOR.DOC. Call
or write for site license and distribution agreement information.

IMPORTANT: Do you have the latest {COMMO} release? There may have been new
features added since this version was released. See below for details on how
to get the latest release.

-------------------
Contents of READ.ME
-------------------

1. Information for new users
2. Files in the {COMMO} distribution package
3. Summary of changes in this release

4. {COMMO} for visually impaired users
5. HP 95LX version (no shareware release)
6. Improved PRINTED MANUAL now available
7. {COMMO} utilities disk
8. How to obtain technical support
9. Getting the latest {COMMO} release
10. Thanks


-----------------------------
1. NEW USERS please read this
-----------------------------

Run the batch file GUIDE.BAT (just type "guide" at the DOS prompt). This will
show you a little bit of the program and allow you to make preliminary changes
to your Setup File, COMMO.SET. Later you can take a more detailed look at the
Setup File for much greater customization of the program.

Please read the file COMMO.DOC. {COMMO} is a little different from other
terminal programs and the time will be well spent. Pay special attention to
the section "Quick Start Instructions" under "Getting Started" (if nothing
else, please read this section!) and Appendix A "Setting Up Your Modem."


----------------
2. List of Files
----------------

The {COMMO} package should contain the following files:

READ.ME This file. Please browse it!
UPGRADE.DOC How to upgrade from a previous release
HISTORY A history of recent revisions
REGISTER.FRM Registration information and order form
GUIDE.BAT A batch file for first-time users
GUIDE.MAC Macro File used with GUIDE.BAT
COMMO.DOC User Guide and Reference
MACRO.DOC Macro Programming Guide
ADDENDUM.DOC Changes/additions to manuals
COMMO.COM The executable program
COMMO.SET The Setup File
COMMO.FON The Dialing Directory File
COMMO.MAC The Macro File
SELECT.MAC Upload file selection macro
COMMO.HLP The Online Help File
CO-PIF.DVP A sample DESQview Program Info File
VT102-1.MAC VT102 keyboard support file #1
VT102-2.MAC VT102 keyboard support file #2
MOSTHOST.MAC {COMMO} host mode macro
MOSTREAD.ME Instructions for using MOSTHOST
SAMPLES.MAC Some additional macro examples
VENDOR.DOC Rules for disk vendors, clubs, etc.
FILE_ID.DIZ Bulletin board file description
DESC.SDI Bulletin board file description

The .ZIP archive should have Authenticity Verification information as follows:

# GCY114 New Standard Software


--------------------------
3. Changes in this release
--------------------------

{COMMO} 5.5 has some powerful new macro capabilities. A new macro for
selecting files to upload has been included in SELECT.MAC. This macro is
called automatically whenever a protocol upload is started.

Upgrade instructions for users of release 5.41 are in the file UPGRADE.DOC.

Previous users of {COMMO} should read the detailed list of changes in the file
HISTORY. This file also shows changes to several previous releases.


--------------------------------------
4. {COMMO} for visually impaired users
--------------------------------------

{COMMO} is very speech friendly for blind and visually impaired users with
speech synthesizer equipment. The text file COMMO.SET (the Setup File)
contains an item to enable this feature. Search for "sfi=no" (it can be found
in the "Video and Chat Mode" section). Change it to "sfi=yes". The entire
item will then look like this:

{sfi=yes} Speech Friendly Interface (yes/no)


------------------
5. HP 95LX Version
------------------

There is NO shareware release of {COMMO} 5.5 for the HP 95LX. It has become
apparent that 95LX users can be better served and reached in greater numbers
with a commercial offering. Hence a new, enhanced version called fastCOMM! is
available and may be ordered directly from ACE Technologies of San Jose, CA,
by calling (800) 825-9977.

fastCOMM! is System Manager compliant when used in conjunction with SWITCH!
2.0 (also available from ACE Technologies). There are many additional new
features and improvements, including much better compatibility with the 95LX
screen size. fastCOMM! 1.0 is otherwise comparable to {COMMO} 5.41.


-------------------------------
6. Printed Manual Now Available
-------------------------------

A printed, bound, indexed manual is now available (it contains both COMMO.DOC
and MACRO.DOC plus a full index). The manual has a new, smaller size and
highly attractive format for release 5.5.

Please refer to the Registration Form in REGISTER.FRM, COMMO.DOC or MACRO.DOC
for ordering information.


-----------------------------
7. {COMMO} Utilities on Disk!
-----------------------------

When you register you may order a diskette with the current release of
{COMMO}. In addition, the latest versions of a number of {COMMO} macros and
utilities will be included on the disk:

COMMOPNS Shad Muegge's file selection utility. {COMMO} Point-N-Shoot
allows you to select files for uploading without typing
filenames. Integrates seamlessly with {COMMO}, comes with
macro support. Shareware.

MOSTHOST Enhanced version of Shad Muegge's host mode macro. Lets you
set up your own little BBS. Added features include: messaging
with word-wrap, bulletins, expert mode, hot menus, menus in
separate files (for easy customizing, adding color, etc.),
file descriptions for uploads, scheduled events, and more.
Free.

CMC Don Garrett's {COMMO} Master Control macro. Don wrote this
for himself, but you can adapt it. Automatically logs you
onto your favorite BBS to do mail runs and other operations.
Free.

CS-MAC Written by Chuck Seyboldt. Mail fetchin' macros, Action
Processor for upoads and downloads plus "The Rest" -- Chuck's
personal and experimental macros. Free.

COMMOCVT Utility to convert telephone directories from other programs
to {COMMO} format. Converts from Telix, PCPlus, Procomm
2.4.2, Qmodem and Boyan. Free.


----------
8. Support
----------

My (voice) telephone number for orders, inquiries and support for registered
users is (614) 326-1309. Please restrict calls to MON-SAT, 9am-5pm, EASTERN
time. If you get the answering machine, please try again at a later time. I
cannot return long distance calls.

I can be reached directly via E-mail on the following commercial service,
which will also have the latest {COMMO} release:

CompuServe EASYPLEX (go mail) 71021,356

Support is available in the {COMMO} Conferences on the networks listed below.
Netmail conferences give you the opportunity to discuss technical questions
with many knowledgeable {COMMO} users. If your local BBS has network mail,
ask the sysop to pick up the {COMMO} Conference!

FidoNet echo, name: {COMMO}. Now on the backbone!
RelayNet (tm) International Message Exchange (RIME)
Wildnet (cross-linked w/RIME).
ILink
Intelec (tm) Network
U'NI-net
Compu-Link

-------------------------------------------
9. How to obtain the latest {COMMO} release
-------------------------------------------

By Registering
--------------

If you register and order a disk you will get the latest release of {COMMO}.
The disk also contains the latest releases of the utility programs and macros.

On Commercial Services
----------------------

CompuServe Forum: IBMCOM Section: Comm programs.

On Bulletin Board Systems
-------------------------

Most of the BBS's listed in the sample telephone directory COMMO.FON will have
the latest release. Observe special instructions for the following boards:

Directory Assistance BBS (707) 823-9509

All callers may download {COMMO} at this number by selecting (P)ersonal
downloads.

MAS-BBS (718) 444-4555

BBS Support for {COMMO} is available via computer from MAS in New York
City. Select the "Customer Support" area option. Although MAS is
otherwise a subscription system, there is NO CHARGE for this special
access and direct-to-author support.

[SQUARE-HEADs], Canada (418) 523-3117 or (418) 529-7442, both USR DS

Non-subsribers may download the latest {COMMO} releases (select
-{COMMO} from the TOP-MENU) and may participate in the FidoNet {COMMO}
echo. {COMMO} is also available via F-Req (FidoNet File-Request) from
1:240/1 24hrs/day except ZMH. Use the magic name "COMMO" or "{COMMO}."


----------
10. Thanks
----------

I'd like to thank the following people for beta testing release 5.5: Jeff
Bishop, Larry Lefkowitz, Fred Polli, David Rife, Mark Scardina, Chuck Seyboldt
and Gary Slemp.

And also thanks to the many users whose ideas and suggestions have been the
driving force behind the development of {COMMO}.

---------

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy {COMMO}.


Fred P. Brucker