revious?"
send "~6"

do(4)
receive "elp?"
send @DATA
receive(1) "?"
send "~d"
receive "to skip?"
send "~4"
receive "dd38"
@WAIT(2)
[113]
receive "(Y/N)?"
send "~y"
loop

receive "elp?"
send @DATA
@TIME_OUT(10)
receive(1) "?"
send "~d"
@TIME_OUT(30)
receive "to skip?"
send "~4"
receive "dd38"
@WAIT(2)
[113]
receive "(Y/N)?"
send "~n"
receive "elp?"
send "~bye"
receive "NO CARRIER"
[45]
@ERRORLEVEL(0)
end

:ScriptEnd:
@ERRORLEVEL(1)
end

pag 22



MACRO PROCESSOR
===============
COP allows you to customize up to 48 hot keys for your personal use, exactly
12 basic Fnn , 12 Shift-Fnn, 12 Ctrl-Fnn and finally 12 Alt-
Fnn keys.


Go ahead by examples.
---------------------
You want to upload a file using protocol, executing external DSZ.COM
program



1) edit COP.MAC adding following row :
[104] [DSZ port %p sx %f] [c] XMODEM Upload
| | | |
| | | | free comment
| | |
| | | option 'c'
| |
| | macro string with parameters %p and %f to be filled
|
| Alt-F2 (chosen from available 48 keys)



To let COP to use this macro, you have thus to define the decimal code of the
hot key (104 means Alt-F1) between two squared brackets, then the string to
execute with parameters (see below) always between brackets and finally an
option (if it exists). For your reminder you can write any comment you want
outside brackets. It's MANDATORY to have in each macro-row no more, no less
than three pairs of squared brackets [] [] [].


DSZ.COM program requires the communication port number and the name of local
DOS file. That is why of %p (for port) and %f (for file).


COP before executing command string, looks for the parameters and fills them
directly (port number, speed etc.) or asks for an input in the case of the
filename.


In above example COP fills automatically %p with the port you are connected
on, then pops up an input window for a DOS filename.

pag 23



You can (or have) to use some options in doing that. When COP processes
MACROs, in reality executes a to DOS, passing program and its
parameters. During the DOS SHELL the communication port can be closed
(mandatory for external protocols) or not (if called program
doesn't use communication port).

That's why of 'c' option which tells COP to CLOSE port during shell.



2) for your reminder, add to COP.HLP file the new hot key command, so that
you can remember more easily the available keys. In this example we have
used decimal 104 that is the code for Alt-F1. Then edit COP.HLP file
and insert :

".................."
"Alt-F1 XMODEM UpLn"
".................."

pag 24



COP.MAC file
============
Now before going head with another example, let give a look at COP.MAC files.


Sample Macro File


You can write any comment you want. Only don't use in your comment squared
brackets ("[" and "]"), which are for COP the string delimiters.


Macro
Code Macro String for uploading (sending) Opt Comments

[104] [DSZ port %p sx %f] [c] XMODEM Upload with CRC
[105] [DSZ port %p sb %f] [c] YMODEM Upload
[106] [DSZ port %p sz %f] [c] ZMODEM Upload
[107] [KERMIT set port %p,set speed %s, SEND %f] [c] KERMIT Upload


Macro
Code Macro String for downloading Opt Comments

[110] [DSZ port %p rc %f] [c] XMODEM Download with CRC
[111] [DSZ port %p rb] [c] YMODEM Download
[112] [DSZ port %p pR1 rz] [c] ZMODEM Download
[113] [SZMODSML port %p speed %s rz] [c] SZMODEM Download


Macro
Code Macro to Send Strings to Host Opt Comments

[84] [/M3XM*** PCTOM3;%f;B] [s] Start XMODEM Up on Host
[85] [/M3XM*** M3TOPC;%f] [s] Start XMODEM Dn on Host


Macro
Code Macro String Opt Comments

[94] [HM COP.DOC] [n] COP.DOC file in HM
[95] [MAP] [w] Available Memory
[96] [SD %i] [w] Sort Directory of %i
[97] [123] [] Lotus 123


pag 25



Available Parameters

%p = write port number in the command line
%s = write port speed in the command line
%f = ask for filename, check it on disk and write it in the command line
%i = ask for an input string and write it in the command line


Available Options

c = close communication port during shell (DTR remains ON)
w = wait any key from keyboard before coming back to terminal program
s = send string to Host
n = don't clear screen while doing a shell to DOS



Built-in Macro Codes (usable in Script file)

Alt-B = 48 Send BREAK
Alt-C = 46 Capture File Off/On
Alt-F = 33 Flow Control On/Off
Alt-M = 50 Mask Password On/Off
Alt-O = 24 Echo On/Off
Alt-P = 25 Print On/Off
Alt-S = 47 Screen Off/On
Alt-X = 45 Quit Program
Alt-1 = 120 ASCII Upload
Alt-2 = 121 ASCII Download


Available User Defined Macro Codes

F1 = 59 Shift-F1 = 84 Ctrl-F1 = 94 Alt-F1 = 104
F2 = 60 Shift-F2 = 85 Ctrl-F2 = 95 Alt-F2 = 105
F3 = 61 Shift-F3 = 86 Ctrl-F3 = 96 Alt-F3 = 106
F4 = 62 Shift-F4 = 87 Ctrl-F4 = 97 Alt-F4 = 107
F5 = 63 Shift-F5 = 88 Ctrl-F5 = 98 Alt-F5 = 108
F6 = 64 Shift-F6 = 89 Ctrl-F6 = 99 Alt-F6 = 109
F7 = 65 Shift-F7 = 90 Ctrl-F7 = 100 Alt-F7 = 110
F8 = 66 Shift-F8 = 91 Ctrl-F8 = 101 Alt-F8 = 111
F9 = 67 Shift-F9 = 92 Ctrl-F9 = 102 Alt-F9 = 112
F10 = 68 Shift-F10 = 93 Ctrl-F10 = 103 Alt-F10 = 113
F11 = 133 Shift-F11 = 135 Ctrl-F11 = 137 Alt-F11 = 139
F12 = 134 Shift-F12 = 136 Ctrl-F12 = 138 Alt-F12 = 140


pag 26



Second MACRO example
====================
Let imagine you are editing an on-line E-Mail message and you've forgot a
number in your local 123 Lotus spreadsheet. It could be very useful for you
to press an hot key, go to 123 program, execute your spreadsheet, then quit
from Lotus and come back to your on line e-mail text with the right number.

Do as following:

1) edit COP.MAC file inserting following command line:

[97] [Lotus] [] Lotus 123. Execute 123 program.

2) edit COP.HLP and insert following help line :

"c-F4 Lotus 123"

In this case we don't use any option because comm port can remain open.



Third MACRO example
===================
While connected you need to access dBASE program and its DB outside COP
directory; exactly on device d:, directory \database\dbase\.

Do as following:

1) edit COP.MAC file inserting following command line:

[98] [dBASE] [] .BAT file to execute dBASE

2) edit COP.HLP and insert following help line :

"c-F5 dBASE"


Now prepare in COP directory the following .BAT (batch) file :

@echo off
d:
cd\database\dbase
dbase
cd\


In this way you can execute any program, anywhere in your PC.

pag 27



Main COP screen
===============
Once executed, cop looks for script file. Writing COP without any filename,
COP uses COP.SCR default filename (or the name defined in COP.CFG). If you
write any other filename, then COP executes that specified script file.


Put in this script file all parameters. You can write here also usual
information like password, project name, etc.


While executing script, COP disables keyboard; only ESCape key can be pressed
to anticipate script end, then you are left on line with host.


Once on line you see in the last 24th line following information:



. Alt-B = Break (on the left)
. Alt-H = Help (on the right)

In the middle you may see :

. Pr Printer ON
. Nu Num Lock ON
. In Insert key ON
. Lg Log file ON
[Up] while ASCII file
[Dn] while ASCII file
. Vd Video ON
. Ec Echo ON
. Ca Cap Lock ON
. Sc Scroll Off
. Mk Mask input ON
. On Flow Control On
[Of] when is Off


depending on active function.

pag 28



ON-LINE HELP
============
There are two different types of on line help commands. The first one is COP
built-in help (from alt-a to ESC keys); the second one depends on the use
you've done of MACRO option.


Now a brief description of first type, the second type is described in the
MACRO section.


Before starting pay attention to following leggenda:
a-x = Alt-x where x is any key to be pressed together with ALT key
s-x = Shift-x where x is any key to be pressed together with SHIFT key
c-x = Ctrl-x where x is any key to be pressed together with CONTROL key


" Send a Break" Force a Break
" Capture On/Off" Disable or enable Capture capability
" Shell to DOS" Go temporarily to DOS. Remember to type EXIT
to come back to COP which remains on-line.
" Flow On/Off" Switch On or Off
" Edit File" Edit a file while connected
" Last Input" Repeat last input
" This Help" Display help file
" List Capt File" Navigate capture file
" Mask Password" Don't display data coming from keyboard
" EchO On/Off" Set echo on/off (for half/full duplex)
" Print On/Off" Printer on/off
" Force Xon" Force Xon
" Re-Dial" Redial host
" Force Xoff" Force Xoff
" Video On/Off" Video on/off (useful while up/downloading
ASCII files)
" Quit Program" Drop connection
" ASCII Upload" ASCII file upload
" ASCII Download" ASCII file download
" on/off video" Stop and resume video scrolling
" current job" Escape window

pag 29


EXPERT SYSTEM for COP
=====================




What we have seen up to now can be 'usual' for a communication program. What
instead is absolutely new is a limited but powerful "Expert" capability.


Too many times I've seen poor users (and I am one of them) in front of the
screen looking at Host's messages like "WHAT?", "WRONG INPUT; RETYPE IT",
"ERROR #546786", "COMMAND UNKNOWN", "CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE" or in the best
case "ERROR ...., READ MANUAL AT PAGE 2001".


That's why I try to cover this strong poor user need, just a little, just for
what I can do in my time.




Giving expertise to COP
=======================
You can build as many expert file for COP as you want, depending on how many
services you use or more probably on how many you're preparing
for your non expert users. For example you can have an expert rule file for
your e-mail (i.e. E-MAIL.EXP), or for GEnie (i.e. GENIE.EXP) or for your
client's procedure (i.e. PROC1.EXP). Let me start with an easy example.


COP starts and looks for default COP.SCR script file, then looks for default
COP.EXP expert file. If you instead start COP with following filename:


C\COP\>cop e-mail


COP looks for E-MAIL.SCR script file and E-MAIL.EXP expert file (thus E-MAIL
with .SCR extension for script file and .EXP extension for expert rules).
Both of them are part of an .


This an example of E-MAIL.EXP file with Expert rules for the E-MAIL specific
.

IF [TIME] EQ [30] THEN [disp(elapsed.hlp)] OPTION []
IF [COM1] EQ [WHAT?(1)] THEN [disp(WHAT.HLP)] OPTION []
IF [COM1] EQ [IDLE TOO LONG(1)] THEN [send(|~TTY)] OPTION []
IF [COM1] EQ [** Unknown Cmd(1)] THEN [exe(hm qchelp.hlp)] OPTION [n]
IF [COM1] EQ [FILE NOT SAVED(10)] THEN [disp(NOTSAVED.HLP)] OPTION []
IF [COM1] EQ [NO CARRIER(1)] THEN [drop(1)] OPTION []
IF [KEYB] EQ [good morning(1)] THEN [exe(replay goodmorn)] OPTION [n]
IF [KEYB] EQ [bye(1)] THEN [play(aaggaaf)] OPTION []
IF [KEYB] EQ [BYE(1)] THEN [play(aaggaaf)] OPTION []

pag 30




Sample Expert File


* This file has the rules to let COP to be expert. General rule format :



IF [device] EQ [event] THEN [action(string)] option []




* Device Code Comment

* COM1 First Comm Port
* KEYB Keyboard
* TIME Elapsed Time


* Action Code Comment

* disp(DOS filename) Display filename on screen
* send(string to COM1) Send back a string
* exe(DOS program+parameters) Execute DOS program holding comm line
* errorlevel(number) Set DOS Errorlevel
* print(string) Print string to PRINTER
* save(string) Save string in COP.SAV file
* play(string) Play string on speaker
* drop(sec) Drop line after n seconds
* beep() Beep
* print(@LINE) Print last Host string to PRINTER
* print(@TIME) Print TIME to PRINTER
* save(@LINE) Save last Host string to COP.SAV
* save(@TIME) Save TIME in COP.SAV file


* Available Options

* c = close communication port during shell (DTR remains ON)
* w = wait any key before coming back to terminal program
* s = send a string to Host
* n = don't clear screen while doing a shell to DOS



* Expert Rules

IF [....] EQ [......] THEN [.................] OPTION [.]
IF [....] EQ [......] THEN [.................] OPTION [.]
IF [....] EQ [......] THEN [.................] OPTION [.]
IF [....] EQ [......] THEN [.................] OPTION [.]


pag 31



Expert Rule Format
------------------
An expert instruction must have following format :


IF [device] EQ [event] THEN [action(string)] option []

Which sounds like :


"If from that DEVICE this EVENT happens, then take following ACTION, using
this OPTION" .


Also in this case it's MANDATORY to have 4 pairs of squared brackets in each
command line. In the between any comment you want. You can write above
instruction also in the following way :


IF IT HAPPENS THAT FROM [device] YOU SEE FOLLOWING STRING [event] THEN BEFORE
GETTING MAD TO DISCOVER WHAT DOES IT MEAN, TAKE FOLLOWING ACTION
[action(parameter)] USING THE FOLLOWING OPTION []


There are two constraints : 1) on line for each instruction and 2) 4 pairs of
brackets for each line.



Device Code
===========
Allowed codes are following :


- COM1 communication port N. 1
- KEYB keyboards
- TIME elapsed time in minutes from the beginning



COP checks all strings coming from host [COM1], or/and all string coming from
keyboard [KEYB] or/and spent time [TIME] from the beginning of the
connection.

pag 32



Event
=====
Event represents the string or its portion you want to capture to do
something. Optionally you can write between two brackets at what column (or
string position) to search word.


IF [COM1] EQ [WHAT?]..........

This rule tells COP to search the word "WHAT?" ANYWHERE in coming string.


IF [COM1] EQ [WHAT?(1)].......

This rule tells COP to search "WHAT?" only if it starts from column 1.

If exists another "WHAT?" in any other string position, COP doesn't take any
action. (It's better to use this option whenever possible to don't make too
heavy the processing).


IF device code is TIME, the event simple is a number representing, in
minutes, elapsed time from connection start.


IF [TIME] EQ [30].............

Check clock and if elapsed time if equal to 30 minutes than..



Action Code
===========
If COP captures searched word from COM1 or from keyboard [KEYB] or elapsed
time has been reached then COP takes the specified action.

Action code has this format [action(parameter)] where action is on of
following codes meanwhile parameter is completely free.

Action code can be :


disp(filename) Display filename on screen
------------------------------------------
This command tells COP to display a message in a pop up window, reading it
from an file, using filename convention. The message in the
file must not exceed 17 x 72 dimension (max 17 rows in width and max 72
characters in length).


IF [COM1] EQ [WHAT?(1)] THEN [display(what.hlp)] option []


This rule tells COP to detect WHAT? string at column 1, then to open a DOS
file called what.hlp, to display it on screen in a pop-up window, to wait for
the EAScape key and to continue.

pag 33



send(string) Send back string
------------------------------
This action tells COP to send back to host a string.


IF [COM1] EQ [PLEASE RESPOND] THEN [send(|act)] option []


IF host says you have been idle too much, send back the host command
"activity" just to restart host clock. (The "|" character, decimal 124, tells
COP to send before a Carriage Return).



exe(prog+par) Execute DOS program holding line
-----------------------------------------------
This is one of the most powerful command you can use. In fact you can execute
any stand alone DOS program together with all the parameters it needs while
holding the line.


IF [COM1] EQ [I need help(1)] THEN [exe(hm more.hlp)] option []


This rule tell COP to execute the DOS program called (Help Master)
passing a parameter (in this case a filename), then to wait for program end
and to come back to communication session.


You could also instruct COP to execute another communication program (or
another copy of COP itself) from port 2, to hold parent host line, to wait
for child communication end and to come back to primary communication
session. Use 'c' option in this case.


IF [COM1] EQ [other host] THEN [exe(cop other)] option [c]

pag 34



errorlevel(number) Set DOS errorlevel
---------------------------------------
You tell COP to set the errorlevel you want. This allow you, at
communication end via a BAT procedure, to do what you want depending on that
value.

An example.

1) Prepare a BAT file like following.

@echo off
cop
IF ERRORLEVEL 9 GOTO virus
GOTO end

:virus
SCAN c:
SCAN d:

:end

2) insert into cop.exp file following rule


IF [COM1] EQ [check for virus(1)] THEN [errorlevel(9)] opt []


3) after COP execution, if host sent above string, a .BAT file can test the
value of errorlevel and can take a decision. Read manual to better know
how to do it.

pag 35



print(string) Print string to PRINTER
--------------------------------------
This command tells COP to print a string at the printer.

IF [KEYB] EQ [pippo(10)] THEN [print(pluto)] option []

If from keyboard comes "pippo" string (starting at column 10) then print
"pluto" at the PC printer.



save(string) Save string in COP.SAV file
------------------------------------------
For tracing purpose you can also save in a fixed filename called COP.SAV the
string you want.


IF [COM1] EQ [WHAT?(1)] THEN [save(wrong command sent)] option []



play(string) Play string on speaker
-------------------------------------
To send a musical advise.

IF [KEYB] EQ [good-bye(1)] THEN [play(AAGGAAF)] option [c]
where AAGGAAF represent musical note (A = La, G = SOL, etc)



beep() Beep
-------------
To send a BEEP.


IF [COM1] EQ [WHAT?(1)] THEN [beep()] option []



drop(sec) Drop line after n seconds
-------------------------------------
To drop line when 'event' happens.


IF [COM1] EQ [OFF AT(1)] THEN [drop(4)] option [c]


If from host comes "OFF AT......" drop line after 2 seconds.

pag 36



print(@LINE) Print last Host Line to PRINTER
-----------------------------------------------
For tracing purpose, this command allows you to print last host message when
'event' happens.



IF [COM1] EQ [help] THEN [print(@LINE)] option [c]



print(@TIME) Print TIME to PRINTER
------------------------------------
For tracing purpose, this command allows you to print TIME when 'event'
happens. Together with above option :

IF [COM1] EQ [help] THEN [print(@TIME)] option [c]
IF [COM1] EQ [help] THEN [print(@LINE)] option [c]



save(@LINE) Save last Host Line to COP.SAV
save(@TIME) Save TIME in COP.SAV file
--------------------------------------------
The same as before except that you send @TIME and @LINE to COP.SAV file.

pag 37


X00 DRIVER
==========



In reality you can execute COP in two different ways.
In fact #COP.EXE checks for the presence of the X00 device (it must
be declared in CONFIG.SYS at boot time) equal or greater than version 5. If
it's found, COPFOS.EXE is executed immediately otherwise X00.EXE
program is loaded into main memory, then COPFOS is executed and at COPFOS
end, X00 is removed from main memory. From the user point of view both of
them have exactly same functionality in term of speed, etc.



X00.SYS
-------
This driver is FOSSIL communication services compatible.
FOSSIL (it stands for Fido,Opus,SEAdog Standard Interface Layer) has a large
acceptance in the marketplace. It was born mainly for less MS-DOS compatible
PCs, then step by step enriched with many other utilities so that now it's
quite a comprehensive communication utilities package.


To load FOSSIL drive, copy file into main root DOS directory and
edit CONFIG.SYS file adding following line :


DEVICE=X00.SYS R=4096 T=512 E

and system.
This solution allows you to go faster when executing COP, while it takes
about 12 kbytes of your main memory for ever. (Use that if you communicate a
lot).





X00.EXE
-------
If you prefer to load X00 driver only during communication sessions and
disinstall it at its end, simply don't add the above DEVICE line into
CONFIG.SYS, COP.BAT does it for you just for strictly needed time. (Use this
solution if you communicate sometimes or you don't have a lot of main
memory).




You have both X00.SYS/X00.EXE in this package. For full documentation and use
of FOSSIL, download, from many BBS, X00V12.ZIP file.

pag 38



HELP MASTER
===========




To let COP to be more powerful in helping novices to use easily
communication, I have loaded into this package another my utility. Help
Master uses technology to facilitate navigation into complex help
file. To have an idea on how it does work, execute Help Master with COP.DOC
manual because it has been written in HM format :

c:\cop>HM COP.DOC

You can customize an hot key via MACRO capability to automate this function
and have info you need while connected.



Using Help Master with MACRO keys
---------------------------------
- Edit COP.MAC and chose a free key (i.e. 94 for Ctrl-F1).
- Write "HM COP.DOC" in the execution string.
- Nothing in the option string so that it must looks like :

[94] [HM COP.DOC] []

- Update COP.HLP file adding info on new option, like :

"c-F1 Full Cop Doc"



Using Help Master in an Expert Rule
-----------------------------------
Pay attention to following expert rule:

IF [COM1] EQ [* Unknown Command(1)] THEN [exe(hm appl.hlp)] opt []

Novice is using a package on the host; he sends a wrong command and Host
answers with an "* Unknown Command" and waits for another command. Your user
usually will have to consult application manual etc.etc.


You can make his life easier executing immediately (while holding the line)
"HM APPL.HLP" where APPL.HLP is an document file done with Help
Master, read HM.DOC to know how to prepare a new document in Help Master
format or execute "HM HM.DOC". Now your user can navigate through a very easy
document file and comes back to line more comfortable.



- HM.EXE is the program
- HM.CFG the configuration file
- HM.MSG the external HM message file you can customize
- HM.DOC the / manual

pag 39



POP Integrated Menu
===================
You can use COP alone (executing COP at prompt) or in a more integrated
environment (list of services to connect, editing, utilities, etc.). Use POP
package to do that.


POP is Pop Up Menu for programs management. It can handle up to 1440 commands
in a windowed fashion. I have loaded POP program and data (as an example) in
main COP archives. Check POP.DAT file and execute POP to see what I mean.
Print POP.DOC.


You can obviously modify what you want in COP.DAT file to remove programs you
don't need or to add what you usually use or to modify parameter values.




Personal DOS
============
Using Integrated Environment, it easier for you to use some DOS command
(format, copy, dir, erase, etc.) in more easy-to-use fashion from POP menu.
Download PD09.ZIP package to use these free of charge utilities.

pag 40



Archives you need for Full COP Usage
====================================



You MUST have the following :


COP09A.ZIP COP pre-release package (main)
COP09B.ZIP COP pre-release package
PD09.ZIP Personal DOS package (personalized DOS)


You can have these others :

X00V12.ZIP X00 v 1.24 package (comm driver)
SZMOD131.ZIP ZMODEM package (x/y/zmodem external protocols)
DSZ1215.ZIP ZMODEM package (x/y/zmodem external protocols)
MSKER301.ZIP KERMIT package (kermit external protocol)






History
=======

0.9 01/04/1991 Prototype version


pag 41




Notes for Help Master (type "HM COP.DOC" at DOS level)
======================================================
{HM}
Help Master is a program which allows to use the same documentation
file for both printing and display function. Using HM program
you can read the same file in fashion, that means
navigation and window facility.

An highlighted word represents a . Using left and right
you can move between key-words.

There are two different types of key-word; the first one opens an
explanation window, the second one jumps to a specific document point.

Pressing the key you can open an explanation window on that
words (first type) or jump to a specific point (2nd type).


. Press F1 for Help

. Press ESCape key to come back basic text
[email protected]
{ASCII}
When you have an ASCII file on your PC, that means you can PRINT it,
you can TYPE it, you can EDIT it.

- PRINT filename
- TYPE filename
- EDLIN filename
[email protected]
{Hyper Text}
That is a new technique to improve a text comprehension speed. Each
Hyper Text word can be a key-word which opens a new text folder, in
this new folder you can find new key-words which open new folders etc.

So that you can read text at the layer of your knowledge layer.
[email protected]
{Hypertext}
See .
[email protected]
{key-word}
A key-word is a special word you want to detail more. Depending on the
key-word type, you may enter in a window with more details or jump to a
specific point of the document you are reading
[email protected]
{arrows}
See
[email protected]
{arrow}
Looking at your keyboard, on numeric small keyboard, there are some
small arrows. For this program you can use Left and Right Arrow to move
right and down or left and up.
[email protected]

pag 42



{myenglish}
That is a strange tongue born firstly at school when a Latin language
professor without job was told to teach us English. After that splendid
beginning, I attended to more than 20 English courses, with more than
30 different professors. On top of that for my professional job, I had
to know a lot of international people half of them speaking 'their
mother English' (Australians, Indians, Canadians, Scottish, Americans,
English...) the remaining part speaking their 'horrible scholastic
English' (like me).

After shaking all those English words, using probably an Italian phrase
structure, remembering something of classic Latin and Greek still hard
to eradicate, it was born "myenglish" new tongue much closer to
Esperanto than to perfect English.

I must apologize my readers for that.
[email protected]
{RETURN}
Often you can find this key as IMMISSION key or a CARRIAGE RETURN key
or ENTER key.
[email protected]
{TTY}
A communication programs often emulates a particular communication
protocol. A TTY comm program emulates so called start-stop asynchronous
protocol with a bit as start, 7 or 8 bits for data and 1 or 2 bits as
stop.
[email protected]
{FOSSIL}
Stands for Fido/Opus/Seadog Standard Interface Layer.
It was born to let less MS-DOS clone compatible PC to use standard
communication programs. Step by step it has become a really complete
set of asynchronous API service.

COP utilizes a special version of X00 driver (HLLAPI) which doesn't use
BIOS INT 14 commonly reserved by LAN protocols or multitasker programs.

X00 has been done by Raymond L. Gwinn.
[email protected]
{Author}
Yes, I am.
[email protected]
{Expert System}
Basically an Expert System allow you, through English like rules, to
capture an event and to teach the program to perform some specific
action depending on such kind of event.
[email protected]

pag 43



{error free}
This kind of communication protocol allow you to transfer file between
terminal and host in packet way. That means all data are packed, sent
to host (or viceversa), checked for integrity and unpack or receiver
site. If something strange happened during data transfer, error free
protocol send a NACK (Not ACKnowledge) for packet retrasmission.

ZMODEM, XMODEM, YMODEM, KERMIT, CIS-B, PUMA, etc are examples of more
common error free protocols in today market place.
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{XMODEM}
See .
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{ZMODEM}
See
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{PKUNZIP}
That is an utility to decompress archives file. It is shareware and you
can find it on many BBS.

To decompress for example COP.ZIP, simply write at the the
following command > PKUNZIP COP.
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{packing}
See .
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{unpacking}
See .
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{decompression}
See .
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{compression}
This is a new technique to save program size. You can use some
utilities for that purpose like ARC, ZOO, LHARC or PKZIP. You have
firstly to compress the file you want save in archives format, then,
when you need original files, you have to decompress them with
companion utility.

For my purpose I use "PKZIP -a archives name filelist" to compress and
"PKUNZIP archives" for decompression.
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{parameters}
To use communication port you have to customize at the same time
asynchronous board and or whatever you have for that function,
giving speed (from 300 bps up to 115.000 bps), bit numbers etc.
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{MODEM}
Stands for MODulator/DEModulator device to transform data from digital
computer format into telephone analogic format and viceversa.
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{upload}
See .
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{download}
See .
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{downloading}
See .
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{uploading}
This a function to exchange files from PC and remote Host. If you
exchange files you say "ASCII up/downloading" otherwise you say
"Binary up/downloading" or simply "up/downloading".
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{hosts}
See .
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{host}
Usually your PC, as a terminal, connects an Host. It depends on the
software you've loaded into PC. Some software allow PCs to be Host with
other PCs (terminals). In this document the Terminal is always a MS-DOS
Personal Computer and the Host is a remote Service.
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{logon}
In communication "logon procedure" is the procedure to recognize the
connecting host and to let host to give to PC the right to access an
application on Host Service computers.

Logon is the connecting procedure.
Logoff is the disconnecting procedure.
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{logoff}
See .
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{GEnie}
GEnie is the GE Information Services consumer service.
You have access to more then 400 different services ranging from games
to teleshopping up to external data bases access.

It's becoming international now.
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{function keys}
See .
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{function key}
On MS-DOS keyboard you have usually up to 10 Function Keys ranging from
F1 up to F10. On enhanced keyboard you have 2 more function keys, F11
and F12.

Using these keys you can perform some special activity depending on
running program.
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pag 45



{SHELL}
This technique allow a program to execute a child process while
remaining resident in RAM. When child process ends, parent program
takes again control.

Parent process is calling program.
Child process is called program.
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{Flow Control}
That is a procedure to discipline data flow from Host to PC and
viceversa.

COP uses extensively this capability (stopping video scroll, or during
Expert processing,etc.) so that I STRONGLY recommend to use it.
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{flow control}
See .
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{flow}
See
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{DOS}
Disk Operating System.
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{reboot}
This a function to restart PC. There are two different ways :

- cold reboot (turn off PC, then turn on PC again)

- warm reboot (press together ctrl-alt-end keys)
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{X00.SYS}
See .
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{X00}
X00.EXE version or X00.SYS ,DEVICE> version, is a
compatible communication driver by Raymond L. Gwinn.
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{RS232}
Is the standard asynchronous communication hardware requirement.
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{SS&LN}
Thank you to TV programs I don't see, and because I live in a place
where it rains very very often, I have a lot of available hours on
Saturday and Sunday (SS) and Late Night (LN). That is my SS&LN time.
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{a-B}
Send break to host.
There are two different types of break: soft and hard break.
- Soft Break : you have to tell COP what decimal value to use in
COP.CFG (i.e. BREAK=1) and as soon as you are connected to host you
have to tell it on that value : i.e. SET B^A (Control A). Pressing
Alt-B, COP sends this character as a break.

- Hard Break : you have simply to leave "BREAK=0" in the COP.CFG file.
It means TRUE BREAK, thus an electrical low signal between 200-300
milliseconds. Pressing Alt-B, COP sends that electrical signal.
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{a-C}
It's a switch to open or close capture file. This file has a fixed
name, COP.LOG. It's binary. You can see all communication session by
pressing Alt-L key while connected or executing COPSHOW program
locally.

The "Ca" message appears on last screen row.
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{a-D}
It executes a temporary shell to DOS. Pressing Alt-D keys COP holds the
communication line and open a child process executing a secondary
COMMAND.COM copy. At this point you are in DOS environment and can
execute whatever program you want.

To come back to cop write EXIT at prompt.
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{a-F}
This a switch to enable or disable while you are on
line. You can set this value also in COP.CFG file.

The "On" message appears on last screen row when is
enabled.
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{a-E}
You can edit an file while on line (i.e. before sending it to
host). After pressing Alt-E keys, COP opens an input window on main
screen, answer with the filename to edit. COP comes back automatically
to on line when your edit program ends.
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{a-I}
This command allow you to redisplay last edited input on 24th line, to
update that string and to send it again to host.
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{a-H}
On line help. You can activate help function also when host is sending
data. Pressing Alt-H again pop up help window disappears.
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{a-L}
This option allows you to see all data exchanged with host from the
beginning. You can navigate this window with usual keys. Again Alt-L
comes back to on line. If flow control is active and host is sending
data, COP sends back to host a Xoff character to tell him to stop
sending data up to an enabling Xon character.
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{a-M}
This mask function is useful when you don't want to display on screen
what you're writing (i.e. your password). Press Alt-M before, write
your secrets, again Alt-M for standard use.

The "Mk" message appears on last screen row.
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{a-O}
Some hosts send back keyboard input to remote PC. In this case Alt-E
disables COP echo function. You can set value permanently in COP.CFG
file.
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{a-P}
Printer On or Off.

The "Pr" message appears on last screen row.
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{a-Q}
This function enables remote host to send data again after holding data
by an Alt-S command (which tells host to stop sending data). This
command works only if handshaking is active.
See also .
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{a-S}
Tell remote host to stop sending data. This is the Xoff command. This
function works only if handshaking is active.
See also .
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{a-R}
If something was wrong during logon, you can issue a redial command to
start again script logon procedure.
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{a-V}
This command enables or disables data writing on screen. It useful
while downloading or uploading files.

The "Vd" message appears or disappears on last screen row.
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{a-X}
Close communication, close files, quit COP and comes back to DOS.
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{a-1}
This function let COP to upload an PC file to remote host. COP
opens an input window. Give the name of local file. When uploads stops,
COP send automatically a break signal if you have set up this option in
COP.CFG.

An "Up" message appears on last screen row.
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{a-2}
This function let COP to download an file from remote host.
Give the name of local PC file to the input window.

The "Dn" message appears on last screen row.
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{SCRoll}
This really useful command tells COP to stop scrolling video or to
enable scrolling again. It MUST be used when is enabled
to allow COP to tell remote to stop sending data while you're
reading screen. It's a switch, thus pressing SCR key again, scrolling
restarts immediately.

The "Sc" message appears on last screen row.
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{ESCape}
This key allow you to come back to previous job. This key is used in
conjuction with "display" command with Expert System (that allow you to
escape from expert window and come back to online).
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{applications}
See .
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{Expert Application}
See
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{application}
See .
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{Expert Communication Application}
It's intended here for application a combination of script/expert
language to automate logon and the service you or your users are
connecting with. Let imagine you want to facilitate for your novice
users the E-Mail access to a remote Host. Call this for example "E-Mail
Application".

1) Prepare the E-MAIL.SCR file to automate the logon to that service as
much you can (MODEM configuration, telephone call, password procedure
and host service execution). Now your novice is online.

2) Prepare the E-MAIL.EXP file and teach COP what it will have to do if
novice sends wrong online command or if the host or communication line
have strange behavior.

That is in my mind an "Expert Communication Application".
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pag 49



{H}
Stands for Help in this application.
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{DOS prompt}
When DOS stops an activity it writes the device name and waits for your
input. That is the DOS prompt. For example : C> or C:\dirname> etc.
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{TSR}
Terminate and Stay Resident.
This kind of programs once executed, remain on main memory to work as a
monitor for some devices (ports, keyboards, external disks, etc).
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{DEVICE}
A device driver is a program with .SYS extension, loaded at boot time
into high memory and always there resident.
VDISK.SYS, KEYBOARD.SYS, RAMDISK.SYS are examples of device programs.
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