PC-VCO: IBM PC Visual Conferencing





















----------------------------------
PC-VCO: IBM PC Visual Conferencing
----------------------------------
Communications Accessory
----------------------------------







PC-VCO is distributed freely and may be copied by anyone for any
number of machines. The author offers PC-VCO as "shareware". If
the program is found to be useful or entertaining, a registration
of $35.00 is requested. If response warrants, PC-VCO will be
enhanced and extended.The author may be reached at:


CABER Software
R. (Scott) McGinnis
P.O. Box 3607 Mdse Mart
Chicago, IL 60654-0607

PLINK, GEnie id: TARTAN












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PC-VCO: IBM PC Visual Conferencing



PC-VCO version 2.2 is copyright 1988 CABER Software (R. Scott
McGinnis). All rights are reserved world wide, excepting redistri-
bution under the ShareWare concept. PC-VCO is distributed freely
and may be copied by anyone for any number of machines, under the
ShareWare concept.


PC-VCO is distributed as ShareWare. You may use PC-VCO without
charge for the purposes of evaluating it's usefulness to your
purposes. It is suggested that this evaluation period be limited to
a few days of actual use. If you find PC-VCO to be worth continued
use, then you are asked to pay for it.The payment is called a
"registration fee". Complete the included registration form and
mail it with your payment.


Registration of PC-VCO includes the communications program COM-AND,
all published accessory programs (which currently are CCHESS,
CBRIDGE, and CCOLOR), and several utilities (VCOLIB, VOICE, unPACKIT
and unSTUFIT).COM-AND, accessories and utilities are published
separately. One registration covers any and all of these programs.


By registering your copy of PC-VCO (or any ShareWare product), you
are promoting and supporting the convenient distribution method and
free evaluation policy that brought you this copy of PC-VCO.


If you have received this copy from a Users' Group, "Software
Library" or "SIG", and have paid a small fee (usually $3 to $10),
you have NOT acquired a registration or continued right to use
PC-VCO. This fee was for the convenience of obtaining the diskette
with PC-VCO on it. The fee does NOT apply to the registration fee.


You may NOT distribute PC-VCO or it's documentation in connection
with ANY commercial venture, product, publication or service without
written approval. PC-VCO may not be disassembled or modified
without express written consent.


PC-VCO is supplied "as-is" with no warranties expressed or implied.
Neither CABER software nor the author will be liable for any damages
or lost revenues incurred through the use of this program or any of
its accessories and utilities beyond the registration price paid.










Version 2.2; 880705

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Table of Contents
-----------------

I.Introduction .............................................. page 1

II.Running the program ....................................... page 3

III.VCO Display ............................................... page 6

IV.Services supported ......................................... page 7

V.PC-VCO Commands using COM-AND .............................. page 11

VI.PC-VCO Commands Standalone ................................. page 13

VII.PC-VCO Main Menu ........................................... page 14

VIII.Newly Supported Systems .................................... page 16

IX.Manual ICON Clean-up ....................................... page 17

X.Program Configuration (Alt-S, and Alt-P) ................... page 18

XI.Miscellaneous Functions .................................... page 21

XII.Program Requirements ....................................... page 22

XIII.Program and Author Information............................ page 23



Appendices
----------


A.Switches and Parameters .................................... page 24

B.Speech Drivers ............................................. page 27

C.Exception file ............................................. page 29

D.Files ...................................................... page 30














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I.Introduction


A. What is PC-VCO?


PC-VCO for the IBM PC is an accessory program, intended to be
used with a 'base' communications program. PC-VCO is integrated
into the included program 'COM-AND'. However, PC-VCO may be used
with any comm program supporting a 'DOS gateway' that does not
break an established comm link.


PC-VCO, used with network conferencing services such as People-
Link's PARTY, CompuServe's CB and GEnie's RTC conferencing,
provides a way to 'see' and 'hear' people talking.


The idea for PC-VCO was derived from the VCO system, and its
predecessor/ancestor VMCO, developed for the MacIntosh computer.
The VCO programs (PC and MacIntosh) allow you to see the people
you communicate with on-line, using the graphic capabilities of
the personal computer, and to hear conversation with speech
synthesis.


B. MacIntosh VCO and VMCO


VCO was originally developed by Harry Chesley. It was followed
by VMCO (which is CIS specific), written by Bob Perez independent
to the development of VCO. The current (MacIntosh) version of
VCO is almost an exact duplicate of Harry Chesley's original -
the original source code was converted by Mike Cohen and made to
accept multiple service formats. [Note: Mike Cohen's VCO uses
VMCO formatted files. Harry Chesley's VCO files differ. PC-VCO
can accommodate either. PC-VCO in VCO mode can talk to either,
according to your choice.]


The MacIntosh VCO allows one to see the people talking on-line
through graphic Icons. The Icons are provided to the VCO program
as 'Resource files' and are built using a 'Resource Editor'.
Each VCO user must have a resource file for every potential other
speaker. Charlie Brown and Snoopy Icons are used if no 'Faces'
are available. A range of expressions, from 'normal' to bored to
surprised make VCO conferences lively. Each participant controls
the expression displayed to all other participants.


The MacIntosh VCO allows the user to hear the people talking on-
line. This is done through built-in digital to analog
conversion, and a text-to-speech processor.Each VCO user
specifies the pitch of their voice, and the rate with which they
speak. Sound effects are possible and used heavily, of course.

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I.Introduction (continued)


C. This program


PC-VCO Version 2.2 executes VCO mode in CGA hi-res graphics mode,
Hercules graphics mode, or EGA graphics mode. It displays faces
extracted from MacIntosh resource files. A face librarian
(VCOLIB) has been included to maintain a library of faces and to
create face files for other PC-VCO and MacIntosh users.


Version 2.2 of PC-VCO interfaces both to a public domain resident
speech driver (whose pitch and speaking rate cannot be set), and
its own voice driver (which allows some variances in speaking rate
and pitch).The voice quality of either is what might be expected
without digital-to-analog conversion. However, the interface is
proven, and future versions will improve the interface.


PC-VCO may be copied freely and distributed to anyone for any
number of machines.The author offers PC-VCO as "shareware". If
the program is found to be useful or entertaining, a registration
is asked. PC-VCO will be extended and enhanced if response
warrants.


D. This document


This document describes the features of PC-VCO. It will not
attempt to describe all the features of COM-AND (which are
available within PC-VCO if used), or any other communications
program used. From time-to-time the assumption will be made
that COM-AND is used as the communications program, to high-
light the interaction between PC-VCO and COM-AND.


Please do not take it that COM-AND is the only comm program
possible to use. Refer to the documentation provided with your
favorite comm program for a full discussion of its function and
features. They won't be available in PC-VCO, however.


Appendices here will provide details for very interested readers.










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II.Running the program


PC-VCO is an accessory program, and may be entered in one of three
ways: (1) it may be invoked through the accessory menu of the comm
program COM-AND, (2) PC-VCO may be loaded itself (in which case it
will need to be able to load COM-AND) and (3) it may be loaded
'piggyback' (intended for use with the DOS gateway of other
communications programs. Each method is useful and will be
discussed separately.


A. Loading through COM-AND


COM-AND is invoked at the DOS prompt with the command:

------------------------------------------------------
"d>" COM-AND

Where "d>" is the DOS prompt, and
is ( ( ...))
where is either a switch or a parameter

Refer to Appendix A of the COM-AND document for a discussion
of switches and parameters.
------------------------------------------------------


Once COM-AND has been loaded, the usual sequence would be to dial
a network service using COM-AND's dialing directory or script
language. When connection has been established, logon achieved,
and a conference area entered, then PC-VCO may be selected using
the F1 Accessories menu.


COM-AND defines an 'accessory' as:

o A name which is displayed in the menu (as you like)
o A subdirectory for use during the accessory (optional)
o A script file to be performed (optional)
o A program to be loaded - along with parameters (optional)

COM-AND was supplied with several accessory menu entries set to
load PC-VCO, to serve as an example. Once loaded, PC-VCO is an
independent program, using the comm link established by COM-AND,
and also many of the COM-AND functions. PC-VCO is 'integrated'
into COM-AND.


Note that settings (echo/blank line suppression/logging etc) made
in COM-AND carry over to the accessory when it is loaded, and
settings made in the accessory carry over to COM-AND when the
accessory terminates.


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II.Running the program (continued)


B. Loading PC-VCO directly



PC-VCO may be invoked at the DOS prompt with the command:

------------------------------------------------------
"d>" PC-VCO

Where "d>" is the DOS prompt, and
is ( ( ...))
where is either a switch or a parameter

Refer to Appendix A of this document for a full description of
switches and parameters.
------------------------------------------------------


When PC-VCO is run from the DOS prompt without the '/P' switch,
it looks for the COM-AND program on the current subdirectory (or
in the subdirectory indicated by a 'COM-AND=' environment
variable). PC-VCO will not run (without the '/P' switch) unless
it can find COM-AND. PC-VCO loads COM-AND and execution proceeds
on the CRT (COM-AND side) of the program.


Again, the usual sequence would be to dial a network service
using COM-AND's dialing directory or script language. When
connection has been established, logon achieved, and a conference
area entered, then PC-VCO may be invoked using the F1 key.


Loaded this way, the F1 key simply serves to switch between the
two sides of the program (PC-VCO and COM-AND). No menu of
additional accessories is available. All other features of
COM-AND are available, however.


















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II.Running the program (continued)


C. Loading PC-VCO Piggyback


PC-VCO may be run piggyback as follows:

------------------------------------------------------
"d>" PC-VCO /P COMx

where COMx = COM1, COM2, COM3 or COM4 and
= 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600

Refer to Appendix A of this document for a full description
of other options.
------------------------------------------------------

For example:

C> PC-VCO /P COM1 2400


Used in this manner, PC-VCO 'picks-up' a comm line already
opened and in use by another program. The 'COMx' and ''
parameters are not strictly necessary; however, their use is
recommended unless you ALWAYS use the same comm port and line-
speed on all systems where ever you go.


Note that Alt-X terminates PC-VCO and simply returns you to
DOS when PC-VCO is loaded piggyback. Alt-X terminates both
PC-VCO and COM-AND when the program set is run without /P.


Once back at the DOS prompt, you must return to the comm program
you originally gatewayed - type 'EXIT' at the DOS prompt if your
gateway was originally to COMMAND.COM. Refer to the documenta-
tion provided with your comm program on the appropriate means of
returning from a gateway.
















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III.VCO Display


When the screen is placed into graphic (VCO) mode, the screen is
divided into several areas. The top line carries the program
version and release number, the current 'expression mode' and the
VCO Main menu.The next eight lines (of text if we were in text
mode) carries Icons for 10 (potential) people (faces).


Initially the Icons are displayed as empty chairs. A large (double
wide ICON) box beneath the 10 empty chairs will be the speaker's
box. [This does not appear if the program was run with the /M
switch.] The Icon of the current Speaker will be displayed here.
The conversation scrolls in the region to the right of the Speaker's
box (the bottom line of the text area being reserved for program
use).


Beneath this activity are Icons for 10 more people. [These do not
appear if the program was run with the /S switch - the space is made
available for more text lines.] Icons are used in simple sequential
order, as new people speak. Icons which are 'in use' may be deleted
- say, if the individual has left the area. Under certain
conditions, PC-VCO will delete an ICON itself.



In conversation, when a speaker is identified (through the ID or
handle - see following), one of several things may happen:

. If we've never seen the ID before, and we have an empty chair:

The first empty chair Icon is replaced by an Icon representing
the new speaker with a 'normal' expression. The Icon is also
displayed in the Speaker's box (reversed - we've never seen the
person before). Notice the difference between speaking and
sitting ICONS.

. If we've never seen the ID before, and we have no empty chair:

An Icon representing the Speaker with a 'Normal' expression is
displayed in the Speaker's box.

. If we've seen the ID before:

The Icon of the speaker is displayed in the speaker's box (not
reversed - we've seen 'em before) and the Icon above or below is
reversed.








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IV.Services supported


PC-VCO is encoded to work with several network services and multi-
user systems. PC-VCO parses every incoming line for an ID.
PC-VCO's parser is 'automatic', in that you don't have to tell it
which system to parse.


The ID or handle parse begins after a carriage return from the
network. The Icon display is updated as soon as an ID is identi-
fied. The text is displayed in any case. If no ID is identified,
no ICON is changed. Blank lines (extra carriage returns issued by
the network) are not displayed by PC-VCO because of the limited text
area (7 lines on a CGA with 'small table off).


VCO internal commands (such as expression changes) exchanged amongst
VCO attendees are not displayed as text of a conversation. PC-VCO
does not know if a text line is empty or not until the entire line
is received. PC-VCO erases an empty text line (visible as an ID
followed by no text or followed by just a VCO command) and reuses
the line when end-of-line (carriage return) is received.


The PC-VCO parser is only designed to deal with text issued within
the conversational area of one of the systems.The parser is
self-adjusting ... all of the supported formats will be taken as
conversation. [The automatic nature of the parser DOES produce
some false hits now and then. I've included some 'ignore'
templates in the parser table for just that purpose.]


The VCO side is not altogether appropriate for other uses, such as
reading your mail. For other uses, switch to the alpha side (F1 if
you used COM-AND).


The following pages describe templates for IDs and handles as dis-
played on various systems (handles are assumed names which replace
or add to an ID). I have also included some notes on each system
and its use with PC-VCO.














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IV.Services supported (continued)


A. PLINK IDs and handles:

"(" ") " an initial "*" identifies handles

Example: (TARTAN) This is how a line would look on PLINK


PLINK does not report (to all in conference) when a customer
exits. Therefore PLINK users use "-OFF-" as their last statement
to 'clear' their ICON on other screens, as a courtesy. PC-VCO
recognizes "-OFF-" as an indication that the customer's ICON is
to be deleted.

PC-VCO is best used with echo off (the system doesn't echo what
you type). You turn echo off with the command /NOECHO. The key-
board buffer (controls pull-down) allows you to see your typing
locally if you need.


B. GEnie IDs and handles:

"<" [Handle] "> "

Example: <[Scott] TARTAN> This is how a line would look on GEnie


GEnie reports to all present the exit or termination of another
customer. PC-VCO recognizes the report, and automatically
deletes the ICON.

PC-VCO is best used with echo off (the system doesn't echo what
you type). GEnie does not normally echo entered characters. If
you are echoing characters locally (alt-E) turn it off. Use the
keyboard buffer to see your typing.


C. SOURCE IDs and aliases:

": " -or- [nn] ": "

Example: [22] TARTAN: This is how a line would look on SOURCE


The SOURCE reports to all attending the exit or termination of
another customer. PC-VCO recognizes the report, and automati-
cally deletes the ICON.

PC-VCO is best used with echo off (the system doesn't echo what
you type). The SOURCE allows you to turn off echo by exiting the
SIG (entering command mode), setting half duplex (-> TERM -HALF)
and reentering the SIG.


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IV.Services supported (continued)


D. CIS handles:

"(" , ") "
where ::= (A!B)(N!NN)","

Example: (A1,TARTAN) This is how a line would look on CIS


CIS does not report (to all in conference) when a customer exits.
Therefore CIS users use "-OFF-" (or other methods) as their last
statement to 'clear' their ICON on other screens, as a courtesy.
PC-VCO recognizes "-OFF-" as an indication that the customer's
ICON is to be deleted.

PC-VCO is best used with echo off (the system doesn't echo what
you type). You turn echo off with the command /NOECHO. The key-
board buffer (controls pull-down) allows you to see your typing
locally if you need.


E. Delphi IDs and handles:

"> " where an initial "." identifies handles

Example: TARTAN> This is how a line would look on Delphi


Delphi does not report (to all in conference) when a customer
exits. Therefore Delphi users use "-OFF-" (or other methods) as
their last statement to 'clear' their ICON on other screens, as a
courtesy. PC-VCO recognizes "-OFF-" as an indication that the
customer's ICON is to be deleted.

PC-VCO is best used with echo off (the system doesn't echo what
you type). I recommend requesting help from an experienced
Delphi user to do this.

















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IV.Services supported (continued)


F. TBBS IDs:

"(" ":" ") "

Example: (9: Scott McGinnis) This is how tbbs looks


TBBS does not report (to all in conference) when a customer
exits. Therefore TBBS users use "-OFF-" (or other methods) as
their last statement to 'clear' their ICON on other screens, as a
courtesy. PC-VCO recognizes "-OFF-" as an indication that the
customer's ICON is to be deleted.

TBBS is still new to me; TBBS BBS's are multiuser (up to 16 lines
to a BBS), and provide a very comfortable conferencing facility.
I haven't discovered yet how to turn local echo off. PC-VCO is
best used with echo off - if there is no such facility, I am sure
one will be added, just to keep the reading easy.


G. PROTOCALL IDs and handles:

"<" nn.nn ">"

Example: <04.21 TARTAN> This is how PROTOCALL looks


PROTOCALL reports to all attending the exit or termination of
another customer and various materializations and dematerializ-
ations. PC-VCO recognizes the report, and automatically deletes
the ICON.

PC-VCO is best used with echo off (the system doesn't echo what
you type). You toggle echo off with the command /ECHO. The
keyboard buffer (controls pull-down) allows you to see your
typing locally if you need.


I know that PROTOCALL is no more. However, the parser still
parses its format.













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V.PC-VCO Commands using COM-AND


When PC-VCO is loaded with COM-AND the following Alt'd keys are
available:

F1Switch between text (CRT) and graphic (VCO) modes. The
switch always clears the table of Icons and IDs, so a switch
from VCO to CRT and back will always clear a clutter.

F10Help screen. All currently implemented commands are
summarized on this screen. Any command may be executed
directly while this screen is displayed.

Alt-F10 DOS Gateway. If there is sufficient memory available, and
if the environment variable "COMSPEC" identifies a valid
.COM or .EXE file, PC-VCO will load the program and execute
it. This normally is used to load a second copy of
COMMAND.COM for full access to DOS while a communication
session is in progress.

Ctl-End Send a Break. This sends a true 'break' signal.

Alt-BRedisplay (backscreen). The speed of the display may be
controlled using Cntl-PgDn (slower) or Cntl-PgUp (faster).

Alt-CClear the screen.

Alt-DDialing directory. The Dialing directory and file is
identical to that used by Procomm (version 2.x), to allow
files to be shared between the two programs.

Alt-EToggle echo (full/half duplex). This function is also
invoked through the dialing directory (echo on).

Alt-FFile directory. A mask is required - just as DOS DIR
command.

Alt-GToggle blank line suppression.PC-VCO will suppress blank
lines on the CRT side if you wish. This can be made a
program default through the Alt-O options menu.

Alt-HHang-up. Hang-up the phone.

Alt-IProgram information. Author information. Propaganda.

Alt-LToggle CGA/EGA modes (if you have an EGA).









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V.PC-VCO Commands using COM-AND (continued)


Alt-MDefine a macro for Alt-0 through Alt-9. The Macro defin-
ition file is identical to that used by Procomm (version
2.x), allowing Macros to be shared between the two.

Note: Although this menu can be used from either COM-AND or
accessory, macros are defined through COM-AND and changes
will be made on the COM-AND side.

Alt-OOptions. Set controlling flags for COM-AND.

Note: Although this menu can be used from either COM-AND or
accessory, it really only effects COM-AND settings.

Alt-PComm Parameters. Set baud rate, parity, number of data
and stop bits for use when COM-AND is initially loaded.
These settings are overridden by run-time switches.
Whatever the current setting, the dialing directory
overrides when it is used.

Note: Although this menu can be used from either COM-AND or
accessory, it really only effects COM-AND settings. Each
accessory has an Alt-P function as well accessible only when
the accessory is loaded with the '/P' switch.

Alt-RRedial the last number dialed.The program will redial the
last number dialed number until the function is terminated
(with ESC), or connection is made.

Alt-SSetup.Define initial program values, such as Modem initial-
ization, the Modem Hangup sequence, and file names.

Note: Although this menu can be used from either COM-AND or
accessory, it really only effects COM-AND settings. Each
accessory has an Alt-S function as well which may or may not
be accessible when COM-AND is loaded.

Alt-TElapsed time. The time the program was loaded, and the time
the last call (Alt-C or Alt-R) was placed are displayed.
The elapsed time since the latest time is also displayed.

Alt-XExit the program. The program may or may not hangup the
phone, depending on the modem.Note: COM-AND is also
terminated, no matter how you loaded PC-VCO and COM-AND.

Alt-ZToggle parity mask. The high bit mask is used only for text
received and displayed - it has no effect on XMODEM
transfers.

Alt-0/9 Send a Macro. A string of characters defined through the
Alt-M command described above is transmitted.



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VI.PC-VCO Commands Standalone


When PC-VCO is loaded standalone (piggyback, /P) only the following
Alt'd keys are active:

Alt-CScreen Clear. Clear the text area.

Alt-LToggle between CGA and EGA modes (if you have an EGA).

Alt-SSetup.This menu allows setting a defaults used by PC-VCO.
It is also available through the 'Controls' pull-down.

Alt-PSet Comm Parms. This menu provides a way to change default
communications parameters used by PC-VCO ONLY when it is run
piggyback. It is therefore only available when PC-VCO is
run piggyback.

Alt-XExit the program. In this case (piggyback) only PC-VCO is
terminated. You are returned to DOS.


When used in this manner, the pull-down menues are still available,
of course. Transcripting is the only function obtained through a
pull-down that is inhibited when PC-VCO is run piggyback.































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VII.PC-VCO Main Menu


On the top line of the display in VCO mode there is a menu of key-
words.A keyword is selected (with the cursor keys or a mouse),
and a submenu pulled-down (with the return or right mouse button).
Submenu items are selected (again, with the cursor keys or a
mouse), and executed (with the return, space bar, or left mouse
button). The keywords are:

ControlsSelect certain control functions. Controls are:

. Playback: Play a transcript
. Turn Transcript logging on and off.
. Turn keyboard display on and off.
. Turn transcript hold on and off.
. Change expression set (PLINK/CIS, GEnie/STC/Delphi)
. Turn Speaker's Box on and off.
. Turn Small Table on and off.
. Invoke PC-VCO's Setup menu

SoundsIssue 'sound' commands to the conference (and to
yourself, unless you've disabled 'bounceback').
The current selections are clunky... they'll get
better as time goes on. You can also enable and
disable received sounds (Quiet mode) here.

SpeechTurn the speech driver on (two modes) and off.
SPEECH.COM must be loaded prior to PC-VCO.
VOICE.EXE will be loaded on demand if available.

. Explicit speech means: only specific command
forms are voiced (e.g. "{GRUNT").
. Implicit speech means: All received text is
voiced.

FacesIssue 'expression' commands to the conference. This
causes the Icon displayed for your ID to be changed
on your screen, and on any other screen receiving
your command.


Top-line menu items are selected with the Cursor right/left keys or
right and left motion with the mouse. When the cursor key is
depressed, the next menu item (in a circular manner) is highlighted.
The highlighted keyword is 'selected'.


A submenu is pulled-down with the Cursor-down key (or End, or PgDn,
or the left mouse button). A submenu item is selected from a
pull-down when it is highlighted by pressing the Cursor-down/up keys
keys repetitively. When the Cursor key is depressed, the next submenu
item (again in a circular manner) is highlighted. The highlighted
keyword is 'selected'.


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VII.PC-VCO Main Menu (continued)


A selected submenu item is executed with a Carriage Return. That's
the key with the silly arrow. When a submenu item is executed, the
pull-down is released (it goes back up?). Hitting the Space-bar or
the left mouse button will also execute the selected item. A
pull-down is released without executing any item with any of the
following keys: ESC, Home, PgUp, or right mouse button.


There are three forms of VCO in use on Macintosh computers. The
three programs use two different file formats for face files.
PC-VCO can accommodate both file formats. It can speak to all the
MacIntosh programs over a network (one type at a time, of course).


VCO, as written by Harry Chesley is currently in use on Delphi and
GEnie.This is the original VCO program. The face file defined for
Harry Chesley's program is not the format PC-VCO was originally
written to accommodate. However, Version 2.2 of PC-VCO will accept
Chesley formatted face files, and switch expression sets at will.


VMCO was written independent of, but with knowledge of Harry
Chesley's VCO by Bob Perez. VMCO defined a slightly different face
file format. VMCO is currently in use on CIS.PC-VCO has always
been compatible with VMCO. However, it is not the program PC-VCO
was written to match.


Harry Chesley's original VCO was modified by Mike Cohen to parse
PLINK ID's. The VMCO face file format was used for this version.
This is the version of VCO that PC-VCO was coded to match.


On the top line of the VCO screen, the expression set currently in
use is displayed (either 'PLINK/VCO' or 'GEnie/STC/Delphi'). The
mode may be dynamically changed through the 'Controls' pull-down.
The mode in effect when the program is loaded defaults to PLINK/CIS,
but the default may be permanently changed through the Alt-O
(Options) Menu (see below), or through a run-time switch (see
Appendix A).


Understand, please, that different expression sets are defined by
the face file.All users (Macintosh especially) must be using
compatible sets for expressions to be exchanged meaningfully. VMCO
and Mike Cohen's VCO use different expression commands from Harry
Chesley's VCO. PC-VCO can talk to one group or the other. But not
both at the same time.Users of Harry Chesley's VCO cannot talk to
users of Mike Cohen's VCO, or to users of VMCO (and exchange
expressions).



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VIII.Newly Supported Systems


With the release of Version 1.0 PC-VCO, several systems are
supported that are not mentioned above (or in VCOLIB).PC-VCO
Version 2.1 supports TBBS, and PROTOCALL services as well as PLINK,
GEnie, SOURCE, CIS, and Delphi, but neither the Main Menu of PC-VCO
nor the VCOLIB output command prompt mentions the two new services.
There is a reason...


MacIntosh VCO/VMCO users actually use THREE resource file formats.
[The above discussion might lead one to suspect that there are two,
but there are actually three.]VCOLIB recognizes all three on
input, and can output a file in any of the forms.


Online, there are two differing sets of control sequences (one for
PLINK/CIS and another for GEnie/Delphi). PC-VCO requires users to
switch to the set appropriate for the system. MacIntosh users
cannot do the same. [There are three programs, after all.]


Users on the newly supported services must decide which MacIntosh
user community with which they wish to be compatible. All three
have MacIntosh as well as IBM PC users. Harry Chesley has provided
(or will provide) a version of his VCO modified for SOURCE users.
For PROTOCALL and TBBS users no clear choice is available (now).


Users on each system where PC-VCO is used must decide which form
(Chesley (GEnie/Delphi), Perez (CIS), or Cohen (PLINK/CIS/Delphi)
they wish to 'standardize'. Most of the decision depends upon
whether MacIntosh users are to be included easily. When a decision
is reached on each of the above systems by the user community, I
will add the appropriate main Menu legend and prompt to the VCOLIB
OUTPUT command.



















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IX.Manual ICON Clean-up


Other keys that are active on the VCO screen alone are:


DELSelect an Icon for removal. Press the DEL key, and an 'X'
covers the next Icon around the table.Move the 'X' to the
Icon to be deleted (e.g. the speaker has left). The Icon
is then deleted with the INS key.

INSDelete the selected Icon. The Icon is replaced with the
empty chair Icon, and the ID of the person represented
is removed from the program's tables. If no Icon is
selected, the program beeps.


PC-VCO implements an autodelete function that automatically removes
ICONs of people that have left the conversation. VCO users on
PLINK and CIS enter "-OFF-" alone on a line to signal that they are
leaving. GEnie users rely on the system reporting that " has
left." or that " disconnected.". PC-VCO recognizes these
strings, and automatically deletes the appropriate ICON.


Special keys (i.e. non-ASCII) will be implemented as control keys
as requirements and experience dictate. Unimplemented keys beep.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Note also functions defined above under "Commands using COM-AND".
-----------------------------------------------------------------

























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X.Program Configuration (Alt-S, and Alt-P)


A. Setup Screen (Alt-S)

1. Files

. Face library

The face library is built and maintained through the VCOLIB
face librarian program. MacIntosh resource files are added
to this file to add faces to the VCO side of this program.
This file defines the set of faces 'known' to the VCO side.

. Exception file

The exception file name is used when voice is turned on. If
it does not exist, none will be created. You can create one
by following the rules in Appendix D of this document.
Something towards an exception file is provided in the
release ARC.

2. Timings and Values

. Millisecond loop

The millisecond loop value gives the number of LOOP instruc-
tions required to wait for one millisecond. This type of
timing function is used in PC-VCO in several places: 1) to
to pace displays such as playback, and 2) for tone
generation. 260 is suggested for 4.77 Mhz clocks. 432 is
recommended for 8Mhz clocks. PC-VCO will attempt to
calculate the correct value if you set it smaller than 10.

. Break delay

As noted above, the break delay is controlled through the
Millisecond loop value. This value "break delay"
specifies the number of "milliseconds" the comm line is
held when a break is issued (Cntl-END).

3. Flags

. Small Table

Version 2.2 of PC-VCO provides two basic screens: a 20 ICON
mode (with 7 lines of text on a CGA) and a 10 ICON mode
(with 15 lines of text on a CGA). The 10 ICON mode I've
dubbed 'Small table'. You can turn it off and on for the
next time you use this program.






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X.Program Configuration (continued)


A. Setup Screen (Alt-S) (continued)

3. Flags (continued)

. Use GEnie/Delphi

This flag determines which on-line command mode PC-VCO will
by default use (as discussed above). The mode can be
changed on-line with the 'Controls' pull-down.

. Quiet Mode

For gentler souls, sound effects can be inhibited by default
through this selection.

. Speaker box

'Maug mode' mentioned above, does not use the speaker's box.
The advantage of this usage is that there is more text on a
line. You can select the default you wish to have here, and
change it on-line as you wish.

. Initial advert

I have to advertise. You have to hate it. That's life.
Even though I've named my company after a big stick, I don't
have to beat you to death with it. Turn off the advert
after you've seen it. Just before you register...
This only effects standalone usage.

. Exit Query

Some people disdain the query "do you really and truly mean
it" when they type Alt-X. Some feel it mandatory. PC-VCO
is distributed with exit query disabled. You may enable it,
if you're so inclined. This only effects standalone usage.

. Allow EGA

You can disable automatic selection of EGA mode (for what
ever reason, say, it doesn't work on your EGA board) when
PC-VCO is loaded with this setting. Alt-L toggling between
EGA and CGA modes is not affected by this setting.


4. Save

You may change values for one execution of PC-VCO, or you
may change them for all subsequent executions of PC-VCO.If
you save values, the values you've saved will be used the
next time you run PC-VCO.


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X.Program Configuration (continued)


B. Communications Parameters (Alt-P)

1. Rate + Parity + Data bits + Stop Bits

Baud rate, parity, number of data bits and number of stop bits
are specified in combination through the first 10 selections
on the Alt-P window. These selections are the only way you
may specify baud rate. Other parameters (parity, data bits,
and stop bits) may be set individually (below).

Do not change the current setting after you've connected to a
service.Make your setting here before you use PC-VCO
on-line.

2. Parity, Data bits and Stop bits

Individual settings for parity, number of data bits and number
of stop bits comprise the next 7 items of this menu. You also
set these values when you create a dialing directory entry.

Again - do not change the current setting after you've
connected to a service. The settings on this screen are
effective only when PC-VCO is run standalone. Changing a
setting here could disconnect you.

3. COM ports

The last four items on this menu are the candidates for COM
ports. Select the appropriate port for your modem. This item
is usually selected once, and then left alone.

4. Save

You save the current settings for the next execution of PC-VCO
through the "Save" selection. Settings are saved to disk.


















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XI.Miscellaneous Functions


A. Disk logging [transcripting] (Controls pull-down)

You may transcript what you receive to a disk (or PRN) with the
"Disk logging" function, if you loaded COM-AND with PC-VCO. The
transcript will be marked with the date and time it began and
ended if transcript marking is set on through COM-AND's Alt-O
screen.


COM-AND keeps the last 4096 characters received in a buffer for
backscreen (or redisplay).When you turn transcripting on, you
will be asked if the backscreen is to be recorded first. If you
respond "Y", the backscreen will be written to the transcript
file before the "BEGIN" mark.


B. Keyboard display (Controls pull-down)

Some talk systems are more friendly when what you type is not
mixed in with what you receive. Turning echo off (if the system
echoes key-entry) can be accomplished in a number of ways (note
that this is different from program echo above).


However - all of a sudden you have a new problem - you don't see
what you're typing! Keyboard display in PC-VCO is one attempt to
solve this problem.What you type will be displayed on the
status line when keyboard display is turned on. You can turn it
on permanently through this selection.


Keyboard display may be set on permanently in COM-AND through the
Alt-O options window.




















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XII.Program Requirements


This program can only function on an IBM PC or DOS compatible
machine. PC-VCO does direct to screen buffer fetches and stores;
so compatibility is an important issue.


PC-VCO supports CGA, EGA and Hercules.PC-VCO uses a Microsoft
Mouse if one is available (not well, but If I receive comments it'll
certainly get better).


PC-VCO disk I/O is done through the 'Handle' oriented I/O routines
added to DOS 2.0. Therefore DOS 2.0 is a minimum requirement.


PC-VCO (Version 2.2) requires 117K for itself.So you need 192. To
take advantage of the DOS Gateway (use another comm program) or to
use COM-AND, you'll need at least 384K, more like 512K.





































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XIII.Program and Author Information


This program was written using Microsoft Macro-Assembler. The
author likes assembler. Assembly language is an entirely appro-
priate vehicle for some of the program, and a not-inappropriate
vehicle for the rest of it. Everything, in moderation...


The author of this program is R. Scott McGinnis of Chicago,
Illinois. PLINK and GEnie ID:TARTAN. Comment and suggestions
(and criticism in moderation) are welcomed:

CABER Software
R. (Scott) McGinnis
P.O. Box 3607 Mdse Mart
Chicago, IL 60654-0607


Credit for information on the VCO must be given to Kelly Major and
Mike Cohen. Credit for help on graphic displays and conversions
must be given to Mark Lewis. All three I've met through People-
Link. Colleagues once upon a time at 'the office', Bruce Clemens,
Joe Noonan, Milton Treshansky, and Al Paluszek have helped immea-
surably with technical comments, suggestions, jeers and support.
My wife, Elizabeth, supported me whole-heartedly in this effort.


This program (Version 2.2) may be distributed freely with the caveat
that the Author information displayed at program termination is not
removed. If the program is found entertaining or useful, a regis-
tration of $35.00 is requested. Should response warrant it, I will
continue to develop and support this product.


Most of the hardware names and software names in this document are
trademarks or trade names of specific manufacturers.



















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A.Switches and parameters


Program Switches:

/1 'PLINK/CIS': Expressions sent and received are compatible with
VCO (by Mike Cohen) as used on PLINK, and VMCO (by Bob Perez)
as used on CIS. This is the default for distributed copies.

/2 'GEnie/STC/Delphi': Expressions sent and received are compatible
with VCO (by Harry Chesley) as used on Delphi and GEnie. You
may make this the permanent default with the Alt-O menu.

/C 'CGA only': You may specify a CGA display only with this switch.
EGA and Hercules displays are inhibited. The default for PC-VCO
is to automatically adjust to Hercules, EGA or CGA.

/E 'EGA': You may specify an EGA admissible with this switch.
This is the default.

/F 'Library file': You may specify a particular face library file
name (for example /FPLINK.FLB) on the run command.This
overrides the default value set through Alt-S.

/G 'Force Hercules': You may force Hercules mode even if PC-VCO
doesn't think you have a Hercules board. However - use this
switch cautiously.

/H 'Hercules': You may specify a Hercules admissible with this
switch. This is the default.

/M 'Maug' mode. The graphic display does not use a Speaker's box
and thus allows a full 80 columns for text display.

/P 'Piggyback': PC-VCO will open the COM port in such a manner as
to retain another program's already opened line. When PC-VCO is
exited, the previous state is restored. This is for use with
other communications programs having a DOS Gateway (e.g.
Procomm).

/Q 'Quiet mode': You may turn quiet mode with this run-time switch.

/S 'Small table': This switch causes the program to use the 10
ICON screen display as opposed to the default 20 ICON mode.

/V 'Voice on': PC-VCO may be loaded with voice turned on (implicit
mode) with the /V switch. SPEECH.COM must be loaded before
PC-VCO is run with the /V switch; VOICE.EXE does not have to be
pre-loaded (but may be if you feel more comfortable).







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A.Switches and Parameters (continued)


Program switches (continued):

Voice in PC-VCO now has two 'ON' modes: explicit and implicit.
Implicit speech is voicing everything (that the poor speech
driver can handle). Explicit speech must be signalled with a
'~{', '~[', '{', or '['. The word following the signal must
occur in the exception file.

/VE 'Voice on, explicit': The /VE switch turns on the voice inter-
face, and sets the voice mode 'explicit' (above). The speech
driver must be loaded before PC-VCO is executed.

/VI 'Voice on, implicit': The /VI switch turns on the voice inter-
face, and sets the voice mode 'implicit' (above). The speech
driver must be loaded before PC-VCO is executed.

/V0 'SPEECH.COM': The /V0 forces PC-VCO to expect SPEECH.COM as
the voice driver.

/V1 'VOICE.EXE': The /V1 forces PC-VCO to expect VOICE.EXE as
the voice driver.

/X 'Debug mode': This switch enables certain resident debugging
keys. I do not recommend you use it. I document it only for
the VERY curious.




























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A.Switches and Parameters (continued)


Program parameters:

COM1 PC-VCO uses the COM1 port
COM2 PC-VCO uses the COM2 port
COM3 PC-VCO uses the COM3 port
COM4 PC-VCO uses the COM4 port

300PC-VCO uses port at 300 baud
1200 PC-VCO uses port at 1200 baud
2400 PC-VCO uses port at 2400 baud
4800 PC-VCO uses port at 4800 baud
9600 PC-VCO uses port at 9600 baud

EVEN PC-VCO uses port with even parity
ODDPC-VCO uses port with odd parity
NONE PC-VCO uses port with no parity

DATA7PC-VCO transmits/receives 7 data bits
DATA8PC-VCO transmits/receives 8 data bits

STOP1PC-VCO uses and expects 1 stop bit
STOP2PC-VCO uses and expects 2 stop bits


Program switches require no delimiters. Parameters when contiguous
must be preceded by a blank. For example:

A> PC-VCO 1200Run the program for 1200 baud communications
A> PC-VCO /P1200Piggyback, 1200 baud
A> PC-VCO /P 1200Piggyback, 1200 baud


Program defaults are:

A> PC-VCO COM2 300 EVEN DATA7 STOP1


















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B.Speech drivers


The speech function of PC-VCO is supplied by a resident speech
driver. This version of PC-VCO interfaces two speech drivers,
VOICE.EXE (created for PC-VCO) and SPEECH.COM (the original
interface, believed to be public domain). PC-VCO only implements
an interface to the driver. Text-to-phoneme conversion is
performed in PC-VCO.


1. VOICE.EXE


PC-VCO interfaces its own speech driver (VOICE.EXE) beginning
with version 2.2. VOICE.EXE was created to support PC-VCO, and
provides the following advantages over SPEECH.COM:

oVOICE.EXE is not CPU speed dependant
oVOICE.EXE will run with any version of MS-DOS after 2.0
oVOICE.EXE implements a broader 'arpabet' (the phoneme set)
compatible with the MacIntosh/Amiga arpabet
oVOICE.EXE permits a limited variance of speech pitch and
speaking rate
oVOICE.EXE may be loaded 'on top' of PC-VCO and deleted after
use (and it may be used TSR as well!)


VOICE.EXE may be used with PC-VCO in one of two ways.

(a) Place VOICE.EXE on the subdirectory from which you execute
PC-VCO.When you enable voice (SPEECH pull-down, or /V in the
run command), PC-VCO will load VOICE.EXE automatically.When
PC-VCO terminates, it terminates VOICE.EXE as well.

-or- (b) Load VOICE.EXE before loading PC-VCO (and before loading ANY
communications program, if you use PC-VCO with a comm program).
Loaded manually, VOICE.EXE becomes a terminate-and-stay-resi-
dent utility. It takes up space until you next boot.

















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B.Speech drivers (continued)


2. SPEECH.COM

The resident speech driver SPEECH.COM and associated programs (SAY
and READ) were found on a public domain Bulletin Board in Chicago.
The author's name is not contained in the documentation, and no
statement is made as to its ownership or copyright.


The author IS identified within the executable object files (as
Andy McGuire... I incorrectly referred to Douglas Sisco in
earlier documents).I have attempted to find anyone who knows of
Andy McGuire, with no success to date. SPEECH.COM is not
included in this release (nor has it has been in any - its not
mine to give). It is available on most services as SPEECH.ARC.


The current speech driver (by Andy McGuire) will not function
with DOS 3.xx (so its document states), without patching.
The driver is limited to a 4.77 Mhz clock as well. I published
a patch for SPEECH.COM... but that patch is mostly ineffective
above 8Mhz.


To use SPEECH.COM, load SPEECH.COM before PC-VCO (and before the
base comm program, if used). Rename VOICE.EXE on the default
subdirectory to something else (or use the /V0 switch in PC-VCO's
run command).


























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C.Exception File


The exception file distributed with PC-VCO is virtually that used
by the MacIntosh VCO. The exception file is a simple text file,
each line of which has the syntax:

"[" "]" "="


There are three types of keyword in the current exception file:

. Keywords without a special delimiter (e.g. [6] which gives a
pronunciation for numeric 6)

. Keywords with the initial delimiter "{". MacIntosh documentation
states that these are to be displayed but not spoken. Why are
they in the exception file?Beats me.

. Keywords with the initial delimiter "[" (in addition to the
initial bracket). MacIntosh documentation states that these are
to be voiced, and not displayed.


PC-VCO follows these rules, more or less. The exception file as
prepared for the MacIntosh MacTalk is compatible with the VOICE.EXE
speech driver the 'old' exception file supplied with this release is
compatible with SPEECH.COM). Some changes have been made, but not
alot. Perhaps some brave soul will pitch in.


On the other hand, the exception file does provide pronunciation
for tokens that otherwise would be skipped by the present speech
driver (e.g. simple numerics).


Please note that this version of PC-VCO was distributed with two
exception files:

PC-VCO.EXC- Exception file for VOICE.EXE speech driver
OPC-VCO.EXC- Exception file for SPEECH.COM speech driver















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D.Files


Program files:PC-VCO expects the following files on the
default drive (and subdirectory)

PC-VCO.DFTParameter save area (Alt-S and Alt-P)

PC-VCO will create this file if it is not found. PC-VCO will auto-
matically update the .DFT file if the program version number is
different from the .DFT file version number. When PC-VCO is
loaded, the old file format will be loaded. A new file will then
be created to replace the old file.


When a new major (e.g.1.0, 2.0, ...) is released or when you move
PC-VCO from one machine to another the previous .DFT file probably
should be purged (and recreated by PC-VCO).


PC-VCO also uses (if available) the following files:

PC-VCO.EXCException file for VOICE.EXE speech processing
OPC-VCO.EXEException file for SPEECH.COM speech processing
PC-VCO.FLBFace library
VOICE.EXESpeech driver

Each of the PC-VCO.* files may be named through the ALT-S (Setup)
Menu. PC-VCO currently implements the rule for file names: If the
given file name carries a drive spec (i.e. C:) or path (sub-
directory), the name is taken 'as is'. If neither condition holds,
the default drive and subdirectory are added to the file name.
























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