Category : Communication (modem) tools and utilities
Archive   : RSHLL215.ZIP
Filename : RSSHELL.DOC

RSShell External Protocol Shell version 2.15

by Randy Starcher

July 1991

Feel free to upload this program to as many BBS's as you like.

Legalease

This product is released under the Shareware system of trying the
product before you buy it, if you wish to continue using RSShell after
the 30 day trial period you must register it. To register RSShell,
fill out, and mail in ORDER.FRM along with $10.00.

This program is released 'as is' while I did spend alot of time
debugging this program, I cannot guarantee it will work on your
system. I will NOT take any responsibility for any damage done to you,
your system, or anything that results from using this program.

If you find a bug in the system, please write to me and tell
me what happened, also, please tell me what you are using (Software
and Hardware), and what version you are running of RSShell. You may
get a free registration to the program depending on how important the
bug ends up being.

There are now 2 BBS's that are release sites, and I can be reached through
them.
They are:
The Mausoleum (513) 339-7835
CS Industries (513) 339-0383
Both are located in Troy, Ohio.

Do not use a program like PKLITE on RSSHELL1.EXE, it will not work, I
tried it.

I should mention a few people and companies here:
DSZ is trademarked by Omen Technology Inc.
Lynx and MPt are trademarked by the MPt Software Company
HyperP is trademarked by Hilgraves Software
Shadow is trademarked by Edwardo Sweet
Tmodem is trademarked by Micro TECH Systems
GWTerm is trademarked by Joel Bergman
SZModem is trademarked by Scott Baker
Bimodem is trademarked by Erik Labs
Jmodem is trademarked by Richard B. Johnson
"Here Comes the Sun" is owned by Harisongs, Ltd
BRUN45.EXE and QuickBASIC are owned by Microsoft

I hope none of these companies are offended by my using them in my
program.


Running RSShell

RSShell should work on any XT, AT, or compatibles, and on Comm ports
1-4 at any speed that the protocol itself can handle. But, alas, I do
not use comm 3 or 4 and only have a 2400 baud modem, so I do not know
for sure.

I have included 2 versions of my shell, RSShell.exe and RSShell1.exe,
most people would use RSSHELL.EXE but those whose computer has a
limited memory, or those who use alot of TSR's will probably want to
use RSSHELL1.EXE, it uses the BRUN45 run time module so it needs less
memory to run. Due to the size of BRUN45.EXE, I have decided not to
include it with the RSShell archive. It is available from just about
any BBS. HyperP and SZModem are very large, and may not work on your
computer unless you use RSSHELL1.EXE. Choose which version you think
is right for you.

Running RSShell is easy, you just go into the configuration on your
comm program and put RSShell into one of the External protocol slots
RSSHELL (or RSSHELL1) is used for both slots, Upload and Download (for
Telix users, this should be considered a batch file).
Telix users can also put RSShell in the on line editors slot (Alt-A)
to do this, just go into the Configuration mode and put RSShell.exe where
it asks for Name of Editor. Then to activate RSShell, just hit Alt-A.
If you use another Comm program check if it has the same type of support,
if it does, use it, it saves a little time.
It's that easy.
You run RSShell just like any external protocol, just initiate a
transfer to or from the remote system you are calling, and activate
RSShell.
RSShell will then ask you if you are Uploading, Downloading, Multiple
Uploads, or Quit.
Choose the right one.

Uploads
For Uploads and multiple Uploads, you will then be prompted to the
filename(s).
After imputing the filenames, you will be then be given a choice of
which protocol to use, choose it and go.

Downloads
Choose your protocol and go. Shadow and Xmodem require a filename be
given in order to run, if needed, you will now be asked to provide a
filename.

Afterwards...
After the protocol has finished you will be given an signal, I have
incorporated a Beep, a siren, or for the computer to play "Here Comes
the Sun". The computer will beep, etc, for 30 seconds or until you
press a key and return to your comm program.


Configuring the system
Included is a sample RS.DAT. This is the file the program reads to
configure itself to your system.
Line 1 is your comm port number 1 through 4
Line 2 is the Normal speed of your modem (300, 1200, 2400, 9600, etc)
Line 3 is the slower speed of your modem (this is for people with high
speed modems that call some boards that operate at high speed (9600 or
higher) and some boards that operate at lower speeds (2400 bps).
Ex1 You have a 9600 baud modem, but some of the boards you call are
at 2400, line 2 would be 9600, and line 3 would be 2400.
Ex2 You have a 2400 (or a 1200, or a 300 (ack)) bps modem line 2 and
line 3 would be the same number (2400, 1200, or 300).
This may sound confusing, but it should keep things going if you use a
high speed modem. More on this later.

Line 4 is what attention getter you want BEEP, SIREN, SUN or OFF if
you don't want an alarm at the end.
Line 5 is the registration number, until you've registered, this is 0.
Line 6 is your Upload from path
Line 7 is your Download to path
The last character in lines 6 and 7 MUST be a '\'. Ex. c:\telix\ or
A:\ c:\telix and A: WILL NOT work. Without the \ you will get error
statements.

You can modify RS.DAT with any text editor that saves in pure ASCII,
or use DOS's edlin.

If you use port 2, run at 2400 bps and want a beep to tell you when
the transfer is finished, and upload and download from c:\files\ you
do not need to change the RS.DAT I provided.

High Speed modems
A few of the protocols have the modem speed in the command line, if
you use one of these (and lines 2 and three of RS.DAT are not the
same) you will be asked
Normal or Low Speed?
if you are calling a board that supports your higher speed, press N.
But if you are on a slower system press L and RSShell will adjust
itself to the lower transfer rate.

Notes on a few protocols
Tmodem -- I have included Tmodem twice, before v5.00 and 5.00 and later,
this is because I found them to be incompatible with each other. You must
change the 4.00 version of Tmodem.exe to Tmod.exe. You must do this even if
you don't use a version later than 5.00. I did this so you could use
whichever was available in you area.
Bimodem -- I have also included Bimodem, but considering the nature of this
protocol, all I could do is have it run BiMenu. You must read the
instructions and understand how to install and use this protocol.
DSZ -- DSZ will not recognize a path statement until you have registered it,
sorry about the inconvenience, but it's not my fault.

Registering
There are 3 different type of registration
-Normal registration which costs $10.00, I will mail you a
registration number as soon as I receive your letter (and money)
-Registration and a Disk with the latest version of RSShell on it,
this is $15.00 (please specify which size, default is 5 1/4). RS.DAT
will already have your registration number on it, as well as being
written on a piece of paper.
-If there is a particular protocol you would me to add to your copy,
tell me, and I will add it. This is $17.00 because of the extra work.
(again please specify which size disk)
You must tell me the name of the protocol, and (if possible) the batch
files you use to run it. If I can't find the protocol in my area, (or
get it to work) I'll send you your registration number and a check for
$7.00

The QuickBASIC source code is available for $35.00 to registered
users.

Registering entitles you to FREE UPGRADES. If you see a newer
version, download it and put your number in it, I have no plans on
changing the registering system on later versions (unless I discover
my method has been broken, then I will have to think of something
harder), but if that happens I will send you a new registration
number. If you move after you have registered, and see a newer
version that you reg number doesn't work on, send me a letter with
your new address, and I will mail you your new number.



Reminder
Registering my Shell does not allow you to neglect the writers of the
protocols used. Please register your protocols as well.



Here is a list of the protocols used in my Shell along with the
version. You must download each of these if you want to use them in
RSShell. I cannot guarantee that using another version of the
protocol will work in it's place.

HyperP v 1.1f
MPt v 1.10
Lynx v. 3.02
DSZ 07/03/91 release
Shadow v. 1.0
Tmodem v. 4.00 (don't forget to rename Tmodem.exe to Tmod.exe)
Tmodem v. 6.02
GWTerm v. 2.5
SZModem v. 1.41
Bimodem v. 1.24
Jmodem v. 3.09

GWTerm is not a protocol, but is used to play Global Wars (great game)
I decided to include it.

Hope you enjoy my Shell (and don't forget to register it after 30 days)
Randy Starcher