Category : Communication (modem) tools and utilities
Archive   : TAPDO541.ZIP
Filename : TAPDOC.1

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1 - Vital Information
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Start Here! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
New TAPCIS Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Upgrading TAPCIS Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Command Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Shareware Trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
New User Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

Requirements & Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6









































TAPCIS(tm) Documentation Copyright (c) 1991, Support Group, Inc.
800-USA-GROUP, 301-387-4500

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Start Here!
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Whether you are an old hand or someone who has never been "online," we know
that you are anxious to get started. We'll try to make the setup process as
painless and quick as possible. If you're like us, you start with the
program, get as far as you can until you get stuck, and then turn to the
documentation. To those of you who have already tried and failed, welcome
back to the start! Here's a little bit of advice:

****> You will find TAPCIS an easy program to use day-to-day. However,
the set up is extremely particular. We must install the files on
your computer, tell TAPCIS how to talk to your modem, get your
modem to talk to CompuServe, configure CompuServe to work with
TAPCIS, and join the forums you want to visit. This is not hard,
and it doesn't take long. But the sequence is important. Skipping
any step will keep TAPCIS from working properly.


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New TAPCIS Users

Follow with the documentation carefully until you are set up and reading
and writing messages in CompuServe Mail and in at least one forum. Once you
have set up the program and learned the rudiments, you may never need this
documentation again.

TAPCIS includes a free Introductory Membership Kit with a CompuServe
account number, password, and $15 usage credit. If you are already a
CompuServe subscriber, you should skip the Introductory Membership sign-up
sections that don't apply to you. Unfortunately, you cannot use the $15
credit with an existing account.


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Upgrading TAPCIS Users

If you have been using a previous version of TAPCIS, be sure to backup your
existing files before installing the new version. Then, install the program
following the instructions in this manual and read the file CHANGES.TAP for
more information on new features and special details applicable to
upgrading from an earlier version.

Shareware users running the same version of the software need not install
the disks of the registered version but must follow the instructions for
recording the registration number.


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Command Conventions

TAPCIS commands are shown in the documentation in angle brackets. For
example, the command to write a message is rite, and you would press
from the main TAPCIS menu. Sometimes the shift, control, and alt keys are
used in combination with other keys. Both and <^K> mean to hold
down the control key (usually marked Ctrl on the keyboard) and then press


TAPCIS Vital Information 1-1

the letter K. means to hold the alt key and press the F1 function
key.


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90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee

As a registered user you also have a 90-day money-back guarantee. If you
are not satisfied, return TAPCIS to the place of purchase for a full
refund. You must include your registration number, address, phone number,
purchase price, payment method (credit card or check), and the complete
package including disks with your return. Ship the package insured in case
of loss. If the documentation is damaged, you will be charged replacement
cost for the materials.













































1-2 Vital Information TAPCIS

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Shareware Trial
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You may have procured this software from another source such as the
libraries on CompuServe, a BBS, a shareware disk vendor, a book, or from a
friend. That's fine! We encourage registered users to introduce new users
to TAPCIS by providing them with an unregistered copy. Try it out for up to
21 days, and if you decide to continue using it, pay the license fee of
$79. You'll receive printed documentation and the current version on disk
in return.

Shareware gives users a legal but limited trial period to test the software
before purchase. TAPCIS in shareware form is fully functional and
completely documented. However, telephone support is not available to
unregistered users; you must purchase the program (called "registering")
before you can get telephone support. Support is available for all users on
the TAPCIS Forum (see the Support section starting on page 1-4).

You can register TAPCIS by electronic mail using MasterCard, Visa,
Discover, or American Express to user ID 74020,10, or by simply choosing
"1. Yes, I want to order the program right now, Risk Free!" when you start
the program. The printed documentation and your permanent registration
number will be sent by mail. Registering the shareware version still gives
you 90 days from when you register to return the package for a full refund.
We're confident that you will find TAPCIS a terrific tool that makes
CompuServe access cost-effective and fun!

Support Group, Inc., is a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle
works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem
with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to
help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an
ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products.
Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI, 49442-
9427 or send a Compuserve Mail message to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.













Support Group, Inc.
Lake Technology Park
McHenry, MD 21541 U.S.A

CompuServe 74020,10 (GO TAPCIS)
Phone (800) USA-GROUP (301) 387-4500 (301) 387-7322 (FAX)




TAPCIS Vital Information 1-3

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Support
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The program is supported through the TAPCIS Forum on CompuServe (GO
TAPCIS). All operational problems should be addressed to SYSOP in the
forum. The following sections should be used:

1. TAPCIS Q & A: General questions and answers on TAPCIS operation
and installation. Confidential messages can be
addressed to "*SYSOP" and sent as a "public"
message that only sysops can read.

2. Scripts & Tools: You can get help with scripts and find out about
add-on tools in this message section and
accompanying library.

3. Modems/HW/OS: If you are having trouble with your modem,
hardware (HW), or operating system (OS), leave a
message in this section. Hopefully one of the
sysops or fellow TAPCIS users will have similar
equipment and be able to offer some advice.

4. Problem reports: This section is for reports of cases where the
software has failed to work as expected.

5. Suggestion box: The development of TAPCIS revolves around the
needs and wants of our users. Please feel free to
post suggestions publicly in section 5 of the
forum.

6. International: This is a special section for TAPCIS users outside
the U.S.

15. TAPCIS/PM: This section is for the OS/2, Presentation Manager
version of TAPCIS. Questions and problem reports
specific to the OS/2 version should be directed
here.

16. TAPNews & Notices This section is for announcements of new files on
the forum and news pertaining to TAPCIS.

****> Be specific in your messages! Describe the hardware you are using
(especially the modem brand, model, speed, internal or external),
the TAPCIS version number from the main menu, the free RAM before
TAPCIS is loaded, and the phone number you are calling. If you are
describing a problem, we need the exact sequence of events, and the
precise wording of any error message or CompuServe response. You
should test whether the problem is repeatable if you eliminate all
non-essential memory resident programs and drivers.









1-4 Vital Information TAPCIS

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New User Help

The TAPCIS Forum is where you will get support for the product after you
get online. There is no extra charge for support beyond the normal
CompuServe access charges. Obviously, you cannot leave a message on the
forum if you cannot get online. Support Group, Inc., does provide toll-free
support to newly registered users during the 90-day guarantee period at 1-
800-USA-GROUP. Once you are set up and running properly, please address all
questions in the forum.

















































TAPCIS Vital Information 1-5

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Requirements & Limitations
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TAPCIS runs only on 100% IBM compatible machines. It requires approximately
420K of free RAM. You will need a modem, preferably Hayes AT Command set
compatible, and that modem should be properly installed before trying to
set up TAPCIS. TAPCIS supports all modem speeds including 9600 bps (V.32
modems).

The documentation assumes a hard drive installed as drive C:, but you can
use any appropriate drive and subdirectory. TAPCIS will run on computers
with at least 720K of disk storage.

TAPCIS can run on a network drive as well, but be sure to have a registered
copy of the program for each user (quantity discounts are available). Each
user should be assigned a unique storage path, set of parameters
(PARAMS.CIS file), etc. The only "shareable" files are the TAPCIS program,
help file, and scripts.

TAPCIS will not share files with other applications. You may not, for
example, open a message file in a program outside of TAPCIS and then try to
read or write to the message file in TAPCIS. Doing so will result in a
error and the program will halt. If you operate under Desqview, Windows, or
OS/2 (in the DOS box), make sure not to access TAPCIS data files in more
than one program at a time.

TAPCIS can process message files up to 5000 messages and 512 "sessions" in
size. File library catalogs are limited to 5000 files per forum. Individual
CompuServe Mail messages cannot exceed 64K or they will have to be read
outside of TAPCIS. You are limited to 20 forums per parameter file. None of
these limits tend to pose problems for users. If you do have a problem or
question, there are ways to work around these limits. Feel free to drop a
note in the TAPCIS Forum for more information.

























1-6 Vital Information TAPCIS