CompuServe Messages

Steve, The ideal way for you to use CompuServe is to get AutoPilot from Library 9 of AmigaVendor forum – AP.LHA. It will do everything for you automatically, and will save you lots of time and money because it lets you do nearly everything offline, and then sign on just long enough to do the uploading and downloading of things. In the meantime, how to get anything at all downloaded: First, Check to see if you have B or B+ protocols (I think you do) and use those for uploading and downloading here. They are the fastest and most reliable. If you don't have them, then use YModem or Kermit. Second: the procedure: 1) Find the program you want to download. Your cursor should be parked at a prompt called Disposition! at the bottom of the file description. 2) Type: DOW PROTO:B+ (or YMODEM or KERMIT, as the case might be) 3) CompuServe will ask: Name for your computer to use? You type: RAM:filename.lha (or you can put it on DF0: or dh0: or wherever. I like to download to RAM: and then copy it to a more permanent destination because it is faster.) 4) If you are using B protocols, the transfer should start immediately. IF using one of the others, check your manual to see what keys you must press to start the transfer. 5) Once the file has finished downloading, your cursor will come back and you can download something else or you can sign off. 6) Just about everything in our libraries is compressed, usually with LHA, so you will have to unpack the file before you can use it. If you don't already have LHA, you can get it from AmigaUser, Library 14: LHA138.RUN 7) After getting LHA138.RUN downloaded (using the steps above) you can unpack it in RAM: and then copy the files to a permanent location: CD RAM: LHA138.RUN That's all it takes to unpack it. Then type DIR and you will get a list of the files that were in the archive. Copy LHA to your c: or Tools: directory: COPY LHA C: or COPY LHA:TOOLS Then, put the LHA documentation file somewhere so you can keep in – and read it so you'll know how to use it. If you have other questions, please ask. This can be confusing when you first start – but it is not hard, and once you've done it a few times, it will seem like second nature. —Betty