CompuServe Thread

#WHAP & ALTERNATE NODES

23 messages in this thread
#241From: Gregory B. TibbsJul 13, 1988 9:54 PM
Does WHAP! expect to get a CIS node's attention by issuing a CTRL-C? How does it allow TYMENET (and other network users) to access CIS. My local CIS node (Dayton, OH) wants a Host name of Compuserve before asking for the user ID. A ctrl-C is useless here. If WHAP! cannot be configures then this is a major bug in the software and will limit potential users. When I get WHAP to dail it seems to hang at the user ID and CIS times out and disconnects the line.
#255From: Gregory B. TibbsJul 13, 1988 11:41 PM
OK. CTRL-C works at my node (Dumb Greg!). Whap trys to log on and read the message base (new mssages). They scroll ok on the screen and if a QSN, are stored as garbage when accessed. RTNs are probably the same, but I keep getting it to lock up during the first message. I have Easyplex notify set,and command mode for prompts in all three forums and CIS. I have the messages sent to ram: for now. I have a lot of stuff running in the backgroundPCLI III, GOMF2.2, CONMAN. I am running a 68010 CPU. When Whap locks up, it fails to respond to the ABORT and HANGUP gadgets. The modem stays on-line with no data being send or recieved. I know CIS is awfully slow tonite, but the gadgets should have responded. This happens whether 3 wire or 7 wire handshake is used. I have seen the Access! baud rate problem as well (will set preferences, but I use both 2400 & 1200 baud as the Dayton CIS node has a bad 2400 modem which will connect but not let you log in (part of problem leading me to believe WHAP couldn't log in at my Dayton node -see first message)). Whap seems to be navigating ok, just problems with saving the messages. -Greg
#266From: Jul 14, 1988 12:16 AM
Greg, You said "command mode for prompts", does that mean that your permanent CompuServe profile has BRIEF set to YES? In background I run with PopCLI III, GOMF 2.2, Conman, WShell, SnipIt and Co-Pilot. I don't use the 68010. Check that BRIEF is set to YES, delete your Txxxx file and have it initialize again. Best, -jcs-
#482From: Paul MacDonaldJul 15, 1988 10:38 PM
Jim, Whap autodial assumes that a modem needs a CR to dial. Unfortunately, my modem (a DEC Scholar) requires a plain jane ! to dial. No CR. Have a way to fix that for me and other DEC modem users? Regards, Paul /end
#484From: Paul MacDonaldJul 15, 1988 10:42 PM
Jim, When Whap issues the GO AMIGATECH command, it waits EXACTLY 30 sec. after the "One memHHoment please…" message before giving up and heading off to the next Forum. This was a bit frustrating. Any way to change that? It is repeatable. Paul
#503From: Paul MacDonaldJul 16, 1988 12:58 AM
Paul, The system has been extremely slow the last 3 nites and I understand there is a good news/bad news answer to that problem. The good news is that all of the system problems will improve dramatically. The bad news is that it won't take place until mid-week. Yes, Whap! has a 30 second time-out. We thought that sufficient. Some of the beta testers thought that too long. With the system slowness of the last few nights, it is not nearly long enough. There will be a new distributable version available this evening or tomorrow. This will include the fix for the confusion caused by files in the Libraries that start with LIBn. It also includes much longer timeout periods. In some cases, depending where you are and what you are doing, up to 4 times longer. That should do the trick. Other changes include MUCH better handling of the Whap! initialization. It takes much less time (even though in theory it runs only once). The first time user will no long have to manually go to Default and set Top Page, Brief, and EasyPlex. Also, a look at the QSN code showed a problem. I had full intention of uploading it tonight (1 full system ARC file for people just getting it and 1 Whap! only arc for people who already have 1.0d). However, with the system response the way it is, I was getting something like 70 bps at 2400. I gave up. I was on the system a few minutes ago and things appeared to be much better so I may try again in a few minutes. Best, -jcs-
#530From: Paul MacDonaldJul 16, 1988 7:15 AM
Okay Jim. Things zipped along just fine when I logged in at 8:00 am. I am looking forward to the new version. By the way, any solution to my autodial problem? Not all modems use a CR to dial the number. My modem (DEC Scholar) uses a !. Paul
#577From: Jul 16, 1988 2:22 PM
Paul, That's a tough one. There's no way to autodial CIS without sending a CR but you might be able to do it by placing the telephone dialing string in the INIT modem string since this will be sent out every time whap attempts to dial. You will have to leave the telephone number blank and the baud set and number selected. I think that just might work. You will be in manual dial mode and when you see that you're connected, you can press ok on the requester. Best, -jcs-
#606From: Paul MacDonaldJul 16, 1988 5:04 PM
Jim, I got autodial to work! Here's how with a DEC Scholar modem: 883-5551! = = The "= =" adds a 30 second delay for acquiring a second carrier. The delay puts off receipt of your CR at my modem, just long enough for the "Attached" message to appear when the CIS carrier is acquired. Once the "Attached" message is read, Whap! sends a ^C and the rest of the login information. So I essentially trick the modem into thinking its waiting for a second carrier from a linked service. No problems with 1.1D. Paul
#613From: Jul 16, 1988 5:27 PM
Paul, Great! Best, -jcs-
#620From: Henry ColonnaJul 16, 1988 5:49 PM
A look at the QSN code showed a problem? Is that the one I've been nagging about? 🙂
#309From: Henry ColonnaJul 14, 1988 11:25 AM
Don't forget the 3 things that were left out of the docs. 1) Manually assign your TOP PAGE to CIS-1 or MAIN. 2) Set Eayplex to NOTIFY ONLY. 3) Set CIS to command mode.
#315From: Gregory B. TibbsJul 14, 1988 11:53 AM
Henry, I've done that. One area of ambiguity is where do you set the forum mode? you can set it to COMMAND (expert) either globally at GO DEFAULTS or within each forum. My first attempt was only in the forums. Maybe that's why EasyPLex still gave me the MORE ! prompt. I've found out the hard way that it is better to do it in DEFAULTS.
#345From: Henry ColonnaJul 14, 1988 5:52 PM
Yes, even when you have your defaults set to EXPERT globally, that can be overridden in each forum. Check that out – it will be documented better and I do think Whap! should check for it too…
#260From: Jul 13, 1988 11:59 PM
Gregory, To use Whap! via TymNet, preface the phone number in with an @ (like @555-1212) and it will go throught the TymNet logon sequence. And no, that's also not in the current doc. All CompuServe nodes respond to a ^C. If yours doesn't there is a problem with the node and you should report it to CompuServe. However, should you get the CONNECT message from Whap! and the node does not respond to the ^C, click in the window and manually hit a carriage return. Whap! will take over from there. Again, if the node is not responding to the ^C, it's sick and should be reported as such. Whap currently does not have TeleNet support. If someone would like to give me the logon sequence for TeleNet I will include it in the registered version. Same goes for INet, DataPac, and any others you can think of. Best, -jcs-
#340From: Ted HaskellJul 14, 1988 4:52 PM
Jim, at 2400 baud, most of the CompuServe modems want a few seconds to determine if your using an MNP or non-MNP modem and then enable the transfer of packets. My auto-login file for OnLine! uses a five second delay before sending CTL-C. Have never had a problem with this setting. Just something to keep in mind. Ted
#342From: Jul 14, 1988 5:24 PM
Ted, That used to be the case. Several months ago CompuServe changed the modems at the local node end. The delay is no longer needed. Best, -jcs-
#343From: Ted HaskellJul 14, 1988 5:45 PM
Sorry about that Jim, CompuServe will not get the CTL-C unless you wait at least two to three seconds after connect. I use five seconds just to be sure. It was about the same amount of time before they switched to the new modems. Ted
#344From: Steve AhlstromJul 14, 1988 5:47 PM
Don't know about you, Ted, but my node responds to a ^C within 1 second of connect. Maybe CIS is still in the process of replacing all the modems and haven't gotten to your area yet.
#352From: Ted HaskellJul 14, 1988 6:28 PM
Nope. They did my modem about 4 months ago. That's when I had the problems with the CTS modem I was using.e'.hrPswitched to a Supra modem, I get very reliable and clean data. There is a specific and very consistant delay after connect before you can talk to CIS. There always was, and is today. Perhaps it's a function of the network itself, as all comm lines in this area have to compete with NYC. Ted
#358From: Jul 14, 1988 6:47 PM
Ted, Ok, that was a guess. Like Steve, I don't have the 'problem' if it is indeed a problem. Best, -jcs-
#404From: Steven BennettJul 15, 1988 10:05 AM
I've been using 2400 baud on an MNP compatible node for a LONG time now and I usually type the Ctrl-C as soon as I see the CONNECT 2400 message from the modem. I never have to type it twice… –>Steve Bennett
#546From: Ted HaskellJul 16, 1988 10:33 AM
Interesting. I guess it's just the way my node works. No problems with data, so not much point in worring about it. Ted