                              FT10/CMD
                        Documentation Short File
                     Copyright 1986,87 by Mel Patrick


Unlike previous versions of FastTerm, this version will not have a full manual
for you to download and read. There are a number of reasons for this, but the
first and foremost being that the manual is simply too big for most word
processors and the graphics throughout the manual can not be displayed on the
low resolution TRS-80 video. At present the file for the manual is around
140K and that is without any graphic images. There is almost 80K of graphic
window images to add to that total. Downloading this would be totally
impractical. It would cost you more in connect charges than it would to
simply support the shareware product. Supporters automatically receive a
PRINTED manual and disk with the most current version their cheque or money
order is received. 

This short manual will simply highlight on the functions of FastTerm without
going into too much depth. The manual which all supporters receive on the
other hand is very detailed with many sections specifically relating to any
kind of problems you may have.


Program Changes for Version 10R
-------------------------------
With this version, there have been a number of changes. Most have been
requested by the registered users of FastTerm.

- New larger TEXT buffer. FastTerm now has 85K of buffer space if you have
  a 128K RAM addition and are not using the alternate banks of memory.

- On Screen Buffer size indicator. FastTerm now shows the remaining room left
  in the buffer as you communicate.

- FastTerm now supports YMODEM for those systems which can support it. This is
  in addition to the normal XMODEM. Both Checksum and CRC modes are supported
  in xmodem, CRC only in Ymodem.

- SMART VIEW Modes. You can now view the TEXT buffer (all 85K) without losing
  the original screen you were working on. Pause during scroll still active.

- Additional Baud Rates. Many extra baud rates have been added to FastTerm
  to allow those with laptops to communicate faster where permitted.

- VIDEO BUFFER! Now instead of losing items which scroll off your screen, you
  can recall up to 2 full video pages (providing 2400 baud or lower). Then
  return to the original screen and resume communications.

- BUILD COMMAND for the DIALER window. Now a simple, "answer the question"
  entry mode for building dialer entries. All you have to do is answer the
  simple prompts and FASTTERM will BUILD the dialer string for you. No more
  looking at the manual trying to figure out what comes next.

-SPLIT SCREEN for the communications sessions on CIS or GEnie. You can view
 the information coming in on the bottom of the video display and type without
 interuption in the top part of the window. All functions such as video scroll
 still function normally! Also user selectable auto send on type window full!

- AUTO COST OUPUT. Now when the carrier is lost (or terminated) during a
  session, you have the option of writing the toll charges to a disk file.
  This will enable to check all those charges on your long distance calls.
  Manual writing to cost file still available.

- DIALER and MACRO lists LINKED! FastTerm will now automatically switch to
  the same page in the Macro window, when you are working on any given page
  in the dialer window (and vice-versa). This makes it a lot easier now to
  find which macros link with which dialer entries.

- EXAMPLES!!!! FastTerm manual now contains many examples of how to set up
  auto log on strings and dialer entries for various modems. Complete info
  on how to use it with Compuserve.

- SEMI-TERMINAL EMULATION. FastTerm will now emulate a TTY terminal (what you
  are probably most used to), VIDTEX to work with Compuserve, and a VT100.

- Whole chapter on customizing parts of FastTerm for your own applications.

------------------------------

Short Manual....on command keys.

F1            - invoke the window menus
SHFT F1       - invoke the emulator window
F2            - strip incoming LF's
SHFT F2       - toggle LF + CR to remote
F3            - toggle bell sound on/off
BREAK         - exit to TRS/LS DOS Ready
SHFT CLEAR    - restore screen display to default
UP ARROW      - invoke video scroll option
LEFT ARROW    - move one window menu to the left
RIGHT ARROW   - move one window menu to the right
CLEAR 1..9    - send macro definiton 1-9
CLEAR U       - select UART menu
CLEAR B       - select BUFFER menu
CLEAR E       - select ECHO menu
CLEAR D       - select DIALER menu
CLEAR M       - select MACRO menu
CLEAR L       - select LIBRARY menu
CLEAR T       - select TRANSFER menu
CLEAR S       - disable COST timer
CLEAR A       - Disable Auto Logon String
CLEAR C       - Capture screen in Buffer
CLEAR F       - Toggle cost charges ON/OFF
CLEAR G       - toggle buffer OPEN/CLOSE
CLEAR H       - fast disconnect using DTR signal line
CLEAR K       - toggle clock dislay on/off
CLEAR O       - output cost displayed to disk file
CLEAR P       - toggle printer output on/off
CLEAR Q       - abort printer output, cancel buffer info
CLEAR R       - reset elapsed time, or charges
CLEAR V       - toggle SPLIT SCREEN mode on/off
CLEAR X       - append incoming info to BUFFER
CLEAR Z       - toggle cursor on/off

Some of these items may not work exactly as you might expect, but the manual
clearly provides details and gives examples on most of the features.

In window menus, press the letter which resides within the [ ] signs.

--------------------------------------------

Should you already be a registered owner of FastTerm, you can obtain the new
version and manual by sending $8.00 to the author directly. If you prefer the
manual only it can obtained for $6.00.

Unregistered users the registration fee is $15.00 and you will receive a
printed manual, and diskette in the mail within 3 weeks.

---------------------------------------------

Any questions regarding FastTerm can be sent either in writing to the author
or you may call his BBS system.

FastMaster BBS - 300/1200, 8 bit word, 1 stop, no parity, (604) 594-7398
                                 or
     Mel Patrick : 13699 70A Ave. : Surrey, B.C. : Canada : V3W 2J8

---------------------------------------------
New Dial item for Version 10, Release 10 (FT10R10) or newer should that happen
again (never finish a program sometimes).

When the dialer menu is active, you can now select MORE THAN ONE NUMBER TO
DIAL! Although it is not shown on the menu (for lack of room), the process
will be outlined here.

Press <M> from the dail window to invoke the MULTI-DIAL mode.

Press the number(s) of the dial definitions you want to dial and a > will be
displayed beside that number. You may have up to 9 numbers selected using
this method.

Once you have selected all the numbers you want to dial, you have two choices
to continue. If you press [ENTER] you will simply dial all the numbers in the
same order as you selected them.

If you press [R], you will continue to dial the selected numbers (in the same
order as they were entered), but it will continue to redial those numbers until
the REDIAL LIMIT is reached.

Should a connection be made, the window will disappear and the word CONNECTED
will appear on your screen, along with the number dialed, and
any ASCII comments you had on the end of the dial definition. This will help
when you have a few numbers selected and it manages to connect to one of them
without you noticing it.

During the selection mode, if you have made an error and not pressed [ENTER] or
[R] yet, you may UNSELECT a number by selecting the same number again. It will
cause the '>' sign to erase beside the dial line to indicate this.

You can not select a dial line which has not been defined.

During the process, should you get any invalid inputs, like selecting the same
number twice, you will get some "beeps" from the internal sound board.

This routine has been extensively tested on both a Hayes and Hayes compatible
modem with no problems at all. However, with Radio Shack modems this may
prove to be a different story. Due to the fact that RS modems have very poor
response time and a silly abort character, it usually makes them fairly
inadequate for features like this. If you get it to work with your RS modem
let me what kind you have so I can keep track of it.

----------------------------------------------------------- Mel Patrick -----
More release news. Version FT10R11 now has an additional MENU SELECTION to
enable you to select items which you can never remember the key combinations
for.

To enable/disable the special menu selection window, press the [SHIFT F3] keys.
The [F1] key is still used to display a window but depending on the mode you
are in, you will either get the normal windows, or the special menu select
window. The menu select window contains all the windows, terminal codes, and
function key lists and commands. Simply press the letter within the <> signs
and that command will be executed (with a normal return to the terminal or
communications window).

Since this mode when in effect is quite visual, there is no screen indicator
to inform you which mode you are in. Just press the F1 and its apparent.

My thanks to the two supporters who suggested this enhancement.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
