                About how to use QuickStar FAX Pro V1.02
                  Copyright (c) 1995 Anthony Mai

        QuickStar Fax Pro V1.02 (QFAX) is a shareware FAX sending program
for PCs. It is a DOS program, but can either run in the DOS environment or
in the DOS session launched from the Windows. QuickStar Fax Pro V1.02 is
written by Anthony Mai at Pennsylvania State University, USA. QFAXV102.ZIP
was released in Dec. 10, 1995.

        QuickStar Fax Pro is aimed at providing an easy and quick solution 
for sending plain text fax from your PC computer using the fax/modem. QFAX
cuts the fax transmission time considerably comparing with some popular fax
programs like WinFax. In one test QFAX sends a regular 12 pages plain text
FAX at 14400 bps speed within 4 MINUTES. WinFax would take more than 12
minutes to send the same document! The received fax will have near laser
print quality.

        This un-registered shareware version is COMPLETELY FUNCTIONAL,
although some configuable features are temperary disabled. You can use it
to fax any plain text document with no problem. Once you register it with
the author all useful features will resume! You will get the newest version
of this software, plus you will get the next upgrade free! The Registration
is quick and easy! Please read the enclosed file REGISTER.TXT to find info
on how to register this software with the author. If you have questions
regarding QFAX and you want to contact the author, you can also find the
phone number and E-Mail at the end of this file or in the REGISTER.TXT file.

        The usage of QuickStar Fax Pro is very easy. Once it is properly set
up. You can use the following simple command to send a fax:

                qfax   myfile.txt   fax_number

        Here  "myfile.txt" is the name of the text file you want to fax.
"fax_number" is the fax number (including any long distance sufix number) 
you want to fax to.

        QFAX Version 1.02 is distributed in the zipped file QFAXV102.ZIP.
After you get the zipped file QFAXV10.ZIP. You can unzip it using one of 
those popular zip/unzip utilities (Like pkz204g.exe). You should get the 
following files:

        qfax.exe        The main program.
        qfax.cfg        The configuration file
        readme.1st      This file tells you how to set up QFAX. Must read!
        usage.txt       The file you are reading. It serves as the manual.
        register.txt    A text file about how to register QFAX.
        register.frm    Registration form to be used for registration.
        qfaxconf.exe    A program to find Modem port and write qfax.cfg
        file_id.diz     A small file describing QFAX (required by BBS's)

        Before you use QuickStar Fax Pro for the first time, you need to
modify the included QFAX.CFG file to so it is compatible with the set up
of your computer. QFAX.CFG is a plain text file and is intended to provide
the program with informations of the settings of your fax/modem, the fax
setting parameters that you intend to use as default, identification of
your own phone number from where you will be sending FAX, etc.

        You can use DOS edit or any simple plan text editor to read and
modify it. Or you can use the qfaxconf.exe program to create or modify it.
The format of the qfax.cfg file is as following:

------------------------------ cut here --------------------------------
CommPort        2
PhoneNumber     1-800-555-1212
InitString      AT&F&C1&D2&K3
DialRepeatTimes 3
TelephoneLine   Tone
Font            24
LineSpace       12
AsciiSpace      2
Size            748     1002
Margin          58      28
NoDelay         No
------------------------------- cut here -------------------------------

    The qfax.cfg file is composed by lines. Each line defines a parameter.
All of those parameters have a default value already built in the program.
So if you do want to use the default parameter for any of the above
parameters you can just remove the line in qfax.cfg that associate with
that parameter. Be careful, if you want to remove any items from this
qfax.cfg file, you must delete the WHOLE line associated with that
parameter, not just the number that follows the name of the parameter.

    The most important parameter is the CommPort number. It identify what 
COM port your fax/modem uses. Many modems use COM2 and IRQ3 and that's the
default value QuickStar will be using if the CommPort line can not be found.
If that is the case you may remove that line or put a 2 following the word
"CommPort".

Possible COM ports are: (The number on left is what you use in qfax.cfg)

CommPort COM/IRQ  Base_address  Description
1    COM1/IRQ4    3f8    This is probably the mouse port, not the Modem
2    COM2/IRQ3    2f8    --> most commonly used modem port
3    COM3/IRQ4    3e8
4    COM4/IRQ3    2e8    --> commonly used modem port
5    COM3/IRQ2    3e8    also called COM5
6    COM4/IRQ2    2e8    also called COM6
7    COM3/IRQ5    3e8    also called COM7 -> commonly used alternative port
8    COM4/IRQ5    2e8    also called COM8

    Put the number on the left of the correct COMM port in the qfxa.cfg. If 
you are not sure, check you modem manual, or use the included program 

        qfaxconf.exe

    to help you to detect the modem port.

    No less than the COMMPORT parameter is the PhoneNumber parameter. The
United States Federal Laws require that every facsimile device (fax device) 
must identify itself to the remote fax device when transmitting faxes. It
must inform the remote site of its own phone number. Just put your own
phone number after the word "PhoneNumber ". Make sure the string length is 
less than 20 characters (who has a 20 digits phone number, anyway? :-)

Other parameters:

InitString      The AT command string to initialize the modem for fax. 
                The default should work for most modems. But if it fails
                please use the initialization setting recommended by the
                modem manual or used by other fax softwares used on your
                computer. Please notice that there should be NO space
                within the command string, or QFAX won't read it properly.

DialRepeatTimes:    Times it will repeat the dial if the line can not be
                connected. Default value is 3 times;

TelephoneLine:  Put "Tone" for touch tone dialing. Or "Pulse" for pulse 
                dialing. Most phone lines in USA is touch tone (default).

Font:           16 or 24. ASCII Font used (8x16 or 12x24) default is 16.
                The 8x16 font would be enlarged to 16x32. Using 16 will
                give you shorter transmission time but 24 will give you
                higher visual quality of the fax. Default is 16 (8x16).

LineSpace:      Number of blank dots between text lines. Default is 12.
                That means a gap of 12/200 = 0.06 inch between text lines.

AsciiSpace      Character pitch (space between characters measured by dots)
                Each dot is equivalent to 1/200 Inch. The default value
                is 2 dots (2/200 Inch).

Size            Size of the text area of the faxed document, measured in
                1/100th of inch, must be integer. Default is 748x1002, which
                just leaves half inch margin of the standard 8.5"x11" paper.
                The default value:  748  1002 has been carefully selected so
                normally you do not need to change it.

Margin:         Left  (the first number) and Top (the second number) margin
                of the transmitted fax page, measured in 1/100 of inch. The
                default value:  58   28  (left margin 58, top margin 28) has
                been carefully selected so normally you do not need to change
                it. This item will not be created by the qfaxconf.exe program
                so if you really need to change the default you need to edit
                the qfax.cfg file manually.

NoDelay         Yes: Do not pause to wait for the user input.
                No:  Pause to wait for the user inout before sending fax.
                default is No: It will pause for user to press enter.

        Please be noted that un-registered version will not be able to set 
some of the above papameters, i.e., LineSpace, AsciiSpace, Size.  And the 
default value could be different from what's listed above. The paper size
will be a bit less than a full page. Once you register it will resume the
best default values and allow you to set them to other values.

        Now, having set up the qfax.cfg, sending fax from a text file is
straightforward. You can do so by simply type:

        qfax    text_file_name    Fax_number_to_send_to

        It will automatically go though every thing and you hardly need to
do any thing else. Just watch. It may pause in the middle after it finish
processing the files, before it starts the actual fax transmission.  This
gives you a chance to wait until it is appropriate time to start the fax.
Just press the enter key to continue. The process will take less than one 
minute to a few minutes, depending on the file size.

        Sometimes it is desirable to make a phone call to the remote site
first. Talk for a while, then without hanging up the phone line, start to
transmit the fax along the same phone line. Most fax machines can do this.
But most computer fax softwares do not allow this because they always ask
for a phone number and always automatically dials the phone number. But
with QFAX you can do it!

        Just start QFAX in the same way as described above. But simply
use a single comma ("," A "," that appears in the phone number simply means
a short pause of 1 or 2 seconds) as the phone number. Like

        qfax   myfile.txt   ,

        It will start to process the text file. When the processing is done
it will initialize the modem and then wait for you to press enter key to
continue. You can then pick up the phone (must be connected to the same
phone line as the fax/modem is connected), and manually dial the number at
remote site. A human would pick up the remote phone and chat with you. Then
you can press the enter key on your computer, and then hang up your phone.
The other side would press the "start" key on his/her fax machine, and hang
up the phone, too. The fax transmission will then process automatically.

        You can also insert some parameter flags between the command "qfax" 
and the text_file_name. These parameters will then over-ride those defined
in the qfax.cfg file. These option flags includes:

                -d                 --> Delete the created *.fax file at end
                -16                --> Use  8x16 ASCII Font
                -24                --> Use 12x24 ASCII Font
                -ls   12           --> Line space
                -as   2            --> Ascii space
                -size  748  1002   --> size of text area (width, height)
                -rep  3            --> Repeat dial 3 times if not connected
                -nodelay           --> No delay before sending fax

        If you forget the phone number when you type the command line, the
QuickStar will ask you again for the number. If you simply type "qfax"
with no file name or phone number following it, it displays a quick reminder
screen of how to use it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Troubleshooting

Modem can not reset
    The screen displays
        Modem reset...Failed
    This may mean that the CommPort setting in the QFAX.CFG file is wrong.
    But it could also mean that the modem has a slow response in reseting.
    If the message following this is all fine you do not need to worry
    about it. Otherwise check the QFAX.CFG and your modem manual for the
    correct CommPort setting. And try again. Contact the author if it still
    doesn't work.

Modem reset OK but initialization failed
    The screen displays
        Can't initialize. Error ***
    This is probably because the modem doesn't accept the modem initialize
    AT command string. Check your modem manual for a recommendation of the
    initialization string. Or use the same initialization string used by
    other fax softwares used on your computer. If it still doesn't work,
    make the InitString in the QFAX.CFG file the simplest one:
        InitString    at&f&c1&d2

Fax transmission failed or aborted
    This is generally due to bad telephone line conditions. Or you may be
    communicating to a fax machine in-compatible with regular fax machines.
    Check your phone line condition and try again.

If you have a problem in using QFAX that you are unable to solve, please do
not hesitate to contact the author of this software. I will be glad to help!

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

About shareware programs

        Shareware is a concept in software distribution. Please notice that
shareware softwares are NOT free softwares. Shareware authors believe that
like other products, the consumers have a right to try a computer software
before making a decision of purchasing it. Shareware programs will allow you
to have a 30 days free trial period to try and test the program before you
make any payment. You pay only if you find the program useful and you like
to keep it.

        As a shareware author I believe people like you are honest and will
be glad to make a flat payment and register the software if you find this
program is really useful to you! The shareware concept is good for both the
software consumers and software writers, but only with your support will
the shareware concept survive and expand. Shareware authors need your
support to write more and better shareware products!

        As the author of QFAX, one of the VERY FEW shareware fax programs
that is available, and especially it is the one that help to save fax time,
I wish I can devote more time in making it better and better. But this will
not happen unless people register this software with me and show me their
support.

        The QFAX software have been tested thoroughly before formal release
so as to make sure it will work on most computers. However I can't provide
any guarantee that it will work on your computer. Use it at your own risk.
Like authors of most other softwares, the author hereby disclaims any kind
warranty or responsibility in regard to your usage of the QFAX software.
Please read the register.txt file for a warranty statement before you
proceed to use the QFAX software.

        If you have any questions regarding the QuickStar Fax Pro program,
feel free to contact me via E-Mail, Phone or Letter. I can be reached at
the address below:

                Mr. Anthony Mai
                Box #28, 10 Vairo Blvd.
                State College, PA 16803
                U.S.A.
                Tel. 1-(814)867-3385(H)
                     1-(814)865-2286(W)
                E-Mail: mai@phys.psu.edu
                CompuServe: 102773,370
                America Online: HelloMe2

        If you want to register QFAX, the registration is quick and easy.
And the fee is only $20 (plus sales tax if you are in Pennsylvania). Please
read the REGISTER.TXT file for information regarding the benefit you will
have in registering, and method of how to register.

        Once I receive your registration letter I will let you know the
valid QFAX license number. You only need to enter that number once. Once you 
entered that number QFAX will become full functional right away!

        If you have registered older version of QFAX, please contact the
author for an update license number. Thanks!
