Fax Modem  (250-3581)  Sending and Receiving Files     Faxback Doc. # 5796

CHOOSING A PROTOCOL

To exchange files with another computer, you must use a file-transfer
protocol.  Basically, a protocol is a set of rules or conventions to
ensure that data is exchanged without errors.  Before you can exchange
files with another system, both sides must agree to use the same file-
transfer protocol.  BitCom supports the ASCII, CompuServe B+, Xmodem,
Ymodem, Zmodem and the Kermit protocols.

The following are some general guidelines for choosing a protocol:

  When possible, use the Zmodem protocol.  It shares all the features of
  Xmodem and Ymodem, and adds a few new features, including crash recover,
  automatic downloading and a "streaming" file-transfer method.

  If you are transferring files with a mainframe computer, use the Kermit
  protocol.  It allows you to transfer binary, 8-bit data (such as
  formatted documents, computer programs and graphics) to a 7-bit,
  mainframe system.

  If the host system does not support Zmodem, use Ymodem.

  If you are using a high-speed, error-correcting modem use Zmodem.  If
  the host system does not support Zmodem, then use Ymodem-G.

  When using V.42bis/V.42 or MNP-5, use Zmodem.  If you are exchanging
  files with a mainframe, use Kermit.

If you are connected to CompuServe, use the CompuServe B+ protocol.

TRANSFERRING FILES BETWEEN PCs

The following instructions show you how to exchange files with another PC
using BitCom.  Sending files involves three steps: (1) making a
connection with the other computer, (2) sending a file, and (3) the other
computer receiving the file.

MAKING A CONNECTION

1.  Check that the remote computer is in answer mode.  The remote computer
    has to be in answer mode before you can make a connection with it.

2.  Select the phone book record of the remote computer.

3.  Check the communication parameters.

4.  Select the connect command.  You have a connection when you see the
    word CONNECT and the Connect clock is running in the lower-right
    corner.  You should be able to type messages to each other.  For
    example, if you type "Hello", it should appear on both screens.

NOTE:  Once a connection is made, either side can send or receive a file.

THE SENDING COMPUTER

1.  Select the option menu command.  The option menu will appear.

2.  Select the send file command.  The Protocol Menu will appear.

3.  Choose a protocol.  Make sure the receiving computer is using the same
    protocol.  A screen will appear with files listed from your current
    directory.

4.  Select a file to send.  There are two ways to choose a file:

  Press ESC to go to the top portion of the screen.  Use the arrow keys to
  highlight a file name.  Once you have highlighted the file name, press
  ENTER.  The file name will appear below.

  Type in the file name, you can use DOS wildcard characters to choose
  more than one file (e.g. *.doc).

5.  Select the invoke command or press [ENTER] key.  BitCom will wait for
    the other computer to begin receiving the file.

THE RECEIVING COMPUTER

After the other side has started sending a file, follow the instructions
below to tell BitCom to receive the file.

1.  Select the option menu command.

2.  Select the receive file command.

3.  Choose a protocol.  Make sure you are using the same protocol as the
    sending computer.

4.  Enter a file name if applicable.  The file name does not have to match
    that of the file you are receiving.

5.  Press ENTER.  The file transfer will begin, and you will see a screen
    showing the progress of the transfer.

RECEIVING FILES FROM AN ON-LINE SERVICE

1.  Select the phone record of an on-line service, such as CompuServe.

2.  Select the connect command.

3.  Log on to the system.  Once you have logged on to the on-line service,
    you can send and receive files.

4.  Ask the host to start sending (or "downloading") a file.

5.  Select the option menu command.

6.  Select the receive file command.

7.  Choose a protocol.

8.  Enter a file name if applicable.

9.  Press enter to receive the file.

CAPTURING DATA

When connected to another system, BitCom lets you record all the data that
appears on your screen during a communication session.

SNAPSHOT

The snapshot COMMAND saves the data currently on your screen to either a
file or a printer.  To use Snapshot, press F5.  BitCom will prompt you to
enter a file name.  You can either enter a file name and its path to save
the screen to a file, or type in the DOS command PRINT if you want the
data printed.

FILE CAPTURE

File Capture records everything that passes through your modem and appears
on your screen, including keyboard entries, the log-on sequence and your
dialing command.

To use File Capture, enter a file name in the Capture File field of the
Communications Parameters Menu.  After BitCom makes a connection, all
incoming and outgoing characters will automatically be saved to that file.
If Capture Mode is set to Append, BitCom will add the captured data to the
end of the existing capture file.  If set to Replace, BitCom will replace
the previous captured file.

To stop file capture during a communication session, open the
Communications Parameters Menu and change the Capture File field to None.
The file that is created is a text (ASCII) file.

CAPTURING TO A PRINTER

If you want to save your communication session to a printer, press F4.
Pressing F4 again will turn off the printer.  You can toggle between
printer on and printer off by pressing F4.

(SMC-04/07/94)