[net.micro.cpm] MDM716 release - a major improvement

w8sdz%brl@sri-unix.UUCP (12/29/83)

From:      Keith Petersen <w8sdz@brl>

Bob Plouffe has just released MDM716, a major improvement in the
MDM7xx series of MODEM7 programs.  It's now available on SIMTEL20
in the MICRO:<CPM.MODEM7> directory as:

   MDM716.ASM - the source code (not normally needed, use .COM and overlay)
   MDM716.AQM - same as above, but squeezed, stored in ITS-Binary format
   MDM716.COM - stored in ITS-Binary format
   MDM716.HEX - for people who cannot FTP .COM files

NOTE: When customizing the .COM file with your overlay, use the command
      SAVE 69 MODEM7.COM after exiting DDT.  This is because MDM716.COM
      is larger than MDM712-713-714 for which the instructions were written.

Here's what's new in this, and a few previous versions:

----

12/27/83  1. Detection of first SOH is made less susceptible to
          noise hits on the line and to extraneous characters sent
          by a remote just prior to sending sector header. (such
MDM716    as when 'Q' option is not set at remote under 'BYE')

          2. Permits operation with a remote computer using `BYE'
          and any version of the CHRISTENSEN PROTOCOL without
          the need to set the 'Q' option at remote when receiving
          files FROM it (SENDING & RECEIVING WHEN BOTH ENDS ARE
          CHANGED TO THIS CODE).  Thus progress reporting
          at both ends is possible. This works in both single
          file and BATCH modes of operation.

          3. At the receive file end, progress is shown only after
          each sector is actually received rather than when it is
          awaiting a sector.  Thus, the sector count at the end of
          receiving a file matches the actual sector count in the
          file.

          4. Adds back the feature previously deleted that allows
          the operator the option of retry if the ERROR LIMIT is
          reached.  This is virtually essential on packet switched
          Networks like ARPANET and others that can get throttled
          by traffic and delay the sending of packets.  Who needs
          an automatic ABORT after receiving 1120 sectors out of
          1250 when a retry would probably allow continuance?

          5. Corrects the SENDFILE routines that caused some of the
          problems that the above fixes now tolerate.  File name
          characters were actually sent twice.  Once as found in the
          FCB (in FCB format) and again in CP/M format - one after
          the other, character-by-character including the '.' of the
          CP/M format.  Whoo boy, what a mess.  Anyway the program
          is now fixed not to do that and the receive-file changes
          tolerate both the new and the old. 

          6. Provides noise and extraneous string protection to the
          detection of 'ACK' and 'NAK'.  RESENDS A SECTOR ONLY ON
          RECEIPT OF A VALID NAK OR AFTER A TIMEOUT ERROR MSG.

          7.  Fixed T-MODE so that re-use of the command buffer
          does not cause a problem. T-MODE now uses 128 bytes from
          CMDBUF+2 so that buffer size is not wiped out.      

          8.  Corrected MENU2 for the (V)iew option to show the
          use of 'R' and/or 'S' to view Received and/or Sent bytes
          at the console.  This feature present since MODEM2 but
          never correctly shown in the MODEM7 help screens.

          9.  Fixed buffer problem that caused batch mode to
          fail unpredictably when sending a large number of files.
       
                                               - Bob Plouffe

12/11/83  Expanded Hayes redial options. Eliminated scrolling
 MDM715   of CRT display during redial. Added clue to abort CAL.
          Eliminated duplicate 'CONNECT' msg on CRT (from Hayes).
          Eliminated display of ALT LD access codes. Faster redial
          for Hayes. Resets Hayes (ATZ) on BYE command. Finished
          clean-up of comments missed by NEAT. Shortened 3 LTR
          command help screen by one line. New NUMLIB ORG 0D00.
                                      - Tom Bering

11/11/83  Releasing full source code, including all comments.  Updated
 MDM714   the telephone library for currently available RCPM systems.
          LF not automatically added in "L" half duplex mode now.  Can
          be added via "TLF" command if needed.  Renamed the overlays
          to allow them to remain independent of further updates.  Ex-
          ample:  M7AP-1.ASM, M7GP-1.ASM, M7PC-1.ASM, etc.  Enjoy.
                                      - Irv Hoff

--end--