[comp.sys.amiga] A-TALK III and "external" protocols

papa@pollux.usc.edu (Marco Papa) (03/15/89)

Since I got two e-mail queries on this subject and both replies bounced,
I am posting the reply here, since it might be of general interest.  People
have been asking us to add "more" protocols to A-Talk III, in the instance
CompuServe B, JLINK and SeaLink (available on most IBM BBSs).  A-Talk III
currently offers 8 protocols: XMODEM, XMODEM/CRC, YMODEM, YMODEM Batch,
Kermit, WXMODEM, ZMODEM, and YMODEM-g.  We believe that these protocols already
offer you transfer capabilities that allow users to exchange files with most 
systems.  We also believe that the program is large enough and making it any 
larger would unduly use up extra memory which would be wasted for most users.  

But, since we understand the special requirements of users such as the ones
that subscribe to CompusServe, we are providing support for "external" 
protocols.  CompuServe Quick B is the first protocol that will be supported 
in such a way. The first implementation of the "external protocol" support 
matches the similar way it is done on programs for the IBM PC such as ProComm:
the serial port will be opened in "shared" mode at the user request and a 
subprogram run that implements the protocol. A-Talk III access to the serial
port is suspened untile the transfer has completed. This feature is already 
done and has been tested successfully with the rz/rz combo available on your 
local bbs. A future version will be integrated with our ARexx support and will 
allow the subprogram to share the A-Talk III screen and Transfer Requester.

-- Marco Papa 'Doc'
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