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 The Whole Enchilada
Updated: 14-Aug-98
Status: Being reviewed

Please Note: The information in this document has just been translated over from the printed version (14-Aug-98) and is being reviewed. There are errors! This notice will go away once all the obvious errors are corrected. From there, this document will be upgraded over time.

TUTORIAL: MODEL "T" ONLINE

This tutorial is dedicated to how to capture ASCII files online with a Model 100, 102 or 200 computer. I recommend that you actually do the assignments using your Model "T" and a phone/modem cable (AKA: direct connect cable). Before you begin, review all the steps involved, then just do it. If you experience any difficulties making the call, give me a call at 510-932-8856 or a fax at 510-937-5039. These are both 24 hour numbers.

The Basics
Model 100, 102, 200 computer users may easily capture ASCII files online with the following keystroke sequence:

  1. <f2> filename <enter> ... opens a .DO file.
  2. Select stuff from online system.
  3. <f2> ... closes the open file.

Your <f2> function key is your "down" or "download" key used to receive to a file. Your <f3> function key is your "up" or "upload" key used to send a pre-made file.

When you press <f2> you are asked for a file in which to capture ... as stuff comes to your screen it also goes into the opened file.

The first time you press <f2> and provide a filename, you open a file under that name. The second time you press <f2> you close the open file; permanently. If, while online, you open the same file you just closed, the contents are immediately lost.

FYI: When providing a filename, do not include the .DO extension. The .DO extension is automatically added for you. If you do provide the extension .DO the process aborts--you've opened nothing.

Preliminaries
When capturing ASCII information on the Club 100 BBS you do not want to have your screen stopped every so many lines with the prompt -more-. You want a clean, uninterrupted scroll.

  1. Go into the (9)Settings menu.
  2. Select R for (R)eset your terminal settings.
  3. Select P for P - Set page pause (-more-).
  4. Responds to the following prompt Y/N with N for no.
  5. Tap <enter> to leave this feature.
  6. Select "T" for (T)op menu.

FYI: The Club 100 default screen setting is a continuous scroll. Thus, if you're new to the Club 100 BBS, your screen scroll is already properly set. I mentioned the above for those callers that automatically reset their settings to pause every so many lines. These are the same callers who also complain of spending too much for phone calls, i.e., they don't know the tricks.

Assignment: Capture The Newsletter
The (N)ewsletter feature of the Club 100 BBS offers a regular look into what's happening at Club 100. Due to our large membership, coupled with the fact that we do not collect dues, we can not afford to mail the newsletter to our members.

  1. Log on and go to the top menu.
  2. Select N for (N)ewsletter.
  3. A listing appears, followed by a prompt line, then everything stops. You want the #1 file.
  4. Type the number 1 but do not hit <enter>
  5. Tap <f2>, enter the word NEWS, and hit <enter> This opens a file called NEWS.DO in the memory of your laptop.
  6. Tap <enter> again, to start the file scrolling to your screen.
  7. The file scrolls by, the prompt line returns, and once again, everything stops.
  8. Tap <f2> to close the open NEWS.DO file.
  9. Tap <enter> to leave the newsletter feature, returning you to the top menu.
  10. Select G for (G)oodbye, then go read the NEWS.DO file, off-line.

Q: How much time did you spend online? What was the cost?

Assignment: Capture A Program
The (7)Upload area of the Club 100 BBS is where members may share their programming with other members, without permission or cost. Features include (D)ownload, (U)pload, and (R)emove files. The download feature allows you to access to the current files online, upload allows you to include one of your files, and remove allows you to delete any files you previously uploaded ... the later is used to clean out older versions of your programs as you upgrade them.

When you choose D for (D)ownload, the entire listing of what's available starts scrolling by. I suggest that, before starting this next assignment, you capture this listing, log off, and print it out.

  1. Tap <f2>, enter DWNLST and hit <enter>. This opens a file called DWNLST.DO in the memory of your laptop.
  2. Select D for (D)ownload and just let the listing scroll.
  3. The list scrolls by, the options prompt line appears and everything stops.
  4. Tap <f2> to close the open DWNLST.DO file.
  5. Tap <enter> to leave the (D)ownload feature.
  6. Select G for (G)oodbye, then go print the DWNLST.DO file.

Q: How much time did you spend online? What was the cost?

With your list in hand, let's select a program to capture. You see one called PIZZA.BA... looks interesting.

  1. Log on and go to the (7)Upload menu.
  2. Select D for (D)ownload
  3. Immediately tap you S key to skip to the options prompt line. This is called a trick, or shortcut. There is no need to look at the listing each time you want a file when you already know what's listed. This trick will save you valuable time online.
  4. Type P A PIZZA.BA but do not hit <enter>.
  5. Tap <f2> type PIZZA and hit <enter>.
  6. Tap <enter> again.
  7. The program code scrolls by, the options prompt line appears and everything stops.
  8. Tap <f2> to close the open PIZZA.DO file.
  9. Tap <enter> to leave the (D)ownload feature.
  10. Select G for (G)oodbye.

Q: How much time did you spend online? What was the cost?

Convert .DO to .BA
The file (program) you just captured, PIZZA.BA in .DO (ASCII) format, must be cleaned up, loaded into BASIC, then saved, creating a runable .BA file.

  1. Open PIZZA.DO. You will see some non-program stuff at the beginning and end of the file.
  2. Use your & select, and <f6> cut function keys to remove the non-program code.
  3. Tap 8 to return to the menu.
  4. Enter BASIC and issue the commands: 

    LOAD"PIZZA.DO" <enter>
  5. Wait for the WAIT to stop flashing and the OK to return. 

    SAVE"PIZZA.BA" <enter>
  6. Tap 8 to return to the menu where you will see a file named PIZZA.BA. Place your highlighter over that filename and tap <enter> to RUN the program.

Assignment: Capture A Program And Docs
You've noted several files on the list with the same name but different extensions. One of the sets is named SIDKIK.BA and SIDKIK.DOC. You've heard several of our members speak highly about this program in the (1)Conference and think it might be useful. Let's go get the SIDKIK series.

  1. Log on and go to the (7)Upload menu.
  2. Select D for (D)ownload
  3. Immediately tap you S key to skip to the options prompt line. This is called a trick or shortcut. There is to need to look at the listing each time you want a file when you already know what's listed. This trick will save you valuable time online.
  4. Type P A <enter>
  5. Type D <enter>
  6. Type SIDKIK.* ... but do not hit <enter>
  7. Tap <f2>, enter SIDKIK and hit <enter>
  8. Tap <enter> again
  9. The first file scrolls by, followed by the second, the options prompt line appears and everything stops.
  10. Tap <f2> to close the open SIDKIK.DO file.
  11. Tap <enter> to leave the (D)ownload feature.
  12. Select G for (G)oodbye.

Q: How much time did you spend online? What was the cost?

Splitting Out The Program
You now have a file containing both the program code and the documentation.

There are several procedures you may employ to separate the two. For our example, since the program is small, you may use & <f6> to select and cut the code from the .DO file, 8 to return to the menu, enter BASIC, tap your PASTE key to paste the code, now in the paste buffer, into BASIC, then SAVE"SIDKIK.BA" <enter>. Tap 8 to return to the menu.

This is just one suggestion, or method of splitting up a file containing both program code and documentation. I am sure if you play around for awhile you will discover others.