Date   : Wed, 30 Mar 1983 05:41:00 EST
From   : Keith Petersen <W8SDZ@mit-mc.arpa>
Subject: XMODEM73 now available on MC

RCPM operators and others occasionally using their systems with
remote console software (like BYE) will want to get the new
XMODEM73.  It has many new features, explained in some detail below.

---
TOPIC:  XMODEM73
FROM :  IRV HOFF W6FFC
DATE :  27 MAR 83

     XMODEM is a program used primarily on remotely operated RCPM systems
that allows program transfer to and/or from remote users.  It can trans-
fer any type of CP/M file including absolute binary files (.OBJ).
     Originally written by Keith Petersen and based at that time on Ward
Christensen's MODEM ver 2.0 it has since undergone extensive revision.
     Nearly every new version has tacked on yet another computer/modem
combination.  It has grown very unwieldy in size and awkward to handle.
     In a major contribution to simplifying the program, Sigi Kluger with
his XMODEM 6.8 stripped out all the various hardware configurations.  He
wound up with a jump table at the beginning that permits use of external
overlay files for a particular computer/modem....  
     The current version is XMODEM 7.3.  The 7.x series has several new
features which give it a tremendous flexibility.  Major recent additions
include:
 
     1) A general purpose menu.  Just type:

          A0>XMODEM <return> 

          This menu includes the drive/user area for normal uploading.
          (The A0> prompt in this and subsequent examples is shown as a
          typical possibilty of a drive/user area you may be in.)

     2) Ability to send (download to the remote user) member files from
          a library group (.LBR)  without having to copy the entire li-
          brary file.  (Use a separate program called LDIR.COM to find
          the member names of a library group.)
               
     3) Ability to specify what disk/user area from which to send a pro-
          gram so the remote user doesn't have to go to that area first:

          A0>XMODEM S B6:HELLO.DOC

          (An option limits the maximum user area.)  
 
     4) Programs can be uploaded to a special non-public user area for
          the exclusive use of the SYSOP.  These can include replacement
          programs for one already on some public area, experimental
          programs you wish him to test before making them public, pre-
          typed notes for his exclusive reading or any program you wish
          him to see that is not appropriate for public use at that time.

     5) Ability to download from a special area.  This enables the SYSOP
          to place special programs, pretyped messages, etc. in this
          area.  He can then leave a private message on his bulletin
          board to the person for whom the program is intended.  Al-
          though any user COULD download that program, only the SYSOP
          and his intended recepient know the its correct name.  This
          provides excellent security.  The SYSOP can thus make any per-
          son an instant temporary privileged user.  This gives him a
          tremendous flexibility he has not previously had.

     6) Spaces can now be used without error.  Example:

          A0>XMODEM   L   B7:   CATALOG    CAT2.DOC

          will send a file called CAT2.DOC from the CATALOG.LBR library.
          NOTE:  The  .LBR extent need not be included.  If not, it is
                  added automatically.         

     At this time there are several external overlays available.  The
list will obviously grow as others add to it:

XM73ACAT   -  for Apple users with the Novation APPLE-CAT modem
XM73MMII   -  for Apple users with the Micromodem II modem
XM73DCXX   -  for Apple users with the D.C. Hayes modem
XM73PMMI   -  for S-100 users with PMMI modem boards
XM73HZ89   -  for Heath/Zenith H8 or H89 users with external modem
XM73INT3   -  for those using the Compupro Interfacer 3/4 modem
XM73EXT    -  for computers with 8251 I/O and external modems

     These contain instructions on how to then use DDT (or SID) to read-
ily adapt the external overlay to the main program.

     These files are available from the MIT-MC CPM; directory.
The names were changed slightly to fit better into the six-character
two-field filename arrangement that ITS uses.

All are in AR63:CPM;

XMACAT 73ASM
XMDCH  73ASM
XMEXT  73ASM
XMHZ89 73ASM
XMINT3 73ASM
XMMMII 73ASM
XMODEM 73ASM
XMODEM 73INF
XMODEM 73MSG
XMPMMI 73ASM

     Users who can download ITS-style "COM" files will find the same
ten files in AR100:W8SDZ; in "squeezed" format to save downloading
time.  This is a temporary ARchive only and will be deleted in a few
days.  As with squeezer convention, the next-to-last character of the
filename is a "Q" instead of its original character.

--Keith