WLINK2.THD --- Copyright 1987 by Phil Wheeler An original compilation of Compuserve Model 100 Forum messages for use by Forum members only. The Model 100/102/200 community is especially communications oriented, particularly here! One of the interesting new products is the WorldLink 1200 (aka WorldPort 1200) modem, a 300/1200 baud modem which is small, Hayes- compatible, supports CCITT (for overseas use) and priced well. This THD file captures general messages regarding the use of this modem, why its name changed, availability of a manual, power sources, etc. Message range: 142384 to 144324 Dates: 3/5/87 to 4/1/87 ***** ON SOFTWARE SUPPORT ***** Fm: Dave Thomas 76703,446 To: Denny Thomas 76576,3474 Surprising to read that you have a special program for Worldlink usage! Just finished some experimentalizing this morning; used XHAYES.100 with gratifying results. 1) Download of 18,892 byte file (FINANC.CAT) to Chipmunk disk. a) 300 baud, X-TEL.CO, Xmodem protocol - 15 min 5 seconds b) 1200 baud, XHAYES, X-TEL.CO, Xmodem protocol - 7 min 19 sec. 2) Download of 10,233 byte file (MATH.CAT) to RAM. a) 300 baud, X-TEL, no protocol ead - 5 min 45 seconds. b) 1200 baud, XHAYES, X-TEL, no protocol ead - 1 min 32 seconds. Fm: Denny Thomas 76576,3474 To: Dave Thomas 76703,446 You're right, XHAYES works like a charm because it goes into Telcom TERM mode before going into the program. That means that the wakeup time of the modem is not a factor. Without that time spread, the modem sits there. The new program works a lot more smoothly since I changed from an LINEINPUT to INPUT$(1,1) and looped. That way I can examine each character and dump the ones I don't need. You'd be amazed how the modem splits ^M-^J pairs at will. Also, with the new format it will be much easier to add new commands. The menu has a toggle between CCITT and Bell standards now and I can add anything I want in a separate setup screen if so desired. As soon as I know this one is working ok, I'll modify it as X-LINK for X-Tel. BTW, You can use this one on a 100% Hayes compatible and it should work just fine. If it's anything less than 100%, it probably won't work (like my Avatex). ***** WHAT'S IN A NAME? ***** Fm: Denny Thomas 76703,444 To: SCOTT STOGEL 73105,1745 What happened to the WorldLink name? Are they two different products or just marketing change? Does that mean I should change all my programs to Q-PORT? Fm: SCOTT STOGEL 73105,1745 To: Denny Thomas 76703,444 WorldLink 1200 was changed to WorldPort 1200 due to trademark problems that might have occured later this year. WorldPort 1200 is the offical name and has been for 45 days of so. ***** WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE "FLASH" FUNCTION? ***** Fm: RICH MINTZ 71560,1142 To: ALL I just got a new modem that uses the extended Hayes command set (ie: W(ait), X, etc). There is a command called "!" that is described as being "Flash". There is no further explanation about what this does. In experimenting, it seems to close the on/off hook relay for less than a second, then open it up again. What is the purpose of this function? Call waiting toggle? Thanks. Fm: Denny Thomas 76703,444 To: RICH MINTZ 71560,1142 If you have ever used the infamous Rolm phone system, you'd know exactly what that's for. You should consider yourself blessed that you don't! In that system, a flash is used to toggle from talking mode to command mode. If you want to transfer a call, you first flash, and then key in some digits, usually *7 and the extension. Then *maybe* the line will be transfered, some of the time, on alternate Tuesdays, during grunion season, you take your pick! Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: RICH MINTZ 71560,1142 It's just exactly what you describe; it pulsed the connect relay off, then back on. Apparently some systems can use that signal, commonly called a "Break", as some sort of command. It's exactly the same as pushing down the buttons under a telephone handset, and releasing immediately. There are even some imported telephones which have a "Flash" button on them. For lines with Call Waiting, the "flash" will transfer you from the line you are talking on, to the new incoming call. That would be useless on a computer. Perhaps it's there because one of the alternate long-distance services needs such a signal to do something. ***** MANUAL AVAILABILITY ***** Fm: Chris Coffin 72115,101 To: All Hello all! Well, believe it or not, Touchbase Systems now has their new manual for the TravelComm 1200 II/WorldLink/WorldPort 1200. If you own one of our modems and want a manual quick, please send an easyplex to: Chris Coffin - 72115,101 ** Include your Serial # and UPS ship to address ** We'll get a new manual out to you ASAP. Miracleshappen!!!!! ***** ON AC POWER SUPPLIES ***** Fm: Bill Templeton 75655,1056 To: Dave Thomas 76703,446 Thanks for the great demo of the WORLDPORT 1200 modem! Am using it now, and love it... only have one question... the preliminary instructions say you can power it from the wall by using an external DC connector to save life of the 9vdc battery... does Radio Shack have the standard miniature phone jack (3.5mm; tip positive; 9-12vdc; sleeve ground), and if so do you know the P/N? Fm: Dave Thomas 76703,446 To: Bill Templeton 75655,1056 Yes, the AC adapter is available from Radio Shack, but I don't know the P/N at the moment. T'is also available from Touchbase and Traveling. Though I'm coming to you from the TSI booth at the West Coast Computer Faire, cannot supply an adapter now. However, when I see you today or Sunday, we HAVE the Manual for your WorldPort 1200 modem!! Fm: Bill Templeton 75655,1056 To: Dave Thomas 76703,446 Just received an Email from Chris Coffin (72115,101) saying they do sell the optional adapter ($6.95). If you buy the R/S AC adapter, you also have to buy a sub-mini to mini adapter so it will fit in World-Port's jack! Fm: Phil Wheeler 71266,125 To: All For those who are interested: the R/S power supply I use with my WorldLink ( aka WorldPort) modem is Cat No 273-1651A. 9V, 500ma. Use with 3.5 mm plug into larger of the sockets in the modem with the tip positive. ***** ON BATTERY LIFE AND POWER MANAGEMENT ***** Fm: Bill Templeton 75655,1056 To: Chris Coffin 72115,101 Don't know if you saw my message to Phil, but it always pleases me when a product I buy is _better_ than what's in the advertisement... especially when it has to do with battery life! I carefully monitored the on-line hours while using the original 9vdc battery that came with the WP-1200 I bought at WCCF last week, and it was around 22 hours when the small, square battery finally bit-the-dust! And your ads said 10 hours on battery life, so I was pleasantly surprised... Fm: Chris Coffin 72115,101 To: Bill Templeton 75655,1056 We're pleased to hear you got 22 hours. 10 hours will be more typical, , by using the DTR line to control On/Off, we can really optimize battery performance as long as someone leaves their Term mode. Alkalines will give much better performance , too. Ni-Cads will last only about 3-4 hours because of the way they charge and discharge. Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: Chris Coffin 72115,101 Hmmmm.... I assume, from your comments, then, that the DTR line in the RS-232 port actually switches the Worldlink modem on and off; as in controlling an SC opto-isolator. That would mean that it is not possible to use the Worldlink modem in the process of downloading to the TDD disk drive, in the recommended "simulating" process, where data is downloaded into RAM, then the computer is disconnected from the modem, connected to the disk drive, and the data saved to disk; then reconnected to the modem. If I understand your powering scheme, when you disconnect from the modem to get to the disk drive, the modem would assume you are finished, and disconnect from the phone line. Is this correct? If so, the Worldlink will not help TDD users to simulate the download to disk function they so desperately want. -- Just trying to clarify this, so we can point those folks in other directions, if necessary. Not disparaging the Worldlink, you understand, just need to know how it works, so we can guage it's compatibility for the benefit of the TDD users. Fm: Chris Coffin 72115,101 To: Chris Coffin 72115,101 Regarding the power on/off scheme of the WorldPort (same as WorldLink), there are actually several options. The options are as follows: 1. Power On/Off follows DTR. 2. Power On/Off follows DTR with a 30 second delay before dropping carrier. Allows a user to check their files quickly. 3. Power On/Off follows an Active RS-232 port. This means that whenever the modem is plugged in, and the computer is ON, the modem is ON. DTR can either be ignored, or followed. 4. Power On/Off is always ON when the external AC/DC adapter is plugged in. DTR can be ignored or followed. The best battery management is obtained through the use of options 1 and 2. The modem is only on when the computer is in the TERM mode. The 30 seconds provided by option #2 may not be enough for the TDD user. In their case, option #3 is probably the best choice. The user just needs to remember to turn off the computer or uplug the modem. After a few quick sets of batteries they should remember. All of these options are selected through different combinations of the internal DIP switches in the modem. These options are discussed in our new manual. We have tried to cover all the bases that we can within the given circuit and power restrictions. I hope this answers your questions and that we can provide a solution for the TDD users. If the options provided don't offer a solution, let us know what is needed. We are all ears and eyes. Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: Chris Coffin 72115,101 OK... thanks for the feedback. Looks to me, like powering options 3 or 4 would be best for TDD users, who want to simulate the download to disk capability, using the WorldPort as the external modem. I'm going to capture your response on this, and save it as a tip file, since the question will come up sooner or later, and the information is too good to lose. Thanks for the informed response. ***** HOW TO AVOID THE AUTOANSWER NUISANCE ***** Fm: Phil Wheeler 71266,125 To: Mel Snyder 70136,1007 RE the modem autoanswer (W-PORT/LINK): DIP inside will toggle it to make it not answer. Info is in the sheet that came with it. Default is autoanswer ON, an odd choice!