FASTADAM  by  Rob Friedman  
     Well,  You are now on CompuServe, or are thinking  of  going 
onto CompuServe, but.. don`t want to pay all that money. But, you 
have  been  told that CompuServe has the most to offer and  is  a 
fantastic source of information, but.. You would like to get that 
information and save money. How?
     This thought hits every CompuServe user who is online and is 
live..that is using real-time and doing everything (especially in 
regards to getting messages and answering them) online. Well, why 
not  do all that offline?  In the Practice forum (which  is  FREE 
for  CompuServe users.. that is no online charges  are  charged), 
there  are  sysops  to help you become  acquainted  with  all  of 
CompuServe`s Forum commands, as well as two very important  files 
that  could save you a LOT of money, as well as reduce your  time 
online. They are called FAST.DOC and FASDEM.TXT .  What they talk 
about  and deal with is capturing the messages in the forums  via 
your  modem  program`s  ASCII capture method,  logging  off,  and 
reading the messages offline. Then answering them OFFLINE via  an 
editor  of some type, placing them in a file,  logging  back  on, 
and  sending the replies to CompuServe, thus saving you the  time 
it  would  take to read all the messages and reply to  those  you 
wanted to online. 
     What this article will (hopefully) do,  is run thru some  of 
the ways to speed up your time online, and logon. I will also  go 
thru  the   way   the various modem programs for  ADAM  go  about  
capturing  messages and sending them back online.  These will  be  
ADAMlink5, Imp, Qterm, Mex, Zmp, and Madam7. 

Logging On
     One quick way to get yourself online and save initial  time, 
is  to  do a fast logon.  The normal way is to use  the  User  ID 
number  that  CompuServe will assign to you, and  then  use  your 
password, and after CompuServe acknowledges your replies, it then 
waits  for you to tell it where you are going by way of menus  or 
prompts.   The  Fast way is to use a single command  line.   That 
will  put your UID, password, and destination in a  single  line. 
The format is (at the User ID: prompt):
     User ID:7xxxx,xxx/go:destination\pass*word<cr>

Using my number as an example, it would be:
     76702,417/go:club\pass*word<cr>

That  will  log me in, and take me right to Computer  Club  forum 
(the  GO word being CLUB).  No intermediate screens in  the  way. 
Fast, eh?  That`s the idea. 
     When using FAST.DOC and FASDEM.TXT(Fastdemo.Txt), You should 
be able to shorten your time online to a minimum. But, as with so 
many  things, since the FAST files were written to be  used  with 
various  communication programs, you should be familiar with  the 
one you use. Since a lot of people who go onto CompuServe are new 
users  who  have  not  used  various  telecommunication  programs 
before,  I`ll try to help you along by showing how  the  programs 
available for the ADAM capture and send text files (which is what 
you  will  basically be doing). Let`s start. But  first,  a  word 
about macro-keys.

Macro/Function Keys
     One  thing that ADAMlink5 will do (also 3-4) is macro  keys. 
This  feature  is in all the modem programs we  deal  with  (also 
called  function keys). Macros let you place several commands  or 
letters  into  a key, and by just hitting that key,  the  command 
line  is placed. For example, for the Fast Logon, the command  is 
UID/GO:WORD\PASSWORD<cr>.  Now, since ADAMlink5 uses the  "/"  as 
the  key denominator, that is, you tell it which key is  used  by 
using  the  hex code, you will have to tell the  system  to  send 
itself.   Let`s  say I wanted to use the SmartKey I key  and  the 
Smartkey II key.  I could use the following:
     !Smart Key I
     /81  <--this is the hex for Smartkey I
     ATDT2944190/0d  <-this defines the key for my local phone
     !Smart Key II
     /82  <--this is the hex for Smartkey II
     76702,415//Go:Club\ <--this defines the fast logon,   EXCEPT 
my Password.  You could use go:club\pass*word , but  the  general 
rule  is  NOT to put your password into a macro key.  Using  this 
technique, you can use the Function keys and set up your  capture 
commands.  In one key you could place:
     REA NEW SEC:9,10 ;SCR /0D
That would let you hit one key for the command for CompuServe  to 
start  sending  you  ALL the messages  in  thread  order  without 
stopping.   That is the way you want to capture the messages,  no 
stops,  and  in the logical order of which they were  placed  and 
answered.   You  will use that command for each  of  the  telecom 
programs,  whether it is EOS like ADAMlink5, or  TDOS-CP/M  (Note 
that the /0D is a carriage return in hex code for ADAMlink.   For 
the  other  programs  just use whatever they use  as  a  carriage 
return <cr> or <ret>).  You will find that this REAd command will 
REAd  all NEW messages in SECtions 9 and 10, and it  will  SCRoll 
and not pause between messages.  See how the commands work?   For 
reading  messages  that  were left from 4 days  previous  to  the 
current time, you would type:
     REA DAY:4 SEC:9,10 ;SCR
CompuServe  will automatically read in Thread order.  That  means 
you  will  read the messages in logical order.. from  comment  to 
reply.  Now..continuing with the capture:

ADAMlink-5 
     It might come as a surprise to some that all the versions of 
the ADAMlink modem program (except the ill-fated  version 1)  can 
be used. True, ADAMlink2 is only good for the internal modem, and 
can  only be used at 300 baud, but it will  work.   ADAMlink(s)3, 
3+,  and  the beta versions of 4 will also  likewise  work.   The 
current version (and the only one commercially available now)  is 
ADAMlink5  which will do all that the earlier versions did,  plus 
more.To  grab  the messages with ADAMlink5, the first  thing  you 
will  want  to do is get to the Computer Club Forum  as  fast  as 
possible.  Using the fast logon, you can go to the Forum directly 
without the intervening menu-screens.  When you get to the  forum 
prompt,  "Forum! ", go to ADAMlink`s command mode by hitting  the 
WILD CARD.  In command mode, press FILE and choose ASCII RECEIVE.  
ADAMlink-5 will ask you the name of the file and the type.   Type 
the  name and the type (I choose CISCAP and A usually),  and  hit 
DONE.  Whereupon ADAMlink will tell you that you should hit  UNDO 
to  close  the file.  Hit WILDCARD to return  to  terminal  mode.  
ADAMlink  will  show the number of pages in it's  buffer  at  the 
bottom.   Hit your Macro Key (You did program the  macro,  didn`t 
you?) to tell CompuServe to read the messages in continuously:
     REA NEW SEC:9,10 ;SCR <cr>
Or  type  it in if you didn't program the key.  The  screen  will 
start   scrolling continuously.  This is the advantage  of  using 
higher  baud-rate modems like 1200 or 2400.  If it runs  so  fast 
that you can't read it, you capture it instead.  Remember,  while 
1200  and  2400 baud rates are twice as much as 300  baud  is  on 
CompuServe,  they  work four or eight times as fast  so  you  are 
online less thus saving you money. (That was the reason for  this 
and  FAST.DOC and FASDEM.TXT).  When the messages finish and  you 
are back at the forum prompt, you can either go to another  forum 
and repeat the command for that forum, or type "bye" or "off" and 
disconnect  from CompuServe.  After logging off, you can come  up 
with SmartWriter or any other editor/WP you wish to use and  read 
the  CISCAP  file with it.  See FAST.DOC and FASDEM.TXT  for  the 
ways to reply to messages and compose new messages. Bye the  way, 
FASDEM.TXT  is somewhat more current than FAST.DOC, but both  are 
full  of  important  information. My own suggestion  is  to  read 
FAST.DOC  first,  then  read FASDEM.TXT and use  it`s  method  of 
placing  the commands in the texts.  This article is basically  a 
primer on how to use the FASDEM.TXT messages with the ADAM  modem 
programs, as well as how to grab the messages.   Anyway, back  to 
using  an editor/WP, SmartWriter will work fine for  reading  and 
answering  messages.  My own suggestion is to go  to  SmartWriter 
(or Speedywrite, or ZDE/VDE with the CP/M programs), and read the 
captured messages. When you come to a message you wish to answer, 
start  right  there  at  the end  of  that  message  (before  the 
following   message).   Start  with  your  "REP"   command   (see 
FASDEM.TXT)  and leave your message following the specifics  laid 
out in FASDEM.TXT, ending the message with a "/post" command.  AT 
the  end of each message you answer, move your REP message  (your 
reply)  to  the bottom of the file.  Follow this  with  all  your 
typed replies, and any message you decide to write (your COMposed 
messages..new  ones). Then save just the replies and new  message 
you  typed in a separate file that we can call CISREP.  Log  back 
onto  CompuServe with your modem program, and after getting  back 
to  the Club forum prompt, go back to command mode.   Press  FILE 
and this time choose ASCII SEND.  Type in the name of the file  , 
"CISREP", and  ADAMlink-5 will tell you to hit the STORE/GET  key 
to  send the file. Go back into terminal mode with the WILD  CARD 
key,  and at the Forum prompt , "Forum! ", hit the STORE/GET  key 
to  send  the file.  ADAMlink-5 will now send  your  replies  and 
messages  back to CompuServe, which will post them in  the  right 
places  by  reading the various REP and COM  and  other  commands 
imbedded  in  the text. After all this stops, you  can  log  off.  
That's  it!   Congratulations!  You have just done what  all  the 
auto programs for IBM and MAC do in the way they read and  answer 
messages on CompuServe.  Easy, eh?
     Now.. onto using the various CP/M modem programs.

Madam7 
     Madam7  (basically  Modem7 for ADAM) was the  original  CP/M 
modem program that became available to the ADAM courtesy of  John 
Moore.  Some might argue that way back when Coleco first  started 
the CP/M software for ADAM, they allowed Westico to have Mite and 
Ascom  made available to ADAM users.  Of course, back  then  very 
few could afford the software for CP/M.  Then Madam7 was out  and 
people saw that public domain was they way to go.  So, Madam7  is 
small, relatively easy to use, and will run the internal ADAMlink 
300 baud modem.  It also has a function key available to it via a 
companion program, as is the phone library.  As before, using the 
function  keys  will be a real time saver.  To  start  a  capture 
file,  you  use the T command plus a file name.  Normally  the  T 
command  (or  the E or L commands) are used to go  into  terminal 
mode at either full or half duplex.  Using the T plus a file name 
will start a capture buffer.  ex:
     MADAM7>> T CISCAP.TXT  <--using the same name 
That will start the file but not start capturing text. As  before 
issue  the  REA NEW SEC:9,10 ;SCR command.   To  start  receiving 
text, hit CONTROL-Y(ret).  Madam7 will show a ";" at the start of 
the line to show it is copying text to it`s buffer.  To stop  the 
capture,  use CONTROL-R(ret) . You can toggle with the ^Y or  the 
^R as often as you wish.   When finished capturing, log off,  and 
go  to command mode ( ^E ), and use WRT to write the file to  the 
disk.  To send the reply messages, after logging back on, use the 
^T  command  from Terminal mode.  It will ask for  the  filename, 
which  is in our example, CISREP.TXT, and send the messages  back 
to CompuServe.  That's it!  While Madam7 is kinda slow  nowadays, 
a lot of people still use the internal modem, and use Madam7. For 
those who prefer it, but have bought an external modem setup (and 
faster one), look at Imp.
     
Imp
     Imp  (Improved  Modem Program) is a natural  follow  up  for 
those  who like Madam7.  Written by Irv Hoff, Imp uses a  lot  of 
the  same  commands  that are in  Madam7  (ie:Modem7).   The  big 
difference is that instead of using a Control-E or a Control-Y or 
^R, it uses ESC or Escape.  The command to go from terminal  mode 
to command mode is ESC-E, as opposed to ^E.  The toggle  commands 
are  ESC-Y and ESC-R vs ^Y and ^R.  To start a file, the  command 
of  using the T plus a file name is the same (as it will  be  for 
Mex).  To  save  the captured messages, you also  issue  the  WRT 
command.  But, the command to send the file is ESC-F vs ^T.   Imp 
also  uses  companion  programs for a Function Key  and  a  Phone 
library.   Imp also has several advantages over  Madam7 and  even 
Mex.   As far as our needs, Imp is set up to work with modems  at 
1200  baud or 2400 baud and by going four or eight times  faster, 
can  save you money online.  Also, Imp will do  Ymodem  downloads 
(also  faster)  and will auto-step down if you call a  2400  baud 
node, and it logs you in at 1200.  Imp will adjust. 




Mex
     Mex (Modem EXecutive) by Ron Fowler, is set  up for the ADAM 
either as an internal program for the 300 baud modem, or to  work 
on  the external serial port (usually at 1200 or 2400 baud).  Mex 
is  similar to both Imp and Madam7, in the use of ESC-E to go  to 
Command mode, and ESC-T to send the file while in terminal  mode.  
It  also uses the same T + filename to set up the  capture  file. 
But,  to toggle the capture file, you use ESC-S to start  copying 
the messages to the file, and ESC-U to stop.  As with Madam7  and 
Imp, you use the WRT command to save the messages (the CAPCIS.TXT 
file)  to  disk.  Mex, however has it's Function  Key  and  Phone 
library features built right in.  They can be saved to the  disk, 
and  loaded in whenever you wish, or be saved in the Mex  program 
via   the  Clone  command.   No  doubt  you  are  noticing   some 
similarities  in  these  programs as far as  their  commands  go.   
That  is  true, but as you will see.. the last two  programs  are 
indeed different. 

Zmp
     Zmp  is an excellent program for the external modem  by  Ron 
Murray  with a slew of features.  So much that all  the  features 
require the program have several overlays to work.  Function Keys 
are built in as is the Phone Library. But, the big thing with Zmp 
is  it  has not only Xmodem, 1KXmodem, Ymodem, but  also  Zmodem.  
Zmodem  is a faster way to download (something we are not  really 
touching  on  in  this article), but it  is  not  implemented  on 
CompuServe.  The  fastest  way for CP/M users  of  CompuServe  to 
download  files is via Ymodem (in Imp, Zmp and Qterm).   All  the 
commands  are ESC commands, and you are not required to name  the 
capture file, unless you want to.  Zmp does it for you calling it 
ZMP.LOG.  To start capturing, use ESC-M (for Memory) and Zmp will 
start  capturing  the messages. To toggle, hit ESC-M  again.  The 
best bet  for Zmp is to issue the REA NEW command, then start the 
capture  before  hitting  the  return.   Meaning,  hit  REA   NEW 
SEC:9,10;SCR  ,  then  hit ESC-M, and then  hit  (cr).  When  you 
disconnect, Zmp will write the file to disk.   After reading  and 
answering,  log back on and use the ESC-S command for  sending  a 
file,  and  choose the ASCII option.  Name the  file  (again..our 
example has been CISREP.TXT), and away you go. 

Qterm
     Qterm  by David Goodenough is a small program with  features 
not found in others.  First, it's command structure is different, 
it  runs on scripts or real-time (Yes, Mex can use  scripts,  but 
the Qterm version is easier to implement).  Plus, it has a window 
mode which is excellent for Conferencing.  On downloading, it can 
auto-detect what kind of protocol is being used (Xmodem,  Xmodem-
1K,  or Ymodem).  It can also do Kermit as a protocol  for  those 
systems which use it.  (Kermit is another protocol, but different 
from  Xmodem  and  it's brethren).  It can also  be  made  to  do 
everything  we are talking about automatically via  scripts.   It 
can logon, open a buffer, start the messages scrolling, close the 
file-buffer,  and  logoff, and quit the program.  With  some  SUB 
files, you can even start the answering part of this all offline, 
and when finished, the SUB file will rerun Qterm, and upload your 
answer messages.  Now, that's fast!  Qterm also uses ESC commands 
so  to open a capture buffer, use ESC-C.  ESC-Y puts the  capture 
file on hold, effectively a toggle.  Hit ESC-Y to start it again. 
To  close  the  file, hit ESC-Z .  To send  a  reply  file  (your 
messages) use ESC-P which stands for print to remote.  Qterm is a 
little  different in  usage from the other programs.  When it  is 
started, it is in terminal mode.  Also, there is no phone library 
or  function key built in.  Well, not exactly.  To load  a  phone 
number  or  a  function  key, you use a  script,  which  has  the 
advantage  of loading a different set of function keys with  each 
number. The scripts can be held in a file called /QTERM.LBR since 
each  script  uses  very  little  space.   One  program  that  is 
available is Logmaker which can be used to write logon files  for 
Qterm.    A text editor like VDE or ZDE can be used to write  the 
script files.  
     For full use of Qterm, as well as Zmp, Mex, Imp, Madam7, and 
ADAMlink-5,  read the documentation that comes with each  of  the 
programs.  I  have  deliberately not gone  over  each  and  every 
command  in the programs.  Only  those commands which  deal  with 
capture  text files and send the text file have been covered,  as 
well as bringing up the macro/function key features.

Reading & Answering in CP/M
     The  best  suggestion  for  reading the  file  is  the  CP/M 
editors,  ZDE  or  VDE.  Just as in ADAMlink, you  can  read  the 
messages,  and answer them directly afterwards.  Use the ^KB  and 
^KK commands to mark that block you have just written, and go  to 
the  end  of the file with the ^QC command.  Move the  block  you 
have  marked  with the ^KV command, and go back to the  area  you 
were  reading.  Continue doing this reading, replying and  moving 
the  replies  until  you  are finished.   Do  any  COMposes  (new 
messages)  at the end of the file.  Save all these  new  messages 
with the ^KW command and name the file something like CISREP.TXT.  
That  will  save  the  replies to their  own  file,  leaving  the 
captured messages in it's own file.  Exit with the ^KQ command.

     Well,  there  you  have it. All of  these  programs,  except 
Madam7  and  Mex  for the internal modem, will  run  on  external 
modems  at 1200 baud or 2400 baud.  Both are  highly  recommended 
above the internal 300 baud modem. If you only have the  ADAMlink 
300  baud modem, use it.  This method will still save you  money, 
but  you are advised to get a serial port and an external  modem. 
If  you  want any of the CP/M programs, they are  available  from 
various  user groups, bulletin boards, CompuServe, or myself  via 
several GIVaway files I do.  ADAMlink-5 is available from HLM/GMK 
Hardware/Software Company, 4034 East 52nd St., Newburgh  Heights, 
Ohio  44105. Their number is 216-851-3347. 

     FAST.DOC  and  FASDEM.TXT are  available  from  CompuServe`s 
Practice Forum.  It is also available at ADAMcon4 in Cleveland  , 
Ohio, in July 92 and from the Cleveland ADAM-X-Change BBS. 





     My  thanks to Patricia Herrington from Orlando, FL  and  the 
Metro Orlando ADAM Users Group who first told me about FAST.DOC .  
Ed  Girou  and the folkes in the CompuServe  Practice  Forum  who 
helped me find the file as well as FASDEM.TXT . Brad Ferguson and 
Don  (76704,41) for FAST.DOC and FASDEM.TXT,  respectively.   Tom 
Clary  for  ADAMlink  updates  and Macros and  Rich  Drushel  for 
ADAMlink-5.  John Moore, Ron Fowler, Irv Hoff (RIP), Ron  Murray, 
and  Dave  Goodenough for Madam7, Mex, Imp, Zmp,  and  Qterm.   A 
special  thanks again to Dave Goodenough for his help in  getting 
me familiar enough with Qterm to do some automated scripts for it 
and have it do all this automatically.  And finally, a big thanks 
for all those both on and off CompuServe who have stuck with ADAM 
through all the years.  That has made all these various  articles 
and GIVaway files that I do all worthwhile.

 Rob Friedman

     For  those  who  want the PD modem  programs,  the  internal 
programs  Madam7  and  Mex  are available  on  my  MODEM.GIV  and 
EXTRA.GIV  package.  You would need 3-4 160K disks. Both VDE  and 
ZDE  will  be included.  For those who have or  are  getting  the 
OBS/CLD/EVE  type  of  serial ports, and  if  you  require  modem 
programs,  my  EXTERNL.GIV package will have Mex, Imp,  Zmp,  and 
Qterm, all set up for the ADAM with that type of external  serial 
port.  That comes out to about 6+ 160K disks, as the files  total 
roughly  560K.   Currently,  HLM/GMK  Hardware/Software  Co.  are 
selling   the  OBS/EVE  type  serial  ports  and  are   including 
EXTERNL.GIV  as  part of the package.  Also, Bart  Lynch  of  the 
Puget Sound News-Net is including it in a special package he  has 
including the HLM/GMK Serial port and a 1200 Baud external modem.  
Micro  Innovations  MIB2   serial ports come with  Imp  and  Mex, 
patched  for  the MIB2 serial port (different from  the  OBS/EVE-
HLM/GMK  type).   Zmp  for the MIB2 is  available  on  the  Micro 
Innovations BBS. 

     The policy on the GIV files from me directly is to send  the 
required  number  of disks, plus return postage (usually  in  the 
form of stamps is best).  The actual software is free.

Send to:  Rob Friedman
          3814 Ocean Ave T-2
          East Rockaway, NY 11518

If  you  have  any questions, my phone  is  516-593-8798  in  the 
evenings (meaning I work all day, and no calls after 11:00 PM ET, 
if you please.)









Quick Reference Guide for Capturing and Replying

Fast Logon:
     User ID:7xxxx,xxx/go:destination\pass*word<cr>
     ie:     76702,417/go:club\pass*word<cr>

Read Command for ADAM Sections for Computer Club:
     REA NEW SEC:9,10 ;SCR
means:REAd NEW SECtions:9 and 10 ;and SCRoll the messages



ADAMlink-5
     to Capture: 
          ->in Command mode, hit FILE
          ->then ASCII RECEIVE
          ->type file name and type
          ->hit DONE
          ->hit WILDCARD to return to Terminal mode
          ->hit UNDO to open capture buffer
          ->Log off when finished
     to Read & Answer:
          ->use Smartwriter or Speedywriter
          ->save replies/composes in a separate file
     to Send Answer:
          ->in Command mode, hit FILE
          ->hit ASCII SEND
          ->type file name and type
          ->hit DONE
          ->hit WILDCARD to return to Terminal mode
          ->hit STORE/GET to send the file



Madam7
     to Capture:
          ->in Command mode, use T Filename.Typ
          ->use ^Y to start capturing
          ->use ^R to stop capturing
          ->Log off when finished 
          ->use ^E to return to command mode
          ->use the WRT command to save the file to disk
     to Read and Answer:
          ->use VDE266 or ZDE16, or Wordstar
          _>save replies in a separate file 
     to Send Answer:
          ->in Terminal mode, use ^T to send file
          ->type the filename.typ












Imp
     to Capture:
          ->in Command mode, use T Filename.Typ
          ->use ESC-Y to start capturing
          ->use ESC-R to stop capturing
          ->Log off when finished 
          ->use ESC-E to return to command mode
          ->use the WRT command to save the file to disk
     to Read and Answer:
          ->use VDE266 or ZDE16, or Wordstar
          _>save replies in a separate file 
     to Send Answer:
          ->in Terminal mode, use ESC-F to send file
          ->type the filename.typ




Mex
     to Capture:
          ->in Command mode, use T Filename.Typ
          ->use ESC-S to start capturing
          ->use ESC-U to stop capturing
          ->Log off when finished 
          ->use ESC-E to return to command mode
          ->use the WRT command to save the file to disk
     to Read and Answer:
          ->use VDE266 or ZDE16, or Wordstar
          _>save replies in a separate file 
     to Send Answer:
          ->in Terminal mode, use ESC-T to send file
          ->type the filename.typ




















Zmp
     to Capture:
          ->in Terminal mode, use ESC-M to start capturing
          ->Zmp will automatically make ZMP.LOG
          ->use ESC-M to toggle or stop capturing 
          ->Log off when finished 
          ->Zmp will write the file to disk
     to Read and Answer:
          ->use VDE266 or ZDE16, or Wordstar
          _>save replies in a separate file 
     to Send Answer:
          ->in Terminal mode, use ESC-S to send file
          ->choose ASCII
          ->type the filename.typ




Qterm
     to Capture:
          ->in Terminal mode, use ESC-C to open a capture file
          ->type Filename.Typ
          ->use ESC-Y to toggle capturing
          ->use ESC-Z to close a capture file
          ->Log off when finished 
     to Read and Answer:
          ->use VDE266 or ZDE16, or Wordstar
          _>save replies in a separate file 
     to Send Answer:
          ->in Terminal mode, use ESC-P to send file
          ->type the filename.typ














