TAPCIS(R) The Access Program for the CompuServe Information Service Published by: Support Group, Inc. Lake Technology Park, McHenry MD 21541 USA Phone (800) USA-GROUP, (301) 387-4500 Fax (301) 387-7322 CompuServe ID 74020,10 GO CIS:TAPCIS Introduction ================================================================= This file is meant as an overview of TAPCIS for those considering downloading the program. If you have any questions about TAPCIS, you can get answers 24 hours a day on the TAPCIS Forum. GO CIS:TAPCIS from any CompuServe prompt to get there. Requirements ================================================================= TAPCIS requires an IBM PC / XT / AT / PS/2 or compatible. It runs in 420K of RAM and will operate as a DOS application under Windows, Desqview, and OS/2. A hard disk is highly recommended for desktop use, and twin 720K 3.5-inch floppies for portable operation. A modem using the standard Hayes AT command set is recommended, although users have configured TAPCIS with a wide variety of non-AT modems and hardwired configurations. TAPCIS works effectively at any rate from 300 to 9600 bps, with the higher rates providing the best economy. TAPCIS is compatible with most of the popular TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident programs), including a wide variety of pop-ups, keyboard enhancers, video drivers, spell checkers, and caches. TAPCIS is stored in Library 1 of the TAPCIS Forum as TAP.EXE (the program) and TAPDOC.EXE (documentation). These are "self extracting zip files." Download both of these files and then run them. For example, if you have downloaded TAP.EXE to the current directory, you could give these DOS commands to create a directory called C:\TAP and extract the program and files to that directory: MD C:\TAP TAP C:\TAP TAPCIS is also available by mail if you wish to save the time to download the files and print the extensive manual. Ask for a free trial disk or order the full package on our 90 day money back guarantee. Contact 74020,10 for more details or call us at the phone numbers above. The TAPCIS Difference ================================================================= Why use TAPCIS? How can it save you money? CompuServe is designed to be an interactive communications service. In other words, you type something, and CompuServe responds. Then you type another command, read the response, and so on. Using a terminal, a caller manually enters the user ID and password. From that moment on, the CompuServe clock is running at $6.00 to $31.50 an hour or more. If you read and reply while that meter is running, you are paying CompuServe based on your reading and typing speed (which is far slower than the maximum speed of your modem--which can be over 9000 words per minute at 9600bps!). TAPCIS automates the use of CompuServe and, in the process, reduces connect time to a minimum. The time consuming tasks of reading or replying are done using the facilities of your own computer where the time is "free." This efficiency can save you a great deal of money. Let's say it takes you 10 minutes to compose a message online; it might cost you $2 or more. Prepared offline and sent with TAPCIS, the cost might be as low as 22 cents for the same message. Multiply this by 100 messages over the course of a year (or even a month) and you start to get a feel for the savings the automated TAPCIS system offers you. Without TAPCIS, CompuServe can be expensive. TAPCIS makes it possible for you to actively participate in many forums without busting your budget. Will TAPCIS lower your CompuServe bill? Probably not. TAPCIS can do the same work a lot faster and cheaper than you can do by hand. The significant savings are often offset by higher, but much more productive, usage. Our tens of thousands of users have found that they use CompuServe MORE with TAPCIS than they did before without it. They get more for their money; CompuServe becomes a better value. Unlike some programs that require you to babysit the keyboard to issue navigation commands, the TAPCIS autopilot will take you online with one keystroke, and you won't have to press another one until TAPCIS has sent your messages, received new messages, downloaded your files, and logged off CompuServe. TAPCIS Features ================================================================= TAPCIS is a program rich in features. It has grown considerably since its early days, and work is always continuing to add more features that our users want. Here are some of the general features that have made TAPCIS so popular with CompuServe users. Message Features ----------------------------------------------------------------- * Split-screen text editor for preparing messages offline with WordPerfect-like cursor and editing and word wrap. Many WordStar editing commands are also included for those used to that interface. * Address book, which you can compile as you read messages, that allows you to send messages to other users based on their names without having to remember user IDs. Search by name, user ID, user name, or comments. * Print messages, save messages to a master file or an individual DOS file, retrieve a file into the message you're writing, and search for text in other files. TAPCIS stores messages in standard ASCII format, making it easy to use the information in other applications. * Reply to a message, forward the message to other users via CompuServe Mail, start a new thread with a message to the sender or recipient of the current message, or change the reply to a different forum or CompuServe Mail. * Skip forward/backward by message or thread, jump to a message, read messages that contain a search string, skip through the messages by online session, or view messages previously saved. * Messages that are private, to your user ID, or from your user ID have highlighted headers to bring them to your attention during reading. * Support for Postal, Fax, Internet, MHS, X.400, MCI Mail, and other external mail delivery. Forum Support ---------------------------------------------------------------- * Available forum section numbers and names are presented in a pop-up window when required for message writing or section selection. * Forums can be defined for one of three different types of online action: Read all new threads (R) Quick scan subjects for thread selection offline (Q) Read messages to me only (M) * Up to 20 forums can be defined per parameter file with up to 15 "active" at any one time. Multiple parameter files allow for an almost unlimited number of forums. * Forum message sections to read or scan can be selected during forum definition. * Supports gateways for services such as Ziffnet and EETNet. Libraries ----------------------------------------------------------------- * Includes a Library management system that lets you do keyword searches of the files in a forum's libraries, browse them offline, and subsequently do batch, unattended B+ protocol downloads online (including the ability to restart a transfer if aborted by you or by CompuServe). * A transfer log is kept on disk to allow tracking of download times and performance. * Supports CompuServe's across-library searching. You can tell TAPCIS to find and download a file without knowing where in the 17 libraries it is located. * You can download the full library descriptions or short one- line descriptions. Communications Features ----------------------------------------------------------------- * Supports the enhanced B+ protocol for both uploading and downloading. B+ achieves error free transfers at speeds far faster than previous CIS protocols giving the TAPCIS user the best efficiency and lowest cost, and the ability to restart an aborted file transfer. * Offers both automated and manual access to CompuServe. The automatic logon can be through CompuServe or alternate networks both foreign and domestic. * Serial ports COM1: through COM8: are supported. * Baud rates of 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, and 9600 are supported. * FIFO buffers (16550A UARTs) are supported for more reliable communication at speeds of 9600 and above. * Auto or manual dialing from a selection of phone numbers. * Local mode for communicating with and setting modem parameters. * Automatic online setup of CompuServe default parameters with a single menu command (Alt-P). * Joining of forums handled automatically with a single menu command (Alt-J). * Integral time and charges log and recap to help you keep track of expenses. Month-to-date charges are listed by forum. Cumulative charges, a projection for the month, and a daily usage graph are included. Other Important Features ----------------------------------------------------------------- * Universal, context sensitive help by pressing . * Mailing list feature allows you to send a message or file to as many people as you want through CompuServe Mail. * Universal shelling to DOS using and DOS command execution using . * Full path support for MSDOS 3.n and above. * Support is available through CompuServe on the TAPCIS Forum. * Optional capture of the online session (either the entire session or last 350 lines) to the file ONLINE.LOG. * Review of a log of up to the last 350 lines when online interactive using the command. * User scripts including comments and text capture for simplifying access to other parts of the CompuServe service. * Completely protect your password by having TAPCIS prompt for it each time you start the program without storing it on disk. * Front-end script to capture stock quotes, news, weather, and other user-selected information for reading offline as a CompuServe Mail "message." * Online and editor macros save you time for repeated keystrokes. * Support for more then 25 screen lines. * Editable input prompts. * TAPCIS.CFG file to store standard command line options. Why TAPCIS? ================================================================= The people who know CompuServe best, Forum Sysops, have made TAPCIS their program of choice. More than 600 CompuServe Sysops use TAPCIS regularly, despite the fact that they are not charged for their connect time. The sole benefit for them is improved efficiency. Time is money. For example, Mike Robertson [76702,1130], principal sysop of the Datastorm Forum (the publishers of PROCOMM) had this to say: "I wanted to say how much I personally have benefitted from TAPCIS. TAPCIS is looking better than ever, and our company continues to use it daily to facilitate our forum maintenance. As I've told users of ProComm and PROCOMM PLUS (much to their amazement) over the years: it's the best tool for the job, and I recommend it highly." Several major software houses which provide support on CompuServe have site licenses. So do many corporations which use TAPCIS for electronic mail. The editors and writers who write reviews for computer magazines swear by it. There isn't a major computer publication which doesn't have at least one TAPCIS user on the masthead. But TAPCIS wasn't written just for them. It started as a program written by a user paying non-deductible, hard-earned dollars for CompuServe access, and that's the type of individual who remains at the top of the list when it comes to program design and enhancements. That's why TAPCIS continues to be marketed as shareware. Try it before you buy it, and, if you decide not to use it for any reason, it has cost you nothing more than the connect charges to get it. In fact, TAPCIS goes one step better, offering what we believe to be the most generous return policy in the software industry: if, for any reason, you decide to stop using TAPCIS (or even CompuServe!) within 90 days of purchase, we'll refund the full purchase price, no questions asked. Here are a few of the many comments we've received from satisfied users: "TAPCIS has changed my life in two ways. The first is business. I have started a software training business in addition to my regular employment as a systems analyst for a trade association in Washington, DC. I don't have the cash to buy a FAX machine for sending messages (my association lets me receive FAXs but won't foot the cost of sending them). I use TAPCIS to access CIS and send my FAXs all over the country (I'm not international yet). The UserID file lets me store all those FAX numbers, so it's a lot easier than looking up the number and dialing. I just create the file, and FAX via MAIL. I also access WPUsers (WordPerfect User Support) for help with my WordPerfect problems, since all my training materials, outlines, overheads are in WordPerfect. The second is fun. I participate in the FANS Sports Forum Fantasy Baseball League. CIS has created so many friendships for me through FANS--we've celebrated births, weddings, graduations, mourned the loss of family members--all because of FANS. TAPCIS makes access so much easier and cheaper (which we all like). I recommend TAPCIS to all my CIS friends." -- Steve Hammond 75166,321 "I would like to say that TAPCIS is much more than what you relate in your literature and would also like to add my voice to the many users of CompuServe who also use TAPCIS. Actually, to be honest, I'm not the one who uses TAPCIS. My wife does, too. My wife (Chao-Lin) is Taiwanese and is currently working under contract in Taiwan. It was because of this contract that, after we got married on April 11, 1992, she had to stay in Taiwan while I returned to my job in the States. After a while the regular US postal service got much too slow for us and phone calls were VERY expensive. As an alternative I thought about signing my wife up for CompuServe so that we could exchange electronic mail. I had been a CompuServe subscriber for five or six years and figured it would be a good idea. Her relative inexperience with computers was a bit of a problem. She wasn't completely in the dark computerwise, however, as she had an '286 IBM clone at home that she had been "playing with." Undaunted, I purchased a modem for her and a sign-up kit that included CIM. I installed CIM on a PC at work and ran it through its paces. While using it I discovered a problem. CIM was very difficult for a PC novice (from a foreign country, going through two networks) to use. I had hoped to spare my poor wife the agony of multiple networks, passwords, ID's, commands, etc. I wanted a program that would automate the entire confusing process and give her a chance to concentrate in her letters to me. Then, one day, I was looking through CompuServe Magazine and discovered your advertisement for TAPCIS. I downloaded it, installed it on the PC at work, and started it up. As an experiment I sent letters to two friends and was very happy with it! After registering TAPCIS I sent the package to my wife and walked her through the installation (over the phone!). She also needed to be walked through her first letter, but afterwards needed no help. She's been happily using TAPCIS ever since. Now it's my turn! I've landed a job in Taiwan and will be joining my wife for the next six months. While I'm there I intend to use TAPCIS to keep in touch with my family, business, partner, and friends. Thank you for a wonderful program! -- Michael Wood [71631,340] -- Chao-Lin Wood [71011,2450] "I just purchased TAPCIS 5.4. WHAT A PROGRAM!!!!!! I have been fumbling through Compuserve for three or four years now (spending lots of money online). This program just blows me away!! I don't know how I ever managed without it! I am awed every time I log on now. I understand Compuserve better and can relate in the forums like I was never able to before (mainly because I don't feel rushed now and that what I do send online is sent properly, in the order that it should be!) I want to personally thank you and everyone who reads this message, it's great being online again!" -- John A. Collado [72300,2231] "Too bad I waited so long! If only I had known that TAPCIS was half the product it is, I would have purchased it long ago. Spending hours online reading and composing messages was so very uncomfortable. I always hurried through my replies and did a lousy job with structure, grammar, spelling and content. Now I can think about what I want to say and feel better about my communications. My secretary, kids and spouse all had to take second fiddle when I was ONLINE! Now the important things in life can come first. The first day of using TAPCIS has been more productive than the past two years! Now I can check my Network Profession Forums - all of them, my application program forums - all of them, my avocations, stocks, etc., with literally two pushes of a button, at a fraction of the cost and without any confusion. The setup was FAST and EASY, without the normal support calls needed to get most any application up to snuff. Your product's value is undersold by a great deal. How I lived without TAPCIS I'll never know. Can't say enough - You deserve a medal and a million bucks!" -- Bill Alderson [76645,175] We are often asked, "What about CIM"? This is a sampling of some of the comments users have made about the differences between the two programs: "TAPCIS saves you money...CIM costs you money! CIM is designed to be used interactively. CompuServe charges for every interactive minute you're on. TAPCIS batches your work so you pick the threads you want to read offline and then download the messages. You then read and reply to the messages offline and then log back on to send your replies up. I used to limit myself to 1 hour connect time on CIM but that got to be way too expensive. Now with TAPCIS I am on for 5-10 minutes total a day and I look at 5-15 forums on a regular basis. CIM is good for conferences, CB Sideband and just plain exploring. TAPCIS is "push button" CISing as all the scripts are programmed for you. You just type one letter commands to get things going." -- Adrian Clark [70730,1060] "Simply put, TAPCIS is a WHOLE lot faster than CIM and that translates to saved $. TAPCIS lets you do almost all time consuming activities off line. When you go on line, TAPCIS does its thing light speed then disconnects by itself. It's a great program. I also bought CIM first but when I tried TAPCIS, I gave away CIM." -- Sam Teague [72657,2741] Shareware Trial ----------------------------------------------------------------- We encourage registered users to introduce new users to TAPCIS by providing them with an unregistered copy. Try it out for up to 21 days, and if you decide to continue using it, send your license fee of $79. You'll receive printed documentation and the current version on disk in return. You can register TAPCIS by electronic mail using a MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express number to user ID 74020,10, or by simply answering "Yes" to the registration option when you start the program. The printed documentation and your permanent registration number will be sent by postal mail or UPS. We ship right away, and second day delivery is included in the registration price within the United States and Canada. Outside North America, please include $15 for airmail shipping. Registering the "shareware" version still gives you 90 days from when you register to return the package for a full refund. We're confident that you will find TAPCIS a terrific tool that makes CompuServe access cost-effective and fun!