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There are some frequently asked questions about the ts-programs
available from chyde.uwasa.fi, by anonymous ftp, from the /pc/ts
directory here at the University of Vaasa, Finland, site
128.214.12.3.  Below you will find some of them prerecorded with
answers.  Please notice that the questions / answers are not in any
logical order.  The order has more or less been dictated by the
arriving questions.  And, there is overlapping.  Also please note
that although these questions and answers concern the /pc/ts
directory, much of the information is directly applicable to the
other directories at our site. 

Please note the provisions of using the ts-programs.  You are free
to use them for your personal, private purposes, and you are free
and encouraged to upload them to bulletin boards.  But if you use
the programs, say, at a university or a business enterprise then you
must consider the programs shareware and you should contact me for
the terms of a personal or a site license. 

...................................................................
Prof. Timo Salmi        (Moderating at anon. ftp site 128.214.12.3)
School of Business Studies, University of Vaasa, SF-65101, Finland
Internet: ts@chyde.uwasa.fi Funet: gado::salmi Bitnet: salmi@finfun
...................................................................

1. *****
 Q: I do not understand this getting files with anonymous ftp.  What
does it mean?

 A: Ftp stands for file transfer program, which is a standard
feature in many mainframe Unix and VAX/VMS systems.  It also means
that you must have a network connection to reach University of
Vaasa.  Please contact your computer's system manager for more
information on the connection.  When this is ok, just follow the
instructions in the Appendix at the end of this prerecorded message. 

2. *****
 Q: I have no ftp access to your system.  Would you please send your
programs to me by email. 

 A: Sorry.  The reply to this frequent query is a definite no. 
There is so much demand for ts-progs (I am pleased to say) that
providing this kind of service would simply get out of hand.  The
programs have, however, reached quite a number of mainframe sites
and BBSes, so you just have go looking for them.  If you have a
modem, you can get the files by calling directly, for example, Micro
Maniacs Opus, phone 358-0-425966.  For more on FidoNet access of the
files please see a later Q&A item. 
   Also notice that if you do not have the ftp capability, but do
have an access to UseNet news, some of these programs have appeared
in comp.binaries.ibm.pc newsgroup as binary postings. 
   Or, if you know a SysOp of a bulletin board, who has the ftp
capability, ask him/her to download the files to his/her BBS and
then get the packages from there.
   There is one drastic alternative for getting the programs sent to
you by ordinary mail on disks.  These programs may be used and
distributed freely for private, non-commercial, non-institutional
purposes.  For other purposes they must be registered.  This leaves
you the option of obtaining the programs by registering them.  In
that case each package is delivered on a 3.5" 720K diskette, but
then you would have to pay around $25-$35 for each individual
package in advance for a personal registration. 

3. *****
 Q: Why make announcements of your and other programs in the
comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d newsgroup when many users do not have the ftp
capability?

 A: Look at it this way.  I know this is a problem.  In fact I had
an interesting and lengthy email discussion with one user about this
dilemma.  Let me put forward my own view about c.b.i.p.d.  I feel
that the primary purpose of a group like this is (or should be) to
disseminate and exchange useful information about PC programs.  A
secondary purpose is to exchange information about getting files. 
In getting the files there are four major alternatives, that is
postings in the binaries, ftp, emailing between users, and BBSes. 
What this amounts to is that even if you do not have the ftp
capability, the information may give you usefuls hints what programs
to look for via the many alternative methods of getting the files. 

4. *****
 Q: I am interested in the sources of some of your programs (or
particular procedures in them).  Would it be possible to get them?

 A: Sorry.  Also here the answer has to be negative.  I never reveal
my sources :-)

5. *****
 Q: Some of your programs refuse to work on my PC.  They do nothing
or just confuse the screen. 

 A: Not surprising.  The ts-programs are (mostly) Turbo Pascal 5.0
programs written for true compatibles.  In particular, the programs
which use advanced screen writes (inverted colors, windowing, etc)
and the so called interrupts (direct access to PC's internal
services) require a truly compatible PC.  Most frequently the
problem is in the user's non-standard video adapter hardware.  A
proper CGA, EGA or VGA personal computer should have no problems,
but a monochrome might.  (Monochrome PCs often are older and
non-compatible anyway.) The thing to do is to try out the offending
program on a truly compatible machine.  If it does not work even
then, I would be very interested in a description of the problem so
that I could try to look into it. 

6. *****
 Q: I have the ftp (file transfer program) capability and a network
access that includes your 128.214.12.3 site.  But how do I transfer
the files?  What are the commands?

 A: The information and examples in the appendix (see below) should
enable you to get the files. 

7. *****
 Q: I have received your programs but the package is corrupt.  When
I try to unpak them with my unpacking program (pkxarc, pkunpak, arc,
pkunzip, etc.) the unpacking fails or produces files that lock my
PC. 

A: This is almost always due to the failing to transfer the files
correctly from your mainframe to your PC. Please see the latter part
of the appendix for more information.

8. *****
 Q: What are the rules for using your programs.  Are they freeware,
shareware, or what?

 A1: Some, albeit very few users have been considerate enough to ask
this question.  The answer is contained in the .inf document files
of the programs and the it is the following.  You are free to use
and distribute my programs as long they are used for private
purposes only.  For ANY other purpose (including using at work in
business enterprises, university teaching, and government offices)
please contact me for a registration.  A few of the packages (TSLIN
linear programming, TSxST statistics packages, and TSPELL spelling
checker) are scaled-down versions.  To obtain a full-scale version
you will have to register. 

 A2: If and when you distribute my programs as acceptable under A1,
I would REALLY appreciate it if you distributed the original
packages unchanged (repacking with a different packing method is
quite ok, though).  Please do not distribute *separately* any of the
programs or files in the packages.  Give out a whole package, or
nothing, if you please. 

 A3: As I do not place any fee on the non-registered versions of my
programs, I would very much appreciate it if you would reciprocate
by doing me the favor of uploading my program(s) to at least one
bulletin board which does not have them, or has old versions. 

9. *****
 Q: The lines to Europe are not always available.  Does any site in
the U.S.  have your collection. 

 A: Yes, thanks to Keith Petersen.  Simtel20 (site 26.2.0.74) has
practically all my programs, and Keith has kindly been getting the
most current versions as soon as they have come out.  There might be
other sites, but this I know of. 

10. *****
 Q: I would like to get your files from Simtel20.  Send me a list
telling in which directories your files are in Simtel20. 

 A1: I am very often asked this (and other) information about
Simtel20.  I like to cooperate with Simtel20, but nevertheless this
is really something you should find out from Simtel20, not me.  Here
is an edited extract from Simtel20, which you might find of
interest:
   The index of SIMTEL20 MSDOS files, with descriptions, is
PD1:<MSDOS.FILEDOCS>SIMIBM.IDX.  An archived version of the same
file is in PD1:<MSDOS.FILEDOCS>SIMIBM.ARC.  Messages about system
problems, FTP problems, and network problems should be directed to
ACTION@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL.  Messages about files in the MSDOS
collection should be directed to w8sdz@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL. 

A2: The files at Simtel20 are available from a US bulletin board. 
Please see Simtel20 announcements or ask Simtel20 for the details. 

11. ***** 
 Q: Do you have a guest user-id? I cannot ftp, but I can reach your
site through the net.  I type anonymous at the login: and then try
to give my email address at the Password:.  I am not let in, but get
a "Login incorrect" message instead. 

 A: We do not accept guest users.  This means that what you tried,
is not allowed at our site.  The only way you can get connected to
our system is using the true ftp system, which is described in the
appendix. 

12. ***** 
 Q: I have noticed that you have updated your packages very often. 
Is there any possibility of getting the update announcements mailed
directly to me. 

 A: Yes, in fact I do have a private mailing list for update
announcements (even if I cannot accept any requests for mailing the
actual packages).  Especially if you are a SysOp of a BBS or a
maintainer of an ftp site, you are welcome to send me a request for
including you on my announcements mailing list. 

13.  ***** 
 Q: I now have your files, but they have this .arc extension and
they won't run then I write their name at my DOS prompt. 

 A: Please do not be offended, but this seems a problem of a
complete novice PC user.  The files are packed (also called
archived) entities.  This is a special format of compressing files
and packing several files together.  This really is standard
knowledge for PC users, and if you are not familiar with the system,
just ask a knowledgeable fellow user.  As to my files, as well as
most .arc files, you can handle the with programs called ARC,
PKXARC, or PKUNPAK, and even some others.  Incidentally, all the
major (un)packing programs are available from the /pc/pd2 directory. 

14. ***** 
 Q: Please, tell me how to get your files sent to me using
file-servers. 

 A: I know very little about file servers, and I cannot answer
questions concerning them.  I know that we do not have a fileserver
or any other system at our site that would email the files upon
request.  I also know that Simtel20, who have my files, can be sent
file requests.  The following edited extracts should give some
direction. 
   "WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL can be accessed using LISTSERV commands
from BITNET via LISTSERV@NDSUVM1, LISTSERV@RPIECS, LISTSERV@FINTUVM
and in Europe from EARN TRICKLE servers.  Send commands to
TRICKLE@<host-name> (example: TRICKLE@TREARN).  The following
TRICKLE servers are presently available: AWIWUW11 (Austria),
BANUFS11 (Belgium), DKTC11 (Denmark), DB0FUB11 (Germany), IMIPOLI
(Italy), EB0UB011 (Spain) and TREARN (Turkey). 
   Messages about problems with BITNET or EARN file servers should
be directed to the system administrator at the server location. 
SIMTEL20 does NOT run these servers. 
   I (Keith Petersen) have frequently posted instructions on how to
get files from SIMTEL20 via listserv@vm1.nodak.edu.  You can get a
file by sending an email message to:
    listserv@vm1.nodak.edu
In the body of the message say, for example, this:
    /PDGET MAIL PD1:<MSDOS.GRAPHICS>VGAIMG12.ARC UUENCODE
Do not include a signature because it confuses the server."

15. *****
 Q: I have made some programs myself which I think might be of
general interest.  Would it be possible to upload them to your
system. 

 A: Yes, we are certainly interested in all quality programs.  (A
proper documentation is one of the prerequisites).  Please contact
Harri Valkama hv@chyde.uwasa.fi for more information. 
 
16. *****
 Q: Is there a description of the programs? I would like to have
some information on the files before I start transferring them. 

 A: Yes, certainly.  This approach is even recommended.  There is a
file called 0dir-ts which has a general description of the files. 
Then there is the 0news-ts file which has news on updates and such
information.  Finally there is a tsarcxxx.txt (where xxx stands for
a changing version number).  It contains more detailed information
on the contents of each of the packages. 

17. *****
 Q: Can your files be accessed through FidoNet?

 A: Yes, I usually upload my updates also to Micro Maniacs Opus
2:515/1 run by Ron Dwight.  You may call in as an ordinary user and
download.  Or if you have the knowhow you can use the file request
system.  I am not familiar with the file request system myself, but
the following might be of use for those of you who know FidoNet
tricks better than I do.  Please note that the versions of my
programs at Micro Maniacs Opus might occasionally not be quite as
uptodate as at chyde.uwasa.fi. 
   This is the prerecorded standard advice from my friendly SysOp
Ron Dwight for file requesting the PD programs of Timo Salmi from
2:515/1 (Micro Maniacs Opus in Finland, tel 358-0-425966).  Because
Ron is using SEAdog the you must make a BARK type of request. 
SEAdog or DUTCHIE can handle this.  If the you have neither of these
programs then you can download BARKREQ.* e.g.  from 2:515/1.  Do not
make the request during seventy minutes BEFORE International mail
hour as well as 120 minutes AFTER International mail hour.  You can
use the magic file name TSALMI for the Timo Salmi files. 

18. *****
 Q: I am interested in the file about the shortwave radio broadcasts
from the Nordic countries.  However, I now notice that you don't
have ascii versions of this file, and I, being a Sun user, and
occasionally a Mac user, don't have an easy access to an un-arcing
facility.  Any suggestions?

 A: There is a solution to your problem.  Un-arcing utilities
certainly exist for Unix systems, Sun included.  There is a Unix arc
utility (which would be relevant for your problem), a Unix unzip
utility, and a Unix zoo.  You will find Unix utilities in the
/unix/ts/ and /pc/source directory.  The name of the arc utility (at
the time of writing this) is arc.tar.Z.  You will have to process it
to make the Unix arc utility operative.  Please see /unix/ts/0news-u
for more details. 
   As for Mac.  Personally I am not a Mac user at all, but I have
been told that zoo and unzip (but not arc?) are readily available
for Macs.  But since this is really beyond me, please contact our
Mac moderator in Mac matters. 

19. *****
 Q: I sent you a message a couple of weeks ago.  Did you receive it?
Why don't you reply?

 A: I try to reply to all queries I have received.  But getting the
reply to you successfully is not always technically possible.  The
reason for this is, that the reply address which the mail program
gives, is sometimes not adequate.  My reply bounces back to me as a
consequence.  Therefore you should include your InterNet and/or
BitNet address in your message.  Using proper signatures in email is
customary, anyway.  This does not guarantee a successful reply, but
it definitely increases the possibility of getting an eventual
reply. 

20. *****
 Q: Are there any other PC programs at chyde.uwasa.fi than the
ts-programs?

 A: Definitely.  There is a great number of public domain and
shareware PC programs at this site.  Get files /pc/0contents and
/pc/pd2/0dir-pd2 for the lists of the files in directories other
than /pc/ts. 

21. *****
 Q: I would like to ask you some personal questions and/or know more
about Finland and Vaasa.  What is your field?  How come you are
interested in programming, and so on?

 A: It is very nice of you to ask.  I hope that you understand that
for practical reasons it is difficult for me reply individually to
these questions.  Instead, I have to refer you to some of the
material available in the /pc/ts/ directory.  The file vaasa.inf,
which is included in most of the packages, and also available
separately, will give you information about Finland, Vaasa, and the
University of Vaasa.  And the gif pictures euro01e.gif and
euro01v.gif will show you where Vaasa is located.  As for my own
background, please see tsfcom.inf which is part of the TSFCOMxx.ARC
package.  I have also put in writing some of my thoughts on
programming in tsgmeb.inf in the TSGMEBxx.ARC package. 


*****
APPENDIX: 
Obtaining the PD Programs by Timo Salmi via InterNet
====================================================

   You can obtain the file(s) from chyde.uwasa.fi (128.214.12.3)
using the InterNet ftp (file transfer program) with username
"anonymous".  For a login password use your electronic mail address. 
If you are using ftp from a VAX/VMS system, set case lower before
proceeding. 
   The files are in directory /pc/ts.  At the ftp> prompt first type
binary (for binary files).  To go to the relevant directory apply cd
/pc/ts.  To see its contents apply ls or dir.  To download a file,
use get filename or mget filenames.  The files have been packed with
PKPAK so you will need PKUNPAK from PKWARE to unpack them in your
PC. 
   The following contains the same information by giving the
commands needed for transferring vaasa.inf (contains text on
Finland, Vaasa, and University of Vaasa) and tspfon29.arc as an
example.  In the example its is assumed that you are calling from a
Unix system.  The usage for a VAX/VMS system is quite similar. 
   It is recommended that you first get the files 0dir-ts and
tsarc059.txt (or whatever version is the latest) for more
information. 

ftp                   #Invoke the file transfer program
open 128.214.12.3     #Connect to chyde.uwasa.fi at the University
                      #of Vaasa
anonymous             #Use this name to get temporary privileges
Give your email address as your password
cd /pc/ts             #Go to the relevant directory
dir                   #Directory of available files
ascii                 #vaasa.inf is an ordinary text file
get vaasa.inf         #Copy the file to your default directory
binary                #tspfon29.arc is a binary file
mget tspfon*.arc      #mget allows wildcards
close                 #Terminate the connection
quit                  #Quit the file transfer program
 
Transferring the Programs to PC
===============================

   After you have received the files to your host, there still
remains the task of transferring the programs to your PC.  This is
familiar to most users, but occasionally there are problems.  It
impossible to give advice that would cover resolving all the
difficulties, but the most common can be described.  The most usual
file transfer method between the host and the user's PC is MsKermit.
(Z-modem and others may be used as well, but I would guess that most
often persons using these alternatives are advanced users, and can
resolve any problems by themselves.)
   The most common problem is probably that after getting a packed
file to one's PC, the file appears damaged.  Almost always this is
due to failing to set correctly the MsKermit parameters in BOTH ends
of the transfer.  What you have to do is in your host MsKermit to
set file type binary, set parity even (or none or whatever), and in
your PC MsKermit you must have the SAME parity you set for your host
(select host MsKermit parity on the basis of your PC's).  If you
fail to get these compatible, the transfer will not result in what
you want. Transferring text files does not lead to problems so
often.  The trick is set file type text (or ascii depending on your
MsKermit version).
   Finally, if nothing else, absolutely nothing else(!), seems to
resolve the problem, please let me know, and I will check that the
file at our site is good and proper.
 
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