Legacy Applications

Qmodem Pro

SUMMARY: Tips for using the Qmodem Pro telecommunications software.

Save a Copy of the Scrollback Buffer

If you need a record of your session, you can quickly save the entire contents of your scrollback buffer. Click on the "Edit" menu, select "Scrollback to", and then select "File". On the dialog box that follows, select the desired filename for your record and press "OK". Note that you can also send the scrollback buffer to the clipboard for pasting in another program, to the printer so you have a hardcopy recording of your session, and more.

Qmodem Easter Egg

An 'Easter egg' is a hidden screen, usually near the about box, which displays some 'hidden' information or displays a graphic.

Qmodem Pro V2.0 for Windows has such an 'Easter egg,' and can be accessed by doing the following:

1.Click on the "Help menu.
2.Choose "About Qmodem Pro"
3.Hold down your ALT key, then press any letter, and then press the 'I' key. This will display what Qmodem Pro thinks of another popular telecommunications program (G).
4.Hold down your ALT key again, press any letter, and then press the 'I' key. The credits and an animated character will appear.

NOTE that there may be other ways to access this screen, and there may be a simpler way. This was simply found by experimentation.

Gain Some Screen Real Estate

Are you accessing a terminal session and needing some extra room on the screen to display text or graphics? If so, you can turn off the display of the Toolbar, Macro Bar, and/or Status Bar. Just click on the "View" menu and uncheck the bars that you do not wish to see. Turning off all of the bars may give you quite a bit more room.

Dial From the Desktop

Like the HyperTerminal communications program that comes with Win95, QMPRO supports the ability to drag phonebook entries to the desktop. If you would like to place a link to a phonebook entry to dial (or TELNET to), simply click on an entry from Qmodem Pro's phonebook, keep the mouse button down and drag it to the desktop, and release. Double-clicking the icon will launch Qmodem Pro (if it is not already loaded) and dial the entry. You can right-click on the icon and choose properties to change the shortcut's name and icon just like you can with about any other file.

You're Not Limited to the Standard Toolbar

With Qmodem Pro V2.0, you are not limited to the standard toolbar. You can customize the toolbar to show or hide the buttons that you desire. To do so, click on the "Tools" menu, select "Customize", then "Toolbar". On the "Customize Toolbar" dialog box that follows, you can add buttons from the "Available Buttons" to the "Toolbar Buttons", or you can remove buttons from the "Toolbar Buttons" that you don't want to see. Press "OK" when done.

Drag and Drop Uploading

The software package Qmodem Pro for Windows 95 allows drag & drop uploading. Just simply drag and drop files to the main terminal window, and you will have the option of transferring the files (if they are text, you may wish to transfer files this way), or uploading the files (mainly for binaries). Please note that, at least for version 1.5, uploading shortcuts to files merely upload the .LNK files that make up the shortcuts, and not the actual file itself. If this becomes a problem, remember that you can find the target of any shortcut by right-clicking on the shortcut, choosing "Properties," clicking on the "Shortcut" tab, and clicking on "Find Target." Now, you have the file which you can drag & upload with ease.

Don't Redial Forever

Busy signals, crashed computers, and power outages are just a few of the things that can get in the way between you and a remote connection. If you are trying to connect to a remote PC, especially if it requires a long distance call, you may not want Qmodem Pro to redial forever. To limit the number of redials, open up your phonebook. Right-click on your desired entry to change and choose "Properties." On the multi-tabbed dialog box that appears, choose the "Options" tab. Now, next to "Dial retries," enter the maximum number of retries you wish Qmodem Pro to attempt.

Who Did You Call Last

Access a lot of TELNET sites are wonder which one you went to last? You can arrange your phonebook entries by the date of the last call. Just open up your phonebook directory and choose the "View" menu, selecting "Arrange Icons" and then "By Lastcall."

Use Wallpaper

Windows has desktop wallpaper - why not give your communications program the same options?

Click on the "Tools" menu, selecting "Options." On the multi-tabbed dialog box that appears, select the "Desktop" tab. Now, you can disable/enable wallpaper, tile or center your wallpaper, or just use a simple pattern for your terminal program.

Send Hayes Commands to Your Modem

If you need to send Hayes commands ("ath", etc.) directly to your modem, click on the "Connection" menu, selecting "Direct Connection." A dialog box will then appear. Select your modem's COM port, baud rate, etc. and press "OK." If all goes well, you will have established a direct connection with your modem and you can start sending Hayes commands.

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