LEGAL STUFF:

The Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission makes no express or implied warantee
as to the correct operation of this software.  The Commission assumes no
responsibility for any damage, including loss of data, arising from the use of
this software.

(Obviously, we believe this software works, just don't sue us if it doesn't.)

FEATURES:

	- automated dial-out and login
	- telephone numbers, user IDs and passwords are kept confidential
	- users are individually authorized for the various external facilities
	- menu is customized for each user, showing only those facilities which
	  the user is authorized to access
	- a record is kept of all use of EXTERNAL
	- a transcript of each online session is created in the user's
	  directory
	- supports dissimilar modem types
	- as fast as SET HOST/DTE up to 4800 baud; almost as fast at 9600 baud

NON-FEATURES:

	- no upload capability
	- download is limited to a straight ASCII capture of the entire online
	  session

REQUIRED FILES:

	CHKRDB.BAS		module to check rights database
	EXTERNAL.BAS		main program module
	EXTERNAL.COM		runs EXTERNAL
	EXTERNAL.DOC		documentation file
	EXTERNAL.EXE		executable image
	EXT_COMMON.BAS		common blocks for all modules
	EXT_COMPILE.COM		compiles and links EXTERNAL from sources
	EXT_CONNECT_LOOP.BAS	module to perform keyboard-to-modem transfer
	EXT_MENU.BAS		module to perform menu selection
	EXT_PROC_BUF_AST.BAS	module to process incoming text buffer
	EXT_READ_PORT_AST.BAS	module to read a buffer from modem
	EXT_SCREEN_HDR.BAS	module to display screen header
	EXT_SCRIPT_INTERP.BAS	module to interpret script language
	EXT_UNSOL_MBX_AST.BAS	module to handle unsolicited input from modem
	EXT_WRITE_TERM_AST.BAS	module to display incoming text on terminal

OPTIONAL EXAMPLE FILES:

	ARIS.SCR		script to dial DEC Professional ARIS
	DF112.CSCR		connect script for DEC DF-112 modem
	DF112.DSCR		disconnect "    "   "    "     "
	DIALOG.SCR		script to dial DIALOG
        HAYES.CSCR              connect script for Hayes modem 
        HAYES.DSCR              disconnect "    "    "     "   
	MENU.DAT		sample menu file
	PORTS.DAT		sample ports file
        RIXON.CSCR              connect script for Rixon R212A modem 
        RIXON.DSCR              disconnect "    "    "     "     "
        SPORTSTER.CSCR          connect script for USRobotics Sportster1200 
        SPORTSTER.DSCR          disconnect "    "       "         "
	TEST.SCR		dummy script to connect directly to modem

BUILDING EXTERNAL

	- to build EXTERNAL.COM, ensure that all .BAS files are in the default
	  directory, then execute EXT_COMPILE.COM
	- EXTERNAL should be installed with ALTPRI and SYSPRV privileges
	- device and directory names in EXTERNAL.COM should be changed as
	  required for your environment
	- put script files in a directory to which users do not have read
	  access if you wish to keep passwords, etc. confidential: EXTERNAL can
	  still read the scripts because of its SYSPRV privilege
	- read EXTERNAL.DOC, particularly the sections on Script Language, 
	  Adding Ports and Modems, and Adding New Facilities
	- set up PORTS.DAT with your modem configuration (the PORTS.DAT file
	  included in this distribution is an example only)
	- write scripts for whatever facilities you wish to use, and add the
	  facility names to the MENU.DAT file (the MENU.DAT file included in 
	  this distribution is an example only)

RUNNING EXTERNAL

	- define a symbol EXTERNAL:
		EXT*ERNAL := "@device:[directory]EXTERNAL.COM"
	- runs under VMS V4.6 and V4.7
	- should run OK under V5.0 if relinked; this has not yet been tested

CONTACT

	Send suggestions or bug fixes to:

	Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission
	attention: Keith Walker
	#1900 - 250 - 6th Avenue, S.W.
	Calgary, Alberta,
	T2P 3H7  CANADA

	(403) 297 - 5405