@database "Manual.guide"

@node main "Index"
@next "Introduction"

R-WeFAX 

User Manual


1 - @{" Introduction " link "Introduction"}

2 - @{" Requirements " link "Requirements"}

3 - @{" Setting serial " link "Setting serial"}

4 - @{" Installing on Hard Disk " link "Installing"}

5 - @{" Getting started " link "Getting started"}

6 - @{" Using program " link "Using program"}

7 - @{" Technical notes " link "Technical Notes"}

8 - @{" Future improvements " link "Future improvements"}
@endnode

@node "Introduction"
@prev Main
@next "Requirements"

1 - Introduction.

Many weather fax programs permit us to receive only a little copy 
of the whole weather map. This is due to video limits. Using our   
Amiga we can override this problem using a 'offscreen bitmap': 
after receiving we can have a real time scrolling over the map.
@endnode

@node "Requirements"

2 - Requirements.

To work this program requires a Commodore-Amiga computer with:

	a) OS 2.0 or higher
	b) at least 1 MB of chip ram.
@endnode

@node "Setting serial"

3 - Setting serial.

From serial preferences we must set default state. Our TNC needs 
to be with ABAUD at 9600 baud. 
@endnode

@node "Installing"

4 - Installing on Hard Disk.

In order to install this software on your hard disk you must drag 
R-WeFAX directory on desired directory. 
@endnode

@node "Getting started"

5 - Getting Started.

To start program you must double-click on its icon. Wait a few 
seconds to let program see if you have a TNC connected on 
serial port. Remember that when you start program TNC must be 
already turned on. If all is OK you should see the main 
requester. You must have on boot disk the following files: 
LIBS/asl.library and DEVS:serial.device.
@endnode

@node "Using Program"

6 - Using Program.

When you are inside the program you must search a WeFAX station. 
In order to listen to correctly a weather fax station refer to 
TNC manual. Click on Receive gadget. Now you are receiving. If 
you want abort receive operation you must click on Stop gadget. 
While you are receiving program show you a preview of the map. 
When receiving is completed or we have aborted operation we see a 
part of map in full size. To see other parts of map we click on 
Move gadget and will appear a request that permit us to move over 
whole map. Click on Done to come back at main requester.

When you are back on main requester you can do many things. You 
can clear the page if you wand discard actual content of memory, 
you can save and print the whole map or part of this. You can 
receive again on previous map. If you want you can change 
palette: when the program save a map store the first two color 
also. If you start receive map and you are no synchronized you 
can realign map with the Adjust requester. Part of map that exit 
from the left of screen come back on the right side (and vice 
versa). To see all map you must use Show All gadget. Wait a few 
seconds and you can see a little copy of the whole map. 
@endnode

@node "Technical notes"

7 - Technical notes.

Warning!. This program run on a multitasking system. If you have 
a busy system you will have an overflow error from serial port, 
especially on a slow machine such as a Amiga 600 or a 68000 
based: moving mouse also can cause it!. If you have a 68020+ 
(like Amiga 1200) you work in a safe mode. If an overflow error 
occur program resets serial device and stop automatically 
receiving. 

When you save a whole map, file will be 8 pixel larger than 
original map (1808 pixel). This is NOT a bug!!. This is due to 
row word alignment. 

When you print a map you obtain every a page of 5 inch for 5 
inch. If you don't like this you can use a printing utility after 
saving map. However for other parameter, like density and 
smoothing this program uses the preferences settings. 
@endnode

@node "Future improvements"

8 - Future improvements.

This program was designed keep in mind two goals: powerful and 
simplicity. This program let you to receive the whole map in its 
native resolution (yes, 1800 x 1800 points). All works under 
mouse control. The only time you must use the keyboard is when 
you insert the filename to save the map.  However there is not 
the perfect program. Many features can be added to this program, 
like AREXX interface or automatic receiving.

If you have bug reports or some ideas....
@endnode