rtm - program description · uniwise information corporation - 5 - buttons 4, 5 and 6 buttons 4, 5...

Uniwise Information Corporation

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RTM - Program Description Overview Real Time Messenger (RTM) is a PC software package developed by E. C. Datacom Limited in conjunction with EasyLink Services Corporation. RTM runs under Microsoft Windows Operating System. RTM operates with compatible messaging systems and telex exchanges that are exclusively operated by Telecom Administrations or Licensed Carriers throughout the world. In addition to being fully compliant with traditional telex equipment, RTM users are able to communicate with one another at high data transfer rates while at the same time retaining those valued attributes of security and legality that are inherent with telex working. RTM supports:

· ‘On-line’ inbound and outbound telex connections with remote parties.

· Dedicated telex numbers and answerbacks that reside on the host exchange.

· Advanced store & forward messaging to telex, other RTM users and fax receivers. RTM users may access the host exchange via one of three methods:

· The Internet.

· Dial-up telephone lines.

· Dedicated leased circuits. Functions Basic RTM functions include:

· Automatic file archive of all telex sessions.

· Access security using user-defined passwords.

· Message editing with the ability to import text files.

· End-to-end real time telex conversation and transfer of message files.

· Single or multi-address store & forward messaging to telex and/or fax.

· Manual or automatic print out of inbound and outbound telex sessions.

· Advanced encryption of the data passing between RTM and the host exchange.


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Other RTM functions include:

· Automatic exchange access scheduler.

· Reselection of previously dialled telex numbers.

· Address book for frequently called telex numbers.

· Number selection by names (descriptive mini-codes).

· On-line receipt or mailbox storage/retrieval of inbound messages.

· User-defined text strings for the translation of ‘non-telex’ characters.


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Program Layout

Main Menu Bar presents options of: File, Edit, Tools, Configuration and Help. Some of the options in File and all of the options contained in Tools and Configuration are unique to RTM and these are separately described under their own topics. Tools provides an alternative means to access the first 7 buttons contained in Main Tool Bar. Edit and Help are standard Windows features. The panel immediately beneath Main Menu Bar contains Selection Box and Status Text. Selection Box is used to enter the number to which a call will be made and the down-arrow located to the right of Selection Box can be used to scroll through previously called numbers for re-selection. Status Text indicates the current state of the program. The above example shows an ‘idle’ condition where the RTM user is not connected to the exchange. Main Tool Bar contains 8 control buttons and two icons in the idle condition.


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Button 1

Button 1 indicates Connect in the idle condition and changes to Log Out when the user is linked to the host exchange. One of two sets of the blue or green icons shown above will be displayed depending on whether ‘direct connection/dial-up’ or ‘Internet’ access to the exchange has been set in Configuration. Connect is clicked to access the host exchange in order to make real time calls or to check the user’s mailbox that resides on the host exchange. Connect is also used to send the queue of prepared store & forward messages and/or to pick up confirmations (store & forward message status reports). Users must be connected to the host exchange if they wish to change their access password.

Button 2

Button 2 indicates Select in the idle condition and when clicked, a real time call to the number shown in Selection Box will be attempted. Once end-to-end connection has been established, the button will toggle from Select to Clear. Connections can be cleared at any time by pressing this button, even during message transmission.

Button 3

Button 3 indicates Send in the idle condition and is activated after the called party’s answerback is received at which point the colour changes from ‘grey’ to ‘white’. If Send is then clicked, the content of Editor will be transmitted to the called party. When message transmission is in progress, Send changes to AutoClear. If AutoClear has been set in Configuration, RTM will exchange answerbacks at the end of transmission, clear the call and disconnect from the exchange. The setting of AutoClear can be changed during the transmission of Editor contents by clicking on the button.


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Buttons 4, 5 and 6

Buttons 4, 5 and 6 represent the standard telex signals of WRU (who are you), Here Is (RTM user’s answerback) and Bell. These buttons are enabled once end-to-end connection is established.

Button 7

Button 7 to send out your draft message and clear end-to-end connection automatically.

Button 8

Button 8 provides access to Folders with its range of self-explanatory message sub-directories; when a mailbox message has been received from the exchange, the Folders icon changes to In Box.

Encryption and Code Icons

To the right of the Folders button are two icons showing encryption and data code status.

Indicates that encryption is on.

Indicates that encryption is off. Encryption can be toggled on and off from TCP/IP sub-menu under Configuration but the setting can only be altered when RTM is disconnected from the exchange. There are three possible data code indicator icons:

Is the code indicator in the 'idle’ condition.

Indicates a 5 data bit code (baudot) 50 baud connection with a telex receiver.

Indicates an 8 data bit code (ascii) connection with another RTM user. Below Main Tool Bar are Editor, Real Time and Store & Forward buttons that allow the working area to be switched between these three functions. Message Editor Is used to create messages and is described in Message Preparation.

Real Time Displays the data sent to and from the exchange plus call status information.

Store & Forward It has own sub-menu and is described in Store & Forward Messaging.


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Message Preparation Message text can be created and changed in Editor from the keyboard. Files can also be imported into Editor using File - Open from Main Menu. It important to note that because only text files (*.txt) are compatible with RTM, files prepared by word processors should first be saved in plain text format. Files intended to be used as templates can be saved in any directory but the recommended location is in Draft sub directory, which can be accessed from Folders. In addition to ‘standard’ functions, Editor has three specialised telex-related features.

· Automatic Character Converter option in Configuration converts non-telex characters into text strings of the user’s choice. For example, ‘&’ might be converted into ‘AND’.

· Characters in an imported file that are not compatible with the telex character set and which

have not been converted in text strings are shown in red for deletion or alteration.

· Editor screen contains 69 columns in compliance with international telex and will word wrap if this figure is exceeded.

Text prepared in Editor can be used in a real-time session or in a store & forward message. When the work area is assigned to Editor, a popup menu can be called with right mouse click and standard keyboard shortcuts are also enabled.


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Making Real Time Calls There are four methods making a telex call when an RTM is connected to the host exchange:

1. A number can be typed into Selection Box before keying ‘return’ or clicking Select.

2. A previously used number can be copied into Selection Box by using the scroll arrow located to

the right of the Selection Box prior to clicking Select.

3. Numbers can be used directly from Address Book screen in Configuration by clicking Call.

4. Names that are configured in Address Book can also be entered directly in Selection Box.

The number will then automatically appear and a call attempted by clicking Select. A ‘Bill Back’ code of up to 21 characters can be attached to numbers entered in Selection Box or entries made in Address Book following a colon separator - 05462150:SALES, for example. Codes will appear under the ‘Bill Back’ column in sub-directory Real Time - Reports, which resides in Folders and is typically used for ‘cost center’ or other administrative functions. When an outbound call has been initiated, Status Text will report the progress of the call. Once a connection has been established Send, WRU, Here Is and Bell buttons are enabled and the Select button toggles to Clear. When a call is completed, it can be cleared by clicking Clear button, which then reverts to Select. Another call can then be made without disconnecting from the host exchange.

When making a call to another RTM user who is not ‘on-line’, the exchange displays the ‘mail icon’ in Main Tool Bar panel. Any data that is then sent will be stored in the recipients mailbox for subsequent transfer when the other RTM user next connects with the exchange.


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Keyboard Conversation and Sending Editor Content Once a connection has been established, bi-directional keyboard conversation is enabled. Either the 5-bit telex code (Baudot) or 8-bit (ASCII) characters will be used, depending on whether the connection has been made to traditional telex equipment or with another RTM user. When connected with traditional telex equipment and if automatic conversion for non-telex characters is enabled in Configuration, then non-telex characters are replaced by user-defined character strings. If automatic conversion is disabled or no conversions have been set for a particular character, then the three telex characters that may have alternative meanings in different countries, (‘@’ ‘#’ and ‘%’), will be transmitted “as is”, and non telex characters will not be sent at all. When a user presses <Enter>, RTM sends CR and then LF to the remote machine. It is also possible to only CR by pressing the CTRL and M keys at the same time, or LF using CTRL and J. Clicking Send button will commence transmission of the data previously prepared in Editor window at which point it will change to AutoClear. If AutoClear has been enabled, answerbacks will automatically be exchanged at the end of data transfer and the call cleared. If RTM is placed in background during file transfer in order for the PC to be used for other purposes, it is recommended that AutoClear is set on to avoid incurring unnecessary costs. Automatic Message Transfer is available from File in Main Menu and is a further method to send the contents of Editor to the number placed in Selection Box. If Automatic Message Transfer is chosen, RTM accesses the exchange, establishes connection with the specified receiver, sends the message, clears the connection and disconnects from the exchange. During manual or automatic message transfer, text will be displayed in Real Time window and a graphic presentation of the sent/unsent proportions of the data will appear in Main Tool Bar. Once message transmission is completed, the session will be stored in Sent sub-directory. If Automatic Print has been enabled in Configuration, the content of Real Time window will be printed at end of the session.

Characters typed into Real Time window during a connection are immediately sent to the called party but Online Editor window allows a user to enter and edit text during a connection and send it by clicking Send or with the <Enter> key. The new-line combination of CR and LF can be inserted into Online Editor window by simultaneously pressing <Ctrl> and <Enter> keys. When the work area is assigned to Real Time or Online Editor a popup menu can be called with right mouse click and standard keyboard shortcuts are also enabled. Real Time window displays sent text in blue regular, received text in red italic and system data in green bold. This presentation allows for identification of the type of data in colour or black/white print.


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Receiving Messages Each copy of RTM software contains its own unique telex number and answerback that cannot be modified as a user security measure. The same number and answerback are configured on the host exchange for the receipt of inbound messages. An incoming call to the telex number of an RTM user who is currently ‘on-line’ with the exchange will be switched through and a normal ‘conversational’ session established. In the case where a RTM user employs telephone ‘dial-up’ access, the exchange will attempt to establish a connection with the user should an incoming call be received. If a user is not available to accept an incoming call, the exchange will respond to the sender with the user’s answerback and place the received data in a telex mailbox for subsequent retrieval. The reception of messages does not require any specific action on the part of the user although an alert will be ‘posted’, even if RTM is running in background. Inbound calls are stored in sub-directory Real Time - Received (see Folders). If Automatic Print has been enabled in Configuration, the contents of Real Time window will be printed at the end of the session. Real Time window displays sent text in blue regular, received text in red italic and system data in green bold. This presentation allows for identification of the type of data in colour or black/white print.


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Store and Forward Messaging When Store & Forward is selected, a 9-button sub-menu is displayed together with destination lines.

Add will load a SNF Destination List Entry screen in which the user can enter new destination address details and complete the entry by clicking OK.

Names that have been configured in Address Book can be entered and the details associated with a selected Name will be transferred to the SNF Destination List Entry screen. ‘Expected answerback’ and ‘attention line’ are optional fields but in the case of a telex address, it is highly recommended to insert an expected answerback wherever possible.


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Telex addresses should consist of ‘0’ followed by the country telex code and the number. For example, 051884811 represents a UK (051) number 884811. Fax address entries should consist of the country dial-code without a leading zero followed by a hyphen and the number. For example, 44-2073727087 represents a UK (44) number 2073727087. If the ‘Time to be delivered’ option is used the message can be submitted into the exchange at any time but delivery will not be attempted before the specified time has been reached. RTM converts local time into UTC and the exchange converts UTC into exchange local time. Book allows an address to be added to a SNF destination list from Address Book. Addresses in a SNF Destination List can be changed with Edit or removed with Delete. When a list of addresses are created or loaded but not all of them are required for a specific message, Toggle will block or reinstate individual entries. Load will insert an address list that was previously created into the destination screen and Save will store a newly created or edited list. SNF destination lists are stored in text files (*.txt) and in the following format: [#]NUMBER+[ANSWERBACK]+[ATTENTION]+[HH:MM] ‘#’ indicates that the address is blocked. In addition to handling SNF destination lists with RTM facilities, the text files can also be edited with standard Windows editors such as Notepad or Word. Clear erases addresses from the address screen. When Submit is clicked, messages will be created to all the unblocked addresses displayed and containing the text contained in Editor. These messages will be placed in Store & Forward - To Send sub-directory and transferred to the host exchange when any of the following conditions occurs:

· Connect button is clicked.

· A Real Time call is made.

· Automatic Session Scheduler is enabled in Configuration.

· The RTM user is already ‘on-line’ to the exchange.

· An incoming call is received (if dial-up access is being used). Once messages have been submitted to the host exchange, they are transferred from Store & Forward - To Send sub-directory to Store & Forward - In Progress sub-directory. When the exchange sends a confirmation to a user, the message will be removed from Store & Forward - In Progress sub-directory to either Store & Forward - Delivered or Failed sub-directories depending on whether the delivery attempt was successful or not. Status and Cancel are two additional store & forward message handling tools that are accessible from Store & Forward - In Progress sub-directory that are fully described under Folders topic.


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Scan Pool This facility is typically used where the user has a number of workstations on its LAN and wishes to use them to generate store & forward messages. In such circumstances, RTM is normally installed on the customer’s server and supports the functions of an advanced store & forward message switching system. Users copy plain text files (*.txt) into snf sub-directory that is located in the RTM home directory and using a simple format envelope as follows: ZCZC [TLX:]NUMBER[+ANSWERBACK[+ATTENTION]] [FAX:]NUMBER[++ATTENTION] . TEXT OF THE MESSAGE NNNN Field descriptor(s) are: ZCZC Start of message indicator (SOM). NUMBER(s) Telex addresses comprise: figure zero+F.69 country code+number.

Fax addresses comprises: international country code+hyphen+fax number. Optional prefixes ‘TLX:’ and ’FAX:’ comply with international standards. ANSWERBACK Optional expected telex answerback of up to 15 characters. ATTENTION Optional attention line of up to 255 characters. Separator between address line(s) and the message text. NNNN End of message indicator (EOM). Any number of addresses can be provided. The following example has two, where the first is to a US telex no. ‘470302’ with expected answerback ‘OCEAN’ and the second to UK fax no. ‘2073727087’. ZCZC 023470302+OCEAN 44-2073727087 . TEXT TEXT TEXT NNNN Files placed in sub-directory snf are analysed at one-minute intervals and, if correctly formatted, are moved into Store & Forward - To Send sub-directory. Further processing is fully described in Store & Forward Messaging topic. Messages with format errors will be placed in sub-directory err, located in the RTM home directory, for correction and resubmission to directory snf or for deletion. Users are notified of message format errors by an audio alarm if this is enabled in Configuration - Sounds. In addition, an exclamation icon will appear in Main Tool Bar panel. Any number of formatted messages can be contained in a single file.


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Folders Folders button located in Main Tool Bar provides access to a number of sub-directories.

Sub-directories under Folders are described below:

Real Time Sent Outbound ‘real-time’ messages.

Received Inbound ‘real-time’ messages.

Trash Messages deleted from Sent and/or Received sub-directories.

Store & Forward

To Send Messages prepared and queued for transfer to exchange.

In Progress Messages that have been sent to the exchange and waiting for confirmations.

Delivered Messages that were delivered and confirmed.

Failed Messages that the exchange reported had failed delivery attempts.


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Reports End-Of-Day confirmation journals received from telex exchange. Trash Messages deleted from Delivered and/or Failed sub-directories.

Draft

Draft Is the suggested location for ‘template’ text messages for import into Editor. When a sub-directory is selected, message records contained within it are listed and may be sorted by answerback, date, duration or other attributes by clicking on the required header column tab. The text of a message can be displayed by clicking on the required message record line. Messages that have not been opened since being stored are indicated with a ‘sealed envelope’ icon. This applies to message line six of the above exampled list. A small blue key superimposed on a message indicates it was encrypted when communication took place with the host exchange. This applies to line eight of the message list in the above exampled list.

The following columns are present in Real Time call lists:

1. ‘Name’ is a reference assigned by RTM in a format YYYYMMDDHHMMSSNNLLL where: YYYY = year; MM = month; DD = day; HH = hour; MM = minute; SS = second(s); NN = the exchange sub-system; LLL = the exchange line number. Names are automatically created by the host exchange at the time of message transfer.

2. ‘Selection’ is the dialed number. 3. ‘Answerback’ is the received answerback. 4. ‘Date & Time’ is the local date and time of the call. 5. ‘Duration’ is the call duration in hours, minutes and seconds. 6. ‘Sequence’ is the message sequence number automatically assigned by RTM.

7. ‘Bill Back Code’ is the optional code that may have been entered in Selection Box. Real Time - Sent message list exampled above does not show two columns headed ‘message sequence number’ and ‘bill back code’, which are located to the right of ‘duration’.

The following columns are present in Store & Forward call lists:

1. ‘Reference’ is the message reference automatically assigned by RTM.

2. ‘Destination’ is the telex or fax destination including country code and number. 3. ‘Exp. Answerback’ is the optional expected answerback specified by user. 4. ‘Rcv. Answerback’ is the received answerback. 5. ‘Result’ is duration of effective call or negative result for non-effective call. (See Appendix A). 6. ‘Date & Time’ is the local date and time when message was submitted, delivered or failed.

Print and Delete functions can be applied to any selected message.


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Find allows the user to search for a specified text sequence in listed messages. The other two functions in Folders menu are Status and Cancel, which apply to store & forward messages that have been transferred to the exchange and stored in In Progress sub-directory. Status instructs the host exchange to give message delivery status and Cancel halts further delivery attempts. When linked to a host exchange, RTM obtains message status every 10 minutes. Users can create additional sub-directories. This would suggest that message records were moved from ‘standard’ RTM sub-directories into new sub-directories for archival purposes.


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Configuration RTM user software will have been configured by the host exchange administrator before release but there are 7 sections available under Configuration.

General Main settings defining basic RTM functionality.

Modem Communication settings for dial-up connection with host exchange.

TCP/IP Communication settings for Internet connection with host exchange.

Auto Session Automatic scheduled connection settings.

Character Set Character set/size selection and non-telex character conversion settings.

Address Book Address book facilities.

Sound Sound controls.


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General Configuration

When enabled, Configuration - General options provide the following features:

Connection with Exchange Exchange connections using direct leased line or telephone dial-up methods require a Modem setting. The alternative Internet (TCP/IP) connection via an RTM user’s ISP applies even if the user links into their ISP over a telephone dial-up connection.

Auto login on startup Automatic connection to the host exchange will be made when the program is loaded. Apply saved password The program will not prompt for the password when logging into the host exchange but takes the password that is coded and hidden within the program.


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Enable Store and Forward Allows the support of Store & Forward messaging.

Answerback in real time message Will cause the configured answerback to be placed before and after real time message transmission.

Auto clear after message transfer The program will disconnect a real time call once Editor content has been transmitted.

Print real time session Causes all inbound and outbound real time sessions to be printed. Save session copy in plain text file In addition to inbound and outbound telex messages being stored in Folders sub-directories as ‘*.rtf’ (rich text format) files, sessions will be stored as text files (*.txt) with the same name as *.rtf files. This facility is usually employed when RTM is used in countries where power and/or lines are unreliable because while *.rtf files are only written at the end of a connection, text files accurately record the send and received data throughout a session on a character by character basis.

Answerback in SNF message Will cause the configured answerback to be placed before and after the SNF message text. Scan pool directory ...\Snf\ Enables the Scan Pool feature, which is described under its own topic. Scan Pool is typically employed where the user has a LAN and a requirement for workstations to generate store & forward messages. In such cases, RTM would normally be installed on a server.

Print submitted SNF message The program will print store & forward messages submitted to the exchange and recorded in Store & Forward - In Progress. Print confirmed SNF message The program will print store & forward messages that have been confirmed by the host exchange. Write log files ...\Msg.log, Cnf.log Submitted store & forward messages will be appended into \Msg.log file and confirmation journals for finally confirmed messages into \Cnf.log file. Both of these files reside in RTM home directory.


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Printed Page Left Margin Allows users to set values from 0 to 11 in order to define the left hand margin of all printed messages.

Font Setup Invokes the system font setup window where user can define the font type and font size for RTM. This function can only be used RTM is disconnected from the host exchange. Print Setup Prompts the Windows print setup window in order to choose system printer settings. Password Allows users to change their exchange login password. This function is only available when RTM is connected to the host exchange. Clear History Deletes the list of previously selected number list that are called by clicking on the arrow located to the right of Selection Box.


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Modem Configuration

Most of the items shown in the Modem are self-explanatory or discussed in other topics. However, three items are more fully explained below: Connection (Dial-Up/Leased Line) This setting will apply if Modem has been selected for exchange access in General. Leased Line connection to the host exchange is seldom used but is available to RTM users with a suitable modem.

Answer Inbound Calls If RTM is set for ‘dial-up’ access and the exchange receive an incoming call, it will attempt to establish a real-time connection with the user and is the recommended setting. The ‘Rings to answer’ option defines how many rings are received before answering the call. Modem A drop-down list includes the parameters of most types of modem. When a modem is specified, then the correct initialisation string is automatically configured.


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TCP/IP Configuration

Exchange IP Addresses These apply if TCP/IP (Internet) has been set on in Configuration – General. Up to four IP addresses can be configured prior to RTM release depending on the host exchange facilities. Data Transmission Security SSL/TLS encryption switches encryption on or off. SSL/TLS stands for Secure Socket Layer/Transport Layer Security as developed by Netscape. It is used to provide secure connections for transferring sensitive data such as credit cards numbers. SSL/TLS works over TCP and adds encryption plus server authentication together with optional client authentication. While SSL version 3 is widely used, TLS, a more recent enhancement to SSL, strengthens security and introduces greater flexibility. SSL is based on cryptography. When a session is established, the server begins by announcing one of many public keys to the client. Encryption is not used at this stage so that both parties can read the key. The client then generates 46 bytes of random data, forms them into a single very large number according to PKCS#1, encrypts them with the server's public key and sends the result to the server.


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Only the server, with its private key, can decode this data and the ‘shared secret’ is used to generate a set of conventional RC4 cipher keys to encrypt the rest of the session.

Currently RTM employs following SSL/TLS protocols and algorithms: · TLSv1 protocol, RFC 2246. · Key exchange method: RSA. · Client/Server authentication method: RSA. · Encryption algorithm: Rijndael AES-256-CBC, RFC 3268. The block cipher Rijndael with 256-bit

keys and cipher Block Chaining was selected for Advanced Encryption Standard. · Message authentication method: SHA-1 message digest. Secure Hash Algorithm, FIPS PUB

180-1. (Federal Information Processing Standard). A detailed description of SSL/TLS can be made available for those users who wish to know more about the advanced security measures employed by RTM, including data encryption. Users should note that the application of advanced cryptography could be subject to certain restrictions in a few countries. It is recommended that compliance with national regulations is adhered to and the developers of RTM cannot be considered liable for any violations that may occur. If RTM is installed in computer that connects to the Internet via a proxy server or firewall then Proxy Server options should be configured to provide transparent connection across the proxy server. In addition to the host exchange IP address, users should also specify the proxy server IP address and port numbers. RTM employs SOCKS 4 protocol to talk to proxy servers.


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Auto Session Configuration

Auto Session is especially useful with store and forward messaging where message status updates are required. RTM will not attempt connection to the exchange if there are no messages to be sent or confirmations to be retrieved.


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Character Set Configuration

Character Set Configuration is a tool that gives an option to convert ‘non-telex’ characters into user-defined ‘text strings’. For example, ‘&’ is not a valid telex character but could be converted into ‘AND’. Character Set (Encoding) RTM typically uses the ANSI alphabet. Other alphabets are available but will require a corresponding configuration in Windows. Character Size (5-bit / 8-bit) Controls RTM functionality when loading text files into Editor. If 5-bit character size is selected then RTM does all configured conversions for non-telex characters. If 8-bit character size is selected then Editor accepts the ASCII characters and will ignore telex conversion strings. Automatic Character Converter

Conversion applies to any of the following three circumstances:

1. When importing text files into Editor.

2. When typing characters into Editor from the keyboard.

3. When taking part in ‘on-line’ keyboard conversation following a telex connection.


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Address Book Configuration

Address Book is a tool that assists the user to set up real time calls and store & forward destination lists. Entries can be added, edited or deleted via the relevant button on the toolbar or sorted by clicking on the respective column header tab. Calls can be made directly from Address Book by clicking the required entry line followed by Call. Add and Edit open a panel into which users can enter new address details or edit existing address before clicking OK button.

Name and Selection digits are mandatory fields but it is recommended that Expected Answerback be entered wherever this is known.


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Sound

Audio files can be played to alert RTM users of any of the four events as indicated above.

rtm - program description · uniwise information corporation - 5 - buttons 4, 5 and 6 buttons 4, 5...

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