                             Crosstalk v2.0
                              for Windows

                             by Tony Curro


    DCA has released a new version of Crosstalk for Windows
    (XTALKWIN).The program is a major improvement over the earlier
    version. It has a completely new user interface that supports
    Microsoft's Multiple Document Interface (MDI) standard.

    The installation process in easy and requires 3MB hard disk space.
    The first time you run the program, it will run a setup script, that
    requires you to setup your modem, communications port, default
    directories, colors and so on. There is even a program that allows
    users of earlier versions of XTALK to convert their files to work
    with the new version.

    You can create three types of documents with XTALKWIN:

   * Session documents perform terminal emulation and file transfers.

   * Quick Pads are floating windows you can create and attach to
     sessions. Quick Pads can contain graphical objects, such as
     buttons, and icons that can be used to send terminal keystrokes or
     execute CASL scripts.

    * Scripts are text files with contain CASL programming language
      statements. You can create scripts to automate a wide variety of
      tasks, from routine logins, to complex interactions. Crosstalk has
      a special text editor that is used to create and compile CASL
      scripts. CASL, is a very powerful scripting language, that will do
      everything from call the board, upload and download mail and/or
      files, and logoff.

  Other features include:

   * KeyMap Editor to create custom keyboard maps that are saved in
     individual files. You can reassign terminal emulation keys, attach
     CASL scripts to keys, or remap the entire keyboard.

   * Built-in Text Editor allows you to edit ASCII text files. You can
     also capture text directly into a text editor window.

   * Quick Bar is a toolbar of icons. It provides quick and easy access
     to often used functions, such as file open and save; upload and
     download; connect and disconnect, and CASL scripts.

    After I installed and configured XTALKWIN for my modem, I kept
    having problems when I incurred a busy signal. The program would
    not detect this, and I had to wait until the timer ran out before a
    redial. Of course I could have stopped it. But this is supposed to
    be done automatically.  Exiting XTALKWIN, and bringing up my
    communications program did have the modem working properly. Going
    back into XTALKWIN caused it to reoccur.

    XTALKWIN comes with profiles to get you on several popular
    information and electronic mail services. It has all the popular
    protocols, including CompuServe B+, and emulates DEC, TTY, VIDTEX,
    ANSI PC and more. You can also set it up in host mode.

    With XTALKWIN v2.0, you can also create a workspace file. A
    workspace is a collection of sessions, that you wish to remain
    together. The location of windows, settings and so forth are saved,
    and can be recalled the next time by opening that file. Or, you can
    set it as the default, in which case it would come up automatically.

    Each session must have its own profile. This is the way you connect
    with another system. The profile contains: name, phone number, modem
    speed, terminal emulation, protocol and keyboard definitions.

    This brings me to the reason I was not pleased with Crosstalk v2.0
    for Windows. As stated above, you must create a profile for each
    session. This is saved with the name you designate. There is no
    dialing directory in XTALKWIN. You must open a profile to call a
    BBS. If the line is busy, you can either let it redial, or close
    that profile and open another. You can create a group and place an
    icon for each BBS you call in it. This can become very confusing and
    annoying. For a business user, who may make several calls, and do
    not get a busy signal, it can be ideal. But, for the average person,
    who calls BBSs, as I do, I would not recommend it.



                          Product Information

                             Crosstalk v2.0
                              for Windows
