Yet Another Package Installer (YAPI) 1.02

====================================================

copyright 1995, ChickenWerks Software Co.





What the heck is it? 

===================== 

YAPI is a Newton application that transfers packages to the Newton using 

the Xmodem protocol.  Since it does not require MNP or AppleTalk, as other 

package downloaders do, packages can be sent from communications software 

available on most PCs and workstations.



How do I use it?

==============

Connect a cable between the host and the Newton (more about cables below).  

Start the comms software on the host (PROCOMM, Zterm, sb, ...  , whatever 

can do Xmodem).  Setup the comms software to do Xmodem transfers with 128 

byte blocks and checksum error detection.  Initiate the Xmodem transfer on 

the host, then click on the "Download" button in the YAPI window on the 

Newton.  There is a progress bar in the YAPI window that gives a rough 

estimate of the download progress.  After the download is complete YAPI 

tries to install the package.  It takes a few seconds to install packages, 

the outcome of the installation attempt is displayed in a notification 

slip; either "transfer complete" or "bad package, do not use".  I suggest 

quitting all other applications on the Newton before using YAPI to ensure 

that YAPI has enough memory to work properly.



I've used YAPI with the following commm packages: HyperTerminal (Win95 beta), 

ZTerm (Macintosh), Claris Works (Macintosh), xc (Linux 1.0).





Cables

======

If you are using YAPI with a Mac then you can just use a "normal" printer 

cable like the one used to connect to a StyleWriter.  



PC/UNIX/DOS/whatever people have it a bit tougher.  The cable used for the 

transfer MUST be capable of hardware handshaking with a Mac.  I have 

heard of something called a "hardware handshake" modem cable for Macs that 

is a standard item in most computer stores, this would probably work fine 

for PC owners if used with a NULL modem adapter.  I personally have never 

seen a "hardware handshake" modem cable, but that does not mean they don't 

exist.  Here is the pinout for the cable I made that works fine:





    MAC Pin #		DB25 pin #

   ==========	 ==========

   5 (RxD-)				2 (TxD)

   3 (TxD-)				3 (RxD)

   2 (HSKi)	 			4 (RTS)

   1 (HSKo)				5 (CTS)

   4 + 8 (GND, RxD+)	7 (Sig. GND)

   7 (GPi)				8 (DTR)	

    

I'm not sure that pin 7 on the Mac side needs to be connected at all.

I made a cable that had pin 7 on the Mac side connected to pin 6 on the

DB25 and it also worked fine.





If you find someplace that sells the correct type of cable, or find that 

the pinout above is wrong please let me know so I can change the docs.

 



Notes and known problems with YAPI

==================================



*** 

YAPI has not been extensively tested.  I know it works on MP110 and MP100 

with newer ROMS, I don't think it will work on old ( < 1.3 ) ROMs.

  

*** 

YAPI can download both Macbinary files and raw (non macbinary) package 

files.  It CAN NOT deal with stuffit, compact pro, binhex, zip, or any other 

formats.

  

*** 

YAPI performs the magic of package installation by using undocumented 

function calls in the Newton O.S.  and may not work on future models.





Standard Disclaimer

===================



Use of the YAPI software constitutes an agreement to the following terms:



1.  You expressly acknowledge and agree that use of this software is

	at your sole risk.  This software is provided "AS IS" and without

	warranty of any kind.

	

2.  Under no circumstances including negligence, shall ChickenWerks

	be liable for any incidental, special or consequential damages 

	that result from the use of this software.



3.  You may not distribute this software or make it available for 

	distribution.

	

If you do not agree to these conditions then do NOT use YAPI ! 



	

What does it cost?

=================	



This version will only cost you an email message informing me how/if 

YAPI works for you.  I'll use the number of responses I get to gauge

interest in future versions of YAPI.  Possibilities for future versions

are faster transfer speed, ability to "batch" downloads, package uploading.

 

Change Log

==========

1.02

	YAPI now stores the downloaded packages onto the default store

 	instead of always using the internal store.



	YAPI now retains its speed settings between uses.

	

	Now handles transfer cancellation requests from sender properly.

	

	Fixed bug abortion bug.

	

	Removed debugging info in status window.

	

	Fixed the -10401 error that happened when transfer aborted due to 

	connection problems.	





Who made it?

============



Scott Herndon



You can contact me via email at the address



SHern@eworld.com



or by snail mail at the address



ChickenWerks

4595 Mt. King Dr.

San Diego, CA

92117