Extra! User Guide

This user guide provides up-to-date information for installing and configuring Extra!. Included are procedures for commonly performed administrative tasks, such as configuring secure connections for deployment and controlling features through group policy.

Extra! is a Windows desktop application that gives you access to multiple host types on your enterprise network. Using Extra!, you can:

Access IBM Mainframe, IBM AS/400, VAX/VMS, UNIX and asynchronous systems.
Protect your host assets with security protocols such as SSL/TLS and SSH.
Run host applications, transfer files, and integrate data into other Windows applications.
Increase productivity by using features such as Spell Check, Auto Expand, Auto Complete, Screen History, and Scratch Pad.
Create e-mail messages, schedule appointments, and launch Microsoft Word from within the Extra! framework.

Getting Started

This overview introduces you to the features and functions of Extra!. For more information, choose one of the following categories:

Extra! Overviews

Using Display Sessions

From a host workspace in Windows called a Display Session you can enter and receive information directly from the host. This includes any special characters, commands, or functions unique to your host. A File Transfer feature makes it possible for you to send and receive files directly between your PC and a host. Because you are working in Windows you can:

Easily switch between sessions and other Windows applications
Resize session windows
Change fonts
Cut, copy, and paste information between your PC and a host

The New Session wizard makes it easy to create new sessions for any installed host type.

Using Printer Sessions

Using a Printer Session, you can print IBM Host documents on your local printer.

You can:

Set page layout features
Choose which font you want to use
Print an image of the display screen
Pause or cancel printing
View the status of a printer or print job
Save the settings of your current printer session and page layout

NOTE:Printing from a VAX/VMS, UNIX, or asynchronous host does not require a printer session.

After you start a print job from the host application in a display session, you can pause or cancel a print job, and monitor the print status of the host, your PC, and your printer.

Using File Transfer, HotSpots, and Recording Macros

Using the File Transfer feature, you can move files between your PC and the host. You can also use OLE capabilities to embed host data into your Windows applications. For example, use OLE to embed host data into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

HotSpots brings Windows "point and click" commands to your host, putting program function keys, macros, commands at your fingertips with a click of your mouse.

With the Macro Recorder you can capture frequently used tasks, and then automatically re-play these tasks with a single mouse click or keystroke. You can also add macros to toolbars, QuickPads, and logon scripts. The Macro Editor enhances and expands the Macro Recorder.

Desktop Layouts and QuickPads

Desktop layouts let you start work with your windows in a prearranged position on your screen. This is especially useful for running multiple sessions. In addition, you may have a customized QuickPad open for each display session. If saved in a layout, the session windows and the customized QuickPads will always appear exactly as you like them.

QuickPad, a small movable window that "floats" on top of your session, makes frequently used host commands and macros available with a single mouse-click. You can use text and pictures to identify these commands.

Customizing

You can extend standard features and build upon basic tools. For example, you can customize your toolbars in a number of ways:

Add and delete buttons
Use color or monochrome buttons, and make them large or small
Rearrange the buttons
Create multiple toolbars and load different ones for different sessions

Extra! Basic is a full-featured language tool. Use it to edit recorded macros, existing macros, or to create entirely new macros. Extra! Basic provides the flexibility of a standard Basic language and the power of specific functions and connectivity tasks.

You can use the Keyboard Remapper to reassign host functions to your PC keyboard to fit your work style. You can also assign additional functions and custom macros to unused keys or key sequences.