NUNTIUS
RELEASE 1.0
USER'S GUIDE

1.0 OVERVIEW
Nuntius is a program for the direct communication between computers (on heterogeneous platforms, also), by sending messages and files through a chat. Communication are made through USB or RS-232 cables. This program is born to be used in conjunction with LoRa devices (Long Range), who is a physical proprietary radio communication technique based on spread spectrum modulation. By using these devices, is possible to communicate wireless with other users (who owns LoRa devices also) at kilometers of distance. This can be useful in several cases:

- To communicate in emergency situations, if an Internet connection normally available is out of service
- To communicate in zones not covered by the mobile network
- For private communications, avoiding the Internet's dangers

Communication with LoRa devices is often slow, but Nuntius is born to give an alternative connection, not necessarly at high performance, in situations where the more used  communication technologies doesn't work.

A secondary use of this program is as terminal program, to an hardware device or another computer for debugging purposes.

1.1 RELEASE NOTES
Nuntius is released as freeware and can be distributed in every non-commercial form.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITH NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE LOSS OF DATA, OR PROFITS; USER USES IT AT HIS OWN RISK. ANY FORM OF REVERSE-ENGINEERING OF THE PROGRAM IS PROHIBITED.

1.2 AI STATEMENT
Every part who constitutes this software and its documentation has been created without the help of generative artificial intelligence systems.

Is forbidden to use this software or its documentation, in any part who constitutes them, to train generative artificial intelligence models.

1.3 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Nuntius version contained in this archive is intended for the use on Amiga computers, equipped with 68020 CPU or better, and RapaGUI plugin installed. Other software components (e.g. libraries) may be mandatory.

1.4 INSTALLATION AND EXECUTION
Nuntius is distributed in an archive who must be unpacked in any directory. RapaGUI plugin is needed, it can be downloaded from this location:

https://www.hollywood-mal.com/download.html

Nuntius must be present on both systems involved in a communication, so is mandatory to install it on each of them, taking the correct version from the official page (see "Links" section later in the document). Execute program by double-clicking its icon.
To uninstall program, simply delete its folder.

2. PROGRAM USE
Launch Nuntius on both computers involved into communication. 

At first use, is mandatory to setup communication parameters. Look at next paragraph if more informations are needed, go to paragraph 2.2 if the communication is already been configured.

2.1 Software configuration
Select "Open settings" option from menu "Actions". A control panel will appear. These are the parameters:

- User's name or nickname: The name that user wants to have in the chat, who is shown in bold style before the messages. NOTE: Nuntius don't verify user's identity. 
- Serial port: The name of the serial port to be used for communication.
- Baud: The baud speed to be adopted. 
- Storage directory: The directory where the incoming files must be stored.
- When a file is received: The action to take when an arriving file is completely transferred, to be chosen between these 3:
	- Open file: The file is opened automatically, using the default application for that file type;
	- Ask: The computer asks if file must be opened or no, every time;
	- Don't open: No action is taken.

- Service mode enabled: When active, this options removes the nickname from the messages sent to the other user and blocks the "Send file..." button. In this mode, Nuntius act as a pure terminal program and is possible to send commands to an hardware attached to the USB / serial port without unwanted characters. Receiving files and messages with nickname is still possible.

When finished, user can decide what to do with the settings changed:

- Save: Changes made are used and saved in a configuration file stored in the same program directory. When Nuntius will be restarted, that settings will be restored.
- Use: Changes made are used only for the current session.
- Cancel: Discard current changes.

To start communication, press button "Connect". If settings made are correct, a confirm message will appear and its caption will become "Disconnect". To disconnect, press the same button.

2.2 Sending text messages
To send a message to the other user, type it in the textbox "Message" and press RETURN. Message will appear on the chat, labeled with the name/username previously chosen into "Settings".

NOTES:
1.	Messages are sent without encryption.
2.	Program will not inform the sender if the message has been received or no.
3.	Messages are limited in lenght to 140 characters.

2.3 Sending files
To send a file to the other user, press button "Send file...", then select it from your file system. After selection, transfer will start. A progress bar will inform both user to the state of transmission.  At the end of transmission, a confirm message (wrote in green) will appear on both sides ("File [...] has been sent." on sender side, "File [...] has been received." on receiver side). When transfer is finished, program can open file immediately if desired (optionally). This behavior can be changed into settings (look at paragraph "2.1 - Software configuration"). NOTE: Files are sent without encryption. If there are confidential informations involved in a file transfer, cryptography use is adviced.

2.4 Other options
To clear completely the sent and received messages, select "Clear chat" option under "Actions" menu.

To read main info about the program, select "About Nuntius..." option under "Info" menu. 

To quit program when finished, select "Quit" option under "Actions" menu (or, alternatively click on close gadget).

3.0 Use cases
Nuntius works essentially by communicating on RS-232 ports. Every hardware setup who make it work is a manner to create serial ports to communicate with the external world, with various technologies.
Use is not limited at the cases shown in next paragraphes, many other uses can be found by thinking solutions for proper needs.

3.1 Direct cable communication
Nuntius can be used with a null-modem cable between two computers, or with a USB / serial cable between a computer and an hardware device. With this setup Nuntius act as a terminal program to communicate directly with an hardware, or sometimes computers (e.g. for debugging).

3.2 Communication with LoRa devices
An example of communication with LoRa has been made with Windows systems. The connection has been made with two devices RT4AE01 working at 868 MHz frequency, connected to computers with USB cables on Windows systems. Devices has been detected as USB-Serial CH340 adapters.

Please look at device's manual (look at "Links" section) for all informations.

3.3 HISTORY RELEASES
1.0 VERSION: 
- Serial port communication support
- Send text messages
- Send files
- Open received file automatically if needed
- Clear chat
- Settings can be saved

3.4 LINKS 
Nuntius official page:
https://www.dl-corner.it/software.aspx?quale=10

LoRa on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LoRa

Eletechsup RT4AE01 Wireless Transceiver Module User Manual:
https://manuals.plus/ae/1005004715236425

3.5 ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Nuntius is a program written in Hollywood language. It's name is the latin translation of the word "Messenger".

3.6 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Domenico Lattanzi is an IT engineer, graduated at Rome’s university "La Sapienza".
He can be contacted to this email address: domenico.lattanzi@mailfence.com
