[jaeusm]

The port you use is only a variable in the context of your program. It will have no impact on how you write the program. Unless you're attempting to write malicious software, there shouldn't be an issue in prompting the user for the appropriate port number.

If I say "Open comport1", but it is in fact a serial port for example, then it will send the info I tell it to send to whatever is connected to the serial port and potentially f**k up that peice of hardware.

Sending AT commands over an RS232 connection will not adversely affect a connected piece of hardware. Some older external modems actually do use a serial port.

Why do you want to dial phone numbers on other people's machines? What is the purpose of your program? Also, why use QBasic?

[sir nerdalot]

Originally Posted by jaeusm

Why do you want to dial phone numbers on other people's machines? What is the purpose of your program? Also, why use QBasic?

I think you may misunderstand me. I would give the software to other people. It would not only be for my use. With the last part, I would make it in QBASIC so that I could make it run standalone, without the need for an OS on the system. This would be achieved by editing "AUTOEXEC.BAT" and making it run my program. If I used Liberty BASIC, for example, then I would need Windows.

[jaeusm]

You'll definitely need an OS -- any OS unless you plan on coding this in assembly for specific processors. I think you mean OS independent. Batch files are Windows specific, though.

[sir nerdalot]

Originally Posted by jaeusm

You'll definitely need an OS -- any OS unless you plan on coding this in assembly for specific processors. I think you mean OS independent. Batch files are Windows specific, though.

oh yeah. thanks for pointing that one out