dob@ihuxj.UUCP (01/19/84)
I have been given the luxury of acquiring a new terminal and
modem to use on UNIX. So my question to the experts on the
net is this: What is the best terminal (and modem) to use
for accessing UNIX and it's visually oriented tools.
My only experience to date with ascii terminals on UNIX
include the ADM-3a and 5 and the IBM-PC running KERMIT
(which is, among other things, a VT52 emulator). Also, I am
a recent convert from using the IBM 3278 (43 lines X 79
characters) terminal connected to a 370 system running the
TSS/370 operating system.
Even with this limited experience, I have developed some
strong likes and dislikes, and so I will temper my question
as to the *best* terminal/modem by listing them.
(I know that this will generate a lot of discussion as
terminal likes/dislikes are, more often than not, a personal
choice. So please mail responses to me and I promise to
summarize and post to the net (that is, if I get any
responses.)
And now my list:
* A nice keyboard with good tactile feel and *standard*
layout. I like the 3270-style keyboard and so like the
IBM-PC. The ADM 5 is a piece of junk with keystrokes
doubling, quadrupling (and more!). It's layout is
terrible with caplock in place of the control key. The
ADM 3A, on the otherhand, was a fairly solid (albeit
dumb) terminal.
* Good character definition. (11 by 14 dot matrix?)
* Programmable function/soft keys. These must be able to
transmit arbitrary ascii text to the host. Programming
the keys from UNIX would be a nice feature. Using the
IBM-PC with a keyboard extender like PROKEY is an
exceptional combination.
* A *standard* terminal that *all* tools can utilize.
Gosling's EMACS won't run on the 3A, and our system's
termcap doesn't include the ADM 5. The VT52 is standard
but somewhat dumb.
* Sufficiently intelligent so that fewer
characters/commands are required from the host to "get
the job done."
* Detachable keyboard. ('nuf said!)
* A printer (or facility for optional printer).
* Display memory (virtual terminal sheet).
* As far as modems, I like the HAYES SMARTMODEM 1200, but
this is probably overkill if used with just a terminal.
What others offer highspeed/low cost/nice features?
Thanks for reading this long sermon on what I would like to
have as features on a terminal, but since you stuck it out
thus far, why not reply with your suggestions. Thanks again.
--
Daniel M. O'Brien
AT&T Bell Laboratories
IH 1C-202
Naperville, IL 60566
....!ihuxj!dob
agk@ihuxq.UUCP (01/19/84)
The answer is simple: Get a Teletype DMD 5620, successor to the famous blit. It truly works *with* the UN*X OS, while most terminals are merely on speaking terms. If only they didn't have that <negative adjective> green screen. A couple minutes with a DMD will make you hate to go back to those Stone Age relics put out by most terminal manufacturers. -andy kegel, AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL, ...!ihnp4!ihuxq!agk
mark@umcp-cs.UUCP (01/20/84)
The AT&T bell labs person who recommends the Blit successor, the DMD
5620, possibly doesn't know that at last word Teletype and AT&T
are (a) refusing to provide support for this terminal for any Unix
except system V on Vaxes, and (b) refusing to sell source code to the necessary
support code so there is every NO possibility of use under any other
Unix. This terminal NEEDS this on-host support code to really use
its nice windowing features, so this "marketing?" decision cuts
out a great many users. I wouldn't buy it.
--
Mark Weiser
UUCP: {seismo,allegra,brl-bmd}!umcp-cs!mark
CSNet: mark@umcp-cs ARPA: mark@maryland