hall@ittral.UUCP (Doug Hall) (06/26/84)
[] I recently bought Softerm 2, a communication/terminal emulation package for the Apple ][. After using it for a week I thought I would pass along a few comments. Softerm 2 emulates a whole truckload of terminals (only one at a time, however :-) ) and supports almost any imaginable Apple ][ configuration. All the popular 80 column cards are supported, as well as the popular serial cards, printer cards, clock cards, and modems. Transmission speeds to 9600 baud are supported. I have used the program at 300 and 1200 baud with my Apple //e and 80 column card with no problems. The program has excellent file transfer capabilities, and can transfer DOS, Pascal, or CP/M files using any of three protocols, including XMODEM protocol. Softerm 2 includes a 3 key 'keyboard expander' which, when used in conjunction with certain keys on the Apple keyboard, allows access to the many features of the program. Since the keyboard enhancer is used for Softerm functions, the Apple keyboard is used transparently, i.e. all ctrl and shift combinations may be used without the bother of accidently invoking some program function. The Softerm 2 software comes on 2 diskettes. They are not copy protected. However, the program will not work without the keyboard enhancer, so the software is of no use by itself. I've used the program for about a week now. Without a doubt it is the best I've ever seen for the Apple. It is an extremely versatile program, and has a lot of useful utilities built in. It has solved all of my file transfer and terminal emulation problems. I highly recommend it. Now for the kicker. Softerm 2 retails for almost 200 bucks. Not cheap. If you don't need specific terminal emulation capabilities you can save some bucks by buying Softerm 1. It's essentially the same as Softerm 2, minus the terminal emulation features. Both Softerm 1 and Softerm 2 are from Softronics. I don't work for them, I just like their program. Doug Hall ITT Telecom B&CC ittvax!ittral!hall
eric@aplvax.UUCP (07/03/84)
I would like to present the counter argument to the "SOFTERM 2" "button debate". I personally like the three extra buttons, because now I never again have to worry about a ctrl-L flipping the Apple into upper-case, it is passed on through to vi the way it should. Yet I still have all the local functionality, I just use the extra buttons to access it. Since I use my Apple very heavily as a terminal, I am willing to give up the slot for the ease of use. -- eric ...!seismo!umcp-cs!aplvax!eric
barry@ames-lm.UUCP (Kenn Barry) (07/05/84)
[<+>] I'd like to second Doug Hall's very positive review of "Softerm 2". I have been using "Softerm" (earlier version - no longer available) for about a year, now, and there is no other terminal software for the Apple that's even in the same league. I can confirm that it performs flawlessly at 9600 baud, and that it does exact terminal emulations - no problems at all with 'vi'. It also supports a very wide variety of hardware; most serial cards, most modems, most printers and printer interfaces, most 80-column cards. The only desirable features lacking on my older version of "Softerm" is the ability to upload and download CP/M and Pascal files, and support for XMODEM protocol. These lacks resulted in our buying "Softerm 2" when it appeared. So why, do you ask, am I not using the newer version? Because "Softerm 2" has one flaw - that card that adds the extra buttons to your keyboard. The Apple I use doesn't have a slot to spare for another card, especially for a card used by only one program. If that won't be a problem for you, then I recommend "Softerm 2" unreservedly, but if your Apple is as crowded as ours is, or if you're running a IIc (no slots), better find another program. I frankly think the company made a bad decision when they added this card to the package, and I'm hoping the arrival of the IIc on the market will cause them to create a "Softerm 3" that doesn't require it. I also do not understand why the (long, detailed, full-page) ads for "Softerm 2" fail to make any mention of this 'feature'. Perhaps they realized it was not a selling- point, but rather a copy-protection scheme? But I dilute my praise. To repeat: as long as you're not slot-shy, and can afford the $200.00 price tag, I can't praise this program highly enough. You will not be disappointed. Kenn Barry NASA-Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Electric Avenue: {dual,hao,menlo70,hplabs}!ames-lm!barry