eilers@stolaf.UUCP (David V. Eilers) (03/13/85)
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Posted to net.sources.mac - RED RYDER 4.0 - hot off CompuServe.
Those of you familar with early Mac communication programs may be
familer with the name Red Ryder. This is an entirely new version which
unlike the earlier version (written in MS Basic) is a stand alone
application written in C. Red Ryder supports ASCII, X-MODEM, and KERMIT
file transfers and allows you to set your Mac up as a HOST computer.
It's best features, however, are that you can set it up for completely
automated dial up and log in, and it gives you 10 programable macro keys.
For example, I've set up a file that: calls CompuServe; type in my
USER ID number and password; moves me from Executive Information Servies
into CompuServe; gets me into MAUG (Micronetted Apple Users Group);
records any messages it has waiting in a file; and beeps a couple times once
the MAUG Menu appears. All this can be done with just a double click of an
icon!!! In addition I've set up a set of macro keys (which are loaded when
I double click the above icon) that move me into each Data Library with a
single cmd keystroke. One of these macro keys is set up to log me off while
recording my 'CONNECT TIME' in a file I called 'MAUG Bill'.
Red Ryder has replaced both my MacTerminal and MacTEP communication
programs. The only thing MacTerminal has going for it is that it can
emulate a DEC 100 which is nice when I'm connected to a UNIX machine.
Red Ryder is incapable of DEC 100 emulation but does support a new proctool
know as Macintosh Standard Graphics Protocol(MSGP) which looks very promising
but I have yet to see implemented.
One reason I'm posting this is that I have seen many people on the
net have had experience with VersaTerm. I have also read a couple
articles on Telescope from Mainstay. (I'm not sure if Telescope has been
released yet.) I would very much appreciate it if people using either
VersaTerm of Telescope would try Red Ryder and do a comparitive review.
With MacTerminal sitting on my shelf like a prehistoric relic, I would
like to know whether or not to buy into Red Ryder (it is "User-Supported"
software) or purchase one of the other programs. To keep the net from
becoming cluttered, please mail me your responces. I'll post a
comprehensive summary to the net.
There are 6 files uploaded to net.sources.mac. 1/6 is the first forth
of the documentation. 2/4 is the second, 3/4 is the third, and 4/4 is
the last file of the documentation HCX which is formated with MacWrie 2.20.
5/6 is the HCX for the actual Red Ryder program. And 6/6 is a description
of the Macintosh Standard Graphics interface. The documentation is
essention in order to use about 80% of the programs features, so be
sure you download it with the program. These are all posted in HCX
(BINHEX 2.1) as per xbin-ers' requests. (By the way, what is xbin and
is it possible to get it to use on my account on the school UNIX PDP???)
The followin is the release text which will give you more details
about the details. Type ^C if you do not wish to read further,
i.e. if you are already planing on downloading it.
Dave Eilers
ihnp4!stolaf!eilers
(This is my first posting, so please forgive me if I've screwed up
in some way and mail me reply explaning what I may have done wrong.
If all goes well, I'll be posting more software soon.)
---------------------------RELASE TEXT-----------------------------
Please help me spread the word about Red Ryder by sending a copy of
the following press release to your favorite computer magazines, club
newsletters, dealers, etc.
If you are currently a registered owner of Red Ryder, you'll be getting
a letter in the mail in the next week telling you how to go about getting
the new version. Please don't send any disks, etc. until you get that
letter or your order may be delayed. Upgrade orders for registered
owners will receive top priority.
For Immediate Release
---------------------
Contact:
Scott Watson through CompuServe (73176,61)
or address below
User-Supported Macintosh Communications Program Announced
---------------------------------------------------------
The FreeSoft Company, 10828 Lacklink, St. Louis, MO 63114 has announced
a new and very different version of the popular Macintosh communications
software RED RYDER.
RED RYDER was the first user-supported communications program for the
Mac, has received very favorable reviews from respected publications like
InfoWorld, and is used throughout the world by thousands of Mac owners.
While previous versions were written in MS-BASIC with assembly language
support, Version 4.0 is a stand-alone application written in compiled C
language for blazing speed in critical applications. Version 4.0 is a
ground-up rewrite of the original software, and has many features never
before available on any computer.
Just to give you a brief overview of the "flavor" of this new version,
here are just some of it's many abilities and features:
+ Works on 128K and 512K Macintoshes, Macintosh XL's, and Lisa's running
MacWorks. Full support for hard, external, and RAM disk drive owners.
+ Can connect to a modem through either the modem or printer port so all
popular hard disk systems can be used.
+ Communicate at speeds of 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, or 9600 baud. Special
450 baud let's Hayes Smartmodem 300 (and some compatibles) owners get
50% faster communications than the rated maximum.
+ Besides the standard Even, Odd, and No parity options, Red Ryder can
also use Mark or Space parity to communicate with IBM or HP mainframes.
Full and Half duplex is supported.
+ The richest set of file transfer protocols available. Choose from
direct ASCII (character prompting or time delay support if you need it),
XMODEM error checking, and Kermit error checking. Kermit host software
is available for many mainframes for the cost of media (through
Columbia University) for a truly inexpensive micro/mainframe linkup
that doesn't require terminal emulation software.
+ 10 programmable Macro Keys allow you to send an unlimited number of
predefined characters with a single keypress. Full support of all
Remote Service Procedure commands through all ten Macro Keys. Macro
Keys can be customized, saved, and automatically loaded for use with
all of your favorite remote services.
+ Exclusive Remote Service Procedures with 25 different "near English"
commands let you totally automate the communications process for as
many different remote services as you wish. Not just a simple phone
directory or auto-logon feature like other packages offer. Remote
Service Procedures include commands for a wide variety of uses from
dialing and automatic re-dialing, automated logon and complete session
control, to log-off. We've seen other communications programs that
tout "languages", but none hold a candle to Red Ryder's versatility.
+ Exclusive Host Mode let's your Mac be controlled from a remote computer
for file transfers, electronic mail and messaging, and many other
typical and not so typical needs.
+ Full keyboard support of ASCII control characters. Fast mouse-driven
support for on-screen communications parameters changes and sending of
frequently used control characters with a single press of your
mouse button.
+ Full Macintosh interface with pull down menus, dialog boxes, etc.
Support for all standard and most third party desk accessories.
+ Automatic phone number redialing won't quit on a busy signal! Full
support for PBX phone systems as well as long distance services like
MCI and Sprint.
+ Integrates effortlessly with your favorite word processor/editor and
file conversion program (BinHex 4.0 supplied).
+ Your choice of black characters on a white background or easy-on-the-
eyes white characters on a black background.
+ Ability to strip out unwanted control characters or add linefeeds for
systems that need them.
+ On-screen elapsed time clock let's you keep tabs on phone bills and
connect charges.
+ Exclusive "Smart Feature" doesn't forget a thing about your session,
even when you exit Red Ryder. You can leave Red Ryder to copy files,
Initialize new disks, even run other application programs, and later
return to Red Ryder with nothing changed or lost. Even the text area
of the screen remains the same.
+ User-supported license is the most civilized in the world. Give legal
copies to all of your friends and associates with the understanding that
they'll register if they find the program useful.
+ Registration can be done through either FreeSoft or approved dealers
(inquiries invited). Registration gets you a copy of the latest
version of Red Ryder with full documentation and utilities, free
future updates (less small materials and handling charge), technical
support, and access to our private bulletin board system. The
registration fee is $40.
SUMMARY OF REMOTE SERVICE PROCEDURE COMMANDS
--------------------------------------------
QUIET
Function: supresses the display of executing Remote Service Procedure
commands on the screen.
RESET
Function: resets the elapsed time clock to 00:00:00
COMM
Functions: allows you to set the baud, parity, databits, stopbits, and
duplex communications parameters.
BELL
Function: causes your Mac to "beep" to alert you.
PAUSE
Function: delays for two seconds before executing next command.
TYPE
Function: sends a string (up to 70 characters) over the modem just as if
you'd typed it from the keyboard.
TYPE ^
Function: sends a control character over the modem.
DIAL
Function: executes a modem dialing command (any autodial modem can be
used with Red Ryder).
REDIAL
Function: like the DIAL command, but continuously dials a number until
a connection is established. This command requires a Hayes Smartmodem
or compatible (Anchor, U.S. Robotics, Apple, Qubie', Prometheus, etc.).
PROMPT
Function: waits for a string of up to 20 characters to come over the
modem from the remote service before executing the next command.
PROMPT ^
Function: waits for a specified control character to come over the line
before executing the next command.
QUIT
Function: stops execution of the Remote Service Procedure and exits Red
Ryder to the Finder.
DO
Function: immediately starts execution of a different Remote Service
Procedure.
MACRO
Function: loads in a Macro Keys definition file.
RECX
RECK
RECA
SENDX
SENDK
SENDA
Function: These commands are used to receive and send files to and from
the Macintosh using XMODEM, Kermit, or direct ASCII
CLOSE
Funtion: Ends a file receive initiated with the RECA command above.
(
Function: the first character of a comment line, so you can document
what your Procedures are doing without cluttering your screen.
RUN
Function: exits Red Ryder and executes a Macintosh application program.
CLEAR
Function: clears (erases) the text area of the screen.
INVERSE
Function: toggles between black letters on a white background and white
letters on a black background. Two of these placed on after another
could be used as a visual equivalent to the BELL command.
All appropriate Remote Service Procedure commands are also executable
through pull-down menu choices. If Red Ryder is started up by double-
clicking on a Remote Service Procedure icon, that Procedure is immediately
executed. A batch utility is under construction that will enable Red
Ryder to execute different Remote Service Procedures completely
unattended at specified times and dates.
The documentation lists several sample Remote Service Procedures for such
things as automatic logon to CompuServe, a "hang up the phone" routine,
a mini-BBS for private file transfers or electronic mail, and a method
to open and close an "archive" file through Macro Keys for selective
saving of text for later reference.
SUMMARY OF MACRO KEYS
---------------------
Each of the ten Macro Keys can be programmed to send a simple string of
up to 40 characters (like "MY PASSWORD") or immediately execute a
Remote Service Procedure. If Red Ryder is started up by double-clicking
on a Macro Keys definition file icon, those Macro Keys are immediately
loaded.
DOCUMENTATION
-------------
The documentation is 30 pages long (you don't need a ph.D in asynchronous
communications to get the most out of Red Ryder!), formatted with
version 2.2 of MacWrite.
GRAPHICS SUPPORT
----------------
Red Ryder supports M.G.S.P. (Macintosh Standard Graphics Protocol), for
stunning real time graphics transmission. M.G.S.P. specifications are
public domain so that all comm. programs can "speak the same language".
M.G.S.P. gives programmers a direct link to over 43 different QuickDraw
routines. A BBS program will be released soon by The FreeSoft Company
that uses M.G.S.P. to achieve the effect that you are using a local
Macintosh application program as soon as you are logged on (graphics,
animation, mouse buttons, dialog boxes, etc.). Unlike other "crippled"
graphics protocols, M.G.S.P. is error checked (so a flakey phone line
won't crash your system) and supports real time mouse support.
Best of all, M.G.S.P. is completely transparent to the user, completely
under control of the host, and completely reliable.
------------------------END OF RELEASE TEXT-------------------------
Dave Eilers
ihnp4!stolaf!eilersgwe@cbdkc1.UUCP ( George Erhart ) (03/18/85)
> *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE *** > Posted to net.sources.mac - RED RYDER 4.0 - hot off CompuServe. > Help, Red Ryder sections 1,2 and 6 never made it to this machine. I have searched the other machines I have access to an they did not receive them either. Soooo, would some kind soul please mail them to me. By the way, I see from articles post to the net that CompuServe seems to have a lot of software for the Mac available from the Apple SIg. Do you folks think the membership is worth it? I have a 1200 baud only modem and they charge a lot for connect time at that speed. Thanks, George Erhart ATT-NS/Bell Labs {ihnp4,cbosgd}!cbdkc1!gwe