mark@unisec.UUCP (05/15/87)
This shell archive contains a short document describing the steps necessary to link MRterm as well as the MRterm documentation segments. Use the "efmt" program posted prior to this posting to prepare the documentation. #---------------------------- c u t h e r e ------------------------------ #! /bin/sh # This is a shell archive, meaning: # 1. Remove everything above the #! /bin/sh line. # 2. Save the resulting text in a file. # 3. Execute the file with /bin/sh (not csh) to create the files: # quick.fo # s1 # s10 # s11 # s2 # s3 # s4 # s5 # s6 # s7 # s8 # s9 # This archive created: Fri May 15 14:44:51 1987 export PATH; PATH=/bin:$PATH if test -f 'quick.fo' then echo shar: will not over-write existing file "'quick.fo'" else cat << \SHAR_EOF > 'quick.fo' .in 10 .rm 70 .he /MRterm/Quick Notes/Page #/ .ju1 .ti +5 This small document provides some quick reference information for re-assembling and re-linking MRterm. Please refer to the program design document for more detailed information. .ti +5 MRterm is comprised of separately assembled source modules, each of which has an associated object file compatible with the Pro-Line C-Power (tm) linker. These source modules must be assembled by the C-ASSM 6502 assembler which runs in the C-Power environment. File Naming Conventions .ti +5 MRterm source files can be categorized as belonging to one of several classes. A file can be identified as belonging to a particular class by examining the suffix (period + 1 or more letters) on its name. The various file classes are: .in +5 Source Files - '.a' suffix. These files are assembled using the C/ASSM assembler. .sp 1 Object Files - '.o' suffix. For each source file assembled, one of these is generated. .sp 1 Include Files - '.i' suffix. These contain either system-wide definitions or fragments of larger source modules. .sp 1 Library File - '.l' suffix. Use of the library file makes the linking process (described later) much simpler. .sp 1 Program File - no suffix. The program file name is MRterm. .sp 1 Others - various suffixes. All files not covered in the other classes are generally data files used by MRterm during its normal operation (initial screen, parameters, etc.). .sp 2 .in -5 Rebuilding MRterm .sp 1 .ti +5 Should you wish to add your own features to MRterm (go ahead, just name it something else), you will first have to assemble the new or modified source module. If a new source module is added, you will have to rebuild the library file, MRterm.L. to do this, edit the library control file, MRterm.LCTL, adding the new object file name to the list that appears there. Make sure that you leave a blank line between the new file name and the 's' command (save library). The blank line terminates the 'a' (add object module) command. .sp 2 .ti +5 Once the edit(s) have been made, save the new control file. You are now ready to rebuild the library. To do this, you need a working copy of LIB.SH. The source for this utility, LIB.C, is supplied with the C-Power compiler. You will have to compile and link it, if you haven't already done so. .sp 2 .ti +5 To rebuild the library, invoke the LIB utility with the control file specified as standard input. Be sure to remove the old library file first: .sp 1 .ju0 $ rm mrterm.l $ (load lib if on separate disk) $ lib < mrterm.lctl .ju1 .sp2 .ti +5 To relink MRterm, use the following steps: .ju0 .sp1 $ rm mrterm $ link -s 2049 > startup.o > mrterm.l > ^ > end.o > output file name: mrterm .sp 1 .ju1 The object module 'startup.o' contains an external reference to label START which is in object module 'main.o', installed in the library. It is important that the module end.o be the last one linked, since it defines the start of the capture buffer area. .sp 2 That's all there is to it. The author would like to retain rights to the name MRterm (Mark Rinfret's terminal program). If you want to make changes, just name the program something else and it's yours. SHAR_EOF fi # end of overwriting check if test -f 's1' then echo shar: will not over-write existing file "'s1'" else cat << \SHAR_EOF > 's1' .lm 10 .rm 70 .sp10 .nf .ce 13 MRTERM V3.0 Multi-Function Terminal Program for the Commodore 64 Mark R. Rinfret 30 August, 1986 .he /MRTERM/User's Manual/Introduction/ .bp 1 .fo //Page 1-#// .fi .ju 1 Introduction .sp1 .ti +5 MRTERM (Mark Rinfret's TERMinal program) is a multi-function terminal program for the Commodore 64. It supports communications with a variety of computer systems and offers the popular Punter file transfer protocol (used on CBM bulletin boards) and the ubiquitous XMODEM protocol, developed by Ward Christensen. .sp2 .ti +5 MRTERM was designed to be user-friendly. Its operation should, for the most part, be self-explanatory. MRTERM is also a public domain program, distributed with assembly language source. I only ask that if you make changes or enhancements, you release the new program under a different name, but give credit of origin to me. If you have an executable copy of MRTERM without source and you would like the source, you can obtain it by: .sp1 .in +5 .nf 1. Sending 2 floppy diskettes and a prepaid mailer .sp1 or .sp1 2. Sending a check or money order for $10.00 .sp1 .ti -5 to: .sp1 Mark Rinfret 348 Indian Avenue Portsmouth, RI 02871 .sp2 .fi .in -5 .ti +5 Prior to placing your order, however, you should be aware that MRTERM was written using a special assembler developed by myself and others for use with the C-Power (tm) C language program development system from Pro-Line, Ltd. All source is file-compatible with the CBM assembler, but the syntax is quite different. Throw in another floppy diskette under option 1 or just indicate that you'd like the assembler under option 2 and I'll send that along, also. .sp2 .ti +5 This document is divided into several sections, according to the functional aspect of the program being discussed. For your ease in navigating this document, the various sections are: .sp1 .nf .in +5 Section 1 - Introduction Section 2 - General Info Section 3 - Operation Section 4 - Configuring MRTERM Section 5 - Terminal Mode Section 6 - File Transfer Protocols Section 7 - Disk/File Utilities Section 8 - Buffer Utilities Section 9 - Phone Book Utilities Section 10 - Function Key Utilities Section 11 - Coming Attractions .in -5 .fi .sp2 .ti +5 This document was prepared using the C-Power text editor and an extended version of the FORMAT utility, named EFMT, which runs in the C-Power shell. The source and executable for EFMT are provided with the source for MRTERM. .sp1 .nx /s2/ SHAR_EOF fi # end of overwriting check if test -f 's10' then echo shar: will not over-write existing file "'s10'" else cat << \SHAR_EOF > 's10' .lm 10 .rm 70 .fi .ju 1 .he /MRTERM/User's Guide/Function Keys/ .bp 1 .fo //Page 10-#// .in +5 .ti -5 Function Key Utilities .sp1 .ti +5 The function keys at the right hand side of your keyboard, labelled F1-F8, have special significance when MRTERM is in terminal mode. Each time a key is pressed, MRTERM checks to see if the key is one of the function keys. If so, a string of characters associated with the function key is output to the host computer. You, the user, define these function key strings (macros), which may be from zero to 20 characters long. .sp1 .ti +5 One special character which may be placed anywhere in a function key definition is the up-arrow key (to the left of the RESTORE key). Each time it is encountered, a carriage return (code 13 decimal) is sent instead. Unfortunately, this means that in the current release of MRTERM, the up-arrow key cannot be sent as part of a function key string. If this is a problem, let me know and I'll consider making MRTERM a little smarter. .sp1 .ti +5 The options available in the Function Key Utilities menu are: .sp2 .ti -5 Quit .sp1 .ti +5 You guessed it! This option exits the Function Key Utilities. .sp2 .ti -5 Edit Function Keys .sp1 .ti +5 This option allows you to assign up to 20 characters to each of the function keys. To select a key for modification, position the highlight bar to the desired key, then press RETURN. You will be prompted at the bottom of the screen for the new function key definition. You may exit the Edit Function Keys option during the key selection operation by entering SHIFT + RUN/STOP. The current function key definitions may be printed by typing C=P. .sp2 .ti -5 Load Function Keys .sp1 .ti +5 This option allows you to redefine the function keys from data in the file 'mrterm.fkey'. .sp2 .ti -5 Save Function Keys .sp1 .ti +5 This option allows you to save your current function key definitions to the file 'mrterm.fkey'. Each time MRTERM is booted up, the function key definitions will be automatically set to the configuration in this file. .br .in -5 .nx /s11/ SHAR_EOF fi # end of overwriting check if test -f 's11' then echo shar: will not over-write existing file "'s11'" else cat << \SHAR_EOF > 's11' .lm 10 .rm 70 .fi .ju 1 .he /MRTERM/User's Guide/Coming Attractions/ .bp 1 .fo //Page 11-#// Coming Attractions .sp1 .in +5 Multi-drive operation .sp1 Configurable printer parameters .sp1 User-editable character translation tables .sp1 Custom character sets .sp1 Enhanced keyboard options (all caps, local echo, etc.) .sp1 80 Columns .sp1 DEC terminal emulation .sp1 .in -5 .sp2 .ti +5 If you have any comments or suggestions, please drop me a card or call 401-846-7639 (evenings + weekends), 401-849-4174 (workdays). .sp1 Happy telecomputing! .sp2 .in +10 .nf Mark Rinfret 348 Indian Ave. Portsmouth, RI 02871 .in -10 .nf .bp SHAR_EOF fi # end of overwriting check if test -f 's2' then echo shar: will not over-write existing file "'s2'" else cat << \SHAR_EOF > 's2' .lm 10 .rm 70 .fi .ju 1 .he /MRTERM/User's Guide/General Info/ .bp 1 .fo //Page 2-#// General Info .sp1 .ti +5 I wrote MRTERM after I realized how often I complained about existing public domain terminal programs not providing all the features I wanted in a terminal program. To be sure, MRTERM is in its infancy and is in some ways inferior to many commercial programs, but it is my intent to follow this version with a series of rapid updates. .sp1 .ti +5 I also believe that public domain contributions should contribute in some way to a user's learning experience and understanding of his system - that's why I am releasing the source as well. If my source serves as a foundation for something you wanted to do but had too much inertia to get started, go ahead - hack it up to your heart's content! .sp2 Menu Operation .sp1 .ti +5 MRTERM's user interface is primarily menu-driven. This will eventually give way to a combination of menus and special key sequences (logo + other), but I felt that the menu approach deserved first consideration. If you're in a hurry and you can't remember the special keycode required to get to an option, you can always get there via a menu option, though this may be more time consuming. Each menu consists of a title line, centered at the top of the screen, followed by a list of options, with three lines of instructions at the bottom of the screen. .sp2 .ti +5 When you activate a menu, you will notice that the first option is highlighted (printed in reverse video). This indicates that this option is currently 'selected'. To select some other option, you may scroll the highlight bar up or down (with wrap-around) by depressing the CRSR-down or CRSR-up key. To complete the selection process, just press the RETURN key. MRTERM will either display another menu or perform the action requested. You will notice that every option in MRTERM's menus starts with a unique first character (e.g. there are no two options beginning with the letter A). This is to enable you to select an option by simply typing the first letter of the option (unshifted). .sp2 Special Key Sequences .sp1 .ti +5 Certain keys or combinations of keys have special effects in MRTERM. One that you will see repeatedly is the SHIFT + RUN/STOP combination. To enter this key code requires that you depress the SHIFT and RUN/STOP keys simultaneously. This combination is not original and is not arbitrary. STOP is a likely key for stopping or exiting what you're currently doing. Unfortunately, the ASCII equivalent of the STOP key is the combination CTRL-C (press the CTRL and C keys simultaneously) which is used by some systems as an exit signal. SHIFT + RUN/STOP, on the other hand, generates a code which is not likely to be used by any other system (hex 83). It is also not likely that you would enter this combination by accident. .sp1 .ti +5 Other keycode combinations involve the simultaneous depression of the Commdore logo key (lower left hand corner) and some other key. Textually, this is represented in this document as 'logo + key'. Graphically, it is represented as 'C=key'. For example, 'logo + R' is graphically represented as 'C=R'. .sp2 Use of Color .sp1 .ti +5 Another feature of the program is the use of customizable color combinations. Outside of the background and border colors, there are three other color parameters which have special significance: .sp1 .in +10 .ti -5 Offline - This color indicates that you are interacting with MRTERM and are not directly communicating with the remote computer. All of MRTERM's menus and prompts are displayed in this color. .sp1 .ti -5 Online - This color indicates that you are interacting with the remote computer. .sp1 .ti -5 Highlight - MRTERM uses this color for the presentation of special information which should stand out from the rest of the display. The color selected should generally be the brightest of the three colors. .in -10 .sp2 Use of Sound .sp1 .ti +5 MRTERM currently uses four sound effects. The first is the bell sound which is caused by receipt of a bell character (control-g). The second, a gong (lower pitched bell), is used to signal certain events or messages that require user intervention. The third, a buzz, is a raspy tone that indicates user input error. The fourth is a clicking sound (or high-pitched beep), used when the key-click option is activated. .sp1 .nx /s3/ SHAR_EOF fi # end of overwriting check if test -f 's3' then echo shar: will not over-write existing file "'s3'" else cat << \SHAR_EOF > 's3' .lm 10 .rm 70 .fi .ju 1 .he /MRTERM/User's Guide/Operation/ .bp 1 .fo //Page 3-#// Operation .sp1 .ti +5 MRTERM is activated with the following sequence: .sp1 .in +10 .nf LOAD"MRTERM",8 RUN .fi .in -10 .sp1 When run, MRTERM will first load and display the initial screen (mrterm.s) and wait for you to press any key. MRTERM will then attempt to load the parameter file (mrterm.parms) which sets the operating defaults to your preferred settings. If MRTERM can't load this file, an error message will be displayed and a set of general defaults will be established. You can create a new parameter file at any time with the CONFIGURE command (later). MRTERM next loads the phone book file (mrterm.phone). .sp1 .ti +5 The initial menu will now be displayed. The current MRTERM version number will be displayed in the title and the list of top-level options will appear in the middle of the screen. The function of these options is described briefly in the following paragraphs. You may note that the options don't appear to be in any particular order (certainly not alphabetical). The options are arranged primarily by their expected frequency of use, with more frequently used options nearer the top of the screen. If an option is discussed in greater detail later in this manual, the appropriate section number is referenced. .sp2 The Main Menu .sp1 .ti +5 The following functions are provided by the Main Menu: .sp2 .in +5 .ti -5 Terminal .sp1 This option 'engages' you with the remote computer, allowing you to type commands and receive responses. You should first call a remote system and establish a connection prior to using this command. Another way to enter terminal mode is to use the Auto-Dial command. See section 5 for more details. .sp2 .ti -5 Auto-Dial .sp1 The autodialer automatically dials a remote computer and tests for carrier. If a connection is established, Auto-Dial will transition directly to terminal mode. See Section 5. .sp2 .ti -5 Receive File .sp1 This option allows you to receive a file (download) from the remote system. See section 6. .sp2 .ti -5 Send File .sp1 The Send File option (upload) allows you to transfer a file from your computer to the remote computer. See section 6. .sp2 .ti -5 Configure .sp1 The Configure option allows you to modify and optionally save the operating parameters of MRTERM. See section 4. .sp2 .ti -5 Disk/File Utilities .sp1 This option provides several commands related to disk and file management. See section 7. .sp2 .ti -5 Buffer Utilities .sp1 MRTERM provides a buffer area for the capture of data from the host computer and for the preparation of text messages to be transferred to the host. The Buffer Utilities provide tools for managing this buffer. See section 8. .sp2 .ti -5 Phone Book Utilities .sp1 To augment the auto-dialer, MRTERM provides the ability to store up to 20 phone numbers for quick dialing. The Phone Book Utilities allow you to maintain the phone book. See section 9. .sp2 .ti -5 Function Key Utilities .sp1 The function keys, F1-F8, can be programmed by you to output a sequence of characters whenever they are pressed in terminal mode. The Function Key Utilities provide commands for managing these key definitions. .sp2 .ti -5 Quit .sp1 The Quit command terminates the execution of MRTERM. If you are connected to a remote system, you should first do whatever is necessary to log off and drop carrier prior to exiting MRTERM. .br .in -5 .nx /s4/ SHAR_EOF fi # end of overwriting check if test -f 's4' then echo shar: will not over-write existing file "'s4'" else cat << \SHAR_EOF > 's4' .lm 10 .rm 70 .fi .ju 1 .he /MRTERM/User's Guide/Configure/ .bp 1 .fo //Page 4-#// Configuring MRTERM .sp1 .ti +5 MRTERM allows the user to customize many of its operating parameters and to save them to a default parameter file (mrterm.parms) or to other files which may be selected, depending upon the remote system being accessed. It is therefore conceivable that you could have a special parameter file for each different class of system being accessed. The Configure option in the main menu supports the following secondary options: .sp2 .in +5 .ti -5 Quit .sp1 This option returns the user to the main menu. .sp2 .ti -5 Modem/Communications Parameters .sp1 This option presents the user with another sub-menu which allows parameters related to modem operation and file transfer to be changed. The behavior of this sub-menu is slightly different than that of the main menu. Option names are highlighted with the cursor keys only. Settings within an option are made by depressing the spacebar. By multiple depressions of the spacebar, you can cycle through all settings within a given option. Pressing the RETURN key exits this sub-menu. To make your settings permanent, you must use the Save Parameters option of this sub-menu. The options under this sub-menu are: .sp2 .in +5 .ti -5 Baud Rate .sp1 This option allows you to select the rate at which your modem communicates with the remote system. The allowed values for baud rate are 1200 and 300 (I left out the less popular settings). This value is dependent upon the rate that both your modem and the remote system's modem can support. If a system supports 1200 baud, it will usually support 300 baud, also. If you are using a 1650 type modem, it only supports 300 baud. Most systems use the following settings: .sp1 .ti +5 300/1200 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity. .sp2 .ti -5 Data Bits .sp1 The number of data bits is usually 7 or 8, with 8 being the most popular. Values of 5 through 8 are possible. To transfer a file with either protocol, you MUST set the number of data bits to 8. .sp2 .ti -5 Stop Bits .sp1 This value can be either 1 or 2, with 1 being the customary value. .sp2 .ti -5 Parity .sp1 Parity, which is used for single character error checking can be one of the following: .sp1 .ti +5 None (usual), Odd, Even, Mark, Space .sp2 .ti -5 Protocol .sp1 This sets the type of file transfer to be performed by the Send File and Receive File options. You must know in advance what protocols the remote system supports in order to perform file transfer. The protocols currently supported are Punter and XMODEM. XMODEM will start up in CRC mode. If the remote system only supports checksum mode, MRTERM will switch to that mode after 3 retries. .sp2 .ti -5 Modem Type .sp1 Currently, MRTERM supports two very broad classes of modem: Hayes compatible and Commodore 1650. The Hayes compatible modems are also called 'smart' modems. They have a built-in command processor and support a variety of special commands. The 1650 type modem is not so smart, but does support pulse mode dialing. There are some 'in-between' models out there that may or may not fit into either category. I'd appreciate any feedback on modems that do not work (autodial) with MRTERM, along with any technical specifics you can pass my way. .sp2 .ti -5 Dial Command .sp1 If you are using a Hayes compatible modem, this option allows you to choose the character sequence which activates dialing for your modem. The dial command defaults to 'atdt' which is used for tone dialing. If you have pulse dialing, you'll want to change the dial command to 'atdp'. The dial command can be up to 8 characters long, so you may embed other commands as well, such as 'e1' which enables echo. Refer to your modem operations manual for details. .sp1 As with the other modem options, you change this one by first pressing the spacebar. The current dial command will be erased and you may enter a new one. Terminate your entry with the RETURN key. This will not cause you to exit the Modem/Communications Parameters menu, but will leave you positioned at the Dial Command option. .sp2 .ti -5 Colors .sp1 This option lets you choose the color combinations that are most pleasing to your eye. Experiment with different combinations until you get the one that is most pleasing to you. Each color category (background, border, online, offline, highlight) can be set with one of the function keys, F1 through F5. Each time a function key is pressed, its color assignment will cycle to the next color code. You may notice in some instances that suddenly, parts of this sub-menu become invisible. This is because you've made one of the color categories the same as the background color. Ooops! That's simple to fix - just recycle the background color or the color in conflict until that group becomes visible again. .sp2 .ti -5 Load Parameters .sp1 This option can be used to restore MRTERM's parameters to their defaults (like when you get it hopelessly confused) or to load a custom parameter file that you had saved earlier. You will be prompted with: .sp1 .in +5 .nf Enter parameter file name or RETURN for default: .fi .in -5 .sp1 If you just press RETURN, the default parameter file (mrterm.parms) will be loaded. You may enter another filename. Before loading the parameter file, MRTERM attempts to verify that the file you requested is indeed a parameter file. If it passes the test, it will be loaded. .sp2 .ti -5 Save Parameters .sp1 This option allows you to save new parameter settings to the default parameter file or to a file of your choice. You will be prompted with the same prompt as in Load Parameters. Use caution, since the designated output file is automatically scratched prior to saving the new copy. .sp2 .in -5 .nx /s5/ SHAR_EOF fi # end of overwriting check if test -f 's5' then echo shar: will not over-write existing file "'s5'" else cat << \SHAR_EOF > 's5' .lm 10 .rm 70 .fi .ju 1 .he /MRTERM/User's Guide/Terminal Mode/ .bp 1 .fo //Page 5-#// .in +5 .ti -5 Terminal Mode Operation .sp1 .ti +5 Terminal mode is entered by selecting the Terminal command from the main menu. In this mode, you may directly converse with a remote computer. Prior to using terminal mode, however, you must make sure that certain configuration parameters, such as baud rate (the speed at which data is transmitted), parity, word size, etc., are correcty set. See section 4 for details on configuring MRTERM. .sp1 .ti +5 Beneath the surface, there is a fair amount of work being carried out to support terminal mode. First off, MRTERM must constantly check the modem for characters arriving from the host and the keyboard for characters that you, the user, have typed. Equal priority is given to each so that your keyboard inputs are not blocked by a 'runaway' host or by an endless stream of input caused by a severed or noisy connection. .sp1 .ti +5 MRTERM expects data arriving at the modem to be ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) format. It also sends data using ASCII codes. Since the Commodore 64 actually represents character data in a non-standard form of ASCII, called PET-ASCII, translations must be performed. ASCII data arriving from the host computer is transformed (when possible) into PET-ASCII. Data for which a translation is undefined is ignored. When you press a key on the keyboard, MRTERM not only performs an inverse translation, but it also looks for special key codes which do not get sent to the remote computer but which do cause special actions at your computer. Currently, these special key codes include the SHIFT + RUN/STOP combination (both keys pressed simultaneously) and certain combinations of the Commodore logo key (lower left hand corner) plus other keys. If you press keyboard combinations for which there is no translation or local action will cause a buzz tone to be generated, thus signalling you that you have made an illegal keyboard entry. .sp1 .ti +5 In its default configuration, MRTERM performs the following special translations: .sp1 .in +5 .nf Keyboard Sent INST DEL (127) delete DEL BS (8) backspace Received Becomes BS (8) DEL (20) FF (12) CLR (147) .fi .in -5 .sp2 Special Keys .sp1 .ti +5 Certain keys and key combinations have special effects while in terminal mode. Remember that the 'C=key' designation implies simultaneous depression of the Commodore logo key with some other key. .sp1 .ti +5 The function keys, labeled f1-f8, are user-programmable. That is, you may define each one of these keys to output a sequence of characters whenever they are pressed. See the section on Function Key Utilities for more details. .sp1 .ti+5 While in terminal mode, you may enable or disable the 'capture buffer' by typing C=B. Each time this sequence is entered, the buffer mode is toggled on or off, depending upon its current state. When buffer mode is active, a sprite in the image of a parachutist (well, it IS original...) will be displayed on the right hand side of the screen. As the capture buffer fills, the parachutist will 'fall' to the bottom of the screen. Should the buffer overflow, a message will be displayed, the sprite will be turned off and no more information will be captured. See section 8 for more information on managing the capture buffer. .sp1 .ti +5 You can activate/deactivate an audible click for each keypress by typing the logo + k combination (klick). .sp1 .ti +5 C=P will print the current screen image to your printer. In this version of MRTERM, the printer must be configured as device #4. A secondary address of 7 is used. A later version of MRTERM will enable you to reconfigure your printer. .sp1 .ti +5 You can transition directly from terminal mode to either Receive File or Send File by entering C=R or C=S, respectively. You'll find this much more convenient than returning to the main menu. .sp1 .ti +5 Terminal mode is terminated or interrupted by pressing the SHIFT and RUN/STOP keys simultaneously. This will be necessary in order to get to any of the other functions (configure, send file, receive file, etc.) or to exit MRTERM. .sp2 Summary of Terminal Mode Special Keys .sp1 .nf C=B Toggle Capture Buffer C=K Toggle Key-Click C=P Print Screen C=R Receive File C=S Send File .fi .sp1 .bp .ti -5 The Auto-Dialer .sp1 .ti +5 If you are using a modem with an auto-dialer which is compatible with MRTERM, you may use the auto-dial feature. The type of dialing method used depends upon the current modem type selected (see CONFIGURE). Auto-Dial currently supports Hayes-compatible, CBM 1650 and Westridge type modems (64 Modem from Total Telecommunications). .sp1 When Auto-Dial is selected, the phone book (see section 9) will be displayed on your screen. The first entry is "Unrecorded", which allows you to type in a number from the keyboard. The number may include punctuation characters, such as hyphens, which are ignored. One special character of note is the comma. Each occurrence of a comma in the phone number string results in a delay of approximately 2 seconds. This can be useful in situations where a 'local' line must first be activated prior to dialing out (example: 9,123-4567). .sp1 .ti +5 If you wish to dial one of the numbers recorded in the phone book, simply position the highlight bar to the desired number, using the cursor keys. press RETURN to dial the number or press SHIFT and RUN/STOP to abort the autodial process. .sp1 .ti +5 Auto-Dial is designed to retry forever. To cancel dialing, press any key. There is a short time-delay between when carrier is detected and when Auto-Dial transitions to terminal mode. This is to prevent false carrier detection which can occur on some modems when a line is busy. You may also notice 'garbage' characters when a connection is made. This behavior is normal with some combinations of modems. The Auto-Dialer displays everything sent by the remote system during the carrier-detect time-delay so you won't miss any initial log-in messages or info. Unfortunately, this can cause a messy screen at times. .br .in -5 .nx /s6/ SHAR_EOF fi # end of overwriting check if test -f 's6' then echo shar: will not over-write existing file "'s6'" else cat << \SHAR_EOF > 's6' .lm 10 .rm 70 .fi .ju 1 .he /MRTERM/User's Guide/File Transfers/ .bp 1 .fo //Page 6-#// .in +5 .ti -5 File Transfers .sp1 .ti +5 Though certain (textual) information can be collected in the capture buffer and saved to disk, this is a highly unreliable method of file transfer and is unsuitable for the transfer of binary information such as that contained in data files and program files. .sp1 .ti +5 File transfer protocols, in general, provide well-defined mechanisms for the controlled transfer of file data, providing error detection and recovery in situations where line noise would otherwise corrupt a file transmitted via phone. MRTERM offers you a choice of two such protocols: Punter and XMODEM. .sp1 .ti +5 The Punter protocol was developed by Steve Punter, of Canada and is used only on Commodore systems. It provides a reasonably fast, highly reliable means of transferring files between systems. When available, it should be used rather than XMODEM. XMODEM, developed by Ward Christensen, is a 'universal' protocol, supported on just about every computer under the sun. It actually comes in two 'flavors': checksum and CRC (cyclic redundancy check). CRC mode is more reliable than checksum mode. Mode selection is an automatic process, accomplished through an initial handshake process carried out by the sending and receiving computers. .sp2 .ti -5 Receiving a File (C=R) .sp1 .ti +5 When receiving a file, the protocol used (Punter or XMODEM) depends upon your current modem/communications parameter settings (see section 4). You must insure that the protocol selected matches that used by the remote system. Prior to selecting receive mode, you must have initiated the file transfer at the remote system. For both protocols, you will be prompted with: .sp1 .ti +5 RECEIVE file: .sp1 Enter the name of the file to be created on your system. If this is an XMODEM transfer, you will next be prompted with: .sp1 .ti +5 File type (p or s): .sp1 You are restricted to sending and receiving program and sequential files only. Enter a 'p' for a program file or an 's' for a sequential file. .sp1 .ti +5 Assuming that no error occurred during the opening of the file, the transfer should begin. Though the internal behavior of both protocols is quite different, their outward behavior should appear similar. You will notice that the screen will fill with strange looking data, some of which you may be able to read. This is because the screen memory area is used as a buffer for the transfer protocols. This is both memory-efficient (no special buffer area need be set aside) and gives you something to watch while the transfer takes place. Both protocols display good and bad block counts as they occur. Status messages, if any, are displayed in the highlight color at the bottom of the screen. .sp1 .ti +5 The XMODEM protocol actually supports two versions of XMODEM - cyclic redundancy check (CRC) and normal checksum. The mode selected is determined during the initial handshake (agreement between the two computer systems). The receiver will request CRC mode. If the sender doesn't support it, a timeout will occur. After 3 timeouts, MRTERM will switch to checksum mode. Of the two modes, CRC mode provides a much higher reliability factor. This is because the checksum at the end of each block is 2 bytes long (vs. 1) and is computed using a sophisticated polynomial algorithm. .sp1 .ti +5 Upon termination of the transfer, a flashing status message will appear at the bottom of the screen, informing you of the success or failure of the transfer. Press any key (RETURN is fine) to return to the main menu. To return to terminal mode, simply press the RETURN key again. .sp2 .ti -5 Sending a File (C=S) .sp1 .ti +5 To send a file, you must first initiate a receive operation at the remote computer. When activated, Send File will prompt with: .sp1 .ti +5 SEND file: .sp1 Respond with the name of the file that you wish to send. The screen behavior for sending a file is nearly identical to that for receiving a file. .br .in -5 .nx /s7/ SHAR_EOF fi # end of overwriting check if test -f 's7' then echo shar: will not over-write existing file "'s7'" else cat << \SHAR_EOF > 's7' .lm 10 .rm 70 .fi .ju 1 .he /MRTERM/User's Guide/Disk & File/ .bp 1 .fo //Page 7-#// Disk and File Utilities .sp1 .ti +5 The Disk and File Utilities provide you with convenient disk management features while running MRTERM. The options available are: .sp2 .in +5 .ti -5 Quit .sp1 You ought to know by now that this option returns you to the main menu. .sp2 .ti -5 Blocks Free .sp1 Blocks Free shows you how many blocks are available for storing files on the currently inserted data disk. It is a good idea to use this command prior to downloading files from a system. .sp2 .ti -5 Directory .sp1 You will be prompted with: .sp1 .nf Screen (s) or Printer (p): .sp1 .fi If you respond with an 's' or RETURN, the disk directory will be displayed, a screenful at a time. Once the screen is full, you are prompted with: .sp1 .ti +5 STOP to abort, RETURN to continue... .sp1 Pressing the STOP key will abort the directory listing, returning you to the Disk and File Utilities menu. Pressing the RETURN key will allow you to see the next screenful of the directory. You may also enter C=P to copy the current screen to the printer. .sp1 If you select the Printer option, the entire directory will be listed to the printer. .sp2 .ti -5 Format Disk (new ID) .sp1 This command allows you to prepare a new (or old) floppy disk for the storage of files. IF THERE IS DATA ON THE DISKETTE, IT WILL BE LOST! A warning similar to the one you just read will be displayed. You will also be prompted for a disk name (1-16 characters) and a disk ID (2 characters). Consult your disk drive owner's manual for details about disk name and ID. Should you decide that this is not what you want to do, you may abort by typing 'n' (no) to the initial prompt or by responding to the disk name or ID prompts with RETURN only. .sp1 The Format command will take approximately 80 seconds on an unmodified 1541 disk drive. When formatting is complete, a status message will be displayed. If the status is not "0, OK,0,0" then you must determine the source of the error (no disk inserted, write protect tab on, etc.). Upon completion, the Format Disk command will repeat until you terminate it, allowing you to format several disks in one operation. .sp2 .ti -5 Initialize Disk (same ID) .sp1 The Initialize Disk option can only be used with disks that were previously formatted. It allows you to rename the disk, but not change the ID number. As with Format Disk, the maximum number of blocks will be made available and old data will be destroyed. Initialize Disk is much quicker than Format Disk, being almost instantaneous. .sp2 .ti -5 Rename File .sp1 You will first be prompted for the 'New file name' which is the new name you wish to give a file. Next, you are prompted for the 'Old file name' which must be the name of a file currently stored on the diskette. The old file will be renamed. Typical errors include attempting to rename a file to the name of an existing file and attempting to rename a file with an incorrect 'Old file name' (file doesn't exist). .sp2 .ti -5 Scratch File(s) .sp1 This option allows you to remove one or more files from the currently inserted diskette. You will be prompted for the name(s) of the files to be scratched. Separate multiple file names with commas. A null response terminates the Scratch File(s) command. After the scratch operation is completed, a status message will be displayed, reporting the number of files that were scratched. .sp2 .ti -5 Send Commands to Disk .sp1 The screen will clear and MRTERM will prompt you with: .sp1 .in +5 .nf Enter disk command or RETURN to quit: > .fi .in -10 .sp1 At this point, you can send DOS commands directly to your disk drive. After each command is processed, the disk status message is displayed on the screen. This option is terminated by just pressing RETURN. Refer to your disk drive owner's manual for DOS command syntax. .br .in -5 .nx /s8/ SHAR_EOF fi # end of overwriting check if test -f 's8' then echo shar: will not over-write existing file "'s8'" else cat << \SHAR_EOF > 's8' .lm 10 .rm 70 .fi .ju 1 .he /MRTERM/User's Guide/Buffer Utilities/ .bp 1 .fo //Page 8-#// Buffer Utilities .sp1 .ti +5 The Buffer Utilities segment of MRTERM provides functions which manage the text capture buffer. The capture buffer is enabled/disabled by typing logo-b when in terminal mode. .sp1 .in +5 .ti -5 Quit .sp1 .ti +5 Exit the Buffer Utilities segment of MRTERM. .sp2 .ti -5 Edit/View Capture Buffer .sp1 .ti +5 The capture buffer editor is primarily intended for composing messages for later transmission to the host computer. It can also be used to edit the contents of the capture buffer prior to saving it to a file. You won't find all the features of a full screen editor here, but you'll probably find more than you're used to in a terminal program. The editor is always in 'insert mode'. That is, any text that you type will be inserted before the text at which the cursor is positioned. At all times, a status line is displayed at the bottom of the screen which indicates the current line, column, line length and buffer space remaining. .sp1 .ti +5 The editor will handle lines up to 255 characters in length. It achieves this by maintaining a 'window' which holds 40 columns by 24 rows of text. As the cursor is moved right or left through the borders of the window, the screen is scrolled, in increments of 10 characters, to make the next region of text visible. .sp1 .ti +5 Certain special keys which perform editing functions are: .sp1 .in +5 CLR - erases the contents of the buffer. You will be prompted for confirmation prior to the actual clearing. .sp1 DEL - deletes the character to the left of the cursor. .sp1 INST - deletes all characters to the right of the cursor in the current line, including the carriage return. The next line on the screen is 'joined' to the current line at the point of deletion and the screen is rewritten. .sp1 HOME - This is a context-sensitive key. If you are somewhere in the middle of the buffer, the first press of the HOME key places you at the top of the screen. If you are already at the top of the screen, but not at the beginning of the buffer, pressing the HOME key will place you at the beginning of the buffer. Finally, if you are at the beginning of the buffer, pressing the HOME key will place you at the end of the document. .sp1 RETURN - Move the cursor to the beginning of the next line, scrolling the screen window if necessary. .sp1 SHIFT+RETURN - Move the cursor to the currently visible portion of the next line. .sp1 C=P - Output the screen to the printer. .sp1 F1 - Scroll forward 20 lines. .sp1 F2 - Scroll backward 20 lines. .sp1 F7 - Move the cursor, scrolling the screen window if necessary, to the end of the current line. .sp1 F8 - Move the cursor, scrolling the screen window, if necessary, to the beginning of the current line. .sp1 SHIFT + RUN/STOP - exit the editor. .sp2 .br .in -5 .ti -5 Load Buffer from File .sp1 .ti +5 MRTERM will prompt you for the name of a SEQ type file. If successfully opened, MRTERM will then load the file (or as much of it as possible) into the capture buffer. If the whole file will not fit, an error message will be displayed. .sp2 .ti -5 Save Buffer to File .sp1 .ti +5 MRTERM will prompt for the name of a SEQ type file. If successfully opened, the contents of the capture buffer will be output to the file. .sp2 .ti -5 Print Buffer .sp1 .ti +5 This option prints the contents of the capture buffer to the printer. The current printer defaults are: .nf device 4 secondary address 7 no initialization string .fi .sp1 In later releases, the user will have control over these parameters. You will be prompted with: .sp1 Continuous (c) or Paginated (p)? .sp1 Continuous print will print the data exactly as it appears in the buffer. No attempt is made to skip over page perforations. Paginated print will leave a 3 line margin at the top and bottom of every page. Be sure to position the paper at top of form before issuing this command if you intend to save the listing. .sp2 .ti -5 Transfer Buffer to Host .sp1 .ti +5 This command, used in conjunction with the buffer editor, provides you with a very flexible message composing function. Upon invocation, you will first be prompted for a character to substitute for carriage return (CR). Since many BBS programs provide automatic word-wrap features, this feature provides you with a way to take advantage of them. By using some special character (e.g. up-arrow) to signal a 'hard' return, you can control the format of messages transferred to the host system. If you respond to this prompt with anything but the RETURN key, that key code will be watched for. Whenever it appears in your buffer, a RETURN will be sent instead. Whenever a RETURN appears, a space will be sent. The next prompt asks you for a delay value. A RETURN at this prompt sets a delay value of zero (none). If you enter a number from 1 to 30, that many sixtieths of a second will elapse between the transmission of characters. This provides a 'safety', giving the host system a chance to keep up. I would recommend a value of 5, though experimentation is encouraged. A value of 30 will surely put you and the other system to sleep! .br .in -5 .nx /s9/ SHAR_EOF fi # end of overwriting check if test -f 's9' then echo shar: will not over-write existing file "'s9'" else cat << \SHAR_EOF > 's9' .lm 10 .rm 70 .fi .ju 1 .he /MRTERM/User's Guide/Phone Book/ .bp 1 .fo //Page 9-#// .in +5 .ti -5 Phone Book Utilities .sp1 .ti +5 The phone book, used in conjunction with the auto-dialer, provides a very convenient approach to connecting with a remote system. The phone book stores the names and phone numbers of up to 20 systems. The Phone Book Utilities provide the tools necessary for maintaining the phone book, allowing you to add new entries, delete old ones and save your changes to a special file (mrterm.phone) on the disk. .sp2 .ti -5 Quit .sp1 .ti +5 This command returns you to the main menu. .sp2 .ti -5 Auto-Dial .sp1 .ti +5 This command allows you to test your new phone book entries without having to return to the main menu. It works the same as the Auto-Dial command described in section 5. .sp2 .ti -5 View/Edit Phone Book .sp1 .ti +5 Upon selecting this command, the contents of the phone book are displayed on the screen. You may simply view this information, or change it if you wish. You will notice that the first entry is titled "Unrecorded". This is a special entry for the dialing of numbers other than those stored in the phone book and cannot be edited. .sp1 .ti +5 To exit this command, press the SHIFT and RUN/STOP keys simultaneously. To select an entry for modification, simply position the highlight bar to the correct entry and press the RETURN key. A prompt for the system name will appear at the bottom of the screen. The maximum number of characters allowed will be displayed in parentheses. Enter the name, terminating it with the RETURN key. If you press the RETURN key as the first character in the Name field, no change will be made. Once you have entered the name, you will be prompted for the phone number. Again, the maximum number of characters allowed is displayed in the prompt. Enter the phone number and press RETURN. You may print the current phone book by typing C=P. .sp1 IMPORTANT: your changes are not permanently recorded UNTIL you use the Save Phone Book command. .sp1 If you have not done so already, see section 5 (Terminal Mode) for information on the significance of special characters in a phone number. .sp2 .ti -5 Load Phone Book .sp1 .ti +5 This command will reload the phone book from disk and is useful if you've made a mistake while editing. .sp2 .ti -5 Save Phone Book .sp1 .ti +5 This command saves the phone book to disk, permanently recording any changes you have made with the Edit/View Phone Book command. .br .in -5 .nx /s10/ SHAR_EOF fi # end of overwriting check # End of shell archive exit 0 -- | Mark R. Rinfret, SofTech, Inc. mark@unisec.usi.com | | Guest of UniSecure Systems, Inc., Newport, RI | | UUCP: {gatech|mirror|cbosgd|uiucdcs|ihnp4}!rayssd!unisec!mark | | work: (401)-849-4174 home: (401)-846-7639 |