melnik@topaz.rutgers.edu (Ofer Melnik) (07/22/88)
I have an atari 800xl and a rs232 modem which I recently bought.
I am trying to find the *right* communications package to use with
this set-up. In my humble opinion it should be able to emulate a dec
with 80 columns, it should also be able to handle my modem without
me having to write any new handlers. I have been considering the omnicom,
but I would prefer the true 80 column board, atari came out with, if there
is suitable software for it. I dont have much experience with the atari
and in such dont even know how to connect the modem yet.
I would greatly appreciate any help or recomendations.
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In article <Jul.22.06.05.02.1988.6915@topaz.rutgers.edu>, melnik@topaz.rutgers.edu (Ofer Melnik) writes: > I have an atari 800xl and a rs232 modem which I recently bought. Congratulations. Welcome to (the beginnings of) the world of dialup! > I am trying to find the *right* communications package to use with > this set-up. In my humble opinion it should be able to emulate a dec > with 80 columns, it should also be able to handle my modem without > me having to write any new handlers. I have been considering the omnicom, > but I would prefer the true 80 column board, atari came out with, if there > is suitable software for it. A lot of people may repeat this or offer different opinions, but in MY opinion, the *very best* DEC-emulating, 80-column program is John Dunning's port of Kermit65 (originally from the -cough- C64, I believe). Advantages are that you can toggle screen display mode between 40 columns (standard Atari GRAPHICS 0) which can "scroll" horizontally to 80 columns, and a software 80-column-emulation mode. Terminal emulation can be VT52, VT100 (the *best* I've used, better than VT10-squared, Omnicom, Chameleon), or "none" (dumb ASCII). Kermit file transfer is supported quite nicely. Dis- advantages: no way to "ASCII capture" a terminal session, "Print screen," or perform other file-transfer protocols besides Kermit. I don't find those to be even minor annoyances, since I never use those features anyway, but Oyou should be fully informed. Other netsters feel free to add to this commentary. Kermit65 looks for an "R:" device driver, functionally equivalent to Atari's original R: handler for the 850 Interface, but this does not LIMIT YOU to using the 850 Interface. Any driver that LOOKS like the original driver to Kermit65, will work; I've used it with an SX212 modem connected directly to the SIO bus, using the RVERT212 handler, and I've seen references on this net to people using it with an XM301 modem and appropriate handler. > I dont have much experience with the atari > and in such dont even know how to connect the modem yet. > I would greatly appreciate any help or recomendations. This depends pretty much on what kind of modem you have. If you were to use the Atari SX212 modem, it has an SIO jack and can be connected to the end of your normal peripheral-devices "daisy chain." You'd then have to obtain the RVERT212 handler and load it into memory before loading Kermit65 or whatever terminal program you decide upon. (RVERT212 can either be loaded as a sepa- rate file, or can be prepended to your terminal program to make one BIG file.) If you have a modem other than the SX212, you will need some sort of hardware interface unit to make the Atari capable of speaking RS232, and vice versa. (In the SX212, this is basically "built in," is all.) Such interfaces include, but are not limited to, the original Atari 850 Interface Module (I use this), the P:/R: Connection (I've helped install one), and a couple of other things whose names escape me -- perhaps you readers can assist! Good luck on whatever you come up with; once you get it set up it all looks really simple in retrospect! Chris Chiesa -- UUCP: <backbones>!{iuvax,pur-ee,uunet}!bsu-cs!cfchiesa cfchiesa@bsu-cs.UUCP
Thufir@cup.portal.com (08/21/88)
Speaking of Kermit-65, what is the latest version, and is the latest
version available on either GEnie or CIS?
I currently use Chameleon, since it does handle Xmodem. Unfortunately,
due to a bug/shortcoming of it, there's a nasty problem when I attempt to
go to the 'disk utilities' section, such as to get a directory, and it locks
up. This is most likely since I am using SpartaDOS, and Chameleon is
somewhat old, at least I can still transfer onto my ramdisk. I had a copy of
Kermit-65 that didn't work too well, that was awhile ago, but even though
it lacks xmodem (the system I'm on ONLY supports xmodem, no kermit), still
would be nice to have.
I'm also <very slowly due to lack of free time> working on a modular term.
program. Currently supports the 80 column simulation on the 40 column screen
as Kermit-65 and Chameleon, hopefully I'll be able to get some transfer
routines done soon and get the vt100 emulation back in. (Had Vt100 until
I took it out when I made the translation mode modular.)
[Would anyone out there happen to have a 'flowchart' or even some Action
source code for xmodem/xmodem 1k operations? I have a description of it all,
but it's a bit difficult to follow.]
Dave