[net.periphs] Dasher to VAX

spray@smu (08/08/86)

Does anyone have any experience in getting a VAX running VMS to handle
a Data General Dasher D211 terminal? I can get it to basically talk but
little things like the DELETE key don't work (!).

Adthanksvance,
Rob Spray
...convex!smu!spray

john@uw-nsr.UUCP (John Sambrook) (08/12/86)

In article <16000006@smu> spray@smu.UUCP writes:
>
>Does anyone have any experience in getting a VAX running VMS to handle
>a Data General Dasher D211 terminal? I can get it to basically talk but
>little things like the DELETE key don't work (!).
>
>Adthanksvance,
>Rob Spray
>...convex!smu!spray
>

Here is something to watch out for, if you are not already aware of it: 
For some reason, the terminals manufactured by Data General don't use
^H to backspace the cursor.  If I remember correctly sending a ^H to a
Dasher will cause it to home its cursor.  Under DG/UX (Data Generals'
version of UNIX) they have modified the tty driver by adding a field that 
allows you to map ^H characters into something else, presumably ^Y's, 
which, of course, backspace the cursor on Dashers!

I don't think the D210 / D211 line even has a "BACKSPACE" key.  Also, the
down arrow key generates ^Z, which drives the secretaries crazy when
they try to use vi.  

Finally, I think connecting anything manufactured by Data General to anything
manufactured by Digital Equipment will immediately cause all warranties to
become null and void.  And then all your hair will fall out.  At least,
that's what DG told me :-)



-- 
John Sambrook				Work: (206) 545-2018
University of Washington WD-12		Home: (206) 487-0180
Seattle, Washington  98195		UUCP: uw-beaver!uw-nsr!john

meissner@dg_rtp.UUCP (Michael Meissner) (08/18/86)

In article <16000006@smu> spray@smu.UUCP writes:

> Does anyone have any experience in getting a VAX running VMS to handle
> a Data General Dasher D211 terminal? I can get it to basically talk but
> little things like the DELETE key don't work (!).

In article <345@uw-nsr.UUCP> john@uw-nsr.UUCP (John Sambrook 5-2018) writes:

> Here is something to watch out for, if you are not already aware of it: 
> For some reason, the terminals manufactured by Data General don't use
> ^H to backspace the cursor.  If I remember correctly sending a ^H to a
> Dasher will cause it to home its cursor.  Under DG/UX (Data Generals'
> version of UNIX) they have modified the tty driver by adding a field that 
> allows you to map ^H characters into something else, presumably ^Y's, 
> which, of course, backspace the cursor on Dashers!
>
> I don't think the D210 / D211 line even has a "BACKSPACE" key.  Also, the
> down arrow key generates ^Z, which drives the secretaries crazy when
> they try to use vi.  

   When the terminal is in DG mode, it does all the things John mentions
and more.  However, I believe the D211 has an ANSI mode which make it look
like a vt100 without tabs (note some of the early models, did not backspace
correctly on ^H in ANSI mode, you may need to have the latest firmware).

	Michael Meissner, Data General
	...mcnc!rti-sel!dg_rtp!meissner

john@uw-nsr.UUCP (John Sambrook) (08/22/86)

In article <523@dg_rtp.UUCP> meissner@dg_rtp.UUCP (Michael Meissner) writes:
>In article <16000006@smu> spray@smu.UUCP writes:
>
>> Does anyone have any experience in getting a VAX running VMS to handle
>> a Data General Dasher D211 terminal? I can get it to basically talk but
>> little things like the DELETE key don't work (!).
>
>In article <345@uw-nsr.UUCP> john@uw-nsr.UUCP (John Sambrook 5-2018) writes:
>
>> Here is something to watch out for, if you are not already aware of it: 
>> For some reason, the terminals manufactured by Data General don't use
>> ^H to backspace the cursor.  If I remember correctly sending a ^H to a
>> Dasher will cause it to home its cursor.  Under DG/UX (Data Generals'
>> version of UNIX) they have modified the tty driver by adding a field that 
>> allows you to map ^H characters into something else, presumably ^Y's, 
>> which, of course, backspace the cursor on Dashers!
>>
>> I don't think the D210 / D211 line even has a "BACKSPACE" key.  Also, the
>> down arrow key generates ^Z, which drives the secretaries crazy when
>> they try to use vi.  
>
>   When the terminal is in DG mode, it does all the things John mentions
>and more.  However, I believe the D211 has an ANSI mode which make it look
>like a vt100 without tabs (note some of the early models, did not backspace
>correctly on ^H in ANSI mode, you may need to have the latest firmware).
>
>	Michael Meissner, Data General
>	...mcnc!rti-sel!dg_rtp!meissner
>

I think Michael is on the right track here.  We have several D210, D460
and D460+ terminals here, and there is a DIP switch on the back of the
terminal that causes it to recognize and act on ANSI control codes.  
Unfortunately, "vi" and "emacs" didn't work very well when I tried to
use the terminal as a vt100, although it may be the case that with a 
little terminfo hacking they could be made to work. 

-- 
John Sambrook				Work: (206) 545-2018
University of Washington WD-12		Home: (206) 487-0180
Seattle, Washington  98195		UUCP: uw-beaver!uw-nsr!john