[comp.unix.xenix] Computone's Intelliview feature

frankb@usource.UUCP (Frank Bicknell) (06/10/89)

I have tried configuring Computone's ATvantage 8$ board to use
the Intelliview feature: that which allows one to flip between
two separate 'virtual' terminals using shifted function keys.
(Somewhat like the multiscreens available at the console.)
The feature seems to work quite well with the Wyse 150 terminals
we have, but I am having a small problem which I thought perhaps
someone out there might have run across and found a solution
for.

We have the function keys remapped on our terminals to begin
with <esc> (0x33).  The 'escape' sequences were chosen because
it made it easier on one of the applications we are running.

This is ok: the Intelliview feature works ok with the escape
sequences, but there is a problem which comes up when one uses a
product like SCO Professional which uses single <esc> characters
to back up one menu.  It seems that the board's Intelliview
software (firmware) 'grabs' the escape, expecting the rest of
the sequence, and won't let go of it until it knows the rest of
the sequence is not coming.  A most disturbing effect: press
one <esc> and nothing happens.  "Oh, I missed the key."  Press a
second one, and you back up two levels.  ugh.

Perusal of TM revealed no way of causing a timeout.  Anyone have
any suggestions here?  I think my best bet here would be to
change the function keys back to a ^A lead-in and tough it out
in the other application.  But that doesn't solve the problem
completely:  an application (a WordStar-like editor) requires
occasional lone ^As.  It would trap those, as well.

The current solution is to not use the feature. *sigh*
-- 
Frank Bicknell
UniSource; 1405 Main St, Ste 709; Sarasota, FL 34236
killer!usource!frankb || frankb@usource.UUCP