SY.FDC@CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU (Frank da Cruz) (03/19/88)
Info-Kermit Digest Fri, 18 Mar 1988 Volume 7 : Number 8
ANNOUNCEMENTS -
Announcing IBM Mainframe MVS/TSO Kermit Version 4.0
Announcing Kermit 2.30 for the RMX86 and RMX286 Operating System
New Release of Harris-100 Kermit
Announcing a New Kermit for Kaypro I
C-Kermit Amiga Un-BOOing Bug Fix
New Kermits on the Way from the UK
ASCII, ISO, and which EBCDIC?
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Date: Wed, 1988 Mar 16 16:55 EST
From: (John F. Chandler) PEPMNT@CFAAMP.BITNET
Subject: Announcing IBM Mainframe MVS/TSO Kermit Version 4.0
Keywords: IBM 370 Kermit, MVS/TSO Kermit, TSO Kermit
Xref: IBM Mainframe, Also see IBM 370
Xref: MVS/TSO Kermit, Also see MVS/TSO Kermit, IBM 370
This is to announce TSO Kermit Release 4.0. The program is now a member of
the generic family Kermit-370 and appears in the Kermit distribution under a
new prefix: all TSO-specific files begin with IKT, while generic Kermit-370
files begin with IK0 (I K Zero). Kermit-TSO no longer consists of just two
source files. Instead, the source is split into sub-files, some generic and
some TSO-specific. The separate pieces are to be recombined into a single
composite source (or made into a macro library) for installation. See the
file IKTKER.INS for instructions. Generally, the files formerly known as
TS*.* (except TSN*.*, the NIH version) will be replaced by the new IKTKER.*
files. This TSO Kermit is still in the testing stage, but most of the
features described in the documentation have already been verified. Any bug
reports should be sent to John Chandler <PEPMNT@CFAAMP.BITNET>.
Below is a list of the more important additions in Version 4.0:
--- generic features (same as announced for CMS last December) ---
1. Code reorganization into generic 370 and system-specific sections.
2. Optional separate translation tables for counteracting the system
conversion of terminal I/O.
3. New GIVE command for saving a modified translation table.
4. A new, RAW debug mode for recording the packet traffic as actually
sent and received on "GRAPHICS" and "SERIES1" devices.
5. Preservation of the case of commands as typed, with uppercase
conversion of only those words that must be uppercase.
6. New SET MARGIN command for limiting the width of a file to be sent.
7. Settable tab stops for Kermit's conversion of tabs to spaces
(alternative to the default 1, 9, 17, etc.).
8. Support for multiple terminal controller types.
9. New DIRECTORY and HOST subcommands following Kermit standard.
10. Combination of file-attribute SET subcommands (FILE-TYPE, LRECL,
BLKSIZE, and RECFM) into a new group SET FILE.
11. Separate retry limits for initial and subsequent packet exchanges.
12. Pad binary records on disk with nulls, rather than blanks.
13. Automatically tune packet length when sending long packets according
to heuristic optimum based on sparse Poisson statistics, provided
that transmission errors do occur.
14. Expand STATUS report to include the number of files in the last
transfer, throughput statistics, heuristic optimum packet length
(when long packets are enabled), and the reason for any file
rejection based on A-packets.
15. New command TDUMP NAMES to display the list of files sent in the
last transfer.
16. Send and acknowledge attribute packets. Add file creation date to
A-packet repertoire.
17. REMOTE COPY and REMOTE RENAME commands to a server at the other end.
18. Allow long packets through a 7171 with VTAM.
19. New type D-BINARY for binary files with undelimited variable-length
records.
20. SET 8-BIT-QUOTE. Allow 8-bit data where possible via SET PARITY.
21. SET SYSCMD, so that Kermit can be told to try "illegal" subcommands
as host system commands instead of just rejecting them.
22. SET PROMPT subcommand.
23. Remember parameters specified by the other Kermit in I-packets.
24. Keep track of truncated records during a RECEIVE operation and
report the count in STATUS; also call truncation an error after
everything is received.
25. SET HANDSHAKE subcommand to alter or suppress handshake character
Kermit-370 sends out after each packet (not available for 3705's).
--- features new to TSO Kermit ---
Since Version 4.0 is the first release of Kermit-370 for TSO, some of
these "new" features are actually new only to the Columbia distribution
for TSO.
26. Suppression of LINE and CHAR delete functions during protocol mode.
27. Advanced server functions and subcommands for talking to another
Kermit running in server mode.
28. Long packet protocol.
29. TYPE, ECHO, XTYPE, and XECHO subcommands (the last two being
Series/1 analogs of the first two.)
30. REMOTE KERMIT commands honored by TSO server, including SET, SHOW,
TAKE, TDUMP, STATUS, HOST, TSO, CWD, DIR, and TYPE.
31. TEST mode for debugging.
32. Multi-column, two-level, selective SHOW display.
33. Optionally append to, rather than replace, old data sets with
duplicate names.
34. Automatic detection of terminal controller type (TTY or SERIES1).
35. SYNADAF message in cases of disk I/O error.
[Ed. - This a major new Kermit release, one that many sites have been craving
for years. At last, a single TSO Kermit that brings together most of the
capabilities of TSOKER (linemode only), TSOS1 (full-screen only), TS2KER
(long packets, etc), TS3KER (3708 front end support), etc, etc, plus all the
advanced features of VM/CMS Kermit, plus the ability to easily add support
for other IBM 370 operating systems, like MTS, MUSIC, GUTS, etc. As John
points out, this version may not yet be fully debugged, especially on the
more esoteric front ends, so reports -- good or bad -- from testers are more
than welcome. The files are in the Kermit distribution as KER:IK0*.* (system
independent files, shared by VM/CMS Kermit), and KER:IKT*.* (TSO-specific
files), available via anonymous FTP from CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU, and available on
BITNET/EARN via KERMSRV at CUVMA ("TELL KERMSRV AT CUVMA HELP") as IK0* * and
IKT* *. Once the kinks, if any, are ironed out, this version will replace
TSOKER, TSOS1, and TS3KER in the Kermit Distribution.]
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Date: Thu, 17 Mar 88 14:17:42 PST
From: JAFW801%CALSTATE.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU (Jack Bryans)
Subject: Announcing Kermit 2.30 for the RMX86 and RMX286 Operating System
Keywords: iRMX86, iRMX286, Intel RMX
Xref: RMX, see Intel
This is to announce version 2.30 of Kermit for both the iRMX86 and iRMX286
Operating Systems. It is the first release for iRMX286 and the first since
late 1985's version 2.26 for iRMX86.
This is the same program, ported to the RMX's, as the Jan. 8,1988 release of
MS-Kermit, version 2.30, for the IBM PC, which is probably the most widely
used and richest Kermit implementation. A DOS emulator provides enough of
the DOS environment to allow the essentially unchanged MS-Kermit code to run
under both of the RMX Operating Systems. For a summary of changes on the
MS-Kermit end, see the KERMSRV files MS*.UPD.
From the RMX end, this version includes support for wild cards, full RMX
paths and file names, and removes restrictions on the use of RUN. You can
now RUN AEDIT from within Kermit.
As a fortuitous fallout to wild card implementation, a list of file names may
be used wherever Kermit accepts a wild card file specification, as long as
all files in the list are in the current default directory. For example:
SEND READ.ME.FIRST,*X*.A*,*.OBJ,ETC.ETC
works. Try to say that in DOS! Similarly, when Kermit is in SERVER mode, it
will respond to a GET file-name-list from the local Kermit.
The SET and SHOW KEY commands have been added.
Configuration has been completely redone, with its implementation separated
from the Kermit initialization file. To avoid confusion with the previous
version, the .ini file name has been changed to KERMIT.INI. A good dozen
configuration options are available, reducing the need to obtain the source
code.
Serial ports have been increased to ten, with all requirements and
restrictions on device attachment removed. Additionally, you can ping-pong
between serial communication ports and the port your terminal (in this case,
presumably, a PC) is attached to, with the file transfer display
automatically set to QUIET mode (necessary for one port operation) and reset
to its previous mode when you select another port.
Performance has been improved in a number of areas, especially in connect
mode. Improved serial device drivers scheduled for release in forthcoming OS
updates from Intel (RMX286, Release 2, Updates 1 and 2, and RMX86, Release 8)
will improve Kermit performance significantly on both OS's, especially on
faster systems.
A number of timing problems peculiar to '386 based systems have been cleared
up in the past month. Feedback from '386 beta testers indicates performance
more than impressive enough to make 8086 users, appropriately, green with
envy.
The following files constitute this release:
MSVRMX.BOO BOO-encoded executable Kermit for RMX86
MSVRX2.BOO BOO-encoded executable Kermit for RMX286
MSVRMX.DOC Documentation for both OS's
MSVRMX.HLP How to build Kermit for either OS from source code
MSVRMX.CSD The edit pass SUBMIT file. \ Converts MSSDEF.H & MSS*.ASM
MSVRMX.MAC The edit pass macro file. / to MSSDEF.H86 & MSS*.A86
MSURMX.A86 Source code for the keyboard support module for RMX
MSXRMX.A86 Source code for the traditional "X" module for RMX
MSZRMX.A86 Source code for the DOS emulator and Kermit driver
MSVRMX.P86 Source code for the wild card implementing auxiliary command, WC
Note that all files but the enBOOed executables apply to both OS's. The edit
pass generates submit files for conditional assembly and for linking or
binding the object modules to produce an executable for either OS.
The MS-Kermit files, MSKERM.DOC, MSKERM.HLP, and MSKERM.BWR provide primary
documentation for all version 2.30's.
Acknowledgments:
Joe Doupnik of Utah State University, who has been responsible for MS-Kermit
starting with version 2.29, was most accommodative in making changes to the
DOS code to simplify things for the RMX portings.
Among the beta testers, Steve Cox of Milliken Research Corp., Chris Jamison
of Ransburg Corp., and especially Chris Vickery of Queens College, NY,
provided valuable feedback. Henning Pangels of Carnegie-Mellon University's
Robotics Institute showed up in the nick of time via e-mail, innocently
inquiring if there was an RMX286 Kermit he could try out on his brand new
'386. His response to being pressed into guinea pig duty is appreciated.
Mark Aaldering of Intel made the port to RMX286 possible. Thanks also to
Intel's Paul Cohen, Rick Gerber, and Tom Willis, and, with apologies, to
those overlooked.
[Ed. - Thanks, Jack! These files are now in the Kermit Distribution under
the names you've listed.]
------------------------------
Date: 17 Mar 88 0:0:0
From: c04689sr@WUVMD.BITNET
Subject: New Release of Harris-100 Kermit
Keywords: Harris-100
Enclosed is the lastest revision of the Harris 100 Kermit (H100KER.*) which
I sent you last year. Revisions include miscellaneous minor bug fixes and
better handling of embedded End-of-file marks. This brings the current
version number up to 1.06 (June 87). The program has been tested for
compatability with MSKERMIT 2.30. See the .DOC file for more details. A
list of the changes made in each version can be found near the end of that
file. This will be my last version of Harris Kermit, since, tragically, our
Harris is scheduled to expire in a few weeks.
The files are as follows:
H100KER.DOC -- documentation file (contains usage info, technical
info, revision history, "bewares", etc.)
H100KER.JCL -- Harris JCL for compiling
H100KER.F77 -- Fortran code
H100KER.ASM -- Assembler code
H100KER.HLP -- On-line help file (sent in response to REMOTE HELP)
To bring your "version" file up to date, the operating system we are using
is now "VOS 5.1.0".
Skip Russell
Division of Biostatistics, Washington University in St. Louis
[Ed. - Thanks, Skip! The files are now in the Kermit distribution as
KER:H100*.* (H100* * on KERMSRV).]
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Date: Wednesday, 17 February 1988 05:00-MST
From: "Paul V. Pullen" <pvpullen@CRDEC-VAX2.ARPA>
Subject: Announcing a New Kermit for Kaypro I
Keywords: Kaypro I Kermit
I have successfully completed the creation of a new version of Kermit for my
Kaypro1. I have an LASMed hex file to be included in the SIMTEL20 Kermit
data that will enable others using the Kaypro1 to work successfully with a
proper (or at least my copy works properly now). I had to create a special
'log' in the CP4TYP and CP4SYS asm files. I did it by adding another
defination, being a kp1, and setting terminal type to ADM-3A, which is the
proper look alike for the Kaypro1. Then, to work properly with my Base Vax,
I used the TERMCAP for an ADM3A and named it a kp1|kaypro1|Kaypro 1|. The
effect is a fully operational termcap for my system, and support on the VAX.
One requirement to make the upload-download (especially download) to operate
properly was the reduction of the 'maxsec' to 4K from 8K in CP4SYS. The
requirement to make the kaypro1 kermit to run will be to mload CP4KER,CP4KP1
together, and the resulting kermit works properly here at least.
Paul Pullen
(address: pvpullen@CRDEC-VAX2.ARPA)
(Snail mail: 8100 Sagramore Road
Baltimore, MD. 21237)
[Ed. - Thanks! The hex file is in KER:CP4KAD.HEX, and some documentation in
KER:CP4KAD.HLP.]
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Date: 25-FEB-1988 16:50:15 GMT
From: ANDREW@UK.AC.OX.BIOP
Via: SYSKERMIT%vax1.central.lancaster.ac.uk@NSS.Cs.Ucl.AC.UK
Subject: C-Kermit Amiga Un-BOOing Bug Fix
Keywords: Amiga Kermit, Commodore Amiga
I have now successfully installed KERMIT on the Amiga from the CKIKER.BOO
file, using the programs suggested by W.Maessen for initial transfer of the
.BOO file. To perform the translation of the .BOO file to an Amiga executable
file, I use the C program CKIBOO.C. However, I feel I should point out two
problems with CKIBOO.C which prevented it compiling under Lattice 3.1.
Firstly, the preprocessor IF nesting in lines 26 to 39 is WRONG - the #endif
at line 30 should appear after line 39. The program thus failed to compile as
it ended up looking for <sys/file.h> in line 37.
Secondly, the preprocessor IS cas3 sensitive and all #commands must be in
lower case. Thus the #IFDEF and #ENDIF lines in the last 10 lines of the
program should be in lower case.
I have appended the corrected version of CKIBOO.C and hope this will alleviate
a few hours of frustrating debugging for other users.
Andrew C.R. Martin,
Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics,
University of Oxford,
U.K.
The ammended version of CKIBOO.C was tested under Lattice C V.3.10 and
Kickstart 1.2 on an Amiga 1000.
[Ed. - Thanks! This program is now in KER:CKIBOO.C in the Kermit
distribution.]
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Date: 15-MAR-1988 12:36:45 GMT
From: SYSKERMIT%vax1.central.lancaster.ac.uk@nss.cs.ucl.ac.uk
Subject: New Kermits on the Way from the UK
Keywords: MINIX Kermit, CP/M-80 Kermit 4.09, Acorn Archimedes
Some good news for you. I have just received a kermit for the MINIX. It is
based on C-Kermit 4D (061) sources and the author Adria Godwin of Thorne EMI,
has made a commitment to update it when we have all the files for 4E (070).
I am also in the process of getting CP/M-80 Kermit 4.09 files off to you as
they are now on line here with no problems as yet reported.
Last but not least Acorn have at last supplied the Archimedes Kermit. They
have, unfortunately supplied in a format that will take some work to get on
line but I'll forward them ASAP.
Regards,
Steve
[Ed. - This message published in case anyone else was thinking of working on
any of these items. There are also some other Kermits due for new releases
shortly, including Apple II, Apple Macintosh, and Os9.]
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Date: Mon, 14 Mar 1988 08:45:21 +0100
From: Andre PIRARD <A-PIRARD%BLIULG11.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU>
Subject: ASCII, ISO, and which EBCDIC?
Keywords: Translation Tables, Character Sets, ASCII, EBCDIC
We ASCII or EBCDIC network users must pay particular attention to character
codes standards, now extending to international. Even sites not interested in
in international characters will sooner or later hit the problem because,
albeit the situation is straight in the ASCII world with an ISO standard, it
is far from that for EBCDIC users faced to a choice of several codes whose
differences lies on a few codes, strangely enough not international.
The subject is discussed on a mailing list set up by Edwin Hart. Join with:
TELL LISTSERV AT JHUVM SUB ISO8859 user-name
Or sending a note on BITNET to: LISTSERV AT JHUVM
Containing: SUB ISO8859 user-name
can help the community agree on a viable single code or at least help each
site in finding its most appropriate one and save everybody's time and money.
I'll soon post a summary of the problem to that list.
Please forward this note to anybody interested.
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End of Info-Kermit Digest
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