[comp.sys.mac.comm] PacerTerm announcement

johnston@minnie.me.udel.edu (06/06/91)

Regarding PacerTerm announcement in c.s.m.announce:

A CTB terminal emulator with TCP/IP and HyperTalk scripting, etc ...
This is sorely tempting, even to a die-hard Red Ryder/White Knight
addict.  Any net folks have first-hand experience with PacerTerm?

-- Bill (johnston@minnie.me.udel.edu)

6500wong@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu (Ki Ching Wong) (06/06/91)

In article <55534@nigel.ee.udel.edu> johnston@minnie.me.udel.edu writes:

>Regarding PacerTerm announcement in c.s.m.announce:

>A CTB terminal emulator with TCP/IP and HyperTalk scripting, etc ...
>This is sorely tempting, even to a die-hard Red Ryder/White Knight
>addict.  Any net folks have first-hand experience with PacerTerm?

>-- Bill (johnston@minnie.me.udel.edu)

I am curious too!  How can they do multiwindow communication with
a modem?  Or can they do that at all?  That's the most tempting
feature of all, IMHO.

-Ki Wong
6500wong@ucsbuxa

kenw@skyler.arc.ab.ca (Ken Wallewein) (06/06/91)

In article <11884@hub.ucsb.edu> 6500wong@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu (Ki Ching Wong) writes:
   In article <55534@nigel.ee.udel.edu> johnston@minnie.me.udel.edu writes:
   >Regarding PacerTerm announcement in c.s.m.announce:

   >A CTB terminal emulator with TCP/IP and HyperTalk scripting, etc ...
   >This is sorely tempting, even to a die-hard Red Ryder/White Knight
   >addict.  Any net folks have first-hand experience with PacerTerm?

   >-- Bill (johnston@minnie.me.udel.edu)

   I am curious too!  How can they do multiwindow communication with
   a modem?  Or can they do that at all?  That's the most tempting
   feature of all, IMHO.

   -Ki Wong
   6500wong@ucsbuxa

Well... I haven't yet used PacerTerm, but I've been using what I presume is
PacerTerm's predecessor, PacerLink, for at least a couple of years.  I
routinely have three or four PacerLink terminal sessions active at one
time.  However, only one of those can be a serial (modem) session.  If one
were running SLIP, AppleTalk, PPP, or some other high-level protocol across
a serial line to a remote node, one could theoretically have multiple
sessions across it, but you'd loose a _lot_ of speed to overhead -- and
they couldn't really be called serial sessions.

I like PacerLink.  Oh, sure, there are thinks I'd like to have... a meta
key for Emacs, for one, or some of VersaTerm's slick little non-Mac-
standard ideas.  But all in all, of the terminal emulators I've tried for
use in an office environment (that doesn't include Red Ryder/White Knight),
PacerLink is the best one I've found.  It rather sounds like PacerTerm is
aiming to be the best of both worlds.
--
/kenw

Ken Wallewein                                                     A L B E R T A
kenw@noah.arc.ab.ca                                             R E S E A R C H
(403)297-2660                                                     C O U N C I L

dant@ryptyde.UUCP (Daniel Tracy) (06/06/91)

Responding to the following:

"I am curious too!  How can they do multiwindow communication with
a modem?  Or can they do that at all?  That's the most tempting
feature of all, IMHO."

This is an innate ability of the Communications Toolbox supplied with System 7.
Since this program supports the CTB, it can leave this job to the OS. However,
you will, of course, need multiple modems! There is a physical limit stating
you cannot open two different channels on the same line (unless you're using
ISDN!). However, you can do simultaneous uploads and downloads (as well as
chat at the same time!) using a program called MultiXfer. The same program
must also be on the other side (this is a Macintosh program). It uses a
proprietary protocol that handles simultaneous upload/download/chat VERY
efficiently (twice as efficient as Zmodem when handling multiple transfers).

dorner@pequod.cso.uiuc.edu (Steve Dorner) (06/06/91)

In article <KENW.91Jun5211409@skyler.arc.ab.ca> kenw@skyler.arc.ab.ca (Ken Wallewein) writes:
>time.  However, only one of those can be a serial (modem) session.  If one
>were running SLIP, AppleTalk, PPP, or some other high-level protocol across
>a serial line to a remote node, one could theoretically have multiple
>sessions across it

You mean like I've been doing with John Bruner's uw for four years or more?

>but you'd loose a _lot_ of speed to overhead

If you have a lot of simultaneous output, sure.  That's really not a big
consideration, IMHO; multiple windows are far more often used to maintain
multiple contexts than to have several endlessly blathering processes going.
--
Steve Dorner, U of Illinois Computing Services Office
Internet: s-dorner@uiuc.edu  UUCP: uunet!uiucuxc!uiuc.edu!s-dorner

dorner@pequod.cso.uiuc.edu (Steve Dorner) (06/07/91)

In article <27@ryptyde.UUCP> dant@ryptyde.UUCP (Daniel Tracy) writes:
>Since this program supports the CTB, it can leave this job to the OS. However,
>you will, of course, need multiple modems! There is a physical limit stating
>you cannot open two different channels on the same line

Balderdash.  You put a (software) multiplexor on the remote end, and sit
a de-mux module between the connection tool and multiple terminal tools.

Of course, this does require you to run special software (the mux) on the
host.  This means that most commercial vendors won't touch it with a
ten foot pole, no matter how useful it might be.

Thank ingenuity for freeware and shareware authors, who've had products like
this (albeit not CTB) for many years.

--
Steve Dorner, U of Illinois Computing Services Office
Internet: s-dorner@uiuc.edu  UUCP: uunet!uiucuxc!uiuc.edu!s-dorner

kenw@skyler.arc.ab.ca (Ken Wallewein) (06/07/91)

In article <1991Jun6.140312.1719@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> dorner@pequod.cso.uiuc.edu (Steve Dorner) writes:
   In article <KENW.91Jun5211409@skyler.arc.ab.ca> kenw@skyler.arc.ab.ca (Ken Wallewein) writes:
   >time.  However, only one of those can be a serial (modem) session.  If one
   >were running SLIP, AppleTalk, PPP, or some other high-level protocol across
   >a serial line to a remote node, one could theoretically have multiple
   >sessions across it

   You mean like I've been doing with John Bruner's uw for four years or more?

Good point.  Not quite the same idea -- certainly not high-level protocol
-- but, hey, it works.  Only with Unix, though...

   >but you'd loose a _lot_ of speed to overhead

   If you have a lot of simultaneous output, sure.  That's really not a big
   consideration, IMHO; multiple windows are far more often used to maintain
   multiple contexts than to have several endlessly blathering processes going.

I was referring protocol overhead.  I've run a PacerLink serial session
over Asynchronous AppleTalk over a serial line.  It made a teletype look
fast.  I imagine a telnet session over SLIP or PPP would be comparable.

   --
   Steve Dorner, U of Illinois Computing Services Office
   Internet: s-dorner@uiuc.edu  UUCP: uunet!uiucuxc!uiuc.edu!s-dorner
--
/kenw

Ken Wallewein                                                     A L B E R T A
kenw@noah.arc.ab.ca                                             R E S E A R C H
(403)297-2660                                                     C O U N C I L

johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu (06/07/91)

But enough of the multi-windows debate!  Anybody have any experience
with the HyperTalk scripting feature?  This seems like a significant
improvement over the relatively ad hoc scripting language built into
White Knight (no experience with Microphone ...).  

Freeware is nice, but imagine for a minute that some folks would be 
willing to pay for good comm program:  how do MicroPhone II, 
VersaTerm-Pro, and PacerTerm stack up?

Anybody with Genie links know what's up with White Knight and Comm
Tool Box?  They're all good programs, and getting better, but with  
System 7.0, CTB, and IAC, I suppose some people will be interested 
in upgrading.  We can keep this civil, can't we?  ;-)

-- Bill (johnston@minnie.me.udel.edu)

sjhg9320@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Spam-pyre) (06/07/91)

johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu writes:

>Freeware is nice, but imagine for a minute that some folks would be 
>willing to pay for good comm program:  how do MicroPhone II, 
>VersaTerm-Pro, and PacerTerm stack up?

In my experience with Whight Knight, MP II, and Versa-Term Pro, 
there's no way any other Mac Comm Program, with the exception of the
orignal Acknowledge, comes close to the ease and elegance of the scripting
of Microphone II. (If you like Modula, you'll feel right at home.)

An opinion, not a fact.
--
================================================================================
|                                 June 4th, 1989.                              ||                                                                              |================================================================================

macman@wpi.WPI.EDU (Chris Silverberg) (06/07/91)

In an article johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu rambles:

>Anybody with Genie links know what's up with White Knight and Comm
>Tool Box?  They're all good programs, and getting better, but with  
>System 7.0, CTB, and IAC, I suppose some people will be interested 
>in upgrading.  We can keep this civil, can't we?  ;-)

Scott is diligently working on White Knight 12, adding support for the CTB,
new emulations, and other Watson-goodies, but that's all I know. (Certainly
nothing you couldn't have guessed anyways).

If I find out more, i'll let you know...

- Chris


 
 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
   Chris Silverberg                     INTERNET: macman@wpi.wpi.edu
   Worcester Polytechnic Institute      Main Street USA  508-832-7725 (sysop)
   America Online: TfChris              WMUG BBS  508-832-5844 (sysop)

molloy@emerald.icd.teradyne.com (Phil Molloy) (06/07/91)

dorner@pequod.cso.uiuc.edu (Steve Dorner) writes:
> In article <KENW.91Jun5211409@skyler.arc.ab.ca> kenw@skyler.arc.ab.ca (Ken Wallewein) writes:
> >time.  However, only one of those can be a serial (modem) session.  If one
> >were running SLIP, AppleTalk, PPP, or some other high-level protocol across
> >a serial line to a remote node, one could theoretically have multiple
> >sessions across it
> 
> You mean like I've been doing with John Bruner's uw for four years or more?
> 
> >but you'd loose a _lot_ of speed to overhead
> 
> If you have a lot of simultaneous output, sure.  That's really not a big
> consideration, IMHO; multiple windows are far more often used to maintain
> multiple contexts than to have several endlessly blathering processes going.

I've been using MacLayers for quite some time and agree that one does not 
tend to have a lot of output happening on each layer/window.  The way I'm
using it as I type is one layer running the tass newsreader, one running GNU 
Emacs with the vm mail handler, and one layer a shell to receive wall/write 
messages.

If pacerterm operates as well as advertized I would have to consider changing.
Especially beneficial would be zmodem and ftp capability.  

One important consideration will be the size of the program.  I quite using
RedRyder due to it's size (>1M).  Although I have 4M in my Mac+, 1M for the
com program is too much.  MacLayers is sitting here quite happy with 225K.  I
realize that more features will cause it to grow, but if it reaches the >1M 
size, it will be too big for me.

Phil

-- 
Philip E. Molloy  KA1CD
molloy@icd.teradyne.com

resnick@cogsci.uiuc.edu (Pete Resnick) (06/08/91)

molloy@emerald.icd.teradyne.com (Phil Molloy) writes:

>One important consideration will be the size of the program.  I quite using
>RedRyder due to it's size (>1M).  Although I have 4M in my Mac+, 1M for the
>com program is too much.  MacLayers is sitting here quite happy with 225K.  I
>realize that more features will cause it to grow, but if it reaches the >1M 
>size, it will be too big for me.

Matt Kingman wrote to me with the following:

>The application will run on a 1MB Mac Plus or greater (it will run in a
>550K but is much happier with more memory).  On a 1MB machine you will
>be limited as to the amount of connections you can make.  On disk, the
>application consumes 480K and the tools range from 24K (Text FT) to
>207K (VT320, the pig of the group) with most being less than 60K.  And
>don't forget MacTCP.

Not too bad.

pr
--
Pete Resnick             (...so what is a mojo, and why would one be rising?)
Graduate assistant - Philosophy Department, Gregory Hall, UIUC
System manager - Cognitive Science Group, Beckman Institute, UIUC
Internet/ARPAnet/EDUnet  : resnick@cogsci.uiuc.edu
BITNET (if no other way) : FREE0285@UIUCVMD

sharp@cpsc.ucalgary.ca (Maurice Sharp) (06/08/91)

In article <55676@nigel.ee.udel.edu> johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu writes:
>But enough of the multi-windows debate!  Anybody have any experience
>with the HyperTalk scripting feature?  This seems like a significant
>improvement over the relatively ad hoc scripting language built into
>White Knight (no experience with Microphone ...).  

     The scripting language is a proper subset of Hypertalk with
extensions for Communication facilities. As such, if you know how to
work with Hypertalk, you know most of PacerScript. It also adds custom
dialog boxes, including scrolling lists, popup menus, buttons, ...

     In short, it is an extreemly powerful scripting language that
integrates nicely into the communications task. It is also very easy
to use (nice editor and help feature).

>Freeware is nice, but imagine for a minute that some folks would be 
>willing to pay for good comm program:  how do MicroPhone II, 
>VersaTerm-Pro, and PacerTerm stack up?

     At the moment, if you need Tektronix emulation, you get
Versaterm. Of course it is only a matter of time until a Tektronix
tool appears for the Toolbox.

     Otherwise, PacerTerm is it. I have seen all of these programs,
and PacerTerm is much better. Of course it is also the most recent
product.

>-- Bill (johnston@minnie.me.udel.edu)

	maurice

Maurice Sharp BSc.                      (403) 289 5462
Director: Freedman, Sharp & Assoc. Inc.	(403) 251 2729  FAX: (403) 281 0204
#206 - 2010 Ulster Road N.W.            sharp@cpsc.UCalgary.CA
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4C2		GEnie: M.SHARP5  AOL: FSAMaurice


-- 
Maurice Sharp MSc. Student (403) 220 7690
University of Calgary Computer Science Department
2500 University Drive N.W.	      sharp@cpsc.UCalgary.CA
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4	      GEnie M.SHARP5

elliott@veronica.cs.wisc.edu (James Elliott) (06/09/91)

Has anyone tested its vt100 emulation against vttest? Does it do
double-width and double-height characters properly? How is it at
scrollback?

And, hmm, I wonder how hard it would be to write a PC-ANSI-BBS
emulation module in the CTB so that I can call my friend's BBS and see
it in full living color? :^)

	-Jim
--
Jim Elliott		      "Like a bridge he'll come between us, not a wall"
elliott@veronica.cs.wisc.edu

kdb@intercon.com (Kurt Baumann) (06/10/91)

In article <29128@teda.Teradyne.COM>, molloy@emerald.icd.teradyne.com (Phil 
Molloy) writes:
> One important consideration will be the size of the program.  I quite using
> RedRyder due to it's size (>1M).  Although I have 4M in my Mac+, 1M for the
> com program is too much.  MacLayers is sitting here quite happy with 225K.  I
> realize that more features will cause it to grow, but if it reaches the >1M 
> size, it will be too big for me.

I would assume that in part memory is going to defined by what terminal tool 
you use and how many connections you have open.  TCP/Connect II our product 
will run in a variety of memory conditions, always with more being better, but 
if you want to have a NNTP, SMTP, 2-3 telnets (1 emulating TN3270, 1 VT231, and 
a VT102), and FTPing all at the sametime you are going to burn up some memory.  
I would imagine that PacerTerm would do quite well in low memory environments 
because basically you just have telnet and some file transfer connections that 
you can make, so the more simultaneous connections that you want the more 
memory it is going to need.  All in all, although I haven't yet seen the 
product, it sounds like a good use of the CTB.


Kurt Baumann                  703.709.9890
InterCon Systems Corp.   Creators of fine TCP/IP products for
                                       the Macintosh