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dualterm.txt
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1985-11-21
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DualTerm Elite Instruction Manual
by Tony L Belding
INTRODUCTION:
DualTerm Elite is a terminal program that provides both VT52
and ATASCII graphics. It has a 100K capture buffer, an automatic
dialing directory, and can run external GEM programs or desk
accessories from its main menu. DualTerm was originally written
in GFA Basic 3, but the current version uses Laser C.
When I released DualTerm a few months ago, it was basically a
complete program with one major flaw: it couldn't be compiled.
Michtron was still waiting for GFA Systemtechnik to write a
compiler for GFA Basic 3, and I was still waiting for Michtron to
send it on to me. I let DualTerm loose upon the world with
confidence that I would soon be able to follow on with a compiled
version that would be faster, more self-contained, and less bug-
ridden. A couple of weeks later Michtron was forced to drop their
support for GFA Basic, which left me in something of a bind.
I was not happy with the speed of GFA Basic 3, nor with the
numerous bugs and glitches. Now I found that no bug fixes or
compiler could be expected anytime soon. I responded to this
sorry situation by digging out my old Laser C manual and starting
to recode DualTerm into C. During this process, something strange
happened: I found that I LIKE C. The new DualTerm runs smoother,
faster, and has more features. And it requires no runtime
program. The improvements are so extensive that I have named it
DualTerm Elite.
SHAREWARE:
DualTerm Elite is shareware. This means that you should
consider sending me a donation if you find that the program is of
some value to you. If you send $10 you will be a registered user
and will be authorized to download the source code from the Golden
Gate bulletin board. My address:
Tony L Belding
PO Box 512
Hamilton, TX 76531
SETUP:
The files 'DIAL.DIR', 'DUALTERM.RSC', and 'WXYTR.TTP' should
be kept in the same directory as the program. These files are
accessed by DualTerm Elite during operation. The program may not
work properly if it fails to find these files.
Before using DualTerm for the first time, you should change
the default settings to the values you prefer. To do this, enter
DualTerm and press HELP to get the main menu. Then select 'Edit
Defaults' from the 'Dialer' menu. A dialog box will appear with
two text fields that you may edit.
The first setting is the default drive path. This should be
the path name of the disk drive or directory that you plan to use
mainly for loading or saving files. DualTerm Elite uses the GEM
file selector for these functions, so the default path is just a
matter of convenience. (By the way: I highly recommend
FSELV60.PRG, a public domain replacement for the GEM file
selector.)
The second setting is the default dial command. For Hayes-
compatible modems, this will be ATDP or ATDT. If your phone uses
pulse dialing, enter ATDP here. For tone dialing use ATDT.
After entering the dial command, the new defaults will be
saved to disk, and you should find yourself back at the main menu.
OPERATION:
While using DualTerm, you can press the HELP key or the left
mouse key to access the main menu bar. This also shows a summary
of the keyboard commands. Here, in more detail, are the commands
and how they work. (Most of these commands can also be selected
from the drop-down menus.)
HELP (left mouse key) = call up the menu and command list
The first 'Atari' drop-down menu allows you to select desk
accessories such as the control panel, or a transfer accessory
could also be used to upload or download files.
Calling the menu screen also shows a list of keyboard
commands that can be used from the terminal itself.
UNDO = exit DualTerm
You will be asked to confirm that you wish to leave the
program. If there is text in the capture buffer, it will be lost.
DualTerm Elite will terminate and return to the desktop.
NOTE: This version of DualTerm Elite does NOT warn you if you
have text in the buffer before exiting. Be careful!
F1 = toggle ATASCII inverse text mode
When inverse mode is on, you can enter inverse text into the
ATASCII terminal. Press F1 a second time to resume normal
operation. This key has no effect on the VT52 terminal.
F9 & F10 = type text macro number 1 or 2
The dial directory editor allows you to store two text macros
with each dial directory entry. These macros can be fed into the
terminal at any time by pressing F9 or F10. These macros are most
commonly used to store log-on information such as names and
passwords. They will work with both VT52 and ATASCII.
ALT-RETURN = force ASCII carriage return & linefeed
Most Hayes-compatible modems will not accept AT commands from
the ATASCII terminal because of the different value for a carriage
return. If you want to use an AT command from the ATASCII
terminal, follow the command line with ALT-RETURN to force the
modem to accept it. This is unnecessary with the VT52 terminal.
ALT-C = toggle capture on or off
This command directs data into the capture buffer. By
turning the capture on or off during an online session, you can
choose which data will be saved into the buffer. When the buffer
is full, capture is automatically turned off.
ALT-U = upload X/Ymodem
A file selector will appear, which you should use to select
the file to upload. Xmodem CRC is the default protocol. If the
receiving system does not support CRC, DualTerm Elite will shift
to standard Xmodem. Ymodem protocol can also be selected from the
'Transfer' menu.
ALT-D = download X/Ymodem
A file selector will appear, which you should use to enter
the name of the new file. DualTerm Elite will automatically
adjust to the protocol used by the sending system. Available
protocols include:
Xmodem (standard)
Xmodem CRC
Ymodem
Ymodem Batch
MENU OPTIONS:
Load Buffer = load a text file into the capture buffer
This allow you to put a file in the capture buffer to be
uploaded later using the 'Upload Buffer' command.
Save Buffer = save the contents of the buffer to a disk file
After saving the file, DualTerm Elite does not automatically
erase the buffer. You may clear it manually with the 'Clear
Buffer' option.
View Buffer = visually scan the buffer
The contents of the buffer will be displayed in an 80-column
format, scrolling continuously until the entire buffer has been
shown. Pressing ESC will abort and return to the main menu. Any
other key will pause the display.
Erase Buffer = erase entire contents of capture buffer
Auto-Dial = call up dial directory
The dial directory of up to 40 services will be displayed on
the screen. Use the mouse to select the service you want to call,
or select '>>>> CANCEL AUTO-DIAL <<<<' to return to the main menu.
Edit Directory = edit the dial directory
The dial directory editor menu will appear. Use the mouse to
select the service you want to edit. After editing a service,
DualTerm Elite will save the new directory and return to the main
menu.
Duplex: FULL/HALF = toggle duplex
This command switches between full and half duplex.
Baud Rate: 300/1200/2400 = set baud rate
DualTerm Elite directly supports only 300, 1200, and 2400
baud because the ATASCII terminal can't keep up at higher speeds.
You can 'fool' the program into running faster by using the
control panel to reset the speed, but this method should be used
with the VT52 terminal only.
Terminal: ATASCII/VT52 = translation mode
This command switches between the 80-column VT52 terminal and
the 40-column ATASCII terminal. The change is indicated by a
change in the color of the screen. You can also switch instantly
between the two modes by pressing ALT-T from the terminal.
Upload Buffer
This option will upload the contents of the capture buffer.
The file can be either ASCII or ATASCII: DualTerm doesn't care
which. The upload can be aborted at any time by pressing CTRL-C.
At 300 or 1200 baud the display may continue for a time after
aborting because of the ST's built-in buffers.
SENDING ATASCII GRAPHICS:
You can enter ATASCII graphics directly into the keyboard.
For the most part this works as with a normal ATASCII terminal,
with the following exceptions:
Clr/Home -------- clear screen
Shift-Clr/Home -- one second delay
Delete ---------- delete character
Shift-Delete ---- delete line
Insert ---------- insert character
Shift-Insert ---- insert line
arrow keys ------ cursor movement
FINAL NOTE:
This documentation is for DualTerm Elite version 1.02, the
first version released to the public. As with any first release
of a program, there must certainly be bugs and glitches in it
waiting to be discovered. This documentation also is not really
complete: it was written for the GFA Basic version and beaten into
shape to serve the newer release. In any case, if you have any
problems with the program, just contact me through the Golden Gate
BBS: it should be listed in the dial directory.
- Tony Belding
PS: See if you can find the secret message in DTE!