Megarom/Megarom Macintosh CD Software (Quantum Leap)(1992).iso/COMMUNICATION/CTerm/CTerm Information

Text File | 1991-12-29 | 10KB | 349 lines

CTerm 2.0



Copyright © 1991 by Michael Niehaus















This is a shareware product.  If you find it useful, please register your copy by
sending $20 to one of the addresses below.  This will enable me to send you
information on improvements that I may add to the program and bugs I may fix.
(Upgrades are free, as long as you download them from an on-line service.  For a
copy of the most recent version, send me $5 and I will send a copy to you.)


If you have any comments, suggestions, etc., feel free to contact me by phone,
electronic mail, or the postal service:


    Michael Niehaus                Michael Niehaus

    733 Longmeadow Lane Apt. 8        Rural Route 1 Box 369

    Findlay, OH 45840                Ferdinand, IN 47532

    [phone]

    UUCP: [e-mail]

    Compuserve: 73760,171


If you have problems, let me know and I will see to it that they are resolved if possible.
If CTerm does not meet your needs, let me know why.


I will normally return phone calls.  However, since the phone calls outnumber the
registrations by about a 20 to 1 ratio, this is a losing proposition on my part and may
not be continued in the future.





Introduction


    This is version 2.0 of CTerm, a package designed to let a Macintosh talk to an
IBM mainframe though an IBM (or compatible) protocol converter by
emulating an asynchronous 3270 terminal (as does IBM’s PC/Host
[FTTERM] software).


    The following protocol converters (and any others that are compatible) should
be compatible with CTerm:


IBM 3174 Subsystem Controller with the Asynchronous Emulation
Adapter Feature (Terminal type FC or FM)

IBM 3708 Network Conversion Unit (Terminal type FTTerm Color or
FTTerm Mono)

IBM 3710 PA-8 Network Conversion Unit

IBM 7171 ASCII Device Attachment Control Unit (Terminal type user-
defined)

IBM 9370 ASCII Subsystem (Terminal type FTTERMC or FTTERMM)


    Prior versions of CTerm did not properly send the function key codes to the
protocol converter when using IBM 7171 and 9370 protocol converters.  This
should be fixed in this version, although I do not have the equipment available
to verify this.  If this version still does not work properly on this equipment,
please let me know.


Requirements


    This program requires a Macintosh Plus or better.  Color support is achieved
using standard QuickDraw (not Color QuickDraw).  Memory requirements
are small (I currently have it set around 200K, but I am sure that it could safely
be lowered).  A single floppy is sufficient to run the program.  CTerm is System
7.0-compatible.  Currently, System 6.0.5 or better is needed.  Version 2.1
may require System 7.0, so consider upgrading (it is definitely worthwhile).


    The Communications Toolbox software must be obtained from APDA,
Apple Software Licensing, or any other approved source (such as
CompuServe) when using System 6.0.X.  The Communications Toolbox
is included in System 7.0.  However, no connection tools are provided.
These tools, the Basic Connectivity Set, can be obtained from APDA or
from an on-line source.


    Some type of asynchronous connection to an IBM protocol converter (or
some other compatible protocol converter) is also required.  Normal
communications parameters appear to be even parity, seven data bits, one
stop bit, although this could differ from site to site.


    This program has been tested at speeds up to 2400 baud, and should be able
to support higher speeds without any problems.


Setup


    With version 2.0 of CTerm, the name of the configuration file has changed.  The
old file was named “CTerm Config”; it is now called “CTerm Preferences”.


    The first time you run this program (or this version), you will need to configure
the communication parameters.  These parameters are saved in the System
Folder in a file named “CTerm Preferences”.  If running under System 7.0,
this file will be placed in the Preferences folder.  (After upgrading to System
7.0 you will need to move this file by hand for CTerm to be able to find it.  It will
not look in both places.)


    The location of the terminal window is also saved in this configuration file.  By
default, the window is positioned in the upper left corner of the screen (so the
whole window can be seen on a small screen).  Be careful if running on
multiple machines, since the saved window position could be off the screen on
a different machine.


    In addition to the communication parameters and terminal window location,
other information is saved, including the background color, emulation type,
font,  and font size.


    For those inclined to use ResEdit, command keys on any menu may be
changed (including the pop-up key menu).  Also, additional fixed-width fonts
may be added to the font list contained in ‘STR#’ resource number 129.  (Fonts
not found in any standard point size will not be added to the menu even if they
are in this list.  Scaled or proportional fonts will not work properly.)


    For best performance on color machines, use fonts that have the same depth
as the screen or that are marked “not to be expanded”  in the fontType field of
the font resource.  Speed increases are noticeable.  (One font that is well
suited is “TTYFont”, provided with the Basic Connectivity Set.)


    Distribution of modified versions of this software is prohibited.


    If you used any version of CTerm before, your old configuration file “CTerm
Config” will need to be deleted.  The contents and format of this file have
changed in this version, requiring a reconfiguration of the program.


Features


    Different background colors are now supported.  Select these from the
“Background Color” menu.  Be careful not to choose a color that matches the
color of any text on the screen -- the text would disappear.  (Black and white
are exceptions: if you make the background white, white text will become
black; if you make the background black, black text will become white.)


    Note that on machines without color, all colors (except white) are converted to
black.  Therefore, white is the recommended background color for these
machines.  For others, black is recommended, mainly for unscientific
(aesthetic) reasons.


    Function keys and special keys can be selected by holding down the Option
key and clicking on the title bar of the terminal window.  This replaces the
floating palette that was in version 1.03v2.


    Printing the contents of the screen can now be accomplished by using the
“Print Screen” option in the “File” menu.  This should work for all printers,
although it has not been tested.  (Personally, I don’t own a printer.)


    Cursor positioning can be achieved by holding down the Option key and
clicking on the location to which you want the cursor to move.  Notice that the
pointer will change into a transparent rectangle to help you determine where
the cursor will move when you click.


    Copy and paste functions are supported.  When selecting the text that you
want to copy, the selection box will show the exact text that will be copied; no
guesswork is required.  Selections will always be rectangular, since that is the
most useful method in an IBM environment (to eliminate sequence numbers,
etc.).  To copy the full screen, do not select any text; just choose the “Copy”
menu item.


    Support for both monochrome and color 3270 emulations is included in the
program (it will recognize either); color emulation is the preferred mode,
however.


Non-Features


    You may notice that basic file transfer support is included in this version.
However, it is not even close to functional.  Use at your own risk.  The only
function it serves currently is the building of the TSO command to initiate the
file transfer.  If you have some time, you may want to try to decipher what
IND$FILE responds with.


    If you have any information that may help to decode this protocol, please let
me know.  I would like to add this in the near future, but reverse-engineering
this type of protocol is not a simple task.


    You may notice that text scrolling with the TTY emulation does not work
properly when portions of the screen are obscured.  Since this is not a problem
with standard asynchronous 3270 emulation, the overhead of remedying the
situation has not been added.


    Multiple logical unit support (for a local printer) has been added to this version,
but I have very little faith that it will work as intended.  If someone needs this
feature and is willing to work with me, please give me a call and we can try to
get everything working correctly.


Key Mappings


3270 Key    Standard Keyboard    Extended Keyboard


PF1    Option-1    F1

PF2    Option-2    F2

PF3    Option-3    F3

PF4    Option-4    F4

PF5    Option-5    F5

PF6    Option-6    F6

PF7    Option-7    F7

PF8    Option-8    F8

PF9    Option-9    F9

PF10    Option-0    F10

PF11    Option--    F11

PF12    Option-=    F12

PF13    Command-1    Option-F1

PF14    Command-2    Option-F2

PF15    Command-3    Option-F3

PF16    Command-4    Option-F4

PF17    Command-5    Option-F5

PF18    Command-6    Option-F6

PF19    Command-7    Option-F7

PF20    Command-8    Option-F8

PF21    Command-9    Option-F9

PF22    Command-10    Option-F10

PF23    Command--    Option-F11

PF24    Command-=    Option-F12


Tab    Tab    Tab

Backtab    Option-Tab    Option-Tab

ATTN    Command-A    Command-A

Clear    Clear    Clear

Enter    Return    Return

Home    Option-Cursor Up    Home

Left Cursor    Left Cursor    Left Cursor

Right Cursor    Right Cursor    Right Cursor

Up Cursor    Up Cursor    Up Cursor

Down Cursor    Down Cursor    Down Cursor

New Line    Enter (keypad)    Enter (keypad)

Insert     Command-I    Command-I

Insert (Alternate)    Option-Delete    Option-Help

Fwd Delete (x>)    Option-Right Cursor    Fwd Delete (x>)

Erase EOF    Command-E    Command-E

Reset    Command-R    Command-R

Refresh Display    Command-K    Command-K


PA1    (Menu)    F13

PA2    (Menu)    F14

PA3    (Menu)    F15





IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines.  FTTerm, 3270, IND$FILE, TSO,
and PC/HOST are trademarks of IBM.  Apple, QuickDraw, Color QuickDraw, APDA, System 7 and
Communications Toolbox are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. DEC, VT52, and VT100
are  trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.