Columbia University Center for Computing Activities INFO-KERMIT DIGEST VOLUME 7 Christine Gianone, Editor January - June 1988 Table of Contents Volume 7, Number 1 1 Announcing MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 1 Announcing version 2.29Z of MSKERMIT ported to RMX86 & RMX286 5 Volume 7, Number 2 6 MSTZ10.BOO (New version of Z-100 Kermit-MS) 6 New Versions of MSBMKB and MSBPCT 8 Re: Observations on new Kermit 2.29C with partial Tektronix emulation 10 MS-KERMIT 2.29c Scroll-Back Problem with New Output 14 Volume 7, Number 3 19 Announcing C-Kermit 4E(068) 19 Announcing DECSYSTEM-20 Kermit 4.2(262) 21 Re: Announcing C-Kermit 4E(068) 23 Volume 7, Number 4 30 Announcing C-Kermit 4E(070) (Sorry!) 30 New Version of Honeywell CP-6 Kermit 31 New PDP-11 Kermit Documentation 32 SCANCHEK 4.0 Available 32 Volume 7, Number 5 40 New Documentation for Old CIE-680 Kermit 40 The New Tek-Emulating Kermit and SAS 42 Volume 7, Number 6 50 Volume 7, Number 7 61 New BOOing and UnBOOing Programs, and German Kermit Documentation 61 Volume 7, Number 8 71 Announcing IBM Mainframe MVS/TSO Kermit Version 4.0 71 Announcing Kermit 2.30 for the RMX86 and RMX286 Operating System 73 New Release of Harris-100 Kermit 75 Announcing a New Kermit for Kaypro I 76 New Kermits on the Way from the UK 77 Volume 7, Number 9 79 Announcing Kermit-65 3.81 for Apple II DOS and ProDOS. 79 Announcing Os9/68k C-Kermit 4E 79 Announcing MS Kermit v2.30 for the NEC APCIII 80 Volume 7, Number 10 88 MS-DOS and C-Kermit Source Diskettes Now Available 89 Announcing C-Kermit 4E(070) for the Amiga 89 Announcing XSEND, a Utility for MS-DOS Kermit 90 Volume 7, Number 11 99 Announcing Version 2.31-test4 of IBM PC Kermit 99 New Sliding Windows Kermit for the IBM PC 103 Announcing Commodore 64/128 Kermit Version 2.1(68) 104 Announcing a Version of Kermit for MAI Basic Four (MBF) Minis 105 Volume 7, Number 12 108 Announcing Version 4.09 of Kermit-80 for CP/M-80 109 Announcing QK-Kermit Version 3.0 for MS-DOS 110 Announcing Sanyo Kermit 2.30 111 Announcing re-release of V2.30, MS-Kermit for iRMX OS's 111 Announcing a New MSKermit 2.30 for Apricot F Series Machines 112 Announcing C-Kermit 4D(061) Adapted to MINIX 112 Volume 7, Number 13 118 Volume 7, Number 14 127 Tape Utility Programs Available 127 Announcing Release 3.3.117 of VAX/VMS Kermit 128 Announcing Macintosh Kermit Version 0.9(40) 128 Volume 7, Number 15 136 Table of Contents INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #1 Page 1 Info-Kermit Digest Wed, 13 Jan 1988 Volume 7 : Number 1 SPECIAL EDITION: Announcing MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Announcing version 2.29Z of MSKERMIT ported to RMX86 & RMX286 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 11 Jan 88 19:55 MST From: Joe Doupnik and Frank da Cruz Subject: Announcing MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, IBM PC Kermit 2.30, DEC Rainbow Keywords: Tektronix Emulation, NetBIOS This is to announce a major new release of the MS-DOS Kermit communication and file transfer program, version 2.30, the first major release since version 2.29 appeared in May 1986. The code has been frozen as of January 8, 1988. Any further features or fixes will be deferred for future releases. The major new features of version 2.30 are: . Long file transfer packets (up to 1000 bytes) . NetBIOS local area network support . A simple script language for automated dialogs with other computers . Tektronix 4010 graphics terminal emulation . Improved DEC VT102 and Heath 19 emulation . ANSI printer control . Selectable initialization file names . File transfer performance statistics reporting . A new, more powerful, more portable key redefinition facility . Support for new IBM keyboards . A mechanism for installing COM3 and COM4 support . Ability to assign Kermit connect-mode "verbs" to arbitrary keys . Keyboard and port input character translation during terminal connection . Support for both 7-bit and 8-bit (international) character sets . Improved interaction with DOS batch programs . More flexible command-line invocation options . Security features for server operation . Ability to operate Kermit through an external console via CTTY . Compatibility with most internal modems . Modem status report (CD, DSR, CTS) . Increased memory for screen rollback, macro and key definitions . Garbage collection of macro and key definition memory . Improved cooperation with half-duplex hosts . Improved DOS error handling . Improved debugging and logging functions . Improved consistency of command syntax . A completely rewritten manual The program requires DOS 2.0 or later, and 90K+ of memory. Version 2.30 currently runs on the entire IBM PC family, including the new PS/2 series, on IBM clones such as the Compaq, AT&T 6300, and DEC VAXmate, and on "semi-clones" like the Seequa Chameleon and Data General/1, which have different serial port adapters. There is also a specific version for the DEC Rainbow (which does not include Tektronix emulation), and a "generic MS-DOS" version that should run on Page 2 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #1 any DOS machine, using only DOS calls (no specific terminal emulation). Thanks are due to James Sturdevant of A.C. Nielson Company for the initial implementation of the script language, to Joe Smith of the Colorado School of Mines and Brian Holley of the University of Cambridge (UK) for the original Tektronix emulation code, to David Knoell of Basic American Foods for the initial implementation of "Kermit verbs" assigned to keys, and to AT&T for supporting the NetBIOS development. And thanks also to the hundreds of Info-Kermit Digest subscribers who tested the many prereleases of this program, reported bugs, and suggested new features, and who read and commented on drafts of the new manual. The new IBM version replaces several previous versions that were distributed separately, including the MSVCLO version (for IBM near-clones like the Seequa Chameleon and DG/1) and the Olivetti M24 version. Untested versions are included for the HP-150, HP-110 and Portable PC, and the Grid Compass II -- if you have any of these machines, please try out the new version! Previous releases of MS-DOS Kermit also ran on a number of other machines, including the Wang PC, Victor 9000, Sanyo MBC, NEC APC and APC3, etc. The code for these non-IBM compatibles will also be to 2.30 level, and released when available. Volunteers to test and fix the code for these machines are heartily encouraged to step forward! The files for version 2.30 have been installed in Kermit Distribution at Columbia University. They are available on the Internet from host CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU (a DECSYSTEM-20) as follows: run FTP, log in as user ANONYMOUS, any password, and GET (or MULTIPLE GET, or MGET, according to the syntax of your FTP program) the desired files. They are also available on BITNET and EARN from host CUVMA (an IBM mainframe) by sending a message to KERMSRV@CUVMA requesting the desired files. To learn more about KERMSRV, send it a message "HELP". KERMSRV at the University of Toledo (UOFT02) (a VAX/VMS based Kermit file server) also has the files, and eventually, they will also be available via UUCP from Oklahoma State University, from and from dialup bulletin boards around the world. The executable files are stored in a special printable bootstrap format, called "BOO files". These are decoded into .EXE files using a "BOO-file decoder" program. These are available written in various languages, including Basic, MASM, C, and Pascal. The documentation is available online in plain ASCII text format, and in Scribe text formatter source format. Following is a synopsis of the files. The KERMSRV name is the same as the CU20B name, except the "KER:" should be omitted, and the period between the filename and filetype should be a space, e.g. KER:MSAAAA.HLP on CU20B is MSAAAA HLP on CUVMA. CU20B Name Size Description KER:MSAAAA.HLP 7K Explanation of file naming conventions KER:MSB*.* 130K total BOO-file encoding/decoding programs KER:MSVIBM.BOO 97K IBM PC Kermit, BOO-encoded executable KER:MSVRB1.BOO 68K DEC Rainbow Kermit BOO file KER:MSVGEN.BOO 62K Generic MS-DOS Kermit BOO file KER:MSTHP1.BOO 63K HP-150 (untested) INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #1 Page 3 KER:MSTHPX.BOO 64K HP-110 and Portable PC (untested) KER:MSTGRI.BOO 64K Grid Compass II (untested) KER:MSKERM.DOC 263K MS-DOS Kermit manual, plain ASCII text KER:MSKERM.MSS 263K Scribe text formatter source for manual KER:MSKERM.HLP 12K A summary of MS-Kermit commands KER:MSKERM.BWR 11K List of known restrictions, bugs, etc. KER:MSS*.* 638K total System-independent MASM Source files (13 files) KER:MSG*.* 110K each System-dependent source (graphics, IBM only) KER:MSU*.* 70-85K each Sys-depn source (keyboard support, all systems) KER:MSX*.* 39-150K each Sys-depn source (port i/o, etc, all systems) KER:MSY*.* 100K each Sys-depn source (terminal emulation, IBM only) KER:MSZ*.* 183K each Sys-depn source (term emul, cont'd, IBM only) KER:MSV*.MAK 2K each Microsoft MAKE files for each version KER:MSV*.BAT 2K each Batch files to build each version KER:MSV*.LNK 1K each LINK command files for each version The utility program MSUCHK.C (and .BOO), contributed by Phil Benchoff of Virginia Polytechnical Institute, allows convenient determination of MS-Kermit's new keyboard codes on the IBM PC family. Be sure to read the MSKERM.BWR file before trying to use the new version, or reporting any problems with it. Here are the minimum files needed for the new release ("xxx" stands for the specific version, IBM, RB1, or GEN): 1. For everybody: The documentation -- MSKERM.DOC, MSKERM.HLP, MSKERM.BWR. 2. For those who already have Kermit on their PC: MSVxxx.BOO. If you don't have the MSBPCT "BOO-file decoder", also get that. 3. For those who want to make modifications to the sources: MSS*.*, MSGxxx.* (if any), MSXxxx.*, MSYxxx.* (if any) ,MSZxxx.* (if any), MSVxxx.MAK (or .BAT if you don't have MAKE), and MSVxxx.LNK. The systems for which we don't yet have the new version ready are still in the Kermit distribution as before, under the MSV, MSX, and MSY prefixes. These will be replaced as the new ones appear. The IBM PC and DEC Rainbow versions may also be ordered on diskette from Columbia, along with typeset, printed copies of the manual. The IBM version is available on 5.25-inch 360K DS DD diskettes, and on 3.5-inch 720K DS diskettes for the PS/2 family. The Rainbow version is on RX50. Send mail to Info-Kermit-Request@CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU or KERMIT@CUVMA.BITNET for ordering information. The distribution diskette for the IBM PC version will also be submitted by Columbia to various user groups and diskette services. New Features - Of particular interest are the Local Area Network and Tektronix items. Both are available only for the IBM PC version of Kermit-MS. LANs can be used as a communications pathway between cooperating Kermits and between Kermit-MS and a host which allows direct remote logins from the LAN. The mechanism is the NetBIOS emulator program supplied with each network, and thus it works with most LAN systems. Any station can become a Kermit network Page 4 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #1 server or a client, without interference with the regular network fileservers, to allow multiple Kermit to Kermit links on a voluntary peer to peer basis. The mechanism uses just the NetBIOS and not vendor dependent Asynchronous Communications software packages (Kermit puts its own packets or Connect mode characters in NetBIOS packets and uses the NetBIOS protocol in addition to the standard Kermit protocol). Tektronix terminal emulation provides standard line drawing, dot, and character graphics of the 4010 class terminals using true graphics on the PC. Kermit-MS automatically determines the display and display adapter board in current use and does high resolution graphics in response to Tek style commands (which are described in the new Users Manual). Display adapters currently supported are EGA, CGA, Hercules, AT&T/Olivetti, and even regular Monochrome (with text characters rather than dots). The graphics will be in color (foreground and background) and will be preserved separately from ordinary text (VT102, VT52, Heath-19) screens if the hardware permits and one can switch back and forth from the keyboard. Tektronix specifications have been extended slightly to allow the host to switch Kermit-MS into and out of graphics mode automatically for easy plotting from packages such as SAS. The IBM PC version now supports the COM3 and COM4 ports available on many machines with added hardware, provided the user informs the BIOS of their presence. The Users Manual shows how to do this. Kermit-MS/IBM adapts to screen dimensions found at startup, such as 132 columns or 43 lines, and is able to switch several popular non-IBM EGA boards to 132 column mode under host control. Long packets, up to 1000 bytes, are supported to increase efficiency on long haul communications circuits. Efficiency increases by using fewer packets and thus less overall time waiting for packets to be acknowledged. Strong three byte CRC checking is encouraged; it does not degrade local performance. Long packets are a reasonable alternative to the sliding windows approach which has a problem on PCs when they attempt disk i/o while receiving characters on the serial port (interrupts can get lost and packets need to be repeated). Translation mechanisms are present to assist multilingual usage of essentially ASCII or English style machines. These are not panaceas for a very complex problem, but testing in Europe indicates it is a step in the right direction. The mechanisms are conversion of characters about to be displayed, control of character size (7 or 8 bits), and the new generalized keyboard handler present for all MS DOS machines. A sustained awareness of supplementary input and output devices used by disabled and other individuals is present in many parts of the program. As we learn more about such devices Kermit-MS will try to make their use possible and comfortable. Overall, the interior technical improvements are numerous. This gives us added flexibility and increased performance. And may we share with you - Like any Kermit program, MS-DOS Kermit is for everyone to use and share. Once you get it, feel free to pass it along to your friends and colleagues. Although it is copyrighted and not in the public domain, we ask only that you not attempt to sell it for profit, and that you use it only for peaceful and INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #1 Page 5 humane purposes. If you have comments, suggestions, improvements, or fixes, please send them to Kermit Distribution at Columbia University, where they can be considered for the next release or added to the "beware file". Happy New Year, and use Kermit in good health! Joe R. Doupnik Frank da Cruz Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences Center for Computing Activities & Dept of Electrical Engineering Columbia University Utah State University 612 West 115th Street Logan, Utah 84322 New York, NY 10025 JRD@USU.BITNET SY.FDC@CU20B.COLUMIBA.EDU ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Jan 88 19:18:10 PST From: JAFW801%CALSTATE.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU (Jack Bryans) Subject: Announcing version 2.29Z of MSKERMIT ported to RMX86 & RMX286 Keywords: Intel, RMX Kermit This version was made from the version 2.30 sources of MSKERMIT. Last minute fixups of the RMX code to support changes from version 2.29C are included. If there are no problems in the next couple of weeks, it will be released as version 2.30. The RMX86 port is MSTRMX.BOO, the 286 is MSTRX2.BOO. MSTRMX.DOC is still relevant. ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest Page 6 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 Info-Kermit Digest Fri, 22 Jan 1988 Volume 7 : Number 2 Departments: ANNOUNCEMENTS - MSTZ10.BOO (New version of Z-100 Kermit-MS) New Versions of MSBMKB and MSBPCT Request to Originators of Kermits on BITNET Texas University CDC Kermit No Longer Supported TRS-80 Model II Kermit Files? MS-DOS KERMIT - MSTIBM Tek-Mode Problem Re: Observations on new Kermit 2.29C with partial Tektronix emulation Use of IBM PC Kermit to Control a Video Disk Player Retaining Past Screens MSKERMIT ver 2.29C tektronix 4010 won't overlay ALPHA and VECTOR Screen Scroll in MS-Windows MS-KERMIT V2.29C DATED DEC 16/87 VT102 PRINTER PROBLEM Kermit 2.29C Tektronics 4010 Kermit MS-KERMIT 2.29c Scroll-Back Problem with New Output MS Kermit and C language. MS-Kermit 2.30 Problem Problems with Kermit 2.30 Kermit 2.30 Lack of Screen Blanking Solved Rainbow MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Generic MS-DOS V2.3 Problem MS-KERMIT 2.30 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 17 Jan 88 21:34:58 EST From: Drew Derbyshire Subject: MSTZ10.BOO (New version of Z-100 Kermit-MS) Keywords: Z-100 Kermit, Zenith Kermit Following this as separate mail you will find a .BOO file for a new version of Z-100 Kermit-MS. This version, tagged internally as 2.29d, was created by me from the system independent 2.30 sources now online at cu20b.Columbia.EDU and debugged MSxZ10.ASM sources that I got from Joe Doupnik in October. This is not my final version, but the program appears stable and I am mailing it while I have a chance. (Anything that works better thank Joe for, anything that is broken blame me for.) Changes to the program from the 2.29c version of MSTZ10 include: Z-200 support is deleted. This was partially because I am using the standard ZDS include files for BIOS and hardware specific constants instead of dynamically chosen "magic" numbers, and partially because if problems were to arise with the Z-200 code I can't recreate them. (Z-200 users can boot their systems in IBM PC mode and use the better INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 Page 7 IBM Kermit-MS.) A screen escape sequence output via DOS from the GETKEY routine is deleted. This interfered with the output of various escape sequences and also slowed CONNECT mode down to where it fell behind at speeds as low at 1200 baud. An improperly installed internal queue for the AUX port is deleted. This was causing monitor RAM and other storage overlays which in turn resulted in various display problems and system crashes. Output from within the terminal emulator is now done via direct calls to the Z-100 monitor ROM. File transfer output is still done via DOS, so most "screen saver" programs will continue to work properly and not blank the screen during long file transfers. The HANGUP command is added. The BREAK command is fixed. Formerly, it hung up the phone. The CONNECT mode HELP command no longer improperly enters server mode. Key values returned by the SHOW KEY command now match the values in the Z-100 user's manual. This version has the following known bugs: The SHOW MODEM command returns incorrect information. All input on the keypad is taken as alternate keypad mode; the VT-52 escape sequence to have the keypad output normal numerics will be ignored. However, the SET KEY command can be used to force these keys to output numerics. If the host sends the disable scan mode sequence (esc X ?), the keyboard translator will be disabled for all function and keyboard keys until CONNECT mode is exited and re-entered. The unshifted BREAK key is invisible to KERMIT. These are for most part minor problems, and I consider the program quite usable while I take my time correcting the bugs and exercising the code in general. Once these error are corrected, I will forward the updated BOO file and sources to Info-Kermit. Anyone desiring my interim sources may send me a note directly. Drew Derbyshire p.s. Don't thank me, thank Joe Doupnik for putting up with my questions and lack of results for four months, and thank Clarkson University's Educational Resources Center for providing E-mail and technical Page 8 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 assistance. Bitnet: ahd@clgw Internet: Voice: 914-339-7425 U.S.Snail: 578 Broadway, Apt 6 Kingston, NY 12401 [Ed. - Thanks Drew (and more thanks to Joe too). The file has replaced the old one in KER:MSTZ10.BOO available thru Arpanet by FTPing to CU20B, user ANONYMOUS (any password) and thru BITNET using KERMSRV.] ------------------------------ Date: 15 January 1988, 18:15:04 SET From: RECK@DBNUAMA1 (Gisbert W.Selke) Subject: New Versions of MSBMKB and MSBPCT Keywords: .BOO Files I have just sent you MSBMKB.FOR and MSBPCT.FOR. They are written in as plain FORTRAN IV as possible to make them better portable; however, some things like writing/reading binary files are system specific. I have tried to indicate those places. Also, I have included as much as I knew about BOO format in comments. In addition, I am sending MSBMKB.PAS, written in Turbo Pascal (3.02). It runs quite a bit faster than the C version due to i/o buffering. I include a boo-ed version of the COM file. Congratulations on *the* *final* MS-Kermit 2.30!! What I have seen from it up to now, I'm completely happy with it. Great stuff! \Gisbert [Ed. - Thanks, Gisbert! Your en/de-BOOing programs are now installed in the Kermit distribution as MSBPCT.FOR, MSBMKB.FOR, along with MSBPCT.PAS, a Turbo Pascal version you sent us last November.] ------------------------------ Date: 14-JAN-1988 17:06:37 GMT From: SYSKERMIT%vax1.central.lancaster.ac.uk@NSS.Cs.Ucl.AC.UK Subject: Request to Originators of Kermits on BITNET Keywords: Lancaster University Readers of the Columbia Info-Kermit Digest might be aware that Lancaster University in England runs a distribution service parallel to that offered by Columbia on their CU20B system. We have a collection of Kermit files that is as close to what's available on CU20B as possible and can be accessed on the British universities network or over dial-up lines. We also write tapes and discs for people who want them. Until recently, we've been keeping our set of files up-to-date by FTP'ing from CU20B, and we've been no more than a few days behind the US. However, the FTP service from Britain to Arpa closed last year, so we can't acquire anything by that route. We also have no capability to request files from BITNET servers. We get sets of tapes from Columbia a few times a year (thanks very much to Chris and Frank for this) but inevitably we now lag 3 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 Page 9 months or more behind. So here's a plea to Kermit contributors who use BITNET to mail or FTP their files to Columbia: if you would be prepared to send a parallel set of files to us at the same time, we'd be very grateful to receive them, and we'll look after distributing them in this country. There's a very active Kermit community over here which we co-ordinate with our own Info-Digest, so there'll be more timely feedback for developers if we can get hold of versions quickly. We can accept files by mail over BITNET addressed to syskermit%uk.ac.lancs.vax1 @ ac.uk at any time. It should be OK to send up to 100K minimum per file; there will be no space problems here so people can send without pre-arrangement. If mailing files is a problem we can accept them by FTP (we can't *pull* files from BITNET, so we have to ask people to send): please mail to me for details of a receiving account. Traffic to us on Arpa has to be kept to a minimum, I'm afraid, so please *don't* send stuff to us on this route. But if you have an Arpa-BITNET gateway you can use..... My thanks, and those of the British Kermit community, to anyone who can help us out with this. We hope to hear from you. Alan Phillips UK Kermit Distribution Lancaster University United Kingdom [Ed. - Thanks Alan for your continuing service...] ------------------------------ Date: Mon 4 Jan 88 10:43:06-EST From: Christine M Gianone Subject: Texas University CDC Kermit No Longer Supported Keywords: CDC Kermit William P. Reeder of the Comutation Center has just informed us that the University of Texas is no longer to support Kermit-170 for the NOS and NOS/BE operating systems. The Kermit sources which are prefixed KER:CDC*.* are now unsupported. He recommends that the KER:CD3*.* version of NOS Kermit, by Steve Roseman at Lehigh University become the standard version for our distribution tapes. Thanks to Jim Knutson and the University of Texas for all the past Kermit support. ------------------------------ Date: Fri 22 Jan 88 11:55:48-EST From: Frank da Cruz Subject: TRS-80 Model II Kermit Files? Page 10 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 Keywords: TRS-80 Model II Kermit It has been pointed out to us that the file TR2KER.HEX in the Kermit distribution is not really a hex file at all, but just garbage. Is anybody using this version of Kermit on the TRS-80 Model II with TRSDOS? If so, could they send in a new, real .HEX file? Thanks! - Frank ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Dec 87 13:35 EST From: (Shawn Allin - Alcan KRDC Computer Services) Subject: MSTIBM Tek-Mode Problem Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.29C, TEK Emulation I've just briefly tried the new MSTIBM with Tek emulation on a Compaq 386 with EGA. I ran a PLOT 10 program I have and the emulator went into Tektronix mode upon receipt of a ESC FF properly. However, when I tried the ALT = to toggle back to VT102 mode, it cleared the screen but stayed in Tek mode. I had to enter command mode and type SET TERMINAL VT102 to get it back. Is this a bug, or am I overlooking something? Regards, Shawn Allin Alcan International Ltd., P.O. Box 8400, Kingston, Ont., Canada K7L 4Z4 (613) 541-2178 Bitnet: ACCESS@ALCANKTN [Ed. - Yes, it's Alt-Minus, not Alt-Equals] ------------------------------ Date: 30 Dec 87 06:48:40 GMT From: windley@iris.ucdavis.edu (Phil Windley) Subject: Re: Observations on new Kermit 2.29C with partial Tektronix emulation Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.29C, TEK Emulation In article <8331@steinmetz.steinmetz.UUCP> mroz@hudson.steinmetz () writes: > > 7. Seems to pick up the type of graphics adapter > automatically. I haven't tested this on a Hercules though . . . > It works with Hercules as well. > >If anyone knows of any new features or how to set keys please post or >email me. Here's a few lines from my mskermit.ini file that sets some keys: set key \338 \Kkp0 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 Page 11 set key \335 \Kkp1 set key \336 \Kkp2 ... I found these out mainly by a combination of experimenting and accident. I'm still trying to figure out how to write scripts, etc. Is there documentation for this beast somewhere? Phil Windley Robotics Research Lab University of California, Davis [Ed. - The new SET KEY feature is thoroughly documented in the new MS-Kermit 2.30 manual, KER:MSKERM.DOC.] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 8 Jan 88 17:11:10 EST From: akk2@tut.cc.rochester.edu (Atul Kacker) Subject: Use of IBM PC Kermit to Control a Video Disk Player Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit, Video Disk Player We have a user here who is currently using a DEC VT102 terminal for a special application. He uses the terminal to access a mainframe database, which is a database of photographs in the George Eastman House archives. He also has a video disk player connected to the printer port at the back of the VT102 terminal. If he selects a record in the database that has a video field, a picture of the photograph comes up on his video disk player. The mainframe program does this through the use of standard VT102 printer control escape sequences. He would now like to do this on his IBM PC using Kermit which supports the same printer control sequences. What I would like to know is how to set up his system to do this. I understand that the printer port on a VT102 terminal is a serial port. What does Kermit use - the parallel or the serial port when it sends the printer control sequences ? Can he use COM2 to connect his video disk player to and use the DOS MODE command to redirect the output of LPT1 ? Any suggestions welcome. Thanks Atul Kacker ..!rochester!ur-tut!akk2 [Ed. - Version 2.30 of MS-DOS Kermit, just announced, supports all the printer control sequences that the VT102 does, so it should work the same way, on either a serial or parallel port.] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 08 Jan 88 22:05:17 -0800 From: Alastair Milne Subject: Retaining Past Screens Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.29C I am using Kermit 2.29C on IBM's and compatibles, and among all the useful features (including the excellent terminal emulation), there is one that sometimes drives me up a wall: the saving of past screens. Every so often I will aim for the RETURN key, miss it, and hit HOME instead. Everything stops in its tracks while n pages of screen scroll past. And END, of Page 12 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 course, so that it will all scroll back to where it's supposed to be. Obviously, in certain circumstances, this could be enormously useful; however, in the general case, I find it simply gets in the way; and in fact, with a clone having a slower screen than an IBM, or disabled interrupts during refresh, it can become very annoying. I see no way among the commands to turn it off (or perhaps reduce the number of screens that are saved). Is there in fact a way; or is one available in the next version? Thanks very much, Alastair Milne [Ed. - No, there's no way to turn it off. You can reduce the number of screens by changing a parameter somewhere and reassembling.] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 10 Jan 88 20:59:48 PST From: Ya'akov_Miles%UBC.MAILNET@um.cc.umich.edu Subject: MSKERMIT ver 2.29C tektronix 4010 won't overlay ALPHA and VECTOR Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.29C Possible bug with MSKERMIT version 2.29C: (Forwarded from: Ya'akov_Miles@UBC.MAILNET, Dated: Sun, 10 Jan 88 20:56:38 PST) I have been using MSKERMIT vers 2.29C and have encountered a bug (feature?) in the Tektroniks 4010 emulation mode. Specifically, alpha mode characters will erase and NOT OVERLAY vector mode data. This frequently causes plot titles and labels to obliterate the graphed data. ps: I have an IBM-PC/xt clone with the CGA adaptor. [Ed. - This seems to be the behavior on the CGA, but not the EGA...] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Jan 88 11:12:15 est From: snorthc@NSWC-OAS.ARPA Subject: Screen Scroll in MS-Windows Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit, MS-WIndows I have had problems making Kermit scroll up/down screens under MS-Windows when in a window*. Version 2.29b and 2.29c (21 DEC) have been tested with version 1.01 - 1.03 and 2.03 of MS-Windows. You are only able scroll up one line. Both Version 2.29b and 2.29c will scroll properly in a window under Windows/386. * In a window refers to setting up the PIF file so that Kermit does not write directly to screen and does not "modify" a com port. INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 Page 13 Stephen Northcutt (snorthc@nswc-g.arpa) [Ed. - This is a restriction of the program, noted in the MSKERM.BWR file. However, you should still be able to scroll up by using the mouse on the scroll bar.] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Jan 88 11:50 EST From: Subject: MS-KERMIT V2.29C DATED DEC 16/87 VT102 PRINTER PROBLEM Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit We have been testing the new version of MS-KERMIT (V2.29c dated Dec 16) and found some problems with the VT102 printer function. When we used the old version of MS-KERMIT (v2.29b), we where able to use the TPRINT command on a VM/CMS system to print out files directly to the local printer attached to the PC. In the new version the printer goes crazy and all sorts of control characters appear to have been received by the printer. Where there any changes to the printer routines of the VT102 option? Like I said, the command on VM/CMS worked on the old version of Kermit, but not in the new. [Ed. - The new version is supposed to act more like a real VT102 than the previous version, and supports host-controlled transparent printing. The behavior and escape sequences are documented in the manual, MSKERM.DOC.] The TEK4010 emulation of Kermit V2.29C (dated Dec 16) works great when is used with the IBM 7171 connected to VM/CMS. We tested it out using SAS GRAPH to plot various graphics. We even had SAS GRAPH send the startup/termination escape sequence with no problems. Our next tests will be on the VAX/VMS systems, also running SAS. Thanks for all the efforts that went into putting MS-KERMIT together, its a great product. Luis Strauch York University Toronto, Canada BITNET: LUIS@YULIBRA ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Jan 88 12:07 EST From: "James A. Harvey" Subject: Kermit 2.29C Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Jim Griffin gave me a copy of this to test the other day. It's fantastic!!! I.U. recently got a site license for a bunch of the Precision Visuals graphics products (DI-3000, DI-3000 XPM, PicSure Plus, Metafile system, etc.) and I'm now using the 4010 emulator in Kermit with it as I install and test stuff. Sure is a hell of a lot easier than switching back and forth between PC-PLOT and Kermit, which is what I was doing last month! Thanks!!!!! - Jim Harvey Page 14 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 PS: It runs rings around PC-PLOT (I have an EGA-compatible system which the Kermit 4010 emulator seems to make full use of, whereas PC-PLOT didn't appear to). I also tried it on a Zenith 151, it worked fine on that too. The PVI (Precision Visuals) drivers tend to make full use of all the features of the device they are driving; so any emulator passing off as the real thing with these drivers is probably quite a good one. [Ed. - James Harvey is the one who originally added VT100 emulation to Kermit.] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jan 88 10:47:03 EST From: Jim Griffin Subject: Tektronics 4010 Kermit Keywords: Ms-DOS Kermit 2.30, Tektronix I've been testing the beta version of the MSKERMIT that performs Tektronics 4010 emulation. So far the program is working just fine but, I would like to voice a complaint about one of the MSKermit commands that had its definition changed. I would like the CLEAR command to clear out the keyboard redefinitions instead of clearing the serial port buffer. The reason I need to clear the Keyboard definitions is that I frequently switch back and forth between an IBM CMS machine with a 7171 protocol converter and a VAX8800 with VMS. For CMS I can define the function keys the way the 7171 wants them but, when I go over to the VAX I need to clear out the CMS function key definitions and have them set back to a TRUE VT100 state. The old CLEAR command did this for me. Perhaps an EMPTY command could be implemented to clear the serial port buffer. [Ed. - The new syntax is "SET KEY CLEAR". Also see KER:MSIIBM.INI for an example of setting Kermit up to work with a protocol converter.] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jan 88 11:56:20 PST From: Denis_Laplante%UBC.MAILNET@um.cc.umich.edu Subject: MS-KERMIT 2.29c Scroll-Back Problem with New Output Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit A messed-up screen results when new output is superimposed on old after using the PgUp key to scroll back. It's best to always press End key before getting new output. [Ed. - This behavior can be controlled by SET TERMINAL ROLL.] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Jan 88 22:12 EST From: Timothy Stark <11TSTARK%GALLUA.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU> Subject: MS Kermit and C language. KeywordsL MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Last night, I get mskermit stuffs from kermsrv library after you posted anncouning information about Kermit 2.30. And I downloaded stuffs into my IBM PC/AT. It worked fine for both VT100 and Tek4010!!! It is GREAT kermit INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 Page 15 terminal! I would like that Tek4010 Graphics Terminal Emulation! I read a file called MSKERM.BWR about bugs and missing features. I found that challaging information at end of MSKERM.BWR said that system-depend machine language will be replace C-language portable modules in the future. Who will rewrite MSkermit 2.30 for C-Language?? [Ed. - Keep watching Info-Kermit... there may be an announcement some day.] I found a bug in Kermit 2.30 that SEND command initialized back to 80 packet-lenght after I did SET SEND PACKET 94! I tried to SET SEND PACKET 94 and checked STATUS. It said Sending packet lenght that is 94. I tried to SEND and Packet-Lenght: 78~79. I rechecked STATUS command. It said that 80. I believed that SEND forced to set packet 80 instead 94! Please fix it! -- Tim Stark [Ed. - It's not a bug. SET SEND PACKET-LENGTH is used to override the negotiated packet length, but only if the negotiated one was longer. In this case, it's shorter, so what the other Kermit asked for is what it got. This is described in the manual.] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 20 Jan 88 10:48:01 EST From: J. P. Letellier Subject: MS-Kermit 2.30 Problem Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 I am presently using a Zenith AT clone (ZWX-248-62) as a remote terminal to a VAX-750 running Berkley 4.2. I downloaded kermit 2.30 and started trying it out. I have run into the following problem: I am running my terminal with "set term color 1,10,33,41". When I page things through "more" or "page", at the bottom of the screen page, the VAX sends the sequence "esc[7m" to change the background for the "more XX%" notification, and an "esc[m" to reset the terminal to the way it was. Except, it resets the terminal to the non-intense mode and I can no longer read anything on my screen. I can program an "F-key" to put out the "set term color 1" again, which resets my screen to readable, but that makes for a two-stroke sequencing through "more", and will be a lot of trouble in writeups which make an extensive use of background switches (because the screen also erases when I do the "set term color 1"). jp ------------------------------ Date: 21 Jan 88 18:01:51 GMT From: jkg@gatech.edu (Jim Greenlee) Subject: Problems with Kermit 2.30 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Well, I've been playing around with the new version of Kermit that was recently announced (thanks, Tom :-) for about 2 days now, and I think I have discovered a bug (or at least an anomaly) in the VT100 emulation. First, a little background. I had been using version 2.29 (May, 1986) of Page 16 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 Kermit on my AT&T PC 6300 almost since it was released. One of the fea- tures that I use the most is the ability to set FG/BG colors on a color monitor - I normally use "set term color 1 10 33 46", which gives me a high-lighted yellow FG on a light blue BG. I also almost always use the VT102 emulation mode. This works fine with version 2.29, particularly in the case where the host sends a US (underline start) or UE (underline end) sequence to the terminal. On a color monitor, this causes the FG/BG colors to be reversed. So...I ftp-ed and unBOOed version 2.30 of Kermit, carefully read the manual and help files, changed my MSKERMIT.INI files to match the new format, and discovered that the US/UE sequences do not produce the same results on my color monitor. What happens is that receipt of a US causes the video image to be reversed, and the UE sequence causes it to be restored, but for some reason the FG high-lighting is turned off. If I drop back into command mode and do another "set term color", then everything works fine until I get another US/UE sequence. This problem does not manifest itself with the Heath/Zenith mode (which is what I'm using in the interim). I checked the beta version (2.29C) that was posted recently, and got the exact same results - US/UE causes high-lighting to be turned off. Is this a genuine bug or did I just get a munged copy of the software? Is their any way I can fix it short of getting all the sources and ferreting out the problem myself? Has anybody else noticed this problem? Any and all { help | comments | suggestions } are welcome. Jim Greenlee The Shadow...!{decvax,hplabs,ihnp4,linus,rutgers}!gatech!jkg ------------------------------ Date: Wed 20 Jan 88 22:01:51-EST From: Jim Celoni S.J. Subject: Kermit 2.30 lack of screen blanking solved Keywords: Ms-DOS Kermit 2.30 Recall last month I reported that the December Kermit-MS 2.30 beta didn't clear the screen for me on going to connect mode. After your reply, I was pretty sure Fansi-console was the culprit, whether in its quick scroll mode (/q1, using extra graphics memory on cga or ega) or not (/q0). Official 2.30 behaves the same way: cycling through emulation modes cleared things, I think, but explicit Alt-key clearing didn't. Imagine, then, my happiness when I discovered that everything works right when I do a MODE CO80 just before invoking kermit. Fansi-console is a fine program with lots of users, and the mode tip might help in other situations too. Maybe a word in the .BWR file... P.S. I have an IBM 256K EGA and run IBM DOS 3.3 on an Antex AT clone. > Date: Wed, 20 Jan 88 22:27 MDT > From: Joe Doupnik > Subject: RE: Kermit 2.30 lack of screen blanking solved INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 Page 17 > The indications seem to be that Fansi-console reports the wrong > screen size information to callers such as Kermit. The ALT = reset clears > the known screen size, using ega information stored in the Bios, but > going through graphics and back to text terminal types does a real live > mode set (same as MODE xxxx). Mode setting gets back standard screen > dimensions stored in Command.com and puts everything in proper places both > in the display board and in the Bios. Apparently, Fansi-console keeps some > of this to itself so Kermit can't find those parts. Too many chiefs. There > is not a thing Kermit can do about such a situation, but you might want to > bring it to the attention of Hersey for their consideration. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Jan 88 11:47 EST From: Subject: RAINBOW MS-DOS KERMIT 2.30 Keywords: MS-DOS Rainbow Kermit 2.30 Hopefully someone can answer my question. I have just finished putting together MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 for the Rainbow 100. We use Kermit to connect to a DEC PDP-11/70 system. On our system, we have a program to print certain files via the printer port. This program simply turns the printer port on, reads a line, writes an line, and when finished, turns the printer port off with the proper escape sequences. This works perfect in terminal mode, but when using Kermit, it does not work. The supplement for the MS-DOS Users Guide especially for the extended DEC Rainbow version of MS-Kermit says that complete support for all printer port functions has been included in this version of the emulator. Should this work? Can I not from BASIC on a host system turn on the printer port, print a file, and turn the printer port back off while running Kermit? I would appreciate any help on this subject! Thanks, Terry Lewis University of Tennessee at Martin Martin, Tennessee 38238 TLEWIS@UTKVX1 (BITNET) [Ed. - You should be able to do this, but there's always the possibility of a bug, either in Kermit, or in its interaction with the Rainbow's VT102 firmware. Users are invited to peek at the source code and send in fixes if necessary.] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 15 Jan 88 13:32 CDT From: Raisin in the mid-dle Subject: Generic MS-DOS V2.3 Problem Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 I downloaded the generic MS-DOS kermit V2.3 to try out on my TI-PC (IBM- compatible-sort-of). It runs, but whenever I do a 'SET BAUD xxx' command it complains "Command not implemented". What gives? Did I have a download problem or are others experiences this problem? Page 18 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #2 Regards, Stewart French [Ed. - Setting the baud rate is a system-dependent function, and therefore is not implemented in Generic DOS Kermit.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 18 Jan 88 17:32 N From: Eberhard Lisse, Abt Verbrennungschirurgie, RWTH Aachen Subject: MS-KERMIT 2.30 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 MS-Kermit has always been among my ten favourite programs and has now moved up to number one, even beating Don Kneller's NDmake 4.31 for which I now seriously consider paying the $ 35. :-) I would like to move its version be renamed to 3.0 as it looks almost a complete rewrite to me and includes lots of nice new features, not the least being the Tektronix emulation for which lots of users have longed since some time. [Ed. - A sensible idea, but unfortunately, it's been publicized at version 2.30 too far, too wide, and too long.] I would also like to thank Joe publicly, via INFO-KERMIT, for his time and effort to produce this marvelous piece of code which I think is better than most commercial products. And I have tried some ... regards, el Eberhard W. Lisse Burn Unit and Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Technical University Aachen West Germany BITNET: ius@dacth51 preferred ARPA: ius%dacth51.BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.EDU UUCP: psuvax1!dacth51.BITNET!ius from overseas unido!dacth51.BITNET!ius within Europe {{uunet!}unido!rmi!}lisse!el Real Soon Now ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #3 Page 19 Info-Kermit Digest Tue, 26 Jan 1988 Volume 7 : Number 3 Departments: ANNOUNCEMENTS - Announcing C-Kermit 4E(068) Updates for CDC Cyber NOS Kermit (CD3KER) Announcing DECSYSTEM-20 Kermit 4.2(262) German Translation of MSKERM.HLP for V2.30 VM/CMS KERMIT - Installing CMS Kermit 4.0 Kermit on 9370 using ASCII Subsystem CMS Kermit 4.0 Packet Size Anomaly UNIX KERMIT - Re: Announcing C-Kermit 4E(068) Data General C-Kermit 4E(067) Kermit on BSD 4.2 Re: Kermit on BSD 4.2 C-Kermit 4D(061) and Microport Unix MISCELLANY - UUCP Lock Files VAX -> NASA VAX Problem Secure Kermit File Server for VMS? Kermit for the Visual 1050? Commodore 64 Kermit and GNU Emacs? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun 24 Jan 88 20:15:25-EST From: Frank da Cruz Subject: Announcing C-Kermit 4E(068) Keywords: C-Kermit 4E(068), Unix Kermit This is to announce another minor release, but this time a "real" release, of C-Kermit for Unix, VAX/VMS, Data General AOS, the Commodore Amiga, the Apple Macintosh, etc. The changes were minor, and only appear in the Unix versions. They include: . Suspendibility via Ctrl-Z on systems with job control (Bob Brown). . Explicit support for SCO Xenix in the Makefile (from D.W. Bettinger). . Explicit support for the AT&T 7300, including the ability to dial its internal modem (from R.E. Hill, untested). . Improved response of the C-Kermit server to 'remote cwd' commands. . Miscellaneous small fixes and cleanups. The major change is that since this is now considered a real release, the files have been named from XK*.* back to CK*.*, and the XK*.* files are gone, resulting in a savings of about 2 megabytes in our Kermit distribution area and on our tapes. All files' names changed, but the only files whose contents changed are: ckuker.upd - Update history Page 20 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #3 ckuker.bwr - Beware file ckcfns.c - Functions (better reporting of current directory by server) ckcmai.c - Main program (new version number) ckcpro.c - Protocol module (wart output) ckudia.c - Dial module (ATT 7300 support added) ckuusr.c - New calls ckutio.c - Support for ATT 7300, job control fixes ckufio.c - New zgtdir() function to return current directory ckdfio.c - Ditto (but dummy) ckifio.c - Ditto (but dummy) ckmfio.c - Ditto (but dummy) ckvfio.c - Ditto (but dummy) ckwart.c - Syntax error fixed These files are in K2: on CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU, e.g. K2:CKCFNS.C, available via anonymous FTP. They are also available on BITNET from KERMSRV@CUVMA as CKCFNS C, etc. For information about using KERMSRV to get Kermit files, send a message to KERMSRV@CUVMA with the message text saying "help". Please report any problems with this release to Info-Kermit@CU20B. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 30 Sep 87 14:15:20 EDT From: op%VIRGINIA.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU (Olaf Pors 804-924-0633) Subject: Updates for CDC Cyber NOS Kermit (CD3KER) Keywords: CDC Cyber Kermit The files CD3KER.INS and CD3KER.MOD contain feature addition to CDC NOS Kermit (the CD3 Kermit). CD3KER.INS is a replacement for that file on the Kermit distribution. CD3KER.MOD is the only source code you need to upgrade CD3 Kermit from version 3.2 to the one I created (3.3); this file should be added to the rest of the CD3KER files on the distribution, so it can be applied using the CDC UPDATE utility. UPDATE works with a base file (usually quite large) and applies modifications (usually small) to create a file for compilation. This is the way that CDC maintains their system software, and I think CD3 Kermit should be handled this way too; i.e., have a large, unchanging base file and a small modification on the distribution. New changes would be added to the modification file until it gets too unwieldy, at which time a new base file would be created. The CD3KER.INS file I've supplied assumes the (possible) existence of such a modification file. See also the comments in CD3KER.INS. All the documentation needed concerning my enhancements (upward compatible) is at the beginning of the CD3KER.MOD file. [Ed. - Thanks, Olaf! And apologies for taking so long to bring your contribution to public light. Olaf's changes include support for 8/12 ASCII binary files, optional kinds of EOF conversion, and support for CDCNET. Unfortunately, in August 1987 (several months before you submitted this one), Steve Roseman of Lehigh University (LUSGR@LEHICDC1.BITNET) submitted another, different, version 3.3 of this program, announced in Info-Kermit V6 #17. Your files have been put in KER:CD3KER.IN2 (so as not to interfere with Steve's CD3KER.INS), and CD3KER.MOD. Meanwhile, let's hope someone will be able to reconcile the two versions and maybe produce a version 3.4?] ------------------------------ INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #3 Page 21 Date: Tue 26 Jan 88 16:15:25-EST From: Frank da Cruz Subject: Announcing DECSYSTEM-20 Kermit 4.2(262) Keywords: DECSYSTEM-20 Kermit This release corrects problems introduced by the previous release, announced a few digests ago. Now, not only does DEC-20 Kermit not prevent you from issuing GET, REMOTE, BYE, and FINISH commands when in remote mode (e.g. to a PC Kermit server), but now they also work! In addition, it is now possible to execute CWD and REMOTE CWD from a TAKE file (it wasn't before). The new version is in KER:K20MIT.MAC and KER:K20MIT.DOC on CU20B, and in K20MIT MAC and K20MIT HLP on CUVMA. This may be the final release of DEC-20 Kermit; the main goal is to get the existing bugs out before our last DEC-20 sails smoothly into eternity. ------------------------------ Date: 01/25 04:02:13 From: Gisbert W. Selke Subject: German Translation of MSKERM.HLP for V2.30 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit, German Manual Enclosed is MSGERM.HLP, a German version of MSKERM.HLP. [Ed. - Thanks, Gisbert! It's been put in the Kermit Distribution as MSKGER.HLP, the name change being necessary because the MSG prefix is already used for something else.] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Dec 87 10:19:17 EDT From: Terrence Ford Subject: Installing CMS Kermit 4.0 Keywords: IKC Kermit, CMS Kermit 4.0 Two very minor points that may save people some time installing 4.0: 1) As received from KERMSRV@CUVMA, the following files all proved to have a last record beginning with X'00' (which will cause the assembler to complain with IFO053 OP CODE NOT FOUND ON FIRST OR ONLY CARD) IKCUTL.ASM IK0CMD.ASM IK0COM.ASM IK0DEF.ASM IK0DOC.ASM IK0MAC.ASM IK0MAI.ASM 2) In step 2, the HELPCONV command will create IKCKER $HLP A, not IKCKER $HLPCMS A as documented. As I said, very minor. Terrence Ford Page 22 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #3 [Ed. - Thanks, Terrence. Problem (1) was an artifact of our file transfer process (FTP, not Kermit!), and has been rectified -- the CUVMA copies no longer have nulls at the end.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 21 Dec 87 11:03:33 PST From: jimbys%CITIAGO.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU (James V. Bys) Subject: Kermit on 9370 using ASCII Subsystem Keywords: CMS Kermit We have been running CMS Kermit 3.1 on an IBM 4381 with a 7171 interface successfully. We recently received an IBM 9375 with an ASCII Subsystem. This IBM supported subsystem acts similarly to the 7171. Kermit compiles and starts successfully on the 9375. When Kermit is put in server mode, the FIRST file transfer occurs successfully. After this transfer, the terminal attached to the ASCII Subsystem is completely hung. None of the local reset characters have any effect. Needless to say, no further communication by the local Kermit with the 9375 occurs. The CMS installation instructions state: "When CMS Kermit is to be used with a 7171, make sure the 7171 is set up with its 'keyboard lock delay' parameter set to 0. Otherwise, the 'terminal' will hang whenever CMS Kermit clears the screen..." This symptom sounds similar to the one mentioned above using the ASCII Subsystem. There, however, is no mention that we could find of a "keyboard lock delay" parameter in manual SA33-1564 "ASCII Subsystem Customization and Programmer's Guide". Could anyone that has successfully installed Kermit through an ASCII Subsystem please comment? James V. Bys California Institute of Technology Internet address: JIMBYS@iago.caltech.edu Bitnet address: JIMBYS@CITIAGO ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1988 14:22:08 EST From: "James H. Coombs" Subject: CMS Kermit 4.0 Packet Size Anomaly Keywords: CMS Kermit Thanks for the new version of CMS Kermit 4.0. I have found many improvements and only one oddity (or two?). 1) The documentation (IKCKER DOC) says: "Maximum packet size: 1920" INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #3 Page 23 But when I try to set the receive packet size to 1920, the executable rejects the command and issues the message: "Operand must be <1914" The same problem occurs when I try to set the send packet size. In addition, when I specify something like '1900', I am told that the send packet size is limited to the range '20-94'. 2) This may be a local problem, but I get the following message on startup: "Handshake is XON -- not needed" CMS Version is "Rel 3 Lev 302.2". Thanks. --Jim Dr. James H. Coombs Software Engineer, Research Institute for Research in Information and Scholarship (IRIS) Brown University jazbo@brownvm.bitnet Acknowledge-To: ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Jan 88 23:01:49 PST From: blarson%skat.usc.edu@oberon.USC.EDU (Bob Larson) Subject: Re: Announcing C-Kermit 4E(068) Keywords: C-Kermit 4E(068) In article <791@vixie.UUCP> paul@vixie.UUCP (Paul Vixie Esq) writes: >In article <11449@brl-adm.ARPA> SY.FDC@cu20b.columbia.edu (Frank da Cruz) >writes: >>This is to announce another minor release, but this time a "real" release, >>of C-Kermit for Unix, VAX/VMS, Data General AOS, the Commodore Amiga, >>the Apple Macintosh, etc. The changes were minor, and only appear in the >>Unix versions. [...] ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >I'm curious, though, as to whether this release includes the long-discussed >"windowing kermit protocol" which would apparently allow several ACKs to be >outstanding at one time, thus improving performance on half-duplex and X.25 >connections. Unfortunatly, I'm rather certain full duplex windows havn't made it into C-kermit yet. The only version I know of are for Primos, a semi-functional (and unmaintainable) one for ms-dos, and commercial ms-dos packages (such as procomm). There may of course be others I am not aware of. The later C-kermits do include long packet support. This is what is desired for half-duplex, but is not as good for x.25 or long delay hookups. I'm curious as to when, if ever, windows will make it into c-kermit. Bob Larson Arpa: Blarson@Ecla.Usc.Edu blarson@skat.usc.edu Page 24 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #3 Uucp: {sdcrdcf,cit-vax}!oberon!skat!blarson Prime mailing list: info-prime-request%fns1@ecla.usc.edu oberon!fns1!info-prime-request [Ed. - Sliding windows are not in C-Kermit 4E(068). This is high on the list of things to add to C-Kermit, as are Attribute packets, and support for MS-DOS. These will appear in future releases, which in turn will appear as time permits.] ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Dec 87 20:02:38 CST From: haque@umn-cs.cs.umn.edu (Samudra E. Haque) Subject: Data General C-Kermit 4E(067) Keywords: C-Kermit 4E(067) In your 4E(067) version I believe you have conditional compilation for Data General machines (== ifdef datageneral), assuming that people who run these machines want to compile a version for themselves. Well, there is a problem with that. There are basically two major types of software on DG machines: AOS/VS and DG/UX, i.e. native AOS with MV/UX subshells and native unix for the Data General. Unfortunately, on both C compilers the symbol "datageneral" is defined! This is of course a problem since both unixes are *not* identical in file structure and programs. So: Just using plain "#ifdef datageneral" will tend to break people who try to compile C-Kermit on DGUX's version. What I might suggest use the construct "#ifdef datageneral #ifndef DGUX" etc.. Else: I'm just about finished with 4E(067) for DG/UX.. this version with proper #ifdef DGUXs. My version of ckuusr.c seems to be broken though, (symbol line length attribute conflict ? )..and I've been wanting to FTP a new version over. ... ... Thanks for your attention. Samudra E. Haque Computer Science Systems Group Computer Science Department University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455. [Ed. - This message arrived too late for the new release. But you're more than welcome to fix the program up for Data General operation and send the changes back to Columbia, preferably based on the just-announced 4E(068) release.] ------------------------------ Date: 28 Dec 87 00:42:59 GMT From: nerd@percival.UUCP (Michael Galassi) Subject: Kermit on BSD 4.2 Keywords: C-Kermit I recently wrote a program to deal with idle users on my system and have a loose end to tie up before I can send it on to r$ for posting to comp.sources.unix. INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #3 Page 25 The problem is with Kermit. When users are kermiting files back and forth stat(2) on their terminal shows that the device has not been accessed since the file transfer started. I know perfectly well that data is going across the link as the lights on the modem blink in the usual kermit fashion, but looking at the st_mtime, st_atime, and st_ctime entries in the structure returned by stat(2) shows no change during the course of the file transfer. I know this is not a problem with my invocation of the stat system call as who(1) also reports the terminal as idle. HELP!!! How is kermit doing its i/o? I am running C-Kermit version 4C, when it starts up I get the message: C-Kermit, 4C(057) 31 Jul 85, 4.2 BSD If anyone knows exactly how Kermit does it's i/o could you please send me mail about this? Also, what other programs have you found that play the same tricks with i/o that I should look out for? -michael [Ed. - See message below. C-Kermit opens /dev/tty in rawmode and does unbuffered read()'s and write()'s to it.] ------------------------------ Date: 28 Dec 87 17:37:05 GMT From: egisin@orchid.waterloo.edu (Eric Gisin) Subject: Re: Kermit on BSD 4.2 Keywords: C-Kermit C-Kermit probably opens /dev/tty instead of using stdin and stdout, so the /dev/tty?? inode times are not updated. The reason for doing this so one can send stdin or receive stdout as a file. One fix is to modify kermit to use stderr instead of /dev/tty. [Ed. - C-Kermit does indeed use /dev/tty.] ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 23 Jan 88 20:39:54 EST From: Brodsky <353164%UMDC.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU> Subject: C-Kermit 4D(061) and Microport Unix Keywords: C-Kermit 4D(061) I'm having difficulties using C-Kermit on a tty port with getty. Even though Microport says you can get away with this by running getty on /dev/ttyM? I have had numerous occasions where the C-Kermit process hangs while attempting to aquire the port. The process will will linger without responding to any kill (even kill -9), LCK* file removal, or init state change. The only way to get the tty port back is to reboot. There are no problems running C-Kermit as long as getty doesn't have the port, however. This bug is not a consistent one. There are times when running C-Kermit and getty together works fine and other times when it does not. One thing that Page 26 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #3 tends to cause the problem to occur more often is when getty has a multiple speed setting (such as 1200R where it will switch between 300 and 1200 bps). I suspect some sort of port access confusion in ttyM?, but I haven't yet the skills to track this beast down. Can anyone help? Thanks for all the wonderful work Froggers! Jake Brodsky "What nature doesn't do to us, Is done by our fellow man." --Tom Lehrer ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Dec 87 09:27:35 CST From: convex!smu!leff@a.cs.uiuc.edu (Laurence Leff) Subject: UUCP Lock Files Keywords: UUCP, Lock Files Our version of kermit does not access the lock files correctly so as to avoid interfering with uucp under 4.3BSD. The lock file mechanism changed from 4.2BSD to 4.3BSD. Yet the version of Kermit that came with the 4.3BSD distribution from Mt. Xinu is using the old style uucp lockng mechanism appropriate for 4.2BSD systems. Has anyone fixed this and can send us a patch? Laurence Leff Coordinator, Computer Science Department Computer Facilities Management Team convex!smu!leff leff%smu@csnet-relay E1AR0002 at SMUVM1 (BITNET) [Ed. - Let's hear it once again for UUCP lock files, probably the silliest single feature of Unix. Why access to tty devices should be shared rather than exclusive by default is a profound mystery. So long as every Unix system in the world (and every new release of each version) must have a different idea of where the UUCP lock file should be, what it should be called, what should be in it, who its owner should be, etc etc, communication programs, like Kermit, that attempt to work on many different Unix versions will remain in a perpetual state of confusion (end of tirade). The past few releases of C-Kermit have had code to deal with 4.3BSD lock files, but it's not activated by default. Look in the module ckutio.c for "NEWUUCP".] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 21 Jan 88 16:38:24 EST From: "Robert E. Zaret" Subject: VAX -> NASA VAX Problem Keywords: VAX/VMS Kermit Someone just came in with a problem transferring files from his lab's VAX to a VAX run by NASA. Both seem to be VAX 11/750s running Kermit-32. He calls an 800 number to connect through Telenet using 1200 bps, 7 databits, and even parity. He has no problem using the NASA VAX. However, when he tries to transfer a FORTRAN source file, he sees no error messages, but cannot INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #3 Page 27 find the file at the other end. More specifically: he invokes Kermit on the NASA end and puts it in server mode; then he uses ^]c to escape back to his local kermit and tells it to send the file; after 3-5 minutes, he gets a new Kermit-32 prompt. I am surprised about the Telenet connection: the 800 number seems curious; I was unable to use Telenet with 7e (I had to use 8n to connect to Telenet and let it handle, correctly, the computer at the other end that insists on 7e); and he never sees the usual Telenet prompts. He is certain he uses Telenet, not TELNET. We would certainly appreciate any hints. Thanks. [Ed. - The Telenet variations are not totally inexplicable. A Telenet host can configure the user's Telenet pad as to parity, etc., using private X.28 (or is it X.29) parameters. Thus the behavior of your PAD can depend on what host you're connecting to. Meanwhile, can anybody who has used Kermit in this environment help?] ------------------------------ Date: 14 Jan 88 21:19:51 GMT From: Kral Subject: Secure Kermit File Server for VMS? Keywords: VAX/VMS Kermit We have a need for a "secure" file server on our VMS machines. We want something that would enable our customers to call up, log in, and transmit or receive files in their home directory. They should be able to do directory listings within their own tree as well. However, they should not be able to spawn off sub-processes, read or write files outside of their home directory, etc. Ideally, the wouldn't be able to have any kind of access, including directory listings, of anything outside of their home directory. Our problem is this: our machine security is pretty relaxed, leaving any security up to limiting login access to "trusted" users. As a result, the users have gotten used to leaving world read (and sometimes write!) permission on their home directories. Most of the users on the machine we wish to implement this on are Operating System Engineers, so we figured it would be kind of costly to impose any reasonable security on the system. We also figured that permissions probably wouldn't be kept long if we were to require them to change them. Now we have customers that want to do file transfer with us, and we need their accounts secure from each other, as well as our own source code directories being secure from them. Right now I am attempting to modify kermit-32 to take out any remote commands. I only have the macro sources to work with. ANy suggestions are appreciated. kral [THERE ARE NO ORDINARY MOMENTS] 408/647-6112 ...{ism780|amdahl}!drivax!braun [Ed. - C-Kermit might be easier to work with, but it is not yet truly at Page 28 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #3 home in the VMS environment. But it's not clear that changing Kermit is the answer to the problem. If they can log in, they can get at other people's files. Even if you have a "secure" Kermit on the system, they can use it to transfer an "insecure" one for their own use.] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 30 Dec 87 19:31:38 PST From: Michael Marria Subject: Kermit for the Visual 1050? Keywords: Visual 1050 Kermit I am looking for further information to get this Visual 1050 transfering binaries. It has a usable ascii modem and trap system, so I can get .HEX files to start up. This thing is somewhat Kapro II and DEC Rainbo compatible. I down loaded the HEX file for a Kaypro which runs until I attempt connection which crashes the machine. Any help on this will be much appreciated. Also, if this helps, it runs CP/M3, though I assume the crash problems relate to the port loction being different then that of a Kaypro. Anybody out there have one of these things? Thanks much, Michael [Ed. - If it runs CP/M 3.0, then you should not be using Kaypro Kermit, you should be using CP/M 3.0 Kermit, which should run as-is on any CP/M 3.0 system. The system-dependent hex file for this is in KER:CP4CP3.HEX, which is combined with KER:CP4KER.HEX to produce the complete running program, according to the instructions in the manual.] ------------------------------ Date: 12 Jan 88 16:42:08 GMT From: pete@umbc3.umd.edu (Pete Hsi ) Subject: Commodore 64 Kermit and GNU Emacs? Keywords: Commodore 64 While using GNU Emacs with C64 Kermit at 1200 baud, I noticed when scrolling UP ONLY, the screen would get garbled. (Probally overflowing the input buffer? I haven't notice this happening at 300 baud (300 baud?!? ARGH!)) Anybody out there know the solution to this? I have FLOW-CONTROL ON in C64 Kermit. I do a re-draw screen command (C-l; no biggie) but I would like a more elegant (sp?) solution such as resetting TERM-CAP, etc. More info: Host: Ultrix (Dec's Unix) running GNU Emacs 18.49.1 and VMS running the ported version of GNU Emacs. Local: Commodore 64 running Kermit 2.0 (VT100 emulation), 1200 modem. INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #3 Page 29 If possible, send me mail. Thanks in advance. Pete Univs. of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC == "U Must Be Crazee" :-) ARPA: pete@umbc3.umd.edu or pete@umbc2.umd.edu Bitnet: pete@umbc "Mis-spellings are the fault of my computer" ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest Page 30 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #4 Info-Kermit Digest Fri, 29 Jan 1988 Volume 7 : Number 4 Departments: ANNOUNCEMENTS - Announcing C-Kermit 4E(070) (Sorry!) New Version of Honeywell CP-6 Kermit New PDP-11 Kermit Documentation CU20B Nears Retirement SCANCHEK 4.0 Available MS-DOS Kermit - MS-Kermit 2.30 Rollback Disable Kermit 2.30 for GRiD Rainbow MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Kermit 2.30 and the Tandy 1000 IBM PC Convertible Diskettes? C-KERMIT - C-Kermit Timeout Problem Fix Compiling Kermit 4E (068) on BSD 4.3 A Better Way to Detect Background Execution C-Kermit 4E(068) on 4.3 BSD Small Problem in ckuusr.c for System V Problem with CKUUSR.C on VMS MISCELLANY - Kermit Support for IBM 3708 Front Ends? Re: TRS-80 Model II Kermit HEX File ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri 29 Jan 88 21:25:40-EST From: Frank da Cruz Subject: Announcing C-Kermit 4E(070) (Sorry!) Keywords: C-Kermit 4E(070), UNIX Kermit This is to announce, directly on the heels of C-Kermit 4E(068), another new version, 4E(070). I apologize for this. Edit 68 had two fatal flaws, which are described in messages below, but briefly: . getcwd() not defined in BSD UNIX, breaking BSD versions. . Unconditional reference to SIGSTOP, breaking non-BSD versions. A couple other small fixes were also applied. One is for the error message C-Kermit returns when it times out (thanks to Paul Placeway). The other finally allows Kermit to determine whether it is running in the background, so that the "disappearing prompt" problem is fixed... But only for Berkeley and Ultrix versions. See messages below. Sorry for the inconvenience. If you want to replace the files that were "damaged" in the 068 release, they are ckutio.c, ckufio.c, ckuusr.c, ckcfn2.c, ckucmd.c, and ckcmai.c. ------------------------------ INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #4 Page 31 Date: January 25, 1988 From: Lee-Hallin%LADC@BCO-MULTICS.ARPA Subject: New Version of Honeywell CP-6 Kermit Keywords: Honeywell CP-6, CP-6 I've sent you a tape containing version 1.00 of Kermit that runs on Honeywell machines running the CP-6 (Control Program 6) operating system. The following are changes/additions made to CP-6 KERMIT since the original version (0.95) was sent to Columbia University in December, 1985. Many thanks to John Stewart of Carleton University, Tom Erskine of CRC, Mike Iglesias of UC Irvine, and Mike Schmidt of Honeywell Bull, Canada, for their help and supplied code. . Recognize ARC and LIB as default binary file extensions. . Optimize code that strips parity off incoming characters. . Block move of packet data to eliminate looping. . Eliminate redundant checksum calculation. . Handle repeat counts in file name packet. . Use FSFA on file that is being received or sent. . Added the ability to specify up to two EOR characters instead of assuming CR/LF. This is useful, for instance, when communicating with some software on Apples. . Fixed bug that caused KERMIT to Memory Fault if a 'LIST' command was issued with no fid specified. . Enhanced the SHOW command to show some of the SETable things that it didn't before (EG, Binary EXtensions) as well as values for all the new commands. . The PARITY used for a transfer is now logged in the LOG file. . The activation character for received packets is now included in KERMIT "debug" files. . Fixed bug that prevented records with embedded CR's from being received correctly. . Relaxed syntactical constraints on some commands so optional blanks are permitted. . Added the SET FILE PREFIX, SET FILE SUBDIRECTORY CHAR and SET FILE SUBDIRECTORY { ON | OFF } commands. . Made it possible to interrupt multiple file transfers so you can quit the current file or the entire group of files. . Added the CG and STATION options to allow transfers through ComGroups. I hope to have another version in about two months that will include long packets and maybe sliding windows. - Lee Hallin - Honeywell Bull 5250 West Century Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90045 (213) 649-6870 x317 [Ed. - Many thanks, Lee! The new files are in KER:HC6*.*, available via anonymous FTP from CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU, and HC6* * available from KERMSRV at CUVMA via BITNET.] ------------------------------ Page 32 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #4 Date: Thu 28 Jan 88 09:59:41-EST From: Frank da Cruz Subject: New PDP-11 Kermit Documentation Keywords: PDP-11 Kermit, RSX, RSTS, RT11 Thanks to Dan Graham at NYU, we have a Scribe'd version of the PDP-11 Kermit manual, suitable for typesetting and inclusion in the next edition of the Kermit User Guide. It's in KER:K11MIT.MSS and .DOC. ------------------------------ Date: Thu 28 Jan 88 09:59:41-EST From: Frank da Cruz Subject: CU20B Nears Retirement Keywords: CU20B, Kermit Distribution, DEC-20, DUMPER Tapes CU20B only has a few more months to live (exact date of retirement still to be determined). So, if anybody wants to order DEC-20 DUMPER or DEC-10 BACKUP tapes, get those orders in soon! Once CU20B is gone, we won't be able to make these tapes any more. Also, over the coming months, we'll be converting our network operations to a VAX 8700 with Ultrix 2.0 (which is like 4.2BSD Unix) system and an IBM mainframe running VM/CMS. Watch Info-Kermit for announcements about new procedures. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 88 09:06:00 EST From: Phil Benchoff Subject: SCANCHEK 4.0 Available Keywords: SET KEY, SCANCHEK, Key Definition Finally. Enclosed is a version of scanchek.c and scanchek.exe that should match MS-Kermit 2.30. The enhanced keyboard is supported, and the program will indicate if a particular key is available on the enhanced keyboard only. [Ed. - Thanks, Phil! For those who don't know, this is an interactive program that can be used to find the key codes for all the keys on the IBM PC keyboard, for use with Kermit's SET KEY command. The files are kept in KER:MSUCHK.C and KER:MSUCHK.BOO.] ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 23 Jan 88 13:54:57 EST From: "James H. Coombs" Subject: MSKermit 2.30 Rollback Disable Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Alastair Milne writes: Every so often I will aim for the RETURN key, miss it, and hit HOME instead. Everything stops in its tracks while n pages of screen scroll past. And END, of course, so that it will all scroll back to where it's supposed to be. ... INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #4 Page 33 I see no way among the commands to turn it off (or perhaps reduce the number of screens that are saved). Is there in fact a way; or is one available in the next version? To disable the roll back, simply remap the relevant keys to other functions. I have the opposite problem: mapping the roll back functions to new keys. I tried with 2.29c with no success; I asked and either didn't get an answer or it slipped by me. Is there a way to remap this functionality? Thanks. --Jim Dr. James H. Coombs Software Engineer, Research Institute for Research in Information and Scholarship (IRIS) Brown University jazbo@brownvm.bitnet Acknowledge-To: [Ed. - We received an avalanche of messages to this effect. Apologies for the thoughtless "Ed." comment. Of course you can remap your Home key to not invoke the \Khomscn verb. You can move that function to some less easily hit key, e.g. the commands "set key \327 {}" and "set key \1399 \Khomscn" move it from Home to Ctrl-Home. And to answer Jim's question, yes, you can remap the rollback function to other keys, as in "set key \338 \Kupscn" to move it to the Ins key.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Jan 88 10:51:59 EST From: Owen Adair Subject: Kermit 2.30 for GRiD Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, GRiD Kermit I downloaded 2.30 Kermit for the GRiD (.BOO format) and it tries to run, but all I get is garbage then it crashes. Has anyone else tested the beast on a GRiD model 1101? I currently use 2.29 and it works although not all the features function. Hope INFO-KERMIT can help! -owen Owen Adair, WD4FSU Digital Signal Processing Lab, Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA 30332 Internet: owen%gteedsp@gatech.gatech.edu uucp: ...!{decvax,hplabs,ihnp4,linus,rutgers,seismo}!gatech!gt-eedsp!owen [Ed. - This would require a Grid assembly-language programmer to look at 2.30 code and debug it. Anybody?] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jan 88 10:14 EST From: Page 34 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #4 Subject: Rainbow MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, Rainbow Kermit I recently put a question here regarding the printer port on the Rainbow. I had a copy of the documentation for version 2.29.1 which does support the printer port on a rainbow. In MSKERM.DOC, it states that the printer port is not supported and indeed I have found that it does not. Are there any plans for the offical distribution of Kermit to support the printer port, i.e. being able to send the proper escape sequence to the printer port to turn it on and off and to send files to it from a host such as a vax, or any host? Terry Lewis University of Tennessee at Martin Martin, Tennessee 38238 [Ed. - This would require an expert Rainbow programmer. I don't know if the Rainbow printer port is the same kind of device as the communications port, with the same interrupt structure, etc. If so, it might be easy. Anyone?] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jan 88 13:05:03 EST From: "James R. McCoy (CCS-E)" Subject: Kermit 2.30 and the Tandy 1000 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, Tandy Kermit I have a strange problem with Kermit on a Tandy 1000 -- I have an older Tandy 1000 with a Monochrome monitor and MSDOS 3.2. Kermit seems to work well enough until I hit the ^]c combination. At that point the screen goes blank and commands such as quit exit and push fail -- The only thing I can seem to do is hit a "C" which puts me back to the host, or I can issue a three-fingered salute and reboot. In an effort to work around, I renamed mskermit.ini to *.old and reexecuted -- This got me to the Kermit-MS> prompt. Everything worked well until I hit the "c" to connect. The conection worked well and the session went well up to the point where I did the ^]c combination and then I went right back to square 1 -- Is there a special version specifically for the Tandy 1000? Thanks for your assistance. [Ed. - No, there's not a special version for the Tandy 1000. It's allegedly IBM compatible, but I have heard a lot of stories to the contrary, e.g. that the Epsilon editor doesn't work at all, etc. Anybody know the real story?] ------------------------------ Date: Thu 28 Jan 88 09:59:41-EST From: Frank da Cruz Subject: IBM PC Convertible Diskettes? Keywords: IBM PC Convertible INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #4 Page 35 Can anyone say for certain whether IBM PC Convertible 3.5" diskettes are compatible with the 720K 3.5" diskettes that are used in the IBM PS/2 Model 30? ------------------------------ Date: 27 Jan 88 10:59 EST From: junod@dtrc.ARPA (John Junod) Subject: C-Kermit Timeout Problem Fix Keywords: C-Kermit 4E(068) The following code was developed about a year and a half ago by Mark A. Thomas here at David Taylor Research Center to solve the time-out problem as mentioned in the Info-Kermit Digest, V7 #3. Hope this helps.... L. John Junod junod@dtrc /* The following fix was made in kermit to prevent the local machine from timing out the terminal line. The local machine uses the last access time of /dev/ttyXX to check for an inactive terminal. Fancy kermit i/o doesn't update /dev/ttyXX while packets are sent/received. Since a packet doesn't update the access time of the tty line, The local machine thinks the line is inactive and times it out after 5-10 minutes. A call to the routine check_time() is made in spack() and rpack(), and after 50 packets the tty time is updated. 60 packets at 300 baud take about 5 minutes to send, so 50 packets is safe. */ /* included to fix local timeout problem */ #include "signal.h" #include "sys/types.h" #include "sys/timeb.h" #define NULL 0x0 /* C H E C K _ T I M E -- Fix timeout during packet sending and receiving. Since packets don't update the tty access and modify times, we do it. */ check_time() { static char *tty_name = (char *) NULL; static int i = 0; char *ttyname(),*calloc(); struct timeb tbp; time_t t[2]; if (tty_name == NULL) { tty_name = calloc(32,sizeof(char)); strcpy(tty_name,ttyname(0)); /* allocate and get tty name of stdin */ } i++; if (i > 50) { Page 36 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #4 i = 0; ftime(&tbp); /* get system time */ t[0] = tbp.time; t[1] = tbp.time; utime(tty_name,t); /* update tty time */ } } [Ed. - This would probably do the trick for BSD, but all the time stuff is system dependent. BSD, Sys V, Xenix, Venix, V7, etc, have different ways of getting the time. Meanwhile, this message has been added to the C-Kermit "beware file".] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 26 Jan 88 17:11:35 CST From: David A Rasmussen Subject: Compiling Kermit 4E (068) on BSD 4.3 Keywords: C-Kermit 4E(068) make wermit "CFLAGS= -DBSD4 -DDEBUG -DTLOG" cc -DBSD4 -DDEBUG -DTLOG -c ckuusr.c "ckuusr.c", line 515: KERMRC undefined I have not changed anything. I copied the new files described by FDC on Jan 25. Is this a general problem or perhaps something I did? (all I did was copy the new files into my older distribution (066?) with the xk* files. I think perhaps ckuusr.h also changed if I read your .bwr file right. Of course this wasn't listed in your message to the net... Anyhow, that could be it, or else I'm totally wrong :-) [Ed. - I hope so! KERMRC is defined in ckuusr.h as ".kermrc" for Unix systems, and that's where ckuusr.c picks up the definition from. None of that changed, and it compiles fine on our Unix (Ultrix) systems. Did anybody else have any trouble with this?] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 26 Jan 88 16:08:36 PST From: unisoft!jeffb@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (Jeff Bloomfield) Subject: A Better Way to Detect Background Execution (in ckutio.c) Keywords: C-Kermit 4E(068) I currently use C-Kermit 4C(052) on a System V machine. Perhaps this bug has been corrected. I usually invoke kermit with an sh script, which runs my dialing (phone directory) program prior to invoking kermit. There were various reasons why I had to use : trap "args" 1 2 3 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #4 Page 37 : kermit Naturally, since this version of kermit tests the value that that signal(2) returns in if ( signal( SIGINT, SIG_IGN ) ) { backgrd = 1 ; : : } to detect background execution, kermit would fail with Fatal: Kermit command error in background execution. as soon as I made a typo from the interactive prompt. A solution that seems to work (on both BSD and SYS V) is: if ( ! isatty(0) ) { /* Is stdin a tty? */ signal( SIGINT, SIG_IGN ) ; backgrd = 1; : : } Refer to: ttyslot(3) - SYS V ttynam(3F) - BSD QUESTION: Has this problem been corrected? Does this look like a more reasonable solution? Appreciate a reply. [Ed. - This is essentially what C-Kermit 4D and later do. Except today's release does it a different way for BSD, which turns out to work even better: Kermit's process group is compared with the controlling terminal's process group (got via an ioctl that's unavailable in Sys V), and if they differ, then it's in the background (thanks to Fuat Baran of Columbia U for suggesting this approach). If anybody else has a definitive test for background operation under Sys V, BSD, or other Unix systems, please send it in. I'm not sure the isatty(0) test is foolproof -- it certainly isn't in BSD. Nor is the signal(SIGINT,SIG_IGN) == SIG_IGN test. Neither one of these tends to work when the program is invoked with "&", whereas one works and the other doesn't under various other conditions (e.g. "kermit < foo", "foo | kermit", "kermit < foo &", etc etc). Also something very strange happens to the signals if you take a command file from Kermit, which invokes a shell escape, e.g. "! date"). Enough...] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jan 88 10:04:59 -0500 From: Dan Grim Subject: C-Kermit 4E(068) on 4.3 BSD Keywords: C-Kermit 4E(068) When I say "make bsd" I end up with _getcwd undefined at link time! There seems to be a FORTRAN getcwd routine which might actually work 1but the arguments don't necessary look compatible. Has this version really been Page 38 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #4 built successfully under 4.3? Dan [Ed. - About 500 people complained about this one. The assumption was that getcwd() was a system call available on all versions of Unix. Unfortunately, it's not. On Berkeley, it's called getwd(). The reason I didn't spot this is that I compiled the program on Ultrix, which is supposed to be like 4.2BSD, little suspecting that it also includes a collection of "System V Compatibility Functions". Real BSD 4.2 or 4.3 doesn't have getcwd. Unfortunately, the name can't simply be changed to getwd() in BSD versions, because Kermit already has an internal function by that name, which is defined and used in ckucmd.c. So in order to use the system's getwd() call, Kermit's function must have its name changed to gtword(). These changes are in 4E(070) announced above.] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 88 13:51:31 EST From: Gary P Standorf Subject: Small Problem in ckuusr.c for System V I tried compiling C-Kermit 4E(069) on a VAX 11/780 running System V Release 2 and it blew up in the ckuusr.c module. It seems that an #ifdef is missing around the stptrap() function. Since this function is called in response to a SIGTSTP signal, and that doesn't exist on SVR2, it appears that an #ifdef SIGTSTP is needed so that the function is only included if SIGTSTP is defined. Thanks, Gary Standorf [Ed. - Thanks for pointing this one out. The reference to SIGSTOP in function stptrap() in ckuusr.c should be surrounded by #ifdef SIGSTSP ... #endif conditionals.] ------------------------------ Date: 28 Jan 88 09:48:00 GMT+109:13 From: Subject: Problem with CKUUSR.C on VMS The symbol SIGSTOP is not defined on our VMS system(4.5). The only call to this routine that I could find was enclosed with the an #ifdef SIGSTSP. The program compiled and ran fine on this system after this change was made to CKUUSR.C. Thanks for all your efforts, you have a great package. ken poole poole@nusc-ada.arpa [Ed. - Thanks, same deal as with Sys V, fixed in 4E(070).] ------------------------------ INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #4 Page 39 Date: Thu, 1988 Jan 28 17:46 EST From: (John F. Chandler) PEPMNT@CFAAMP.BITNET Subject: Kermit Support for IBM 3708 Front Ends Keywords: Kermit-370, 3708, IBM 3708, IBM Mainframe Kermit, TSO, MVS/TSO The release of Kermit-370 4.0 for TSO is approaching, but there are a few loose ends that need to be tied up. One of these is the support for the 3708 front end, which has been copied as accurately as possible from the version known as TS3KER in the Kermit distribution. Since there has apparently never been any feedback on TS3KER, I don't even know if this particular 3708 approach has worked for anybody besides its originator. Anybody who is running TSO through a 3708 and who would be willing to report on either TS3KER or a preliminary version of TSO Kermit 4.0 should drop me a line. Thanks. John ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 24 Jan 88 17:59:02 EST From: Marshall_DeBerry@um.cc.umich.edu Subject: Re: TRS-80 Model II Kermit HEX File Keywords: TRS-80 Model II Kermit RE: Info-Kermit Digest V7 #2: RE TRS 80 MODEL II Kermit hex file: I believe that file is to be used with Pickles and Trout CPM release 2.2. I don't believe there was ever a version done for TRSDOS. I got the source files about maybe 4 years ago to try and do such a conversion, but the volume of assembly code was just too much to try and convert (plus the code at the time was in 8080 and I was versed at the time in Z80, hence that conversion had to be done first). Anyway, TRSDOS was undergoing a slow death at the time, and I just gave up on the conversion. If there ever was a TRSDOS version of kermit, I too would be interested in hearing about it. [Ed. - There is indeed a native TRSDOS version for the Model II. It's in KER:TR2KER.*, announced in Info-Kermit V6 #8, 26 March 1987.] ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest Page 40 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #5 Info-Kermit Digest Thu, 4 Feb 1988 Volume 7 : Number 5 Departments: ANNOUNCEMENTS - New Documentation for Old CIE-680 Kermit MS-DOS KERMIT - MS-Kermit Under OS/2 Thanks for rollback help! The New Tek-Emulating Kermit and SAS HP-150 Terminal Program Kermit problems with Visual Commuter computer Kermit-MS 2.30 & Macintosh II MISCELLANY - CMS Kermit 4.0 Problems with Apple Kermit. GNU Emacs with C64 Kermit First-Time Download of Kermit on Commodore-64 with Only Tape Kermit Sources Wanted for iRMX-86 VME/10 Kermit? VT-52 Emulator for Osborn Exec One Character Checksum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri 29 Jan 88 17:26:53-EST From: Frank da Cruz Subject: New Documentation for Old CIE-680 Kermit Keywords: CIE Kermit Sent in by the author, David S. Lawyer, of Irvine, CA, plus a termcap entry for it. In KER:CIE680.HLP and .TRM. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Jan 88 13:53 MDT From: Joe Doupnik Subject: MS-Kermit Under OS/2 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit, OS/2 [Ed. - A question we're getting a lot these days is "Will (or can) MS-Kermit run under OS/2?" As far as 2.30 (and earlier) are concerned, the answer is "yes, but only in DOS compatibility mode", i.e. taking over the whole machine. As to the possibility of turning it into a real OS/2 application, we have the following from Joe Doupnik...] A switch to OS/2 is possible, even in assembler, but a C version would make this much easier. In simple terms, OS/2 is not an interrupt-driven system but a more conventional "call" type. So all the Bios/Dos software interrupts get repackaged to do calls to system functions, much like a C interface. The tough part concerns hardware interrupts where either the machine interrupt enable bit needs toggling (STI/CLI), not permitted under OS/2 full mode, and/or the physical hardware needs attention from the program. Rumors and the Microsoft Journal say that interrupt handler latency is very, very long on 286 machines INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #5 Page 41 and communications programs should expect troubles. And, naturally, OS/2 runs only on AT's and above. So, the short forms are: Yes, it runs now in the DOS box, but a full OS/2 version needs a substantial development effort. The Presentation Manager specs are still fluid but when stable will require a second pass at OS/2 Kermit to adapt to window sizing things. Regards, Joe D. [Ed. - Thanks, Joe. If anybody else has any insight into the issues involved in bringing Kermit to OS/2, please send a message to Info-Kermit!] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Feb 88 22:04:50 -0800 From: Alastair Milne Subject: Thanks for rollback help! Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 To James Coombs, Eric Boehm, Doug Brenner, RECK@DBNUAMA1, Gisbert Selke, and all the others who were kind enough to respond about accidentally hitting HOME: Thanks very much for the quick and thoughtful replies. Though remapping the HOME key had never occurred to me, it is obviously the quickest and easiest thing to do. I don't mind having the PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN, since those let you move back with some control; and I think the END is a good idea, to get you back where you actually are as quickly as possible. But the HOME is just grief. It's marvellous what the net can do for you. The amusing thing is that I have not yet seen the info-kermit digest in which my own message appeared, and would never have know that the editor included a reply in it if one of you hadn't forwarded the copy to me. Thanks again to all. Alastair Milne [Ed. - Also, did you know that there's a kind of automatic END feature? Try SET TERMINAL ROLL ON.] ------------------------------ >>Date: Mon, 11 Jan 88 11:12:15 est >>From: snorthc@NSWC-OAS.ARPA >>Subject: Screen Scroll in MS-Windows >>Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit, MS-WIndows >> >>I have had problems making Kermit scroll up/down screens under MS-Windows >>when in a window*. >> >>Version 2.29b and 2.29c (21 DEC) have been tested with version 1.01 - 1.03 >>and 2.03 of MS-Windows. You are only able scroll up one line. >> Page 42 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #5 >>Both Version 2.29b and 2.29c will scroll properly in a window under >>Windows/386. >> >>* In a window refers to setting up the PIF file so that Kermit does not >>write directly to screen and does not "modify" a com port. >> >> Stephen Northcutt (snorthc@nswc-g.arpa) >> >>[Ed. - This is a restriction of the program, noted in the MSKERM.BWR >>file. However, you should still be able to scroll up by using the mouse on >>the scroll bar.] [ From jrd - MS Windows 1.x, 2.x operates the screen in graphics mode but has trouble reporting back text written by a program to the shadow text screen. Thus, manually scrolling a Kermit screen within a shared MS Windows window reports total gibberish or worse to Kermit as it tries to save text lines scrolling off the screen. It's really an MS Windows concern. To suppress this characteristic roll back is turned off when in MS Windows. MS Windows/386 is not available locally and I have no idea of how to test for versions of Windows. Those little white lies we tell in the .PIF file (Kermit does not directly access the screen, does not use serial ports, etc!) are to make Windows behave itself but not to control Kermit. What you see Kermit do in a shared window is accomplished by magic.] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Jan 88 22:22 N From: Jnet%"STREB@YORKVM1" 12-JAN-1988 19:15 Via: (Eberhard W. Lisse) Subject: The New Tek-Emulating Kermit and SAS Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, Terminal Emulation, TEK The line that I have used in my SAS routines to start Tek mode and then turn it off is: GOPTIONS DEVICE=TEK4010,GEPILOG='18'X,GPROLOG='1B0C'X,GPROTOCOL=GSAS7171 That seems to work just fine.... Jim Streb Micro Support York University Downsview, Ontario Canada [Ed. - Presumably, this is when SAS is running on a mainframe, and the user has a full-screen connection through an IBM 7171 protocol converter.] ------------------------------ >>Date: Tue, 26 Jan 88 10:55:52 PST >>From: David Mendel >>Subject: Kermit 2.30 graphics >>Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30A >> >> This is a suggested improvement for msvibm.exe 2.30. Please forward INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #5 Page 43 >>to the correct person. >> >> I am using msvibm.exe 2.30 on an ATT6300, and I have had the following >>problem with the graphics mode. Normally I use the graphics mode to build >>interactive plots using S which puts the command line near the bottom of >>the screen. If I make one typo, it prints an error message, and puts the >>cursor at the top of the screen. The problem is that this clears the >>picture that I have created. >> >> What I would like is an option at the 'More >' prompt to move the >>cursor to the top of the screen without clearing the screen in the >>process. Perhaps pressing n would move the cursor to the top of the >>screen without clearing the screen, while pressing any other key would >>clear the screen as it does now. >> >> Several of us use kermit with S here at Stanford and we would find >>this to be a big improvement. >> >>Thanks, >>David Mendel [From jrd - The temptation to convert a simple Tek terminal into a modern one is to be resisted. My suggestion is to educate 'S' to behave differently when it knows that it owns the bottom line of a screen (Tek or regular text). How about using the top left corner for user text? 'S' appears to be a Stanford program so sources are likely to be nearby.] ------------------------------ >>Date: Sun, 10 Jan 88 20:59:48 PST >>From: Ya'akov_Miles%UBC.MAILNET@um.cc.umich.edu >>Subject: MSKERMIT ver 2.29C tektronix 4010 won't overlay ALPHA and VECTOR >>Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.29C >> >>Possible bug with MSKERMIT version 2.29C: >> >>I have been using MSKERMIT vers 2.29C and have encountered a bug (feature?) >>in the Tektroniks 4010 emulation mode. Specifically, alpha mode characters >>will erase and NOT OVERLAY vector mode data. This frequently causes plot >>titles and labels to obliterate the graphed data. >> >>ps: I have an IBM-PC/xt clone with the CGA adaptor. >> >>[Ed. - This seems to be the behavior on the CGA, but not the EGA...] [From jrd - A complete 8 by 8 dot character cell is written for each character, so that both foreground and background colors are maintained and characters can be erased. Supression of the background is being considered but may not be do-able and still maintain the above characteristics. If annotation is done first then the problem does not occur. I'd like overlaying too.] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 17 Dec 87 15:19 PST From: MEPMESA%UCBCMSA.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU (Adlai) Page 44 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #5 Subject: HP-150 Terminal Program Keywords: HP-150 Kermit Hi we have about 20 HP 150's (Hewlett packard Micro computers). We need to use them as full screen terminals for CMS. Can You Help Us??? We have a copy of mskermit ver 2.27 for the HP-150, it transfer files great. But it does not work as a full screen terminal, has someone writen a terminal emulator for the HP-150 ? It would be a very big help to use to get such a program. Any ideas, information or sujestions would be very much appreciated. Adlai Jordan MESA Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement [Ed. - HP-150 Kermit doesn't do any terminal emulation at all, but simply passes incoming characters to the screen. This goes through the HP-2621 terminal firmware, so you can use HP-150 Kermit for full screen applications with hosts that know how to drive an HP-2621 terminal. This means you'd have to modify your protocol converter (Series/1, 7171, or whatever it is) to know about the HP-2621 control sequences. But don't attempt to use HP-150 as a terminal emulator at speeds above 4800 baud. It just doesn't work. Finally, you might want to pick up the 2.30 version of HP-150 Kermit from KERMSRV at CUVMA. It's in MSTHP1 *.] ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 23 Jan 88 17:08:20 EST From: Marshall D. Abrams Subject: Kermit problems with Visual Commuter computer Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit, Visual Commuter I am having problems getting Kermit to work on a Visual Commuter portable IBM compatible computer and would appreciate communicating with someone else who has been successful with this particular brand. I am not on the info- kermit list, so please respond directly. I have tried both the Kermit in VTERM and stand-alone Kermit Vers 2.28. Both work from my office computer, but neither from home on the Visual Commuter. I don`t think it's the modem or phone line, because I also have an Atari at home and the Kermit on the Atari works just fine when plugged into the modem. I did turn on debug mode. It took about 6-8 tries to get a file name accepted for transfer, but no data packets ever got through. It just timed out. I tried adjusting the parity; that didn't help either. I'm open to suggestions and thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, - Marshall D. Abrams, phone: (703) 883-6938 The MITRE Corporation, 7525 Colshire Drive Mail Stop Z670, Mc Lean, VA 22102 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #5 Page 45 [From jrd - Marshall. Sorry, but I have no information on the Visual Commuter. Is there anyone else who can help?] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 03 Feb 88 22:00 EST From: "Mark B. Johnson" Subject: Kermit-MS 2.30 & Macintosh II Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 on Mac II, MacKermit Just as a note, Kermit-MS V2.30 runs standard VT-102 emulation and file transfer (in background under MultiFinder) just great using the AST286 board in a Macintosh II. The new Macintosh version is much faster of course, but for those people who have to have MS-DOS software, it is quite useable. I will give the TEK emulation a try next. Just thought someone out there might be able to use this information... Mark ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1988 Jan 28 14:21 EST From: (John F. Chandler) PEPMNT@CFAAMP.BITNET Subject: CMS Kermit 4.0 Keywords: CMS Kermit Comments on comments about CMS Kermit 4.0 in recent Info-Kermit Digests... > 2) This may be a local problem, but I get the following message on startup: > > "Handshake is XON -- not needed" This startup message is just a friendly reminder to heed paragraph 4 in section 1.2 of the CMS Kermit User's Guide: CMS is different from some other IBM mainframe systems in that allows a program to take control of prompting and synchronization on TTY lines. Kermit-CMS takes advantage of this option, and it is not, in general, necessary to enable handshaking on the micro Kermit before connecting to CMS. In other words, handshaking should be suppressed for both TTY and SERIES1 devices (the micro Kermit should have HANDSHAKE set OFF, and Kermit-CMS should have HANDSHAKE set to 0). Since the generic Kermit-370 default handshake (XON) is retained in Kermit-CMS, the subcommand SET HANDSHAKE 0 is a good candidate for inclusion in SYSTEM KERMINI. By the way, I noticed that you didn't "Ed." the comments from Brown in Digest #3 about trying to set the SEND packet size -- surely, you don't feel that one Kermit can even try to force another to accept Long Packets; that's what it would mean if Kermit-CMS accepted the command SET SEND PACKET 1900. Perhaps the documentation should explicitly say that one can't do that. [Ed. - Right... that one slipped by.] ------------------------------ Page 46 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #5 Date: Mon, 1 Feb 88 11:36 N From: Subject: Problems with Apple Kermit. Kewyords: Apple II Kermit I recently got a copy of version 3.79 of Apple II KERMIT. I experienced some problems under ProDOS to up/download text files since they are always handled in 7 bit mode (setting unconditionally the high order bit when receiving and stripping it off when sending) like under DOS 3.3. This is incorrect since now the Apple IIgs uses this high order bit to extend the ASCII character set in the same way as on the Macintosh. Unfortunately I have no source code to try to patch the code in order to enable a full 8 bit text file transfer under ProDOS. Can you help me? Thanks in advance & best regards. Fabio Viviani C.S.E.L.T. - Turin, Italy (eifv@eiclus.cnrto) [Ed. - This is certainly a trend. Your message has been forwarded to the current developer of Apple II Kermit, who's working on a new release.] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 03 Feb 88 22:05:09 -0500 From: ray@j.cc.purdue.edu (Ray Moody) Subject: GNU Emacs with C64 Kermit Keywords: C64 Kermit In Info-Kermit Digest Volume 7, Number 3 you write: >While using GNU Emacs with C64 Kermit at 1200 baud, I noticed when scrolling >UP ONLY, the screen would get garbled. (Probally overflowing the input >buffer? I haven't notice this happening at 300 baud (300 baud?!? ARGH!)) Yes, you are quite right. Since the Commodore-64 has no built-in 80-column screen, I have to simulate 80-columns with bitmap graphics. Scrolling a bitmap screen backwards is a non-trivial operation and takes a lot of time. If Kermit receives scroll-reverse requests too fast, it will overflow its input buffer. Normally, when Kermit's input buffer is in danger of being overflowed, Kermit will transmit a ^S to stop the remote host from sending. The only problem is that GNUemacs chooses to ignore this stop request. There are several ways to solve this problem: 1) The best solution I can think of is to tell GNUemacs that you wish to use flow-control. You can do this by putting (set-input-mode nil t) in your .emacs file. 2) Ask GNUemacs to provide a delay after scrolling the screen backwards. You can do this by adding sr=\EM to your terminal description, where is the number of milliseconds of delay that you want. I experimented a little and found that 200 milliseconds is "about" right. This isn't very elegant because it will slow GNUemacs down a lot. INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #5 Page 47 3) Use a Commodore-128 or wait for Kermit 2.1 to be released and use a Batteries-Included 80-column add on card. If you use one of these, Kermit will not be forced to simulate an 80 column screen with graphics. Ray Moody, Author of Commodore Kermit version 2.0 ray@j.cc.purdue.edu ihnp4!pur-ee!j.cc.purdue.edu!ray moody@purccvm.BITNET Many thanks to Jay Vosburgh for providing the magic emacs incantations. [Ed. - And thanks for passing along the hints. They've also been added to the Commodore-64 Kermit "beware" file.] ------------------------------ Date: 12 Jan 88 15:12 +0100 From: Alf Christophersen Subject: First-Time Download of Kermit on Commodore-64 with Only Tape Keywords: C64 Kermit A friend of me want to get KERMIT on his Commodore 64 with CP/M, but he has only a tape station. How do we upload first time, e.g. from a Olivetti M24 with direct connection over RS232? I remember there was a procedure when I loaded first time with our Altos 8000/7, but have forgotten the procedure. Does anyone have some idea? Is there any tape? Alf Christophersen Engineer Dep. of Nutrition Research PO. Box 1046 BLindern N-0316 Oslo 3 Norway ------------------------------ Date: Fri Jan 15 00:20:02 1988 From: peregrine!imt3b2!seila!don@uunet.UU.NET Subject: Kermit Sources Wanted for iRMX-86 Keywords: iRMX Kermit Anyone out there have working C or PLM sources for kermit under release 6+ of iRMX-86 running on a 310 box? Please email replies. Thanks in advance! According to info from Columbia U., someone at Grinnel College (?) has done this... Don Kossman, SEI Information Technology, Los Angeles usenet: {ccicpg!imt3b2 | peregrine!imt3b2 | sun!tsunama!tsunami}!seila!don [Ed. - There are two families of Kermit programs for (i)RMX(2)86. One consists of variations on a version written in PL/M, and the other is an adaptation of MS-DOS Kermit by Jack Bryans at Calstate. Does anyone know of any reason why the former would still be necessary in the presence of the latter? And if there is any reason for keeping a PL/M version, which of the three that we have should be kept? Below is a list...] Page 48 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #5 IRM C Intel 86/380 iRMX-86 PL/M 2.41 87/03/04 Grinnell Col. I86 C Intel 86/380 iRMX-86 PL/M 2.3 85/09/23 Grinnell Col. RMX C Intel 86,286 RMX 1.0 PL/M 1.0 85/10/25 Cornell U MS A Intel 300 Series iRMX-86 MASM/ASM86 2.29Z 88/01/07 Cal State MS A Intel 300 Series iRMX-286 MASM/ASM86 2.29Z 88/01/07 Cal State ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 31 Dec 87 07:57:23 CST From: rod@cnt.mn.org (rod merry) Subject: VME/10 Kermit? Keywords: VME Kermit Does anyone know where I can get a binary copy of Kermit for the Motorola VME/10 running VERSADOS. I will supply or pay for the diskettes. Thanks, Rod Merry rod@cnt.MN.ORG Computer Network Technology {quest|meccts}!cnt!rod 9440 Science Center Drive Minneapolis, MN 55428 (612)535-8111 [Ed. - Try Wm. Pierce, Motorola Semiconductor, 3102 N. 56th St, MS/56-122 Phoenix, AZ 85108. We have had reports that this person has, and distributes, a VME/10 VERSADOS Kermit, but we have never received it. We'd like to carry a VERSADOS Kermit in our distribution, and would like an "official" source to refer people to who need it on diskette. If anybody finds out the status of this purported Kermit version, please let us know.] ------------------------------ Date: 29 Jan 1988 06:18-CST From: John A. Wright Subject: VT-52 Emulator for Osborn Exec Does anyone know of a Kermit program with a VT-52 emulator for the Osborne Executive. If one does not exist, does anyone know of a VT-52 emulator for the same? ------------------------------ Date: 20 Jan 88 00:37:50 GMT From: johnm@ncr-sd.SanDiego.NCR.COM (John McDaid) Subject: One Character Checksum Keywords: Checksum Can anyone give me a short, CLEAR explanation on how a one character checksum is derived in Unix Kermit? Mail me directly with the answer. I thank anyone who gives this any effort. John McDaid John.McDaid@SanDiego.NCR.COM [Ed. - Add up the 8-bit values of all the bytes from the length field to the last data byte. Truncate the sum to 8 bits. Call this S. Then: INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #5 Page 49 X = S & 63; /* Low order 6 bits */ Y = S & 192 >> 6; /* High order 2 bits, shifted to right */ C = (X + Y) & 63; /* Add them together, keep low 6 bits of result */ CHKSUM = C + 32; /* Make it printable */ More concisely (as it is actually done in C-Kermit): CHKSUM = tochar((s + ((s & 192)/64)) & 63); This was originally designed, back in the days of 8-bit processors, to work on machines that could only do 8-bit arithmetic. The idea was to have all the bits of an 8-bit sum contribute to a printable ASCII single-character checksum.] ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest Page 50 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #6 Info-Kermit Digest Wed, 17 Feb 1988 Volume 7 : Number 6 Departments: MS-DOS KERMIT - MS-Kermit for the GRiD Compass (Six Messages) MS-Kermit Tektronix 4010 Graphics Emulation Problem Setting Num Lock and Scroll Lock Keys in MS-Kermit Kermit 2.30 for HZ100? C-KERMIT - Bug Report for C-Kermit 4E(070) on Unix PC (3b1) Re: Unix Kermit Idle Line Problem C-Kermit 4E(070) vs System V R3 vs 3B2 C-Kermit for Xenix 286? MISCELLANY - Using TOPS-20 Kermit with 9-Bit Files Need Kermit for Microbee? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 28 Oct 87 20:54:41 GMT From: owen%gt-eedsp@gt-eedsp.UUCP (Owen Adair) Subject: MS-Kermit for the GRiD Compass Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.29C, GRiD Compass I am using kermit for the GRiD. I have difficulty using the BREAK function while online. It seems to reset the serial port or something. Is there anyone else out there using MSKermit with the GRiD? Owen Adair, WD4FSU Digital Signal Processing Lab, Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA 30332 Internet: owen%gteedsp@gatech.gatech.edu uucp: ...!{decvax,hplabs,ihnp4,linus,rutgers,seismo}!gatech!gt-eedsp!owen [From jrd - Right, we need a Grid guru. Any volunteers?] [Ed. - See messages below....] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Jan 88 18:14:14 EST From: David Kirschbaum Subject: Re Grids and Kermit Keywords: GRiD Kermit NetLandians, I keep hearing pleas from Grid users to make Kermit work with the Grids. I'd be more than glad to give a hack to it (got source for v2.30, much experience with assembler, comm ports, etc.). However .. I do NOT have any details on the stupid serial ports, interrupts, chips, etc. for the Grid running under MS-DOS. I tried long ago to get such information, or little smidgens of source code INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #6 Page 51 for Grid's stupid comm program, but discovered I was suspected of trying to steal the Crown Jewels .. and left Grid to their own just deserts. If someone has ANY technical information on exactly what it takes to tweak a Grid's serial port(s), and can pass that info to me (ANY language! Just so it isn't buried in 80Kb of some pirated comm program's binary object file.) .. will be glad to give it a hack. Of course I don't HAVE a Grid, so couldn't test it .. but could send the .ASM source (fully documented) to a willing volunteer (who had MASM) to assemble and test. Mail directly to me .. no use inflicting Info-Kermit with this. David Kirschbaum Toad Hall kirsch@braggvax.ARPA [Ed. - Thanks for the offer David. Anyone with a GRiD willing to help? But first, see following messages.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Feb 88 13:55 EST From: RLH Subject: MS Kermit 2.30 on GRID Keywords: GRiD Kermit In Vol. 7, No. 4, Owen Adair wrote about not being able to run MS Kermit v 2.30 on a Grid model 1101. I am not familiar with the model 1101, but do have v 2.30 running on a Grid GRIDCASE 2 PLUS. I used a copy of the executable that I had put together for a standard IBM-PC and it worked without changes. I never even tried the Grid specific code. I have not exercised all Kermit features but I have done considerable file transfer between the Grid and VAX/VMS as well as with true IBM-PC's - no problems. Also, the VT102 terminal emulation works great with DEC software such as TPU, EDT, and LSE. Version 2.30 is a great package. Thanks to everyone who helped put it together. Bob Haar ( HAAR@GMR.COM ) G.M. Research Labs ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Feb 88 10:48:54 EST From: sundc!hadron!klr@Sun.COM (Kurt L. Reisler) Subject: Re: MS-KERMIT 2.30 for the GRiD Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, GRiD Kermit > > Does this mean that you have tested the GRiD version and found it to work? > I've had reports from other people that it didn't work. If it does, could > you send a brief synopsis of your exact system model, OS version number, > configuration, etc, so that we can pin down what the problem might be, if > any? Thanks! - Frank > ------- Page 52 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #6 > Well, I have not tested it extensively, but I have tried it on a 1129, and a friend has tried it on an 1101. You need to set port 2 to access the internal modem. Then, in uppercase (shift escape to lock) you need to do a ATZE1 to see your commmands echod. Problems include the fact that it appears to run only at 300 baud, and there is an EXTREME amount of internal buffering going on, until you escape back to the kermit command level. Then the buffering seems to go away (?). I have successfully transfered a file (at 300 baud GAK!). I hope to have more time this weekend to play with it further. Let me see what version of MSDOS it is running. MSDOS 2-11 Bios version C Help that this helps. and I will keep you posted. (later...) What a wonderous thing documentation is. It causes the gloom to lift like the rising of the sun :-) Adding the following to the autoexec.bat file on the MSDOS side of the GRiD will cause the modem port (comm2) to default to 1200 baud: echo baud=1200 > com2stat Once in KERMIT, use the SET PORT 2 command to access the modem, and it will only take upper case commands. Will be testing it more extensively over the weekend. Kurt Reisler (703) 359-6100 UNISIG Chairman, DECUS US Chapter | Hadron, Inc. ..{uunet|sundc|rlgvax|netxcom|decuac}!hadron!klr | 9990 Lee Highway Sysop, Fido 109/74 The Bear's Den (703) 671-0598 | Suite 481 Sysop, Fido 109/483 The Pot of Gold (703) 359-6549 | Fairfax, VA 22030 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 5 Feb 88 23:47:35 EST From: sundc!hadron!klr@Sun.COM (Kurt L. Reisler) Subject: Re: MS-KERMIT 2.30 for the GRid Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, GRiD Kermit As promised, more information, and ALL of it is posative. I have a working copy of "GRiD Compass II Version A MS Kermit V2.30" dated 8 January 1988. I got it off of Columbia via anonymous ftp, in the normal boo format. Used the utilited from Columbia to convert the boo file to a .EXE file on my 4.2 BSD system, transferred it to my Fido BBS (on a DEC Rainbow) then using MediaMaster, to a SSSD IBM diskette, to the GRiD. I have used it sussessfully (am using it at the moment) on a GRiD 1101 and GRiD 1129. In both cases, the systems are configured with a GRiD 2101 Hard disk subsystem. The GRiDS are setup for GRiDOS, with the MSDOS (2.11-C) running on a partition of the hard disk. I also figured out how to get it to run at 1200 baud (RTFD :-). INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #6 Page 53 Anyway, in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file on the MSDOS partition, I have the following: ECHO BAUD=1200 > COM2STAT ECHO V=250 > COM2STAT To set the baud rate and volume on the modem. In the MSKERMIT.INI file, I have the following: SET PORT 2 SET BAUD 1200 STAT Once I Connect to the modem, I issue the following command to the modem: ATE1Q0V1 So that I can see what I am doing with the standard Hayes modem commands. So far, it seems to work fine. Have been able to upload and download files between the GRiD and my FIDO systems without problems. Anyway, hope this has been helpful. If you think it would be useful, I can uuencode the copy I have and post it to the net. In addition, it is available for download from either of my fido nodes, listed in the .signature below. Kurt Reisler (703) 359-6100 UNISIG Chairman, DECUS US Chapter | Hadron, Inc. ..{uunet|sundc|rlgvax|netxcom|decuac}!hadron!klr | 9990 Lee Highway Sysop, Fido 109/74 The Bear's Den (703) 671-0598 | Suite 481 Sysop, Fido 109/483 The Pot of Gold (703) 359-6549 | Fairfax, VA 22030 ------------------------------ Date: 10 Feb 88 14:07 PST From: Ghenis.pasa@Xerox.COM Subject: Re: Kermit 2.30 for GRiD Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit, GRiD Kermit ;;; I downloaded 2.30 Kermit for the GRiD (.BOO format) and it ;;; tries to run, but all I get is garbage then it crashes. Has anyone ;;; else tested the beast on a GRiD model 1101? I currently use 2.29 ;;; and it works although not all the features function. Last night I brought MSTGRI 2.30 up on my Grid and it worked well, except for baud rate change (I couldn't get 300 baud to work). I called a couple of systems and performed successful uploads and downloads of ASCII files (I haven't tried binaries yet). My system is a Grid Compass-II 1121, which is like the 1101 except that it has ROM sockets. I was using ROM-based MS-DOS 2.11. I did have to explicitly SET Page 54 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #6 PORT 2 from inside Kermit. My modem driver is Grid's MODEM.SYS. I dialed out by typing C, then ATTD 123-4567. [Ed. - So it seems that the GRiD version of 2.30 sort of works on the GRiD Compass, which is not IBM Compatible, and that the IBM PC version works on the GRIDCASE 2 PLUS, which is IBM compatible. So we have a semisolid base to work from, in case anyone who is a GRiD expert wants to make improvements. Volunteers should contact Info-Kermit@CU20B. Meanwhile, these messages have been added to the "beware file" for the GRiD, MSVGRI.BWR.] ------------------------------ Date: 12 Feb 88 13:55:26 GMT From: ecsvax.uucp!herbst@mcnc.org (Robert T. Herbst) Subject: MS-Kermit Tektronix 4010 Graphics Emulation Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 I have recently installed kerm230 on a pc6300 and a pc6300plus. Not only is kerm230 excellent for communications, it also has super terminal emulators. The vt102 permits keypad editing on VAX/VMS. Better yet the TEK 4010 emulator allows interaction with gnuplot. Now we have the best of several worlds. R. T. Herbst herbst@ecsvax ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Feb 88 10:51:09 PST From: "Eric Yen 714-856-5244" Subject: Problem Setting Num Lock and Scroll Lock Keys in MS-Kermit Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, Num Lock, Scroll Lock Is it possible to use the MSKERMIT "Set Key" command to have the IBM PC NumLock and ScrollLock keys generate escape sequences? My attempt to do so failed. Eric Yen Systems Programmer [Ed. - Unfortunately, it is not possible because the IBM Bios does not return scan codes when these keys are pressed.] ------------------------------ Date: Fri 12 Feb 88 15:00:17-PST From: Mike Dante Subject: Kermit 2.30 for HZ100? Keywords: Heath/Zenith 100 I note in your Version hlp file that there exists a Kermit Version 2.3 for the Zenith HZ100. (Or am I not understanding the file?) But I could not find a new version under KER:MSVZ10.*. I tried the generic MS_DOS version on my Z100 but I could not set the baud rate. I kept getting the message "Command not implemented." Am I having a problem decrypting the .BOO file? Is there a KERMIT V2.30 available for the HZ100? INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #6 Page 55 Thanks, Mike [Ed. - Generic MS-Kermit doesn't know how to set the baud rate, because it knows nothing about the PC's specific hardware. You should be able to set the baud rate outside of Kermit using some kind of system utility (like MODE on the IBM PC), and then Kermit should use the port as you've set it up. The latest test version of Kermit for the Heath/Zenith 100 is in KER:MSTZ10.BOO on CU20B, dated January 19, 1988. H/Z-100 users are encouraged to test it and report the results, and if there are problems, to apply or suggest fixes.] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Feb 88 12:34:08 EST From: David Herron E-Mail Hack Subject: Bug Report for C-Kermit 4E(070) on Unix PC (3b1) Keywords: C-Kermit 4E(070) I've gotten a copy of C-Kermit and am trying it out on various machines. Mainly my Unix-PC since it's advertised to support the UnixPC. First off, it wouldn't even compile right. In ckudai.c there is a "static MDMINF ATT7300" which simply CANNOT be right. The problem is that you're also using "ATT7300" as the pre-processor symbol to select UnixPC features, and it has a null value, and the statement ends up looking like: "struct mdminf = { ... };" which is a syntax error. My workaround for the moment is to make all references to that symbol to be "att7300" and make sure it's "static". The preprocessor on UnixPC's is of the style that doesn't allow: #define ATT7300 ATT7300 because it complains about macro recursion. (Oh, BTW, I'm running SYSV r3.51, the latest version for Unix PC's). Next, the makefile stuff for supporting the shared libraries is wrong. When doing an ld to use the shared libraries, at least on Unix PC's, you pretty much have to use ld directly like: ld {some options} /lib/shlib.ifile {object files} {more options} /lib/shlib I may be off in a detail or two, but the point is that the way it was written in the makefile was very wrong, as evidenced by all the multiply defined symbols. Further, if I undo the stuff for the shared libraries I get "tgetent" and a couple of other termcap functions as being undefined. And I can't find those functions in any of the libraries on the system. What I ended up doing was using a "cc" front end which handles loading the shared libraries properly and has support for programs which use curses. It was posted recently in unix-pc.sources and I could forward it to y'all if you want. (It's the one named "ccc", there's at least one other of these scripts). Page 56 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #6 Using "ccc" I got it pretty close, but there's a routine in /lib/shlib named "openi" and there was a conflict between it and the one y'all had in ckcfns.c -- the workaround here is to declare YOUR openi() to be static (which works because it's not used in any other of your files), and don't forget to put a "static openi();" at the beginning of the file as well. There's even a section reserved up there for local variables. Now I've got a program that compiles and loads without errors. In testing some functionality: I started with the remote kermit in server mode and transferred /bin/cat to the remote (a 4.3bsd vax running kermit 4C(057)) and then got it back ("get cat"). The result is a cat that is one byte shorter, but is otherwise exactly the same. Now, this is a real neat trick too, 'cause it starts and ends with the EXACT same bytes (I looked using od)! This shouldn't work out like this. The new copy should be missing a byte at the end, but we've got the same byte at the end. There isn't a byte missing in the middle 'cause "cmp" doesn't find it, and if I "diff" the "od -c" output from each file, the ONLY difference is the byte count at the very end. I'm more than a little confused about that one ... While the remote is in server, the local kermit acts rather strangely. Possibly when doing ANY command, but definitely when doing send, get, and "!" commands, to get back to command level from the command I have to type ^R ... the only other character I've tried is which didn't get me back to command level. Further, I once hit an empty line then started to do a shell escape and it dumped me OUT of kermit and said something about an invalid shell command. (an asice: There's times when I hate command processors which read what I'm typing and complain before I get a chance to fix typing errors ...) FINALLY: In order to successfully connect to the modem and make a phone call I have to enter this non-intuitive sequence of commands: ! rm /usr/spool/uucp/LCK..ph0 set line /dev/ph0 set modem att7300 set speed 1200 dial ! phtoggle dial If I don't remove the lock file first, the set line command of course will complain about the lock file being there. But if I go ahead and phtoggle then set line, the open in set line never returns and I hang. Then, there's some other state where if I phtoggle the getty process that get started starts looping -- that is, getty exits immediately causing init to start a new one which exits immediately, and so on. Anyway -- I haven't tried it without a dial command before the phtoggle yet. I've got a kermit around here which'll let you do: INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #6 Page 57 ! phtoggle set line /dev/ph0 set modem att7300 set speed 1200 dial just like you'd expect ... but it's an old copy that someone here made work and then never told you guys about the changes. (ARGH!) Anyway, between the two versions I should be able to get something working. Oh, another problem when I exitted kermit ... I said "quit" and it waited a little while and said "Problem with hanging up modem". [Ed. - Unfortunately, we don't have any Unix PCs, or for that matter any System III or V systems to test C-Kermit on, so we rely on people like you to tell us what to do, or what we should have done. You're apparently the first person who tried the new ATT7300 stuff, so thanks for the feedback on that. But I haven't heard complaints from others about multiply defined symbols, shared libraries, etc, and a lot of people are running this version on System V, so I can only assume the problem there must be UnixPC-specific. If you can send me a makefile entry that you have actually used with the UnixPC, I'll be glad to replace the current one with yours, and add a hint that if people have trouble w/other ATT Sys III/V based systems, they might look at the ATT7300 entry for a model. If this is new stuff, then we have a slight problem, because up till now (or at least up to Sys V R3), all Sys III and Sys V C-Kermits could be compiled the same way. Termcap??? There's nothing in Kermit that uses termcap or curses... The other stuff will have to be looked in to. Thanks for the report. For now, it's been added to the "beware file", CKUKER.BWR.] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Feb 88 22:29:13 EST From: rochester!ames!ucbcad!ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU!- ucbcad!ames.uux!pur-ee!iuvax!bsu-cs!dhesi@columbia.edu (Rahul Dhesi) Subject: Re: Unix Kermit Idle Line Problem Keywords: C-Kermit, Unix Kermit Re: Info-Kermit Digest V7 #3 This is an answer to a query from nerd@percival.UUCP (Michael Galassi) dated 28 Dec 87 00:42:59 GMT, in which he said that users using "C-Kermit, 4C(057) 31 Jul 85, 4.2 BSD" are timed out for being idle even though they are doing Kermit file transfers. Here is my work-around as it was posted in a local newsgroup. "By popular demand, here again is the technique for avoiding inactivity timeouts when doing a long file transfer via Kermit. Step 1. At the system prompt, give the command "tty". This command will print your terminal name. It will be of the form /dev/tty15 where instead of 15 you will see the number of your terminal. Remember it. Page 58 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #6 Step 2. Invoke Kermit interactively with the command "kermit" given without parameters. (Actually you can give parameters too, so long as they don't cause Kermit to begin data transfer immediately.) When Kermit starts up and prints the prompt "C-Kermit", you go to: Step 3. To Kermit, give the command "set line /dev/tty15". In place of the 15, use whatever terminal number you obtained in Step 1. Step 4. Now give Kermit the commands necessary to begin your file transfer. You will not get an inactivity timeout. Users who want to win fame on this system and the gratitude of others can change Kermit so that the above sequence will not be necessary. Currently Kermit uses the standard device /dev/tty which is synonymous with your actual terminal. However, the operating system treats it like a distinct device from your actual terminal. So, even though a file transfer is going on using /dev/tty, the actual terminal, say /dev/tty15, seems to be idle to the system, so you can get logged out. This can be fixed by (a) finding the place where Kermit opens /dev/tty and (b) replacing that with an open of the actual terminal name, which can be obtained from the system call ttyname()." Rahul Dhesi UUCP: {ihnp4,seismo}!{iuvax,pur-ee}!bsu-cs!dhesi [Ed. - We'll consider this for the next release. Meanwhile, this message has been added to the C-Kermit "beware file", CKUKER.BWR.] ------------------------------ Date: 10 Feb 88 23:09:57 EST (Wed) From: ames!netsys!len@ll-xn.ARPA (Len Rose) Subject: C-Kermit 4E(070) vs System V R3 vs 3B2 Keywords: C-Kermit 4E(070) One little note to people setting up this on an ATT 3B2 running under SYSVR3... They have two options in the makefile that sort of clash when you are bringing up this software.. You either have to choose: make att3bx or make sys5r3 If you don't choose att3bx,the code does not look for the LCK..ttyxx in /usr/spool/locks ... However if you choose att3bx,it does not handle signals correctly... All I did to defeat this was just put a #define in ckutio.c for att3bx... Just thought I'd pass this on, no big deal with it... Len [Ed. - Sigh, lock files again. There must be some better approach. Are there any Unix experts out there who can suggest a better way to deal with this problem, than requiring Kermit itself know the directory name, the filename, the permissions, and the contents of the lock file on every version of every Unix variant? Perhaps a separate program that runs Kermit in a lower fork, or a program that Kermit runs in a lower fork. Of course, separate programs have a way of getting lost...] INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #6 Page 59 ------------------------------ Date: 12 Feb 88 00:38:41 GMT From: hplabs!sun!texsun!liberty!swatsun!hirai@rutgers.edu (Eiji "A.G." Hirai) Subject: C-Kermit for Xenix 286? Keywords: C-kermit This is a request for help in getting kermit working BUT wait ! - don't ignore us, please! Where would this network be if nobody helped each other with other's problems some of the time? I usually give help when I can with a question on the net... Anyway, here's our problem: If anyone has had experience with getting C-Kermit 4C to work on Xenix 286 systems, could you divulge to us what you did to get it to work? We can compile but cannot work C-Kermit to work on our Sperry's and Intel 286/310. We would bery bery much like to talk to you! Thanks everyone. -a.g. hirai a sysadmin for swatsun.uucp Eiji "A.G." Hirai @ Swarthmore College, Swarthmore PA 19081 | Tel. 215-543-9855 UUCP: {rutgers, ihnp4, cbosgd}!bpa!swatsun!hirai | "All Cretans are liars." Bitnet: vu-vlsi!swatsun!hirai@psuvax1.bitnet | -Epimenides Internet: bpa!swatsun!hirai@rutgers.edu | of Cnossus, Crete [Ed. - The current version, 4E(070), allegedly works OK on Xenix 286, and there's even a special makefile option for it, "make xenix" (for Microsoft) or "make sco286" (for SCO Xenix 286). But that doesn't mean there will be no problems. There is tremendous variation among the C compilers, runtime libraries, etc, among the endless number of products (and versions thereof) that call themselves Xenix.] ------------------------------ Date: Wed 3 Feb 88 18:35:32-PST From: Bruce Tanner Subject: Using TOPS-20 Kermit with 9-Bit Files Keywords: TOPS-20 Kermit, DEC-20 I've gotten the MS-DOS 2.30 .BOO files and decided to use the MSBPCT.C program using the Stanford KCC compiler. The program ran fine unchanged. However, opening a file "wb" generates a 9-bit file (four nine-bit bytes per word). OK, just use the "SET FILE SIZE AUTO" and let Kermit figure it out, right? Wrong. I had to teach it about 9 bit files also. So, here are the REDIT changes I've made to edit 262 (decimal 178): 1. Recognize 9 bit files 2. Clean up the Moon: code (it kept giving me phase errors) 3. Make edit decimal (just remove the vi%dec at Version: if you don't like it) [Ed. - Thanks! Code omitted, copied to KER:K20MIT.BWR for now.] ------------------------------ Page 60 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #6 Date: Mon 15 Feb 1988 19:06:16 CST From: Mark S. Zinzow Subject: Need Kermit for Microbee? Keywords: Microbee Kermit I have a request from a user on our campus for a copy of kermit for the following system purchased in Sweden and made in Australia. Is a native media version available, or does anyone know if this machine can be coerced to read any PC formatted disk? I just thought I'd check before trying to bootstrap the generic CPM version. Hardware: Micro Bee Model II C. 1982 128 k Expansion unit SBCO1 Software: Telcom 2.0 CMP 80 C. 1984 copy may 3, 1985 [Ed. - We don't have any record of a Micro Bee in our list of existing Kermits, or list of Kermits in progress. Like most CP/M systems, it can probably use one of the existing CP/M Kermits with a few minor adjustments to port addresses, etc. Has anyone had any experience with a Micro Bee computer?] ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #7 Page 61 Info-Kermit Digest Tue, 1 Mar 1988 Volume 7 : Number 7 Departments: ANNOUNCEMENTS - Recent FTP (and general TCP/IP) problems with CU20B New BOOing and UnBOOing Programs, and German Kermit Documentation Keasy - "Easy Kermit" documentation in TeX Kermit-CMS Updates MS-DOS KERMIT - Minor problems in Kermit-MS V2.30 MSKermit on Zenith eaZy-PC Serial (Mouse) Port Kermit & OS/2 Int 14h, Kermit and Networks MS-Kermit Tek 4010 Emulation Typeover -vs- Overlay IBM PC MS-Kermit vs Datatronics Internal Modem MS-DOS Kermit Using EGA 43 Line Mode Toshiba T3100 versus MS-Kermit Tek Emulation MISCELLANY - C-Kermit on sys-V Based PCs Using TOPS-20 Kermit with 9-Bit Files Re Mark Zinzow's request for MicroBee Kermit ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon 29 Feb 88 18:13:55-EST From: Ken Rossman Subject: Recent FTP (and general TCP/IP) problems with CU20B Keywords: FTP Recently, there has been an increasing frequency in the number of problems experienced with FTP file transfers from the Kermit directories on CU20B. While I am not sure of all of the different possible causes for this recent set of problems, I do know that we have sorely needed some IP fixes in the TOPS-20 monitor on CU20B. Well, the fixes are finally installed! I'm hoping that the IP free space fixes we've recently installed here will help FTP performance to/from CU20B. I'd be interested in hearing from some of the sites out there who were so recently having FTP performance problems to CU20B. Do things appear to be working better now? /Ken ------------------------------ Date: 12 February 1988, 16:21:39 SET From: Gisbert W. Selke Subject: New BOOing and UnBOOing Programs, and German Kermit Documentation Keywords: .BOO Files, German I have converted MSB*.PAS to Turbo Pascal 4.0, and sent them as MSBMKB.PAS (which makes .BOO files) and MSBPCT.PAS (which decodes them). Page 62 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #7 I've also sent updated copies of the corresponding Fortran versions, MSB*.FOR. I have removed some more system dependencies which I hadn't even been aware of before (thanks to Stefan Kaufmann for pointing them out), and also fixed a minor bug in MSBMKB.FOR due to which garbage was added at the end of a BOO file. And I have also sent a new, corrected German translation of the MSKERM.HLP file, under the name MSKGER.HLP. I just noticed that there is no 63 second restriction on MS-Kermit 2.30's SET INPUT DEFAULT-TIMEOUT and the like, as I seem to recall there used to be. That's great, since our host is sometimes *quite* sluggish! \Gisbert [Ed. - Thanks Gisbert! Your contributions have all been installed with the MS-DOS Kermit distribution.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Feb 88 16:53 N From: Barbara Rosi Subject: Keasy - "Easy Kermit" documentation in TeX Keywords: TeX, LaTeX Thank you very much for giving us Kermit, it has been a valuable resource and a pleasure to participate in the community. Enclosed is a translation of part of the Kermit User Guide from Scribe into LaTeX. Thank you very much for your interest. [Ed. - Thank you! It has been put into KER:KEASY.TEX.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1988 Feb 29 18:34 EST From: (John F. Chandler) PEPMNT@CFAAMP.BITNET Subject: Kermit-CMS Updates Keywords: CMS Kermit 4.0 I have forwarded new versions of IKCKER.BWR and IKCKER.UPD covering all bug reports and complaints to date about release 4.0 of Kermit-CMS. The updates are largely, but not entirely, to the generic part of the code, and some have no effect on CMS operation (they were needed for the TSO version coming out soon). Only three of the updates touch on problems that had no simple workarounds in the original release: a. Files of RECFM V being downloaded are no longer trimmed of the trailing blanks on TEXT transfers, b. the user may now explicitly upload a file to a specific filemode (and filemode number) through a Kermit-CMS server, and c. there is no longer a garbage message when WARNING is ON and the automatic renaming facility runs out of names to try. The details can be found in IKCKER.BWR for the other changes. INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #7 Page 63 John [Ed. - Thanks John!] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 5 Feb 88 09:05 EST From: Pete Kanaitis Subject: Minor problems in Kermit-MS V2.30 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 I wanted to point out two minor problems with KERMIT-MS 2.30. The first is about using flow of control. With flow of control enabled, (which it is by default), some programs on your DEC hosts that use ^S and ^Q as special characters, rather than XOFF/XON, (such as EMACS) will get an extra ^S or ^Q sent into the input buffer. In the case of EMACS, a ^S or ^Q gets sent into the editing buffer. Depending on your baud rate, I have noticed that ^Q gets sent into the input buffer at faster baud rates, (9600), and ^S gets sent at slower baud rates (1200). This problem did not exist in the 2.29b versions. I noticed that this started to occur when the Tektronix code was added to Kermit in the later 2.29c versions. It was mentioned to me that the serial port handling was changed when the Tektronix code was added. A work around for this problem is to set flow of control to none. But by doing this, I have found that some of my host characters get garbled at 9600 baud, when long lists go scrolling by on my screen. [Ed. - The real, though painful, workaround is to SET FLOW NONE before you start EMACS, and SET FLOW XON/XOFF when you exit EMACS, see below.] I would like to suggest that this be mentioned in the beware file, unless that there is some solution for this problem. The second problem is about starting up Kermit in Tektronix mode on a port connected to a modem (in my case, a Hayes 1200 external). First starting Kermit by: C>KERMIT IBM-PC Kermit-MS: V2.30 8 Jan 1988 Type ? for help Kermit-MS>set term tek Kermit-MS>c Now try to type a few "AT" commands to the modem. You may find that you may have to hit Control-Break once to get the "AT" to work. Even before that, you are unable to use Alt-Minus to switch terminal types. If you already have a host connected to the port, you will not experience this problem. If you start up on a modem port (with no connection established) in VT102 mode, hit Alt-Minus a few times to get into Tektronix mode, the same problem occurs. You cannot type "AT" until you hit the Control-Break once. Even after that, toggling back to VT102, then back to Page 64 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #7 Tektronix, and typing "AT" sometimes causes a bell to sound. (This is *NOT* the keyboard lock high-pitched bell). If you have an external modem, you can make this observation. Once connected, look at the Transmit and Receive lights on your modem when you switch into Tektronix mode by pressing Alt-Minus. You will see the Transmit light flicker every time you enter Tektronix mode. I am guessing that this is where the serial port handling is different. Is the serial port being reinitialized at this time? Maybe this is why I cannot type the "AT" from Tektronix mode. I have tested these problems with my modem with both DTR turned on and off. There was no other resident software on my PC at this time. Thank you for your time. Peter Kanaitis Research Systems Analyst Allegheny-Singer Research Institute Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (412) 359-3180 X979PK0P@VB.CC.CMU.EDU [From JRD -- Pete. Once again, thanks for the extended comments. Emacs and flow control: what can I say? If Kermit is permitted to do flow control and Emacs responds to xon/xoff as commands then one must turn off flow control, or else move the Search and Quote EMACS commands to to some other keys besides Ctrl-S and Ctrl-Q. Speed: the speed/baud rate/code sequences are the same for XON and XOFF so I don't quite understand your observations unless you are referring to lag time of the VAX responding to our hand-typed XON/XOFFs. Please note that changing screen modes to enter or exit Tektronix graphics emulation involves a full Bios video Mode Set and that takes a long time with interrupts turned off. To prevent overruns from the serial port I bracket the mode-set with XOFF/XON to suspend the host. Some modems will echo these characters and thus suspend Kermit for Set Receive Timeout (13) seconds unless SET TIMER OFF is given. That is the cause of troubles starting the modem. Bell noises mean characters were lost in an overrun. Try SET TIMER OFF before starting a Tek session since the timer is mainly for (a) packet timeouts and (b) to break XON/XOFF deadlocks of precisely the kind which you encountered (local and remote sides tell each other XOFF simultaneously); expect lost characters during text-graphics screen changes. It's a limitation of the machine's architecture.] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 5 Feb 88 19:25:22 PST From: Samuel_Lam@mtsg.ubc.ca Subject: MSKermit on Zenith eaZy-PC Serial (Mouse) Port Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, Zenith Kermit, eaZy-PC Mouse Port On a Zenith eaZy-PC, there is a built-in serial *mouse* port. Experiments had shown that ProComm can use it as a communications port at speed up to 19,200 baud without problem, but MS-Kermit will hang the machine at the INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #7 Page 65 first character. Does anyone know why? (To rephrase the question, if a serial port works for a serial mouse *and* ProComm (at high baud rate), why wouldn't it work with MS-Kermit 2.30?) BTW, the port address of this only serial port is 0x02F8, if that matters. Any pointers would be appreciated. ..Sam Internet: or UUCP: {ihnp4!alberta,watmath,uunet,uw-beaver}!ubc-vision!ubc-mts!skl BITNET: [From JRD - My Microsoft serial mouse does the same thing when I talk to it from Kermit while in TEKTRONIX mode (for testing, naturally, since the mouse is a poor conversationalist). The cause for me is the mouse echoes the XOFF/XON sent while the screen changes to graphics mode, which is a very slow process partly done with interrupts turned off. But communications resume about 13 seconds (SET RECEIVE TIMEOUT interval) later as Kermit breaks the XON/XOFF deadlock. Another likely situation is the port does not use the same Interrupt ReQuest line as IBM machines or even that the mouse driver grabs material away from Kermit. Release 2.30/A will help resolve the IRQ business automatically but can do nothing about aggressive drivers.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Feb 88 14:59:03 est From: snorthc@NSWC-OAS.ARPA Subject: Kermit & OS/2 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit, OS/2 Kermit I tried to run MS-Kermit 2.29B and 2.30 under OS/2 in the DOS compatibility box. It sort of worked. I think it might be OK at a slower speed, but this was at 9600 baud. Problems include "bell sounds" (Ctrl-G's), and data that should have been arranged in columns not lining up correctly. I think the other side of the connection thought I was sending BREAKS as well. I have seen similar results on an ATT 6300 running Kermit as a DOS task under UNIX at 9600 baud and a 6mhz AT running Kermit under Wendin's PC UNIX. I think the problem in each case is the PC is not fast enough to manage 9600 baud and a 'real' operating system. There was a plan at one point to merge PC Kermit into C-Kermit. This might be the best migration path towards OS/2. Stephen Northcutt (snorthc@nswc-g.arpa) [From JRD -- Slowness is the result of all the overhead of context switching from protected to real mode which must be occuring once for each received character. The Control-G Beeps mean the UART received a new character before the last was extracted - an "overrun" situation. Microsoft warns of this effect on 80286 based machines due to the design deficiency of that Intel chip; 80386's are vastly better. The context switch to real mode involves a full reset of the cpu chip (yikes!) and, clearly, interrupts are off; selected 80286 chips have a faster reset pathway but they seem to be present Page 66 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #7 or used in fast reset mode only in the PS/2 machines. Conversion to a full protected mode OS/2 version of C Kermit is indeed on my mind; that is a lot of work and costs a few dollars. I have no direct information on Wendin's O/S products beyond that stated in a few magazine articles.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Feb 88 15:36:43 est From: snorthc@NSWC-OAS.ARPA Subject: Int 14h, Kermit and Networks Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 The documentation for 2.30 Kermit mentions communicating with the BIOS via Int14h on some clone PCs. (much improved documentation by the way, many thanks). The documentation for my PC's Bridge Communications Ethernet adapter card mentions communicating with terminal emulation sw via Int 14. I read and re-read the Kermit documentation, but could not find out how to tell Kermit to treat my PC as a clone and use the BIOS. Finally I modified line 1548 of MSXIBM.ASM to read "jmp chkpor1". The resulting Kermit used the BIOS. When I Connected the Bridge PCS1> prompt appeared. With Kermit I was able to telnet to a host computer. I was even able to use a Kermit server on the host computer to transfer a file to my PC. Kermit at 10 mbs takes a little getting used to, but I am sure I will. Have I missed something? Was there a Kermit command to force use of the BIOS? The problem with my version of Kermit is that now it always finds the Bridge board, not the serial port. If I didn't miss anything is it an option worth having? I am under the impression there are several networking boards and software that allow Int 14 interfacing. Perhaps an addition to the Set Port command to include BIOS along with 1 - 4 and NET. I am even willing to attempt the coding, but be warned, the MSXIBM.ASM change was my first foray into assembler. Stephen Northcutt (snorthc@nswc-g.arpa) [From JRD -- Stephen. The story here is Kermit uses the Bios only if a suitable UART is not available, but not by command of the user. LAN vendors have invented a variety of interesting extensions to the serial port Bios interrupt vector but I do not have documentation from them to do anything about those methods. The best suggestion currently is to do what you did: get sources and make a local change; that's one of the reasons for sources being available. At least Bridge chose to emulate regular Bios calls rather than using proprietary settings of registers. Did Bridge really let you run TCP/IP's Telenet? If so we'd really like to know!] ------------------------------ Date: Mon 08 Feb 1988 15:39:27 EST From: Subject: MS-Kermit Tek 4010 Emulation Typeover -vs- Overlay Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit, Terminal Emulation INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #7 Page 67 >>>>Date: Sun, 10 Jan 88 20:59:48 PST >>>>From: Ya'akov_Miles%UBC.MAILNET@um.cc.umich.edu >>>>Subject: MSKERMIT ver 2.29C tektronix 4010 won't overlay ALPHA and VECTOR >>>>Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.29C >>>> >>>>Possible bug with MSKERMIT version 2.29C: >>>> >>>>I have been using MSKERMIT vers 2.29C and have encountered a bug (feature?) >>>>in the Tektronix 4010 emulation mode. Specifically, alpha mode characters >>>>will erase and NOT OVERLAY vector mode data. This frequently causes plot >>>>titles and labels to obliterate the graphed data. >>>>P.S. I have an IBM-PC/XT clone with the CGA adaptor. >>>> >>>>[Ed. - This seems to be the behavior on the CGA, but not the EGA...] >> >>[From jrd - A complete 8 by 8 dot character cell is written for each >>character, so that both foreground and background colors are maintained and >>characters can be erased. Supression of the background is being considered >>but may not be do-able and still maintain the above characteristics. If >>annotation is done first then the problem does not occur. I'd like >>overlaying too.] I have already undone this 'improvement' to the Tek 4010 emulator in my copy of kermit (2.30). It involved only about a half dozen lines in the MSGIBM.ASM file. Stuart Scharf (SS@LL) [From JRD - Making the change in the code is easy. The reason for doing it my way is explained above, mostly erasure (after all, we are a few years beyond punched cards and paper tape). The Tek storage tube characteristic of overwriting everything is messy in today's environment, especially with my typing skills. If the Kermit community would rather have the overwriting then I'll remove the full cell approach and hence erasures. What's the consensus?] ------------------------------ Date: 10 Feb 88 From: Robert W. Lane, Iowa City, IA (via US mail) Subject: IBM PC MS-Kermit vs Datatronics Internal Modem Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, Modems I have a Datatronics internal modem, 1200 baud, and I'd like to configure it as COM3 at 03E8h using the 8259 interrupt line IRN4 (also used by COM1). MS-Kermit 2.30 will let me access this modem using SET PORT 3 after running a short program called SETCOM3 in order to update memory at 40:0000h with the address of the modem. Unfortunately, this modem is built around a 8031 microprocessor and when Kermit tries to ascertain whether or not the port found in 40:0000h has an 8250 async controller, it fails and prints a message that all calls will go through the Bios. Is there any way to make Kermit skip this test and just use the interrupt vector at IRQ4 (at 0030h)? [From JRD -- Selecting an IRQ (4 in this case) is only part of the story. Kermit needs to talk with the UART chip to set/get the baud rate, send/receive characters, and so forth, and thus Kermit needs to know a lot about the UART. Page 68 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #7 That is why the tests are done before activating a serial port and why the Bios is used if an 8250 chip is not found. If the Datatronics modem has such a specialized pseudo-UART then only software tailored to it can be expected to function. You might wish to query the manufacturer about this situation.] ------------------------------ Date: Thu 18 Feb 88 11:43:24-PDT From: PAWKA@NOSC-TECR.ARPA Subject: MS-DOS Kermit Using EGA 43 Line Mode Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 I've found a couple of bugs in MS-Kermit 2.30 for the IBM when using EGA 43 line mode, I'm going to try to look at the code when I get a chance, but in case someone else fixes it first (or jrd has already fixed them!): 1. The cursor is a dash after exiting connect (I saw the note in MSKERM.BWR, it's kind of a pain to have to run a program to fix the cursor every time you pop in and out of kermit. 2. The STAT command doesn't clear the screen, it starts from the top but leaves stuff at the bottom. 3. Scroll up doesn't work, it only goes 3 lines and only once. I tried to fix this in 2.29, but gave up when I heard 2.30 was imminent, hoping it would be fixed. Mike Pawka PAWKA@NOSC-TECR.ARPA [From jrd - Mike, EGA 43 line mode stuff. Thanks. Cursor is a dash after exiting Connect mode. This appears to be an EGA board problem. IBM had bugs in their original EGA boards and Kermit takes steps to avoid it within Connect mode. However, testing here with a Video 7 EGA board in all kinds of strange screen modes indicates no problems. Similarly, the lack of screen clearing for the STATUS command does not appear here. I just check the item by going into 43 line mode to write this note. If you are letting ANSI.SYS be active then it knows only 25 lines whereas in Connect mode Kermit takes charge. Only 3 lines on Scroll Up commands. That means Kermit found insufficient memory for screen buffers and Command.com together so sacrificed buffer space to allow subsidary tasks to be run via Command.com. Use CHKDSK or Kermit's SPACE command to see the total free memory. However, memory space is easily fragmented by loading TSR's. What brand of EGA board and machine are you using?] ------------------------------ Date: Monday, 22 February 1988 10:24am EST From: Frank da Cruz Subject: Toshiba T3100 versus MS-Kermit Tek Emulation INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #7 Page 69 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, Terminal EMulation, Toshiba Kermit It has come to our attention that Tek Emulation doesn't work on the Toshiba laptop. Not only doesn't it work, it hangs the machine so badly that only powering it off and on will revive it. It seems that the Toshiba, although apparently IBM compatible in other respects, requires a special function call to put it in graphics mode. The question is, how can MS-Kermit tell, at runtime, that it is running on a Toshiba 3100, rather than a real IBM PC? Is there a ROM location that has a unique machine identifier? ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 19 Feb 88 00:56:53 EST From: hedrick@aramis.rutgers.edu (Charles Hedrick) Subject: C-Kermit on sys-V Based PCs Keywords: C-Kermit 4C(058) Re: Info-Kermit Digest V7 #6 Because of the question about Kermit on various sys-V based PC's, I thought I'd confirm that version 4C(058) works without any modifications on Microport System V/AT, which is Sys Vr2 for a PC/AT. I compiled it as sys3nid. (There is no need to request separate I&D space. You always get that effect.) Microport supplies 4D, which also works fine, but I built 4C (the most recent source we had lying around at Rutgers) because I like to have my major applications programs built from source. (Of course I have no way to know what Microport may have done to bring up 4D.) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1988 23:03 MST From: "Frank J. Wancho" Subject: Using TOPS-20 Kermit with 9-Bit Files Keywords: TOPS-20 Kermit The KCC DEC-20 C compiler defaults to 9-bit files when you create a file with "wb" for its own reasons - the internal character types are 9-bit, and four 9-bit quantities on a read will properly pick up all 36 bits in a PDP-10 word. However, all you have to do is change the "wb" in the open to "w8" and you will get the expected behavior, i.e. 8-bit files which DEC-20 Kermit can recognize automatically. [Ed. - Thanks, Frank! Your message has been added to the DEC-20 Kermit "beware file".] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 19 Feb 88 14:13 +1000 From: Andrew Hunt Subject: Re Mark Zinzow's request for MicroBee Kermit Keywords: MicroBee Kermit, CP/M Kermit Yes CP/M Kermit does run on a MicroBee - a colleague of mine has one and uses kermit betweem it and his PC. He warned that the only problem he had found occurred when using the optional dual serial line (SCC) Page 70 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #7 ports on the memory card in place of the one on the mother board. In this case there are 3 serial ports on the machine which confuses the poor wee beasite - solution is to disable the single mother-board port and then all performs well up to 38400 Baud. There exists - somewhere in the vicinity of "Public Domain" - a program called PC-Alien (incl PC-Alien Jnr and MSA) for reading foreign CP/M and MS-DOS diskettes on ordinary PCs. This includes support for MicroBee format 360KB diskettes and I have successfully used it for reading and writing such. Regards ...Andrew HUNT, CSIRO Radiophysics, Australia. ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #8 Page 71 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? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 . 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. Page 72 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #8 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. INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #8 Page 73 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.] ------------------------------ 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. Page 74 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #8 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 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #8 Page 75 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". Page 76 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #8 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).] ------------------------------ Date: Wednesday, 17 February 1988 05:00-MST From: "Paul V. Pullen" 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.] ------------------------------ 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 in line 37. Secondly, the preprocessor IS cas3 sensitive and all #commands must be in INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #8 Page 77 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.] ------------------------------ 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.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Mar 1988 08:45:21 +0100 From: Andre PIRARD 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. Page 78 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #8 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. ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #9 Page 79 Info-Kermit Digest Tue, 22 Mar 1988 Volume 7 : Number 9 Departments: ANNOUNCEMENTS - Announcing Kermit-65 3.81 for Apple II DOS and ProDOS Announcing Os9/68k C-Kermit 4E Announcing MS Kermit v2.30 for the NEC APCIII Results of Porting C-Kermit 4E and Fixes MS-DOS KERMIT - MS-Kermit 2.30: Question & Bug? MS-Kermit 2.30 vs Internal Qubie Modem MS-Kermit Block Check Bug? MS Kermit V2.30 Problem on PS/2 Model 60 MS-Kermit 2.30 Use over Ethernet LAN Kermit v2.30 and Hayes Modem Query A few Notes on MS-Kermit 2.30 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 16 Feb 88 14:09:53 PST From: Ted Medin Subject: Announcing Kermit-65 3.81 for Apple II DOS and ProDOS. Keywords: Kermit-65, Apple II Kermit Ok, here is version 3.81 for the Apple II, DOS and ProDOS. The significant changes between 3.79 & 3.81 are as follows: 1. gs keypad support for vt100 mode 2. print screen function for //e or better 3. cursor keys can become vt100 cursor keys 4. improved initial prefix get - thanks to Sean Noland 5. file transfer now supports wildcard sends - thanks to Dick Atlee 6. server mode improved 8. new manual, APPLE.DOC (from APPLE.MSS). [Ed. - Thanks, Ted. The new release is in the Kermit Distribution as KER:APP*.* on CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU, available via anonymous FTP, and on KERMSRV at CUVMA as APP* *, for BITNET/EARN access.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon 22 Feb 88 00:28:49-PST From: Bob Larson Subject: Announcing Os9/68k C-Kermit 4E Keywords: Os9 Kermit, C-Kermit Os9/68k ckermit is functionaly identical to UNIX C-Kermit, with a few minor problems noted in ck9ker.bwr. Support for Microcom modems has been added to ckudia.c. Thanks to Peter Scholz of the Ruhr Universitaet Bochum for his incomplete port of an earlier version of C-Kermit, some of which survives in ck9tio.c and ck9fio.c. This is the most complete of the three families of Kermit for Os9/68k. The original (based on old unix kermit) is still needed for Os9/6809. (A new Page 80 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #9 version has been mentioned on Compuserve.) There's also the assembler version from Italy, but it's primarily intended as a portable 68000 Kermit, with Os9 support included as an example of how to implement it for a particular system. [Ed. - Thanks, Bob! Your files are in KER:CK9*.* on CU20B, and CK9* * on CUVMA. The diff files have been combined together into a single file, CK9KER.DIF. The indicated changes were not applied to mainline C-Kermit, but will probably be included in the next release of C-Kermit.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 21 Mar 88 10:45:20 est From: Robert F. Goeke Site: MIT Center for Space Research, Cambridge Mass. Subject: Announcing MS Kermit v2.30 for the NEC APCIII Keywords: NEC APCIII I was a little surprised to find out a week ago that v2.30 of MS Kermit had gotten released in January -- not having heard from anyone since last summer. Nevertheless a bit of fast keyboarding brought the NEC community back up to date. The current version for the APCIII does everything the IBM one does -- including the Tektronix emulation -- with the following elaborations: a) The graphics are 640 x 400 in your choice of green, no matter what the text screen color is. b) The graphics are not saved during mode switch. c) The function performed by Shift-Arrow during cursor control is done by Control-Arrow on the NEC (shift arrow doesn't emit a unique key code here). I'm not sure this is even mentioned in the manual, but the msg code made it clear. Furthermore, the APCIII use the "real" arrow keys for this function, not the 2-4-6-8 set. The remaining comments in the manual concerning the NEC APCIII implementation are still all correct. The files for the APCIII implementation are: available via anonymous msgap3, msuap3, msxap3, msyap3, and mszap3 (all .asm) for source and msvap3.boo for executable Bob Goeke [goeke@space.mit.edu] or [...!seismo!space.mit.edu!goeke] MIT Center for Space Research Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 617-253-1910 [Ed. - Thanks, Bob, and sorry for the crossed signals. The files listed above are now in the Kermit distribution.] ------------------------------ INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #9 Page 81 Date: Sun, 28 Feb 88 02:47:21 EST From: hedrick@aramis.rutgers.edu (Charles Hedrick) Subject: Results of Porting C-Kermit 4E and Fixes Keywords: C-Kermit 4E I just finished porting Kermit 4E to my Microport System V/AT. As usual, simply typing "make sys3nid" (which is the setting for vanilla System V, oddly enough) works correctly. It works correctly in the sense of building a kermit that works the same as it works on other systems. Unfortunately, the major new feature in 4E turns out not to work on any of the systems I have access to. This is the long packet size feature. The two kermits exchange information about what options they support. Unfortunately, the code used for generating the byte that contains the capabilities appears to be wrong. It results in having the systems say that they don't support long packets. The expression is a long one involving several ? : constructs. My C documentation does not make clear what the relative precedence of ? and | should be. However both the Sun 3 and System V 286 compilers take the opposite view from the authors of C Kermit. By adding a few ()'s, we avoid the ambiguity. There was also a problem that the packet size sent for the benefit of old systems that don't support long packets was miscalculated. THey simply took the low-order byte of the full packet size. What they wanted was MIN (packetsize, 94), 94 being the maximum size allowed by old implementations. The fixes are shown below. This message is being sent to be info-kermit and the Microport newsgroup. For the benefit of Microport users, let me note that Microport supplies a fairly recent version of kermit with the system, version 4D. The version being discussed here adds only the long packet support. (You might still find it useful to get the files, since Microport doesn't seem to supply documentation.) Kermit is available via anonymous FTP from CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU. The files you need are roughly ker:ckc*.*, ker:cku*, and ker:ckw*, but ker:ckaaaa.hlp will give me information. Kermit is also available at Simtel20. The index I have claims it is pd2:, although today I was unable to get to those files to check them. [Ed. - Thanks, Chuck! Always wondered how long it would take to drag you into Kermit maintenance... Your changes have been added to the "beware file" for now, and will appear in the next release.] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2-Feb-88 19:41:52 WET From: ronald@cc.ic.ac.uk (Ronald Soo Han Khoo) Subject: MS-Kermit 2.30: Question & Bug? Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 In comp.binaries.ibm.pc recently: >From: fulton@navion.dec.com (27-Jan-1988 1454) posted a distribution version 2.30 of kermit. 1) QUESTION: Page 82 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #9 Does anyone know if its possible to defeat the auto-detect of graphics adapter type? (we run a service here with lots of m/cs with ega-type cards emulating hercules, so its kinda inconvenient for the inexperienced users to keep switching the emulation software around) 2) BUG ??? The documentation posted with it mentions that ctrl-] returns the terminal emulator to text mode from tektronix emulation mode. This doesn't seem to work in the version posted, but oddly, DOES on an older development version (2.29C@cambridge). Does anyone know anything about this ? Duncan White, | Dept. Of Computing, | Flying is the art of aiming oneself Imperial College, | at the ground and missing. London, SW7. | -- Douglas Adams, So Long and Thanks England. | for all the fish. [From jrd - Hercules mode on EGAs: see comments below. Escaping from Tek mode is well documented in the MS Kermit 2.30 manual; the quick way is to toggle the terminal type via ALT minus (verb \Ktermtype).] ------------------------------ Date: Thu 18 Feb 88 14:29:26-CST From: Clifford A. Wilkes Subject: MS-Kermit 2.30 vs Internal Qubie Modem Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, Internal Modem, Qubie Modem, Sperry PC I have a Sperry (IBM clone) with an internal Qubie 300/1200 baud modem. I have been using KERMIT 2.26 which allows me to dial out via: MS-KERMIT>connect at OK (KERMIT response) atdt9999999 (simulated number) With version 2.30 only after booting (warm or cold) the first time entering AT (capitals only) gets the OK response. Subsequent attempts receive no response from Kermit. And no matter what I do (ATDT in caps for example) the modem will not 'dial'. With all of the new features I was wondering if there aren't some switches that I should set specially. The modem is Hayes compatible. I'm using port 1 and 1200 baud. Any assistance will be appreciated. [From jrd - What does SHOW MODEM indicate? Could you have a conflict with another board using the same address or IRQ (4)? Any messages from Kermit, such as using the Bios? And, are there any other "Helpful Utilities" running? Pretty standard questions, naturally, but version 2.30 does work with internal modems.] ------------------------------ Date: Tue 16 Feb 88 19:29:38-EST From: Charles Lasner INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #9 Page 83 Subject: MS-Kermit Block Check Bug? Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, PDP-8 Kermit Found a bug in MS-KERMIT (any version): Set MS-KERMIT to Server Mode (might not be necessary but I found it this way) using K12MIT which has no options as the local KERMIT I use GET FILESPEC the MS-KERMIT end had SET BLOCK 3 THE K12MIT end only supports type 1 All transmissions fail with many retries in both directions. It appears the MS-KERMIT end fails to negotiate down the BLOCK-CHECK TYPE back to 1. If the BLOCK CHECK is set to one at the MS-KERMIT end, then all works fine. This is a oneway bug. The user settings of BLOCK CHECK are not to be the final used value, just the starting point. When MS-KERMIT presents a 3 and K12MIT presents a 1, the 1 should win! [From jrd - Tested MS Kermit against C Kermit and VMS/BLISS Kermit with MS Kermit using Block Check 3 in server mode and the other two as requestors with Block Check of 1. Files transferred just fine and the logs show type 1 Block Checks, as it should be.] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Feb 88 13:13:53 PST From: RCKG01M%CALSTATE.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU (Stephen Walton) Subject: MS Kermit V2.30 Problem on PS/2 Model 60 Keywords: MS-Kermit 2.30, PS/2 I haven't seen this reported before, so here goes: I recently used MS-Kermit V2.30 on a friend's brand new IBM PS/2 Model 60. For the record, it has all IBM equipment: 44 MB hard disk, 1 MB RAM, and VGA. My own floppy was the only disk I wrote to. Everything seemed to go fine with the file transfers, and I shut off the machine when I was done. The next morning, to our horror, the PS/2 wouldn't boot! A reboot with the IBM-supplied setup diskette revealed that the system configuration was bad; specifically, the system time had been corrupted. A strange problem. Any ideas? Steve Walton, formerly of Ametek, now at Cal State Northridge [From jrd - Kermit does not mess with (read or write or even know about) the CMOS setup and clock nor does it even dream of setting a system clock. So, it is another system effect unrelated to MS Kermit.] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Feb 88 11:13:42 EST From: rwn@msr.EPM.ORNL.GOV (Bob Napier) Subject: MS-Kermit 2.30 Use over Ethernet LAN Keywords; MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 I'm configuring a network of IBM PS/2's and a Microvax 3500. I need to run an application on the MicroVAX from the pc's over Ethernet with Tektronix Page 84 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #9 40xx emulation. The network board I'm considering for the pcs is 3com Etherlink/MC and Novell Netware software. The MicroVAX will have an Ethernet interface adapter and the networking software is still up in the air. Question: Will Kermit 2.3 support MicroVAXen over Ethernet?? That is, is there a corresponding version of Kermit for the VAX to act as a server to the PS/2s?? Thanks, Bob Napier (rwn@msr.epm.ornl.gov) 615-576-4547 [From jrd -- Bob, joining the MicroVax to PS/2's on a Novell NetWare LAN is a little more complicated than plugging things together. The main concern is getting the MicroVax to speak NetWare (IPX packets to be precise) so I presume you are using a bridge or TCP/IP. MS Kermit readily talks across NetWare using their NetBios emulator. If you are using 3Com's TCP/IP package then I'd have to talk with 3Com about their mechanisms of bridging out of the LAN. However, the other approach is to make the MicroVax regard the LAN connection as a regular login port. In that case MS Kermit could speak to the MicroVax directly as a terminal (across the LAN in packets and all) just as I do to my Unix box with STARLAN. Check with 3Com and/or have them give me a call at (801) 750-2982 (days, MST) to sort out the affair. If it makes any difference a lot of people want similar functionality: from PC on a LAN to their larger host via Ethernet or whatever.] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Mar 88 14:05:16 CST From: moore@ncsc.ARPA (Moore) Subject: Kermit v2.30 and Hayes Modem Query Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 I'm having a problem executing a remote command using Kermit; I hope someone can help: I have a server on the west coast running MS Kermit 2.30 on a Compaq with a Smartmodem 2400, and my local machine is a 248 with a Zenith 2400 modem. My problem is this: I need to be able to not only shut the server down on the west coast (no problem there), but also shut the modem off remotely. I've tried writing the string ATS0=0 (disable autoanswer) to a file called SHUT_UP.TXT, then writing to a batch file shut_up.bat the command COPY SHUT_UP.TXT COM1: I then upload both files to the server, and issue the kermit command remote host shut_up, which should copy ATS0=0 to com1: Well, I've tried it locally, and the "server" echoes the command and replies "1 file(s) copied" so the copy is working right, only the modem doesn't come out of autoanswer, and when I query ATS0? I get back a non-zero number (the default). I've also tried directing ATZ to the modem, with no success. Yet when I run the batch file on my machine, as well as the "server", it works fine... Any help? (Please!?!) INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #9 Page 85 [From jrd - The modem can be shut down (turning off auto-answer mode) by first placing the modem in "command" mode with the Hayes " +++ " sequence (with 1-second pause before and after) and then issuing the ATS0=0 command. If Kermit is running as a server within a script then the above strings can be sent to the modem with the OUTPUT command. Asking DOS to send the command while Kermit is running is not a good idea because DOS depends on modem lines DSR and CTS being asserted before its i/o will succeed. Try this script example: Server ; receipt of FIN command will exit Server mode pause 2 ; lead time for +++ sequence output +++ pause 2 ; exit time for +++ sequence output ATS0=0\13 ; turn off auto-answer mode exit ; exit Kermit Seems like the right thing to do anyway.] ------------------------------ Date: 04 Mar 1988 From: reck@dbnuama1.bitnet (Gisbert W.Selke) Subject: A Few Notes on MS-Kermit 2.30 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Here are a few observations on very minor problems with MS-Kermit 2.30 in the 08 Jan version. - I'm running it on a very close AT clone under DOS 3.3, with *no* compatibility problems so far; but then again, I'm not sure that there couldn't be compatibility trouble (DOS 3.3). - Anyway, here goes: [From jrd - I use PC DOS 3.30 locally so any bugs are mine and not IBM's.] (i) If a host application has written to line 25 of the PC screen by directly addressing it, the mode line is turned off alright, as described in the manual. However, a subsequent [clear screen[ sequence (ESC left-bracket 2 J) seems to clear only lines 1 through 24; line 25 remains uncleared. This is somewhat disturbing at times. [From jrd - the bottom/status/25-th line is not part of the regular host display unless the terminal kind is NONE. Some users employ that line for host status and hot key legends and a normal screen erasure would be unwanted. It can be erased by placing the cursor there first, ESC left-bracket 25 ; 0 H or the appropriate line number for other display sizes. Btw, version 2.30/A will finally solve the mode line toggle (fossil mode line) problem.] (ii) Is there no way to get reverse blinking text? On our VT102 clones (ECMA standard, to be exact), this works, but on a PC running Kermit, it doesn't. (May be a hardware restriction?? I didn't find it in the manual, though.) [From jrd - my EGA + high res color monitor respond to ESC left-bracket 5 m as the reverse video signal and to ESC left-bracket 7 m as the inverse video command. ESC left-bracket 5 ; 7 m will do both together. Kermit does do them so they should appear on your monitor. Numbers in ESC left-bracket .. m are Page 86 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #9 0 (or nothing): clear all attributes 1: bold 4: underline 5: blink 7: inverse video 10: fast screen updating (not adjustable by host commands, for CGA only) 30-37: foreground color = 30 plus sum of 1=red, 2=green, 4=blue 40-47: background color same applied in the order received. Underline is inverse video on color monitors.] (iii) Is the setting of the DOS errorlevel really working?? It is OK with receiving files, but I seem to get a non-zero errorlevel on each and every file transfer. - Note: I have a rather complicated script built along the lines of your example in the manual (or wherever it was I saw it); stepwise checking reveals that the error level seems to be set not due to script commands (like [input xxx[) but during the file transfer proper. [From jrd - that's a real bug. The code was written to behave properly but last minute changes made the SEND command always report an error. This is fixed in version 2.30/A which is in preparation. Apologies to all.] (iv) I have problems accessing the F11/F12 keys in combination with shift/alt/ctrl. Part of this is probably due to the German keyboard adaptor I use (not IBM's KEYB xx, something called KEY6000), but it occurs even without any resident keyboard adaptor at all. (I'm not having other TSRs in memory, either.) Here is what SCANCHEK 4.0 (22 Jan 88) reports (in keeping with Kermit's "show key"): with KEY6000 without KEY6000 "key name" key ident "key name" key ident F11 C-F12 \394 A-H \291 SF11 --- nothing --- --- nothing --- CF11 A-, \1331 A-4 \1403 AF11 --- nothing --- (graphic) \207 SCF11 A-, \1843 A-4 \1915 SAF11 --- nothing --- (graphic) \207 CAF11 --- nothing --- (graphic) \207 SCAF11 --- nothing --- (graphic) \207 F12 *unknown* \504 A-J \36 SF12 K \75 --- nothing --- CF12 A-. \1332 A-5 \1404 AF12 --- nothing --- (graphic) \207 SCF12 A-. \1844 A-5 \1916 SAF12 --- nothing --- (graphic) \207 CAF12 --- nothing --- (graphic) \207 SCAF12 --- nothing --- (graphic) \207 The only key combinations with the "extended keyboard flag" were F11, CF11, SCF11, and CF12, but only under KEY6000. [From jrd - Hmmm. For the Enhanced keyboard the individual items making the reported key code are: scan codes F11, F12 = 133, 134; SF11, SF12 = 135, 136, CF11, CF12 = 137, 138, AF11, AF12 = 139, 140 plus Enhanced kbd = 1024 plus Scancode = 256 plus Shift INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #9 Page 87 = 2, Control = 4, Alt = 8. All in decimal notation. I don't have an Enhanced kbd handy to check but something appears strangely, such as F12 showing as \36. Could it be your keyboard differs from IBM's in some coding details? Responses from other users would be appreciated.] So, this sums it up (modulo typos); the "F11/F12" item is *not* meant as something to worry anyone - I can easily survive without these fancy keys. I just thought someone might be interested, or maybe encounter similar problems. Otherwise, Kermit is working just fine. It's a great thing to use, and we do use it everyday. I haven't checked the TEK emulation yet, but I most certainly will. BTW: no strong feelings about overlaying or not. \Gisbert [From jrd - Right, one abstaining vote on the Tek erasure/overlay subject. I'm counting the few which have arrived. Otherwise, Tek emulation will be better in version 2.30/A. Plus other nice additions are being tested now. Thanks again for the information.] ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest Page 88 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #10 Info-Kermit Digest Tue, 5 Apr 1988 Volume 7 : Number 10 Departments: ANNOUNCEMENTS - MS-DOS and C-Kermit Source Diskettes Now Available Okstate Kermit Distribution Updated Announcing C-Kermit 4E(070) for the Amiga Announcing XSEND, a Utility for MS-DOS Kermit PORTABLE IBM 370 KERMIT - More Updates for CMS Kermit TSO Kermit Problems MVS/TSO Kermit Packet Size Query (and Answer) MS-DOS KERMIT - Anybody Like a VT-202 Layout? Session Log Bug in MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Memory Resident Server IBM PS/2 60 Bug MACINTOSH KERMIT - MacKermit 9(36)b4 Parity Problem 0.9(36)beta Versions of MacKermit Basic MacKermit Help MAC Kermit .936 VAX/VMS KERMIT - Problems with Filenames in VAX/VMS Kermit VMS Kermit - Sending Filespecs VAX/VMS Kermit "SET LINE" Command? MISCELLANY - CPM Kermit Help RE: Setting Flow Control for EMACS in Kermit PROCOMM+'s Kermit Feature Question on NetBios KEASY.TEX Send digest submissions to Info-Kermit@CU20B, requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to Info-Kermit-Request@CU20B. Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order. On the Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host CU20B, CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU, or CU20B.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (a DECSYSTEM-20), as user ANONYMOUS, using any password, and GET the desired files from logical device KER:. You can also get Kermit files over BITNET/EARN; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV, the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA. For detailed instructions, read the file KER:AANETW.HLP (AANETW HLP on KERMSRV). To order by mail, request a complete list of Kermit versions and an order form from Kermit Distribution, Columbia University Center for Computing Activities, 612 West 115th Street, New York, NY 10025 USA. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu 24 Mar 88 12:23:36-EST INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #10 Page 89 From: Christine M Gianone Subject: MS-DOS and C-Kermit Source Diskettes Now Available Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, C-Kermit 4E(070) By popular demand, source diskettes for MS-DOS Kermit version 2.30, and UNIX Kermit version 4E(070) are now available from Columbia University Center for Computing Activities Kermit Distribution. A set of four IBM PC MS-DOS 360K diskettes contains the source files for MS-DOS Kermit, for the IBM PC and PS/2 families and compatibles. A $50 fee is charged for the source diskettes with the MS-DOS Kermit User Guide. Please specify MS-DOS Kermit Source Diskettes when ordering. A set of two IBM PC MS-DOS 360K diskettes contains the source files for the UNIX version of C-Kermit, which can be built for many different UNIX systems, including Berkeley, AT&T, Xenix, etc. A $30 fee is charged for the source diskettes with the C-Kermit User Guide. Please specify C-Kermit Source Diskettes when ordering. We are also looking into providing Kermit programs in other formats. Here's a question I hope someone can answer: Is DEC's new diskette drive, the RX33, able to read diskettes written (by the same operating system, VMS or Ultrix) on an RX50? Here's another question: Can Micro-PDP11's read TK50 tape cartridges written on a MicroVAX with VMS? In what format? Will TK70 drives be able to read TK50 tapes? ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 25 Mar 88 08:18:12 -0600 From: Mark Vasoll Subject: Okstate Kermit Distribution Updated Keywords: Okstate I just received and installed a new set of Kermit tapes from Columbia. All the latest versions should now be available via our UUCP and Kermit server service. Mark Vasoll Computing and Information Sciences Internet: vasoll@a.cs.okstate.edu Oklahoma State University UUCP: {cbosgd, ihnp4, Stillwater, Oklahoma rutgers}!okstate!vasoll ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Mar 88 14:38:49 PST From: RCKG01M%CALSTATE.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU (Stephen Walton) Subject: Announcing C-Kermit 4E(070) for the Amiga Keywords: Amiga Kermit, C-Kermit X-Ref: Commodore Amiga, See Amiga Enclosed is a shell archive containing the following files: ckiker.bwr--A new version, with my comments on the end. ckiker.boo--A BOO file for C Kermit on the Amiga. Page 90 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #10 Makefile--A makefile for the Amiga under Aztec C. diffs--The context diffs to convert CKI*.C to the new versions. msb_diffs--Context diffs which I applied to make msbpct.c and msbmkb.c work on the Amiga. I hope all of this is useful to somebody. Steve Walton, 29-Mar-88 Dept. of Physics & Astronomy Cal State, Northridge 18111 Nordhoff St. Northridge, CA 91330 Email to: swalton@solar.stanford.edu (will forward) [Ed. - Thanks, Steve! The entire shell archive has been added, for now, to CKIKER.UPD, and the changes will be applied to the next release of C-Kermit. In case you're wondering what this does for Amiga users, the major change since the last Amiga release is the addition of long packets.] ------------------------------ Date: Wed 30 Mar 1988 21:04:24 CST From: Mark S. Zinzow Subject: Announcing XSEND, a Utility for MS-DOS Kermit Keywords: XSEND, MS-DOS Kermit Enclosed is a copy of XSEND.C, a program to generate TAKE (script) files for MS-DOS Kermit to allow it to send files and directories to a server over entire tree branches or disks. This version generates commands with absolute path names, and therefore works only between two MS-DOS systems Perhaps a useful extension might include passing arguments for remote and local prefix strings to allow relative paths (e.g. ".") or drive letters etc. Suggestions for simple and easy to use command syntax are welcome. The program compiles with Turbo C and Microsoft C, and possibly others. [Ed. - Thanks, Mark! Your program has been added to the Kermit distribution as MSIXSE.*, including the C source program, a .BOO file based on a Microsoft C 5.0 compilation, and some help text.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1988 Apr 4 16:42 EDT From: (John F. Chandler) PEPMNT@CFAAMP.BITNET Subject: More Updates for CMS Kermit Keywords: CMS Kermit I have sent new versions of IKCKER.BWR & IKCKER.UPD, noting and correcting numerous minor problems in CMS Kermit-370 4.0. John [Ed. - Thanks, John! The files are now available in the Kermit distribution.] INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #10 Page 91 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1988 Mar 24 13:01 EST From: (John F. Chandler) PEPMNT@CFAAMP.BITNET Subject: TSO Kermit Problems Keywords: TSO Kermit Concerning the new Kermit for TSO: a few bug reports have come in, and fixes are in the works. 1. Uploading a member of an existing PDS will force the DCB attributes of the PDS to whatever Kermit-TSO has for FILE parameters. A workaround is to SET APPEND ON while uploading members. 2. HELP cannot be invoked twice within the same Kermit session. More generally, TSO commands may leave datasets marked "in use" so that they are unavailable for further processing. 3. The DIR subcommand is uninterruptible. The same is true of any TSO command invoked from Kermit which doesn't issue a STAX. If you hit BREAK enough times, though, you can get back to the TMP. 4. Kermit may hang when entering protocol mode over a protocol emulator if the screen is already full. A workaround is to clear screen by hand. 5. There are rumors that this version won't work for TTY lines through VTAM. If this is true, a temporary workaround might be to issue a SET CON FULL by hand (or that might not work either). In any case, if there is any confirmation of the rumors, I'd like to hear the details, and I have two possible fixes ready, just in case. 6. If you invoke a non-existant TSO command from Kermit, there will be a sub-task ABEND and a READY message. Just type a carriage return to resume Kermit operation. The fixes for items 1-4 should be out shortly (in IKTKER.UPD). ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 30 Mar 88 09:22:32 SET From: Peter Bodifee Subject: MVS/TSO Kermit Packet Size Query Keywords: MVS/TSO Kermit, Kermit Protocol Re: Info-Kermit Digest, V7 #8: After reading the new possibilities of the latest MVS kermit, the following question popped up. Why is the maximum receive packet size in Kermit TSO version 1.00 (via 7171) limited to 60 ? Is this because there is a hardware limitation in the 7171 (that is what I have been told, but I have some strong indications against it)? The documentation I have on the 7171 does not give me any information in the input/output buffer sizes. Any help in this direction will be greatly appreciated. Regards, Peter Bodifee ESA/European Space Operation Centre Darmstadt, West Germany Page 92 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #10 BITNET: ESC1467@ESOC phone +49 6151 886046 [Reply From John Chandler, author of IBM mainframe Kermit 4.0: Early versions of the 7171 had an input buffer of only 64 bytes or so. If a micro Kermit tried sending packets longer than that, nothing could get through. As a matter of fact, I believe the buffer is still fairly small, but the 7171 code performs flow control so that it can keep up with any packet size from the micro. Both the CMS and TSO Kermits used to have a packet size default of 60 for SERIES1 mode, but release 4.0 of Kermit-370 has removed that convention (for both CMS and TSO). An informal poll conducted last fall (in the form of a query broadcast to all subscribers of the BITNET IBM7171 discussion group) failed to turn up any known 7171's which still need the 60-byte packet limit.] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Mar 88 13:26 MEZ From: "Eberhard W. Lisse" Subject: Anybody Like a VT-202 Layout? Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, VT-202 Setup, Terminal Emulation We hacked up a vt202 layout which runs TPU and I felt I should beam it over right away. (Well before I leave the Burn Unit anyway ...) regards, el Eberhard W. Lisse, MD Burn Unit, Technical University, Aachen, West Germany [Ed. - Thanks, el! (VT202?) Since people tend to send in lots of these special- purpose .INI files, we've decided to collect them all into a single file, MSIIBM.HLP, and yours is will be at the top.] ------------------------------ Date: 4 Apr 88 20:56 +0100 From: Harald Hanche-Olsen Subject: Session Log Bug in MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, Session Log The command 'log session foo.bar' seems to work OK except in the case when foo.bar exists but is empty (that is, it has zero bytes in it). In this special case, nothing is appended to the file, and the session log is lost. An empty file is easily created by Kermit itself, if you follow the command 'log session foo.bar' immediately by a 'close' command. This is how I happened to create an empty file and subsequently got burnt. Ouch! [Ed. - This is obviously a bug that needs fixing...] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 04 Mar 88 11:21:42 CST From: Arlene Slocum INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #10 Page 93 Subject: Memory Resident Server Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30 Is there such a thing as server mode only of Kermit that stays memory resident and checks the serial port for file transfer requests? We are running version 2.30 Columbia Kermit at 9600 baud over an x.25 network on IBMPC XT compatibles. We would like a background server capability that is compatible with Kermit and lets PC users do other work. Arlene Slocum, Programmer/analyst Institute for Public Policy and business Research University of Kansas 607 Blake Lawrence, Kansas 66045 913-864-3701 send replies to my bitnet address: ARLENE@UKANVM [Ed. - Currently no. There is a Microsoft Windows version of Kermit, capable of background operation, but it doesn't have the ability to act as a server. MS-Kermit 2.30 can act as a server, but has no particular ability to operate in the background.] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 24 Mar 88 11:20:45 DNT From: Subject: IBM PS/2 60 Bug Keywords: IBM PS/2 The IBM PS/2 60 does have a bug. The local IBM-people should know about the system time problem, and if they don't, tell them to ask the Danish IBM-team. We had the same problem here, until some patch-code in the CONFIG.SYS was installed by an IBM'er. Niels Kristian Jensen. [Ed. - This is in response to the query from Stephen Walton in V7 #9 about not being to boot the model 60 after running Kermit...] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Mar 88 12:44:41-1000 From: david@uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu (David Lassner) Subject: MacKermit 9(36)b4 Parity Problem Keywords: MacKermit 0.9(36)b4 Is anyone using MacKermit 9(36)b4 successfully with a host that requires even parity? We can't get it to work with ours. David Lassner, University of Hawaii Computing Center david@uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu david@uhccux.bitnet [Ed. - The parity bug will be fixed in the "real" release, coming soon.] ------------------------------ Page 94 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #10 Date: Tue, 23 Feb 88 11:43:57 EST From: JS05STAF%MIAMIU.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU Subject: 0.9(36)beta Versions of MacKermit Keywords: MacKermit 0.9(36) I have been using the 0.9(36)b3 version of Kermit for several weeks. It works very well under Multifinder, although not as a multitasking application. I used getinfo to set the size to 128K. (I don't know what a MacII size should be). The only anomalies I have found are that downloaded files often don't show up with the correct size until opened from another application and that window update gets confused about whether text should be bold or not. On Feb 1, 1988 I downloaded the 0.9(36)b4 version of Kermit from the University of Toledo server (CKM936.HQX). This version will set EVEN parity in the Communications dialog box, will save the setting to a file, will restore this setting under LOAD settings, but unfortunately will not set the Mac serial port to even parity. Persons using an IBM 7171 protocol converter will not be able to use this version. It may be useful to make the 0.9(36)b3 version available until this problem can be resolved. I have terminal tables for use with a 7171 protocol converter for the four common Mac keyboards, including the old numeric keypad. Documentation is in the form of MacDraw files. I would be happy to .sit them and send them for distribution if there is interest and if someone can tell me where they should be sent. Thanks to everyone who has worked on the Macintoh versions. 0.8(34) works today. There aren't many programs of that vintage thay can make that claim. [Ed. - Any day now, we'll have a new release that fixes the parity bug, and is not a step backward.] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Feb 88 21:41:56 PST From: Dennis Mar <2001P%NAVPGS.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU> Subject: Basic MacKermit Help Keywords: MacKermit Greetings far-flung correspondents: thank you for your kind offers of advice. We operate an IBM3033 with VM/CMS. In November the Kermit release was upgraded from 2.01 to 3.1. A MacIntosh SE users says "the difficulty apparently lies between Red Rider 10.3 and the mainframe KERMIT. I set the KERMIT carrot-Q handshake. However I fell that there may be other parameters that need to be set. 1. Is Red Ryder's SEND/RECEIVE Kermit compatible with Release 3.1? 2. What are the parameter settings required? 3. Are there more mainframe Kermit commands required than in the past?" Any advice or direction to the appropriate documentation would be most INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #10 Page 95 appreciated. ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 88 16:56:52 GMT From: fsimmons@ub.d.umn.edu (Frank Simmons) Subject: MAC Kermit .936 Keywords: MacKermit Has anyone discovered how to send a break with the latest version of MacKermit? [Ed. - The new release will include a manual!] ------------------------------ Date: 21 Mar 88 09:20:00 CST From: "NTVAXB::JAMES" Subject: Problems with Filenames in VAX/VMS Kermit Keywords: VAX/VMS Kermit I have a user with a peculiar problem. When he tries to SEND a file from VAX Kermit by giving its full file specification, VAX Kermit bombs saying it couldn't find the file. Example : Kermit-32> SEND DUA1:[PUBLIC]NETWORKS.DOC (now it waits, as it should) (I get back to local kermit and type RECEIVE) (and it fails because it could not find file "NETWORKS.DO") (I CONNECT back to VAX Kermit and do : ) Kermit-32> STATUS .... Last error : File not found for DUA1:[PUBLIC]NETWORKS.DO Apparently the VAX KERMIT loses the last character of the filename somewhere along the line. This only occurs when a drive or directory name is specified. Any ideas on this one ? We are using version 3.3.111... At any rate, I was wondering when a new version of VMS Kermit could be expected. I have thoroughly enjoyed the new MS-DOS version, and would love to see a new version of the VMS... James Shoffit BitNet: JAMES@NTSUVAX (POSTMAST@NTSUVAX) Vax Programmer/Operator THENET: NTVAXB::JAMES (NTVAXB::POSTMASTER) Postmaster for NTSUVAX.BITNET Inter : james%ntvaxb.decnet@utadnx.cc.utexas.edu North Texas State University or james@ntsuvax.bitnet Denton, Texas 76203 [Ed. - Unfortunately... it looks as if Kermit-32 has some kind of fixed- length buffer for filenames, or some other kind of limitation or bug. And there's not much chance of getting it fixed, since the original authors have all left Stevens Institute of Technology, and no one else has come forward to take over responsibility for the program -- small wonder, since it's written in Bliss-32, a language found almost nowhere. Meanwhile, much-improved VMS Page 96 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #10 support is being added to C-Kermit, and there should be an announcement some time in the not-too-distant future.] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 4 Mar 88 17:41 EDT From: Subject: VMS Kermit - Sending Filespecs Keywords: VAX/VMS Kermit Is the following a known bug of VMS Kermit? Kermit-32>set file naming untranslated Kermit-32>send *.* Sending: DQA0:[MIKE]SCARLETBEGONIAS.TXT;23 as SCARLETBEGONIAS.TXT [OK] Sending: DQA0:[MIKE]FIREMOUNTAIN.TXT;1T;23 as FIREMOUNTAIN.TXT [OK] Sending: DQA0:[MIKE]STSTEPHEN.TXT;15;1T;23 as STSTEPHEN.TXT [OK] The files get sent [OK], but that initial filespec gets annoying... Mike Rego ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 31 Mar 88 15:37:33 EST From: kobus@nadc.arpa (David Kobus) Subject: VAX/VMS Kermit "SET LINE" Command? Keywords: VAX/VMS Kermit When trying to use the VAX/VMS "set line" command on KERMIT, I encounter a "no privilege for attempted operation". Does anybody know what VAX/VMS category privilege (e.g. netmbx,share) I must allow a user to enable the terminal line to be accessible to the user's processes? (later...) 1.Upon trial and error, it appears that the "READALL" privilege category is the least dangerous privilege that you can authorize a user running on a MicroVAX II VMS system in order to permit a KERMIT SET LINE command to be issued. 2.I invite verification from the VMS KERMIT community. David B. Kobus Naval Air Development Center ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Feb 88 16:21:52 MST From: rtravsky@UWYO.BITNET (Richard Travsky) Subject: CPM Kermit Help Keywords: CPM Kermit Hi - I don't know if you can help me with this or not. I and and few others in my department own Kaypro 2X's. We have a CPM INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #10 Page 97 version of Kermit that we got through the BITNET KERMSRV. It works fine file transfer wise. It has a VT52 emulation mode that doesn't work too well on the 2X. Since we recently acquired a pair of VAX 8800s, this emulation feature is now of more concern to us. Is there a CPM Kermit version more suitable for the 2X? The Kermsrv index is huge and it is hard to tell what file is what. We'll be eternally grateful for any help you could give. Rich Travsky Computer Services RTRAVSKY@UWYO.BITNET (or ZUC02AA@WYOCDC1.BITNET) [Ed. - No, there's nothing specific for the 2X. You're more than welcome to add support for it to CP/M Kermit yourself! (Or if anyone else has already done so, please speak up!] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Mar 88 12:27:46 EST From: jbs@EDDIE.MIT.EDU (Jeff Siegal) Subject: RE: Setting Flow Control for EMACS in Kermit Keywords: Flow Control, XON/XOFF Re: Info-Kermit Digest V7 #7 >[Ed. - The real, though painful, workaround is to SET FLOW NONE before you >start EMACS, and SET FLOW XON/XOFF when you exit EMACS, see below.] How about some escape sequence the host can send to Kermit to turn flow-control on and off. Emacs (GNU Emacs anyway) can be configured to send such a sequence when entering or exiting. Jeff Siegal [Ed. - Unfortunately, the DEC VT102 does not support such a sequence, and it's often a bad idea to make up new sequences for terminal emulators, as they may conflict with other new sequences that other people make up.] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Feb 88 08:35:53 PST From: ren@ux1.lbl.gov Subject: PROCOMM+'s Kermit Feature Keywords: PROCOMM+ A user at our site has recently solved a problem that has been annoying him for sometime. The user uses PROCOMM+ to log on to the Unix mainframe from home, and loves this product. However, he has never got its inbuilt kermit protocol to work correctly. He recently figured out, however, that if he resets the communications parameters to N-8-1 in mid-session, although normal unix prompts etc. go gahgah, kermit then works fine. Therefore, he changes the parameters for kermit use and then back again when he exits kermit and everything works fine. Do you think this means there is some misset parameter in our kermit installation? Any other theories? The user uses E-7-1 for normal unix purposes. Page 98 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #10 Thanks for any help in this matter. Bob Rendler rerendler@lbl.gov [Ed. - Many UNIX systems use parity by default, typically even. When you run Kermit on the PC, you don't notice this because Kermit strips the parity bit during terminal emulation by default (you can override this with SET DISPLAY 8). However, UNIX Kermit does NOT use parity during file transfer -- it puts the communication line into 8-bit "raw" (binary) mode during packet operations. Apparently Procomm does not provide a way, as MS-Kermit does, to do "no parity" but also to strip the high-order bit during terminal connection.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Mar 88 22:17 PST From: CARL FUSSELL Subject: Question on NetBios Keywords: NetBios I am looking for information on Net Bios. Can anyone suggest references I might look at? We were thinking about trying to coerce IBM PC Kermit talk to our VAX (C-Kermit) over our ethernet. Any opinions or comments about the feasibility of this would be welcome. Thanx in advance... Carl Fussell Santa Clara Univ CARL@SCU.BITNET ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Mar 88 16:55 EDT From: Ted Nieland - SRL <@WPAFB-AAMRL.ARPA:TNIELAND@FALCON> Subject: KEASY.TEX Keywords: KEASY.TEX I just FTPed KEASY.TEX from CU20B, but I am getting many errors when I run it through LaTeX. Does KEASY require a special STY file? Is anyone else having problems with KEASY.TEX? Ted Nieland [Ed. - We received several complaints like this. Has anybody succeeded in running it thru TeX? Directions, fixes, would be appreciated.] ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #11 Page 99 Info-Kermit Digest Mon, 25 Apr 1988 Volume 7 : Number 11 ANNOUNCEMENTS - Announcing Version 2.31-test4 of IBM PC Kermit New Sliding Windows Kermit for the IBM PC Announcing Commodore 64/128 Kermit Version 2.1(68) Announcing a Version of Kermit for MAI Basic Four (MBF) Minis C-Kermit 4E(070) Diffs for Apple Mac II's A/UX Masscomp C-Kermit Fixes for RTU 4.0b Fixes for C-Kermit 4E(70) for VMS Send digest submissions to Info-Kermit@CU20B, requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to Info-Kermit-Request@CU20B. Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order. On the Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host CU20B, CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU, or CU20B.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (a DECSYSTEM-20), as user ANONYMOUS, using any password, and GET the desired files from logical device KER:. You can also get Kermit files over BITNET/EARN; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV, the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA. For detailed instructions, read the file KER:AANETW.HLP (AANETW HLP on KERMSRV). To order by mail, request a complete list of Kermit versions and an order form from Kermit Distribution, Columbia University Center for Computing Activities, 612 West 115th Street, New York, NY 10025 USA. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 21 Apr 88 21:31 MDT From: (Joe Doupnik) Subject: Announcing Version 2.31-test4 of IBM PC Kermit Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.31, IBM PC Kermit A new version of MS Kermit is available for testing on IBM PC's and compatibles. It is labelled 2.31-test4. It is an early "alpha test" of the next release, 2.31, for which a release date can't even be estimated. Until then matters are subject to change, but what is present now is most unlikely to be withdrawn. Items of interest beyond 2.30 (a subset): 1. Selection of a serial port has been extended to permit specification of Bios level interaction with Kermit rather than letting Kermit go directly to the port hardware. The commands are SET PORT BIOSn (n = 1 to 4) for Bios interaction and SET PORT COMn (n = 1 - 4) for Hardware interaction and SET PORT NET host-name for NetBios interaction The Bios spec is present specifically to support networks which intercept the normal Bios serial port interrupt 14H. Kermit expects registers to be used exactly like the IBM Bios, and i/o is not interrupt driven. If there are problems I am most interested in fixing them post haste. Further, when the serial port hardware UART is employed the interrupt Page 100 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #11 request line (IRQ) parameter is now obtained automatically by Kermit so that the IRQ may be 3 or 4 for different ports, as the user sees fit. Previously, IRQ had to be 4,3,4,3 for COM1-4; now PS/2's with 4,3,3,3 should work automatically. An arcane detail, to be sure, but in the past one causing much user frustration. Until now MS Kermit checked the Bios work area for port info even if the BIOS were used for comms. Since various LAN mfrs do an intercept it could happen that they leave COM1 and COM2 intact and grab COM3, so to speak. If there were no hardware for COM3 the Bios work word would be empty, more often than not, and port 3 would be unusable even for networking. This version skips checking up on matters if the Bios is chosen (voluntarily by SET PORT BIOSn, or automatically be lack of a suitable UART chip). Thus, networking intercepts can be shuffled down to BIOS3 or BIOS4 to free the real serial ports. The consequence of selecting BIOSn when there is nothing there is to read lots of echos of our own characters, harmlessly. 2. File attributes packets are available to transfer the size, creation time and date of a file to cooperating hosts. Few Kermits implement attributes packets but the new IBM CMS Kermit and the PDP-11 Kermits do so. C-Kermit will support them in the near future. Two new commands result from attributes packets: SET ATTRIBUTES ON | OFF (default is ON) to suppress attribute negotiations if the host might be confused by them, and MAIL filename username@host MAIL is exactly the same as a SEND command except the file attributes packet requests the host submit the file to the local Mail utility with the indicated addressing (can include spaces) rather than store the file on disk. Presently, the command is unique to MS Kermit; expect selected C-Kermit support in the near future. MAIL will fail right away (without sending the file) if the remote host cannot understand the request. 3. A Transaction log is available to record the filename, direction of transfer, size, starting time, date, and final status of each regular file exchange. The log entry is a terse two line description ready for printing or automated processing. LOG TRANSACTION turns on this logging, CLOSE TRANSACTION turns it off, and SHOW LOG indicates the status of logging. Material is alway appended to log files to prevent losing older information. Similarly, there are separate SESSION (Connect mode) and PACKET log files. 4. Kermit can be operated directly from DOS files, such as INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #11 Page 101 KERMIT < todo.lst or Preprocessor | Kermit These files or pipes contain the same information as would be typed by hand, yet Kermit knows a file is being read and will exit to DOS when the file becomes empty (it will not hang waiting for keystrokes which never arrive). Kermit TAKE files can be run this way if desired. 5. The command parser permits definition and use of Kermit "variables" such as \%1, \%2 and so on. Variables have names of backslash, percent sign, character '0' and above (with upper and lower cases merged). Variables are defined as Macros of that name and the definition can be any string. Such strings can contain other variable names. These variables substitute the definition text for their name. For example DEFINE dial AT\13,input OK,pause,output ATDT \%1,inp CONNECT, Connect DO dial 1-800-555-1212 places the word "1-800-555-1212" in variable \%1 and that text appears in the Hayes ATDT command during dialing. Thus, variables \%1,..\%9 are automatically defined by adding words after the macro name in the DO command, much like command line arguments to programs or Batch files. Other variables are defined by the DEFINE command, as usual. Of note is that when a variable name appears in a Kermit command it is immediately replaced by its definition; if the definition contains other variables they are also expanded immediately. No definition is the same as a null length string. DEF test echo first \%1, second \%2, third \%3, DEF \%e echo first \%1, second \%2, third \%3, yield the same display, via DO test word word word or DO \%e this that another or \%e foo bar bletch Macros can be displayed by SHOW MACRO . 6. The Tektronix 4010 emulator has been improved and made more like a real Tek 4010 terminal. The user may allow Kermit to select the active graphics display adapter (default) or may override that choice via the command SET TERMINAL GRAPHICS Auto-sensing | CGA | EGA | VGA | HERCULES | ATT ATT includes Olivetti M24/M28/DEC VAXmate/Toshiba T3100/AT&T 6300/6300+. VGA invokes a 640x480 dot color display but the bottom 79 lines are not saved due to display adapter memory limits. 7. Screen scrolling in the VT102 emulator has been improved twenty fold for the case where top and bottom display lines do not scroll. Emacs and many applications scroll interior lines; this version should do so much faster. Page 102 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #11 Whole screen scrolling is limited by the display adapter board rather than Kermit. 8. Error messages have been improved to be more helpful. For example, typing the command Kermit-MS> SAT Timer on shows the message '?Word "SAT" is not usable here', and Kermit-MS> SET Timer on and off and maybe on the table does indeed Set Timer ON and also shows the message ?Ignoring extra characters "and off and maybe on the table" And so forth. After all, if the machine knows when an error has been made then maybe it can fix the safe kind without bothering people. 9. The general screen status display is still present but has been supplemented by a number of individual "SHOW keyword" displays to assist finding things. SHOW ? indicates all the current keywords for this command. Command STATUS gives a screenful of the most interesting things. SHOW is under active development to find decent groupings and display formats. 10. The Kermit command line interface now permits full 8-bit character inputs, with only NUL, ESC, DEL/BS, ^W (delete word), ^U (delete line), and ^C being special. This is to enhance support for various languages and keyboards. 11. A new Kermit verb for Connect mode is \Kholdscrn which acts like the DEC VT10x Hold Screen key: display is suspended immediately by ignoring new characters (depends on flow control at the serial port level to XOFF a chatty host). This verb is not assigned to a key presently. It is a toggle and is cleared by resetting the terminal (\Kreset, ALT =). 12. The VT102 emulator supports the escape sequence pair ESC [ 1 2 h/l to control local echoing of outgoing material. ANSI spec. 13. The VT102 "25th" line, or status line, is under better control in that a fossil of the line (written by the host) does not appear unexpectedly. The status display indicates when the line is on and owned by the host. 14. Another networking item is that files opened read-only now have the DOS DENY-NONE bit set so that competing tasks may access them simultaneously, such as when they are run by Pushing or RUN within Kermit. 15. The command SPACE no longer requires presence of CHKDSK.COM. The disk space calculation is done internally. Empty disk drives yield a nice message. 16. Script commands have been enhanced. A new command is WAIT [timeout] \CD | \CTS | \DSR WAIT 04:15 \CD\DSR ; wait for carrier detect and modem ready to wait for the presence of one or more of these modem signals, or fail with INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #11 Page 103 a timeout. Commands WAIT, PAUSE, INPUT accept timeouts of seconds and now HH:MM:SS (truncate from the right but leave at least one colon) which means essentially "until" that time of day (24 hour clock). The hh:mm:ss must be less that 12 hours from the present so the software can distinguish early from late. A carriage return will force a timeout, to avoid rebooting a somnolent machine. 17. If a host echoes our XOFF Kermit now detects the situation and ignores the arriving XOFF. Also, while waiting for the host to send XON Kermit tests new characters at a rapid rate to improve response time. 18. CD is now a synomym for CWD (and for SET DEFAULT). 19. PAUSE now stops pausing when characters are typed at the keyboard. This allows you to put things like this into your script files: ECHO Type any character when ready PAUSE 1000 20. A HELP command was added -- nothing fancy, just enough to get users started (memory is a consideration here). 21. Finally, MS Kermit works well under MicroSoft Windows. Previously, it ran fine under Windows but was unable to show Connect mode material which was voluntarily rolled back on-screen. Screen scrolling now works perfectly. Tested on MS Windows 2.03 on AT's and MS Windows 386. [Ed. - Thanks once again, Joe, for your tireless efforts. The new test version is now in the Kermit Distribution as MSTIBM.BOO, along with this message, MSTIBM.HLP, which can serve, for now, as an addendum to the MS-DOS Kermit User Guide.] ------------------------------ Date: Fri 15 Apr 88 16:06:45-EST From: Frank da Cruz Subject: New Sliding Windows Kermit for the IBM PC Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit, Sliding Windows, BIX This is to announce a version of Kermit for the IBM PC by Terje Mathisen of Norsk Hydro Data, announced by him on BIX in November 87 (his BIX mail ID is "terjem"). It's written in Turbo Pascal, and claims to include long packets AND sliding windows, and a nonstandard "fast mode", in which data fields are not encoded at all (it can only use this to talk to itself). There is dumb terminal emulation, which seems to take place only in a small horizontal window under the command menu. The source files arrived with nonstandard naming conventions, and have therefore been packed into a single file, TP4KER.PAS, with name markers like <<< KERMIT.PAS >>> at the head of each file. The executable program is encoded as TP4KER.BOO (which can be decoded back into TP4KER.EXE using any of the MSBPCT programs). There is no manual, but a very short summary is in TP4KER.HLP. Comments & reviews welcome, as would be results of testing the long packet and sliding window features against other Kermit implementations that have them. Page 104 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #11 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 18 Apr 88 00:54:48 -0500 From: ray@j.cc.purdue.edu (Ray Moody) Subject: Announcing Commodore 64/128 Kermit Version 2.1(68) Keywords: Commodore 64, C64 Commodore 64/128 Kermit Version 2.1 (68) is now available. This new version has many new features, improvements, and even some bug fixes. Here are the main new features/improvements/bug fixes: + Enhanced DEC VT-100 terminal emulation with support for the VT-100 keypad. Kermit should now work fine on operating systems such as VMS. V2.1 has some VT-102 features added as well: Insert/Delete Line/Character. + Limited Tektronix 4010 graphics terminal emulation. Ker- mit can plot both graphics and text with a resolution of 320 x 200 (C-64) or 640 x 200 (C-128). + Commodore 128 grey key and numeric keypad support. The grey keys and the numeric keypad, not normally accessible on a C-128 in C-64 mode, are active within Kermit. + A special file-type for transferring C Power (now Power C) source code files. You can now download C source code ASCII files as well as upload C Power source files. All necessary character translations are handled automati- cally. + A screen driver for the Batteries Included BI-80 80 column card. This device gives a display as nice as the Commodore 128's 80-column hardware, but lacks many attri- butes such as blinking and bold. In addition to these major improvements, many smaller changes were made. Several bugs were squashed that affected VT-100 emulation, the STATUS command, and other things. Obtaining Kermit on a Floppy Disk: A copy of Commodore Kermit may be obtained by sending $5.00 postage and handling to: Dr. Evil Laboratories P.O. Box 190 St. Paul, IN 47272 We stress that Commodore Kermit is absolutely free, the $5.00 is only used to cover the cost of the disk, the mailer, postage, and handling. The disk will contain Commo- dore Kermit version 2.1, a copy of the preliminary documentation broken into several files small enough to be viewed with a good wordprocessor, an initialization file, and, for C128 users, an autoboot sector. (All of the files on the disk are available for download from the Kermit archives. There is a program in the Kermit archives that will create the proper autoboot sector for people that want to have one.) INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #11 Page 105 Sometime this summer a final printed (and maybe even bound) version of the manual will be available at a reasonable cost. Stay tuned. Also available from Dr. Evil Laboratories is a custom ROM for the Batteries Included 80-column card that provides access to the entire ASCII character set. Currently we ask $5.00 for the custom ROM. This price is subject to change and installation is required. Dr. Evil Laboratories is a small software company in which Kent and I are partners. The company has the facili- ties to distribute Kermit much more efficiently than either of us could personally. Also, Dr. Evil Labs has a permanent address, something that we, being in college, don't have. All orders to Dr. Evil Laboratories must be in U.S. funds. Indiana residents must add 5% sales tax. Kermit can also be downloaded from the Kermit archives on ARPANET, BITNET, and other places. For complete downloading instructions, see the file KER:AANETW.HLP. Ray Moody ray@j.cc.purdue.edu ihnp4!pur-ee!j.cc.purdue.edu!ray moody@purccvm.BITNET Kent Sullivan Qlink: corvairkid The files are as follows: c64ker.ann - announcement of new kermit c64ker.hlp - how to download from cu20b. How to get 1541 disk c64ker.doc - documentation (a total rewrite of the old docs) c64ker.hex - the downloadable binary itself c64ker.m65 - source code. Too big to mail, so split into parts c64ker.rom - replacement character rom for BI-80 80-column card c64ker.ini - program to create kermit.ini file c64auto.bas - program to create an autoboot sector [Ed. - Thanks Ray. The files have been updated as you suggested. The new files have replaced the old ones in KER:C64*.*] ------------------------------ Date: Thur 07 Apr 88 14:31:00-PDT From: Edward V. Wastrodowski, Sphere Holdings Limited (SHL) Subject: Announcing a Version of Kermit for MAI Basic Four (MBF) Minis Keywords: MAI, Basic Four This is to announce the availablity of Kermit for the MAI Basic Four minicomputers, series model numbers 7000,8000, and 9000; it is written using the latest release of BOSS/VS Business Basic (tm) called BB86. Page 106 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #11 [Ed. - Thanks for putting this together and sending it to us on tape. It has been installed in the Kermit Distribution as MBF*.*, and available by mail order on Tape D. Also included is a short Basic program to read ANSI-D format tapes (like the ones we distribute Kermit on).] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 07 Apr 88 15:57:22 PST Subject: C-Kermit 4E(070) Diffs for Apple Mac II's A/UX From: Marion Hakanson Keywords: C-Kermit, Macintosh A/UX, A/UX Below are the changes necessary to make C-Kermit 4E(070) compile and run properly on an Apple Mac II running A/UX (Apple's Unix). A/UX is mostly System V, but with BSD compatibility grafted on in some rather unique ways. Here is a short description of the changes I made (quite minor, really). ckuker.mak: Add an "aux" target, which is identical to the "sys3" target with an added "-DAUX" flag. See below. ckufio.c: Near the top, in a #ifdef UXIII/#endif pair, is a #define MAXNAMLEN DIRSIZ. Apparently A/UX has its own MAXNAMLEN definition, so surrounding the above #define in #ifndef MAXNAMLEN/#endif takes care of that problem in a "portable" manner. ckutio.c: I really wanted to avoid adding an AUX flag, but this is quite unique (i.e. "strange"). A/UX has SIGTSTP, so the job-control code in C-Kermit gets compiled in properly, but C-Kermit expects 4.2bsd signal semantics when this happens. The easiest workaround seems to be to add to sysinit() a call to A/UX's set42sig() library routine, which enables BSD-style reliable signals, along with the corresponding TTY job control. In other words, it allows C-Kermit to be suspended with ^Z and restarted with "fg" from the C-shell, instead of being killed when you try to restart it. The only other trick I had to discover to use C-Kermit was that you may need to "set line /dev/modem" (and not tty0) to use the modem port. Note that I'm communicating with a hard-wired port selector, and not a "real" modem, but modem control lines are used here (perhaps not the correct ones, though). Apple seems to distribute A/UX with C-Kermit 4E(066) installed in the /usr/bin directory (this was the C-Kermit with the serious long packet bug), and sources in /usr/src/kermit. Other than a similar, but less portable than mine, change to ckufio.c, I could detect no modifications they made to the distribution 4E(066), which of course did NOT do the right thing with Ctrl-Z, etc. Please let me know if problems occur with these changes, or if other modifications are indicated. We've only had this A/UX system up for a couple of days, and Kermit was a necessity for connecting it to something other than itself. Here are the patches: INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #11 Page 107 [Ed. - Many thanks! For now, your changes have been added to the CKUKER.BWR file, and they will certainly be incorporated into the next release, which, given the number of changes that have arrived in recent weeks, will have to be pretty soon...] ------------------------------ Date: 15 Apr 88 13:59:27 GMT From: dalesys%lamont.Columbia.edu@lamont (dale chayes) Subject: Masscomp C-Kermit Fixes for RTU 4.0b Keywords: Masscomp, RTU, C-Kermit I have butchered the recent release of C-Kermit to accomodate the notion of "dir.h" in the beta version of Masscomp's RTU (RTU-4.0.b1) operating system. (For RTU-3.1, "make rtu" with the distributed sources works fine.) I did it in a rather crude way. It would be more appropriate to make a new entry in the makefile "rtu4" and use ifdefs, but that's not how it happened.... (at least I put in some comments (:-)) Dale Chayes Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University usmail: Route 9W, Palisades, N.Y. 10964 voice: (914) 359-2900 extension 434 fax: (914) 359-6817 usnet: ...philabs!lamont!dale [Ed. - Thanks, Dale. Your changes are in CKUKER.BWR for now, and should find their way into the next release. It sure would be nice if makers of Unix systems could agree on where their header files go, and whether they must be included or not...] ------------------------------ Date: Wed 20 Apr 88 15:42:14-PDT From: Ted Shapin Subject: Fixes for C-Kermit 4E(70) for VMS To: info-kermit@CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU Phone: (714)961-3393; Mail:Beckman Instruments, Inc. Mail-addr: 2500 Harbor Blvd., X-11, Fullerton CA 92634 Here are some fixes for C-Kermit 4E(70) we made for our VAX VMS system. The fixes are from Will Wood, Beckman Instruments, Fullerton, CA. [Ed. - Listings omitted, but added to CKVKER.BWR, and forwarded to Jamie Hanrahan, who's working on a new release of C-Kermit for VMS. The fixes include a more effective way of having the C-Kermit server log itself out when it gets a BYE command, and a fix for the function that returns the current default device:[directory], and some terminal i/o improvements.] ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest Page 108 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #12 Info-Kermit Digest Wed, 18 May 1988 Volume 7 : Number 12 Today's Topics: Kermit News Articles Needed Announcing Version 4.09 of Kermit-80 for CP/M-80 Announcing QK-Kermit Version 3.0 for MS-DOS Announcing Sanyo Kermit 2.30 Announcing re-release of V2.30, MS-Kermit for iRMX OS's Announcing a New MSKermit 2.30 for Apricot F Series Machines Announcing C-Kermit 4D(061) Adapted to MINIX Updates for TSO Kermit Error in CD3KER, CDC Cyber NOS Kermit CDC Kermit Clarification of uucp-support address on okstate DG/1 Success!!! Kermit Konfigurator C-Kermit 4E(070) and Long Packets under VMS vs X.25 DEC PRO350 Terminal Emulation Software? Send digest submissions to Info-Kermit@CU20B, requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to Info-Kermit-Request@CU20B. Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order. On the Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host CU20B, CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU, or CU20B.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (a DECSYSTEM-20), as user ANONYMOUS, using any password, and GET the desired files from logical device KER:. You can also get Kermit files over BITNET/EARN; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV, the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA. For detailed instructions, read the file KER:AANETW.HLP (AANETW HLP on KERMSRV). To order by mail, request a complete list of Kermit versions and an order form from Kermit Distribution, Columbia University Center for Computing Activities, 612 West 115th Street, New York, NY 10025 USA. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed 18 May 88 12:00:00 From: Christine M Gianone Subject: Kermit News Articles Needed Keywords: Kermit News The next issue of the Kermit newsletter is in progress. Some of the articles in the past issue described how Kermit was and is being used in the U.S. and other countries. We would like to include a similar section in the next Kermit News. Please submit any articles describing how Kermit is being put to good, interesting or unusual uses as soon as possible since we hope to go to print sometime in the next month. We would be especially interested in stories about how Kermit is used to somehow benefit humanity (or other creatures), to foster international cooperation, or to make life easier for the disabled. For many, Kermit is used for mundane purposes like saving money. We'd like to hear about that too. Thanks again to all those people who have submitted articles in the past. - Christine Gianone INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #12 Page 109 ------------------------------ Date: 8 Jan 88 0:00:00 From: Bertil Schou, Loughborough University, UK Via: SYSKERMIT%vax1.central.lancaster.ac.uk@NSS.Cs.Ucl.AC.UK Subject: Announcing Version 4.09 of Kermit-80 for CP/M-80 Keywords: CP/M-80 Kermit 4.09 After an incredibly long gestation period, here is hopefully an updated version of Kermit-80 V4.05. Kermit-80 V4.08 is issued for testing purposes only. Version 4.09 is the release issue of version 4.08. I still, however, want any feedback about problems generated in this revision, or others desperately want fixing. Superficially, there is little real change in operation of Kermit-80, version 4.05, but there have been some major jobs tackled like trapping BDOS calls and multiple FCB buffering... New bits for this version include: SET {SEND/RECEIVE} START-OF-PACKET character SET DIRECTORY-FILE-SIZE (Shows or hides file sizes on DIRectory displays) SET TERMINAL to OFF, VT52, DUMB, EXTERNAL, QUIET, REGULAR. SET USER to set other user spaces RECEIVE to collect a file from a remote SENDer GET to collect a file from a remote SERVER SEND {local filename} {remote filename} TAKE to take command files from disk (including other take files!) FCOPY Copy CP/M files from within Kermit (no wildcard) TYPE Type a file to the console from within Kermit PRINT Print a file to the printer from within Kermit - Updated TRANSMIT command that waits for a string of characters from the host (default is CR). - Command line commands, eg: KERMIT ;SET FILE BINARY;SEND FOO.BAR - Automatic TAKE KERMIT.INI on default disk on loading KERMIT-80 (useful for SET BAUD etc.) - Much improved speed on DIRECTORY - Automatic CLOSE-ing of a terminal connection if the line is DROP-ped (currently only for an Apple, and Torch has a dummy test for cntrl-] D in connect state) - Improved printer handling. On the negative side, only LASM and Microsoft M80 assemblers can be used to assemble the source files. I personally see no point in being able to support several assemblers if LASM can do the job, but then again, I have not used the MAC80 cross assembler... Comments on assembler compatabilities, please! All source files have been renamed, and there are a few additions. All source files are named in the form CPaxxx.ASM, where: a=A for general information a=S for system independent source files and hex file a=X for system dependent source files a=V for system-dependent hex files Page 110 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #12 The system dependent code has changed a litle too, hopefully bringing the CPXSYS.ASM (formerly CP4SYS.ASM) file a bit more toward a manageable size. There is now the possibility for FAMILIES of systems, like APPLE and NorthStar (also Comart), which contains code for computers of a single type. I have immediately gone against all this by creating a family with the code for Torches, Cifers, Ithacas and Superbrains (this because we have these systems here at Loughborough.) Bertil Schou. [Ed. - Many thanks, Bertil! And also to Alan Phillips and Steve Jenkins at Lancaster University for sending this new version to us via transoceanic magnetic tape, and to the many others in the UK who contributed to this new release. This version supports all the systems supported by version 4.05, with the exception of the HP-125, and with the addition of many more, for a total of something like 52 systems. The new files have been installed in KER:CP*.*, and the old ones moved (on CU20B, anyway) to KO:CP*.*. CP/M users, please get this new version and try it out, so we can make sure it's safe to distribute. And this is also the time to plead ONCE AGAIN for volunteers to distribute CP/M Kermit on 5.25-inch diskette for different kinds of systems, and also in "universal" 8-inch diskette format. Please come forward if you can do it, or know of a user group that can!] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Apr 88 11:35 EDT From: VIC%QUCDN.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU Subject: Announcing QK-Kermit Version 3.0 for MS-DOS Keywords: Pascal Kermit, Turbo Pascal Kermit, QK-Kermit, Tektronix Emulation I have a new version of QK-Kermit which was written using Turbo Pascal 4.0 compiler. This version no longer supports CP/M systems but was specifically written to run on MsDos systems. It takes advantage of the new Turbo Pascal features such as the new Turbo Pascal Units (TPU) and the improved graphics facility. It is now no longer necessary to have different version of QK-Kermit for each of the graphics cards. The same KERMIT.EXE file will work on CGA, EGA, Hercules, MCGA, and VGA graphics card. Last time, I had problems in sending the new version over BITNET, and ended up sending you the files via floppy disk. I will send the new version via a 3.5 inch floppy if that is OK with you. Victor Lee [Ed. - Thanks, Victor! The disk was received in good order, and the files have been installed in the Kermit Distribution, replacing version 2.8 from October 1987. The files on the disk have been renamed to fit the Kermit Distribution naming conventions. They can be restored to their original names by running the DOS batch file, QK3AAY.BAT. The executable program is in the form of a simple hex file, and can be converted back into an executable .EXE file by running QK3EXE (originally called HEXEXE) on it.] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 1988 May 15 14:10 EDT From: Bob Babcock INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #12 Page 111 Subject: Announcing Sanyo Kermit 2.30 Keywords: MS-Kermit 2.30, Sanyo MBC Kermit 2.30 This is to announce the release of Kermit version 2.30 for the Sanyo 550 and 555. This version is derived from the IBM 2.30 release, and supports essentially all of the features of the IBM version which make sense for the Sanyo. Unlike previous releases, a single executable will run on machines with or without the optional CGA-like video board. (A video board is required for Tektronix emulation.) The files being sent to Columbia are: MSV55X.BOO - BOO-encoded .EXE file (decode with any MSBPCT program) MSG55X.ASM, MSU55X.ASM, MSX55X.ASM, MSY55X.ASM, MSZ55X.ASM - system dependent source files (also uses the generic MS-Kermit 2.30 sources) MSV55X.HLP - Sanyo-specific addendum to the MS-Kermit 2.30 manual Present in the source code, but disabled by conditional assembly statements, is code to apply a temporary patch to the BIOS keyboard routines to enable more key combinations to be distinguished. This will only work if the keyboard interrupt is not being intercepted by a previously loaded program such as a print spooler or a TSR. Anyone interested in working on future releases should contact one of the current developers for copies of the update files and updating program which are used to create the Sanyo sources from the IBM originals. Developers for this release are Bob Babcock - peprbv@cfaamp.bitnet Joe White - jhw@rti.rti.org [Ed. - Thanks to Bob and Joe for all of this! The files have been placed in the Kermit distribution under the names listed above. Now we only have a few MS-DOS systems remaining whose Kermits haven't yet been upgraded to 2.30 level.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 02 May 88 12:18:32 PDT From: JAFW801%CALSTATE.BITNET@CUVMA.COLUMBIA.EDU (Jack Bryans) Subject: Announcing re-release of V2.30, MS-Kermit for iRMX OS's Keywords: iRMX Kermit, RMX Kermit, Intel, MS-Kermit for iRMX One out of thirty files sent from RMX with a three byte checksum failed depending on the length of the last packet modulo sub-packet size. This re-release fixes that. Files updated are MSVRMX.BOO (for iRMX 86), MSVRX2.BOO (for iRMX 286), MSXRMX.A86, and MSVRMX.MAC. The latter file was modified to change the RMX date in the sign-on and version messages to 22 Apr and to eliminate erroneous and confusing error messages in the edit pass when run on iRMX 86. [Ed. - Thanks for the fix Jack! The old files have been replaced with the new ones.] ------------------------------ Page 112 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #12 Date: 26-APR-1988 15:29:57 GMT From: RW_CARLTON@UK.AC.OPEN.ACS.VAX Subject: Announcing a New MSKermit 2.30 for Apricot F Series Machines Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, Apricot Kermit I have a working version of MSKermit 2.30 for Apricot machines it runs well on my FP portable and so should run on the rest of the F series. I know of no reason why it should not run on the PC/XI but I have yet to get feedback on this. However I felt it better to let you have it as is and then wait for comments, if any. I have implemented the keyboard translator but only in a very basic form as yet. Otherwise it performs most of the other features of 2.30 such as script files etc. but no modem support or terminal emulation. The files are: MSVAPR.BOO BOO-encoded .EXE file; MSUAPR.ASM MSXAPR.ASM Dick Carlton Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, England KK7 6AA ps: if anyone wants the whole source plus the working version I can let them have it on a single 3.5in diskette in self unpacking archive form on receipt of a diskette. [Ed. - Many thanks! The new files have been added to the MS-Kermit files, replacing the old Apricot version. Presumably your diskette offer only applies in the UK?] ------------------------------ Date: 26 February 1988 From: Adrian Godwin, 78 Putnoe Street, Bedford, England. Via: SYSKERMIT%vax1.central.lancaster.ac.uk@NSS.Cs.Ucl.AC.UK Subject: Announcing C-Kermit 4D(061) Adapted to MINIX Keywords: MINIX, C-Kermit, Tanenbaum, IBM PC MINIX Here is a set of C-Kermit 4D(061) sources, modified for use with Andrew Tanenbaum's UNIX V7 implementation for the IBM PC family, MINIX. The source is derived from the Lancaster VAX/VMS backup format distribution tapes of 20.1.88, and 6 files are modified: ckuusr.c ckuus3.c ckufio.c ckutio.c ckcmai.c ckcfns.c Some additional files containing build information for an MS-DOS (Lattice C) cross-compilation, fixes to the MINIX kernel and pre-built executable files (in .BOO format) are also present. These have names of the form cktker.???, and are documented in the file cktker.hlp . Modifying C-Kermit 4D-061 for use under 'MINIX' has required rather more changes to Minix than to Kermit. The C source files are included; they all began as the CK---.--- files for the 4D(061) distribution set. Here the names INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #12 Page 113 have been changed to MX---.--- . Hints, fixes and library changes are also attached - most of these are applicable for anyone implementing a serial i/o driver for Minix, and many library fixes are useful for porting other utilities. C-Kermit cannot be built under version 1.1 Minix, as it compiles to about 85K and the initial Minix assembler cannot separate I&D model output. The executable file was therefore built under MS-DOS using the Lattice 3.10 C compiler. Some care is needed in cross-compiling : see the notes in Tanenbaum's book about libraries, and read the enclosed Lattice makefile, cktker.mak. A port of this version to the latest C-Kermit version 4E(070) is now underway and will be released at some future time. [Ed. - While awaiting arrival of the 4E adaptation, this set of files has been placed in the Kermit Distribution under the prefix MX, as in KER:MX*.*, and is on Tape B. Thanks to the folks at Lancaster University for sending this in.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1988 Apr 25 15:18 EDT From: (John F. Chandler) PEPMNT@CFAAMP.BITNET Subject: Updates for TSO Kermit Keywords: TSO Kermit, 370 Kermit Here are the updates I promised a few weeks ago (and some others, too) for TSO Kermit-370. I am sending replacements for IKTKER.UPD and IKTKER.BWR -- the latter gives a bit more elaboration of the bugs fixed and new features implemented. [Ed. - Many thanks John!] ------------------------------ Date: 09 MAY 1988 09:49 EST From: Steve Roseman Subject: Error in CD3KER, CDC Cyber NOS Kermit Keywords: CDC Cyber Kermit There is an error in CD3KER, the CDC Cyber NOS Kermit (the Fortran one), which prevents its use with V2.31 of MS-Kermit. CD3KER's response to an 'F' packet contains the wrong length, which didn't bother V2.30, but does upset V2.31. The following code fixes the problem. Please replace the current CD3KER.BWR with this message, since the current .BWR file is out-of-date. Thanks. *IDENT,MAY0688 *D,KERMLIB.3426 CALL SNDPACK(Y, NUM, SLEN(FILESTR), FILESTR) On a related note, I will be negotiating with Olaf Pors of Univ of Virginia about who gets to incorporate his mods from last September (V7 #3), into the standard CD3KER. I don't really have the time, but I will if necessary. Steve Roseman Page 114 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #12 Lehigh University Computing Center LUSGR@LEHICDC1 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 9 May 88 16:47:20 EDT From: Olaf Pors Subject: CDC Kermit Keywords: CDC Cyber Kermit I just took a look at the Kermit distribution and noticed that the CD3KER.IN2 and CD3KER.MOD files were the ones that conflicted with Steve Roseman's 3.3 version of Kermit. Late last year I downloaded Roseman's 3.3 version and upgraded my mod to correspond (producing version 3.4), and I thought I sent you the upgraded stuff. In case something got dropped, here are the two files again. The first one should be put in place of CD3KER.INS (get rid of CD3KER.IN2). The second should be put in place of CD3KER.MOD. There's also an updated CD3KER.HLP. Olaf Pors, University of Virginia [Ed. - Thanks, Olaf. The updated files have been put in right places.] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Apr 88 18:33:37 -0500 From: Mark Vasoll Subject: clarification of uucp-support address on okstate Keywords: OKSTATE We have recently moved the Kermit distribution at Okstate to another computer. A result of this is that the previously stated restriction of not being able to send mail over this link is now enforced (since the new home of Kermit is not the "real" okstate. Questions about the Kermit or UUCP servers at Okstate should be addressed to: Domain: uucp-support@a.cs.okstate.edu UUCP Path: {cbosgd, ihnp4, rutgers}!okstate!uucp-support Attempts to mail via the uucpker login to okstate!uucp-support will be flushed. Thanks, Mark Vasoll Computing and Information Sciences Domain: vasoll@a.cs.okstate.edu Oklahoma State University UUCP: {cbosgd, ihnp4, Stillwater, Oklahoma rutgers}!okstate!vasoll ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1988 20:37:05 EDT From: "Robert E. Zaret" Subject: DG/1 Success!!! Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.30, DG/1 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #12 Page 115 I just tried MS-Kermit 2.30 extended development (received from Columbia 23 April) on my DG/1 and have succeeded. In fact, I am using it to compose this note. I still can't use COM1/BIOS1 with either the internal modem or an external modem. However, if I set the port to BIOS2, I can use COM2 with an external modem. I have only been using it for a few minutes, but 1200 bps seems to be no problem. I also tried connecting to an AT with a null modem; Kermit could switch the port's speed to 2400 bps, and I could talk to the AT, but I couldn't transfer files (each Kermit kept trying, but did not recognize the other.) I got the idea to try BIOS2 from two clues: 1) when I use the STATUS command right after I start Kermit, the display says the port is BIOS1; and 2) when I tried SET PORT 2, Kermit said the port was unavailable. Thank you, thank you. I've had other options, but was rooting for Kermit; I know at least one other person around here with a DG/1, who has fewer options and believes several others in the area have the same problem; and I've been concerned about the person who wrote to the Kermit digest a few months ago about communications software that can run on a DG/1 and be used by the blind. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 12 May 88 15:27:03 PDT From: Ariane Glagowski Subject: Kermit Konfigurator Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit We are supporting MS-Kermit here as a method for connecting PC's to VM/CMS via 7171's. Users at UVic can connect to a 7171 port by having a direct connection to a Gandalf PACX port or an Ungermann-Bass Net/One port, or dialing to a PACX port. Another connection method is through DATAPAC, although that is seldom used. We tried to set up a Kermit "TAKE" file or an ".INI" file for the Users, with appropriate keyboard mapping and script commands to automate the connection to VM. If automatic connection was desired, the User was able to connect to VM by invoking Kermit and typing "TAKE filename" and waiting until the VM/370 logo appears on the screen. With all the possible combinations of connection methods, baud rates, monitors, keyboard layouts, etc., etc. it became impossible for our User Services to help all the first time users with their connection problems. We decided to write a Kermit Konfigurator program which the User could run and would build a TAKE file according to the User's requirements. Before running Kermit for the first time, the User types KKONFIG on his PC. KKONFIG prompts with questions like "select baud rate", "select communications port", "do you want automatic connection to CMS", etc., along with simple help menu's for each possible selection. When KKONFIG terminates, it writes a "TAKE" file that the User can use when running Kermit or he can rename it to an .INI file. KKONFIG is written in Turbo PASCAL and linked into one .COM file. As it stands now, it is customized for our environment but the source could easily be tailored to other environments. Page 116 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #12 If anyone is interested in trying it out to see how it works, please send a note to me, Ariane Glagowski, CCARIANE@UVVM.BITNET, and I will send you the .COM file over the network. You can then receive the file onto your CMS disk and download it to your PC using Kermit. Be sure to set the host Kermit in binary mode before downloading to your PC. The Konfigurator works with MS-Kermit 2.29c and 2.30. Ariane Glagowski Acknowledge-To: ------------------------------ Date: 25-APR-1988 11:34:37 GMT +01:00 From: CPA006%vax1.central.lancaster.ac.uk@NSS.Cs.Ucl.AC.UK Subject: C-Kermit 4E(070) and Long Packets under VMS vs X.25 Keywords: VAX/VMS C-Kermit, X.25, Long Packets, C-Kermit 4E(070) I've just built 4E(070) under VMS and been trying to use long packets with it to MS-Kermit 2.30, with distinct lack of success. We have a (*very* slow) VAX-11/780 running VMS 4.7; terminals are connected to X25 PADs and make X29 calls into the VAX. We have all our lines set for 9600 baud. C-Kermit works OK with normal packet sizes, and it sends files *to* the PC with 250 byte packets OK. However, trying to use any packet size about 200 bytes or so *from* the PC results in repeated retries; the log shows that the VAX is giving "Data Overrun" errors on about 1 in 3 packets. I tried changing CKVTIO.C to set the line to use HOSTSYNC, which ought (I think) to allow VMS to exert flow control on data coming from the PC (?), but no effect. Has anyone seen this problem elsewhere? Is the solution just to reduce the baud rate to what will work? Alan Phillips [Ed. - The problem is probably in the VAX's network interface. It seems from your description that the network is delivering the PC's data correctly to the VAX, but the VAX cannot keep up. It may be that VMS's support for incoming terminal connections over an X.25 network is designed with the faulty assumption that the host sends large amounts of data, and terminals only send small amounts. What is the biggest X.25 data packet your VAX will accept? If it is 128 (a typical value), then long Kermit packets will be segmented by the network, and the VAX must reassemble them. If the VAX is very slow, new segments may arrive before it has disposed of previous ones. As you suggest, there should be flow control between the VAX and the network, but X.25 is supposed to provide this, no? But it may be that specific support is required in VMS Kermit for X.25 connections as opposed to real terminals. Any VMS X.25 experts out there?] ------------------------------ Date: 5 May 88 21:16:03 GMT From: chemabs!chemabs!rsh27@trantor.UMD.EDU (Robert S. Hall) Subject: DEC PRO350 Terminal Emulation Software? Keywords: PRO350 Kermit INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #12 Page 117 I am looking for an alternative terminal emulator for a DEC PRO 350. I am currently using an in-house written VT102 terminal emulator which works well, but is not quite as fast as I would like. What I would like to know is: o Is anyone else currently using PRO/Kermit? If so, have you noticed any problems? o Has anyone made ANY enhancements to PRO/Kermit. What I am most interested in is PRO/Kermit's 'connect' function, i.e. User Defined Function Keys, etc. o Does anyone know of any other VT220/VT102 terminal emulation software available for the DEC PC350 other than PRO/Comm or PRO/Kermit? Any input you might have on this subject will be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Robert S. Hall Chemical Abstracts Service Columbus, Ohio 43210 (614) 421-3600 X2027 cbosgd!osu-cis!chemabs!hall [Ed. - There are several Pro-Kermits. The one most people use is probably the K11 version from Brian Nelson. The Stevens version gave up the ghost a while back when new P/OS releases made it stop working.] ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest Page 118 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V7 #13 Info-Kermit Digest Tue, 24 May 1988 Volume 7 : Number 13 Today's Topics: Help Sheet on Recent MS-Kermit 2.31-test5 22 May 1988 Code Extended ASCII with Kermit, For Kermit Developers Re: VAX/VMS Kermit "SET LINE" command Send digest submissions to Info-Kermit@CU20B, requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to Info-Kermit-Request@CU20B. Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order. On the Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host CU20B, CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU, or CU20B.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (a DECSYSTEM-20), as user ANONYMOUS, using any password, and GET the desired files from logical device KER:. You can also get Kermit files over BITNET/EARN; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV, the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA. For detailed instructions, read the file KER:AANETW.HLP (AANETW HLP on KERMSRV). To order by mail, request a complete list of Kermit versions and an order form from Kermit Distribution, Columbia University Center for Computing Activities, 612 West 115th Street, New York, NY 10025 USA. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 22 May 88 21:08 MDT From: (Joe Doupnik) Subject: Help Sheet on Recent MS-Kermit 2.31-test5 22 May 1988 Code Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 2.31-test5 The following MSTIBM.BOO, 2.31-test5 22 May 1987, corrects some problems and adds some new features. A quick update on a new script feature, long overdue. Now present are the new commands: IF [NOT] {SUCCESS | FAILURE | ALARM | COUNT | DEFINED | ERRORLEVEL | EXIST} GOTO [:]