Columbia University Center for Computing Activities INFO-KERMIT DIGEST VOLUME 13 Christine M. Gianone, Editor January - June 1991 Table of Contents Volume 13, Number 1 1 New Release of Apple II Kermit 1 New Release of VAX/VMS Kermit-32 2 Another Prerelease of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 Ready for Testing 2 New Update of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 for the Victor 9000 4 New Update of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 for the DEC Rainbow 5 Volume 13, Number 2 7 Last Test Prerelease of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 8 DEC Rainbow Kermit 3.02 Prerelease Available for Testing 13 Volume 13, Number 3 16 Announcing MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 16 New Version of XSEND for MS-DOS 23 New CP/M Kermit Files 24 Volume 13, Number 4 25 Announcing CP/M-80 Kermit Version 4.11 25 Announcing NEC PC 9801 MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 27 Volume 13, Number 5 28 New VAX/VMS Kermit-32 Available for Testing 29 New Version of Honeywell DPS-6/DPS-6000 Kermit 30 New Patch File for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 IBM Version 31 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #1 Page 1 Info-Kermit Digest Fri, 4 Jan 1991 Volume 13 : Number 1 Today's Topics: New Release of Apple II Kermit New Release of VAX/VMS Kermit-32 Another Prerelease of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 Ready for Testing New Update of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 for the Victor 9000 New Update of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 for the DEC Rainbow Updated Auxilliary Files for Kermit-370 CP/M Kermit version 4.10 Enhancements TOPS-10 Kermit Files Repaired Digest submissions may be sent to Info-Kermit@WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to Info-Kermit-Request@WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU or to KERMIT@CUVMA.BITNET. Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order. On the Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, a SUN-4/280 running UNIX (SUNOS 4.1), IP host number 128.59.39.2. Login as user anonymous (note, lower case), any password, and GET or MGET (MULTIPLE GET) the desired files. The Kermit files are in directories kermit/a, kermit/b, kermit/c, kermit/d, and kermit/e. Test versions are in kermit/test. Binaries are in kermit/bin (use ftp in binary mode). You can also get Kermit files over the BITNET/EARN network; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV, the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA. For detailed instructions, read the file kermit/a/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 Dec 5 09:16:51 1990 >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: New Release of Apple II Kermit Keywords: Apple II Kermit 3.87 >From Ted Medin, . Here is his description of the new release: 1. Decimal numbers allowed in lots of places. 2. Screen restore on "connect" for //e or better. 3. Kermit file attributes are handled. 4. Percent of file transferred where possible (file attributes required). 5. Lots of bug fixes (will we ever get the vt100 right :-) 6. Kermit protocol bug fixes. 7. Escape character "\" can be used in file names for file xfers. 8. Show volumes - (ProDos only) shows the prefixes of the online volumes. 9. Escape V - When connected will toggle cursor-keys-vt100. 10. Some vt102 printer codes are handled - don't expect much. 11. New driver for the Ace dual card. Thanks to Andy Tefft. Now for a list of credits for those who helped. I'm sure I missed someone so please accept my appoligies: Doug Ashbrook, Todd Bakal, Ralph Carpenter, Grant Delaney, Les Ferch, Paul Hirose, Steve Kunz, Ted Lee, Murphy Sewell, Andy Tefft, Dick Wotiz. (End Quote) Page 2 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #1 The new files are in kermit/a/app*.* on watsun.cc.columbia.edu (Internet) and they are available from KERMSRV at CUVMA (BITNET/EARN). ------------------------------ Date: Wed Dec 5 09:16:51 1990 >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: New Release of VAX/VMS Kermit-32 Keywords: VAX/VMS Kermit >From Jonathan Welch, a minor new release of Kermit-32 for VAX/VMS, version 3.3.128. The new release replaces version 3.3.126, and contains two corrections: a bug when transferring files containing print carriage control, and problems operating in non-interactive (e.g. batch) mode. The files are in the B area, kermit/b/vms*.* on watsun, VMS*.* on CUVMA KERMSRV. The file vmsmit.hex is KERMIT.EXE encoded in hex format, which you can convert back to EXE format using the VMSDEH program, also supplied in the same area. See the file VMSAAA.HLP for instructions. Thanks to Jonathan for keeping Kermit-32 alive! ------------------------------ Date: Tue Jan 1 20:37:42 1991 >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: Another Prerelease of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 Ready for Testing Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02, IBM PC Here are the changes since the last announcement, from Joe Doupnik's MSR302.UPD file. The new version is ready for testing in kermit/test/mstibm.boo in BOO file format, convertible to executable .EXE file using any of the kermit/b/msbpct.* programs, or as a directly executable binary file in kermit/bin/mstibm.exe. As usual, many thanks to Joe for his constant and devoted attention to this program. 94. Make several internal changes to the code for SET PORT TES, with no changes to user level commands. File msxibm.asm. 95. 26 Nov. Fix two problems introduced this past week: unwanted ghost cursor boxes in graphics emulation mode if character writing is opaque and the display is CGA or Hercules, and loss of \Knethold for TES. Files changed are msgibm.asm and msxibm.asm. 96. Another graphics terminal emulation fix for the case of using opaque character writing with monochrome displays when the characters do not start on a multiple of 8 horizontal PC dots. File msgibm.asm 97. Add a problem solver from Frank da Cruz: if Kermit times out waiting for a packet character to arrive then send an XON to the host, if such flow control is active, to free a host which might have received an XOFF as a stray line noise character. File msscom.asm 98. Add more flexibility to the REMOTE LOGIN command so that it can be stated on one line, particularly for Take files, and yet retain the ability to use embedded spaces in all three fields. To use embedded spaces surround the quantity with curly braces, {..}. An INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #1 Page 3 example is a username of "my name" and a password of "no show": REM LOGIN {my name}{no show} or equivalently REM LOGIN {my name} {no show} The account name is omitted in this example. Kermit will prompt for the items only if nothing is specified after the word LOGIN. File mssser.asm, done on 6 Dec. 99. Improve performance of the Novell TELAPI communications path. Command TELAPI between single Character and Line Mode depending on what Kermit sends, because otherwise TELAPI will send Kermit packets as a long burst of TCP/IP Telnet packets each holding one data character. This boosted the Kermit to Kermit file sending speed from 240 to 1990 file characters per second in one test situation (an 8MHz AT to a MicroVAX II using Kermit-32 version 3.3.126 and 1000 byte packets). However, because of the way TELAPI Line Mode works this gain is obtained only if the end-of-packet character on packets sent by MS-DOS Kermit is the default 13 (Carriage Return); other values will result in TELAPI using its method of a single character per Telnet packet. That is, when TELAPI is in Line Mode a Carriage Return is required to send its buffer. Second, side step a particularly slow TELAPI operation when receiving characters. This boosted reception from 240 to 1720 file characters/sec in a similar test. All changes are in file msxibm.asm. Done on 8 Dec 1990. 100. Add a finishing touch to SET PORT TELAPI to handle the case of starting a NEW or RESUMING an existing connection when the command is given. 101. By request, add additional Tek submode entry and exit commands of ESC 1 enter Tek submode from text emulator and clear Tek screen; ignored if Tek mode is disabled. ESC 2 exit Tek submode from text emulator; ignored if acting as a full Tek terminal (SET TERM TEK). Files changed are msgibm.asm and mszibm.asm 102. Make a couple small changes to files msxibm.asm and mssset.asm to ensure that changes to flow control take effect immediately rather than waiting for the serial port to be closed and reopened manually (by changing ports and changing back again). 103. Two small changes. Ensure received packet retry counter does not increase when any legally framed packet arrives, rather than considering only those in the current window. File mssrcv.asm. Add tiny time windows when the serial port interrupt routine can permit other interrupts to be serviced while it reads bytes from the FIFO of a 16550A UART chip. Previously interrupts were turned off during the entire read process. Improvments will be noticed only on machines already running in a nearly overloaded situation. This feature may be removed if any bad reports arrive. File msxibm.asm. 104. Add screen-clear command CLS to clear the screen at Kermit command level, especially for Take files and Macros (Control-L does it by hand). File mssker.asm, done 17 Dec 1990. 105. Add correction to file msxibm.asm to prevent sending an XOFF if the Page 4 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #1 communications port is inactive. Affects situations such as starting Kermit and saying DIR before doing anything else. 106. Remove item 97. At least one IBM mainframe Kermit objects to an XON when reading packets (however slowly it may respond). File msscom.asm, 23 Dec. 107. Add support for 132x25 screens with the new IBM XGA display adapter. Tnx to Bert Tyler at NIH. File msyibm.asm 108. Small correction in file msuibm.asm, IBM PC keyboard reader, to work around a PS/2 keyboard Bios problem with the keypad "5" key. 109. Ensure that during terminal emulation out going bytes of values greater than 9fh are not converted into 7-bit control form (ESC letter) under any circumstance. Only bytes in the C1 control code area may be converted. File msyibm.asm 110. Correct small error in identifying the transfer character set given in received attributes packets. Also, if an arriving file indicates a Transfer Character Set of CYRILLIC then force use of CP866 for that particular file and revert back to normal afterward. File mssrcv.asm And if the user manually selects CP866 then retain that setting around pushing to DOS. File msxibm.asm 111. During file transfers pressing either Control-Q or just Q sends an XON code to the other side, regardless of our flow control setting. This is to manually free a host blocked by a stray XOFF. File msscom.asm Joe has also written a capsule summary of the changes from version 3.01 to 3.02. It is available in the file kermit/test/msr302.doc, about 36K in length. Thanks again, Joe! ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 17 Dec 90 23:53:57 EST >From: "Joe R. Doupnik" Subject: New Update of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 for the Victor 9000 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02, Victor 9000 Kermit I completed a quick upgrade of the Victor 9000 (Sirius 1) Kermit material from version 2.29 to 3.02 and placed the files on ~kermit/test. I lack a Victor upon which to test these changes so we need to hear from volunteers. File mstv90.boo is accompanied by the three main source files msuv90.asm, msxv90.asm and msyv90.asm. The startup banner carries the date of 17 Dec 1990. Joe D. [Ed. - Thanks, Joe. Reports from Victor 9000 users would be much appreciated.] ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Dec 90 03:05:16 EST >From: Robert Weiner Subject: New Update of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 for the DEC Rainbow INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #1 Page 5 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02, Rainbow Here is the latest version of DEC Rainbow Test Kermit built from current MS-DOS Kermit sources in ~kermit/test. Nothing Rainbow specific new here. -Rob [Ed. - Thanks, Rob! Readers can find this contribution in kermit/test/mstrb1.boo (boo file) and kermit/bin/mstrb1.exe (binary).] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1990 Dec 17 14:56 EST >From: "John F. Chandler" Subject: Updated Auxilliary Files for Kermit-370 Keywords: Kermit-370, IBM Mainframe, CMS Kermit Two files have recently been updated. One is IK0VER.FOR, a comparison program which generates a difference file in the form of CMS-style updates: there was a sequencing problem in the output difference file whenever a matching stretch of exactly one card appeared in the midst of differences. IK0VER is of interest primarily to programmers on non-CMS systems who wish to send code improvements in a compressed and uniform fashion. The other file is IKCACT.ASM, the sample accounting exit routine for Kermit-CMS. Nothing has been changed in the way it works, but some new options have been added for recording the accounting information. Also, a note of caution: the punch option, as a quick examination of the code would indicate, does NOT work in an XA-mode virtual machine. Andre Pirard has signaled an intention to make an XA-mode version some day, but not right away. John [Ed. - Thanks, John! John has also sent in a set of Kermit-370 documentation files that contain "Fortran" carriage control in column 1, and that are fully paginated, with an index and a table of contents that make sense. These are available in the "B" area as IK*.LPT.] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Nov 90 18:28:30 EST >From: Mike Freeman Subject: CP/M Kermit version 4.10 Enhancements Keywords: CP/M Kermit As a result of an E-Mail discussion with Dr. Russell Lang at Monash University in Australia, I have made the following enhancement to Kermit-80 Version 4.10: when receiving or getting files, if a "disk full" condition is found, rather than aborting with no other action, the enhanced Kermit now deletes the file causing the "disk full" condition, complains to the user (which it always did) and sends an "E" packet to the other side to tell it to stop sending. These changes are in cpsker.asm, cpspk1.asm, cpsker.hex in my area, /uw/guests/freeman/. Except for bug fixes as a result of the test release, I believe this will be the last work on Kermit-80 ver. 4.10. Future enhancements will go into Kermit-80 ver. 4.11. After checking with Joe Doupnik, I've modified CP/M Kermit to take account of the SET INCOMPLETE-FILES setting when receiving files and a disk-full Page 6 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #1 error occurs. If SET INCOMPLETE KEEP is in effect, the incomplete file will be closed and kept, else it will be deleted. The user will still know that the transmission was unsuccessful as the "Failed" message will appear even with SET TERMINAL QUIET. The "E" packet will still be sent to the remote Kermit. This is the behavior before my last change except that under all circumstances, an incomplete file is closed (errors ignored), so that, if SET INCOMPLETE-FILES KEEP is in effect, an attempt wil be made to output the last buffer. -- Mike Freeman K7UIJ -- [Ed. - Thanks, Mike! CP/M Kermit users should continue to check the new files in kermit/test/cp*.* for updates. Reports and contributions continue to arrive from far and wide, showing that CP/M is still alive. When they have settled down, version 4.10 will replace 4.09 in the standard Kermit distribution.] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Nov 90 17:00:55 EST >From: Mike Freeman Subject: TOPS-10 Kermit Files Repaired Keywords: TOPS-10 Kermit, DECsystem-10 Kermit In Kermit Digest V10#4, I noticed that Chuck Bacon noticed that s had been inserted in the Macro-10 sources for DECsystem-10 Kermit in such a way that the Macro compilation was broken. Did Mr. Bacon ever get a corrected set of files to you? It would appear not as a cursory perusal of the ~kermit/b/ area shows you still have the chopped files (as I presume they came from Mr. Norstedt). In any case, I have sent you reformatted files to compile/load/execute properly on the DECsystem-10. The Bliss modules are unaffected. These sources also include my bug fixes also. Everything works correctly as far as I can tell. Ciao. -- Mike K7UIJ -- [Ed. - Many thanks, Mike! TOPS-10 lives too, eh?] ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #2 Page 7 Info-Kermit Digest Mon, 4 Feb 1991 Volume 13 : Number 2 Today's Topics: Info-Kermit Digest Delivery Last Test Prerelease of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 DEC Rainbow Kermit 3.02 Prerelease Available for Testing MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 in ROM on the HP Portable Plus Using the MS-DOS Kermit Terminal Emulator with PICK CP/M Kermit for the Ampro Little Board Digest submissions may be sent to Info-Kermit@WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to Info-Kermit-Request@WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU or to KERMIT@CUVMA.BITNET. Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order. On the Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, a SUN-4/280 running UNIX (SUNOS 4.1), IP host number 128.59.39.2. Login as user anonymous (note, lower case), any password, and GET or MGET (MULTIPLE GET) the desired files. The Kermit files are in directories kermit/a, kermit/b, kermit/c, kermit/d, and kermit/e. Test versions are in kermit/test. Binaries are in kermit/bin (use ftp in binary mode). You can also get Kermit files over the BITNET/EARN network; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV, the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA. For detailed instructions, read the file kermit/a/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: Mon, 4 Feb 1991 11:33:24 EST >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: Info-Kermit Digest Delivery Keywords: Info-Kermit Digest Many Info-Kermit subscribers report that they have not been receiving Info-Kermit issues regularly. Others report receiving two or more copies of each one. These problems seem to be caused by our local UNIX mail delivery agent, sendmail, and our postmaster is investigating. It is very likely that the enormous number and geographic dispersion of Info-Kermit subscribers is greater than sendmail ever expected to cope with. I would encourage those of you who subscribe to Info-Kermit directly to move your subscription to the I-KERMIT listserver on BITNET/EARN. You can do this even your mail address is not on a BITNET host. To do this, send e-mail to LISTSERV@CUVMA.BITNET containing the following text: SUBSCRIBE I-KERMIT where is your personal name, which can be in upper and lower case, contain spaces, etc. Once you receive a digest issue from I-KERMIT, you can send e-mail to Info-Kermit@watsun.cc.columbia.edu asking to have your direct subscription cancelled because now you are receiving the digest through LISTSERV. If you ever want to cancel your I-KERMIT subscription, send e-mail to LISTSERV@CUVMA.BITNET containing the text: Page 8 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #2 SIGNOFF I-KERMIT Users of Unix systems that receive the regular newsgroup postings can also read comp.protocols.kermit, which is simply a reposting of the Info-Kermit Digest to the Unix netnews network (how or by whom I have never known). Meanwhile, for those of you who are wondering which issues you might have missed, Volume 12 (July through December, 1990) had 7 issues (1 through 7). We're now in Volume 13 (Jan-Jun 1991), and this is the second issue. Missing issues can be retrieved from kermit/e/v12.* and v13.* on watsun via anonymous ftp on the Internet, or V12 * and V13 * from KERMSRV at CUVMA on BITNET/EARN. Sorry for the inconvenience, hope all is better soon. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 4 Feb 1991 12:46:58 EST >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: Last Test Prerelease of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 We're nearing the final release of the next version of MS-DOS Kermit, which up till now we have been calling 3.02. When it is finally released, the version number will be 3.10 to reduce confusion about test versions versus real versions. As of this announcement, development of this release is frozen. Please continue to send in bug reports and other comments, but suggestions for new features will be kept for a post-3.10 release. This message, extracted from Joe Doupnik's MSR302.UPD file, lists the changes since the last posting, in Info-Kermit V13 #1. Subsequent messages describe work on some of the non-IBM-PC versions. The files are available in the Kermit Distribution "test" area, kermit/test on watsun.cc.columbia.edu for anonymous FTP access on the Internet, and the T: area of KERMSRV at CUVMA on BITNET. They include: BOO File Documentation Systems Supported mstibm.boo msr302.upd,.doc IBM PC, PS/2, and compatibles mstgen.boo Generic MS-DOS mstgri.boo mstgri.doc,.hlp Grid Compass msthp1.boo msthp1.doc,.hlp Hewlett Packard 150 msthpx.boo msthpx.doc,.hlp Hewlett Packard 110 and Portable Plus mstrb1.boo mstrb1.doc DEC Rainbow-100 mstv90.boo Victor 9000 (Sirius 1) mstz10.boo mstz10.doc Heath/Zenith-100 The "boo" files are executable (.EXE) files encoded in "BOO" format, which can be decoded back into .EXE format using any of the MSBPCT programs that can be found in kermit/a/msbpct.* on watsun or MSBPCT * on KERMSRV. The non-IBM versions listed above are approximately up to date with the IBM version, but they lack many of the system-dependent features such as network support, international character-set translation, and others, but they do incorporate sliding windows, script language programming, and other system-independent aspects of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02. The non-IBM versions have not been tested in the current edit, although they were tested at earlier INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #2 Page 9 points in the 3.02 development cycle. Thanks to Joe Doupnik for his skill, patience, endurance, generosity, etc, in pulling this release together, and to other MS-DOS Kermit programming volunteers including Robert Weiner, Gary Stebbins, John Nyenhuis, Terry Kennedy, Bert Tyler, and many others, and to the hundreds or thousands of testers. Please report bugs or problems in this latest program edit to Info-Kermit or directly to Joe at JRD@CC.USU.EDU (Internet) or JRD@USU (BITNET/EARN). Joe's notes follow: 112. Add a feature suggested by John Klensin and Frank da Cruz, from C Kermit. New substitution variable notation \$(item) means replace \$(item) by the string on the right hand side of the line starting as ITEM= in the DOS Environment. Any word may be used for ITEM. The replacement will be empty if either the string or the item is absent in the Environment. Leading and trailing spaces and tabs are removed from the string. Examples: Echo \$(path) shows the string which occurs after "PATH=" in the Environment, such as C:\;C:\WP;C:\DOS. IF eq \$(video) CGA echo Upgrade to VGA will show the string "Upgrade to VGA" if someone has provided the line VIDEO=CGA in the Environment, perhaps by typing SET VIDEO=CGA or written there by a program. ASSIGN \%p \$(path) gives variable \%p the definition of the right hand side of PATH=. Semicolons occurring in \$(..) replacement strings will be treated as ordinary characters and will not start a comment. Comments starting with a semicolon are now restricted to ordinary Macros and Take files. Changes are in files mssker.asm and msscmd.asm. 113. Add variable \v(speed) to the list of substitution variables. \v(speed) is the ascii value of the communications line speed, in bits/second. It may be the word "unknown", without the quotes, if the value is not available, and it may contain non-numerical characters such as "." and "/" as in 45.5, 134.5, and 75/1200. Network connections will usually return "unknown". Changes are in file msscmd.asm. 114. Add variable "program" to the WRITE command and let it be variable \v(program). It is the string MS-DOS_KERMIT. Notice the underscore. Changes in file msster.asm. 115. Correct two keyboard related problems: reporting \v(keyboard) as 88 keys for such keyboards, and retaining the SET KEY {ON, OFF, LK250} state if an LK250 keyboard is requested (by this command) but is not present. Changes in file msuibm.asm. 116. Make small corrections to network-presence tests which previously said no-network if the net's interrupt pointed to segment 0f000h, system ROM. With the advent of memory mappers such as QEMM, 386MAX, etc holes in ROM can be filled by network drivers. The new test procedures allow networks to be detected in the ROM holes. File msxibm.asm. Page 10 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #2 117. Correct a problem with screen rollback storage when system memory is really short. An error in the code allowed storage (and a system crash) if the area were absent due to insufficient memory. File msyibm.asm. 118. Correct a presence signature of the STB/EM Plus board when changing between 80 and 132 columns, from Terry Kennedy. File msyibm.asm. 119. Correct a strange protocol problem. If receiving characters from an IBM mainframe host (or equiv) which requires use of a "handshake" character, typically Control-Q, and an end of packet character arrives prematurely then the bad partial packet is marked and delivered as a good one. Change in file msscom.asm. 120. Add code from Bert Tyler to manually set IBM XGA display boards in 80 or 132 column mode because (apparently) the first boards lack support in their Bios. File msyibm.asm. 121. Add command SHOW VARIABLES [\v([name])] which displays the strings associated with variables of the form \v(variable-name). Leading "\v(" and trailing ")" may be omitted. SHOW VARIABLE with no argument shows all variables; abbreviations are allowed here. Files changed are mssker.asm, msscmd.asm, msssho.asm. 122. Add 80/132 column support for the ATI VGA Wonder board, as a extended case of the EGA board. Tnx to Steve Wood. File msyibm.asm. 123. Permit abbreviations in \v(variable) phrases, such as \v(ver) rather than the full form of \v(version). File msscmd.asm 124. Correct a bug in the file receiver code which could reject a file if SET ATTRIBUTES LENGTH OFF were stated. File mssrcv.asm, done 16 Jan 91. 125. When the device holding the Session log (Connect mode) becomes full or reports an error during writing then put the error message on the status line, and suspend logging. Previously the error message was written on the main part of the screen where it could be overwritten or missed, and logging was reattempted every 128 bytes. Now logging is attempted again when reentering Connect mode. File msster.asm 126. Changes to \v(variable) area. a) Truncate the fractions of seconds field from \v(time). b) Add \v(ndate) which reports the date with all digits as YYYYMMDD for easier testing in scripts. \v(date) reports MM-DD-YYYY. c) Add \v(status) which reports the value of the Kermit status word; 0 is success, any other numeric is a failure. Most Kermit commands clear this word result before execution. The current values are listed below; "user intervention" may be added to other values. Condition Status Comment success 0 initial value for most commands send failure 1 includes OUTPUT and TRANSMIT commands receive failure 2 includes INPUT command timeout remote cmd failure 4 REMOTE command failed for any reason Take file failure 8 Take file not found general failure 16 many causes INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #2 Page 11 user intervention 256 usually by typing Control-C These changes also apply to WRITE statements. Changes affect most mss*.asm files. 127. Add two tests to the script IF statement. These are lexical comparisons between two words. The curly brace {..} operators are not usable here. IF LLT word1 word2 executes if word1 has fewer characters (after removing leading spaces) than word2, or if at the first character where the words differ word1 has a character occurring earlier (less than) in the ascii collating sequence than that in word 2. IF LGT word1 word2 opposite of above, for word1 longer than word2 or the first differing character in word1 occurs later (greater than) that in word2 in the ascii collating sequence. Combining these with IF EQUAL and the NOT modifier yields all logical comparison conditions, as shown in the table below. Case sensitivity of the tests is controlled by SET INPUT CASE {IGNORE, OBSERVE}, with IGNORE being the default; when case is observed uppercase letters are "less than" lower case letters. Lexical Test Kermit IF statement word1 = word2 IF EQUAL word1 word2 ... word1 != word2 IF NOT EQUAL word1 word2 ... word1 < word2 IF LLT word1 word2 ... word1 > word2 IF LGT word1 word2 ... word1 => word2 IF NOT LLT word1 word2 ... word1 <= word2 IF NOT LGT word1 word2 ... Changes are in file mssscp.asm 128. Speedup response of the VT300 terminal emulator to VMS SET TERM/INQUIRE, and correct SET DEBUG SESSION to not invoke packet logging. Files mszibm.asm and msscom.asm, resp. 129. Send an XON when opening the "serial port", to free a host blocked by an XOFF from whatever cause. Correct REINPUT not timing out automatically if the history buffer is full and a string match is not found. Files msxibm.asm and mssscp.asm, resp. 25 Jan 1991 130. For macros invoked while in terminal emulation mode, such as TERMINALS, PRODUCT, user defined macros, etc., make variable \%0 be the macro name. Changes in file msyibm.asm. 131. Add special feature of calling Macro ON_EXIT when Kermit is exiting to DOS (but not when PUSHing/shelling to DOS). The user needs to define the Macro and it may contain any commands but normally ones wanted to put the system back into a standard form. For example DEFINE ON_EXIT run cols80.bat,echo Goodbye from MS-DOS Kermit. Page 12 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #2 This Macro will be executed to switch the screen to 80 column mode when Kermit command EXIT or QUIT is given. Changes are in file mssker.asm. 132. Permit specification of the IRQ value of a UART serial port. The command SET COM3 has the new optional second field to hold the IRQ (2 through 15 decimal). Example: SET COM3 \x03e8 \2 The equivalent command for the DOS Environment would be C> SET KERMIT=com3 \x03e8 \2 If the IRQ value is omitted then an IRQ of 4 or 3 will be used for testing. In all cases, a test is run to see if the serial port responds with this port address and IRQ value. If it does not then the port is tested again at the given address but using IRQ 4 or 3. If that fails the port is assigned an IRQ of 4 for COM1 and COM3 and 3 for COM2 and COM4; PS/2 machines are assigned 3 for COM2..4. XT's and other machines based on 8x88/8x86 cpu chips can not use an IRQ above 7. BEWARE!! It is very easy to interfere with other equipment in the computer, such as your harddisk, if the IRQ is used by other boards. The hard disk on XT's uses IRQ 5, and on AT's and above it typically uses IRQ 14. Parallel printers rarely use IRQs so by swithing off IRQ generation on the parallel port(s) one may recover IRQ 7 and 5 (AT's). Check carefully before experimenting. You use this facility only at your own risk. Changes are in file mssset.asm and msxibm.asm. [Ed. - Notice -- this item was added only reluctantly by Joe, in response to hundreds of requests for from those who have strange setups for their serial ports -- nonstandard boards, unusual mixtures of serial devices, etc etc. Joe's (and our) advice is to use Kermit's IRQ-setting option only as a last resort. It's much better and safer to try to rearrange your equipment configuration to use a standard IRQ of 3 or 4 for all serial ports. Nevertheless, it is important that those of you who have been requesting the ability to specify your own IRQ test this feature and report back as quickly as possible, good or bad. Thanks!] 133. Change name of \v(path) and WRITE PATH to be \v(directory) and WRITE DIRECTORY, respectively, to avoid possible confusion with the PATH= clause in the DOS Environment. Files msscmd.asm and msster.asm. 134. Small revisions to keep CTTY COMn happy. Shut down the serial port when at the Kermit prompt to let DOS style i/o have a chance at the serial communications line. File mssker.asm. 135. Reduce the WRITE command to syntax of WRITE text. Date and time etc are available via variables \v(date) and so on. Now the script input-buffer is displayed as part of the command SHOW SCRIPT. Files msssho.asm and msster.asm. INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #2 Page 13 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Jan 91 02:43:04 EST >From: Robert Weiner Subject: DEC Rainbow Kermit 3.02 Prerelease Available for Testing Keywords: Rainbow, DEC Rainbow, MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 Here's the latest release of DEC Rainbow 100 MS-Kermit version 3.02 dev 27-Jan-1991 built from the current source on watsun in ~kermit/test/mss*. This brings the Rainbow version in sync & up to date with the IBM PC version as far as the MS-DOS Kermit system independent parts are concerned. I haven't seen much (if any) feedback about the Rainbow versions. I'm using it on a Rainbow 100B with alot of memory and a V20 processor. I'd like to hear from someone who has used it on a machine with less memory, etc, or on a Rainbow 100A. I don't expect anything should have broke on a 'smaller' Rainbow, but who knows. This keeps the Rainbow version up-to-date with the current IBM PC version. There is now also some documentation for the new Rainbow version in mstrb1.doc. [Ed. - Thanks, Robert! The new files are in kermit/test/mstrb1.boo and .doc, with a binary version in kermit/bin/mstrb1.exe.] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 13 Jan 91 20:40:21 -0500 >From: nyenhuis@ecn.purdue.edu (John Nyenhuis) Subject: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 in ROM on the HP Portable Plus Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02, HP Portable Plus Joe Doupnik suggested that I pass along my experiences in installing MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 in ROM on the HP Portable Plus. Over the holidays, I had some fun with the HP Portable Plus. I got a ROM burner and put Kermit in ROM. In the Portable Plus architecture, it is possible to run a program form ROM. (The operating system puts the ROM starting at 9000:0000.) The idea is to have the code segments in ROM and to have the data and stack segments in RAM. To do this, I had to make a few patches to mssker.asm. Code like "mov ax,data" needs to be changed since it is not possible for MS DOS to make segment fixups at load time if the program is in ROM. It was also necessary to do the approximately 120 relocation fixes that arise from the two code segments. (I wrote a small Turbo Pascal program to do this.) I wrote a small loader program in assembler which calls Kermit 3.02. The loader program has the responsibility of setting up the data and stack segments, copying Kermit's data segment to RAM, and informing Kermit of the values of DS and SS. Kermit and the loader program fit in a pair of 27C512 EPROMS with about 35K to spare. Kermit in ROM makes the Portable Plus, which has no internal drives, stand alone. i.e., if you don't have an external drive, just use the Kermit from ROM to load your files. Since the program is run from ROM, Kermit will run on a Portable with as little as 128 K RAM. I am willing to be of help in supplying Kermit in ROM to HP Portable Plus Page 14 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #2 users. I can e-mail the source code and image files to the interested. For a fee (say $50) to cover the cost of EPROMS, shipping, and time, I can do custom burns and also include instructions on how to install the ROMs. (Please advise if this proposed service would cause a problem with Columbia's copyright on the program. I am deeply appreciative of the efforts that Joe Doupnik and others have put into MS-DOS Kermit and under no circumstances do I want to take unfair advantage of their efforts.) Any thoughts you have on distributing MS DOS Kermit ROMS for the Portable Plus are most welcome. [Ed. - John, you are most welcome to offer this service.] Also, I have passed along versions of MS DOS Kermit 3.02 for the GRiD Compass, HP 150, and HP Portable and Portable Plus to Joe Doupnik. (All are RAM based.) He said they would be put in /kermit/test in watsun. [Ed. - They are, as listed earlier in this issue.] Sincerely, John Nyenhuis Purdue University School of Electrical Engineering West Lafayette IN 47907 (317)494-3524 nyenhuis@ecn.purdue.edu ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 19 Jan 1991 13:12:22 EST >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: Using the MS-DOS Kermit Terminal Emulator with PICK Keywords: PICK, MS-DOS Kermit and PICK David L. Clark of History Database in Malibu, CA, USA, has sent in a document describing how to use MS-DOS 3.0 Kermit's VT320 emulator to access the PICK operating system in general, and the History Database in particular. This document includes detailed instructions for the PICK end, plus MS-DOS Kermit initialization files for the PC. This document has been put with the other PICK Kermit files in kermit/d/pickrm.vt (PICKRM.VT on KERMSRV), and in kermit/a/msipic.doc (MSIPIC.DOC on KERMSRV). Thanks to David for this excellent document. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 91 18:08:00 EST >From: Mike Freeman Subject: CP/M Kermit for the Ampro Little Board Keywords: CP/M Kermit Here are the system dependent files to adapt CP/M-80 Kermit 4.10 for the Ampro Little Board. The code was contributed courtesy of Jay S. Rouman of Mt. Pleasant, MI (dexter!jsr@sharkey.cc.umich.edu). He tells me that it works up thru 4800 bps and file transfers work fine at 9600 bps though the screen doesn't keep up (presume QUIET mode doesn't present a problem). I also submitted cpxsy2.asm with a comment fixed and cpaaaa.hlp and cpk410.ann updated to show CP/M Kermit support for the Ampro Little Board. There are also a number of bugs fixed: (1) leading white space in commands and keyword searches is now ignored INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #2 Page 15 (whether from keyboard, CP/M command-line or TAKEfile -- this was the original intent of the code but it didn't work). (2) A further fix to the "disk full" reporting code in CPSPK1.ASM per report from Russel Lang is hopefully the last. (3) A RET has been put at the end of OUTCONN in CPXNOR.ASM -- D.P.Arnot of Scottish Agricultural College in Auchincurive, Ayr, UK reported this. (4) Mr. Arnot also says the Amstrad Kermits don't work properly -- they put garbage in received files (4.09 didn't work, apparently, either). (5) The CPSCMD.ASM now zaps the entire fcb (in CMIL). This fixes a bug where the COPY command did not copy files correctly after one successful COPY on my HP-125. Re the Amstrad: Am trying to get more info -- don't have one here. Sorry for the continuing fixes but suggestions keep coming in. I presume this will settle down pretty soon! It's interesting to see CP/Mers come out of the closet. Ciao! Some bugs in Remote commands and in the Transmit comands are fixed (syntax for Remote commands is enforced more) and the 8K buffer is used for the COPY, TYPE and PRINT commands (the big buffer). I hadn't intended to submit the TYPE and COPY changes but had these bug fixes to put in so thought I'd put these enhancements in also. [Ed. - The new files are in kermit/test/cp*.* on watsun and in T:CP* * on CUVMA.] ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest Page 16 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #3 Info-Kermit Digest Tue, 19 Mar 1991 Volume 13 : Number 3 Today's Topics: Announcing MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 New Version of XSEND for MS-DOS New CP/M Kermit Files Digest submissions may be sent to Info-Kermit@WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to Info-Kermit-Request@WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU or to KERMIT@CUVMA.BITNET. Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order. On the Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, a SUN-4/280 running UNIX (SUNOS 4.1), IP host number 128.59.39.2. Login as user anonymous (note, lower case), any password, and GET or MGET (MULTIPLE GET) the desired files. The Kermit files are in directories kermit/a, kermit/b, kermit/c, kermit/d, and kermit/e. Test versions are in kermit/test. Binaries are in kermit/bin (use ftp in binary mode). You can also get Kermit files over the BITNET/EARN network; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV, the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA. For detailed instructions, read the file kermit/a/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: Mon, 18 Mar 1991 12:27:37 EST >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: Announcing MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 Keywords: IBM PC, DEC Rainbow, Grid Compass, HP-110, HP-150 Keywords: NEC PC9801, Victor 9000, Sirius/1, Heath/Zenith-100, Zenith-100 MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 is now available. Here is a list of its major new features; a more detailed description follows: . Support for Cyrillic character sets during file transfer . Automatic parity detection during file transfer . Support for full-duplex RTS/CTS flow control . User-settable serial port address and IRQ line . Improved and expanded network support . Text and graphics terminal emulation improvements . Improved printer control . Additional script programming functions and variables . Bugs fixed SYSTEMS Version 3.10 is available for: . IBM PC and PS/2 families and compatibles . DEC Rainbow 100 . Grid Compass INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #3 Page 17 . Hewlett Packard 110 and Portable Plus . Hewlett Packard 150 . NEC PC9801 (with Japanese Kanji/Katakana support) . Victor 9000 / Sirius 1 . Zenith / Heath 100 . Generic MS-DOS The non-IBM versions lack certain system-dependent features present in the IBM version such as network support, terminal emulation features (VT320 emulation, Tektronix emulation), and character-set translation, but they all include the basic file transfer mechanisms of version 3.0 and later: long packets, sliding windows, and so forth. MAJOR NEW FEATURES: Support for Cyrillic character sets during file transfer: SET FILE CHARACTER-SET CP866, SET TRANSFER CHARACTER-SET CYRILLIC (ISO 8859-5 Latin/Cyrillic). This allows Cyrillic text to be transferred with IBM mainframe Kermit 4.2 and C-Kermit 5A with correct translation to or from the various system-specific Cyrillic character sets. Languages covered by ISO 8859-1 and CP866 include Bulgarian, Byelorussian, English, Macedonian, Russian, Serbian, and Ukrainian. There is as yet no built-in support for Cyrillic terminal character sets, but this can be accomplished on Cyrillic PCs with SET TERMINAL CHARACTER SET TRANSPARENT plus user-constructed SET TRANSLATE INPUT tables. Automatic detection of EVEN, ODD, or MARK parity during file transfer (SPACE parity cannot be automatically detected). Reduces file transfer failures when using a 7-bits-with-parity connection when you have forgotten to give a SET PARITY command. RTS/CTS full-duplex hardware flow control is selectable with the new command SET FLOW RTS/CTS for smooth operation with high-speed modems, terminal servers, and other high-speed devices that support this feature. A new command for telling Kermit the address for COM ports 1, 2, 3, or 4, as well as their IRQ line numbers. IRQ values other than 3 and 4 can be used with nonstandard serial communication boards. Now you can adapt Kermit to just about any serial communications configuration. However, the PC hardware provides no protection against spurious IRQ values, so you must use the new IRQ selection feature with great caution (for example, to avoid accidentally interfering with your hard disk). New or improved network support: . Support for Novell's TELAPI TCP/IP telnet program via the new command SET PORT TELAPI . . Support for Interconnections Inc TES terminal emulation over Novell Netware to Netware-equipped VAX/VMS computers via SET PORT TES . . Improved support for IBM EBIOS / LANACS. Baud rate can now be set for ACS, server port name can be selected so REDIRECT program no longer needed, HANGUP and BREAK work with ACS. . Support for AT&T StarGROUP Asynchronous Gateway service (via EBIOS). Page 18 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #3 . Improved grouping of escape sequences sent by function and arrow keys. . Improved operation over slow network connections. . Networks supported now include: 3COM BAPI AT&T StarLAN / StarGROUP DECnet CTERM and LAT IBM EBIOS / LANACS Intel OpenNET NetBIOS Novell Netware NASI / NACS Novell Netware TELAPI Interconnections Inc / Novell TES Ungermann-Bass Net/One plus any BIOS Interrupt 14 interceptor for TCP/IP or other services New terminal emulation features: . Improved 132-column support. New command SET TERMINAL WIDTH {80, 132} allows you to specify the screen width from the keyboard, and Kermit also responds to host-generated escape sequences for switching screen width between 80 and 132 columns. Video adapters supported for automatic screen-width switching include: ATI EGA and VGA Wonder (NEW) AST, Dell, and other boards based on Western Digital VGA boards (NEW) AT&T / Olivetti Everex Viewpoint EV-659, FVGA-673, EV-678, Micro Enhancer Deluxe (NEW) IBM XGA (NEW). Paradise AutoSwitch EGA Mono (NEW) Paradise VGA Plus 16 (ROM BIOS 003056-xxx firmware) (NEW) Paradise VGA Plus (ROM BIOS 003056-xxx firmware) (NEW) Paradise VGA Professional (ROM BIOS 003056-xxx firmware) (NEW) STB VGA/EM (Tseng TVGA) STB VGA/EM Plus (Tseng 4000), VGA/EM-16, VGA/EM-16 Plus (NEW) Tseng Labs EVA board with 132-column kit installed Tseng Labs UltraPAK mono/Hercules with 132 column modes Video 7 Vega Deluxe with 132X25.COM driver installed and Video 7 VGA Other 132-column capable adapters are supported via automatic execution of user-provided COLS80.BAT and COLS132.BAT files. . SET TERMINAL CHARACTER-SET [ G0 [ G1 [ G2 [ G3 ] ] ] ]. The new trailing parameters let you explicitly designate a particular character set to one or more of the terminal emulator's G0..G3 areas. This is necessary, for example, for using an 8-bit character set in the 7-bit environment with Shift-In / Shift-Out. . The host may now designate 7-bit National Replacement Character sets to G0..G3 using standard ISO 2022 or DEC character-set designation escape sequences. . Key definition strings can now contain a mixture of keyboard verbs and INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #3 Page 19 regular characters. Verbs can be not only built-in \K verbs (like \Kbreak), but also names of user-defined macros (like {\Kmymacro}). . New command SET TERMINAL ARROW { CURSOR, APPLICATION } lets you switch arrow key modes manually. . SET KEY LK lets you tell Kermit that you are using a DEC LK250 keyboard with an external LK250 driver loaded. . New SET TERMINAL BELL option, NONE, tells Kermit to ignore incoming bell characters, rather than sounding them (AUDIBLE) or flashing the screen (VISIBLE). . Keyboard control sequences and strings are now grouped together in network packets. . Transparent printing is now done a line at a time, rather than a character at a time. . Improved coordination with DesqView during terminal emulation. . VT100 terminal type added. This is the same as the VT102, but sends the VT100 identification string in response to "what are you?" queries to prevent host applications from sending VT102-specific escape sequences such as insert / delete character. . HONEYWELL terminal type added. Same as VT102, but with built-in ENQ and other responses to mimic a Honeywell VIP7809 terminal. This allows MS-DOS Kermit to be used with Honeywell DPS-6 computers. (MS-DOS Kermit does not normally support the ENQ feature because it is a security risk.) . Terminal emulations supported by the IBM version now include: DEC VT52 Heath/Zenith 19 DEC VT100 (NEW) DEC VT102 DEC VT320 Honeywell VIP 7809 (= VT102 but with several VIP-specific features) (NEW) Tektronix 4010/4014 graphics with VT340 features NONE (allows external console drivers to provide other emulations) Tektronix graphics terminal emulation improvements: . Graphics-mode fore- and background colors now user-selectable via new SET TERMINAL GRAPHICS COLOR command. Separate fore- and background colors can be used for text screens and graphics screens. Graphics screen colors are now preserved after a clear-screen operation. . A text cursor is now available in graphics mode, selectable with the new SET TERMINAL GRAPHICS CURSOR command. . New built-in support of the Microsoft mouse for moving GIN-mode crosshairs. . The GIN mode crosshair cursor is now full-screen for increased visibility. Page 20 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #3 . Various BYPASS mode improvements. . Improved character placement and rendition. . Tektronix graphics are supported on the following display adapters: AT&T / Olivetti (in CGA mode) Hercules and compatibles IBM CGA, EGA, VGA, XGA and compatibles (VGA and XGA used in EGA mode) Wyse 1280x800, 1280x780, and 1024x780 models Printer control: . New SET PRINTER command lets you redirect printing to a selected file or device during terminal emulation, for example SET PRINTER OOFA.TXT (file) or SET PRINTER NUL (device). This applies to your use of the Print-Screen and Ctrl-Print-Screen keys as well as to Transparent Print and Autoprint escape sequences received from the host during terminal emulation. New file transfer features: . New command REMOTE PRINT to send a local PC file to a remote Kermit program and ask the remote Kermit to print it with the specified options (such as printer name, number of copies, etc). . New SET SEND DOUBLE-CHAR command, to cause the specified character to be doubled in outgoing packets. Useful for transferring files through PADs, TIPs, Honeywell mainframes, etc, that use a printable character as an escape and require two copies in order to pass one copy through. . New SET RECEIVE IGNORE-CHARACTER command, to tell MS-DOS Kermit to discard and ignore the given character when received during file transfer. Useful for getting around communications processors that insert line feeds or similar characters in the data stream, e.g. for "screen wrapping". . New REMOTE SET FILE COLLISION UPDATE command requests the remote Kermit to reject all incoming files that are not newer than existing files of the same name. . SET FILE COLLISION { OVERWRITE, RENAME, DISCARD } tells what to do when an incoming file has the same name as an existing file. . New REMOTE LOGIN syntax allows imbedded spaces in username, passwd, acct. . Pressing Q or Ctrl-Q during file transfer now sends an XON character to break XOFF deadlocks. New script programming features: . New IF commands added: IF LLT ("lexically less than") and IF LGT ("lexically greater than") for lexical string comparisons (IF EQUAL was already available), similar to IF <, IF >, IF = for numeric comparisons. Both forms may be used with NOT, e.g. IF NOT LLT \%a \%b ... INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #3 Page 21 . New PRODUCT macro, similar to TERMINALS/TERMINALR. Invoked when host sends CSI Pn;..Pn ~. If macro named PRODUCT is defined, it is invoked with its arguments set to the numeric Pns (up to 9 of them). Designed to let host applications invoke custom procedures on the PC, e.g. for VAX Lotus to automatically invoke a Kermit key mapping command file to set up the PC's keyboard for using VAX Lotus. . New CLS command to clear screen while in command mode. . New ON_EXIT macro, executed automatically (if the user has defined it) by the EXIT or QUIT command. Useful for restoring video modes, etc. . Built-in variables of the form \v(name) added to command parser, for use in script programs, TAKE files, etc: \v(argc) macro argument count \v(count) current value of loop counter (SET COUNT / IF COUNT) \v(date) current date dd-mm-yyyy, e.g. 08-02-1991 \v(ndate) numeric date yyyymmdd, e.g. 19910208 \v(directory) current disk and directory, e.g. C:\LETTERS \v(errorlevel) current value of ERRORLEVEL variable (SET ERRORLEVEL) \v(keyboard) IBM PC keyboard type: 88, 101, or (for LK250) 250. \v(platform) PC type, e.g. IBM-PC, DEC-RAINBOW \v(program) Program name, MS-DOS_KERMIT \v(speed) Current transmission speed (only for COM1..4) \v(status) 0 if previous command succeeded, nonzero if it failed. \v(system) MS-DOS \v(time) Current time of day, hh:mm:ss, e.g. 12:30:01 \v(version) Numeric program version, e.g. 310 for version 3.10. These variables can be used in any context in any command where a \%x variable can be used, except they cannot be the objects of DEFINE, ASSIGN, or ASK commands; that is, they are read-only. View all built-in variables with the new SHOW VARIABLES command. . Read access of DOS environment variables via \$(name), for example \$(PATH). . WAIT command now accepts modem signal names without backslashes: CD CTS DSR (for compatibility with C-Kermit), as well with with them: \CD, \CTS, \DSR. . New, more flexible WRITE command. Bugs fixed since 3.01: . Redirection of REMOTE command output has been fixed . Unwanted echo of path from CD command in command files or macros . REMOTE LOGIN operation fixed . Corrected operation of ASK operation if used within a macro . Corrected operation of SET LOG command within macros . Latin1 transfer character set identification changed from I2/100 to I6/100 . Serial port input buffer now cleared at start of a file-sending operation . Improvements in half duplex operation . Corrected calculation of screen rollback space for small and big memories . Corrections to character set translation tables . Corrections to VT300 UDK (user-defined keys) feature . Corrections to transparent printing Page 22 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #3 . Corrections to split/speed Xon/Xoff flow control . Corrected operation with remote servers that don't understand I-packets . Correction to print-screen operations with local-echo on . Various minor VT and Tektronix terminal escape sequence bugs fixed . PC disk i/o errors during file transfer now reported to other Kermit . Corrected recovery from disk-full errors when logging a terminal session INCOMPATIBILITIES BETWEEN MS-DOS KERMIT 3.10 and 3.00/3.01: Macro arguments are now "stacked", saved at each macro entry and restored upon exit, so that calling macro B from within macro A does not destroy macro A's arguments. Note: this changes the operation of the LOOKUP macro described in "Using MS-DOS Kermit" (1st edition). Variable \%0 now holds the name of the currently active macro. An INPUT command interrupted by keyboard activity now sets a FAILURE status rather than SUCCESS, by popular demand. You can use IF ALARM to test whether failure was because of timeout or keyboard interruption. The REPLAY command now allows screen rollback, dump, print, etc. At the end of the replay file, use regular terminal emulation keys (PgUp, Ctrl-End, PrintScreen) to invoke these functions, and use Alt-X, Ctrl-]C, or Ctrl-C to get back to the prompt. Previously, any keystroke would return to the prompt. BYE, FINISH, or LOGOUT commands that fail (e.g. because the remote server has these operations disabled) no longer behave as if they had succeeded. WRITE command has new format: WRITE . The may contain any Kermit variables, including \v(...) variables. CRLF is now supplied automatically at the end of WRITE and ECHO text. DOCUMENTATION: See FILES below. A new edition of "Using MS-DOS Kermit" is in preparation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Another collosal effort by Professor Joe R. Doupnik of Utah State University, with help from Merton Campbell, John Chandler, Frank da Cruz, Max Evarts, Mike Freeman, Hirofumi Fujii, Bo Gedda, Thomas Goerz, Brian Holley, Terry Kennedy, Ted Medin, Jason Merrill, Andy Newcomb, Dan Norstedt, John Nyenhuis, Bert Tyler, Robert Weiner, Steve Wood, Konstantin Vinogradov, Dave Zielke, and many others. Special thanks to all of you who participated in the testing period and sent in valuable reports and suggestions. NEW FILES: Internet anonymous ftp EARN/BITNET watsun.cc.columbia.edu KERMSRV@CUVMA Description GENERAL FILES kermit/a/mskerm.hlp MSKERM HLP Help file (plain text) kermit/a/mskerm.bwr MSKERM BWR "Beware File" (bugs & limitations) kermit/a/msr310.doc MSR310 DOC Detailed description of new features INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #3 Page 23 kermit/a/mskerm.ed MSKERM ED Detailed cumulative edit history kermit/a/mskermit.ini MSKERMIT INI Sample initialization file kermit/a/msihay.scr MSIHAY SCR Hayes modem dialing script IBM PC FILES kermit/bin/msvibm.exe (none) Executable Kermit program for IBM kermit/a/msvibm.boo MSVIBM BOO BOO-encoded .EXE file for IBM kermit/a/msvibm.vt MSVIBM VT VT terminal emulator summary for IBM kermit/a/msvibm.tek MSVIBM TEK Tektronix emulator summary for IBM kermit/a/msivt3.ini MSIVT3 INI VT-200/300 keyboard mappings for IBM kermit/a/msivt3.doc MSIVT3 DOC Documentation for MSIVT3.INI kermit/a/msgtif.doc MSGTIF DOC Documentation for TIFF file format kermit/a/msulk2.asm MSULK2 ASM New LK250 keyboard driver OTHER VERSIONS kermit/a/ms*gen.* MS*GEN * Generic DOS files kermit/a/ms*gri.* MS*GRI * Grid Compass files kermit/a/ms*hp1.* MS*HP1 * HP-150 files kermit/a/ms*hpx.* MS*HPX * HP-110 / Portable Plus files kermit/a/ms*ibm.* MS*IBM * IBM-specific files kermit/a/ms*p98.* MS*P98 * NEC PC9801 files kermit/a/ms*rb1.* MS*RB1 * DEC Rainbow 100 files kermit/a/ms*v90.* MS*V90 * Victor 9000 / Sirius 1 files kermit/a/ms*z10.* MS*Z10 * Zenith / Heath 100 files The ACT Apricot, Sanyo, NEC APC, DECmate, RMX, TI Professional, and Wang PC versions have not been updated. SOURCE FILES kermit/a/ms*.asm, ms*.h MS* ASM, MS* H Microsoft assembler source files kermit/a/ms*.lnk MS* LNK Linker command files kermit/a/ms*.mak MS* MAK makefiles for "make" All MS-DOS Kermit files have been removed from the test directories, kermit/test/ms*.* on watsun and T:MS* * on KERMSRV. The ".boo" files for each version are .EXE files encoded in a printable ASCII format, suitable for BITNET, e-mail, and other nontransparent modes of transmission. You can decode the boo-files back into .EXE files using any of the MSBPCT.* programs available in kermit/a/msbpct.* or MSBPCT * from KERMSRV. See msbaaa.hlp for details. For a detailed description of the MS-DOS Kermit file naming conventions, see the file msaaaa.hlp (MSAAAA HLP). ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1991 12:28:30 EST >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: New Version of XSEND for MS-DOS Keywords: XSEND, MS-DOS Kermit 3.11 The XSEND program (kept in the Kermit distribution as MSIXSE.*, originally Page 24 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #3 contributed by Mark Zinzow) creates a command file for MS-DOS Kermit to send an MS-DOS directory tree to another PC that is running MS-DOS Kermit in server mode. XSEND has been updated by an anonymous donor to use relative directory syntax rather than absolute directory names, so now it can be used to send directories from MS-DOS Kermit to a Unix Kermit server as well as to an MS-DOS Kermit server. And with appropriate command-line options, XSEND can also be told to create similar command files suitable for use by TFTP on the PC. Other new options are available too. The new files are: Internet anonymous ftp EARN/BITNET watsun.cc.columbia.edu KERMSRV@CUVMA Description kermit/a/mskxse.c MSKXSE C C-language source kermit/bin/mskxse.exe (none) Executable program kermit/a/msrxse.boo MSRXSE BOO Boo-encoded .EXE file kermit/a/msixse.hlp MSKXSE HLP Help file (plain text) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Feb 91 15:54:43 EST >From: Mike Freeman Subject: New CP/M Kermit Files Keywords: CP/M Kermit 4.11 The files kermit/test/cps*.* (.asm and .hex) contain my latest tinkerings with CP/M Kermit 4.10. These tinkerings have been fruitful: some code has been tightened up a bit, a couple of bugs in the TYPE command have been corrected and the mechanism for getting text to be passed to Kermit Servers via REMOTE commands has been simplified, allowing characters such as and "?" to be passed directly without having to type a "\"-prefixed octal number for each of those characters in order to avoid misinterpretation or inadvertent action by Kermit-80's command parser. The bugs in the TYPE command which have been fixed are: . The terminal screen was not always cleared before typing each file due to some terminals not reacting to s . TYPE did not always find the correct files and sometimes typed garbage or parts of other files (than the one(s) desired) when disks were reset. Also, TAKE-files no longer recognize semicolons as command separators (so commands like REMOTE DELETE *.*;* work correctly from TAKE-files), QUIT is now a synonym for EXIT and CONNECT, RECEIVE and SEND may now be abbreviated to C, R and S, respectively. In addition, the files cpxtm4.asm and cpvtm4.hex have corrected video codes courtesy of Lance Tagliapietra (he says they work). -- Mike -- ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #4 Page 25 Info-Kermit Digest Tue, 23 Apr 1991 Volume 13 : Number 4 Today's Topics: Announcing CP/M-80 Kermit Version 4.11 Patches for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 ROSCOE Kermit Announcing NEC PC 9801 MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 Digest submissions may be sent to Info-Kermit@WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to Info-Kermit-Request@WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU or to KERMIT@CUVMA.BITNET. Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order. On the Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, a SUN-4/280 running UNIX (SUNOS 4.1), IP host number 128.59.39.2. Login as user anonymous (note, lower case), any password, and GET or MGET (MULTIPLE GET) the desired files. The Kermit files are in directories kermit/a, kermit/b, kermit/c, kermit/d, and kermit/e. Test versions are in kermit/test. Binaries are in kermit/bin (use ftp in binary mode). You can also get Kermit files over the BITNET/EARN network; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV, the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA. For detailed instructions, read the file kermit/a/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: Mon, 1 Apr 1991 >From: Mike Freeman Subject: Announcing CP/M-80 Kermit Version 4.11 Keywords: CP/M-80 Kermit 4.11 Just to prove that the CP/M world still exists, here is CP/M Kermit-80 Version 4.11. Features added since version 4.09 include: o SET COLLISION {BACKUP/DISCARD/OVERWRITE/RENAME} o SET INCOMPLETE-FILES {DISCARD/KEEP} o Many REMOTE commands, including some REMOTE SET commands o RENAME command to rename CP/M files from within Kermit-80 o SET RECEIVE/SEND PACKET-LENGTH nn (nn <= 94) o SET AUTORECEIVE ON now implies that Kermit-80 ALWAYS tries to receive more files when a RECEIVE transaction has completed. o QUIT is now a synonym for EXIT. o STAY is now a synonym for SET NO-EXIT. o CONNECT, RECEIVE and SEND may be abbreviated to C, R and S, respectively. o Processing of commands from a file via a TAKE command may now be canceled by entering a Control-C at the console. o The TYPE and PRINT commands are now immediately canceled if a Control-C is entered at the console. If a Control-X is entered at the console, typeout/printout of the current file is canceled and typeout/printout of the next file, if any, begins. o Many bug fixes o Kermit-80 Version 4.11 now supports the Microbee family of computers (56K, 64K, 128K and 256K) manufactured by Microbee Systems, Ltd, Australia. Page 26 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #4 o Kermit-80 now supports the Ampro Little Board system. Technical changes: o An "I" packet is now tried before the request for files is sent in a GET command o The overlay address is now 7000H o The overlay (CPXLNK.ASM) has an added INCFLG variable to handle INCOMPLETE-FILES status o The COPY, TYPE and PRINT commands now use the large buffer (8K bytes default size) for file I/O Many thanks to those who have contributed bug fixes, and, in particular, to Mr. Russell Lang of Monash University, Australia, for contributing a bug-fix and the family file for the Microbee systems and to Mr. Jay S. Rouman of Mt. Pleasant, MI, for contributing the code for the Ampro Little Board. Thanks are also due to Lance Tagliapietra of the University of Wisconsin at Platteville for finding several bugs. [Ed. - And many thanks to you, Mike, for all the work you have put into CP/M Kermit over these past months! The new files have replaced the old ones in the Kermit "A" area: kermit/a/cp*.* on watsun (Internet) and CP* * from KERMSRV at CUVMA (BITNET/EARN). The updated manual is cpkerm.doc (plain text) and cpkerm.ps (Postscript).] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 11 Apr 1991 >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: Patches for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 Patches Several patches have been issued by Joe Doupnik for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10. They are in the file kermit/a/msr310.pch on watsun.cc.columbia.edu (Internet) and MSR310 PCH on KERMSRV@CUVMA (BITNET/EARN). This is a short text file designed to be read by MS-DOS Kermit when it starts up. It should be renamed to MSKERMIT.PCH and stored in the same directory as your MS-DOS Kermit initialization file, MSKERMIT.INI. To install the patches, include the command PATCH as the first command in your MSKERMIT.INI file. CAUTION: these patches should only be applied to the binary .EXE file for the IBM PC family and compatibles distributed by Columbia as MSVIBM.EXE (or decoded from MSVIBM.BOO). Do not attempt to apply these patches to any other version, or to a version you built yourself from the source files. The patches include: 1. Alternate video mode Orchid Designer Professional VGA board. 2. Remove CRLF from WRITE command output. 3. Make sure new NetBios sessions cancel old ones. 4. Omit sending flow control XON when first opening a session. 5. Correct errors in parsing { things braces }, and other fixes. 6. Correction to patch 5. 7. Cyrillic translation table corrections. 8. Fix for VT terminal emulator CSI parser initialization. Thanks to Joe for responding so promptly to users' bug reports! INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #4 Page 27 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 1991 Mar 29 22:04 EST >From: "John F. Chandler" Subject: ROSCOE Kermit Keywords: IBM Mainframe Kermit, ROSCOE, TSO/ROSCOE, MVS/TSO/ROSCOE Two new files, IKRKER.BWR and IKRKER.UPD, constitute the collection of all known tips, fixes, and workarounds for running TSO Kermit under ROSCOE. This is not what I would call a full-fledged new variant of Kermit-370, since ROSCOE Kermit is only slightly changed from "vanilla" TSO Kermit. Hence, installers of ROSCOE Kermit will still need to fetch all IKT*.* files and follow the instructions in IKTKER.INS with only a few alterations based on IKRKER.BWR. If further reports come in, I'll add them to the collection. Also, I would be glad to include code updates, especially if some user should feel motivated to add support for native ROSCOE files or other ROSCOE-specific features. John ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Apr 91 20:28:28 JST >From: Hirofumi Fujii Subject: Announcing NEC PC 9801 MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 Keywords: NEC PC9801, MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 This is to announce an upgraded version of MS-DOS Kermit for the NEC PC9801. It is up to date with the final version 3.10 sources, and it corrects a bug with Xon/Xoff flow control. Hirofumi Fujii [Ed. Many thanks! The new version replaces the old one in the Kermit Distribution A area.] ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest Page 28 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #5 Info-Kermit Digest Wed, 5 Jun 1991 Volume 13 : Number 5 Today's Topics: Kermit for Microsoft Windows 3.0 New VAX/VMS Kermit-32 Available for Testing New Version of Honeywell DPS-6/DPS-6000 Kermit Re: C-Kermit 4E(072) changes for IBM RS/6000 New Patch File for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 IBM Version LK250 Keyboard Driver for DEC VAXmate Kermit Files Moved Playing Dirty with Kermit Re: TCP/IP/Novell/Terminal Emulator for Wollongong MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 Key Map for Microsoft Word on SCO UNIX Macintosh Kermit Questions and Answers EMACS-Friendly Terminal Emulators for the Macintosh QTERM V4.3 for CP/M has improved Kermit support Digest submissions may be sent to Info-Kermit@WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to Info-Kermit-Request@WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU or to KERMIT@CUVMA.BITNET. Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order. On the Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, a SUN-4/280 running UNIX (SUNOS 4.1), IP host number 128.59.39.2. Login as user anonymous (note, lower case), any password, and GET or MGET (MULTIPLE GET) the desired files. The Kermit files are in directories kermit/a, kermit/b, kermit/c, kermit/d, and kermit/e. Test versions are in kermit/test. Binaries are in kermit/bin (use ftp in binary mode). You can also get Kermit files over the BITNET/EARN network; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV, the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA. For detailed instructions, read the file kermit/a/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: Tue, 28 May 91 12:00:00 EDT >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: Kermit for Microsoft Windows 3.0 Keywords: Microsoft Windows 3.0 Kermit Bill Hall has sent in a new release of Kermit for Microsoft Windows. You may have seen Bill's feature article on this program in January 1991 Microsoft Systems Journal: "Adapting Extended Processes to the Cooperative Multitasking of Microsoft Windows". The previous release of this program only works under Windows 2.0x. The new release is for Windows 3.0. Here is Bill's description: "A version of Kermit for Microsoft Windows 3.0 has been made available for distribution by Columbia University. The complete package contains a Windows program along with documentation, fonts, and complete sources. The basic program, WIN100, contains a substantial emulation of DEC VT100 and VT52 terminals and a version of Kermit with enough features to perform reliable file transfer as well as act as a client to a Kermit server. INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #5 Page 29 "WIN100 has evolved from an earlier experimental version which has been available from Columbia for some time. This latest version has several new features: 1. Support for COM1 through COM4. 2. Improved font selection. 3. A wider selection of foreground and background colors. 4. Restricted scroll regions and origin mode. 5. Control representation mode. 6. Memory rollback. Currently, this is limited to five screen pages. 7. Redesigned dialogs. 8. Editing commands to move around the terminal window and through the rollback memory. 9. Substantial font support for the VGA including normal and bold fonts with both the Windows and DEC special graphics character sets, all in wide and narrow formats. Sources for the fonts are also supplied. 10. An optional 8-bit mode with support for some DEC 8-bit controls. 11. A complete set of Kermit REMOTE commands including GET, BYE, FINISH, LOGOUT, as well as remote file manipulations. 12. Enhanced user interface for working with REMOTE commands. 13. Local commands for listing and changing directories. 14. Dialogs for setting Kermit packet and Protocol parameters." The files have been placed in the Kermit Test area (kermit/test on watsun, T: prefix for KERMSRV) to allow for a period of public testing before formal release. The file names all start with the prefix "wk". Get the file "wkaaaa.doc" and read it first, then get the other files you need. Many thanks to Bill for this valuable contribution! ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1991 16:29 -0500 >From: Jonathan_Welch Subject: New VAX/VMS Kermit-32 Available for Testing Keywords: VAX/VMS Kermit-32 3.4 This is a test version of Kermit-32 with file attribute support. Its major new feature is support for Kermit Attribute packets, which let the file sender convey information about the file -- such as size -- to the receiver. The version number is T3.4.016. Use the command SET ATTRIBUTE ON to enable attribute support and SET ATTRIBUTE OFF to disable it at the local level. In this test version, ATTRIBUTE is OFF by default, so you have to turn this option on explicitly. Use the commands SHOW ALL, SHOW FILE, or SHOW PACKET to see the status of local attribute support. This version has been tested against itself and to a lesser degree against MS-DOS Kermit 3.01. I would like to know the results of additional testing against these and other kermit implementations. Jonathan Welch VAX Systems Programmer 100 Marcus Hall Page 30 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #5 Univ. of Mass. Bitnet: JHWELCH@umaecs Amherst, MA. 01003 Internet: JHWELCH@ecs.umass.edu [Ed. - Thanks, Jonathan! The new version is in the Kermit Test area (kermit/test on watsun, T: prefix on KERMSRV). The filenames all start with the letters "vms". Please try out the new version and report successes or failures, so we'll know whether to install it as the official release.] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 May 91 03:50:03 PDT >From: Frank Dreano Subject: New Version of Honeywell DPS-6/DPS-6000 Kermit Keywords: Honeywell DPS-6/DPS-6000 Kermit 2.01 Xref: Bull, See Honeywell I am sending updated HD6KER.C, HD6KER.H, and HD6PRI.C source files for the Honeywell DPS-6/DPS-6000 Superkermit. The new version number is 2.01. They contain the following minor fixes: Dec 1990 - fixed a long-standing bug in binary file sending...the spar() routine defaulted to a 'Y' in the 8th-bit quoting field of the send-init packet; this meant that Superkermit did not require 8th-bit quoting - a usually false assumption. Instead the classic Kermit prefix default char of '&' is now the default if no prefix character is received from the PC Kermit. Apr 1991 - implemented the 'remote space' command as a Honeywell 'STS -ALL' (status of all devices) command as MSKermit 3.10 fixed a bug in this function. This may be the last Superkermit update that you will receive as I am considering building a C-Kermit (5A) for the Honeywell DPS-6/DPS-6000. With the knowledge of 'C' gained while writing Superkermit as well as what I have learned about terminal I/O while porting the EMACS screen editor to the DPS-6/DPS-6000 systems, this seems possible. In fact, I have gotten all of the C-Kermit modules (for the beta test sliding windows version) to compile on a Honeywell computer and I am analyzing the requirements to build the system dependent CKUTIO.C and CKUFIO.C modules. I wish that I had only known about the C-Kermit Program Logic Manual sooner - I feel like I have found the Rosetta stone! This will be a 'spare-time' project so I will keep you posted. Frank Dreano Jr. [Ed. - Many thanks, Frank! The new files, hd6ker.c and hd6pri.c, are in the Kermit "D" area (kermit/d on watsun, or just refer to them by name on KERMSRV). If anybody else out there is interested in adapting C-Kermit 5A to new systems, the "Rosetta stone" and all the other C-Kermit 5A files are in kermit/sw/ on watsun (Internet access only, for now); be sure to contact us before you start! Work is especially needed for OS/2, Apollo Aegis, and Data General AOS/VS, for which supporting code is written, but out of date.] ------------------------------ >From: jw@pan.uu.ch (Jamie Watson) Date: Wed, 29 May 91 12:16:17 MET INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #5 Page 31 Subject: Re: C-Kermit 4E(072) changes for IBM RS/6000 Keywords: IBM RS/6000, C-Kermit 4E The following are the changes I made to Kermit version 4E(072), for the IBM RS/6000 running AIX 3.1, patch level 3003. These changes assume the use of the 'posix' serial line discipline, which is the default, and that the program will be compiled with 'cc', not with 'xlc' or 'bsdcc'. The RS/6000 specific changes are bracketed by "#ifdef _IBMR2", which is a symbol defined by the preprocessor phase of the RS/6000 C compiler. The command "make sys3nid" will compile everything appropriately. In addition to the changes which are acutally "required" to get kermit working on the RS/6000, I made one "convenience" change. The serial port can be selected on the command line with the "-l xxx" option; but if there is a modem present, the modem type must be defined before kermit attempts to open the serial line, in order to get it to use the O_NDELAY flag. I added a command line option of "-m xxx" to define the modem. Thus, kermit can be called with "kermit -m hayes -l /dev/tty12 -b 9600". Also included with these diffs are two small changes necessary for the RT/PC running AIX 2.2.1. These changes are bracketed by "#ifdef aiws", which is defined by that C compiler. [Ed. - Thanks, Jamie! These changes should tide RS/6000 users over until release 5A of C-Kermit comes out, which incorporates support for the RS/6000, your modem change, as well as support for many other new systems and many new features. Watch Info-Kermit for an announcement when the beta test version is ready. Meanwhile, Jamie's changes have been added to kermit/b/ckuker.bwr (CKUKER.BWR on KERMSRV).] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 May 91 12:02:00 EDT >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: New Patch File for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 IBM Version Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 The file kermit/a/msr310.pch (MSR310.PCH on KERMSRV) contains four new patches for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 (IBM version), from Joe Doupnik: 9. Prevent interaction between CONNECT mode and script session logging, and flush printer (PRN) buffer upon EXIT. 10. Printing while in Connect mode: if printer becomes not ready place message " *** PRINTER IS NOT READY *** press R to retry or D to discard printing" on the mode line and wait for a response. Retries will now not omit buffered characters. DOS's waiting time can be 20 seconds before it tells Kermit the status. 11. Permit implicit 80/132 column support for more video boards based on the Western Digital WD90C00 VGA chip. These include Paradise Professional and Paradise VGA1024. 12. Final corrections to the Latin/Cyrillic-CP866 translation tables. There is only one patch file. These patches have been added to the end of Page 32 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #5 it, so now it contains patches 1-12. To apply all patches to MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 (IBM version), transfer this file to your PC, put it in the same directory as your MSKERMIT.INI file (the directory should be in your DOS PATH), rename the file to MSKERMIT.PCH, and add the PATCH command to the top of your MSKERMIT.INI file. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 May 91 12:03:00 EDT >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: LK250 Keyboard Driver for DEC VAXmate Keywords: LK250 Keyboard Driver, VAXmate, MS-DOS Kermit >From Trevor Warwick, DEC UK, via Terry Kennedy (author of the LK250 driver for the IBM PC family), an LK250 keyboard driver for the DEC VAXmate. It is installed as MSULKV.ASM in the Kermit A area (kermit/a on watsun, refer to it simply by name on KERMSRV). There is a short description at the top of the file. Thanks to Trevor for the contribution! ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 May 91 12:03:00 EDT >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: Kermit Files Moved The following Kermit versions were moved from the "A" area to the "C" area on April 23, 1991, because the new CP/M release caused Tape A to overflow: Version Files Commodore 64 c64*.* Tandy Color Computer cck*.* Tandy Models 1 and 3 trs*.* Tandy Model 2 tr2*.* Tandy Model 4 m4k*.* PC Turbo Pascal Kermit qk3*.* ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 May 91 13:54:54 EDT >From: dashiell@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL (A. Kaniss) Subject: Playing Dirty with Kermit Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit, CDC Cyber Christine, Here's a little trick that can make the lives of those who have to log onto larger computers easier provided they're smart enough to decide to use kermit to do it. Situations arise when utilities that are on larger systems have complex access paths and you can't keep copies in your own directory on the system. A way around this problem such that when you want to use the utilities but don't feel like entering those complex paths each time you want them is to have kermit do it for you. INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #5 Page 33 Specifically for CDC Cyber-type systems a kermit user may want to use kermit on the system once they've logged on. Rather than enter the attach command at the terminal, put all of those attach commands into your kermit log-on script just before the CONNECT command. Also remember to put the output command before them and end each OUTPUT statement with "\13" (carriage return). Now remember to put the "INPUT /" command on each line following each output command to check on the output and make sure it happened. An example will serve best to illustrate what I've been talking about so far: output attach,kermit /un=system\13 input / output attach,ucsifm /un=userlib\13 input / connect When the connect happens all I have to type to start kermit is: kermit and all I have to type to start ucsifm is: ucsifm Jude ------------------------------ Date: 1 May 91 01:35:04 GMT >From: todd@pinhead.pegasus.com (Todd Ogasawara) Subject: Re: TCP/IP/Novell/Terminal Emulator for Wollongong Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit Network Support, Wollongong TCP/IP, Novell In article <1991Apr29.215557.10095@pinhead.pegasus.com> todd@pinhead.pegasus.com (Todd Ogasawara) writes: > I am using Wollongong's WIN/TCP for DOS to talk to my UNIX box from > a Novell network via Wollongong's WIN/ROUTE for DOS (this routes the > encapsulated TCP/IP packets within an IPX packet to get to my UNIX box). > The problem is that the vt100 emulator that is used by both the telnet and > rlogin software from Wollongong has a few problems and I would like to use > another terminal emulator. Wollongong allows you to use another emulator. > However, the software must go through interrupt 14. I don't have anything > that does that (Kermit, Procomm, etc.). > Thanks to the many people who set me sent e-mail telling me the answer to my problems. Good ol' MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 (which I already had) did the trick. I call Kermit from the Wollongong MS-DOS software using the command: telnet -e kermit hostname or a batch file containing the lines: Page 34 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #5 rlogin hostname -e -l username kermit and have: SET PORT BIOS1 in my MSKERMIT.INI file (along with my normal setup). Now everything works just fine. Thanks again to everyone who responded! Todd Ogasawara ::: Hawaii Medical Service Association Internet ::: todd@pinhead.pegasus.com Telephone ::: (808) 536-9162 ext. 7 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 22 May 91 22:32:20 EST >From: rdb@rand.mel.cocam.oz.au (Rodney Brown) Subject: MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 Key Map for Microsoft Word on SCO UNIX Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.10, Microsoft Word Enclosed is a key mapping file for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 for use with MicroSoft Word 5.0 on SCO-Unix. Word provides a limping mode to support the lack of Scan codes. Alt -> Ctl-A Ctl -> Ctl-C Shift -> Ctl-Z Function Key 1-10 -> Ctl-F 1-9,0 I use a TERMINALS macro on ALT-W to load that Keyboard, run a script to fiddle with the TERM variable, run word & send the PRODUCT escape sequence to reset to a standard keyboard mapping after exiting word. The following two lines in the /usr/lib/word/tcap file for the VT200 entry give the paragraph character, midline dots & other DOS standard Word characters. (Requires PARITY NONE connection) :Wa=\140:Wb=\145:Wc=\266:Wd=\142:Wf=\267:Wg=\151:\ :Wi=\253:Wj=\273:\ A better way of proceeding could be to set up the word tcap entry to use a standard Kermit keyboard mapping for function & cursor control keys, so that the Word extensions don't interfere with normal running & don't require separate loading. Rodney Brown, Co-Cam Computer Group ACSNet: rdb@rand.mel.cocam.oz.au [Ed. - Thanks, Rodney! Your key mapping file has been installed in Kermit distribution as msimsw.ini.] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 May 91 12:01:00 EDT >From: Christine M Gianone Subject: Macintosh Kermit Questions and Answers In response to hundreds of messages... Q: What is the latest version of Mac Kermit? INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #5 Page 35 A: The version we are distributing officially is still 0.9(40). There is a later version available in the kermit/test area: 0.98(63), but it is not officially released. It has one very serious flaw: MacBinary file transfers can sometimes cause files to be deleted from your disk. There is no documentation for any version since 0.9(40). Q: Does Mac Kermit 0.9(40) work on the IIci, IIfx, IIsi? A: There have been reports that it does not. Hopefully the next release will remedy these problems. Q: Why hasn't a new version of Mac Kermit been released in two years? A: The next release of Mac Kermit is in preparation. It's based on C-Kermit 5A, which itself is not released yet. As soon as a usable prerelease version is ready (pretty soon?), it will be announced for testing. Q: What are some of the features of the forthcoming release? A: Selectable fonts and sizes, cut and paste, printer control, international character sets, screen rollback, session logging, sliding windows, compatibility with newer Macintosh models and software, etc. Also, many bug fixes: using the printer port as a communication port, inverse video, MacBinary transfers, etc etc. Q: How does the "Print" menu work? A: In version 0.98(63), you'll notice the Print menu is dimmed. It becomes active when Kermit receives an ANSI printer control sequence from the host, such as ESC [ 5 i (begin transparent print) or ESC [ ? 5 i (begin autoprint). Q: Does Mac Kermit work under System 7? A: In version 0.98(63) -- available in kermit/test but never formally released -- communication works, file transfer works. The major problem is with its built-in VT100 terminal emulation font. This problem should be corrected in the next release. Q: How about a DIAL command? A script programming language? A: It is not clear yet whether these facilities will be available in the new version. They are part of C-Kermit 5A, upon which the new Mac Kermit will be based, but integrating C-Kermit's interactive prompt-and-command user interface with Mac Kermit's point-and-click style might prove too difficult. Watch Info-Kermit for an announcement when the first prerelease version of the new Mac Kermit is ready for testing. ------------------------------ Date: 2 May 91 23:54:52 GMT >From: tldavis@athena.mit.edu (Timothy L. Davis) Subject: EMACS-Friendly Terminal Emulators for the Macintosh Page 36 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #5 Over the past month I've received 11 replies to my question: What terminal emulators work well with GNU EMACS? I was specifically interested in using option as the meta-key instead of the ESC prefix, ability to generate all control characters (including cntrl-space, control-^, etc.), using the mouse for cursor positioning, and variably large number of rows and columns. I was pleasantly surprised by the result: 3 votes for MacKermit: does almost all I asked. 3 votes for VersaTerm/VT Pro, which would do everything given a macro packages such as QuickKeys 1 vote for MacLayers, which reportedly uses opt+command for META. I couldn't get this form of META to work. a high-bit stripper somewhere? 1 vote for "termyulator", which I haven't heard of before, but is supposed to be extensible via XCMDs. MacKermit does most of what I wanted, and more. I was wisely warned that my negative premonitions about MacKermit, based on an older version, were totally wrong. The latest MacKermit (version 0.98(62)) is MUCH improved, and is really quite versatile. With extended-length (1K) packets enabled, I get file transfer rates about equal to those of Zterm. And re: Emacs: The META key can be easily mimicked in "modifiers" by specifying \033 for as a prefix character whenever option is held down. All the "missing" control keys can be programmed as "key macros". Holding down option causes the mouse to create cursor-movement commands for mouse clicks. And, kermit correctly handles an increased number of columns. Best of all, it's free! Thanks to all who responded. Tim Davis (tldavis@athena.mit.edu) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 May 91 23:28:45 PDT >From: pallio.UUCP!dg@mis.ucsf.EDU (David Goodenough) Subject: QTERM V4.3 for CP/M has improved Kermit support Keywords: CP/M, QTERM As an alternative to Kermit 4.11, another CP/M program that provides Kermit support is QTERM. Up to V4.2 the Kermit code was very buggy, but it's been seriously re-worked for V4.3, and has several enhancements. The main features that the Kermit implementation provides are server access, type three block checks and long packets (up to 1023 bytes). The extended block checks were done to increase reliability of long packet transfers: using a type 1 block check on a 1K data packet is a bit too likely to let an error slip through. Server access is very limited: a regular send will send files to a server, since it wakes up when the Send/Init packet arrives. For taking files from a INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #5 Page 37 server, there isn't an initial I/Y exchange, it is assumed that the server had sensible parameters set before entering server mode. Against C-Kermit (4e-70) this worked well, but this was the only test bed available. Caveat Emptor when using it against other servers. It'll probably get the job done, but you may miss out on some of the neato features available. In addition, numerous bugs have been fixed up: there were problems with determining the high bit prefix character that would occasionally cause all 'Y's to be changed to '^Y's; also when repeat character packing was not being used, there were problems detecting end of file properly, just to name two. The source for all of QTERM will be published (it may already be available by the time this goes out), however it will probably only be useful for study. Since QTERM has a lot of other features (including a very full Xmodem implementation), the Kermit code makes heavy use of other capabilities in the program, so it would be very hard to pluck the Kermit code out for use in another program. However as an example of how to handle long packets and extended block checks it may prove interesting. dg@pallio.UUCP - David Goodenough +---+ IHS | +-+-+ .....!wet!pallio!dg +-+-+ | AKA: dg%pallio.UUCP@cs.sfsu.edu +---+ [Ed. - Since this is not a Kermit program per se, it will not be part of Kermit Distribution. Kermit users who are interested in it should be able to find it in the CP/M archives at SIMTEL20.] ------------------------------ End of Info-Kermit Digest Page 38 INFO-KERMIT DIGEST V13 #5 Index Page 39 Apple II Kermit 3.87, 1 C-Kermit 4E, 31 CDC Cyber, 32 CMS Kermit, 5 CP/M, 36 CP/M Kermit, 5, 14 CP/M Kermit 4.11, 24 CP/M-80 Kermit 4.11, 25 DEC Rainbow, 13, 16 DECsystem-10 Kermit, 6 Grid Compass, 16 Heath/Zenith-100, 16 Honeywell DPS-6/DPS-6000 Kermit 2.01, 30 HP Portable Plus, 13 HP-110, 16 HP-150, 16 IBM Mainframe, 5 IBM Mainframe Kermit, 27 IBM PC, 2, 16 IBM RS/6000, 31 Info-Kermit Digest, 7 Kermit-370, 5 LK250 Keyboard Driver, 32 Microsoft Windows 3.0 Kermit, 28 Microsoft Word, 34 MS-DOS Kermit, 32 MS-DOS Kermit 3.02, 2, 4-5, 8, 13 MS-DOS Kermit 3.10, 16, 27, 31, 34 MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 Patches, 26 MS-DOS Kermit 3.11, 23 MS-DOS Kermit and PICK, 14 MS-DOS Kermit Network Support, 33 MVS/TSO/ROSCOE, 27 NEC PC9801, 16, 27 Novell, 33 PICK, 14 QTERM, 36 Rainbow, 5, 13 ROSCOE, 27 Sirius/1, 16 TOPS-10 Kermit, 6 TSO/ROSCOE, 27 VAX/VMS Kermit, 2 VAX/VMS Kermit-32 3.4, 29 VAXmate, 32 Victor 9000, 16 Victor 9000 Kermit, 4 Wollongong TCP/IP, 33 XSEND, 23 Zenith-100, 16