GenericTerm version 3.2 Documentation by David D. Miller (C) 1992 David D. Miller The documentation is displayed automatically upon your first use of GenericTerm. It will not be displayed again unless you delete the GT.Setup file. You can read it at any time with your favorite word processor or text file viewer. The filename is GT.Docs. I encourage that you READ the docs before you run the program, because you will not only make sure your system is set up correctly, but you will also get many helpful hints for how to get the most out of GenericTerm. For this reason, you will be required to sit though the docs before the program will execute. (Be patient, and read well!) INTRODUCTION ------------ This is a terminal program for Apple IIgs that displays *and transmits* all of IBM's "wonderful" ASCII set, including those with codes below 32 (like the symbols for the card suits). It also displays ANSI, including color, so it is an almost perfect terminal for playing IBM doors. A major bug in the ANSI driver has been fixed since version 3.0, so it is now the *right* colors. A minor bug in the GS Serial Port driver has also been fixed. The problem caused the machine to lock up unless you had the control panel set just right. GenericTerm now overrides the control panel. This is STILL a prototype version, so it doesn't have any transfer options, or copy buffer, or anything. It's only a terminal. Future versions are planned, which would include these options. I have found lots of information on all kinds of things in the last couple weeks, so now basically it's just trying to find the time to write them into the program. Unfortunately, it's back to school time, so it'll be a while before you see another version come out (unless there's a lot of bugs [I hope not]). I found docs for ANSI music! It's coming soon... I have found limited information on protocols, and am still experimenting with those. If anyone reading this has any information on protocols, or on the SCC 8530 hardware registers, or knows where I can find it, please contact me; I need info on the SCC so I can get that bug out of the on-line indicator in the GS serial port driver (My address is at the end of the docs file). I am already working on some of those extras, and a newer version should should be out probably in March or so. I AM a college student, and most of my time has to be devoted to my studies, but that's the date I'm aiming for anyways. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ------------------- GenericTerm 3.2 requires an Apple IIgs (either ROM version) with a modem. The screen drawing is a little slow, but not anywhere *near* as slow as 3.0 was. The GS Serial Port driver (either printer or modem port) works very well, and I haven't had any problems losing characters with it. The DataLink driver works fine at 1200 baud, but in 2400, it loses a character once in a great while. It doesn't happen very often, so it's still worth using at 2400 baud. The main place it is noticable is on PCBoard's full screen editor. I'm working on a fix for that, but it may be a while... ============================================================================== WARNING: This is a TOOL-FREE program. This means that the Apple IIgs ToolBox was not used in any way to write this program. This should be of no consequence to you unless you have a RAM drive enabled via the Control Panel. Information contained in such a RAM drive may or may not be erased or damaged. (You risk the same using programs by FTA and any other TOOL-FREE programs.) (This is void at this point, because I am not using any memory outside of banks $00, $01, and $E1, which are never used by the RAM drive. I just thought I'd throw the notice in because I can guarantee that the next version will eat volatile memory and I thought I'd forewarn people.) ============================================================================== HOW TO USE IT ------------- GETTING STARTED To start GenericTerm, all files included with the file archive must be included in the same directory, with the exception of the one you're reading. Just run STARTUP. Or, if you unpacked it to a blank disk that also contains the files PRODOS and BASIC.SYSTEM, just reboot the machine with the disk in the drive. Because of a bug report (and I'm still not quite sure what the problem was) there is an alternate DataLink driver supplied with the program. If you have trouble using the DataLink driver that you selected at the Hardware Configuration screen, then follow these steps to install the alternate driver: 1. Get to a BASIC prompt. An easy way to do this from the Finder is to launch the GenericTerm Startup file, and press Control-C as soon as the ProDOS 8 copyright screen is shown. 2. Enter the following at the prompt: ]NEW ]DRV$="DATALINK2" ]SLOT=2 <-- Or whatever slot it's in ]STORE GT.Setup ]RUN Startup COMMANDING THE MODEM Once the title screen has been displayed, you are in business. Since the program is nothing but a terminal, you will have to use the modem's own commands to dial, etc. If you are using a Hayes Compatible modem, I can give you some examples. To dial, you type ATD###-#### where ##etc is the number you wish to dial. Optionally, if you want to specify pulse or tone, you may insert a P or T immediately following the D. To hang up, type +++(don't hit return), then wait until you are given the OK prompt, then type ATH (or use the Hangup command provided). For other codes, please see the manual for your modem. USING IBM's ASCII SET For the characters you are used to typing, just type them. For characters below ASCII 32, just type the Control character associated with it. For example a heart is CTRL-C, a diamond is CTRL-D, a club is CTRL-E, and a spade is CTRL-F. There are other characters, also, experiment and see what's there. There are no characters from CTRL-G to CTRL-M, those are still control characters. CTRL-{, CTRL-}, CTRL-| and CTRL-_ also have characters, so don't forget them. For characters above ASCII 127, hold down the option key, and press the key corresponding to the character you want from the lower half of ASCII. For example, if you wanted to type an upside-down question mark (ASCII 168), take that ASCII code and subtract 128 from it. Then take the resulting number (ASCII 40) and find the character that goes with it (the left-parenthesis). Then hold down the Option key (and the shift key in this case) and press the left-parenthesis. The upside-down question mark will be sent to the modem. Here is a short list of some of the commonly used high-ASCII codes: OPTION-( upside-down question mark OPTION- upside-down exclamation point OPTION-$ lowercase n with a tilde (enye) OPTION-% uppercase N with a tilde OPTION- a with an accent OPTION-CTRL-B e with an accent OPTION-! i with an accent OPTION-" o with an accent OPTION-# u with an accent There are many many more, but they are hard to describe without being able to display them in this text file, so you'll have to experiment, unless you have an IBM ASCII chart. I PROMISE you that version 4.0 will have an on-screen ASCII chart available for you. USING ANSI If you know the ANSI codes, just type them (ESC and all). If you don't, they're kinda difficult to explain, so I suggest you don't bother unless you can find a complete list of them. Leave that to the BBS's. (However, if anyone *does* want an explanation of them, there is a good text file floating around a lot of BBS's called ANSICMD.TXT that explains most everything. That's where I got *my* information.) GenericTerm also accepts the back apostrophe (`) as an ANSI command character for compatability with SLMR and other Off-Line Mail Readers that put a back apostrophe instead of an ESC code to avoid getting the ANSI stripped by most BBSes. APPLE COMMANDS Apple-W = Toggle Wrap at end of line (obsolete after fixing the bug in the ANSI driver, but it's still there if you should want it for some reason) Apple-R = Color-Reset: Resets color to white on black (also obsolete with the bug fix) Apple-T = Cycles through video emulations. Currently available: ANSI-BBS, TTY/None. The keyboard is not emulated at this point. You are still using an Apple IIgs keyboard, no matter what the emulation. Apple-D = Change duplex. Full, Half, Chat. Apple-B = Change baud rate. 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200 If you own a DataLink (internal), it will limit you to the baud rates available on your modem, but if you are using a GS Serial Port, you will have access to the full range of bauds. Just be aware that only the ones your modem is capable of will work correctly. Apple-H = Hang up the phone. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Apple-Q = Quit to ProDOS (returns to launching application) Apple-E = Exit to BASIC (GenericTerm tends to screw up BASIC during it's operation, so you may or may not get screwy results using this command) WARNING: neither of these commands hangs up the modem. If you quit or exit with the modem still on-line, it will stay on-line. This may cause a fatal error in some ProDOS applications, however, it is useful if you wish to switch to a different program without hanging up and calling back. HISTORY ------- This is a short history of GenericTerm Version 1.0 used the 80-column text screen and was a very crude terminal. (not released) Version 2.0 used the Double High-Res graphics screen and no longer scrolled. It was even more crude, except that it displayed high ASCII. (not released) Version 2.1 added a few enhancements, such as a cursor, and allowed it to clear the screen. (not released) Version 2.2 attempted (and failed) to install a ProDOS interrupt driver for the modem. (I think I had a problem with my DataLink) (not released) Version 2.3 attempted (and failed) to install a firmware interrupt driver for the modem. (not released) Version 2.4 back to constantly monitoring the modem... added the ability to transmit high ASCII. (not released) Version 2.5 Added an ANSI driver, and a 4K buffer to store characters from the modem in while doing time-consuming tasks such as clearing the screen. It Scrolls! Title screen added. Adds quit commands, so you can exit the program without rebooting. Changes the Init string so it will work correctly with Datalink 2400 modems. (Whew! lotsa changes!) This was the first version released as ShareWare. Version 3.0 Now uses the IIgs Super High Resolution graphics screen to display text in color! (Sorry IIe users) The ANSI "Clear Line Left of cursor" command now works. Version 3.1 Fixed a major bug in the ANSI color command: All colors work when they're supposed to now. Added boldface type. Added reverse type. Fixed a bug in the ANSI clear-screen command: now homes the cursor when it's supposed to. Added a status bar which displays the current terminal emulation, and the status of the Apple-W command, and the on-line state, and the baud rate, and the duplex setting. (Whew... what a run-on!) Added modem drivers for Super Serial Card and GS Serial Ports, making GTerm compatible with almost all IIgs's. Version 3.2 Fixed a minor bug in the GSPort driver. Added "`" as an ANSI command code. FUTURE VERSIONS --------------- As with any program of usefulness, updates are on the backburner... Future additions to this program include a copy buffer with an editor, file transfer options, a dial list, macros and several other key commands to replace having to command the modem yourself, on screen help with finding the right keys for IBM ASCII, and any other ideas you can come up with and send to me. Coming soon - Re-definable keyboard: Put those high-ASCII characters you use frequently someplace easier to get at. Also Coming soon - ProDOS 8 System file to launch. I understand some launchers other than the Finder don't like BASIC files, so I'm fixing up something they'll launch. BASIC was a Q&D way to go (Quick and Dirty), so it's obvious I was just trying to get the job done at the time. Now that it works, I can spend more time on details like that. SPECIAL THANKS TO: ------------------ For all her help with Beta-testing and distribution, I think Judy Stanuzsek deserves a round of applause. She was an invaluable help in making sure it all worked right and got where it was supposed to go (again and again and again). Official beta-testers: Judy Stanuzsek Pat Bolton Mike Nelson Special Thanks also to Patrick Lee, Mike Gates, Dane Beko, Roger Stanuszek, and Steve Breeding for helping me find information on the .QWK and .ZIP formats (yes, there's an off-line reader coming... someday). Special hello to Phil Treib for giving me friendly competition (he lives in the same town I do, so it hits closer to home... [pun intended]). WHERE TO FIND ME ---------------- This program IS shareware. Please copy it and give to as many people as you can, however to legally use it, you must, within two (2) weeks, send $5 with your name and address to: David D. Miller 3383 WINTERGREEN DR W SAGINAW MI 48603-1978 I'm a poor college student! Please pay me!!! Your small contribution will go a long way towards the costs I encurred writing this program, and will let me know that people want me to continue working to improve it. This will entitle you to free updates, and it would really help me pay for the long-distance bills and stamps from trying to track down some of this information. Please also give me the version number you have (I'll send you the most recent if it isn't) and whether you prefer to download new versions or if you prefer me to mail you a disk. If you have any suggestions for me, feel free to send them to that address or to any of the Mail addresses below. I hope you enjoy it! GEnie Mail ID: D.MILLER132 RIME Apple Conference: DAVID MILLER / PCRelay Node ID: CHARLIE I used to follow the ShareWare Conference also, but Charlie stopped carrying it. January 1992 ddm