Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!usc!apple!portal!cup.portal.com!Ordania-DM From: Ordania-DM@cup.portal.com (Charles K Hughes) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit Subject: Re: 40 to 80 Message-ID: <33420@cup.portal.com> Date: 31 Aug 90 23:33:26 GMT References: <88937@srcsip.UUCP> <33361@cup.portal.com> <27404@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU> Organization: The Portal System (TM) Lines: 37 Dale writes: > >> There are several ways to get 80 columns on your 800xl. Each way depends >>somewhat on what you want to do. >> The easiest way is to buy the XEP80 module. The XEP80 works with BOBTERM >... >> The next way is with 80 columns done in software. There are one or two >>terminal programs (they stink) that use this. Very few programs work with >>software 80 columns, mainly because it requires so much memory (8k). I have >>a good monitor, and software 80 columns looks terrible on it. > ---------------------------------------- > >What is the aesthetic difference between the XEP80 and software 80 columns? >My understanding is that the XEP80 uses the 320 X 192 graphics mode to emulate >an 80 X 24 text mode (just like the software method), so why wouldn't the two >80 column methods look identical? The XEP80 uses at least an 8x8 matrix for each character. This means the resolution is 8*80 or 640, not 320. That is the problem with the software only 80 column emulators. The 80 column emulators only use a 4x8 matrix for each character. Some look good, but don't work with anything, others look terrible. :) > >-Dale And for those others who took offense at me calling their favorite 80 column terminal program the pits, let me clarify - I was referring to programs that include at least Xmodem and don't just simply act as *DUMB* terminals. [Ascii capture is not sufficient to qualify as a non-dumb terminal.] As far as emulating a terminal type (VT100, VT52, whatever) BOBTERM stinks, but for downloading, calling, macros, etc all the 80 column (software) term programs stink. Charles_K_Hughes@cup.portal.com