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From: alfter@nevada.edu (SCOTT ALFTER)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Terminal Emulator Recomendations
Message-ID: <1991Apr26.165528.596@nevada.edu>
Date: 26 Apr 91 16:55:28 GMT
References: <22900001@hpsemc.cup.hp.com>
Sender: news@nevada.edu (News Administrator)
Organization: University of Nevada, System Computing Services
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In article <22900001@hpsemc.cup.hp.com> jmorris@hpsemc.cup.hp.com (John V. Morris) writes:
>Any suggestions for terminal emulators on an Apple //e?  I'm a non-apple
>user who is attempting to help a friend...
>
>Ideally, the software would:
>  o Emulate a VT100 terminal

Kermit does this, and it's free.

>  o Support scripts for automatically logging on to remote systems.

Kermit doesn't do this, but ProTERM and Talk Is Cheap do.  In any
case, I wouldn't recommend using login macros or scripts with your
typical UNIX box; it's too big a security hole.  I only keep macros
for local BBSes; I feed the passwords to the local UNIX box and to
GEnie manually.

>  o Execute a script on startup.

ProTERM doesn't do this, but Talk Is Cheap does.  Overall, TIC has the
better scripting ability--and it costs less ($40 vs. $80).  TIC,
however, doesn't do VT-100 emulation.

>  o Be either free or very cheap.

Kermit is freeware.  TIC and ProTERM are both commercial offerings at
the prices given above.

>My goal is to give my friend a floppy disc that he can insert into his machine,
>and shortly thereafter he will be automatically logged in and reading his mail.

No telecomm program will run without some sort of initial setup,
including time to put any scripts together.  As I said earlier,
though, you probably shouldn't even bother with automated logins; it's
too big a security risk.

>Are there *good* public domain terminal emulators?

There aren't _any_ PD telecomm programs that I know of for the II.
There are some freeware and shareware programs, though; of these,
Kermit is probably the most reliable, if a bit difficult to get around
in.  (If you already know your way around the MeSsy-DOS version,
though, you'll find that the Apple II version is very similar.)

>If we need to buy a
>package, which is the most cost-effective?   

Depends on what you want to do.  ProTERM offers a wider range of
terminal emulations and is easier to use.  TIC offers a much better
scripting language and costs much less.  It's a toss-up between these
two, which are the most popular commercial Apple II telecomm programs.
(BTW, both TIC and ProTERM started out long ago as shareware, so you
might find older versions on some BBSes.)

>Also, I've assumed the 9-pin
>connector on the back of his //e is an RS-232 port.  If so, does it use the
>same modem cable as the IBM PC?

Nope--the 9-pin connector built into the machine is the joystick port.
If you don't already have a Super Serial Card (or a compatible), go
and get one.  It uses a standard 25-pin serial connector--none of
Apple's mini-DIN silliness as in the Macs and GS.

Scott Alfter-----------------------------_/_----------------------------
Call the Skunk Works BBS (702) 896-2676 / v \ 6 PM-6 AM 300/1200/2400
Internet: alfter@uns-helios.nevada.edu (    ( Apple II:
   GEnie: S.ALFTER                      \_^_/ the power to be your best!