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From: dob@ihuxj.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.info-terms
Subject: What is the *best* terminal to use with UNIX?
Message-ID: <368@ihuxj.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Jan-84 18:23:03 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxj.368
Posted: Wed Jan 18 18:23:03 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 20-Jan-84 01:06:10 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 71

I have been given the luxury of acquiring a new terminal and
modem  to  use on UNIX. So my question to the experts on the
net  is  this:	What is the best terminal (and modem) to use
for accessing UNIX and it's visually oriented tools.

My  only  experience  to  date	with ascii terminals on UNIX
include  the  ADM-3a  and  5  and  the IBM-PC running KERMIT
(which	is, among other things, a VT52 emulator). Also, I am
a  recent  convert  from  using  the IBM 3278 (43 lines X 79
characters)  terminal connected  to a 370 system running the
TSS/370 operating system.

Even  with  this  limited experience,  I have developed some
strong	likes and dislikes, and so I will temper my question
as to the *best* terminal/modem by listing them.

(I  know  that	this  will  generate  a lot of discussion as
terminal likes/dislikes are, more often than not, a personal
choice.  So  please  mail  responses  to me and I promise to
summarize  and	post to  the  net  (that  is,	if I get any
responses.)

And now my list:

   * A	nice  keyboard with good tactile feel and *standard*
     layout.  I like the 3270-style keyboard and so like the
     IBM-PC.  The  ADM	5 is a piece of junk with keystrokes
     doubling,	quadrupling  (and  more!).  It's  layout  is
     terrible  with caplock in place of the control key. The
     ADM  3A,  on  the otherhand, was a fairly solid (albeit
     dumb) terminal.

   * Good character definition. (11 by 14 dot matrix?)

   * Programmable  function/soft keys. These must be able to
     transmit  arbitrary ascii text to the host. Programming
     the  keys	from UNIX would be a nice feature. Using the
     IBM-PC  with  a  keyboard	extender  like	PROKEY is an
     exceptional combination.

   * A	*standard*  terminal  that  *all* tools can utilize.
     Gosling's  EMACS  won't run on the 3A, and our system's
     termcap doesn't include the ADM 5. The VT52 is standard
     but somewhat dumb.

   * Sufficiently      intelligent     so     that     fewer
     characters/commands  are required from the host to "get
     the job done."

   * Detachable keyboard. ('nuf said!)

   * A printer (or facility for optional printer).

   * Display memory (virtual terminal sheet).

   * As far as modems, I like the HAYES SMARTMODEM 1200, but
     this is probably overkill if used with just a terminal.
     What others offer highspeed/low cost/nice features?

Thanks	for reading this long sermon on what I would like to
have  as  features on a terminal, but since you stuck it out
thus far, why not reply with your suggestions. Thanks again.
-- 
		
			Daniel M. O'Brien
			AT&T Bell Laboratories
			IH 1C-202
			Naperville, IL 60566
		
			....!ihuxj!dob