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From: trb@stag.UUCP ( Todd Burkey )
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Terminal emulation on ST (questions)
Message-ID: <244@stag.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 18-Oct-87 11:53:19 EDT
Article-I.D.: stag.244
Posted: Sun Oct 18 11:53:19 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 21-Oct-87 00:37:12 EDT
References: <319@uthelios.toronto.edu>
Reply-To: trb@stag.UUCP ( Todd Burkey )
Organization: Mindtools ST Access Group, Plymouth, MN
Lines: 31

In article <319@uthelios.toronto.edu> fieldus@uthelios.UUCP (Mike Fieldus) 
writes (about using Atari ST's as terminals:
>   1.  the relative merit of this idea
I personally think the ST makes a great terminal when hooked up to
either a VAX or an Apollo. You get an incredibly large 'buffer', local
editting when the host gets slow (or is down), and you can do your
local compiling of test routines on the ST faster than on the Apollo
(esp if your Apollo's are on a LARGE ring). Another nice feature is
that the ST has almost an exact mapping of keys to that of a vt102, so
you don't screw around with trying to remember that the GOLD key is
Shift F1 (as you do on the PC)...
>   2.  the possible (best?) emulator programs
Depends on speed. I like PC/Intercom when connected at 9600 or 19200
because it allows immediate pause (via the insert key<->scroll lock)
without screwing up the flow control. If you want more features, then
FLASH is nice (although PC/Intercomm's KERMIT seems safer and
cleaner). The feature of FLASH I use occasionaly is the editable
capture buffer, but FLASH is generally better for telecommunicating
than direct connect...(remember, personal opinion only...no flames).
Then there are a LOT of PD programs that you can try out...Simon's I
am sure you are familiar with.
>   3.  how one can read IBM PC disks on the atari.
If the PC disks are 3.5 inch then just stick them in and you are all
set (I move stuff back and forth between my Kaypro 2000 and the ST all
the time). If you have 5 1/4 inch and really, really want to read them
on the ST, you can buy a 5 1/4 inch drive for the ST for an incredible
amount of money (about $200) or you can add a 3.5 inch drive on your
PC for about $130 or so (much preferable).

 -Todd Burkey
 trb@stag.UUCP