Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!uwvax!rutgers!ucsd!ucbvax!lynx.northeastern.EDU!tmetro From: tmetro@lynx.northeastern.EDU Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple Subject: Re: The perfect telecom program Message-ID: Date: 7 Aug 88 22:03:54 GMT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The Internet Lines: 127 David Whitney writes: > Just posted the latest Z-Link. Keep those suggestions coming! After seeing this and knowing that there are at least three telecom program developers out there reading Info-Apple I thought I would add my thoughts on the subject. The software I currently use, and like, is AE Pro. Unfortunately it has been quite a while since it was updated and it is lacking in features in comparison to the newer packages. Andy writes: > I'm looking for a really good communications program. Right now, I use > 3 or 4 different ones, depending on what i'm doing, because each has > its specific strengths and weaknesses. I too have this problem. Mostly because AE is lacking Kermit, VT100, and a good editor. > Here are the features I'm looking for: ...and I would also like to see: > -Really good VT100 emulation > -Ascii, xmodem, ymodem, zmodem file transfer In particular I'd like to see AE Pro compatable Xmodem, Ymodem batch, Kermit Binary II (maybe even BLU style with squeezing) and possibly Morgan Davis' Xmodem-4K. > -Easy-to-enter commands I like the format that AE uses. A prompt that can be brought up at any time to accept single character comands. I might like a command line interpreter style interface, providing it can be done alot better than Kermit's. > -macros Of the programs I've tried: ProTerm, Point-To-Point, CommWorks, TIC, and Zlink none have I really tried out the macros on. All were lacking features in some way so that I never purchased/got involved with them enough to test the macros. ProTerm, I think, is the only one that has a learn feature. I'd like to see powerful macros (which tend to be hard to learn - basically a new language) along with a learn command. This way new users can get started quick, yet have lots of potential once the user is familiar with the macro language. One particular feature I'd like to see in a macro language is better loops, simple math (for controlling loops), and variables (starting to sound more and more like a language - eh?). > -Ability to execute ProDOS commands A simple shell for ProDOS that could be entered/exited while online would be ideal. Also the option of entering a single ProDOS command without having to go to the shell (i.e. like many MS-DOS programs' shell feature) would be nice. > -Ability to run under DOS 3.3 or ProDOS or at least save files under either > system Ability to run under either system is unnecessary, but ability to save files under either OS would be useful. I think that was Smartcom's only feature. This is becomming less and less important as fewer people are using and transfering DOS 3.3 files. > -should quit to DOS (kermit does this... i hate the 'enter prefix') Thats BASIC, not DOS. I like a normal quit just fine. Try using 'Squirt' or a similar program to avoid 'enter prefix'. > And of course all the normal modem pgm stuff, like sending breaks, a copy > buffer, auto linefeed selection, etc. I'd also like to see scrollback and a full screen editor. I would be interested to see a telecom program that incorporated FredWriter (or a similar editor) as the copy buffer editor. Auto-linefeed selection? Thats new to me. Lazlo Nibble writes: > I use ProTERM. Yes, I know it isn't shareware, but I think it's worth the > price: The bigest thing I don't like about ProTerm (when used with a Hayes compatable) is its attempt to control the modem (which I have heard doesn't always work with all modems at all speeds.) I would much prefer to have direct connection to the modem at all times when off line (as in AE) and use macros for setting up the modem and dialing. In particular I found ProTerm to be very resistant to exiting and entering while still online. ("Error: can't initialize the modem.") > * It handles file transfers in ASCII, Xmodem (vanilla, DOS, and ProDOS > flavors), Ymodem, Kermit, and Transit, and does them in file, batch, > Binary II, or disk (DDD/PBH compatible) format either uploading or > downloading. The only thing I wish it had is Zmodem. The ability to send a disk and/or use DDD/PBH format packing would be useful. > * Easy access to ProDOS commands (copy files, rename, format disk, delete > files, create subdir, easy directory traversal, etc.) Easy directory traversal would be a definite plus. AE is probably the worst program for dealing with ProDOS directories. Under certain conditions with AE there is no way to find out the volume name of a floppy disk without exiting the program. It lacks any sort of an 'online' command. > * Views and prints TXT and APW files An APW option wouldn't hurt, but not necessary. If AppleWorks was designed properly it would have been alot easier to import/export text files to it. > you can't access /RAM (it uses 44K for a copy/edit buffer and the rest for > scrollback, up to your full capacity, whether you like it or not :-(). Obviously all of this is going to take alot of memory. It should certainly use up 128K, if needed, for all the features, but it shouldn't go beyond that (for editing or scrollback) unless the user configures it to. To recap the major features that I'd like to see: o Powerful macros (at least as good as AE's) o Scrollback o Full screen editor o No "smart" modem control o Protocols: Xmodem(AE), Ymodem, Kermit, Binary II formatting. o VT100 emulation If one of you developers could provide a program like this I would be more than happy to pay a shareware or commercial fee for the product. The availability of source code (at an additional fee) would certainly be nice too. If any of the developers want more details on the suggestions - feel free to Email. ___________ ./ Tom Metro \_____________________________________________________________. | _ _ | | INET: tmetro@pro-angmar.uucp --/\/\_| |_| '- DigiTell, Inc. | | ARPA: crash!pnet01!pro-angmar!tmetro@nosc.mil Newton, MA | | UUCP: [ihnp4 sdcsvax nosc]!crash!pnet01!pro%angmar!tmetro | |_Alternate: tmetro@lynx.northeastern.edu__________________________________| "I think I was kidding" - Reagan