PCjs Machines
Home of the original IBM PC emulator for browsers.
PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #679)
[PCjs Machine "ibm5170"]
Loading /machines/pcx86/ibm/5170/cga/1024kb/rev3/machine.xml...
Information about “IDEAL TERMINAL”
IDEAL TERMINAL (IT) is a VT-100 and VT-52 terminal emulator and a
full-service communications program.
Features:
~ Fast -- suitable for screen editing at 9600 baud
~ On-line help, including current macro definitions
~ KERMIT, XMODEM, and ASCII file-transfer capabilities
~ Wildcard file specs for KERMIT transfers
~ Auto-dialing/auto-retry for Hayes-compatible modems
~ Save and review screen images
~ Log to printer or disk
~ History of the most recent 16 screens of data
~ Automatic screen blanking, after 30 minutes of inactivity
~ Macro key definition and script files
FILE0679.TXT
Disk No: 679
Disk Title: Ideal Terminal
PC-SIG Version: S1.3
Program Title: Ideal Terminal (IT)
Author Version: 3.7
Author Registration: $20.00
Special Requirements: Modem.
IDEAL TERMINAL (IT) is a VT-100 and VT-52 terminal emulator and a
full-service communications program.
Features:
~ Fast -- suitable for screen editing at 9600 baud
~ On-line help, including current macro definitions
~ KERMIT, XMODEM, and ASCII file-transfer capabilities
~ Wildcard file specs for KERMIT transfers
~ Auto-dialing/auto-retry for Hayes compatible modems
~ Save and review screen images
~ Log to printer or disk
~ History of the most recent 16 screens of data
~ Screen blanks, after 30 minutes of no use
~ Macro key definition and script files
PC-SIG
1030D East Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1989, 1990 PC-SIG, Inc.
GO.TXT
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ <<<< Disk No 679 IT (Ideal Terminal) >>>> ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ To print the documentation, type: COPY IT.DOC PRN (press enter) ║
║ ║
║ To run the program, type: IT (press enter) ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
IT.DOC
IT
Ideal Terminal
Version 3.7 1/24/90
Copyright 1986,1987,1988,1989,1990 Harbaugh
This is shareware. I encourage you to share copies of
this program and document.
If you find IT of value and decide to use it regularly,
please register and send the fee of $20.
Upon receiving your registration payment, I will send you
one program update free of charge, and will answer questions
by phone or mail. I will occasionally send all registered
users a synopsis of program versions, and offer to send the
latest for a fee of $10.
Distribution is on 5 1/4 inch 360k diskette.
You may use the next page as a registration form. Please
indicate which version of IT you have, and where you got IT.
Thank you.
Donald G. Harbaugh
771 Blanchard Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
408 737-9130
IDEAL TERMINAL Registration Form
_______________________________________________
Name
_______________________________________________
Address
_______________________________________________
______________________ ________ ____________
City State Zip
I got IT (Version 3.7 1/24/90) from:
Bulletin board _______________________________
Mail-Order Shareware distributor
_______________________________
_
Friend |_|
Other _______________________________
Please send $20 to:
Donald G. Harbaugh
771 Blanchard Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 3
CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 INSTALLATION
3.0 OPERATION
4.0 THE SET-UP FILE
5.0 TERMINAL EMULATION
6.0 THE STATUS LINE
7.0 IT COMMANDS
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 4
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This is Ideal Terminal (IT for short), a VT-100 and VT-52
terminal emulator and communications program for the IBM PC,
PC-XT, PC-AT, and compatible computers.
To use IT, your PC needs to be equipped with version 2.0 (or later)
of DOS and an asynchronous communications adapter (COM1 or COM2).
IT works with both monochrome and color graphics display adapters.
With IT, you can use your PC as a terminal connected directly to a
main frame computer or other device, such as a prom programmer or
an in-circuit emulator. IT can also communicate via modem with a
dial-up host. IT auto-dials modems that are Hayes Smartmodem
command compatible.
IT is fast, suitable for screen editing at 9600 baud, even when run
on a 4.7 mhz PC.
IT can do file transfers between the PC and the host using two
popular error checking protocols (Xmodem and Kermit). IT can
also send and receive files unchecked to and from hosts that have
no Xmodem or Kermit services.
Other features of IT:
- Simple to install, only 4 files on distribution diskette,
including this document
- Simple to operate, with on-line help
- Retains history of session for instant review and capture
- Commands from session history may be edited and reissued
- Dialing directory for use with Hayes compatible modem
- Macro keys may be used to automate key sequences or dial
modems that are not Hayes compatible
- Set-up file may be used to set defaults, define macro keys
- Logging (capture) to disk
- Logging to printer
- Wildcard file specifications may be used in Kermit transfers
- Path search for set-up and dialing directory files allows
running IT from any directory
- Escape to DOS while IT stays resident, beeps to signal
receipt of data from host
- Screen blackout after 30 minutes of no activity to avoid
phosphor etching
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 5
2.0 INSTALLATION
IT consists of the following files:
- IT.DOC This user's guide
- IT.EXE The executable program
- IT.SET Set-up file
- IT.DIR Auto-dial phone numbers file
Print a copy of this user's guide, if you like, for reference.
Copy the other 3 files into a directory that is in your DOS PATH
command --- you do NOT need a copy in every directory where you
will use IT.
IT works with asynchronous communications adapters COM1 and COM2.
For modem hookup, follow directions supplied with the modem.
For a direct connection between the PC and a host (not a modem),
you may need a null modem or a cable that is wired as one.
Check your host's installation manual for terminal cabling.
If you want to make an RS-232 cable, you should know that IT only
needs TRANSMIT DATA, RECEIVE DATA, and SIGNAL GROUND. IT asserts
REQUEST TO SEND and DATA TERMINAL READY always. IT ignores
CLEAR TO SEND and DATA SET READY. IT ignores SIGNAL DETECT except
to display the time in minutes since it was asserted.
IT does flow-control using XOFF/XON characters in the data, rather
than using RS-232 signals. IT sends XOFF (ASCII 19) when there is
a significant backlog in its receive buffer, and sends XON (ASCII 17)
when the backlog is cleared. IT ignores XOFF and XON from the host,
except when sending a file in the ASCII or script protocol.
To run IT, simply type IT at the DOS prompt:
C> it
The screen will go blank except for IT version identification
at the top and a status line at the bottom. Note the baud rate
and comm adapter shown in the status line. Type ALT-B to change
baud rate and ALT-C to change comm adapter until they are set
properly. (ALT-B means hold down the ALT key and hit the B key,
either upper or lower case).
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 6
With IT there is no "connect" command, i.e. you are "connected"
the moment you run IT. All keys you type are sent out the
currently selected comm port, except for ALT keys and your
responses to the prompts that result from ALT keys.
Type a command to the host attached to the selected comm adapter,
and see if you get the right response. If attached to a
Hayes-compatible modem, type "ATH" then carriage return. You
should see "ATH" and then "OK".
If you get the right response, you can skip the rest of this
section.
If you see a garbled response, type ALT-V to select VT-52 mode
(seen in the bottom line) and try again. If the response is
still garbled, try selecting different combinations of parity
and frame length (number of data and stop bits) by making
changes in the set-up file. The following sections explain
the set-up file.
If each character that you type appears twice or not at all,
type ALT-O to change the full or half-duplex (echo) selection.
If you still do not get the right response, you may have a comm
adapter conflict, i.e. more than one comm adapter configured as
COM1 (or COM2). Read the manuals for your system and add-on
boards to identify all the comm adapters in your system. Make
sure that the comm adapter you want to use is the only one
configured as COM1 (or COM2). You may need to change jumpers or
switches on add-on boards, or even remove a board.
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 7
3.0 OPERATION
The complete DOS command-line format for IT is:
C> it [setup_file] [ALT-key]
where: "setup_file" is the set-up file name, and "ALT-key" is
the alt key to be invoked initially (as if you had typed it
immediately after running IT). More about alt keys in the next
section. Both setup_file and ALT-key are optional, and may be used
in any combination and order.
Set-ups for IT can be selected in an ASCII file. The set-up file
name is assumed to be IT.SET unless you use the setup_file parameter
on the DOS command line.
IT searches for the set-up file by looking first in the current
directory and then through the directories given in the DOS "path"
command. If the file is not found, IT uses the default set-ups
shown in section 4.
This gives you 2 convenient ways to set up for operation with
different hosts:
(1) Create a directory for each host, with a set-up file to match
(named IT.SET) in each. Run IT from the directory of the
current host, no command-line file name is needed.
(2) Create set-up files (in any directory listed in your PATH)
named for the host they are used with. Run IT from any
directory and specify the set-up file on the command line.
For example, you might have one set-up file named COMPU.SET,
and another named VAX.SET. You run IT from any directory
by typing:
C> it compu (or)
C> it vax
EXAMPLES:
C> it
causes (by default) a search for a file named IT.SET.
C> it compu
causes a search for a file named COMPU.SET. Note that the file
extension must be .SET and you don't need to type it on the
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 8
command line.
C> it alt-7
executes it and executes the alt-7 key as if you had typed it.
This option is useful when you invoke IT from a batch file such
as AUTOEXEC.BAT.
C> it alt-f10 compu
combines the two options on one DOS command line, they may be
in either order.
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 9
4.0 THE SET-UP FILE
The set-up file is an ASCII file that you can create and modify using
an ASCII editor such as EDLIN.
Here is the set-up file distributed with IT:
; IT.SET Set-ups for IT.
;
; Comments begin with ";"
; Case (UPPER and lower) is ignored.
; The active choice shown in this document is also the default,
; used if no choice is made, or if no set-up file is found.
;
; active
; choice: choices: meaning:
; ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~
com1 ; com1, com2 comm adapter
1200 ; 9600, 150, 300, baud rate
; 1200, 2400, 4800
8data ; 8data, 7data number of data bits
1stop ; 1stop, 2stop number of stop bits
noparity ; noparity, parity selection
; oddparity,
; evenparity
full ; full, half (duplex) echo selection
7bit ; 7bit, 8bit receive character masking
vt52 ; vt52, vt100 terminal emulation mode
del ; del, bs backspace character code
number ; number, arrow keypad mode
nowrap ; nowrap, linewrap screen wrap mode
tone ; tone, pulse modem dialing mode
kermit ; kermit, xmodem, file transfer protocol
; ascii, script
; Beep freqency, use "beep x", where x is 10 to 64000:
; beep 10 ; silence
; beep 200 ; high-pitched beep
; beep 50000 ; low-pitched beep
beep 32000 ; default
; Screen color definition, use "x on y", where x and y are:
; 0 for black 4 for red
; 1 for blue 5 for magenta
; 2 for green 6 for brown
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 10
; 3 for cyan 7 for white
7 on 1 ; white on blue
; Alt key assignments.
; Alt keys are used to issue IT commands. For example, alt-H
; (meaning hold down the Alt key while you type the H key) is the
; alt key assigned to the HELP command. When you type alt-H, IT
; displays on-line help on your screen. This help includes a list
; of the IT commands and for each command, the assigned alt key(s)
; and a brief description. There are 48 alt keys and 22 IT commands.
; The 48 alt keys are:
; alt-=
; alt--
; alt-A thru alt-Z
; alt-0 thru alt-9
; alt-F1 thru alt-F10
; Each IT command is assigned to one alt key by default (within IT).
; By changing this file you can add, delete, or change alt key
; assignments. You can assign none, one, or more than one alt key to
; each command. The only restrictions are:
; 1. You cannot change alt-H, it is always assigned to HELP.
; 2. You cannot change alt-X, it is always assigned to QUIT.
; The format of an alt key assignment is (two examples):
; alt-Q QUIT ; this assigns QUIT to alt-Q in addition
; ; to alt-X
; alt-C ; this gives alt-C no assignment, prevents
; ; you from accidently changing comm ports
; If no assignment is present in this file for a given alt key, the
; default assignment remains in effect for that key.
; Here are the default alt key assignments:
alt-W wrap ; change line wrap mode
alt-E dos ; enter dos temporarily
alt-R recv ; receive file
alt-Y hist ; view scroll history
alt-O echo ; change echo mode
alt-P logp ; change printer logging
alt-S send ; send file
alt-D dial ; auto-dial a modem
alt-H help ; display IT help
alt-K xfer ; change file xfer mode
alt-L logf ; change file logging
alt-X quit ; quit IT
alt-C comm ; change comm port
alt-V term ; change vt52/vt100 mode
alt-B baud ; change baud rate
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 11
alt-N mask ; change input char mask
alt-1 get1 ; view screen 1
alt-2 get2 ; view screen 2
alt-3 get3 ; view screen 3
alt-F1 put1 ; save screen 1
alt-F2 put2 ; save screen 2
alt-F3 put3 ; save screen 3
; Macro key definitions.
; Alt keys can also be used as macro keys. A macro key consists of a
; string (up to 246 characters long) that is sent, as if typed, when the
; assigned alt key is typed. In other words, you can type a single
; alt key, and IT will "type" a string of characters for you. Up to 40
; macro keys can be defined. Note that if the same alt key is used in
; more than one definition (IT command or macro key), the last
; definition in the file is used, all others are ignored.
; The macro string can also contain certain groups of characters
; beginning with backslash (\) for these special actions:
; \Axxx. to "type" another alt key, e.g. \Af1. for alt-F1
; Note the period, required to mark the end of the group.
; \B for comm line break
; \D for 1 sec delay
; \E for the escape character
; \N for carriage return
; \R also for carriage return
; \Sxxxx. to choose a set-up, e.g. \Svt100. for vt100
; Note the period, required to mark the end of the group.
; \nnn for any ascii char, nnn = character code in octal
; To send the backslash itself, use \\.
; The format of a macro key definition is:
; alt-XXX "macro string"
; Note the double-quotes around the string, they are required.
; It is ok to use double-quotes within the string. The entire
; definition must be on one line. Here are the macro key definitions:
; The following defines alt-F6 to be a macro that sets the terminal
; emulation mode to vt-100, sets the baud rate to 1200, sets the
; modem's "wait for carrier" register to 15 seconds, waits 2 seconds,
; and then types alt-d to bring up the dialing directory.
alt-f6 "\svt100.\s1200.ats7=15\n\d\d\ad."
; End of IT.SET
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 12
5.0 TERMINAL EMULATION
IT emulates a VT-100 terminal.
The VT-100 is a CRT terminal made by Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC).
The VT-100 has a mode of operation in which it emulates the VT-52,
another DEC terminal. IT supports both the VT-100 and VT-52 modes.
IT emulates most, but not all, features of the VT-100.
5.1 DISPLAY EMULATION
The VT-100 display has 24 lines of 80 or 132 characters. The PC
display has only 80 columns, and so it's not possible to show 132
columns on one line. Instead, IT "wraps" to the next line when
necessary in the 132-column mode.
The VT-100 has programmable tab stops, but IT only emulates the
8-column tabs.
The VT-100 has double size characters not possible on the IBM PC.
These are displayed in normal size and with normal spacing.
The VT-100 has special graphics characters that are emulated by IT, as
nearly as the IBM PC display font permits. However, six of these
graphic characters have no equal in the IBM PC font, namely the
2-letter characters: HT, FF, CR, LF, NL, and VT. IT displays a blank
for each of these.
Line noise or baud rate mismatch may accidentally cause IT to go into
the graphics mode (just as an actual VT-100 terminal would). When
this happens you see graphic symbols in place of lower-case alphabetic
characters. To correct this problem, select vt-52 emulation mode and
then vt-100 mode again.
The IBM PC has one more display line than the VT-100, and IT uses that
line (the bottom line of the screen) to display status.
The VT-100 can display characters in high intensity, blinking, reverse
background, and underlined. IT emulates all of these features on a
monochrome display, and all but the underline feature, which is not
possible, on a color display.
The slow-scroll and inverse video features are not emulated.
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 13
After 30 minutes of inactivity, IT blacks-out the screen to prevent
phosphor etching. Type any character key to restore the screen, that
keystroke is ignored except to restore the screen.
5.2 KEYBOARD EMULATION
IT uses the PC function keys F1 through F4 to emulate the VT-100
programmable function keys PF1 through PF4.
The VT-100 arrow keys are emulated as follows: F5 and F6 (both) for
the up-arrow, F7 for the left-arrow, F8 for the right-arrow, and F9
and F10 (both) for the down-arrow.
The PC numeric keypad is used for the VT-100 keypad. The PC keypad
asterisk (*) is used for keypad comma (,) and keypad plus (+) is used
for ENTER.
The VT-100 has two keypad modes, called NORMAL and ALTERNATE. The
terminal is initially in the NORMAL mode, but some host programs
command the terminal to go to ALTERNATE and then back to NORMAL
during the course of program operation. The terminal sends different
character codes for the keypad keys, depending on which of the modes
is currently active.
When in the NORMAL keypad mode, you can use the PC keypad in
either of the PC keypad modes: NUMERIC, or ARROW, as controlled by
the NUM LOCK key.
However, when in the ALTERNATE keypad mode, the PC keypad must be in
NUMERIC so that keypad 5 will be usable. Therefore, IT automatically
selects NUMERIC when the host commands ALTERNATE keypad mode, and
restores the original state when the host commands NORMAL.
Later versions of the VAX VMS operating system allow command line
editing, where previously typed commands can be recalled, edited, and
reissued. Using the ARROW mode, you can do VMS command line editing
using the PC keypad "naturally", i.e. in the way the keys are marked.
That is, the 4 keypad keys marked with arrows produce the same codes as
the VT-100 arrow keys. The Home key produces ^H (<CONTROL>-H), the End
key produces ^E, the Ins key produces ^A, and the Del key produces the
right-arrow code followed by the delete code.
The VT-100 terminal has both a backspace key (ascii 8) and a "del" key
(ascii 127), but the PC has only a backspace key. You can select
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 14
which of these 2 character codes you want the backspace key to send.
See section 4, set-up file. Typing <CONTROL>-H (hold down the control
key while you type the H key) can always be used to send the backspace
character code.
The VT-100 break key is emulated by both the SCROLL LOCK and the
<CONTROL>-BREAK keys.
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 15
6.0 THE STATUS LINE
IT uses the bottom line of the display to show status, prompt for
input, and display messages.
6.1 STATUS FIELDS
The status line shows the fields described below, left to right.
"ALT-H for help" is displayed to show you how to call up the help
display. At certain times, IT shows "<ESC> to cancel" here to tell
you that the Esc key may be used to cancel the current operation.
IT shows the keyboard caps-lock status, either "CAP" or blank.
IT displays NUM LOCK status (NUMERIC or ARROW) by showing an "N" or an
up-arrow.
The currently selected file transfer protocol (Kermit, Xmodem, ASCII,
or script) is displayed. If ASCII, a digit (7 or 8) is appended to
show the character masking choice from the set-up file. If 7 bit
character masking is selected, and if there are 8 data bits per
character, IT discards the most significant bit of each character
received. This selection has no effect on characters transmitted,
nor any effect during Kermit and Xmodem transfers.
IT shows the currently selected communications adapter, COM1: or
COM2:.
The currently selected baud rate (150, 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, or
9600) is displayed next.
IT shows the currently selected terminal emulation mode: "VT-52" or
"VT-100". This field blinks when the host has commanded the
ALTERNATE keypad mode.
"W" is shown when in the line wrap (132 column) mode.
"O" is shown when local echo (half-duplex) is on. In this mode,
keys typed are displayed on the screen in addition to being sent to
the host. If the host echoes characters received back to the
terminal, then the terminal should be in full duplex mode (no local
echo) to avoid duplicating each character typed.
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 16
"LOG" is shown when logging to disk.
"PRT" is displayed when logging to printer.
The time (in minutes) since CARRIER DETECT is shown. This is how
long you have been connected.
The current date and time are also shown.
When RECEIVING a file using Kermit or Xmodem protocol, IT shows the
current block number as "Block:nnnn". For Xmodem, the block size is
128 bytes. For Kermit, the block size is variable up to 96 bytes.
When SENDING a file using Kermit or Xmodem protocol, IT shows current
block and total blocks as "Block:nnnn/tttt". For Xmodem transfers,
tttt is exact. But for Kermit transfers, tttt is a rough estimate.
For binary files, this estimate can be quite low.
6.2 STATUS LINE PROMPTING
Some of the IT commands need additional information (such as file name),
and in those cases IT prompts for the added info in the status line.
You will see the cursor to the right of the prompt, where you must
type the needed info. In some cases, a default type-in is provided
for you, and to accept it you just type <CR>. If you want to discard
the default, you can use the DELETE key to erase it one character at a
time, or you can discard the whole default with the ESCAPE key <ESC>.
When you have typed the response to the prompt, type <CR> and IT will
do the requested function and restore the status line to normal.
Any time before typing <CR>, you can edit your response using the
arrow keys, Home, End, Del, backspace, tab, shift-tab, and <ESC>. The
insert mode is active at the start of each prompt. In insert mode,
characters under and to the right of the cursor are pushed right to
make room for each new character typed. Use the Ins key to toggle
between insert and overwrite mode. In overwrite mode, each character
typed replaces the one under the cursor.
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 17
6.3 STATUS LINE MESSAGES
IT displays messages in the status line in the same way as
prompts. Each message is announced with a beep, and is followed
by the prompt: "hit <CR> to continue". Here are the messages:
can't find IT.DIR
You issued the DIAL command, but IT could not find the file
named IT.DIR. Check path.
can't open IT.DIR
A disk error was found opening IT.DIR.
can't find: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
The wildcard file spec given for a Kermit send does not match
any file. Check device, path, and file name.
can't open: xxxxxxxx.xxx
The file name given for disk logging, sending, or receiving
could not be opened. Check device, path, and file name.
error logging to disk
Error writing to the disk log file. May mean that the disk is
full.
error receiving xxxxxxxx.xxx
error sending xxxxxxxx.xxx
Kermit file transfer has failed. May mean that the host
Kermit has timed-out because you were too slow starting the
transfer on the PC end. Try again.
error writing: xxxxxxxx.xxx
Error writing the file being received. May mean that the disk
is full.
host error: xxxxx
Kermit file transfer has been aborted by the host for the
reason xxxxx.
no scroll history
There is not enough free memory to keep scroll history.
not enough memory for help
There is not enough free memory to build the help display.
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 18
7.0 IT COMMANDS
ALT keys are used to issue commands to IT. For example, ALT-H calls
up the IT help display. ALT-H means hold down the ALT key and hit the
H key (upper or lower case). There are 22 IT commands, assigned
to alt keys in the set-up file. See 4.0 for a complete list of
commands and how to assign alt-keys to them. You can also see the
list of commands and current alt key assignments by typing ALT-H.
Some of the commands need explanation, and these are described here.
The commands are described by name, e.g. DIAL, DOS, LOGF, etc.
Remember that a command is invoked by typing the alt-key that is
assigned to it. You never type the command name.
7.1 DIAL: AUTO-DIAL A MODEM
If your PC has a modem that is Hayes Smartmodem command compatible, IT
will dial for you.
You first use an editor to make a file named IT.DIR containing phone
numbers you want to dial. The file can be up to 23 lines long, and
each line can have one phone number. Blanks are ignored and you can
put comments beginning with a semicolon after each phone number.
When you type the DIAL alt key, IT searches through the list of
directories given in the DOS "path" command for the file IT.DIR.
IT displays the first 23 lines of IT.DIR, putting the line number
(1 to 23) at the left for identification. IT then prompts with:
"dial number:"
Enter the number (1 though 23) and <CR>.
IT will then command the modem with "ATDT" (or "ATDP") followed by the
number on the line you have selected. ATDT is the smartmodem command
to dial a number using touch-tones, ATDP, using pulses. You can
choose tone or pulse dialing in the set-up file.
You will hear the dial tone, the touch-tones (or pulses), and the ring
tone (or a busy signal). If the line is not busy, and if a modem
answers, you will hear the carrier tones briefly and see "CONNECT".
After CONNECT, the device at the other end of the telephone line is
the host, rather than the modem. This means that you can no longer
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 19
control the modem by typing smartmodem commands --- everything you
type is passed through to the remote host. Everything except for the
escape code, 3 plus signs typed quickly.
If you type 3 plus signs, you will see "OK", the smartmodem prompt.
You can now type any of the smartmodem commands. The command that you
need most often is "ATH <CR>" to hang up.
If the modem does not CONNECT within a certain time, IT will hang up
and re-dial the same number. IT will continue re-dialing until
CONNECT or until you cancel by typing <ESC>.
If IT CONNECTS after re-dialing, IT will beep the PC's speaker every 2
seconds until you hit a key. This lets you go about other business
within earshot while IT repeatedly re-dials a busy number.
7.2 DOS: ENTER DOS TEMPORARILY
If you want to execute a DOS command without missing any data from the
host, use the DOS command. The screen will go blank and you will see
the DOS identification. You may now type DOS commands, as before you
ran IT.
IT remains in memory and beeps if any data is received from the host.
Type EXIT at the DOS prompt to return to IT. IT will restore the
screen and display any new data received while running DOS. Before IT
restores the screen, it saves the screen image in buffer 1 (as if you
had typed the command PUT1). So if the screen contained something
useful (such as a directory listing) you can view it using GET1.
In order for the DOS command to work, the DOS file COMMAND.COM must
be present in one of the directories listed in the currently active
PATH definition.
7.3 GET AND PUT SCREEN IMAGES
If you want to save a copy of the screen for review later, use PUT1,
PUT2, or PUT3. These commands each save an image of the current
screen for you to review later, using GET1, GET2, or GET3 respectively.
When you type a GET command, the first 12 lines of the saved screen
image will appear in a window at the top of the screen. Then you can
scroll through the image to view the rest of it.
See 7.9, the HIST command, for information on other functions you
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 20
can perform while viewing a screen image.
7.4 LOGF: LOG TO A FILE
The LOGF command starts or stops logging to a file. While logging
to a file, all characters seen on the screen are also written to a
file. When you command LOGF, IT will prompt you with:
"log file: xxxxxxxx.xxx"
where xxxxxxxx.xxx = the name of the last log file used.
Hit <CR> to accept the file name in the prompt, or hit ESCAPE to
clear the default, and then type a file name and <CR>.
If the file name you enter already exists, IT will append new data
to it. This allows you to turn logging on and off repeatedly to
accumulate only what you want into a single file.
7.5 LOGP: LOG TO THE PRINTER
The LOGP command starts or stops logging to the printer. While
logging to the printer, all characters seen on the screen are also
printed.
7.6 XFER: CHANGE FILE TRANSFER MODE
The XFER command changes the currently selected file transfer mode.
There are 4 modes: Kermit, Xmodem, ASCII, and script. This command
does not start a transfer, it only selects the mode to be used when the
SEND and RECV commands are typed. See the SEND and RECV commands for
more.
7.7 RECV: RECEIVE FILE(S)
7.7.1 ASCII RECEIVE
ASCII receive is the same as logging to disk except that, rather than
appending new data to an existing file, a new file is created each
time an ASCII receive is started. If a file of the same name
already exists, IT prompts: "xxxxxxxx exists, overwrite it ?"
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 21
7.7.2 SCRIPT RECEIVE
No such operation. If you command RECV while in the "script" transfer
mode, nothing happens.
7.7.3 XMODEM AND KERMIT FILE TRANSFERS
To transfer files using the Xmodem and Kermit modes, IT needs the
cooperation of a host program. Kermit and Xmodem servers are
available on many hosts.
Some host Xmodem and Kermit programs give you several choices of error
detection method, IT uses only the 8-bit checksum method.
Remember two things about starting a file transfer in either of these
modes:
1. Always start the host transfer program first, then command IT to
send or receive last.
2. Command the host and IT to do complementary operations, i.e. if
the host is sending, then the PC must receive and vice versa.
After each file is transferred, IT displays the file name, number of
bytes, elapsed time, and effective transfer rate.
7.7.4 XMODEM RECEIVE
IT will prompt: "file name:"
Type the name (drive and path are optional) you want the received
file to have. If the file exists, IT will prompt:
"file exists, overwrite it ?"
Type "y <CR>" to overwrite the existing file, type any other
character and IT will again prompt:
"file to receive:"
7.7.5 KERMIT RECEIVE
IT will prompt: "receive path (<CR> for default):"
Hit <CR> to accept the default drive and path. Otherwise, type the
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 22
drive and/or path where you want the received file(s) to go. Do not
type the file name. File name will be receive along with each file,
and IT will create the file with that name, DOS limitations
permitting. Under DOS, file names are limited to 8 characters, with
a 3 character extension. If a file name from the host exceeds these
limits, the additional characters are dropped.
If a file of the same name already exists, IT will prompt:
"xxxxxxxx.xxx exists, overwrite ? (a=yes,all)"
Respond with "y" to overwrite the existing file. Respond with "a" to
overwrite this and any other existing files in a multi-file transfer.
Type any other character and IT will prompt:
"file to receive:"
7.8 SEND: SEND FILE(S)
7.8.1 ASCII SEND
IT will prompt: "file to send:"
Type the name (drive and path are optional) of the file you want to
send. IT does not search the DOS paths for the file. While sending
the file in this mode, IT checks received characters for XOFF. IT
will suspend sending when it receives an XOFF, and resume when it
receives an XON.
7.8.2 SCRIPT SEND
This mode is similar to ASCII send, except that the file being sent
can contain groups of characters starting with \ (backslash) to cause
certain actions (such as delays) by IT. See section 4.0 under
"Macro Keys" for the list of \ groups and their actions.
7.8.3 XMODEM SEND
IT will prompt: "file to send:"
Type the name (drive and path are optional) of the file you want to
send. IT does not search the DOS paths for the file.
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 23
7.8.4 KERMIT SEND
IT will prompt: "file(s) to send:"
Type the filespec (drive and path are optional) of the file(s) you
want to send. DOS wildcard characters may be used in the filespec.
IT does not search the DOS paths for the files. IT will send all
files that match the given filespec.
7.9 HIST: VIEW SCROLL HISTORY
Whenever the screen scrolls up, the line that scrolls off the top is
saved in a 400-line buffer that you can review using the HIST command.
Also, when the host clears the screen, all lines being cleared are
first copied into the buffer as if they had scrolled off the top.
When you issue the HIST command, IT displays a window at the top of
the screen, and puts the last 12 lines from the buffer there to view.
The cursor will be within the window. Now you can review all 400
lines in the buffer by using the Home, End, PgUp, and PgDn keys.
The Home and End keys have dual effects: if the cursor is not at
the beginning or end of the line, IT moves it there. If already at
the beginning or end of line, IT displays the beginning or end of
the history buffer.
You can also move the cursor within the window and scroll the window
using the arrow keys and the tab key (shifted moves right, and
unshifted moves left).
While you are reviewing the history buffer, terminal emulation is
suspended, but you will be notified by a beep if characters are
received from the host.
When you are finished viewing, type <ESC> and the screen will be
restored to the way it was before you began the review, and terminal
emulation resumed. If you want to return to emulation but leave the
window in view, type the Q key rather than <ESC>.
If you have typed a long command to the host, but made a small
mistake in it, you can edit and reissue that command using the HIST
feature. You command HIST, point to the mistyped command with the
cursor, and hit <CR>. The text from the cursor to the end of the
line is displayed in the status line after the prompt "Command:". Now
you can edit the command just as with any IT prompt (see 6.2). When
you have finished editing the command, type <CR> to send it to the
USER'S GUIDE for IT
Page 24
host, restore the screen, and resume terminal emulation.
You can also search for a string within the buffer. Type the keypad +
key and you will see the prompt "Fwd Find:" or "Rev Find:". Type the
string you want to search for, and then keypad + again. The buffer is
searched from the line where the cursor is now, in the direction
indicated by the prompt. Upper and lower case differences are
ignored. You will be notified via a message in the bottom line whether
or not the search was successful. If no match is found, the cursor
remains where it was. If a match is found, the window is scrolled so
that the match is in view, and the cursor is put on the beginning of
the matched string.
When you type keypad + again (after no match) the search direction is
automatically reversed for the next search. You can manually change
search direction by typing the keypad 5 key. The prior search string
is remembered, so if you want to search for the same string again,
just hit keypad + twice. If you do not want to search on the prior
string, use the backspace key or <ESC> to clear it.
If you want to write the contents of the buffer into a file, type
the F key. IT will prompt for a file name, and copy all lines in the
buffer to that file.
7.10 QUIT: EXIT FROM IT
Type ALT-X to exit from IT. You cannot QUIT via <CONTROL>-C or
<CONTROL>-break: <CONTROL>-C generates ASCII code 3, and
<CONTROL>-break generates a line break.
Upon exit, IT automatically closes the log file, if open.
Exiting from IT does not hang up the modem.
Do not QUIT IT while in the ALTERNATE keypad mode, i.e. with VT100
or VT52 (in the bottom line) blinking. If you do, the host will be
left thinking that the terminal is in the ALTERNATE keypad mode.
But when you next run IT, emulation will begin in the NORMAL keypad
mode. So before commanding QUIT, make sure to terminate the host
operation that put IT into the ALTERNATE keypad mode.
THE END
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #0679
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
READ ME 539 2-10-90 5:56p
IT DOC 47748 2-10-90 12:26p
IT SET 5879 2-09-90 3:23p
IT DIR 502 7-07-89 6:23p
IT EXE 48446 1-25-90 10:30p
GO BAT 38 10-19-87 3:56p
GO TXT 540 5-05-90 2:30p
FILE0679 TXT 2893 5-29-90 3:51a
8 file(s) 106585 bytes
51200 bytes free