The purpose of a terminal emulator is to connect your computer to another computer, either through a modem or a direct connection. There are other cases where the connection might be going through something other than a modem, such as a PBX system in the work environment. Terminal emulation software running on your Mac makes it act like a video display terminal, which basically displays incoming information on the screen and sends characters you type to the other computer. In addition, most terminal emulators support file transfers, so you can send or receive files from the other computer with error recovery.
The most common uses of a terminal emulator are: 1) to connect to a bulletin board system (BBS) or online service to read messages and download files; 2) to connect to a mainframe or Unix system to do ﾒrealﾓ work; 3) to connect to another Mac or PC to exchange files with a friend.
Shareware
Shareware is a means of distributing software that lets you evaluate the software before committing your money. It also eliminates the middlemen, so you can get quality software and good prices. Shareware is distributed on bulletin board systems, online systems like CompuServe and America Online, by user groups, and from user to user. When you get a shareware program, you have the opportunity to try it out for some period of time to see if it does what you need. After trying it, you must either send the registration fee to the author or stop using the program. In addition, once you register, you normally donﾕt have to pay for updates. (This really depends on the shareware author; many donﾕt request additional fees for updates once you are registered.)
Registration
After using ZTerm for 30 days, you must either register or delete any copies that you have. Registration has the following benefits: support of the development of quality Mac software, use of ZTerm without a guilty conscience, details of future plans and telephone support. Registration only is $30 (US); Registration with Disk of current release is $40 (US). All payments must be made in US funds. If you donﾕt have the registration form (ZTerm Registration), just send your check and your name, address to:
David P. Alverson
Alverson Software
PO Box 175
Maineville, OH 45039-0175
International Users:
Registration must be made in US funds. An International Money Order, a check drawn on a US bank, or US currency are all acceptable. At this time, I cannot accept payment by VISA, etc. Also, I have received a few checks with ﾔNot Negotiableﾕ written on them. Please donﾕt do this. To U.S. banks this means ﾒDo not honor this check.ﾓ You can put Not Transferable on them. Eurocheques are not accepted ﾐ there is a big service charge to cash/deposit these.
Support
Internet: davea@xetron.com
On usenet, the comp.sys.mac.comm group is the best place to leave ZTerm questions. On CompuServe, leave a message in the MacComm forum, section 3 (Term Programs). On America Online, leave a message in the ZTerm folder in the Communications & Networking forum. Registered users will get my phone number for support.
Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank some of the people who have helped me with testing, bug reports and other helpful comments and suggestions: Verne Arase, Rick Dieringer, Ron Duritsch, Rob Elliot, Bill Johnson, Gary Johnston, Les Jones, Eric Larson, Steve Levinthal, Dave Platt, Gary Shell, Stephan Somogyi and many others. To the Cincinnati AppleSiders User Group and the Programmers SIG. The ZTerm icon was inspired by one that Kenroy Harrison sent to me. To Global Village and Shiva for making equipment available to me for testing. To Chuck Forsberg, for designing a top-notch transfer protocol in ZModem. To my wife, for her understanding and patience. To everyone else who has made useful comments and suggestions. And a special thanks to those who have supported ZTerm development by registering.
