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*************************************************************************** * This is one of a series of four files which consist of messages from * * the FlagShip bulletin board dealing with BobsTerm Pro, arguably the * * finest terminal program ever written for the Commodore 64 and 128. The * * material for the files was compiled on March 1, 1989, and includes all * * relevant messages from the inception of the FlagShip until that date. * * My definition of 'relevant' was fairly liberal; in some cases, * * messages which might otherwise have been irrelevant have been preserved * * in order to preserve continuity of the threads. * * * * The four files available are: * * * * BTP.FEATURES.TXT Description and implementation of many * * of the features, both basic and advanced,* * of both the C64 and C128 versions. * * * * BTP.MACROS.TXT Use of the extensive MACRO feature, in- * * cluding a discussion which culminated in * * a macro to provide DIRECT TO DISK capture* * from GEnie by way of macros and changes * * to the GEnie default prompt character. * * * * BTP.MODEMS.TXT Discussions of configuration of BTP for * * use with various modems * * (including 2400 baud), as well as dis- * * cussions of which modems will NOT work * * with the program. * * * * BTP.MISC.TXT Messages which did not conveniently fit * * into any of the other files. * * * * Notes: * * The messages contained in these files will shortly be removed from the * * bulletin board, merely to conserve space. Feel free to start new topics,* * discussing BobsTerm or any other subjects. * * * * Obviously, there is overlap between these topic choices. Messages are * * NOT repeated in other files; if you do not find what you are looking * * for, try the next most likely file. * * * * Bob Lentini is no longer working on Commodore computers, distributing * * the program, or operating his bulletin board. BobsTerm Pro (both the * * C64 and C128 programs) are available through many software vendors or * * Progressive Peripherals and Software, whose address is sprinkled * * through out these files. * * * * Enjoy! --Howard Rosenman <HORO> March 5, 1989 * *************************************************************************** Dec 19, 1985 DEB [*Sysop/deb!*] BobsTerm Pro was written by Bob Lentini of RML Labs. The program is now being distributed by Progressive Peripherals of Denver, they do a lot of mail order and magazine ads, I thought?? I *think* that the price is still around $40-50. its a powerful terminal package for the 64, and the 128 version is almost finished. Features: - 1650,1660,1670,Westridge, Hayes, Mitey Mo, Hes II and Total Modems - Punter - XMODEM - 64-64 entire disk - Disk or Buffer uploading/downloading option - 28.5 K Buffer - Full editing capabilities within the buffer - Menu or command key driven - Split screen toggle - Macro programming capability - Endless Phone book Hmm, I'm sure there are some more, but that is the basics. Its all ML, and comes protected, but there are no head banging and you can get a version that will work with your 1541 or your MSD. Basic terminal operations and uploading and downloadin are VERY easy because of the menu structures...but the manual is excellent in many areas of macro programming, getting a 1660 to work, and other tips and hints a telecommunicator needs! VERY VERY good manual! deb! --- Feb 02, 1986 PRESS26 Hi Deb... and all users of Bobsterm Pro. I finally made it on here and it looks super. Thanx Deb for everything..... The new version of BTPRO for the C128 is almost done. I have been working hard on the Terminal Emulator which should allow unmatched versatility in creating look alike terminals on the 128. I will be up at the World of Commodore show next week, and looking foward to meeting all of the telecommunicators out there who are serious about their modeming. See You all there!!! Bob Lentini --- Feb 02, 1986 DEB [*Sysop* DEB] Aha, BobTerm himself!!!!! Since the release of this program is so close, may I have your permission to give my friends here a list of the features ??? Or perhaps you'd like to do that yourself???? *deb!* --- Feb 06, 1986 PRESS26 Well thank you all for your kind comments. The new version for the C128 is very exciting indeed. It is much much more than just a conversion of the old to the new computer. I have detailed the prgm to take advantage of the many new capabilities of the 128. The most noticable feature of course is the use of the 80 col video chip for all output. The 80 cols opens up a brand new world for telecommunicating since most proffessional systems are set to operate in 80 cols. The screen handling has been totally written by myself.. no use of the Commodore screen routines at all..... this greatly enhances the speed of video control and has allowed me to make full use of window overlays similar to the popular prgms on the IBM like Sidekick and others. I have also added a MAJOR new feature which allows full access to CP/M double sided formatted disks for both read and write operations. This means you may now collect CP/M programs as easily as collecting Commodore programs. You can read/write to or from CP/M disks as easily as C128 disks. You may also XMODEM directly to or from your CP/M disks without having to run another Term program just to enjoy the CP/M mode of the C128. Another new world opened up by the new program is the world of Terminal Emulation. I have included a completely USER PROGRAMMABLE terminal emulator which will allow your C128 to perform up to 53 screen and Cursor functions similar to other dedicated terminals. There are presets for the ADM-31 (most CP/M) and VT-52 and VT-100. These are all adjustable and can be easily modified or built from to create new terminals. There is also a blank USER mode which allows complete building of a brand new terminal. These terminal parameters can be easily saved in the PHONE or MACRO files and we should start to see a nationwide distribution of different terminal types stored in MACROS shortly after the prgm is released. Release date is set for MARCH 1.... hopefully.. hehehe. I have also added many new paramters and convenience features that have evolved from the excellent user feedback I have received. The editor is even more powerful now than before and much easier to move around in. XMODEM now handles fully the CRCK and CCITT CRC cheksumming modes. Also... phone numbers may be dialed in any programmable sequence of up to 10 numbers now. Therefore you may cycle between your favorite BBSs until you receive a connection. Oh well.... there is much too much to explain here... Hopefully you will all see it on the shelves shortly. Thanx for the interest. Bob Lentini --- Feb 06, 1986 WDBAILEY [WB4GIL-WAYNE] Bob, . Who will be distributing this super term prg of yours. I would like yto to go ahead and place an advance order. If I don't, and have to wait till your prg filters down to the Carolinas, I'll be old an er much older and much grayer. Thanks for your help!!! -Wayne B. --- Feb 06, 1986 DEB [*Sysop* DEB] Progressive Peripherals, of Denver, CO, will be distributing the program, as well as demonstrating it at the Commodore Show II this next weekend. They usually advertise in the magazines, give them a call and ODER it, ORDEr it, ORDER it!!! I just picked up the newest, and probably last revision...it _is_ a great program. *deb!* --- Jun 07, 1986 DEBS-GUEST [Bob L] I have just completed a new version 2.0 of BTPRO-64 which has many enhancements and updates from the previous version. This version has a relaxed In this version I have relaxed the Xmodem timing parameters to be compatible with the CNET BBS systems in both up and downloading. Also some compensations were me ade to the PUNTER to deal with the CNET BBS systems also. These systems appear to have been very la sloppy in the timing on both protocols which have caused me many traumas in trying to lockup with standard timing loopd s built into the prgm. Also, I have enhanced the Hayes command string handling to accomadate many of the new not so compatible Hayes modems which are sending various extended response codes which were causing problems for Version 1.9. Also the Buffer editor has been enhanced with many of the improvements found in the 128 version such as entering ad exiting the Editor from View mode without being dropped back to the beginning of the buffer. Also the Delete Range command now will work with the END RANGE set to the last Byte in the buffer.... Also, the COMKEY-H command will now hang up the Hayes modems directly. The translation tables have been moved into the Phone and Macro files so you may now easily edit them for filtering spewcial characters like a $7F character here on Genie. Many other cleanups of the original program...... I am releasing a special for a limited time only.....$30 each. This is a complete package with full 125 page manual and everytrhing. Bob Lentini (RML) --- Jun 25, 1986 MIKEM [Pax Regal] Bob: If you're still active on GEnie, I'd like to get your view on an issue, and ask if any future (or present, for that matter) version of BTPro will support an option for CBM graphics/color. I read that you had done some modifications for the CNET system of BBS's, and hence my wondering. The COLOR-64 BBS system is growing by leaps and bounds, and there are many other COLOR type boards around. Rick Sterling has stated that he didnt include this option into Sixth Sense-128 because '...it is a specialized area, and could not see wasting memory on all that *flash*...' [Gee..I originally bought my 64 years ago *because* of the color and graphics <flash>. Now my 128 STILL has those flashy keys that say 'green' 'blue' 'cyan', etc....Guess they are just a waste, eh?] -Mike --- Jun 27, 1986 DEBS-GUEST [Bob L] Mike.... I felt similarly about the color BBS stuff as Rick. I aimed at making BTPRO a versatile and powerful Term program which would allow compatibility with most of the large databases and serious BBS systems around the country. At the time I created BTPRO... there was a mere handful of Color BBS systems up around the country and they were not what I considered to be serious at all. I chose to use the precious memory space for features that would be much more useful than just changing colors at every other prompt. I have yet to see any serious use of the color and graphic features on a Commodore BBS that merits any consideration on my part to worry about. Also the use of Color and Commodore specific Petscii would make the Term very limited in its ability to deal with the Real World of Telecommunications. Sorry, but I believe for these specific BBS systems, the people can use many of the PD Term programs when they access them. Bob Lentini (RML) --- Aug 17, 1986 MIKEM [Pax Regal] I just love the way you can transfer programs and files to/from the buffer of BT-PRO128 instead of straight to disk, but I have a question.... Would it be possible, for instance, to load in a bunch of short program files <maybe SID files> to the buffer, sectioning them off from each other with the SET or PAGE options, and then transfer them individually without having to access the disk while online? -Mike P.S. - Thanx again, Bob, for a great term program! --- Aug 18, 1986 DEB [*deb!*] You can set the range of bytes to printer, or to disk, but not to modem, I'm with you, Mike...sure wish we could! I've mentioned it to Bob, lets see what he cooks up in the next rev!! ** <<See, Bob, someone ELSE wants it, too!>> --- Oct 11, 1986 BILLGOODWIN [bill g] does anyone know if BTP 64 version supports VT100 terminal or if not is there such an animal? Would alloow me to send some files to the office and make life a little easier. Thanks. Bill --- Oct 11, 1986 DEB [*deb!*] Bill... VT100 is cursor positioning/addressing from the remote. The 64 version of BTPro does not support this. However, unless you REALLY need the escape sequences, why not just do it in regular ASCII?? *deb!* --- Oct 11, 1986 BILLGOODWIN [bill g] deb, tnx for the quick comeback. Our DEC system is VAX and has built in word processing. I could use the commodore as a vt100 emulator, I could work in the word process program, without having to upload. Just checking and again thanks. Bill G. --- Oct 12, 1986 ERETH-AKBE Does anyone know how to strip an incoming character (Chr$(127)) I keep getting little commodore logos on GEnie (usually in the mail section) I hunted through the manual, and can only find the strip command for editing the buffer! The old VIP terminal used to let me strip, so I assumed Bobs would too! Thanks Ereth-Akbe --- Oct 12, 1986 DEB [*deb!*] Bill: VT100 emulation would only be useful in 80 columns. There is a fine program which does VT 52 emulation on the64, in the telecommunications software library, its called TERM80, by Frank Prindle. Ereth: STripping characters CAN be achieved with BTPro 128, are you using it or the 64 version??? *deb!* --- Oct 12, 1986 GARYW The character you need to strip is 255. It may look like a 127, but it is 255. --- Oct 12, 1986 DEB [*deb!*] Actually, on GEnie, sometimes the character is a 255, other times its a 127, depending on how the parity bit is set at the network and at your terminal. To set the filters on BTPro 128, go to the <P>arameters <G>eneral menu. Cursor down two times. You will be sitting on the choice marked: FILTER CHAR press RETURN twice to get it to say: CHAR 1-2 Cursor down one time to set Character #1 press the # then the ASCII numbers of the character: 127 Cursor down one more time to set #2 press the # then enter the number 255 If you save your parameters with these active, or save you phone files with them in this condition, you'll never have to set them again, it will be auto- magic!! *deb!* --- Oct 13, 1986 ERETH-AKBE Thanks, but I am using the 64 version 1.9. I don't own a 128, just a 64, so the 128 commands don't help. Does the upgrade to 2.0 allow this? Ereth-Akbe --- Oct 13, 1986 CKAISER [Chris] Bill G - Which word processing program are you using on that VAX? If it is All-In-1 WPS or WPS Plus, or MASS-11 or the like, you will probably tire quickly of the slowness of 1200 baud even, because of the way the screen is redrawn each time the document is reformatted. I've found that it's MUCH faster to do the text work locally then upload it with XMODEM or KERMIT. There is FINALLY a GOOD XMODEM for the VAX that came out on a PC-BLUE disk within the past year. Hope this helps some! -Chris --- Oct 13, 1986 GRAFIX.M [Mike Hooper] ERETH- Yes, BTP V2.0 does allow translation of characters. It's just not quite as straightforward and easy as on the 128 version. The secret is in the phone directory listing or in a MACRO. Not only are the normal macro or phone commands and data saved there, but an entire translation table. To change it one must load the file into the buffer. Then Edit the buffer changing w whatever characters are needed. It's kind of a pain to set up the first time, but it only needs to be done once, thank goodness. One minus to this whole thing....if you are a HEAVY user of macros, V2.0 can present a problem since each macro now takes up 4 disk blocks. The older versions only used 2 blocks. For 99% of the people using it, it won't be any problem at all. But for me, it was a MAJOR problem when I wanted to use the macros to capture the entire *FlagShip* SL directory to a single disk. Luckly I had saved my 1.9 and use that for my hard core macro work. \\GFX// --- Nov 10, 1986 TELESHRINK Dear Deb: Just thought it might be helpfull if I add my two cents to this topic. I purchased BT Pro 128 today. I thumbed through the manual for about a half hour made my backup copy , inserted the dongle and booted the program. Setting the parameters for screen colors, modem, rs232, and printer was straight forward & easy - the defaults made sense and where they needed changing to meet the de- mands of my systems was obvious. Being successfull I was encouraged to take BT Pro for a test drive - so I loged onto a local BBS where I am an area sysop. Since everything worked flawlessly there I decided to take BT on a shake down cruise on GEnie. I set the parameters for GEnie ( half duplex, 1200 baud, echo on) and then had BP autodial GEnie's access code. Not having yet read the manual ( I DO THAT ONLY IF ALL ELSE FAILS ) I opted to avoid macros ( my experience with other programs is that they can be tricky ) and manually typed in my user id and password. While on Genie I read my email, downloaded Cat. 8 Topic 13 in its entirety to BT's 60K buffer ( that is all these messages ), two programs from the libraries and then chatted with some people in the forum for a total of 35 minutes online time. Offline I dumped the messages to my printer as well as saving them to disk without having to leave BT. I am now composing this message offline with the help of BT's editor and will upload it when I get back online.... everything is working flawlessly like a dream come true. Well, what can be gleaned from all of this. First it is clear that BP Pro 128 is a powerfull well concieved terminal program whose basic functions are straight forward and intuitive in operation - that at least with my system ( C128, two 1571's, Omnitronix deluxe rs232 interface, Anchor Signalman Mark 12 modem, and Seikosha SP 100VC printer) it functions flawlessly right out of the box with minimal or no parameter setting. In my book it has proven itself worthy of my spending the time and effort to read what appears to be an excellent manual so that I can make use of its other extremely powerfull but somewhat esoteric capabilities , particularly the remote (mini bbs) and macro capabilities. This experience also speaks directly to the value of this Roundtable and by extension GEnie. Where else could I so conveniently and inexpensively tap into an indepth discussion by sophisticated users not to mention the author himself -approximately 30K worth- of a program I had just that day purchased. I suggest to you nowhere else. Yes, I am aware that similar information is undoubtedly available on other networks ( i.e. CI$, Delphi, etc.) but not nearly as inex- penisve and even more importantly as easily and conveniently accessible. With Thanksgiving appraoching there is much I have to be thankfull for. Significant on that list is this Roundtable, the marvelous people who use it, and specific- ally you, Deb, the guiding spirit behind all this. THANK YOU!! Take care. T H E T E L E S H R I N K PS I am going to try to make it to MARCA and hope to drop by the GEnie booth. See you there? --- Nov 11, 1986 TELESHRINK Just a short addendum to previous message. BT Pro 128 is unbelieveably good. The Phonebook Autologon Macros are easy to program and work exactly the way you would expect them, ditto the macros , the mini BBS, & up/dwn loading to CP/M disks. Read the chapter (13) on Phonebook and in f minutes had a working autologon for GEnie. WOW!!! <GRINING FROM EAR EAR) just like a cheshire cat. The C128, BT Pro, & GEnie .... AN UNBEATABLE COMBO!!!!! Take care all. T H E T E L E S H R I N K --- Nov 12, 1986 DEBS-GUEST [Bob Lentini] Howdy all.... and thanx for the support of BTPRO! Thanx especially to Teleshrink for the incredibly kind remarks above. I wish he was evreviewing for some of the magazines.... hehehe. I would also sincerely like to thank Deb for her unending and incredible support during the developement and life of BTPRO. It seems that all of the questions here have been expertly answered by either Deb or the other family members..... one thing I would reccomend though..... DO NOT USE HALF DUPLEX in the RS232 parameters, since there is no clear cut info on how well or whether the code is actually IN the 128 at all to support that.... hehehe... simply use the LOCAL ECHO mode of BTPRO to simulate HALF DUPLEX. I will be here WED night at 10 PM EST for a conference and would love to meet as many of the BTPRO family as I can.... please join us for info and help with the product. Thanx... Bob Lentini --- Nov 13, 1986 GBARRETT [VISION100] Bob...I use the half-duplex in BT 128 all the time...right now, in fact, and it works like a charm!!! This is one of the FEW terms I do recommend these days both for its versatility and ease of operation (it is sophisticated yet most first timers can easily make use of it-not found in many other programs!) (By the way, I understand your associate was working on a multi-user BBS for the ST...is it done? hehehe-just had to see if that would prompt any responses from the anti-Tramiel crowd!) -GaryB --- Nov 16, 1986 SURVIVOR [S. Gutknecht] Hey BOB, PC Pursuit is becoming more and more popular every day... Bob's term would be even better if we had YMODEM support! ((Would also like to have MACRO variables)) Otherwise, I love your PROGRAM! I have version 2.0, and note that it still has the BUG if you use INSERT while entering a MACRO (or PHONE FILE)... KILLS the computer. Stephen Gutknecht --- Nov 28, 1986 B.HAYFORD I just purchased BT Pro for my 64 and am having a little trouble! I agree with most of message 55 but the gentleman is obviously and advanced user. The instruction book is an absolute marvel for being clear and concise. There is a lot in it but I expected that from a sophisticated program. I did have a great deal of trouble getting it from Progressive Peripherals though. Should have read the messages about buying direct from Bob. Oh well, live and learn! Perhaps I can get some HELP on my problem though. My equipment C64;2 1541 drives; SmarTEAM 1200 baud modem; Saylor nterface. I cannot seem to use 1200 baud unless I set the lo to 1-there I canc{ type AT and get an OK response. Anywhere else (up to lo setting of5) AT responds with nothing. Set the lo to 6 and it shuts off the HS light and I am using 300 bps. I tried the process for adj the lo as suggested in the manual and ended up getting garbage at 70 and 25 so picked 46 as the setting but cannot DL. NEED HELP. Yes I did set the carrier phase to + and turn the ASC to off when I tried to DL. Comments appreciated! Bert Hayford My apologies!! The first part of the problem should have been using HI instead of loP{- sorry! --- Nov 28, 1986 MICHAELNC [Michael NC] I had some trouble just like you describe. The setting I finally came up with was 8 bit word, no parity, 1 stop bit, baud 1200. baud adj lo 61 and baud adj hi 1. The range of what will work is much narrower than any other term program I've used, and also lower. Hope this helps. --- Nov 28, 1986 B.HAYFORD Michael NC: Many thanks for your reply!! I tried your settings and BANG..Got results right off! I had to trim the baud adj lo to 59 to get perfect results ( you are right about the sensitivity). Now I am on the way to appreciating the finer points of this great program. Congratulations to you BOB.. I think you have a better mousetrap here! By the way (still speaking to BOB) are you offering backups directly from your company? If so, How much?? Incidently, just to put my two cents in, I much prefer the DONGLE approach to copy protection. It makes me nervous to use my master diskette. Would hate to be out of business for any period of time if thing should happen. (Murphy sits on my left shoulder all of the time) Thanks to everyone for all of the help I have received. Hope one day I will be knowledgeable enough to help as I have been helped. Bert Hayford --- Dec 04, 1986 DEB [*deb!*] Bert, you don't have to change ASCII on/off to download, the program should do all that for you, automagically! *deb!* --- Jan 05, 1987 GRAFIX.M [Mike Hooper] I was having a discussion via GEmail about stripping xmODEM padding with BTP. It was suggested we move to the BB--- Here is a way to strip padding with BTP if it won't fit in the buffer!! Just fill the buffer with the file you are checking, then write it back to disk with a different filename. Then, load the 2nd half into the buffer with the FILL FROM BYTE command from the FILL menu. You'll want to begin at the byte you left off on (which is the number shown as the size of the buffer when empty...28500 for the 64 version if I remember correctly). Now when the 2nd half loads, you can scroll thru like usual, and delete the padding bytes at the end. Then DUMP to DISK with the same filename as the first buffer save. It will tell you the filename is duplicate, and ask if you want to Replace or Append. Just Append! Your file will be restored to it's original size, less the padding! (It's the same procedure that's used to split up great big SEQ files into something a little more manageable)! Sound reasonable?? --- Feb 11, 1987 B.HAYFORD Michael.M: Does BobsTerm Pro (64) [I am using version 1.9] strip xmodem padding automatically?? If not, how do you recognize the padding so as to delete it. I am using the 'transfer to buffer' method so assume I can edit out the padding and then save to disk off line. I am having trouble running file #3394 Vicgraph 8563. B. Hayford (Bert) --- Feb 11, 1987 MICHAEL.M [-:SysOp:-] Bert - No, BTPro will not auto-strip padding. What you will need to do is after downloading to buffer, choose to Edit the buffer. Go to the end of the file and look at the last characters in that file. Normally, there will be three nulls present. If there are a number of CNTRL-Z's at the very end, they must be stripped away. After stripping the unwanted characters, save the file to disk. Let us know how it goes! -=:Mike:=- --- Feb 11, 1987 GARYW You should NEVER use the C=S to strip padding from a program file. If you use the C=S and enter a ^Z then if there are any ^Z's elsewhere in the program you will be in BIG trouble. --- Feb 11, 1987 GRAFIX.M [Mike Hooper] CAREFUL in using C= S to strip out padding!! If the program uses any of those characters, they too will be stripped! You can very safely remove them by moving the cursor to the very 1st control Z and just hitting the delete key till they are gone. While a 26 is not a BASIC keyword token, a 6502 opcode or a valid PetASCII character, it could very well be some other byte of data in an ML routine, a link address or a data byte! \\GFX// --- Feb 14, 1987 B.HAYFORD Michael M.[sysop] msg#92 GaryW msg#93 Graffix.M msg#94 Tried your suggestions and everything worked great!! Used the delete key to remove all of the ctl z's (BTP-64 won't remove the last character so removed the character prior'#255'[what is that anyhow?] and with C=# replaced the ctl Z with decimal #255). Resaved and loaded and ran the program and it worked fine!!! I think this solves many other problems that I have been having. One question though - What about a program that is too big to fit into BTP buffer? Thanks for all your help. B.Hayford (Bert) --- Feb 14, 1987 KEVIN-S. [KeS] Bert- The 128 version of BTP, at least, lets you handle those overesize files using the "Fill from byte #" option. Load the first buffer-full of data and dump it to a new disk file. Then, go back to the fill ffer menu, select "B", and say that you want to start from the byte number EQUAL to the size of your buffer capacity (60,000 on BTP-128). It is not byte 60,001 because the bytes are counted starting from zero. Then edit the buffer as you will, and dump it to disk, using the Append option to attach it to the first half of the file. This at least doubles the size of files you can handle! KeS --- Feb 14, 1987 GRAFIX.M [Mike Hooper] Yes, BTP 64 has the same "FILL FROM BYTE #" command. REAL handy to get into those larger files and strip padding. \\GFX// --- Feb 14, 1987 GARYW I don't really know about the BTPRO 64 version, but I have NEVER seen a Program that would not fit in the 60,000 byte BTPro 128 version, that needed to be edited to have the ^Z's removed. --- Feb 16, 1987 DEB [*SysOp*] About stripping: remember that ARC'd programs and LBR'd programs do not require stripping. Also, graphics, music and most BASIC files don't need to be stripped. Using the C=B and C=E to set a range works well in deleting xmodem padding, too. CTRL Z, Null, as well as other characters like spaces, CTRL A's and even # signs have been used in various term programs. *deb!* --- Oct 07, 1987 AMFORD Does BobsTerm Pro for the 64 support the 1764 ram expander? (or any other ram expander?) --- Oct 07, 1987 KEVIN.S [-Sysop-] No, alas, neither the 64 nor 128 versions support the REUs. Mr. Lentini stopped working on revisions to the programs before they became popular; he is now over in MS-DOS, along with so many of our lamented CBM programmers! KeS --- Nov 29, 1987 D.HYTE Hello hello hello! I've been using the ol BTPRO128 quite happily for a few months now and was wondering if anyone knows whether or not putting the 128 into FAST mode prior to booting BTPRO makes any difference or not? I personnaly haven't notice any increase in the screen updates or anything similiar other than the fact that the program boots quite a bit faster in that mode as opposed to slow but once it's up and running, it doesn't appear to make any difference?!? True or false? thanx in advance! Dave (.)(.) --- Nov 29, 1987 DEB Dave: it might boot faster if you put the machine into FAST mode first. Once running, tho, BTPro puts itself into FAST mode-so operations would not change a bit. *deb!* --- Jan 31, 1989 P.ANTHONY1 Anyone have any information regarding any up to date versions of Bobsterm Pro 128. I have version 2.0 and would greatly appreciate any information on upgrades if any. --- Feb 01, 1989 DO-RAE-MI I! HE LAST HEARD, THE VERSION WITHOUT THHE E DONGLE (2.0) WAS THE MOST RECENT VERSION. DON'T BELIEVE ANY OTHER ARE IN THE MAKING AT THIS TIME FOR THE 64 OR THE 128. NY DECENTING APP OPINNIONS IONS? ED --- Feb 02, 1989 DEB The only changes made to the new BobsTerm Pro has been the removal of copy protection. [Everything else WORKS...<Grin> ] --- Feb 02, 1989 HORO [-SysOp-] If you are referring to the C128 version (as it appears you are), the last version released is version 2.3. If you don't have it, download file #3247 from the FlagShip Library. This is the main module (BTPRO.128) and can replace the one you are using. Note to non-BTPRO users: this is NOT the complete program, and will be useless to you if you do not own BTPRO and its dongle. --- Jul 11, 1986 DEBS-GUEST [Bob L] Time for me to jump in. Rickers... your padding idea is a good one. That should work without interfering with other XMODEM standards. As to the Punter / Xmodem debate. I have been using XMODEM for over 4 years now.... with never.... NEVER...... a bad download that made it to completion. I am now using an IBM Compatible system with a Bernoulli Box interchangeble Cartridge Hard Drive. I have in the last three months downloaded over 50 megs of prgms without any one of them ever failing to operate. We are talking about some transfers of over 200K long at a time. Never has Xmodem failed me. In writing both Xmodem and Punter routines from scratch for my Bobsterm Pro.... I am absolutely convinced that XMODEM is light years ahead. The real CCITT CRC implementation of a properly written Xmodem routine has a mathematical probability of over 99.999% of catching any garbaged BIT.... not BYTE.... of data. Punter's CRC implementation is not a real CRC method at all... but just a slight shifting of bits and EORING. Also.... I have to date downloaded on well into the hundreds of different systems using XMODEM that were all compatible. Since the release of BTPRO last year.... I have personally run up against over a DOZEN different PUNTER implementations.... each of which were NOT compatible with the other. Believe me when I tell you I have many hours which stretched into months worth of labor invested in my Punter routines to make them compatible with all the various non standards. I literally wrote my XMODEM routines in a few days. Over and Out!!!!! Bob Lentini !!!!!! --- May 29, 1987 CHARRINGTON [Courtney] XMODEMPADDING: Xmodem sends (or transfers) data in 128 byte blocks. For comparison, Punter does it in 256 byte blocks. In the last block transferred, Xmodem will "pad" out that block if it is LESS than 128 bytes. This can royally screw up the running of most programs. It seems to affect M/L more than programs in basic. (I guess cause you can list it or whatever). I check every program I unload using Xmodem. Maybe 70 percent have padding at the end. Using BobsTerm, it's not a real problem to fix. Just load the program into the buffer and edit out the CONTROL-Z's at the end. Courtney --- Aug 19, 1988 S.WOOD3 [SCOTT] Is it possible to get BPT to do colors while on a C= C/G BBS? I noticed the option to design your own terminal and wondered if anyone has done C/G? . Does Bob reply to these any more? . Are there any plans for YMODEM (and Batch) or 1K XMODEM or any of the other protocols used by some of the other systems? --- Aug 21, 1988 D.SCHMOLDT [Dave/SysOp] Scott, as I understand it, Bob is now working on PC software and there won't be any more updates or mods to BTPro. Too bad. --- Aug 21, 1988 C128.CPM [Bill J.] Scott, I have asked Progressive and Bob L. to release the source code for this program. No answer, yet. Meanwhile, Miklos.G is looking into the code for enhancement. Specificaly: D/L CP/M files to the '81, or REU. I spoke with him Friday and he tells me that Bob has done some real strange things in his program making it VERY difficult for updates. Too bad, but Miklos is still fiddlin' with it......... Bill --- Jun 24, 1986 WDBAILEY [SIR WAYNE] DEB, DO YOU HAVE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH BTPRO 128? I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF THIS TERM PRG WILL FUNCTION IN 40 COLUMNS? MY SONY MONITOR QUIT AND I HAVE HAD TO RESORT TO MY PANASONIC TV!! THANKS,WAYNE. --- Jun 24, 1986 DEB [*deb!*] Yes...I have hands on experience, and NO, it will not work in 40 cols. I have _no_ idea how bad 80 column output looks on a TV, but you might try it if your RGB is going to be out of commission for long. *deb!* --- Jul 25, 1986 DEB [*deb!*] Mike: You can transfer up to 60K of either binary or text into the buffer via XMODEm or Punter, but the really neat thing is that you can EDIT it right in the buffer if you need to. Kinda like a T & S editor, seeing the entire program at once, tho...! *deb!* --- Dec 15, 1986 CHARRINGTON [Courtney] I bought myself an early Christmas present: Bobsterm 128 Nice. Wonderful. Easy. Complete. Colorful. Simple. Marvey. What else can I say. Maybe support for the 17xx Ram. Other than that, Bob L has a winner. I'm off to test the D/L section courtney Oh yah...one question: how does one add a CR to the end of a function key string? It must be in the manual...somewhere... --- Dec 15, 1986 GARYW Courtney: Use CONTROL-M. you knew that. hehehe --- Apr 09, 1987 WDBAILEY [Sir Wayne] BTPro128...Why don't the function keys load as part of each default? . . I have been trying (in vane) to save the function keys as part of each phone book entry without success. I'm sure there is a way....I just haven't figured it out yet...HELP HELP! . . --- Apr 09, 1987 KEVIN.S [*Sysop*] When asked if you want to change parameters before saving, answer "Yes". Then hit a C=K, and you will bring up the function key list. Go ahead and edit it as desired, then hit STOP to continue on and save the entry. KeS --- Dec 19, 1987 FIREBUG All I want is somene to prod Bob Lentini to make the VT 100 FULLY compatible ya know full cursor adressing and such (smile) (my nine cents werth) --- Dec 21, 1987 H.HERMAN1 Firebug, Don't hold ya breath!! BTP has been in its final version for sometime now. However VT-100 emulation, or 99.99%, should be possible from the final version. As a worst case scenerio, you can always program the 8 Function keys to cursor around. But, this really should not be necessary. Perhaps someone here can help you with your set-up, or you certainly will meet up with a lot of BTP VT100 emulators on USENET. Howie --- Feb 06, 1988 D.HYTE Ok fellow(ress) BTPRO hackers in here! Gots a question concerning the USER setup during the EMULATION section. The manual alludes to the fact that the host end may control the screen. Hmmmmm....sounds like ANSI to me eh? Ok, if I (we) were to program everyone of the configurable codes in all the sub-menus for recognizing the SGR scheme of the IBMs, then could we run the ANSI mode graphics (at least the color for menus, highlighting, etc etc that the clones and blue meanines do? It sure looks it to me. Anyone out there sat down and actually programmed all of the codes into the USER mode and tried it to see what happens? Think I'll give it a try and let ya know soon as I bring one of the DOS books home from work for all the codes and all....there's a *LOT* more to ol BTPRO128 then first glance eh? whew................ Dave (.)(.) (keep ur bits crossed! - I am!) --- Feb 07, 1988 DEB [*SysOp*] Dave: well, er, ummm, yes, its possible. The question remains whether or not the BTP emulations which you can design allow you enough options to support ANSI. Keep us posted...and holler if you need help. Do you have a list of ANSI codes? ((I can upload one if you need it...)) I also think that a custom character set to support ANSI *graphics* characters should be pretty easy, too! *deb!* --- Feb 10, 1988 FIREBUG PLEASE post the ANSI codes if ya find them.. I cant get the bugger to do ANYTHING in VT100 mode l any help for this lost soul would be appreciated... ((BTW any programmers out there want some hints for MY viwes on the perfect 128 term EMAIL me I have a list :) --- Feb 10, 1988 F.MORRIS [ Fred. ] Dumb me. Disregard question about how to print files bigger than 60K. I can do that easy, I was just stuck on thinkin' in BTP mode! Fred. --- Feb 11, 1988 H.HERMAN1 Fred, Okey..I give up!! Aren't you gonna tell us? Howie --- Feb 11, 1988 DEB [*SysOp*] ANSI Documentation is in the Software Library, File # 5545. I'll start a new topic here about ANSI, OK?! that way we'll keep this one for the next new BTPro owner who wants to get more out of his software than meets the eye! *deb!* --- Mar 13, 1988 F.MORRIS [ Fred. ] BUFFER QUESTION... I decided to jump into the CP/M world, so the first thing I did was to SET to CATagory 16 here on the RT and REA ALL directly to disk. This worked fine, and resulted in a SEQ file 623 blocks long. Using 254 byltes per block, this file should contain about 164,472 bytes. Using Fill buffer from Disk loaded bytes 00001 to 60000, which I read and then cleared the buffer and Filled buffer from Byte 60001 which loaded bytes 60001 to 120001 into the buffer. I read this, and cleared the buffer. To read the remainder I would need to Fill buffer from byte 120001, but BTP will only accept 5 characters here, so I used 99999, which should have filled the buffer from 99999 to 15999 (I could allways go back and read the last 1K on-line) but an odd thing happened at this point, best method from to 1st message last message F D 00000 60000 TOP 1 MSG 0 TOP 6 MSG 30 F B 60001 120001 TOP 6 MSG 31 TOP 17 MSG 2 F B 99999 159999 TOP 4 MSG 14 TOP 13 MSG 5 As this shows, for some reason, Fill buffer from Byte 99999 REALLY started from btye 34499 (best as I can figure, using edit to locate same spot loading buffer from byte 00000). Using 90000 had the same results, really starting from 28499. Any suggestions? I can use a SEQ reader to look at the whole file, but I liked being able to jump into edit and print selected portions for reference and/or resave smaller portions to a new edited file. If this will not work with BTP, is there a program in the library that can handle larger files, with the editing and "set range" that BTP buffer offers? Thanks...Fred. --- Mar 21, 1988 DEB [*SysOp*] Fred: Hmmm, I've used BTPro to read large files, but don't specifically remember entering any value that large. I suggest a file splitter, and I'll go see where BTPro croaks, I guess! --- Mar 24, 1988 S.MCCULLAR3 Deb, I bought Bob's Term Pro 128 quite a while back, and I love it to death! But I have a question. When I first got here (I'm VERY new here. My first day!) I thought I saw a program called Bob's Term Pro v2.4. Of course, according to the listing, I would have to use the dongle supplied by 2.3... But for the life of me, I CAN'T FIND IT AGAIN! Could you please tell me where it is? anThanx! Shawn (S.MCCULLAR3) --- Mar 25, 1988 DEB [*SysOp*] Well, Shawn, it should be in the 128 Telecomm. library, and using a KEYWORD SEARCH command at the software library menu: bob SHOULD bring it up! I'll go look for ya, tho. --- Mar 25, 1988 DEB [*SysOp*] Look at file # 3247, that is version 2.3 of BTPro 128. It still needs all the support files and dongles, but thats your main program. Thats the latest (and probably LAST) update of the program. --- Apr 02, 1988 F.MORRIS [ Fred. ] BTP and PARTNER 128 I have downloaded the file here in the library that is supposed to replace the charachter set so as to be compatible with PARTNER. It seems to be o.k., i.e. the ^ charachters do NOT have an indicator line over them, as per the file description, but PARTNER is still uninteligable. Anyone using both at the same time, and with what charachter set? --- Apr 03, 1988 H.HERMAN1 Fred, I have the character set for BTP that you refer to, and that's compatable with Partner128. However, I suspect that it is the same one you downloaded. If you are getting garbage characters from Partner128, then it may well be related to the cartridge port's limitation on cable length, about which I posted elsewhere here. the cartridge port's timing is highly sensitive, and any extensions over 10" will cause problems like garbage characters showing on screen, instead of the character set. So, if you are using a cable or the like, you may try Partner without it, and see how it works. If I remember correctly (it has been a while since I used Partner), the special character set for BTP does not affect Partner one way or the other. Howie --- Apr 05, 1988 DEB [*SysOp*] Fred: The alternate character set you downloaded here just makes your Partner more readable, works still the same. In your instruction book, you'll find a note about how to get Partner to recognize an alternate character set. (Commodore G, if I remember right?) That will turn your screen hash into characters for you. *deb!* --- Apr 07, 1988 F.MORRIS [ Fred. ] Deb! That did it! I did a ^G and Partner popped right in. Imagine, with all the fiddleing with character sets, and the answer was right in the manual, of all places :) I wanted this to make notes for uploading, while still having the downloaded BROwse in the BTP buffer. Thanks! --- May 01, 1988 JIM.RUSSELL Hello All... Just a quick note to say that I uploaded yet another character set for BTP128. I took the character set for MicroVT128 and modified it with Ultraterm to work with BTP. I think it came out pretty good. It's in library #10, file #5815. I hope you like it. :: Jim :: --- Feb 08, 1988 DWIGHTS I once left a msg. on Bob Lentini's BBS (he's the author of BobsTerm Pro 128) whether ANSI customization would work, and he was discouraging. I don't remember the answer, but it was generally negative.... However, someone else recently told me that ANSI is a derivative of the VT100 terminal, so if that is accurate maybe you COULD customize BT Pro. If anyone comes up with a way to do that, lemme know! --- Feb 09, 1988 DEB [*SysOp*] I have made the text visible for the ANSI escape codes. Bob *would* be discouraging about it, he's a perfectionist...! I think if you settled on a limited subset of the whole thing, tho, it could be done. Even using the Fkeys as cursor controls if you needed... *deb!* --- Mar 08, 1988 D.HYTE Well, I dunno if a comment I made elsewhere is what inspired this TOPic but gots a few updates in here fer yer all. First, after many MANY hours trying to get BTRPO to run ANSI on the 128 I've about given it up....I can get a very limited set of the ESC sequences to be recognized (underline, flash, bold, etc) but NO color at all! It appears that the color control sequences are filtered. Alas..... BUT, I have been playing quite a bit with the ANSI term that was included in the 128 version of Chris Smeets fantastic archiving utils...called CS-DOS, it has it's own very powerful shell, lets me use my 1750 as a ramdisk for lightening commands and has a fairly rudimentary ansi term built in too! If anyone would like a full featured review of the CS-DOS, lemme know and I'll put one in the right CAT/TOP for ya to peruse at your leisure...so...moral of the story is...if I want ANSI, I'll stick (till something better!) with the Smeets term and use BTPRO for all my NON-ansi apps. Dave (.)(.) ---