Contents

For Help on Help, Press F1

Welcome to eXcursion Help!

Click here for Information for New Users

Click these headings for...

Quick Start

Overview of eXcursion

eXcursion Control Panel

Font Naming Conventions

Font Failover

Troubleshooting


Control Panel Configuration

You can start an X application using eXcursion without configuring anything in the Control Panel. To start an X application immediately, see Quick start without the Control Panel.

If you use certain X applications regularly (mail, for example), you will probably want to configure them for easy startup. And if you use special features of eXcursion, such as X extensions, XDMCP,  single-window display mode, or multiple keyboard mapping, then you must set up these features with the eXcursion Control Panel.

The Control Panel is a tabbed dialog box. Each tabbed page in the dialog box controls one component of the eXcursion configuration. To learn about a Control Panel page, click the tab for that page.

Notes:

•	If you are using Windows 95 or Windows NT in VGA mode (640 x 480), you can enable Autohide or disable Always on Top for the Taskbar, so the Taskbar doesn’t obscure the OK and Cancel buttons of the eXcursion Control Panel.

•	The Password page of the Control Panel is not used in Windows NT.


Information Page

The Control Panel opens to the Information page, which contains general information about eXcursion.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on a tab to move to another Control Panel Help page.


Configuring

Configuring eXcursion provides it with information about your system, the applications you plan to run, and the connections you want eXcursion to establish to run these applications.


Control Panel Information

This section of the control panel provides general information that may be useful when installing eXcursion or when diagnosing problems.


X Server
X Server (Info Page)

The X Server area contains the following information.

Server Number

Associates a number with the eXcursion server on your PC. (Displayed only if you use eXcursion for Windows NT.)

This information is useful if you:

•	Have multiple X servers on your PC; and

•	Want to display an X application using eXcursion by entering commands from your host account.

Number of Links in Use

The number of open network links. The number of X applications you can run is limited by the available network links.

eXcursion uses one network link. Each X application you run uses at least one link; some use several links.

Digital recommends you set the maximum number of network links to 16 or greater. For more information on how to increase the number of network links, see the documentation for your network software.

Number of Errors Logged

If you defined a log file, the number of error messages that have been logged.


XWindow Page

You use the Xwindow page to perform window management functions.

Click [image] to see Xwindow procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on a tab to move to another Control Panel Help page.


XWindow Page Procedures

Use the following procedures for eXcursion window management:

Display mode

Built-in Window Manager

Allow Foreign Window Managers

Enable X window panning

Virtual root dimensions

Monitor dimensions

Display resolution


Display Page

You use the Display page to set eXcursion display options.

Click [image] to see Display procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on a tab to move to another Control Panel Help page.


Monitor Dimensions

Setting Monitor Dimensions ensures that X applications are displayed correctly.


Display Mode

The Mode section of the Display page allows you to switch between Single Windows and Multiple Windows mode. You must restart the server for this to take effect.


Display Performance

The Performance section of the display page allows you to improve the speed at which lines are drawn on your screen.

You can change the following attributes to improve performance:

Minimum Accurate Line Width—According to the X specification, all lines of width 1 or greater must be drawn exactly as specified.  For 0-width (or thin) lines, the server is free to draw the line as fast as possible without restrictions on accuracy.

In eXcursion, thin lines are drawn using graphics device interface (GDI) which can be significantly faster than following the X specification.

When you select a value for Minimum Accurate Line Width, all lines of that width and greater are drawn according to the X specification. All lines less than the selected width are drawn using GDI.  If you specify INF, all lines are drawn using GDI.

When GDI is used to draw a line, the pixels drawn may differ slightly from those specified in the X specification.  Some styles, such as lines drawn with a tiled pattern, may be ignored.

Minimum Accurate Dashed Line Width—This is similar to Minimum Accurate Line Width except it specifies how dashed lines should be drawn. This value must be less than or equal to Minimum Accurate Line Width.

Note that dash patterns may differ slightly from the X specification if GDI is used.

Draw 0-Width Lines With Accurate Length— By default, according to the X specification, the last pixel of a 0-width line should be drawn. GDI , however, does not draw this last pixel.

To correct this discrepancy, turn on the Draw 0-Width Lines with Accurate Length attribute; however, you may notice a slight decrease in line drawing performance.

Note that this only applies to 0-width lines; all other lines are drawn to match the length according to the X specification.


Display Page Procedures

Use the following procedures to configure display settings for eXcursion:

Display Performance

Windows color compatibility

Reserved colors available

X11R3 compatibility

On Server Reset

Enable Backing-store

Motif language

Databases


Display Performance
Display Performance (Display page)

The Performance section of the Display page allows you to determine the level of accuracy with which you want lines drawn so that you can improve the speed at which they are drawn.

To set the minimum line widths

1 	Click the down arrows to set the minimum accurate line widths.  (The default value for the minimum line widths is 1.)

When you select a value from the Minimum Accurate Line Width list, all lines of that width and greater are drawn according to the X specification.  All lines less than the selected width are drawn using GDI.

If you specify INF, all lines are drawn using GDI.

1 	If desired, turn off the Draw 0-Width Lines with Accurate Length attribute.

2 	Click Apply or OK.


Display mode
Display Mode (XWindow page)

In Single Window mode, all your X applications appear on a single eXcursion window, called the root window. A foreign window manager (such as Motif Window Manager, or MWM) must be used to manage the X applications. You control the maximum size of the root window with the Virtual root dimensions section of the XWindow page.

Note: eXcursion ignores the setting of the Built-in window manager switch in Single Window mode. The built-in window manager works only in Multiple Windows mode. If you prefer a Motif-style window manager, you can use the local Motif window manager.

Multiple Windows mode configures your display to look and act like a normal Windows environment. In Multiple Windows mode, each X application appears in a separate window.

Note: In Multiple Windows mode, you can use the Built-in window manager or you can use a foreign windows manager. Also note that the Shape extension is disabled in Multiple Windows mode.

To change display mode

1 	Click Single Window or Multiple Windows to select the mode you want.

2 	Click OK or Apply

3 	Restart the X server to put the change into effect.


Virtual Root Dimensions
Virtual Root Dimensions (XWindow page)

This sets the size of your X root window when you operate in Single Windows mode. If you enter 0 by 0 as your X root window’s virtual root dimensions, eXcursion uses the actual dimensions of your PC screen.

X applications may change their behavior based on the root window size. The values you specify for Virtual Root Dimensions are the dimensions eXcursion reports to the X applications.

To set the virtual root dimensions

1 	Enter your current screen resolution here.

2 	Click Apply or OK.

Example: If you are using SVGA resolution, set 1024 in Width and 768 in Height.

Virtual root dimensions only apply in Single Window mode. This section is grayed out in Multiple Windows mode.


Windows Color Compatibility
Windows Color Compatibility (Display page)

By checking this box, you minimize color shifts that occur when focus is changed between Windows and X applications.

When you enable Windows Color Compatibility for a 256 color video system, 20 colors are reserved for Windows system use, making available 236 colors for use by X applications with private colormaps.

When this function is disabled, two colors are reserved (for black and white), making available 254 colors for use by X applications.

To maintain color compatibility between X applications and Windows

1 	Check the Windows Color Compatibility check box.

2 	Click Apply or OK.


Reserved Colors Available
Reserved Colors Available (Display page)

When checked, eXcursion will report to applications that all colors are available in their private colormaps. The actual number of colors available is determined by the Windows Color Compatibility checkbox.

To make reserved colors available

1 	Check the Reserved colors available check box.

2 	Click Apply or OK.


Built-in Window Manager
Built-in Window Manager (XWindow page)

eXcursion’s Built-in Window Manager is an ICCCM compliant X window manager that is tightly integrated with Windows. Digital recommends the use of the window manager whenever you run in Multiple Windows mode.

Note: If you prefer Motif-style window managers, you can use the local Motif window manager.

For normal use, enable the Built-in Window Manager. If you start a foreign window manager, the Built-in Window Manager “steps aside” and restarts when the other window manager stops. Only disable the Built-in Window Manager when you want no window management.

To change the default window manager

1 	Check Built-in Window Manager to use Windows 95 or Windows NT as your window manager for X application windows.

2 	Restart the server to put the change into effect.

Notes: The built-in window manager works only in Multiple Windows mode. Other window managers can be used in Multiple Windows mode, but Digital recommends the use of the built-in window manager to achieve the best integration with the Microsoft Windows environment.

When using the built-in window manager, your X applications display a red X [image] in the upper left-hand corner of the window.  Clicking on this X drops down the X-Applications menu.


Allow Foreign Window Managers
Allow Foreign Window Managers (XWindow page)

If you want to run a foreign window manager in Multi-Window mode, you must enable the feature. The default is disabled.

To enable use of a foreign window manager

1 	Check Allow Foreign Window Managers.

2 	Click Apply or OK.


X-Applications Menu

Clicking on the [image] in the title bar of your X application window drops down the X-Applications menu:

You can capture your selection in your application to move to a Windows or another X application.

To capture a selection

1 	Define a selection in the X application.

2 	Click Capture Primary Selection.

3 	eXcursion copies the selection to the Windows Clipboard.

Note that the current selection and the currently-highlighted items may not be the same for some X applications.


Local Motif Window Manager

The eXcursion CD includes a local Motif window manager, which you can use whenever you would otherwise use a remote Motif window manager. The local version provides the same functionality but improves response time by reducing the load on the network.

To use the local Motif window manager

1 	Copy it from the CD using the procedure in the README.TXT file in the XAPPS directory on the CD.

2 	Create an icon and run it like any other Windows application, or create an alias for it on the Applications page and run it from there.


Enable X Window Panning
Enable X Window Panning (XWindow page)

An X application window may be placed partly out of view. Panning lets you move the window into view by moving the mouse to the edge of the window.

To enable X window panning

1 	Check Enable X Window Panning.

2 	Click Apply or OK.

The panning feature is available only if you use the built-in window manager. You cannot enable panning and remote X Window Management at the same time.


X11R3 Compatibility
X11R3 Compatibility (Display page)

Check X11R3 compatibility to relax some X protocol error checking so some old (X11R3) applications can run. Relaxing the protocol error checking has no effect on running R4, R5, or R6 applications.

eXcursion is compatible with Version 11, Releases 4 and 5, of the X Window System. Checking X11R3 Compatibility allows you to use Version 11, Release 3 applications.

To use eXcursion with Version 11, Release 3 applications

1 	Check X11R3 Compatibility.

2 	Click Apply or OK.

When this box is checked, you can continue to use Version 11, Release 4 and Release 5 X applications. An informational message is displayed any time you start a Release 3 X application.


On Server Reset
On Server Reset (Display page)

The On Server Reset option lets you to specify what eXcursion should do after the last X client terminates.  You can request that the sever continues to run, restarts itself, or terminates.  The default is that eXcursion continues to run.

To specify the action that eXcursion should take

1 	Click the down arrow to view the options.

2 	Select an action.

3 	Click Apply or OK.


Enable Backing-store
Enable Backing-store (Display page)

For applications that support backing-store, the Enable Backing-Store section of the Display page lets an application advise eXcursion what it should do with the contents of a window that is off-screen.

To enable backing-store

1 	Check Enable Backing-store.

1 	Click Apply or OK.

Note:

Enabling backing-store in multi-window mode may decrease server performance.


Monitor Dimensions
Monitor Dimensions (XWindow page)

Setting Monitor Dimensions ensures that X applications are displayed correctly.

To specify your monitor dimensions

1 	Enter the height and width (in millimeters) for your monitor.

2 	Click Apply or OK.

To obtain the specifications for the display area, see the documentation for your monitor.


Resolution

Resolution is the number of pixels per unit length that is most often expressed in dots (pixels) per inch, or dpi.


Setting the Display Resolution

Resolution is a factor in the correct display of X applications. Regardless of the actual resolution of a display, it is a good idea to configure it for either 75 dpi or 100 dpi because many X application only display correctly at these resolutions.

To set up eXcursion for 75 dpi:

1 	Determine the width and height of the monitor screen in pixels (for example, 1024 x 768).

2 	Multiply each dimension by .339. The results are the dimensions in millimeters (mm). For example:

1024 x .339 = 347 mm
  768 x .339 = 260 mm

3 	Enter the results in the Monitor Dimensions sections described above.

4 	Click Apply or OK.

Follow the same procedure to set up eXcursion for 100 dpi, except multiply by .254 instead of .339.

For more information about setting the display resolution, refer to the Troubleshooting section


Motif Language
Motif Language (Display page)

Allows you to set the language used by Motif applications.

Motif applications that are capable of running in more than one language look for a language property on the X Server’s root window. Selecting a language from the drop-down list sets this property. If you have defined an Xdefaults file in the Database Files section of the Display page, you should define this property there.

 Note: Do not select a language in the drop-down list unless you need it. It may interfere with X applications that set other properties on the root window.

To specify the Motif language

1 	Select the language you want to use from the drop-down box.

2 	Click Apply or OK.


Database Files
Database Files (Display page)

Use the Database Files section of the Display page to define a new color database or a new Xdefault database.

Color Database

X applications can ask the X Server for colors by name. By default, the X Server looks for the definition of these colors in a text file named RGB.TXT. Colors are defined in this file as RGB values.

If an X application requires a different set of color definitions, you can define a new color database.

To define a new color database

1 	Copy RGB.TXT to another file.

2 	Edit the new file using a text editor.

3 	Change the color database specified on the Display page.

4 	Click Apply or OK.

Xdefault Database

The XDefault database contains the default values for your X applications. These defaults control such parameters as fonts, colors, mouse, and cursor.

You must enable this option (by checking the box) for the X Server to use XDefaults. If you enable the option and omit a file specification, eXcursion uses the text file XDEFAULT.DAT.

If you want to define a new XDefault database, create a new file based on your current XDEFAULT.DAT. Save the old file in case you want to restore it later.

To define a new Xdefault database

1 	Copy XDEFAULT.DAT to another file.

2 	Edit the new file using a text editor.

3 	Change the Xdefault database specified on the Display page.

4 	Click Apply or OK.


Virtual Root Dimensions

Sets the size of your X root window when you operate in Single Window mode.

Virtual root dimensions only apply in Single Window mode. This section is grayed out in Multiple Windows mode.


Display Color

The Color section of the Display page allows you to maintain color compatibility between Windows and your X applications, access colors normally reserved for.

Windows Color Compatibility

By checking this box, you minimize color shifts that occur when focus is changed between Windows and X applications.

Reserved Colors Available

When checked, eXcursion will report to applications that all colors are available in their private colormaps. The actual number of colors available is determined by the Windows Color Compatibility checkbox.


Window Management

The Window Management section of the XWindow page allows you to disable the built-in windows manager, allow foreign window managers to start, or enable X Window panning.

Enable Built-in Window Manager

eXcursion’s built-in window manager is an ICCCM compliant X window manager that is tightly integrated with Windows.

Enable X Window Panning

An X application window may be placed partly out of view. Panning lets you move the window into view by moving the mouse to the edge of the window.

Allow Foreign Window Managers

The built-in window manager can "step aside" to allow a foreign window manager to start.

Note:

•	These items are disabled when single window mode is active.


Special Features

Special features include:

X11R3 Compatibility

Allows eXcursion to use Version 11, Release 3 applications.

On Server Reset

Selects what eXcursion does after the last X client terminates.

Enable Backing-store

Allows eXcursion to  determine what to do when parts of a window become occluded or moved off screen.

Motif Application Language

Selects the language used by Motif applications.


Database Files

Use the Database Files section of the Display page to define a new color database or a new Xdefault database.

Color Database

Database of defined colors. You can replace the default with your own database.

Xdefaults Database

Database of defaults for your X applications. You can replace the default with your own database.


Color Selection

The selection of colors is done from the application or the X application's initialization file. For more information about selecting colors, see the documentation accompanying the application.


Motif language

Selects the language used by Motif applications.


Access Page

Use the Access page of the Control Panel to specify the hosts (the Valid Nodes) that can run X applications on your PC. By restricting this access, you can prevent unauthorized users from running X applications on your PC. You also use the Access page to restrict the external hosts (the Controlling Hosts) that can change the valid nodes.

If you select DECnet as your network transport, you can specify hosts and user names for both valid nodes and controlling hosts.

Click [image] to see Access procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on a tab to move to another Control Panel Help page.


Enable Access Control

You must enable access to use the controls on the Access page of the Control Panel.


Valid Nodes

Use the Valid Nodes controls to specify the hosts that are allowed to display X applications on your PC.

If you specify an invalid node, access control is disabled and any user can run X applications on your PC.


Access Page Procedures

Use the following procedures to configure access for eXcursion:

Enable access

Add and remove valid node names

Add and remove controlling host names


Enable Access
Enable Access (Access page)

You must enable access to use the controls on the Access page of the Control Panel.

To enable access

1 	Check Enable Access.


Add and Remove Valid Node Names
Add and Remove Valid Node Names (Access page)

Use the Valid Nodes controls to specify the hosts that are allowed to display X applications on your PC. You may want to limit display access to only those hosts where you have an account by specifying those nodes here. After you grant access to one or more hosts, no other hosts are able to display X applications on your PC.

Security Warning: If you specify an invalid node, access control is disabled and any user can run X applications on your PC.

Note: If you select DECnet as the network transport, you can restrict access to specific usernames on a host by entering the name in the Username box. You must make a separate entry for each host/username combination.

To add a valid node name

1 	Enter the host name in the Node Name text box.

2 	Select the network transport protocol in the Network Transport dropdown box.

If you select DECnet as the network transport, you can restrict access to specific user names on a host by entering the name in the Username box. You must make a separate entry for each host/user name combination. If you leave the Username field blank, eXcursion accepts any user.

3 	Click Add to move the new node name to the Existing Nodes list.

To remove a valid node name

1 	Select the host name you want to remove in the Existing Node list.

2 	Click Remove.


Add and Remove Controlling Host Names
Add and Remove Controlling Host Names (Access page)

Use the Controlling Hosts controls to specify a host that can make changes to the list of valid nodes (your local PC is always authorized).

To add a controlling host name

1 	Enter the node name in the Controlling Host Name text box.

2 	Select the network transport protocol in the Network Transport dropdown box.

If you select DECnet as the network transport, you can restrict access to specific user names on a host by entering the name in the Username box. You must make a separate entry for each host/user name combination. If you leave the Username field blank, eXcursion accepts any user.

3 	Click Add to move the new controlling host name to the Existing Controlling Hosts list.

To remove a controlling host name

1 	Select the host name you want to remove in the Existing Controlling Hosts  list.

2 	Click Remove.


Controlling Hosts

Use the Controlling Hosts controls to specify a host that can make changes to the list of valid nodes (your local PC is always authorized). Existing controlling hosts are listed in the Existing Host list box.


XDMCP Page

Use the XDMCP page to specify startup mode and configuration for the X Display Manager Control Protocol (XDMCP).

If your remote host provides log in services via the X Display manager, use the XDMCP page to enable it.

Click [image] to see XDMCP procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on a tab to move to another Control Panel Help page.


XDMCP Procedures

Use the following procedures to configure XDMCP for eXcursion:

Enable XDMCP

XDMCP startup mode

XDMCP configuration settings


Enable XDMCP
Enable XDMCP (XDMCP page)

You must enable XDMCP before using it.

To enable XDMCP

1 	Check Enable XDMCP.

2 	Click Apply or OK.


XDMCP Startup Mode

XDMCP startup mode specifies the method eXcursion uses to obtain the services of an external display manager. Any changes you make will take effect the next time you start eXcursion.


XDMCP Startup Mode
XDMCP Startup Mode (XDMCP page)

XDMCP startup mode specifies the method eXcursion uses to obtain the services of an external display manager. There are three XDMCP startup modes:

Broadcast: eXcursion places a message on the network requesting an X display manager without specifying a particular one. eXcursion then displays the eXcursion XDMCP Chooser dialog box, allowing you to choose a host from the list of those that responded.

The Max Hosts setting determines the maximum number of hosts (up to 512) that can be listed in the XDMCP Chooser list in Broadcast mode.

Query Host: You specify the host you want to use. eXcursion requests an X display manager from that host. If it is available, the host's login dialog box appears; if not, you receive an error message.

Indirect Host: You specify the host. eXcursion places a request to that host to issue a broadcast query. The host then displays a list of the display managers that responded to the broadcast query, allowing you to choose the host  you want.

To select an XDMCP startup mode

1 	Click on the startup mode you want to use.

2 	For Query Host or Indirect Host modes, enter the host name.

3 	Click Apply Now or OK to change the startup mode.

The changes you made will take effect the next time you start eXcursion.


eXcursion XDMCP Chooser
eXcursion XDMCP Chooser (XDMCP page)

The Chooser provides a list of hosts that responded to a request for an X display manager.

To select a host

1 	Highlight the host you want to use.

2 	Click OK.

When the host's login dialog box appears, enter your username and password for that host.

Click [image] to go back to the XDMCP startup mode procedure.


Host Display Manager List

The host display manager list will look something like this:


XDMCP Configuration Settings

These parameters specify the XDMCP configuration settings.


XDMCP Configuration Settings
XDMCP Configuration Settings (XDMCP page)

The XDMCP Configuration settings specify the following XDMCP configuration parameters:

Once: If this is checked, the server terminates instead of resetting at the end of a session.

Port: Use only to specify a port other than the default port.

Cookie: Security key. Use only to specify a specific security authorization key. Under normal conditions, the server creates the cookie automatically. eXcursion supports MIT-MAGIC-COOKIE, XDM-AUTHORIZATION-1, and XDM-AUTHENTICATION-1.

Class: An additional display qualifier. See your system administrator for more information.

Display ID: The display ID given to you by your system administrator.

To change XDMCP configuration settings

1 	Check Once if you want the server to terminate after each session. Otherwise, leave it unchecked.

2 	Select a port if you system administrator has told you to enter one here.

3 	Enter your security key in Cookie if you are using a special key. Otherwise, leave this blank.

4 	Leave Class blank unless your system administrator has given you something to enter here.

5 	Enter your display ID in Display ID.

6 	Click Start Server (or Restart Server) to start the X Server and proceed according to the startup mode you chose.


Server Reset

At the end of most sessions, a server resets. Resetting involves restoring all default values, terminating and restarting. In single window mode, you will see the X root window close and reopen. Generally, a reset is not visible in multiple windows mode.


Enable XDMCP

Check this checkbox to enable XDMCP.


Extensions Page

The Extensions page controls server extensions to X. The X extensions enhance the ability of X to handle certain types of data. In most cases, your application documentation can tell you which extensions you require.

Click [image] to see X extensions procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on a tab to move to another Control Panel Help page.


X Extensions

eXcursion supports the following extensions:

•	XIE Version 5

•	XIE Version 3

•	Big-requests

•	MIT & XC Miscellaneous

•	Shape

•	Xtest, Xtest Extension 1 & Record


X Extensions Procedures
X Extensions Procedures (Extensions page)

The X extensions enhance the ability of X to handle certain types of data. In most cases, your application documentation can tell you which extensions you require.

To select an X extension

1 	See your application documentation to determine which extensions you need.

2 	Check the extension that your application requires.

eXcursion supports the following extensions

•	XIE Version 5 and 3 - XIE improves image processing and management.

−	Note that you can check both XIE Version 3 and XIE Version 5 if your X application uses both.

−	If your X application does not use either extension, leave both boxes unchecked.

•	Big-requests - Enables the use of protocol requests that exceed 262,140 bytes in length.

•	MIT & XC Miscellaneous - Client applications that are long running or use up their quota of resource IDs can receive a protocol error. This extension helps avoid such a problem by supporting additional resources for the X Server.

•	Shape - Provides arbitrary window and border shapes within the X11 protocol.

−	The Shape extension only shapes non-top level windows in Multiple Windows mode.

•	Xtest, Xtest Extension 1 & Record - supports system testing.

3.   Click Apply or OK.


Logging Page

Use the Logging page to:

•	Enable or disable logging.

•	Create a message log file for collecting error and warning messages produced by eXcursion in response to X applications.

•	View the error messages collected by the log file.

Note: If you define a log file, you can determine how many error messages have been logged to it by viewing status information on the Info page of the Control Panel.

Click [image] to see logging procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on a tab to move to another Control Panel Help page.


Logging Page Procedures

Use the following procedures to configure logging for eXcursion:

Enable logging

Create a log file

Log to popup window

Log to file

Log to Windows NT event logger

View logged messages

Log Network Warning

Browse and view buttons


Logging

You can:

•	enable and disable logging

•	log to a file

•	log to a popup window

•	log to the Windows NT event logger

Using the Browse and View buttons, you can also browse to find a log file and then view it in the Log file viewer.


Enable Logging
Enable Logging (Logging page)

You must enable logging before you can select a logging method.

To enable logging

1 	Check Enable Logging.

2 	Click Apply or OK.


Creating a Log File
Creating a Log File (Logging page)

eXcursion creates a log file automatically when you enable logging to a file and then use the eXcursion server.

To create a log files

1 	Check Enable Logging.

2 	Check Log to File.

3 	Enter a file pathname in the edit box next to Log to File.

4 	Click Apply or OK.

5 	Start the eXcursion server or start an application.

eXcursion will create the specified file and start logging to it.


View Logged Messages
View Logged Messages (Logging page)

You can view the error and warning messages eXcursion has entered in the log file in response to X applications.

To view error and warning messages

1 	Click the View File to display the contents of the current log file in the text box.

Note: Error and warning messages accumulate in the message log file from one eXcursion session to another, so be sure to periodically review and delete the log file to ensure maximum performance from eXcursion.


Log Network Warning

Lists the network warnings for debugging purposes.


Log Network Warning
Log Network Warning (Logging page)

To list network warnings:

1 	Enable logging.

2 	Check the Log Network Warnings checkbox.

3 	Click OK.


Log to Popup Window
Log to Popup Window (Logging page)

You can log to any combination of popup window, log file, or event logger.

To log to a popup window

1 	Check Log to Popup Window.

2 	Click Apply or OK.


Log to Windows NT Event Logger
Log to Windows NT Event Logger (Logging page)

You can log to any combination of popup window, log file, or event logger.

To log to the Windows NT event logger

1 	Check Log to Windows NT Event Logger.

2 	Click Apply or OK.


Browse and View Buttons
Browse and View Buttons (Logging page)

Browse Button

The Browse button opens the Log File dialog box, allowing you to select a file to be your log file or to be viewed using the View File button. The path for the selected file appears in the Log to File edit box.

View File Button

The View File button shows the contents of the current log file in the large text box below. The current log file is specified in the Log to File edit box.


Log File Viewer

Shows the error and warning messages eXcursion has entered in the selected log file in response to X applications.


Log to File
Log to File (Logging page)

You can log to any combination of popup window, log file, or event logger.

To log to a file

1 	Check Log to File.

2 	Enter the filename in the box to the right of the text or select with the Browse button.

3 	Click Apply or OK.


Mouse Page

Use the Mouse page to:

•	Enable and configure Mouse Button Emulation.

•	Choose the key and mouse combination you want to use to select X graphics.

Click [image] to see mouse procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on a tab to move to another Control Panel Help page.


Mouse Procedures

Use the following procedures to configure your mouse for eXcursion:

Mouse button emulation

Cutting to Windows Clipboard

Automatically Capture Text on Button Up


Third Button Emulation
Mouse Button Emulation

If you have a two-button mouse, eXcursion lets you emulate a third mouse button by clicking and holding both mouse buttons together. You may choose to emulate either the second or third mouse button (MB2 or MB3) with the 2-button click. By default, the right mouse button then emulates the remaining mouse button (MB3 or MB2).


Cutting to Windows Clipboard

The default key and mouse button combination for capturing graphics from an X application to the Windows Clipboard.

You can also enable or disable the Automatically Capture Text on Button Up function.


Third Button Emulation
Mouse Button Emulation (Mouse page)

If you have a 2-button mouse, eXcursion can emulate a third mouse button by clicking both buttons together.

This is necessary only if you have a two-button mouse and you use X applications that require a three-button mouse. Do not enable mouse button emulation if you are using a three-button mouse.

To enable mouse button emulation

1 	Check the 2-Button Mouse checkbox to enable mouse button emulation.

2 	Select the button (MB2 or MB3) you want to emulate.

eXcursion defines the remaining button using the right mouse button.

3 	Set the Delay (ms) setting to the maximum time, in milliseconds (ms), that you want eXcursion to wait for the second button click after receiving the first.

The Delay setting affects the user in two ways:

−	eXcursion will assume you are pressing a single button (whichever you pressed first) unless you press the second button within the Delay period.

−	You will see a delay in your application responses to single-button mouse actions, equal to the Delay period.

4.   Click Apply or OK.


Cutting to Windows Clipboard
Cutting to Windows Clipboard (Mouse page)

When running X applications with eXcursion, you can cut graphics from any of your X applications to your Windows Clipboard, for use in Windows applications. The default key and mouse button combination for selecting graphics in an X application is None.

To specify a key and mouse button combination

1 	In the X Graphics Capture Sequence field, choose the key and mouse button combination you prefer for selecting graphics in your X applications.

2 	Click Apply or OK.


Capture Text on Button Up
Capture Text on Button Up (Mouse page)

By enabling this option, you can capture text from an X application by selecting it with the mouse. When you release the mouse button, eXcursion automatically copies the text to the Windows Clipboard.

To enable automatic text capture on button up

1 	Click Automatically Capture Text on Button Up.

2 	Click Apply or OK.

Note: Some applications may not be compatible with the Automatically Capture Text on Button Up option. If you obsesrve unexpected behaviour, such as when you select text, disable the option.


Keyboard Page

Use this page to change keyboard information. For example, if you get a new keyboard, or if the location of your key definition files changes, you must update the information on this page.

The default key definition directory name is \WIN32APP\XCURSION\KEYSYMS. The default location is the drive where eXcursion files are located.

Click [image] to see keyboard procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on a tab to move to another Control Panel Help page.


Keyboard Procedures

Use the following procedures to configure your keyboard for eXcursion:

Primary mapping

Secondary mapping

Keyboard remapping requests

Keyboard model

Key mapping style

Alt key passthrough


Primary Mapping

Specifies the primary mapping to use for the keyboard.


Primary Mapping
Primary Mapping (Keyboard page)

To specify the primary mapping

1 	Select the language mapping for the keyboard.

2 	If you redefined one or more keys, check Custom Key Definition File and enter the name of the key definition file in the text box.

3 	Click Add or OK.


Secondary Mapping

Enables secondary mapping and specifies the secondary mapping for the keyboard.


Secondary mapping
Secondary Mapping (Keyboard page)

Most users need to specify only one keyboard setup, but you can specify a secondary keyboard setup if you need to.

For example, you may need to set up eXcursion so you can switch back and forth between the French and German languages. (Press CNTRL+SHIFT to move from one key definition file to the other.)

To enable secondary mapping

1 	Check Enable Secondary Mapping.

2 	Click Apply or OK.

To specify secondary mapping for the keyboard

1 	Select the language you want to use.

2 	If you redefined one or more keys, check Custom Key Definition File and enter the name of the key definition file in the text box.

3 	Click Apply or OK.


Keyboard Remapping Requests

Allows the keyboard layout to be remapped.


Keyboard Remapping Requests

Many Session Managers try to remap the keyboard layout to a known state, but because they are configured for a workstation, the mapping is often incorrect for a PC keyboard. Therefore, eXcursion prevents this by default.

If you have an X application that requires this capability:

1 	Check the Allow Client Keyboard Remapping Requests checkbox.

2 	Click Apply or OK.


Keyboard Model

Specifies the keyboard model.


Keyboard Model
Keyboard Model (Keyboard page)

To choose the keyboard model

1 	Click the Digital LK250, LK450, or LK411 keyboard radio button if you have one of these keyboards.

2 	Click the Enhanced 101 or 102  radio button if you have any other keyboard.

3 	Click Apply or OK.

Notes:

Most Digital keyboards are industry-standard Enhanced 101 or 102 keyboards.  The LK450 and LK411 can be used in Enhanced 101 mode.

Any keyboard driver that supports the LK450 will support the LK461.

With Windows NT V4.0, function keys F13 and above may not work.


Key Mapping Style

Selects the key mapping style.


Key mapping style
Key Mapping Style (Keyboard page)

The Key Mapping Style section of the Keyboard page allows you to select the keyboard mapping style appropriate to your X environment. Refer to your application documentation to find the required keyboard style.

To choose the key mapping style

1 	Click Digital if you want a keyboard that uses the Digital key mapping style, or if you need access to the Gold (PF1) key, or the PF1 to PF4 keys for OpenVMS applications.

2 	Click IBM or Compatible if you have any other keyboard.

3 	Click Apply or OK.


Alt Key Passthrough

Specifies the Alt key(s) that you want eXcursion to pass to the X application. Alt keys not passed to the X application are available for Windows use.


Alt Key Passthrough
Alt Key Passthrough (Keyboard page)

Specifies the Alt key(s) that you want eXcursion to pass to the X application. Alt keys not passed to the X application are available for Windows use. On Windows NT systems, you cannot pass the ALT key in the ALT + Tab key sequence to an X application.

To choose the Alt keys you want to send to your X application

1 	Select the radio button corresponding to the Alt key(s) you want eXcursion to pass to your X application.

2 	Click Apply or OK.

Note: This setting applies to both primary and secondary mapping if secondary mapping is enabled.


Password Page

Use this page to set or update your eXcursion password.

Note: The password page is only applicable to eXcursion running on Windows. When running on Windows NT, eXcursion relies on Windows NT security and the Password page is not available.

Click [image] to see password procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on a tab to move to another Control Panel Help page.


Passwords

An eXcursion password allows you to restrict access to eXcursion. Once you specify a password, eXcursion will not start without it.

Use this page to set or change a password. A password maybe required when you:

•	Start eXcursion

•	Resume an eXcursion session that you previously paused.


Password Procedures

An eXcursion password allows you to restrict access to eXcursion. Once you specify a password, eXcursion will not start without it. Use this page to set or change your password.

To change your password

1 	Enter your old password.

2 	Enter your new password.

3 	Enter your new password again for confirmation.

You new password will be in effect the next time you start eXcursion.

Security Note: The password also indirectly restricts access to your X applications by using your eXcursion password as part of the encryption key for your X applications passwords. Because of this feature, your X applications will not start even if an unauthorized user manages to bypass your password and start eXcursion.

For OpenVMS users:

To enable the expired password feature of OpenVMS, follow the procedure in Chapter 2 of the eXcursion User’s Guide, described in the section, Handling Expired Passwords.


Fonts Page

Use the Fonts Control Panel page to locate font files and add their font directory to your path. You can also use this dialog box to remove font directories from your path.

You need to specify an additional font directory if:

•	You want to use additional fonts provided by eXcursion.

•	You want to use additional fonts provided by an X application.

Click [image] to see fonts procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on a tab to move to another Control Panel Help page.


Font Procedures

Use the following procedures and information to configure your fonts for eXcursion:

Creating a fonts directory

Identifying types of FPEs

List of active FPEs

Creating alternate FPEs

Adding new font directories

Adding new font servers

Using remote font files

Customize a font directory

Add a scaleable font

Supported font formats

Font naming conventions

CDE font setup

Font failover


Active Font Path Elements

A list of your active font sources. These may be directories or font servers. You can move or remove them with the font path buttons.


Creating a Fonts Directory
Creating a Fonts Directory (Fonts page)

When you click Search in the New Fonts Path Elements section of the Fonts page, eXcursion only finds the directories with FONTS.DIR files.

To add a directory that does not have a FONTS.DIR file

1 	Enter the pathname of the directory in the edit box to the left of the Add button.

2 	Click Add.

eXcursion builds a FONTS.DIR file for that directory and then adds the directory to the list of active FPEs.


FPE Identification
Identifying Types of FPEs (Fonts page)

The Active Font Path Elements section of the Fonts page lists all FPEs known to the server as follows:

•	Primary FPEs are shown in black.

•	Alternate FPEs are shown in an alternate color (usually red).

•	Single alternate FPEs are indented and positioned after their respective primary FPE.

•	Multiple alternate FPEs are not indented and can appear anywhere in the list.

•	Activated FPEs have an arrow indicator.

The currently active FPEs (those on the font path at any given time) are indicated by a small arrow on the left.

The Active Font Path Elements section of the Fonts page also includes:

•	Single/Multiple radio button group—Selects which kind of alternate to create with the Alternate button.

•	Alternate push button—Marks the selected FPE as an alternate. If the selected FPE is already an alternate, it toggles back to being a primary. If the selected FPE is activated, the activation status is removed.

•	Activate push button—Activates the selected FPE and places it on the font path. You can use it to test alternate FPEs before an actual failover event occurs. It lets you interactively examine and debug a font failover configuration, because the list box behaves exactly as the server does when faced with a failover condition. Refer to Appendix F for more information about font failover.

You can select all controls with the mouse or by sequencing through with the Tab key. You can select the radio buttons by tabbing over to them and then using the arrow keys within the group.


Active Font Path Elements
Active Font Path Elements (Fonts page)

Use the Active Font Path Elements section of the Fonts page to specify the font path for eXcursion to search. This list of active font sources may include directories or font servers.

Note: You must have at least one FPE in the list of active FPEs to move to another Control Panel page.

eXcursion searches the FPE in the order listed. You can improve performance by listing the most used path element first, with the others in order of decreasing activity.

To move a font element up the list

1 	Highlight an FPE.

2 	Click Move Up.

The highlighted FPE moves up one level.

To move an FPE down the list

1 	Highlight an FPE.

2 	Click Move Down.

The highlighted FPE moves down one level.

To remove an FPE

1 	Highlight an FPE.

2 	Click Remove or double-click on the highlighted element.

eXcursion removes the highlighted FPE from the list of active FPEs.

Clicking on (selecting) an entry in the Active Fonts Path list box places the text of that entry in the edit box in the New Font Path Element section. This permits you to quickly restore a fonts path element after you remove it.

To remove the activation indicator from an FPE (and thus remove it from the active font path):

1 	Select the activated FPE, which can be a primary or an alternate FPE.

2 	Click the Alternate button. One click toggles the FPE to some primary or alternate state and removes the activation indicator. A second click toggles the FPE back to its original type (minus the indicator).


Creating Alternate FPEs
Creating Alternate FPEs (Fonts page)

Use the Active Font Path Elements section of the Fonts page to create alternate FPEs.

To create a single alternate FPE for a specific primary FPE

1 	Add the desired alternate FPE to the Active Font Path Elements list box.

2 	Select the FPE and use the move up/down buttons to place it under the desired primary FPE.

3 	Click the Single radio button.

4 	Click the Alternate button.

5 	Note the display shows the selected FPE in red text and indented.

To create a multiple alternate FPE

1 	Add the desired alternate FPE to the Active Font Elements list box.

2 	Select the FPE and use the move up/down buttons to place it in the desired location.

3 	Click the Multiple radio button.

4 	Click the Alternate button.

5 	Note the display shows the selected FPR in red text, but not indented.

To test your multiple alternate FPE selections

1 	Select the FPE you want to put on the active font path.

2 	Click the Activate button.

3 	Note the indicator arrow shifts to the selected item.


New Font Path Elements

Controls to add new FPEs to the Active Font Path Elements. These include:

•	a drop down box listing the drives to choose when searching for new font elements

•	an edit box showing the directory you highlight in the list box below

•	a list box showing the directories on the selected drive that contain font index files

•	a Search button to search the drive and list the font directories

•	an Add button to add the selected font directory to the list of active FPEs.


Adding New Font Directories
Adding New Font Directories (Fonts page)

These controls add new font directories to the Active Font Path Elements. To add font servers, see Adding new font servers.

To add a new font directory

1 	Select a drive from the drive drop down box.

2 	Click Search to list directories containing font files in the list box.

3 	Highlight one or more of the font elements in the list box

4 	The font element you highlight appears in the text box next to the drive box. If you highlighted more than one font element, this space remains blank.

5 	Click the Add button to add the highlighted element(s) to the active FPEs. If you highlight more than one font element, you can still add the selected group with the Add button.

Another way to add a new font directory

1 	Select a drive from the drive drop down box.

2 	Click Search to list directories containing font files in the list box.

3 	Double-click on the font directory you want to add to the active FPEs.

Yet another way to add a new font directory

1 	Enter the font spec directly into the edit box.

2 	Click the Add button to add the spec to the active FPEs.


Using Remote Font Files

If your system uses DECnet, you can use font files in a remote directory.

To use remote font files in a system using DECnet

1 	Enter the path of the remote font files in the edit box to the left of the Add button, using the syntax:

//decnet/<host>/<path>

where <host> is the DECnet node name,
and <path> is the path of a font directory on the node.

For example, to access fonts in a directory SYSTEM:[FONTS.75DPI] on node SERVER, enter:

//decnet/server/system:[fonts.75dpi]

2 	Click Add to add the remote path to the list of active FPEs.


Adding New Font Servers
Adding New Font Servers (Fonts page)

If you use TCP/IP, you can add a font server to the list of active FPEs. Font servers cannot be searched for on a network. Contact your system administrator for a list of font servers available on your network.

To add a font server

1 	Enter the server specification into the edit box to the left of the Add button.

The syntax is:

tcp/<node name>:<port number>

where <node name> is the tcp/ip node name
and <port number> is the tcp/ip port number

Use port 7000 to connect to an R5 font server and port 7100 to connect to an R6 font server.

2 	Click Add to add the server to the list of active FPEs.


Customize a Font Directory

To customize a fonts directory

1 	Place the font files you want to use into the desired directory.

2 	Delete font files you do not want included in this directory.

3 	Delete the FONTS.DIR file, if one exists.

4 	Enter the path name of the directory in the edit box to the left of the Add button on the Fonts page of the Control Panel.

5 	Click Add.

eXcursion builds a new FONTS.DIR file for that directory and then adds the directory to the list of active FPEs.

These methods work for bitmapped fonts (BDF and PCF formats). Scaleable fonts (Type 1 or Speedo formats) require a different method.


Add a Scaleable Font

Since a scaleable font does not have an XLFD name, you must assign one. You place these assigned names in a file named FONTS.SCA.

To add a scaleable font

1 	Follow steps 1-3 for customizing a font directory.

2 	In that directory, edit or create the text file FONTS.SCA.

3 	Add an entry for each font. (See below for an example FONTS.SCA file.)

4 	Enter the path name of the directory in the edit box to the left of the Add button on the Fonts page of the Control Panel.

5 	Click Add.

An example FONTS.SCA file:

4
cour.pfa	-adobe-courier-medium-r-normal--0-0-0-0-m-0-iso8859-1
couri.pfa	-adobe-courier-medium-i-normal--0-0-0-0-m-0-iso8859-1
courb.pfa	-adobe-courier-bold-r-normal--0-0-0-0-m-0-iso8859-1
courbi.pfa	-adobe-courier-bold-i-normal--0-0-0-0-m-0-iso8859-1
The first line tells the number of entries in the file (in this case, 4). References to “courier medium” would open the Type 1 font COUR.PFA, and references to “courier bold italic” would open COURBI.PFA.

When eXcursion builds a new FONTS.DIR file for this directory, it merges the FONTS.SCA file (if one exists) into FONTS.DIR.

See Font Naming Conventions for more information on font names.


Supported Font Formats

eXcursion can read font files in any of the following formats:

Name	Font Type	File Extension
Bitmap Distribution Format	Bitmap	BDF
Portable Compiled Format	Bitmap	PCF
Digital X11R4 SNF Format	Bitmap	DECW$FONT
Adobe® Type 1 Scaleable Format	Outline	PFA, PFB
Speedo Scaleable Format	Outline	SPD


SNF

Server Natural Format. An older format supported for compatibility. Unlike PCF fonts, SNF fonts must be compiled to match the "endian" setting of the machine that eXcursion is running on. The VAX, Intel, Alpha, and MIPS architectures are all "little endian" machines.


FONTS.DIR File

The index file FONTS.DIR tells the server which font file to open to satisfy a given X font request. In order for a font to be used, it must have an entry in the FONTS.DIR file.


Apply

Apply the current settings immediately. Use this button to implement the changes you have made in this page of the Control Panel without closing the Control Panel. Note that some changes require you to restart the X server to implement those changes.


Reset

Return all the settings on this page to the last-saved settings.


Start Server

Starts server. This button reads Restart Server if the server is already running.


OK

Saves all the Control Panel changes and closes the Control Panel. A confirmation box confirms that you want to do this.


Cancel

Closes the Control Panel without saving changes. A dialog box confirms that you want to do this.


Help

Context-sensitive Help for this page.


CDE Font Setup

CDE uses the standard set of X fonts distributed with eXcursion, but it calls many of them by different names. A font alias file maps the CDE names into the standard X font names.

The contents of the alias file depends on the location and the version of CDE. Consult your system manager for this information. CDE font aliases can be configured in one of two ways:

•	X font server

•	Local/network font directory


Using an X Font Server to Setup CDE Fonts

Consult your system manager for the address of a font server that is aware of the CDE font alias files. Put the address in your eXcursion font path.

On the font server, make sure that the font server configuration file, normally /usr/var/X11/fs/fs_cache_config, has been updated to include exporting the CDE font aliases in /usr/dt/config/xfonts.


Using a Font Directory to Setup CDE Fonts

If you do not have access to such a font server, the font alias file can be set up in a local font directory and added to the font path.

To set up a local directory:

1 	Create a new directory on your hard disk, for example, eXcursion\fonts\cde.

1 	Get a copy of the appropriate CDE font alias file alias from your system manager (which is in the path /usr/dt/config/xfonts/{LANG}/fonts.alias). Rename the file to FONTS.ALI and copy it into the \cde directory.

2 	Use a text editor to create a FONTS.DIR file in the \cde directory. Enter a single line containing the digit 0 in the file.

3 	Use the eXcursion Font page of the eXcursion Control Panel to add the new directory to your eXcursion font path.

The eXcursion server now understands the new CDE font names.


Sounds Page

Use the Sounds page to associate sounds with certain events.

Click [image] to see Sounds Page procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on a tab to move to another Control Panel Help page.


Sounds Page Procedures

To associate a sound file with an event, perform the following steps:

1 	Click the Enable Sounds checkbox.

2 	At Sounds Events, select the name of the event for which you want to associate a sound.

3 	At Sounds Files, enter or select the name of the Sound File you want to associate with the highlighted sounds event.


Sound Events

In the Sound Events scroll area, select the events for which you want to eXcursion to associate a sound.


Enable Sounds

If checked, the Enable Sounds checkbox causes eXcursion to associate sounds with certain events.  This functions requires a sound card.


Sound Files

In the Sound Files area, enter or select the name of the Sound File you want to associate with the highlighted Sounds Event.


Applications page

The Applications page of the Control Panel allows you to customize eXcursion for faster, easier startup of selected X applications. You can also start an X application from the Applications page without defining a startup method.

Click [image] to see applications procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on the tabs to move to another Control Panel Help page.


Applications procedures

Use the following procedures to configure application settings for eXcursion:

Application aliases

Application information

Predefined X applications

Changing application information


Application aliases

A list of X applications for which startup methods have been assigned. Applications are listed alphabetically by alias name.


Application aliases

This is a list of X applications for which startup methods have been assigned. Applications are listed alphabetically by alias name.

Note: The application aliases on this list also appear on the list of applications on the eXcursion server Applications sub-menu.

You may have loaded icons for DECwindows Motif or Sun Open Windows applications when you installed eXcursion. If so, those applications appear in this list. After you define a startup method for any X application, its alias is added to this list.

Highlight the application alias to view its startup information in other parts of the dialog box.

To enter a new alias, or change an existing one, see Application Information.


Application information

Lists the parameters required to start the selected application.


Application information

Enter the application alias and the parameters required to start the application here. You can do this directly or through the Predefined X Application list.

To enter application information

1	In the Application Alias edit box, enter the alias you want to use for the X application.

2	In the Command edit box, enter the startup command for the X application. For example, the command to open an OpenVMS notes window is $ notes/inter=decwindows. To determine the startup command, see the documentation for the X application.

3	Select an account from the Account Alias drop down box.

4	Check Run at eXcursion startup if you want this application to start when you start the eXcursion server.

5	Check Prompt for Parameters if you want to be prompted for parameters each time you start this application. For example, you can start the OpenVMS Notepad and specify a file name as the parameter.

Parameters can be up to 62 characters. For information on valid parameters for an X application, see the documentation for the application.

6	Click Add to enter this application is the List of Application Aliases and the Applications sub-menu.

To remove an application after adding it, highlight the application and click Remove.

7	Click Add Icon if you want eXcursion to load an icon for the X application in the Windows or Windows NT eXcursion V3 Applications program group.

A window containing the eXcursion V3 Applications displays, showing the new icon.

To create a copy of the icon on your desktop, use the right mouse button to drag the icon to the desktop, then click Copy Here.

8	You can start the application in several ways:

•	By clicking Start on the taskbar, pointing to the Programs menu, then pointing to eXcursion V3 Applications, and clicking the application icon

•	From a desktop shortcut

•	When the eXcursion Server is running, by right clicking on the Server icon on the taskbar, pointing to Applications, and clicking on the desired application.


Changing application information

Follow this procedure to change application information you added previously:

To change application information

1	Highlight the alias of the application you want to change.

2	In the Application Information section, make the required changes.

3	Click Modify.


Predefined X applications

Clicking this button brings up the Predefined X Applications dialog box.


Predefined X applications

The Predefined X Applications dialog box lets you select predefined X applications for use on your system.

Click [image] to see procedures for the Predefined X applications dialog box. Click on the dialog box bitmap for information about each section of this dialog box.

Click [image]  to return to the Applications Page


Predefined X applications

To select one or more predefined X applications

1	Click X applications in the Applications page of the Control Panel. Clicking this button displays the Predefined X-Applications dialog box.

2	Select a system type and an account alias (an account must be entered on the Accounts page of the Control Panel before doing this step).

3	Select one or more predefined applications.

4	Click Add.

5	To remove applications after adding them, highlight the applications and click Remove.

6	Click OK.

A window containing the eXcursion V3 Applications displays, showing the new icon.

To create a copy of the icon on your desktop, use the right mouse button to drag the icon to the desktop, then click Copy Here.


System information

The system information section lets you select the system type and account alias.


Predefined applications

This is the list of predefined applications for the system and account you have chosen.


New application aliases

The applications listed here will be in the Application Alias list on the Applications page of the Control Panel.


Add and remove buttons

Add adds an application to your selected list. Remove removes it. You can add or remove all at once using Add All or Remove All.


Accounts Page

Use the Accounts page of the Control Panel to define account information for your X host system.  Once your account information is defined, you can:

•	Customize eXcursion for faster, easier startup of selected X applications.

•	Start an X application without defining a startup method.

Click [image] to see accounts procedures.

Note: Click on this Control Panel bitmap for information about each section of this page of the Control Panel. Click on the tabs to move to another Control Panel Help page.


List of account aliases

Lists all the accounts, by alias, that you have defined for your system.


Account information

Enter account information here.


Account information procedure
Account information procedure (Accounts page)

Follow these steps to enter a new account.

To enter a new account

1	Enter an Account Alias. This is the alias you use for this account. This should be an easy-to-remember name, as you will need it when you fill in the Applications page.

2	Enter a Host name. This is a host on which you have an account.

3	Enter your username (or select Prompt for username).

4	Enter your password (or select Prompt for password). To help maintain security, eXcursion echoes your password as asterisks.

5	Select a network transport.

eXcursion allows you to simultaneously run X applications over both DECnet and TCP/IP. eXcursion for Windows also supports many other third-party versions of TCP/IP. In particular, it supports Windows Socket compliant TCP/IPs to allow any TCP/IP stack that supports Winsock to work with eXcursion for Windows.

To use DECnet, you must have DIGITAL PATHWORKS 32 defined.

6	Select a Command Interpreter (Shell). The selection Any works with most OpenVMS and UNIX hosts, but does not work with Windows NT hosts. Try one of the other choices if Any does not work.

7	Click Add.

To change an existing account

1	Select the account you want to change.

2	Make the desired changes.

3	Click Modify.


Account network information

Enter network transport information for the selected account here.


Sources of information

The following information sources may be helpful to you in using eXcursion:

The eXcursion User's Guide

The eXcursion User's Guide provides information on how to use eXcursion.  It also provides:

•	Information on setting up your host

•	Additional reference material in the appendixes

Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT Online Help

For information about how to use online help, see your Microsoft Windows documentation or choose Using Help or How to Use Help from the Windows 95 or Windows NT Help menu.

Documentation and online help for your X application

For information about a particular X application, see the documentation or onlline help for the application.

Documentation for your network transport

For information about defining node names and increasing network links, see the documentation for your network transport.


Add

Click to add a new application using the information entered in the Application Infomation section.


Add

Click to add a new account using the information entered in the Account Information sections.


Remove

Click to remove the highlighted application.


Remove

Click to remove the highlighted account.


Modify

Click to modify the highlighted application.


Modify

Click to modify the highlighted account.


Run

Click to run the highlighted application now.


Font Failover

Use the following procedures and information to establish font failover.

Overview

Setting Up a Failover Configuration

Font failover search algorithm

Font failover restrictions


Font Failover Overview
Overview

You can obtain fonts from a local hard disk or from remote sites. The remote sites can be font directories or font servers. Your font path can contain several FPEs, but some may be offline at any given time. How do you deal with this situation?

You can enter several equivalent FPEs in the font path.  If one FPE is not available, the search proceeds to another FPE. Such a font path might appear as:

\dir1\100dpi

\dir2\100dpi

\dir1\75dpi

\dir2\75dpi

This approach can slow down all font searches, even when all systems are operating normally. FPEs are searched for in order until the requested font is found, or until all FPEs have been tried.  Font aliases can cause all FPEs to be examined for every font opened, because an alias may refer to a font in any FPE. If an FPE goes offline, there can be long delays in routine font access because the network can time out trying to access the FPE.

Adding redundant FPEs to the active font path also increases the size of the server's font lookup tables, which consumes more of the PC's memory. For best performance, Digital recommends that you keep the number of FPEs to a minimum.

The eXcursion server provides some redundancy in the form of font failover, that is, if one FPE is not available, an alternate is picked dynamically. Failover FPEs are kept off the font path until they are genuinely needed.

To establish font failover, declare each FPE known to the server as either a primary or an alternate FPE. Primary FPEs are active elements of the font path. Alternate FPEs are kept off the font path and are inactivate.

Typically, an alternate site has the same set of fonts as the primary site. The purpose of an alternate is not to provide exotic, rarely used fonts, but to increase font availability.

A failover site becomes active only when:

•	The font path changes (for example, when the server is started or when you change the font path).

•	When access or initialization of a font directory fails. In this case, the site may not be available, there may be a network problem, or there may be a problem with the fonts.dir file.

Note that alternates are not activated on "BadFont" - font-not-known - errors. If this were allowed, any request for an unknown font would activate all the alternate sites, which is generally not desirable.


Setting Up a Failover Configuration

There are two basic kinds of FPEs:

•	Individual directories of fonts

•	Font servers

A single font server FPE can manage many font directories and thus serve as an alternate for several individual directories.

The two kinds of alternates are:

•	Single – a single alternate replaces a single, specific FPE

•	Multiple – a multiple alternate replaces all active FPEs

The following examples describe four types of searches:

•	Normal searching, no alternates

•	Using single alternates

•	Using multiple alternates

•	Activating selected FPEs


Normal searching, no alternates

The FPEs in the font path are searched in order to satisfy each font request. If a font is not found in the first FPE in the font path, the search proceeds to the next FPE and so on. The search proceeds through all FPEs until the font is found. Usually, you set up the font path so the FPEs most frequently used are first and those less frequently used are last.


Using single alternates

If the font lookup fails because the 100dpi FPE is temporarily unavailable, it is best to find an alternate 100dpi FPE, which presumably has the desired font.

\\fonts1\dir1\100dpi

         r:\dir2\100dpi

\\fonts1\dir1\75dpi

         r:\dir2\75dpi

\\fonts1\dir1\misc

         r:\dir2\misc

The example shows three primary directory FPEs. Each one has an alternate on a different disk/share, which is indented to show it is associated with a single primary FPE. The control panel list box displays alternates in red text.

An FPE may have no, one, or many alternates. All alternates for a given FPE are tried before proceeding to the next active FPE. You can denote this arrangement as:

\dir1\100dpi

   \dir2\100dpi

   \dir3\100dpi

\dir1\75dpi

   \dir2\75dpi

The following is a common font configuration problem :

\dir1\100dpi

\dir1\75dpi

\dir1\misc

eXcursion includes a 100dpi and a 75dpi font set. If you install both sets and have both on the font path, you often get unexpected results. If you want a backup, you can keep one of these directories as an alternate of the other, as shown below:

\dir1\100dpi

   \dir1\75dpi

\dir1\misc


Using multiple alternates

There is also a need for multiple alternates: a single FPE that may serve as an alternate to several FPEs. Font servers make good multiple alternates.

\\fonts1\dir1\100dpi

  \\fonts1\dir1\misc

* tcp/fserve1.xxx.com:7000

* tcp/fserve2.yyy.com:7000

In this example, fserve1.xxx.com serves as an alternate for both primary directories. If any of the directories fail, fserve1 becomes active, and the other directories become inactive (therefore, the multiple alternate should be able to cover all the primaries it is backing up).

If fserve1 is unavailable or fails, fserve2 (the next multiple alternate) becomes active.

Note that the multiple alternates need not be the last items in the list (although this would be a reasonable convention to adopt). They may be placed anywhere in the list. Only their order relative to other multiple alternates is significant.


Font Failover Search Algorithm

The font failover search/replacement algorithm summary is as follows:

•	If an FPE fails, check the next one in the list.  If it is a single alternate, use it.

•	The search for a single alternate stops when the next FPE  in the list is a primary.

•	If there are no more single alternates for an FPE, the server will look for a multiple alternate. The first multiple alternate available is used. A multiple alternate may be placed anywhere in the list box.

•	If a multiple alternate becomes active, all other FPEs become inactive.


Font Failover Restrictions

Restrictions are as follow:

•	All primary, alternate and multiple alternate FPEs must be unique, that is, an FPE can only appear in the list once. If you want an FPE to be an alternate for several primaries, it must be declared multiple.

•	When an FPE fails, only one FPE is selected to take its place. Therefore, as an example, a font server cannot be replaced with three directory FPEs.

•	When a multiple alternate becomes activate, all other FPEs become inactivate. A multiple alternate must therefore "cover" the fonts of the primary FPEs in order to be effective. A font server is generally the best choice for a multiple alternate.


Activating selected FPEs

You can activate any FPE in the list, primary or alternate, with the Activate button on the Control Panel Fonts page. Activated FPE entries in the list box are indicated with a small arrow.

When failover conditions occur, the server selects appropriate alternates for the primaries that have failed. You can also make the server use any alternate at any time by activating that element with the Control Panel, which makes it easy to test the alternates for proper operation and performance.

In the example below, the server will try \dir1\100dpi first, and will only try the others after it fails.

>  \dir1\100dpi

       \dir2\100dpi

        \dir3\100dpi

However, if \dir2\100dpi is activated, the display appears as follows:

\dir1\100dpi

>     \dir2\100dpi

       \dir3\100dpi

The server will try \dir2\100dpi first, and fail over to \dir3\100dpi if necessary. The server ignores \dir1\100dpi, as though \dir2\100dpi was a primary FPE.

If a multiple alternate FPE becomes activate, all other FPEs become inactive, because a multiple alternate "covers" all other FPEs.


Font Naming Conventions

Overview

Font Name Breakdown

Font Name Field Definitions

Scaleable and Polymorphic Font Naming

Font Name Examples

Scaleable Font Aliases

Matrix Transformations


Overview

X applications specify fonts through the naming conventions of the X Logical Font Description (XLFD). An XLFD name is a string of field names separated by hyphens. A font name uniquely identifies the font. It also contains information about the origin of the font and the attributes of the font.


Font Name Breakdown

This is how a font name breaks down into its individual fields.


Font Name Field Definitions

This section provides a brief definition of each field in a font name:

•	FOUNDRY

FOUNDRY is the name or identifier of the organization that digitized and supplied the font.

•	FAMILY_NAME

FAMILY_NAME identifies the range or “family” of typeface designs that are all variations of one basic typographic style.

Examples of FAMILY_NAMEs:
Helvetica
ITC Avant Garde Gothic
Times
Times Roman
Bitstream Amerigo
Stone

•	WEIGHT_NAME

WEIGHT_NAME identifies the font’s typographic weight, according to the FOUNDRY’s judgment. For example, WEIGHT_NAME identifies the nominal blackness of the font.

The interpretation of this field is somewhat problematic, as the typographic judgment of weight has traditionally depended upon the overall design of the typeface family in question. (It is possible that the demibold weight of one font could be almost equivalent in typographic feel to a bold font from another family.)

•	SLANT

SLANT is a code-string that indicates the overall posture of the typeface design used in the font.

The encoding is explained in Table 1.

Table 1 SLANT Encodings

Code	English String	Description
R	Roman	Upright design
I	Italic	Italic design, slanted clockwise from vertical
O	Oblique	Obliqued upright design, slanted clockwise from vertical
RI	Reverse Italic	Italic design, slanted counter-clockwise from vertical
RO	Reverse Oblique	Obliqued upright design, slanted counterclockwise from vertical
OT	Other	Other
•	SETWIDTH_NAME

SETWIDTH_NAME gives the font’s typographic proportionate width, that is, the nominal width per horizontal unit of the font, according to the FOUNDRY’s judgment.

As with WEIGHT_NAME, the interpretation of this field is somewhat problematic, since the designer’s judgment of setwidth has traditionally depended upon the overall design of the typeface family in question. X applications should use the RELATIVE_SETWIDTH font property, which gives the relative coded proportionate width, or calculate the proportionate width, for purposes of font matching or substitution.

Examples of SETWIDTH_NAMEs:
Normal
Condensed
Narrow
Double Wide

•	ADD_STYLE_NAME

ADD_STYLE_NAME identifies additional typographic style information not available in other fields but needed to uniquely identify the font.

ADD_STYLE_NAME is not a typeface classification field and is only used for uniqueness. Its usage, as such, is not limited to typographic style distinctions.

Examples of ADD_STYLE_NAMEs:
Serif
Sans Serif
Informal
Decorated

•	PIXEL_SIZE

PIXEL_SIZE gives the height, in pixels, of the font.

•	POINT_SIZE

POINT_SIZE gives the height, in decipoints, of the font. There are 722.7 decipoints to the inch. This value assumes that the display device has the vertical resolution specified in the RESOLUTION_Y field.

•	RESOLUTION_X and RESOLUTION_Y

RESOLUTION_X and RESOLUTION_Y are the horizontal and vertical resolution that the font was designed for, measured in dots per inch (dpi).

•	SPACING

SPACING indicates the escapement class of the font, that is, monospace (fixed pitch), proportional (variable pitch), or CharCell (a special monospaced font that conforms to the traditional data processing character cell font model).

The encoding is explained in Table 2.

Table 2 SPACING Encodings

Code	English String	Description
P	Proportional	A font whose character widths vary for each character
M	Monospace	A font whose character widths are the same for all characters
C	CharCell	A font whose character widths and heights are the same for all characters
•	AVERAGE_WIDTH

AVERAGE_WIDTH is the average width of all characters in the font, measured in 1/10th pixels.

•	CHARSET_REGISTRY and CHARSET_ENCODING

CHARSET_REGISTRY identifies the registration authority that owns the specified encoding.

CHARSET_ENCODING identifies the ordering of characters within the font.

The ISO Latin 1 character set has the CHARSET_REGISTRY ISO8859 and the CHARSET_ENCODING 1.


Scalable and Polymorphic Font Naming
Scaleable and Polymorphic Font Naming

Scaleable fonts in the Adobe Type 1 or Bitstream Speedo formats can be opened and scaled to any size by eXcursion. If an XLFD name has the digit '0' in the PIXEL_SIZE, POINT_SIZE, AND AVERAGE_WIDTH fields, it is interpreted as a scaleable font. In these specifications, the RESOLUTION_X and RESOLUTION_Y fields may also be set to 0. For example:

XLFD names are assigned to scaleable fonts by using the FONTS.SCA file.


Font Name Examples

The following examples of font names are derived from the screen fonts shipped with X servers meeting MIT’s X11 Release 6 specification.

Table 3 Examples of X Font Names

Font	X Font Name
Courier 8pt @75dpi	-Adobe-Courier-Medium-R-Normal--8-80-75-75-M-50-ISO8859-1
Courier 12pt	-Adobe-Courier-Medium-R-Normal--12-120-75-75-M-70-ISO8859-1
Courier Bold	-Adobe-Courier-Bold-R-Normal--10-100-75-75-M-10pt 60-ISO8859-1
Courier BoldOblique 10pt	-Adobe-Courier-Bold-O-Normal--10-100-75-75-M-60-ISO8859-1
Courier Oblique 10pt	-Adobe-Courier-Medium-O-Normal--10-100-75-75-M-60-ISO8859-1
Times Roman 10pt @100dpi	-Adobe-Times-Medium-R-Normal--14-100-100-100-P-74-ISO8859-1
Times Bold 10pt	-Adobe-Times-Bold-R-Normal--14-100-100-100-P-76-ISO8859-1
Charter 12pt @75dpi	-Bitstream-Charter-Medium-R-Normal--12-120-75-75-P-68-ISO8859-1
Charter BoldItalic 12pt	-Bitstream-Charter-Bold-I-Normal--12-120-75-75-P-75-ISO8859-1
Charter Bold 12pt	-Bitstream-Charter-Bold-R-Normal--12-120-75-75-P-76-ISO8859-1
Charter Italic 12pt	-Bitstream-Charter-Medium-I-Normal--12-120-75-75-P-66-ISO8859-1
Courier medium, scaleable	-Adobe-Courier-Medium-R-Normal--0-0-0-0-M-0-ISO8859-1
Courier bold, scaleable	-Adobe-Courier-Bold-R-Normal--0-0-0-0-M-0-ISO8859-1


Scaleable Font Aliases

One font may be substituted for another by declaring an ALIAS for it in a file named FONTS.ALI. This file may be created or edited with any text editor and resides in the same directory as a FONTS.DIR file.

The FONTS.ALI file contains aliases of the form

RequestedFont     	ActualFont

Where RequestedFont is the XLFD requested by an X application, and ActualFont is the XLFD to be substituted. For example:

fixed     -misc-fixed-medium-r-semicondensed--13-120-75-75-c-60-iso8859-1

variable  -*-helvetica-bold-r-normal-*-*-120-*-*-*-*-iso8859-1

The first alias, for example, tells the eXcursion server to substitute the font "-misc-fixed-medium-r-semicondensed--13-120-75-75-c-60-iso8859-1" when an X application requests a font by the name of "fixed".

In X11R6, scalable XLFD names can be used in aliases to substitute one font for another at any requested size. For example, the alias below:

-adobe-times-medium-r-normal--0-0-0-0-p-0-iso8859-1  \

-adobe-utopia-medium-r-normal--0-0-0-0-p-0-iso8859-1

substitutes "Utopia" for "Times" at any requested size.


Matrix Transformations

In X11R6, the POINT_SIZE and/or PIXEL_SIZE fields can now be matrices. The four elements of these matrices are used to specify a class of AFFINE TRANSFORMATIONS of the named font. Glyph rotation, shearing, and reflection are examples of such transformations. An example of the syntax is:

-adobe-utopia-medium-r-normal--0-[a b c d]-100-100-p-0-iso8859-1

where a,b,c and d are floating-point numbers.


alias

An alternate name for an X application that you specify when you define the startup method for the X application. For example, Mail instead of OpenVMS Mail. The alias is displayed in Existing Applications list, the Applications menu, and under the application icon.


compose key

A key that lets you specify a series of keystrokes to create characters that do not exist as standard keys on the keyboard.


controlling hosts

Computers that can control the list of valid nodes.


Control menu

Control menu commands are available if you use Windows or Windows NT as your window manager; they move, size, maximize, minimize, and close X application windows. Access the Control menu by clicking the X button located in the top-left corner of the X application window.

Also called the System menu.


DECnet

Digital networking software that runs in both local and wide area networks. With DECnet, different types of computers that have different operating systems can be connected, and users can access information and services on a remote computer.

DECnet is a networking protocol and transport.


display access

Access to eXcursion from a host where X applications reside. For example, by entering commands at a host with display access, you (or anyone) can display an X application in an eXcursion session on your PC.


dpi

Refers to the resolution of screen fonts in dots per inch


eXcursion Server

A Windows (or Windows NT) graphics application that lets you display and use X applications residing on remote hosts on your network.


font files

Files that contain information about typefaces and typesizes.


font path element (FPE)

Can be a directory or a font server. Directories can be local, network, or remote. A font directory contains one or more font files and an index file named FONTS.DIR. There may also be an index of font aliases named FONTS.ALI, or an index of scaleable fonts named FONTS.SCA


font server

An independent server program that runs on UNIX platforms. It transmits requested fonts to any number of X servers over a TCP/IP network, and thus may serve as a central repository of fonts for a large number of users.


graphics device interface (GDI)

An executable program that processes graphical function calls from a Windows-based application and passes those calls to the appropriate device driver, which performs the hard-ware specific functions that generate output.


host

An individual computer that can communicate with other computers in a network and provides services, such as X applications, to other computers.


keyboard mapping

The interpretation of individual keys on your keyboard. For example, you may have a Digital keyboard but choose to map it to an IBM or compatible keyboard layout. Applications interpret the keys as though the keyboard were an IBM keyboard.


keycode

The hexadecimal number assigned to a key for identification, regardless of how the key is defined or mapped.


key definition file

The definitions of keys stored in a file and used by an application. The file associates the key you press with the application's interpretation of that key.


keysym name

A key definition written in a particular form that eXcursion understands. For example, XK_F1 is the keysym name that defines a key as the F1 key.


local

Stored on or connected to a computer, such as an application or a printer. Located is the opposite of being available over a network.


local directory

A directory on a local hard disk.


local window manager

Refers to X application window management (moving, sizing, manipulation of windows) being handled by Microsoft Windows or Windows NT.


MB1, MB2, MB3

Mouse button 1, mouse button 2, and mouse button 3, respectively. Usually, MB1 is the left mouse button, MB2 the center button, and MB3 the right button; however, users can redefine the setup.


network directory

A directory on a shared network hard disk that has been mounted from Windows, usually with the File Manager.


panning

Moving the mouse to bring hidden areas of your video screen into view.


parameters

Information added to the command that starts an application. The parameter determines how the application will run.


primary selection

A highlighted block of text in an X application.


remote directory

A directory accessible through DECnet. Remote directories are not necessarily mounted as a share.


remote window manager

An X application that lets you move, manipulate, and size X application windows. Alternatively, you can use Windows or Windows NT as your window manager.


RGB Values

Three integers that specify the red, green, and blue components of a color on a monitor.


root window

In X, the screen background. A root window has no frame and is similar to the Windows or Windows NT screen background. Some popular X applications, such as window managers and xgifroot, require the ability to display on the root window.


socket

A network link that the eXcursion server uses to establish incoming connections.


System menu

System menu commands are available if you use Windows or Windows NT as your window manager; they move, size, maximize, minimize, and close X application windows. Access the System menu by clicking the X button located in the top-left corner of the X application window.

Also called the Control menu.


TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A set of protocols that governs the transport of information between computers and networks of dissimilar types. The Internet is a group of networks that includes regional networks and local networks at universities and commercial institutions. TCP/IP is an alternative to the DECnet network transport.


User Profile

Contains information about application startup, the location of font and key definition files, and other selections made from eXcursion Setup and the eXcursion Control Panel.


valid nodes

Hosts from which X applications can be displayed in an eXcursion session on your PC. See also controlling hosts.


window manager

An application that lets you move, manipulate, and size X application windows. X application windows can be managed by a remote window manager or by Windows or Windows NT.


X application

Applications based on the X Window System and designed to run with an X server. Also called X clients.


X client

Another term for X application.


X server

A Windows (or Windows NT) graphics application that lets you display and use X applications residing on remote hosts on your network.


X Window System

The industry-standard window system on which eXcursion is based. eXcursion is compatible with Version 11, Release 5 of the X Window System.

The key components of an X Window system include:

•	The X server

•	X applications


Overview

Welcome to eXcursion!

This overview introduces you to eXcursion and to eXcursion Help.

eXcursion

DEC's eXcursion X server lets you run X applications from the Windows 95 or Windows NT operating system. You can use X applications on your PC alongside Windows 95 and Windows NT applications.

For example, you can simultaneously run an X terminal session (such as DECterm), an X mail program (such as Sun's Mailtool), and a Windows application (such as Microsoft Word for Windows) on your Windows desktop. You can even cut and paste information from one application to another.

eXcursion is based on Version 11, Release 6 of the X Window System, an industry-standard model for developing and running applications.

The primary component of eXcursion is the eXcursion Server. You use the eXcursion Server to display and use X applications on your PC.

eXcursion Help

Click [image] for a short explanation of some of the special features of eXcursion Help.

Other information

Click for a list of other sources of information about Excursion.


eXcursion Help

If you have used other Windows Help facilities, most of the features of eXcursion Help should be familiar to you. If you have not used other Windows Help facilities, press F1 to see Help on Help.

Popups and secondary windows

To provide you with the clearest information in the most intuitve form, eXcursion Help makes extensive use of WinHelp features called popups and secondary windows.

Graphic hotspots

eXcursion Help also makes extensive use of graphic hotspots. A graphic hotspot is a place on a graphic that you can click to get more information.

For example, in the following graphic including the eXcursion program folder, note that the cursor changes to a pointing hand when over the eXcursion server icon. This is the hotspot. Click on it.

Help Buttons

You can also click on the [image] button in each dialog box (and each page of the Control Panel) to get immediate help on that part of eXcursion. Once there, you are free to navigate within Help.


Bingo!

You've hit the hotspot.


Popups

Popups appear when you click on a popup hotspot. The popup disappears the first time you click anywhere else on the screen.


Secondary Windows

A secondary window appears when you click on certain hotspots. Unlike a popup, you can scroll, change the size of, and move a secondary window.

Making It Go Away...

You make the secondary window disappear by clicking [image] in the main Help window, or by double-clicking the Control menu box located in the upper left corner of the secondary window.

Changing It Without Making It Go Away

You can change the contents of a secondary window without closing it. Just click on another hot spot in the same list. The contents change to the new subtopic.


New Secondary Window

This is the new secondary window. You can return to the previous window by clicking on the text you clicked on to get here in the first place, or you can click [image] in the main Help window to close the secondary window.


Troubleshooting

If you have a problem during setup or while you are using eXcursion, check this list to see if it includes a solution to your problem. If you don't find your problem on this list, call your local Customer Service Center. In the U. S. only, that number is 1-800-354-9000.

eXcursion includes two useful procedures for troubleshooting:

•	Creating a log of error messages

•	Monitoring network activity

List of Common Problems

Problem starting an X application

Insufficient network links

Performance needs improvement

Need to read application error messages

Font problems

Display problems


Insufficient Network Links

The number of applications you can run is limited by the available maximum links.

If you have an insufficient number of network links available, you may experience problems starting X applications.

Digital recommends that you set the number of available network links to 16 or greater.

For information on how to set the number of network links, see the documentation for your network software.


Creating a Log of Error Messages

If you have performance problems or difficulties starting X applications, you may find it helpful to create a log file for:

•	Error and warning messages produced by eXcursion in response to X applications.

•	All X protocol requests made to eXcursion by X applications.

See the Logging page of the Control Panel for more information.


Monitoring Network Activity

Two tools are available for monitoring network activity between eXcursion and X applications:

•	The network activity indicator

•	Maestro, an audio aid

Note: These tools slow performance. If you need to improve eXcursion performance, you can temporarily disable these features.

To use the network activity indicator

1	Ensure that the eXcursion server icon is displayed on your screen.

2	Click Network Monitors on the eXcursion server system menu.

3	Click a network activity indicator on the Network Monitors submenu.

4	To turn off the network activity indicator, repeat steps 2 and 3.

To use Maestro

1	Ensure that the eXcursion server icon is displayed on your screen.

2	Click Network Monitors on the eXcursion server system menu.

3	Click Maestro on the Network Monitors submenu.

Maestro beeps every time eXcursion receives messages from the X application.

4	To turn off Maestro, repeat steps 2 and 3.


Problem Starting An X Application

If you cannot start an X application, check the following details to identify the source of the problem:

•	If you use eXcursion files located on a network drive, check the status of the drive. It may be unavailable. Try again later, or check with your network administrator.

Check that the node or host name or number you are trying to reach is defined in your PCs database.

Check that the spelling of the node or host name is correct and complete.  For example, to reach a TCP/IP address, you may need to include the full domain name.

•	If the X application is located on an ULTRIX or UNIX host, ensure that the startup command for the application is entered correctly. (ULTRIX and UNIX commands are case-sensitive.)

•	If the X application is located on an OpenVMS host, obtain access to the OpenVMS account through another route and rename LOGIN.COM to LOGIN.SAV.

•	LOGIN.COM files sometime contain commands that could cause a network process to fail (an example would be a command that modifies terminal settings).

•	To ensure that an X application is running, try starting it in a terminal session window.

1 	Ensure that your display setting is pointing to your local display.

For example, on OpenVMS you would enter a command similar to the following:

$ set display/create/trans=tcp/ip/node=16.20.126.218

On UNIX (C shell), you would enter a command similar to the following:

setenv DISPLAY 16.20.216.218:0

1 	Ensure that the eXcursion server is running on your local system.

2 	Enter the command line for the X application in your terminal session window.

The application startup command is displayed in the Application Information text box on the Applications page of the Control Panel.


How to Improve eXcursion Performance

If eXcursion seems to be running slowly, try these steps:

•	Turn off all Network Monitors.

•	Turn off Logging.

•	Close other applications on your PC.

•	Use the built-in window manager if you are not already doing so.

•	Add memory to your PC.

•	Ask you system administrator if some adjustments to the host would help.

•	Use the Display page of the Control panel to set the following parameters:

−	Turn off backspacing.

−	Turn off Draw 0-width Lines with Accurate Length.

−	Set Minimum Accurate Line Width and Minimum Accurate Dashed Line Width to INF.


Need to Read Application Messages

To read error messages generated at the host by an X application

1	Using a Windows based terminal emulator, log in to your account on the host where the X application resides.

2	From your account on the host:

•	If it is an OpenVMS host running DECnet, check the NETSERVER.LOG file (located in your default directory) for messages.

•	If it is a UNIX host, you can redirect the error and warning messages generated at the host to standard error and standard input files. For example, if you use the C shell and you want to redirect messages for the X application dxclock, enter the following:

dxclock > out.log >& err.log


Text in Windows is not Spaced Properly

If you notice:

•	Words spaced erratically (for example, words overlapping each other or large spaces between words)

•	Individual characters not spaced correctly (for example, characters that are too far apart or too close together)

The display (Monitor) Resolution may not be set correctly.

Some X applications only display correctly at certain resolutions. When this is the case, it is also important to use the appropriate set (either 75 dpi or 100 dpi).

For example, DECwrite displays best when the resolution is the same as the font set in use (that is, 100 dpi with the 100 dpi fonts, 75 dpi with the 75 dpi fonts). Bookreader displays best when the resolution and fonts used are both 75 dpi).


Font Problems

If you get the following message, the server cannot open some required fonts:

Can't open default font 'fixed'

Possible causes include:

•	The MISC directory is not on the font path.

•	The machine on which the MISC directory is stored is not available.

•	The MISC directory does not have a fonts.dir file.

•	There is a problem with another directory on the font path.

•	The .pcf font 6x13.pcf is not in the MISC directory.


Information for New Users

To learn how to use eXcursion Help, click here:

Using eXcursion Help

To learn how to set up your first X application, click here:

Setting up your first X application

If you have trouble setting up X applications, click here:

Troubleshooting


Setting Up Your First X Application

Before you start, you need some basic information:

Prepare to use X applications

To start an X application quickly, you can use the eXcursion server directly:

Quick start without the Control Panel

If you plan to use an application regularly, you may want to add it to the eXcursion program group. To do this:

Open the Control Panel

Add an account

Add an application


Quick Start Without the Control Panel

You can run an X application using eXcursion without doing any configuration. The following steps show you how.

To run an X application with eXcursion

1	In the eXcursion program folder, double-click the server icon.

2	In Multiple windows mode, only the server icon appears on your desktop. In Single windows mode, the X root window also appears.

3	Click the eXcursion server icon [image] on the taskbar with the right mouse button to bring up the main menu.

4	Click Applications in the eXcursion main menu to see the Applications submenu.

5	Click Run X Applications in the Applications submenu to bring up the Run X Applications dialog box.

To configure eXcursion for more complex tasks, or to set up eXcursion so you can run your favorite X applications even more quickly and easily, see Control Panel Configuration.


Main Menu

The main menu provides access to the eXcursion Control Panel, the Run X Applications dialog box, and this Help facility, as well as providing access to other eXcursion and Windows features.

Note:

The Pause option on the Main menu is not used in Windows NT.


Windows Features

These are standard MS Windows features.


eXcursion Features

About...

Information about this copy of eXcursion.

Help...

This Help facility.

Network Monitors

Brings up the Network Monitors submenu (to monitor network activity).

Pause

Locks your Windows 95 workstation.

Minimize All X Windows

Minimizes all your X Windows applications as icons on the taskbar.

Control Panel...

Brings up the eXcursion Control Panel.


Applications Submenu

The Applications submenu provides access to the Run X Applications dialog box and the applications you have predefined using the Applications Page of the Control Panel.


Run X Applications

Brings up the Run X Applications dialog box.


Predefined Applications

Lists the applications you have predefined using the Applications Page page of the Control Panel.


Running a Predefined Application

A predefined application is one that you have defined using the applications page of the control panel. You use the eXcursion main menu and Run X Applications submenu to call up a predefined X application.

To run a predefined application

1	Click the eXcursion server icon on the taskbar with the right mouse button to bring up the eXcursion menu.

2	In the eXcursion menu click on Applications to bring up the applications submenu.

3	In the eXcursion Run X Applications submenu click on the application you want to run.


eXcursion server icon


eXcursion main menu


eXcursion Run Applications submenu


Run X Applications Dialog Box

The Run X Applications dialog box allows you to specify and run an X application in a single operation.

To start an X application

1	Enter the application command line in Application and host name in Host (see your system administrator for these entries).

2	Enter your Username and Password.

3	Note that certain versions of UCX, when accessed via TCP/IP, require that Username be all uppercase. If you are using this combination of facilities and having trouble gaining access, try entering your username in all uppercase. Password does not have this requirement.

4	Your system administrator can tell you what selection to make in Network Transport.

5	Command Interpreter (Shell) can be set to Unknown for most systems, or you can specify it if you know what it is. Your system administrator can answer this one also.

6	Click OK.

To learn about other ways to start X applications, see

Setting Up Your First X Application


Existing Applications

List of existing applications as entered on the Applications page of the Control Panel. If you highlight one of these, the associated parameters appear in the text boxes to the right.


Logon Parameters

Enter the application command line, host name, username, and password in the appropriate text boxes.


Network Transport

Select the appropriate network transport. Consult your System Administrator if you have questions about this.


Shells

Select a shell that your host supports. Consult your System Administrator if you have questions about this.


Opening the Control Panel

The Control Panel lets you change many eXcursion parameters. Follow these steps to open the Control Panel. For complete information on the Control Panel see Control Panel Configuration

To open the eXcursion Control Panel

1	Open the eXcursion program folder and double-click on the Control Panel.

Next, you Add an account


Add an Account

To add an account, fill in the fields on the Accounts page of the Control Panel.

To add an account

1	Click on the Accounts page tab to open the Accounts page.

2	Enter an account alias of your choice in Account Alias.

3	Your System Administrator can tell you what to enter in Host and what selection to make in Network Transport.

4	The Command Interpreter (Shell) field can be set to Unknown for most systems, or you can specify it if you know what it is. Your System Administrator can answer this one also.

5	Enter your username and password.

Note that certain versions of UCX, when accessed via TCP/IP, require that Username be all uppercase. If you are using this combination of facilities and having trouble gaining access, try entering your username in all uppercase. Password does not have this requirement.

6	Click Add. If you change anything later and don’t close the Control Panel, click Modify to enter the changes.

Next, you Add an application


Add an Application

To add an application, fill in the fields on the Applications page of the Control Panel.

Note: Create and add an account alias on the Accounts page before adding an application.

To add an application

1	Click on the Application tab to open the Applications page

Then add applications:

•	using the Predefined X Applications dialog box (recommended for the first applications), or

•	directly.


Predefined X Applications

Using the Predefined X Applications dialog box, you only have to select an X application. eXcursion fills in the rest of the parameters on the Applications page for you.

Click [image] to see procedures for the Predefined X applications dialog box. Click on the dialog box bitmap for information about each section of this dialog box.

To add an application directly, see

Adding applications directly


Adding Applications Directly

Adding applications directly to the Applications page requires more knowledge of your system than using the Predefined X Applications dialog box, but it allows you to select applications that might not be predefined.

To add applications directly

1	Enter an Application Alias. This can be any name that helps your remember the application.

2	Enter the application Command line (you can find this in your application documentation).

3	Select an Account Alias.

4	Check Run at X Server Startup if you want this application to run each time you start eXcursion.

5	Check Prompt for Parameters if you want eXcursion to prompt you for parameters each time this application starts.

6	Click Add Icon if you want to add the icon to the eXcursion program folder.

7	Click Add.


Startup Command

The startup command is established by the developer of the application. To determine the startup command, see the documentation for the specific application.


Prepare to Use X Applications

Before you can begin using X applications on your network, you need to know:

•	Which hosts have the X applications you want to use.

•	The startup command for the application (for example, dxmail or DECW$MAIL).

To open an application without using the Control Panel, see

Quick start without the Control Panel

To use the Control Panel, see

Opening the Control Panel

To cut and paste information from one application to another, see

X Applications Menu