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Subject: comp.sys.mac.comm Frequently Asked Questions [2/4] Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.comm,news.answers,comp.answers From: davido@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (David L. Oppenheimer) Date: Tue, 3 May 1994 12:41:19 GMT Archive-name: macintosh/comm-faq/part2 Last-modified: Tue May 03 1994 ================================================================================ [3] Macintosh File-transfers ============================ [3.1] What programs support Kermit, FTP (client), and/or X,Y,Z-MODEM -------------------------------------------------------------------- and where can I get them? The following is a fairly complete list of the popular free, shareware, and payware terminal and file-transfer programs currently available. (Last revised: 11/93). CL: Communicate Lite, $50 SRP, various discounts available, Mark/Space Softworks, mspace@netcom.com CM: Comet, free, Cornell University comet-comments@nmc.cit.cornell.edu; FTP from ftp.cit.cornell.edu GT: GrafTerm, $50 shareware, Infrastructure Software MI: MacIntercomm, $130, New World Computing, Inc., (818) 999-0607, help@inter.com MK: MacKermit, free, source code is available, fdc@watsun.cc.columbia.edu ML: MacLayers 1.30, free, UNIX source included, Eric C. Rosen and David W. Trissel, layers-reply@rascal.ics.utexas.edu MP: MicroPhone II, $175, cheaper sidegrades often available, Software Ventures Corporation, (510) 6441325, microphone@svcdudes.com Also, MicroPhone Pro, a slightly more capable package. PT: PacerTerm, $159, Pacer Software, (619) 454-0565, support@pacersoft.com QV: QVT, $50 shareware, QPC Software SC: Smartcom II, $84, $59 upgrade from Smartcom, Hayes, (404) 441-1617, BBS: 800-US-HAYES ST: SITcomm 1.0, $120, sidegrades are $49, and existing Aladdin customers pay only $39, Aladdin Systems, (408) 761-6200, aladdin@applelink.apple.com or aladdin@well.sf.ca.us TM: Term, free, Peter DeCamillo and Jon Gilbert cmsmaint@brownvm.brown.edu TL: Terminal, free, source code included, Erny Tontlinger 73720.2200@compuserve.com TR: Termulator, $25 shareware, Brad Quick TY: Termy, free, Ice Engineering, termy@ice.com VP: VersaTerm Pro, $177, Synergy Software, (215) 779-0522, D2296@applelink.apple.com VT: VersaTerm, $90, Synergy Software, (215) 779-0522 D2296@applelink.apple.com WK: White Knight, $85, Freesoft, (412) 846-2700 ZT: ZTerm, $30 shareware, $40 with disk, Dave Alverson, davea@xetron.com 5P: 5PM, $370, Advanced Software Concepts, US Distributors, adv.soft@applelink.apple.com, (33) 93 24 76 00 The archive sites described in the Appendix are the best place to look for free or shareware file-transfer programs. Other commercial but non-shareware ("payware") products must be purchased from a dealer or the company directly. Table 3.1.1 summarizes file transfer capabilities of various Macintosh telecommunications programs. Programs: ZT SC MP ST VT VP WK TR PT GT ML MK QV TM TL TY CM 5P MI CL ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Protocols | __________| XMODEM | X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X YMODEM | X X X X X X X X X X ZMODEM | X X X X X X X X X X X Kermit | X X X X X X X X X X X QuickB | X X X ! X X B Plus | X X X FTP | X X X X TFTP | X rmac/wmac | X Flash | X FT3270 | X CTB tools | X X X X X X X ! White Knight supports the QuickB protocol through an FTP-able external RCMD module, NewQuickB.PROC. Table 3.1.1 Table 3.1.2 summarizes the terminal-emulation capabilities of various Macintosh telecommunications programs: Programs: ZT SC MP ST VT VP WK TR PT GT ML MK QV TM TL TY CM 5P MI CL ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Terminals | __________| TTY | X X X X X X X X X X X X X VT52 | X X X X X X X VT100 | X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X VT102 | X X X X X X X X X X X X VT220 | X X X X X X X VT320 | X X X X VT420 | X PC/ANSI | X X X X IBM3270 | X X X X IBM5250 | X Tek 4010 | X X X Tek 4014 | X X X Tek 4105/7| X TVI950 | X DG210/211 | X X Prestel | X Controls | X X X CTB tools | X X X X X Table 3.1.2 Table 3.1.3 summarizes the scripting capabilities of various Macintosh telecommunications programs: Programs: ZT SC MP ST VT VP WK TR PT GT ML MK QV TM TL TY CM 5P MI CL ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scripting | ___________| Recording | X X X X X X X X If/Else | X a X X X X X X Loops | X a X X X X X XCMDs | X X X X X FileOps | X a X X X X X Arithmetic | X a X X X X X Variables | X X a X X X X X X User Input | X a X X X X X X Key Remaps | X X X X X Arrays | X a ! X X Wait/Send | a X X X X AppleScript| X a denotes capability is accessible through AppleScript Table 3.1.3 Note: SITcomm is fully AppleScript-able (all features can be controlled through AppleScript). The Frontier Runtime portion of the Frontier scripting system is also bundled with SITcomm. ! Although PacerTerm does not support arrays per se, it does implement HyperTalk's chunk expressions that allow any variable to be referred to as a collection of characters, items, words, or lines. The February, 1993 issue of "MacUser" reviews White Knight, MicroPhone II, Smartcom II (for the Macintosh), ZTerm, and MacIntercomm. The review is also useful for those new to telecommunications in general. Peter Newton's DialScript 1.7, archived at rascal.ics.utexas.edu, is a telecommunications scripting utility useful for automating complicated logins and then automatically launching applications or startup documents. It's free and the source is available. [3.2] What is the latest version of ZTerm? ------------------------------------------ ZTerm is currently at revision level 0.9 (4/93). Other released versions were 0.7, 0.75 and 0.8, and 0.85. Two "fake" versions of ZTerm have circulated. Recently (4/93), a hacked version called "ZTerm 0.93 XK", based on 0.9, was distributed. An older also fake version labelled "ZTerm 1.0" has also been seen. Neither versions were released by the author, Dave Alverson. For the latest scoop on ZTerm, as well as advice on features, bugs, bug fixes, and more, see Leslie Jones' ZTerm FAQ which is posted to comp.sys.mac.comm, comp.sys.mac.apps, news.answers, and the InfoMac and UMich archives. [3.3] What is the Communications Toolbox (CTB)? ----------------------------------------------- The Communications Toolbox is a Macintosh operating system interface that provides a standard interface for programmers writing communications programs. Rather than make calls to control the modem serial port, for example, a programmer can call an equivalent CTB routine. This allows the operating system to manage the serial port(s) just like any other limited resource. In addition, specific "tools" that interface with modems, provide terminal emulation, or handle file transferring can be implemented as external add-on features to CTB-aware programs. The CTB requires System 6.0.4 or later. The CTB is built into System 7. Tools can be added by placing them in the Extensions folder; rebooting is not necessary. Under System 6.0.X, CTB tools belong in the Communications folder. [3.4] Are there any shareware or freeware tools that support Kermit, -------------------------------------------------------------------- and/or X,Y,Z-MODEM? Termy 1.0, freeware from Ice Engineering, is the only CTB-aware application that can be obtained via anonymous FTP. Termy has no built-in support for any connection methods, file transfer protocols, or terminal emulation, so you will need to obtain Communication Toolbox tools for each of these. Tim Endres has written and released TGE TCP Tool, a Connection Tool for the Communications Toolbox. It provides TELNET and transparent TCP connections. The tool is free for personal use. Several modem Connection tools are available from the various FTP sites. These include the Apple Modem Tool 1.11, the Hayes Modem Tool 1.02, the CCL Modem Tool 1.0, and the Zoom Modem Tool 1.11. After recently releasing his CTB File Transfer tool, Kermit Tool GH (which supports MacBinary, RLE compression, and other features), Glenn Howes has gone on to release a YMODEM tool. The Basic Connection Tools Disk is available from ftp.apple.com as /dts/mac/sys.soft/netcomm/basic-conn-set-1-1-1-image.hqx . You will need DiskCopy or MountImage to decode the image file. This disk includes VT102 and TTY terminal tools, XMODEM and Text File Transfer tools, and Modem, Serial, and Appletalk Connection tools (10/92). Advanced Software Concepts has demonstration versions of several CTB tools at InfoMac sites in the demo directory. Demo versions of a TCP/IP Connection tool, an FTP File Transfer tool, as well as VT420, IBM3270, and IBM5250 Terminal tools are being distributed (10/92). Stalker Software has a demonstration version of its VideoTex terminal tool at InfoMac sites. Stalker has also released a free CEPT Modem Tool, which is equivalent to the CCL Modem Tool but also supports the CEPT-1 low-level protocol used by European VideoTex systems. New free and shareware CTB tools inevitably get posted to Info- Mac where they appear in the info-mac/comm directory and also to mac.archive.umich.edu in mac/system.extensions/commtoolbox. If you give the command "ls *tool*" in these directories through an anonymous FTP connection, you can get a list of all the free and shareware CTB tools currently available. There are also a number of available *payware* tools: o Mark/Space Softworks has developed a ZMODEM CTB tool (along with XMODEM and YMODEM tools). A demonstration version of the ZMODEM tool is available for anonymous FTP with the restriction that uploading is not supported. The demo is available in the Communications directory at Info-Mac FTP sites, among other places. o MicroPhone Pro includes a Telnet tool (along with some FAX support software). MicroPhone II does not include the Telnet tool, unfortunately. o PacerTerm ships with a broad collection of tools, including: XMODEM, ZMODEM, Kermit, and FTP file transfer tools; Telnet, LAT, ADSP, and serial connection tools; and TTY, VT102, and VT320 terminal tools. o Seaquest Software has released XMODEM, YMODEM, and Kermit file transfer tools. It also has been said to be developing a ZMODEM tool for well over a year now (8/93). o SITcomm ships with a full set of CTB tools; included are XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM, and Kermit file transfer tools, as well as TTY and VT102 connection tools, and Apple Modem Tool v1.5. o Versaterm and Versaterm Pro include FTP client and server file transfer tools and Telnet, LAT, SL/IP, and ADSP connection tools. o 5PM ships with a Telnet Tool and the Apple Basic Connectivity Set (XMODEM, ADSP, serial, modem, TTY, VT102, VT320). Other tools are available from Advanced Software Concepts : FTP, VT420, IBM3270 and IBM5250. [3.5] How can I transfer Macintosh files to/from my Macintosh and other ----------------------------------------------------------------------- non-Macintosh computers (eg: mainframes, UNIX boxes, PCs)? If your telecommunication program supports MacBinary (they almost all do), turn MacBinary on. This usually involves selecting a menu option or clicking a radio button in a 'preferences' type dialog box. Then, transfer your file normally. Your Macintosh file will be sent as a MacBinary file that can be treated as an ordinary binary file. If your telecommunication program does not support MacBinary, get a copy of the MacBinary program and use it to make a MacBinary version of your Macintosh file. Then send this MacBinary file. Meanwhile, look around at the various shareware and commercial telecommunications programs that do support Macbinary. See [3.1]. Note: Not all files need to be transferred as MacBinary files. In particular, most text and non-Macintosh specific binary files (like GIF/JPEG images) do not. See [2.2] for more information. To actually "download" a file (eg: transfer it from a remote host computer to your Macintosh), you must first instruct the remote computer to send the file by issuing a command. For example, to download a file from a Unix machine using XMODEM, you would first have to give a command similar to: % sx filename where 'sx' is the local Unix program to send a file using XMODEM and 'filename' is the name of the file you wish to send. Then, locally, you must start the file transfer by typically choosing a menu option in your terminal program. The process is similar for Kermit transfers. Terminal programs that support ZMODEM should recognize the start of a ZMODEM download automatically. Note: Not all systems are alike. The command to start XMODEM may not necessarily be 'sx'; another possibility is 'xmodem'. Ask your local system administrator if you cannot find the right program; most sites support something. Also, see the listing below. To upload, first issue the appropriate receive command on the remote host computer; then, select the local send option in your terminal program. Good ZMODEM packages can start the remote file transfer automatically. If you experience multiple CRC errors when downloading with ZMODEM, especially after backgrounding the download, try sending your file using a fixed window size, eg: 'sz -w 1024 filename'. If errors persist, also try escaping control characters, eg: 'sz -ew 1024 filename'. Depending on your setup, you may be able to use a larger window size (eg: use 4096 or 2048 instead of 1024) which can slightly reduce transfer time. Typical Unix programs that support transfering files via a serial (modem) link: Kermit XMODEM YMODEM ZMODEM ------- ------ ------ ------ kermit sx sb sz ckermit xmodem If you are trying to transfer a lot of information between a Macintosh and an MS-DOS PC, and your Macintosh has an FDHD disk drive (also known as a SuperDrive), using Apple File Exchange, or any of the various shareware and payware programs that allow you to access (or even mount) MS-DOS formatted 3.5" HD diskettes, can greatly speed up the transfering process. Apple File Exchange even provides for automatic translation of certain types of files. If you are transfering a lot of information between a Macintosh and a Unix system, you can use the (free) Macintosh program suntar to read 1.44 MB Unix tar floppies. Note: On most Sun Microsystems' floppy drives, the appropriate formatting command is "fdformat -ev /dev/rfd0c". This will verify and eject the disk after formatting. Then use tar to copy files to the device /dev/rfd0c. [3.6] What's the best compression program to use when uploading files --------------------------------------------------------------------- to an archive or BBS? Are there any other guidelines I should follow? Best Compression: (Revised 3/93) ---- ----------- The shareware program StuffIt Lite ($25) (and its commericial sibling, StuffIt Deluxe) are generally regarded as providing the best compression performance of the many Macintosh compression utilities. Both programs also sport a fancy user-interface. Registered users of StuffIt Lite can upgrade to StuffIt Deluxe for $45, which includes many other compression tools that are not directly applicable to telecommunications. The shareware program Compact Pro ($25) provides similar compression performance to StuffIt Lite and also has a loyal set of users. Individual preferences differ, so the editor suggests you try using both programs (StuffIt Lite and Compact Pro are available for FTP at the various archives sites) and choose the one you like best. Note that StuffIt 1.5.1 and Stuffit Classic are *not* the same as, nor as good as, StuffIt Lite 3.0. Posting Macintosh Programs: (Revised 4/93) ------- --------- -------- You should use either StuffIt Lite, StuffIt Deluxe, or Compact Pro to compress Macintosh files you send to anonymous FTP sites and BBS's. Do not post PackIt, Disk Doubler, SuperDisk, Zip, or any other type of archive (including self-extracting archives -- see below). Stuffit Lite 3.0 and Compact Pro have evolved as the standard archive formats for posting Macintosh files for good reasons. Regardless of which archiver you use, PLEASE DO NOT MAKE AN AN ARCHIVE YOU ARE POSTING SELF-EXTRACTING! The extra code added to the file to make it self-extracting is NOT insignificant in size. The convenience of self-extracting archives is not worth the space they waste at anonymous-FTP sites and BBS's (where literally thousands of compressed files are stored). Self- extracting archives are useful in other contexts, but should be discouraged as a medium for posting to archives. Also, don't rely on the archive maintainer having the time to extract your self-extracting post and re-archiving it; these volunteers are simply too busy to take on this additional burden. Before you create your archive, set the Finder label of all files you plan to include in the archive to 'None'. Avoid using strange punctuation marks in filenames that you will distribute. Characters such as exclamation points, spaces, dollar signs, etc, are legal characters in Macintosh filenames but can be difficult to work with on non-Macintosh systems (where most Macintosh archives are stored). Since BinHex and MacBinary store your original Macintosh filename, removing strange characters from a BinHex'd or MacBinary'd file before distributing will not affect the original filename. As an example, MyFile-215.sit is a perfectly acceptable filename. After you have created the archive and named it appropriately, BinHex encode it (see [2.3]). Edit the resulting text file and include a short description of the archive you want to distribute, including any system requirements and problems. If you include a signature, limit it to a single line. Finally, upload the text file (if necessary) and e-mail it to macgifts@mac.archive.umich.edu. Your subject line should specify a suggested name and location for your submission, eg: To: macgifts@mac.archive.umich.edu Subject: app/myfile-215.sit.hqx Mailing your archive to macgifts automatically submits it to the InfoMac archives, mac.archive.umich.edu, and the Usenet group comp.binaries.mac. Thanks for complying with these guidelines. [3.7] How can I use the programs that are posted to comp.binaries.mac? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The files posted to comp.binaries.mac are in BinHex 4.0 format. Long files are split into several postings that must be concatenated IN THE PROPER ORDER (and usually with headers and signatures removed) before converting. First, read the man page or other documentation for your newsreader. A little time spent here can save you a lot of time doing repetitive tedious work later. Find out how to save an article to a file. Next, save all the posted articles for a given program posted to comp.binaries.mac to a single file. Don't combine postings that are for different programs, but do save multi-part postings to the same file, in increasing order of part number. For example, if you are using the UNIX newsreaders 'rn', 'trn', or something similar: ***** 15 unread articles in comp.binaries.mac--read now? [=ynq] 2761 Great Icon Editor (part 1 of 2) 2762 Great Icon Editor (part 2 of 2) 2764 Hypercard Resource Tools 2765 Idea 1.2 (part 01 of 11) 2766 Idea 1.2 (part 02 of 11) 2767 Idea 1.2 (part 03 of 11) 2768 Idea 1.2 (part 04 of 11) 2769 Idea 1.2 (part 05 of 11) 2770 Idea 1.2 (part 06 of 11) 2771 Idea 1.2 (part 07 of 11) 2772 Idea 1.2 (part 08 of 11) 2773 Idea 1.2 (part 09 of 11) 2774 Idea 1.2 (part 10 of 11) 2775 Idea 1.2 (part 11 of 11) What next? [npq] 2761 s iconeditor.hqx 2761 Saved to mailbox /u/joe/News/iconeditor.hqx What next? [npq] 2762 s iconeditor.hqx 2762 Saved to mailbox /u/joe/News/iconeditor.hqx At this point, download the file "iconeditor.hqx" (it will be automatically placed in your "News" directory) to your Macintosh and use a program like StuffIt Expander, DeHqx, HQXer, or Compact Pro to convert the .hqx file to a Macintosh file. Warning: The original BinHex utility, BinHex 4.0, has a bug that causes it to crash on large or corrupted .hqx files. It also requires you to strip mail-headers off of .hqx files before decoding. The Macintosh file you create may in fact be an archive that you then need to unarchive with the appropriate program. See the list of file suffixes to determine which program(s) to use. Note: You can streamline the process by: --> using the Unix program 'mcvert' or 'hexbin' (see [6.5]) to convert the .hqx file to a MacBinary file on your Unix host. Since the .hqx file is usually 30% to 40% larger than the MacBinary file, this saves download time. These utilities are also smart enough to handle stripping headers and signatures, although you must still save the postings in the proper order. --> using one of the many utilities that exist to reorder postings automatically before you convert them from BinHex --> learning enough about your newsreader program to save more than one article at once in a particular order --> checking out the programs: StuffIt Expander, DeHqx and HQXer ================================================================================ [4] Introduction to AppleTalk (and Remote AppleTalk) ==================================================== [4.1] What kind of hardware do I need to set up an LocalTalk network? --------------------------------------------------------------------- Be sure you have read section [5] and understand the difference between LocalTalk and PhoneNet. Setting up an AppleTalk network based on either LocalTalk or PhoneNet requires purchasing a box that connects to your Macintosh's serial (printer) port with the appropriate mini DIN-8 or DB-9 connector and provides, in the case of LocalTalk, two mini DIN-8 connectors for Apple's (expensive) multiwire AppleTalk cables, or, in the case of the less expensive PhoneNet, two standard RJ11 (modular telephone) jacks. Both boxes look similar to Figure 4.1.1. +-----------------+ to/from <------>| | rest of | |<--------> to Macintosh or network <------>| | printer +-----------------+ Figure 4.1.1 Computers and printers should be connected serially; that is, chain the devices in any convenient order, with either a single AppleTalk cable (LocalTalk network) or telephone cable (PhoneNet network) connecting neighboring machines. Do *not* connect the ends of a LocalTalk or PhoneNet network --- this is not a ring (eg: TokenRing) network. It should be noted that Apple is "strongly encouraging" new AppleTalk networks to be Ethernet-based. [4.2] How can I change the Chooser "user" and name of my Macintosh? ------------------------------------------------------------------- Also: Why can I no longer change the name of my hard-disk? To change the owner and name of your Macintosh under System 7, select "Controls Panels" from the Apple Menu and double-click on the "Sharing Setup" Control Panel. The Chooser "user" is the "Owner name:". Change it like any standard edit field. The name of your Macintosh is the "Macintosh name:". Also on this Control Panel is a button to turn File Sharing on and off. When File Sharing is on, you cannot change the name of shared disks. If you are trying to change the name of your hard disk but cannot get the name to turn into an edit field, File Sharing is probably on. Use the Sharing Setup Control Panel to turn File Sharing off, change your hard disk name, and then turn File Sharing back on (unless you have no need for it). [4.3] What is Apple Remote Access ? --------------------------------------- Apple Remote Access is a software package that allows you to dial-in to an AppleTalk network (or to create an AppleTalk network between two Macintoshes via dial-up modems) from a remote Macintosh. Remote Access requires at minimum: o a Macintosh (possibly connected to an AppleTalk network) designated as the host with a dedicated high speed modem, or a dial-in server with ARA support o one or more remote Macintoshes with modems o a phone line connecting the host Macintosh with the remote Macintosh o copies of the Remote Access software running on the designated host as well as on all remote machines Once configured, connecting the remote machine to the AppleTalk network is as simple as clicking a button. Modem control is handled automatically (assuming one of the many included modem scripts works with your modem; see [4.4]). Passwords and call- back facilities are provided. Once connected, the remote machine can use the AppleTalk network normally. One can print remotely, send messages, access remote filesystems, monitor network traffic, etc. Throughput, even when using 9600 baud modems, will be significantly lower than through a LocalTalk or PhoneNet connection; however, except for program launching and file copies, the added delay is small. You CAN use slower 2400 baud modems, but you will probably not enjoy the experience. The University of Melbourne has developed a useful but not well known package known as ARNS, or A Remote Network Server. ARNS allows remote clients to use network services such as printing and file sharing. The server runs on a UNIX host; clients connect through an IP interface (e.g. MacTCP, CAP). With ARNS, it is possible to use a dial-up SL/IP account to tunnel into an existing UNIX based AppleTalk network. For more information, anonymously FTP to munnari.oz.au, directory mac. [4.4] Where can I get a Remote Access script for my modem? ---------------------------------------------------------- If none of the (many) included modem scripts work with your modem, try: o searching the InfoMac archives for a script for your modem; several scripts have been posted recently o making a copy of the script that works best with your modem (the scripts are in the Extensions Folder which is in the Systems Folder), opening it up with a text editor, and experimenting; this assumes you have a copy of your modem's manual and know the basics about the Hayes command set. If you are succesful, post your script so others can benefit!