Remove previous versions of Online below 0.43 before installing version 0.43 or above
Note: This version does not work well with Pilot Personals. A Fatal Error will often occur when selecting the 'Settings' menu. I am trying to find time to fix this. Online works with all other models.
Please report bugs to me, as it is often the only way I learn of them. Thanks, Iain - 17 July, 1997.
Welcome to Online - VT100 emulation for the Pilot
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Documentation for Online version 0.45.
Read changes.txt if you've used previous versions before, and for supplementary information
Contact: iain@hausofmaus.com
Web site: http://www.hausofmaus.com/ -- check for latest version!
What is Online?
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Online is a VT100 terminal emulator for the Pilot organizer.
Users of Online can connect their Pilots to other computer systems and access real computer power and network resources whereever they are. Online has been used to connect to Unix systems and then surf the web using Lynx, edit files with vi and emacs - and even to read and write email using elm!
Online currently connects to the Internet via dial-up shell accounts, not PPP.
A 'telnet' version of Online will be released later in the year.
Connecting & Disconnecting
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Online can be connected to either a modem or the serial port of another computer or device. If connecting to a modem use the Pilot modem cable available from USR. It is possible to use the cradle or serial cable and a null-modem connector to connect to some modems, but this doesn't seem to work for all.
When you are ready to connect, tap the 'O' checkbox. Tap it again to disconnect. Disconnect when you are not transmitting or recieving data, as this will save drain on the Pilot's batteries.
You can dial a phone number by either using the Dial dialog box, or by entering AT commands directly in the input buffer, ie ATDTXXXXX to dial XXXXXX
Changing Parameters
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Communications parameters can be changed by using the 'Settings' menu. Online supports a range of baud rates and communication parameters. The settings can only be changed when Online is offline.
Sending Data
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There are five ways to send data:
1) The Send Input Line - Enter a string of text followed by a graffiti return stroke. This will send whatever is in the text area to the serial port and onwards to the target device. There are some special cases where the data is interpreted before it is sent. Entering 'esc' will send an escape character, entering 'ctlx' or '^x' (where x is any lowercase letter) will send the Control version of that letter. Sending 'tab' will send a TAB.
The 'CR' checkbox at the end of the line determines whether the text sent is followed by a Carriage Return.
To summarise....
ctlX sends control-X
^X sends control-X
esc sends escape
escX sends escape followed by X
tab sends tab
2) Direct Entry - The checkbox to the left of the send text field determines whether text is sent via the send buffer or directly. When the box is unchecked any Graffiti characters entered are sent directly to the serial port.
3)'Macro' Entry - Select what you wish to send on the pop-up list and press the 'S' button. The selected item will be sent. You can set your own macros by 'graffiting' the text you enter in the send buffer and selecting 'Set Macro' from the 'Edit' menu. The text you entered will replace the content of the currently shown macro.
4)Pilot Shortcuts - The Pilot's own shortcut feature works in Online. Any shortcuts entered will be sent to the serial port. This is a good way to send frequently used strings.
5) Send a MemoPad memo - Choose the 'Export Memo' menu item, select the memo you wish to send from the dialog box, then press OK - the memo's contents will be sent to the serial port. Note that no formatting/changing of the memo is done in Online. The memo is sent exactly as it is stored.
The onscreen arrows are cursor keys. They send the VT100 commands to move the cursor to the serial port.
Receiving Data
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The Pilot polls the serial port for data all the while it is online. A 'Line Feed' can be appended to incoming data by choosing a check box in the 'Settings' dialog.
The screen can be cleared by using the 'Clear' menu item.
Tapping the 'L' will log data to a MemoPad category called 'Logs' - you need to create this in Memopad BEFORE attempting to log data. Not doing so will cause Pilot 1000's and 5000's to reset :(
Word wrapping can be toggled with the 'Toggle Wrap' menu option.
Navigating
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Online keeps an 80x24 terminal screen in memory, but only displays what it can on-screen. A small map shows which part of the terminal window is currently seen. You can move around the 80x24 virtual terminal in two ways: either by tapping the pen on a different section of the map, which will move to display that section.
Tapping in the recieved data area is the quick way to move around.
Imagine this as the square where incoming data is displayed...
[A][B]
[C][D]
tap in upper left corner [A] of output area to go up and left
tap in upper right corner [B] to go up and right
tap in lower left corner [C] to go down and left
tap in lower right corner [D] to go down and right
Pilot 5000 users can change the font of the display by using the 'toggle font' menu item. This switches between a 7pt and 8pt fixed-width Minico font. The 7pt font allows Online to display 40 characters across the screen, greatly reducing the amnount of scrolling required.
You can determine whether the screen in view moves automatically to follow the cursor by using the 'Toggle Follow' menu option.
Registering Online
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Online is shareware and costs $20. I have arranged registration services with several agencies, choose the one which suits you best.
Online registration:
http://www.pilotgear.com/ or http://www2.viaweb.com/pilotgear/
You can register Online online, or by phone or fax - cost $20.
Phone call to 817.461.5944, fax to 817.461.3482 or e-mail to
sales@pilotgear.com. If by fax or e-mail please provide the following:
Full Name, Address including city, state and zip, phone number,
credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express), credit card
number, expiration date and of course the item you would like to
purchase.
http://www.sw-reg.com (Online's product id is: 11056)
SW-Reg will give you an access key immediately.
SW-Reg accept Visa. Cost UKP11.50 (approx $18)
http://www.shareit.com/programs/100266.htm (Online is 100266)
ShareIt! accept many credit cards, cash or cheques.
You can also pay by fax, post or phone. Fill in the form
at the bottom of this document to do that. Cost $20.
You can also register by First Virtual, email you key to fv@hausofmaus.com stating that you want to
buy Online and I'll do the rest. Please understand that I'll do this as quickly as I can, but may
sometimes be away on business or vacation.
Those kind enough to register will receive a key. The key should be entered into the send buffer of Online when the application starts (ensure you are 'offline') followed by a Grafitti return. The key will be checked - if its correct then you'll no longer get nagged and you'll be a very valued customer.
Registrants will get upgrades to Online for free, be able to influence future functionality and have access to pre-release versions of Online. You'll be added to my mailing list and kept informed of Online's development.
Limitations
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This code is still young, so there are still some rough edges.
Acknowledgements
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Online makes use of other's technology. A tip o' the virtual cap goes to...
Michael Peay for the Minico font - http://www.gryphonsw.com/~mpeay/minico.html
Ken Hancock for the Pilot Font Convertor which made something very difficult suddenly very possible
Finally thanks to The Maus, in whose Haus I live!
Legal Stuff
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You are responsible for what you do with Online and for the consequences of anything that happens as a result of your use, be it damage, loss of data on any computer system or anything.
Online is shareware. If you use it please register it. Details are given above and on the Online web-site http://www.hausofmaus.com
You may distribute unregistered copies of Online, but not for profit, except with my written permission, obtainable via email to iain@hausofmaus.com - the registration key should not be distributed.
Register Via ShareIt!
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(Online can be registered for $20 using this service)
If you do not have access to the Internet, you can register via phone, fax or
postal mail. Please print out the following form, and fax or mail it to:
Reimold&Schumann Internet Services
ShareIt!
Jahnstrasse 24
50676 Koeln
Germany
Phone: +49-221-2407279
+49-172-7229837
Fax: +49-221-2407278
E-Mail: register@shareit.com
Registration form for Online
Program No.: 100266
Last name: ___________________________________
First name: ____________________________________
Street and #: ______________________________________
City, State, postal code: ________________________________
Country: _______________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________
Fax: ________________________________________
E-Mail: ______________________________________
How would like to receive the registration key/full version?
e-mail - fax - postal mail
How would you like to pay the registration fee of $20:
credit card - wire transfer - EuroCheque - cash
Credit card information (if applicable)
Credit card: Visa - Eurocard/Mastercard - American Express - Diners Club
Card holder: ________________________________
Card No.: ___________________________________
Date of Expiration : ___________________________________
