Columbia Kermit/kermit.zip/e/mail.91a

Internet Message Format | 2020-01-01 | 96KB

From fdc  Tue Jan  8 10:45:04 1991
Return-Path: <fdc>
Received: by watsun.cc.columbia.edu (5.59/FCB)
    id AA09528; Fri, 4 Jan 91 21:52:26 EST
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 91 21:52:25 EST
From: Frank da Cruz <[e-mail]>
To: Info-Kermit
Subject: Info-Kermit Digest V13 #1
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Queries-To: [e-mail]
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>

Info-Kermit Digest          Fri, 4 Jan 1991        Volume 13 : Number 1

Today's Topics:
        New Release of Apple II Kermit
        New Release of VAX/VMS Kermit-32
        Another Prerelease of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 Ready for Testing
        New Update of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 for the Victor 9000
        New Update of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 for the DEC Rainbow
        Updated Auxilliary Files for Kermit-370
        CP/M Kermit version 4.10 Enhancements
        TOPS-10 Kermit Files Repaired

Digest submissions may be sent to [e-mail],
requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to
[e-mail] or to [e-mail].

Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order.  On the
Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, a SUN-4/280
running UNIX (SUNOS 4.1), IP host number 128.59.39.2.  Login as user anonymous
(note, lower case), any password, and GET or MGET (MULTIPLE GET) the desired
files.  The Kermit files are in directories kermit/a, kermit/b, kermit/c,
kermit/d, and kermit/e.  Test versions are in kermit/test.  Binaries are in
kermit/bin (use ftp in binary mode).  You can also get Kermit files over the
BITNET/EARN network; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV,
the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA.  For detailed instructions, read the
file kermit/a/aanetw.hlp (AANETW.HLP on KERMSRV).  To order by mail, request a
complete list of Kermit versions and an order form from Kermit Distribution,
Columbia University Center for Computing Activities, 612 West 115th Street,
New York, NY 10025 USA.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed Dec  5 09:16:51 1990
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: New Release of Apple II Kermit
Keywords: Apple II Kermit 3.87

>From Ted Medin, <[e-mail]>.  Here is his description of the
new release:

  1. Decimal numbers allowed in lots of places.
  2. Screen restore on "connect" for //e or better.
  3. Kermit file attributes are handled.
  4. Percent of file transferred where possible (file attributes required).
  5. Lots of bug fixes (will we ever get the vt100 right :-)
  6. Kermit protocol bug fixes.
  7. Escape character "\" can be used in file names for file xfers.
  8. Show volumes - (ProDos only) shows the prefixes of the online volumes.
  9. Escape V - When connected will toggle cursor-keys-vt100.
 10. Some vt102 printer codes are handled - don't expect much.
 11. New driver for the Ace dual card.  Thanks to Andy Tefft.

Now for a list of credits for those who helped.  I'm sure I missed someone
so please accept my appoligies: Doug Ashbrook, Todd Bakal, Ralph Carpenter,
Grant Delaney, Les Ferch, Paul Hirose, Steve Kunz, Ted Lee, Murphy Sewell,
Andy Tefft, Dick Wotiz.  (End Quote)

The new files are in kermit/a/app*.* on watsun.cc.columbia.edu (Internet)
and they are available from KERMSRV at CUVMA (BITNET/EARN).

------------------------------

Date: Wed Dec  5 09:16:51 1990
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: New Release of VAX/VMS Kermit-32
Keywords: VAX/VMS Kermit

>From Jonathan Welch, a minor new release of Kermit-32 for VAX/VMS, version
3.3.128.  The new release replaces version 3.3.126, and contains two
corrections: a bug when transferring files containing print carriage control,
and problems operating in non-interactive (e.g. batch) mode.  The files are
in the B area, kermit/b/vms*.* on watsun, VMS*.* on CUVMA KERMSRV.  The file
vmsmit.hex is KERMIT.EXE encoded in hex format, which you can convert back to
EXE format using the VMSDEH program, also supplied in the same area.  See the
file VMSAAA.HLP for instructions.  Thanks to Jonathan for keeping Kermit-32
alive!

------------------------------

Date: Tue Jan  1 20:37:42 1991
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Another Prerelease of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 Ready for Testing
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02, IBM PC

Here are the changes since the last announcement, from Joe Doupnik's
MSR302.UPD file.  The new version is ready for testing in
kermit/test/mstibm.boo in BOO file format, convertible to executable .EXE file
using any of the kermit/b/msbpct.* programs, or as a directly executable
binary file in kermit/bin/mstibm.exe.  As usual, many thanks to Joe for his
constant and devoted attention to this program.

94. Make several internal changes to the code for SET PORT TES, with no
    changes to user level commands. File msxibm.asm.

95. 26 Nov. Fix two problems introduced this past week: unwanted ghost cursor
    boxes in graphics emulation mode if character writing is opaque and the
    display is CGA or Hercules, and loss of \Knethold for TES. Files changed
    are msgibm.asm and msxibm.asm.

96. Another graphics terminal emulation fix for the case of using opaque
    character writing with monochrome displays when the characters do not
    start on a multiple of 8 horizontal PC dots. File msgibm.asm

97. Add a problem solver from Frank da Cruz: if Kermit times out waiting for
    a packet character to arrive then send an XON to the host, if such flow
    control is active, to free a host which might have received an XOFF as
    a stray line noise character. File msscom.asm

98. Add more flexibility to the REMOTE LOGIN <username password account>
    command so that it can be stated on one line, particularly for Take files,
    and yet retain the ability to use embedded spaces in all three fields. To
    use embedded spaces surround the quantity with curly braces, {..}. An
    example is a username of "my name" and a password of "no show":
        REM LOGIN {my name}{no show}
    or equivalently
        REM LOGIN {my name}   {no show}
    The account name is omitted in this example. Kermit will prompt for the
    items only if nothing is specified after the word LOGIN. File mssser.asm,
    done on 6 Dec.

99. Improve performance of the Novell TELAPI communications path. Command
    TELAPI between single Character and Line Mode depending on what Kermit
    sends, because otherwise TELAPI will send Kermit packets as a long burst
    of TCP/IP Telnet packets each holding one data character. This boosted the
    Kermit to Kermit file sending speed from 240 to 1990 file characters per
    second in one test situation (an 8MHz AT to a MicroVAX II using Kermit-32
    version 3.3.126 and 1000 byte packets).

    However, because of the way TELAPI Line Mode works this gain is obtained
    only if the end-of-packet character on packets sent by MS-DOS Kermit is
    the default 13 (Carriage Return); other values will result in TELAPI using
    its method of a single character per Telnet packet. That is, when TELAPI
    is in Line Mode a Carriage Return is required to send its buffer.

    Second, side step a particularly slow TELAPI operation when receiving
    characters. This boosted reception from 240 to 1720 file characters/sec
    in a similar test. All changes are in file msxibm.asm. Done on 8 Dec 1990.

100. Add a finishing touch to SET PORT TELAPI to handle the case of starting
     a NEW or RESUMING an existing connection when the command is given.

101. By request, add additional Tek submode entry and exit commands of
        ESC 1   enter Tek submode from text emulator and clear Tek screen;
                ignored if Tek mode is disabled.
        ESC 2   exit Tek submode from text emulator;
                ignored if acting as a full Tek terminal (SET TERM TEK).
     Files changed are msgibm.asm and mszibm.asm

102. Make a couple small changes to files msxibm.asm and mssset.asm to ensure
     that changes to flow control take effect immediately rather than waiting
     for the serial port to be closed and reopened manually (by changing ports
     and changing back again).

103. Two small changes. Ensure received packet retry counter does not increase
     when any legally framed packet arrives, rather than considering only those
     in the current window. File mssrcv.asm.
     Add tiny time windows when the serial port interrupt routine can permit
     other interrupts to be serviced while it reads bytes from the FIFO of a
     16550A UART chip. Previously interrupts were turned off during the entire
     read process. Improvments will be noticed only on machines already
     running in a nearly overloaded situation. This feature may be removed if
     any bad reports arrive. File msxibm.asm.

104. Add screen-clear command CLS to clear the screen at Kermit command
     level, especially for Take files and Macros (Control-L does it by hand).
     File mssker.asm, done 17 Dec 1990.

105. Add correction to file msxibm.asm to prevent sending an XOFF if the
     communications port is inactive. Affects situations such as starting
     Kermit and saying DIR before doing anything else.

106. Remove item 97. At least one IBM mainframe Kermit objects to an XON when
     reading packets (however slowly it may respond). File msscom.asm, 23 Dec.

107. Add support for 132x25 screens with the new IBM XGA display adapter. Tnx
     to Bert Tyler at NIH. File msyibm.asm

108. Small correction in file msuibm.asm, IBM PC keyboard reader, to work
     around a PS/2 keyboard Bios problem with the keypad "5" key.

109. Ensure that during terminal emulation out going bytes of values greater
     than 9fh are not converted into 7-bit control form (ESC letter) under any
     circumstance. Only bytes in the C1 control code area may be converted.
     File msyibm.asm

110. Correct small error in identifying the transfer character set given in
     received attributes packets. Also, if an arriving file indicates a
     Transfer Character Set of CYRILLIC then force use of CP866 for that
     particular file and revert back to normal afterward. File mssrcv.asm
     And if the user manually selects CP866 then retain that setting around
     pushing to DOS. File msxibm.asm

111. During file transfers pressing either Control-Q or just Q sends an XON
     code to the other side, regardless of our flow control setting. This
     is to manually free a host blocked by a stray XOFF. File msscom.asm

Joe has also written a capsule summary of the changes from version 3.01 to
3.02.  It is available in the file kermit/test/msr302.doc, about 36K in
length.  Thanks again, Joe!

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 17 Dec 90 23:53:57 EST
>From: "Joe R. Doupnik" <[e-mail]>
Subject: New Update of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 for the Victor 9000
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02, Victor 9000 Kermit

I completed a quick upgrade of the Victor 9000 (Sirius 1) Kermit material
from version 2.29 to 3.02 and placed the files on ~kermit/test.  I lack a
Victor upon which to test these changes so we need to hear from volunteers.
File mstv90.boo is accompanied by the three main source files msuv90.asm,
msxv90.asm and msyv90.asm.  The startup banner carries the date of 17 Dec
1990.

Joe D.

[Ed. - Thanks, Joe.  Reports from Victor 9000 users would be much
appreciated.]

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 29 Dec 90 03:05:16 EST
>From: Robert Weiner <[e-mail]>
Subject: New Update of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 for the DEC Rainbow
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02, Rainbow

Here is the latest version of DEC Rainbow Test Kermit built from current
MS-DOS Kermit sources in ~kermit/test.  Nothing Rainbow specific new here.
-Rob

[Ed. - Thanks, Rob!  Readers can find this contribution in
kermit/test/mstrb1.boo (boo file) and kermit/bin/mstrb1.exe (binary).]

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 1990 Dec 17   14:56 EST
>From: "John F. Chandler" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Updated Auxilliary Files for Kermit-370
Keywords: Kermit-370, IBM Mainframe, CMS Kermit

Two files have recently been updated.  One is IK0VER.FOR, a comparison
program which generates a difference file in the form of CMS-style updates:
there was a sequencing problem in the output difference file whenever a
matching stretch of exactly one card appeared in the midst of differences.
IK0VER is of interest primarily to programmers on non-CMS systems who wish
to send code improvements in a compressed and uniform fashion.  The other
file is IKCACT.ASM, the sample accounting exit routine for Kermit-CMS.
Nothing has been changed in the way it works, but some new options have been
added for recording the accounting information.  Also, a note of caution:
the punch option, as a quick examination of the code would indicate, does
NOT work in an XA-mode virtual machine.  Andre Pirard has signaled an
intention to make an XA-mode version some day, but not right away.

John

[Ed. - Thanks, John!  John has also sent in a set of Kermit-370 documentation
files that contain "Fortran" carriage control in column 1, and that are fully
paginated, with an index and a table of contents that make sense.  These are
available in the "B" area as IK*.LPT.]

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 23 Nov 90 18:28:30 EST
>From: Mike Freeman <[e-mail]>
Subject: CP/M Kermit version 4.10 Enhancements
Keywords: CP/M Kermit

As a result of an E-Mail discussion with Dr. Russell Lang at Monash
University in Australia, I have made the following enhancement to Kermit-80
Version 4.10: when receiving or getting files, if a "disk full" condition is
found, rather than aborting with no other action, the enhanced Kermit now
deletes the file causing the "disk full" condition, complains to the user
(which it always did) and sends an "E" packet to the other side to tell it
to stop sending.  These changes are in cpsker.asm, cpspk1.asm, cpsker.hex in
my area, /uw/guests/freeman/.  Except for bug fixes as a result of the test
release, I believe this will be the last work on Kermit-80 ver. 4.10.
Future enhancements will go into Kermit-80 ver. 4.11.

After checking with Joe Doupnik, I've modified CP/M Kermit to take account
of the SET INCOMPLETE-FILES setting when receiving files and a disk-full
error occurs. If SET INCOMPLETE KEEP is in effect, the incomplete file will
be closed and kept, else it will be deleted.  The user will still know that
the transmission was unsuccessful as the "Failed" message will appear even
with SET TERMINAL QUIET.  The "E" packet will still be sent to the remote
Kermit. This is the behavior before my last change except that under all
circumstances, an incomplete file is closed (errors ignored), so that, if
SET INCOMPLETE-FILES KEEP is in effect, an attempt wil be made to output the
last buffer.

-- Mike Freeman K7UIJ --

[Ed. - Thanks, Mike!  CP/M Kermit users should continue to check the new
files in kermit/test/cp*.* for updates.  Reports and contributions continue
to arrive from far and wide, showing that CP/M is still alive.  When they
have settled down, version 4.10 will replace 4.09 in the standard Kermit
distribution.]

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 28 Nov 90 17:00:55 EST
>From: Mike Freeman <[e-mail]>
Subject: TOPS-10 Kermit Files Repaired
Keywords: TOPS-10 Kermit, DECsystem-10 Kermit

In Kermit Digest V10#4, I noticed that Chuck Bacon noticed that <CR><LF>s
had been inserted in the Macro-10 sources for DECsystem-10 Kermit in such a
way that the Macro compilation was broken.  Did Mr. Bacon ever get a
corrected set of files to you?  It would appear not as a cursory perusal of
the ~kermit/b/ area shows you still have the chopped files (as I presume
they came from Mr. Norstedt).  In any case, I have sent you reformatted
files to compile/load/execute properly on the DECsystem-10.  The Bliss
modules are unaffected.  These sources also include my bug fixes also.
Everything works correctly as far as I can tell.  Ciao.
-- Mike K7UIJ --

[Ed. - Many thanks, Mike!  TOPS-10 lives too, eh?]

------------------------------

End of Info-Kermit Digest
*************************

From cmg  Tue Feb  5 16:41:17 1991
Return-Path: <cmg>
Received: by watsun.cc.columbia.edu (5.59/FCB)
    id AA18565; Mon, 4 Feb 91 17:00:38 EST
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 91 17:00:37 EST
From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
To: Info-Kermit
Subject: Info-Kermit Digest V13 #2
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Queries-To: [e-mail]
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>

Info-Kermit Digest         Mon, 4 Feb 1991        Volume 13 : Number 2

Today's Topics:

             Info-Kermit Digest Delivery
          Last Test Prerelease of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02
       DEC Rainbow Kermit 3.02 Prerelease Available for Testing
          MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 in ROM on the HP Portable Plus
         Using the MS-DOS Kermit Terminal Emulator with PICK
            CP/M Kermit for the Ampro Little Board

Digest submissions may be sent to [e-mail],
requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to
[e-mail] or to [e-mail].

Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order.  On the
Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, a SUN-4/280
running UNIX (SUNOS 4.1), IP host number 128.59.39.2.  Login as user anonymous
(note, lower case), any password, and GET or MGET (MULTIPLE GET) the desired
files.  The Kermit files are in directories kermit/a, kermit/b, kermit/c,
kermit/d, and kermit/e.  Test versions are in kermit/test.  Binaries are in
kermit/bin (use ftp in binary mode).  You can also get Kermit files over the
BITNET/EARN network; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV,
the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA.  For detailed instructions, read the
file kermit/a/aanetw.hlp (AANETW.HLP on KERMSRV).  To order by mail, request a
complete list of Kermit versions and an order form from Kermit Distribution,
Columbia University Center for Computing Activities, 612 West 115th Street,
New York, NY 10025 USA.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Mon, 4 Feb 1991 11:33:24 EST
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Info-Kermit Digest Delivery
Keywords: Info-Kermit Digest

Many Info-Kermit subscribers report that they have not been receiving
Info-Kermit issues regularly.  Others report receiving two or more copies of
each one.  These problems seem to be caused by our local UNIX mail delivery
agent, sendmail, and our postmaster is investigating.  It is very likely that
the enormous number and geographic dispersion of Info-Kermit subscribers is
greater than sendmail ever expected to cope with.

I would encourage those of you who subscribe to Info-Kermit directly to move
your subscription to the I-KERMIT listserver on BITNET/EARN.  You can do this
even your mail address is not on a BITNET host.  To do this,
send e-mail to [e-mail] containing the following text:

  SUBSCRIBE I-KERMIT <name>

where <name> is your personal name, which can be in upper and lower case,
contain spaces, etc.  Once you receive a digest issue from I-KERMIT, you can
send e-mail to [e-mail] asking to have your direct
subscription cancelled because now you are receiving the digest through
LISTSERV.  If you ever want to cancel your I-KERMIT subscription, send e-mail
to [e-mail] containing the text:

  SIGNOFF I-KERMIT

Users of Unix systems that receive the regular newsgroup postings can also
read comp.protocols.kermit, which is simply a reposting of the Info-Kermit
Digest to the Unix netnews network (how or by whom I have never known).

Meanwhile, for those of you who are wondering which issues you might have
missed, Volume 12 (July through December, 1990) had 7 issues (1 through 7).
We're now in Volume 13 (Jan-Jun 1991), and this is the second issue.  Missing
issues can be retrieved from kermit/e/v12.* and v13.* on watsun via anonymous
ftp on the Internet, or V12 * and V13 * from KERMSRV at CUVMA on BITNET/EARN.

Sorry for the inconvenience, hope all is better soon.

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 4 Feb 1991 12:46:58 EST
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Last Test Prerelease of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02

We're nearing the final release of the next version of MS-DOS Kermit, which up
till now we have been calling 3.02.  When it is finally released, the version
number will be 3.10 to reduce confusion about test versions versus real
versions.  As of this announcement, development of this release is frozen.
Please continue to send in bug reports and other comments, but suggestions for
new features will be kept for a post-3.10 release.  This message, extracted
from Joe Doupnik's MSR302.UPD file, lists the changes since the last posting,
in Info-Kermit V13 #1.  Subsequent messages describe work on some of the
non-IBM-PC versions.

The files are available in the Kermit Distribution "test" area, kermit/test
on watsun.cc.columbia.edu for anonymous FTP access on the Internet, and the
T: area of KERMSRV at CUVMA on BITNET.  They include:

 BOO File      Documentation     Systems Supported
  mstibm.boo    msr302.upd,.doc   IBM PC, PS/2, and compatibles
  mstgen.boo                      Generic MS-DOS
  mstgri.boo    mstgri.doc,.hlp   Grid Compass
  msthp1.boo    msthp1.doc,.hlp   Hewlett Packard 150
  msthpx.boo    msthpx.doc,.hlp   Hewlett Packard 110 and Portable Plus
  mstrb1.boo    mstrb1.doc        DEC Rainbow-100
  mstv90.boo                      Victor 9000 (Sirius 1)
  mstz10.boo    mstz10.doc        Heath/Zenith-100

The "boo" files are executable (.EXE) files encoded in "BOO" format, which
can be decoded back into .EXE format using any of the MSBPCT programs that
can be found in kermit/a/msbpct.* on watsun or MSBPCT * on KERMSRV.

The non-IBM versions listed above are approximately up to date with the IBM
version, but they lack many of the system-dependent features such as network
support, international character-set translation, and others, but they do
incorporate sliding windows, script language programming, and other
system-independent aspects of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02.  The non-IBM versions have
not been tested in the current edit, although they were tested at earlier
points in the 3.02 development cycle.

Thanks to Joe Doupnik for his skill, patience, endurance, generosity, etc,
in pulling this release together, and to other MS-DOS Kermit programming
volunteers including Robert Weiner, Gary Stebbins, John Nyenhuis, Terry
Kennedy, Bert Tyler, and many others, and to the hundreds or thousands of
testers.  Please report bugs or problems in this latest program edit to
Info-Kermit or directly to Joe at [e-mail] (Internet) or JRD@USU
(BITNET/EARN).  Joe's notes follow:

112. Add a feature suggested by John Klensin and Frank da Cruz, from C Kermit.
     New substitution variable notation \$(item)  means replace  \$(item)  by
     the string on the right hand side of the line starting as ITEM= in the
     DOS Environment. Any word may be used for ITEM. The replacement will be
     empty if either the string or the item is absent in the Environment.
     Leading and trailing spaces and tabs are removed from the string.
     Examples:
        Echo \$(path)
        shows the string which occurs after "PATH=" in the Environment, such
        as C:\;C:\WP;C:\DOS.

        IF eq \$(video) CGA echo Upgrade to VGA
        will show the string "Upgrade to VGA" if someone has provided the line
        VIDEO=CGA  in the Environment, perhaps by typing SET VIDEO=CGA or
        written there by a program.

        ASSIGN \%p \$(path)
        gives variable \%p the definition of the right hand side of PATH=.

     Semicolons occurring in \$(..) replacement strings will be treated as
     ordinary characters and will not start a comment. Comments starting
     with a semicolon are now restricted to ordinary Macros and Take files.

     Changes are in files mssker.asm and msscmd.asm.

113. Add variable \v(speed) to the list of substitution variables. \v(speed)
     is the ascii value of the communications line speed, in bits/second. It
     may be the word "unknown", without the quotes, if the value is not
     available, and it may contain non-numerical characters such as "." and
     "/" as in 45.5, 134.5, and 75/1200. Network connections will usually
     return "unknown". Changes are in file msscmd.asm.

114. Add variable "program" to the WRITE command and let it be variable
     \v(program). It is the string MS-DOS_KERMIT. Notice the underscore.
     Changes in file msster.asm.

115. Correct two keyboard related problems: reporting \v(keyboard) as 88 keys
     for such keyboards, and retaining the SET KEY {ON, OFF, LK250} state if
     an LK250 keyboard is requested (by this command) but is not present.
     Changes in file msuibm.asm.

116. Make small corrections to network-presence tests which previously
     said no-network if the net's interrupt pointed to segment 0f000h, system
     ROM. With the advent of memory mappers such as QEMM, 386MAX, etc holes
     in ROM can be filled by network drivers. The new test procedures allow
     networks to be detected in the ROM holes. File msxibm.asm.

117. Correct a problem with screen rollback storage when system memory is
     really short. An error in the code allowed storage (and a system crash)
     if the area were absent due to insufficient memory. File msyibm.asm.

118. Correct a presence signature of the STB/EM Plus board when changing
     between 80 and 132 columns, from Terry Kennedy. File msyibm.asm.

119. Correct a strange protocol problem. If receiving characters from an IBM
     mainframe host (or equiv) which requires use of a "handshake" character,
     typically Control-Q, and an end of packet character arrives prematurely
     then the bad partial packet is marked and delivered as a good one.
     Change in file msscom.asm.

120. Add code from Bert Tyler to manually set IBM XGA display boards in 80
     or 132 column mode because (apparently) the first boards lack support
     in their Bios. File msyibm.asm.

121. Add command SHOW VARIABLES [\v([name])] which displays the strings
     associated with variables of the form \v(variable-name). Leading "\v("
     and trailing ")" may be omitted. SHOW VARIABLE with no argument shows
     all variables; abbreviations are allowed here. Files changed are
     mssker.asm, msscmd.asm, msssho.asm.

122. Add 80/132 column support for the ATI VGA Wonder board, as a extended
     case of the EGA board. Tnx to Steve Wood. File msyibm.asm.

123. Permit abbreviations in \v(variable) phrases, such as \v(ver) rather
     than the full form of \v(version). File msscmd.asm

124. Correct a bug in the file receiver code which could reject a file if
     SET ATTRIBUTES LENGTH OFF were stated. File mssrcv.asm, done 16 Jan 91.

125. When the device holding the Session log (Connect mode) becomes full or
     reports an error during writing then put the error message on the status
     line, and suspend logging. Previously the error message was written on
     the main part of the screen where it could be overwritten or missed, and
     logging was reattempted every 128 bytes. Now logging is attempted again
     when reentering Connect mode. File msster.asm

126. Changes to \v(variable) area.
    a) Truncate the fractions of seconds field from \v(time).
        b) Add \v(ndate) which reports the date with all digits as YYYYMMDD
       for easier testing in scripts. \v(date) reports MM-DD-YYYY.
    c) Add \v(status) which reports the value of the Kermit status word;
       0 is success, any other numeric is a failure. Most Kermit commands
       clear this word result before execution. The current values are
       listed below; "user intervention" may be added to other values.

         Condition         Status    Comment
    success            0    initial value for most commands
    send failure        1    includes OUTPUT and TRANSMIT commands
    receive failure        2    includes INPUT command timeout
    remote cmd failure    4    REMOTE command failed for any reason
    Take file failure    8    Take file not found
    general failure           16    many causes
    user intervention     256    usually by typing Control-C

     These changes also apply to WRITE statements.

     Changes affect most mss*.asm files.

127. Add two tests to the script IF statement. These are lexical comparisons
     between two words. The curly brace {..} operators are not usable here.

    IF LLT    word1 word2 <command>
        executes <command> if word1 has    fewer characters (after
        removing leading spaces) than word2, or if at the first
        character where the words differ word1 has a character
        occurring earlier (less than) in the ascii collating sequence
        than that in word 2.

    IF LGT    word1 word2 <command>
        opposite of above, for word1 longer than word2 or the first
        differing character in word1 occurs later (greater than) that
        in word2 in the ascii collating sequence.

     Combining these with IF EQUAL and the NOT modifier yields all logical
     comparison conditions, as shown in the table below. Case sensitivity
     of the tests is controlled by SET INPUT CASE {IGNORE, OBSERVE}, with
     IGNORE being the default; when case is observed uppercase letters are
     "less than" lower case letters.

         Lexical Test        Kermit IF statement
    word1 =  word2        IF EQUAL word1 word2 ...
    word1 != word2        IF NOT EQUAL word1 word2 ...
    word1 <  word2        IF LLT word1 word2 ...
    word1 >  word2        IF LGT word1 word2 ...
    word1 => word2        IF NOT LLT word1 word2 ...
    word1 <= word2        IF NOT LGT word1 word2 ...

     Changes are in file mssscp.asm

128. Speedup response of the VT300 terminal emulator to VMS SET TERM/INQUIRE,
     and correct SET DEBUG SESSION to not invoke packet logging. Files
     mszibm.asm and msscom.asm, resp.

129. Send an XON when opening the "serial port", to free a host blocked by
     an XOFF from whatever cause. Correct REINPUT not timing out automatically
     if the history buffer is full and a string match is not found.
     Files msxibm.asm and mssscp.asm, resp. 25 Jan 1991

130. For macros invoked while in terminal emulation mode, such as TERMINALS,
     PRODUCT, user defined macros, etc., make variable \%0 be the macro name.
     Changes in file msyibm.asm.

131. Add special feature of calling Macro ON_EXIT when Kermit is exiting to
     DOS (but not when PUSHing/shelling to DOS). The user needs to define
     the Macro and it may contain any commands but normally ones wanted to
     put the system back into a standard form. For example

         DEFINE ON_EXIT run cols80.bat,echo Goodbye from MS-DOS Kermit.

     This Macro will be executed to switch the screen to 80 column mode
     when Kermit command EXIT or QUIT is given.
     Changes are in file mssker.asm.

132. Permit specification of the IRQ value of a UART serial port. The command
     SET COM3 <port address> <IRQ value>
     has the new optional second field to hold the IRQ (2 through 15 decimal).
     Example:
         SET COM3 \x03e8 \2
     The equivalent command for the DOS Environment would be
         C> SET KERMIT=com3 \x03e8 \2

     If the IRQ value is omitted then an IRQ of 4 or 3 will be used for
     testing. In all cases, a test is run to see if the serial port responds
     with this port address and IRQ value. If it does not then the port is
     tested again at the given address but using IRQ 4 or 3. If that fails
     the port is assigned an IRQ of 4 for COM1 and COM3 and 3 for COM2 and
     COM4; PS/2 machines are assigned 3 for COM2..4. XT's and other machines
     based on 8x88/8x86 cpu chips can not use an IRQ above 7.

     BEWARE!! It is very easy to interfere with other equipment in the
     computer, such as your harddisk, if the IRQ is used by other boards.
     The hard disk on XT's uses IRQ 5, and on AT's and above it typically
     uses IRQ 14. Parallel printers rarely use IRQs so by swithing off IRQ
     generation on the parallel port(s) one may recover IRQ 7 and 5 (AT's).
     Check carefully before experimenting. You use this facility only at your
     own risk.

     Changes are in file mssset.asm and msxibm.asm.

[Ed. - Notice -- this item was added only reluctantly by Joe, in response to
hundreds of requests for from those who have strange setups for their serial
ports -- nonstandard boards, unusual mixtures of serial devices, etc etc.
Joe's (and our) advice is to use Kermit's IRQ-setting option only as a last
resort.  It's much better and safer to try to rearrange your equipment
configuration to use a standard IRQ of 3 or 4 for all serial ports.
Nevertheless, it is important that those of you who have been requesting the
ability to specify your own IRQ test this feature and report back as quickly
as possible, good or bad.  Thanks!]

133. Change name of \v(path) and WRITE <log> PATH to be \v(directory) and
     WRITE <log> DIRECTORY, respectively, to avoid possible confusion with
     the PATH=  clause in the DOS Environment.
     Files msscmd.asm and msster.asm.

134. Small revisions to keep CTTY COMn happy. Shut down the serial port
     when at the Kermit prompt to let DOS style i/o have a chance at the
     serial communications line.
     File mssker.asm.

135. Reduce the WRITE command to syntax of WRITE <dest> text. Date and time
     etc are available via variables \v(date) and so on. Now the script
     input-buffer is displayed as part of the command SHOW SCRIPT.
     Files msssho.asm and msster.asm.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 10 Jan 91 02:43:04 EST
>From: Robert Weiner <[e-mail]>
Subject: DEC Rainbow Kermit 3.02 Prerelease Available for Testing
Keywords: Rainbow, DEC Rainbow, MS-DOS Kermit 3.02

Here's the latest release of DEC Rainbow 100 MS-Kermit version 3.02 dev
27-Jan-1991 built from the current source on watsun in ~kermit/test/mss*.
This brings the Rainbow version in sync & up to date with the IBM PC version
as far as the MS-DOS Kermit system independent parts are concerned.

I haven't seen much (if any) feedback about the Rainbow versions.  I'm using
it on a Rainbow 100B with alot of memory and a V20 processor.  I'd like to
hear from someone who has used it on a machine with less memory, etc, or on a
Rainbow 100A.  I don't expect anything should have broke on a 'smaller'
Rainbow, but who knows.

This keeps the Rainbow version up-to-date with the current IBM PC version.
There is now also some documentation for the new Rainbow version in
mstrb1.doc.

[Ed. - Thanks, Robert!  The new files are in kermit/test/mstrb1.boo and .doc,
with a binary version in kermit/bin/mstrb1.exe.]

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Jan 91 20:40:21 -0500
>From: [e-mail] (John Nyenhuis)
Subject: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 in ROM on the HP Portable Plus
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02, HP Portable Plus

Joe Doupnik suggested that I pass along my experiences in installing MS-DOS
Kermit 3.02 in ROM on the HP Portable Plus.

Over the holidays, I had some fun with the HP Portable Plus.  I got a ROM
burner and put Kermit in ROM.  In the Portable Plus architecture, it is
possible to run a program form ROM.  (The operating system puts the ROM
starting at 9000:0000.)  The idea is to have the code segments in ROM and to
have the data and stack segments in RAM.  To do this, I had to make a few
patches to mssker.asm.  Code like "mov ax,data" needs to be changed since it
is not possible for MS DOS to make segment fixups at load time if the program
is in ROM.  It was also necessary to do the approximately 120 relocation fixes
that arise from the two code segments.  (I wrote a small Turbo Pascal program
to do this.) I wrote a small loader program in assembler which calls Kermit
3.02.  The loader program has the responsibility of setting up the data and
stack segments, copying Kermit's data segment to RAM, and informing Kermit of
the values of DS and SS.  Kermit and the loader program fit in a pair of
27C512 EPROMS with about 35K to spare.

Kermit in ROM makes the Portable Plus, which has no internal drives, stand
alone. i.e., if you don't have an external drive, just use the Kermit from ROM
to load your files.  Since the program is run from ROM, Kermit will run on a
Portable with as little as 128 K RAM.

I am willing to be of help in supplying Kermit in ROM to HP Portable Plus
users.  I can e-mail the source code and image files to the interested.  For a
fee (say $50) to cover the cost of EPROMS, shipping, and time, I can do custom
burns and also include instructions on how to install the ROMs.  (Please
advise if this proposed service would cause a problem with Columbia's
copyright on the program.  I am deeply appreciative of the efforts that Joe
Doupnik and others have put into MS-DOS Kermit and under no circumstances do I
want to take unfair advantage of their efforts.)  Any thoughts you have on
distributing MS DOS Kermit ROMS for the Portable Plus are most welcome.

[Ed. - John, you are most welcome to offer this service.]

Also, I have passed along versions of MS DOS Kermit 3.02 for the GRiD Compass,
HP 150, and HP Portable and Portable Plus to Joe Doupnik.  (All are RAM
based.)  He said they would be put in /kermit/test in watsun.

[Ed. - They are, as listed earlier in this issue.]

Sincerely,

John Nyenhuis   Purdue University  School of Electrical Engineering
West Lafayette IN 47907   [phone]     [e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 19 Jan 1991 13:12:22 EST
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Using the MS-DOS Kermit Terminal Emulator with PICK
Keywords: PICK, MS-DOS Kermit and PICK

David L. Clark of History Database in Malibu, CA, USA, has sent in a document
describing how to use MS-DOS 3.0 Kermit's VT320 emulator to access the PICK
operating system in general, and the History Database in particular.  This
document includes detailed instructions for the PICK end, plus MS-DOS Kermit
initialization files for the PC.  This document has been put with the other
PICK Kermit files in kermit/d/pickrm.vt (PICKRM.VT on KERMSRV), and in
kermit/a/msipic.doc (MSIPIC.DOC on KERMSRV).  Thanks to David for this
excellent document.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 8 Jan 91 18:08:00 EST
>From: Mike Freeman <[e-mail]>
Subject: CP/M Kermit for the Ampro Little Board
Keywords: CP/M Kermit

Here are the system dependent files to adapt CP/M-80 Kermit 4.10 for the Ampro
Little Board. The code was contributed courtesy of Jay S. Rouman of Mt.
Pleasant, MI (dexter![e-mail]). He tells me that it works up
thru 4800 bps and file transfers work fine at 9600 bps though the screen
doesn't keep up (presume QUIET mode doesn't present a problem).  I also
submitted cpxsy2.asm with a comment fixed and cpaaaa.hlp and cpk410.ann
updated to show CP/M Kermit support for the Ampro Little Board.

There are also a number of bugs fixed:

(1) leading white space in commands and keyword searches is now ignored
(whether from keyboard, CP/M command-line or TAKEfile -- this was the
original intent of the code but it didn't work).
(2) A further fix to the "disk full" reporting code in CPSPK1.ASM per
report from Russel Lang is hopefully the last.
(3) A RET has been put at the end of OUTCONN in CPXNOR.ASM -- D.P.Arnot
of Scottish Agricultural College in Auchincurive, Ayr, UK reported
this.
(4) Mr. Arnot also says the Amstrad Kermits don't work properly -- they
put garbage in received files (4.09 didn't work, apparently, either).
(5) The CPSCMD.ASM now zaps the entire fcb (in CMIL). This fixes a bug
where the COPY command did not copy files correctly after one
successful COPY on my HP-125.

Re the Amstrad: Am trying to get more info -- don't have one here.  Sorry for
the continuing fixes but suggestions keep coming in.  I presume this will
settle down pretty soon!  It's interesting to see CP/Mers come out of the
closet.  Ciao!

Some bugs in Remote commands and in the Transmit comands are fixed
(syntax for Remote commands is enforced more) and the 8K buffer is used
for the COPY, TYPE and PRINT commands (the big buffer). I hadn't
intended to submit the TYPE and COPY changes but had these bug fixes to
put in so thought I'd put these enhancements in also.

[Ed. - The new files are in kermit/test/cp*.* on watsun and in T:CP* * on
CUVMA.]

------------------------------

End of Info-Kermit Digest
*************************

From cmg  Tue Mar 19 16:16:04 1991
Return-Path: <cmg>
Received: by watsun.cc.columbia.edu (5.59/FCB)
    id AA21697; Tue, 19 Mar 91 16:16:04 EST
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 91 16:16:03 EST
From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
To: Info-Kermit
Subject: Info-Kermit Digest V13 #3
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Queries-To: [e-mail]
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>

Info-Kermit Digest         Tue, 19 Mar 1991        Volume 13 : Number 3

Today's Topics:

            Announcing MS-DOS Kermit 3.10
               New Version of XSEND for MS-DOS
                New CP/M Kermit Files


Digest submissions may be sent to [e-mail],
requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to
[e-mail] or to [e-mail].

Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order.  On the
Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, a SUN-4/280
running UNIX (SUNOS 4.1), IP host number 128.59.39.2.  Login as user anonymous
(note, lower case), any password, and GET or MGET (MULTIPLE GET) the desired
files.  The Kermit files are in directories kermit/a, kermit/b, kermit/c,
kermit/d, and kermit/e.  Test versions are in kermit/test.  Binaries are in
kermit/bin (use ftp in binary mode).  You can also get Kermit files over the
BITNET/EARN network; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV,
the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA.  For detailed instructions, read the
file kermit/a/aanetw.hlp (AANETW.HLP on KERMSRV).  To order by mail, request a
complete list of Kermit versions and an order form from Kermit Distribution,
Columbia University Center for Computing Activities, 612 West 115th Street,
New York, NY 10025 USA.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1991 12:27:37 EST
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Announcing MS-DOS Kermit 3.10
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.10
Keywords: IBM PC, DEC Rainbow, Grid Compass, HP-110, HP-150
Keywords: NEC PC9801, Victor 9000, Sirius/1, Heath/Zenith-100, Zenith-100

MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 is now available.  Here is a list of its major new
features; a more detailed description follows:

 . Support for Cyrillic character sets during file transfer
 . Automatic parity detection during file transfer
 . Support for full-duplex RTS/CTS flow control
 . User-settable serial port address and IRQ line
 . Improved and expanded network support
 . Text and graphics terminal emulation improvements
 . Improved printer control
 . Additional script programming functions and variables
 . Bugs fixed

SYSTEMS

Version 3.10 is available for:

 . IBM PC and PS/2 families and compatibles
 . DEC Rainbow 100
 . Grid Compass
 . Hewlett Packard 110 and Portable Plus
 . Hewlett Packard 150
 . NEC PC9801 (with Japanese Kanji/Katakana support)
 . Victor 9000 / Sirius 1
 . Zenith / Heath 100
 . Generic MS-DOS

The non-IBM versions lack certain system-dependent features present in
the IBM version such as network support, terminal emulation features (VT320
emulation, Tektronix emulation), and character-set translation, but they
all include the basic file transfer mechanisms of version 3.0 and later:
long packets, sliding windows, and so forth.

MAJOR NEW FEATURES:

Support for Cyrillic character sets during file transfer: SET FILE
CHARACTER-SET CP866, SET TRANSFER CHARACTER-SET CYRILLIC (ISO 8859-5
Latin/Cyrillic).  This allows Cyrillic text to be transferred with IBM
mainframe Kermit 4.2 and C-Kermit 5A with correct translation to or from the
various system-specific Cyrillic character sets.  Languages covered by ISO
8859-1 and CP866 include Bulgarian, Byelorussian, English, Macedonian,
Russian, Serbian, and Ukrainian.  There is as yet no built-in support for
Cyrillic terminal character sets, but this can be accomplished on Cyrillic
PCs with SET TERMINAL CHARACTER SET TRANSPARENT plus user-constructed SET
TRANSLATE INPUT tables.

Automatic detection of EVEN, ODD, or MARK parity during file transfer (SPACE
parity cannot be automatically detected).  Reduces file transfer failures
when using a 7-bits-with-parity connection when you have forgotten to give a
SET PARITY command.

RTS/CTS full-duplex hardware flow control is selectable with the new command
SET FLOW RTS/CTS for smooth operation with high-speed modems, terminal
servers, and other high-speed devices that support this feature.

A new command for telling Kermit the address for COM ports 1, 2, 3, or 4, as
well as their IRQ line numbers.  IRQ values other than 3 and 4 can be used
with nonstandard serial communication boards.  Now you can adapt Kermit to
just about any serial communications configuration.  However, the PC
hardware provides no protection against spurious IRQ values, so you must use
the new IRQ selection feature with great caution (for example, to avoid
accidentally interfering with your hard disk).

New or improved network support:

 . Support for Novell's TELAPI TCP/IP telnet program via the new command
   SET PORT TELAPI <internet-address>.

 . Support for Interconnections Inc TES terminal emulation over Novell Netware
   to Netware-equipped VAX/VMS computers via SET PORT TES <hostname>.

 . Improved support for IBM EBIOS / LANACS.  Baud rate can now be set for ACS,
   server port name can be selected so REDIRECT program no longer needed,
   HANGUP and BREAK work with ACS.

 . Support for AT&T StarGROUP Asynchronous Gateway service (via EBIOS).

 . Improved grouping of escape sequences sent by function and arrow keys.

 . Improved operation over slow network connections.

 . Networks supported now include:

     3COM BAPI
     AT&T StarLAN / StarGROUP
     DECnet CTERM and LAT
     IBM EBIOS / LANACS
     Intel OpenNET
     NetBIOS
     Novell Netware NASI / NACS
     Novell Netware TELAPI
     Interconnections Inc / Novell TES
     Ungermann-Bass Net/One
     plus any BIOS Interrupt 14 interceptor for TCP/IP or other services

New terminal emulation features:

 . Improved 132-column support.  New command SET TERMINAL WIDTH {80, 132}
   allows you to specify the screen width from the keyboard, and Kermit also
   responds to host-generated escape sequences for switching screen width
   between 80 and 132 columns.  Video adapters supported for automatic
   screen-width switching include:

     ATI EGA and VGA Wonder (NEW)
     AST, Dell, and other boards based on Western Digital VGA boards (NEW)
     AT&T / Olivetti
     Everex Viewpoint EV-659, FVGA-673, EV-678, Micro Enhancer Deluxe (NEW)
     IBM XGA (NEW).
     Paradise AutoSwitch EGA Mono (NEW)
     Paradise VGA Plus 16 (ROM BIOS 003056-xxx firmware) (NEW)
     Paradise VGA Plus (ROM BIOS 003056-xxx firmware) (NEW)
     Paradise VGA Professional (ROM BIOS 003056-xxx firmware) (NEW)
     STB VGA/EM (Tseng TVGA)
     STB VGA/EM Plus (Tseng 4000), VGA/EM-16, VGA/EM-16 Plus (NEW)
     Tseng Labs EVA board with 132-column kit installed
     Tseng Labs UltraPAK mono/Hercules with 132 column modes
     Video 7 Vega Deluxe with 132X25.COM driver installed and Video 7 VGA

   Other 132-column capable adapters are supported via automatic execution of
   user-provided COLS80.BAT and COLS132.BAT files.

 . SET TERMINAL CHARACTER-SET <name> [ G0 [ G1 [ G2 [ G3 ] ] ] ].  The new
   trailing parameters let you explicitly designate a particular character set
   to one or more of the terminal emulator's G0..G3 areas.  This is necessary,
   for example, for using an 8-bit character set in the 7-bit environment with
   Shift-In / Shift-Out.

 . The host may now designate 7-bit National Replacement Character sets to
   G0..G3 using standard ISO 2022 or DEC character-set designation escape
   sequences.

 . Key definition strings can now contain a mixture of keyboard verbs and
   regular characters.  Verbs can be not only built-in \K verbs (like
   \Kbreak), but also names of user-defined macros (like {\Kmymacro}).

 . New command SET TERMINAL ARROW { CURSOR, APPLICATION } lets you switch
   arrow key modes manually.

 . SET KEY LK lets you tell Kermit that you are using a DEC LK250 keyboard
   with an external LK250 driver loaded.

 . New SET TERMINAL BELL option, NONE, tells Kermit to ignore incoming bell
   characters, rather than sounding them (AUDIBLE) or flashing the screen
   (VISIBLE).

 . Keyboard control sequences and strings are now grouped together in network
   packets.

 . Transparent printing is now done a line at a time, rather than a character
   at a time.

 . Improved coordination with DesqView during terminal emulation.

 . VT100 terminal type added.  This is the same as the VT102, but sends the
   VT100 identification string in response to "what are you?" queries to
   prevent host applications from sending VT102-specific escape sequences such
   as insert / delete character.

 . HONEYWELL terminal type added.  Same as VT102, but with built-in ENQ and
   other responses to mimic a Honeywell VIP7809 terminal.  This allows MS-DOS
   Kermit to be used with Honeywell DPS-6 computers.  (MS-DOS Kermit does not
   normally support the ENQ feature because it is a security risk.)

 . Terminal emulations supported by the IBM version now include:

     DEC VT52
     Heath/Zenith 19
     DEC VT100 (NEW)
     DEC VT102
     DEC VT320
     Honeywell VIP 7809 (= VT102 but with several VIP-specific features) (NEW)
     Tektronix 4010/4014 graphics with VT340 features
     NONE (allows external console drivers to provide other emulations)

Tektronix graphics terminal emulation improvements:

 . Graphics-mode fore- and background colors now user-selectable via new
   SET TERMINAL GRAPHICS COLOR command.  Separate fore- and background colors
   can be used for text screens and graphics screens.  Graphics screen colors
   are now preserved after a clear-screen operation.

 . A text cursor is now available in graphics mode, selectable with the new
   SET TERMINAL GRAPHICS CURSOR command.

 . New built-in support of the Microsoft mouse for moving GIN-mode
   crosshairs.

 . The GIN mode crosshair cursor is now full-screen for increased visibility.

 . Various BYPASS mode improvements.

 . Improved character placement and rendition.

 . Tektronix graphics are supported on the following display adapters:

     AT&T / Olivetti (in CGA mode)
     Hercules and compatibles
     IBM CGA, EGA, VGA, XGA and compatibles (VGA and XGA used in EGA mode)
     Wyse 1280x800, 1280x780, and 1024x780 models

Printer control:

 . New SET PRINTER command lets you redirect printing to a selected file or
   device during terminal emulation, for example SET PRINTER OOFA.TXT (file)
   or SET PRINTER NUL (device).  This applies to your use of the Print-Screen
   and Ctrl-Print-Screen keys as well as to Transparent Print and Autoprint
   escape sequences received from the host during terminal emulation.

New file transfer features:

 . New command REMOTE PRINT <filespec> <options> to send a local PC file to a
   remote Kermit program and ask the remote Kermit to print it with the
   specified options (such as printer name, number of copies, etc).

 . New SET SEND DOUBLE-CHAR <char> command, to cause the specified character
   to be doubled in outgoing packets.  Useful for transferring files through
   PADs, TIPs, Honeywell mainframes, etc, that use a printable character as an
   escape and require two copies in order to pass one copy through.

 . New SET RECEIVE IGNORE-CHARACTER <char> command, to tell MS-DOS Kermit to
   discard and ignore the given character when received during file transfer.
   Useful for getting around communications processors that insert line feeds
   or similar characters in the data stream, e.g. for "screen wrapping".

 . New REMOTE SET FILE COLLISION UPDATE command requests the remote Kermit to
   reject all incoming files that are not newer than existing files of the
   same name.

 . SET FILE COLLISION { OVERWRITE, RENAME, DISCARD } tells what to do when an
   incoming file has the same name as an existing file.

 . New REMOTE LOGIN syntax allows imbedded spaces in username, passwd, acct.

 . Pressing Q or Ctrl-Q during file transfer now sends an XON character to
   break XOFF deadlocks.

New script programming features:

 . New IF commands added: IF LLT <word1> <word2> ("lexically less than") and
   IF LGT <word1> <word2> ("lexically greater than") for lexical string
   comparisons (IF EQUAL was already available), similar to IF <, IF >, IF =
   for numeric comparisons.  Both forms may be used with NOT, e.g. IF NOT LLT
   \%a \%b ...

 . New PRODUCT macro, similar to TERMINALS/TERMINALR.  Invoked when host sends
   CSI Pn;..Pn ~.  If macro named PRODUCT is defined, it is invoked with its
   arguments set to the numeric Pns (up to 9 of them).  Designed to let host
   applications invoke custom procedures on the PC, e.g. for VAX Lotus to
   automatically invoke a Kermit key mapping command file to set up the PC's
   keyboard for using VAX Lotus.

 . New CLS command to clear screen while in command mode.

 . New ON_EXIT macro, executed automatically (if the user has defined it) by
   the EXIT or QUIT command.  Useful for restoring video modes, etc.

 . Built-in variables of the form \v(name) added to command parser, for use in
   script programs, TAKE files, etc:

   \v(argc)        macro argument count
   \v(count)       current value of loop counter (SET COUNT / IF COUNT)
   \v(date)        current date dd-mm-yyyy, e.g. 08-02-1991
   \v(ndate)       numeric date yyyymmdd, e.g. 19910208
   \v(directory)   current disk and directory, e.g. C:\LETTERS
   \v(errorlevel)  current value of ERRORLEVEL variable (SET ERRORLEVEL)
   \v(keyboard)    IBM PC keyboard type: 88, 101, or (for LK250) 250.
   \v(platform)    PC type, e.g. IBM-PC, DEC-RAINBOW
   \v(program)     Program name, MS-DOS_KERMIT
   \v(speed)       Current transmission speed (only for COM1..4)
   \v(status)      0 if previous command succeeded, nonzero if it failed.
   \v(system)      MS-DOS
   \v(time)        Current time of day, hh:mm:ss, e.g. 12:30:01
   \v(version)     Numeric program version, e.g. 310 for version 3.10.

   These variables can be used in any context in any command where a \%x
   variable can be used, except they cannot be the objects of DEFINE, ASSIGN,
   or ASK commands; that is, they are read-only.  View all built-in variables
   with the new SHOW VARIABLES command.

 . Read access of DOS environment variables via \$(name), for example \$(PATH).

 . WAIT command now accepts modem signal names without backslashes: CD CTS DSR
   (for compatibility with C-Kermit), as well with with them: \CD, \CTS, \DSR.

 . New, more flexible WRITE command.

Bugs fixed since 3.01:

 . Redirection of REMOTE command output has been fixed
 . Unwanted echo of path from CD command in command files or macros
 . REMOTE LOGIN operation fixed
 . Corrected operation of ASK operation if used within a macro
 . Corrected operation of SET LOG command within macros
 . Latin1 transfer character set identification changed from I2/100 to I6/100
 . Serial port input buffer now cleared at start of a file-sending operation
 . Improvements in half duplex operation
 . Corrected calculation of screen rollback space for small and big memories
 . Corrections to character set translation tables
 . Corrections to VT300 UDK (user-defined keys) feature
 . Corrections to transparent printing
 . Corrections to split/speed Xon/Xoff flow control
 . Corrected operation with remote servers that don't understand I-packets
 . Correction to print-screen operations with local-echo on
 . Various minor VT and Tektronix terminal escape sequence bugs fixed
 . PC disk i/o errors during file transfer now reported to other Kermit
 . Corrected recovery from disk-full errors when logging a terminal session

INCOMPATIBILITIES BETWEEN MS-DOS KERMIT 3.10 and 3.00/3.01:

Macro arguments are now "stacked", saved at each macro entry and restored
upon exit, so that calling macro B from within macro A does not destroy macro
A's arguments.  Note: this changes the operation of the LOOKUP macro
described in "Using MS-DOS Kermit" (1st edition).  Variable \%0 now holds the
name of the currently active macro.

An INPUT command interrupted by keyboard activity now sets a FAILURE status
rather than SUCCESS, by popular demand.  You can use IF ALARM to test whether
failure was because of timeout or keyboard interruption.

The REPLAY command now allows screen rollback, dump, print, etc.  At the end
of the replay file, use regular terminal emulation keys (PgUp, Ctrl-End,
PrintScreen) to invoke these functions, and use Alt-X, Ctrl-]C, or Ctrl-C to
get back to the prompt.  Previously, any keystroke would return to the prompt.

BYE, FINISH, or LOGOUT commands that fail (e.g. because the remote server has
these operations disabled) no longer behave as if they had succeeded.

WRITE command has new format: WRITE <destination> <text>.  The <text> may
contain any Kermit variables, including \v(...) variables.

CRLF is now supplied automatically at the end of WRITE and ECHO text.

DOCUMENTATION:

See FILES below.  A new edition of "Using MS-DOS Kermit" is in preparation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Another collosal effort by Professor Joe R. Doupnik of Utah State University,
with help from Merton Campbell, John Chandler, Frank da Cruz, Max Evarts, Mike
Freeman, Hirofumi Fujii, Bo Gedda, Thomas Goerz, Brian Holley, Terry Kennedy,
Ted Medin, Jason Merrill, Andy Newcomb, Dan Norstedt, John Nyenhuis, Bert
Tyler, Robert Weiner, Steve Wood, Konstantin Vinogradov, Dave Zielke, and many
others.  Special thanks to all of you who participated in the testing period
and sent in valuable reports and suggestions.

NEW FILES:

Internet anonymous ftp    EARN/BITNET
watsun.cc.columbia.edu    KERMSRV@CUVMA   Description

  GENERAL FILES

 kermit/a/mskerm.hlp       MSKERM HLP      Help file (plain text)
 kermit/a/mskerm.bwr       MSKERM BWR      "Beware File" (bugs & limitations)
 kermit/a/msr310.doc       MSR310 DOC      Detailed description of new features
 kermit/a/mskerm.ed        MSKERM ED       Detailed cumulative edit history
 kermit/a/mskermit.ini     MSKERMIT INI    Sample initialization file
 kermit/a/msihay.scr       MSIHAY SCR      Hayes modem dialing script

  IBM PC FILES

 kermit/bin/msvibm.exe     (none)          Executable Kermit program for IBM
 kermit/a/msvibm.boo       MSVIBM BOO      BOO-encoded .EXE file for IBM
 kermit/a/msvibm.vt        MSVIBM VT       VT terminal emulator summary for IBM
 kermit/a/msvibm.tek       MSVIBM TEK      Tektronix emulator summary for IBM
 kermit/a/msivt3.ini       MSIVT3 INI      VT-200/300 keyboard mappings for IBM
 kermit/a/msivt3.doc       MSIVT3 DOC      Documentation for MSIVT3.INI
 kermit/a/msgtif.doc       MSGTIF DOC      Documentation for TIFF file format
 kermit/a/msulk2.asm       MSULK2 ASM      New LK250 keyboard driver

  OTHER VERSIONS

 kermit/a/ms*gen.*         MS*GEN *         Generic DOS files
 kermit/a/ms*gri.*         MS*GRI *         Grid Compass files
 kermit/a/ms*hp1.*         MS*HP1 *         HP-150 files
 kermit/a/ms*hpx.*         MS*HPX *         HP-110 / Portable Plus files
 kermit/a/ms*ibm.*         MS*IBM *         IBM-specific files
 kermit/a/ms*p98.*         MS*P98 *         NEC PC9801 files
 kermit/a/ms*rb1.*         MS*RB1 *         DEC Rainbow 100 files
 kermit/a/ms*v90.*         MS*V90 *         Victor 9000 / Sirius 1 files
 kermit/a/ms*z10.*         MS*Z10 *         Zenith / Heath 100 files

The ACT Apricot, Sanyo, NEC APC, DECmate, RMX, TI Professional, and Wang PC
versions have not been updated.

  SOURCE FILES

 kermit/a/ms*.asm, ms*.h   MS* ASM, MS* H   Microsoft assembler source files
 kermit/a/ms*.lnk          MS* LNK          Linker command files
 kermit/a/ms*.mak          MS* MAK          makefiles for "make"

All MS-DOS Kermit files have been removed from the test directories,
kermit/test/ms*.* on watsun and T:MS* * on KERMSRV.

The ".boo" files for each version are .EXE files encoded in a printable
ASCII format, suitable for BITNET, e-mail, and other nontransparent modes of
transmission.  You can decode the boo-files back into .EXE files using any
of the MSBPCT.* programs available in kermit/a/msbpct.* or MSBPCT * from
KERMSRV.  See msbaaa.hlp for details.

For a detailed description of the MS-DOS Kermit file naming conventions, see
the file msaaaa.hlp (MSAAAA HLP).

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1991 12:28:30 EST
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: New Version of XSEND for MS-DOS
Keywords: XSEND, MS-DOS Kermit 3.11

The XSEND program (kept in the Kermit distribution as MSIXSE.*, originally
contributed by Mark Zinzow) creates a command file for MS-DOS Kermit to send
an MS-DOS directory tree to another PC that is running MS-DOS Kermit in
server mode.  XSEND has been updated by an anonymous donor to use relative
directory syntax rather than absolute directory names, so now it can be used
to send directories from MS-DOS Kermit to a Unix Kermit server as well as to
an MS-DOS Kermit server.  And with appropriate command-line options, XSEND
can also be told to create similar command files suitable for use by TFTP on
the PC.  Other new options are available too.  The new files are:

Internet anonymous ftp    EARN/BITNET
watsun.cc.columbia.edu    KERMSRV@CUVMA   Description

 kermit/a/mskxse.c         MSKXSE C        C-language source
 kermit/bin/mskxse.exe     (none)          Executable program
 kermit/a/msrxse.boo       MSRXSE BOO      Boo-encoded .EXE file
 kermit/a/msixse.hlp       MSKXSE HLP      Help file (plain text)

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 14 Feb 91 15:54:43 EST
>From: Mike Freeman <[e-mail]>
Subject: New CP/M Kermit Files
Keywords: CP/M Kermit 4.11

The files kermit/test/cps*.* (.asm and .hex) contain my latest tinkerings
with CP/M Kermit 4.10. These tinkerings have been fruitful: some code has
been tightened up a bit, a couple of bugs in the TYPE command have been
corrected and the mechanism for getting text to be passed to Kermit Servers
via REMOTE commands has been simplified, allowing characters such as <esc>
and "?" to be passed directly without having to type a "\"-prefixed octal
number for each of those characters in order to avoid misinterpretation or
inadvertent action by Kermit-80's command parser.  The bugs in the TYPE
command which have been fixed are:

 . The terminal screen was not always cleared before typing each file
   due to some terminals not reacting to <ff>s

 . TYPE did not always find the correct files and sometimes typed
   garbage or parts of other files (than the one(s) desired) when
   disks were reset.

Also, TAKE-files no longer recognize semicolons as command separators (so
commands like REMOTE DELETE *.*;* work correctly from TAKE-files), QUIT is
now a synonym for EXIT and CONNECT, RECEIVE and SEND may now be abbreviated
to C, R and S, respectively.  In addition, the files cpxtm4.asm and
cpvtm4.hex have corrected video codes courtesy of Lance Tagliapietra (he
says they work).

 -- Mike --

------------------------------

End of Info-Kermit Digest
*************************


From cmg  Fri Apr 26 12:23:10 1991
Return-Path: <cmg>
Received: by watsun.cc.columbia.edu (5.59/FCB)
    id AA13209; Tue, 23 Apr 91 16:03:00 EDT
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 91 16:02:59 EDT
From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
To: Info-Kermit
Subject: Info-Kermit Digest V13 #4
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Queries-To: [e-mail]
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>

Info-Kermit Digest         Tue, 23 Apr 1991        Volume 13 : Number 4

Today's Topics:

            Announcing CP/M-80 Kermit Version 4.11
            Patches for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10
                ROSCOE Kermit
          Announcing NEC PC 9801 MS-DOS Kermit 3.10

Digest submissions may be sent to [e-mail],
requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to
[e-mail] or to [e-mail].

Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order.  On the
Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, a SUN-4/280
running UNIX (SUNOS 4.1), IP host number 128.59.39.2.  Login as user anonymous
(note, lower case), any password, and GET or MGET (MULTIPLE GET) the desired
files.  The Kermit files are in directories kermit/a, kermit/b, kermit/c,
kermit/d, and kermit/e.  Test versions are in kermit/test.  Binaries are in
kermit/bin (use ftp in binary mode).  You can also get Kermit files over the
BITNET/EARN network; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV,
the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA.  For detailed instructions, read the
file kermit/a/aanetw.hlp (AANETW.HLP on KERMSRV).  To order by mail, request a
complete list of Kermit versions and an order form from Kermit Distribution,
Columbia University Center for Computing Activities, 612 West 115th Street,
New York, NY 10025 USA.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:  Mon, 1 Apr 1991
>From: Mike Freeman <[e-mail]>
Subject: Announcing CP/M-80 Kermit Version 4.11
Keywords: CP/M-80 Kermit 4.11

Just to prove that the CP/M world still exists, here is CP/M Kermit-80
Version 4.11.  Features added since version 4.09 include:

  o SET COLLISION {BACKUP/DISCARD/OVERWRITE/RENAME}
  o SET INCOMPLETE-FILES {DISCARD/KEEP}
  o Many REMOTE commands, including some REMOTE SET commands
  o RENAME command to rename CP/M files from within Kermit-80
  o SET RECEIVE/SEND PACKET-LENGTH nn (nn <= 94)
  o SET AUTORECEIVE ON now implies that Kermit-80 ALWAYS tries to
    receive more files when a RECEIVE transaction has completed.
  o QUIT is now a synonym for EXIT.
  o STAY is now a synonym for SET NO-EXIT.
  o CONNECT, RECEIVE and SEND may be abbreviated to C, R and S, respectively.
  o Processing of commands from a file via a TAKE command may now be
    canceled by entering a Control-C at the console.
  o The TYPE and PRINT commands are now immediately canceled if a
    Control-C is entered at the console. If a Control-X is entered at
    the console, typeout/printout of the current file is canceled and
    typeout/printout of the next file, if any, begins.
  o Many bug fixes
  o Kermit-80 Version 4.11 now supports the Microbee family of computers
    (56K, 64K, 128K and 256K) manufactured by Microbee Systems, Ltd, Australia.
  o Kermit-80 now supports the Ampro Little Board system.

Technical changes:

  o An "I" packet is now tried before the request for files is sent
    in a GET command
  o The overlay address is now 7000H
  o The overlay (CPXLNK.ASM) has an added INCFLG variable to handle
    INCOMPLETE-FILES status
  o The COPY, TYPE and PRINT commands now use the large buffer
    (8K bytes default size) for file I/O

Many thanks to those who have contributed bug fixes, and, in particular, to
Mr. Russell Lang of Monash University, Australia, for contributing a bug-fix
and the family file for the Microbee systems and to Mr. Jay S. Rouman of
Mt. Pleasant, MI, for contributing the code for the Ampro Little Board.
Thanks are also due to Lance Tagliapietra of the University of Wisconsin at
Platteville for finding several bugs.

[Ed. - And many thanks to you, Mike, for all the work you have put into
CP/M Kermit over these past months!  The new files have replaced the old ones
in the Kermit "A" area: kermit/a/cp*.* on watsun (Internet) and CP* * from
KERMSRV at CUVMA (BITNET/EARN).  The updated manual is cpkerm.doc (plain text)
and cpkerm.ps (Postscript).]

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Apr 1991
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Patches for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 Patches

Several patches have been issued by Joe Doupnik for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10.
They are in the file kermit/a/msr310.pch on watsun.cc.columbia.edu
(Internet) and MSR310 PCH on KERMSRV@CUVMA (BITNET/EARN).  This is a short
text file designed to be read by MS-DOS Kermit when it starts up.  It should
be renamed to MSKERMIT.PCH and stored in the same directory as your MS-DOS
Kermit initialization file, MSKERMIT.INI.  To install the patches, include
the command PATCH as the first command in your MSKERMIT.INI file.  CAUTION:
these patches should only be applied to the binary .EXE file for the IBM PC
family and compatibles distributed by Columbia as MSVIBM.EXE (or decoded
from MSVIBM.BOO).  Do not attempt to apply these patches to any other
version, or to a version you built yourself from the source files.

The patches include:

  1. Alternate video mode Orchid Designer Professional VGA board.
  2. Remove CRLF from WRITE command output.
  3. Make sure new NetBios sessions cancel old ones.
  4. Omit sending flow control XON when first opening a session.
  5. Correct errors in parsing { things braces }, and other fixes.
  6. Correction to patch 5.
  7. Cyrillic translation table corrections.
  8. Fix for VT terminal emulator CSI parser initialization.

Thanks to Joe for responding so promptly to users' bug reports!

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 1991 Mar 29   22:04 EST
>From: "John F. Chandler" <[e-mail]>
Subject: ROSCOE Kermit
Keywords: IBM Mainframe Kermit, ROSCOE, TSO/ROSCOE, MVS/TSO/ROSCOE

Two new files, IKRKER.BWR and IKRKER.UPD, constitute the collection of all
known tips, fixes, and workarounds for running TSO Kermit under ROSCOE.
This is not what I would call a full-fledged new variant of Kermit-370,
since ROSCOE Kermit is only slightly changed from "vanilla" TSO Kermit.
Hence, installers of ROSCOE Kermit will still need to fetch all IKT*.* files
and follow the instructions in IKTKER.INS with only a few alterations based
on IKRKER.BWR.  If further reports come in, I'll add them to the collection.
Also, I would be glad to include code updates, especially if some user
should feel motivated to add support for native ROSCOE files or other
ROSCOE-specific features.

John

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 18 Apr 91 20:28:28 JST
>From: Hirofumi Fujii<[e-mail]>
Subject: Announcing NEC PC 9801 MS-DOS Kermit 3.10
Keywords: NEC PC9801, MS-DOS Kermit 3.10

This is to announce an upgraded version of MS-DOS Kermit for the NEC PC9801.
It is up to date with the final version 3.10 sources, and it corrects a bug
with Xon/Xoff flow control.

Hirofumi Fujii

[Ed. Many thanks!  The new version replaces the old one in the Kermit
Distribution A area.]

------------------------------

End of Info-Kermit Digest
*************************


From cmg  Wed Jun  5 16:31:49 1991
Return-Path: <cmg>
Received: by watsun.cc.columbia.edu (5.59/FCB)
    id AA26051; Wed, 5 Jun 91 16:31:49 EDT
Date: Wed, 5 Jun 91 16:31:48 EDT
From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
To: Info-Kermit
Subject: Info-Kermit Digest V13 #5
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Queries-To: [e-mail]
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>

Info-Kermit Digest         Wed, 5 Jun 1991        Volume 13 : Number 5

Today's Topics:

               Kermit for Microsoft Windows 3.0
         New VAX/VMS Kermit-32 Available for Testing
        New Version of Honeywell DPS-6/DPS-6000 Kermit
         Re: C-Kermit 4E(072) changes for IBM RS/6000
          New Patch File for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 IBM Version
            LK250 Keyboard Driver for DEC VAXmate
                  Kermit Files Moved
              Playing Dirty with Kermit
          Re: TCP/IP/Novell/Terminal Emulator for Wollongong
      MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 Key Map for Microsoft Word on SCO UNIX
            Macintosh Kermit Questions and Answers
         EMACS-Friendly Terminal Emulators for the Macintosh
           QTERM V4.3 for CP/M has improved Kermit support

Digest submissions may be sent to [e-mail],
requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to
[e-mail] or to [e-mail].

Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order.  On the
Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, a SUN-4/280
running UNIX (SUNOS 4.1), IP host number 128.59.39.2.  Login as user anonymous
(note, lower case), any password, and GET or MGET (MULTIPLE GET) the desired
files.  The Kermit files are in directories kermit/a, kermit/b, kermit/c,
kermit/d, and kermit/e.  Test versions are in kermit/test.  Binaries are in
kermit/bin (use ftp in binary mode).  You can also get Kermit files over the
BITNET/EARN network; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV,
the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA.  For detailed instructions, read the
file kermit/a/aanetw.hlp (AANETW.HLP on KERMSRV).  To order by mail, request a
complete list of Kermit versions and an order form from Kermit Distribution,
Columbia University Center for Computing Activities, 612 West 115th Street,
New York, NY 10025 USA.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 28 May 91 12:00:00 EDT
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Kermit for Microsoft Windows 3.0
Keywords: Microsoft Windows 3.0 Kermit

Bill Hall has sent in a new release of Kermit for Microsoft Windows.
You may have seen Bill's feature article on this program in January 1991
Microsoft Systems Journal: "Adapting Extended Processes to the Cooperative
Multitasking of Microsoft Windows".  The previous release of this program
only works under Windows 2.0x.  The new release is for Windows 3.0.  Here
is Bill's description:

"A version of Kermit for Microsoft Windows 3.0 has been made available for
distribution by Columbia University.  The complete package contains a
Windows program along with documentation, fonts, and complete sources.  The
basic program, WIN100, contains a substantial emulation of DEC VT100 and
VT52 terminals and a version of Kermit with enough features to perform
reliable file transfer as well as act as a client to a Kermit server.

"WIN100 has evolved from an earlier experimental version which has been
available from Columbia for some time.  This latest version has several new
features:

   1. Support for COM1 through COM4.
   2. Improved font selection.
   3. A wider selection of foreground and background colors.
   4. Restricted scroll regions and origin mode.
   5. Control representation mode.
   6. Memory rollback.  Currently, this is limited to five screen pages.
   7. Redesigned dialogs.
   8. Editing commands to move around the terminal window and through the
      rollback memory.
   9. Substantial font support for the VGA including normal and bold fonts
      with both the Windows and DEC special graphics character sets, all in
      wide and narrow formats.  Sources for the fonts are also supplied.
  10. An optional 8-bit mode with support for some DEC 8-bit controls.
  11. A complete set of Kermit REMOTE commands including GET, BYE, FINISH,
      LOGOUT, as well as remote file manipulations.
  12. Enhanced user interface for working with REMOTE commands.
  13. Local commands for listing and changing directories.
  14. Dialogs for setting Kermit packet and Protocol parameters."

The files have been placed in the Kermit Test area (kermit/test on watsun,
T: prefix for KERMSRV) to allow for a period of public testing before formal
release.  The file names all start with the prefix "wk".  Get the file
"wkaaaa.doc" and read it first, then get the other files you need.  Many
thanks to Bill for this valuable contribution!

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1991 16:29 -0500
>From: Jonathan_Welch <[e-mail]>
Subject: New VAX/VMS Kermit-32 Available for Testing
Keywords: VAX/VMS Kermit-32 3.4

This is a test version of Kermit-32 with file attribute support.  Its major
new feature is support for Kermit Attribute packets, which let the file sender
convey information about the file -- such as size -- to the receiver.
The version number is T3.4.016.

Use the command SET ATTRIBUTE ON to enable attribute support and SET
ATTRIBUTE OFF to disable it at the local level.  In this test version,
ATTRIBUTE is OFF by default, so you have to turn this option on explicitly.

Use the commands SHOW ALL, SHOW FILE, or SHOW PACKET to see the status of
local attribute support.

This version has been tested against itself and to a lesser degree against
MS-DOS Kermit 3.01.  I would like to know the results of additional testing
against these and other kermit implementations.

Jonathan Welch
VAX Systems Programmer
100 Marcus Hall
Univ. of Mass.                              Bitnet: JHWELCH@umaecs
Amherst, MA. 01003                        Internet: [e-mail]

[Ed. - Thanks, Jonathan!  The new version is in the Kermit Test area
(kermit/test on watsun, T: prefix on KERMSRV).  The filenames all start with
the letters "vms".  Please try out the new version and report successes or
failures, so we'll know whether to install it as the official release.]

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 7 May 91 03:50:03 PDT
>From: Frank Dreano <[e-mail]>
Subject: New Version of Honeywell DPS-6/DPS-6000 Kermit
Keywords: Honeywell DPS-6/DPS-6000 Kermit 2.01
Xref: Bull, See Honeywell

I am sending updated HD6KER.C, HD6KER.H, and HD6PRI.C source files for
the Honeywell DPS-6/DPS-6000 Superkermit.  The new version number is 2.01.
They contain the following minor fixes:

Dec 1990 - fixed a long-standing bug in binary file sending...the
    spar() routine defaulted to a 'Y' in the 8th-bit quoting field
    of the send-init packet; this meant that Superkermit did not
    require 8th-bit quoting - a usually false assumption.  Instead
    the classic Kermit prefix default char of '&' is now the default
    if no prefix character is received from the PC Kermit.

Apr 1991 - implemented the 'remote space' command as a Honeywell
    'STS -ALL' (status of all devices) command as MSKermit 3.10
    fixed a bug in this function.

This may be the last Superkermit update that you will receive as I am
considering building a C-Kermit (5A) for the Honeywell DPS-6/DPS-6000.  With
the knowledge of 'C' gained while writing Superkermit as well as what I have
learned about terminal I/O while porting the EMACS screen editor to the
DPS-6/DPS-6000 systems, this seems possible.  In fact, I have gotten all of
the C-Kermit modules (for the beta test sliding windows version) to compile
on a Honeywell computer and I am analyzing the requirements to build the
system dependent CKUTIO.C and CKUFIO.C modules.  I wish that I had only
known about the C-Kermit Program Logic Manual sooner - I feel like I have
found the Rosetta stone!  This will be a 'spare-time' project so I will keep
you posted.
                    Frank Dreano Jr.

[Ed. - Many thanks, Frank!  The new files, hd6ker.c and hd6pri.c, are in
the Kermit "D" area (kermit/d on watsun, or just refer to them by name on
KERMSRV).  If anybody else out there is interested in adapting C-Kermit 5A
to new systems, the "Rosetta stone" and all the other C-Kermit 5A files are
in kermit/sw/ on watsun (Internet access only, for now); be sure to contact
us before you start!  Work is especially needed for OS/2, Apollo Aegis, and
Data General AOS/VS, for which supporting code is written, but out of date.]

------------------------------

>From: [e-mail] (Jamie Watson)
Date: Wed, 29 May 91 12:16:17 MET
Subject: Re: C-Kermit 4E(072) changes for IBM RS/6000
Keywords: IBM RS/6000, C-Kermit 4E

The following are the changes I made to Kermit version 4E(072), for the
IBM RS/6000 running AIX 3.1, patch level 3003.  These changes assume the
use of the 'posix' serial line discipline, which is the default, and that
the program will be compiled with 'cc', not with 'xlc' or 'bsdcc'.  The
RS/6000 specific changes are bracketed by "#ifdef _IBMR2", which is a
symbol defined by the preprocessor phase of the RS/6000 C compiler.  The
command "make sys3nid" will compile everything appropriately.

In addition to the changes which are acutally "required" to get kermit
working on the RS/6000, I made one "convenience" change.  The serial port
can be selected on the command line with the "-l xxx" option; but if there
is a modem present, the modem type must be defined before kermit attempts
to open the serial line, in order to get it to use the O_NDELAY flag.  I
added a command line option of "-m xxx" to define the modem.  Thus, kermit
can be called with "kermit -m hayes -l /dev/tty12 -b 9600".

Also included with these diffs are two small changes necessary for the RT/PC
running AIX 2.2.1.  These changes are bracketed by "#ifdef aiws", which is
defined by that C compiler.

[Ed. - Thanks, Jamie!  These changes should tide RS/6000 users over until
release 5A of C-Kermit comes out, which incorporates support for the
RS/6000, your modem change, as well as support for many other new systems
and many new features.  Watch Info-Kermit for an announcement when the beta
test version is ready.  Meanwhile, Jamie's changes have been added to
kermit/b/ckuker.bwr (CKUKER.BWR on KERMSRV).]

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 28 May 91 12:02:00 EDT
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: New Patch File for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 IBM Version
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.10

The file kermit/a/msr310.pch (MSR310.PCH on KERMSRV) contains four new patches
for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 (IBM version), from Joe Doupnik:

 9. Prevent interaction between CONNECT mode and script session logging,
    and flush printer (PRN) buffer upon EXIT.

10. Printing while in Connect mode: if printer becomes not ready place
    message " *** PRINTER IS NOT READY *** press R to retry or D to discard
    printing" on the mode line and wait for a response.  Retries will now not
    omit buffered characters.  DOS's waiting time can be 20 seconds before it
    tells Kermit the status.

11. Permit implicit 80/132 column support for more video boards based on the
    Western Digital WD90C00 VGA chip.  These include Paradise Professional
    and Paradise VGA1024.

12. Final corrections to the Latin/Cyrillic-CP866 translation tables.

There is only one patch file.  These patches have been added to the end of
it, so now it contains patches 1-12.  To apply all patches to MS-DOS Kermit
3.10 (IBM version), transfer this file to your PC, put it in the same
directory as your MSKERMIT.INI file (the directory should be in your DOS
PATH), rename the file to MSKERMIT.PCH, and add the PATCH command to the top
of your MSKERMIT.INI file.

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 28 May 91 12:03:00 EDT
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: LK250 Keyboard Driver for DEC VAXmate
Keywords: LK250 Keyboard Driver, VAXmate, MS-DOS Kermit

>From Trevor Warwick, DEC UK, via Terry Kennedy (author of the LK250 driver
for the IBM PC family), an LK250 keyboard driver for the DEC VAXmate.  It is
installed as MSULKV.ASM in the Kermit A area (kermit/a on watsun, refer to
it simply by name on KERMSRV).  There is a short description at the top of
the file.  Thanks to Trevor for the contribution!

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 28 May 91 12:03:00 EDT
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Kermit Files Moved

The following Kermit versions were moved from the "A" area to the "C" area
on April 23, 1991, because the new CP/M release caused Tape A to overflow:

  Version                  Files
    Commodore 64             c64*.*
    Tandy Color Computer     cck*.*
    Tandy Models 1 and 3     trs*.*
    Tandy Model 2            tr2*.*
    Tandy Model 4            m4k*.*
    PC Turbo Pascal Kermit   qk3*.*

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 May 91 13:54:54 EDT
>From: [e-mail] (A. Kaniss)
Subject: Playing Dirty with Kermit
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit, CDC Cyber

Christine,

Here's a little trick that can make the lives of those who have to log onto
larger computers easier provided they're smart enough to decide to use kermit
to do it.

Situations arise when utilities that are on larger systems have complex
access paths and you can't keep copies in your own directory on the system.

A way around this problem such that when you want to use the utilities but
don't feel like entering those complex paths each time you want them is to
have kermit do it for you.

Specifically for CDC Cyber-type systems a kermit user may want to use kermit
on the system once they've logged on.

Rather than enter the attach command at the terminal, put all of those attach
commands into your kermit log-on script just before the CONNECT command.
Also remember to put the output command before them and end each OUTPUT
statement with "\13" (carriage return).

Now remember to put the "INPUT /" command on each line following each output
command to check on the output and make sure it happened.

An example will serve best to illustrate what I've been talking about so far:

  output attach,kermit /un=system\13
  input /
  output attach,ucsifm /un=userlib\13
  input /
  connect

When the connect happens all I have to type to start kermit is:

  kermit

and all I have to type to start ucsifm is:

  ucsifm

Jude

------------------------------

Date: 1 May 91 01:35:04 GMT
>From: [e-mail] (Todd Ogasawara)
Subject: Re: TCP/IP/Novell/Terminal Emulator for Wollongong
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit Network Support, Wollongong TCP/IP, Novell

In article <[e-mail]>
[e-mail] (Todd Ogasawara) writes:

> I am using Wollongong's WIN/TCP for DOS to talk to my UNIX box from
> a Novell network via Wollongong's WIN/ROUTE for DOS (this routes the
> encapsulated TCP/IP packets within an IPX packet to get to my UNIX box).
> The problem is that the vt100 emulator that is used by both the telnet and
> rlogin software from Wollongong has a few problems and I would like to use
> another terminal emulator. Wollongong allows you to use another emulator.
> However, the software must go through interrupt 14. I don't have anything
> that does that (Kermit, Procomm, etc.).
>
Thanks to the many people who set me sent e-mail telling me the answer to my
problems.  Good ol' MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 (which I already had) did the trick.
I call Kermit from the Wollongong MS-DOS software using the command:

  telnet -e kermit hostname

or a batch file containing the lines:

  rlogin hostname -e -l username
  kermit

and have:

  SET PORT BIOS1

in my MSKERMIT.INI file (along with my normal setup).

Now everything works just fine.  Thanks again to everyone who responded!

Todd Ogasawara ::: Hawaii Medical Service Association
Internet       ::: [e-mail]
Telephone      ::: [phone] ext. 7

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 22 May 91 22:32:20 EST
>From: [e-mail] (Rodney Brown)
Subject: MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 Key Map for Microsoft Word on SCO UNIX
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.10, Microsoft Word

Enclosed is a key mapping file for MS-DOS Kermit 3.10 for use with
MicroSoft Word 5.0 on SCO-Unix.
Word provides a limping mode to support the lack of Scan codes.
Alt -> Ctl-A    Ctl -> Ctl-C    Shift -> Ctl-Z
Function Key 1-10 -> Ctl-F 1-9,0

I use a TERMINALS macro on ALT-W to load that Keyboard, run a script to
fiddle with the TERM variable, run word & send the PRODUCT escape sequence
to reset to a standard keyboard mapping after exiting word.
The following two lines in the /usr/lib/word/tcap file for the VT200 entry
give the paragraph character, midline dots & other DOS standard Word
characters. (Requires PARITY NONE connection)
    :Wa=\140:Wb=\145:Wc=\266:Wd=\142:Wf=\267:Wg=\151:\
    :Wi=\253:Wj=\273:\
A better way of proceeding could be to set up the word tcap entry to use
a standard Kermit keyboard mapping for function & cursor control keys,
so that the Word extensions don't interfere with normal running & don't
require separate loading.

Rodney Brown, Co-Cam Computer Group    ACSNet: [e-mail]

[Ed. - Thanks, Rodney!  Your key mapping file has been installed in
Kermit distribution as msimsw.ini.]

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 28 May 91 12:01:00 EDT
>From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Macintosh Kermit Questions and Answers

In response to hundreds of messages...

Q: What is the latest version of Mac Kermit?

A: The version we are distributing officially is still 0.9(40).  There is a
   later version available in the kermit/test area: 0.98(63), but it is not
   officially released.  It has one very serious flaw: MacBinary file
   transfers can sometimes cause files to be deleted from your disk.  There
   is no documentation for any version since 0.9(40).

Q: Does Mac Kermit 0.9(40) work on the IIci, IIfx, IIsi?

A: There have been reports that it does not.  Hopefully the next release
   will remedy these problems.

Q: Why hasn't a new version of Mac Kermit been released in two years?

A: The next release of Mac Kermit is in preparation.  It's based on C-Kermit
   5A, which itself is not released yet.  As soon as a usable prerelease
   version is ready (pretty soon?), it will be announced for testing.

Q: What are some of the features of the forthcoming release?

A: Selectable fonts and sizes, cut and paste, printer control, international
   character sets, screen rollback, session logging, sliding windows,
   compatibility with newer Macintosh models and software, etc.  Also, many
   bug fixes: using the printer port as a communication port, inverse video,
   MacBinary transfers, etc etc.

Q: How does the "Print" menu work?

A: In version 0.98(63), you'll notice the Print menu is dimmed.  It becomes
   active when Kermit receives an ANSI printer control sequence from the
   host, such as ESC [ 5 i (begin transparent print) or ESC [ ? 5 i (begin
   autoprint).

Q: Does Mac Kermit work under System 7?

A: In version 0.98(63) -- available in kermit/test but never formally
   released -- communication works, file transfer works.  The major problem is
   with its built-in VT100 terminal emulation font.  This problem should be
   corrected in the next release.

Q: How about a DIAL command?  A script programming language?

A: It is not clear yet whether these facilities will be available in the new
   version.  They are part of C-Kermit 5A, upon which the new Mac Kermit
   will be based, but integrating C-Kermit's interactive prompt-and-command
   user interface with Mac Kermit's point-and-click style might prove too
   difficult.

Watch Info-Kermit for an announcement when the first prerelease version of the
new Mac Kermit is ready for testing.

------------------------------

Date: 2 May 91 23:54:52 GMT
>From: [e-mail] (Timothy L. Davis)
Subject: EMACS-Friendly Terminal Emulators for the Macintosh

Over the past month I've received 11 replies to my question: What terminal
emulators work well with GNU EMACS?  I was specifically interested in using
option as the meta-key instead of the ESC prefix, ability to generate all
control characters (including cntrl-space, control-^, etc.), using the mouse
for cursor positioning, and variably large number of rows and columns.

I was pleasantly surprised by the result:

  3 votes for MacKermit: does almost all I asked.

  3 votes for VersaTerm/VT Pro, which would do everything given
    a macro packages such as QuickKeys

  1 vote for MacLayers, which reportedly uses opt+command for META.
    I couldn't get this form of META to work. a high-bit stripper somewhere?

  1 vote for "termyulator", which I haven't heard of before, but is
    supposed to be extensible via XCMDs.

MacKermit does most of what I wanted, and more.  I was wisely warned that my
negative premonitions about MacKermit, based on an older version, were
totally wrong.  The latest MacKermit (version 0.98(62)) is MUCH improved,
and is really quite versatile.  With extended-length (1K) packets enabled, I
get file transfer rates about equal to those of Zterm.

And re: Emacs: The META key can be easily mimicked in "modifiers" by
specifying \033 for as a prefix character whenever option is held down.  All
the "missing" control keys can be programmed as "key macros".  Holding down
option causes the mouse to create cursor-movement commands for mouse clicks.
And, kermit correctly handles an increased number of columns.  Best of all,
it's free!

Thanks to all who responded.

Tim Davis ([e-mail])

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 1 May 91 23:28:45 PDT
>From: pallio.UUCP![e-mail] (David Goodenough)
Subject: QTERM V4.3 for CP/M has improved Kermit support
Keywords: CP/M, QTERM

As an alternative to Kermit 4.11, another CP/M program that provides Kermit
support is QTERM. Up to V4.2 the Kermit code was very buggy, but it's been
seriously re-worked for V4.3, and has several enhancements.

The main features that the Kermit implementation provides are server access,
type three block checks and long packets (up to 1023 bytes).

The extended block checks were done to increase reliability of long packet
transfers: using a type 1 block check on a 1K data packet is a bit too
likely to let an error slip through.

Server access is very limited: a regular send will send files to a server,
since it wakes up when the Send/Init packet arrives. For taking files from a
server, there isn't an initial I/Y exchange, it is assumed that the server
had sensible parameters set before entering server mode. Against C-Kermit
(4e-70) this worked well, but this was the only test bed available. Caveat
Emptor when using it against other servers. It'll probably get the job done,
but you may miss out on some of the neato features available.

In addition, numerous bugs have been fixed up: there were problems with
determining the high bit prefix character that would occasionally cause all
'Y's to be changed to '^Y's; also when repeat character packing was not
being used, there were problems detecting end of file properly, just to name
two.

The source for all of QTERM will be published (it may already be available
by the time this goes out), however it will probably only be useful for
study. Since QTERM has a lot of other features (including a very full Xmodem
implementation), the Kermit code makes heavy use of other capabilities in
the program, so it would be very hard to pluck the Kermit code out for use
in another program. However as an example of how to handle long packets and
extended block checks it may prove interesting.

    [e-mail] - David Goodenough        +---+
                        IHS    | +-+-+
    .....!wet!pallio!dg                +-+-+ |
AKA:    [e-mail]              +---+

[Ed. - Since this is not a Kermit program per se, it will not be part of
Kermit Distribution.  Kermit users who are interested in it should be able
to find it in the CP/M archives at SIMTEL20.]

------------------------------

End of Info-Kermit Digest
*************************