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From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
To: Info-Kermit
Subject: Info-Kermit Digest V11 #8
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Info-Kermit Digest         Fri, 22 Jun 1990        Volume 11 : Number 8

Today's Topics:
           Kermit News #4 Available On Line
     MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 Pre-Release Available for Testing
     MS-DOS Kermit 3.0 for Heath/Zenith-100 Available for Testing
         New MS-Windows Kermit Available for Testing
              Another New VMS Kermit-32
        Announcing Kermit 1.02 for the Honeywell DPS-6
     VMS DCL Procedure for Using WordPerfect with Kermit
   Okstate Kermit/UUCP Kermit Distribution Server Adds Trailblazer
        SIM3278 TCP/IP Version Supports Kermit-370 4.x
          Needed: Mac Kermit for a 128K Mac

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.  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: Fri, 22 Jun 90 12:30 EDT
From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Kermit News #4 Available On Line
Keywords: Kermit News #4, MS-DOS Kermit Utilities Diskettes

A plain-text ASCII version of Kermit News #4 is available online as
kermit/e/news.n4 on watsun (Internet) and NEWS.N4 from KERMSRV at CUVMA
(BITNET/EARN).  Meanwhile, the paper version has been mailed to all
subscribers and should have arrived by now.

Some people have asked what is on the 2-diskette set "MS-DOS Utilities and
Technical Documentation" that is listed on the order form in Kermit News.  A
list and description of the files is given in the file kermit/a/msauti.dsk on
watsun (and MSAUTI.DSK on KERMSRV).

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

Date: Tue, 19 Jun 90 13:59 EDT
From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 Pre-Release Available for Testing
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02

Version 3.02 of MS-DOS version 3.0 for the IBM PC, PS/2, and comptibles, from
Professor Joe R. Doupnik of Utah State University is now available in a
priliminary prerelease form for testing.  MS-DOS Kermit users should be aware
that this will probably be the final release of MS-DOS Kermit in its present
form, because code space is completely used up.  The next release will
involve a massive reorganization of the code to make space for new features,
translation tables, etc.  Obviously, this will require a lot of time and
effort.

Version 3.02 fixes the bugs for which patches were required in the 3.00 and
3.01, as well as some problems that were not fixed by these patches.  It also
has some new features:

 . SET FLOW-CONTROL has a new option, RTS/CTS, for controlling sending and
   receiving of characters at the hardware level.  It is effective only for
   COM1..COM4 (real UARTs); selecting SET FLOW RTS/CTS for other
   communications ports is the same as SET FLOW NONE.  It is effective only
   when SET DUPLEX is FULL.

 . The port address of serial ports COM3 and COM4 may now be given to Kermit
   itself rather than being set externally, using the new commands:

     SET COM3 <address>
     SET COM4 <address>

   or in the DOS KERMIT= environment variable, as shown below.

   The IRQ value for these ports must still be 4 or 3. It is permissable to
   have two serial ports sharing the same IRQ line, provided only one is
   active at a time. Kermit does testing to discover which IRQ, 4 or 3, is
   used by the selected serial port.

 . The current list of commands recognized from the DOS environment lines
   starting with KERMIT=, KERMIT0=, KERMIT1=, etc, are:

        COM3 value                      value = port address (no default)
        COM4 value                      value = port address (no default)
        ROLLBACK value                  value = number of screens (def 10)
        INPUT-BUFFER-LENGTH value       value = size (in bytes) of the
                                          the script INPUT command buffer.

   Environment lines are constructed with the DOS command SET, which can be
   given at the DOS prompt or included in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, for example:

        C> SET KERMIT=ROLLBACK 35;COM3 \x02f8;INPUT 256;

 . SET TERMINAL WIDTH {80, 132} allows you to manually set the screen width
   in text terminal emulation mode, provided your display adapter is capable
   of 132 column mode (IBM adapters -- MCGA, CGA, EGA, VGA) are not.  This
   was previously possible only with escape sequences transmitted from the
   host.  Screen width change is accomplished via the user-supplied files
   COLS80.BAT and COLS132.BAT.  Also, a bug which could cause Kermit to loop
   endlessly reading these files under certain conditions has been corrected.

 . SET TERMINAL ARROW-KEYS {CURSOR, APPLICATION} gives you manual control
   over the escape sequences sent by the arrow keys during VT100/300
   emulation.

 . SET TERMINAL BELL {AUDIBLE, VISUAL, NONE} has the new option "none" for
   people who prefer peace and quiet.

 . REMOTE PRINT <filespec> [ printer-parameters ] allows files to be sent to
   a Kermit server for printing rather than storage, provided the server
   supports this feature.  The MS-DOS Kermit server will also respond
   correctly to REMOTE PRINT commands.

 . SET KEY LK command to ask Kermit to look for an LK250 (DEC-style) keyboard
   driver.  Previously Kermit did this automatically, and this interfered
   with Kermit's correct operation on certain PCs.

 . SET TERMINAL BELL { AUDIBLE, VISIBLE, NONE } - New option to turn off
   the terminal bell entirely during terminal emulation, for use when your
   host application sends lots of irritating bells.

 . Explicit control over assignment of the left (and right, if any) half of a
   terminal character set to G0 through G3 through optional trailing
   parameters to the SET TERMINAL CHARACTER-SET command.  The exact design of
   this item is still fluid.  In this test release, it looks like this:

     SET TERMINAL CHARACTER-SET <name> [ G0 [ G1 [ G2 [ G3 ] ] ] ]

   For example, SET TERM CHAR LATIN1 G1.

This final item allows you to assign one or more character sets to the VT320
terminal emulator's tables, G0 through G3, by typing a command.  Formerly
this could only be done by escape sequences sent from the host.

An example where this override capability is handy is when LATIN1 needs to be
accessed from the keyboard or host with a single key command ^N or back again
with ^O.  These control codes are named SO and SI, respectively, and they
switch displaying of 7-bit characters from the usual ASCII table in G0 to the
table in G1, and back again.  Of course, the other computer receiving our
typing and providing our viewing must observe the same conventions.

The host can move LATIN1 to G1 by sending the escape sequence ESC - A (three
characters) or we can do it by hand with the command above.  A real DEC VT320
assigns the right half of Latin-1 to G2 and G3 by default, leaving ASCII in
G0 and G1.

Unfortunately, most people do not know how to get their hosts to send
strange escape sequences to put their terminal emulators into the right
frame of mind, and in some cases the host offers no way to do this.  Now you
can do it at Kermit command level.

The command:

  SET TERMINAL CHARACTER-SET <name>

works exactly as before, assigning the left (and right, if any) half of the
character set to the G0..G3 tables according the DEC's default assignments.

If you include one or more of G0, G1, G2, and G3 after the character set
name, Kermit will assign the character set only to the tables that you
mention, and will leave the others undisturbed.  The most common use of this
command will be to set up Latin-1 so it can be used without any special
action on the part of the host, simply by sending 8-bit characters or SI/SO:

  SET TERMINAL CHARACTER-SET LATIN1 G1

If the named character set is an 8-bit set (like Latin-1 or DEC-MCS) then the
right half of it (characters with their high bit set) is assigned to the named
table, which can be G1, G2, or G3, but not G0 (this is an international
standard, not an arbitrary and capricious Kermit rule!).  If it is a 7-bit set
(like ASCII, DUTCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN, NORWEGIAN, etc), then the entire set is
assigned to the named table (see pp.118-119 of "Using MS-DOS Kermit").

You can even use this command to assign up to four different character sets
to the four tables:

  SET TERM CHAR LATIN1           (ASCII  -> G0,G1; Latin-1 -> G2,G3)
  SET TERM CHAR LATIN1 G1        (Latin1 -> G1, replaces ASCII)
  SET TERM CHAR DUTCH G2         ("Dutch ASCII" -> G2)
  SET TERM CHAR DEC-SPECIAL G3   (DEC Special Graphics -> G3)

OK, so now how do you display all these characters once you have them
assigned to your G0..G3 tables?  Very briefly, the rules are (again, these
are international standards, and how the real DEC VT320 works):

  1. Two pointers are maintained, GLeft and GRight, each pointing to one
     of the four Gnumber tables. Initially, for VT300's GLeft points to G0
     and GRight to G2; VT100's have only G0 and G1 so GRight points to G1.

  2. When a 7-bit printable value arrives, the corresponding character
     is displayed from the table where GLeft points (normally G0).

  3. When an 8-bit printable value arrives, the corresponding character is
     displayed from the table where GRight points; that is usually G2 for
     VT300's. 8-bit characters will be seen only if you SET DISPLAY 8 and SET
     PARITY NONE, otherwise they get chopped to 7 bits.

  4. If the "locking shift" character Shift Out (SO, or Control-N) arrives,
     then GLeft is pointed at G1 and all subsequent arriving 7-bit values
     will be displayed from G1. The Shift In (SI, or Control-O) character
     cancels this and points GLeft to G0, which is its normal place.

  5. The locking shift sequence LS2 (ESC n) points GLeft to G2 and causes
     subsequent 7-bit values to be displayed from G2.  This is cancelled by
     SI (point GLeft back at G0). 8-bit characters are still directed to
     where GRight points. The other shifts below work similarly.

  6. The locking shift sequence LS3 (ESC o) causes subsequent 7-bit values
     to be displayed from G3.  This is also cancelled by SI.

  7. The "single shift" sequence SS2 (ESC N) causes the following character
     only to be displayed from G2.

  8. The single shift sequence SS3 (ESC O) causes the following character
     only to be displayed from G3.

  9. The GRight pointer also has shifts to G1, G2, and G3, but none to G0:

        locking shift G1 right    ESC ~    points GRight to G1
        locking shift G2 right    ESC }    points GRight to G2
        locking shift G3 right    ESC |    points GRight to G3

Well, you get the idea (there's more).  If you're interested in a summary
of the concepts of character set designation and switching, see the file
isok5.txt in kermit/e (ISOK5.TXT in KERMSRV).  A summary of Kermit's VT320
character-set designating escape sequences is listed in kermit/a/msvibm.vt
(MSVIBM.VT on KERMSRV).

Version 3.02 also includes some new fixes for the Tek and VT emulators, etc.
Details of the changes since 3.01 are in the file MSR302.UPD.  The MSTIBM.BOO
file and the latest source files are in the Kermit test areas (kermit/test on
watsun, use the T: prefix for KERMSRV).  On watsun only, the mstibm.exe file
is available for binary-mode ftp in the directory kermit/bin.

More changes are expected.  Watch the kermit/test and T: areas of Kermit
Distribution, and Info-Kermit for more announcements.  Send reports of
possible problems to [e-mail] or
[e-mail].

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

Date: Fri, 8 Jun 90 14:21 EDT
From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: MS-DOS Kermit 3.0 for Heath/Zenith-100 Available for Testing
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.0, Heath/Zenith-100, Z-100

>From Bo Gedda of Lidingoe, Sweden, Z-100 Kermit updated to 3.0 level.  It
includes the system-independent aspects of MS-DOS Kermit 3.0, such as sliding
window packet protocol and improved script language, but not the
IBM-dependent aspects like VT320 emulation and LAN support.  The files are in
kermit/test/ms*z10.* on watsun and T:MS*Z10.* on KERMSRV at CUVMA.

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

Date: Fri, 8 Jun 90 12:30 EDT
From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: New Microsoft Windows Kermit Available for Testing
Keywords: Microsoft Windows Kermit

>From Bill Hall, a new version of Kermit for Microsoft Windows that includes
VT52/100/102/132 terminal emulation (the previous version only emulated the
Heath/Zenith-19 terminal) and an improved user interface.  Bill says it should
work under Windows 3.0.  No sources or documentation yet -- the new user
interface should make it self explanatory.  Report problems, reactions, etc,
to Info-Kermit and we'll collect them and pass them on the Bill.  Reports from
Windows 3.0 users would be especially appreciated.

You can ftp the binary executable program from kermit/bin/wn100k.exe on
watsun, or the printable "boo" file from kermit/test/wn100k.boo on watsun, or
you can request the boo file as T:WN100K.BOO from KERMSRV at CUVMA on
BITNET/EARN.  The boo file is decoded into a an .EXE file using any of the
MSBPCT programs in the Kermit Distribution "A" area.

Thanks to Bill for his continued improvements to this program.

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

Date: Fri, 1 Jun 90 13:17 EDT
From: Jonathan_Welch <[e-mail]>
Subject: Another New VMS Kermit-32
Keywords: VMS, Kermit-32, VAX/VMS, DEC VAX/VMS

This version of Kermit-32, 3.3.126, was linked under VMS Version 4.5, so
that the VMSMIT.HEX file can be VMSDEHex'd and will run on any VMS system
4.5 or later.

Changes since edit 122:

Modified a miscoded call which affected GETting files using long packets;
standard length packets were being used when long packet support was
available in both kermit programs.

The buffer for terminal names has been increased from 20 to 255 characters.

A bug which resulted in a "No default terminal line for transfers" message
when kermit was run as a subprocess has been fixed. It turns out that when
asking $GETJPI to return JPI$_TERMINAL a null string is returned for this
item when called from a subprocess.

A similar error that was corrected occurs when one VMS service returns a
terminal name sans trailing ':'.  When used as input to another service an
error occurs ("invalid device name" from the service is returned to the user
as "no default terminal line for transfers").

Unfortunately the only cure is to either 1) upgrade the operating system or
2) have the code check for the lack of a ':' and add one (this is what the
new version does).

The batch problem is fixed, as it was related to the terminal line business.

The spawn issue will have to be dealt with in the future as it will involve
some tricky coding.  DEC changed the meaning of the CAPTIVE bit in the user
authorization file (UAF) to mean RESTRICTED and added a new bit for CAPTIVE
as of VMS 5.2 (?).

-jonathan.

[Ed. - Thanks, Jonathan!  Also, the truncated VMSMIT.HEX file has been
replaced with an updated and full-length version, the missing VMSCOM.REQ
file has been installed, without which it was not possible to build the
program from the source code and get the new long packet support.]

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

Date: Mon 18 Jun 1990 10:30:00 EST
From: Frank Dreano, NAVMASSO, Chesapeake, VA
Subject: Announcing Kermit 1.02 for the Honeywell DPS-6
Keywords: Honeywell DPS-6, MS-DOS Kermit 3.01

I have finished testing Version 1.02 of Honeywell Superkermit and have also
generated the changes to Version 3.01 of MS-DOS Kermit necessary to
communciate with the Honeywell DPS-6 minicomputer.  (The latter changes are on
the diskette in three files having a filename extension of .DPS with comments
explaining modifications at the start of the files.)  Although these changes
are made directly to the source, I feel that they are small and succint enough
to be natural candidates for the new MSKermit 'patch' facility.

The modified MS-DOS Kermit 3.01 produced from this source still works
properly with other machines such as the AT&T 3B2, Vax, Tandem, etc..  The
new Superkermit (source code is included in CUCLKER.C and CUCLPRI.C) for the
Honeywell now supports 2000-byte packets and corrects a minor bug in the
decoding of incoming attribute packet information.  All sources on this
diskette should be included in and/or replace the current official library
versions.

Frank Dreano Jr.

[Ed. - Thanks Frank, and thanks for your contribution to Kermit News #4!
The new Honeywell Kermit source files, along with documentaion and diffs for
the MS-DOS Kermit files, special batch and initialization files, etc, have
been installed in a single "text archive" file in the "D" Kermit distribution
area, replacing the previous version, as kermit/d/hd6ker.jar on watsun
(Internet) and HD6KER.JAR on CUVMA (BITNET KERMSRV).  Frank also sent in an
impressive PC-based demo of his NALCOMIS data transfer operation, but because
of its format (a large collection of .EXE files), it not practical to add it
to Kermit Distribution.  Meanwhile, the changes to MS-DOS Kermit have been
forwarded to Joe Doupnik, who will include them in the next major release of
MS-DOS Kermit -- not 3.02, because code space is too tight.]

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

Date: Fri, 1 Jun 90 11:42 EST
From: Bob Martin <[e-mail]>
Subject: VMS DCL Procedure for Using WordPerfect with Kermit
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit WordPerfect, VMS, DCL

Folks,

I enclose a VMS DCL procedure that allows VMS WordPerfect 5.0 to be used
with MS-DOS Kermit 3.0. It automatically redefines ANY IBM type keyboard (84
or 101) to the standard PC key definitions for IBM WordPerfect 5.0. In other
words you can use the PC WordPerfect template when you are using VMS
WordPerfect.  Sorta makes it easier to remember!

The Procedure is reasonably well documented; if you have any questions
or comments feel free to drop me a line at the addresses listed in
the procedure.

Bob Martin --

[Ed. - Thanks, Bob!  Your new procedure has been put in the Kermit
Distribution A area as MSIWP3.COM.]

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

Date: Wed, 20 Jun 90 19:27:27 -0500
From: Mark Vasoll <[e-mail]>
Subject: Okstate Kermit/UUCP Kermit Distribution Server Adds Trailblazer

We have just replaced the modem used in our dial up Kermit Distribution
with a Telebit Trailblazer.  All access information remains the same,
just the additional speed is also offered.

Mark Vasoll
Computer Science Department                Email:  [e-mail]
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma

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

Date: Thu, 14 Jun 90 23:38:09 EDT
From: Ed Sterling <[e-mail]>
Subject: SIM3278 TCP/IP Version Supports Kermit-370 4.x
Keywords: SIM3278, IBM 370 Kermit

Greetings,

I am the author of SIM3278 TCP/IP, a new member of the SIM3278 product line
(where other products are SIM3278/VM /VTAM and SIM3278/GCS). I'm happy to
announce that I finally have been able to support Kermit in at least one
environment!

SIM3278 TCP/IP Release 2.0 which is now in production, will support Kermit
file transfers with SET CONTROLLER SERIES1, using the "7171" WRITE-THEN-READ
transparency.  There is "effective" support of the "7171" WRITE-ONLY
transparency, however due to interface limitations, SIM3278 TCP/IP does NOT
emulate the ATTN interrupt to the application after the transparent write
completes.  This does not seem to affect KERMIT Release 4.0 transfers.

Please note that the SIM3278 TCP/IP software level MUST be Release 2.0; our
earlier Release 1.0 does not support KERMIT.  Further requirements appear to
be KERMIT Release 4.x (tests using KERMIT 3 did not work, and appeared to be
related to the ATTN interrupt requirement cited above).  And, IBM TCP/IP for
VM Release 1.2.2 is required.

A test site which could be contacted as a reference is Portland (OR) State
Univ., Fred Dayton (FRED@PSUORVM).

Simware STILL intends to support Kermit in the next release of SIM3278/VM.  I
am one of the founders of Simware, and the guy who in fact made the
"infamous" mistake back in 1983 of FAILING to realize the Kermit data should
be left alone and NOT translated! This mistake is what "breaks" Kermit
transfers through SIM3278/VM, and yes, we've built our own file transfer
programs (AKA "FORSIMPC") that of course "rely" on this mistake.

However, I am currently working in a team to revise the entire SIM3278
system, and I plan to fully support the "7171" transparencies in this next
release, using my success in the TCP/IP product, and porting it to the VM
version of SIM3278 next.

Let me join hundreds of others in thanking you for supporting Kermit as well
as you do.  As a vendor, it's great to have a de facto universal transfer
"system" that can solve many customer connectivity problems, that "we"
individually cannot do alone.

Regards,
Ed Sterling
Simware Inc.

[Ed. - Thanks, Ed!  Your message will certainly be welcome news to your many
customers who are also Kermit users, and it will put your product a step
ahead of competitors that do not support transparent or graphics mode in
their protocol emulators.  Meanwhile, the new SIM3278 transparent mode
support will have to be verified against versions 4.1 and 4.2 of Kermit-370.]

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

Date: Tue, 22 May 90 12:33:25 CDT
From: Eric Romo <[e-mail]>
Subject: Needed: Mac Kermit for a 128K Mac

We tried version 0.8(34) on our Mac 128K with no luck.

What system/finder combination would you recommend using with that version
of CKMKER?  Keep in mind that we don't have much memory available. Also if
you would, send me an even older version of CKMKER, since that may have a
better chance of running on a 128K Mac.

Thanks for your continued help.
Eric Romo
Acknowledge-To: <UD069225@NDSUVM1>

[Ed. - We thought that 0.8(34) did the trick, but apparently not!  We don't
have any versions older than that.  Does anybody out there still have Kermit
running on a 128K Mac?  Could you send in a BinHex'd version of it?]

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

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