BMUG PD-ROM BV3/BMUG PD-ROM Version BV3 (CDRM1097900).iso/Telecom/Terminal Programs/Zterm/ZTerm-0.9-FAQ-v1.txt

Text File | 1993-04-24 | 35KB | 847 lines

                      ZTerm 0.9 FAQ
                       Version 1.0

                      by Leslie Jones
                      April 23, 1993




For best results, display in a monospaced font, such as Monaco or Courier.


Contents:

    Distribution and Posting Information
    Other Sources of Information
    [1] ZTerm's Version History and Author

        [1.1]  What's the current version?
        [1.2]  What features will be in the next version?
        [1.3]  When will the next version be released?
        [1.4]  How do I get in touch with Dave Alverson?

    [2] Registration

        [2.1]  Why should I register (pay the shareware fee)?
        [2.2]  Will I get technical support if I register?
        [2.3]  If I registered an earlier version of ZTerm, do I have
               to send in an upgrade fee?

    [3] Quick Fixes to Common Problems

        [3.1]  Relax. Don't worry. Have a homebrew.
        [3.2]  Select a download folder.
        [3.3]  Reselect a download folder.
        [3.4]  Make sure ZTerm is sending data to the correct port.
        [3.5]  Turn the modem off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
        [3.6]  Quit other programs that use the modem.
        [3.7]  Restart the computer.
        [3.8]  Restart the computer with the shift key held down to prevent
               extensions from loading.
        [3.9]  Move the ZPhoneList out of the Zterm folder.  (But don't throw
               it away!)

    [4] Known Bugs, With Some ResEdit Fixes

        [4.1]  Queue Dialing
        [4.2]  File Appends
        [4.3]  Missing Download Folder
        [4.4]  Unix and Opus Settings
        [4.5]  Sending returns in scripts
        [4.6]  Text pacing
        [4.7]  Possible bugs

    [5] Dialing

        [5.1]  Can I reorder my Dial directory?
        [5.2]  Why is one service in the Dial menu and in the Dial
               directory in outline?
        [5.3]  How do I change the default service?
        [5.4]  How do I set a service to be the current service?
        [5.5]  How do I mark and unmark services for queue dialing?
        [5.6]  I started ZTerm and the only service listed is called Local.
               Wa' hoppen?
        [5.7]  My ZPhoneList with a bizillion phone numbers and settings
               got trashed.  Am I screwed?
        [5.8]  Undocumented tip: changing the modem speed.
        [5.9]  Undocumented tip: Changing parity, data bits, and stop bits.
        [5.10] Undocumented tip: dialing the current service.

    [6] Connecting

        [6.1]  When ZTerm dials, the dialing line has the A cut off the dial
               string, like this: TDT 691-7094.  Tell me, tell me! Whatever
               could be wrong?
        [6.2]  The BBS drops carrier before my sound stops playing.
               Suggestions?
        [6.3]  Why is ZTerm so slow at sending passwords on some services?

    [7] File Transfers

        [7.1]  This text, binary, MacBinary, and Smart MacBinary stuff
               makes my head spin.  Which should I use?
        [7.2]  When I download Mac files from a PC BBS, the files have
               generic icons and are unusable.  What went wrong?
        [7.3]  Which protocol should I use?
        [7.4]  I have a high speed modem.  Which protocol should I use?
        [7.5]  Interrupting ZModem downloads is messy.  What's a modem
               freak to do?
        [7.6]  How do I prevent massive CRC errors during ZModem downloads
               from UNIX?
        [7.7]  I'm having other transfer problems with Unix.  What's Dave been
               smokin'?
        [7.8]  I have an error-correcting modem.  Which protocol should I use?
        [7.9]  Where's YModem-G Send?
        [7.10] Why does YModem work on some systems and not others?
        [7.11] Using hardware compression makes my uploads and downloads
               slower.  Wie gehts?
        [7.12] If I have the Kermit/VT220/etc. Tool, will ZTerm support
               Kermit/VT220/etc.?

    [8] Sound, ANSI Graphics, and Color

        [8.1]  Why oh why won't the ZTerm sounds play?
        [8.2]  Can I use sounds other than the ones that come with ZTerm?
        [8.3]  Is there any limit on the length of the sound?
        [8.4]  My modem speaker won't work with ZTerm. What's the story, Lori?
        [8.5]  How do I turn my modem speaker down or off?
        [8.6]  Why can't women see what a great guy I am?
        [8.7]  What do I do to get ANSI graphics when connecting to a PC BBS?
        [8.8]  I did all of that and the ANSI graphics still look a little
               funny.  What gives?
        [8.9]  How can I add excitement to my dull and monotonous existence?

    [9] VT100 Emulation

        [9.1]  I'm wiggin' out, Leslie.  Why don't the home, end, page up,
               and page down keys on my extended keyboard work?
        [9.2]  Why don't the f1-f4 editing keys on my extended keyboard work?
        [9.3]  How can I emulate a control key on a Mac Plus or 512?
        [9.4]  Undocumented tip: positioning the cursor with the mouse.

    [10] Text and Text Files

        [10.1] Can I make the terminal font bigger?
        [10.2] Why does onscreen text look so crummy in anything but
               9 or 12 point?
        [10.3] Will ZTerm save text files in something other than TeachText?

    [11]Scripting

        [11.1] How do I know the script is running?
        [11.2] How do I cancel a script?
        [11.3] How do I send an escape in a script?
        [11.4] Does a ^M have to be in quotation marks?
        [11.5] Do I have to use the Wait for "blah blah" prompt syntax?
        [11.6] Why is ZTerm sending only part of a line?
        [11.7] What does error -49 mean?
        [11.8] I'm goin' nuts! Why won't my login script run?

    An Easter Egg


Distribution and Posting Information

I will post this FAQ in the first week of every month to
comp.sys.mac.comm, comp.sys.mac.apps, and news.answers.

I will also post current versions to [e-mail],
which covers the comp.binaries.mac newsgroup on Usenet, the sumex-aim
and umich ftp sites, and other, lesser-known ftp sites.  I'm going to
campaign to have this file placed in the communications folder with
ZTerm to make it more accessible.  Failing that, look in the
info-mac/reports directory of sumex-aim, and in the
mac/misc/documentation directory of umich.  I will also post to America
Online (file search key word: ZTermFAQ). Sorry, but I can't email it to
individuals. It's too big and my student account is limited to only
$10.00 per week.

To make corrections and suggestions, send Internet mail to
[e-mail].  This is my preferred (read: cheap) mail address.
If mail to that address bounces, send Internet mail to
[e-mail], or send America Online mail to LeslieJonz.

Many thanks to the folks who have contributed, knowingly or
unknowingly.  In rough chronological order: Neil Schulman, Joe Dellwo,
Adam Toner, Rick McCormack, Scott Macrae, David Platt, Daniel Friedan,
Drew Wade, and Gregory Youngs.

Special thanks to ZTerm author Dave Alverson for reviewing the FAQ,
providing information about the next release, and for releasing a
great piece of software as shareware.

This document is copyright 1993 by Leslie Jones.  Please give credit
when citing this work.  I retain all rights to this document.  It can
be freely copied and distributed electronically, and may be uploaded
to ftp sites and online services which charge no more than a normal
connect fee for downloading files.  Distribution on physical media
is prohibited without written permission.

><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Other Sources of Information

This FAQ answers questions relating specifically to ZTerm 0.9.  There
are other sources for information of interest to ZTerm users:

For answers to more general questions about Macintosh
telecommunications and networking, please read Eric Rosen's excellent
comp-sys-mac-comm FAQ, available for anonymous ftp from
sumex-aim.stanford.edu in the info-mac/reports directory and from
mac.archive.umich.edu in the mac/misc/documentation directory.
Everyone who uses a modem should keep Eric's FAQ on their hard drive.

For answers to questions about file conversion (I downloaded a file
that ends in cpt/sit/dd/arc/lzh/pit/etc. How do I open it?), get David
Lemson's exhaustive report compression-util-table.  The most recent
version is available for anonymous ftp at cso.uiuc.edu (128.174.5.59)
in the directory /doc/pcnet as the file compression.  The ZTerm manual
briefly describes the most common Macintosh compression formats.

For information about configuring your modem, consult your modem's
manual.

If you have Usenet access, questions about Macintosh-specific
telecommunication hardware and software should be directed to
comp.sys.mac.comm.  Questions about modems and telecommunications in
general should be directed to comp.dcom.modems

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

[1]    ZTerm's Version History and Author

[1.1]  What's the current version?

    ZTerm 0.9 is the current version.  It is dated February 8, 1992.
    Before 0.9 was released, someone hacked 0.85 with ResEdit and released
    it as 1.0.  This was done without the permission of Dave Alverson,
    ZTerm's author.  There is a more recent hack called 0.93 XK, which was
    released by a user group.  Anyone may modify ZTerm with ResEdit for
    their personal use.  However, distributing modified versions of
    copyrighted software is illegal.  Dave Alverson sends official releases
    to America Online, CompuServe, and GEnie.  You can also expect the
    newest version to quickly appear on BBSs and ftp sites.

[1.2]  What features will be in the next version?

    Support for Kermit file transfers.

    Implementation of 16 color ANSI graphics, instead of the current 8
    colors.

    Some additions to the scripting language.

    A scripts folder, possibly.

    Bug fixes.

[1.3]  When will the next version be released?

    Second quarter, 1993, if Dave Alverson can get the free time.

[1.4]  How do I get in touch with Dave Alverson?

    Select Support from the Misc. menu for his email addresses.

    The address [e-mail] is out of date.  His new Internet address
    is [e-mail], and is his preferred (read: cheap) mail address.

    Select About ZTerm from the Apple menu for his paper mail address.

    Phone: Dave asks that his phone number not be given out.  Registered
    users receive his number and may call him for technical support.


[2]    Registration

[2.1]  Why should I register (pay the shareware fee)?

    This is a tough question. There is no legal precedent to show that
    people can be forced to pay for shareware, so one will come
    knocking on your door in the middle of the night.  On the other hand,
    many of us in the computer community  feel that you should pay for
    shareware which you use often, just because it seems to us to be the
    right thing to do.  Shareware authors put a lot of work into their
    software, and they deserve compensation.  Shareware authors also put a
    lot of faith in the computer community by releasing their products as
    shareware.  They trust that people will voluntarily pay for a product
    they need and use.  I for one don't think we should take advantage of
    people's trust.  Registering also encourages new releases.

[2.2]  Will I get technical support if I register?

    Yes. Dave supports ZTerm through paper mail, email, and in conferences
    on America Online, CompuServe, and GEnie.  Registered users receive his
    home phone number and can call him for direct phone support. When was
    the last time you called a Microsoft programmer at home?

[2.3]  If I registered an earlier version of ZTerm, do I have to send in an
       upgrade fee?

    No.  Dave Alverson, like most shareware authors, doesn't charge upgrade
    fees.  This is another advantage of shareware.


[3]    Quick Fixes for Common Problems

[3.1]  Relax. Don't worry. Have a homebrew.

    Keep your head tool cool.  Read the manual, read this FAQ, and remember
    that tens of thousands of people have used ZTerm successfully.

[3.2]  Select a download folder

    Before downloading files for the first time, you must select a default
    download folder by selecting Receive Folder from the Settings menu.  If
    ZTerm can't find the download folder, it reports an error of -120.

[3.3]  Reselect a download folder.

    If you change your directory structure or reformat your hard drive,
    remember to select a new download folder before you attempt to
    download.  If ZTerm can't find the download folder, it reports an error
    of -120.

[3.4]  Make sure ZTerm is sending data to the correct port.

    An external modem can be connected to the modem or printer ports.  Find
    out which yours is attached to, select Modem Preferences from the
    Settings menu, and select the port.  Alternatively, you can hold down
    the shift key while ZTerm loads to select the port.  If you have a
    PowerBook with an internal modem, open the PowerBook control panel
    and select the option for an internal modem.

[3.5]  Turn the modem off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

    This technique solves numerous connection and downloading problems.

[3.6]  Quit other programs that use the modem.

    Communications programs that access the modem are sometimes reluctant
    to give up control of the port the modem is attached to.  Quit all
    other telecommunications software, as well as any phonebook programs
    that can dial phone numbers through the modem.

[3.7]  Restart the computer.

    Restarting is a standard way of solving transient problems of any kind.

[3.8]  Restart the computer with the shift key held down to prevent
       extensions from loading.

    Extensions cause more than their share of problems, and should always
    be suspect if the machine is crashing or freezing.

[3.9]  Move the ZPhoneList out of the Zterm folder.  (But don't throw it
       away!)

    Besides storing phone numbers, the ZPhoneList contains all of ZTerm's
    settings and preferences, which may have been misset or corrupted.  If
    you remove the file from the ZTerm folder, ZTerm will create a new one
    using its default settings.  You can also restore the file from a backup
    disk.  If that doesn't solve the problem, put your old ZPhoneList back
    in the ZTerm folder so you won't lose your phone numbers.


[4]    Known Bugs, with Some ResEdit Fixes

[4.1]  Queue Dialing

    When queue dialing, the dial window remains open after a connection is
    made.

[4.2]  File Appends

    Appended text is inserted at the beginning of the file, rather than at
    the end.

[4.3]  Missing Download Folder

    If you attempt to download without selecting a default download folder,
    ZTerm reports a -120 error.

[4.4]  Unix and Opus Settings

    The radio buttons may change when you open the ZModem Options dialog,
    but the settings remain unchanged, so it's not a serious bug.

[4.5]  Sending returns in scripts

    When a return is sent by itself in a script, ZTerm usually sends a
    space, then the return.  To fix the problem, open a copy of ZTerm in
    ResEdit. Open CODE 2. At offset 52B4 find the string 671E 4A6E FFEE.
    Change 671E to 601E.

[4.6]  Text pacing

    If text pacing is set to wait for a line prompt, ZTerm will usually
    wait for about 5 seconds even if it receives the prompt character.  To
    fix this bug, open CODE 2.  At offset 5082, find the string 3B40 CAC0.
    Change CAC0 to CABE.

[4.7]  Possible bugs

    I have one report each for several bugs.  I would appreciate feedback
    from anyone who does or does not have these problems.

    When dialing with the scroll buffer scrolled back, ZTerm crashes when
    a connection is made.  I was unable to reproduce this bug on my system.

    Using System 7.1, 32 bit addressing, and virtual memory, text capture
    doesn't work.  I don't have System 7.1, so I couldn't test this bug.

[5]    Dialing

[5.1]  Can I reorder my Dial directory?

    Yes.  In the Connections dialog, put one or more spaces in front of
    the name to force the service to the top of the list.  To force the
    service to the end of the list, put a bullet (option-8) in front of the
    name.  NOTE: if you change the name of any services that have login
    scripts, you will have to change the login script names to reflect
    these changes.

[5.2]  Why is one service in the Dial menu and in the Dial directory in
       outline?

    That's the default service.  When you open the Dial directory, that
    service is automatically highlighted.

[5.3]  How do I change the default service?

    Open the Dial directory, hold down the command key, and click on the
    service you want to be the default.  You can also hold down the command
    key and select the service from the Dial menu.

[5.4]  How do I set a service to be the current service?

    You can either open the Dial directory, click on the service, and click
    the Set button, or you can hold down the option key and select the
    service from the Dial menu.

[5.5]  How do I mark and unmark services for queue dialing?

    You can open the Dial directory, and either click on the service and
    click the Mark or Unmark buttons, or click in the space to the left of
    the service's name.  You can also mark and unmark services by holding
    down the shift key and selecting the service from the Dial menu.

[5.6]  I started ZTerm and the only service listed is called Local.  Wa'
       hoppen?

    ZTerm didn't find your ZPhoneList in the ZTerm folder, so it created a
    new one with the default entry Local.  Find your ZPhoneList and place
    it in the root level of the ZTerm folder.

[5.7]  My ZPhoneList with a bizillion phone numbers and settings got
       trashed.  Am I screwed?

    You're screwed.  Always back up your ZPhoneList when you perform your
    routine backup.  Or, to put it another way, whenever you think "Man, I
    really oughta back up my files one of these days," instead think "Man,
    I really oughta back up my files, including my ZPhoneList, one of these
    days."  Mine got corrupted a few days before I released the FAQ, and I
    was able to restore from a backup.  Oh! righteous glory!

[5.8]  Undocumented tip: changing the modem speed

    You can change the modem speed without going to the connection dialog.
    Click on the modem speed string at the bottom of the window to get a
    popup menu for changing the modem speed.

[5.9]  Undocumented tip: changing parity, data bits, and stop bits.

    Likewise, clicking on the string to the right of the modem speed string
    produces a popup menu for selecting 8-N-1, E-7-1, or O-7-1 settings.

[5.10] Undocumented tip: dialing the current service.

    Command-shift-d normally dials marked services. If no service is marked,
    command-shift-d dials the curent service.

[6]    Connecting

[6.1]  When ZTerm dials, the dialing line has the A cut off the dial
       string, like this: TDT 691-7094.  Tell me, tell me! Whatever
       could be wrong?

    Two things to try:

    1. This is symptomatic of a modem which is either not properly
    connected, or not turned on. Make sure your modem is turned on, that
    the modem cable is properly connected to the computer and to the phone
    jack, and that ZTerm is sending data to the correct port.

    2. ZTerm may be sending the dial string too fast for the modem. Add
    a comma to the beginning of your predial initialization string
    in the Connection dialog, like this:

         ,AT M0

    The comma is a Hayes modem command which causes a 2 second delay.

[6.2]  The BBS drops carrier before my sound stops playing.  Suggestions?

    Use a shorter connect sound. ZTerm can't send or receive data while the
    connect sound plays.

[6.3]  Why is ZTerm so slow at sending passwords on some services?

    You have "Wait for character echo" turned on in the Text Pacing
    options, but the remote system isn't echoing the password characters,
    so ZTerm waits 5 seconds, times out, and sends the next character. Turn
    off the "Wait for character echo" option for that service.


[7]    File transfers

[7.1]  This text, binary, MacBinary, and Smart MacBinary stuff makes my
       head spin.   Which should I use?

    Unless you know better, use Smart MacBinary, which will automatically
    select the correct transfer mode.  The major exception is if you are
    uploading nontext files, such as GIFs or .zip files, which PC users will
    use.  In that case, use binary to prevent Finder information from being
    sent.

[7.2]  When I download Mac files from a PC BBS, the files have generic
       icons and are unusable. What went wrong?

    You didn't use MacBinary or Smart MacBinary.

[7.3]  Which protocol should I use?

    If the service you're calling supports ZModem, use it, because:

    1. ZModem is very fast.

    2. ZModem is a batch protocol, meaning you can place more than one file
    into a batch for uploading or downloading.  Most protocols make you
    request files one at a time.

    3. ZModem has crash recovery.  If a 3 hour download is interrupted
    1 minute before it finishes, you can redial the service, start the
    download again, and finish the download where you left off, instead of
    having to start all over.

    4. ZModem receives begin automatically.  To start a ZModem download,
    simply tell the other computer to begin the transfer.  Your computer
    will detect a ZModem transfer and automatically enter receive mode.
    This autoreceive feature necessitates the default download folder,
    which ZTerm also uses with other protocols.

[7.4]  I have a high speed modem.  Which protocol should I use?

    ZModem.  In addition to the benefits listed above, ZModem is a
    streaming protocol, meaning that the receiving computer doesn't send
    back any information unless an error is detected.  In other protocols,
    the sending computer sends a packet of information, then waits for the
    receiving computer to check the packet for errors and report whether or
    not there were any errors.

[7.5]  Interrupting ZModem downloads is messy.  What's a modem freak to do?

    Type control-x repeatedly.

[7.6]  How do I prevent massive CRC errors during ZModem downloads
       from UNIX?

    Try the following suggestions from Dave Platt:

    "The commonest reason for this sort of failure-to-resynchronize is, in
    my experience, excessive data buffering between the sending "sz"
    process and the receiving program.  The ZMODEM protocol can become
    badly confused if you're connected to your host via a TCP-based
    terminal server or some similar serial data switch.  If the terminal
    server and the network software provides a substantial amount of data
    buffering (as it probably does), then the two ZMODEM processes will
    each see a _long_ delay between the time that they send a message to
    their peer, and the time that the response to this message makes it
    through the network to them.  This delay will interfere with the
    protocol's error-recovery timeouts, and can lead to an endless stream
    of recovery attempts.

    I strongly suggest using the poorly-documented "-w" option when
    downloading files from a mainframe or workstation, unless you're _sure_
    that all of the data communication links between you and the host are
    running at the same speed and don't do data buffering.  The "-w" option
    enables a four-packet sliding-window mode, which will guarantee that sz
    will never "get ahead" of your Mac by more than the window-size that
    you specify.  As long as the window size is no more than (e.g.) 10
    seconds worth of data, there won't be a problem with the retry timers
    expiring before the window is emptied.

    I usually use "sz -w 2048 filename" when downloading.  In fact, I have
    "sz" aliased to "sz -w 2048" to ensure that I don't forget to use
    windowed mode. "

[7.7]  I'm having other transfer problems with Unix.  What's Dave been smokin'?

    If you have trouble with Unix when you use the telnet command, try
    the rlogin command, and vice versa.  This has solved many problems
    for many Unix users.

[7.8]  I have an error-correcting modem.  Which protocol should I use?

    You should probably still use ZModem, but you might also consider
    YModem-G.  Other protocols have software error correction which is
    redundant and time consuming if your modem has hardware error checking.
    Be sure that hardware error correction is enabled on both modems.
    Consult your modem manual for instructions. The downside to YModem-G is
    that the transfer terminates if an error is detected.  There is no
    error recovery in YModem-G, so it isn't advisable if you have noisy
    phone lines or are transferring large files.

[7.9]  Where's YModem-G Send?

    According to the excellent Balloon Help, YModem1K send is the same as
    YModem-G send.

[7.10] Why does YModem work on some systems and not others?

    What some BBSs call YModem is actually XModem-1K.

[7.11] Using hardware compression makes my uploads and downloads slower.
       Wie gehts?

    Most online files are compressed with software utilities such as
    Stuffit and Compact Pro and can't be compressed much more, if at all.
    So the time the modem spends trying to compress and decompress the
    files can actually slow down the transfers.  Your modem manual will
    tell you how to turn off hardware compression.

[7.12] If I have the Kermit/VT220/etc. Tool, will ZTerm support
       Kermit/VT220/etc.?

    No.  ZTerm doesn't use the Communications Toolbox, so it can't use
    Communications Toolbox tools.


[8]    Sound, ANSI Graphics, and Color

[8.1]  Why oh why won't the ZTerm sounds play?

    The sounds must be stored in the System file (AKA System suitcase).  If
    you use System 6, use Font/Da Mover to install the sounds.  If you use
    System 7, quit all applications and desk accessories and drag the
    sounds to the icon of the closed System Folder.  When asked if you want
    the sounds installed in the system file, click OK.

[8.2]  Can I use sounds other than the ones that come with ZTerm?

    Absolutely.  You can rename any sound to "Connect", "Filedone" or
    "Termbell" and install the sound in the System file.

[8.3]  Is there any limit on the length of the sound?

    ZTerm doesn't limit the length of the sound, but ZTerm can't send or
    receive any data while the sound is playing.  Therefore, a long connect
    sound may cause connection problems.  Try to keep the sounds short.

[8.4]  My modem speaker won't work with ZTerm. What's the story, Lori?

    Either the modem initialization string or the predial initialization
    string of the copy you received contains the M0 (zero) command, which
    turns off the modem speaker.  Select Modem Preferences from the
    Settings menu and delete the MO  command. If the problem occurs only
    with some services, delete MO from the predial initialization string in
    the Connection dialog of those services.

[8.5]  How do I turn my modem speaker down or off?

    This one is near and dear to my heart, as I seem to have the 2400 baud
    Modem for the Deaf(TM).  ZTerm offers three ways to turn the modem
    speaker off (AT M0), or to turn the speaker down (AT L0) if it's on.
    (All 0's are zeroes.)

    1. You can manually do the deed by typing AT M0 or AT L0 before you
    make a connection.  This method is best if you only want to silence the
    modem for some sessions.

    2. To automatically change the volume for one service, enter AT M0 or
    AT L0 in the "Pre-dial init" field in that service's Connection dialog.
    This method is best if you want the speaker on for some services and
    off for others.

    3. To automatically control the volume for all services, select Modem
    Preferences.  Click in the "Initialize" field and use the cursor keys
    to move to the far right.  Move the cursor just to the left of ^M  and
    type M0 or L0.  This method is best if you want the speaker off for
    every service, every time.

    These three techniques work for any initialization string,
    incidentally.

[8.6]  Why can't women see what a great guy I am?

    Man!  I've been trying to figure out the same thing for years.  You
    tell me.

[8.7]  What do I do to get ANSI graphics when connecting to a PC BBS?

    1. Select Terminal Settings for that service and choose the PC ANSI BBS
    radio button.

    2. Also in the Terminal Settings dialog, uncheck the "No Extended
    Characters (Strip hi bit)" box.

[8.8]  I did all of that and the ANSI graphics still look a little funny.
       What gives?

    ZTerm 0.9 uses 8 colors for ANSI emulation, while some ANSI graphics
    use 16 colors.  The next version will support 16 color ANSI emulation.

[8.9]  How can I add excitement to my dull and monotonous existence?

    Select Color Settings and choose colored text on a darker background.
    I use yellow text on a black background. You can use whatever colors you
    want.  It's your life.


[9]    VT100 Emulation

[9.1]  I'm wiggin' out, Leslie. Why don't the home, end, page up,
       and page down keys on my extended keyboard work?

    During VT100 emulation, those keys are assigned to VT100 operations.
    To make them work like normal Macintosh application keys, hold down the
    shift key and then press them.  Without the shift key, they all act like
    the end key.

[9.2]  Why don't the f1-f4 editing keys on my extended keyboard work?

    During VT100 emulation, all of the function keys are assigned to VT100
    operations. Use the command key equivalents or the edit menu.

[9.3]  How can I emulate a control key on a Mac Plus or 512?

    If you are using System 7 on a U.S. system, install the ZTerm Keyboard
    layout.  To do this, drag the keyboard layout to the icon of the closed
    system folder.  When asked if you want to install the keyboard layout,
    click OK.  The option key will now emulate the control key.

    If you are using a non-U.S. system, or a system earlier than 7.0,
    select Terminal Settings from the Settings menu.  Assign the control
    key function to the command key.

[9.4]  Undocumented tip: positioning the cursor with the mouse.

    Not only can you use the mouse for selecting text, you can also use
    it to position the cursor.  Hold down the option key.  The pointer will
    become diamond-shaped, and will move the cursor, somewhat slowly, to
    wherever you click.


[10]   Text and Text Files

[10.1] Can I make the terminal font bigger?

    Yes.  Select Terminal Preferences from the Settings menu and enter a
    larger size.

[10.2] Why does onscreen text look so crummy in anything but 9 or 12 point?

    ZTerm uses its own terminal font for 9 and 12 point, but uses Monaco
    for other sizes.

[10.3] Will ZTerm save text files in something other than TeachText?

    Yes.  To change the application ZTerm saves text files in, choose
    General Preferences from the Settings menu and choose a new file
    creator.  TeachText can't open files larger than 32K, so this feature
    is especially useful if you save large text files.


[11]   Scripting

[11.1] How do I know the script is running?

    You will see a letter or two in the lower right hand corner of the
    terminal window.  These letters are abbreviations for the command the
    script is preparing to execute.  By noting which commands have
    executed, you can debug scripts more easily.

    These are the abbreviations and their meanings, as provided by Dave
    Alverson:

         b : beep
         s : send
         w : wait
         wp: wait prompt
         wq: wait for quiet

[11.2] How do I cancel a script?

    Hold down the command key and type a period.  Command-period, also
    known as the Universal Mac Distress Code, also cancels printing and
    pastes, in ZTerm or any other application.

[11.3] How do I send an escape in a script?

    Use the line:

         send "^["

    Where "[" is the left hand bracket.

[11.4] Does a ^M have to be in quotation marks?

    Yes

[11.5] Do I have to use the Wait for "blah blah" prompt syntax?

    No.

         Wait prompt "blah blah"

    works just fine.

[11.6] Why is ZTerm sending only part of a line?

    When a line begins with the "send" command, ZTerm sends everything
    between the first set of quotes and the second set of quotes.  If the
    string looks like this:

         send " "It is not I who am crazy ... It is I who am MAD!!!" ^M"

    ZTerm will send a space, since that is what is between the first and
    second set of quotes.

[11.7] What does error -49 mean?

    It means that the script ZTerm tried to use is open in another
    application, such as your word processor.  Close the file and try
    again.

[11.8] I'm goin' nuts! Why won't my login script run?

    There could be a number of reasons.

    1. The file may not be in the right place.  Login scripts must be
    stored in the root level of the ZTerm folder.  That is, you should be
    able to see the ZTerm application and the script in the same Finder
    window.

    2. The file may not have the correct name.  Login scripts should have
    the same name as the service, with the ".zts" extension on the end.  If
    the service is called " MacClique" (note the space), the script should
    be called " MacClique.zts".

    3. The script may not be in text only format.  ZTerm can only read text
    only files (AKA plain text or ASCII), such as TeachText files.  If you
    write the script with your word processor, be sure to use the Save As
    command and select a text only format.  If TeachText can't open the
    file, it is not in text only format. One exception: TeachText can't
    open any file larger than 32K.

    4. There may be something wrong with your login script.  To test your
    script, select the Run Script command to tell ZTerm to use the script.
    If the script doesn't work when run manually, the script is at fault.


And finally, an Easter Egg.  The STR ID=0 resource reads " 'ave you got
anything without Spam in it?," a line from Monty Python.

Send in those corrections and tips. And send Dave your shareware fee!