Club Amiga de Montreal - CAM/CAM_CD_1.iso/files/631b.lha/VLT_v5.517/Readme

Text File | 1992-03-28 | 20KB | 401 lines

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|                  D I S C L A I M E R   N O T I C E                   |
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|  This document and/or  portions of the material and  data furnished  |
|  herewith,  was developed under sponsorship of the U.S. Government.  |
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|  tractors, subcontractors, or their employees, makes  any warranty,  |
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|  accuracy,  completeness or  usefulness of any information, appara-  |
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|  approval, disapproval, or fitness for any particular use. The U.S.  |
|  and  the University at all times  retain the right to use and dis-  |
|  seminate same for any purpose whatsoever.                           |
|                                                                      |
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VLT 5.517
=========

    Compared to version 5.045, the previous release, quite a few things
changed. One of the major changes is that since version 5.100, VLT is compiled
using the SAS C compiler. (All releases up to and including 5.045 used Manx
C). Since this allowed linking with cres.o, VLT is now residentable. Also, it
at first got quite a bit smaller. Unfortunately, a sufficient number of new
features were added so that the actual size is somewhat larger than for the
previous release.
    The other changes mainly involve AmigaDOS 2.04. VLT now uses the ASL
requesters when running under 2.04, has 2.04 public screens, and uses a new
Palette requester written with GadTools. VLT is also more easily installable,
basically, you should just drag the VLT drawer over to your hard disk and
that's it (shell users may want to add a path to that drawer). However, VLT is
still compatible with 1.3, though you really should upgrade to 2.04!
    There are quite a few new neato goodies as well. The ones that are of
interest to most people are probably: improved mouse support and
programmability, and cut and paste directly from and to the main screen using
the clipboard. There are also some nice ARexx programs included, the major one
of which is a simple phone book.
    So far the good news. The bad news is that not everything I wanted to
go in went in. So it is entirely possible that just the thing you really
wanted in there didn't make it. That doesn't mean I think it's a bad idea,
just that I didn't have time, and I wanted to bring out a new version now
rather than wait until I had more time to do the other things
    Of course, there are the usual numerous other little changes and bug
fixes. They are documented in the file docs/VLT5p517.doc. For installation
instructions, read the file "Installation".

    Willy Langeveld, 22 March 1992.


VLT 5.045
=========

    This is a bug-fix release with just the executable of VLT (or VLTjr)
and a new version of xprascii.library. The bug fixes in this version are:
- Fixed enforcer hits and worse problems when running from the Workbench
  with no tooltypes in the icon.
- Fixed read-from-location-0 errors when reading VTPrefs.dat when some menus
  hadn't been programmed.
- The XPRAscii protocol would show the previous protocol name in the status
  requester instead of its own name.
- Added a flag to disable local print mode. The value 64 for "miscflags"
  will disable "local print"
- A problem with switching from a Workbench window to a one-bitplane Custom
  screen and back to a Workbench window was fixed. VLT would assume after
  that sequence that the Workbench had only one bitplane.
- The serial code for sending data was again streamlined a bit. Also, a bug
  was fixed: VLT 4.846 used to try to resend data after a "Reset" operation
  and this was broken in 5.034.
- A problem that only affected VLTjr: when VLTjr's screen was behind other
  screens, running VLTjr again would not bring it to the front. This problem
  is now fixed, and it didn't affect VLT.

    There are also a few documentation additions:
- There exists a script command called "consolewindowadjust". If set to off,
  VLT will not adjust the display to make room for the console window. This
  option is by default "on".
- Unlike a VT100, VLT will send the characters ( ) / and * when the top four
  keys of the keypad are pressed in numeric-keypad mode. A VT100 in this case
  would send the same sequences as in application-keypad mode. One may argue
  if it is a bug or a feature, but since it has always been this way, it will
  stay as is.
- Something one should be aware of when running VLT from script icons on the
  Workbench: VLT changes its default directory (and thus the default directory
  of up/downloads!) to that of the icon for each script it executes, *no
  matter what* you saved in your configuration. You can get around this
  by putting explicit CD's in each of the scripts or by setting the up/down-
  load area using the environment variables as documented for each of the
  external protocols.

    Willy Langeveld, 3 march 1991.


VLT 5.034
=========

    This release has a number of new features, both in the VT100 part
and in the Tektronix part. The new features are described in file
VLT5p034.doc in the /docs directory. Some highlights:
    The serial device handling has again been improved. Higher
speed operation, better error checking, new menu options, much better
Xoff recovery.
        There are quite a few new script options, such as the WINDOW
command to set window size and position. The Tektronix emulation has
finally acquired some commands, and VLT can save out and read in
files with script commands that describe the current graphics display.
An ARexx program that translates such a script file to Provector
instructions is provided: VLT2Provec.pvrx.
    VLT now supports Matt Dillon's Fifo pipes. How these can be used
is demonstrated in the program FifoBBS.rexx in the rexx directory; it
implements a small but complete BBS system that uses VLT as the engine.
    Other new features include "local printing" from the host,
smooth scrolling with settable speed, a much improved file transfer
status window, and you can now select your favorite 8/11 point fonts
from the menu. VLT now also recognizes ToolTypes in addition to command
line options. ALT-ed and SHIFT-ALT-ed keypad and cursor keys are now
programmable, as well as the console-window string.
    Of course, there are the usual numerous other little changes
and bug fixes.


    Willy Langeveld, 6 february 1991.

VLT 4.846
=========

    This is mainly a bug-fix update, but there are one or two new
features. This version no longer comes with the old documentation files
that previous versions came with. This is because there is a new manual
available, see the notice in the docs directory. The only documentation
files are about things not covered in the manual.


    Willy Langeveld, 30 September 1990.

VLT 4.824a mini-update.
=======================

    This is a small update to the recently released VLT and VLTjr
version 4.824. It consists of four files: a new VTPrefs.dat in the s
directory, a new SendASCII.vlt in the rexx directory, and most impor-
tantly, a new review.library in the libs directory, and then this
UpdateReadme file.
    If you're happy with the VTPrefs.dat file you already have, then
by all means continue using it - the changes were minor. If you're just
starting to use VLT, you may want to use this one though.
    The new SendASCII.vlt shows you how to use the extract command and
how to set up an XPR transfer, in this case using the xprascii library. It
shows how to temporarily switch to this protocol, and to set VLT back to
what it was at the end. It also shows how to remember the file it sent for
later use. The new VTPrefs.dat has among other things a user menu item set
up to call SendASCII.vlt, so that ASCII send for all practical purposes is
now "built in" (if you have ARexx).
    The new review.library has the esthetical problem of the funny
scroll bars under 1.3 fixed, no other changes. As it turned out, the final
"fix" for AmigaDOS 2.0 turned out to destroy the look under 1.3, and since
it wasn't supposed to affect the look under 1.3 I didn't check... Oh well.
The review.library version number is now 1.14.
    A few minor things have meanwhile been discovered in VLT and VLTjr.
They aren't big enough to warrant inclusion in this mini-update, though...
Depending on what else is found over the next few weeks, another VLT
update might happen in a month or two. So let me know what's broken!

    Willy Langeveld, 12 August 1990.

VLT 4.824
=========

    The major new feature of this release is a complete rewrite of the
script language. The command set was rationalized in many places, extended
and generalized. All commands are now available at all times, multiple
commands can be put on the same line, all commands are available from ARexx
with error reporting, you can wait on multiple strings at the same time,
multiple scripts can be run at the same time, one can extract complete
information about everything from ARexx, there is a tracing facility, you
can intercept all keystrokes to an ARexx script and thus reprogram their
actions, and a lot more. You can also run VLT in "batch" mode (without
windows or screens).
    There are also a lot of other changes, mostly in the VT100 section.
Not much changed in the graphics section. The major change there is that
you can now display graphics in the same window as the text. You can even
set up colors and masks such that graphics and text don't interfere.
    VLT has been tested and changed to work completely and correctly
with AmigaDOS release 2.0: it even has the "3D" look in all requesters and
gadgets. On the other hand, it doesn't yet use many of the new functions
that are  available under 2.0. This means primarily that VLT still needs
arp.library and screenshare.library, so don't throw those away!
    Since the changes are again major, they are all documented in the
doc file VLT4p824.doc. As mentioned there, a new printed manual is being
worked on and should be available by end of august. Watch BIX's amiga.user
conference for a notice about how to obtain that manual...

    Willy Langeveld, 1 August 1990.

VLT 4.428
=========

    The most prominent new features of this release are in the Tektronix
emulation. The VT100 part only suffered minor changes. This means, that
VLTjr isn't very different from the previous version, 4.226.
    VLT's Tektronix emulation was rewritten to a considerable degree. In
particular, it now supports almost all of the Tektronix 4105 escape
sequences, with some obvious extensions to Tektronix 4107. About the only
unsupported feature is the "dialog area" and all commands associated with
it. A few highlights of the supported feautures: area fills (panels)
including all 16 Tek-style textures and 125 dithering patterns; scaled and
rotated (90/180/270 degrees) fonts using new strokefont libraries; almost
full support of Tek-style "pixel operations" (bitmaps); and full support for
all this in the PostScript output. Additional documentation is in the file
vlt4p428.doc in the docs directory.

    Willy Langeveld, 4 January 1990

VLT 4.226
=========

    This version comes in two flavors, VLT and VLT jr. By popular request,
the jr. version no longer contains the Tektronix emulation, which saves some
35k in the size of the executable. Except for that, the two versions are
identical. Each version now comes with its own icon. These icons are
considerably smaller than the previous one, but they are still pretty neat,
if I say so myself...
    This version fixes a number of bugs and implements full XPR version 2.0
support. The major new feature is the scrollback/review/history buffer. Since
this is again a major release, there is a separate documentation file called
vlt4p226.doc, in the docs directory. These docs are in addition to the ones
contained in vlt4p058.doc.

    Willy Langeveld, 12 October 1989

VLT 4.069
=========

    This is a binary-only interim release.    A number of problems are fixed
in this version especially in the area of XPR support. In particular, the program
no longer returns to the wrong parity after a transfer with an XPR. Aside from
that, there was a problem when the configuration was saved with 7-wire handshaking
enabled. The next invocation of VLT would crash the machine. The Auto-screen-
to-back menu option had no effect on Kermit transfers. These problems are now
fixed. Also, the CAPTURE OFF script command no longer displays a message.


    Willy Langeveld, 28 August 1989

VLT 4.058
=========

    This version fixes a number bugs in 4.036 and has a full (but not fully
tested) implementation of the XPR external protocol specification.
    Changes in VT100 part: many public message ports were changed to private
ones; echoing of the cursor keys in local echo now works; the problem with
down-scrolling in "normal" and "color" rendering modes is fixed (thanks Charles
Cleveland); "exit <next-script>" from vlt.init now works (again); setting
cursor height from script has been enhanced, height 0 now allowed (see blink.rexx
and blink.vlt for a rather processor intensive way to make your cursor blink!);
the problem some people had opening the console window on custom screens was
fixed (thanks Mike Cargal); and starting two identical VLT's (for example by
twice double clicking on an icon or double-clicking a FastMenu gadget) is now
pretty much bulletproof.
    Changes in Tektronix part: PostScript support of text output for some
special characters now works; PostScript menu item now reads "as" instead of
"ss".

    W.G.J. Langeveld, 16 July 1989.

VLT 4.036
=========

    This version constitutes a major revision of VLT. Because of the numerous
added features and fixed bugs, there is a separate documentation file in the docs
directory, called vlt4p036.doc. The ARexx support libraries rexxarplib and
rexxmathlib are no longer included here, but distributed in a separate archive.
In case you're wondering about the revision number: there have indeed been
380 relinks of VLT since version 3.656.

    Willy Langeveld, 5 June 1989.

VLT 3.656
=========

    This update differs from the previous one in a few bug fixes: the
implementation of the insertion/deletion of characters is now done correctly,
a problem with macro file requesters was solved. All 'beep's everywhere in the
program now correctly DisplayBeep when the 'volume' is zero, or audible-beep
when the volume is greater than zero. When the vloume is less than zero, the
beep has a higher pitch. Also, the sequence to set columns and rows has been
doubly privatized. The sequence now is <CSI>?<columns>;<rows>p, to avoid a
conflict with usage of the <CSI>...p sequence elsewhere (see 3.626).

    Willy Langeveld, 9 September 1988.

VLT 3.649
=========

    This update differs from the previous one in that the 132 column font
was modified (see if you can read this better - otherwise keep the other one). A
major bug was fixed: VLT now gives back the 8k or so of memory it used to
steal. Some minor bugs were fixed, such as the display of 132 column font. A
'clear screen' from the menu now resets the use of the graphics character set if
it was in use. The sequences for insertion/deletion of characters in a line are
now supported. The rendering of the pf gadgets was  modified. Both Tektronix and
VT100 screen now use copies of their window's rastports rather than their
window's rastports themselves so some flakey behaviour should have disappeared
when using Quick rendering mode on the VT100 side, or the graphic cursor on the
Tektronix side. The Tektronix emulation now ignores spurious control characters
in vector mode.

    Willy Langeveld, 23 August 1988.

VLT 3.626
=========

    This update differs from the previous one mainly in that 132 columns are
are now supoported using two new fonts. They are modified versions of the one
that came with VT100 2.6, on one of the Fish disks. Also, the control sequence
<CSI>...p has been modified to include the number of columns as the first
parameter. The last parameter is as before the number of lines. It no longer
matters which parameter this is as long as it's last, but it is recommended to
use the second one. Also the standard VT100 sequences for setting 132 column
mode (<CSI?3h) and going back to 80 column mode (<CSI>?3l) are implemented.

    Willy Langeveld, 1 August 1988.

VLT 3.615
=========

    This update differs from the previous one mainly in improved handling of
REXX commands. Multiple RX commands from the same .scp file are now supported,
and REXX commands can now be sent to VLT even though an .scp script is active.
These features have not yet been extensively tested, so let me know your
results. Also a bug introduced in 3.598 was fixed.

    Willy Langeveld, 22 July 1988.

VLT 3.601
=========

    This update differs from the previous one only in that the Tektronix
screen now is also public. Its name is VLTTEK. The screenshare.library is
somewhat smaller, but is functionally the same.

    Willy Langeveld, 16 July 1988.

VLT 3.598
=========

    This is an update of VLT, as described below. If this is the first
time you've downloaded it, read the section about the previous version first.
    This version has most reported bugs fixed, but not many enhancements, on
the theory that enhancements usually introduce more bugs: the intention was to
get a solid version out there first before adding new stuff.
    Among the changes are: ScreenToFront/Back() in rexxarplib were fixed,
rexxarplib now has functions to retrieve the screen size and interlace status;
the Tektronix (tm) emulator supports some more sequences and eats others; it now
looks for TekStore: and will open the temporary graphics file there instead of
in ram: (for those that have little ram: but sufficient disk space); Kermit was
modified to work also on CDC's (thanks, s_walton!) and a host of bugs were
fixed. Also, the script command FLUSH was added. It flushes the capture buffer
out to disk (or wherever it was capturing to). This is useful for capturing to
the new 1.3 SPEAK: device, for example. Not everything was fixed: the command
parser is still the same and therefore Wait and On etc. still don't work.
    This version is a zoo archive, because it supports long filenames and
also path specifications. Therefore, there are no more executeme files.

    Willy Langeveld, July 6, 1988.


VLT 3.553
=========

    You have just downloaded an archive containing the executable files for
the terminal emulator VLT. VLT is both a VT100 emulator and a Tektronix
emulator, currently in use at SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator Center).
Although the VT100 part was originally based on Dave Wecker et al.'s VT100, many
enhancements were made.  I won't go into any details at this point. The main
documentation file is not yet ready and will be posted later. For now, if you
have questions, you will have to ask them on BIX in amiga.user. I expect the
documentation to be ready by next week, though...
    This program uses ARP, so in order to run it you need arp.library in
your libs: directory. You better make sure you have ARP 1.1, or else nasty
things may happen!
    This program is NOT in the public domain. However, you may freely use
this program for any purpose, and are encouraged to distribute it wherever you
want. The author (me) does not, however, accept any responsibility for
suitability for any particular purpose, or for any damages that may occur as a
result of the use of this program, etc., you get the picture... 8-) .
    Bug reports are welcome, please send them to me BIXmail.

    This archive contains several sub-archives, one for each directory where
you should store the files contained in the sub- archive. Besides VLT and
VLT.info, the archive contains the following files (after executing the various
executeme's). Be sure to read all the various readme files, too! Have fun...

    Willy Langeveld, April 20, 1988.