DualTerm Elite Instruction Manual by Tony L Belding INTRODUCTION: DualTerm Elite is a terminal program that provides both VT52 and ATASCII graphics. It has a 100K capture buffer, an automatic dialing directory, and can run external GEM programs or desk accessories from its main menu. DualTerm was originally written in GFA Basic 3, but the current version uses Laser C. When I released DualTerm a few months ago, it was basically a complete program with one major flaw: it couldn't be compiled. Michtron was still waiting for GFA Systemtechnik to write a compiler for GFA Basic 3, and I was still waiting for Michtron to send it on to me. I let DualTerm loose upon the world with confidence that I would soon be able to follow on with a compiled version that would be faster, more self-contained, and less bug- ridden. A couple of weeks later Michtron was forced to drop their support for GFA Basic, which left me in something of a bind. I was not happy with the speed of GFA Basic 3, nor with the numerous bugs and glitches. Now I found that no bug fixes or compiler could be expected anytime soon. I responded to this sorry situation by digging out my old Laser C manual and starting to recode DualTerm into C. During this process, something strange happened: I found that I LIKE C. The new DualTerm runs smoother, faster, and has more features. And it requires no runtime program. The improvements are so extensive that I have named it DualTerm Elite. SHAREWARE: DualTerm Elite is shareware. This means that you should consider sending me a donation if you find that the program is of some value to you. If you send $10 you will be a registered user and will be authorized to download the source code from the Golden Gate bulletin board. My address: Tony L Belding PO Box 512 Hamilton, TX 76531 SETUP: The files 'DIAL.DIR', 'DUALTERM.RSC', and 'WXYTR.TTP' should be kept in the same directory as the program. These files are accessed by DualTerm Elite during operation. The program may not work properly if it fails to find these files. Before using DualTerm for the first time, you should change the default settings to the values you prefer. To do this, enter DualTerm and press HELP to get the main menu. Then select 'Edit Defaults' from the 'Dialer' menu. A dialog box will appear with two text fields that you may edit. The first setting is the default drive path. This should be the path name of the disk drive or directory that you plan to use mainly for loading or saving files. DualTerm Elite uses the GEM file selector for these functions, so the default path is just a matter of convenience. (By the way: I highly recommend FSELV60.PRG, a public domain replacement for the GEM file selector.) The second setting is the default dial command. For Hayes- compatible modems, this will be ATDP or ATDT. If your phone uses pulse dialing, enter ATDP here. For tone dialing use ATDT. After entering the dial command, the new defaults will be saved to disk, and you should find yourself back at the main menu. OPERATION: While using DualTerm, you can press the HELP key or the left mouse key to access the main menu bar. This also shows a summary of the keyboard commands. Here, in more detail, are the commands and how they work. (Most of these commands can also be selected from the drop-down menus.) HELP (left mouse key) = call up the menu and command list The first 'Atari' drop-down menu allows you to select desk accessories such as the control panel, or a transfer accessory could also be used to upload or download files. Calling the menu screen also shows a list of keyboard commands that can be used from the terminal itself. UNDO = exit DualTerm You will be asked to confirm that you wish to leave the program. If there is text in the capture buffer, it will be lost. DualTerm Elite will terminate and return to the desktop. NOTE: This version of DualTerm Elite does NOT warn you if you have text in the buffer before exiting. Be careful! F1 = toggle ATASCII inverse text mode When inverse mode is on, you can enter inverse text into the ATASCII terminal. Press F1 a second time to resume normal operation. This key has no effect on the VT52 terminal. F9 & F10 = type text macro number 1 or 2 The dial directory editor allows you to store two text macros with each dial directory entry. These macros can be fed into the terminal at any time by pressing F9 or F10. These macros are most commonly used to store log-on information such as names and passwords. They will work with both VT52 and ATASCII. ALT-RETURN = force ASCII carriage return & linefeed Most Hayes-compatible modems will not accept AT commands from the ATASCII terminal because of the different value for a carriage return. If you want to use an AT command from the ATASCII terminal, follow the command line with ALT-RETURN to force the modem to accept it. This is unnecessary with the VT52 terminal. ALT-C = toggle capture on or off This command directs data into the capture buffer. By turning the capture on or off during an online session, you can choose which data will be saved into the buffer. When the buffer is full, capture is automatically turned off. ALT-U = upload X/Ymodem A file selector will appear, which you should use to select the file to upload. Xmodem CRC is the default protocol. If the receiving system does not support CRC, DualTerm Elite will shift to standard Xmodem. Ymodem protocol can also be selected from the 'Transfer' menu. ALT-D = download X/Ymodem A file selector will appear, which you should use to enter the name of the new file. DualTerm Elite will automatically adjust to the protocol used by the sending system. Available protocols include: Xmodem (standard) Xmodem CRC Ymodem Ymodem Batch MENU OPTIONS: Load Buffer = load a text file into the capture buffer This allow you to put a file in the capture buffer to be uploaded later using the 'Upload Buffer' command. Save Buffer = save the contents of the buffer to a disk file After saving the file, DualTerm Elite does not automatically erase the buffer. You may clear it manually with the 'Clear Buffer' option. View Buffer = visually scan the buffer The contents of the buffer will be displayed in an 80-column format, scrolling continuously until the entire buffer has been shown. Pressing ESC will abort and return to the main menu. Any other key will pause the display. Erase Buffer = erase entire contents of capture buffer Auto-Dial = call up dial directory The dial directory of up to 40 services will be displayed on the screen. Use the mouse to select the service you want to call, or select '>>>> CANCEL AUTO-DIAL <<<<' to return to the main menu. Edit Directory = edit the dial directory The dial directory editor menu will appear. Use the mouse to select the service you want to edit. After editing a service, DualTerm Elite will save the new directory and return to the main menu. Duplex: FULL/HALF = toggle duplex This command switches between full and half duplex. Baud Rate: 300/1200/2400 = set baud rate DualTerm Elite directly supports only 300, 1200, and 2400 baud because the ATASCII terminal can't keep up at higher speeds. You can 'fool' the program into running faster by using the control panel to reset the speed, but this method should be used with the VT52 terminal only. Terminal: ATASCII/VT52 = translation mode This command switches between the 80-column VT52 terminal and the 40-column ATASCII terminal. The change is indicated by a change in the color of the screen. You can also switch instantly between the two modes by pressing ALT-T from the terminal. Upload Buffer This option will upload the contents of the capture buffer. The file can be either ASCII or ATASCII: DualTerm doesn't care which. The upload can be aborted at any time by pressing CTRL-C. At 300 or 1200 baud the display may continue for a time after aborting because of the ST's built-in buffers. SENDING ATASCII GRAPHICS: You can enter ATASCII graphics directly into the keyboard. For the most part this works as with a normal ATASCII terminal, with the following exceptions: Clr/Home -------- clear screen Shift-Clr/Home -- one second delay Delete ---------- delete character Shift-Delete ---- delete line Insert ---------- insert character Shift-Insert ---- insert line arrow keys ------ cursor movement FINAL NOTE: This documentation is for DualTerm Elite version 1.02, the first version released to the public. As with any first release of a program, there must certainly be bugs and glitches in it waiting to be discovered. This documentation also is not really complete: it was written for the GFA Basic version and beaten into shape to serve the newer release. In any case, if you have any problems with the program, just contact me through the Golden Gate BBS: it should be listed in the dial directory. - Tony Belding PS: See if you can find the secret message in DTE! ШŠHy¨ŠN¹iX//N¹pÎPLßNuHçð€ o#ШŠHy¨ŠN¹iX