MACINTOSH KERMIT

Macintosh Kermit is part of the C-Kermit family.  It shares the Kermit
protocol modules, as well as the command parser and script programming modules,
in common with the UNIX, VAX/VMS, and other C-Kermit versions.

The last formal release of Mac Kermit was 0.9(40) in 1988.  Unfortunately,
it does not work very well on newer Macintoshes or Systems.

A great deal of work has been done on the program since then, but the result
(so far) is still not of release quality, though it is quite suitable for many
purposes.

The current pre-pre-release of Mac Kermit (still far from a final release) is
0.99(188), based on C-Kermit 5A(188).  It is available via anonymous FTP from
watsun.cc.columbia.edu [128.59.39.2], directory kermit/b.  A comprehensive
user manual will be published when the final release is complete.  Sorry,
there can be no meaningful estimate about when that will be.  Watch
Info-Kermit (or comp.protocols.kermit, same thing) for further announcements.
You can subscribe to the Info-Kermit Digest by sending email to
LISTSERV@CUVMA.BITNET (or LISTSERV@CUVMA.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU) containing the text:

  SUBSCRIBE I$KERMIT your-personal-name-here

Mac Kermit files, ftp in text mode:

  ckmker.hqx -- current prerelease of Mac Kermit in BinHex 4.0 format
  ckmker.doc -- user documetation for 0.9(40), the previous release (1988)
  ckmker.ps  -- PostScript version of user documentation for 0.9(40)
  ckmker.bwr -- Notes about current prerelease
  ckmker.fon -- Notes about the new Mac Kermit terminal emulation font

and in the kermit/charsets directory:

  maclatin.* -- The new Mac Kermit font itself

You can still find version 0.9(40) in the kermit/old directory.

The new release is being worked on, in fits and starts, by a widely scattered
group of volunteer programmers.  Progress is slow.

The most common complaints about 0.99(188) are:

 1. The print menu is dimmed.  (Read ckmker.bwr about this.)
 2. Port selection is not saved in a Settings file (important for Powerbook).
 3. Problems with filenames during file transfer.
 4. Poor (or broken) default mappings for some keys.
 5. Conflicts with INITs -- especially those concerned with fonts.
 6. You can't run two copies of Mac Kermit at the same time.

Read the ckmker.bwr ("beware file") for details.  Because Mac Kermit is
based on C-Kermit 5A, much of the material in "Using C-Kermit" applies,
especially to the command window (DIAL command, script programming language,
etc):

  Frank da Cruz and Christine M. Gianone, "Using C-Kermit", Digital Press,
  Burlington, MA, 1993, 514 pages.

    Order Number: EY-J896E-DP
    Digital Press ISBN: 1-55558-108-0
    Prentice Hall ISBN: 0-13-037490-3

  US single-copy price: $34.95; quantity discounts available.  Available in
  computer bookstores or directly from Digital Press.  In the USA, call
  DECdirect toll-free 1-800-344-4825 to order; major credit cards
  accepted.

  Alternatively, you can call Prentice Hall toll-free at +1-800-374-1200.
  Payment options: "bill me later" (full price + shipping) or prepay with a
  major credit card (10% discount, no shipping charge).  When ordering from
  Prentice Hall, refer to the Prentice Hall ISBN shown above.

  Overseas, order through your bookstore (refer to the International Prentice
  Hall ISBN shown above) or your local Digital Equipment Corporation branch
  (refer to the International DEC order number).

  You can also order from Columbia University:

    Kermit Development and Distribution
    Columbia University Academic Information Systems
    612 West 115th Street
    New York, NY  10025  USA
    Telephone: (USA) 212 854-3703

  Domestic and overseas orders accepted.  Price: $34.95 (US, Canada, and
  Mexico), $45 elsewhere.  Orders may be paid by MasterCard or Visa, or
  prepaid by check in US dollars.  Add $35 bank fee for checks not drawn on
  a US bank.  Price includes shipping.  Do not include sales tax.
