SimpleTerm

SimpleTerm is an experimental terminal program for the USR Pilot. It doesn't do any terminal emulation, but does allow you to use AT commands to connect to remote computer systems via a modem. I have used SimpleTerm to log in to networks with both dial-back and dial-thru. Reading mail is a bit of a challenge, but can be done - as can surfing the web!

Once SimpleTerm is installed on a Pilot it is used by clicking the 'Connect' button - this powers up the serial port. AT and other commands are entered (via Graffitti) into a text field and sent to the modem (attached either to the cradle with a Null Modem adapter or via the Pilot modem cable) by pressing the 'Send' button - a CR is appended automatically, though this can be toggled via a check-box. Send 'AT' a few times when you first connect - the modem will eventually respond with 'OK'.

If you need to enter an 'Escape' type 'esc' and Send, for something like Control-C type 'ctlc' and Send.  Note that these only work if they are sent alone, not in amongst other characters in a single Send.

On completion of a 'session' the Disconnect button should be pressed, this will close the serial port.

There is limited 'Copy' functionality - the first 1000 characters are copied to the clipboard. The clipboard has a limit of 1000 characters. There is also paste, which copies the clipboard to the send buffer, this is limited to 40 characters.

The screen tries to scroll in synch with the received data, but can also be scrolled up and down manually using the scroll keys. Another tip is to use the Pilot shortcuts facility to hold phone numbers, machine names, commands, etc.

SimpleTerm can be used at 9600 or 19200 baud, the default connection is 8N1 though a dialog offers 7E1 (so you can use Compuserve.) SimpleTerm uses CTS and RTS handshaking.

The Pilot can be used in its cradle with a NullModem adapter (obviously you need to connect the modem to the other end of the cradle cable!) or you can use the modem cable available from USR.

Please feel free to download and play with SimpleTerm - I'd be interested in what you think of it and any interesting uses you make of it.

Iain Barclay (isb@pobox.com)
6/10/96.

Release Notes

simplet4.prc, 07/11/96: 7E1 now works for CompuServe.

simplet3.prc, 06/10/96: Added copy, paste, on-screen keyboard, selectable baud rates, retry for missing characters, 'esc' and 'ctlX' support, simple on-screen instructions, updated readme.

simplet2.prc, 30/09/96: Fixed memory locking bug, improved error messages, updated this document.

simplet.prc, 29/09/96: First release to internet. Scary moment!