Message-ID: <427@ittral.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 25-Jun-84 18:51:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: ittral.427
Posted: Mon Jun 25 18:51:12 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 28-Jun-84 06:12:33 EDT
Lines: 36


[]
     I recently bought Softerm 2, a communication/terminal emulation package
for the Apple ][. After using it for a week I thought I would pass along a
few comments.
     Softerm 2 emulates a whole truckload of terminals (only one at a time,
however :-) ) and supports almost any imaginable Apple ][ configuration. All
the popular 80 column cards are supported, as well as the popular serial
cards, printer cards, clock cards, and modems. Transmission speeds to 9600
baud are supported. I have used the program at 300 and 1200 baud with my
Apple //e and 80 column card with no problems. The program has excellent
file transfer capabilities, and can transfer DOS, Pascal, or CP/M files
using any of three protocols, including XMODEM protocol.
     Softerm 2 includes a 3 key 'keyboard expander' which, when used in
conjunction with certain keys on the Apple keyboard, allows access to the
many features of the program. Since the keyboard enhancer is used for Softerm
functions, the Apple keyboard is used transparently, i.e. all ctrl and
shift combinations may be used without the bother of accidently invoking
some program function.
     The Softerm 2 software comes on 2 diskettes. They are not copy protected.
However, the program will not work without the keyboard enhancer, so the
software is of no use by itself.
     I've used the program for about a week now. Without a doubt it is the
best I've ever seen for the Apple. It is an extremely versatile program, and
has a lot of useful utilities built in. It has solved all of my file transfer
and terminal emulation problems. I highly recommend it.
     Now for the kicker. Softerm 2 retails for almost 200 bucks. Not cheap.
If you don't need specific terminal emulation capabilities you can save some
bucks by buying Softerm 1. It's essentially the same as Softerm 2, minus the 
terminal emulation features. Both Softerm 1 and Softerm 2 are from 
Softronics. I don't work for them, I just like their program.


                           Doug Hall
                           ITT Telecom B&CC
                           ittvax!ittral!hall

Message-ID: <374@ames-lm.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 5-Jul-84 02:32:47 EDT
Article-I.D.: ames-lm.374
Posted: Thu Jul  5 02:32:47 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 1-Jul-84 06:31:18 EDT
References: <427@ittral.UUCP>
Organization: NASA-Ames Research Center, Mtn. View, CA
Lines: 38

[<+>]

     I'd like to second Doug Hall's very positive review of "Softerm 2".
I have been using "Softerm" (earlier version - no longer
available) for about a year, now, and there is no other terminal
software for the Apple that's even in the same league. I can
confirm that it performs flawlessly at 9600 baud, and that it
does exact terminal emulations - no problems at all with 'vi'.
     It also supports a very wide variety of hardware; most
serial cards, most modems, most printers and printer interfaces,
most 80-column cards.
     The only desirable features lacking on my older version of
"Softerm" is the ability to upload and download CP/M and Pascal
files, and support for XMODEM protocol. These lacks resulted in
our buying "Softerm 2" when it appeared.
     So why, do you ask, am I not using the newer version? Because
"Softerm 2" has one flaw - that card that adds the extra buttons
to your keyboard. The Apple I use doesn't have a slot to spare for
another card, especially for a card used by only one program. If
that won't be a problem for you, then I recommend "Softerm 2"
unreservedly, but if your Apple is as crowded as ours is, or if
you're running a IIc (no slots), better find another program.
     I frankly think the company made a bad decision when they
added this card to the package, and I'm hoping the arrival of
the IIc on the market will cause them to create a "Softerm 3"
that doesn't require it. I also do not understand why the (long,
detailed, full-page) ads for "Softerm 2" fail to make any mention
of this 'feature'. Perhaps they realized it was not a selling-
point, but rather a copy-protection scheme?
     But I dilute my praise. To repeat: as long as you're not
slot-shy, and can afford the $200.00 price tag, I can't praise
this program highly enough. You will not be disappointed.

                                                Kenn Barry
                                                NASA-Ames Research Center
                                                Moffett Field, CA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Electric Avenue:              {dual,hao,menlo70,hplabs}!ames-lm!barry

Message-ID: <689@aplvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 3-Jul-84 12:45:42 EDT
Article-I.D.: aplvax.689
Posted: Tue Jul  3 12:45:42 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 10-Jul-84 04:38:26 EDT
References: <427@ittral.UUCP> <374@ames-lm.UUCP>
Organization: JHU/Applied Physics Lab, Laurel, MD
Lines: 12


	I would like to present the counter argument to the "SOFTERM 2"
"button debate". I personally like the three extra buttons, because now
I never again have to worry about a ctrl-L flipping the Apple into upper-case,
it is passed on through to vi the way it should. Yet I still have all the
local functionality, I just use the extra buttons to access it. Since I use
my Apple very heavily as a terminal, I am willing to give up the slot for
the ease of use.

-- 
					eric
					...!seismo!umcp-cs!aplvax!eric