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From: david@varian.UUCP (David Brown)
Newsgroups: net.info-terms
Subject: Re: Review of Wyse 50 Terminal
Message-ID: <271@varian.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 12-Dec-84 20:18:07 EST
Article-I.D.: varian.271
Posted: Wed Dec 12 20:18:07 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 15-Dec-84 00:12:59 EST
References: <2734@ncsu.UUCP>
Organization: Varian, Walnut Creek, CA
Lines: 70

We have been using Wyse 50 terminals here, and so far we are happy. We
have received 10 or 15 of them and have yet to receive a dud.
My terminal (which was the first received) did have a problem with the
flyback transformer making a high-pitched sound, but I gave it a whack
and it's been quiet ever since.

I have a few comments on what previous reviews have said, plus additional
comments:

1) function keys: each function key can only hold a maximum of 8 characters,
and will only remember 4 over a power-off. (If Phil Shaffer's Wyse can
store 8 characters per key over a power-off, then they've made some changes).
I find this limiting -- I use the function keys, but most things are aliases
to csh.  The only keys that I've bothered to program are for readnews: 
"n c/r", "e- c/r", and "N c/r".

2) FCC approval: I brought in a Walkman-type radio for a few days and noticed
that the Wyse generated much more interference than our TeleVideo 912's
and 925's. 

3) Screen: I really like the 14" screen and find it very readable, even
at 132 columns; we had a Falco Fame II side-by-side with the Wyse when
we were evaluating terminals and the Wyse was much better at 132 columns.
I have set up some csh aliases which source command files to switch
between 80 and 132 columns, and also to split the screen in half. The
general form of the command files to switch to 132 column is:
	Send the escape sequence to change the screen format
	Reset TERM and TERMCAP  (change co= 132, and also change
		cm (cursor motion) string -- (at least in tvi912 emulation)
		use:  cm=\Ed%i%dR%dC)
	Set the tabs
	alias ls ls -w   (I added a new flag to ls to use wide (132 columns
				format; I believe newer versions of ls
				look at termcap and decide what to use)

4) The Users Manual is very poor -- it's hard to find anything, and I
have found many errors (mostly having to do with escape sequences being
different for tvi912 emulation mode).  We have ordered but yet to receive
the Reference Manual mentioned in the Users Manual.
I have yet to figure out how to set the function label fields by reading
the manual (most of what I've learned has been by trial and error and
I haven't gotten around to trying this).

5) The terminal has a monitor mode, but it is only settable from the
computer, not from the terminal setup (like a tvi925).  Also, non-printable
characters which are also part of the graphics character set show up as
graphics characters rather than what you would expect from monitor mode.

6)  There are 4 speeds of smooth scroll which look very nice; however,
I find I never use them, preferring the speed of jump mode.

7)  The keyboard cord is heavy, which makes it a bit unwieldly, but also
feels very solid.

8)  Sending a X from the computer will lock up the terminal, and
the only way out I've found is to power off the terminal.  (this is in
tvi912 mode, but I think it also happens in other modes; X is
not documented to do anything in the manual (at least that I can find);
true TeleVideo terminals ignore it.

9) The Wyse has the magic cookie; the only way around that I've found is
to use protect (dim) mode, which doesn't eat up a space.

10) The keyboard is prone to repeat keys; I've developed a lighter touch,
but I notice that I still get repeat keys occasionally, especially on a
particular terminal.
-- 
	David Brown	 (415) 945-2199
	Varian Instruments 2700 Mitchell Dr.  Walnut Creek, Ca. 94598
	{zehntel,amd,fortune,resonex}!varian!david