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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site watrose.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!watrose!vljohnson
From: vljohnson@watrose.UUCP (Lee Johnson)
Newsgroups: net.micro.cbm
Subject: Re: c64 as a terminal
Message-ID: <7207@watrose.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 15-Jan-85 10:34:32 EST
Article-I.D.: watrose.7207
Posted: Tue Jan 15 10:34:32 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 16-Jan-85 03:58:44 EST
References: <665@uwmacc.UUCP>
Reply-To: vljohnson@watrose.UUCP (Lee Johnson)
Distribution: net
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 48
Summary: 

OK, you've shamed me into it.  I've been looking at requests for terminal
emulators and TERMCAPs for the C-64 for the last 5 months now.  Somehow,
I feel compelled to mention that I have an 80-column terminal program for
the C-64 which I specifically wrote with UN*X in mind.  The program, 
"M80" (I have a penchant for short file names), is a bit less than 5K of
machine language.  It doesn't look like any terminal I know of, so there's
a TERMCAP entry which goes with it.  I have been using it extensively without
problems.  You can even use vi (in slow mode it's not too unreasonable).

Features:

- 80 columns (using the hi-res bit map)
- cursor addressability, local insert/delete character, insert/delete line,
  forward and backwards tabbing (tab stops every 8 columns), erase to end
  of line, bell, and a *real* BREAK key
- all of the printable ASCII characters are represented
- simple monochrome graphics (move to point, draw to point) on the bit map
- escape sequences kept deliberately short (for 300 baud users)
- works with most Commodore-like modems.

Features which are implemented, but for which no user interface has been
written yet:

- programmable keys (assign any string up to 255 chars to nearly any key)
- keyboard can be redefined (without using the programmable key feature:
  this allows interesting possibilities such as *Dvorak* layouts).

Shortcomings:

- no upload/download capability
- lack of flow control (XON/XOFF or otherwise)
- no facility for autodial
- text clarity is limited (the usual problem of drawing 1-pixel wide lines
  on the hi-res map.  This may be better on a monochrome monitor--I use a
  1702 colour monitor).

I have held back from "announcing" this little gem because I feel it is
incomplete.  I would be willing to complete this program and release the
object to the public domain (I would keep control of the source) if there
was sufficient interest in the thing.  Users wanting to feed their input
into the final design should send their suggestions via mail.  I don't
promise to implement any or all of them, but I will give each one due
consideration.  I realize I may be opening the floodgates here, so please
keep the messages as short as you reasonably can.  Inquiries may be sent
the same way.

Regards,
Lee Johnson {lots of machines}!watmath!water!watrose!vljohnson