Beware File&@-hm @t2TEXT????,`=`=HnNH/+N/+,NKnown problems with Mac Kermit version 0.8 ------------------------------------------ Last update to this file: 11 July 1985, applies to edit 33 ----- The biggest problem with Mac Kermit is installing it on your Mac if you don't have it on a diskette already. For tape distribution, the program is encoded in Binhex Version 4 (.HQX) format, and you need (a) a way of getting the .HQX file onto your Mac in the first place, and (b) a copy of Binhex Version 4 to convert it into a runnable application. It is assumed that most sites receiving Kermit tapes that are interested in running Macintosh Kermit will have some method of initially downloading the .HQX file, and will have a copy of Binhex. ----- Occasionally, files transferred to the Mac with apparent success will be empty. This happens very rarely and cannot be reproduced. It has only been reported twice, once on a Hyperdrive system, and once on a Mac with a Tecmar disk after the screen had been dumped to the printer. (this problem may be rectified in edit (33), which now terminates on failure to close, attempting to report an appropriate error.) ----- Reportedly, the program can be made to hang getting retries and no packet transmission if an earlier file transfer was terminated using Command-dot. ----- Character attributes (bold, inverse, etc) are not preserved when restoring the screen after it has been overlaid by another window. ----- When mapping the OPTION key to CTRL, certain characters (notably CTRL-v, where v is any lowercase vowel) have to by typed twice in order to send them. This is a feature of the Mac, sort of like Command-Shift-1...9, but unlike Command-Shift-1...9, MacKermit doesn't have a command to disable this feature. ----- In terminal emulation, bold characters seem to be different sizes from the regular screen characters, but Kermit apparently uses the same width information for both, resulting in a slightly fractured display. Often, parts of bold characters will be left on the right margin of the screen. ----- After a file transfer, successful or otherwise, the mouse cursor does not turn from a watch back into an arrow. ----- The terminal emulator uses a hardwired roman (english) font. This could present problems to non-english users whose systems use other alphabets. ----- Switching between Mac Kermit and MacTerminal may result in repeated errors if Macterminal closes the serial port. ----- Starting up MacKermit when there is output going to the port can result in an address error. ----- The remote response window accumulates everything that has been sent to it; you can always scroll back to the beginning. That's nice, but there's no way to make space when it fills up. And when it does fill up, it will probably crash the program. At the very least, cutting and pasting should be allowed. ----- VT102 emulation -- some terminal sequences cause garbage, e.g. those that save and restore the cursor position. ----- The VT102 emulator can overflow after a few screens during scrolling at 9600 baud. XON/XOFF flow control needs to be added. For the present, the program works fine at lower baud rates, or in full-screen mode at higher baud rates -- e.g. in EMACS or other video editors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SUGGESTIONS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Translate to a native Macintosh C compiler (which one is best?). Preferably do it in such a way that it can be easily ported to other compilers, and still built by SUMACC. This is desirable not only so that people without VAX Unix systems can work on the program, but also because SUMACC does not generate segmented code, which imposes a strict limitation on the size of the program, preventing the addition of many desirable features, like the ones below. ----- Include the ability to log a terminal session to a file (save lines scrolled off top, and/or save screen). ----- When a file of type RSRC is downloaded add it to the "Launch" menu. ----- Allow both ports. Also allow two windows open at once, one for each port. ----- Add the ability to clear the screen from a menu. ----- Allow cutting and pasting in the remote commands window. ----- Respond to VT100 cursor position report escape sequence from host, [6n, cursor position save/restore, etc. (end) ----- Respond to VT100 cursor position