Plusterm

From Color 64 BBS Wiki

Tools - The PlusTerm Program

The Plusterm program was written by Color 64 enthusiast Sam Lewit, who also created Network and many other fine programs. It was written originally as an optional substitute for the built-in term program that came with Color 64 v7.37, but is now included as the standard terminal program with Color 64 v8. The file name is "√bbs.term" and will be automatically loaded from your Program Files when you choose F2 from the Sysop Menu.

Having Plusterm resident is optional. If you can afford the space, add the files associated with the program ( √bbs.term and √sys.mltmno or √sys.mltmsw). If the file is not located in your Program Files, then the program will return to the wait-for-call screen.

Some of the features of Plusterm are:

  • Uploads and downloads, supporting Xmodem and Punter protocols
  • Multi-Punter upload and download transfers
  • Phonebook with auto-dial, storing up to 20 numbers
  • 2400 BPS Adjustments for "quirky" modems.
  • Built in buffer, capable of handling thousands of bytes
  • Adjustable Re-Dial Rate for the auto-dialer
  • Programmable Function Keys, individually set for each phone book entry

Some Notes on the use of Plusterm:

  • The 2400 BPS adjustment feature is for non-SwiftLink systems ONLY. It will not affect SwiftLink communications if it is edited. The 2400 BPS adjustment should be used if you know that garbled communications are being caused by computer to modem communications. Most often this may result if the modem is slightly "fast" or "slow". Most of the time, you should not even have to change these numbers, but if you have experience with this type of problem you should be able to adjust the figures with ease.
  • The buffer is a dynamic feature of Plusterm. The space that is used by the buffer is in memory between the end of the terminal program and the byte that marks the end of √bbs.init. On many systems you can achieve over 10000 bytes of buffer space. Note that the SMALLER the terminal prg and the LARGER the √bbs.init prg is, the more buffer space you'll have. This is why it's most important not to add any mods unrelated to the terminal into the term prg. Also, when you're done with the terminal, and want to go back into the BBS, the buffer will be overwritten and lost. If there is ANYTHING in the buffer, you will get a warning prompt before leaving just in case you forgot to save the buffer contents.
  • If you need to load the buffer with a sequential file for any reason, simply OPEN the buffer, go into the DOS (F4), and do a: f:filename. Then CLOSE the buffer.
  • You can send the buffer to any of 3 places: The SCREEN, DISK, or MODEM. You do this by selecting (P)rint from the BUFFER menu.
  • There are 7 function keys available for EACH number stored in your phonebook. These are defined by editing the phonebook. There is also 7 DEFAULT definitions which are loaded in at the time you enter the term. The only problem with this is that as soon as you use any function from the phonebook, these defaults are gone till you enter the terminal again. To edit the default functions, choose 0 from the phone book editor menu. To include a carriage return as part of the command (like <your password> + carriage return), include a “CTRL-Y” in your string:
  • Type password (do not hit return)
  • Hold the CONTROL key and press “Y”; observe cursor go down one line
  • Hit the RETURN key
The CTRL-Y will automatically be converted to a carriage return when the data is sent to the modem.


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Tools