JThis is to announce version 4.03 of CP/M-80 Kermit. This is a "beta test"Hof a major new release, and will not replace the current version (3.9A),!until it has proven to be stable.IThe major change is the decomposition of the program into a collection ofGmodules, a`la MDMxxx, with a new procedure that allows combining customM"configuration overlays" with the system-independent portions of the program.OThis allows fixes or new features to be added to the protocol without requiringKreassembly of the program for each system supported, and conversely, allowsNsupport for new systems to be added (or old ones fixed) without reassembly forIthe other systems. An added benefit of the breakup of the old monolithicKsource file into smaller files is managability on systems with limited diskNstorage -- at 176K, the version 3.9A source file exceeded the capacity of manycommon floppies.KThe modular decomposition is not quite complete, however, since the system-Ddependent code for all systems is still combined in one module, withHassembly time conditionals for each system. A future release will breakJthis module, CP4SYS.ASM, into separate, unconditionalized modules for eachsystem./Here are some of the new features of version 4:* New systems:ASupport has been added for several new systems or configurations:% Apple II, Z80 Softcard, 6551 ACIA BigBoard II CPT-85xx word processer Digicomp Delphi 100 Morrow Micro Decision IHHowever, support that was recently added to version 3 of CP/M Kermit forFsystems like the Heath H8 and Compupro Interfacer 3/4 is not included;,volunteers are needed to do the conversions.* Terminal support:EFor micros without integral consoles, one of several terminals may beJchosen (among them VT100, VT52, and ADM-3A), as well as the generic "CRT".* Debugging aids:NSET DEBUG ON will add two fields to the SEND/RECEIVE display, labelled "Spack"Nand "Rpack". These display the last packet sent or received. Of course, thisKslows down the transfer, especially if the console is an external terminal.#SET DEBUG OFF removes these fields.LThe VERSION command displays the name, edit number, and edit date of several#of the modules that make up Kermit.* TAC support:HARPAnet TACs (and probably some other communication devices like modems,Omultiplexers, port contention units) use a printing character (normally "@") asOan intercept character, to allow commands to be issued to the TAC. In order toNsend this character to the host, it must be typed twice. The command "SET TACMCHARACTER" to Kermit enables the TACtrap and asks the user to specify the TACJintercept character. This character will be automatically doubled when itMappears in Kermit protocol messages (sent by the SEND or RECEIVE commands) orJwhen it appears in a file being sent with the TRANSMIT command. It is notKautomatically doubled when typed by the user in CONNECT mode. "SET TAC ON"Menables the TACtrap but does not change the TAC intercept character, which is3initially "@". "SET TAC OFF" disables the TACtrap.* File buffering:MPrevious versions of Kermit-80 buffered only one sector (128 bytes) at a timeJduring file transfer operations. This version buffers 16Kbytes at a time,Kreducing the number of times the floppy drive must be spun up and down, andKincreasing the effective throughput of the link. If the disk transfer rateKis too slow, howver, the remote Kermit may time out and retransmit packets.MThis will show up on the screen in the "Retries:" field; if this occurs afterGdisk activity, you may want to increase the timeout value on the remoteMKermit, or reassemble Kermit with a smaller value for MAXSEC (in CP4SYS.ASM).IThis buffer is also used by the TRANSMIT command; the log file enabled by4the LOG command is still written a sector at a time.* Baud Rate Setting:MThe format of the SET BAUD-RATE command has been changed for several systems.LRather than requesting the user to enter a letter for the speed, the desiredIbaud rate is supplied on the command line (e.g. "SET BAUD 1200"). A listJof supported baud rates may be obtained by typing "SET BAUD ?". If KermitOcannot change the baud rate for your system, it will reply "(not implemented)".* Generic CP/M 2.2 Support:IThe "generic" Kermit-80 for CP/M 2.2 (assembly switch GENER) supports sixJport selections, to improve the chances of finding one that works. KermitJreads from PTR: and writes to PTP: by default; if this does not work, tryI"SET PORT TTY". The following table lists the CP/M devices used for eachoption:" SET PORT xxx input from output to CRT CRT: CRT: PTR PTR: PTP: TTY TTY: TTY: UC1 UC1: UC1: UR1 UR1: UP1: UR2 UR2: UP2:GIn all cases, the console (CON:) and list (LST:) devices used are those selected when Kermit is started.* How to Get It:LThe files are in KER:CP4*.* on CU20B, available via anonymous FTP. CU20B isNInternet host [192.5.43.128]. The source files have the extension (file type)K.ASM, the hex files .HEX. There is also a new Kermit User Guide chapter inMKER:CP4KER.DOC and .MSS (Scribe text formatter source). A list of known bugsKand deficiencies is in KER:CP4KER.BWR (this file will be updated as reports come in).ONote that a new, somewhat more complicated, installation procedure is required.NTwo hex files -- the system-dependent part, and the "configuration overlay" --Emust be combined and then loaded. Detailed instructions are given inKER:CP4KER.DOC.EThe program may be built with the public-domain assembler and linker,HLASM and MLOAD, or on the DEC-10 or DEC-20 with Bruce Tanner's MAC80 andKLINK80. Unfortunately, it can no longer be built with ASM and LOAD becauseBmultiple files are used (this is the price we pay for modularity).KLASM, MLOAD, MAC80, and LINK80 are all in the area on CU20B,Ifor those who need them. can be referred to as KT:, as in KT:MLOAD.HEX.$The following systems are supported:Symbol Filename System------ -------- ------FAP6551 CP4APL Apple II, Z80 Softcard, 6551 ACIA in serial interface@APMMDM CP4APM Apple II, Z80 Softcard, Micromodem II in slot 20BBII CP4BB2 BigBoard II (terminal required)%BRAIN CP4BRN Intertec SuperBrain.ICPM3 CP4CP3 "generic": CP/M 3.0 (CP/M Plus) systems (terminal req'd);CPT85XX CP4CPT CPT-85xx word processors with CompuPak CP/M8DELPHI CP4DEL Digicomp Delphi 100 (terminal required),DMII CP4DM2 DECmate II with CP/M optionHGENER CP4GEN "generic": CPM 2.2 systems with IOBYTE (terminal req'd)"HEATH CP4H89 Heath/Zenith H89.HKPII CP4KPR Kaypro-II (and 4; probably supports all Kaypro systems)6MDI CP4MDI Morrow Decision I (terminal required)MIKKO CP4MIK MikroMikko<MMDI CP4UDI Morrow Micro Decision I (terminal required)OSBRN1 CP4OSB Osborne 1 OSI CP4OSI Ohio ScientificROBIN CP4ROB DEC VT180&TELCON CP4TEL TELCON Zorba portableATRS80LB CP4TLB TRS-80 model II with Lifeboat 2.25C CP/M DisplayBTRS80PT CP4TPT TRS-80 model II with Pickles + Trout CP/M Display!VECTOR CP4VEC Vector Graphics.$Z100 CP4Z00 Z-100 under CP/M-85GThe "symbol" is used in CP4SYS.ASM for assembly purposes. The filenameHshows where to find the .HEX file in KER: on CU20B, e.g. KER:CP4Z00.HEX.HPlease try out the new version and report any bugs to Info-Kermit@CU20B.HAlso, please feel free to add support to CP4SYS.ASM for systems that areHnot supported, and to make enhancements to those that are; for instance,=most systems are still not able to send a 250ms BREAK signal.FVersion 3.9A of CP/M-80 Kermit continues to be available as KER:CPM*.*,on CU20B, but will eventually be phased out.