#modemHELP!
24 messages in this thread
I need some help. I have an Amiga A3000 series computer and have just
purchased my modem: The DataLink 2000 with MNP-5 from Applied Engineering.
The software which comes with the modem is a simple Public Domain program
which appears to only support two transfer protocols: XModem and ZModem.
ZModem does not appear to be supported by Compuserve and XModem is so slow
as to be ridiculous.
It appears, then, that I need to buy a communications program so that
I can take advantage of my Amiga modem at faster transfer rates.
Does anyone have any knowledgable suggestions? I had been using my Procomm
software on my old IBM AT compatible and really miss its many features when
I use the Amiga A3000.
Steven,
My favorite commercial program is AtalkIII from Oxxi. I think it now
supports CompuServeB protocols, but my version is over a year old, and mine
did not. They were beta testing CIS B+ protocols at the time I got mine.
For CIS, I prefer the shareware programs Access (ACC142.ARC) and JRComm
(forgot the exact name of that one) that you will find in Library 5 of
AmigaUser. Access! is my preference because I like the way it works during
online conferences. JRComm supports far more protocols and will probably
suit your needs.
Betty
Steven,
There are plenty of great PD terminals out there for the Amiga. I
recommend Access! which has CompuServe Quick-B protocol and you can find it
here in the AmigaForums.
Hi Steven,
I really hate to disagree with Betty(I really do) but I've found
ATALK III to be one of the worst comm programs next to ATERM available. For
one thing,it `hogs' the serial.device and if you run any front end programs
that don't have dialers(as I do) you will be in bad shape. I agree with
Betty tho,(whew!) on ACCESS! and JRComm(both PD/ shareware). Altho I don't
use any version of JRComm past .94b because after that it(IMHO) it got way
out of hand,I've found ACCESS! to be one of the best around.
Good Luck,
JeffS
Jeff,
Well, I guess nobody agrees on everything every time! 🙂
Betty
Jeff,
Just curious, just "how" did JR-Comm get "way out of hand"?
BTW, haven't seen a registration from you either…
-jack-
Jack,
I tried out JR-Comm version 94.b and didn't really like it so I never
sent in a registration. I looked at more recent version(1.01) recently and
noted that SkyPix had been added which seemed to have greatly increased the
size of the program. I've seen SkyPix elsewhere and was never impressed
with it so as you can tell,if I didn't like 94b,I didn't like the addition
of SkyPix plus the added size of the program. The only comm programs I use
are Access! and (in desperation) ATALK III.
JeffS
Hi Jeff,
I'm going to jump in here and ask you a Question, What was it you didn't
impress you about Skypix's? I'm a Skyline line SYSOP which uses Skypix's
and if it wasn't for Jack including Skypix's in his Program most of my
users would be forced to use the Skyline Term Program which doesn't have
all the nice features that Jrcomm has. I was a Access users and still think
that it is a very usefull Program, But I use Jrcomm because of several
features that Access! doesn't have. One, most of the BBS's I call use ANSI
graphic which Access! Doesn't emulate fully. Two I like using Zmodem and
Ymodem-g, for my tranfers because of the Speed they give me. Saying that
this Program is to big, Jack has kept the size down quite well IMHO.
I didn't mean to hit on you like that, it just came out of the respect I
think Jack deserves Sorry!
James Scott
Great Day to be Alive
Also, if size is a problem, the user can crunch the program down in size,
using Power Packer or something.
**** Vance ****
James,
I think Jeff has a point. I don't see what the fascination is with
graphics on BBS's. I don't call to see nifty screens ala SkyPix, I'm
there for the messages and/or files. Graphics, IMAO, only slows down the
system, and in the case of floppy users, increases the size of the telecomm
program. The later doesn't bother me, the former I find atrocious.
Brian J. Bartlett
Brian,
I think this atrocity, should be examined. Version .94a of Jrcomm was
143092k in size, Where the Current Version 1.01 is 165080k which is a small
21988k more than Version .94a. Now My personal feeling is that I like the
nifty screens ala skypix's I enjoy using my mouse to select my menu
options, 75% of my users use skypix's the others just use the expert menu
option for there use. Also it's not just files and Messages that I like
about any BBS I enjoy games and with Skyline I'm able view picture files
online. sure this isn't for everyone. But should a good Programer like Jack
Who P{rogram is the best IMHO, not try to empliment every possible Protocal
and graphics Mode, to help keep the Popularity of his Program Growing?
James Scott
Great Day to be Alive
James,
I'll stick by my statement that it's too big. As for the rest, as
far as I can tell, JRComm is a big hit here in Miami, on both the public
and pirate boards. People rave about it. It just isn't what I need in a
telecomm program. As for SkyPix…It just doesn't `thrill' me. I 've seen
it,I've used it,I'm just not impressed by it. I don't mean to put Jack
down, alot of people use his program here and seem to be ecstatic (sp?)
about it. It just isn't what I need for the size it takes up and the
features it offers. From my experience with JRComm(v94b) and from what I
saw in a revision(1.01) it had some problems. First off it seemed to frag
memory. It's chat line was severely inadequete with run over into the info
area so you couldn't tell where the relative cursor position was. I much
prefer the `paged' system of directory(ala Access!) over the scrolled
available in JRComm in terms of organizing my phone book. I find Access's
method of saving the review buffer vs. screen buffer much superior. To
reiterate….JRComm is very `big' here but it just isn't what I want out of
a comm program,therefore I don't use it. As for SkyPix…if you like it,
use it, I don't so I won't.
JeffS quit
Jeff,
You words are well taken, and I do know what you mean about the Chat line
that to was a probblem for one time when I desided to use the conferencing
here on CIS. And as far as Skypix your right if want to use it use it if
you don't, then you won't that is why Skyline line has three different Menu
options, as well as a Expert mode. for thoughs who really want speed.
I to like Access but it lacked the Protocals I wanted to use and also
doen't do as good of a job as Jrcomm on the Ansi emulation. it's to bad it
hasn't been updated a little more.
James Scott
Great Day to be Alive
James,
I'm glad we agree…8). As I stated JRComm gets rave reviews here in
Miami. I'm sure it's a fine product and Mr. Radigan seems to be very
concerned and interested in keeping his product up to what he sees as what
the public user wants. I wish every program had such a `hands on' sort of
support that JRComm seems to enjoy. I hope you and Jack understand the
points I made in my previous posting as to why JRComm is not my term
program of choice. I meant no disrespect for Jack's product but it just
provided a sort of over-kill for what I personally need out of a term
program. I also want to thank Brian B. for his moral support! 8) Sorry to
get beyond the scope of what this thread intended, but well….too
bad.<grin>
JeffS
Jeff,
Very amusing. You complain about JR-Comm's size, yet you use AtalkIII,
which is about 40k bigger.
BTW, the increase in code size from 0.94a to 1.01 not only included
Skypix, it includes Amiga ANSI, TTY, IBM Mono, VT-100 & 102,
double-buffered serial I/O, asynchronous file I/O, optimized scrolling
routines, keymap, font and alternative serial ports, and expanded dialer
functionality.
All that for about 25k more code.
True, Skypix and the other emulations may not be what you need, but to
say that they are of little use shows little respect for those that do find
a need for them.
But, most important is the fact that it is *very* efficient at file
transfers, that's one thing that I've got no qualms bragging about. If you
can't see the benefit in the ZMODEM and CIS B+ code, then you've got a ways
to go, (IMHO).
-jack-
Jack,
I don't really recall sating your product was of little use,but if
that's the impression you got,I'm sorry. I did state I only used ATALK-III
in a pinch when I need it's protocols or emulations. I think if you
followed this thread I was quite reasonable about comparing products and
even stated that yours did seem to be the hot comm program here. I will
stand by my comments about JR-Comm and what I found I didn't care for(altho
I missed complaining about your capture buffer and how there seems to be no
way to save just a portion of it) about it. There is a file around that
allows Access! to use ZMODEM and it has QuickB. ATALK-III now has CIS-B and
has had ZMODEM for awhile. Another factor to consider is that I use alot of
front-end programs that don't have dialers(or poor ones) that I start while
I have a comm program up and JR-Comm seems very reluctant to share the
serial port. If someone shows me a version of JR-Comm that addresses what I
have stated are my reasons for not using it, then you'll have my shareware
money for it(unless it's commercial,then I'll be happy to buy it) sent out
the same day. BTW,I believe it's reviewed in the latest issue of
AmigaWorld.
I may have a long way to go but so does JR-Comm,
JeffS
I'm still having problems with 0.94a. Won't remember my settings (To use a
4 color screen, Zmodem with autochallenge, etc) even though I have saved
the settings under jrcomm.def (in the S: directory) every time. And that
"register me" message in the new version annoyed me enough to go back to
.94a. I think I had been using .93 (?), and am wishing I'd kept it.
Jim,
The annoyance screen annoyed you enough to go back to 0.94a?
You're supposed to register it if you use it. Until then, I have nothing
more to discuss with you.
-jack-
Hey Jack – don't get mad. It's not worth the effort… that from the
perspective of another telecomm program author. :^)
BBS->Williams.Ben[AA7AS]
Ben,
Thanks. It's hard to keep one's perspective at times though… <sigh>
-jack
That we both agree on, truly.
BBS->Williams.Ben[AA7AS]
I haven't been able to get Access! to work with my a3000. It was fantastic
with the 2000 but crashes the 3000. My version may be old but there it is.
Sad thing is – there just is NOT a new version of Access! I heard a rumor
that Keith was going to work on it, but it appeared to be unfounded. I
shall certainly miss Access! when I finally move everything to 2.0.
Betty
I have the A3000 as well and use VLT for terminal emulator sessions. You
can get that right here along with the xpr libraries needed to drive the
different protocols. Works fine for me.