Online is a VT100 terminal emulator for the PalmPilot organizer.
Users of Online can connect their handheld to other computer systems and access real computer power and network resources wherever they are. Online has been used to connect to Unix systems and then surf the web using Lynx, edit files with vi and emacs - and even to read and write email using elm!
Online can be connected to either a modem or the serial port of another computer or device (such as a hub or router). If connecting to a modem use the Pilot modem cable available from Palm. It is possible to use the cradle or serial cable and a null-modem connector to connect to some modems, but this doesn't seem to work for all.
Online currently connects to the Internet via dial-up shell accounts, not PPP. A 'telnet' version of Online will be released at a later date.
Online can be connected to either a modem or the serial port of another computer or device. If connecting to a modem use the modem cable available from Palm. It is possible to use the cradle or serial cable and a null-modem connector to connect to some modems, but this doesn't seem to work for all.
Online also works great with the clip-on modem from Palm and the Snap-On modem from Option International.
When you are ready to connect, tap the 'O' checkbox. Tap it again to disconnect. Disconnect when you are not transmitting or receiving data, as this will help prevent excess drain on the Pilot's batteries.
You can dial a phone number by either using the Dial dialog box, or by entering AT commands directly in the input buffer, ie "ATDT 5551212" to dial the number 555-1212.
Communications parameters can be changed by using the 'Options' menu. Online supports a range of baud rates and communication parameters. The settings can only be changed when offline (not connected).
Select 'Communication' from the 'Options' menu to edit settings for data bits, parity, baud rate, flow control, and end of line character.
Select 'Display' from the 'Options' menu to edit settings that control the font size, line feeds, whether the display will track the cursor, to enable or disable VT100 emulation, and to have the cursor wrap-around when it reaches the end of a line.
There are five ways to send data:
^x control-X (where X is any letter a-z or A-Z) ^^ caret (^) \b backspace \d delete \e escape \f form feed \n newline (line feed) \r carriage return \t tab \v vertical tab \0 null \\ backslash \xnn hexidecimal code - nn = ascii value of character to send in hex
The 'CR' checkbox at the end of the line determines whether the text sent is followed by a return.
For example (a complex one at that), to send the sequence ESCAPE [ Y CONTROL-C Hello RETURN you would enter "\e[Y^cHello\r" in either the input buffer or macro text definition.
The on-screen arrows are cursor keys. They send the VT-100 commands to move the cursor to the serial port.
The Pilot polls the serial port for data all the while it is online. A 'Line Feed' can be appended to incoming data by choosing a check box in the 'Display' dialog.
The screen can be cleared by using the 'Clear' menu item.
Tapping the 'L' checkbox will log data to a MemoPad category called 'Logs' - you need to create this in Memopad BEFORE attempting to log data. Since Memo Pad records are limited to 4K, an additional record will be created each time the limit is reached. You can add your own notes to the log by selecting the 'Annotate Log' menu choice.
Wrapping can be toggled with the 'Wrap' option in the display dialog.
Online keeps an 80x24 terminal screen in memory, but only displays what it can on-screen. A small map shows which part of the terminal window is currently seen. You can move around the 80x24 virtual terminal in two ways: either by tapping the pen on a different section of the map, which will move to display that section; or by tapping in the received data area.
Imagine this as the square where incoming data is displayed...
[A][B] [C][D] tap in upper left corner [A] of output area to go up and left tap in upper right corner [B] to go up and right tap in lower left corner [C] to go down and left tap in lower right corner [D] to go down and right
Tip: You can also use the hardware up and down buttons to scroll the display up or down a single line for each press of the button.
You can change the font of the display via the "Large Font" checkbox in the "Display" dialog reached via the "Options" menu. This switches between a 7pt and 8pt fixed-width Minico font. The 7pt font allows Online to display 40 characters across the screen, greatly reducing the amount of scrolling required.
You can determine whether the screen in view moves automatically to follow the cursor by using the 'Display Follows Cursor' checkbox in the same dialog.
Thanks for evaluating Online!
Online is a commercial product which sells for $29.95. Online is also available in 5 packs, 10 packs, and money-saving bundles with other products. Check our web site for details.
If you own version 1.0, please send your HotSync name via email to sales@markspace.com to receive a new serial number (free).
If you owned a previous (0.x) version by Haus of Maus, you can upgrade to this version for $9.95.
There are several ways to register, choose the one that suits you best:
Direct from Mark/Space:
PilotGear H.Q.:
Those that register will receive a key. The key should be entered into the registration dialog when the application starts. The key will be checked - if correct then you'll no longer be reminded to register and you'll be a very valued customer.
Registrants will get all minor updates to Online for free, be able to influence future functionality and have access to pre-release versions of Online. You'll be added to our mailing list and kept informed of Online's development.
Online makes use of other's technology. A tip o' the virtual cap goes to...
You are responsible for what you do with Online and for the consequences of anything that happens as a result of your use, be it damage, loss of data on any computer system or anything.
Online is a commercial product. If you use it please order a copy. Details are given above and at the Online home page http://www.markspace.com/online.html
You may distribute unregistered demo copies of Online, but not for profit, except with written permission, obtainable via email to sales@markspace.com
Mark/Space Softworks
111 West Saint John, 3rd Floor
San Jose CA 95113
408-293-7299 phone
408-293-7298 fax
info@markspace.com
sales@markspace.com
support@markspace.com
feedback@markspace.com