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Introduction

Vision/L is a terminal emulation software package based for the highly-acclaimed Cambridge Computer Z88 notebook computer.

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The heading numbers have been added in an attempt to match the program and the manual, but this has not been successful in both cases.

The Concept of VISION/L

Screen

Data is displayed on an 80-character, 8-line supertwist LCD which acts as a 'window' into an internal 24-line VT100 screen. The user can move the 'window' using the cursor keys, and also choose whether the window automatically follows incoming data or remains fixed at a constant point in the internal screen.

The full 24 line screen is constantly visible as a 'pixel map', a miniature representation of the full 24-line screen complete with a cursor showing the current window position.

Keyboard

The full-size VT100 terminal has a many more keyboard keys than are available on the notebook sized Z88. Vision/L emulates these keys through the special Z88 ◇ and □ keys.

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The VT100 keypad keys are also available to the user at any time simply by pressing the Z88 ◇ key in conjunction with the relevant keypad key

Emulation Features

The DEC VT100 terminal represents a de-facto standard for screen formatting and keyboard interpretation and is available as an interface option on a vast number of mainframe, mini and micro-computer hosts. The standard is also used widely in specialised electronic equipment where external interrogation is required.

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Wherever practical, Vision/L behaves in response to these commands exactly as a VT100 terminal would. In cases where a particular command is not supported, Vision/L recognises, but does not respond to, the command. Commands are not supported because they are either impractical in the Z88 hardware (like smooth scroll, for instance) or are intended for a future version of Vision/L.

Hardware features

Vision/L is supplied on a plug-in EPROM cartridge for the Z88 computer.

Z88 has a single serial port supporting RS-232-C compatible signals at speeds from 75 to 38,400 baud via a 9-pin 'D' type connector. Hardware and software (Xon/Xoff) handshaking is supported.

Accessories

Vision/L is supported by a wide range of accessories, including-

• Battery operated V21/V22 MODEM

• Cellular telephone interface

• Memory expansion up to 1Mb for extra file storage

• EPROM cartridges for data backup and archiving

• Carrying cases

• Portable battery operated printer

• Mains power supply

• Connecting cables

Installing the ROM

See Fitting & Using the ROM in the "Read me First" Section

NOTE: Vision/L requires at least 128K of RAM expansion to be installed in slot 1 of the Z88.

Operation

Vision/L may be invoked in one of two ways:

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• Press the □ key followed by Z V

Cabling

The Z88 has a 9 pin D-type connector wired conventionally for RS-232-C. A cable will be required in most cases to connect the Z88 directly, or remotely via a MODEM, to the host computer.

The Z88 provides the necessary hardware handshaking for a conventional MODEM. If it is to be used with a local connection or a Hayes compatible MODEM, pins 5 (CTS) and 8 (DCD) must be held high. Linking them to pin 9 (DTR) will provide the necessary signal.

RS-232 Pinouts

See Appendix 3

Operator Information

Setup Modes

Vision/L has three setup modes: A, B and Z. Setup modes A and B are compatible with and equivalent to those of a standard VT100 terminal. Setup mode Z has been added to take advantage of the additional features available within Vision/L.

Setup Mode A

On a VT100 terminal, Setup Mode A allows the user to modify the tab stops within the currently selected line width. Setup Mode A is implemented in Vision/L with the following features:

Setting Tab stops

Up to sixteen tab stops can be set at any position across the screen. Move the cursor to the required column number and press 2. To set the default tab stop condition, that is tab stops every eight columns, press SHIFT+T.

Clearing Tab stops

All tab stops can be cleared by pressing 3. Specific tab stops can be cleared by moving the cursor to the tab stop and pressing 2.

Saving settings to a file

The settings from modes A, B and Z can be saved to a file held on RAM.0 by pressing SHIFT+S. Vision/L creates a file called "VISION2.CNF", if this file does not already exist.

Recalling settings from a file

The settings from modes A, B and Z can be recalled from a file held on RAM.0 by pressing SHIFT+W. These settings will be the last saved set, allowing the user to set up the Vision/L emulation to his exact requirements. If the user removes Vision/L from the Z88, as long as the .CNF file held on RAM.0 is left untouched, when Vision/L is re-inserted and run, the correct user settings will be automatically reloaded.

Recalling default settings

The default settings for modes A, B and Z can be recalled by pressing SHIFT+D.

Reset terminal

Pressing 0 causes Vision/L to clear the display and restore all values to the contents of the file "VISION2.CNF" and leave setup mode.

Setup Mode B

Setup Mode B is implemented with the following features:

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Note: To access the Z88 panel from Vision/L, first press the INDEX key, followed by □key andS. To return to Vision/L, press ESC to return to the Index page and then re-select Vision by typing □ and Z V.

Setup Mode Z

Setup mode Z provides the following features:

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To alter the setting of Break time, move the cursor onto the feature and type in the new setting directly.

The Keyboard

'Normal' Keys

Vision/L provides the full range of alpha, numeric and punctuation keys directly, simply by pressing the appropriate key on the Z88 keyboard. 'Control' keys are obtained by pressing the ◇ key, which acts as 'CTRL', together with the correct alpha key.

PF Keys

To access a PF key, press the □ key to bring up the function key display. Then, press the TAB key. Note that the legend above numeric keys 1-4 changes to PF 1-4. The required PF key can then be obtained by simply pressing the designated number key.

Note that the PF key display shows additional function keys for VT220 and VT320 terminals. These keys are not available in the VT100 terminal and are not implemented in Vision/L. Codes are only transmitted for the PF keys and 'ESC', 'BS', and 'LF'. All other keys are ignored. Users requiring the full range of function keys should refer to the Ranger Vision-100 package, which is available separately.

Keypad

The VT100 terminal has an additional set of keys to the right of the main keyboard. This is known as the Auxiliary Keypad and contains the keys listed in the Keypad Key Code table which follows.

In Vision/L, the keypad keys are accessed by pressing ◇, together with the equivalent key on the main keyboard. Thus, the Keypad 'ENTER' key is obtained by pressing ◇ and ENTER. Each keypad key has an equivalent on the main keyboard.

Application Keypad Mode

The Auxiliary Keypad can be set, by commands from the host computer, to perform in one of two modes, namely a Numeric mode and an Application mode. When first invoked, after reset or after restore default, Vision/L sets the auxiliary keypad to numeric mode. The codes that the keys on the Auxiliary Keypad send out when pressed are determined by the mode that the keypad is in.

When Application mode is selected by the host, the word 'APPLICATION' will appear on the right hand side of the Z88 screen above the line and column count display.

Keypad Key Codes

Setup feature definition

Auto Repeat

All keys will auto repeat except: ESC, ◇, □ and INDEX. Auto repeating works as follows: when a key is typed, its code(s) is sent at once. If the key is held down for more than 1/2 second, the code(s) will be sent repeatedly, at the rate specified in the Panel option of the Z88, until key is released.

The Auto Repeat feature can be disabled from the Z88 Panel by setting the repeat rate to 0, or from Setup B of Vision/L by setting auto repeat to No.

Auto Xon-Xoff On/Off

Auto Xon-Xoff can be enabled or disabled from the Z88 Panel. If enabled, transmission of data to and from the Z88 is controlled by the Xon-Xoff protocol. When either Vision/L or the host computer need to suspend data transmission, an Xoff is issued to the sending device. When the receiving device is free to continue it sends an Xon to the sending device.

Bits per character 8/7

Vision/L will always transmit and receive 8 data bits per character. On transmission, 1 start bit and two stop bits will be sent. On reception, 1 start bit and 1 stop bit will be expected.

With the option set to 7 bits, only the first 7 bits of the character are actioned. This will typically be the required setting for VT100 emulation. With the option set to 8 bits, all 8 bits of each character received are actioned. This provides the host with the facility to use 8 bit control characters and the DEC supplemental graphic set. Typically, this may be necessary for VT220 emulation.

Cursor Block/Underlined

The cursor used by Vision/L is the standard Z88 flashing block.

Margin Bell On/Off

No margin bell is sounded.

New line On/Off

When New Line is off, a received line feed, form feed or vertical tab will move the cursor to the next line in the current column. The ENTER key transmits a carriage return.

When New Line option is on, a received line feed, form feed or vertical tab will move the cursor to the first column of the next line. The ENTER key transmits both a carriage return and a line feed.

Parity Sense

The parity of transmitted characters can be set to Odd, Even Mark, Space or none from Setup mode B. The parity of received characters is always ignored.

Scroll Style

After the screen is full, each new line is added as a complete character line, giving the effect of "Jump scroll".

Screen Background

Light mode means the screen of the Z88 is in normal mode, i.e. black characters on a light background.

Keyclicks Audible/Silent

Keyclicks are enabled or disabled using the Z88 Panel option.

Shift 3 is £/#

In Vision/L, both the keys SHIFT+3 and £ cause the code for '#' to be transmitted to the host. The character displayed on the Z88 screen is determined by the setting of this option and can be either '#' or '£'.

Auto wraparound On/Off

When Auto wraparound is on, the 81st character inserted on a line is automatically placed in the first character position of the next line.

When Auto wraparound is off, the 81st character and all subsequent characters are placed in the 80th character position until a control character is received.

Interlace Off/On

This feature concerns the scan rate on a Cathode Ray Tube and is thus not supported by Vision/L.

Vision/L Commands

Moving the Window

A number of keyboard commands are used by Vision/L to control which area of the 24 line page maintained in memory is currently displayed on the screen. Thus the screen acts as a window on the whole page. These commands are not sent to the host computer and are acted on by Vision/L immediately.

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The window commands are as follows:

Window up SHIFT+↑

Move the window up the page by 6 lines. If the window is already at the top of the page, this command will be ignored.

Window down SHIFT+↓

Move the window down the page by 6 lines. If the window is already at the bottom of the page, this command will be ignored.

Window top ◇ ↑

Move the window to the top of the page. If the window is already at the top of the page, this command will be ignored.

Window bottom ◇ ↑

Move the window to the bottom of the page. If the window is already at the bottom of the page, this command will be ignored.

Clear the screen ◇ VN

Clear the screen and place the cursor on the first character position of the first line.

Capture File ◇ V C

There are a number of additional commands for file capture and transmission. These are fully detailed in the FILE TRANSFER section.

Using Other Z88 Features

The following list details the applications in the Z88 together with the key letters used in conjunction with the □ key. To access these functions, press and hold down the □ key, and then press the required application key while still holding down the □ key.

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Information on the use of the Filer is given in Section 6. For detailed information on the use of the other applications, refer to the Z88 User Manual supplied with your unit.

Editing files using PipeDream

You may wish to edit files downloaded from a host using the PipeDream word processor. In this event, use the following techniques:

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To display full 80 character lines in PipeDream, enter the Z88 panel by typing □ S. Select 'Map size' using the cursor keys and enter '40'. Return to PipeDream by pressing ESC. On returning to PipeDream, expand the screen area by holding down the □ key and repeatedly typing → to expand the right margin until the full 80 character line is visible.

File Transfer

The Filing System

In order to be able to make full use of the file transfer commands in Vision/L it is necessary for the user to have some understanding of the way in which the Z88 stores files and, in particular, where it the stores files.

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Vision/L is able to transfer files out of the Z88 to the host computer and to capture files sent by the host computer to the Vision/L screen. There are significant differences in the way that these two functions are performed. When transmitting a file, Vision/L will send the file to the host without changing the format or order of any part of the file. As far as the host is concerned, it appears as though the user is typing on the Vision/L keyboard. When receiving a file, Vision/L interprets all the escape codes sent by the host computer and writes any necessary characters to the file to duplicate the effect of the escape sequences.

Transmit a file

This command is used to transmit a file from the memory of the Z88 to the host computer. The file may be present on any of the Z88 devices or directories but it is not possible to send a file directly from another application running on the Z88. Thus, for example, if a document has been created in PipeDream and it is required to send it to a host computer, it will be necessary to save the file from PipeDream and then enter Vision/L to transmit the file.

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A problem that may be encountered with certain hosts is that the host receive buffer may overflow during file transfer resulting in missing characters in the received file. This may occur because the host has been configured to expect manual typing speeds, rather than electronic transfer. In such cases, handshaking is often not provided for input data. The solution is to reconfigure the host input buffer so that Xon/Xoff protocol is enabled, allowing error free data transfer.

Capture a file

File capture can be initiated from the menu or by pressing ◇ V C. For general details regarding the use of menus and help, refer to a previous section.

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If Vision/L detects that the device that has been used for the capture file has become full during the capture process, it will close the capture file and issue a warning to that effect. If the user wishes to continue capturing information, he should enter the Filer and either change devices or erase unwanted files on the current device in order to create more room. Once this has been completed, capture can be re-started, either by adding new information to the existing capture file or by choosing a different name for the capture file.

Quit capture Code

Quit capture ◇ V Q stops the capturing of information from the screen and also closes the capture file.

Network File Transfer

Simple text transfers between the Z88 and network machines can be performed without any other software or hardware. Press ENTER key a few times to wake up the remote machine.

To send from the Z88

Log into the remote machine and then start capturing text to a file (on UNIX you might do something like cat>fred then hit return).

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When it is finished, switch back to the VT52 emulator on the Z88 and close the remote log file (hit <CTRL> D in the UNIX example).

To send from the remote machine

Set up a spool file on the Z88 with □ + S and display the text from the remote machine. When finished, close the spool file (□ - S), start PipeDream and load the file :RAM.-/S.sgn as a 'plain text' file. When this file has loaded you should save it back as a different file name into :RAM.1. Finally delete the :RAM.-/S.sgn file from the Z88.

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