ANSITRM4, VT100, and YMODEM5/6---A review and comparison

by Lamar Owen

	A couple of years back, when I released ANSITERM to the
Public Domain, I had no idea that somebody would actually try
to work on it.  I had reached the burnout point with the beast,
and was simply just tired of looking at it.  Well, lo and 
behold, somebody DID do something with it, and that somebody 
was Richard VanHouten.  He has done a port of ANSITERM to LS-
DOS, and has added several substantial enhancements.  This 
article looks at ANSITRM4 and VT100 on the basis of ANSI/VT100 
emulation capabilities in comparison with other VT100 emulators 
for the model 4, and also looks at the Ymodem batch capabilities
of ANSITRM4, VT100, YMODEM5/6, FastTerm II 4.62, and YAK4 1.2.  
This will not attempt to compare features other than emulation 
capabilities and file transfers.

	First, some terminology:

ANSI--American National Standards Institute.  When used in 
conjunction with "ANSI codes," is referring to ANSI X3.64 
Terminal interface standards document.  When used as "ANSI 
graphics," is referring (incorrectly) to the IBM PC graphics 
character set combined with X3.64.

VT100--DEC's ANSI X3.64 implementation.  This terminal is not a
straight X3.64 terminal due to DEC's insistence of added 
features and capability.  Thus, a VT100 emulator can display 
the X3.64 controls but not IBM graphics, unless it "cheats," and 
combines the VT100 controls with the IBM character set.

YMODEM--A batch file transfer protocol developed by Chuck 
Forsberg and coined "Ymodem" by Ward Christensen, the inventor 
of Xmodem.  1K Xmodem IS NOT YMODEM.  Ymodem is a BATCH protocol.

	The test system used was a relatively stock TRS-80 model 4 
with a hard disk. This system had no speedup kit installed.  It
was hardwired to a Tandy 6000 Xenix system running both Chuck 
Forsberg's RZSZ and Steve Manes' SMXFER programs.  RZSZ is the 
standard package, comprising a Zmodem/Ymodem/Xmodem protocol 
engine designed to run under Unix/Xenix.  SMXFER is a 
Ymodem/Xmodem protocol engine also designed with Unix/Xenix in 
mind.  A standard VT100 test suite program (VTTEST) was used to
check VT100 compliance.  The standard PCBoard full screen 
editor was used to check X3.64 compliance.

	Program performance was not measured.  Instead, simple 
functionality was addressed: "Does it WORK?"  Each program has 
its own strengths and weaknesses.

FastTerm 4.62:
	This is the STANDARD by which all model 4 communications 
programs are compared.  Having all the necessary features of a 
full scall communications package under its belt, FastTerm, 
somewhat surprisingly, racks up the second poorest ANSI score.
The cursor controls don't always work right, and characters can
be missed at higher baud rates (above 2400).  For my purposes, 
this eliminates it for online use on my Xenix system, but for 
BBS use, FastTerm has all the features needed including 
autodial capability.  The Ymodem implementation in FastTerm is 
also the most robust in that it recognizes and strips / 
characters and puts a . instead.  It will also strip off the 
drive number from the end of the file.  FT's only disadvantage 
that I can think of is its lack of speed.  9600 bps 
communications are totally out of the question, and 4800 bps is
questionable, with 2400 bps being the highest livable rate.  
FastTerm does, though, do a decent VT100 keyboard, which is 
completely lacking in ANSITRM4.

YAK4 1.2:
	This standalone program for the model 4 by Mike Bailey was 
alone in being able to do Ymodem for a long time.  However, 
version 1.2 will not upload properly.  Downloading works up to 
4800 bps, at which the protocol starts popping at the seams.  I
do not recommend this program since Ymodem5/6 is now available.

TES:
	The Alternate Source's Terminal Emulation System (TES) 
was tested only because of its supposedly excellent VT100 
emulation.  It was thought that maybe this would set the 
standards.  However, TES didn't even make the grade.  Limited 
to 1200 bps or so, TES does the absolute worst on properly 
interpreting the ANSI X3.64 codes and doesn't even respond to 
many VT100 codes.  With VT100 and ANSITRM4 available, there is 
no need for TES.

VT100:
	Scoring second best in emulation, VT100 is a pleasure to 
use.  A very nice modification of the original VT100 emulator, 
this VT100 has the power to be used on a daily basis calling 
up IBM PC BBS's.  The YMODEM routines included are described 
further in the ANSITRM4 section, since they are identical.

Ymodem5/6:
	If you have a model 3 or 1, this is your only Ymodem hope.
As such, it does a wonderful job both uploading to and 
downloading from BBS's.  For a direct connection, however, it 
lacks 9600 bps capability.  However, the batch file capability 
is one I would like to see VT100/ANSITRM4 have.  Overall, an 
excellent Ymodem utility that could also be used on the BBS end
to provide transfer protocols to BBS's such as TBBS.

ANSITRM4:
	Last, but most definitly not least, on my list is ANSITRM4.
This is far and away the best VT100 emulator (for screen 
controls) of any model 4 package.  It provides nearly full 
VT100 and X3.64 emulation, and does IBM graphics as well.  
However, in order to run it, a high resolution graphics board 
must be installed in your model 4.  Either the RS board or the 
MicroLabs board can be used.  Capable of  9600 bps Ymodem 
upload and download, for direct connections or high-speed 
modems, this is the ONE you need.  The 19.2K transfers are 
flaky at best, but 9600 is flawless.  If you have a hires 
board, you need this program.  It will completely change the 
way you look at IBM PC BBS's.  This program, with a few added 
features, could give FastTerm a serious run for its money.  
One enhancement I wold personally like is the addition of wild 
cards on upload.  This would allow me to send an entire drive 
to my Xenix system (or a BBS, for that matter) without typing 
each individual file.  Also, allowing multiple files per line 
would make things easier.

	This review was conducted over the period of a month and a 
half, during which a few bugs were found and corrected by 
Richard.  He was always very helpful in the event of a bug.  
So, the question is this:  you, as a TRS-80 user, be the judge:
what are important features for communications programs?  
Is it speed?  You need ANSITRM4 or VT100.  
Scripting?  No question, you need FastTerm.  
A standalone Ymodem?  Get Ymodem5/6.

	Now, on a differnt tack:  how many users out there have 
ever used an offline mail door and reader on an IBM PC?  If 
you have not, you don't know what you are missing.  If you 
have, you do know what you are missing on the TRS-80.  Well, 
this situation will hopefully be rectified in the near future.
I am going to attempt writing a QWK compatible TRS-80 offline 
reader.  Stay tuned to TRS-Link.....

	On another note:  for those of you who have sent money to 
me for the 320K modification, I apologize for any delays.  I 
am in process of completely updating the entire package, so, 
stay tuned.  I should get the package to you in the next month 
or so.  I sincerely apologize.  I do appreciate your patience.

Have a good one, and a Merry Christmas to all!

Lamar Owen