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From: fdc@watsun.cc.columbia.edu (Frank da Cruz)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.bsd.bsdi.announce
Subject: SOFTWARE: Announcing C-Kermit 6.0
Followup-To: comp.unix.bsd.bsdi.misc
Date: 14 Dec 1996 19:51:33 -0500
Organization: Columbia University
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Xref: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au comp.unix.bsd.bsdi.announce:27
C-Kermit 6.0 is a major new release of C-Kermit communications software
for BSDI 1.0 and 2.0 as well as all other known varieties of UNIX hundreds
of them), VMS, QNX, OS-9, Plan 9, BeOS, AOS/VS, and other platforms. It
replaces C-Kermit 5A(190) of October 1994.
All of the new features of C-Kermit 6.0 -- as well as all those added in
all releases since 5A(188) -- are completely documented in the new revised
and expanded second edition of the Digital Press book, "Using C-Kermit",
just back from the printer and available now.
C-Kermit is a combined serial and network communication software package
offering terminal connection, file transfer, character-set translation, and
automation through its powerful cross-platform script programming language,
which is available not only on all the platforms listed above but also on
OS/2, Windows 95 and NT, and (to the degree that MS-DOS and C-Kermit are
compatible, which is significant) also on DOS and Windows 3.x.
The major new features of C-Kermit 6.0 include:
SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS
o Dialing - Major advancements in C-Kermit's dialing capalities
o Modems - A major overhaul of C-Kermit's modem support
o Speeds - more and higher speeds allowed in many versions
o New Ability to answer incoming calls
o Automatic adjustment of flow control
NETWORKS
o New ability to accept incoming TCP/IP connections (UNIX and VMS only)
o New Rlogin client (privileged in UNIX and VMS)
o New network directory, like dialing directory but for network connections
o New SET TELNET controls (binary mode, etc)
o New SET TCP controls (buffer sizes, keepalive, "linger", etc)
o New command-line option "-J" makes C-Kermit "be like Telnet"
o X.25 support updated for Solaris / SunLink 8.00 and 9.00.
FILE TRANSFER
o Autodownload (automatic RECEIVE while in CONNECT mode) (VMS and UNIX)
o Autoupload (and more) while in CONNECT mode (VMS and UNIX)
o REGET (crash recovery, like RESEND, but for downloading from a server)
o Peer recognition for automatically switching into binary mode
o Dynamic packet timeouts and other improved error recovery procedures
o Lots of useful info added to the fullscreen file transfer display
o Quick selection of transfer settings with FAST, CAUTIOUS, ROBUST commands
o New command-line option -Q to select fast file transfer
o ADD SEND-LIST (build up a list of files to send)
o SET FILE DOWNLOAD-DIRECTORY (make all downloads go to same place)
o Text-file record format selection
o In the UNIX version, built-in support for external protocols (ZMODEM, etc)
CLIENT/SERVER
o SET SERVER LOGIN (authentication for incoming connections)
o Redirection of REMOTE command results (to file, printer, or pipe)
o SET SERVER GET-PATH (search path for GET requests)
SCRIPT PROGRAMMING
o New block structure for script programs - no more commas and dashes!
o Local (automatic) variables for macros and command files
o New SWITCH statement, as in C
o Lots of other new commands and features
o Many new variables and functions
o Automatic evaluation of arithmetic expressions in many contexts
GENERAL
o Year-2000 compatibility
o Ability to become a fully transparent 8-bit link between 2 end systems
o More and better messages and help text
o Default prompt shows current directory
o NOPUSH available at runtime to disable escape to shell
o Many new file management features
o Improved speed & responsiveness
o Bugs fixed
NEW PLATFORMS:
o BeBox BeOS DR-7
o Bell Research UNIX v10
o Digital UNIX 3.2 and 4.0
o HP-UX 10.10, 10.20, and 10.30
o IBM AIX 4.1 and 4.2
o NCR SVR4 MPRAS 2.xx
o Plan 9 from Bell Labs
o SCO OpenServer R5.0
o SCO UnixWare 2.x
o Sequent DYNIX/ptx 4.1
o Siemens/Nixdorf SINIX 5.42
o Silicon Graphics IRIX 6.0
o Sun Solaris 2.5 and 2.5.1
DIALING IMPROVEMENTS:
o Intelligent dialing directory:
. Can consist of multiple distributed files
. Travels well: understands country codes, area codes, PBXs, etc.
. Unlimited alternative entries for same service with
"cheapest-first" dialing
o Automatic redial
o Multistage dialing
o Credit-card dialing
o Dialing numeric and alphanumeric pagers
o Incoming modem calls (ANSWER command)
o Lots of new built-in modem types
o Flexible configuration of additional modem types
Much of the work on C-Kermit 6.0 and the forthcoming 3.15 release of MS-DOS
Kermit was aimed at bringing their script programming languages closer
together. This will become apparent when MS-DOS Kermit 3.15 is released.
Space prohibits description of all the other new features, but you can
get a detailed overview on the Web at:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/ck60.html
HOW TO GET IT
C-Kermit 6.0 and the second edition of "Using C-Kermit" are available now
by mail order. The C-Kermit software is also available via anonymous ftp.
If you have a Web browswer, visit the aforementioned URL for easy navigation.
Or use anonymous ftp to kermit.columbia.edu, directory kermit, read the
READ.ME file, and take it from there.
Or contact the Kermit Project by email, phone, or post:
E-mail: kermit-orders@columbia.edu
Fax: +1 212 663-8202
Voice: +1 212 854-3703
Post: The Kermit Project
Columbia University
612 West 115th Street
New York NY 10025-7799
USA
If you have any problems getting or using the new version, send email
to kermit-support@columbia.edu.
Frank da Cruz
The Kermit Project
Columbia University
--
[ /tom haapanen -- tomh@metrics.com -- software metrics inc -- waterloo, ont ]
[ "the only limits are, as always, those of vision" -- james broughton ]