This version is for users with WIFI modems connected to their RS-232 serial port. It uses the default serial.device, for now. And yes, the splash screen still shows an Atari logo. It will be replaced shortly.
Note: This is a test release, intended to test whether PLATOTerm works outside of emulation. The program is still being developed, and many user interface features are missing. If you can help with finishing development, please fork the repository on GitHub. Otherwise, please test, and let us know in the Issues if the terminal adversely does not at the very least:
- Set your baud rate in Serial Preferences (be sure to set RTS/CTS if you can use it!)
- Start up
- Communicate with your modem (AT OK)
- Connect to IRATA.ONLINE
- Reliably transfer data at the chosen baud rate and buffer settings.
- Properly exit the program.
Because there is a pair of fonts (in the Fonts folder on the disk) that must be installed to FONTS:, it is highly recommended that you use the included Installer script to install PLATOTerm to your destination medium.
(There is a version of this disk for 1.3 users, which includes a bootable Workbench, and appropriate matching icon. 1.3 users wishing to install to a hard disk, should manually copy the two supplied fonts to their FONTS: assign.)
I am actually looking into embedding the fonts, so that I can skip the install altogether, and the program can either be used from its distribution medium, or copied by dragging to a desired destination.
Once installed, PLATOTerm can be accessed simply by clicking on its icon. The icon is a drawing of a Magnavox PLATO IV terminal, from 1974, and is widely regarded as the iconic PLATO terminal. If you have a better icon, please contribute!
PLATOTerm will then display a splash screen, indicating that it is ready for use.
Once you see this splash screen, the terminal is ready for use, and you can send commands to your WIFI modem, to connect to a PLATO service, such as IRATA.ONLINE:
ATDTIRATA.ONLINE:8005
or, CYBER1.ORG
ATDTCYBERSERV.ORG:8005
For this initial testing release, the baud rate is set to 960BPS, if this baud rate proves too problematic, please set a new baud rate in Preferences.
The PLATO keyboard is mapped to the Amiga keys, in this manner:
| PLATO KEY | Amiga KEY |
|---|---|
| ANS | CTRL-A |
| BACK | CTRL-B |
| SHIFT-BACK | CTRL-SHIFT-B |
| COPY | CTRL-C |
| SHIFT-COPY | CTRL-SHIFT-C |
| DATA | CTRL-D |
| SHIFT-DATA | SHIFT-CTRL-D |
| EDIT | CTRL-E |
| SHIFT-EDIT | SHIFT-CTRL-E |
| FONT | CTRL-F |
| ÷ | CTRL-G |
| HELP | CTRL-I |
| SHIFT-HELP | SHIFT CTRL-H |
| LAB | CTRL-L |
| SHIFT-LAB | SHIFT-CTRL-L |
| SUPER | CTRL-P |
| SHIFT-SUPER | SHIFT CTRL-P |
| SQUARE | CTRL-Q |
| ACCESS | SHIFT CTRL-Q |
| STOP | CTRL-S |
| SHIFT-STOP | SHIFT CTRL-S |
| TERM | CTRL-T |
| × | CTRL-X |
| SUB | CTRL-Y |
| SHIFT-SUB | SHIFT CTRL-Y |
This is early test software. If you have problems, please raise an issue, and I will address them and cut a new release. I am releasing this early and often so that everyone can test, and we can in the end, end up with a better piece of software, faster.