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Conference csc32::consolemanager

Title:POLYCENTER Console Manager
Notice:Kits, Scans, Docs on CSC32:: as PCM$KITS:,PCM$DOCS:, PCM$SCANS:
Moderator:CSC32::BUTTERWORTH
Created:Thu Aug 06 1992
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1541
Total number of notes:6564

213.0. "Console connect and <CTRL/Z>" by THEFT::DAVE (Dave Lunn.) Tue Mar 15 1994 21:03

    A few nits for you already busy people...
    
    	1. Connecting from the $ prompt to a system which is for some
    	   reason unreachable causes a screen display problem. I don't know
    	   precisely why it's unreachable in this particular case - that's
    	   what I'm working on 8?) - but it's reported as 'Console
    	   inactive.'
    
    	   Basically the effect is that the reverse status line is wiped out
    	   apart from the 'Console inactive' message and on a VT the Command
    	   prompt is overwritten.
    
    	2. <CTRL/Z> doesn't work to exit from the Command: prompt. This is
    	   a fairly standard shortcut to the EXIT command under VMS. (I'm
    	   guessing that you're u*x people - something someone said in an
    	   earlier note... If not - apologies, I'm teaching granny to suck
    	   eggs again. 8?)
    
    	3. From the C3 interface connecting to a console produces two
    	   'acknowledge' buttons which seems excessive! If said console is
    	   inactive we get a window with the 'Console inactive' message and
    	   the 'Command:' prompt. Typing 'CONNECT' again causes the window
    	   to disappear with no explanation...
    
    Hope this helps,
    
    Regards,
    
    Dave.
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213.1Some commentsZENDIA::DBIGELOWInnovate, Integrate, EvaporateTue Mar 15 1994 21:1745
Dave,
    
    
>    	1. Connecting from the $ prompt to a system which is for some
>    	   reason unreachable causes a screen display problem. I don't know
>    	   precisely why it's unreachable in this particular case - that's
>    	   what I'm working on 8?) - but it's reported as 'Console
>    	   inactive.'
>    
>    	   Basically the effect is that the reverse status line is wiped out
>    	   apart from the 'Console inactive' message and on a VT the Command
>    	   prompt is overwritten.
    
    
    Are you running the latest kit which was just released? This has been a
    problem in the past but it is getting better with every release.
    Are you using 24 row DECterms?
    
>    	2. <CTRL/Z> doesn't work to exit from the Command: prompt. This is
>    	   a fairly standard shortcut to the EXIT command under VMS. (I'm
>    	   guessing that you're u*x people - something someone said in an
>    	   earlier note... If not - apologies, I'm teaching granny to suck
>    	   eggs again. 8?)
    
    This is a good point, but it's not up to me. Phil, any chance we can
    squeeze this one in?
    
    
>    	3. From the C3 interface connecting to a console produces two
>    	   'acknowledge' buttons which seems excessive! If said console is
>    	   inactive we get a window with the 'Console inactive' message and
>    	   the 'Command:' prompt. Typing 'CONNECT' again causes the window
>    	   to disappear with no explanation...
    
    I haven't seen it happen with 2 acknowledge buttons. Do you think the
    acknowledge popup window is excessive? I can take it out very easily.
    I thought that some users with slow systems might get impatient with
    the time it takes to popup up a connect/monitor window and keep trying
    repeatidly, thus causing further delays. The message box just has a 5
    second timer and self cancels after that time. Others have also
    commented about it and it's sounding like it might be wise to remove
    it. I could look into changing the cursor to a watch for 5 seconds.
    
    
    Dave
213.2ClarificationTHEFT::DAVEDave Lunn.Tue Mar 15 1994 22:2221
    
    >Are you running the latest kit which was just released? This has been a
    >problem in the past but it is getting better with every release.
    
    Yes - latest kit released a few days ago. VMS version T6.1-5Y3.
    
    >Are you using 24 row DECterms?
    
    Yes again - in fact right now I'm on a VT220...
    
    >I haven't seen it happen with 2 acknowledge buttons. Do you think the
    >acknowledge popup window is excessive? I can take it out very easily.
    
    I'm sure I saw two popups... I'll double-check in the morning. *My*
    preference FWIW is for watches over popups! Whichever you decide on
    couldn't you disable the connect option while there is a connect in
    progress to stop us shooting ourselves in the foot?
    
    Cheers,
    
    Dave.
213.3OPG::PHILIPAnd through the square window...Wed Mar 16 1994 09:2219
  If you can wait a few seconds whilst I get these eggs out of
  my mouth, I'll answer your questions ;-)

  Point 1 we have seen before and thought we had fixed, we will
  take another look at it.

  Point 2 will be implemented for the SSB kit, isnt it about time
  you VMS (ooops sorry OpenVMS) people got real and did things the
  right way (Phew how did I manage to say that without choking ;-)

  Point 3 well that down to Dave (Dave - another person who prefers
  the watch cursor!!)

  Keep these bugs/suggestions coming, it all helps to improve the
  final quality of the product.

Cheers,
Phil
213.48?)THEFT::DAVEDave Lunn.Wed Mar 16 1994 09:5621
>  If you can wait a few seconds whilst I get these eggs out of
>  my mouth, I'll answer your questions ;-)

Funny, I use a keyboard to answer notes 8?)

>  Point 1 we have seen before and thought we had fixed, we will
>  take another look at it.

It grieves me to say it, but I can generate a number of screen handling
problems... do you want more details?

>  Point 2 will be implemented for the SSB kit, isnt it about time
>  you VMS (ooops sorry OpenVMS) people got real and did things the
>  right way (Phew how did I manage to say that without choking ;-)

Now we could have an interesting discussion on the 'right way' of doing things
but I'll refrain from scrambling down that rat-hole. But I have to say I'm
surprised you didn't throw in a sneaky <CTRL/D> for the exit - hey we might
even have got used to the idea 8?)

Dave.
213.5OPG::PHILIPAnd through the square window...Wed Mar 16 1994 10:4924
>>  Point 1 we have seen before and thought we had fixed, we will
>>  take another look at it.
>>
>>It grieves me to say it, but I can generate a number of screen handling
>>problems... do you want more details?

  It grieves me too, but we need to fix them, so, yes, we want to know
  about them all please.

>>  Point 2 will be implemented for the SSB kit, isnt it about time
>>  you VMS (ooops sorry OpenVMS) people got real and did things the
>>  right way (Phew how did I manage to say that without choking ;-)
>>
>>Now we could have an interesting discussion on the 'right way' of doing things
>>but I'll refrain from scrambling down that rat-hole. But I have to say I'm
>>surprised you didn't throw in a sneaky <CTRL/D> for the exit - hey we might
>>even have got used to the idea 8?)

  Now there is an excellent idea!! In fact we could change it so that
  control-z backgrounds your job and places you at the DCL prompt in
  a sub-process ;-)

Cheers,
Phil
213.6msg box eliminatedZENDIA::DBIGELOWInnovate, Integrate, EvaporateWed Mar 16 1994 14:575
    Phil, Dave
    
       I've eliminated the message box and now a watch cursor appears.
    
    Dave
213.7Screen handling just one problem?THEFT::DAVEDave Lunn.Wed Mar 16 1994 15:1819
That's good... I don't need to report that it was definitely two popups where
you try to connect to a 'Console inactive' system then. 8?)

On the screen handling - further experiments show that all the problems I've
seen occur only when the initial system chosen is 'Console inactive' for
some reason. For example $CONSOLE CONNECT JURY leaves me at the Command:
prompt. Typing CONNECT <anothernode> correctly tries to report that I'm not
allowed to do that - but the screen doesn't get updated correctly. I guess
that it all stems from that initial connect failing and the screen problem
that happens at that time.

Can I just raise the last part of point 3 again. Typing CONNECT at the
Command: prompt after the 'Console inactive' message causes the window to exit.
This happens both from the C3 and from the dollar prompt.

Cheers,

Dave.
213.8OPG::PHILIPAnd through the square window...Wed Mar 16 1994 15:5311
>>Can I just raise the last part of point 3 again. Typing CONNECT at the
>>Command: prompt after the 'Console inactive' message causes the window to exit.
>>This happens both from the C3 and from the dollar prompt.

  I have seen this and it has been fixed, as for the other stuff, we'll
  take a look at it.

Cheers,
Phil