| >> BUT how do I actually get this software ?
Simply put - You copy the files from the VAX (your system at work)
to the ST over a telephone modem. To do this you need -
o A modem for your ST
o The phone number to dial into your computer at work
o A terminal emulator program for the ST (this makes it
possible for your ST to use the modem to talk to your
work computer)
o A special "copy program" for your computer at work
(this will probably be called KERMIT or XMODEM)
o The equivelent special "copy program" for the ST
(this is sometimes built into the terminal emulator
program, the UNITERM terminal emulator has both XMODEM
and KERMIT)
>> Where did it come from ?
I would say most of the programs are from USENET (a world wide public
access computer network). Some programs are from BBS systems or
Atari users groups and yet others are written by the people using this
notes file.
>> The directories are listed where the software exists, but how can
>> I actually get the stuff running on my ST at home on 5 1/4 inch
>> disks ?
Using 5 1/4 disk drives on the ST is possible but not as simple
as pluging one in (unless you want to pay money for a commercial
product and software :-) ). Most people choose to use modems and a few
enjoy the convience (and transfer speed) to be able to connect the ST to
their work computers directly (connecting a wire between RS232 ports on
the two systems).
>> Is it all public domain ?
Most are public domain, some are shareware, and one (called WHACK a
terminal emulator by Jeff Lomicka) is "FOR DEC INTERNAL USE ONLY".
Shareware is similiar to public domain in that it can be copied and
distributed freely, the difference is the authors request that if you
use the program and you like it they would like you to send them a
small amount of money. The amount is usualy $5 to $15 or so and it
sometimes gets you the privelge of a printed manual and/or a more
complete version of the program and/or the sources to the program.
>> Is there some note somewhere that kind of explains all this ?
As mentioned in .1 note 52 and its replies explain a lot of the details
but I thought that the discussions in notes 52.* would be a little
easier to digest with the above overview as a starting point.
>> Please set me straight if this is a real silly question.
If at the notes prompt you do a
dir/title="whatever your subject is" *
and you don't find a note that answers your question then by all
means ask it (* tells "dir" to look at the title of all base notes,
*.* will tell "dir" to look at the title of all base notes and all
their replies, *.* will obviously take longer but is more thorough)!
Ray
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