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RS232 in Windows with a smile — Parallax Forums

RS232 in Windows with a smile

LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
edited 2012-10-29 15:19 in General Discussion
I just now discovered that HyperTerminal was removed from Windows with the advent of Vista. I feel like Rip Van Winkle, but the truth is I shifted over to Ubuntu Linux at that point.

I was just writing a blog that I promised about serial terminal software for Forth interface of the Propeller and I ran across my absolute favorite terminal emulation application. Here is the link for it.

https://sites.google.com/site/terminalbpp/
https://sites.google.com/site/terminalbpp/
https://sites.google.com/site/terminalbpp/

Sadly I don't use it any more as I am not using Windows for much of anything. But this is a killer application for the hobbyist that wants to find out how to communicate with any old clunker that won't tell you what the exact configuration is.

It has lots of fun features. Try it, you will love it. It is very intuitive.

Comments

  • LawsonLawson Posts: 870
    edited 2012-10-28 14:34
    Yea, that terminal program rocks! The text display can chew up a LOT of cpu so it's not the best for high throughput, but you get full control of the serial port.

    I'll have to check out the new CSV graphing. That will be really useful.

    Lawson
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-28 14:53
    Loopy Byteloose wrote: »
    I just now discovered that HyperTerminal was removed from Windows with the advent of Vista. I feel like Rip Van Winkle, but the truth is I shifted over to Ubuntu Linux at that point.

    .

    You can use the Windows XP version on Vista and 7. Just copy straight over and it works fine.
  • Duane C. JohnsonDuane C. Johnson Posts: 955
    edited 2012-10-28 16:56
    Hi Loopy;

    I seem to remember the defacto standard for PropForth is TeraTerm. I really like it. The current revision is 4.75.

    One tricky thing though. I have found the terminals, (Except PST. Parallax Serial Terminal), need to be disconnected from the USB port when the Propeller Tool wants to use the same USB port. Not a real problem just a little annoyance.

    Duane J
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2012-10-28 23:45
    Duane C. Johnson wrote: »
    Hi Loopy;

    I seem to remember the defacto standard for PropForth is TeraTerm. I really like it. The current revision is 4.75.

    One tricky thing though. I have found the terminals, (Except PST. Parallax Serial Terminal), need to be disconnected from the USB port when the Propeller Tool wants to use the same USB port. Not a real problem just a little annoyance.

    Duane J

    TeraTerm is the one I always recommend not only because of the full ANSI emulation and features but also because of the throughput. Yes it would be nice if TeraTerm disconnected automatically but I find the key sequences <alt>F,D to disconnect and <alt>S,E to reconnect helps. Many other terminals use a simple send function on a separate line so they are not interactive.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-10-29 01:30
    I guess I should mention that I just posted a blog about the various choices of terminal emulation programs available for using Forth on a Propeller.

    This is one a just a favorite for benchwork and hacking.

    I happen to be using Minicom for my PropForth and TachyonForth, but speeds seem to be limited to 57600 Baud. I got it running just because I still have a modem and may want to set up a dial out project. I also use PuTTY for more sophisticated stuff with an encrypted link on LAN and to the outside world.

    Wikipedia has a comparison listing that is somewhat useful. Not of of them are there and some links are broken. The main point is there are a lot of good free applications. Windows users are constantly diverted to 3rd party vendors when there is as good or better software in the public domain.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Free_terminal_emulators
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2012-10-29 01:36
    That seems a bit strange that your Minicom is limited to 57.6K. Is this the same minicom that I use on Linux that I run at 3M baud (FTDI limit)?
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-10-29 01:40
    Hmmm. At some point, I get a bit sloppy and don't run down details that are not important to me. My Minicom may actually do a much faster baud, but I have been more focused on studying GForth, PropForth, and TachyonForth.

    Finding the 'perfect' serial terminal program can be a huge distraction. Most are fine if they do a full VT100 emulation with color (if you really want the color and graphics side of things).

    Minicom has be ported to Windows and OSX, but the Wikipedia comparison seems to not know that. Also, I see TerMite and a few others not listed in some Wikipedia entries, yet mentioned in others.

    The dilemma is that Wikipedia is just about the ONLY place that tries to keep up a listing and comparison of terminal emulation software across the whole range of OSes, but they have gotten bogged down due to lack of contributors with adequate knowledge and complete overview.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terminal_emulators

    I thought posting my observations of Forth on Propeller in the Parallax Blog might be better than on the Forum. But today the Blog is trashed with Ads from evil robotic posters.:frown:
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2012-10-29 01:50
    And where is TeraTerm in the comparison chart? My avatar is drawn in ANSI characters (except the cap) from Forth, I should leave a copy of it embedded in Tachyon for those terminals that support colors!
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2012-10-29 01:51
    I don't think I have ever seen anyone use Windows and smile at the same time:)
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-10-29 01:56
    @Heater
    Now be nice. Without MS, we wouldn't have a world awash with computers. Everywhere people stole their software to watch XXX video and to illegally download both DVDs and music. Truly a grassroots driven marketplace. And now, Linux has a chance to really empower people to use software in a productive way.
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2012-10-29 02:15
    Heater. wrote: »
    I don't think I have ever seen anyone use Windows and smile at the same time:)
    You haven't seen me then.....but I'm usually shaking my head back and forth....in disbelief!
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2012-10-29 05:27
    TeraTerm is OK...
    But my fave is putty

    http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/
    Telnet/SSH and xterm
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-10-29 09:50
    If I ever master PuTTY, I will die a happy man.
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2012-10-29 10:17
    Loopy Byteloose wrote: »
    @Heater
    Now be nice. Without MS, we wouldn't have a world awash with computers.

    Ya, we would have been awash with expensive computers. Competition is good for consumers - wish the same was true for patents.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-10-29 11:52
    jazzed wrote: »
    Ya, we would have been awash with expensive computers. Competition is good for consumers - wish the same was true for patents.

    And yet, I am thankful that Bill Gates didn't start an airline.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2012-10-29 12:33
    @Loopy,
    Without MS, we wouldn't have a world awash with computers.

    I can't tell if you are joking or not.
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2012-10-29 15:19
    Loopy Byteloose wrote: »
    And yet, I am thankful that Bill Gates didn't start an airline.

    LOL!

    Jet Blue became popular in spite of Bill's choice for the color of doom and gloom :)

    Alternatively ...
    http://www.jokesunlimited.com/jokes/if_microsoft_made_cars.html
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