🚀 go-pugleaf

In the next couple of weeks I'll be releasing a program I've been working
on as shareware.  I'd like to get a feel for how well it will be accepted,
and perhaps get some suggestions before I actually release it.  I've only
been working on it for about 3 or 4 weeks now, so expect it to get better
in the following months.

Ok... first a description...  It is a communications package for DOS that
has many features:
   - TTY, VT52, VT100, VT200, and ANSI display support.  I'll be adding
     more soon (WYSE? 3270? others?)
   - Excellent keyboard emulation.  It can *fully* emulate a VT200 keyboard
     in both application and numeric modes, on a plain old 101.  Keyboard
     drivers can be customized by the user.  Pretty well *any* key and key
     combo can be defined (including numlock, scrlock, ctrl-alt-del, etc)
     to be anything you want.  Keys can also be defined with *multiple*
     values (depending on the emulation mode).
   - Dialing directory, auto re-dial, etc.  You can save different comm
     parameters and emulation modes with each entry.
   - Supports COM1-4.  On Friday morning I got TELNET support working as well,
     although it may not make it into this first release.  I'm also looking
     at adding LAT and CTERM support (any others?)
   - External protocols.  I haven't had the time to add internal ones yet,
     but XMODEM and ZMODEM will probably be the first.  After the TELNET
     support is working ok, I may add built-in FTP support as well...
   - Most of the "miscellaneous" features of TELIX/PROCOMM/etc.  (logging,
     screen capture, etc.)

Ok... so far it's pretty standard stuff...  but...  this package also
supports a special protocol that I've developed.  This protocol is called
GTP and it stands for Graphics Terminal Protocol.  GTP provides a way for
a host computer to present the user with a fully graphical user interface.
A host can query a terminal to see if it is GTP compatible and if it is,
it can do many nifty things...
   - Supports VGA/SVGA graphics modes from 320x200x256 up to 1280x1024x256,
     as well as several of the tweaked modes.
   - All the basic graphics primitives are supported (draw lines, circles,
     boxes, etc)
   - Various fonts and type sizes, colors, etc.
   - Mouse and touch screen support.
   - 3D "push buttons" that can have text and/or icons on them.
   - A pop-up graphical calculator.
   - A pop-up virtual keyboard (probably not until release 2, though). 
     This one is mostly for kiosks where the physical keyboard is hidden.
   - The transmission of full color images quickly and efficiently, even at
     2400 baud!  This is where it really shines.  It uses my own image
     format that supports a variety of different compression and storage
     methods.
   - A built-in file transfer protocol that (so far) clocks in at about as
     fast as ZMODEM.

Uses?  Well here in the city a local BBS will be using it to provide quick
previews of GIF files for users.  They can see smaller versions on screen
before they waste time downloading the whole thing.  Other possibilities
include a graphical MLS system, child find services, dating services
(don't laugh!), classified ads, etc, etc.  I'm sure you get the idea.

Cost?  This is where I could use some help.  I figured I'd just release
the program as shareware, and ask around $20 (more for corporate use).  I
have no intention of crippling it in any way, and no nag screens at all. 
Do you think people will pay for it (assuming it works ok and all)?  Of
course, the GTP portion is only useful if you're talking to a GTP
compatible host.  *That's* where I charge the "big" money ;-)

Anyway, it's currently in beta test around here, and when I feel
comfortable enough with it, I'll FTP it somewhere and put up a notice. 
This'll hopefully be in the next week or two.

If you've got any comments/ideas/suggestions/things you'd like to see,
please let me know!

Cheers,
MARK

WARNING: BLATANT SALES PITCH FOLLOWS!!!

    In case you're a company that could use a graphical system like this,
    you should know that it is generally very *easy* to add GTP support to
    existing host software.  I've written a library of simple C calls that
    can be imbedded in your system.  For example, to test if the currently
    connected user is using a GTP compatible program, you simply call
    GTP_IsGTP().  To put the user into 320x200x256 mode you simply call
    GTP_Begin().  To display a 320x200x256 image on the user's screen, you
    simply call GTP_SendImage( "imagename", x_offset, y_offset ).  See? 
    Just three simple lines of C-code and you can make your existing MLS
    system (or whatever) support graphic images.  A few more and you have 3D
    buttons, icons, mouse menus, and other goodies...

====================================================================
 Mark Morley, UNIX/SUN Administrator     NET: morley@camosun.bc.ca
 Camosun College - Interurban Campus     TEL: (604) 370-4601
 4461 Interurban Road  Room 143-Tech     FAX: (604) 370-3660
 Victoria,   B.C.  Canada    V8X 3X1