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Archive-name: auto/comp.os.os9/C-Kermit-5a-ready

FINALLY the FINAL release of C-Kermit version 5A, for UNIX,
VMS, OpenVMS, OS/2, AOS/VS, OS-9, the Commodore Amiga, and the Atari ST is
ready. The edit number is 188.  C-Kermit was written by Frank da Cruz
of Columbia University with contributions from hundreds of other programmers
all over the world.  Version 5A is the product of three and a half years of
development; the previous release of C-Kermit was 4E(072), released in
January 1989.  Version 5A was first announced for public Beta testing in
Info-Kermit V15 #2, 18 February, 1992.  The second and final Beta test was
announced in V16 #5, 13 Nov 1992.  The second beta test, though short, proved
quite successful, and therefore the software is being released.

C-Kermit 5A(188) is available for the following operating systems:

 . UNIX, practically all versions: AIX, ULTRIX, SunOS, BSD, System V, etc
 . VAX and AXP VMS and OpenVMS
 . Data General MV systems with AOS/VS
 . PCs and PS/2s with OS/2 1.0 and 2.0
 . Microware OS-9
 . The Commodore Amiga
 . The Atari ST

The major improvements in version 5A since version 4E are:

 . Improved file transfer efficiency:  sliding windows, longer packets,
   locking shifts, dynamic packet length, automatic parity detection.
 . Character-set translation for both file transfer and CONNECT mode,
   including West European, East European, Cyrillic, and Japanese.
 . Improved CONNECT-mode performance.
 . Dialing improvements, support for more modems, a new dialing directory.
 . A powerful, easy-to-use script programming language similar to MS-DOS
   Kermit's.
 . File attribute packet support to convey file size, type, date, and
   character-set.
 . New file collision options.
 . New server features, including security.
 . FULLSCREEN file transfer display available in VMS, OS/2, OS-9 (VT100), 
   and most UNIX implementations.
 . Ability to transfer files with IBM mainframes through non-transparent
   3270 protocol converters.
 . Non-error-checked file transfer via TRANSMIT and LOG SESSION.
 . Commands can be interrupted and C-Kermit returned to its prompt.
 . Improvements in every area too numerous to list.

Special highlights:

The OS-9 specifics were done by Christian Hemsing, RWTH, Aachen and Robert
Larson.  Thanks.
The Commodore Amiga specifics are from Steve Walton.  Thanks.
The Atari ST support is from Bruce J. Moore.  Thanks.

DOCUMENTATION

Like MS-DOS Kermit 3.x, C-Kermit 5A comes with a book, "Using C-Kermit" by
Frank da Cruz and Christine M. Gianone, published by Digital Press,
Burlington, MA, USA, Digital Press ISBN: 1-55558-108-0, Prentice Hall ISBN:
0-13-037490-3.  US single-copy price: $34.95; quantity discounts available.
Publication is still in progress, and should be complete in mid-January 1993.
In the USA, call DECdirect toll-free 1-800-344-4825 to order; use order number
EY-J896E-DP.  Major credit cards accepted.

HOW TO GET IT

C-Kermit 5A(188) is available on the Internet via anonymous ftp from
host watsun.cc.columbia.edu [128.59.39.2], using text (ASCII) mode, in the
directory kermit/b/, and on BITNET/EARN from host CUVMA through the
KERMSRV file server, in the main area.  Warning: some files might have records
longer than 80, making it impossible for KERMSRV to MAIL them to you.

You can also order C-Kermit 5A on magnetic media (diskette, 9-track tape, TK50
cartridge, or quarter-inch tape cartridge) from Columbia University by mail
order as "Tape B" (see the order form, kermit/a/aaxfly.doc or aaxfly.ps).

The C-Kermit filenames all start with the letters "ck" (for C-Kermit).  The
third letter in the filename is used for grouping: c = Portable C, u =
UNIX-specific, v = VMS-specific, etc.  The following sections give brief
synopses of the files needed for each version.  A detailed description of
the file naming conventions and organization is given in the file
ckaaaa.hlp.  Notation:

    *   = matches any string of characters
  [abc] = matches the single character a, b, or c

GENERAL TEXT FILES

  ckaaaa.hlp   Explanation of file naming conventions
  ckcplm.doc   C-Kermit "program logic manual"
  ckccfg.doc   C-Kermit configuration info
  ckcker.bwr   General C-Kermit beware file
  ckuker.doc   plain-text user manual (still for edit 179)
  ckuker.ps    Postscript user manual (ditto)
  ckcker.upd   Detailed description of changes since edit 179

INITIALIZATION AND COMMAND FILES

  ckermit.ini  Standard initialization file for all versions
  ckermod.ini  Sample user-modification (customization) file for all versions
  ckermit.kdd  Sample Kermit Dialing Directory
  ckermit.ksd  Sample Kermit Services Directory

THE OS-9 VERSION

  OS-9 sources:     ck[cuw9]*.[cawh]
  OS-9 build:       ck9ker.mak or ck9ker.gcc
  OS-9 executable:  ck9ker.boo (unboo with ckbunb.c) (for OS-9 2.2 - 2.4)
		    ck9ker.bin (ftp in binary mode)
  OS-9 doc:         ck9ker.bwr, ck9ker.doc

Please report successes or failures to Frank da Cruz, FDCCU@CUVMA.BITNET
or fdc@watsun.cc.columbia.edu.  Thanks again to the hundreds of people who
helped with the development and testing of C-Kermit 5A.

Christian Hemsing