🚀 go-pugleaf

Here are the responses that I received to the query from
schmitz@zeus.cs.umn.edu:
>I'm dreaming of a multi-window terminal emulation system for a PC
>connected via modem to a Unix system.
>The idea is for something with the feel
>of Suntools.
>Does anybody know of anything resembling this?  Any comments on either
>my dream or my idea of how it might work?

Most respondents suggested "uw", but there are a couple of other suggestions
at the end.
-- 
Ron Heiby usenet@mcdchg.UUCP	Moderator: comp.newprod & comp.unix

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From: schwartz@gondor.psu.edu (Scott E. Schwartz)
Organization: Penn State University, University Park, PA

About a year or so ago a package called "uw", unix windows, was
posted to the net. It did exactly what is being asked for, and did
a very very good job of it.  The package included a number of 
modules that run on the unix end (including the uw server, of course,
and a library with a well documented interface so you could write
your own uw stuff), and a terminal emulator (to say the least)
that ran on a Macintosh.  I don't think the package made any special
assumptions (on the unix end, anyway) about what kind of machine
was on the terminal end.  The mac worked great since apple's carefully crafted
window libraries could be used to do all the dirty work.
Maybe microsoft windows could be an adequate platform on the pc for this.

Frankly I'm surprised that many more sites don't use uw with mac's instead
of world war I surplus vt100's :-)  (well, you get the idea)
It beats all the dumb terminals I've ever used hands down, 
and probably costs less, to boot.

Also, there has been talk on comp.windows.x that some company
has ported x10.4 to an ibm-pc.  If that is the case, it's probably
they way to go, if you don't mind paying for the port.  
DISCLAIMER:  I don't know for a fact that this is available or 
even exists.  Query comp.windows.x for more.

-- Scott Schwartz            schwartz@gondor.psu.edu

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From: Peter J. M. Baker <harvard!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!uvicctr!pjmbaker>
Organization: University of Victoria, Victoria B.C.

What you are talking about has been implemented very nicely by a fellow
named John Brunner.  His implementation include as server that runs on
unix (very similar to the suntools server) and a client that runs on a Mac
(it has also been ported to the Atari ST).  What you get on the mac end is
up to 7 windows, each capable of running a csh or whatever you want (a la
shelltool).  Each window can emulate one an ADM31, ANSI, TEK4010.  The
source for the Unix end is typically distributed.  The source for the
Mac/Atari (client) end is not, however I think you could get it from Mr.
Brunner if you wanted to port it to the PC.  The protocol seems fairly
efficient (I use it over a 1200 baud modem line) and typically have 4 or 5
active windows.

	Hope this helps.  BTW, the server is called 'uw' and the
shelltool-like program is called 'uwtool'.

					Peter Baker
Peter Baker, University of Victoria
USENET:  {alberta,seismo,utai,uw-beaver,watmath}!ubc-vision!uvicctr!pjmbaker
BITNET :  pjmbaker@uvunix.bitnet

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From: gatech!rutgers!lll-crg.llnl.gov!well!hoptoad!sunny (Sunny Kirsten)
Organization: Astral Consultants, Marin County, CA

What you're looking for is Unix Windows...
it consists of server software which runs on the UNIX host,
and an application which runs on your "pc" doing multiple windows,
and the two programs communicate with each other over the
single serial line you dialed-up on, multiplexing the chars
for each window.  It's currently implemented for the Macintosh,
so what you need is to port the Macintosh code over to the PC.

The whole thing is public domain, and was distributed over USENET.
Try grepping around the net and your disks for "uw" or "UW".

	Sunny
-- 
This view of 1 astral reality is courtesy of:
Sunny Kirsten, Astral Consultants			(415)457-7555 (voice)
233 Humboldt St., San Rafael, CA 94901	GEnie: astral	(415)457-7705 (modem)
USENET:	{ihnp4,lll-crg,nsc,ptsfa,ucsfcgl,frog,sun,well}!hoptoad!astral!sunny

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From: peter@sugar.UUCP (Peter da Silva)
Organization: Sugar Land UNIX - Houston, TX

It's called "uw", and it exists for the Mac, Amiga, and Atari-ST. There is
a host-side program for BSD, and there's supposed to be an SV version too,
but I don't know where. Let me know if you find it.
-- 
-- Peter da Silva  `-_-'  ...!hoptoad!academ!uhnix1!sugar!peter
-- Disclaimer: These U aren't mere opinions... these are *values*.

[uw was also suggested by Eric Freeman. -mod]

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From: Dale Gass <gatech!rutgers!mimsy.umd.edu!uunet!dalcsug!dalegass>

I believe a package called 'uw' (micro windows or something like that) exists
for the Mac, which will allow (with the appropriate uw terminal program running)
multiple shells running simulataneously in different windows on your screen.
It is certainly possible to come up with the same thing on the PC end, no
doubt.  All that would be needed would be the corresponding software for the
PC, and the same driver on the unix end...

Another package, called 'window' allows multiple windows with any terminal.
It chops the screen up (using curses) and has a shell running in each window.
Has a few disadvantages, as each window is not recognized as a valid user (so
talk failes), but overall is pretty neat.

I believe the way these programs work is by spawning shells, having their
stdin/stdout reopened as a socket, which is connected to the main window
program, which handles all the windowing, screen updating, etc..

-dalegass@dalcsug

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From: uwmcsd1!CCV.BBN.COM!kgregory
Organization: Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc., Cambdridge MA

Well, SCO has just such a thing for Xenix.  It makes the host do all of
the windowing work (including clipping &c), and (I guess) updates the
windows via ANSI control sequences.  I saw it runing at Unix Expo, on
a standard Vt220.  Looked pretty good - fast, even - but that was no doubt
on a 9600 (or perhaps 19.2) comm line.

So far, they are shipping for '286 Xenix, but not '386.

-kdg

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From: gatech!rutgers!pyr.gatech.edu!joel (Joel Rives)
Organization: Office of Computing Services, Georgia Tech

The type of multi-window interface that you are looking for may very well be
the Xwindows system developed at MIT. There is source available for the IBM PC
as well as the Amiga. It may be available for other micos as well but I am
unaware of the fact. 

						Joel Rives