Re: Looking for the perfect 5250 client...

On Thu, 28 Mar 2002, Dan Bale wrote:

[snip requirements: copy/paste, colorize, 132x27, nonstandard port for
VPN]

> I am wondering if the open-source 5250 client I've seen discussed here would
> allow me to do the customization I require "out-of-the-box".  I would be
> willing to develop something for it, if it is possible, and is within my
> skillset.

The open source tn5250 project (tn5250.sourceforge.net) does not support
everything you mention.  Here is what is does and doesn't as applied to
your criteria (it does a lot of great things that you don't mention):

copy/paste - On Windows copy/paste works like every other windows program
I know of (I don't use windows so I don't know too many :) ) you highlight
what you want to copy, press the standard copy keys, and then paste using
the standard paste keys.  I think those are control C and control V?  On
unix the copy paste is a little easier: you highlight what you want to
copy with the left mouse button and paste by clicking with the middle (or
left and right together) button.  Less hand movement I think.

coloring source lines - I don't ever colorize any source lines so I don't
know how this is done, but I assume it requires a (possibly complex)
sequence of key strokes.  You can certainly type in any sequence of key
strokes, but I bet you want a macro to do it for you.  Currently tn5250
does not have key stroke macros.

132x27 - I use this mode all the time.  It looks great on my machine.  You
can easily select the fonts you want to use for 80 column and 132 column.
This part is very nice.

nonstandard port for VPN - I believe this is no problem either (though I
haven't tested it).  If it is, the fix is simple and can probably be added
in a matter of minutes.

If you feel like tn5250 doesn't meet your requirements you are welcome to
change it so it does.  It has the features that the people who use it
need.  Any contributions you or anyone else make will be welcomed.  Or get
on the mailing list (linux5250@midrange.com) and ask someone to add your
feature.

James Rich
james@eaerich.com