1-FAQ

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                  F R E Q U E N T L Y   A X E D   Q U E S T I O N S

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        Thanks to Johann Miranda (miranda@suspicion.eng.uiowa.edu) for his
        help in maintainig this FAQ.

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    Warning: Some of the things below are terribly outdated. Tha
    manual page, though, is always up-to-date.

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Q: How can I obtain Seyon?

A: Well, the best way is to ftp to one of the following sites:

         sipb.mit.edu:/pub/seyon
         export.lcs.mit.edu:/contrib
         nic.funet.fi
         sunsite.unc.edu

   The *newes* version of Seyon can be found at sipb.mit.edu. Beta
   versions can also found at: 

             sipb.mit.edu:/pub/seyon

   and context diffs against previous versions at:

             sipb.mit.edu:/pub/seyon/DIFFS

   You may have to hunt around in other sites to find the most recent
   release.

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Q: How do I build and install Seyon?

A: Seyon comes with a file called 1-INSTALL, which basically tells you
   what you need to do to install it. You should also create a
   directory with the name ".seyon" in your home directory. Copy the
   files ``startup'', ``phonelist'' and ``startup'' to this directory
   (the make file will probably do that automatically for you) and
   edit them to your heart's content; or better yet, run Seyon and
   modify these these files from the command center. Once you have
   installed Seyon, you may wish to browse through the man page, it is
   complete and up-to-date.

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Q: How do I use Seyon?

   This is easy. After installation, just type "seyon -modems
   <modem-device> &" to invoke Seyon. From the command center you can
   set up your modem parameters, line parameters, scripts, phone
   numbers, transfer protocols, to wit anything you are likely to
   need.  Afterwards, customaize Seyon to your needs by putting the
   appropriate resources in your ~/.Xresources or ~/.Xdefaults file
   (at least to avoid typing the -modems switch every time).

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Q: Where can I send bug reports and suggestions? Where can I get more
   information about the development and use of Seyon? Where can I
   participate in general discussions about Seyon? Where can I get the
   most up-to-date announcements about official and test releases?

A: Join the Seyon mailing list. Send a message to

            linux-activists-request@joker.hut.fi

   with the following as one of the headers:

            X-Mn-Admin: join Seyon

   That should do it. To get more information about how to use the
   mailing list and send to it, send a message to the above address
   with the single word ``help'' as the subject and the body of the
   message.

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Q: Yesterday I compiled Seyon 2.12, however when I tried to run it,
   it gave me "Dial Arborted: Online". So I hangup first, the message
   now is "Line disconnected", then I dialed again, still "online".
   I quit and run kermit immediately and it works fine. This 'Online'
   problem happens even I hard-boot my system and run seyon at once.
   Has anybody have the same experience ? Any help will be appreciated.

A: Seyon is smarter that kermit (well, at least it tries to). Before
   dialing a number, Seyon first checks to see if the modem is already
   on-line. It does so by querying the status of the DCD flag (Data
   Carrier Detect). If DCD is asserted, Seyon concludes that the modem is
   on-line and refuses to dial the number.

   Two resources govern this behavior. The first is hangupBeforeDial. If
   this resource is enabled (set to ``on'') and DCD is asserted, Seyon
   hangs up the line before dialing. The second is ignoreModemDCD. If
   this resource is enabled, Seyon ignores the status of DCD and 1)
   always hangs up befoe dialing if hangupBeforeDial is enabled, and 2)
   proceeds to dial even if DCD is asserted.

   In your case I think that your modem is asserting DCD all the time,
   even if the modem is off-line. When dialing, Seyon finds that DCD is
   asserted and hangs up. However, after hanging up, it finds that DCD is
   still asserted, and since the default for ignoreModemDCD is ``off'',
   it refuses to dial.

   To fix that, you have two options. The first is to tell your modem not
   to assert DCD all the time. The command for that in my modem is
   ``AT&C1'' (AT&C0 does the opposite), but might be different in yours.
   If you don't wish to do that, set the resource ignoreModemDCD to
   ``on''. This way Seyon will ignore DCD and behave just like kermit. To
   set the resource, put the line:

             Seyon.ignoreModemDCD: on

   in your ~/.Xresource file.

   The on-line clock at the top left corner of Seyon's command center
   will tell you whether DCD is asserted (clock running, button light or
   depressed) or not (clock not running, button dark or raised). The
   manual has more details and explanations of the above resources.

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Q: I get the messages

>> Warning: could not execute 'seyon-emu'.
>> Warning: falling to 'xterm'.

   when I start Seyon.

A: When Seyon s invoked. It looks first for seyon-emu and uses it as
   the terminal emulator. seyon-emu has to be a link to you favorite
   terminal emulation program (xterm, color xterm, xvt, mterm, Emu,
   cmdtool, ..etc). This allows for more flexibility in choosing the
   terminal emulator. If Seyon doesn't find seyon-emu, it just uses
   xterm as the terminal emulator. This warning is harmless. To get
   rid of it, make seyon-emu a link to xterm.

Q: How do I use the meta (ALT) key with Seyon?

A: If the remote host supports 8-bit-clean communications, you should
   be able to use it automatically (most hosts don't).  Otherwise, you
   can make Seyon send ESC before a character when the meta key is
   pressed with that character.  You can do that in two ways:

   1) Set Meta->ESC translation to ``on'' using one of the following:
      a) the resource metaKeyTranslation 
      b) from the ``Set'' console
      c) in a script: ``set meta_tr on''

   2) if you're using xterm as Seyon's terminal emulator, use

      Seyon.vt100.eightBitInput: off

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Q: When I dial, the modem says CONNECT and I get a Connection Complete
   message. To wake the remote host up, I first hit Enter a few times.
   But the host soon hangs up, apparently seeing a dead line. What's
   wrong?

A: Try setting <nl mode> in the Set console. The Seyon default is to
   send a \n when you press Enter. Many hosts expect a \r; you get
   that when <nl mode> is selected.

   (contributed by Sakari Aaltonen, <sakaria@vipunen.hut.fi>)

   NOTE: starting from version 1.5, the defaults is to enable NL->CR
   translation.

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Q: In the 'Set' console, which color means that the parameter is
   active?

A: Black means active, otherwise inactive.

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Q: How do I send an initialization string to my modem.

A: put the command

       transmit "AT(whatever)^M"

   in Seyon's startup file. Most modern modems do not need an
   initialization string though, since they store their setup in
   non-volitile memory.

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Q: How do I tell the remote host about the size of my terminal window?
   I want the applications to take advantage of the lerger size.

A: If the remote host is a Unix machine (or any other machine that
   supports X-windows), issue the command 'resize' (if that doesn't
   help, try 'eval `resize`'. If the remote host is a BBS, set the
   page length by the appropriate command (e.g. 'p' on a BBS running
   PCBoard).

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Q: What's this Xdefaults file you keep talking about?

A: It is usually named ~/.Xresources. If that doesn't exist. the
   Xserver uses the file ~/.Xdefaults. Do 'man X' to learn how to
   customize the resources in this file.

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Q: When I use 'Edit' to edit the phonelist or protocols files, the
   dialing directory and the transfer console do not reflect the
   changes I made, what's wrong?

A: You have to use 'Reread' to update the the dialing directory and
   the transfer console.

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Q: How do I make sz/rz work?

A: The following is from the readme file included with minicom. I used
   it, and it has always worked for me:

   If you are using a new version if Chuch Forsenberg's zmodem, it is
   possible that it will not run OK in a window. This is because the
   new versions *don't* use stdin and stdout, but without mercy they
   just open /dev/tty. Ai! I changed the following in the file
   "rbsb.c" and now things work allright. You might want to change
   this also.  Here is the particular function I'm talking about:

---------------------------------------
/* Line 336 */
/* Initialize tty device for serial 
   file xfer */
inittty()
{
#ifndef HVM
    Tty = open("/dev/tty", 2);
    if (Tty < 0) {
       perror("/dev/tty");  exit(2);
    }
#else
    Tty = 1;
#endif
    Ttystream = fdopen(Tty, "w");
    setbuf(Ttystream, xXbuf);        
}
---------------------------------------

   And to get the Logging output to the
   screen instead of to /tmp/szlog,
   change the following in sz.c :

---------------------------------------
if (npats < 1 && !Command && !Test) 
    usage();
if (Verbose) {
/* Line 403 of sz.c */
#ifndef HVM
    if (freopen(LOGFILE, "a", stderr)==NULL) {
        printf("Can't open log file %s\n",LOGFILE);
        exit(2);
    }
#endif
    setbuf(stderr, NULL);
}
vfile("%s %s for %s\n", Progname, VERSION, OS);
---------------------------------------

   You might want to change the same in the file "rz.c" also, around
   line 249.  It is now possible to use the -v[vv] flag with rz/sz and
   see the debugging output appear in the status window!

   You have to define 'HVM' to make the change effective, ofcourse!

   NOTE (for Seyon users): Once you have done that, use '$rz -vv' as
   your zmodem command (or '$sz -vv').

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Q: What are Seyon's configuration files? and where should they be put?

A: Those are 'startup', 'phonelist', and 'protocols'. Seyon looks for
   them in the current directory, then the default Seyon directory
   ('~/.seyon'), and finally in the user's home directory. The names
   of these files as well as that of the default directory can be
   overridden by setting the appropriate resources. Refer to that in
   another answer somewhere in this file.

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Q: Can I put the scripts somewhere else other than in my home
   directory?

A: Yes, use the resource 

        Seyon.scriptDirectory:

   (default is defaultDirectory). Seyon will look for scripts in the
   current directory, then in the script directory, and finally in the
   user's home directory.

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Q: I'd like to start a local shell but I don't want to start another
   xterm, can I have a shell in the Seyon's terminal emulation window?

A: Yes, click the 'Shell' button and instead of giving it a usual
   shell command, use the name of your shell (i.e. tcsh, sh, ..etc).
   This will start the shell of your choice in the terminal window.

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Q: Do I have to specify the BITS and BPS fileds for each entry in the
   phonelist directory?

A: No. Seyon will use the default BPS rate and bit mask if none is
   specified in the phonelist entry.

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Q: Can I specify an alternate location and name for the help file?

A: You can, but it's highly discouraged unless you have no write
   permission to the default location (determined automatically at
   compile-time). Use the resource

            Seyon.helpFile:

   You have to specify the complete file path and name.

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Q: Seyon comes up tiny and with overlapping buttons, what's wrong?

A: The app-defaults file must be installed properly or Seyon will not
   function properly. Use 'make install' to install the app-defaults
   file in the proper place and make sure it is installed properly and
   is not corrupt.

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Q: I get 'killed by siganl 11' when I start seyon.

A: You must be using old versions of libraraies. Test that by using

            ldd seyon-cmd

   This will tell you what libraries you have linked Seyon with. If
   you get anything other than

      /lib/XawVen.so.2.1 (Classic 2.1)
      /lib/libX11.so.2.1 (Classic 2.1)
      /lib/libc.so.4 (Jump table 4.1)

   it's time to upgrade to newer libraries.

   (This question is for linux only, for platforms it may be a bug.
   Report it.)

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Q: How does the dialer work?

A: Click on an item to toggles it. Once you have selected all the
   items you want, click on 'Go'. The dialer will dial each number
   until a connection is made. once a connection is made, that item is
   unselected automatically. Double-clicking on an item will select
   that item, unselect all others, and dial that item. You can
   interrupt the dialing or the script execution at any time by
   chossing 'Cancel'. 'Can. & hangup' will additionally hangup the
   line.

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Q: How do I use pulse dialing?

A: Use the resources. Set

       Seyon.dialPrefix: ATDP

   There is also a simialr resource: dialSuffix.

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Q: How can I setup the ZMODEM autodownload feature or disable it?

THIS ANSWER IS WRONG, READ THE MANUAL

A: Via the resources. The resource

     Seyon.zmodemAutoDownload: off

   will disable it (default is 'on'). The resource

   Seyon.zmodemAutoDownloadCommand: $cd /usr/dl; rz -vv

   tells Seyon what command to use to for ZMODEM (default is 'rz').
   The format of the command is the same as that of the shell and
   transfer commands.

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Q: Does Seyon support the V32 protocol?

A: V32 is not a software protocol, it is used at the hardware level by
   the modem to communicate with modems at the remote end. Hence, it
   is transparent to comm programs, and they have nothing to do with
   it.

   This is along the lines of "your modem will talk to my modem at the
   best speed and level they can. How yor modem talks to your computer
   is your business" (See above)

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Q: How do I turn off the 'fun' messages or make them less frequent?

A: The resource

           Seyon.showFunMessages: off

   will turn them off (default is 'on'). The resource

        Seyon.funMessagesInterval: 30

   specifies that the messages should appear every 15 seconds (unless
   Seyon has something more important to say, like a real message).
   Default interval is 1 minute.

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Q: How can tell seyon what port to use?

A: There are two ways to do that:

   1) Specify it in your Xdefaults file, something like:
             
             Seyon.modems: /dev/ttys0

   2) Invoke Seyon by the the switch -modems, e.g.
             
             seyon -modems /dev/ttys0

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Q: How can I control the bahavior of the terminal emulation winow?

A: You can do that via the resources of the vt100 widget of xterm. he
   following is an example of what you can put in your Xdefaults file:

     Seyon.vt100.foreground: black
     Seyon.vt100.background: white
     Seyon.vt100.geometry: 80x25+50+250
     Seyon.vt100.saveLines: 100
                        .            
                        .
                        .

   Refer to the xterm manual page for the full set of the resources.

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Q: The resourecs I put in my Xdefaults file do not seem to work, why?

A: You have to use xrdb to load the resourecs or restart your X
   server.  Also, you have to use the class name 'Seyon' and not the
   instance 'seyon' in your Xdefaults file.

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Q: How shoud the protocols file be formatted?

A: Here is an example:

    regu_zm_dl  "$ cd /dl; rz -vv" n
    "reg zm ul" "$sz -vv"          y
    graphic_zm_dl grz              No
    xrz3D       $cd /dl; xrz"      NO

   The first field is the title of the protocol. You can anything in
   there for your refrence as long as it is either one word or quoted.

   The second field is the actual command that will be executed.
   Again,if the command is more than one word, it has to be quoted.
   Notice how 'cd' is used to have one or more download or upload
   directories. If the command begins with '$', the standard input and
   standard outpt will be redirected to the modem.

   The last field tells Seyon whether it should prompt for a file name
   or not. this field can be either a yes or a no. Normally, you would
   put yes for an upload and no otherwise.

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Q: How can tell Seyon about the non-standard responses of my modem?

A: Use the following resources:

       Seyon.connectString
       Seyon.noConnectString1
       Seyon.noConnectString2
       Seyon.noConnectString3
       Seyon.noConnectString4

   Refer to what the defaults are for these resources in another
   answer in this file.
       
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Q: When I choose an item in the dialing direcory or from the transfer
   protocols directory it get highlighted but nothing happens, why?

A: Clicking once on an item only highlightes it. You have to
   double-click on it to choose it. You can highlight multiple items
   in the dialing directory and then click 'Go' to dial them
   (circulate) until a connection is made.

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Q: How can I control the dialer behavior?

A: Via the following resources:

       Seyon.dialTimeOut
       Seyon.dialDelay
       Seyon.dialRepeat

   Dial timeout is the time given for each try (default is 45
   seconds), dial delay is the time between tries (default is 10
   seconds), and dial repeat is the number of tries Seyon attempts
   before up (default is 5 seconss).

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Q: How can disable the confirmation popups for hangup and exit?

A: Via the resources hangupConfirm and exitConfirm. Put the following
   in your Xdefaults file:

           Seyon.hangupConfirm: off
           Seyon.exitConfirm: off

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Q: What do I do if the terminal is stuck?

A: Choose 'Refresh' under the 'Misc' button. This will restart the
   terminal process (not the terminal window).

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Q: How can I use hardware flow control (RTS/CTS)?

A: Use the rtscts mode. It is enabled by default. You disable it in
   the startup file, in a script, or interactively from the 'Set'
   console.

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Q: How can I make Seyon send delete instead of backspace?

A: Put the line

       set del "on"

   in the startup file or in the script. or set the parameter
   interactively by the 'Set' button.

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Q: Can Seyon do ANSI color that most BBS systems use?

A: Yes, but yu have to get color xterm.  Patches for that are on
   export.lcs.mit.edu.

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Q: Where can I get the latest copy of Seyon?

A: By ftp from sipb.mit.edu at the directory /pub/seyon.

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Q: How can I help?

A: 1) Send your impression of he program after each upgrade.
   2) Send suggestions for improvement (even the little details).
   3) Send any pretty color customization you do.
   4) If you implement an extra feature, send it to be included in the
      standard release.

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Q: How can I send bug reports?

A: Use the form included in the file BUGS. If you don't, I cannot
   guarantee that I'm going to look into it. Sending me something like
   'the dialer doesn't work' doesn't tell anything. I have to know
   more.

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Q: How can I contact the author?

A: Send him (that's me!) email at alsaggaf@mit.edu

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