Commander X16

ROMTerm is a serial terminal program that will eventually be in ROM on the Commander X16. But for the moment you'll need to install it on the SD card.

Features:

• ASCII / Commodore Petscii / IBM ANSI graphics support
• 40 or 80 columns
• Autodetection of serial ports
• supports special screen modes for Composite, RGB, and VGA
• local echo on/off
• Flow control modes: off, RTS/CTS, Xon/Xoff

Version 1.26 adds a better capture/replay mode.

Version 1.24 fixes a bug that caused inbound data to be dropped when typing.

Version 1.23 adds ANSI bugfixes and a hidden feature, "gateway mode" which can allow another computer to use the serial port on the X16 to gain access to the internet. Press G at the setup screen to activate.

I ordered the card from TexElec. So, if I understand correctly I just plug it into an expansion port and this program will detect it. Yes ?
Where will I enter the Wi-Fi password and such to get it connected to my Lan ?

Yes, that is correct. As for setting up Wifi, that is all done within ZiModem. You'll see when you get the card.

It seems I'm making updates to this code 2-3 times per week. Mostly bug-fixes. As I encounter ANSI code that doesn't render correctly, or in some cases even locks up the terminal, I trace it down and fix it. It's pretty robust now at version 1.23. But I also keep adding new features, so keep checking back at the top page for the latest download.

I was able to get the software working and made a connection to Particles BBS, but something is not right. I get a welcome message from the BBS and another stating that I'm connected, but then I get a couple instances of the following message:

[ 4 21 63 ]
Hit return
[ 4 1 253 ]

Followed by "No Carrier" which I assume means the BBS disconnected me. No login prompt ever appears.

Any ideas?

What happens if you hit Return (or Enter) when it says 'hit return'?

I hit return after every prompt as shown in the screenshot.

I should mention I also tried another BBS and it connected but I received no more output after that.

Hi all,

I found a firmware update posted by Kevin Williams in the Facebook group that fixed the issue. All works perfectly now. Thanks to David M for a great piece of software!

Hmm, they should share that update here too

Is there a procedure or place where we should post bug reports? I've discovered that I can trigger pretty severe screen corruption while using the network card to connect to endofthelinebbs.com and viewing their ANSI library at 115200 Baud (RTS/CTS Enabled) on the X16. If I go to one of the categories in the file browser door and just hold down the arrow key to scroll up or down, ROMTerm seems to be unable to handle the screen redraws quickly enough and lots of screen corruption happens.

Steps to reproduce: Run ROMTerm 1.23. Select 115200 Baud, RTS/CTS, ANSI. Connect to endofthelinebbs.com
Once at Main Menu, hit X for External Programs, 1 for Main Programs, 1 for ANSIView library.
Then hold UP and DOWN arrows while it scrolls the screen and watch as the terminal appears to not be able to keep up with screen redraws and processing keyboard input at the same time. I've attached photos of a corrupted screen along with what it should look like without corruption. Thanks!