Re: Apple II+ --> UN*X

[dalloff@freenet.columbus.oh.us (Dave Althoff)]

First of all, I don't know about the newer software packages, so others
will have to help you there.  But if you can dredge up a copy, ASCII
Express, which used to be the standard for Apple ][ communications (before
ProTERM came along), had (has?) the ability to re-map keys, so that you
can send any ASCII sequence.  In addition, it supported (supports?) the
Videx 80-column boards, ROM lower-case, and the PB-2 shift-wire mod.  If
you don't have a lower-case character ROM, it can display upper-case only,
showing upper-case characters as inverse text.  If you don't have the
shift-wire mod, it allows you to use CTRL-A as a caps-toggle.

As for the shift-wire mod, it's been a long time since I put one in, but
it is really quite simple.  A lead is connected between a pin on the
connector between the keyboard and its encoder card, and Pin #4 of the
paddle port.  Usually, this is done with a hook-on connector at the
encoder board, and often with a 16-pin socket stuck in the paddle port. 
Sorry, I don't know which pin on the encoder card.  Anyway, this doesn't
do anything to the normal operation of the computer, but it does cause the
SHIFT keys to set the Pushbutton #2 input.  Operation, therefore, is
completely dependent on software.  You might try this BASIC program to
check to find out if the mod is installed:

10 HOME
20 PB=PEEK(-16285)
30 IF PB>128 THEN VTAB 12:HTAB 20:PRINT" SHIFT ":GOTO 20
40 VTAB 12:HTAB 20:PRINT "UNSHIFT":GOTO 20

RUN the program and see what it says.  If the mod is installed, the
display should change from "UNSHIFT" to "SHIFT" when you press the SHIFT
key.  Programs which are shift-mod aware usually translate all keyboard
input to lower-case, unless PB2 is 'pressed'.

I ran Ascii Express with a 300 baud modem on a ][+ at my high-school from
1986-1988, with a shift-wire mod, lower-case ROM, and Videx Videoterm
80-column board.  Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.
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