Conference 7.286::atarist

    i haven't been successful transferring my text files to even a printer
    yet.  do you have any ideas on how to get text to any dec printer?

    Printing with the Portfolio to an Epson LQ550 has presented no
    problems, providing the parrallel interface is used. The baud rate
    needed to be reduced from 9600 to 4800.
    
    More generally, have tried to transfer text files to the ST with it
    running PC-Ditto. Unsuccessfully. Help!
    
    Carl
    
    

    Interesting, in theory baud rate should have no bearing on a parallel
    port!  The parallel port handshakes with the printer via the centronics
    interface.  If changing the baud rate affects this then there is
    probably a bug!
    
    						-Dave

    re .3
    
    Hi, I have been reading Carl's manuals on the Portfolio and on the
    parallel port. He hasnt got a serial port.
    
    The Portfolio can output PRINTER info on either the serial or parallel
    interfaces. The serial/parallel switch is in a SETUP menu in the
    Portfolio. 
    
    Atari have cluged the parallel transfer however!! Because they cannot
    guarantee all PC's have bi-directional parallel ports, the portfolio
    and the PC software you load into the PC, uses SERIAL comunication
    protocol over the printer port.
    The manual doesnt specify which lines are used for which
    direction, but obviously the only printer signals you can guarantee are
    "IN" on a PC are the controls, Ack,Busy, Error, Select, etc. So from
    PORTFOLIO to pc at least it is serial, they dont make clear what
    happens from the PC to portfolio, they could use all the data bits on 
    this transfer, the manual doesnt say.
    The manual does not make any reference to the protol used, it looks
    very Kermit'ish, i.e. you can make either end a "SERVER" and use it to
    control the other. Unfortunately all the manual says, is that A
    propietary protcol is used!.
    The manual states the file transfer speed is about 200 charcters/sec.
    
    I rang Atari's hot line, and asked about what serial port software they
    had, either rommed in the interface, or  elsewhere, answer, "we think one 
    of our developers is writing something", "when will it be available?", I
    asked, "dont know", they said.
    
    Does it not sound  Familar?
    
    However this doesnt help Carl to transfer to an ST. We need to find out
    the parallel tranfer protocol, (Is it Kermit), and create a driver to
    turn the ST printer port into a "serial" I/O port.
    
    Has anyone any further news on the Portfolio File transfer program?
    
    Cheers
    
    Pat K.
    P.S. I still think the Portfolio is, or can be a great product!

They are now shipping XTERM for the Portfolio.  It comes with XMODEM and
ASCII Capture.  You can use them to transfer files with the Serial 
Interface.

Randy

This sounds interesting. Is this shipped with new Portfolios or do you need
to buy a ROM card with this software on-board?

I was considering re-direction of output to the serial port to get some
items I had typed over to either the ST or the VAX, Uniterm on the ST
might be able to capture the incoming stream (or I'd write something).

But I also like to export ASCII text files and .WKS files to the portfolio,
I only have the serial interface.

I also learned in the U.K. that the Portfolio is available at a significant
saving just buy the DIP version not the Atari one (I can only assume they are
the original designers of the product since the DOS in the Portfolio stands
for DIP Operating System).

    I'm currently working on two little programs sending and receiving
    files to/from the Portfolio using the serial interface: I've
    successfully copied over all text files in both directions (using
    the COPY command on the Portfolio side) and am working now to get
    WKS files over. When I'm finished I will post the programs here.
    
    Erwin

    Sorry, I forgot to say that the other side is a VAX.

This is getting interesting....

Being one that has small fingers (my wedding band is a 7.5), I'm capable of
typing on smaller keyboards pretty efficiently (does anyone remember the old
Atari 400's? 8-) and so I'm looking for a smaller-than-notebook sized PC for 
taking notes during night classes.  I can type much faster than I can write 
and one of the only things that was holding me back from getting the Portfolio
was that nobody had found a way of effectively transferring files back and 
forth between the Portfolio and a VAX, and a Portfolio and an ST.  I would want
to be able to edit files on the VAX and print them on an LNO3.  It appears as 
though this is becoming more of a reality now...

Some questions - how 'noisy' is the Portfolio (typing on it)?  Would it be an
audible distraction taking notes with it during lectures?

Does anyone in the Southern NH/Northern MA area have one they'd like to show 
off to me?  Or is there a store in the area that has them?

How much $$$ are we talking for a full setup required to transfer files between
a VAXstation 3100 and Portflio and an ST and a Portfolio?  

Where *are* the best prices?

-Dan

    I saw the Portfolio, and some options, on sale in the computer store
    which is in Lorden Plaza in Milford, NH. Don't remember the name of
    the store offhand but it is the only one there. It looks a lot more
    like a store that sells Nintendo games than a computer store but
    it does also sell PCs and Portfolios.
    
    Have fun,
    
    Dan

    Dan,
    I have a Portfolio. The keyboard is silent and has a reasonably decent
    feel, but it is very compact. John Kmoutsas at Syntronics generally has
    the Portfolio in stock. His store is in Boston. The Bit Bucket in West
    Newton also carries the Portfolio, but you can normally get a discount
    from John. You might try Online in Salem NH. I believe that they are
    still officially a dealer.
    
    One problem I had with the Portfolio, which was my own fault was that
    when the batteries ran low, I did not replace them fast enough, and
    lost my address book. This can be solved by backing up, or by using a
    ram card, preferably both. I did not get a serial port. The build in
    file transfer utulity which works from the parallel port is designed to
    work with a PC. I have not tried it on a VAXstation running SoftPC yet.
    
    Batteries do last many hours, more than 20, but probably less than 40.
    My batteries lasted several months.
    
    If you would like to see the Portfolio, you could come down to TAY2, or
    possibly I can let Keith Dilsworth take it up to ZKO in Nashua on one
    of his frequent shuttles.
    
    Jerry
    

Jerry,

Thanks for the offer - but where's TAY2?

-Dan

    TAY2 is Taylor Street, Littleton, MA. We are located a few blocks away
    from LTN and LJO, near the intersection of 495 and route 2.
    
    Jerry

    How convenient!  I have a night class at BU (taught at Acton H.S.)
    tonight right down the road - I'll send mail.  Maybe we can hook 
    up tonight.
    
    Also, to anyone else that is interested, I just got off the line with
    Atari, and they're still offering their special deal - buy a Portfolio
    and get a 32Meg RAMcard and Parallel Interface free ($129 value).
    Supposedly dealers are offering this package as well.
    
    The only dealer in NH (according to Atari) is the one mentioned a few
    notes back, in Milford, NH (Lordon Plaza).  PC Vista, or Vista
    Computers, or something like that.
    
    -Dan 

    I spoke with John Faber, who is formerly the co-director of the
    BCS/Atari group. He attended the Glendale show last week. One of the
    more interesting items:
    
    20MB hard disk drive for the Portfolio. This is based on 2.5in
    technology. It is about the same size as the Portfolio itself, and
    plugs into the DMA port. The unit provides a pass through so that you
    can also use your serial or parallel port at the same time. The drive
    comes with its own power supply and batteries.
    
    We should expect to start seeing it on the US West coast sometime after
    the next month.
    
    Jerry
    

>  Where *are* the best prices?


I bought mine from a place in Dallas, TX called Computer Discoveries.  They 
discount quite heavily.  The dealer in Milford, NH is list price only.

I've had my Portfolio for a few months and love it.  I just bought a small
case from Brookstone.  It is perfect for the Portfolio, both interfaces
and all the adapters.  There are two cassette sized pockets that are 
perfect for the interfaces.  It's on sale for $19.95.

Randy

    XoteriX in West Hills, Ca. carries Portfolio accessories including the
    20MB hard disk. I am trying to contact them to participate in the NE
    AtariFest.
    
    The phone number is:(818)888-7390.
    23106 Baltar Street
    West Hills, Ca 91304
    
    They have a 512K ram card for $299,
    128K cards at $169.00.
    
    Also, they have some Software such as ChequeWriter, TimeKeeper, and
    Terminal+.

I realized, that everybody who wants to connect his
Portfolio to a VAX or ATARI-ST over a serial interface had
to "reinvent the wheel" and came to the same or similar
solution for the DB9/DB25 cable after a while. 

Therefore I believe that it makes sense to document for
prospective Portfolio users a working solution for this type
of connection. There are of course some other solutions
(e.g. the RI signal is not really required). 

After plugging in this cable the Portfolio has a 25-pin
RS232 connector like every Digital VTxxx terminal. 

Since I was not able to get this cable in a shop after 3
tries, i decided to solder it myself. But I still believe
that it's vailable from some source or even from DECdirect. 

The cable can be used for connecting the Portfolio Serial
Interface to: 

- a DECserver (and a VAX network behind it) or
- to the serial port of an ATARI-ST.

In both cases you need an additional cable:

- a normal RS232 terminal cable for the DECserver wall outlet or
- a null modem cable for the ATARI ST.

The 25-Pin male DB25 is plugged into the H8571-E adapter of
the second cable. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Cable for connecting the Portfolio to any serial interface

                              9-Pin        25-Pin
                              DB9          DB25
                              female       male

  Carrier Detect        CD     1-------------8      CD

  Receive Data          RD     2-------------3      RD

  Transmit Data         TD     3-------------2      TD

  Data Terminal Ready   DTR  +-4            20-+    DTR
                             |                 |
  Signal Ground         GND  | 5-------------7 |    GND
                             |                 |
  Data Set Ready        DSR  +-6             6-+    DSR

  Request To Send       RTS  +-7             4-+    CTS
                             |                 |
  Clear To Send         CTS  +-8             5-+    RTS

  Ring Indicator        RI     9------------22      RI


LEGEND

Connection between pins:        ------------

                             +-               -+
Loopback within plug:        |                 |
                             +-               -+
    

    Please don't try to use the cable sold by DECdirect as BCC05. This is
    9pin D to 25 pin D but with the following connections:
    
    9 way D (F)		25 way D (F)
       1                    1
       2                    3
       3                    2
       4                    5
       5                    6
       6                   20
       7                    7
    
    ...Howard

Computer Junction in Milford, NH (the local Portfolio dealer) sells an
adapter called a mouse adapter.  It works perfectly for coverting the D9
to a D25.  I use it to connect to the LAT and to my modem.

It's small (about 2.5 inches square) and requires no soldering.

Randy

    We would like to announce a dedicated ATARI PORTFOLIO notes 
    conference on BYENG0::PORTFOLIO. Enclosed is   introduction
    of the conference.
    
    We wish you happy conferencing.
    
    The moderators 
    
    
            <<< BYENG0::SYSTEM_2:[NOTES$LIBRARY]PORTFOLIO.NOTE;1 >>>
                    -< ATARI - PORTFOLIO,  Clearing House >-
================================================================================
Note 1.0                          Introduction                           1 reply
BYENG0::ABAUER "Alfred Bauer"                        45 lines   4-OCT-1990 18:00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	This Conference discusses topics related the ATARI Portfolio. 
        Without our intention to advertising, the ATARI Portfolio is 
        probably the first affordable MS-DOS alike palm-top computer
        on the market (more information see reply , the     official             
        announcement of Atari).

        The application of the ATARI portfolio seems to be sheer 
        unlimited. To explore these new exciting avenues we decided 
        to open this conference, and  invite people to  participate  
        with their Portfolio experience. 
        We believe that the ATARI is a promising start to you  new 
        generation of computers when properly integrated can develop
        to a very helpful tool.

        This conference is organised as follows:

        1.0  Purpose	
              - Introduction to conference, general announcements
        2.0 Interest List
              - Registration, name, vaxmail, usage of portfolio
        3.0 new hardware add-ons
        4.0 new software
        5.0 Questions/Problems
        6.0 Solutions to Problems
        7.0 Hints/Experience
        8.0 Barter/Sale/Wanted
        9.0 Internals 
       10.0 Literature
       11.0 ToolBox
       12.0 Communication
       13.0 Reserved
       14.0 Reserved
       15.0 Reserved

We wish you exciting portfolio times.

The Moderators:

Alfred Bauer
Herbert Enge
Erwin Heute