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KEGS Fun -- ProTERM & Spectrum to Windows Command Line Console

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Ever since Kent added his serial client to IP server feature to KEGS in 
v1.29, I've been primarily using it to print directly and swiftly from 
Apple II applications to a network printer attached to the host on which 
KEGS is running. It works very, very well for that, in both 8-bit and 
GS/OS applications.

I've also wanted to use that feature to connect from ProTERM and/or 
Spectrum to the terminal app in MacOS, and to the command line console 
in Windows 10. Notwithstanding that most would not find that useful, I 
must say that I've tried it on both platforms and it is indeed possible.

On MacOS, I just followed Blake Patterson's method of using 'socat' 
within a daemon. 
<https://bytecellar.com/2022/11/28/configure-your-mac-to-allow-vintage-computers-to-dial-in/>

His method uses the login command automatically, and other than 
installing socat and adding a .plist file to /Library/launchdaemons 
there really isn't much to it.

On Windows 10, I've been using a little different method, but it also 
involves socat and a couple of .bat files.

One .bat file summons socat to accept a connection from the Apple II and 
then forwards it to the Windows command line.

Since I wasn't happy with there not being a prompt for login (and I 
wasn't satisfied with the 'runas' method, the second .bat file, which 
socat 'EXEC's, provides login prompts and verification, and assuming one 
passes, starts up 'cmd.exe'.

I've tested it in both ProTERM 3.1 and also in Spectrum and it does the 
job well. In both, I ran with VT100 emulation and with the baud rate set 
to 57,600. I'm not sure the Windows console even uses VT100, but that 
setting seemed to provide the best visual results in ProTERM and 
Spectrum, for whatever reason.

Script #1 is basically just one line:

************************************************************************

socat.exe TCP4-LISTEN:7778,fork 
EXEC:"C\:\/Users\/yourusername\/Desktop\/userandpwprompt.bat",pty,setsid,setpgid,stderr

************************************************************************

For example purposes, I left in the path to Script #2 just to show you 
how socat requires the ":" and "\" in Windows pathnames to be escaped. 
And yes, the Windows slashes are reversed, but that is what works with 
socat.

Script #2 (which I called 'userandpwprompt') is several lines:

************************************************************************

@Echo Off

:Top
@set INPUT=
@set /P INPUT="Username: "%=%
@if /i NOT "%INPUT%" == "yourname@yourdomain.com" cls & timeout /t 0 
/nobreak & goto Top
@set INPUTPW=
@set /P INPUTPW="Password: "%=%
@if /i NOT "%INPUTPW%" == "yourpassword" cls & timeout /t 0 /nobreak & 
goto Top
@cls
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe

************************************************************************

Now, I don't claim to be an accomplished .bat scripter. I'm sure this 
could be improved, but it works.

FWIW, the main reason I require a login is so I don't accidentally send 
errant characters to the serial port being forwarded to the socat server.

Anyway, I'm glad that's done. It's been a semi-obsession for several 
days now. I can go back to finishing my real work now. ;-)




Hugh Hood

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KEGS Fun -- ProTERM & Spectrum to Windows Command Line Console Hugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net> - 2023-12-24 18:48 -0600
  Re: KEGS Fun -- ProTERM & Spectrum to Windows Command Line Console Speccie <someone@somewhere.com> - 2023-12-25 08:40 +0000
    Re: KEGS Fun -- ProTERM & Spectrum to Windows Command Line Console Hugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net> - 2023-12-26 11:28 -0600
      Re: KEGS Fun -- ProTERM & Spectrum to Windows Command Line Console Speccie <someone@somewhere.com> - 2023-12-27 07:59 +0000
        Re: KEGS Fun -- ProTERM & Spectrum to Windows Command Line Console Speccie <someone@somewhere.com> - 2023-12-27 09:56 +0000
          Re: KEGS Fun -- ProTERM & Spectrum to Windows Command Line Console Hugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net> - 2023-12-27 21:16 -0600
            Re: KEGS Fun -- ProTERM & Spectrum to Windows Command Line Console Speccie <someone@somewhere.com> - 2023-12-28 08:14 +0000
  Re: KEGS Fun -- ProTERM & Spectrum to Windows Command Line Console Hugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net> - 2024-01-26 15:52 -0600
    Re: KEGS Fun -- ProTERM & Spectrum to Windows Command Line Console Hugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net> - 2024-02-10 14:32 -0600

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