I make no claims as to the usefullness of this discovery, but here goes.
It is possible to use the MailStation (I actually have a branded eMessage) as a (very) dumb terminal.
Here is what worked for me: Folowing benjisimon's directions from the linux/ppp thread, connect your mailstation to your server using a phone cord between the two modems. Start minicom or some other communications program on your server. Put the MailStation in diagnostic mode (hold down Fn-Shift-t and tap the power button), press '5' for QA Evaluation, then '3' for Modem Test, then type 'ATX3DT1' to have it dial 1 without waiting for a dialtone. On the server side type 'ata' and let the modems get to know each other. After they have connected, viola, a very dumb terminal.
The output is a little strange on the mailstation, it only sends one line at a time, and it defaults to ALL CAPS (you can type lowercase by holding down shift, but caps lock doesn't work), but I'm sure someone will find this useful.
I just think these things are the coolest things ever. I ordered 4 for JustDeals last week for $15 or so each. When I get back to school and have a real computer I'll play around with ppp or automate the connection process so you can really use it as a dumb terminal.
Little known fact: If you log in to a unix host with a capitalized username it will assume that your terminal can't do lowercase and it will convert for you automatically.
Goodness these things are fun!
runparts | |
