DIALOGUE 128 TERMINAL PROGRAM
A Review by Bob Nunn

The program is by Gary Farmaner from Triple Point Software.  Gary obviously knows what he is doing as the term operates in fast 2 mhz mode and uses the 128 to its maximum capabilities.  This is not a simple rehash of a 64 program it was built for the 128 from the ground up! 

BAUD RATES & SWIFTLINK COMPATIBLE

This program supports about any baud rate your modem can provide including 300/1200/2400/3600/4800 baud rates  and this allows level 5 MNP protocol.  It also supports the Swiftlink (from CMD) at 7200-38,400 baud.

KEYBOARD, MOUSE OR JOYSTICK

This program supports most major modem types and all commands are available from the keyboard. It  supports the 1351 mouse in either Geos or Amiga modes or uses a joystick and has drop down menus.  This program uses the 128 keys like help and alt.  You can use the cursor key or two key commands which are common to so many terms.  I like the drop down menus and it works similar to Write Stuff in that you can use either menus or key commands. 

40 OR 80 COLUMN

One thing you must have is an 80 column screen but you can use the optional 40 column selectable on 80 column screen it also has optional 25 or 50 line mode. It also takes advantage of your extra video ram!

RAM EXPANDER SUPPORT

It is almost automatic.  It auto-detects 1700 or 1750 Ram Expanders and installs 128 ramdos unless you already have it installed.

REALLY BIG BUFFERS

It has a 64,000 character capture buffer (800/1600 lines) & a 9,000 character separate scrollback review buffer.  With  the addition of an REU it has optional 512,000 character buffer (6,400/12,800 line).  You can customize your multiple buffer configurations (1 to 8 separate capture buffers).  Have you ever wanted to edit something you pulled off-line before saving it?  It has a full featured integrated text editor built right in!

GIVES GREAT PHONE

Extensive auto-dial/redial capabilities are built right in.  It allows multiple 30 entry phone directories and you can individually define terminal parameters for each entry.  Really convenient  if you visit many different system types you can tell it which boards are ANSI or C=Graphics and it automatically puts you on in the correct mode!  There is a powerful auto-execute script language allows full unattended & automatic operations.  It can log onto my system read and buffer the mail and then read and buffer all new messages a log off while you are watching tv.

PROTOCOLS PLUS OR MINUS

Punter C1, Ymodem Batch, Compuserve QuickB, XMODEM checksum/CRC/1K protocols are all supported.  One BIG disappointment was the missing MultiPunter! Perhaps a later upgrade will add this much used feature.  True Ymodem Batch support is a first for me.  I have not seen this available on a Commodore term before. 

ADD MODULES

Loadable extension files vastly extend Dialogues future capabilities.  You can have it autoload different modules like RLE support and more.

WORKS FOR ME AND MY CMD

Partition and sub-directory support for the 1581 drives, hard drives & ram drives.  It also supports burst mode support for the 1571 & 1581.  It is easy to install on any Commodore compatible drive and is not copy protected!

HAS REAL CHARACTER

Color graphics are fully supported for both CBM & IBM type ANSI bulletin boards & user defined character sets and fully integrated character editor are included as a bonus!

WHAT DOES BOB THINK?

This term is not designed for the beginner.  While it is simple to use and operate, you have to be fairly familiar with telecommunications.  The manual is well written but does not start you from the ground up.  It is a sophisticated program that has all the bells and whistles but it well designed enough to be easy to use.  This is my new term of choice. The only real setback is the lack of multipunter and perhaps they'll add an upgrade module.  You can order Dialogue 128 from Software Support International by calling 1-800-356-1179 it lists in their catalog for $24.95.