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Post by Jeff Ledger on Nov 28, 2005 1:00:53 GMT -5
As of tonight, I'm making good progress on the development of the new "CMLServ" proxy. The proxy is running on my BBS machine, and shouldn't surprise anyone that many of it's routines are the same input/output that are used on Temporal Vortex BBS. At this point both a 64 connected via TCPSER/Serial Terminal and VICE should work well in the next release.
As I have been debugging the new server software (currently running about 60% after 3 hours of coding)
The current bugs appear to revolve around the server dumping data faster than the 64 can accept it. hmmm.
I'm seeing where CML and TelBBS can be merged to allow cross connection of the two technologies. The new multiuser CML chatroom will lean on the existing Temporal Vortex system which is already running. The new interface makes it possible to switch from web surfing with the 64 to BBSing with sprites and graphics (later SID) seamlessly.
The new direction of CML is exciting as I start to combine these technologies. Also, if you haven't read the Serial/Terminal thread in the TelBBS section, it looks like cheap serial terminals for the 64 are a reality.
More later.
Jeff
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Post by Golan Klinger on Nov 28, 2005 17:15:22 GMT -5
I'm embarrassed to admit that until today the only thing I knew about CML is what the initialism stood for. I've been meaning to do some research but I never seemed to get around to it. Today my curiosity overtook my laziness (this is how I made it through school) and I am *really* intrigued. The idea of CML is brilliant and the applications for CML are endless.
I do have some questions though...
What does the PC-side software do? I don't have a DOS/Windows machine handy so I can't try out CML just yet or examine the PC-side software. I'm guessing that it does some preprocessing which makes me wonder if it might be possible to setup a proxy server somewhere to handle that task. That way a 64 with a network connection, be it an actual 64 with a UDS-10 or similar or an emulator, could view CML without the need for a PC.
If the PC-side softare is essential, I'm wondering if it might be possible to port it to other OSes (Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD et al leap to mind). In what language is the PC-side software written? It drives me nuts when cool things are available only to Windows uers.
Has any thought been given to writing a CML viewer/browser for platforms other than the 64? Sort of the CML equivalent of CGTerm. Of course, a plug-in for widely used browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Safari etc.) might be even better (and simpler to write).
I apologize if these are stupid questions that would have been answered had I tried out the CML software. I will try it as soon as I can.
I've already decided that TPUG's new web pages (which I'm working on now) are going to include CML support and if I can get up to speed quickly enough, I think a presentation about CML would be well received at the World of Commodore (what do you think, Jeff?)
ARGH! Why did I wait so long to learn about CML?
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Nov 28, 2005 17:38:43 GMT -5
CML version 2.0 will eliminate the Windows application (CMLServ) which currently handles the go-between between the internet and the 64.
This new version will support the following connection methods:
* Use of a serial terminal device connecting the 64 to ethernet directly. (Example: UDS10 or compatible)
* Use of TCPSER or TCPSER4j which runs on linux and windows at present. This method will still require a box as a go between, but should move the project to a "standard" configuration
* Use of VICE 1.16 and up to run the CML browser under Windows/Linux/MAC -- Not my favorite method, but is sure making developement easier.
After I get this major switch working, I'm looking forward to moving to SID support!
Jeff
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Post by Golan Klinger on Nov 28, 2005 20:16:51 GMT -5
CML version 2.0 will eliminate the Windows application (CMLServ) which currently handles the go-between between the internet and the 64. That's perfect. That's good to know. I don't know of anyone porting TCPSER or TCPSER4j (which theoretically shouldn't require porting yadda yadda yadda) to any other platforms but doing so would not be a major undertaking. So what about the idea of being able to render CML in a browser? Much like emulators, it may seem like heresy to purists but I think anything that encourages people to participate in the Commodore community is a good thing. Think of it as a gateway drug.  |
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Post by Golan Klinger on Nov 28, 2005 20:19:18 GMT -5
Oh, I forgot to ask, does CML do any caching on the 64? With a disk cache, a person could effortlesly create a floppy that has all the graphics and sounds for the sites they visit. Sort of like a customized Q-Link disk.
My mind boggles when I start thinking about the nifty things that can be done with CML.
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Nov 28, 2005 22:40:22 GMT -5
Not yet, but there's some serious talk in the works about combining Dave Moormans' powerpoint type software for the 64 with CML so that this would be possible.
Jeff
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Nov 28, 2005 22:51:01 GMT -5
I'd love a demo given at WoC, but I can't be there myself this year.  If you start using CML in your webpages, understand that I'm going to attempt to make the commandset more userfriendly. For instance, text color commands will be changed from their existing: ^Cxx will be changed to something like <TEXT COLOR=BLUE> I'll provide a guide for everyone who needs to change code when the time comes... Jeff |
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