Software Terminal Graphics

All the viscoelastic measurements were carried out in the Rheometrics Dynamic Spectrometer RDS-770 at a frequency of 1Hz, a strain of 0.1%, and a temperature range of -140° to 140°C incremented every 2 degrees. The Texas Instrument Terminal Silent 700 was tapped to provide a hookup to an IBM 308X main frame computer located some miles away. The output of the Rheometrics unit was converted to a data file to be used in conjuc-tion with SAS (1). All statistical manipulations, software developments, and the necessary graphics that are reported here were carried out with the aid of SAS. 

For all MicroSYNTH systems, reactions are monitored through an external control terminal utilizing the Easy WAVE software packages. The runs can be controlled by adjusting either the temperature, the pressure, or the microwave power output in a defined program of up to ten steps. The software enables on-line modification of any method parameter and the reaction process is monitored through an appropriate graphical interface. An included solvent library and electronic lab journal feature simplifies the experimental documentation. 

When 8-bit microprocessor-based computers became available, we decided that such a computer, even though slower than minicomputers, would be adequate to operate the OMA and our interface controller with the ultracentrifuge. We now have in the system an Altair 8800 computer with 28K of memory (MITS, Albuquerque, NM), a hard-wired arithmetic board and two minifloppy disk drives (North Star, Berkeley, CA), a 700 ASR Terminal (Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX), and a 7202A Graphic Plotter (Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, CA). Appropriate software, written in Basic, has been developed to collect intensity data from the OMA automatically and also to treat and plot the data at the end of the experiment. Details of the system and software will be published elsewhere. We also have an improved illumination system with a 200 W Hg-Xe arc lamp and a Model H-20 monochromator with a holo-... 

Tektronix equipment, and functioning for any terminal that has 4010 emulation. The cost of this system can run from as low as a few thousand dollars for some minimal capability to thirty thousand for a full blown software system. The features of this package include software libraries as well as interactive graphics and drawing routines. 

GT42LIB General purpose, FORTRAN-callable subroutine package to support graphics on a GT-40 series graphics display terminal, based on software developed by Digital Equipment Corporation. 

GT42MON GT-40 series terminal monitor program controls communication between graphics terminal and host computer. Based on software developed by Digital Equipment Corporation ... 

To make the Macintosh compatible with MACCS, we use the Versaterm Pro software package, which allows the Macintosh to emulate the Tektronix 4105, one of the acceptable terminal types. By this same package, the Macintosh can emulate the Tektronix 4014 and VT-100, which allow the chemists to use other applications programs, such as SYNLIB for chemical reaction literature and of course, all the standard non-graphics applications such as electronic mail. 

The first major graphics application for an ACS publication automated the input and composition of structures in CA. Later, this structure input method was modified and added to the Messenger software for use in STN International as the basis for the STRUCTURE command that builds queries for substructure searching. After a search, structure images can be displayed on certain graphics terminals. Chemical structures are also produced by Messenger batch software on STN International off-line prints. 

Standardized software tools are available to support building device drivers and IBM is supporting CGI. CGI could allow the implementation of a generalized device driver in hardware chips, thus offloading host processing to the graphics terminal or intelligent workstation. If implemented, this would provide true hardware independence. 

NAPLPS was designed specifically to meet the needs of videotext on slow speed telecommunication lines currently, it is the videotext standard in the United States and Canada. As a communication standard for the exchange of graphical and textual information, it is a useful device interface because it is compact, portable, and resolution independent. A decoder is needed on the terminal to receive and display NAPLPS. This can be a software emulator or it can be built into the hardware. 

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