UCSB Online Graphics
A directory of UCSB graphics sockets for IMLAC, TEKTRONIX and Level 0 users.
Pickens, J.R. and E. Faeh, "UCSB Online Graphics", RFC 398, DOI 10.17487/RFC0398, September 1972, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc398>.
@misc{rfc398,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 398,
howpublished = {RFC 398},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC0398},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc398},
author = {J.R. Pickens and E. Faeh},
title = {{UCSB Online Graphics}},
pagetotal = 2,
year = 1972,
month = sep,
} RFC text
NWG/RFC #398 John R. Pickens
UCSB Online Graphics Edward D. Faeh
NIC 11911 UCSB
22 Sept 72
At present, users with TEKTRONIX or IMLAC terminals or with systems
that support the proposed level 0 graphics protocol can access UCSB
graphics. Listed below are the ICP sockets for the currently
supported terminals and protocols. Any detailed questions about or
problems with a particular protocol should be directed to Ed Faeh
(805-961-4047).
Socket Supports
x'701' IMLAC with special software designed
by Jerry Powell (MITRE Corp.).
Graphics is sent over a simplex
connection to the IMLAC. Alphanumerics
are sent over a TELNET-like connection
to a separate device. The IMLAC
software can be loaded from MIT-DMCG.
x'703' IMLAC with 80x80 display grid
and Standard Text and Edit Package.
Some IMLACs have a 64x64 display grid.
Therefore, the choice may be made in
the near future to format the
graphics output from this connection
for the smaller grid resolution so
that both terminal types may be handled.
Display resolution is limited with
this terminal configuration as
normal UCSB terminals have 1024x1024
grid. Nevertheless, meaningful
displays are obtained even at the
lower resolutions.
x'705' Current Level 0 graphics protocol.
x'707' Same as x'701' but with special
UCSB online keyboard as input.
This configuration averts the
necessity of spelling out online
operators.
x'709' Same as x'705' but with special
UCSB online keyboard as input.
NWG/RFC# 398 JRP EDF 22-SEP-72 16:25 11911
UCSB OnLine Graphics
x'801' TEKTRONIX terminals. Models 4002-A
4010, and T-4002 have been tested
successfully. Presumably all other
4002 compatible terminals will also work.
The primary problems that will be encountered by the network user
center about display formatting. For historical reasons (i.e. only
one type of terminal in house ) no means were included in the system
to facilitate terminal independent random positioning of alphanumeric
output. Thus, a program which draws and labels a graph neatly on one
terminal might label like a kindergartener on other terminals.
Nevertheless, this problem can be minimized with careful programming
and efforts are underway to provide at least minimal alphanumeric
device independence.
Users interested in experimenting with online graphics should contact
John Pickens (805-961-3454), Glen Davis (805-961-2462), or Mark
Krilonovich (805-961-3454). Suggestions and criticisms of all aspects
of the UCSB OnLine - Network User interface are desired.
[ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]
[ into the online RFC archives by BBN Corp. under the ]
[ direction of Alex McKenzie. 1/97 ]
ISO Plain Language
On this page
§1UCSB Graphics Connections
UCSB users with TEKTRONIX or IMLAC terminals, or systems supporting the proposed Level 0 graphics protocol, can access UCSB graphics. The RFC lists ICP sockets for the supported terminal and protocol configurations.
Questions about a particular protocol are directed to Ed Faeh.
Different terminals connect to UCSB graphics through different sockets. This RFC gives the socket for each supported configuration.
§2Supported Configurations
Socket x'701' supports an IMLAC with special software; graphics use a simplex connection and alphanumeric data a separate TELNET-like connection. Socket x'703' supports an IMLAC with an 80x80 display grid and a standard text and edit package, though some IMLACs have 64x64 grids.
Sockets x'705' and x'709' support the current Level 0 graphics protocol, with the latter using a special UCSB online keyboard. Sockets x'707' supports the special-software IMLAC configuration with that keyboard. Socket x'801' supports tested TEKTRONIX models 4002-A, 4010 and T-4002.
The socket list distinguishes IMLAC setups, Level 0 graphics and TEKTRONIX terminals. Some configurations add a special online keyboard or use a separate text connection.
§3Display Formatting
The RFC says the main problem for network users is display formatting. The system had no mechanism for terminal-independent random positioning of alphanumeric output because it had originally been built around one terminal type.
A program that labels a graph neatly on one terminal may place labels poorly on another. The authors say careful programming can reduce the problem and that work is underway on minimal alphanumeric device independence.
Text labels may appear differently on different terminals. The RFC says programmers can reduce the problem and that work on device independence is underway.