This command will run the xminicom script and start minicom in an X11 terminal window. To get help on how to use minicom, you can hold down the Alt key and press the Z key. Figure 9.1 shows the minicom help screen.

Figure 9.1.
The minicom communi-
cations program
features built-in help
for the user.

To configure minicom, hold down the Alt key and press the O key to get to the configure screen. Scroll down, select Serial Port Setup, and press the Enter key. You then can type in the Serial Device by pressing the A key. Type in the device your modem is connected to, such as /dev/cua1, or the symbolic link, /dev/modem, if you've created the link. Figure 9.2 details the serial port setup screen.

Finally, press the Enter key, select Save setup as dfl, and press the Enter key again, followed by the Escape key. Your system defaults should be set. You can then try to call out with

ATDTXXX-XXXX

If you press Enter after dialing, this should make your modem dial the phone number represented by XXX-XXXX. If you have a number of phone numbers of other computers to call, you can enter them in minicom's phone directory. You can also set up minicom to send or retrieve files by using different file transfer programs. For details about these and other features, read the minicom manual page. You'll also find documentation under the /usr/doc directory, which contains extensive details of using other features of this program.

Figure 9.2.
Configuring the serial
port for minicom.

Setting Up and Calling Out with the seyon X11 Client

The seyon communications program, by Muhammad M. Saggaf, runs only under the X Window System, and has an extensive list of features. Although seyon isn't as simple or initially friendly as minicom, it does have

• Built-in help
• A built-in telecommunications scripting language to automate calling up and logging into other computer systems
• A built-in text editor for writing telecommunications scripts
• A command-line shell dialog for running commands, which displays output in the main communication window
• Buttons to set up modem speed, parity, and stop bits

If you've created a symbolic link to /dev/modem, the seyon program will automatically recognize and work with your modem. All you have to do to call out and connect with another computer is to type your AT command string with the phone number to dial out and connect.

If you need to tell the seyon client the specific device for your modem, click the Set button in the Seyon Command Center window to bring up the Settings window. Click the Port button in the Settings window and type in the name of the device, /dev/cua1 for example, in the Values? window. Figure 9.3 shows seyon and its settings windows.

Figure 9.3.
The seyon X11 client
has point-and-click
convenience for
modem setup.

Now click OK and click the Close button of the Settings window. If you'd like to start the seyon program with a default modem speed, number of bits, or parity, edit the file called startup in the .seyon directory in your home directory. This directory is installed automatically when you install the seyon program. You can make changes to the following lines in the startup file:

...



# set baud

set baud 19200



# can be 5, 6, 7, or 8

# set bits 8

set bits 8



# can be 0 (= no parity), 1 (= odd parity), or 2 (= even parity)

# set parity 0

set parity 0



# can be 1 or 2

# set stopBits 1

set stopBits 1

...

If you need help when using the seyon program, you can click the Help button in the seyon Command Center window. A window will pop up with the seyon manual page, and you can scroll through the text for help.

Setting Up Your Linux System for Dialing In

You can also set up your Linux system so that your computer's modem answers the phone and allows you to log in. You can then run a bulletin board system (BBS), word processors, spreadsheet programs, and even dial out on another line if you have at least two modems connected to your computer and two phone lines in your home.

You'll find most of the details, and custom configurations, in the Serial-HOWTO under the /usr/doc directory, but the three basic steps outlined here should work for nearly any modem.

First, run minicom, and use the AT command &V to display your modem's profile, or default setup—for example,

AT&V

ACTIVE PROFILE:

B1 E1 L1 M1 N1 Q0 T V1 W0 X4 Y0 &C1 &D2 &G0 &J0 &K3 &Q5 &R1 &S0 &T5 &X0 &Y0 ~Z0

S00:000 S01:000 S02:043 S03:013 S04:010 S05:008 S06:004 S07:045 S08:002 S09:006

S10:014 S11:095 S12:050 S18:000 S25:005 S26:001 S36:007 S37:000 S38:020 S44:020

S46:138 S48:007 S51:012 S52:012 S53:010 S54:010 S95:000

You may see other values, but you need to make sure that your modem is at least set to the following:

E1 Q0 V1 S0=0 &C1 &S0

You can set your modem to these values by using the AT command—for example,

ATE1Q0V1S0=0&C1&S0&W

OK

Note that at the end of the AT command string, I've used the &W AT command to save the modem configuration as a default. You should also see the OK prompt echoed from your modem after entering the string.

The second step is to create a file called /etc/conf.uugetty.ttySX, where the X matches the serial port or device number of your serial port. In this example, the modem is connected to the DOS COM2 port, or /dev/cua1 or /dev/ttyS1, so you'll create conf.uugetty.ttyS1 as your file. Make sure that you're logged in as root and enter the following into the file:

ALTLOCK=cua1

ALTLINE=cua1