From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux.slackware

installpkg /tmp/ckermit-416beta12-x86_64-1_jayjwa.txz
Verifying package ckermit-416beta12-x86_64-1_jayjwa.txz.
Installing package ckermit-416beta12-x86_64-1_jayjwa.txz:
PACKAGE DESCRIPTION:
# ckermit (All-purpose communications software)
#
# Kermit is a scriptable communications CLI tool originally from
# Columbia University. It can make both serial and network connections,
# including telnet, SSH, FTP, HTTP, and rlogin, facilitating the
# transfer of both binary and textual data. It can also act as a
# server as per RFC2839 and RFC2840.
#
# Homepage: https://kermitproject.org/
#
Executing install script for ckermit-416beta12-x86_64-1_jayjwa.txz.
Package ckermit-416beta12-x86_64-1_jayjwa.txz installed.

tar -z -t -v -f ckermit.tar.gz
-r-xr-xr-x jayjwa/users 6743 2026-06-06 14:51 ckermit.SlackBuild
-rw-r--r-- jayjwa/users 542 2026-06-05 17:58 doinst.sh
-rw-r--r-- jayjwa/users 940 2026-06-06 14:31 slack-desc

For its rlogin functionality (handled via doinst.sh):
getcap /usr/bin/kermit
/usr/bin/kermit cap_net_bind_service=eip

kermit
C-Kermit 10.0.416 Beta.12, 2025/03/22, for Linux+SSL (64-bit)
Copyright (C) 1985, 2025,
Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York.
Open Source 3-clause BSD license since 2011.
Type ? or HELP for help.
(~/projects/slackbuilds/ckermit/) C-Kermit>set parity space (~/projects/slackbuilds/ckermit/) C-Kermit>set host fatalis 2030
DNS Lookup... Trying 192.168.20.59... Reverse DNS Lookup... (OK)
fatalis connected on port 2030
(~/projects/slackbuilds/ckermit/) C-Kermit>connect
Connecting to host fatalis:2030
Escape character: Ctrl-\ (ASCII 28, FS): enabled
Type the escape character followed by C to get back,
or followed by ? to see other options. ----------------------------------------------------


Connected to the KL-10 simulator TTY device, line 0


KL+NETMON-704 17:30:41 TTY4 system 1025
Connected to Node NERGIG(15) Line # 4
...
Please LOGIN

.resources
DSKC,DSKB,LPT150,MTA0,1,2,3,CPU0

ftp://atr2.ath.cx/pub/operating-systems/linux/slackbuilds/ckermit.tar.gz

ckermit.tar.gz.asc

or ../slackware-package/ckermit-416beta12-x86_64-1_jayjwa.txz

It wants some of the Kerberos stuff
(libk5crypto.so.3, libkrb5support.so.0), probably because of the crypto linking, but other than that it should only require basic things that
are already in-system. Very useful when you need to connect/move files
to mainframes, minis, or even old PCs via serial lines.
--
PGP Key ID: 781C A3E2 C6ED 70A6 B356 7AF5 B510 542E D460 5CAE
"The Internet should always be the Wild West!"
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From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux.slackware

with <87mrx7eacq.fsf@atr2.ath.cx> jayjwa wrote:

installpkg /tmp/ckermit-416beta12-x86_64-1_jayjwa.txz

*SKIP* [ 11 lines 1 level deep]

# Homepage: https://kermitproject.org/

*SKIP* [ 53 lines 1 level deep]

Very useful when you need to connect/move files to mainframes, minis,
or even old PCs via serial lines.

I'm not interested in transferring files, but I'm very interested in
talking over serial (as in </dev/ttyS0>). Can anyone confirm that
kermit has tool/face/options/whatever that enables talking with a modem?

Yes, I've tried to explore online docs -- it's confusing, seems like it.

p.s. To put thins into perspective: right now I'm with 'comgt' and
it's horrifying.
--
Torvalds' goal for Linux is very simple: World Domination
Stallman's goal for GNU is even simpler: Freedom
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux.slackware

Eric Pozharski <apple.universe@posteo.net> writes:

I'm not interested in transferring files, but I'm very interested in
talking over serial (as in </dev/ttyS0>). Can anyone confirm that
kermit has tool/face/options/whatever that enables talking with a modem?

Yes. Kermit originally spoke over serial lines. It would be like 'set
line /dev/ttyS0', connect. At that point you'd speak AT commands or
whatever it requires.

These are virtual serial lines (null modem cable emulation):
(~/) C-Kermit>SET CARRIER-WATCH OFF
(~/) C-Kermit>set line /dev/tnt2
(~/) C-Kermit>connect
Connecting to /dev/tnt2, speed 38400
Escape character: Ctrl-\ (ASCII 28, FS): enabled
Type the escape character followed by C to get back,
or followed by ? to see other options. ----------------------------------------------------


Welcome to OpenVMS (TM) VAX Operating System, Version V7.3

Username: jayjwa
Password:
$ show term
Terminal: _TXA1: Device_Type: VT200_Series Owner: JAYJWA

Input: 9600 LFfill: 0 Width: 100 Parity: None
Output: 9600 CRfill: 0 Page: 38


Years back, I had an LG cell phone. You could tether it, give kermit its device, and use kermit to make it dial whatever you wanted. I no longer
have the phone so I can't show you an example but I remember it well.
--
PGP Key ID: 781C A3E2 C6ED 70A6 B356 7AF5 B510 542E D460 5CAE
"The Internet should always be the Wild West!"
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux.slackware

On Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:38:21 +0000, Eric Pozharski wrote:

I'm not interested in transferring files, but I'm very interested in
talking over serial (as in </dev/ttyS0>). Can anyone confirm that
kermit has tool/face/options/whatever that enables talking with a modem?

As jayjwa already said, yes, kermit can do that. Included in Slackware is
also minicom (text-based) and seyon (X application) that can be used to
talk by serial lines to equipment like modems.

Even though I mostly use an X session I usually prefer to run minicom in
an xterm window rather than seyon whenever I need to speak to some serial device. The big difference between both these programs and kermit is that minicom and seyon use menus to configure serial port settings while
kermit use commands at a prompt to perform such settings.

regards Henrik
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux.slackware

with <110qlsv$shb5$1@dont-email.me> Henrik Carlqvist wrote:

On Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:38:21 +0000, Eric Pozharski wrote:

I'm not interested in transferring files, but I'm very interested in
talking over serial (as in </dev/ttyS0>). Can anyone confirm that
kermit has tool/face/options/whatever that enables talking with a
modem?

As jayjwa already said, yes, kermit can do that. Included in Slackware
is also minicom (text-based) and seyon (X application) that can be
used to talk by serial lines to equipment like modems.

I've definitely (unintentionally) miscommunicated here. What I'm dealing
with is usbserial kind of serial (and there are many of them, and those
are hairy). And I apologize.

Well, as of 'minicom' that's what I found:

* Yes, 'minicom' is capable to communicate over </dev/ttyS0>. What I
didn't check if friends are likewise available ('comgt' have
problems), should deal with them later.

* Setting line parameters has apparent problems. Thus I'm not certain
'minicom' reads them correctly. But that was expected so it's not
disappointing or discouraging.

* Yup, menus. Those are more like dynamic helps (no buttons).
Unfortunately, that insistance on menu-driven configuration results in
configuration files description absent (like, at all!). Filenames of
potential configuration files are mentioned but content remains
utter mystery. Should deal with it later.

* Yay! 'minicom' pays attention to serial and terminal at the same
time! 'comgt' can't do that (and that is PITA). So that's enabling.

* Scripting is more macrosy comparing to 'comgt'; But 'comgt' is, in
fact, scripting engine (and it's horrible) with capabilities to deal
with serial specials, while 'minicom' is, AIUI, mostly interactive.

As of that 'seyon' thing -- abstaining. I've tried to find it, looks
like it's so dead it never had a home (yes, I see know about github).

Even though I mostly use an X session I usually prefer to run minicom
in an xterm window rather than seyon whenever I need to speak to some
serial device. The big difference between both these programs and
kermit is that minicom and seyon use menus to configure serial port
settings while kermit use commands at a prompt to perform such
settings.

I'm about to see what 'ckermit' can do.
--
Torvalds' goal for Linux is very simple: World Domination
Stallman's goal for GNU is even simpler: Freedom
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux.slackware

On Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:36:13 +0000, Eric Pozharski wrote:

As of that 'seyon' thing -- abstaining. I've tried to find it

No need to search much, as you are writing this in alt.os.linux.slackware
I assume that you are running Slackware and good old seyon version 2.20c
is still included in stable Slackware 15.0 as well as Slackware current:

http://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware64-15.0/slackware64/xap/

Even if you are not running Slackware, you will be able to find the
sources and buildscripts with some patches at:

http://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware64-current/source/xap/
seyon/

regards Henrik
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From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux.slackware

with <111sve0$39ip$1@dont-email.me> Henrik Carlqvist wrote:

On Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:36:13 +0000, Eric Pozharski wrote:

As of that 'seyon' thing -- abstaining. I've tried to find it

No need to search much,

*SKIP* [ 8 lines 1 level deep]

I don't want to make impression that I'm posting requests. I can elaborate and it's a long walk but that's besides the point.

I was looking for seyon's home to see if it's alive. Turns out it's even more dead than 'comgt'. It's kinda surprising but that's besides the point.

Question is: can this help me to resolve something that's my problem? 'seyon' in particular -- can't. Because it's dead for 27y now. And that's normal. Just like 'setserial' is

# setserial -a /dev/ttyUSB0
/dev/ttyUSB0, Line 0, UART: unknown, Port: 0x0000, IRQ: 0
Baud_base: 0, close_delay: 50, divisor: 0
closing_wait: 3000
Flags: spd_normal
--
Torvalds' goal for Linux is very simple: World Domination
Stallman's goal for GNU is even simpler: Freedom
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.os.linux.slackware

On Wed, 01 Jul 2026 17:54:59 +0000, Eric Pozharski wrote:

Question is: can this help me to resolve something that's my problem? 'seyon' in particular -- can't. Because it's dead for 27y now. And
that's normal. Just like 'setserial' is

Lets face it, the days of when RS232 communication was the high end way
to communicate with people and equipment is since long over. Today we
instead communicate with people and equipment by network interfaces.

Todays development with the latest high end communications tools is done
on web browsers and ssh tools and no one today spends time on a writing programs making it easy to send hayes commands over a serial line to
initiate a modem call to later display text or even graphics from a
remote server and also implement some protocols to transfer files.

However, the fact that there is no longer any active development does not
mean that all those programs suddenly broke. They still compile fine and
for your purposes you can even use screen together with setserial.

regards Henrik
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