Linux on PowerPC FAQ-O-Matic : PowerPC Linux : Open Firmware : Using a second computer as a terminal
	Some people have trouble getting output to their monitors from OF and thus must forego the option of playing around in OF and do the Linux installation "blind" (I have seen two examples of this in the FAQ with Starmax machines, which is what I have, but probably also applies to anyone with a fixed frequency monitor that doesn't support 640x480 @ 66Hz). There is some info on how to use a second machine as a terminal to work around this problem, but it's not all clear and not in one place. This note is an attempt to address this issue for those with access to a second machine. Terminology: "term program"--a 'dumb' terminal program like Zterm or Microphone, which does not rely on TCP/IP protocals (NCSA Telnet didn't work for me) "host"--the machine with the terminal program on it "target"--the machine onto Linux will be loaded, or whose OF will be read "cable"--any standard Mac serial cable (like a printer cable) Boot the host machine with *all* OpenTransport and Appletalk extensions and control panels off (and any other communication related ext. and CPs). Plug the cable into the modem, printer, or, on powerbooks, the modem/printer port on the host machine. Open the term program and select the appropriate port (the one into which you plugged the cable), set the speed to 380000 and the parity to 8, none and 1. [In Zterm this is under "Session"]. Set the terminal to either ANSI or VT102 compliant. [In Zterm this is under "Terminal"] Plug the other end of the cable into the modem or printer port of the target machine. If you do not have Boot Variables and are going to open OF using option-command-O-F, make sure it is the modem port. If you do have Boot Variables (and you should), open it and check the "advanced settings" box. By default, the input and output device are set to "ttya". This is the modem port. If your cable is plugged into the modem port on the target machine and you want to use the keyboard on your host machine, uncheck the "Autoboot" box and then press "Write and Reboot". Your target machine will reboot and you will get the OF introductory message on your host machine. From there you can play around in OF. If you want to get back to the MacOS, type "bye" and <CR> at any point. This is all there is to it, but here are a few extra options for those who want to know. If you want to use the keyboard on your target machine instead of the one on your host, under input-device in Boot Variables, type "kbd". If you want to use the printer port on your target machine rather than the modem port, type "ttyb" in the output-device field (and also on input if you want to use the host keyboard). The rudiments of the information above (without the setup instructions) as well as some basics of OF and Forth (the OF language) can be found in the Apple Developer Technotes #1061 and #1062, available to view or download (pdf and clarisworks formats). Hope this helps: trying to give a little back for all that I've gained from the community. --Seth Paskin seinzumtode@mail.utexas.edu
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