From: cg18ffl@icogsci1.ucsd.edu (Spumoni...)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.applications
Subject: Re: Anyone have experience with X-Comm V1.00?
Keywords: Ka-SPLATTT!!!
Date: 12 Jan 93 07:13:10 GMT
Followup-To: comp.sys.amiga.applications
Organization: University of California, San Diego

Jeremy Friesner writes:

.I downloaded X-Comm v1.00 today, and although I really like
.the interface and multitude of options, it seems very unstable.

.It causes enforcer hits on startup, sometimes makes the mouse
."jerky", sometimes writes garbage on the screen, but mostly
.just goes straight to nuclear-meltdown-guru..

.Is anyone else using this program yet?  If so, do you have
.any trouble with it crashing?  I'm trying to find out if
.it is X-Comm at fault, or one of the (many) other programs
.I have running in the background.


.Thanks for any input,

.Jeremy

	I downloaded X-Comm1.0 today to test it out. (I have a 3000) Yes, the
program is VERY, EXTREMELY unstable. In fact, I would go so far as to say that
this program should have remained in beta testing for a few more months at
least. 
	Here's a short rundown of the problems:

1) Sometimes the program will instantly GURU while opening it's screen.
2) Using the REXX server (ex: for instance, automating the dialing of numbers
with a hotkey) Usually causes the modem to behave erratically, and often
crashes the Arexx server, input.device, and then corrupts the freemem list and
LOCKS the computer up DEAD. The computer will not boot after this happens. It
must be turned off.
3) The IFF beep server (the one that you select with the ASL requester) is a
suspected cause of the system crashing when the modem sends a carrier detect
to the program.
4) Calling my VAX server causes XComm to crash horrendously. Sometimes (not
always) I will get to the part where the terminal will reset itself. Then, the
screen will start spitting out garbage, whereupon the system will attempt to
put up an Abort/retry Software Failure requester, at which point the system
will lock up DEAD again.
5) Playing with the macros too much causes equally horrendous memory
corrupting crashes.
6) The user interface will lock up often, becoming numb to all user input.
7) And many more.

In short, there are a HELL OF A LOT OF BUGS. In fact, I have decided to ignore
XComm for the time being, until there is a suitable bugfix. The interface and
ideas behind the program are far more excellent than Term (IMHO). This is not
surprising, since it looks likt the authors studied the source to Term and
embellished upon it. It is very user configurable (the only part of the
program that was reliable), font-sensitive, and sports some INCREDIBLY
powerful features. 
	I am actually impressed with Xcomm, though, because it's not often
that a program so new shows so much potential. Ususally the first version is
lacking features (on top of being bug-ridden) and other things are added
later.

	I believe if XComm is further developed into a stable, reliable
product, it will be one of, if not THE, best comm programs out there. For now,
though, I'll keep a respectful distance. You have to do that when the program
crashes your Amiga more times than it's been crashed in the last year. :)


----------------------------------------
...nverenin@sdcc13.ucsd.edu












Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.applications