Calypso is a Communications Toolbox Connection Tool designed to work with CCL (Communications Control Language) connection scripts. CCL scripts were originally created for use with the AppleLink program to describe a variety of connections to the AppleLink host. With Calypso, scripts written in the CCL language can be used to connect to many different kinds of systems using any communication software which uses the Comm Toolbox. By using an appropriate script, you can use Calypso with the FirstClass front end to connect to a FirstClass server, or with MacTerminal to connect to a Vax, etc.
In addition to the CCL script which explains how to connect, Calypso uses a Comm Toolbox connection tool to actually do the work. For example, to establish connection over the IBX phone system you would select an IBX script and the Serial Tool. Or to connect using the MacX25 software you would use a MacPad script and the MacPad tool.
Calypso is most useful when the connection process is more complicated than can be handled by an existing Comm Toolbox tool. For example, if you want to make a direct modem connection to another computer, you can use the Apple Modem Tool directly. But if you need to type in certain commands every time the connection is established, to send a user name and password, or other required information, you can write a CCL script to automate this process, and make the connection using Calypso. Or there might be commands required to get through a complicated phone system, such as the IBX. By using a CCL script and the Calypso tool, this can be done in a single step.
Calypso was written by Ruth Wolfstein at Apple Computer.
For additional information on creating and modifying CCL scripts, refer to the AppleLink CCL manual, titled “Inside CCL”. To order a manual, call the Apple Online Services HelpLine at (408) 974-3309.
For further information on the Communications Toolbox, consult “Inside the Macintosh Communications Toolbox,” Addison Wesley Publishing, #57775.
How does Calypso work?
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The Calypso tool translates the CCL script commands into Communications Toolbox commands, which it passes onto another Comm Toolbox tool (such as the Serial Tool for modems). The Serial Tool is the tool most commonly used by Calypso, and is the default if no other tool is specified either in the setup dialog, or in the selected CCL script. It MUST be installed for Calypso to operate properly.
Using Calypso
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1. Place the Calypso tool in your Extensions folder. (System 6 users see the note after #3)
2. Make sure you have the CTB Connection Tool “Serial Tool” installed, along with any other tools the scripts you are using might require.
3. Drag the Connection Files folder into your Extensions folder. Put any CCLs you need in the folder.
NOTE: For System 6 users, Calypso, and all other Comm Toolbox Tools should be placed in the Communications Folder inside your System Folder, and the Connection Files folder should be directly in the System Folder.
4. While in your communications application, such as MacTerminal 3.0, open the Connection Settings dialog and select the Calypso tool as your connection method.
The controls on the right of the Connection Settings dialog box correspond to variables which are set up for the CCL being used. When a CCL file is selected, only the variables referenced in that CCL script are available to be filled in (the others are present, but dimmed).
5. The CCL popup menu displays CCL files from the Connection Files folder in the Extensions folder. Files of type ‘PETE’, ‘TEXT’ and ‘CCL ’ are considered CCL files.
6. Choose one CCL file from the list or select “Load from a file.”
7. After choosing a CCL file to use, such as “Modem (USA)”, complete the set up connection information. Include which underlying connection tool is to be used as well as username, phone number to call, baud rate, etc.
NOTE: Advanced users can display the Debug window to monitor CCL activity. Pressing Command-D activates, or deactivates, this option.
As an example, selecting MacPad from the Connection Tool popup would show the dialog displayed below. To reconfigure a tool which is currently selected in the menu, hold down the Option key while selecting the tool name in the menu.
8. Click OK to complete the process of setting up your connection.
9. After you have configured Calypso, you can open a connection (for example, choose “open connection” in MacTerminal). You will then be prompted for your password if the script you have selected requires one and you did not choose "save password" and enter a password in the setup box. Calypso displays the familiar AppleLink logon status window to show the process of the connection.
Disclaimers
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This is a pre-release version of Calypso and is not supported in any way by Apple Computer, Inc. The CCL scripts provided with the tool are intended only as examples to illustrate a few possible uses of CCLs. You may also want to refer to the AppleLink CCLs for more examples to help you customize your own scripts. Contents may have settled during shipping.
