UCSB Online Graphics
Directory of socket addresses for UCSB online graphics services
Pickens, J.R. and E. Faeh, "UCSB Online Graphics", RFC 398, DOI 10.17487/RFC0398, September 1972, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc398>.
@misc{rfc398,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 398,
howpublished = {RFC 398},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC0398},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc398},
author = {J.R. Pickens and E. Faeh},
title = {{UCSB Online Graphics}},
pagetotal = 2,
year = 1972,
month = sep,
} RFC text
NWG/RFC #398 John R. Pickens
UCSB Online Graphics Edward D. Faeh
NIC 11911 UCSB
22 Sept 72
At present, users with TEKTRONIX or IMLAC terminals or with systems
that support the proposed level 0 graphics protocol can access UCSB
graphics. Listed below are the ICP sockets for the currently
supported terminals and protocols. Any detailed questions about or
problems with a particular protocol should be directed to Ed Faeh
(805-961-4047).
Socket Supports
x'701' IMLAC with special software designed
by Jerry Powell (MITRE Corp.).
Graphics is sent over a simplex
connection to the IMLAC. Alphanumerics
are sent over a TELNET-like connection
to a separate device. The IMLAC
software can be loaded from MIT-DMCG.
x'703' IMLAC with 80x80 display grid
and Standard Text and Edit Package.
Some IMLACs have a 64x64 display grid.
Therefore, the choice may be made in
the near future to format the
graphics output from this connection
for the smaller grid resolution so
that both terminal types may be handled.
Display resolution is limited with
this terminal configuration as
normal UCSB terminals have 1024x1024
grid. Nevertheless, meaningful
displays are obtained even at the
lower resolutions.
x'705' Current Level 0 graphics protocol.
x'707' Same as x'701' but with special
UCSB online keyboard as input.
This configuration averts the
necessity of spelling out online
operators.
x'709' Same as x'705' but with special
UCSB online keyboard as input.
NWG/RFC# 398 JRP EDF 22-SEP-72 16:25 11911
UCSB OnLine Graphics
x'801' TEKTRONIX terminals. Models 4002-A
4010, and T-4002 have been tested
successfully. Presumably all other
4002 compatible terminals will also work.
The primary problems that will be encountered by the network user
center about display formatting. For historical reasons (i.e. only
one type of terminal in house ) no means were included in the system
to facilitate terminal independent random positioning of alphanumeric
output. Thus, a program which draws and labels a graph neatly on one
terminal might label like a kindergartener on other terminals.
Nevertheless, this problem can be minimized with careful programming
and efforts are underway to provide at least minimal alphanumeric
device independence.
Users interested in experimenting with online graphics should contact
John Pickens (805-961-3454), Glen Davis (805-961-2462), or Mark
Krilonovich (805-961-3454). Suggestions and criticisms of all aspects
of the UCSB OnLine - Network User interface are desired.
[ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]
[ into the online RFC archives by BBN Corp. under the ]
[ direction of Alex McKenzie. 1/97 ]
AI ELI5
On this page
§1UCSB Graphics on the Network
UCSB provided online graphics services to ARPANET users. Users with TEKTRONIX or IMLAC display terminals, or systems supporting the Level 0 graphics protocol, could access UCSB graphics. The RFC lists the ICP (Initial Connection Port) socket addresses for each supported terminal type, with contact information for detailed questions.
UCSB has drawing machines you can use from your terminal over the network. This tells you which address to connect to for your type of machine.
§2Supported Terminal Types
The RFC documents five socket configurations. IMLAC terminals with special software designed by Jerry Powell send graphics over a simplex connection and alphanumerics over a TELNET-like connection. Another socket serves IMLAC terminals with an 80x80 display grid and standard text editing (though some IMLACs had 64x64 grids). TEKTRONIX terminals including models 4002-A, 4010, and T-4002 were tested successfully, and the system expected all other 4002-compatible terminals to work.
Different drawing screens need different connections. Some have fancy keyboards built in, some share a text connection, and some are tested with TEKTRONIX machines.
§3Formatting Challenges
A primary problem encountered by users centered on display formatting. The system lacked terminal-independent positioning for alphanumeric output because only one terminal type had been in house during design. Programs that drew and labeled graphs neatly on one terminal might not display properly on others. Efforts were underway to provide at least minimal device independence, and users were encouraged to contact John Pickens, Glen Davis, or Mark Krilonovich with suggestions and criticisms.
Text labels sometimes appear in the wrong spot on different screens because the system was built for only one type. The team is working on making it better.