Celestial Software

I'm having trouble keeping my screen at the same size, even though I set my row and column sizes under Terminal Options, and then checkmark "Fixed Size." Shouldn't it stay the same (ie 80x30) even though I go into a screen on our system that is 132 columns wide?

Hope that made sense. Basically, what I'm saying is that the screen size is automatically adjusting even though I have the Fixed Size box checked.

[ October 14, 2003, 04:39 PM: Message edited by: Brian T. Pence ]

Mike,

I can see your dilema. The function of the 'fixed size' option, as currently implemented is to keep the screen at a fixed size (say 80x30) regardless of changes in font, font size, window size, etc...

For example, you can maximize the Window and the terminal screen dimensions won't change. The font size will adjust to make sure that you maintain your 80x30 terminal size.

That said, the 132 column mode is a mode that is requested by the server side. Even with 'fixed size' enabled, I don't think it is appropriate to ignore the 132 column command when it is sent from the host. Anyway, I seriously doubt that the screen will draw correctly if the server requests 132 columns and you only give it 80.

Thoughts?

I wouldn't mind staying at 80 columns on the display in 132 column mode as long as I could still scroll over using a horizontal slider.

On our system, there are two distinct areas where we have 132 column mode, and if you're bouncing around in and out of these areas, you're constantly resizing your window.

Ideally, I'd love for the terminal to switch between 80 and 132 columns (as dictated by the server) but still always keep my window maximized. Is something like that possible?

Ahhh....

That's entirely different!

So, you have a maximized screen at 80x30. The issue is that when the server switches you to 132 column mode, the screen will un-maximize and switch to 132x30. This behavior is exactly the way it was designed, but the design is up for discussion!

One alternative to this behavior is to leave the terminal window maximized but allow the horizontal scrollbar to display the other part of the screen. The problem here is that not everyone is using the horizontal scrollbar and it's disabled by default. Personally, I *hate* the horizontal scrollbar. I believe that every attempt should be made to display the terminal screen in it's entirety at all times. Otherwise, you have to scroll back and forth to view the whole active screen. The vertical scrollbar is different, because it's function is to view the history of what's come across the line during your session. There is never a need to use it to view the active portion of the screen.

Another alternative would be to have the program squish the font to enable you to view all 132 columns on the screen at one time. This option could be the default when the screen is maximized, to preserve the window in its maximized state

Thoughts?

For reasons of standard font sizes, window displays and ASCII / SGML text, it is very appropriate to have a toggle between 80 characters and 132 characters display screen widths. So, a command key toggle between the two would be nice.