Using LogWeb/Ajax

Overview

LogWeb/Ajax is a terminal emulator: with this, you can access and use a program that runs on a different computer ("Host", "Mainframe", or "Unix") on your own computer.

Unlike conventional emulation programs however, you do not need to install LogWeb/Ajax or any other additional components (such as Java, ActiveX, EXE files) on your computer: LogWeb/Ajax runs completely in your Web browser, and makes all the usual program and operating functions of a conventional program available for you:

• First, you start your usual Web browser.
• In your browser, click the link to the terminal emulation, which you get from your system administrator.
• In general, you must log in with your user name and password to do this; you also get this information from your system administrator.

The emulation window that is now displayed contains the sections:

• Title bar
• Menuline
• Emulation screen
• Statusline
• Toolbar

You will also find information for working in the emulation window under:

• Session parameters
• Setting colors
• Setting the font
• Keyboard settings
• Using the mouse
• Selecting text and using the clipboard
• Toolbar input
• Further options

Note:

• The following only describes how to use the emulation window. Except for special emulation functions, you will notice hardly any difference from conventional computer programs.
• To work with the host application, you must be familiar with using that application.
  If you have any questions, ask your system administrator.

General notes:

• In this description, the default settings are required.
  However, the entire user interface (menus, toolbar etc.) can be customized or turned off for you by your system administrator. Some of the functions described here may then become unavailable or be found elsewhere.
• You can also make further customizations yourself.
  If you have removed or destroyed any important functions in the process that you cannot undo using the options described below, you need to delete the cookies saved in your browser. This automatically applies the settings specified by the system administrator when you start the program again.

Title bar

The title bar is the "heading" of the emulation window.
These parameters are primarily helpful for your system administrator if something needs to be clarified; this way, he or she can identify your session on the central server.

Menuline

The menuline (menu bar) is your central command area for using the terminal emulation. You use the menuline to select commands such as "Terminate Session", "Hardcopy", send the "F1" to the host, or "Edit Toolbar":

• Use the mouse to click a menu item.
• Or right-click the emulation window.
• The corresponding submenu is then displayed.
• Click a command on the submenu or select a control element.

The exact structure of the menu system is modifiable and depends on your settings. You can use [Extras]/[Configure]/[Menuline] to customize the structure yourself:

• You can hide the menuline (menu bar).
  By right-clicking the emulation window, you can show the menu bar again.
• You can select one of the predefined menu templates.
  The modified menu bar is then displayed automatically.
• You can start the menu editor to individually customize the menu bar as you require.

Default items in the menu bar:

• [Session]: Session parameters
• [Edit]: Use the clipboard
• [Color]: Set colors
• [Font]: Set font
• [Extras]: You can use macros, customize color, font, menuline, statusline, keyboard, mouse and toolbar, as well as set other options, and start tools.
• [Host Functions]: You access the special keys defined for your host system, for example F1.
  Alternatively, you can trigger these functions by using the keyboard or by using the mouse to click the toolbar .
• [Help]:

Note:

• Most of the settings that you can select in the menu bar can be stored on your computer as a cookie. The settings are then automatically available when you start the emulation next time.
  You must therefore ensure that cookies from this Web site are accepted by your browser under "Extras" or "Security".
  You can disable automatic saving over [Options]/[Actions on Termination].
• If the menu bar is hidden, you can make it visible again by right-clicking the emulation screen.
• Depending on the settings, not all the options in your menu bar may be displayed.
  In this case, ask your system administrator for help.

Emulation screen

The emulation screen is your "window" to the host application: The host application program displays its output here and awaits your input. Only the host application determines details about displaying output and the input you must enter.
If you have any questions about this, ask your system administrator.

However, independent of the host application program, you have many options that enable you to work comfortably and easily, for example:

• Setting colors
• Setting fonts
• Specifying keyboard settings
• Specifying mouse settings
• Using the mouse
• Using the toolbar for input
• Selecting text and using the clipboard

Depending on the system configuration, text messages can appear briefly in the emulation window. For example:
      numeric input allowed only
or
      received BEL from host
You do not need to confirm these displays; they will be updated after about two seconds.

Statusline

The statusline (status bar), usually at the bottom of the emulation window, displays the current cursor position and the processing status.

The exact structure of the status bar is modifiable and depends on your settings. You can change this structure using the menu item [Extras]/[Configure]/[Statusline]:

• You can hide and show the status bar.
• You can specify the information to display.

The first two fields of the status bar inform you about the current cursor position (row and column number) and the current input status of the terminal emulation:

• ins: You have turned on the insert mode.
  You use the "Ins" key to switch between "Insert" and "Overwrite".
• up: Your input automatically converted into capital letters.
  This function is controlled by the host application.
• protect: The cursor is currently in a protected field.
  This function is controlled by the host application. The terminal emulation automatically prevents you from entering the text.
  Move the cursor over an input field, for example, using the "TAB" key.
• Output: The current screen contains no input fields.
  This function is controlled by the host. The terminal emulation automatically prevents you from entering text in this screen. You can however, trigger data transfer to the host application, for example, using an "F key".
  You can find out the function of the transfer keys for your application from its description.

Note: Not all host applications support all these functions; UNIX programs often use their own notes instead.

If you trigger data transmission, for example, by pressing an "F key", the current transfer status is also displayed in the second field of the status bar.

• loading: Your input was transmitted - the application is now waiting for a response from the host application.
  You cannot enter any further input (exception: you have selected the Buffer Input option).
  This display is visible for more than one second only during very slow transmissions.
• wait or !WAIT!!: Your input transmitted, but the server has not responded for a few seconds.
  You cannot enter any further input (exception: you have selected the Buffer Input option).
• OFFLINE: Your input was transmitted, but the server has not responded for more than approximately 15 seconds.
  The connection to the server is probably interrupted; the terminal emulation is therefore attempting to restore the connection.
• BUSY: Your input was transmitted to the host application, but the host has not yet responded.
  You cannot enter any further input (exception: you have activated the Buffer Input (type ahead) option).
  For some host applications however, you can also send a short message to cancel host processing.
• locked: The host application has received your input and has currently locked your keyboard.
  You must now wait for the host application to unlock your keyboard.
  However, with some host applications, you can also send "short messages" to cancel host processing.
• error: The host application has received your input and informs you of an error.
  For some host applications, you must confirm this message using a special reset function.

Note for the displays WAIT and OFFLINE:

• This is usually caused by an unstable connection between your computer and the server, for example, if you use a radio connection like GSM and you are in an area with no reception, or if the access point for your data is overloaded.
• Using [Session]/[Connection Test], you can then start a short test for the connection.
• If WAIT and OFFLINE is displayed repeatedly, you need to inform your system administrator and request an explanation.
• Give the date and time of the disruption, your login ID and, most importantly, the "Screen" ID shown in the title bar of the emulation window: the administrator can then trace the exact process of the disruption using the log files on the server and then suggest a solution.

Depending on the system configuration, you can also temporarily display text messages in the emulation window, for example:
      numeric input allowed only
or
      received BEL from host
You do not need to confirm these displays; they will be updated after about two seconds.

Toolbar

Buttons for frequently used requests are usually found at the bottom of the emulation window. By using the mouse to click this toolbar, you can trigger these operations, for example, to send the F1 key to the host.

The exact structure of the status bar is modifiable and depends on your settings. You can change this structure using the menu item [Extras]/[Configure]/[Toolbar]:

• You can hide or show the status bar.
• You can specify the position and structure of the toolbar.
• You can select one of the predefined toolbar templates.
• You can start the toolbar editor, to individually customize the toolbar as you require.

"Session" menu items

In the [Session] menu, you can select:

• Hardcopy: The current emulation window is prepared for printing and displayed in a new browser window.
  Note that "Hardcopy" of the emulation window is different from the "Host-controlled print": this will be displayed automatically in a separate PDF document (independent from the system configuration).
• Start New Session: Displays the LogWeb/Ajax start page.
  Depending on your settings, you may be able to use only single a host session.
• Show Active Sessions: Displays an overview of all sessions that are active on your computer. By clicking a session, you activate the corresponding emulation window.
  Depending on your settings, you may be able to use only single a host session.
• Connection Test: The connection to the server depends on many factors and can fluctuate significantly, particularly if your computer is connected over a slow or unstable wireless connection, for example, GSM. You can use "Test Connection" to quickly and easily check the connection quality.
• Terminate Session: You use this to close your browser with the emulation window, thus ending your session with the host application program.
• Park Session: You use this to close your browser with the emulation window, but keep the session with the host application program on the server.

Notes for parking or terminating sessions:

• In both cases, the browser window is closed.
• In both cases, you can simply close the browser yourself (click the X symbol in the title bar) - the Terminate Session or Park Session function is automatically performed when you close the browser.
• When terminating the session, the connection to the host application program is also forced to terminate. This is typical for conventional terminal emulations.
  When you start the terminal emulation next time, the host application program is also restarted and you must log in again.
• When parking a session, the server continues to maintain the connection independently of the host application; the host does not detect that you have closed the emulation window.
  When you start the terminal emulation next time, your connection to the server is restored. The screen that you had before parking the session is now displayed, and you can resume your work where you stopped (as long as the host application has made changes in the meantime).
• If you need to frequently cancel your work with the host application and then resume, for example, because you are working externally with your notebook over a wireless connection, it is usually easier for you to only park the session: you do not need to repeatedly log in to your host application every time and then re-orient yourself in your work.
• The option for parking sessions, is set up in the connection template. You cannot make this setting yourself; ask your administrator for more information.

Setting colors

The host application that you work with also determines the colors for all texts. However, for better readability, you can individually assign these colors using the menu item [Extras]/[Configure]/[Color] :

• You can select another predefined color scheme.
• You can start the color editor to individually create your own color scheme.

You can also make further settings, such as:

• Display the screen inverted ("invert black and white")
• Select all fields (instead of the host settings "dimmed")
• Specially mark input fields (not for UNIX host systems)

Note:

• The host system generally determines how the text is displayed on the screen.
• The host system divides the screen up into fields and assigns display properties to each field, such as "dimmed", "red background", or "underlined".
• With the color settings, you can only adjust the display of these host settings, for example, always use white instead of black, or display all input fields with a white background.
• These settings always affect all host settings.
  Therefore, you cannot randomly display only parts of a particular host screen in other colors.

Setting fonts

If you change the size of the emulation window, for example, by dragging with the mouse or by maximizing the window, the font size automatically adjusts to the new window size.

You can also make individual settings using the menu item [Extras]/[Configure]/[Font], such as:

• Show a blinking cursor
• Show the cursor as a cross
• Show NIL characters in input or output fields (UNIX programs do not use these characters)
• Compress font for wide screens

Note:

• You cannot change the font itself:
  During processing, the host application program assumes that every symbol on the screen requires the same amount of space; proportional fonts such as Arial are therefore unsuitable.

Keyboard settings

If you press a key in the emulation window, this can trigger entirely diverse reactions:

• The character is checked and transferred to an input field,
• a corresponding send code is formed and transmitted to the host,
• or a programmed function is performed, such as "Hardcopy Preview".

These keyboard settings are modifiable and depend on your host system and your settings. Using the menu item [Extras]/[Configure]/[Keyboard], you can change these settings yourself:

• You can select one of the predefined keyboard settings.
• You can start the Keyboard Editor, to individually customize the keyboard (and also the mouse settings) as you require.
• You can activate the automatic input buffer (type ahead).

The Buffer Input (type ahead) option enables you to create data easily and quickly:

• If you are familiar with the host mask sequence, you can enter other data even though the last data transfer to the host is not yet completed.
• Your input is processed and displayed only after the host response is received.
• When working with UNIX programs, the following usually applies:
  • Your input is immediately displayed in a preview, even if the host has not confirmed it yet.
  • This ensures that the display of your input on the screen is not delayed, as is frequently the case with slow connections.
  • The preview is displayed in a distinct color (white text on a red background).
  • The preview is automatically cleared after confirmation from the host.
  • Input can therefore temporarily appear, which is then later changed or deleted by the host.
  • If this is problematic with password fields, you can deactivate the input buffer.
    Alternatively, you can simply enter the first character and wait briefly until this is deleted again - the buffer input is then automatically stopped and resumed again for the next input field.

Note:

• The F keys in the upper row of your keyboard usually have special host functions.
  Alternatively, you can also access these functions by clicking the toolbar or using the menu item [Host Functions].
  You can find descriptions of the host functions for your host application in the user manual of the application.
• Depending on the settings of your host application program, the characters you enter are, for example, checked for numerical input. The statusline (status bar) informs you of this.
• You can also use the keyboard to select parts of text and move them to the clipboard.
• You can also use the keyboard editor to edit the mouse settings.

Using the mouse

By dragging with the mouse, you can change the size of the browser window. The emulation program automatically adjusts the font size to the new window size.

You can also use the mouse to enter data in the emulation window. The following functions are set by default:

• Click the left mouse button to move the cursor to the selected position.
  Depending on your host application, you cannot access every position on the screen. In this case, the cursor is then positioned nearby.
• Click the right mouse button (context click) to display the menu.
  This ensures that you can still access the menu functions even if the menuline (menu bar) is hidden.
• Drag while holding down the left mouse button to select part of a line.
  You can edit the selected area and move it to the clipboard, for example.
• Alternatively, you can select a rectangular area by dragging while holding down the right mouse button.
• Some UNIX programs can also independently evaluate your mouse actions.

The mouse settings are modifiable and depend on your host system and settings. Using the menu item [Extras]/[Configure]/[Keyboard], you can also change the mouse settings yourself:

• You can select one of the predefined menu templates that also contains the mouse settings.
• You can start the keyboard and mouse editor to individually customize the mouse settings (and keyboard settings) as you require.

Selecting text and using the clipboard

If you want to copy the text to the clipboard, you must first select the text.

• Select individual characters:
  Move the cursor while holding down the SHIFT key.
• Select words:
  Move the cursor while holding down the SHIFT and CTRL keys.
• Select lines:
  Click the start of the text and drag the mouse to the end of the text.
  Alternatively, move the cursor while holding down the SHIFT and CTRL keys.
• Select rectangle:
  Click the start of the text with the right mouse button and drag the mouse to the end of the text.
  Alternatively, move the cursor while holding down the SHIFT and CTRL keys.
• On the [Edit] menu, you can find other special selection methods.
• Note that these functions must be set up accordingly in your keyboard settings or mouse settings.

You can now copy the selected text to the clipboard.

• The key combination "CTRL + C" is usually defined to perform this task.
• Alternatively, on the [Edit] menu, select [Copy].
• You can now switch to another application, for example, a text editing program, and paste this text directly from the clipboard.

Depending on your host program, you can delete the selected text or replace it by entering new text. Note:

• You can only delete input fields; you cannot change or delete output fields. The terminal emulation checks these automatically.
• UNIX host programs generally do not support these procedures.

You can also paste from the clipboard:

• The key combination "CTRL + V" is usually defined to perform this task.
• Alternatively, on the [Edit] menu item , select [Paste].

Note:

• The emulation screen is always divided by your host application into "input fields" and "output fields".
• You cannot paste data into the input fields. The terminal emulation checks this automatically.

On the [Edit] menu, using the [Paste Special] command, you can specify more precisely how to handle data from the clipboard:

• Skip Output Fields: As soon as you move to an output field, you are automatically positioned on the next output field before text is taken from the clipboard.
• Ignore Input for Output Fields: If you move to an output field, the text input from the clipboard for this field is automatically ignored.
• Respect Newline Character: If the clipboard contains a line-break character, you are also positioned on the next row in the emulation window.
• Detect for Blockmode Insert: If the clipboard contains rows of the same length, the contents are pasted as a block in the emulation window.
• Always Insert in Blockmode: The contents of the clipboard are always pasted in the emulation window as a block.
• You can use Show Current Clipboard to view the current contents of the clipboard before pasting.

Important for working with UNIX applications:

• UNIX applications independently monitor how text from the clipboard is handled.
• The different variants for pasting described above are usually invalid in this case.

Further options

Using the menu item [Extras]/[Options], you can specify how the terminal emulation automatically responds in certain situations:

• Actions on Startup:
  • Adjust Font to Window: You define whether the emulation window is maximized during startup, or whether the font size is adapted to the browser window.
  • Show Tip of the Day: If this field is selected, a tip of the day is automatically displayed during startup.
• Actions on Transmit:
  • Select Buffer Input, if you want to activate the type ahead function for fast data input.
• Actions on Receive:
  • Adjust Font to Window: You define whether the emulation window is maximized on reception, or whether only the font size is adapted to the browser window.
  • Select Set Focus to Browser, to automatically activate this function for every reception.
• Actions on Termination:
  • If you select Save Current Settings, your current menu settings are automatically saved on your computer in a cookie when ending the emulation and restored the next time you start.
    If you do not use this function, or if you do not accept cookies, the default values set by the system administrator are used.
• For special cases, you can save your current settings in the cookie, delete them or restore them.