Using Thermocalc with xterm

Requirements

Thermocalc running on UNIX can be securely accessed over ssh from any platform where xterm is installed and a 3-button-mouse is available:

• MacOSX: Use the X11 application provided by Apple.
• Windows: You have to install a X-Windows environment. We suggest to use X-Win32 from Starnet Communications which provides a secure connection to the server. This product can be used for free at the ETH.

xterm hast two modes: the standard VT and the Tektronix 4014 mode which is compatible with the graphical output of the thermocalc application.

Step-by-step Guide

1. Connect to the server:

   • Server: <servername> is thermocalc or thermocalc.ethz.ch if you are outside the ETH network.
   • MacOSX: Start X11 and connect to the server; type:
     xhost <servername>
     ssh -Y <servername>
     Login using your loginname and password.
   • Windows: The first time you have to create a new session setting.
     - Start > Programs > X-Win32 5.4 > X-Config
     - click on the "Wizard" button
     - choose StarNetSSH, click on "Next>" button
     - enter servername, click on "Next>" button
     - enter your login and password, click on "Next>" button
     - don't change the Command field but choose SunOS (Solaris), click on "Next>" button
     - name the session, check the start session checkbox, click on "Finish" button
     Now the setting is stored with the above name. Next time, just choose this setting to start a new session.
   • Mouse-Configuration (X-Win32): If you don't have a 3-button-mouse you can configure the input device to simulate such a mouse.
     - Start > Programs > X-Win32 5.4 > X-config
     - Click on the Input tab.
     - Click on the Help button for detailed information about this tab's options.

   The following steps are identical on any platform.

2. Start thermocalc:

   Type tcm (version m) or tcp (version p) to start the application and do your calculations.

3. (Skip this step) Plotting in VT Mode:

   When you just plot you result, you will get a lot of useless character in the window (Figure 1).

   
   

   Figure 1: Useless characters in xterm.

4. Plotting in Tektronix 4014 Mode:

   Just before plotting you have to switch to the Tektronix mode of xterm (Figure 2).
   - hold down the control key and click the middle mouse button (scroll wheal)
   - chose the Switch to Tek Mode menu item

   
   

   Figure 2: Switch to Tek Mode.

   The Tek window opens and the cursor jumps from the previous VT window to the new Tek window. Just hit the return key once or twice and the thermocalc prompt appears in the Tek window. Now enter the necessary commands to plot the graphic (Figure 3).

   
   

   Figure 3: Plot in the Tek window (Windows XP).

5. Continue with Calculations in VT Mode:

   You have to switch back to the VT mode of xterm if you continue to work with thermocalc (Figure 4):
   - hold down the control key and click the middle mouse button (scroll wheal)
   - chose the Switch to VT Mode menu item

   
   

   Figure 4: Switch to VT Mode.

   The cursor jumps back to the VT window. Just continue with your calculations but remember to switch again to the Tek mode if you want to plot a graphic.