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General RT2 is a straight c++ application using standard libraries and developed on Linux Fedora Core 5. Whether by chance or somewhat on purpose, the coding is done on the Unix-based text editor called vi. The application itself is fairly straight forward. The most difficult part of the software project is keeping RT2 as accurate as possible while keeping within modern day standards. Limits and features The development project also includes coding in "known issues" with the original. Currently, RT2 has a max-user limit of 16. (As of September 26, 2006, we've had 5 real users online at the same time.) The most obvious limitation is that RT2 sends its data line-by-line rather than character by character. There is an ongoing effort to change that aspect and slow the text down to simulate the original 300 baud experience. For now, there is a higher priority on content rather than technical accuracy. The application itself is forked as a background process when running. The application can run on multiple TCP/IP ports at the same time. This opens the possibility to having different "rooms" should the need or desire ever be there (the original RT had 2 different rooms or areas). It was important to develop RT2 using standard libraries allowing it to be transported site-to-site. This allows the application to be hosted just about anywhere in the event the lead developer gets hit by a bus. Clients Clients use their own telnet application to connect with RT2. This is an advantage because most people already have a telnet client on their system. This of course could change in the future with other operating system releases, but we have plans to explore web-based embedded telnet clients. Original RT The original RT application, created by Bruce and Jim Penny was based on Z80 assembly code and ran on the TRS-80 computer. Miroc, Sepember 2006 |