This is 'echolinux.pl', a replacement GUI for the 'echolinux'
program written by Jeff Pierce WD4NMQ (wd4nmq@comcast.net).

'echolinux.pl' is written in Perl/Tk - the renown Perl
scripting language enhanced by a port of the Tk widget set.

'echolinux.pl' is beta software. The following describes how it
works at the moment: I'm open to suggestions on how to change
it to work 'better'.


When 'echolinux.pl' is run, it firstly reads the config
files $HOME/.echoLinux/userdata.txt and $HOME/.echoLinux/servers.txt
(and also reads $HOME/.echoLinux/friends.txt if it's found).

Then the GUI starts up.
After 3 seconds (or whatever PRELOGIN_WAIT is set to) it will attempt
to contact an echolink server to log you in.
Assuming this succeeds, after 7 seconds (or whatever POSTLOGIN_WAIT is
set to) it will attempt to contact an echolink server to download the
current list of stations.
Assuming this succeeds, you're now up and running.

The left hand frame is exclusively used for communication with
the Echolink server.

  The button 'Show Me Busy' (can become 'Show Me Free') sends a
  message to the server tagging you as busy (or free). This is
  independant of whether you're in QSO or not. When a QSO is
  started a message is sent to the server tagging you as
  busy. When the QSO finishes, a message is sent to the server
  restoring you to the previous state - busy or free.

  The button 'Get List' sends a message to the server requesting
  that the current list of stations be sent. The list is downloaded
  automatically every 5 minutes (or whatever RELOGIN_PERIOD is set
  to), and at the same time you are logged in again and tagged as
  busy or free).

  Beneath the buttons is the space for the hierarchical current
  list of stations. The categories are Repeaters, Links, Conferences,
  Users, and Friends (Friends only appear if you've entered some
  callsigns in $HOME/.echoLinux/friends.txt). You can navigate in the
  hierarchical list with the <Page Up> <Page Down> <Home> and <End>
  keys. Single-click on a callsign in the station list to attempt
  connection to that station.

  Beneath the list of stations is an area for server messages, and
  then a status line.

The right hand frame is used exclusively for communication with other
stations.

  The large text area will show messages from other parties, both
  information and 'chat' text. Your outgoing 'chat' text goes in
  the chat line lower down. Between the text area and the chat line
  is a bar which shows audio strength (on transmit and receive).

  The big PTT button is, well, the PTT button. It includes a 'LED'
  to show when you're on transmit.

  And the 'Disconnect' button can be used.. go on, guess.

This is beta software, and comments and feedback welcomed.

Andrew Benham G8FSL.
g8fsl@adsb.co.uk
