The IBM uses the EBCDIC character set, which normally includes an "extended"
character set including accented characters. Most modern ASCII terminals,
such as VT220 or Falco, can display these characters. If the connection
of the terminal has an eight-bit data path then these extended characters
usually have the most significant bit set, but even on a seven-bit path
they can be sent from the IBM to the terminal by using "Shift" characters.
This method will therefore be used for any IBM output of extended EBCDIC.

Input of the equivalent "extended" ASCII characters can normally be done
by use of the "Compose Character" key (though some terminals use a different
name for this key). For those people that either do not have this key or
find it hard to use there is also the possibility of switching the input
mode between "normal and "extended". Extended mode is usually via Control x
(^x), and will be signalled by a double beep and a message "8-BIT!" in the
status line (if you have one). Reverting to normal mode is usually via
Control n (^n): no beep but the status line message is cleared.

In case of problems, or merely to see what input mode you are in, the "s"
option of this on-line help will show the character input for any key.
When the key (or combination using compose) gives an extended character
the help will also show the hexadecimal equivalent of the character.
