NiftyTelnet

Features

• OpenTransport native
• Kerberos V4 Authentication, Authentication passing, and Encryption (if Authentication Manager is installed)
• Command-click to launch URLs (if Internet Config V1.1 or greater is installed)
• Support for unrestricted window resizing (will automatically notify modern telnet servers of the new size)
• Supports the GURL Apple Event so you can use NiftyTelnet as your Telnet helper application.
• Complete VT102 emulation (with the exception of remote printing codes)
• Full support for Macintosh Drag & Drop
• Double-clickable shortcut files

NiftyTelnet distributions

The distributions are binhexed StuffIt! files which StuffIt Expander can decode. Each binary distribution includes the application, an apple guide, a README file, the Navigator Telnet Fix utility, and a PGP signature file. The MacBinarized version of the application is signed by Chris Newman's Public Key and may be verified using MacPGP. Although signature verification is optional, it does give some assurance that the application has not been modified to include a virus or trojan horse.

U.S. Citizens, U.S. Residents: How to get it

NiftyTelnet 68K Version 1.1 (StuffIt/BinHex: 174K)
NiftyTelnet PowerPC Version 1.1 (StuffIt/BinHex: 190K)
NiftyTelnet FAT Version 1.1 (StuffIt/BinHex: 257K)

Non-U.S. Citizens/Residents: How to get it

NiftyTelnet FAT Version 1.1 (no encryption) (StuffIt/BinHex: 253K)

NiftyTelnet Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't NiftyTelnet work as a "telnet helper" for Netscape?

The versions of Netscape I have tested use a non-standard technique to launch telnet helper applications. I refuse to bloat NiftyTelnet to support non-standard behavior of other programs. If you set your Netscape telnet helper to Navigator Telnet Fix, then Netscape's non-standard behavior will be translated into a standard launch of the telnet helper you select via Internet Config.

Why doesn't printing from Pine work?

NiftyTelnet does not yet support printing. It will be added in version 1.2.

Why can't I edit what I'm typing when I use NiftyTelnet to connect to a MUD or non-telnet port?

NiftyTelnet does not yet support "linemode" which is needed by these servers. It will be added in version 1.2.

Why don't the cursor keys work?

Try changing the setting of the "Emacs Arrow Keys" option. If that doesn't work, you need to make sure your telnet server is configured correctly.

Why doesn't NiftyTelnet include an FTP server?

I recommend using Peter Lewis's NetPresenz. I see no reason to reinvent the wheel in a telnet client when Peter Lewis has done such a fine job.

When will the next version be released?

I work on NiftyTelnet as a hobby and can not predict how much spare time I will have. Therefore I refuse to give release dates.

What do I tell my Internet service provider to get the username option working?

NiftyTelnet uses that field for two things: (1) if your server supports Kerberos Authentication and you have Authentication Manager installed, it uses it to select credentials. (2) it sends it as the "USER" environment variable via the NEW-ENVIRON (with fallback to ENVIRON) telnet option. So you can ask your ISP for either Kerberos V4 telnet authentication (RFC 1411, 1415: a good idea since it avoids sending your cleartext password over the network) or support for passing the "USER" environment variable via the NEW-ENVIRON telnet option (RFC 1572, which just saves you typing your username).

Major changes from version 1.0

• Configurable foreground & background colors
• Adjustable Scrollback buffer size
• OpenTransport native support
• Improved keyboard support, including page up/page down.
• Drag into NiftyTelnet window now supported
• Double-clickable shortcut files
• Bug fixes and improved user interface

References

• Authentication Manager
  A Kerberos V4 implementation for the Macintosh available from the University of Michigan. NiftyTelnet will automatically recognize the presence of Authentication Manager and enable authentication and encryption if the telnet server supports it.

• Internet Config
  Internet Config provides a single interface to set preferences common to many Internet applications. NiftyTelnet uses Internet Config to launch URLs and determine the default telnet host.

• Kerberized Telnet for Unix
  Use of a modern telnet server such as the one available here is recommended for best results with NiftyTelnet.

• Other Macintosh Kerberos Resources
  Here is a useful page listing kerberos resources for the Macintosh.

• Telnet Security Reference Page
  Documentation of telnet security as used in NiftyTelnet.

Bug Reports

Sometimes trying out the problem with the following versions can help me track the bug: NiftyTelnet FAT Debugging Version 1.1 (StuffIt/BinHex: 298K)
NiftyTelnet 68K Version 1.0 (StuffIt/StuffIt/BinHex: 99K)
NiftyTelnet PPC Version 1.0 (StuffIt/StuffIt/BinHex: 112K)

Philosophy

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