I would like to use a Mobile Data Terminal 9100 as a terminal.

Here's the application - I want to use it as a display for canned (Pre-defined) dispatach messages in a museum display. Unit is question does have the RS232 port.

Having the keyboard for for user interaction would be nice, but not critical. Any ideas on how to make this work? I would like to use ubuntu linux on a seperate box feeding the messages to the 9100. I have heard of somebody setting up a term cap file to do this very thing

Thanks

Get your hands on the O'Reilly book:

http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780937175224

The Linux Documentation Project has good information.

http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Text-Terminal-HOWTO.html#toc16

I know a number of former Cyclades engineers, one of whom might help you if you get deeply mired. Along that line, depending on the number of terminals you plan to operate, consider getting a terminal server card or network appliance (long ago Cyclades sold something called the "TS" which had up to 48 serial ports) to service as many terminals as required.

If this is a onesy-twosy thing, you should be set with standard old i486-type hardware.