From 5a8253e0a6edd626af4bfea9641437a40197b4e7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Lars Brinkhoff <lars@nocrew.org>
Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2026 14:53:49 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] Add TCL procedure for making a link.

---
 build/basics.tcl         | 148 ++++++++++++-------------
 build/build.tcl          |   8 +-
 build/dm.tcl             |  10 +-
 build/emacs.tcl          |  24 ++--
 build/haunt.tcl          |   4 +-
 build/ka10/processor.tcl |  12 +-
 build/kl10/processor.tcl |  10 +-
 build/ks10/include.tcl   |   6 +-
 build/lisp.tcl           | 136 +++++++++++------------
 build/macsyma.tcl        |  22 ++--
 build/mchn/HX/custom.tcl |   2 +-
 build/mchn/TT/custom.tcl |   2 +-
 build/misc.tcl           | 230 +++++++++++++++++++--------------------
 build/muddle.tcl         |  22 ++--
 build/sail.tcl           |  34 +++---
 build/scheme.tcl         |   6 +-
 build/zork.tcl           |   2 +-
 17 files changed, 341 insertions(+), 337 deletions(-)

diff --git a/build/basics.tcl b/build/basics.tcl
index e280f824..721803a7 100644
--- a/build/basics.tcl
+++ b/build/basics.tcl
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ respond "*" ":rename .;@ nits, .;@ its\r"
 
 midas "sysbin;" "syseng;dump" dump_switches
 respond "*" ":delete sys;ts dump\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts dump,sysbin;dump bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts load,sys;ts dump\r"
+make_link "sys;ts dump" "sysbin;dump bin"
+make_link "sys;ts load" "sys;ts dump"
 
 type ":dump\r"
 respond "_" "load links crdir sorry\r"
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ mkdir "cstacy"
 
 # TCTYP
 midas "sys1; ts tctyp" "syseng;tctyp"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts tctype, sys1; ts tctyp\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts tctype" " sys1; ts tctyp"
 
 source $build/emacs.tcl
 
@@ -55,18 +55,18 @@ midas "sys1;ts stink" "sysen2;stink"
 # PDSET
 midas "sysbin;" "sysen1;pdset"
 respond "*" ":delete sys;ts pdset\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts pdset,sysbin;pdset bin\r"
+make_link "sys;ts pdset" "sysbin;pdset bin"
 
 # LOCK
 midas "sysbin;" "syseng;lock"
 respond "*" ":delete sys;ts lock\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts lock,sysbin;lock bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3; ts vtfix, sys; ts lock\r"
+make_link "sys;ts lock" "sysbin;lock bin"
+make_link "sys3; ts vtfix" " sys; ts lock"
 
 # ATSIGN DEVICE
 midas "sysbin;" "syseng;@dev\r"
 respond "*" ":delete sys;atsign device\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;atsign device,sysbin;@dev bin\r"
+make_link "sys;atsign device" "sysbin;@dev bin"
 
 # CRTSTY
 midas "sysbin;" "syseng;crtsty"
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ respond "*" ":load sysbin;crtsty bin\r"
 respond "*" "purify\033g"
 respond " BIN" "\r"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts crtsty,sysbin;crtsty bin\r"
+make_link "sys3;ts crtsty" "sysbin;crtsty bin"
 
 # CTN, networking "supdup" CRTSTY
 midast "sysbin;ctn bin" "syseng; crtsty" {
@@ -93,10 +93,10 @@ respond "*" ":load sysbin;peek bin\r"
 respond "*" "purify\033g"
 respond {$G} "q"
 expect ":KILL"
-respond "*" ":link sys; ts p,sys; ts peek\r"
+make_link "sys; ts p" "sys; ts peek"
 
 midas "device;jobdev arc" "syseng;arcdev"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev ar,device;jobdev arc\r"
+make_link "device;jobdev ar" "device;jobdev arc"
 
 midas "device;oarcdv bin" "sysen2; dmarcd"
 
@@ -104,43 +104,43 @@ midas "device;oarcdv bin" "sysen2; dmarcd"
 midas "device;jobdev d" "syseng;dskdev"
 
 midas "sysbin;" "sysen2;find"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts find,sysbin;find bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts fi,sys;ts find\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts comb,sys;ts find\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts lf,sys;ts find\r"
+make_link "sys;ts find" "sysbin;find bin"
+make_link "sys;ts fi" "sys;ts find"
+make_link "sys;ts comb" "sys;ts find"
+make_link "sys2;ts lf" "sys;ts find"
 
 midas "sys;ts dskuse" "syseng;dskuse"
 
 midas "channa;atsign taraka" "taraka"
-respond "*" ":link sys; atsign dragon,channa; atsign taraka\r"
+make_link "sys; atsign dragon" "channa; atsign taraka"
 
 midas "channa;rakash dmpcpy" "syseng; dmpcpy"
 
 midas "channa;rakash modems" "syseng; modems"
-respond "*" ":link channa;ts modems,channa;rakash modems\r"
-respond "*" ":link dragon;hourly modems,channa;ts modems\r"
+make_link "channa;ts modems" "channa;rakash modems"
+make_link "dragon;hourly modems" "channa;ts modems"
 
 midas "channa;rakash netime" "sysen1; netime"
-respond "*" ":link channa;ts netime,channa;rakash netime\r"
+make_link "channa;ts netime" "channa;rakash netime"
 
 midas "channa;rakash papsav" "sysen3;papsav"
 
 midas "dragon;rakash pfthmg" "syseng; pft" {
     respond "mcp=" "0\r"
 }
-respond "*" ":link channa; rakash pfthmg,dragon; rakash pfthmg\r"
+make_link "channa; rakash pfthmg" "dragon; rakash pfthmg"
 
 # LOSS device
 midas "device;jobdev loss" "syseng;loss"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev los,device;jobdev loss\r"
+make_link "device;jobdev los" "device;jobdev loss"
 
 midas "syshst;" "syshst;hosts3"
-respond "*" ":link syshst;ts hosts3,syshst;hosts3 bin\r"
+make_link "syshst;ts hosts3" "syshst;hosts3 bin"
 
-respond "*" ":link syseng;t20mac 999999,system;t20mac >\r"
+make_link "syseng;t20mac 999999" "system;t20mac >"
 
 midas "syshst;" "syshst;h3make"
-respond "*" ":link syshst;ts h3make,syshst;h3make bin\r"
+make_link "syshst;ts h3make" "syshst;h3make bin"
 
 # Run H3MAKE to make the SYSBIN; HOSTS3 > database.  H3MAKE looks for
 # an older version, so there is an empty placeholder to make this
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ midas "sys;atsign tcp" "syseng;@tcp"
 
 # Chaosnet support
 midas "sysbin;" "syseng;@chaos"
-respond "*" ":link sys;atsign chaos,sysbin;@chaos bin\r"
+make_link "sys;atsign chaos" "sysbin;@chaos bin"
 
 # ARPANET support
 if { ! [string equal "$mchn" "DM"] } {
@@ -166,15 +166,15 @@ if { ! [string equal "$mchn" "DM"] } {
 
 # CHA: and CHAOS: device
 midas "device;jobdev cha" "dcp;chadev"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev chaos,device;jobdev cha\r"
+make_link "device;jobdev chaos" "device;jobdev cha"
 
-respond "*" ":link syseng;netwrk 999999,sysnet;netwrk >\r"
+make_link "syseng;netwrk 999999" "sysnet;netwrk >"
 
 # CHAOS ARPA/NCP/TCP gateway
 midas "sysnet;" "arpa"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos arpa, sysnet;arpa bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos ncp, sysnet;arpa bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos tcp, sysnet;arpa bin\r"
+make_link "device;chaos arpa" " sysnet;arpa bin"
+make_link "device;chaos ncp" " sysnet;arpa bin"
+make_link "device;chaos tcp" " sysnet;arpa bin"
 
 midas ".;ts redrct" "sysnet;redrct"
 
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ respond ")   " ":kill\r"
 # telnet server
 midas "sysbin;telser" "sysnet;telser"
 # TCP port 23 (telnet) uses TELSER
-respond "*" ":link device;tcp syn027,sysbin;telser bin\r"
+make_link "device;tcp syn027" "sysbin;telser bin"
 # NCP sockets 1 and 23 use TELSER
 arpanet "rfc001" "sysbin;telser bin"
 arpanet "rfc027" "sysbin;telser bin"
@@ -198,17 +198,17 @@ midas "sys;atsign stelnt" "syseng;stelnt"
 
 # telnet client
 midas "sysbin;telnet" "sysnet;telnet"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts telnet,sysbin;telnet bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts tcptn,sys;ts telnet\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts ttn,sys;ts telnet\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts ncptn,sys;ts telnet\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts oth,sys;ts telnet\r"
+make_link "sys;ts telnet" "sysbin;telnet bin"
+make_link "sys;ts tcptn" "sys;ts telnet"
+make_link "sys;ts ttn" "sys;ts telnet"
+make_link "sys;ts ncptn" "sys;ts telnet"
+make_link "sys;ts oth" "sys;ts telnet"
 
 # old user telnet
 midas "sys1;ts ut" "syseng;ut"
 
 # supdup TCP port (95) uses telser
-respond "*" ":link device;tcp syn137,sysbin;telser bin\r"
+make_link "device;tcp syn137" "sysbin;telser bin"
 # NCP socket 95 uses TELSER
 arpanet "rfc137" "sysbin;telser bin"
 # We don't know why
@@ -216,30 +216,30 @@ arpanet "rcf107" "sys1;ts supdup"
 
 # supdup client
 midas "sysbin;supdup" "sysnet;supdup"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts supdup,sysbin;supdup bin\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts supdup" "sysbin;supdup bin"
 
 # these two links are expected by sysnet; ftps > and are present
 # in the PI distribution
-respond "*" ":link ksc;nuuos 999999,klh;nuuos >\r"
-respond "*" ":link ksc;macros 999999,klh;macros >\r"
-respond "*" ":link ksc;out 999999,klh; out >\r"
+make_link "ksc;nuuos 999999" "klh;nuuos >"
+make_link "ksc;macros 999999" "klh;macros >"
+make_link "ksc;out 999999" "klh; out >"
 
 midas "sysbin;ftps" "sysnet;ftps"
-respond "*" ":link device;tcp syn025,sysbin;ftps bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;tcp syn031,sysbin;ftps bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos smtp,sysbin;ftps bin\r"
+make_link "device;tcp syn025" "sysbin;ftps bin"
+make_link "device;tcp syn031" "sysbin;ftps bin"
+make_link "device;chaos smtp" "sysbin;ftps bin"
 arpanet "rfc003" "sysbin;ftps bin"
 arpanet "rfc025" "sysbin;ftps bin"
 arpanet "rfc031" "sysbin;ftps bin"
 arpanet "rfc103" "sysbin;ftps bin"
 
 midas "sysbin;ftpu" "sysnet;ftpu"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts ftp,sysbin;ftpu bin\r"
+make_link "sys;ts ftp" "sysbin;ftpu bin"
 
 # NAME
 midas "sysbin;name" "sysen2;name"
 
-respond "*" ":link syseng;ttytyp 999999,system;ttytyp >\r"
+make_link "syseng;ttytyp 999999" "system;ttytyp >"
 
 # Build INQUIR;INQUPD BIN
 midas "inquir;inqupd bin" "inquir;inqupd"
@@ -282,8 +282,8 @@ respond "*" "spword/107150326162\r"
 type "purify\033g"
 respond "*" ":pdump sysbin;panda bin\r"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;atsign pword,sysbin;pword bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts panda,sysbin;panda bin\r"
+make_link "sys;atsign pword" "sysbin;pword bin"
+make_link "sys;ts panda" "sysbin;panda bin"
 
 # Remove placeholder SYSBIN; HOSTS3 database.
 respond "*" ":delete sysbin; hosts3 <\r"
@@ -294,45 +294,45 @@ respond "*" "\033l sys;ts name\r"
 respond "*" "debug/"
 respond "-1" "0\r\033g"
 
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts when,sys;ts name\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts whoare,sys;ts name\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts whois,sys;ts name\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts wheres,sys1;ts whois\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts supnam,sys;ts name\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts finger,sys;ts name\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts f,sys;ts name\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts n,sys;ts name\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;tcp syn117,sys;ts name\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos name,sys;ts name\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts when" "sys;ts name"
+make_link "sys1;ts whoare" "sys;ts name"
+make_link "sys1;ts whois" "sys;ts name"
+make_link "sys1;ts wheres" "sys1;ts whois"
+make_link "sys1;ts supnam" "sys;ts name"
+make_link "sys1;ts finger" "sys;ts name"
+make_link "sys;ts f" "sys;ts name"
+make_link "sys2;ts n" "sys;ts name"
+make_link "device;tcp syn117" "sys;ts name"
+make_link "device;chaos name" "sys;ts name"
 arpanet "rfc117" "sys;ts name"
 
 midas "device;atsign mldev" "sysen2;mldev"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev db,device;atsign mldev\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev es,device;atsign mldev\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev no,device;atsign mldev\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev sj,device;atsign mldev\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev up,device;atsign mldev\r"
+make_link "device;jobdev db" "device;atsign mldev"
+make_link "device;jobdev es" "device;atsign mldev"
+make_link "device;jobdev no" "device;atsign mldev"
+make_link "device;jobdev sj" "device;atsign mldev"
+make_link "device;jobdev up" "device;atsign mldev"
 
 midas "device;atsign mlslv" "sysen2;mlslv"
-respond "*" ":link device;tcp syn123,device;atsign mlslv\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos mldev,device;atsign mlslv\r"
+make_link "device;tcp syn123" "device;atsign mlslv"
+make_link "device;chaos mldev" "device;atsign mlslv"
 
 midas "device;jobdev fc" "sysen2;fcdev"
 
 midas "device;atsign dirdev" "syseng;dirdev"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev dir,device;atsign dirdev\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev dirdb,device;atsign dirdev\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev dires,device;atsign dirdev\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev dirno,device;atsign dirdev\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev dirsj,device;atsign dirdev\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev dirup,device;atsign dirdev\r"
+make_link "device;jobdev dir" "device;atsign dirdev"
+make_link "device;jobdev dirdb" "device;atsign dirdev"
+make_link "device;jobdev dires" "device;atsign dirdev"
+make_link "device;jobdev dirno" "device;atsign dirdev"
+make_link "device;jobdev dirsj" "device;atsign dirdev"
+make_link "device;jobdev dirup" "device;atsign dirdev"
 
 midas "sys1;ts cftp" "sysen2; cftp" {
     respond "KLp==" "0\r"
 }
 
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos telnet,sysbin;telser bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos supdup,sysbin;telser bin\r"
+make_link "device;chaos telnet" "sysbin;telser bin"
+make_link "device;chaos supdup" "sysbin;telser bin"
 
 # decuuo
 midas "decsys;" "decuuo"
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ respond "*" ":load decsys;decuuo bin\r"
 respond "*" "purify\033g"
 respond "TS DEC" "\r"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts dec\021 *,must; be here\r"
+make_link "sys;ts dec\021 *" "must; be here"
 
 midas "decsys;" "decbot"
 
@@ -353,6 +353,6 @@ palx "gt40;" "gt40;bootvt"
 
 # PLAN/CREATE
 midas "sys3;ts create" "syseng;create"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts plan,sys3;ts create\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts plan" "sys3;ts create"
 
 processor_basics
diff --git a/build/build.tcl b/build/build.tcl
index 84369a9a..b70148fb 100644
--- a/build/build.tcl
+++ b/build/build.tcl
@@ -185,6 +185,10 @@ proc build_macsyma_portion {} {
     set timeout 100
 }
 
+proc make_link {to from} {
+    respond "*" ":link $to,$from\r"
+}
+
 set timeout 100
 proc setup_timeout {} {
     # Don't do this until after you've called "spawn", otherwise it'll cause a
@@ -209,9 +213,9 @@ proc arpanet {rfc file} {
     # Others do not.
     global mchn
     if [string equal "$mchn" "DM"] {
-        respond "*" ":link sys;atsign $rfc, $file\r"
+        make_link "sys;atsign $rfc" $file
     } else {
-        respond "*" ":link device;lbsign $rfc, $file\r"
+        make_link "device;lbsign $rfc" $file
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/build/dm.tcl b/build/dm.tcl
index 8608fd40..2aab3f15 100644
--- a/build/dm.tcl
+++ b/build/dm.tcl
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ midas "sys; atsign demstr" "sysen2; demstr"
 midas "sysen2; ts demst" "sysen2; demst"
 
 # Gun down dead demons.
-respond "*" ":link taa; pwfile 999999, sysen1; pwfile >\r"
+make_link "taa; pwfile 999999" " sysen1; pwfile >"
 midas "sysbin;" "sysen2; gunner"
-respond "*" ":link sys; atsign gunner, sysbin; gunner bin\r"
+make_link "sys; atsign gunner" " sysbin; gunner bin"
 
 # Line printer unspooler demon.
 midas "sys; atsign unspoo" "sysen1; unspoo" {
@@ -33,10 +33,10 @@ midas "sys; atsign survey" "survey; survey"
 
 # Survey giver demon.
 midas "survey; atsign surgiv" "surgiv"
-respond "*" ":link sys; atsign surgiv, survey;\r"
+make_link "sys; atsign surgiv" " survey;"
 
 # Survey sender demon.
-respond "*" ":link sys; atsign sursnd, survey;\r"
+make_link "sys; atsign sursnd" " survey;"
 
 # Login program.
 midas "sysbin;" "syseng; booter"
@@ -61,4 +61,4 @@ respond " " "sys;\021 \021 pass \021 words\r"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
 mkdir "(init)"
-respond "*" ":link (init); as hactrn, sys2; ts shell\r"
+make_link "(init); as hactrn" " sys2; ts shell"
diff --git a/build/emacs.tcl b/build/emacs.tcl
index d2f57047..f0ce366d 100644
--- a/build/emacs.tcl
+++ b/build/emacs.tcl
@@ -6,11 +6,11 @@ respond "*" "dumpit\033g"
 sleep 2
 respond "TECPUR" "\r"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts teco,.teco.;tecpur >\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts t, sys; ts teco\r"
+make_link "sys;ts teco" ".teco.;tecpur >"
+make_link "sys;ts t" " sys; ts teco"
 
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts emacs,emacs;ts >\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts ne,emacs;ts >\r"
+make_link "sys2;ts emacs" "emacs;ts >"
+make_link "sys2;ts ne" "emacs;ts >"
 respond "*" ":emacs\r"
 respond "EMACS Editor" "\033xrun\033einit\033? Generate\r"
 expect -timeout 1000 -exact { -> DSK: EMACS; [PURE]}
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ respond "*" ":teco\r"
 respond "&" "mmrun\033purify\033dump\033ts 163\033\033"
 respond "&" "\003"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts edit,sys2;ts emacs\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts e, sys2; ts emacs\r"
+make_link "sys2;ts edit" "sys2;ts emacs"
+make_link "sys2;ts e" " sys2; ts emacs"
 
 # BABYL, BABYLM, CACHE, FIXLIB, IVORY, MKDUMP, OUTLINE-MODE, PL1,
 # TEACH-C100, TMACS and WORDAB are generated with IVORY.
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ respond "*" ":rename emacs;\[rmai\] \021:ej, emacs;\[rmai\] 147\r"
 
 # Support canonical phrase "er emacs;emacs init$ @y :m(hfx*)$"
 # at end of personal init file
-respond "*" ":link emacs;emacs init,emacs;* emacs\r"
+make_link "emacs;emacs init" "emacs;* emacs"
 
 # make TS BABYL
 midas "sys3;ts babyl" "kmp;babyl"
@@ -125,8 +125,8 @@ send "\r"
 expect ":KILL"
 # The previous file version was 62, dated 1982-01-05.
 respond "*" ":rename emacs; tsinfo >, tsinfo 63\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts info,emacs;tsinfo >\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts h, sys2; ts info\r"
+make_link "sys2;ts info" "emacs;tsinfo >"
+make_link "sys2;ts h" " sys2; ts info"
 
 respond "*" ":emacs\r"
 respond "EMACS Editor" "\033XLoad Library\033docond\r"
@@ -156,10 +156,10 @@ send "\r"
 respond "*" ":move turnip; ts view, sys3;\r"
 
 # VDIR
-respond "*" ":link sys3; ts vdir, ts view\r"
+make_link "sys3; ts vdir" " ts view"
 
 # RMODE
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts rmode, .teco.;\r"
+make_link "sys1; ts rmode" " .teco.;"
 
 # Make TECORD within Emacs work
-respond "*" ":link info;tecord 999999,.teco.;tecord >\r"
+make_link "info;tecord 999999" ".teco.;tecord >"
diff --git a/build/haunt.tcl b/build/haunt.tcl
index 0f49808e..e47199f6 100644
--- a/build/haunt.tcl
+++ b/build/haunt.tcl
@@ -26,5 +26,5 @@ respond "*" ":pdump haunt;ts haunt\r"
 type ":kill\r"
 
 # make available in SYS:
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts haunt,haunt;ts haunt\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts ops4,haunt;ts ops4\r"
+make_link "sys3;ts haunt" "haunt;ts haunt"
+make_link "sys3;ts ops4" "haunt;ts ops4"
diff --git a/build/ka10/processor.tcl b/build/ka10/processor.tcl
index 83a327d9..a3d82d8e 100644
--- a/build/ka10/processor.tcl
+++ b/build/ka10/processor.tcl
@@ -17,13 +17,13 @@ omidas "dsk0:.;@ mark" "syseng; mark"
 midas "sys3; ts utnam" "lars; utnam"
 
 # Name Dragon
-respond "*" ":link syseng;tvkbd rooms, sysen2;\r"
+make_link "syseng;tvkbd rooms" "sysen2;"
 midas "sysbin;" "sysen2;namdrg"
-respond "*" ":link channa;rakash namdrg, sysbin; namdrg bin\r"
+make_link "channa;rakash namdrg" "sysbin; namdrg bin"
 
 # STUFF
 midas "sys1;ts stuff" "sysen2;stuff"
-respond "*" ":link channa;rakash tvfix, sys1; ts stuff\r"
+make_link "channa;rakash tvfix" "sys1; ts stuff"
 
 # IOELEV, PDP-11 doing I/O for the PDP-10 host.
 # The "AI" IOELEV, also known as CHAOS-11.
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ midas "dsk0:.;@ 3406" "stan.k; 3406"
 
 # 340D
 midas "stan.k;mod11 bin" "340d"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts 340d, stan.k; mod11 bin\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts 340d" "stan.k; mod11 bin"
 
 # Munching squares for 340 display.
 midas "lars; ts munch" "munch"
@@ -154,11 +154,11 @@ midast "dsk0: .; @ munch" "lars; munch" {
 
 # Minskytron, translated from PDP-1.
 midas "dsk0: lars; ts minsky" "minsky tron"
-respond "*" ":link dsk0: .; @ minsky, lars; ts minsky\r"
+make_link "dsk0: .; @ minsky" "lars; ts minsky"
 
 # Edward Lorenz' strange attactor.
 midas "dsk0: lars; ts lorenz" "lorenz"
-respond "*" ":link dsk0: .; @ lorenz, lars; ts lorenz\r"
+make_link "dsk0: .; @ lorenz" "lars; ts lorenz"
 
 # Mandelbrot.
 midas "lars; ts tvbrot" "tvbrot"
diff --git a/build/kl10/processor.tcl b/build/kl10/processor.tcl
index 78a7bf12..adf71d16 100644
--- a/build/kl10/processor.tcl
+++ b/build/kl10/processor.tcl
@@ -23,10 +23,10 @@ respond "*" ":kill\r"
 
 # Microcode ASCIIzer and binarator converter.
 midas "sysbin;" "syseng;cnvrt"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts mcnvrt,sysbin;cnvrt bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts pcnvrt,sysbin;cnvrt bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts ucnvrt,sysbin;cnvrt bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts acnvrt,sysbin;cnvrt bin\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts mcnvrt" "sysbin;cnvrt bin"
+make_link "sys1;ts pcnvrt" "sysbin;cnvrt bin"
+make_link "sys1;ts ucnvrt" "sysbin;cnvrt bin"
+make_link "sys1;ts acnvrt" "sysbin;cnvrt bin"
 
 respond "*" ":mcnvrt .; @ ddt\r"
 expect ":KILL"
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ respond "*" ":copy sysbin; klrug bin, .;\r"
 
 # PDP-11 linker.
 midas "sys1;ts 11stnk" "kldcp;11stnk"
-respond "*" ":link .; ts boot11, sys1; ts 11stnk\r"
+make_link ".; ts boot11" "sys1; ts 11stnk"
 
 # KL10 diagnostics console program.
 palx "kldcp;" "kldcp"
diff --git a/build/ks10/include.tcl b/build/ks10/include.tcl
index bde21926..06ef3268 100644
--- a/build/ks10/include.tcl
+++ b/build/ks10/include.tcl
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ proc prepare_frontend {} {
 
     midas "sysbin;" "kshack;ksfedr"
     respond "*" ":delete sys;ts ksfedr\r"
-    respond "*" ":link sys;ts ksfedr,sysbin;ksfedr bin\r"
+    make_link "sys;ts ksfedr" "sysbin;ksfedr bin"
 
     respond "*" ":ksfedr\r"
     respond "!" "write\r"
@@ -203,8 +203,8 @@ proc bootable_tapes {} {
     global emulator_escape
     global out
 
-    respond "*" ":link kshack;good ram,.;ram ram\r"
-    respond "*" ":link kshack;ddt bin,.;@ ddt\r"
+    make_link "kshack;good ram" ".;ram ram"
+    make_link "kshack;ddt bin" ".;@ ddt"
     respond "*" $emulator_escape
     create_tape "$out/ndskdmp.tape"
     type ":kshack;mtboot\r"
diff --git a/build/lisp.tcl b/build/lisp.tcl
index cb9ac731..9027760f 100644
--- a/build/lisp.tcl
+++ b/build/lisp.tcl
@@ -2,11 +2,11 @@ log_progress "ENTERING BUILD SCRIPT: LISP"
 
 
 # lisp
-respond "*" ":link l;fasdfs 1,lisp;.fasl defs\r"
-respond "*" ":link lisp;grind fasl,lisp;gfile fasl\r"
-respond "*" ":link lisp;grinde fasl,lisp;gfn fasl\r"
-respond "*" ":link l;loop fasl,liblsp;loop fasl\r"
-respond "*" ":link lisp;loop fasl,liblsp;loop fasl\r"
+make_link "l;fasdfs 1" "lisp;.fasl defs"
+make_link "lisp;grind fasl" "lisp;gfile fasl"
+make_link "lisp;grinde fasl" "lisp;gfn fasl"
+make_link "l;loop fasl" "liblsp;loop fasl"
+make_link "lisp;loop fasl" "liblsp;loop fasl"
 
 midas ".temp.;" "l;*lisp" {
     respond "end input with ^C" "\003"
@@ -18,26 +18,26 @@ respond "*" "purify\033g"
 respond "*" ":pdump sys;purqio 2156\r"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
 
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts lisp,sys:purqio >\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts q,sys;purqio >\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;atsign lisp,sys;purqio >\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts l,sys;ts lisp\r"
+make_link "sys;ts lisp" "sys:purqio >"
+make_link "sys;ts q" "sys;purqio >"
+make_link "sys;atsign lisp" "sys;purqio >"
+make_link "sys;ts l" "sys;ts lisp"
 
-respond "*" ":link .info.;lisp step,.info.;step info\r"
-respond "*" ":link libdoc;struct 280,alan;struct >\r"
-respond "*" ":link libdoc;struct doc,alan;struct doc\r"
-respond "*" ":link .info.;lisp struct,libdoc;struct doc\r"
-respond "*" ":link l;-read- -this-,lisp;-read- -this-\r"
+make_link ".info.;lisp step" ".info.;step info"
+make_link "libdoc;struct 280" "alan;struct >"
+make_link "libdoc;struct doc" "alan;struct doc"
+make_link ".info.;lisp struct" "libdoc;struct doc"
+make_link "l;-read- -this-" "lisp;-read- -this-"
 
 # lisp compiler
-respond "*" ":link comlap;cdmacs fasl,cd.fas >\r"
-respond "*" ":link comlap;complr fasl,comlap;cl.fas >\r"
-respond "*" ":link comlap;phas1 fasl,comlap;ph.fas >\r"
-respond "*" ":link comlap;comaux fasl,comlap;cx.fas >\r"
-respond "*" ":link comlap;faslap fasl,comlap;fl.fas >\r"
-respond "*" ":link comlap;maklap fasl,comlap;mk.fas >\r"
-respond "*" ":link comlap;initia fasl,comlap;in.fas >\r"
-respond "*" ":link comlap;srctrn fasl,comlap;st.fas >\r"
+make_link "comlap;cdmacs fasl" "cd.fas >"
+make_link "comlap;complr fasl" "comlap;cl.fas >"
+make_link "comlap;phas1 fasl" "comlap;ph.fas >"
+make_link "comlap;comaux fasl" "comlap;cx.fas >"
+make_link "comlap;faslap fasl" "comlap;fl.fas >"
+make_link "comlap;maklap fasl" "comlap;mk.fas >"
+make_link "comlap;initia fasl" "comlap;in.fas >"
+make_link "comlap;srctrn fasl" "comlap;st.fas >"
 mkdir "lspdmp"
 respond "*" "lisp\013"
 respond "Alloc?" "n\r"
@@ -45,13 +45,13 @@ respond "*" "(load \"comlap;ccload\")"
 respond ";BKPT CCLOAD:DUMPVERNO" "(setq ccload:dumpverno 1998)"
 respond "1998" "(return)"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts complr,lspdmp;cl.dmp >\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts cl,sys;ts complr\r"
-respond "*" ":link info;complr 1,info;lispc >\r"
+make_link "sys;ts complr" "lspdmp;cl.dmp >"
+make_link "sys;ts cl" "sys;ts complr"
+make_link "info;complr 1" "info;lispc >"
 
 # lisp;* fasl that that have autoload properties in interpreter
-respond "*" ":link sys;.fasl defs,lisp;.fasl defs\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;fasdfs 1,lisp;.fasl defs\r"
+make_link "sys;.fasl defs" "lisp;.fasl defs"
+make_link "sys;fasdfs 1" "lisp;.fasl defs"
 midas "lisp;" "l;allfil"
 midas "lisp;" "l;bltarr"
 midas "lisp;" "lspsrc;edit"
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ midas "lisp;" "l;getmid"
 midas "lisp;" "l;humble"
 midas "lisp;" "lspsrc;sort"
 
-respond "*" ":link lisp;subloa lsp,nilcom;subloa >\r"
+make_link "lisp;subloa lsp" "nilcom;subloa >"
 
 complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;loop"}
 
@@ -78,9 +78,9 @@ complr {"lisp;_lspsrc;extmac" "lisp;_lspsrc;extbas" "lisp;_lspsrc;extsfa"
         "lisp;_lspsrc;grinde" "lisp;_lspsrc;lap" "lisp;_comlap;ledit"
         "lisp;_nilcom;let"}
 
-respond "*" ":link l;humble fasl,lisp;\r"
-respond "*" ":link l;ledit* fasl,lisp;\r"
-respond "*" ":link l;let fasl,lisp;\r"
+make_link "l;humble fasl" "lisp;"
+make_link "l;ledit* fasl" "lisp;"
+make_link "l;let fasl" "lisp;"
 
 complr {"lisp;_nilcom;macaid"}
 complr {"lisp;_lspsrc;mlmac" "lisp;_lspsrc;mlsub"}
@@ -101,25 +101,25 @@ complr_load {"((lisp) extend)"} {"lisp;_lspsrc;extstr"}
 midas "inquir;" "lsrrtn"
 midas "inquir;" "cstacy;netrtn"
 
-respond "*" ":link liblsp;debug fasl,liblsp;dbg fasl\r"
-respond "*" ":link lisp;debug fasl,liblsp;debug fasl\r"
+make_link "liblsp;debug fasl" "liblsp;dbg fasl"
+make_link "lisp;debug fasl" "liblsp;debug fasl"
 
 complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;tty" "inquir;reader" "inquir;fake-s"
         "rwk;debmac" "liblsp;_libdoc;lispm" "inquir;inquir"}
 
 midas "inquir;ts inqexm" "inqexm"
 midas "inquir;ts inqrep" "inqrep"
-respond "*" ":link inquir;ts inqchk,ts inquir\r"
+make_link "inquir;ts inqchk" "ts inquir"
 
 complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;dbg ejs2" "liblsp;_libdoc;comrd kmp1"}
 
 respond "*" ":lisp inquir;inquir (dump)\r"
-respond "*" ":link inquir;ts inquir,inquir;inqbin >\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts inquir,inquir;ts inquir\r"
+make_link "inquir;ts inquir" "inquir;inqbin >"
+make_link "sys;ts inquir" "inquir;ts inquir"
 
-respond "*" ":link inquir;ts inqcpy,inqupd bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link inquir;ts inqpat,inqupd bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link inquir;ts lsrini,inqupd bin\r"
+make_link "inquir;ts inqcpy" "inqupd bin"
+make_link "inquir;ts inqpat" "inqupd bin"
+make_link "inquir;ts lsrini" "inqupd bin"
 
 # od
 complr {"liblsp;_libdoc; od"}
@@ -129,17 +129,17 @@ expect ":KILL"
 # comred
 complr {"liblsp;_libdoc; comred"}
 
-respond "*" ":link inquir;lsrtns 1,syseng;lsrtns >\r"
+make_link "inquir;lsrtns 1" "syseng;lsrtns >"
 
 midas "inquir;ts lookup" "inquir;lookup"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts lookup,inquir;ts lookup\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts lookup" "inquir;ts lookup"
 
 midas "sys3;ts lsrprt" "sysen1; lsrprt"
 
 midas "sys3;ts lsrdmp" "bawden; lsrdmp"
 
 # more lisp packages
-respond "*" ":link lisp;tty fasl,liblsp;tty fasl\r"
+make_link "lisp;tty fasl" "liblsp;tty fasl"
 complr_load {"((lisp) subloa lsp)"} \
     {"lisp;_lspsrc;funcel" "lisp;_lspsrc;reap"
      "lisp;_lspsrc;lexprf" "lisp;_lspsrc;ldbhlp"}
@@ -155,8 +155,8 @@ complr_load {"((lisp) subloa lsp)"} {"lisp;_lspsrc;nilaid"}
 
 complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;sharab" "liblsp;_libdoc;bs"}
 
-respond "*" ":link lisp;sharab fasl,liblsp;\r"
-respond "*" ":link lisp;bs fasl,liblsp;\r"
+make_link "lisp;sharab fasl" "liblsp;"
+make_link "lisp;bs fasl" "liblsp;"
 
 complr_load {"((lisp) subloa lsp)"} {"lisp;_nilcom;thread"}
 
@@ -165,15 +165,15 @@ midas "lisp;" "l;purep"
 
 # struct
 
-respond "*" ":link alan;dprint fasl,liblsp;dprint fasl\r"
-respond "*" ":link alan;struct 9,alan;nstruc 280\r"
+make_link "alan;dprint fasl" "liblsp;dprint fasl"
+make_link "alan;struct 9" "alan;nstruc 280"
 respond "*" ":copy liblsp;struct fasl,alan;struct boot\r"
-respond "*" ":link alan;struct fasl,liblsp;struct fasl\r"
+make_link "alan;struct fasl" "liblsp;struct fasl"
 
 complr {"alan;lspcom" "alan;lspenv" "alan;lspint" "alan;setf"
         "alan;binda" "alan;crawl" "alan;nstruc 280"}
 respond "*" ":copy alan;nstruc fasl,liblsp;struct fasl\r"
-respond "*" ":link lisp;struct fasl,liblsp;struct fasl\r"
+make_link "lisp;struct fasl" "liblsp;struct fasl"
 
 midas "liblsp;" "alan;macits"
 
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;iota" "liblsp;_libdoc;time" "liblsp;_libdoc;letfex"
         "liblsp;_libdoc;break" "liblsp;_libdoc;smurf" "liblsp;_rlb%;fasdmp"
         "liblsp;_libdoc;lispt"}
 
-respond "*" ":link liblsp;gcdemn fasl,lisp;\r"
+make_link "liblsp;gcdemn fasl" "lisp;"
 
 ### more lisplib stuff
 complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;%print" "liblsp;_libdoc;6bit" "liblsp;_libdoc;apropo"
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;for" "lisp;_lspsrc;gcdemn" "liblsp;_libdoc;genfns"
         "liblsp;_libdoc;laugh" "liblsp;_libdoc;lets" "liblsp;_libdoc;linere"}
 
 respond "*" ":delete libdoc;gcdemn 999999\r"
-respond "*" ":link libdoc;gcdemn 999999,lspsrc;gcdemn >\r"
+make_link "libdoc;gcdemn 999999" "lspsrc;gcdemn >"
 
 complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;loop" "liblsp;_libdoc;more" "liblsp;_libdoc;nshare"
         "liblsp;_libdoc;octal" "liblsp;_libdoc;optdef" "liblsp;_libdoc;phsprt"
@@ -236,13 +236,13 @@ complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;share" "liblsp;_libdoc;sixbit" "liblsp;_libdoc;split"
         "liblsp;_libdoc;trap" "liblsp;_libdoc;ttyhak" "liblsp;_libdoc;wifs"
         "liblsp;_libdoc;window"}
 
-respond "*" ":link liblsp;defvst fasl,lisp;\r"
-respond "*" ":link liblsp;format fasl,liblsp;fforma fasl\r"
-respond "*" ":link libdoc;lispt info,info;lispt >\r"
-respond "*" ":link liblsp;sharpm fasl,lisp;\r"
+make_link "liblsp;defvst fasl" "lisp;"
+make_link "liblsp;format fasl" "liblsp;fforma fasl"
+make_link "libdoc;lispt info" "info;lispt >"
+make_link "liblsp;sharpm fasl" "lisp;"
 respond "*" ":copy nilcom;sharpm >,libdoc;sharpm nil\r"
-respond "*" ":link libdoc;step info,.info.;\r"
-respond "*" ":link libdoc;stepmm info,.info.;lisp stepmm\r"
+make_link "libdoc;step info" ".info.;"
+make_link "libdoc;stepmm info" ".info.;lisp stepmm"
 respond "*" ":copy nilcom;string >,libdoc;string nil\r"
 
 # can't build any more LIBLSP FASLs because directory is full
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ midas "liblsp;" "libdoc;link"
 midas "liblsp;" "libdoc;lscall"
 midas "liblsp;" "libdoc;cpyhnk"
 
-respond "*" ":link lisp;defns mid,l;defns >\r"
+make_link "lisp;defns mid" "l;defns >"
 midas "liblsp;" "libdoc;fft"
 midas "liblsp;" "libdoc;phase"
 
@@ -291,9 +291,9 @@ complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;stacks"}
 midas "liblsp;" "libdoc;dirsiz"
 midas "liblsp;" "z;timer"
 
-respond "*" ":link lisp;vsaid lisp,nilcom;vsaid >\r"
+make_link "lisp;vsaid lisp" "nilcom;vsaid >"
 complr {"lisp;_nilcom;vsaid"}
-respond "*" ":link liblsp;vsaid fasl,lisp;\r"
+make_link "liblsp;vsaid fasl" "lisp;"
 
 # cleanup unfasl files in lisp;
 respond "*" ":dired lisp;\r"
@@ -312,9 +312,9 @@ midas "liblsp;" "libdoc;bssq"
 complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;lddt"}
 complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;ndone"}
 
-respond "*" ":link graphs;graph3 fasl,liblsp\r"
-respond "*" ":link graphs;plot3 fasl,liblsp\r"
-respond "*" ":link graphs;plot fasl,liblsp\r"
+make_link "graphs;graph3 fasl" "liblsp"
+make_link "graphs;plot3 fasl" "liblsp"
+make_link "graphs;plot fasl" "liblsp"
 complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;plot" "liblsp;_libdoc;plot3"}
 
 complr {"liblsp;_libdoc;prime"}
@@ -343,8 +343,8 @@ midas "lisp;" "lspsrc;straux"
 # lispt source is in libdoc, therefore fasl should be in liblsp
 # version in lisp; should be a link to liblsp;lispf fasl
 respond "*" ":delete lisp;lispt fasl\r"
-respond "*" ":link lisp;lispt fasl,liblsp;\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts lispt,sys2;ts edit\r"
+make_link "lisp;lispt fasl" "liblsp;"
+make_link "sys2;ts lispt" "sys2;ts edit"
 
 # Lisp display library
 midas "lisp; slave fasl" "l; slave"
@@ -391,12 +391,12 @@ respond "*" ":lisp gjd; sine lisp\r"
 expect ":KILL"
 
 # Kermit
-respond "*" ":link math;defset fasl,lisp;\r"
+make_link "math;defset fasl" "lisp;"
 complr {"math;common" "math;kermit"}
 respond "*" ":lisp math; kermit dumper\r"
 respond "to dump.|" "(kermit-dump)"
 expect ":KILL"
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts kermit,math;\r"
+make_link "sys3;ts kermit" "math;"
 
 # SUPDUP ARDS
 complr {"dcp;sgincl" "dcp;supard"}
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ respond "?" "Y\r"
 respond "?" "LLOGO\r"
 respond "?" "1700\r"
 expect ":KILL"
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts llogo, llogo; ts llogo\r"
+make_link "sys1; ts llogo" " llogo; ts llogo"
 
 # 2500 assembler
 complr_load {"ioc"} {"2500;zap"}
@@ -511,4 +511,4 @@ expect -re {[\r\n][\r\n]T ?[\r\n][\r\n]}
 type "(quit)"
 expect ":KILL"
 # Make a link for the CP/M archive users.
-respond "*" ":link cpm; ts lmodem, eb;\r"
+make_link "cpm; ts lmodem" " eb;"
diff --git a/build/macsyma.tcl b/build/macsyma.tcl
index b372b009..7e39e0eb 100644
--- a/build/macsyma.tcl
+++ b/build/macsyma.tcl
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ complr_load {"((libmax) module)"} {"libmax;maxmac"}
 midas "rwk;lfsdef fasl" "rwk;lfsdef"
 midas "rat;ratlap fasl" "rat;ratlap"
 mkdir "maxdmp"
-respond "*" ":link maxdmp;ratlap fasl,rat;ratlap fasl\r"
-respond "*" ":link libmax;lusets fasl,liblsp;\r"
+make_link "maxdmp;ratlap fasl" "rat;ratlap fasl"
+make_link "libmax;lusets fasl" "liblsp;"
 
 complr_load {"((libmax) module)"} \
     {"libmax;ermsgx" "libmax;ermsgc" "z;fildir" "libmax;lmmac"
@@ -58,14 +58,14 @@ complr_load {"((libmax) module)"} {"libmax;define"}
 
 mkdir "macsym"
 
-respond "*" ":link macsym;mdefun fasl,libmax;\r"
+make_link "macsym;mdefun fasl" "libmax;"
 
 complr_load {"((libmax) module)"} \
     {"macsym;ermsgm_maxsrc;ermsgm" "maxdoc;tdcl" "rlb;bitmac"}
 
 complr {"rlb;faslre" "rlb;faslro"}
 
-respond "*" ":link rlb%;faslre fasl,rlb;\r"
+make_link "rlb%;faslre fasl" "rlb;"
 respond "*" ":copy rlb;faslre fasl,liblsp;\r"
 respond "*" "l\013"
 respond "Alloc?" "n"
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ respond "File name->" "\002"
 respond ";BKPT" "(quit)"
 
 midas "maxtul;ts mcl" "mcldmp midas"
-respond "*" ":link maxtul;.good. complr,maxtul;mcldmp 32\r"
+make_link "maxtul;.good. complr" "maxtul;mcldmp 32"
 
 # build UTMCL -- the compiler invoked by compile_lisp_file in Macsyma
 complr {"maxtul;utmcl"}
@@ -184,11 +184,11 @@ respond "T" "(loader 1001)"
 respond "(C1)" "quit();"
 
 respond "*" ":copy aljabr;user profil,macsym;\r"
-respond "*" ":link macsym;check fasl,ellen;\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts macsym,maxdmp;loser >\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts a,sys3; ts macsym\r"
-respond "*" ":link demo;manual demo,demo;manual >\r"
-respond "*" ":link manual;manual demo,demo;manual demo\r"
+make_link "macsym;check fasl" "ellen;"
+make_link "sys3;ts macsym" "maxdmp;loser >"
+make_link "sys;ts a" "sys3; ts macsym"
+make_link "demo;manual demo" "demo;manual >"
+make_link "manual;manual demo" "demo;manual demo"
 
 ### build ctensr for macsyma
 respond "*" "macsym\013"
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ respond "(C2)" "compile_lisp_file(translate_file(\"tensor\\;ctensr funcs\")\[2\]
 respond "Type ALL;" "all;"
 respond "Type ALL;" "all;"
 respond "(C3)" "quit();"
-respond "*" ":link share;ctensr fasl,tensor;\r"
+make_link "share;ctensr fasl" "tensor;"
 
 ### build eigen for macsyma
 respond "*" "macsym\013"
diff --git a/build/mchn/HX/custom.tcl b/build/mchn/HX/custom.tcl
index 5829b989..7df21a54 100644
--- a/build/mchn/HX/custom.tcl
+++ b/build/mchn/HX/custom.tcl
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #Gun down users that are idle and not logged in.
-respond "*" ":link dragon; hourly gunner, cstacy; gunner bin\r"
+make_link "dragon; hourly gunner" "cstacy; gunner bin"
 
 #Run a weekly unattended incremental dump.
 midas "dragon; weekly backup" "lars; backup" {
diff --git a/build/mchn/TT/custom.tcl b/build/mchn/TT/custom.tcl
index 53e1b923..08282a30 100644
--- a/build/mchn/TT/custom.tcl
+++ b/build/mchn/TT/custom.tcl
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ midas "/t device;chaos shutdo" "sysnet;shutsr" {
 respond "*" ":delete sys;atsign gunner\r"
 
 #Gun down users that are idle and not logged in.
-respond "*" ":link dragon; hourly gunner, cstacy; gunner bin\r"
+make_link "dragon; hourly gunner" "cstacy; gunner bin"
 
 #Run a weekly unattended incremental dump.
 midas "dragon; weekly backup" "lars; backup" {
diff --git a/build/misc.tcl b/build/misc.tcl
index c47e5978..28e7ba50 100644
--- a/build/misc.tcl
+++ b/build/misc.tcl
@@ -45,11 +45,11 @@ respond "PURIFIED" "\r"
 respond "*" ":pdump .teco.; ts 335\r"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
 
-respond "*" ":link teach;teach emacs,emacs;teach emacs\r"
+make_link "teach;teach emacs" "emacs;teach emacs"
 respond "*" "teach\033\023"
 respond "*" ":emacs\r"
 expect ":KILL"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts teachemacs,emacs;tstch >\r"
+make_link "sys2;ts teachemacs" "emacs;tstch >"
 
 # nsalv, timesharing version
 midas "sys1;ts nsalv" "kshack;nsalv" {
@@ -64,25 +64,25 @@ midas "sys1;ts salv" "system;salv" {
 midas "sys3;ts syslod" "sysen1;syslod"
 
 midas "sys3;ts vv" "sysen2;vv"
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts vj,sys3;ts vv\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts detree,sys3;ts vv\r"
+make_link "sys3;ts vj" "sys3;ts vv"
+make_link "sys3;ts detree" "sys3;ts vv"
 
 midas "sys3;ts trees" "sysen1; trees"
 
 midas "sys2;ts syschk" "sysen2;syschk"
 
 midas "sysbin;" "sysen3;whoj"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts talk,sysbin;whoj bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts who,sysbin;whoj bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts whoj,sysbin;whoj bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts whom,sysbin;whoj bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts users,sysbin;whoj bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts w,sys1;ts who\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts u,sys2;ts users\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts talk" "sysbin;whoj bin"
+make_link "sys1;ts who" "sysbin;whoj bin"
+make_link "sys1;ts whoj" "sysbin;whoj bin"
+make_link "sys1;ts whom" "sysbin;whoj bin"
+make_link "sys2;ts users" "sysbin;whoj bin"
+make_link "sys1;ts w" "sys1;ts who"
+make_link "sys2;ts u" "sys2;ts users"
 
 #Inter-Entity Communication
 midas "sysbin;" "sysen2; iec"
-respond "*" ":link sys; atsign iec, sysbin; iec bin\r"
+make_link "sys; atsign iec" " sysbin; iec bin"
 arpanet "rfc113" "sys; atsign iec"
 
 midas "sys2;ts untalk" "gren;untalk"
@@ -94,10 +94,10 @@ midas "sys3;ts ddtdoc" "syseng;ddtdoc"
 midas "sys1;ts nwatch" "sysen1;nwatch"
 
 midas "sys1;ts crock" "sysen1;crock" { respond "System?" "ITS\r" }
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts c,sys1;ts crock\r"
+make_link "sys2;ts c" "sys1;ts crock"
 
 midas "sys1;ts dcrock" "sysen1;dcrock" { respond "System?" "ITS\r" }
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts dc,sys1;ts dcrock\r"
+make_link "sys2;ts dc" "sys1;ts dcrock"
 
 # Not Zork
 midas "sys3;ts zork" "sysen3;zork"
@@ -118,34 +118,34 @@ respond "*" ":kill\r"
 
 # Mini Chaosnet file server.  Version 24 is MINI.
 midas "sysbin; mini" "lmio; minisr 24"
-respond "*" ":link device; chaos mini, sysbin; mini bin\r"
+make_link "device; chaos mini" " sysbin; mini bin"
 
 # Mini Chaosnet file server.  This is the 36-bit version.
 midas "kshack;" "mini36"
-respond "*" ":link device; chaos mini36, kshack; mini36 bin\r"
+make_link "device; chaos mini36" " kshack; mini36 bin"
 
 midas "sysbin;" "sysnet;echo"
-respond "*" ":link device; chaos echo, sysbin; echo bin\r"
+make_link "device; chaos echo" " sysbin; echo bin"
 
 midas "alan;ts gensym" "alan;gensym"
-respond "*" ":link device; chaos gensym, alan; ts gensym\r"
+make_link "device; chaos gensym" " alan; ts gensym"
 
 midas "device;chaos load" "alan;load"
 
 # Mini Chaosnet file server.  Version 5 is MINIC.
 midas "sysbin; minic bin" "syseng; minisr 5"
-respond "*" ":link device; chaos minic, sysbin; minic bin\r"
+make_link "device; chaos minic" " sysbin; minic bin"
 
 midas "sysbin;" "lmio1; door"
-respond "*" ":link device; chaos door, sysbin; door bin\r"
+make_link "device; chaos door" " sysbin; door bin"
 
 midas "sys3; ts esce" "sysen1; esce"
 
 midas "sysbin;chtn" "sysnet;chtn"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts chtn,sysbin;chtn bin\r"
+make_link "sys2;ts chtn" "sysbin;chtn bin"
 
 midas "sys;ts ttloc" "sysen1;ttloc"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts styloc,sys;ts ttloc\r"
+make_link "sys2;ts styloc" "sys;ts ttloc"
 
 midas "device;jobdev dp" "sysen3;dpdev"
 
@@ -156,13 +156,13 @@ midas "sys1;ts quote" "sysen1;limeri" {
 midas "sys2;ts limeri" "sysen1;limeri" {
     respond "Use what filename instead?" "eak; lims >\r"
 }
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts limmer,sys2;ts limeri\r"
+make_link "sys2;ts limmer" "sys2;ts limeri"
 
 midas "sysbin;" "eak;limser"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos limeri,sysbin;limser bin\r"
+make_link "device;chaos limeri" "sysbin;limser bin"
 
 midas "sys;ts srccom" "sysen2;srccom"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts =,sys;ts srccom\r"
+make_link "sys2;ts =" "sys;ts srccom"
 
 midas ".mail.;comsat" "sysnet;comsat" comsat_switches
 
@@ -178,17 +178,17 @@ respond "*" ":kill\r"
 
 initialize_comsat
 
-respond "*" ":link emacs;rmail \021:ej,emacs;\[rmai\] >\r"
+make_link "emacs;rmail \021:ej" "emacs;\[rmai\] >"
 
 midas "sys1;ts rmail" "emacs1;rmaill"
 
-respond "*" ":link channa;rakash cnavrl,.mail.;comsat launch\r"
-respond "*" ":link channa;ts cnavrl,channa;rakash cnavrl\r"
-respond "*" ":link dragon;hourly cnavrl,.mail.;comsat launch\r"
+make_link "channa;rakash cnavrl" ".mail.;comsat launch"
+make_link "channa;ts cnavrl" "channa;rakash cnavrl"
+make_link "dragon;hourly cnavrl" ".mail.;comsat launch"
 
 midas "sysbin;" "sra; gcmail"
-respond "*" ":link dragon; hourly gcmail,sysbin; gcmail bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link dragon; hourly gcbulk,sysbin; gcmail bin\r"
+make_link "dragon; hourly gcmail" "sysbin; gcmail bin"
+make_link "dragon; hourly gcbulk" "sysbin; gcmail bin"
 
 midas "sysbin;qmail" "ksc;qmail" { respond "PWORD version (Y or N)? " "N\r" }
 respond "*" ":job qmail\r"
@@ -197,21 +197,21 @@ respond "*" "purify\033g"
 respond "QMAIL BIN" "\r"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
 
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts mail,sysbin;qmail bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts qmail,sysbin;qmail bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts qsend,sysbin;qmail bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts bug,sysbin;qmail bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts m,sys;ts mail\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts featur,sys;ts qmail\r"
-respond "*" ":link .info.;mail info,.info.;qmail info\r"
+make_link "sys;ts mail" "sysbin;qmail bin"
+make_link "sys;ts qmail" "sysbin;qmail bin"
+make_link "sys;ts qsend" "sysbin;qmail bin"
+make_link "sys1;ts bug" "sysbin;qmail bin"
+make_link "sys;ts m" "sys;ts mail"
+make_link "sys2;ts featur" "sys;ts qmail"
+make_link ".info.;mail info" ".info.;qmail info"
 
 # Chaosnet MAILServer
 midas "sysbin;" "sysnet;mails"
-respond "*" ":link device; chaos mail, sysbin; mails bin\r"
+make_link "device; chaos mail" " sysbin; mails bin"
 
 # DIGEST
 midas "digest; ts digest" "digest"
-respond "*" ":link dragon; hourly digest, digest; ts digest\r"
+make_link "dragon; hourly digest" " digest; ts digest"
 
 # MBXLOC
 midas "digest; ts mbxloc" "mbxloc"
@@ -254,18 +254,18 @@ midas "sys3;ts bitprt" "sysen2;bitprt"
 
 # bday
 midas "sysbin;" "sysen1;bday"
-respond "*" ":link dragon;daily bday,sysbin;bday bin\r"
+make_link "dragon;daily bday" "sysbin;bday bin"
 
 # sender
 midas "sysbin;sender" "sysen1;sender"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts freply,sysbin;sender bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts send,sysbin;sender bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts fr,sysbin;sender bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts reply,sysbin;sender bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts fs,sysbin;sender bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts s,sys;ts send\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts snd,sys;ts send\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts sned,sys;ts send\r"
+make_link "sys;ts freply" "sysbin;sender bin"
+make_link "sys;ts send" "sysbin;sender bin"
+make_link "sys2;ts fr" "sysbin;sender bin"
+make_link "sys2;ts reply" "sysbin;sender bin"
+make_link "sys3;ts fs" "sysbin;sender bin"
+make_link "sys1;ts s" "sys;ts send"
+make_link "sys3;ts snd" "sys;ts send"
+make_link "sys3;ts sned" "sys;ts send"
 
 # psend
 midas "sys3;ts psend" "sysen2;b"
@@ -287,8 +287,8 @@ midas "sys1;ts reatta" "sysen2;reatta"
 
 # print
 midas "sys;ts print" "sysen2;print"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts copy,sys;ts print\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts listf,sys;ts print\r"
+make_link "sys;ts copy" "sys;ts print"
+make_link "sys;ts listf" "sys;ts print"
 
 # fdir 
 midas "sys2;ts fdir" "syseng;fdir"
@@ -311,8 +311,8 @@ midas "sys1;ts sysmsg" "sysen1;sysmsg"
 
 # meter
 midas "sys1;ts meter" "syseng;meter"
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts smeter, sys1; ts meter\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts meterd, sys1; ts meter\r"
+make_link "sys1; ts smeter" " sys1; ts meter"
+make_link "sys1; ts meterd" " sys1; ts meter"
 
 # cross
 # This is not the microcomputer cross assembler.
@@ -338,23 +338,23 @@ midas "sys;ts acount" "sysen3;acount"
 
 # idents
 midas "sysbin;" "sysnet;idents"
-respond "*" ":link device;tcp syn161,sysbin;idents bin\r"
+make_link "device;tcp syn161" "sysbin;idents bin"
 
 # timsrv
 midas "sysbin;timsrv bin" "sysnet;timsrv"
-respond "*" ":link device;tcp syn045,sysbin;timsrv bin\r"
+make_link "device;tcp syn045" "sysbin;timsrv bin"
 arpanet "rfc045" "sysbin;timsrv bin"
 
 # datsrv
 midas "sysbin;" "sysnet;datsrv"
-respond "*" ":link device;tcp syn015,sysbin;datsrv bin\r"
+make_link "device;tcp syn015" "sysbin;datsrv bin"
 
 # WEBSER
 respond "*" ":xfile sysnet;make webser\r"
 expect -timeout 300 "*:kill"
 
 # mailt
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts mailt,sys2;ts emacs\r"
+make_link "sys;ts mailt" "sys2;ts emacs"
 
 # rmtdev
 midas "device;atsign rmtdev" "gz;rmtdev"
@@ -465,8 +465,8 @@ midas "games;ts game" "ejs;ngame" {
     respond "Adventure (2): " "ts,adv448,games\r"
     respond "Adventure (1.5): " "ts,adv350,games\r"
 }
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts game,games;ts game\r"
-respond "*" ":link info;o.info,_info_;\r"
+make_link "sys3;ts game" "games;ts game"
+make_link "info;o.info" "_info_;"
 
 # guess
 midas "games;ts guess" "games;guess"
@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ midas "sys3;ts ten50" "mrc; ten50"
 
 # who%
 midas "sys1;ts who%" "sysen3;who%"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts %,sys1;ts who%\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts %" "sys1;ts who%"
 
 # MACRO-10
 cwd "decsys"
@@ -536,11 +536,11 @@ midas "sys3;ts lotcln" "sysen1; lotcln"
 
 # itsdev
 midas "device;chaos itsdev" "bawden;itsdev"
-respond "*" ":link device; tcp syn723, device; chaos itsdev\r"
+make_link "device; tcp syn723" " device; chaos itsdev"
 
 # charfc/charfs
 midas "sys1;ts charfc" "sysen3;charfc"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts charfs,sys1;ts charfc\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts charfs" "sys1;ts charfc"
 
 # file
 midas "sysbin;" "syseng;file"
@@ -552,7 +552,7 @@ respond "*" ":kill\r"
 
 # filei, fileo
 midas "device;chaos filei" "eak;file"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos fileo,device;chaos filei\r"
+make_link "device;chaos fileo" "device;chaos filei"
 
 # ifile
 midas "device;chaos ifile" "syseng;ifile"
@@ -574,23 +574,23 @@ midast "sys1;ts pdp11" "syseng;11sim" {
 
 # times
 midas "sysbin;times bin" "sysnet;times"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts ctimes,sysbin;times bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts times,sysbin;times bin\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts ctimes" "sysbin;times bin"
+make_link "sys1;ts times" "sysbin;times bin"
 
 # idle
 midas "sys1;ts idle" "gren;idle"
 
 # spell
 midas "sys1;ts spell" "syseng;spell"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts espell,sys1;ts spell\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts espell" "sys1;ts spell"
 
 # jobs
 midas "sys2;ts jobs" "sysen1;jobs"
 
 # hsndev
 midas "device;jobdev hsname" "sysen1;hsndev"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev hs,device;jobdev hsname\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;jobdev hf,device;jobdev hsname\r"
+make_link "device;jobdev hs" "device;jobdev hsname"
+make_link "device;jobdev hf" "device;jobdev hsname"
 
 # gunner
 midas "device; jobdev shoe" "rwk; gunner"
@@ -602,21 +602,21 @@ midas "cstacy;" "gunner"
 
 # pr
 midas "sys1;ts pr" "sysen1;pr"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts call,sys1;ts pr\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts .call,sys1;ts pr\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts uuo,sys1;ts pr\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts uset,sys1;ts pr\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts suset,sys1;ts pr\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts doc,sys1;ts pr\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts intrup,sys1;ts pr\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts ttyvar,sys1;ts pr\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts prim,sys1;ts pr\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts call" "sys1;ts pr"
+make_link "sys1;ts .call" "sys1;ts pr"
+make_link "sys1;ts uuo" "sys1;ts pr"
+make_link "sys1;ts uset" "sys1;ts pr"
+make_link "sys1;ts suset" "sys1;ts pr"
+make_link "sys1;ts doc" "sys1;ts pr"
+make_link "sys1;ts intrup" "sys1;ts pr"
+make_link "sys1;ts ttyvar" "sys1;ts pr"
+make_link "sys1;ts prim" "sys1;ts pr"
 
-respond "*" ":link .info.;its .calls,sysdoc;.calls >\r"
-respond "*" ":link .info.;its uuos,sysdoc;uuos >\r"
-respond "*" ":link .info.;its usets,sysdoc;usets >\r"
-respond "*" ":link .info.;its %pi,sysdoc;%pi >\r"
-respond "*" ":link .info.;its ttyvar,sysdoc;ttyvar >\r"
+make_link ".info.;its .calls" "sysdoc;.calls >"
+make_link ".info.;its uuos" "sysdoc;uuos >"
+make_link ".info.;its usets" "sysdoc;usets >"
+make_link ".info.;its %pi" "sysdoc;%pi >"
+make_link ".info.;its ttyvar" "sysdoc;ttyvar >"
 
 # inline
 midas "sys2;ts inline" "sysen1;inline"
@@ -644,11 +644,11 @@ midas "sys3;ts fretty" "sysen2;fretty"
 
 # bye
 midas "sys1;ts bye" "sysen1;bye"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos bye,sys1;ts bye\r"
+make_link "device;chaos bye" "sys1;ts bye"
 
 # yow server
 midas "sys3;ts yow" "maeda; yow"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos yow, sys3; ts yow\r"
+make_link "device;chaos yow" " sys3; ts yow"
 
 # yow client
 midas "sysnet;ts yow" "sysen2; yow"
@@ -677,7 +677,7 @@ midas "sys1;ts sty" "sysen2;sty"
 
 # luser
 midas "sysbin;luser bin" "syseng;luser"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts luser,sysbin;luser bin\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts luser" "sysbin;luser bin"
 
 # ARCCPY
 midas "sys2;ts arccpy" "sysen2;arccpy"
@@ -692,7 +692,7 @@ midas "sys2;ts hostab" "sysen1;hostab"
 midas "sys2;ts hostat" "sysen2;hostat"
 
 # PROBE
-respond "*" ":link syseng;its defs,sys;itsdfs >\r"
+make_link "syseng;its defs" "sys;itsdfs >"
 midas "sysbin;probe bin" "bawden;probe"
 # note: setting debug to 0 and running causes it to pdump itself to
 #  sys;ts probe
@@ -700,14 +700,14 @@ respond "*" ":job probe\r"
 respond "*" ":load sysbin;probe bin\r"
 respond "*" "debug/0\r"
 type "\033g"
-respond "*" ":link sys;ts pb,sys;ts probe\r"
+make_link "sys;ts pb" "sys;ts probe"
 
 # TTY
 midas "sys1;ts tty" "sysen1;tty"
 
 # TTYLINK, just a stub.
 midas "sysbin;ttylin bin" "bawden; u"
-respond "*" ":link device; chaos ttylin, sysbin; ttylin bin\r"
+make_link "device; chaos ttylin" " sysbin; ttylin bin"
 
 # IPLJOB
 midas "sys;atsign ipl" "sysen2; ipljob"
@@ -717,14 +717,14 @@ midas "device;atsign r.i.p." "sysen2;ripdev"
 
 # GMSGS
 midas "sys2;ts gmsgs" "sysen1;gmsgs"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts expire, sys2;ts gmsgs\r"
-respond "*" ":link dragon;daily expire,sys2;ts gmsgs\r"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos gmsgs,sys2;ts gmsgs\r"
+make_link "sys2;ts expire" " sys2;ts gmsgs"
+make_link "dragon;daily expire" "sys2;ts gmsgs"
+make_link "device;chaos gmsgs" "sys2;ts gmsgs"
 
 # X, Y, Z
 midas "sys1;ts x" "sysen2;x"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts y,sys1;ts x\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts z,sys1;ts x\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts y" "sys1;ts x"
+make_link "sys1;ts z" "sys1;ts x"
 
 # LOADP
 midas "sys2;ts loadp" "sysen1;loadp"
@@ -755,7 +755,7 @@ midas "sys3;ts crc" "gren; crc"
 
 # TMPKIL
 midas "sys2;ts tmpkil" "syseng;tmpkil"
-respond "*" ":link dragon;hourly tmpkil,sys2;ts tmpkil\r"
+make_link "dragon;hourly tmpkil" "sys2;ts tmpkil"
 
 # WHAT
 midas "sys2;ts what" "syseng;what"
@@ -772,11 +772,11 @@ expect ":KILL"
 
 # UP
 midas "sys1;ts up" "sysen1;up"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts down, sys1;ts up\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts down" " sys1;ts up"
 
 # UPTIME
 midas "sysbin;uptime bin" "sysen1;uptime"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos uptime,sysbin;uptime bin\r"
+make_link "device;chaos uptime" "sysbin;uptime bin"
 
 # SHUTDN
 midas "sys3;ts shutdn" "bawden;shutdn"
@@ -792,7 +792,7 @@ midas "sys;ts type8" "sysen3;type8"
 
 # USQ
 midas "sys2;ts usq" "sysen3;usq"
-respond "*" ":link sys2;ts typesq,sys2;ts usq\r"
+make_link "sys2;ts typesq" "sys2;ts usq"
 
 # SCRAM
 midas "sys2;ts scram" "rwk;scram"
@@ -802,11 +802,11 @@ midas "sys3;ts host" "sysnet;host"
 
 # EXPN/VRFY
 midas "sys3;ts expn" "sysnet;expn"
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts vrfy,sys3;ts expn\r"
+make_link "sys3;ts vrfy" "sys3;ts expn"
 
 # MUSCOM
 midas "sysbin;" "syseng; muscom"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts muscom, sysbin; muscom bin\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts muscom" " sysbin; muscom bin"
 
 # BIG
 oomidas 77 "SYSBIN;" "SYSENG; BIG"
@@ -881,19 +881,19 @@ midas "device;chaos time" "syseng;ctimsr"
 
 # DEVICE; CHAOS SEND
 midas "sysbin;" "sysnet;senver"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos send,sysbin;senver bin\r"
+make_link "device;chaos send" "sysbin;senver bin"
 
 # Alternate DEVICE; CHAOS SEND
 midas "sysbin;" "sysnet;sends"
-#respond "*" ":link device;chaos send,sysbin;senver bin\r"
+#make_link "device;chaos send" "sysbin;senver bin"
 
 # Chaosnet BABEL service.
 midas "sysbin; babel" "dcp2; babel"
-respond "*" ":link device;chaos babel,sysbin; babel bin\r"
+make_link "device;chaos babel" "sysbin; babel bin"
 
 # Chaosnet HOSTAB service.
 midas "sysbin;" "eak; chahtb"
-respond "*" ":link device; chaos hostab, sysbin; chahtb bin\r"
+make_link "device; chaos hostab" " sysbin; chahtb bin"
 arpanet "rfc121" "sysbin; chahtb bin"
 
 # Chaosnet 11LOAD service for booting MINITS.
@@ -913,11 +913,11 @@ midas "sys1;ts factor" "rz;factor"
 
 # balanc
 midas "sys3;ts balanc" "alan;balanc"
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts movdir,sys3;ts balanc\r"
+make_link "sys3;ts movdir" "sys3;ts balanc"
 
 # scrmbl and unscr
 midas "sys3;ts scrmbl" "ejs;scrmbl"
-respond "*" ":link sys3;ts unscr,sys3;ts scrmbl\r"
+make_link "sys3;ts unscr" "sys3;ts scrmbl"
 
 # ZOTZ
 midas "ksc; ts zotz" "zotz"
@@ -956,16 +956,16 @@ respond "   " ":kill\r"
 
 # IMLOAD and IMTRAN
 midas "sys1; ts imload" "syseng; imload"
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts imtran, sys1; ts imload\r"
+make_link "sys1; ts imtran" " sys1; ts imload"
 
 # UNTRAN
 midas "imlac; ts untran" "untran"
 
 # IMPRNT
 midas "sys1; ts imprnt" "syseng; imprnt"
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts imprin, sys1; ts imprnt\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts ardprn, sys1; ts imprnt\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts tekprn, sys1; ts imprnt\r"
+make_link "sys1; ts imprin" " sys1; ts imprnt"
+make_link "sys1; ts ardprn" " sys1; ts imprnt"
+make_link "sys1; ts tekprn" " sys1; ts imprnt"
 
 # IMGOUT
 midas "sys3; ts imgout" "cbf; imgout"
@@ -1009,7 +1009,7 @@ respond "*" ":imtran\r"
 respond "@" "imlac; ssv22 iml_sysbin; ssv22 bin\r"
 respond "@" "\021"
 expect ":KILL"
-respond "*" ":link imlac; .prgm. normal, imlac; ssv22 iml\r"
+make_link "imlac; .prgm. normal" " imlac; ssv22 iml"
 
 # Assemble SSV4.
 midas "imlac; ts assv4" "assv4"
@@ -1207,7 +1207,7 @@ respond "*" ":load sysbin; tj6 bin\r"
 respond "*" "purify\033g"
 respond "DSK: SYS; TS NTJ6" "\r"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys; ts tj6, sys; ts ntj6\r"
+make_link "sys; ts tj6" " sys; ts ntj6"
 
 # Old TJ6.
 midas "sys2; ts otj6" "tj6; otj6"
@@ -1218,7 +1218,7 @@ respond "*" ":cc rcntrl rdev rexpr rfile rfonts richar ridn rin rin1 rin2\r"
 respond "*" ":cc rits rline rlpt rmain rmisc rout rreadr rreg rreq1 rreq2\r"
 respond "*" ":cc rreq3 rtext rtoken rtrap rvaria rxgp\r"
 respond "*" ":stinkr r\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3; ts r, r; ts r30\r"
+make_link "sys3; ts r" " r; ts r30"
 # sys2; ts rr -> r; ts rr
 # .info.; r info -> r; r info
 # .info.; r recent -> r; r recent
@@ -1273,7 +1273,7 @@ build_c_program "cprog/rstat" "cprog/ts.rstat"
 # Versatec spooler
 # This has some harmless unresolved symbols (FOO, XE4).
 midas "sys3;ts versa" "dcp; versa"
-# respond "*" ":link channa; rakash v80spl,sys3; ts versa\r"
+# make_link "channa; rakash v80spl" "sys3; ts versa"
 
 # SCAN
 midas "sysbin;" "sysen1; scan"
@@ -1372,8 +1372,8 @@ midas "rug; ts punch" "punch"
 
 # LODER, PDP-11 file transfer.
 midas "rug;" "loder"
-respond "*" ":link sys; ts nloder, rug; loder bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts mloder, rug; loder bin\r"
+make_link "sys; ts nloder" " rug; loder bin"
+make_link "sys1; ts mloder" " rug; loder bin"
 
 # SITS.
 cwd "sits"
diff --git a/build/muddle.tcl b/build/muddle.tcl
index ee8b9648..b05a79ce 100644
--- a/build/muddle.tcl
+++ b/build/muddle.tcl
@@ -24,20 +24,20 @@ midas "mudsys; ts mksvfl" "mudsys;mksvfl"
 
 # Run mksvfl to create pure library for MDL 54 for the purposes of the 500-point zork
 midas "sys3; ts mudinq" "sysen2; mudinq"
-respond "*" ":link sys3; ts purge, sys3; ts mudinq\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3; ts makscr, sys3; ts mudinq\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3; ts status, sys3; ts mudinq\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3; ts whomud, sys3; ts mudinq\r"
+make_link "sys3; ts purge" " sys3; ts mudinq"
+make_link "sys3; ts makscr" " sys3; ts mudinq"
+make_link "sys3; ts status" " sys3; ts mudinq"
+make_link "sys3; ts whomud" " sys3; ts mudinq"
 
-respond "*" ":link sys3; ts mdl,mudsav; ts mud56\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3; ts muddle,mudsav; ts mud56\r"
+make_link "sys3; ts mdl" "mudsav; ts mud56"
+make_link "sys3; ts muddle" "mudsav; ts mud56"
 
 midas "sys3; ts mudcom" "sysen3; mudcom" {
     respond "(Y OR N)" "Y\r"
 }
-respond "*" ":link sys3; ts mudchk, sys3; ts mudcom\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3; ts mudlst, sys3; ts mudcom\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys3; ts mudfnd, sys3; ts mudcom\r"
+make_link "sys3; ts mudchk" " sys3; ts mudcom"
+make_link "sys3; ts mudlst" " sys3; ts mudcom"
+make_link "sys3; ts mudfnd" " sys3; ts mudcom"
 
 midas "sys3; ts combat" "sysen3; combat" {
     respond "(Y OR N)" "Y\r"
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ midas "sys3; ts combat" "sysen3; combat" {
 
 midas "sys3; ts pick" "sysen2; pick"
 
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts mud55,mudsav;ts mud55\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts mud55" "mudsav;ts mud55"
 
 #Build Muddle PCOMP compiler.
 midas "sys1;ts pcomp" "mudsys;subsys maker" {
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ midas "sys;atsign batchn" "mudsys;subsys maker" {
 
 # Now build BATCH user program (interfaces with BATCHN daemon)
 
-respond "*" ":link libmud;pmap fbin,mbprog;pmap fbin\r"
+make_link "libmud;pmap fbin" "mbprog;pmap fbin"
 
 respond "*" ":ecomp\r"
 respond "T" "<SNAME \".batch\">\033"
diff --git a/build/sail.tcl b/build/sail.tcl
index 3974491b..57c3880b 100644
--- a/build/sail.tcl
+++ b/build/sail.tcl
@@ -20,23 +20,23 @@ respond "\n" "\033y sail; fail bin\r"
 respond "*" ":kill\r"
 
 # Make links needed for SUDS.
-respond "*" ":link wl; switch 999999, draw; switch >\r"
-respond "*" ":link wl; first 999999, draw; first >\r"
-respond "*" ":link wl; sigsub 999999, draw; sigsub >\r"
-respond "*" ":link draw; board0 999999, wl; board0 >\r"
-respond "*" ":link draw; board1 999999, wl; board1 >\r"
-respond "*" ":link draw; board2 999999, wl; board2 >\r"
-respond "*" ":link draw; decloc 999999, wl; decloc >\r"
-respond "*" ":link draw; lg627 999999, wl; lg627 >\r"
-respond "*" ":link draw; lg684 999999, wl; lg684 >\r"
-respond "*" ":link draw; mpg21 999999, wl; mpg21 >\r"
-respond "*" ":link draw; mpg216 999999, wl; mpg216 >\r"
-respond "*" ":link draw; ncp13 999999, wl; ncp13 >\r"
-respond "*" ":link draw; ug61c 999999, wl; ug61c >\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts d, datdrw; d bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts wl, datdrw; wl bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts pc, datdrw; pc bin\r"
-respond "*" ":link sys1; ts scnv, datdrw; scnv bin\r"
+make_link "wl; switch 999999" " draw; switch >"
+make_link "wl; first 999999" " draw; first >"
+make_link "wl; sigsub 999999" " draw; sigsub >"
+make_link "draw; board0 999999" " wl; board0 >"
+make_link "draw; board1 999999" " wl; board1 >"
+make_link "draw; board2 999999" " wl; board2 >"
+make_link "draw; decloc 999999" " wl; decloc >"
+make_link "draw; lg627 999999" " wl; lg627 >"
+make_link "draw; lg684 999999" " wl; lg684 >"
+make_link "draw; mpg21 999999" " wl; mpg21 >"
+make_link "draw; mpg216 999999" " wl; mpg216 >"
+make_link "draw; ncp13 999999" " wl; ncp13 >"
+make_link "draw; ug61c 999999" " wl; ug61c >"
+make_link "sys1; ts d" " datdrw; d bin"
+make_link "sys1; ts wl" " datdrw; wl bin"
+make_link "sys1; ts pc" " datdrw; pc bin"
+make_link "sys1; ts scnv" " datdrw; scnv bin"
 
 # The drawing program needs WL; BOARDS REL
 cwd "wl"
diff --git a/build/scheme.tcl b/build/scheme.tcl
index 4c4fae73..78bf830a 100644
--- a/build/scheme.tcl
+++ b/build/scheme.tcl
@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@ respond "==>" "(quit)"
 # New Scheme interpreter
 complr {"quux;_schint lsp" "quux;_schmac lsp" "quux;_schuuo lsp"}
 
-respond "*" ":link quux;scheme interp, schint fasl\r"
-respond "*" ":link quux;scheme macros, schmac fasl\r"
-respond "*" ":link quux;scheme uuohan, schuuo fasl\r"
+make_link "quux;scheme interp" " schint fasl"
+make_link "quux;scheme macros" " schmac fasl"
+make_link "quux;scheme uuohan" " schuuo fasl"
 respond "*" ":lisp quux;scheme (dump)\r"
 
 # Fails the build, disabled for now.
diff --git a/build/zork.tcl b/build/zork.tcl
index 7440c031..55333b3a 100644
--- a/build/zork.tcl
+++ b/build/zork.tcl
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ midas "sys2; ts ozork" "taa; zork"
 
 # New Zork startup
 midas "sys; ts rbye" "cfs; zork"
-respond "*" ":link sys1;ts zork, sys; ts rbye\r"
+make_link "sys1;ts zork" " sys; ts rbye"
 
 mkdir "cfs"