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- 5
- {EN
- {*B
- In this section we will cover the files subsystem.
-
- The file subsystem permits you to move files between your system and this
- RBBS-PC. Downloading refers to moving files from this RBBS to your computer,
- and uploading is moving files from your computer to this RBBS. The files
- subsystem is accessed by using the "F" command at the main menu.
-
- The transfer of data can either be done in ASCII or using a protocol referred
- to as XMODEM. The XMODEM protocol is common to CP/M based systems as was
- originally developed by Ward Christensen. The protocol is also contained in
- PC-TALK.III. More on this later.
-
- To list the names of the files that are available on the disks for downloading
- to your system, the <L>ist command should be entered at the Files Menu. The
- full names of the files will be listed along with a short description of each
- file. Usually there is a document file that accompanies most of the program
- items on the system. These document files usually have an extension of DOC or
- TXT.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4A"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- The basic steps in downloading are
- (1) tell RBBS you want to download.
- (2) tell RBBS exactly what file you want to download.
- (3) tell RBBS what protocol you want to use.
- (4) after RBBS says it is ready, tell your communications package to save
- the incoming file.
-
- Note: all three first steps can be specified on a single line in the format
- " d;<filename>;<protocol>". E.G. D;STREW.LBR;X will download the file
- STREW.LBR using XMODEM protocol.
-
- Note: if you set a default protocol, you will NOT be asked by RBBS what protocol
- to use. If you want to override the default protocol, do the first three steps
- above on one line. E.G. to download VOLSER2.DOC using ASCII when default is
- XMODEM, at file function prompt enter "D;VOLSER2.DOC;A". If you want to reset
- the default protocol, select F for F)ile protocol, then N)one.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4B"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- ASCII DATA CAPTURE
-
- The transfer of files in ASCII mode can be done if your system is capable of
- data capture. To download a file using the ASCII method, follow the sequence
- of steps listed below.
-
- 1. List the files available for download using the L)ist command and either
- capture the list to your printer or write down the exact names of the files you
- want to receive.
-
- 2. After returning to the Files Menu, select D)ownload.
-
- 3. When RBBS-PC asks for the filename you wish to select, input the exact
- filename including a period between the filename and extension.
-
- 4. When RBBS-PC asks for the type of download you want, input A for A)scii
- method. (Only if you have default protocol set to None will you be asked
- this question.)
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4C"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- 5. When the RBBS-PC tells you to open your capture file and enter a carriage
- return to start the download, you should do so. (Opening your capture file is
- done by using the Alt-R command in PC-TALK.) After setting up to receive the
- file on your end, you have to send RBBS-PC one carriage return so that it knows
- you are ready to start.
-
- 6. The file will be sent a line at a time until the entire file is sent. You
- will see the lines of ASCII code (readable text and numbers) on your screen as
- they flow to your system. If you wish to suspend the transmission temporarily,
- your system should send RBBS-PC a Ctrl-S (XOFF). A Ctrl-Q (XON) will restart
- the temporarily halted transfer. A Ctrl-X (ASCII CAN) can be sent anytime to
- abort the transmission of the data; because of the output buffering performed
- automatically by RBBS-PC, there may be up to 120 characters transmitted before
- the output stops.
-
- 7. When the file transfer is finished, RBBS-PC will send you an End Of File
- Marker (Ctrl-Z) followed by 5 bells. You should close your capture file
- (PC-TALK Alt-R) as soon as you hear the bells or you will get garbage at the
- bottom of the file. If you go away for a cup of coffee and end up getting the
- 'end of file' sign attached to the bottom of the capture file, you can delete
- it from the file later using a text editor.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4D"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- 8. After the file transfer is complete you will be returned to the File
- Menu. You should look at the capture file at this point to be sure you got it
- ok. (Use the PC-TALK Alt-V command to do this.) Do not list the entire file
- unless it is short; RBBS-PC will give you 3 minutes to remain off-line before
- it assumes you have left for the day and recycles, dropping you off line.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4E"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- XMODEM FILE TRANSFER
-
- If you have implemented XMODEM on your system, files with EXE and COM
- extensions and tokenized BASIC files can be moved to your system. Files
- containing the IBM PC special ASCII characters (ones with ASCII values above
- 128) can also be transferred with XMODEM -- this includes Wordstar files.
- These files cannot be transferred in ASCII mode since ASCII transfer is only 7
- bit and these types of files require the full 8 bit transfer of the data with
- no translation of the contents of the file.
-
- XMODEM also offers the advantage of a block check to assure that the data sent
- contains no errors. It does this by adding a checksum byte to the end of each
- block of data; the receiver calculates its own checksum and compares it to the
- one received. If an error is detected in the transmission, XMODEM will request
- that RBBS-PC retransmit the block of data.
-
- To perform an XMODEM file download, follow the instructions shown above for
- ASCII DATA CAPTURE, but select X)modem instead of A)scii when RBBS-PC asks
- what file download type you want (step 4 above). The XMODEM file transfer steps
- are as follows:
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4F"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- 5. If you called in using EVEN parity the RBBS-PC will tell you to switch to
- NO parity and 8 data bits. If you called in using 8 data bits the system will
- not give you this message. You should then open your capture file (PC-TALK.III
- Alt-R command) and start the XMODEM receive process. PC-TALK.III starts XMODEM
- for you when you put '=X' at the end of the download filename.
-
- 6. The file will be transferred automatically by XMODEM until the entire file
- has been transferred. You may abnormally abort the transfer by sending RBBS-PC
- an ASCII CAN code (Ctrl-X). PC-TALK.III will do this for you if you enter an
- Alt-R during the file transfer.
-
- 7. When the file transfer is finished, XMODEM automatically closes your
- capture file for you. XMODEM also ensures that no garbage gets into your file;
- binary files and text files are just as they were sent to you with 99.6% error
- free transmission. Wordstar files should transfer without extra hard carriage
- returns being added.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4G"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- 8. XMODEM transferred files cannot be listed on your monitor unless they
- are actually ASCII files. Binary files will appear as symbols rather than
- human readable text. You will have to test these files after you exit your
- communications program.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4H"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- FILE UPLOADING
-
- File uploading to the RBBS-PC is very similar to downloading. After you have
- downloaded a few files, you might want to send me one of your favorite programs
- or files just to test your ability to upload.
-
- Uploading of ASCII files can be done without interruption between lines. This
- system can handle data uploading at 300 baud without any problem. If the
- transfer is done at 1200 baud, however, there may be a data overrun if the file
- is over 20K. If the system falls behind during a file upload operation, it
- will send an XOFF (Ctrl-S) to your system. If your system supports XON/OFF
- file transfer speed-matching, data transmission will be suspended until an XON
- (Ctrl-Q) is sent to you, indicating RBBS-PC is ready to accept data again.
-
- When uploading files, please convert BASIC programs to ASCII before
- transferring them so callers without XMODEM can download them. To do this, use
- the file save command format listed below.
-
- SAVE"filename.ext",A
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4I"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- Before sending me a file be sure I have enough disk space to take the file.
- When you ask for U)pload at the File menu, the system will tell you how much
- disk space is free on the upload drive. If this system runs out of disk space
- during an upload function, it will issue a cancel request. This will be in the
- form of a data stream of one or more ASCII CAN (Ctrl-X) characters. Your
- system will abort transmission if it supports XON/OFF file transfer
- speed-matching protocol. If your system does not support XON/OFF, the data
- overflow will be lost and the RBBS-PC will recycle, dropping you off line.
-
- UPLOAD GROUND RULES
-
- You are encouraged to donate programs to the library on this system. Any type
- of program or document is welcome, however, a few ground rules are in order.
- The files donated must contain only information that is in the public domain.
- No private or commercial information should be placed on this system. The
- SYSOP is not responsible for any of the data that is shared on this system.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4J"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- The following files subsystem commands are available:
-
- {C4D{C0)ownload -- you get a file from here
- The "D" command is used to transfer data from RBBS-PC to your computer.
- The basic steps in downloading are
-
- 1. Tell RBBS-PC that you want to download by entering "D" at the command
- prompt.
- 2. Tell RBBS-PC exactly what file you want to download by entering the file
- name at the prompt "file(s) to download". No drive letter, no path, no
- wildcards, just the file name without any extension is all that is
- required.
- 3. Tell RBBS-PC what protocol you want to use. RBBS-PC will give you a
- list of available protocols for file transfer. Selecting none cancels
- the download.
- 4. After RBBS-PC says it is ready, tell the communications software that
- you are using to receive the file using the SAME PROTOCOL that was
- selected in step 3. Most packages will also ask you what file name
- to give to the file that it is receiving at this time.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4K"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- 1. You should use the L)ist, N)ew, and S)earch commands to identify files
- that you would like to download.
-
- 2. You can stack the "D" command with the file name. That is, you can enter
- "D;<filename> directly from the Files Menu. For example, you could type
- "d;keydo.exe" to start downloading the "keydo.exe" file. The protocol you
- would like to use can also be stacked after the file name such as
- "d;keydo.exe;x".
-
- 3. You can stack multiple file names. E.g. "D;SD.COM;FDATE.ARC;X"
- downloads files SD.COM and FDATE.ARC, each using Xmodem.
-
- 4. AUTODOWNLOAD can save you the trouble of having the tell your
- communications package to receive and what file name to use. PIBTERM 3.25
- up and EXEC PC-TALK 2.1 up support autodownloading.
-
- 5. You can request that RBBS log you off automatically after a successful
- download by putting "/G" at the end of the request, e.g.
- "d humongus.zip z /G" will download humonus.zip using zmodem and log
- you off right after a successful download.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4L"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- {C4G{C0)oodbye -- This is the saddest of all commands. It is the one that you
- use to "hang up" your phone to logoff or conclude your RBBS-PC session.
-
- {C4L{C0)ist directories (categories) of files available for download
- The "L" command will display the directories or categories of files which
- are available for downloading from RBBS-PC.
-
- The "L" command can also be used along with a directory name (or number) to
- display the list of files in that directory (e.g., "L;12"). A brief
- description, the size in bytes, and the date the file was posted on the
- system accompanies each file name.
-
- After issuing an "L" command you can press ENTER to see a list of what
- categories are available, or specify what categories that you want to see.
- You can also enter "L;<directory name>" to see a list of files in that
- category. For example, "L;WORDPR" (or "L;17") might display the names and
- descriptions of files in the "WORDPR" (word processor) directory.
-
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- 1. You can save time and keystrokes by stacking your requests. For
- instance, "L;1;17;99" will list all of the files in directories 1, 17, and
- 99.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4M"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- 2. You can temporarily suspend output to your screen after initiating the
- "L" command by pressing "Control-S". The "Control-X" or "Control-K"
- commands will terminate the output to the screen and return you to the
- Files Menu.
-
- 3. "L U" will always list the upload directory, if it is available to you.
- And "L A" will list all directories.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4N"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- {C4N{C0)ew files -- get list of files new since specified date
- You can use the "N" command to identify files that have been added to
- RBBS-PC since a given date, or since the last time you logged on.
-
- You will be prompted for a date after you give the "N" command. Enter the
- desired date in numerical format with no characters separating the month,
- day, and year. For example, "032086" would list files included on the
- system since March 20, 1986. Press [ENTER] at the date prompt to use the
- date you last logged onto the system.
-
- Next, you will be asked for a directory to scan. Type in their name(s) or
- number(s) separated by semicolons. You can scan all of the directories on
- the system by typing "ALL" at the prompt. Pressing [ENTER] will return you
- to the Files Menu.
-
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- 1. You can obtain a list of directory names and numbers by giving the "L"
- command.
-
- 2. Using "ALL" may result in a time consuming search if the RBBS-PC system
- contains many files. You can save time by searching specific directories.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4O"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- 3. You can stack the N)ew command with the desired date and category. That
- is, you can enter "N;MMDDYY" (e.g., "N;032086") directly from the Files
- Menu. You would then be asked for the directory you would like to scan.
- You can also pre-specify the categories to see. For example,
- "N;032086;COMM;UTIL" lists are files on or after 03-20-86 in directories
- COMM and UTIL.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4P"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- {C4P{C0)ersonal download -- download files addressed to you personally
- RBBS-PC allows the SYSOP to set up "personal" files for a specific callers
- or group of callers to "D)ownload". Personal downloads are unique from
- other files that are available for callers to download in that:
-
- 1. A caller can view and download personal files that have been set up
- just for that caller.
- 2. There is no time limits on downloading personal files.
-
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- 1. If there is a file you can't download for some reason (i.e. it is too
- large to download within the normal time limits that the SYSOP
- established), you might ask the SYSOP to make it available to you as a
- personal download.
-
- 2. At the prompt for P)ersonal download, you can ask for a list of all
- files available to you (L)ist). An * in front of the file name means it
- is a new one you have never downloaded.
-
- 3. You to download all new files just by specifying * at the prompt.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4Q"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- {C4S{C0)ubstring search -- list files with specified text in name/description
- "S" scans file names and descriptions for a key match. This gives you
- the capability to search for a specific file or group of files dealing
- with a specific topic or to identify certain types of files(e.g., .BAS,
- .COM, .EXE).
-
- You will be prompted for the string to scan for after you issue the "S"
- command. Case (upper or lower) is ignored in the search. If you want to
- confine the search to a file name and not the descriptions, use a
- wildcard (*,?). For example, "BATCK" will look for all entries with
- the string "BATCH" anywhere is the name or description, whereas
- "BATCH*.*" will search for all file names beginning with "BATCH".
-
- Next, you will be asked for a directory to scan. Type in their name(s) or
- number(s) separated by semicolons. You can search through all of the
- directories on the system by typing "ALL" at the prompt. Pressing [ENTER]
- will return you to the Files Menu.
-
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- 1. You can obtain a list of directory names and numbers by giving the "L"
- command.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4R"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- 2. Using "ALL" may result in a time consuming search if the RBBS-PC system
- contains many files. You can save time by searching specific directories.
-
- 3. You can stack the S)earch command with the desired string. That is, you
- can enter "S;<string>" directly from the Files Menu. For example, you could
- type "S;ZORK" to search for the string "ZORK". You will then be asked for
- directory you want to scan.
-
- 4. A string that occurs as part of a file name or description will still
- produce a match. Entering "BAS" will give you a listing of all files with
- 1) a ".BAS" extension, 2) "BAS" as part of the file name, or 3) "BAS" as
- part of a word or term in the file description.
-
- 5. S supports both exact matches and "wildcards". For example
- "S;LIST*.ARC" will find LIST543.ARC. The wildcard search supports
- "reverse" searches, e.g. "*SE.*" will locate all file names whose
- prefix ends in "SE", such as "FALSE.GIF" and "FUSE.ZIP".
-
- 6. Keep in mind that strings consisting of only a few characters could
- produce too many matches. S;X will locate every line with an "X" in it.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4S"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- 7. Strings consisting of many characters could produce too few matches.
- For example, if you want all files connected with QMODEM, specifying
- "S;QMODEM" will miss QMDM210.ARC and QMODFON.ARC. You might want to
- broaden your search with "S;QM" to make sure you get all wanted files.
-
- 8. You can use the "S" command to search for file types such as ".DOC",
- ".ARC", ".COM" etc. You could also search for files related to a specific
- topic such as "spread" for information or programs related to spread sheets
- or "comm" for communications programs.
-
- 9. You can stack the directories to search, as in "S;BAS;BASIC;PROG" to
- search directories BASIC and PROG for the substring BAS.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4T"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- {C4U{C0)pload -- you send me a file
- The "U" command is used to transfer files from your computer to RBBS-PC.
-
- You will be prompted for the name of the file you would like to upload
- after you give the "U" command. You will then be asked to select a protocol
- if you have not previously specified a default protocol (see the help for
- the utility command F)ile transfer for a discussion of different
- protocols).
-
- The next series of commands will depend on the communications software that
- you are using. Check the manual or document file that came with you
- communications software for specific information.
-
- UPLOAD GROUND RULES: All callers are encouraged to upload files on this
- system. Any type of program or document is welcome, however, a few ground
- rules are in order. The files donated must contain only information that
- can be shared with others. Callers who upload files overtly take on the
- sole responsibility that, should these files be shared, the rights of
- others will not be violated. The SYSOP is not responsible for any of the
- data that is shared on this system.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4U"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- 1. You can stack the "U" command with the file name. That is, you can enter
- "U;<filename> directly from the Files Menu. For example, you could type
- "U;keydo.exe" to upload the "keydo.exe" file.
-
- 2. You can override the default protocol by including it at the end of the
- command line. For example, "U;LIST700.ARC;X" uploads LIST700.ARC using
- Xmodem no matter what the default protocol is.
-
- {C4V{C0)iew library contents -- look to see what is in a library file
-
- This concludes the Files Subsystem Tutorial. Please feel free to address any
- questions concerning files and file transfers to the Sysop
-
- {END
- {>> TUTOR.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 4"
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {*B
- Press {C2N{C0 for the next section, {C4Utilities subsystem{C0
- Press {C2M{C0 for the tutorial menu
- Press {C2A{C0 to return to the board
- Press {C2R{C0 to review this section, or
- Press {C2P{C0 to review the previous section, {C4Message subsystem{C0
-
- {END
- {09
- {ON 09
- {==N
- {M! TUTOR5.MCR
- {==M
- {M! TUTOR.MCR
- {==R
- {M! TUTOR4.MCR
- {==A
- {M! STOP.MCR
- {==P
- {M! TUTOR3.MCR
-