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- 5
- {EN
- {*B
- In this section we will cover the utilities subsystem. The utilities
- subsystem, which is accessed by the "U" command from the main menu, allows you
- to tailor RBBS-PC to work with your communications software. Each parameter
- is stored in a "Profile" unique to each user and may be changed at any time.
- The following utility commands are available:
-
- {C4B{C0)aud rate change -- switch from 300 to 450
- The "B" command allows you to increase the speed of your modem from 300 bits
- per second (baud) to 450. Your communications software must support this
- change (PC-TALK does). This only functions when callers dial in at 300 baud.
-
- {C4C{C0)lock -- time of day and elapsed time of call
- Displays the time that you have been on the system. Entering a "C" will
- display the current time and how long you have left. RBBS-PC restricts the
- amount of time you can stay on the system so that other callers have a chance
- to use the system.
-
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- 1. A quick reminder of time left on the system is also the "xx minutes
- left" that precedes the command prompt on RBBS-PC.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 5A"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- {C4E{C0)cho Preference
- The utilities "E" command lets the caller set who is to echo. "Echo" means to
- send back what the caller types. If nobody echoes, callers cannot see what
- they type. The options are:
-
- C)aller's software echoes. RBBS-PC does not echo. Callers should set
- echo on in their communications software.
-
- R)BBS-PC software echoes. RBBS-PC echoes what it receives. This is
- the default mode for RBBS-PC.
-
- I)ntermediate network echoes. A data network (i.e. Compuserve) does the
- echoing and neither RBBS-PC nor the caller's
- software need echo the characters back to
- the keyboard as they are typed in.
-
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- 1. The fastest performance is C)aller's software, because echo does not
- have to wait to transmit character and the get it transmitted back.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 5B"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- 2. The safest form of echo is RBBS-PC. That way the caller sees what RBBS-
- PC really received rather than what was sent.
-
- 3. Intermediate host echo can be used when RBBS-PC is accessed through
- other computers, such as as Compuserve.
-
- 4. Use "C" or "I" if it seems to take a long time for what you type to
- appear on your screen. This is a common problem when typing must pass
- through several computers, e.g. on PC-Pursuit and Compuserve.
-
- {C4F{C0)ile exchange default protocol - what is used unless you override
- The method you want to use to transfer files to RBBS-PC ("upload") or to
- obtain files from RBBS-PC ("download").
-
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- 1. You may want not to have a default transfer protocol if you use a
- variety of protocols. Select the N)one option and RBBS-PC will ask for your
- preferred protocol before each file transfer.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 5C"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- 2. The protocol you want RBBS-PC to use must also be used by your
- communications package. Protocols available in RBBS-PC include Ascii (no
- error checking), Xmodem, Xmodem/CRC, and Ymodem. Others can be installed
- by the Sysop, such as Kermit, Windowed Xmodem, Zmodem, and Batch Ymodem.
- Xmodem is the most widely supported, but Ymodem and Zmodem are faster.
-
- 3. You can override the default my specifying the protocol on the same
- command line as D)ownload or U)pload. E.g. "D;SD.COM;C" downloads file
- SD.COM in Xmodem/CRC no matter what the default protocol is.
-
- {C4G{C0)raphics -- None, ASCII (IBM PC display), or Color/music (ANSI)
- RBBS-PC allows you to sepcify:
-
- (1) Whether you want graphics versions of TEXT FILES (e.g. menus)
- (2) Whether you want PROMPTS COLORIZED (highlighting).
- (3) If highlighting, what COLOR you want for NORMAL TEXT
- (4) If highlighting, whether you want your color in BOLD (bright).
-
- If you want only typeable text, like this sentence, specify NONE to
- graphics for text files and NO highlighting.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 5D"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- A)scii graphics for text files uses all 255 characters in the IBM
- character set for special effects like boxes. You support the IBM PC
- character set if you see a heart and straight line ────.
-
- C)olor graphics uses all 255 IBM characters and the ANSI screen commands
- to provide color and sound effects and music. This works only if your
- communications package must support ANSI. QMODEM and PROCOMM do,
- SMARTCOM and CROSSTALK do not!! Your system supports ANSI screen commands
- if this .
-
- Preferences can be changed with the Utilities command G)raphics.
-
- {C4L{C0)ines per page -- how many lines make a full screen, used in pause
- Typically this is the number of lines of text to be displayed -- usually the
- number of lines on the display that you are using minus two lines for the
- standard RBBS-PC command prompt. A caller can set the scroll page length
- with the "L" command. The scroll page length is the number of lines that will
- be displayed on you screen before halting. "L" is typically set at 23 lines
- per page when you first log on.
-
- You will be asked for the page length after you give the "L" command. You
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 5E"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- {C4TIPS:{C0
- 1. You can produce a continuous scroll on your screen by entering a 0.
- Then your screen will not pause when it is full, but you can manually
- pause it anytime by typing control-S. To resume, type control-Q.
-
- {C4M{C0)essage Margin
- The "M" command is used to alter the right margin on messages that you enter.
- This will affect all of your messages.
-
- The margin can be set between 8 and 72 (72 is the default) by simply
- entering the desired column number when prompted to do so.
-
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- 1. Use the M)argin command from the editing subfunctions command line to
- change the right margin for just the current message being entered. The
- editor is accessed while entering a message.
-
- {C4N{C0)ulls - time delay for printing terminal carriage returns
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 5F"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- {C4P{C0)assword -- change password for log on protection
- This command allows you to change your password which you selected when
- first logging onto RBBS-PC.
-
- You can alter your password by issuing the "P" command and responding to
- the prompt. RBBS-PC expects your new password when you next log on.
- Passwords can have up to 15 characters.
-
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- 1. Anyone who knows your password can log on as you and read your personal
- mail, or to use other system privileges that you may have.
-
- 2. You should change your password if you have reason to believe that it is
- known to other persons.
-
- {C4R{C0)eview profile -- see your current settings
- The "R" command lists all your current parameters settings. E.g.
- expert/novice mode, graphics, file transfer protocol, UPPER/lower case,
- line feeds, nulls, prompt bell, and others.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 5G"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- RBBS-PC remembers your preferences for the various system parameters from
- one logged session to the next.
-
- {C4S{C0)tatistics-- number of callers and messages -- data on system use
- The "S" command will display the numbers of calls to date on RBBS-PC,
- available messages to read, active users, as well as spaces available for
- new users and new messages.
-
- {C4T{C0)oggle. Allows you to switch settings on RBBS.
- If on, toggles to off. If off, toggles to on.
-
- The sub-options in TOGGLE are:
- A)utodownload. Whether to use auto-downloading.
- B)ulletin. On logon ask if to read bulletins only when new, or always.
- C)ase change. Display characters in upper case only or upper/lower.
- F)ile. On logon give option to download new files, or not.
- L)ine feeds. Insert line feed after each carriage return, or not.
- N)ulls. Insert 5 nulls between carriage-return & line feed, or not.
- X)pert. Show menus or only single command line.
- !)bell. Beep whenever RBBS expects input or be silent.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 5H"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- A)utodownload. A downloading enhancement that allows RBBS-PC to tell the
- caller's software what to do at the end of each download. Packages that
- support "autodownloading" include some variants of PC-Talk and Pibterm.
-
- B)ulletin. RBBS-PC will skip bulletins automatically unless there are new
- bulletins since your last logon. If you want option to read bulletins
- on log on everytime, whether or not there is anything new, turn this
- option off (check rather than skip new bulletins). The sysop can
- disable this option for all users, forcing the bulletins to be always
- reviewed.
-
- C)ase change: Most home computer systems can display both upper and lower
- case letters but some computers only display upper case. The "C"
- command toggles or alternates between "UPPER CASE ONLY" and "UPPER CASE
- and lower case."
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 5I"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- F)ile. RBBS-PC will give you the option to review files new since your
- last logon right after giving your name and password. If you want to
- wait until after you have check bulletins and mail before reviewing
- files for downloading, turn off this option. The SYSOP can disable this
- option for all users. This option makes it fast and easy to check for
- new software on RBBS-PC.
-
- N)ulls: Nulls put a delay at the beginning of each line that RBBS-PC sends
- to your system. Entering "N" will toggle or alternate nulls on and off,
- as you choose. The purpose of using nulls is to allow a receiving
- device such as a teletype that prints to have enough time to move the
- print head from the right-most column back to the first column in order
- to begin printing the next line being sent. Most of us go through our
- whole lives without the need for nulls, however. Normally leave nulls
- off, because it will increase the characters transmitted.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 5J"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- !)Prompt bell: An auditory reminder (beep) to tell you when the computer
- is awaiting your input. Some find it useful, some tiresome. The
- prompt bell is particularly helpful when downloading (or uploading)
- large files, or a long list of files. You can leave your PC and will be
- "called back" when RBBS-PC has finished sending (or receiving) data.
- Just remember not to wander out of earshot! If you leave RBBS-PC
- unattended, you will be automatically logged off after 3 minutes.
-
- {C4U{C0)serlog -- list of callers or users on system
- This command gives you two ways to list RBBS-PC system users.
-
- You will be prompted for either: <U>sers or <R>ecent callers.
-
- The "U)serlog" option gets a list of all users by name, city and state, and
- the date and time of her/his last call. The "R)ecent" callers option
- generates a list of callers in reverse chronological order from most recent
- to oldest with the time/date of their last call.
-
- {C3TIPS:{C0
- 1. Only persons on the users list can be sent a private message with the
- R)eceiver security option.
-
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {ON 09
- {==STOP
- {>> ABORT.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 5K"
- {END
- {M! STOP
- {END ON
- {*B
- 2. Use this command as a check for correct spelling, nickname, etc. of a
- message recipient.
-
- This concludes the Utilities Subsystem Tutorial. Please feel free to address
- any questions concerning the utilities to the Sysop
-
- {END
- {>> TUTOR.DAT
- "{FN","{LN","{DT","{TM","TUTOR 5"
- {END
- {09Press RETURN to continue
- {*B
- Press {C2N{C0 for the next section, {C4Library 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, {C4Files subsystem{C0
-
- {END
- {09
- {ON 09
- {==N
- {M! TUTOR6.MCR
- {==M
- {M! TUTOR.MCR
- {==R
- {M! TUTOR5.MCR
- {==A
- {M! STOP.MCR
- {==P
- {M! TUTOR4.MCR
-
-