OS/2 Shareware BBS: 2 BBS/02-BBS.zip/mag7demo.zip/HLP_DIR.ZIP/MSGHELP.BBS

File List | 1993-09-01 | 23KB | 437 lines

@A12 @c18
NOTE: This help file also serves as an example of a regular ASCII text
      file that you, as SYSOP of a Magnum BBS can create. Although a
      regular ASCII text file, created with any text editor, it can
      offer sophisticated menus, customization, and multitudes of other
      things limited only by your imagination.

@P0 @C8

                 @A14 Gilmore Systems MESSAGE HELP @A13

        [G] - General Explanation of Commands
        [R] - Reading Messages Explained (and how to reply)
        [C] - Message Conferences Explained (and changing conference area)
        [E] - Entering Messages
        [M] - MILC - "MAGNUM Interpreted Language Commands" for your messages!
        [Q] - Quit Help

        Enter Choice (G,R,C,E,M,Q) => @Z0('GRCEMQ');
        @B1(z0="G"); @B2(z0="R"); @B3(z0="C"); @B4(z0="E"); @B5(z0="M"); @C16
@P1 @C8 @A14 Gilmore Systems General Explanation of Message Commands @A10

[Q] - Quits Message section and returns back to Main Menu

[R] - Read Messages (requires a default conference area to be chosen).
      This option takes you to a submenu where there are several different
      ways of reading messages. See@a13 [R] - Reading Messages Explained@a10

[E] - Enter a message. This menu selection allows you to enter any kind
      of message with the online message editor. The message can be public,
      private (if allowed), to ALL or to SYSOP. If your message is addressed
      to ALL, then any user with access to the conference area you enter the
      message in can read the message.

[T] - Text Search. All messages are required to have one line of text which
      describe the nature of the message - this description is called the
      message SUBJECT. When you specify a Text Search, whatever you type
      as your search criteria (ie: Communications) will start MAGNUM BBS
      on a search of all message SUBJECTs which contain your search word(s).
      The less you type (parts of a word rather than whole words), the more
      matches will be found. For instance, both "Com" and "cat" are part of
      the word "Communications", so all SUBJECTs containing "Com" and "cat"
      anywhere in the description will be matched and displayed - also note
      that message subjects such as "Catalog Programs" or "Compilers" will
      also be matched. To narrow down your match, user longer words such
      as "Communic". Also note that upper and lowercase are not important -
      MAGNUM BBS internally converts everything to uppercase before actually
      performing the search. Therefore, "Cat" and "cAt" are identical.

[G] - Goodbye - disconnect from the BBS (hang up).

[C] - Change Message Area. To Read Messages requires a "default" message
      conference area. There are up to 26 areas (not all of which are
      necessarily used, nor are all sections used available at your
      security level). If you first select [R]ead Messages, you will be
      asked for a default conference. You will remain at that default
      conference until you choose [C] to change the conference area.
      Selecting [C] will show which conference areas are available to you.
      Conference areas range from A-Z, but note that there is a conference
      labeled 0 (zero), which means you are choosing "All conferences" as
      your default area - this will make all conferences which you are
      authorized to read available to you.@A12 NOTE: MAGNUM BBS allows the
      SYSOP to restrict ANY conference area to any user as "read-only",
      "write-only", or "list-only", or any combination of the three.
      "Read-only" means you can only "read" but not write to that conference
      area. "Write only" means you can only "write" to (but not read from)
      that area (as is the case with "Comments to Sysop"), and "List-only"
      means the conference will only appear in the conference list but you
      will not be able to choose that conference as a default.@a10

[S] - Scan Messages. This function allows you to enter a DATE to start
      scanning from. Only the message 'headers' but not the actual messages
      will be shown. If during the scan you find a message subject which
      looks interesting to you, you can jot down the message REF# and
      select [R]ead with the [R]ef# submenu choice.

[D] - Delete a Message (if available - depends on Sysop) allows you to
      delete any message that YOU entered. You need only supply the REF#.

[P] - Personal Mail Check. This option allows you to scan for all mail
      addressed to you since the last message you read which was addressed
      to you. It is identical to the "Check Your Mailbox?" prompt when you
      first log on.

[?] - Presents this help screen.


@C9 @B0(0=0);
@P2  @C8 @A14      READING MESSAGES (and how to reply) @A10

To Read Messages is very simple. Simply select [R] from the message menu.
You are required to pick a default message conference (A-Z or 0 for ALL
conferences combined). If this is the first time you choose [R] this
session, you will be presented a list of conferences available to you, and
asked to pick one. If you wish to change to another conference later, simply
pick the [C]hange option from the message menu.

The [R]ead option will present the following submenu:

       B = Backwards Read (newest first)
       D = Date to start from
       M = Match Text
       R = by Reference #
       S = Since Last Read
       U = To/From User (or to/from you)
       V = View my unread mail
       Q = Quit

Choosing "B" will start with the latest (newest) messages and go backward
from there - all other choices default to forward. Choosing "D" will prompt
you for a specific date to read from - this only works in a forward fashion.
Choosing "M" will prompt you for text to match up with the SUBJect field of
the message headers. Choosing "R" will prompt you for a specific Reference #
to read (messages do not have regular numbers). Choosing "S" will display
all messages since the last message you've read (for your current
conference). Choosing "U" will display all messages TO or FROM the User ID
you supply. Choosing "V" will display all message TO YOU which you have
not yet read.

When reading messages, all messages are preceeded by a message "header".
This header will look similar to the following:

   @a10 CONF: @a11 A@a15 General Mail
   @a10 SUBJ: @a15 WELCOME!
   @a10 FROM: @a15 /0 (CHUCK B GILMORE)
   @a10   TO: @a15 ALL
   @a10 DATE: @a15 06/27/1989 @a10 TIME: @a15 12:30
   @a10 TIMES READ: @a15 40 @a10 REF # @a15 A61B0901D38
@a10
This is a general message header showing which CONFerence the message is
assigned to, the SUBJect nature, who the message is FROM, who it is TO, the
DATE and TIME the message was entered, how many TIMES READ, and the
message's REF #. There may also be one additional line following the header
which will indicate if the message is <PRIVATE>, <CC> or <FWD>. If the
message is <PRIVATE>, it means the message is either addressed TO or FROM
you. If a <CC> exists, the message was originally sent to someone else with
a Carbon Copy to you. If <FWD> is present, then that means someone who read
a message which was addressed to them had FORWARDED a copy of the message to
you! Also note that if the above message was addressed to an individual
instead of ALL, there would be an additional field stating that the message
was RECEIVED if the addressee has read (received) the message, showing date
and time of receipt. If the message has an EXPIRATION DATE associated with
it, that date will be displayed as part of the header as well.

After the message header appears, the body (or text) of the message follows.
When the message ends, several options are available to you. The options
always available are "[N]ext, [R]eply, [C]ontinuous, [-/+] and [Q]uit".
The "[N]ext" option, merely tells MAGNUM BBS to display the next message.
"[R]eply" tells MAGNUM BBS that you wish to reply to the message with the
same subject. "[C]ontinuous" tells MAGNUM BBS to display all the rest of the
message in a non-stop fashion (ie: you will not be presented with the -More-
prompt). "[-/+]" is to tell MAGNUM BBS which direction to go. The default is
to read messages in chronological order. Pressing '-' instructs MAGNUM BBS
to present messages in reverse chronological order (backwards), whereas '+'
tells MAGNUM BBS to revert back to the forward direction. "[Q]uit" tells
MAGNUM BBS to return back to the "Read Messages" submenu.

If there are replies to the current message, a "[T]hread" option will
appear. Choosing "[T]hread" means you wish to skip all messages not dealing
with the current SUBJect and only wish to see the next message on the same
subject (the reply). If the current message is a response to another message
of the same SUBJect, an "[O]rigin" option will appear. If you choose the
"[O]rigin" option, MBBS will search for the first message dealing with the
current SUBJect and display that message. If the current message is a reply
within a thread, "[B]ackthread" should also appear - this will take you to
the previous message in the thread.

If the message is addressed either TO or FROM you, then the "[K]ill" option
will be displayed IF the Sysop allows you the capability of deleting
messages. Also, if the "[E]dit" option appears, you may edit (revise) the
message - this option will appear if the message is addressed to or from
you.

If the message is addressed to you, the "[F]orward" option will appear. If
you think you'd like someone else to have a look at the message, you may
choose the "[F]orward" option and "forward" (send) a copy of that message to
them.

NOTE that messages do NOT have traditional numbering schemes which start at
1 and ascend. These numbering schemes have been found to be confusing on
other BBS's for 3 reasons: 1) numbers assigned are unpredictable as to
which conference any message number belongs to, 2) private messages cannot
be viewed by the public and are therefore skipped, and 3) when other BBS's
"pack" or "clean-up" their messages, the messages are frequently re-numbered
adding yet more to the confusion. Instead, MAGNUM BBS uses a Reference
number (REF #) consisting of 11 characters - the first character is always
the letter of the conference the message is in. The rest of the characters
are merely a unique sequence of characters that can never be duplicated by
any other message - the REF # is always assigned by MAGNUM BBS. To redisplay
a message, or to view a message after doing a [S]can, simply jot down the
REF # and do a [R]ead by Reference #.

@c9 @B0(0=0);
@P3  @C8 @A14 Message Conferences Explained (and how to change areas) @A10

All functions require you to be in a default (preselected) message
conference. There are up to 26 conferences (labeled A-Z). You may not have
access to all the areas, and all areas may or may not be used (depending on
how the SYSOP configured the system). There is an additional default
conference, conference 0 (zero), which tells MBBS you don't want to be
limited to just one conference at a time - you want them all at once. Keep
in mind that viewing all conferences at once can get a little confusing -
it's best to stick with a single conference at a time. To change to a
different conference area, simply use the "[C]hange" option from the message
menu.

@c9 @B0(0=0);
@P4  @C8           @A14 Entering Messages @A10

There are two built-in text (message) editors: Line-oriented and ANSI.
If you're using a communications package capable of ANSI terminal emulation
you can use the ANSI editor - you don't have to have your color settings on
in order to use this editor (color escape sequences simply won't be sent if
your color setting is 'off' but all other ANSI sequences will be sent).

If you're using the ANSI text editor, help is online and on your screen at
all times during message entry, therefore, no explanation of its use will be
presented here. There is, however, one feature in the ANSI editor not found
in the line-editor: if you're replying to a message, the ANSI editor will
let you re-read the message you're replying to.

The remainder of this help panel will discuss the line-editor:

The line-oriented text editor features automatic word-wrap. This means that
anytime the current line you're typing reaches the end of the line, it will
move the last word to the beginning of the next line automatically if the
word will not fit on the current line. This means you needn't press your CR
or ENTER key unless you wish to start a new sentence or paragraph. The same
feature is built into the ANSI editor.

You may enter up to 150 lines of text. Unlike other BBS's, entering a blank
line with the line-editor does just that - other BBS's end your message when
you enter a blank line. To end typing your message, enter "/EXIT" (without
the quotes) on a line by itself beginning in the first column of the line.

To start entering a message, choose the "[E]nter" option from the message
menu. If you do not have a default conference selected, you will be prompted
as to which conference you'd like the message to go into. Next, you will be
asked who the message is to be addressed to. If you type "ALL" (without the
quotes), the message will not be directed to anyone in particular but anyone
with access to that conference can read and/or reply to that message. If you
choose to send it to someone in particular, enter that user's ID# - if you
do not know their ID#, merely enter a "?" and you will be presented with a
userlist search prompt - if you find that the user's ID# is 10 for example,
you would then address the message to "/10" (without quotes). If you want
the message to go to the SYSOP, you may either type "SYSOP" or "/0" (without
quotes) - the SYSOP's ID# is always "/0".

If the message is not addressed to ALL, you will be prompted as to whether
you want this to be a PRIVATE or a PUBLIC message (PRIVATE means that ONLY
the addressee and YOU can read the message).

You will then be asked to type a line of text describing the SUBJect nature
of the message. Try to make this as definitive as possible.

You will then be asked for an EXPIRATION DATE. The expiration date is
optional and if you do not enter one, there will be no expiration date.
Please try to make use of the expiration date feature - especially if you're
announcing something that is time-sensitive. For example, you wouldn't want
to post a message stating that the "next user-group meeting is 8/1/89" and
have the message still show up after that date - same thing with announcing
a special price on a product good through a certain date. Regardless,
general messages do get old, and if the message is that important that it
needs to be posted forever, then don't enter an expiration date.

If the message is not addressed to ALL, you will be asked if you want a
RECEIPT for the message. If you select "Y" (yes), MAGNUM BBS will write a
message to you and drop it in your mailbox stating that the addressee of the
message has received (read) the message you are about to create.

You will now be placed in the text editor. Merely type like you would on a
typewriter. The Backspace key on your keyboard will move back to the
previous character (erasing it as it goes back) to allow you to correct any
mistakes. You may press the backspace key as long as there are characters to
the left of the current cursor postion. The TAB key will move the cursor to
the next tabstop position (tabstops are preset at 8, 16, 24, etc to the end
of the line).

When you are all done with your message, enter the word "/EXIT" (without
quotes) on a line by itself. If you'd like the more traditional way of ending
a message with a null line (2 successive presses of your ENTER key), you may
choose the [E]nvironment option from the main menu to tell Magnum that you'd
like to end your messages with a null line. A submenu will now display:

     Edit Commands: [S]ave, [T]ype, [D]elete, [I]nsert, [C]ontinue,
                    [A]bort, [E]dit line, [R]eplace line

Choosing [S]ave will save your message and post it on the board. If the
sysop has configured MAGNUM BBS to compensate you for time spent
entering the message, MAGNUM BBS will count the number of words you've
entered in your message, and compensate you with a predetermined amount
of seconds for each word. Half-minutes and above will be rounded to the
next highest minute. Under half-minutes will not be compensated. Only
public messages are compensated. Once again, if the sysop did not choose
time compensation, you will not be compensated for time spent typing.

Choosing [T]ype will type all lines of your message for you for review.

Choosing [D]elete will prompt you for which line(s) you wish to delete (all
lines have numbers during message entry and during "type"). Keep in mind
that once you delete a line or group of lines, the lines following will be
renumbered - use [T]ype after a [D]elete to see the changes in line number
and confirm the deletion.

Choosing [I]nsert will prompt you for a line # which you wish to insert a
new line at. In other words, if you choose line 6, you will be adding a new
line which now becomes line 6, while the previous line 6 becomes line 7,
line 7 becomes 8, etc.

Choosing [C]ontinue will put you back into message entry mode at the end of
the last line you typed - you are merely continuing (or appending) from
where you left off.

Choosing [A]bort tells MAGNUM BBS that you changed your mind and no longer
wish to enter a message - it will be as though you never entered a message
at all. MAGNUM BBS will first prompt you as to whether you really wish to
abort the message or if you chose abort by mistake.

Choosing [E]dit will allow you to change certain characters on a line. For
example, if you mispelled something like "Tuesday night meating", you will
be prompted first for the line number, then for the mispelled word(s) - you
would enter "meating" (without quotes), then you will be prompted for the
right spelling in which case you'd enter "meeting". You could use this
method to insert a word or delete a word as well. For example the line
might contain "Tuesday meeting" and you want to change it to "Tuesday night
meeting". You would supply "Tuesday meeting" for the words to replace, and
"Tuesday night meeting" for the words to replace it with.

Choosing [R]eplace will let you replace any line altogether. If you choose
line 6 for example, you will be asked to type in the NEW line 6. What you
type will replace the old line 6.
@a11
@c9 @B0(0=0);
@P5
    @a14 MILC - "MAGNUM Interpreted Language Commands" for your messages!@a10
@c10
MILC (MAGNUM Interpreted Language Commands) are available for your messages!
There are hundreds of commands in MILC, however, the SYSOP has only given you
access to just a handful of commands. MILC commands are special commands that
you can imbed in your messages to create special effects. All MILC commands
start with the @ character. Following, is the MILC command syntax for only
the MILC command(s) that your sysop has allowed you to use.

While you are entering messages, you can safely imbed color commands into
the messages without having to worry about ANSI escape sequences. MAGNUM BBS
incorporates an interpreted language within the messages which allow you to
create@a11 different@a12 colors@a13 throughout@a14 your@a31 messages @a10
without worrying about whether the reader has their color settings turned on
or off. If the reader's color settings are on, great! Otherwise, the
imbedded commands are removed when they read the message. To insert colors,
the command is @c7% @Axxx where 'xxx' is one to three digits (0 to 255)
representing a color. For example, if you entered the following line:

         There is @a12 danger @a10 involved in mountain climbing!

The reader with their color settings set to ON would see it as:

         There is %a12 danger %a10 involved in mountain climbing!

If your color setting was set to OFF, you would only see it as a regular
sentence:

         There is  danger  involved in mountain climbing.

The basic rules are, The @ character starts a command and can appear
anywhere. If it is followed by an 'A' character, it tells MAGNUM BBS that 1
to 3 digits of an attribute (color) code are about to follow. After the last
digit, there must be a blank (space).

Below is a color table:
%a11
   @A0 - BLACK on BLACK         @A8  - GRAY on BLACK
   @A1 - BLUE on BLACK          @A9  - hi-intensity BLUE on BLACK
   @A2 - GREEN on BLACK         @A10 - hi-intensity GREEN on BLACK
   @A3 - CYAN on BLACK          @A11 - hi-intensity CYAN on BLACK
   @A4 - RED on BLACK           @A12 - hi-intensity RED on BLACK
   @A5 - MAGENTA on BLACK       @A13 - hi-intensity MAGENTA on BLACK
   @A6 - BROWN on BLACK         @A14 - bright YELLOW on BLACK
   @A7 - WHITE on BLACK         @A15 - hi-intensity WHITE on BLACK


   @A16  to @A31  - same as @A0 to @A15 but on BLUE background
   @A32  to @A47  - same as @A0 to @A15 but on GREEN background
   @A48  to @A63  - same as @A0 to @A15 but on CYAN background
   @A64  to @A79  - same as @A0 to @A15 but on RED background
   @A80  to @A95  - same as @A0 to @A15 but on MAGENTA background
   @A96  to @A111 - same as @A0 to @A15 but on BROWN background
   @A112 to @A127 - same as @A0 to @A15 but on WHITE background

   @A128 to @A255 - same as @A0 to @A127 but blinking
                    (simply add 128 to any of the above for blinking effect)
%a10
In addition to the above, the sysop has chosen the following additional MILC
commands for your use. When any of these commands appear anywhere within your
message, it will be replaced with the proper values:
%a11
         @O0  - Hours (ranges from 0 to 23)

         @O1  - Minutes (ranges from 00 to 59)

         @O2  - Seconds (ranges from 00 to 59)

         @O3  - Hundredths of seconds (ranges from 00 to 99)

         @O4  - Day of month (ranges from 00 to 31)

         @O5  - Month (ranges from 1 to 12)

         @O6  - Year (the current 4-digit year)

         @O7  - Day of week (string: "Sunday", "Monday", etc)

         @O8  - Month (string: "January", "February", etc)

         @O9  - Time (string: "3:57 PM", "12:01 AM", etc)

         @O10 - User's age

         @O11 - Minutes user has been online this call

         @O12 - COM PORT # user is on

         @O13 - Total calls received on PORT #

         @O14 - Previous caller's name (up to 62 chars)

         @O15 - Previous caller's location (up to 62 chars)
%a10
There are many, many other MILC commands which may be imbedded within
messages, but until we figure out just which commands to let users use
in messages, we'll limit them to the color (@Axxx) and optional (@Ox)
commands for now. But later on, we'll give you the capability of
interacting with the reader(s) of your message(s) in a way that you've
never seen on any other BBS before!
%c7@ @c11
@c9 @B0(0=0);