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JLBlink
Copyright 1990 Jerry McReynolds
All Rights Reserved
Published and Distributed by BIX/McGraw-Hill
BIX/McGraw-Hill grants to you the right to use one copy of the JLBlink
software program on a single user computer. The software can only be
copied one (1) time for the sole purpose of a backup copy provided the
copyright notice is included on the backup copy.. Under no
conditions, can the software be redistributed or retransmitted. You
may not copy the written materials accompanying the software.
By your using this software, you agree to the terms herein.
The software and accompanying written materials are provided "AS IS"
without warranty of any kind. The entire risk as to the results and
performance of the software is assumed by you. BIX/McGraw-Hill and
Jerry McReynolds will not be held liable for any reason for any cost
you may incur, or any potential income you might lose as a result of
using this software.
Acknowledgements
JLBlink(TM) is a trademark of J & L Computer Services.
BIX(R) is a registered trademark of McGraw-Hill.
MS-DOS(R) is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.
IBM(R) and PC-DOS(R) are registered trademarks of the International
Business Machine Corporation.
Table Of Contents
Welcome to JLBlink...................................................1
Introduction.......................................................1
The Communication Link.............................................1
The Editor.........................................................1
Installation Procedures for JLBlink..................................2
Requirements.......................................................2
Installing JLBlink.................................................2
Directory Structure................................................2
How To Enter JLBlink and Execute Commands............................3
How To Use the Menu System and Get Help..............................4
How To Log On BIX With JLBlink.......................................5
What Is Auto.......................................................5
What Is Blink......................................................5
What Is Manual.....................................................6
BIX Requirements Needed By JLBlink.................................6
What To Do If The LogOn Script Does Not Work.......................7
How To Use JLBlink's Communication Link To Interface With BIX........8
How To Join New Conferences........................................8
How To Download New Conference Messages............................8
How To Download New Mail Memos.....................................9
How To Download A Binary File Attachment To A Mail Memo............9
How To Upload Messages and Mail...................................10
How To Send A Message While On-Line...............................10
How To Send A Mail Memo While On-Line.............................10
How To Send A File Attachment With A Mail Memo....................11
How To Download A File From Your Scratchpad.......................11
How To Upload A File To Your ScratchPad...........................11
How To Receive A File From Listings...............................12
How To Send A File To Listings....................................12
How To Receive Messages Missing From Your Data Base...............12
How To Send The Script To Resign From Conferences.................12
How To Toggle The Session Capture File............................13
How To Send a Break Signal To BIX.................................13
What To Do If You Are Not Seeing Characters That You Type
Or If You Are Seeing Double Characters............................13
What To Do If Your Connection With BIX Is Dropped.................13
What To Do If Your Download Of Messages Or Mail Fails.............13
How To Stop The Execution Of A Command or Script..................14
How To Log Off BIX................................................14
i
Table Of Contents
How To Read and Mark New Messages and Mail..........................15
Setting The Order Messages Are Downloaded From BIX................15
How To Read Messages In The Order Downloaded......................15
How To Read Forward Order Messages In Reference Order.............16
How To Select A Specific New Message To Read......................17
How To Skip Messages..............................................17
How To Mark A Message To Read or Reply To At A Later Time.........17
How To Read Marked Messages.......................................18
How To Check For Comments To A Specific Message...................18
How To Print or Export A Message..................................18
Updating The New Message Log and The Marked Message Log...........19
How To Change The Status Of A Message In The Log..................19
How To Use JLBlink's Editor for Writing Messages and Memos..........20
How To Post A Comment To Message..................................20
How To Post A Say Message.........................................20
How To Post A Say Message In A Conference/Topic
You Do Not Have Messages From.....................................21
How To Send A Mail Memo...........................................21
How To Reply To A Mail Memo.......................................22
How To Read The Message or Memo Displayed Under The Editor........23
How To Import Data Into A Message or Memo You Are Composing.......23
A Closing Note About The Editor...................................23
How To Read and Edit Messages Before Sending To BIX...............24
How To Read and Edit Mail Memos Before Sending To BIX.............24
How To Read Existing Messages in Your BIX Data Base.................25
How To Search Your BIX Data Base For Messages.......................26
How To Resign From A Conference or Topic............................27
How To Check For Missing or Duplicate Messages In Your Data Base....28
How To Change The Setup Parameters..................................29
How To Manually Parse Files Into Your Data Base.....................30
How To Exit JLBlink.................................................30
How To Use The Command Line Options.................................31
Variable=Filename.................................................31
Commands..........................................................32
How To Modify JLBlink Script Files..................................34
How To Change The Phone Number Used For BIX.......................34
How To Change Your BIX Password...................................34
How To Customize the Blink.Bmc....................................34
How To File Only Message Headers and Retrieve Messages............35
How To Clean Your BIX Mail Box....................................36
ii
Table Of Contents
JLBlink Command Summary.............................................37
Introduction......................................................37
File Commands <Alt-F>.............................................37
LogOn Commands <Alt-L>............................................41
Post Commands <Alt-P>.............................................43
Read Commands <Alt-R>.............................................44
Skip Commands <Alt-S>.............................................48
Utilities Commands <Alt-U>........................................49
Read Keys.........................................................51
Editor Command Summary..............................................55
Introduction......................................................55
Cut and Paste Commands............................................55
Editing Commands..................................................56
File Commands.....................................................58
Movement Commands.................................................60
Scroll Message Mode Commands......................................62
Communication Link Command Summary..................................64
Introduction......................................................64
File Commands <Alt-F>.............................................64
Blink Commands <Alt-B>............................................69
Output Commands <Alt-O>...........................................70
Keyboard Commands.................................................71
Communication Link Script Commands Summary..........................72
Introduction......................................................72
The Blink Command.................................................73
The Capture Command...............................................73
The Echo Command..................................................73
The Getc Command..................................................74
The Gets Command..................................................74
The Puts Command..................................................75
The Screen Command................................................75
The Show Command..................................................75
The Silence Command...............................................75
The Wait Command..................................................76
The Watch Command.................................................76
iii
JLBlink User Manual
Welcome to JLBlink
Introduction
Welcome to JLBlink! Copyright Jerry McReynolds, 1990.
All rights reserved. Published by BIX/McGraw Hill.
JLBlink is designed to help you get the most out of the time you
spend with BIX. It does this by automating a large portion of
your BIX sessions with blink scripts. The blink scripts
necessary to log on and off BIX via Tymnet or direct, and to
download messages and mail come with JLBlink. It generates all
the blink scripts necessary to upload messages and mail. In
addition, with one single command execution, JLBlink will log on
BIX, download all your new messages and memos, upload all new
messages and memos that you have composed, and then log off BIX,
with no required interaction from you.
JLBlink also builds your own BIX Data Base from the messages and
memos you receive from BIX. It automatically builds and updates
an index of new messages and mail, which gives you the ability
to read the messages, at your convenience, in the order you
want.
The Communication Link
JLBlink comes equipped with an intelligent Communication Link to
help you send and receive files (messages and memos) to and from
BIX. The Communication Link is designed specifically to
interface with BIX in an efficient and easy manner. The
Communication Link provides all the tools necessary to interface
with BIX either fully automatic, semiautomatic, or manually.
The process the Communication Link uses to interface with BIX is
known as "Blinking". The process of blinking is used to get on-
and off-line as quickly as possible. Blinking is an efficient
method to interface with BIX because it not only reduces the
amount of time that you stay on-line, it also reduces the total
amount of characters that are transmitted and received during a
typical session.
The Editor
JLBlink integrates a versatile screen oriented Editor into its
Post commands for you to compose and edit the messages and memos
that you wish to send to BIX. You can import text into the
Editor, and also use it while on-line with BIX. You can even
have each message "signed" automatically.
Page 1
JLBlink User Manual
Installation Procedures for JLBlink
Requirements
JLBlink is designed specifically for IBM XT/AT and 100%
compatible machines. It requires PC/MS-DOS 3.0 or higher, a
fixed disk, and at least 512K of free memory.
Installing JLBlink
Before you start the installation process, you will need to have
available: the comm port number which your modem is attached to,
the baud rate to use, the telephone number you dial to access
BIX, your BIX user id, your BIX password, and if you are logging
on via Tymnet, your BIX access id. You will be prompted during
installation for the items listed above.
To install JLBlink, place the diskette labeled "Install" into
drive A:. From the DOS prompt type "a:<Enter>" to change the
active drive to drive A:, and then type "instbl<Enter>". This
will execute JLBlink's installation program. The installation
program will prompt you during installation for information that
you must fill in to install JLBlink properly. You can abort the
installation at any of the prompts by pressing <Escape>.
Directory Structure
During the installation process, JLBlink creates six directories
and copies the files from the diskettes to the appropriate
directory. This directory structure must not be changed or
renamed for the program to operate properly. The directories
are as follows.
\JLBLINK
\JLBLINK\BLNEW
\JLBLINK\BLOLD
\JLBLINK\BLSUPP
\JLBLINK\BLTOOLS
\JLBLINK\YOURMAIL
In addition to the above directories, JLBlink creates a
directory off of the \JLBLINK directory for every conference you
belong to. A file will be created for each topic within the
conference directory to store the messages for that topic.
WARNING: If after installation of JLBlink you move it to
another directory, you must edit three files before JLBlink will
operate properly. The files are JLBLINK\JOINED.TXT,
JLBLINK\BLTOOLS\BLFILTER.BLD, and JLBLINK\BLTOOLS\HELP.BLD. You
will need to edit each entry in all the files to reflect the new
path.
Page 2
JLBlink User Manual
How To Enter JLBlink and Execute Commands
The complete command line syntax for JLBlink is:
blink [-] [variable=filename...] [commands...]
Where:
"-" will display a list of valid parameters and commands.
"variable=filename" will set the internal variable to the
"filename".
"commands" will be executed automatically.
JLBlink is executed by typing "blink<Enter>" at the DOS prompt. To
execute a command, press the keystrokes associated with the command
or invoke the Menu System by pressing <Escape> and selecting a
command.
You can change the default Command Scripts (LogOn.BMC, Blink.BMC,
and LogOff.BMC) and Setup Parameters <Blink.INI) for a single
session by including the "variable=filename" on the DOS command
line. This is discussed in further detail in the chapter "How To
Use The Command Line Options".
JLBlink commands can be executed automatically by including the
command names(s) on the DOS command line. (A complete list of the
valid command names will be displayed by typing "blink -" on the
DOS command line.) For example, typing "blink logonauto<Enter>"
will load JLBlink and then execute the LogOn Auto <Alt-L><A>
command.
You can include as many JLBlink command names on the DOS command
line as you like. The commands will be executed in the same order
that they are placed on the DOS command line.
NOTE: JLBlink uses the foreground and background color settings
that are active at the time you enter the program. If you want to
change the color JLBlink defaults to, you must do it before
executing JLBlink. JLBlink will also use 43 or 50 line mode if set
prior to entering the program.
Page 3
JLBlink User Manual
How To Use the Menu System and Get Help
The Menu System of JLBlink is invoked by pressing <Escape>. The
cursor will move to the top of the screen. Use the Left/Right
Arrow keys to move the cursor between the command groups on the
Main Menu. Place the cursor on the command group name and then
press <Enter> to open a Secondary Menu. Use the Up/Down Arrow keys
to move between commands on the Secondary Menu and then press
<Enter> to execute the command.
While the Menu System is invoked, a short description of the
current command will be displayed on the bottom of the screen. As
you move the cursor between selections, the description will change
to reflect each command.
A brief key chart of additional commands not available in the Menu
System can be displayed on the screen by pressing <Alt-H>. To
return to the position where you were before executing the <Alt-H>,
press <Escape> after the help screen has been displayed.
Some additional information files are available by executing the
Read General Help <Alt-R><H> command. When you access any of the
General Help files, your current position will be exited.
Page 4
JLBlink User Manual
How To Log On BIX With JLBlink
The LogOn <Alt-L> commands are used to activate your modem and to
connect you with the Communication Link in order to log on BIX.
Three different modes are offered so that you can choose the method
that will best fill your needs for a particular session. The modes
vary in the amount of scripts that are executed automatically.
NOTE: The Communication Link does have its own set of commands
associated with it. Once you execute a LogOn command and activate
the Communication Link, the Menu System will change to reflect that
set of commands. The Menu System for the Communication Link is
invoked by pressing <Escape>.
What Is Auto
The Auto <Alt-L><A> command executes the LogOn.Bmc script which
will log you on BIX and place you at BIX's Main System Prompt
(:). The Communication Link commands are then used if you want
to automate some of your transactions while on-line with BIX;
for instance, downloading or uploading messages and memos, or
using the JLBlink Editor instead of BIX's editor for composing
messages. Please refer to the section in this manual titled
"How To Use JlBlink's Communication Link To Interface With BIX"
which explains how to use the Communication Link commands.
When you are ready to leave BIX, press <Alt-X>. This executes
the LogOff.Bmc script which will issue the "BYE" to BIX and then
hang up your modem.
NOTE: If you normally have BIX's Menu System turned on when you
log on BIX, it will be turned off automatically. Once you are
on BIX, you can use their menu system with JLBlink as long as
you turn it off before executing any Communication Link command.
What Is Blink
The Blink <Alt-L><B> command executes the LogOn.Bmc, Blink.Bmc,
and LogOff.Bmc scripts automatically one after the other with no
required input from you, which basically is saying, it will log
on BIX, download all new messages and mail, upload any messages
and memos you have composed, and then log off BIX automatically.
If you should decide you need to do other things while on-line
with BIX in the Blink mode, press <^Z> which will stop the Blink
command before executing the log off script. All your downloads
and uploads will be transmitted and then you will be placed at
BIX's Main System Prompt (:). You will need to execute the Log
Off <Alt-X> command when you are ready to leave BIX.
Page 5
JLBlink User Manual
What Is Manual
The Manual <Alt-L><M> command does nothing more than initialize
your communication port. It will not execute any scripts. You
will need to type all the modem instructions necessary to log on
BIX.
NOTE: When you use the Auto or Blink commands, the script that is
used to log on BIX via Tymnet contains looping capability. Once
you are on Tymnet if you cannot get through to BIX, it will
automatically continue trying to get on BIX until you reach BIX or
50 attempts have been made. This number can be adjusted and you
should refer to the Communication Link Script Commands Summary--
Watch Command for details on changing it. If you do not want to
wait until all attempts have been made, press <^C> and then select
<A>bort.
BIX Requirements Needed By JLBlink
Because JLBlink operates via scripts, it requires some BIX
Options to be set to a specific value in order to upload and
download messages and mail. When you use the Auto or Blink
command to log on BIX, those Options are automatically set at
the beginning of each session with the Options.Bmc script. If
you have your Profile set to automatically place you somewhere
other than BIX's Main System Prompt, JLBlink will not work and
you will need to change your Profile before using JLBlink.
The Options.Bmc script can be accessed with the File Display or
Edit Options.Bmc <Alt-F><D> or <E><O> commands. The only values
that can be changed in this script are download and upload.
However, you can make additions as long as the rest of the
values remain as set; otherwise, JLBlink will not perform
properly.
If you continue to use JLBlink, you may want to edit your BIX
Profile to set the options rather than having them set on an
each session basis. If you need assistance in editing your
Profile, please refer to the BIX User Manual under the section
Personal Bix or drop a message in the JLBlink conference. If
you edit your BIX Profile, the Options.BMC file should be
deleted from the \JLBLINK\BLSUPP directory.
Page 6
JLBlink User Manual
To edit your Profile, the following Options will need to be set
as shown:
naplps y
terse
edit quiet
term width 130
term pagelen 0
term tty
filter no
mailcall verbose
blink y
JLBlink only supports uploading and downloading files via
Xmodem (X) or Xmodem/1K which is YModem (Y) so the following
options will need to be set to either value.
upload x or upload y
download x or download y
What To Do If The LogOn Script Does Not Work
If JLBlink should hang at any point during the log on process,
you should first try pressing <^C> and <C>ontinue. If it still
does not work, make a note of exactly where the script stopped
and then press <^C> and <A>bort. You should then edit the
script at the position where the problem is, such as misspelled
user id or password. To edit the Logon Script, use the File
Edit File <Alt-F><E> command, and then select the Logon.Bmc <N>
file.
If the script hangs after the "Last On:" message, you should
check your BIX Profile and make sure you have it set to place
you at BIX's Main System Prompt (:) and not at the Mail or Read
prompts.
If you should need any assistance in editing the script or
determining what the problem is, log on BIX using the LogOn
Manual <Alt-L><M> command or your current method and leave a
message in the JLBlink conference. Please supply as much
information as possible; at a minimum, the point where the
script hangs.
Page 7
JLBlink User Manual
How To Use JLBlink's Communication Link To Interface With BIX
When you execute a LogOn <Alt-L> command, the Communication Link
module of JLBlink becomes active. The Communication Link has three
groups of commands available to use while on-line with BIX. This
section will be devoted to using those commands.
All Communication Link commands are executed by pressing the
keystrokes associated with the command or selecting it from the
Menu System. The Menu System is invoked by pressing <Escape>.
A general summary of the command groups is as follows. The Blink
<Alt-B> commands are used to automatically upload and download
messages and memos. The File <Alt-F> commands are used to edit and
transfer files, and to log off BIX. The Output <Alt-O> commands
are used to send break signals to BIX.
How To Join New Conferences
When joining another conference, follow the normal BIX
procedures for doing so. Since you are blinking now, it is
recommended that you set the Recent Option in your BIX Profile,
or in the Options.BMC script, to a low number to keep from
getting a lot of old messages. (Refer to the BIX User Manual
under Personal BIX as to how to set an option in your profile.)
TIP: If you are only interested in a couple of topics in the
conference, it is less work to go ahead and join all the topics,
and then when you log off BIX just do a Utilities Resign
<Alt-U><R> while you are reading the topics you do not want.
This way JLBlink builds a script to resign those topics and you
will not have to type a "resign conference/topic" for each one.
How To Download New Conference Messages
The Blink Conference Messages <Alt-B><C> command is used to
download your new messages from BIX. Before issuing the
command, you should be at BIX's Main System Prompt. Once the
command is issued, the screen will display each conference name
and topic that contains new messages as they are being filed to
your scratchpad. It then automatically starts the download of
messages from your scratchpad. While the download is in
progress, the number of lines and characters will be displayed
on the screen as they are being transmitted. When the download
is complete, your scratchpad will be cleared and you will be
returned to BIX's Main System Prompt (:).
This command can be issued as many times as you like during a
single session on BIX if you have your Scratchpad Protocol set
to ASCII. Any new messages will be appended to the end of the
ones you have already downloaded.
Page 8
JLBlink User Manual
NOTE: The protocol used to download your scratchpad is
determined by the option you have selected in the JLBlink SetUp
Parameters. If you want to change it, use the Utilities SetUp
<Alt-U><S> command when you are off-line with BIX.
How To Download New Mail Memos
The Blink Mail Memos <Alt-B><M> command is used to download your
new mail from BIX. Before issuing the command, you should be at
BIX's Main System Prompt. Once the command is issued, the
screen will display who each new memo is from while it is being
filed to your scratchpad. It then automatically starts the
download of mail memos from your scratchpad. While the download
is in progress, the number of lines and characters will be
displayed on the screen as they are being transmitted. When the
download is complete, your scratchpad will be cleared and you
will be returned to BIX's Main System Prompt (:).
This command can be issued as many times as you like during a
single session on BIX if you have your Scratchpad Protocol set
to ASCII. Any new mail memos will be appended to the end of the
ones you have already downloaded.
If the Mail Memos command is issued and you do not have new
mail, you will be advised of the fact and then returned to BIX's
Main System Prompt (:).
NOTE: The protocol used to download your scratchpad is
determined by the option you have selected in the SetUp
Parameters. If you want to change it, use the JLBlink Utilities
SetUp <Alt-U><S> command when you are off-line with BIX.
How To Download A Binary File Attachment To A Mail Memo
To download a binary file attached to a mail memo, you must join
the Mail System and then type in the number of the memo that has
the attachment. After the memo has been displayed, BIX will
advise you that it has an attachment and do you want to receive
it. By answering yes to BIX's prompt, you will be prompted by
the Communication Link for the file name. The current working
directory will be assumed unless you specify the full path name.
After the file name is input, the transmission of the file will
begin automatically.
NOTE: Files attached to mail will not be automatically
downloaded when you Blink Mail Memos. You must use the above
procedure to receive a file attached to a mail memo.
Page 9
JLBlink User Manual
How To Upload Messages and Mail
The Blink UpBlink Scripts <Alt-B><U> command is used to send
messages and mail memos you have composed off-line to BIX.
Before issuing the command, you should be at BIX's Main System
Prompt (:). Once the command is issued, the number of scripts
and size of the script will be displayed. The number of lines
and characters will be displayed as each script is being
transmitted. After all scripts have been sent to BIX, you will
be returned to BIX's Main System Prompt (:).
NOTE: You should always issue a Blink Conference Messages
command before you issue a Blink UpBlink Scripts command.
Otherwise, you may receive messages that you have already read.
How To Send A Message While On-Line
To send a message while on-line, follow the normal BIX
procedures for commenting to a message or posting a say until
you reach BIX's editor. Once you are in BIX's editor, press
<Alt-F><E> to open JLBlink's Editor. Compose your message and
when you are finished, press <Alt-O> which will save it and
close the Editor. The next step is to issue the Transmit
Scratchpad command by pressing <Alt-F><T>. This will send the
message you have composed to BIX's editor and leave you at the
"add/action" prompt. Type "add<Enter>" to go ahead and add your
message.
NOTE: When you use JLBlink's Editor, you should *not* type the
required period on a line by itself that BIX's editor needs.
This is automatically taken care of when using JLBlink's Editor.
How To Send A Mail Memo While On-Line
To send a mail memo while on-line, follow the normal BIX
procedures for sending a memo until you reach BIX's editor. Once
you are in BIX's editor, press <Alt-F><E> to open JLBlink's
Editor. Compose your mail memo and when you are finished, press
<Alt-O> which will save it and close the Editor. The next step
is to issue the Transmit Scratchpad command by pressing
<Alt-F><T>. This will send the memo you have composed to BIX's
editor and leave you at the "send/action" prompt. Type
"send<Enter>" to go ahead and send your memo.
NOTE: When you use JLBlink's Editor, you should *not* type the
required period on a line by itself that BIX's editor needs.
This is automatically taken care of when using JLBlink's Editor.
Page 10
JLBlink User Manual
How To Send A File Attachment With A Mail Memo
Follow the instructions for sending a mail memo while on-line
until you reach the "send/action" prompt. At this point you
should type "attach". You will be prompted for the name of the
file to send. The current working directory will be assumed
unless you specify the full path name. After the file name is
input, the automatic transmission will begin. Once the file is
received by BIX, you will be at the "send/action" prompt again.
Type "send<Enter>" to go ahead and send your memo that includes
the file attachment.
NOTE: To send a mail memo with a file attachment, you must do
it as explained above. It can not be done with a script
off-line.
How To Download A File From Your Scratchpad
To download text that is already in your scratchpad, from BIX's
Main System Prompt (:), type down. You will then be prompted
for a file name. The current working directory will be assumed
unless you supply a full path name. After the file name is
input, the automatic transmission will begin. The number of
blocks received will be updated as the download proceeds. When
transmission of the file is complete, you will be returned to
BIX's Main System Prompt (:).
NOTE: Your scratchpad will *not* be cleared after the download
is completed; you must type clear in order to remove the data in
it.
How To Upload A File To Your ScratchPad
To upload a text file to your scratchpad, from BIX's Main System
Prompt (:), type up. You will then be prompted for a file name.
The current working directory will be assumed unless you supply
a full path name. After the file name is input, the automatic
transmission will begin. The number of blocks sent will be
updated as the upload proceeds. When transmission of the file
is complete, you will be returned to BIX's Main System Prompt
(:).
Page 11
JLBlink User Manual
How To Receive A File From Listings
To download a file from listings, you must be in the listings
area where you want to receive the file. Type "receive
file.name<Enter>" and you will then be prompted for the file
name by JLBlink. The current working directory will be assumed
unless you supply the full path name. After the file name is
input, the automatic transmission will begin. The number of
blocks sent will be updated as the upload proceeds. When
transmission of the file is complete, you will be returned to
the listings prompt.
NOTE: The protocol used to receive the file will be what you
have your listings profile set to use. JLBlink only supports
Xmodem and Xmodem/1K.
How To Send A File To Listings
To upload a file to listings, you must be in the listings area
where you want to send the file. Type "send file.name<Enter>"
and you then will be prompted by JLBlink for a file name. The
current working directory will be assumed unless you supply the
full path name. After the file name is input, the automatic
transmission will begin. The number of blocks sent will be
updated as the upload proceeds. When transmission of the file
is complete, you will be returned to the listings prompt.
NOTE: The protocol used to send the file will be what you have
your listings profile set to use. JLBlink only supports Xmodem
and Xmodem/1K.
How To Receive Messages Missing From Your Data Base
If you have previously run a check on your data base and had a
script generated to retrieve missing messages, use the Blink
DownBlink <Alt-B><D> command to transmit this script. You
should be at BIX's main system prompt (:) before issuing the
command. Once the command is issued, the missing messages will
be filed to your scratchpad and then automatically downloaded.
These messages will be treated as new when you begin reading
off-line.
How To Send The Script To Resign From Conferences
If you have previously generated a script to resign from
conferences/topics, it is transmitted by issuing the Blink
UpBlink <Alt-B><U>. This is the same command that sends
messages and mail you have composed, so if you have already
issued it once, the script has already been transmitted.
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How To Toggle The Session Capture File
The Communication Link automatically turns on a capture file
that contains all the data that is displayed while you are
on-line with BIX. The File Toggle Capture <Alt-F><C> command is
used to turn the capture of data to this file off and on. When
the command is issued, it will toggle the current status. A
plus sign (+) will be displayed on the menu next to the command
name while capture is on.
NOTE: This file is overwritten each time you issue a LogOn
command. If you want to read the data contained in the file,
such as a CBIX session, after you log off BIX, it can be
accessed with the JLBlink File Display Session.Txt <Alt-F><D><T>
command.
How To Send a Break Signal To BIX
To send a BREAK signal or Escape character to BIX, use the
Output <Alt-O> commands. This is the only way you can send the
Escape character to BIX since pressing the <Escape> key by
itself invokes the JLBlink Menu System.
What To Do If You Are Not Seeing Characters That You Type
Or If You Are Seeing Double Characters
The File Toggle Echo <Alt-F><H> command is used to turn local
echo of characters off and on. If you are not seeing anything
you type or if you are seeing two of everything you type, you
will need to issue a Toggle Echo command to remedy this
situation.
What To Do If Your Connection With BIX Is Dropped
If you are on-line with BIX and do not receive any response,
your connection may have been dropped. If this happens the File
Quick Exit <Alt-F><Q> command can be used to exit the
Communication Link. This will close the communication port
immediately without executing the script that logs you off BIX.
What To Do If Your Download Of Messages Or Mail Fails
If your connection with BIX is dropped during the middle of a
download of new messages or mail, or if the transfer fails, your
scratchpad will not be cleared and everything will be intact.
To retrieve those messages or mail, just execute the command
again, such as Blink Conference Messages <Alt-B><C>. This will
gather any new messages that may have accumulated and append
them to the ones already in your scratchpad, and the download
will proceed as usual.
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How To Stop The Execution Of A Command or Script
To stop the execution of a script or a command you have
executed, press <^C>. If it is a script you are stopping, a
list of available options will be displayed for you to make a
choice of the next action.
How To Log Off BIX
When you are ready to leave BIX, use the File Exit <Alt-F><X>
command.. Do not type the "BYE" command to BIX because it is
automatically done in the script. When you issue the Exit
command, you will be prompted if you want to exit the
Communication Link. Answer yes, and the log off script will
issue BYE and hang up your modem.
NOTE: <Alt-X> can also be used for this command.
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How To Read and Mark New Messages and Mail
When you log off BIX, JLBlink will automatically go through a
parsing process that prepares your new messages and mail for
reading. During this stage, JLBlink builds an index of all the new
messages and mail, thus making it easy to access messages in the
order you prefer. There are many ways to read messages, all of
which will be explained.
There are some added features by reading your messages with JLBlink
instead of on-line with BIX, which you will soon find out. A
message wider than your screen will automatically be wrapped to the
next line for ease of reading. The number of pages in the message
with the page number you currently have displayed will be at the
bottom of the screen. If the message you are reading is a comment
to another message, the name of the BIXer the message is commenting
to will also be displayed at the bottom of the screen, provided
that message is in your data base.
NOTE: This section covers new messages and memos. Please refer to
HOW TO READ EXISTING MESSAGES IN YOUR DATA BASE for previously read
messages.
Setting The Order Messages Are Downloaded From BIX
During installation of JLBlink, the parameter was set that
controls the order messages are downloaded from BIX. The
default value is forward. If you prefer to always read your
messages in reference order, use the Utilities Setup <Alt-U><S>
command and change the Reference Order value to YES. This can
be changed from session to session without causing any problems.
JLBlink also provides Read Keys that can be used for reading
messages in reference order even though they were downloaded in
forward order.
NOTE: If there are particular conferences you always prefer to
read first, you should put those at the top of your Conference
List on BIX. Please refer to the BIX User Manual under the
section Conference Participation--Master Commands for
instructions on how to order your Conference List.
How To Read Messages In The Order Downloaded
After JLBlink has completed the automatic parsing process, your
new messages and mail will be ready to read. To display the
first message, just press either <Enter> or <Down Arrow>. Your
first new message will be displayed on the screen. To display
the next page of the message or the next new message, just press
either of the keys again. By continuing this process all new
messages will be displayed one after the other until you reach
the end, at which time you will be advised.
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Some other keys that will be useful in reading messages are:
The <N> key will display the next message and skip any
additional pages in the current message.
The <Backspace> key will go back to the previous message.
The <Up Arrow> key will go back to the previous page.
NOTE: When reading new messages by the method explained above,
if you have new mail, it will always be displayed before
conference messages.
How To Read Forward Order Messages In Reference Order
If you have downloaded your messages in forward order, there are
five additional keys that can be used to display the comments to
a message and the original message.
The <Page Up> key will display the original message that the
current message is a comment to.
The <Page Down> key will display the next comment to the current
message.
The <Home> key will display the root message for the current
thread message.
The <End> key will display the next root message.
The <=> key will take you back to the current message.
NOTE: If you can not remember which keys are used for a
function, just press <Alt-H> and the list will be displayed.
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How To Select A Specific New Message To Read
If you want to begin reading your new messages with a specific
conference, topic, or message, execute the Read New Messages
<Alt-R><N> command. The list of the conferences with the number
of topics that contain new messages will be displayed. Use the
<Up/Down> keys to move to the conference you want to read, or if
your conferences are in alphabetical order just begin typing the
letters of the conference and the cursor will go to that point
in the list. After locating the conference of interest, press
<Enter> and the list will expand to include the topic names.
You should select the topic and then press <Enter> again. This
time the list expands to include the message number along with
the status of the message with a C being the current message, N
a new (unread) message, and R a message you have read. Select
the message number that you want to begin reading with and then
press <Enter> for that message to be displayed on the screen.
NOTE: If you want to begin reading at the top of the list, just
press <Enter> three times to display the first message.
How To Skip Messages
The Skip <Alt-S> commands are used skip over a conference or
topic and change the status of those messages to read, even
though you have not read them. After you issue the command, the
next message displayed on the screen will be from the next topic
or conference depending on the selection you made. All messages
that you have Skipped will show a (R)ead status in the New
Message list.
How To Mark A Message To Read or Reply To At A Later Time
While reading new messages and mail, any that you find of
particular interest can be marked in order to come back to. To
mark a message is simple to do, while the message is displayed
on the screen, issue the Post Mark <Alt-P><M> command. You will
then be advised that the message has been added to the Marked
Log and then you can continue reading the rest of your messages.
TIP: Marking a message provides an easy way to track a message
in order to check and see if there are replies to it in the
future.
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How To Read Marked Messages
When you are ready to read the messages you have marked, just
execute the Read Marked Log <Alt-R><M> command. The list of the
conferences that contain marked messages will be displayed. Use
the <Up/Down> keys to move to the conference you want to read
and then press <Enter> or just begin typing the letters of the
conference and the cursor will go to that point in the list.
The list will expand to include the topic names and you should
select the topic and press <Enter> again. This time the list
expands to include the message number. Select the message and
then press <Enter> for that message to be displayed on the
screen.
After the first message has been displayed, pressing <Enter>
will go the next page of the message or the next marked message.
If you want to go to the next message in the topic, and not the
next marked message, press the <Right Arrow>, or if you want to
go to the previous message in the topic, press the <Left Arrow>.
The rest of the keys used for reading messages are also active
while you are reading marked messages.
NOTE: If you want to begin reading at the top of the list, just
press <Enter> three times to display the first message.
How To Check For Comments To A Specific Message
If you want to check for replies to a message, first you should
mark it and make sure it stays in the log by keeping the status
as New (this is explained how to do later) so that you can
easily track it. When you want to check for replies, use the
Read Marked Log to display the message on the screen, and then
press <Page Down>. If there is a comment, it will be displayed.
Continue pressing <Page Down> to read all the comments. You
will be advised when there are no additional comments.
How To Print or Export A Message
To print the message you are reading, use the Utilities Export
<Alt-U><<E> command. When you execute the command you will be
prompted with the file name Scratch.Pad. You should overwrite
this name with the device name where you want the message to be
printed, such as LPT1 or PRN. After you supply the device name
press <Enter>, and the message will be sent to the device.
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To export the message to the Scratch.Pad, just press <Enter> at
the prompt. To export the message to a different file, type the
full path name of the file the message is to be exported to, and
then press <Enter>. If you do not supply the path, the current
working directory will be assumed. If the file exists, you will
be prompted to append to or overwrite the file. If the file
does not exist, you will be advised and prompted to create it.
Updating The New Message Log and The Marked Message Log
When you execute a command that requires leaving the Read New
Message System or the Marked Message System, you will prompted
to update the Log. If you answer yes, all messages having a
status of Read (R) will be removed from the log and messages
still having a status of New (N)(unread) will remain in the log.
If you answer no, all messages will remain in the log with their
current reflected status of either Read or New.
How To Change The Status Of A Message In The Log
You can manually change the status of a message appearing in the
New Message or Marked Log when the list is displayed, by placing
the cursor on the message number you want to change and then
pressing either <Alt-N> or <Alt-R>. If you want to make sure a
message stays in the log, you would change the (R)ead status to
a (N)ew by pressing <Alt-N>. If you want to remove a message
from the log without reading it, you would change the (N)ew
status to a (R)ead by pressing <Alt-R>.
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How To Use JLBlink's Editor for Writing Messages and Memos
JLBlink supplies a screen oriented editor for you to compose
messages and memos to send to BIX. The Editor is automatically
invoked when you issue a Post Comment <Alt-P><C>, Say <Alt-P><S> or
Mail To <Alt-P><T> command.
When you issue the Post command, JLBlink automatically extracts
from the message or memo displayed on the screen, the information
needed to generate the proper UpBlink Script. This information is
then merged with the memo or message you write when it is saved.
NOTE: While in the Editor, JLBlink's Menu System will not be
active. The Editor does have various commands to help you in
writing, editing, and formatting messages. To display a full list
of the keystrokes necessary to do each command, press <Alt-H> while
in the Editor. Also, many of the commands have alternate keys that
can be used and these can be found in the Key chart or the Editor
Command summary. To return to the Editor from the help screen,
press <Escape>.
How To Post A Comment To Message
If you want to compose a Comment To the message you are reading,
you should issue the Post Comment <Alt-P><C> command. You will
first be prompted for the signature to use on the message. The
signature you have placed in the Setup Parameters will be filled
in. Press <Enter> to accept it, or press <F9> to clear it in
order to leave the signature blank or enter a different one.
After you press <Enter> at the signature prompt, the editor will
then open.
At this point, you are ready to begin composing your message.
After you have finished writing your message, press <Alt-O>.
This will save the message, merge it into the proper UpBlink
script, and then close the Editor for you to continue reading.
If you should decide you do not want to make the comment while
in the Editor, press <Escape> to abort the command.
NOTE: When using the Post Comment command, you must have the
message displayed on the screen that you are commenting to.
How To Post A Say Message
If you want to compose a message as a Say in the conference
topic you are reading, you should issue the Post Say <Alt-P><S>
command. You will first be prompted for a message tile. If you
type in a title, it will be used as the message TITLE:. If you
do not type in a title, the first line of your message will be
used as the message TITLE:.
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You will next be prompted for the signature to use on the
message. The signature you have placed in the Setup Parameters
will be filled in. Press <Enter> to accept it, or press <F9> to
clear it in order to leave the signature blank or enter a
different one. After you press <Enter> at the signature prompt,
the editor will then open.
At this point, you are ready to begin composing your message.
After you have finished writing your message, press <Alt-O>.
This will save the message, merge it into the proper UpBlink
script, and then close the Editor for you to continue reading.
If you should decide you do not want to post a say message while
in the Editor, press <Escape> to abort the command.
NOTE: When using the Post Say command, you should have a
message from the conference topic displayed on the screen where
you want to post your say. If not, you will need to edit the
ToConf.Upb file and place the proper conference topic name in
there. Please see the next paragraph for instructions.
How To Post A Say Message In A Conference/Topic
You Do Not Have Messages From
If you would like to post a message in a conference topic that
you do not have in your data base yet, you can issue the Post
Say command from any conference, compose your message and save
it, and then edit the ToConf.Upb file. To do this, issue the
File Edit ToConf.Upb <Alt-F><E><C> command. This will load the
file into the editor where you can change the conference topic
name.
The first thing you should do is find the message that is posted
to the wrong conference topic. At the top of that message will
be a line stating "Joining conference/topic". You should delete
the wrong conference/topic name from this line and replace it
with the correct name. After you have done this, press <Alt-O>
to save the edited file, and it is now ready to go to BIX.
How To Send A Mail Memo
If you want to send mail to another BIXer, execute the Post Mail
To <Alt-P><T> command. This is a versatile command in the fact
that it will extract the BIXer name from a conference message or
a mail memo, if either is displayed on the screen, or it will
prompt you for the BIXer name if you do not have a message or
memo displayed on the screen. In other words, you can compose a
mail memo to send even though you are not reading mail.
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When you issue the Post Mail To command, you will first be
prompted for the BIXer name. This will be filled in if you have
a message or memo displayed on the screen. Press <Enter> to
accept the name, or press <F9> to clear it in order to enter a
different name. You will then be prompted for a subject. If
you type in a subject, it will be used as the memo SUBJECT:. If
you do not type in a subject, the first line of your memo will
be used as the memo SUBJECT:.
The next prompt will be for carbon copies (CC's) to other
BIXers. Your BIXer id will automatically be filled in so that
you will have a copy of the mail you send in your data base. If
you do not wish to have a copy of your mail, press <F9> to clear
your name. You can enter as many BIXer names as you like. Each
one should be separated by a space, and then press <Enter> when
you are done.
You will next be prompted for the signature to use on the mail
memo. The signature you have placed in the Setup Parameters
will be filled in. Press <Enter> to accept it, or press <F9> to
clear it in order to leave the signature blank or enter a
different one. After you press <Enter> at the signature prompt,
the editor will then open.
At this point, you are ready to begin composing your mail memo.
After you have finished writing your memo, press <Alt-O>. This
will save the memo, merge it into the proper UpBlink script, and
then close the Editor for you to continue what you were
previously doing.
If you should decide you do not want to send a mail memo while
in the Editor, press <Escape> to abort the command.
How To Reply To A Mail Memo
If you want to compose a comment to the mail memo you are
reading, execute the Post Comment <Alt-P><C> command.
Everything will be the same with this command as in sending mail
with the Post Mail To command, but all the information will be
filled in and you just need to press <Enter> at each of the
prompts to accept the data.
If you should decide you do not want to make the comment while
in the Editor, press <Escape> to abort the command.
NOTE: When using the Post Comment command, you must have the
mail memo displayed on the screen that you are commenting to.
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How To Read The Message or Memo Displayed Under The Editor
JLBlink's Editor offers a Scroll Message Mode that enables you
to temporarily close the Editor in order to read the message
displayed on the screen under the Editor. To enter the Scroll
Message Mode, press <Alt-S>. While in this mode, the <Up Arrow>
will go back a page at a time and the <Down Arrow> will go
forward a page at a time. To exit Scroll Message Mode and
return to the Editor, press <Escape>.
How To Import Data Into A Message or Memo You Are Composing
JLBlink's Editor offers a Cut and Paste mode that enables you to
import data from a message or memo into the Editor. There are
two ways to import data with this feature.
To import data into the Editor from the page of the message or
memo displayed on the screen beneath the Editor, press <F6>.
This will temporarily close the Editor. You should then move
the cursor to the position at the beginning of the block of text
you want to import and press <F7>. Next move the cursor to the
end of the block of text and press <F8>. Upon pressing <F8> the
Editor will open and the marked block of text will be placed at
the current position of the cursor in the Editor. If you want
to abort the Cut and Paste mode and return to the Editor without
importing text, press <Escape>.
The Cut and Paste Mode can also be entered from the Editor's
Scroll Message Mode. This method is very handy to use if you
want to import data from several different pages of a message or
memo. For every block of text you want to import, just follow
the sequence of entering Cut and Paste Mode with <F6>, mark the
beginning of the block with <F7>, and then mark the end of the
block with <F8>. When using this method of Cut and Paste from
Scroll Message Mode, the Editor does not open until you exit
Scroll Message Mode by pressing <Escape>.
A Closing Note About The Editor
JLBlink's Editor has many useful features, which you will see in
the help screen, that have not been discussed in this section.
They are all simple to use, and for that reason detailed
instructions have not been included on how to use each one. You
will find the complete list under Editor Command Summary. If
you will take the time to look the list over now, you will save
time when you start composing memos and messages.
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Other than using a Post command to invoke the Editor, you can
open it with the File Edit Scratch.Pad <Alt-F><E><S> command.
This is the easiest method to use if you want to begin composing
a message or memo that requires you to reference several
different topics. After you have done this, just be sure to
execute a Post command in order to have the message be posted in
a conference or sent as a mail memo.
How To Read and Edit Messages Before Sending To BIX
To read the conference messages you have composed before they
are sent to BIX, use the File Display ToConf.Upb <Alt-F><D><C>
command. This will display the conference message UpBlink
Script on the screen.
If you need to edit the conference messages, use the File Edit
ToConf.Upb <Alt-F><E><C> command. This will load the conference
message UpBlink Script into the Editor. After you have made the
desired changes, press <Alt-O> to save the file.
How To Read and Edit Mail Memos Before Sending To BIX
To read the mail memos you have composed before they are sent to
BIX, use the File Display ToMail.Upb <Alt-F><D><M> command.
This will display the mail memos UpBlink Script on the screen.
If you need to edit the mail memos, use the File Edit ToMail.Upb
<Alt-F><E><M> command. This will load the mail memos UpBlink
Script into the Editor. After you have made the desired
changes, press <Alt-O> to save the file.
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How To Read Existing Messages in Your BIX Data Base
To read the existing messages in your data base is very similar to
reading new messages. The main difference is that you will always
need to select the conference topic you want to read.
To select a conference topic to read, execute the Read BIX Data
Base <Alt-R><B> command. The list of conferences contained in your
data base will be displayed. Mail memos are stored under the name
Yourmail. Use the <Up/Down> keys to move to the conference you
want to read, or just begin typing the letters of the conference
and the cursor will go to that point in the list. After locating
the conference of interest, press <Enter> and the list will expand
to include the topic names. You should select the topic and then
press <Enter> again. The last message of the selected topic will
be displayed on the screen. All of the keys used for reading
messages are active when reading your BIX Data Base. Press <Alt-H>
if you need to see a list of the keys and their functions.
You can also toggle the order you read messages in from forward to
reference. To change the order, press <Alt-T>. You will notice
the command line at the top of the screen will change from Read
Data Base <Forward> to Read Data Base <Reference>. While you have
the data base in forward order, pressing <Enter> will display the
next sequential numbered message. While you have the data base in
reference order, pressing <Enter> will display the next comment to
a message or next thread.
The <#> key also takes on a special function while reading your BIX
data base. When you press <#>, you will be prompted for a message
number to go to. After supplying a number at the prompt, the
message with that number will be displayed. If the number does not
exist, the message with the closest number to the one you have
supplied will be displayed. If you supply the number <0>, the
first message in the file will be displayed. If you supply the
number <99999>, the last message in the file will be displayed.
Also, pressing <^Home> will go to the first message in the file,
and pressing <^End> will go to the last message in the file.
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How To Search Your BIX Data Base For Messages
The Utilities Query <Alt-U><Q> command will search your data base
for a phrase and build an index of all messages found matching the
phrase. To start a search, you need to have a message displayed on
the screen before executing the Query command. If you just want to
search a single conference or conference topic, the message must be
from that conference/topic.
You will first be prompted to supply the phrase you want to search
for. This can be a single word to a group of words and characters,
and can be located anywhere in the message starting with the header
to the end of it. For example, to find all the messages you have
posted, you would type the phrase "from lpaul," (my BIX user id).
After supplying the phrase, you will be prompted if you want to
ignore case. If you answer no, each upper and lower case character
in the phrase will be an exact match and the search is faster.
The next prompt will be for the level to conduct the search on.
Topic will search only the current topic you have displayed,
Conference will search every topic in the current conference you
have displayed, and Global will search your entire data base
including mail. If you select the Global level, you can narrow the
search to topics that contain a specific phrase in their names by
entering that phrase when prompted for the scope string. For
example, to search all the IBM conferences for messages you have
posted, when prompted for scope string, you would type "ibm". The
search would then be conducted only on conference/topics that
contain "ibm" as part of their name.
After selecting the level, the search will begin and the screen
will display the progress as it goes. When complete, you will be
notified of the number of messages found matching the phrase. To
continue, press the <Space Bar> and the Query Log will then be
displayed so that you can read the messages found. The Query Log
is operated the same as Read New and Marked Messages.
After the first message has been displayed, pressing <Enter> will
go the next page of the message or the next message that matched
the query. If you want to go to the next message in the topic, and
not the next query message, press the <Right Arrow> or if you want
to go to the previous message in the topic, press the <Left Arrow>.
The rest of the keys used for reading messages are also active
while you are reading the query messages.
If you do not want to read the messages from the list that is
displayed at this time, press <Escape>. You will be prompted to
update the log, you should answer No and it will be saved as is,
and you can read it later in its entirety.
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How To Resign From A Conference or Topic
To resign from a conference or conference topic, just issue a
Utilities Resign <Alt-U><R> command while you have a message from
the conference/topic you want to resign displayed on the screen.
You will be prompted for conference or topic. After a selection is
made, you will then be prompted for confirmation. If you answer
yes, the Resign.Upb will be generated automatically.
The next time you log on BIX, if you log on in Blink mode the
conference(s)/topic(s) will be resigned automatically. If you log
on in Auto mode, you will need to issue the Blink UpBlink
<Alt-B><U> command while on-line with BIX.
NOTE: This command can be issued as often as you want. The script
will be appended to each time before it is transmitted to BIX.
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How To Check For Missing or Duplicate Messages In Your Data Base
The Utilities Check <Alt-U><C> command will clean your data base of
any duplicate messages and then prompt you to retrieve missing
messages. Before issuing the Check command, you need to have a
message displayed on the screen. If you just want to check a
single conference or topic, the message displayed must be from that
conference/topic.
You will first be prompted for the level of checking. Global will
check your entire data base, Conference will check all the topics
in the conference you have displayed, and Topic will check only the
conference topic displayed. While the Check is running, a list of
any missing or duplicate messages will be displayed one the screen.
At the end of the Check you will be prompted as to whether you want
to retrieve the missing messages. If you answer yes, the
Getmess.Dnb DownBlink script will be generated automatically.
The next time you log on BIX, if you log on in Blink mode the
messages will be downloaded automatically. If you log on in Auto
mode, you will need to issue the Blink DownBlink <Alt-B><D> command
while on-line with BIX.
NOTE: This command can be issued as often as you want. The script
will be appended to each time before it is transmitted to BIX.
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How To Change The Setup Parameters
The Utilities Setup <Alt-U><S> command is used to change JLBlink's
parameters. To change parameter settings, just execute the
command, make any changes you want, and then press <Escape> when
you have finished making changes. You will be prompted to save the
changes, by answering yes all changes made will be saved. If you
answer no, the changes you have made will not be saved.
The Setup command has three pages of parameters that can be set.
Use the <Up/Down> arrow keys to move to each parameter. The bottom
of the screen will display a short description of each parameter
which will change as you move between them. If the parameter is a
multiple choice selection, use the <Left/Right> arrow keys to move
between selections. If the parameter requires you to enter data,
it can be cleared first by pressing <F9>.
NOTE: Setup is a continuous rotation of the three different pages,
meaning when you reach the bottom of the last page the first page
will be displayed again. You can press <Escape> to exit Setup At
any time.
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How To Manually Parse Files Into Your Data Base
Parse is the command that is used to clean and sort the data you
have gathered while on BIX, and it is automatically executed after
you log off BIX if you are using JLBlink's Communication Link.
Parse is also the actual process that builds your BIX Data Base
where your messages and memos are stored, and builds the index of
all unread messages.
If you are using another communication program and want to use
JLBlink for reading and posting messages, you would use the
Utilities Parse <Alt-U><P> command to move the messages into
JLBlink's BIX Data Base. To do this, the files you download from
BIX must be in the \JLBLINK\BLNEW directory. The messages must be
in a file named NEWMESS.TXT, and the mail must be in a file named
NEWMAIL.TXT. To start the parse process, just execute the command.
If you need to access the data before it has been cleaned, the
untouched files are kept in the \JLBLINK\BLOLD directory. Each
time you log on BIX the files will be overwritten with your current
session data.
How To Exit JLBlink
To quit JLBlink and return to the DOS prompt, execute the File Exit
<Alt-F><X> command. If you execute the command while in a Read
System, you will be prompted as to whether the Log should be
updated. If you answer yes, any remaining unread messages will
stay in the log, and all read messages will be removed from the
log. If you answer no, all messages will stay in the log and
reflect their current status.
NOTE: The <Alt-X> key can also be used to exit JLBlink.
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How To Use The Command Line Options
Variable=Filename
The "Variable=Filename" option on the command line is used to
select the Command Scripts and Setup Parameters JLBlink will use
in a single session. The valid command line variables are:
LogOn=Filename
Blink=Filename
LogOff=Filename
Init=Filename
Where Filename is the name and extension of the file to use.
JLBlink will search the \JLBLINK\BLSUPP directory for the
Filename.
NOTE: There must be no space between the parameter name, the
"=", and the filename. The filename should contain only the
name and extension; do not include a directory.
To use this option, you will need to edit or create the various
files that you will be using instead of the default files. For
example, if you normally log on via Tymnet and would like to use
BIX's direct lines, you would need a log on script for Direct
and different Comm Parameters in your Setup.
The easiest way to create a direct log on script is to edit the
\JLBLINK\BLSUPP\LOGONDIR.BMC file supplied with JLBlink. This
file is ASCII and can be edited with most text editors. You
will then need to supply the phone number, your BIX ID, and
password in the proper places.
JLBlink stores the parameters you supplied in Setup in a file
named \JLBLINK\BLSUPP\BLINK.INI. This file can only be edited
with the Utilities Setup <Alt-U><S> command. To create a file
with the Comm Parameters to call BIX direct, you will need to go
into Setup, make the necessary changes, save the new parameters
when prompted, and then immediately exit JLBlink. You should
then copy the BLINK.INI file to a new name, such as
BLINKDIR.INI. After copying the file, you should then go back
into Setup and change the parameters back to the Tymnet
settings.
With the two new files, you could now log on BIX direct in Blink
mode by typing the following on the DOS command line:
blink logon=logondir.bmc init=blinkdir.ini logonblink
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Commands
The "Command" option is used to tell JLBlink which commands to
execute automatically. The following is the complete list of
valid command names that can be used on the DOS command line.
You will notice this list includes every command in the Menu
System of JLBlink and the Communication Link, plus the Read
Keys.
FileDisplayBlinkBmc LogOnAuto
FileDisplayToConfUpb LogOnBlink
FileDisplayBIXDel LogOnManual
FileDisplayLogOffBmc PostComment
FileDisplayGetMessDnb PostMark
FileDisplaySessionFil PostSay
FileDisplaySessionLog PostMailTo
FileDisplayToMailUpb ReadBIXDataBase
FileDisplayLogOnBmc ReadGeneralHelp
FileDisplayResignUpb ReadMarkedLog
FileDisplayScratchPad ReadMessMemoLog
FileDisplayParseTra ReadQueryLog
FileDisplayOptionsBmc SkipConference
FileEditBlinkBmc SkipTopic
FileEditToConfUpb UtilitiesCheck
FileEditBIXDel UtilitiesExport
FileEditLogOffBmc UtilitiesGet
FileEditGetMessDnb UtilitiesParse
FileEditSessionFil UtilitiesQuery
FileEditSessionLog UtilitiesResign
FileEditToMailUpb UtilitiesSetup
FileEditLogOnBmc
FileEditResignUpb
FileEditScratchPad
FileEditOptionsBmc
FileEditOptionsBmc
FileExit
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CoFileToggleCapture NextPage
CoFileEditor PrevPage
CoFileToggleEcho NextMessage
CoFileQuickExit PrevMessage
CoFileReceiveBinary ExclusiveNextPage
CoFileReceiveText ExclusivePrevPage
CoFileSendBinary ExclusiveNextMessage
CoFileSendText ExclusivePrevMessage
CoFileTransmitScratchPad CurrentMessage
CoFileLogOff NextComment
CoBlinkMessages PrevComment
CoBlinkDownBlink NextRoot
CoBlinkMemos PrevRoot
CoBlinkUpBlink GotoMessage
CoOutputBREAK ToggleReadOrder
CoOutputESCAPE HelpScreen
You can put as many commands on the DOS command line as you
want. Each one will be executed in the order that it is placed.
For example, typing the following will log on BIX in Blink mode,
and then display the first new message.
blink logonblink nextpage
If you wanted to exit JLBlink immediately after logging off BIX,
you would type the following:
blink logonblink fileexit
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How To Modify JLBlink Script Files
How To Change The Phone Number Used For BIX
To change the phone number you are using to call BIX, execute
the File Edit LogOn.Bmc <Alt-F><E><N> command. This will open
the Editor with the script loaded in it. The phone number is
contained in the line that begins with Puts "AT DT...". You
should delete the old number and put the new one in its place,
and then press <Alt-O> to save the file.
You can have more than one number in you logon script, as long
as all but one are commented out. To comment out a line just
place two asterisks at the start of the line. This way to
change the number you call, you would just remove the asterisks
from the correct number and put them in front of the number you
do not want to use. For example,
Puts "AT DT781-5711\r"
**Puts "AT DT781-5780
NOTE: If you are using numbers with different bauds, please
remember to change those settings with the Utilities Setup
<Alt-U><S> command before calling BIX. YOU CAN NOT MIX BIX
DIRECT AND TYMNET NUMBERS IN THE SAME SCRIPT.
How To Change Your BIX Password
If you change your password while you are on-line with BIX, you
must change it in your LogOn script also, or you will not be
able to get on BIX the next time. It is best to do this
immediately after logging off BIX. Use the File Edit LogOn.Bmc
<Alt-F><E><N> command to place the script in the Editor. Change
the old password to the new one, and then press <Alt-O> to save
the file.
How To Customize the Blink.Bmc
The script that sends and receives all your data while in Blink
mode is the Blink.Bmc file. This script can be edited to fit
your own personal needs with the File Edit Blink.Bmc
<Alt-F><E><B> command.
Some things you may want to add to the Blink.Bmc would be an
additional "Blink Messages" at the end in order to read the
messages you have posted for the session, (this can only be
added if your Scratchpad Protocol is set to ASCII) a "Who All"
to see everyone on-line, or a "Mail Status" in order to build a
script to clean your mail box. For example, the following lines
would be added in the script to place a Who All list and a Mail
Status in your session capture file.
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Puts "who all\r"
Gets "\n:"
Puts "mail status\r"
Gets "M:"
Puts "quit\r"
Gets "\n:"
There are specific commands that must be used when editing a
Command Script (a .BMC file) and these can be found in the
Communication Link Script Command Summary. If you should need
any assistance in editing scripts, post a message in the JLBlink
conference.
How To File Only Message Headers and Retrieve Messages
If you are joined to topics where you prefer only to get the
headers and not the full message, the Blink.Bmc can be modified
to do this. You would need to add the following for each
conference topic that you want headers only, and it should be
placed before the BLINK "MESSAGES" command in the Blink.Bmc.
Puts "Join conference/topic"
Gets "R:"
Puts "File Header Current to Last"
Gets "R:"
NOTE:When you edit the Blink.Bmc, replace "conference/topic"
with the real name, such as jlblink/main.
When you begin reading your new messages, the headers of these
topics will be displayed as a message. If you see a header of
interest and want to download the full message, use the
Utilities Get <Alt-U><G> command while the header is displayed
on the screen. You will then be prompted to retrieve the
message. If you answer yes, the GetMess.Dnb file will be
generated automatically.
The next time you log on BIX, if you log on in Blink mode the
messages will be downloaded automatically. If you log on in
Auto mode, you will need to issue the Blink DownBlink <Alt-B><D>
command while on-line with BIX.
NOTE. This command can be issued as often as you want. The
script will be appended to each time before it is transmitted to
BIX.
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How To Clean Your BIX Mail Box
The ToMail.Upb can be edited to clean you mail box while your
new mail memos are being sent, if you have a "Mail Status" in
your session capture file. A "Mail Status" command can even be
put in the Blink.Bmc so that you will have it any time you log
on in Blink mode.
The first step is to execute the File Display Session.Txt
<Alt-F><D><T> command to display the session file on the screen.
Next you should execute the File Edit ToMail.Upb <Alt-F><E><M>
command to load your mail script in to the Editor. Go to the
last line in the script and place the cursor on the Q in Quit.
Next go into Scroll Message Mode <Alt-S> and find the mail
status. You should then import the block of text containing the
absolute number of the mail memos in your in-basket to the
Editor and then return to the Editor by pressing <Escape>. You
will then need to place delete in front of each number and y on
a line by itself below the number. You will need to do this for
each mail number in your in-basket. For example,
delete 96021
y
For the mail memos in your out-basket, you should go back into
Scroll Message Mode and import that block containing the
absolute number. You will just need to add one delete in front
of the first number, and then just separate the rest of the
numbers with a comma only. For example,
delete 83211,89515,92101
When you have completed this, make sure the Quit is on a line by
itself at the end of the file, and then press <Alt-O> to save.
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JLBlink Command Summary
Introduction
All JLBlink commands can be executed at any time by pressing the
keys associated with the command, or invoking the Menu System to
select a command.
The JLBlink commands are grouped into seven categories with
additional commands in each category. The categories are:
File, LogOn, Read, Post, Skip, Utilities, and Read Keys. Each
category and the commands associated with it will be discussed
in this chapter.
File Commands <Alt-F>
Introduction
The File Commands are used to edit or display a BIX related
file, and to exit JLBlink.
Key Chart
Key Command
--- -------
<D> Display File
<E> Edit File
<X> Exit
Display File <Alt-F><D>
The Display A File command will bring up a menu of BIX
related files for you to select from. After a file is
selected, it will be displayed on the screen for you to read.
This command will not let you make any changes to the file.
Edit File <Alt-F><E>
The Edit a File command will bring up a menu of BIX related
files for you to select from. After a file is selected, it
will be loaded into the Editor. Make any changes, additions
or deletions that you want, and then press <Alt-O> to save
the newly revised file.
NOTE: For a list of commands available while in the Editor,
refer to the chapter on the Editor.
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Exit <Alt-F><X>
The Exit command is used to quit JLBlink when you have
finished your session. If you exit JLBlink from a Read
System, you will be prompted to update the Log. If you
answer yes, any unread messages remaining will stay in the
Log and read messages will be removed from the Log. If you
answer no, all messages will remain in the Log with their
current status.
BIX Related Files
The following is the list of BIX related files that you will
choose from if you are using the Display A File or Edit A
File command.
Key Chart
Key Command
--- -------
<B> Blink.Bmc
<C> ToConf.Upb
<D> BIX.Del
<F> LogOff.Bmc
<G> GetMess.Dnb
<L> Session.Fil
<M> ToMail.Upb
<N> LogOn.Bmc
<O> Options.Bmc
<P> Parse.Tra
<R> Resign.Upb
<S> Scratch.Pad
<T> Session.Txt
Blink.Bmc <B>
The Blink.Bmc file is the Command Script used by the
Communication Link when you execute the LogOn Blink
<Alt-L><B> command. This script contains the commands
necessary to download all new messages and memos, and to
send all UpBlink and DownBlink Scripts.
If there is other information you want JLBlink to gather
for you while on-line with BIX, you will need to edit this
Command Script to include those commands.
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ToConf.Upb <C>
The ToConf.Upb file is the UpBlink Script generated by the
Post Comment <Alt-P><C> or Say <Alt-P><S> commands when
you compose a conference message. The file is appended to
each time either of the commands is executed.
This file will not exist if you have not composed new
conference messages to be UpBlinked to BIX.
BIX.Del <D>
The BIX.Del file is used by the Parse command to clean the
Newmail.Txt and Newmess.Txt files. You will need to edit
this file if either of the text files do not Parse
properly.
LogOff.Bmc <F>
The LogOff.Bmc file is the Command Script used by the
Communication Link to properly log you off BIX.
GetMess.Dnb <G>
The GetMess.Dnb is the DownBlink Script generated by the
Utilities Check <Alt-U><C> command. If you run an
integrity check on your Data Base and you are missing
messages, this script will retrieve any missing messages
from BIX.
This file will not exist if you do not have missing
messages.
Session.Fil <L>
The Session.Fil file is used by the Parse command to clean
the Session.Txt file of unnecessary information. The
cleaned file is then saved as Recover.Txt.
You will want to edit this file if you want to keep any
additional information from the Session.Txt.
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ToMail.Upb <M>
The ToMail.Upb file is the UpBlink Script generated by the
Post Comment <Alt-P><C>, Say <Alt-P><S>, or Mail To
<Alt-P><T> commands when you compose a mail memo. The
file is appended to each time any of the commands is
executed.
This file will not exist if you have not composed new
memos to be UpBlinked to BIX.
LogOn.Bmc <N>
The LogOn.Bmc file is the Command Script used by the
Communication Link when you issue the command LogOn Auto
<Alt-L><A> or Blink <Alt-L><B>. This script contains all
the information necessary to connect you with BIX and
place you at the BIX Main System Prompt (:).
This script will need to be edited if you change your user
id, password, BIX access id for Tymnet, or the phone
number you use to call BIX.
Options.Bmc <O>
The Options.Bmc file is the Command Script used by the
Communication Link when you execute the LogOn Auto or
Blink commands. This script contains the commands
necessary to set the BIX Options required by JLBlink for
each session.
The Options.Bmc file can be deleted and not executed each
time you log on BIX if you change your BIX Profile to
match the Options set in this file.
The only Options that can have a different value are the
Download and Upload specifications. JLBlink supports
xmodem and ymodem (xmodem/1K).
Parse.Tra <P>
The Parse.Tra file is generated by the Parse command of
JLBlink each time you log off BIX. This file contains a
log of the processes that took place during the Parse
phase. It will generally not be necessary to read the
file unless your new mail and messages do not appear in
your data base.
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Resign.Upb <R>
The Resign.Upb file is the UpBlink Script generated by the
Utilities Resign <Alt-U><R> command. It will resign you
from the conference or conference topics you have
selected.
This file will not exist if you do not have conferences or
topics to be resigned from.
Scratch.Pad <S>
The Scratch.Pad file is the file used to build messages
and memos. This file will be empty unless you have
previously used the Edit File <Alt-F><E> command and
selected Scratch.Pad <S>.
Session.Txt <T>
The Session.Txt file is a record of the transactions that
take place while on-line with BIX. It is automatically
turned on when you execute a LogOn <Alt-L> command. The
capture of data to this file can be controlled manually
with the Communication Link File Toggle Capture <Alt-F><C>
command.
This file is overwritten each time you execute a LogOn
command.
LogOn Commands <Alt-L>
Introduction
The LogOn commands are used to activate your modem and invoke
the Communication Link to log on BIX. Different modes are
offered to log on BIX depending on the amount of automation
you want done for a session.
Key Chart
Key Command
--- -------
<A> Auto
<B> Blink
<M> Manual
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Auto <Alt-L><A>
The Auto command operates in a semiautomatic mode and should
be used if you want to do other things on BIX besides
uploading and downloading messages and memos. This mode will
automatically execute the Logon.Bmc Command Script which is
used for calling BIX. When the script has finished
executing, you will be placed at BIX's Main System Prompt
(:).
In this mode, you will use the Communication Link commands to
interface with BIX manually. You can still have JLBlink
download and upload new messages and memos by executing the
Communication Link command for each action. Refer to the
Communication Link Command Summary for details on how to use
these commands.
To log-off BIX and the Communication Link, press <Alt-F><X>.
The Communication Link will automatically log off BIX for you
by executing the Logoff.Bmc Command Script.
If you need to break a Command Script while it is running,
press <^C>. You will then be prompted as to the action to be
taken.
Blink <Alt-L><B>
The Blink command operates in a fully automatic mode. It is
designed to handle all on-line transactions automatically.
The Blink mode executes the Logon.Bmc Command Script which
calls BIX and logs you on, the Blink.Bmc Command Script which
downloads new messages and mail and uploads messages and mail
you have composed, and the Logoff.Bmc Command Script which
logs you off BIX and exits the Communications Link. The
Blink mode will not stop and require you to interact with BIX
manually -- it controls the complete session.
If you should need to stop the execution of the Blink command
before it has executed the Logoff.Bmc, press <^Z>. This will
place you at BIX's Main System Prompt as soon as the
Blink.Bmc Command Script has finished executing.
Manual <Alt-L><M>
The Manual command operates in a manual mode with no
automatic execution of any Command Script. This mode
initializes the communications port and each character you
type on the keyboard will be output to the modem. It is
handy to use this mode if you are having trouble with your
Command Scripts and need to locate the problem.
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Post Commands <Alt-P>
Introduction
The Post commands invoke the Editor, using the Scratch.Pad
file, for you to compose your messages and memos. The proper
UpBlink Script will automatically be generated upon
completion of your message or memo, and the Scratch.Pad will
be cleared. The Mail To command can be used at any time.
The rest of the commands must have a memo or message
displayed on the screen in order to use them.
Key Chart
Key Command
--- -------
<C> Comment
<M> Mark
<S> Say
<T> Mail To
Comment <Alt-P><C>
The Comment command is used to comment to a conference topic
message or a memo. The command does this by building the
Toconf.Upb UpBlink Script for messages and the Tomail.Upb
UpBlink Script for memos.
To Comment to a message, you must first have the message that
you want to comment to displayed on the screen. It extracts
the conference name, topic name, and the message number from
the message displayed on the screen in order to merge the
information into the Toconf.Upb file.
To Comment to a memo, you must first have the mail memo that
you want to comment to displayed on the screen. It extracts
the BIXer's name, memo identification number, and the Subject
from the memo displayed on the screen in order to merge the
information into the Tomail.Upb. You will also be prompted
as to whether to Copy (CC) the memo to any other BIXers.
After extracting the information from the message or memo,
the Editor will then open for you to compose your comment.
If you want to import data from the message or memo you are
commenting to, the Cut and Paste Mode of the Editor should be
used. After you have finished composing your comment, press
<Alt-O>. This will save the file and merge it into the
proper UpBlink Script.
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Mark <Alt-P><M>
The Mark command is used to tag a message or memo to reply to
at a later time. This command is handy to use if you want to
read all your new messages and memos before writing messages
and memos. When you read a message or memo that is of
interest to you, just execute the Mark command.
When you are ready to compose your messages and memos, use
the Read Marked <Alt-R><M> command to display the messages
and memos you have marked.
Say <Alt-P><S>
The Say command is like the Comment command except the
message or memo will be posted as an original or root. You
will also be prompted for a message or memo title. You can
either type in the message title or leave it blank. If you
leave the title blank, the first line of your message or memo
will become the message "TITLE:".
If you are composing a message Say, you will need to have a
message displayed on the screen from the conference/topic
where you want to post your message.
If you use the Say command for a memo (mail), the BIXer ID
will be extracted from the memo displayed. You will be
prompted if you want to Copy (CC) the memo to other BIXers.
Mail To <Alt-P><T>
The Mail To command is used to send a mail memo. When the
command is executed, you will be prompted for the BIXer ID to
send the memo to, the subject of the memo, and if you want to
copy the memo someone else. The Editor will then open for
you to compose your memo. When you have finished, press
<Alt-O> which saves the memo and merges it in the Tomail.Upb
file.
Read Commands <Alt-R>
Introduction
The Read commands are used to select the message or file that
you want to read. The file names are displayed in a list and
after selecting a file or message, it will be displayed on
the screen. Because the Read commands work with a list, it
provides you with a means of quick navigation between
conferences and topics.
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When a Read Command is first executed, a list is displayed
that contains the conference names and the number of topics
that have messages associated with the command, such as Read
New. For example:
Read: Conference
Yourmail 1
ask.bix 3
j.and.l 2
This list shows that you have new mail, the conference
ask.bix has three topics with new messages, and the
conference j.and.l has two topics with new messages.
Use the Up/Down Arrow keys to place the cursor on the line
that contains the conference you want to read. Press <Enter>
and the list increases to include the topic names and the
number of messages in each topic. For example:
Read : Conference/Topic
Yourmail mail 2
ask.bix blinks 1
ask.bix hints 2
ask.bix info.listings 1
j.and.l bomb.shelter 1
j.and.l blinking 2
The list now shows that you have two new mail memos, ask.bix
blinks has one new message, ask.bix hints has two new
messages, and so on.
Although the full list will expand, the conference the cursor
is placed on will be at the top of the window. Use the
Up/Down Arrow keys to move between conferences and topics.
Place the cursor on the line that contains the topic you want
to read and then press <Enter>. The list increases to
include the message numbers and the status of the message.
For example:
Read : Conference/Topic/Message
Yourmail mail Memo # N
Yourmail mail Memo # N
ask.bix blinks Message # N
ask.bix hints Message # N
ask.bix hints Message # N
ask.bix info.listings Message # N
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The list now shows the number of each new memo and message in
all the topics. The letter on the right side will indicate
the status of the message. The abbreviations are as follows:
C Current Message
N New or Unread Message
R Read Message
If you should want to change the status of a message, it can
be done from this screen, by pressing <Alt-N> to change it to
a New Message, or by pressing <Alt-R> to change it to a Read
Message.
Use the Up/Down Arrow keys to place the cursor on the line
that contains the message where you want to start reading and
press <Enter>. The selected message will be displayed on the
screen.
Once a message is displayed on the screen, when you press
<Enter> or <Down Arrow> the status of the current message
will be changed to read, and the next unread message will be
displayed on the screen.
When you want to change conferences or topics that you are
reading, you should first use the <Left Arrow> key to
decrease the list back to the conference level before
selecting a new conference.
NOTE: When the Search String prompt is displayed at the
bottom of the screen, you can type the letters of the
conference or topic you want to go to instead of using the
up/down arrow keys. If you have executed a Read New Message
command, the Search String will only work if you have
conferences in alphabetical order.
Key Chart
Key Command
--- -------
<B> BIX Data Base
<H> General Help
<M> Marked Log
<N> New Messages/Memos Log
<Q> Query Log
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BIX Data Base <Alt-R><B>
The BIX Data Base command is used to access messages that you
have already read. This command first displays a list of
conferences and is increased to include the topics. It can
not be increased to include the message numbers, so you will
make your selection at the topic level.
Place the cursor on the line that contains the topic you want
to read and press <Enter>. The last message in the topic
will be displayed on the screen. Use the Read Keys to
navigate through the messages and <Alt-T> to toggle from
Forward to Reference order.
General Help <Alt-R><H>
The General Help command will display a list of help files.
Use the Up/Down Arrow keys to place the cursor on the file of
interest, and then press <Enter>. The selected file will be
displayed on the screen. If the file contains more than one
page, <Enter> or <Down Arrow> will display the next page and
the <Up Arrow> will display the previous page.
Marked Log <Alt-R><M>
The Marked Log command is used to read the messages you have
"Marked" for a later reply. Follow the instructions under
the Read commands to display the message on the screen you
wish to reply to.
Use the Post commands to compose your reply and when you are
ready to go on to the next message, press <Enter>. This will
change the status of the current message to read and display
the next message on the screen. If you want to check and see
if you have already replied to a message, just execute the
Read Marked command again. If the status is "R", you will
know that you have already replied to it.
New Message/Memo Log <Alt-R><N>
The New Message/Memo Log command provides you with quick
access to new messages and memos without having to spend a
lot of time locating the ones of interest. Follow the
instructions under the Read commands to display the messages
on the screen that you want to read. When you want to change
topics or conferences, just execute the Read New command
again.
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Query Log <Alt-R><Q>
The Query Log command is used to read the messages matching a
Query <Alt-U><Q>. If your Query was on a Global level, the
list will contain the number of conferences with the number
of topics that have messages matching the Query. If your
Query was on a Conference or Topic level, the list will
contain only one conference. Follow the instructions under
the Read commands to display the messages on the screen that
match the Search Phrase you have Queried for.
Skip Commands <Alt-S>
Introduction
The Skip commands are used to change the status of unread
messages to read messages. They will only be active while
you are reading new messages. When you execute a File Exit
<Alt-F><X> command, the messages marked as read will be
removed from the New Message Log.
Key Chart
Key Command
--- -------
<C> Conference
<T> Topic
Conference <Alt-S><C>
The Conference command marks all the new messages in the
current conference displayed on the screen as being read.
The next new message displayed on the screen will be from the
next conference on your list.
Topic <Alt-S><T>
The Topic command marks all the new messages in the current
conference/topic displayed on the screen as being read. The
next new message displayed on the screen will be from the
next topic.
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Utilities Commands <Alt-U>
Introduction
The Utilities commands will help you maintain your Data Base,
provide quick access to the data, and set the parameters of
JLBlink to your specifications.
Key Chart
Key Command
--- -------
<C> Check Data Base
<E> Export Message
<G> Get Message
<P> Parse
<Q> Query
<R> Resign Conference/Topic
<S> Setup
Check <Alt-U><C>
The Check command is used to check your Message Data Base for
missing messages. It automatically generates the Getmess.Dnb
file that is used to retrieve missing messages.
When Check is executed, you are prompted for the level of the
Check. The Conference level will Check all files that belong
to the current conference. The Global level will Check all
files in your Message Data Base. The Topic level will Check
the current topic.
Export Message <Alt-U><E>
The Export Message command is used to export the message you
have displayed on the screen to the Scratch.Pad, another
file, or device, such as LPT1. The default file name is
Scratch.Pad and can be overwritten to the file name or device
of your choice.
Get Message <Alt-U><G>
The Get Message command is used to retrieve a message. When
you execute the Get command, the information from the current
conference/topic message you have displayed on the screen
will be extracted. You will be prompted to retrieve the
message. A DownBlink Script will be generated, or appended
to in order to get the message from BIX.
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Parse <Alt-U><P>
The Parse command is used to clean the data files captured
from BIX, and to build and index your Data Base. The Parse
command is automatically executed when you log off BIX with
JLBlink.
You will only need to manually execute Parse if you have used
another communication program to log on BIX, or used a
computer other than where your Data Base is stored. To
manually parse a file, it must be located in the \BLINK\BLNEW
directory. The file containing your conference messages must
be named Newmess.Txt. The file containing your mail memos
must be named Newmail.Txt.
Query <Alt-U><Q>
The Query command is used to search your Data Base for a
Search Phrase. A Search Phrase can be any string, such as a
BIXer name or a group of words. Using the Query command is
the fastest way to access a message that contains information
you need, especially, when you cannot remember exactly which
message it was.
For example, if you wish to find all messages from the
ask.bix/hints conference topic that contains the string
"blink", you would load the topic file for ask.bix/hints with
the Read BIX Data Base <Alt-R><B> command and then execute
Query. The Query command will prompt you with Search for:.
You should type in the search phrase "blink" (without the
double quotes).
You will then be prompted for case sense. If you answer yes
to the prompt, case sense will ignored. If you answer no,
case sense will not be ignored and the search will be faster.
You will next be prompted for a Search Level. The Conference
level searches the complete conference of the topic that is
displayed on the screen. The Topic level searches the topic
you have displayed on the screen. If you have a mail memo
displayed on the screen, Topic will search your memos. The
Global level searches *all* files in your Data Base. If you
select Global, the scope of the search can be set to limit
the search to files whose names contain a string. For
example, if you enter the string "long" at the scope prompt,
Query will look for the Search Phrase only in the topics in
your data base that contain the string "long" in their names.
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After the Query is completed, the number of messages matching
the Search Phrase will be displayed on the screen, and then
the Read Query Log <Alt-R><Q> command is automatically
executed for you to read the messages found.
Resign <Alt-U><R>
The Resign command is used to resign from a conference or
conference topic. When you execute the Resign command, the
information from the current conference/topic you have
displayed on the screen will be extracted. You will be
prompted to resign from conference or conference/topic. An
UpBlink Script will be generated, or appended to, in order to
resign you from the selected conference/topic.
Setup <Alt-U><S>
The Setup command is used to edit the JLBlink parameters.
When Setup is executed, the JLBlink parameters will be
displayed on the screen. Use the Up/Down Arrow keys to place
the cursor on the parameter to be changed and then press
<Enter>. A short description of the parameter will be
displayed on the bottom of the screen as you move the cursor
to each one.
Please remember, if you change your modem settings you must
edit the Setup parameters to reflect the changes.
NOTE: When filling in a signature for the "SIGN MESSAGES
WITH:" parameter, to place a blank line between your message
contents and signature put a "\n" at the beginning of it.
For example:
\nYour Name
Read Keys
Introduction
The Read Keys are for use in reading messages, memos, and
help files. These commands can not be executed from the Menu
System of JLBlink.
Note: If you like to read all your messages in thread order,
execute the Utilities Setup <Alt-U><S> command and change the
Reference parameter. This will download your messages from
BIX in thread order.
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Key Chart
Key Command Alternate
--- -------
<Enter> Next Page <Down Arrow>
<N> Next Message
<Right Arrow> Next Message In File
<Up Arrow> Previous Page
<Backspace> Previous Message
<Left Arrow> Previous Message In File
<=> Current Message
<Pg Down> Next Comment
<Pg Up> Go To Original
<End> Next Root
<Home> Go To Root
<#> Go To Message Number
<^End> Go To Last Message In File
<^Home> Go To First Message In File
Next Page <Enter> or <Down Arrow>
The <Enter> or <Down Arrow> key jumps to the next page of the
message. If the current message contains only one page or
you are on the last page, the <Enter> or <Down Arrow> will go
to the next message.
If you download your messages in forward order, the next
message will be the next sequentially numbered message. If
you download your messages in reference order, the next
message will be the next comment or next thread. You will be
advised when there are no more unread messages.
The <Enter> or <Down Arrow> key will also invoke the Read New
Messages System when activated from the JLBlink main screen.
Pressing this key automatically searches the New Message Log
and displays the first unread message on the screen. If
there are no unread messages, you will be advised.
Next Message <N>
The <N> key jumps to the next message. If the message you
are reading contains more than one page, the next message
will be displayed skipping the additional pages of the
current message.
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Next Message In File <Right Arrow>
The <Right Arrow> key jumps to the next message in the file
for the conference/topic you have displayed on the screen.
You will generally only use this key from Read Marked
Messages or Read Query Messages in order to see the next
message in the topic, rather than the next message in the
Log.
Previous Page <Up Arrow>
The <Up Arrow> key jumps to the previous page of the message.
If the current message contains only one page or you are on
the first page, you will go to the previous message.
Previous Message <Backspace>
The <Backspace> key jumps to the previously read message. If
you have not read any messages, you will be taken to the
first message.
Previous Message In File <Left Arrow>
The <Left Arrow> key jumps to the previous message in the
file for the conference/topic you have displayed on the
screen. You will generally only use this key from Read
Marked Messages or Read Query Messages to see the previous
message in the topic, rather than the previous message in the
Log.
Current New Message <=>
The <=> key jumps to the current message. If you have not
read any messages, you will be taken to the first message.
NOTE: This key is not active from Read BIX Data Base.
Next Comment <PgDown>
The <PgDown> key will search for the next comment in the
current thread. If it finds a message, it will be displayed
on the screen. If it does not find a message, no further
action will be taken.
Go To Original <PgUp>
The <PgUp> key will search for the message that the current
message is commenting to. If it finds the message, it will
displayed on the screen. If it does not find the message, no
further action will be taken.
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Next Root <End>
The <End> key searches the topic file for a root message that
follows the current thread. If it finds another root
message, it will be displayed on the screen. If it does not
find another root message, no further action will be taken.
Go To Root <Home>
The <Home> key will search the current thread for the "root"
message (the message that started the thread). If it finds
the root message, it will be displayed on the screen. If it
does not find the message, no further action will be taken.
If the message you are on, when this key is activated, is the
root, the previous root will be displayed.
Go To Message Number <#>
The <#> key will search the current topic for the message
number that you supply. When you press <#>, you will be
prompted for the message number to go to. If the message
number exists, the message will be displayed on the screen.
There are two special numbers that can be used to go to the
beginning and end of the file. The number (0) will go to the
first message in the current topic. The number (99999) will
go to the last message in the current topic.
Go To Last Message In File <^End>
The <^End> key will jump to the last message in the file.
Go To First Message In File <^Home>
The <^Home> key will jump to the first message in the file.
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Editor Command Summary
Introduction
The Editor performs much the same way as BIX's editors do,
except that it is a screen oriented editor. The Editor is
invoked with the File Edit A File <Alt-F><E> command or the Post
Comment <Alt-P><C>, Say <Alt-P><S> or Mail To <Alt-P><T>
commands. You can also invoke the Editor while on line with BIX
in the Communication Link by pressing <Alt-F><E>.
The Editor does not have a Menu System and all commands must be
executed with the keystrokes associated with the command. Many
of the Editor commands have alternate keystrokes that you may
already be familiar with from using a previous editor. The
commands that have alternate keystrokes can be executed with
either keystrokes.
The Editor commands are grouped in five categories: Cut and
Paste, File, Editing, Movement,and Scroll Message Mode. Each
category and the commands associated with it will be discussed
in this chapter.
Cut and Paste Commands
Introduction
The Cut and Paste commands will enable you to import a block
from the message or memo displayed underneath the Editor
Window into the Editor. This can be handy to use if you want
to extract information from a message or memo, to use in the
message you are composing.
NOTE: Cut and Paste can be used from Scroll Message Mode.
Key Chart
Key Command Alternate
--- ------- ---------
<F6> Enter Cut and Paste Mode <NONE>
<F7> Mark Beginning Of Block <NONE>
<F8> Mark End Of Block <NONE>
<Escape> Abort Cut And Paste <NONE>
Enter Cut and Paste Mode <F6>
The <F6> key is used to enter the Cut and Paste Mode. When
you activate the Cut and Paste Mode, the Editor closes to
reveal the message or memo under it and places the cursor in
the upper left hand corner of the screen.
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Mark Beginning Of Block <F7>
To Mark the Beginning of a Block, move the cursor (with the
Arrow keys) to the upper left hand corner of the block and
then press the <F7> key.
Mark End Of Block <F8>
To Mark the End of the Block and import the block into the
Editor, move the cursor to the lower right hand corner of the
block and then press the <F8> key.
Abort Cut And Paste <Escape>
To abort the Cut and Paste Mode, press the <Escape> key.
Editing Commands
Introduction
The Editing commands provide several methods of inserting,
deleting, and formatting text.
Key Chart
Key Command Alternate
--- ------- ---------
<Insert> Toggle Insert Mode <^V>
<Delete> Delete Character <^G>
<Backspace> Delete Previous Character <NONE>
<Enter> Start New Line <NONE>
<F9> Delete To End Of Line <^QY>
<F10> Delete Line <^Y>
<^T> Delete Word Right <NONE>
<F7> Mark Beginning Of Block <^KB>
<F8> Mark End Of Block <^KK>
<Alt-F7/-F8> Clear Marked Block <^KH>
<Alt-B> Delete Marked Block <^KY>
<Alt-I> Copy Marked Block <^KC>
<Alt-M> Move Marked Block <^KM>
Toggle Insert Mode <Insert> or <^V>
The <Insert> key will toggle the Insert Mode. For example,
if the current mode is insert, the mode will be changed to
overwrite. Note, the cursor will be an underscore while in
Insert Mode and will be a block while in overwrite mode.
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Delete Character <Delete> or <^G>
The <Delete> key will delete the character under the cursor.
If the cursor is at the end of the line, the end of line is
removed which combines the current line with the line below
it.
Delete Previous Character <Backspace>
The <Backspace> key will move the cursor to the left one
character then delete the character under the it. If the
cursor is on the left edge of the Editor Window, the cursor
will jump to the end of the line above it.
Start New Line <Enter>
The <Enter> key will insert a new line at the cursor
position. Any characters to the right of the cursor and the
cursor itself will be moved down to the beginning of the new
line.
Delete To End Of Line <F9> or <^QY>
The <F9> key is used to delete the characters from the cursor
to the end of the line. Position the cursor to the starting
position and then press the <F9> key.
Delete Line <F10> or <^Y>
The <F10> key deletes the line the cursor is sitting on. The
resulting gap is filled by moving any lines below the current
line up one line. Position the cursor on the line that you
wish to delete and then press <F10>.
Delete Word Right <^T>
The <^T> key is used to delete the word to the right of the
cursor.
Mark Beginning Of Block <F7> or <^KB>
The <F7> key is used to Mark the Beginning of a Block. To
mark the beginning of the block, place the cursor anywhere on
the line that you wish to start the block and then press
<F7>.
Mark End Of Block <F8> or <^KK>
The <F8> key is used to Mark the End of a Block. To mark the
end of the block, place the cursor anywhere on the line that
you wish to end the block and then press <F8>.
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Clear Marked Block <Alt-F7/-F8> or <^KH>
The <Alt-F7> and <Alt-F8> keys are used to clear the Marked
Block.
Delete Marked Block <Alt-B> or <^KY>
The <Alt-B> key is used to delete the Marked Block. To
delete a block of text, mark both the beginning and end of
the block and then press <Alt-B>. The resulting gap will be
filled in with any lines below the deleted block.
Copy Marked Block <Alt-I> or <^KC>
The <Alt-I> key is used to copy a Marked Block. To copy a
block of text, mark both the beginning and end of the block,
position the cursor on the line below the location you want
the copy to be placed, and then press <Alt-I>.
Move Marked Block <Alt-M> or <^KM>
The <Alt-M> key is used to move a Marked Block from one
location to another. To move a block of text, mark both the
beginning and end of the block, position the cursor on the
line below the location you want to move the block to, and
then press <Alt-M>.
File Commands
Introduction
The File commands are used to exit, format and save the
Scratch.Pad.
Key Chart
Key Command Alternate
--- ------- ---------
<Escape> Exit Editor <NONE>
<Alt-C> Clear Editor <NONE>
<Alt-F> Format Paragraph <^B>
<Alt-O> Save File and Continue <NONE>
<Alt-X> Save File and Exit <^KD>
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Exit Editor <Escape>
The <Escape> key will exit the Editor. If you made any
changes to the Scratch.Pad you will be prompted with:
Save "File Name"? Y)es or N)o.
?:
If you answer yes, the changes will be saved. If you answer
no, all changes during that session will be lost.
Clear Editor <Alt-C>
The <Alt-C> key is used to clear the Scratch.Pad. It will
prompt you with:
Clear "File Name"? Y)es or N)o.
?:
If you answer yes, the Scratch.Pad will be cleared. If you
answer no, you will be returned to where you were when you
pressed the <Alt-C> key.
Format Paragraph <Alt-F> or <^B>
The <Alt-F> key will reformat the current paragraph from the
cursor position down. The cursor will be moved to the
beginning of the next paragraph.
Save File and Continue <Alt-O>
The <Alt-O> key is used to save the Scratch.Pad, exit and
continue the process that invoked the Editor.
Save File and Exit <Alt-X> or <^KD>
The <Alt-X> key is used to save the Scratch.Pad and exit.
You will be prompted to either edit the file, abort, or
continue the process that invoked the Editor.
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Movement Commands
Introduction
The Movement commands are used to move the cursor.
Key Chart
Key Command Alternate
--- ------- ---------
<Up> Up One Line <^E>
<Down> Down One Line <^X>
<Left> Left One Character <^S>
<Right> Right One Character <^D>
<Home> Beginning Of Line <^QS>
<End> End Of Line <^QD>
<Page Up> Up One Page <^R>
<Page Down> Down One Page <^C>
<^Left> Left One Word <^A>
<^Right> Right One Word <^F>
<^Page Up> Top Of File <^QR>
<^Page Down> Bottom Of File <^QC>
<^F7> Top Of Marked Block <^QB>
<^F8> Bottom Of Marked Block <^QK>
Up One Line <Up> or <^E>
The <Up Arrow> key will move the cursor one line up . If the
cursor should reach the top of the Editor Window and there is
more of the Scratch.Pad to be displayed in the direction of
travel, the Scratch.Pad will be scrolled to expose the hidden
lines.
Down One Line <Down> or <^X>
The <Down Arrow> key will move the cursor one line down. If
the cursor should reach the bottom of the Editor Window and
there is more of the Scratch.Pad to be displayed in the
direction of travel, the Scratch.Pad will be scrolled to
expose the hidden lines.
Left One Character <Left> or <^S>
The <Left Arrow> key will move the cursor one character to
the left. If the cursor should reach the left edge of the
Editor Window the cursor will move up one line, and then will
move to the end of the line. For example, if the cursor is
on the left edge of the Editor Window and you press the
<Left Arrow> key the cursor will move up one line and jump to
the end of it.
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Right One Character <Right> or <^D>
The <Right Arrow> key will move the cursor one character to
the right. If the cursor should reach the right edge of the
Editor Window, the cursor will move down one line, and then
will move to the beginning of the line. For example, if the
cursor is on the right edge of the Editor window and you
press the <Right Arrow> key the cursor will move down one
line and jump to the beginning of it.
Beginning Of Line <Home> or <^QS>
The <Home> key will move the cursor to the beginning of the
current line.
End Of Line <End> or <^QD>
The <End> key will move the cursor to the end of the current
line.
Up One Page <Page Up> or <^R>
The <Page Up> key will scroll the Scratch.Pad up one screen.
Down One Page <Page Down> or <^C>
The <Page Down> key will scroll the Scratch.Pad down one
screen.
Left One Word <^Left> or <^A>
The <^Left Arrow> key will move the cursor one word to the
left.
Right One Word <^Right> or <^F>
The <^Right Arrow> key will move the cursor one word to the
right.
Top Of File <^Page Up> or <^QR>
The <^Page Up> key will move the cursor to the top of the
Scratch.Pad.
Bottom Of File <^Page Down> or <^QC>
The <^Page Down> key will move the cursor to the bottom of
the Scratch.Pad.
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Top Of Marked Block <^F7> or <^QB>
The <^F7> key will position the cursor at the top of the
Marked Block.
Bottom Of Marked Block <^F8> or <^QK>
The <^F8> key will position the cursor at the bottom of the
Marked Block.
Scroll Message Mode Commands
Introduction
The Scroll Message Mode commands enable you to access and
read all the messages in the conference topic (or mail) that
you are Posting to.
Key Chart
Key Command Alternate
--- ------- ---------
<Alt-S> Enter Scroll Message Mode <NONE>
<Up Arrow> Previous Page or Message <NONE>
<Down Arrow> Next Page <NONE>
<Escape> Exit Scroll Message Mode <NONE>
Enter Scroll Message Mode <Alt-S>
The <Alt-S> is used to enter the Scroll Message Mode. When
you activate the Scroll Message Mode, the Editor closes to
reveal the message or memo under it.
Previous Page or Message <Up Arrow>
The <Up Arrow> key is used to go back a page or message from
the current position. If you are on page one of the message,
<Up Arrow> will go back to the first page of the previous
message. If you are on a page other than the first, it will
go back to the previous page. You can continue to go back
until you reach the first message in the file.
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Next Page <Down Arrow>
The <Down Arrow> key is used to go the next page. This key
will only move a page at a time and will not skip over pages
to go to the next message. You can continue to go forward
until you reach the last message in the file.
Exit Scroll Message Mode <Escape>
The <Escape> key is used to exit Scroll Message Mode. When
you press <Escape>, the Editor will open and place you at the
position you were when it closed.
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Communication Link Command Summary
Introduction
The Communication Link commands are used to interface with BIX
manually. All commands are executed by pressing the keys
associated with the command or selecting it from the Menu
System. The Menu System can be activated by pressing <Escape>.
To abort a Communication Link command once it is executing,
press the <^C> key.
The Communication Link commands will only work from the
following list of BIX prompts. They will *NOT* work from BIX's
Menu System.
Prompt System
------ ------
: Main
Read: or R: Read
Mail: or M: Mail
The Communication Link commands are divided into four
categories: File, Blink, Output, and Keyboard. Each category
and the commands associated with it will be discussed in this
chapter.
File Commands <Alt-F>
Introduction
The various File commands are used to edit and transfer
files, and to log off BIX.
Key Chart
Key Command
--- -------
<C> Toggle Session Capture
<E> Editor
<H> Toggle Echo
<Q> Quick Exit
<R> Receive A File
<S> Send A File
<T> Transmit Scratch.Pad
<X> Log-off Then Exit
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Toggle Session Capture <Alt-F><C>
The Toggle Session Capture command is used to turn on and off
the capture of data to the Session.Txt file. The current
status of the Session Capture is displayed on the Menu. A
plus (+) will appear next to the command name Toggle Session
Capture when capture is on. The plus will not be visible
when capture is off. When the command is executed, it will
toggle the capture on and off.
If you want to capture a CBIX session, make sure the status
is on. You can then edit the Session.Txt file after you have
logged off BIX and save the portions of the file that you
want. The file will be in the \JLBLINK\BLOLD directory.
Editor <Alt-F><E>
The Editor command will activate JLBlink's editor for you to
use to compose a message or memo while you are on-line with
BIX. Follow the normal BIX procedures for posting a message
or memo while on-line until you reach BIX's editor. Once you
are in BIX's editor, press <Alt-F><E> to invoke JLBlink's
Editor. Compose your message or memo, press <Alt-O> to save
it, and then press <Alt-F><T> to transmit the message or memo
to BIX's editor. When you transmit the message or memo, you
will automatically be exited from BIX's editor and placed at
one of BIX's action prompts. Proceed as you would normally
from this point.
See the Editor chapter for details concerning the commands
available while in the Editor.
Toggle Echo <Alt-F><H>
The Toggle Echo command is used to toggle the local echo of
characters that you type. If you are seeing two characters
for every character that you type, you will need to toggle
the local echo. If you are not seeing any characters that
you type, you will also need to toggle the local echo.
Quick Exit <Alt-F><Q>
The Quick Exit command is just that, a quick way out of the
Communication Link. The Quick Exit command can be used to
bypass the automatic log-off from BIX; it immediately exits
the Communication Link. If you should lose your connection
with BIX, the Quick Exit command should be used to exit the
Communication Link.
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Receive A File <Alt-F><R>
The Receive A File command is used to receive a file from BIX
to a local file of your choice. You will be given the option
of Text or Binary file.
Text <Alt-F><R><T>
The Receive Text File command is used to receive the
contents of your BIX Scratchpad. You will be prompted for
a file name to receive the BIX Scratchpad to. The current
working directory will be assumed unless you supply the
full path name. If the file exists, you will be given a
choice of Overwriting the existing file, Appending to it,
or Aborting the command. To abort the command when you
are prompted for a file name, press the <Escape> key. To
abort once transmission has started, press <^C>.
The total number of lines and characters that are received
will be displayed in the Communication Link Window as your
BIX Scratchpad is being captured. If your BIX Scratchpad
is received without errors, the Communication Link will
automatically Clear your BIX Scratchpad for you. If you
abort the command by pressing <^C>) or an error is
detected during the transfer, the Communication Link will
NOT Clear your BIX Scratchpad.
The Receive Text File command signals its completion with
a colon prompt.
Binary <Alt-F><R><B>
The Receive Binary File command is used to receive a file,
such as a .Zip file in the Listings Area, from BIX using
either Xmodem or Xmodem/1K. To use the command you must
have BIX setup and ready to send a file. For example, if
you wish to receive your scratchpad with Xmodem, you will
need to make sure that your BIX profile is setup with the
proper protocol (Opt Down Xmodem Quit) and then type in
the BIX command "Download". Once BIX has responded to the
"Download" command you will then press <Alt-F><R><B> to
start the command. Remember, BIX must be setup and ready
to send a file *BEFORE* you start the Receive Binary File
command.
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You will be prompted for the name of the file that you are
going to receive. The current working directory will be
assumed unless you specify the full path name. You may
abort the Receive Binary File command when prompted for a
file name by pressing the <Escape> key. After you supply
the file name you will be prompted for a protocol to use,
select the appropriate protocol to continue or press the
<Escape> key to abort the command. The Receive Binary
File command will sign-on and start the error-free
protocol transfer of the file. The progress of the
transfer is displayed in the Communication Link Window.
You may abort the Receive Binary File command at this
point by pressing <^C>.
Send A File <Alt-F><S>
The Send A File command is used to send a file of your choice
to BIX. You will be given the option of Text or Binary file.
Text <Alt-F><S><T>
The Send Text File command is used to send (transmit) a
text file to BIX. You will be prompted for the name of a
text file to send. The current working directory will be
assumed unless you supply a full path name. To abort the
command when you are prompted for a file name, press the
<Escape> key. To abort once transmission has started,
press <^C>.
The total number of lines and characters that are sent
will be displayed in the Communication Link Window as the
text file is being transmitted to BIX. If the
Communication Link should detect an error message from BIX
while the transmission is in progress, it will notify you
of the fact by displaying the error message along with the
current error count. The error counter is increased by a
count of one (1) for every error it detects. The
Communication Link will abort the transmission of the text
file if more than five (5) error messages from BIX are
detected during the transmission of a text file.
Errors which may occur during the transmission of a text
file can be caused by such things as misspelled BIX
commands or conference names, or they may be the results
of line noise. If you happen to be having a problem with
line noise, log-off and try at a later time. If you are
not having problems with line noise, you should examine
the text file for such common errors as misspellings and
missing BIX commands.
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Send A Binary File <Alt-F><S><B>
The Send Binary File command is the complement of the
Receive Binary File command. Just like the Receive Binary
File command, you *MUST* have BIX setup and ready to
receive a file *BEFORE* you use the Send Binary File
command. For example, to send a file to your BIX
scratchpad you need to make sure that your BIX profile is
setup with the proper protocol and then type in the BIX
command "Upload". BIX's "Upload" command will sign-on and
send an acknowledgment character. The acknowledgment
character will appear in the Communication Link Window and
is a sign that BIX is ready to receive your file. You can
and should start the Send Binary File command at this time
by pressing <Alt-F><S><B>.
The Send Binary File command will prompt you for the name
of the file to send to BIX. The current working directory
will be assumed unless you supply the full path name. You
may abort the Send Binary File command when you are
prompted for the file name by pressing the <Escape> key.
The Send Binary File command will then sign-on and display
the progress of the transfer. You may abort the Send
Binary File command at this point by pressing <^C>.
Transmit Scratch.Pad <Alt-F><T>
The Transmit Scratch.Pad command is used to transmit the
JLBlink Scratch.Pad to BIX's editor. You should be in BIX's
editor before you attempt to use the Transmit Scratch.Pad
command.
To use the Transmit Scratch.Pad command, place yourself in
BIX's editor and then press <Alt-F><T>. This will cause the
Communication Link to automatically transmit the Scratch.Pad
to BIX. Once the file has been transmitted, the
Communication Link will transmit the period (".") to
automatically exit BIX's editor which will leave you at one
of BIX's action prompts.
Log-Off Then Exit <Alt-F><X>
This is the normal exit path from the Communication Link and
BIX. If you logged on the Communication Link in Auto or
Blink mode, this exit path will automatically execute the
Logoff.Bmc file to log you off of BIX properly and then exit
the Communication Link.
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Blink Commands <Alt-B>
Introduction
The Blink commands are used to process various BIX
transactions. You can Blink all your 'unread' messages and
memos, and process all your UpBlink and DownBlink Scripts.
It is recommended that you always download messages before
you upload the messages you have composed, or you may get
duplicate messages in your Data Base.
Key Chart
Key Command
--- -------
<C> Conference Messages
<D> DownBlink Script(s)
<M> Mail Memos
<U> UpBlink Script(s)
Conference Messages <Alt-B><C>
The Conference Messages command is used to download all your
new messages from BIX. It captures the new messages to a
file named Newmess.Txt and then returns to BIX's main system
prompt.
The Conference Messages command can be executed as many times
as you like during a session if your Scratchpad Protocol is
set to ASCII. Each time all new messages will automatically
be appended to the end of the Newmess.Txt file.
The New Messages command signals its completion with a colon
prompt.
DownBlink Script(s) <Alt-B><D>
The DownBlink Script(s) command will automatically transmit
any and all DownBlink Script files to BIX. It will capture
your BIX Scratchpad to one disk file per DownBlink Script
file.
Mail Memos <Alt-B><M>
The Mail Memos command is used to download all new mail from
BIX. It captures the new mail memos to a file named
Newmail.Txt. You can also optionally delete or remove from
your InBasket any memos which are captured.
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The Mail Memos command will first join the BIX Mail System
and look for new memos. If no new memos exist, you will be
returned to BIX's Main System prompt.
The Mail Memos command can be executed as many times as you
like during a session if you ScratchPad Protocol is set to
ASCII. Each time all new memos will automatically be
appended to the end of the Newmail.Txt file.
The New Memos command signals its completion with a colon
prompt.
UpBlink Script(s) <Alt-B><U>
The UpBlink Script(s) command will automatically transmit any
and all UpBlink Script files to BIX. For example, if
Toconf.Upb and Tomail.Upb exists, they will both be sent to
BIX.
Output Commands <Alt-O>
Introduction
The Output Commands are used to transmit a BREAK Signal or an
Escape character to BIX.
Key Chart
Key Command
--- -------
<B> Send BREAK Signal
<E> Send Escape Character
Send BREAK Signal <Alt-O><B>
The Send BREAK Signal command sends a BREAK signal to BIX.
Send Escape Character <Alt-O><Escape>
The Send Escape Character sends an Escape character to BIX.
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Keyboard Commands
The following commands can only be executed from the keyboard
and are not available on the Menu System.
Stop Execution <^C>
The Stop Execution command stops the execution of a
Communication Link command.
Cancel Blink Mode<^Z>
The Cancel Blink Mode command will put the Communication Link
in terminal mode after all the commands in the Blink.Bmc have
been executed.
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Communication Link Script Commands Summary
Introduction
A Communication Link Command Script is an ASCII file that
contains one or more Communication Link Script Commands per
file. Each Script Command must be on a line by itself.
Comments can appear on any line that does not contain a Script
Command. All Command Scripts must have an extension of ".bmc".
All Command Scripts must appear in the \JLBLINK\BLSUPP. The
following is a list of Communication Link Script Commands:
Name Action
---- ------
Blink Execute a Blink command.
Capture Turn on/off Session Capture.
Echo Turn on/off echo status.
Getc Get a character from the communication port
that matches the sample character.
Gets Get a string from the communications port that
matches the sample string.
Puts Print a string of characters to the
communications port.
Screen Turn on/off, or clear the display of
characters in the Communication Link Window.
Show Print a string to the Communication Link
Window.
Silence Wait for so many seconds of silence.
Wait Wait for so many seconds.
Watch Watch for string before proceeding to next
command.
Each Script Command is discussed in detail later in this
section.
The syntax of all Script Commands is:
command "action or string"
Where "command" is the name of the Script Command (which can be
in any case) and "action or string" is an action or string which
is always enclosed in double quotes (").
The Script Command string can contain any legal C escape
sequence, for instance, to include an ASCII Carriage Return in
your string, use the C escape sequence of "\r". The action can
be any mixture of case.
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The Blink Command
The Blink command is used to execute any of the following
Communication Link commands:
Blink Option Command
------------ -------
Down DownBlink Script(s) <Alt-B><D>
Up UpBlink Script(s) <Alt-B><U>
Mail New Memos <Alt-B><M>
Messages New Messages <Alt-B><C>
For example, to Blink all your new messages, you would include
the following line in your Command Script file:
Blink "MESSAGES"
The Capture Command
The Capture command is used to turn on and off the Session
Capture or to capture the BIX Scratchpad to disk. There are
three options for the Capture command and they are "ON",
"OFF",or "FILENAME.EXT". For example, to turn on the Session
Capture, you would include the following line in your Command
Script file:
Capture "ON"
To Capture the contents of the BIX Scratchpad, you would include
a line such as:
Capture "C:\JLBLINK\BLNEW\NEWMESS.TXT"
The Echo Command
The Echo command is used to report to the Communication Link the
current echo state of the path. There are two options for the
Echo command and they are "ON" which states the path does echo
characters and "OFF" which states the path does not echo
characters. You should use this command if you change the echo
state of the path while executing a Command Script. For
example, if you change the echo state of the path so it no
longer echoes characters, you must include the following line in
your Command Script after the line that changes the echo state:
Echo "OFF"
The above example tells the Communication Link that the path
does not echo characters so it needs to.
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NOTE: "Echo" refers to displaying, on the screen, the
characters you type or transmit. The term "path" refers to the
complete communications link to BIX. For instance, you will
more than likely be accessing BIX through the use of an
intelligent modem which can alter the echo state of the path and
you may also be accessing BIX through a commercial wide area
network which can also alter the echo state of the path.
If the echo state of the path changes during the execution of a
Command Script or because of something you have done manually,
you *must* tell the Communication Link what the current echo
state is.
The Getc Command
The Getc command is used to halt the execution of a Command
Script until the Communication Link receives a character that
matches the sample character. For example, the following Script
Command will halt the execution of the Command Script until the
Communication Link receives a question mark or the value of the
Setup Parameter "Time Out" is exceeded:
Getc "?"
The Communication Link will display an annunciator in the bottom
status line of the Communication Link Window advising you that
it is currently waiting to receive the sample character. You
may abort the wait by pressing <^C>. If the Communication Link
has to wait longer than the value of the Setup Parameter
"Time Out" for activity, it will abort the wait automatically
and fail the command.
The Gets Command
The Gets command is used to halt the execution of a Command
Script until the Communication Link receives a string of
characters that matches the sample string or the value of the
Setup Parameter "Time Out" is exceeded. For example, the
following Script Command will halt the execution of a Command
Script until it receives the string "Welcome":
Gets "Welcome"
The Communication Link will display an annunciator in the bottom
status line of the Communication Link Window advising you that
it is currently waiting to receive a string that matches the
sample string. You may abort the wait by pressing <^C>. If the
Communication Link has to wait longer than the value of the
Setup Parameter "Time Out" for activity, it will abort the wait
automatically and fail the command.
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The Puts Command
The Puts command will output, to the communications port, the
sample string. For example, the following Script Command
outputs, to the communications port, the string "BIX" followed
by an ASCII Carriage Return:
Puts "BIX\r"
The Screen Command
The Screen command is used to control the display of characters
in the CL Window. There are three options for the Screen
command and they are: "Clear", "Off", and "On". Clear will
clear the Communication Link Window, Off will turn off the
display of characters in the Communication Link Window, and On
will turn on the display of characters. For example, the
following Script Command clears the Communication Link Window:
Screen "CLEAR"
The Show Command
The Show command is used to display a string of characters in
the Communication Link Window. The string is not transmitted.
For example, the following Script Command displays the string
"Start Of Blink" in the Communication Link Window:
Show "Start Of Blink\n"
The Silence Command
The Silence command is used to halt the execution of a Command
Script until the Communication Link detects the indicated number
of seconds of silence. For example, the following Script
Command will halt execution until the Communication Link detects
6 seconds of silence:
Silence "6"
The Communication Link will display a prompt in the bottom
status line of the Communication Link Window advising you that
it is currently waiting for sample seconds of silence. You may
abort the wait by pressing <^C>.
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The Wait Command
The Wait command is used to halt the execution of a Command
Script for sample number of seconds. For example, the following
Script Command will halt the execution of a Command Script for 2
seconds:
Wait "2"
The Watch Command
The Watch command allows the user to tell the Communication Link
to perform a series of commands if a particular string is found
in the input stream. The syntax of the Watch command is:
Watch_Start
Command
...
Watch_00(nn) "String 1 to watch for"
Command
...
Watch_01(nn) "String 2 to watch for"
Command
...
Watch_Del_00
Watch_Del_01
Watch_End
Where:
Watch_Start:
Marks the beginning of the watch statement. All commands,
such as Gets, Puts, etc., that are encountered between the
Watch_Start and the first Watch_xx statement are executed.
The Communication Link will, upon encountering the first
Watch_xx statement, load all the strings that are to be
watched for and immediately start watching the input
stream for all the strings. The Watch command will
continue to watch the input stream until *ALL* watches
have been deleted.
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Watch_00(nn) - Watch_09(nn):
Adds a string to the watch list. The Communication Link
can handle up to ten strings per watch statement. The
string lengths are not limited. The strings can include C
escape sequences such as "\r", "\n", and "\xnn". All
watches are case-sensitive!
If the Communication Link detects a string of characters
from the input stream that matches a watch string, all
commands between the Watch_xx command that inserted the
string into the watch list and the next Watch_xx or
Watch_end statements are executed.
(nn) is the maximum number of times the watch statement
should be allowed to execute. It can be from 1-99 or
defaults to 50 is no count is given. If any watch count
is exceeded, the script will abort with an error
condition.
Command:
Can be any Comm Link Command Script command with the
exception of the Watch command -- Watches can *NOT* be
nested.
Watch_Del_00 - Watch_Del_09:
Removes a string from the watch list.
NOTE: *ALL* watches *MUST* be deleted to terminate the
Watch command.
Watch_End:
Marks the end of the Watch command. *ALL* Watch commands
*MUST* end with a Watch_End statement.
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