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Text File | 1990-04-03 | 35KB | 711 lines

`1============================================================================ MAIN MENU HELP: (NOTE: Not all commands are available to unvalidated users.) MESSAGE COMMANDS ---------------- S - Scan messages on the current sub-board. This command allows you to read the messages on the sub-board you are currently on. The current sub-board name and number are shown on the main menu prompt. Q - Quickscan current sub-board. This will read the new messages on the current sub-board. N - Newscan. Newscan quickscans all the sub-boards. P - Post. This will allow you to post a message on the current sub-board. R - Remove. This allows you to remove messages you have previously posted. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO WWIVnet POSTS. WWIVnet posts will still be sent out to the host and distributed throughout the network, unless your sysop has created a special on-line chain or modification that allows you to delete the WWIVnet outgoing post. * - Board list. You will be given a list of sub-boards you have access to. Z - Express newscan. This will read all new messages on all selected sub-boards, but without pausing between messages. This is useful for capturing all new messages, then logging off, and calling back later to reply. Number - Typing a number will change the current sub-board to that sub-board number. MAIL COMMANDS ------------- C - Chat with the sysop. This command turns on a sysop page, which may attract the attention of the sysop. F - Feedback. This enables you to send a letter to the sysop personally. M - read Mail. This lets you read mail addressed to you personally. E - E-mail. You will be able to send mail to other users. /E - E-mail to more than one user. This will let you send the same piece of mail to up to 20 different people. If the sysop has created one, you also have the option of being able to use a pre-defined mailing list. ACCOUNT COMMANDS ---------------- Y - Your info. Information is displayed about your user account. X - eXpert mode. This will toggle the automatic display of the main menu at each prompt. D - Default change. This lets you set your screen size, ANSI state, password, set your macros, and the sub-boards you want quickscanned in a N:ewscan, along with several other user options. K - Kill old E-mail. If you send a piece of mail that you later decide you didn't actually want to send, you can delete it with this command. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO WWIVnet E-MAIL. BOARD COMMANDS -------------- T - File system. This lets you upload and download files. A - Auto-message. This allows you to change the auto-message seen when users first log on. V - Vote. There are up to 19 questions that you may vote on. B - BBS list. This will allow you to display the numbers of other BBS systems, to add other systems to the list, and display a current listing of WWIVnet BBS systems. G - G-files. These are general-interest files that you may view. I - Info on system. This will display the logon message and other general information about the system. L - Log of the day. This displays a list of users who logged on today. U - User list. This shows a list of users of the system. O - Off the system. This logs you off. . - Other (external) programs available. /O - Log off immediately. `2============================================================================ BOARD COMMANDS -------------- Q - Quit back to the BBS main menu. O - Log off the BBS. /O - Quick log off. C - Chat with the sysop. Y - Displays your file transfer statistics. LISTING FILES ------------- L - List matching files in this directory. S - Search for matching files in ALL directories. F - Find matching file description. A - Archive listing of interior files. Files that have the extension .ARC actually contain other files in them. This command will list out the files that are containted within them, along with the sizes of the files. You may enter global-filename characters, such as "*.ARC" to list out the interior files for all .ARC files. N - This will list all the new files since your last logon. T - Transfer defaults. This will allow you to set your default protocol, which directories will be scanned in an n-scan, and whether or not to do an n-scan of the transfer system after an n-scan of the message base, along with several other options. P - Set the date for a new file scan. If you wish to see all new files since last week, you may enter a date for last week, and N:ew file searches will list out those files uploaded on or after the date you enter. B - Download YMODEM Batch. If you marked any files to be downloaded with YMODEM Batch protocol, use this option to download them. You also have the option here of deleting files out of the download queue. FILE TRANSFER ------------- U - Upload a file to the current directory. D - Download a file from the current directory. You may enter global filename characters, such as "*.PAS", and you may download all .PAS files. After listing out information on each matching file, you will be asked for the protocol you wish to use. If you decide you do not wish to download it, hit "Q" or "0", and you will not. R - Remove file. If you have uploaded a file, and you wish to remove it, you can do so with this option. Z - Submit file to the sysop. If you want to send a file to the sysop only, use the Z command instead of U. `3============================================================================ This command will page the sysop to come to the computer to chat with you. You must enter a reason for chatting, such as "VALIDATION," or some other meaningful reason. The page will continue until you hang up or turn it off by hitting "C" at the main menu again. If you do not wish to do this, just hit <ENTER> here. `4============================================================================ Here you may change certain information about your terminal and the way you want the BBS to respond to you. The options are: 1. Screen size. The screen width is usually 40 or 80, although some terminals use 32 or 64. This information is used to format messages for your screen size. The number of lines on your display is also asked for. Most computers have 25 lines per screen. 2. ANSI graphics. If your terminal supports ANSI graphics, you should have this option set ON. It will allow the BBS to change the color of text on your screen and move the cursor around more efficiently. If you have it set on, you will also have to tell whether or not you have a color screen. 3. Pause on screen. If you are using a high-speed modem, some information may scroll off the screen faster than you can read it. You may use ctrl-S or "P" to pause the screen, but it might be easier to use this option. If the pause is set on, the BBS will pause when your screen is full of information, wait for you to hit a key, and then resume. 4. Mailbox. You have the option here of having your mail forwarded to another user, or a user on a WWIVnet system (if this system is a member of WWIVnet). For example, if you will be on vacation you may want your mail forwarded. If you call other WWIVnet BBS systems, and this system is also a member of WWIVnet, you might also want to use this feature to forward all your mail to one mailbox, which reduces the time required on each BBS (by receiving all your e-mail at one location). 5. Configured Q-scan. This lets you identify which sub-boards you want to scan for new messages in a N:ewscan. 6. Change password. If you want to change your password, this option should be used. 7. Change macros. There are three user-defined macros, which can be set using this option. To use these macros, you simply hit Ctrl-D, Ctrl-F, or Ctrl-A (respectively) from ANYWHERE in the BBS, and the macro you have set will be replayed. 8. Colors. If you have the ANSI graphics option set on, you will be able to set which colors you would like displayed for prompts, questions, etc. 9. Select full screen editor. If you have the ANSI graphics option turned on, then this option will allow you to select an external full screen editor for use when posting. This option will spit out an error message: "No full screen editors available." ...if the sysop has not installed any full screen editors. A. Extended colors. If you have the ANSI graphics toggle set to 'On', then you will see this option. Turning this option 'On' will allow you to see several different colors when listing files in the transfer section (makes the file lists look more colorful and more easily read). `5=========================================================================== This feature enables you to send the same piece of mail to up to 20 different users. You may want to do this if you are, say, notifying people of an upcoming meeting. The options at this menu are: ? - Print menu Q - Quit back to main menu A - Add user numbers (WWIVnet node addresses are not allowed) to the current mailing list. The BBS will present you with a ">" prompt. At that prompt, you will enter a user name or number, ONE PER LINE, until either the list is full or you hit <ENTER> at a blank prompt to terminate input. M - Use a pre-defined mailing list. If the sysop has created any mailing list files, then a list of the will be presented to you. You simply select the proper mailing list, and the BBS will automatically put the users listed in the mailing list file into the current mailing list. E - Send multi-mail. Once you have added users to the current mailing list (by using A or M commands), then this option will input the message you wish to send, and then distribute it to all the people in the current mailing list. D - Delete. This option allows you to delete a user from the current mailing list. L - List. This will display all the users in the current mailing list. `6=========================================================================== You now are entering the title for a post or email. The title should be a one-line description of what your message is going to be about. `7=========================================================================== Here you may specify which sub-boards you want scanned for new messages in a [N]ewscan. In the list, a "*" before the sub-board indicates that that sub-board will be new-scanned. If you do not want a sub-board new-scanned that is marked, just type the number of the sub-board, and it will be un-marked. To re-mark the sub-board, just enter the sub-board number again. `8=========================================================================== If you have sent a piece of mail that you decide you actually didn't want to send, you may remove it with this command. Each un-read piece of mail you have sent will be gone through, and you may optionally delete them. For each piece of mail, the destination user, title, and how many days it was sent will be printed out. Your options here are: R - Read the piece of mail. D - Delete it. N - Go on to the next piece. Q - Quit back to the main menu. `9========================================================================== You are being asked to enter a file mask. Specifying a file mask allows you to specify only files that fit that mask. A mask is specified in standard PC-DOS notation, such as "*.*" to list all files, or "*.PAS" for all files with the .PAS extension, or any other such name, which may include "?" or "*". If you just hit enter without any other input, it will default to "*.*", for all the files. `10========================================================================= You now have a listing of who you have mail waiting from. You can enter the number of the piece of mail you wish to start reading at, or you can just hit enter to read all the mail you have waiting sequentially, starting at the first piece. `11========================================================================= You are being asked where to start listing the titles of messages. You are given a numeric range of the messages, and you may start listing the titles anywhere in that range. Optionally, you may type "S" to go directly to the message read prompt, or "Q" to quit back to the main menu. `12========================================================================= If you continue (by hitting 'Y'), then you will be logged off the BBS, and connection will be broken. `13========================================================================= You are being asked to enter a date for new files. The date you enter here will be used when you do a new file search ("N"). The files listed in a new file search will be any files that were uploaded on or after the date you specify. NOTE: The date MUST be in the format of MM/DD/YY (ex. 01/01/90). You should be extra careful to include an extra '0' (ie. 1/1/90 is NOT acceptable). `14========================================================================= You are being asked to identify a user. You may enter the user's name or user number. Optionally, you may also enter only part of the user's name, and the BBS will search through the user list for all users whose names contain the part that you entered. `15========================================================================= This allows you to remove a message you have posted. You will be presented with a list of the messages you have posted on the current board, and you will be asked which one to delete. You may enter the number of the message you wish to delete, or just hit <enter> if you do not wish to delete one. If the post you wish to be removed was posted on a WWIVnet sub-board, then the post will only be removed from this BBS, IT WILL STILL BE SENT TO OTHER WWIVnet BBS systems. `16========================================================================= This is the message read prompt. In the prompt line, you are told the range of message numbers, and the last message number you have read. Your options are: <ENTER> - This reads the next message. "-" - Hitting the minus key will read the previous message. # - Entering a number will read that message number. Q - This will quit back to the main menu. B - If you are in a N:ewscan, this will cause you to stop reading the messages on this sub-board, and go on to the sub-board and begin reading new messages there. T - This will list the titles of the next 10 messages. P - This allows you to post a message at the end of this board. A - Auto-reply to last message. This will let you send a piece of mail to the person who wrote the last message you have read. R - Re-read the last message. W - Post with REgards to the current message (reply to current msg). ? - Prints out menu. `17========================================================================= After entering a filename for upload, the BBS will check to make sure that that filename is valid, and isn't already in use. If it is valid and not currently in use, then you will be asked to make sure you want to upload it. If so, you will be asked for a one-line description of the file. The description should give some general information about the file, such as what it does and/or what version it is. A description may be up to 60 characters long. After that, you will be asked if you wish to enter an extended description. This describes the file in more detail, and can be up to 10 lines of 50 characters each. You hit <ENTER> on a blank line to end input there. After entering the descriptions, you will be asked what protocol you would like to use. Hit "?" for a list of valid protocols. After you tell which protocol, the BBS will wait for you to start sending the file. If you get this far, and then decide you don't want to upload it, hit Ctrl-X several times, and wait for the BBS to abort the protocol and return you to the menu prompt. `18========================================================================= Users may vote on certain topics which the Sysop picks. When you first enter the voting section, you will be given a list of topics you may vote on. Enter the number of the topic you wish to vote on. After specifying a topic, you will be given a status of how the votes are so far, and be shown what your current vote is, and asked if you wish to change it. If you do, you will be asked to enter which response NUMBER you wish to change it to. `19========================================================================= The auto-message is read by all users when they first log on. This section gives you three options: R. Read the current auto-message. W. Write a new auto-message. If you do write a new auto-message, it will be three lines long, each 36 characters long. Certain users CANNOT use this option due to their access. A. Reply to current auto-message. This will send a piece of mail to the author of the current auto-message. N. If this BBS is a member of WWIVnet, then this option will print out every BBS in WWIVnet (around 500 at the writing of this help file). `20======================================================================== When you choose this option from the file transfer main menu, you may enter the filename you wish to download using global filename characters, such as "*" and "?". So if you enter, say, "*.PAS", you will be given the option of downloading all matching files in the current directory. You ARE NOT required to enter the file extension. After you specify a file, you will be given information on that file, such as the description, who uploaded it, and when it was upload, as well as the file length. The file length is given as the number of k long the file is (1k=1024 bytes). The approximate trasfer time is also given, although this is usually an over-estimate if you have a good connection. You will then be asked what transfer protocol to use. Hit "?" for a list of protocols. If you do not wish to download this file, hit "0", or "Q". If you decide to download the file with YMODEM Batch protocol, it will be added to a "queue." When you wish to download the files marked for Batch protocol, from the download main menu hit "B". You will then have the option of downloading those files. `21========================================================================== Here you may search the file DESCRIPTIONS to find matching entries. You may, for example, search for "BBS", to find any files which may have to do with BBS's. All descriptions are converted to uppercase first, so you do not have to worry about whether to use upper or lower case. `22========================================================================== Here you have 4 main options: D - Download the files marked for batch transmission. L - List the files marked for transmission. R - Remove a file from the queue (by its number). C - Clear the batch queue. NOTE: You must have a terminal program which supports batch downloading. `23========================================================================== This option allows you to view the contents of a compressed (archived) file. You first enter the name, with or without an extension, of a file that is in the current d/l directory. The BBS then checks to be sure the filename you typed in is a supported archive format. If it is, then the BBS will list all the file's internal contents. If a compressed format is not recognized by the BBS, I recommend that you contact the sysop for details. `24========================================================================== Here you may specify which directories you want newscanned in a newscan of the transfer section. In the list, a "*" before the directory indicates that that directory will be newscanned. If you do not want a directory newscanned that is marked, just type the number of the directory, and it will be un-marked. To re-mark the directory, just enter the directory number again. `25=========================================================================== You may now add the phone number of a BBS to the system list. You must enter the phone number in the form of ###-###-####. Then you must enter the name of the system, and any other information about it, such as operating hours. After that, you will be asked for the maximum baud rate of the BBS. If you do not know what the maximum rate is, just hit return. After you enter the system name, you will be asked for a 4 character system type, such as WWIV, RBBS, FIDO, WCAT, etc. `26========================================================================== You have just been presented with a list of on-line programs that the sysop has installed. You may now type in the number (listed directly on the left of the on-line program's description) of the on-line program you wish to run, you may hit '?' to get the system to re-list the on-line program descriptions, or you can hit 'Q' to return back to the BBS main menu. On-line programs are also known as "doors", or "chains" on other BBS systems. `27========================================================================== You now can enter the text of your message. Words will be wrapped automatically for you. While writing your message, or after you have finished entering the message, there are several "slash commands" that you may use. You MUST type these in on a blank line. They are: /es - This saves the message. /ti - This allows you to change the title of the message. /esy - This saves the message, and sets it to "anonymous", if that option is available for you at that time. /esn - This saves the message, and also sets it to "non-anonymous", if that option is available for you at that time. /abt - This aborts the message, and nothing is saved. /clr - This clears the message and allows you to start over. /li - This lists what you have entered so far, optionally with line numbers. /rl - This lets you replace the last line you have entered. Essentially, it deletes the last line you have typed. /c: - this centers a line on the screen. /su/str1/str2 - this substitutes str1 in the previous line with str2 Example of centering: /c:this is centered you get: this is centered Example of substitution: "this is some text i am typing." /su/some/a lot of you will get: "this is a lot of text i am typing." for your previous line. Ctrl- keys: The following control keys are available: Ctrl-F - Ctrl-F macro Ctrl-D - Ctrl-D macro Ctrl-A - Ctrl-A macro Ctrl-N - backspacing. This inserts a backspace in your line Ctrl-X - Delete entire line. Ctrl-W - Back a word. This deletes the current word you are typing. Ctrl-I - Tab. (or your tab key) Ctrl-P - This will allow you to change colors within your text. To do this, simply hit Ctrl-P followed by a number (0-7). This will change your current color to that color number. (Go to the default section, option #9 to find which numbers correspond to which colors.) To see the colors, you must have the ANSI option turned on. `28========================================================================== You are now in the "General Text File" section of the BBS. When you first enter, you are presented with a list of sections, which text files are divided up and placed into. Once you choose the desired section (by typing in the number to the left of the section's description), then you will be presented with a list of text files within that section. Here you may choose a text file to read, by hitting the number corresponding to the number to the left of the desired description, or you may hit 'Q' to quit back to the section selection menu. From there, you may choose another section, or hit 'Q' to quit back to the BBS main menu. `29========================================================================== This option will extract the files from the specified archive, and place them in a temporary directory on the BBS's hard drive. You enter the filespec to extract (you may use DOS wildcards such as '?' and '*'), you may hit 'Q' to quit, or simply type '?' by itself for a listing of the archive's internal contents. Once you have extracted all the files you wish, you may then go to the Arc Commands section ('G' from the file transfer menu) and manipulate them (download selected files, view text, etc). `30========================================================================== This section allows the manipulation of files in the BBS temporary directory. In order to use this function, you MUST have first extracted at least one file from an archive, using the 'E' command. After that is done, you are presented with a list of options, they are: Q - (of course) Quit. Takes you back to the transfer menu prompt. D - Download temp arc. This allows the downloading of the temporary archive created by the 'A' command (see description below). You may download it via all the normal BBS file transfer protocols available. V - List temp arc. This command lists the contents of the temporary archive (created by the 'A' command, described below). A - Add temp arc. This command prompts you for a filespec (DOS wildcards ARE allowed) of files to add to the temporary archive. The files specified must already exist in the temporary directory. Once the filespec is determined as correct, then the BBS will execute the archiver (as installed by the sysop) to compress JUST the specified files into one archive, for later download. R - Remove files from temp. This function prompts you for a DOS filespec (again, DOS wildcards are supported). Once the filespec you entered has been determined as acceptable, then the BBS will erase the specified files from the temporary directory. L - List temp dir. This function lists all the files currently in the temporary directory, and then lists the free space in the temporary directory. T - This is another powerful command. This allows viewing of ANY text file in the temporary directory (again, DOS wildcards are allowed in the filespec). This is useful to view, say, the first few pages of documentation of a file to find out what is new. This saves a lot of time, and perhaps money too. ? - Prints the menu of commands available here at this prompt. These are VERY useful commands. For instance, say you wanted a 10k text file, but it was in a 450k archive. You could extract it from the archive (using the 'E' command at the transfer menu) into the temporary directory. After that, you could the text file to the temporary archive (compressing it even smaller) and download just that text file. This saved you the time from downloading that large 450k archive, just for one tiny little file. `31========================================================================== This command will allow you to move a file from one directory to another. This is useful if a user uploaded a file to the wrong file area, or if you wish to move a file out of public access (if you suspect it may have a virus, for example). After entering a file mask for the file(s) you wish to move, the system will prompt you, for each file, if you wish to move it or not. If you do, it will prompt you for the directory to move it to. Hitting '?' at this prompt will give you a list of possible directories. `32========================================================================== This section allows you to change several options in your user status. These options are: 1 - Set N-Scan directories. This option allows you to set which d/l directories you want to scan for new files, whenever you use the 'N' command at the transfer main menu, and also when(if) you scan for new files after reading new messages. 2 - Set default protocol. This option allows you to set your default file transfer protocol (such as Xmodem, Ymodem, Ymodem BATCH, and any other external protocols the sysop has chosen to install). This option is used to speed along file transfers. Whenever a "Protocol" prompt is encountered, setting this will allow you to simply hit <ENTER> and begin downloading with the chosen default protocol. 3 - Set N-Scan after message base. This toggle option allows you to specify whether or not you wish to scan for new files after you read new messages (N:ew-scan). 4 - Number of lines of extended description to print. Here you may specify the maximum number of lines of an extended file description to print (when L:isting d/l directories). Setting this to "0" will tell the BBS NOT to print any extended description, while setting it to "10" will tell the BBS to print out every line of each extended description listed. `33========================================================================== This option allows you to make a "macro", or a stored string, for use anywhere in the BBS. Here you may include any character, or string of characters in your macro. If the character is a Ctrl-Key, then a carat (^) will appear before the letter. You may not enter Ctrl-A, Ctrl-D, or Ctrl-F in your string. `34========================================================================== Your options, for each piece of mail that you have waiting, are: D - Delete the piece of mail. I - Ignore it. Keep it in your "mailbox" so you may come back and read it again later. R - Re-read the letter. A - Auto-reply to the letter. This deletes the letter, and enables you to send a letter in reply to whoever wrote it. S - Save the message and reply to it. F - Forward the mail. If you enter F, you will be asked for the name or number of the user to forward it to. If you decide not to forward it, just hit enter at this prompt. Q - Quit out of mail read, leaving the remaining letters in your mailbox. `35========================================================================== This option allows you to forward your mail to a different user on this BBS, or if this BBS is on WWIVnet, then you may forward your mail to a particular user on another system. `36========================================================================== This option allows you to select the different colors that are used in different places around the BBS. `37========================================================================== This option allows you to change your full screen editor default. If the sysop has no editors installed, the BBS will tell you so, otherwise, it will present you with a list of full screen editors available. You may choose any full screen editor, OR hit '0' to use WWIV's built-in non-full screen editor. `38========================================================================== This command allows you to remove a file. You may enter the file mask that you wish to use to specify which file(s) to remove. For each matching file, you will be asked if you really wish to remove it. Additionally, if you are a co-sysop, you will be prompted if you want to actually delete the file (as opposed to just removing it from the BBS database of available files, but leaving the file on the hard disk). If you do remove the file, you will be asked if you want to remove the upload credit the user got for uploading the file. `39========================================================================== This option allows you to change a specified file's information. You may change its MS-DOS filename, its description, or its extended description. MS-DOS wildcards are allowed. `40========================================================================== This allows you to select your default file protocol. If you select a default protocol, whenever you upload or download a file, this protocol will be used if you don't explicitly specify a different protocol. `41========================================================================== Here you may specify the maximum number of lines of an extended file description to print (when L:isting d/l directories). Setting this to "0" will tell the BBS NOT to print any extended description, while setting it to "10" will tell the BBS to print out every line of each extended description listed. `42========================================================================== The Uedit search allows you to enter a customized search string, specifying which users you wish to view. The search string is formatted similar to the argument to an 'if' statement in C, but is slightly different. The search string consists of 'function calls' and logical operators. Functions are: SL, DSL, AR, DAR, SEX, AGE, LASTON, AREACODE. Numerical functions (SL, DSL, AGE, LASTON) are always modified by a < or >. Non-numerical functions (AR, DAR, SEX, AREACODE) take ONE parameter. For example, you can specify only one AR, not a list. Parenthesis can be used anywhere for grouping. The symbol '&' stands for a logical 'and', and '|' stands for logical 'or'. Comparison operators (&,|) are interpreted left to right always, unless they are grouped using parens. The symbol '!' before a function call is a logical 'not'. Function parameters are passed between square brackets []. An example search string is: (SL<[50] & LASTON>[90]) | LASTON>[120] Matching users are: A user with SL<50 and hasn't been logged on in 90 days, or A user who hasn't been logged on in 120 days. Thus, if you wish to delete inactive users, but wish to give more time for higher SL users, you could use a string such as that. You can always enter a simple string such as 'AREACODE[213]' to find all the users in the 213 area code, or 'SEX[M] & AGE>[20]' for all males 21 and over. Or, perhaps 'AR[A]'. Note, however, if you want to match all users with an AR of A and B, you must say 'AR[A] & AR[B]'. 'AR[AB]' will -NOT- work. If your parens or brackets don't match, or if you misspell a function, there will be no error message. It won't hurt the BBS at all, but which users it matches will be pretty random.