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TPB-USER.MAN
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1987-12-08
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System User's Manual
for
TP-Board Version 2.0
Copyright (c) 1987 by Jon E. Schneider
=================================================================
TP-Board is based on the Pascal Integrated Communications System
(PICS), Copyright 1986, 1987 by Les Archambault. This software is
being distributed with his knowledge and consent. A large portion
of the TP-Board code is an exact duplicate of the PICS code.
=================================================================
This document is the User's Manual for TP-Board. In addition
to serving as your guide to TP-Board, it should be made available
for your remote users use. It's a lot easier to refer them to
this manual when they have questions than it is to be continually
answering the same questions from new users.
The following is a brief synopsis of TP-Boards features. You
will find it is as full featured as any other currently available
Bulletin Board system for the PC.
* Multiple message areas, including support for Fido-Net and
EchoMail areas.
* Multiple file areas.
* Multiple 'Articles'.
* 'Type' files online, including 'Squeezed' and individual LBR
and ARC member files.
* Send and receive files using all the popular protocols.
(Xmodem, Ymodem, Ymodem Batch, Imodem, and Zmodem single file).
Can even send individual ARC and LBR member files using the
Xmodem or Ymodem protocols.
* Chat with SysOp.
* File directories can be shown using file size or transfer
time.
* Support for ANSI graphics (user selectable).
* Upload a file, and have it automatically read into a
conference's message base.
* Change user parameters, including page and line length, prompt
bell, default protocol, etc.
Before I get into the explanation of the way that TP-Board
is organized, it is important to learn about the prompts that the
system gives you when it is waiting for you to type in a command
(at subsystem menus).
SYSTEM PROMPTS
The system prompt is the line that you see whenever the
system is waiting for an input from you at one of the sub-system
menus.
Prompts consist of several components:
A. Your time remaining on the BBS.
B. Current Subsystem (Message, Files, or Utilities)
C. Current Message Area or File Section.
D. Library or Archive name (if one is active)
For example:
32-Files NEWIN [press "?" for menu]>
^ ^ ^
A. B. C.
The above line indicates that you have 32 minutes remaining
on the system, are currently in the files subsystem, and are
logged into the NEWIN area. Should you enter an Archive, your
prompt might look something like the following:
13-Files NEWIN [VECTOR.ARC]>
^ ^ ^ ^
A. B. C. D.
When you are not at one of the subsystem command prompts and
the system is expecting you to type in one of several possible
commands, you will see something like:
Enter your command <A><B><C><D><Q><?> >
Here the possible commands are the letters contained inside
the <> symbols. Enter one of these, then a carriage return, and
the command will execute.
Generally, whenever you see a <Q> the Q may be used to Quit
the command presently being executed and return to the previous
menu. Using the ? will display an additional line of help for the
single letter commands, then re-prompt you for an answer.
COMMAND LINE ENTRIES
A command line entry is what you type in at the command
prompt. A general rule is most commands require a single letter
followed by a carriage return (CR) or Enter. The exception is
where names are required.
For example:
32-Message PC [press "?" for menu]> C;POST;R;S;C
|____________|
The above string will:
CHANGE AREA; POST AREA; READ MESSAGES; SINCE LAST ON; CONTINUOUSLY
The delimiter used above was a semi-colon, however a space
or a comma is also accepted. (ie. C POST R S C or C,POST,R,S,C
will both work).
The user may ask for help by typing "?" at any prompt. The
commands available for that particular area and their meanings
will then be displayed.
During most system display operations, TP-Board will respond
to Xon/Xoff control, i.e. when ^S (Xoff) is entered, the display
will pause until another key is pressed. Usually this will be ^Q
(Xon), but any key except ^C (ETX) or ^S will continue the
listing. ^C will stop the listing completely and usually return
you to the command prompt.
FILENAME WILDCARDS
TP-Board responds to wildcards in exactly the same manner as
DOS. If you are not familiar with their use, I would suggest that
you read your DOS manual.
COMMAND SYSTEMS
Approximately 40 commands are available to users of TP-Board.
These commands are grouped into three command subsystems. Within
each subsystem is a Menu of commands available.
Subsystem Primary Use
-------- -----------
Message Subsystem Enter and read messages to/from other users
Files Subsystem Send and Receive files
Utilities Subsystem Miscellaneous functions
Here is a detailed explanation of each subsystem:
MESSAGE SUBSYSTEM
This is the Message Subsystem menu. A detailed explanation
of each command follows the menu. Remember that the commands are
represented in the menu by the <A> notation where the command is
the letter inside the <> symbols.
TPBoard - Message System Menu
-------------={ Functions }=--------------- ---={ Other Menus }=---
<A>rticles to read <B>ulletin <F>ile transfer System
<C>hange message area <E>nter a message <U>tilities System
<I>nfo for new users <O>ther systems list
<Q>uick-scan messages <R>ead messages
<S>can messages <G>oodbye (logoff)
<W>elcome message
<A>rticles to read
Will display a menu of Sysop selected articles and allow
you to make selections for viewing.
<B>ulletin
This command redisplays the Bulletins that are displayed auto-
matically during each caller login.
<W>elcome
Will re-display the welcome message that you saw when you
first logged onto the system.
<C>hange message area
TP-Board supports multiple message areas, i.e. messages are
filed in groups by topic. After typing "C", enter the name of
the desired message area or enter "?" and <RETURN> to get a
menu of the message areas available. Any message area who's
name starts with a '-', i.e., '-TANDY', is an EchoMail
conference area. If the entry cannot be found, a short
version of the menu will be displayed and the system will
once again prompt for the message area.
<E>nter a message
Until you are validated, this command will automatically enter
all messages to the sysop.
Use this command to send a message to another user, the sysop, or
to all users (like posting a message on a bulletin board). If you
enter only a <RETURN> in response to the "FIRST name" prompt, the
message will go to all users. If you send to a particular person,
the system will verify the recipient name. If the system cannot
find the addressee, you will be informed and given the opportunity
to try again. At the completion of message entry, you will be asked
if you want the message to be Public (available for all validated
users to read) or Private (just addressee [and sysop] can read).
To send a message to the sysop, enter "SYSOP" as the first name.
You will not be prompted for a last name.
During message entry, hitting a Return (carriage return) on a
blank line (that is, at the beginning of a line) will activate
the message editor. This is the way to end messages or stop
during the message to correct mistakes. The following commands
are then available (can be displayed by typing "?" at the
Message Editor "Command>" prompt):
<D>elete line
<E>dit a selected line
<I>nsert line
<L>ist current message
<S>ave message to disk
<Q>uit (DON'T save message)
After using the message editor you will be returned to the
subsystem command prompt. Remember, if you want the message
recorded, use the <S> command instead of the <Q> command. All
other commands will return you to the message editor prompt for
further editing.
There are some minor differences between the message entry
functions available while in the normal TP-Board areas, and
when in the FidoNet areas. They are as follows;
If you are in an EchoMail area, ALL messages are Public.
At login, you will NOT be told if there are messages
waiting for you in the FidoNet areas.
The user base is not searched to see if there is a user by
the same name as the person you are sending the message to.
You cannot upload text files into the message base.
You cannot <Q>uick scan messages (you CAN <S>can them).
<I>nformation for new users
This short description of the system is displayed the first
time you logged in. This command displays it again.
<O>ther systems list
This is a list of other public Bulletin Board Systems (BBS's) in
the local area.
<S>can messages
This command is similar to quick-scan. In addition to the number
and topic, the sender and receiver will be displayed.
<Q>uick-scan messages
After typing "Q", the system will prompt for the starting message
number. If the message number cannot be found, the system will
start with next sequential message unless the requested number is
outside the range displayed in brackets. In that case, the
system will start the scan with the next message after the
highest message read the last time you logged in. If the message
is addressed to you privately, a "*" will be displayed. If the
message is public, a ":" will be displayed between the number and
the topic.
<R>ead messages
After entering "R", this command will prompt for the following
information about which messages to read. All commands are just
for the Message Area you are currently in.
Read Search Option <A><F><T><N><S><Q> [press "?" for menu]>
The options translate as follows:
<A>ll messages in this area
<F>rom you previously entered messages
<T>o you
<N>umeric similar to ALL but you are
prompted for the starting number
<S>ince your last call TPB remembers the number of the
last message you read.
<Q>uit return to subsystem command prompt
without reading any messages.
After entering "A, F, T, N, or S" the system will respond by
displaying the header of the first requested message and then
prompt you with:
Read <Y><N><C><Q><P><R> [press "?" for menu]>
These commands translate as follows:
<Y>es display text of message
<N>o skip to next message
<C>ontinuous displays all messages from here
on with no pauses
<Q>uit end message reading and return to subsystem
menu prompt.
<R>eply to current message even if not
addressed to you
<P>revious backup to last message
If you are the addressee of a message the system will ask you if
you wish to reply. Respond with either "Y" or "N". If you reply
with "Y" the system will put you into message entry mode with
the author and addressee reversed and the subject line will be
the same except that the words "Reply to-" will be added. After
completion of the message you will be returned to the message
read mode where you left off.
Whether you replied or not, you will be asked if you wish to
delete the message addressed to you.
If you are the author of the message or the receiver of a
privately addressed message, the system will ask if you want to
delete it. Respond with either "Y" to delete the message or with
"N" to retain the message on the system.
If the message is not the last message, the system will ask if
you want to read the next sequential message on file. Respond
"Y" to continue with the reading, or with "N" to skip the
message.
<G>oodbye (logoff)
This command is available in all subsystems. It is used to
terminate the remote session. You will be given the opportunity
to enter any comments or questions to the sysop. When this is
done, the system will disconnect.
<F>iles Subsystem
This command transfers you to the Files subsystem and gives you
the command prompt for that subsystem.
<U>tilities Subsystem
This command transfers you to the Utilities subsystem and gives
you the command prompt for that subsystem.
FILES SUBSYSTEM
The following menu lists the commands available in the files
subsystem. Subsequent paragraphs describe each command in more
detail.
TPBoard - File Transfer System Menu
----------------={ Functions }=--------------- -={ Other Menus }=-
<C>hange file area <L>ibrary entry/exit <M>essage System
<D>irectory of files <N>ewin list <U>tilities System
<F>ind File(s) <Z>Filesize/Time
<G>oodbye (logoff) <A>rc entry/exit
<R>eceive (upload) a file (you --> TPBoard)
<S>end (download) a file (TPBoard --> you)
<T>ype a file (or a LBR or ARC member file)
<C>hange file section
When you first log in, you will be placed in the "LOGIN" files
section. (In the Message subsystem, there were Message Areas;
here we switch the terminology to Sections.) To access other
files sections in the system, use this command. After typing
"C", enter the name of the desired file section or enter "?" to
get a menu of the file sections available. If the section name
cannot be found, you will be shown a list of the section names
available and the system will once again prompt for the section
name.
If you are in a library file (see next description) when this
command is entered, the library will be closed before the system
prompts for the new section.
<D>irectory of files
This command alphabetically displays the directory of files for
the current section. If you are in a library, only those files in
the library will be displayed; otherwise, the Section directory
will be displayed. The file size will also be displayed according
to the current filesize mode (see filesize description).
<F>ind File(s)
This command allows you to search through all available file
sections to locate a particular file or file group. Standard
DOS wildcards are accepted.
<Z>Filesize/Time display
Initially, the file sizes in the directory display will be shown
in "k" (1024 bytes). The system can also display file sizes in
minutes and seconds of transfer time (based on the current modem
speed). Each time this command is entered, the system will
alternate between these two methods.
<R>eceive file using default protocol (you --> TP-Board) (UPLOAD)
This command allows TP-Board to receive a file from you. The
System will automatically respond using whatever protocol
you chose as your default. Files will be received in a
private area for Sysop approval before being released for
others to download.
If you are enrolled in a conference section, TP-Board will
write files that you send to the conference section directly.
They will be visible immediately for other conference members to
download. TP-Board will tell you where the file will be written
before you send it.
To use this command you should first give the <R> command and
then the file name if requested. TP-Board will tell you how much
disk space is available and that it is Ready to Receive. If
there isn't enough for the file that you are sending, type
Control X until TP-Board aborts the receive mode and returns to
the command mode. If everything is OK at the "Ready To Receive"
prompt you should start the send process. After the file
transfer has completed successfully, TP-Board will ask for a
Section designation and short description of the file. This
description will be shown by the <N>ewin command after the
sysop reviews the file. Uploads are always welcome.
<S>end file using default protocol (TP-Board --> you) (download)
Use this command to send files from TP-Board to your
computer. After entering "S", you will be prompted to enter the
file name of the program you want sent to your computer. If the
system can find the file in the current area, it will display
the transfer time and then the message "Ready to send..."
When the file transfer is complete, the system will return to the
Files subsystem prompt.
TP-Board uses the default protocol that you have set whenever
it performs file transfers. You can change your default at
anytime by going to the Utilities menu, or you can change it
for the current transfer only by giving the command followed
by the protocol letter. For example, if you default protocol
was Zmodem, and you wanted to switch to Ymodem Batch for this
upload only, you would give the command 'RB' instead of 'R'.
<T>ype a file (includes ARC and LBR member files).
An Text file is one that contains readable characters rather
than machine code. This command may be used to display the
contents of these files. You will be asked if you want page
breaks which will pause the display at the number of lines
per page as set in your user parameters. Xon/Xoff may also
be used to pause the display.
NOTE: This command may be used to transfer readable files even
though your computer does not support the Xmodem protocol. If
your machine has a feature to 'Capture' what is printed on your
screen, you can use it to get the file transfered.
<A>rchive entry/exit
Archives are used to place a group of related files in a single
file known as an ARChive file. For example, a single archive
might contain source code, object or executable code, and
documentation for a particular system. Such an archive is
actually a single file which contains an invisible "directory"
followed by the files. The "directory" is used to keep track of
the files inside the archive.
In order to simplify archive usage on this system, the "A"
command may be used to "enter" an archive. When this is done, the
system will prompt for the archive file name and then attempt to
open the archive for use. If successful, all subsequent Files
subsystem commands will relate to the files within the archive.
The other files in the present File Section will not be
accessible. If not, an appropriate error message will be issued.
If you are already in an archive, entering "A" will cause the
system to close the archive and return to normal display of the
files in the present File Section.
<L>ibrary entry/exit
Same as above, except it applies to files with the LBR extension.
Libraries are used mostly on CP/M systems.
<N>ewin list
This command displays, from the newest to the oldest, files that
have been uploaded to this system. The three line format is as
follows:
1. FILENAME.EXT FILE SECTION UPLOAD DATE NAME OF UPLOADER
2. TIMES DOWNLOADED LAST DOWNLOAD DATE
3. [----------------75 CHARACTER DESCRIPTION OF FILE----------------]
The File Section name is entered by the sender to tell the sysop
where the file should eventually be stored. If a file is listed
as "GAMES SECTION", after upload it will stay in the NEWIN
section for a while and then be moved to the GAMES section. (The
Section names here are only an example, and may not exist on all
systems.)
If you are presently in the NEWIN or LOGIN file section, all
uploaded file entries (all sections) will be displayed for you.
However, if you change to a different file section and use the
<N>ewin command, only the files marked for that section will be
displayed. All other sections will be ignored. This is so you
don't have to wade through all the other section files just to
see the one you're interested in.
Additionally, there is a file search option in the <N>ewin list
command. This will keep you from having to scan the entire newin
list just to get a description of a particular file. This search
option supports wildcards but will stop searching at the first
entry that matches the search arguments.
<G>oodbye (logoff)
This command is available in all subsystems. It is used to
terminate the remote session. You will be given the opportunity
to enter any comments or questions to the sysop. When this is
done, the system will disconnect.
<U>tilities Subsystem
This command transfers you to the Utilities subsystem.
<M>essage Subsystem
This command transfers you to the Messages subsystem.
UTILITIES SUBSYSTEM
The following menu lists the commands available in the utilities
subsystem. Subsequent paragraphs describe each command in more
detail.
TPBoard - Utility System Menu
--------------={ Functions }=-------------- --={ Other Menus }=--
<A>lter user parameters <T>ime and date <F>ile Transfer System
<C>hat with sysop <U>ser list <M>essage System
<S>ystem use statistics <Y>our statistics
<Z>Graphics On/Off <P>rotocol Default
<G>oodbye (logoff)
<A>lter user parameters
This command allows you to set several parameters as listed in
the following menu. Subsequent paragraphs describe each command.
Alter User Parameter Menu
<B>ell after prompt on/off <L>ines per page <P>assword change
<C>haracters per line <N>ulls sent after C/R <S>hift lock
<#>Phone number <Q>uit
All parameters will be retained from one call to the next.
<B>ell after prompt on/off
This command turns on and off the bell (or beep) used to
indicate that the system is ready for your input.
<L>ines per page
To improve the readability of long displays, TP-Board
will pause after a specified number of lines, waiting
for a key to be pressed before proceeding. Use this
parameter to match the number of lines displayed to
your screen size. If you specify "99" as the line
count, TP-Board will not pause.
<C>haracters per line
If you are using a terminal that displays less than 80
characters per line, use this command to alter your
setting. It will help some while reading messages, but
TP-Board is mainly set up for 80 characters per line.
<N>ulls sent after C/R
Nulls are sent after a carriage return to allow time
for your machine to catch up before any printable
characters are sent. Normally this value is set to "0"
for CRT (display) terminals, and from 0-9 (try 2) for
hardcopy printing terminals. If your display loses
characters at the beginning of the line, try
increasing this parameter.
When you first logged in, you were asked for the
number of nulls you needed and whether or not your
system could display lower case. If your system
changes or you need to change this value for any other
reason, use this command.
<P>assword change
When this command is executed, the system will ask for
your current password. If it is entered correctly,
you will be asked for a new password in a fashion
similar to when you first logged into the system.
<S>hift lock (toggle)
Some terminals do not know what to do with lower case
letters. If you respond "Y", lower case will be sent
normally. If you answer "N", lower case letters will
be converted to upper case before being sent to your
system.
<#> Phone number
In the event that your phone number has changed since
since your last logon, use this command to enter your
new number.
This completes the Change User Params menu explanation.
<C>hat with Sysop
During certain hours, the sysop may be available to chat. When
this command is entered, the system will try to summon the sysop
(if during the chat period). If the sysop is available, you
will be notified and a two way conversation may begin. If the
sysop is not available or if the current time is outside the
hours to chat, you will be given the opportunity to leave a
message.
<S>ystem use statistics
This command displays a bar chart of the percent of system usage
by hour. From the information on this chart, you can plan your
calls for times when the system is less busy.
<Z> Graphics on/off (toggle)
This command will toggle the use of ANSI color graphics in
TP-Boards menus and help screens.
<T>ime and date
This command will display the current time and date, the amount
of time spent on the system today, and the amount of time
remaining today.
<U>ser list
Alphabetically list all the validated users on the system. This
command may be used to check the spelling of a user to whom you
wish to send a message. You may start the list with any name or
part of name by entering one or more letters at the appropriate
prompt.
<Y>our statistics
This command displays the login statistics that you saw when you
first logged in.
Login Time/Date
User Name
Caller Number
Access Time Today
Access Time Total
Last On System Time/Date
Last High Message
High Message Now
Downloads
Uploads
Account Balance
Default protocol
<P>rotocol
This command will allow you to change the default file transfer
protocol that you selected on your first login. You will be
prompted for a new protocol, and can hit '?' to obtain a
listing of the available protocols.
<G>oodbye (logoff)
This command is available in all subsystems. It is used to
terminate the remote session. You will be given the opportunity
to enter any comments or questions to the sysop. When this is
done, the system will disconnect.
<F>iles Subsystem
This command transfers you to the Files subsystem.
<M>essage Subsystem
This command transfers you to the Messages subsystem.