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Text File | 1992-06-17 | 42KB | 1,162 lines

┌─ ┌──────┐ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ┘ └────────┘ ┌──────┐ S W I F T B B S │ Computer Based Messaging System │ 0.45a ├─────── The User's View │ │ └──────┘ │ ├──────┘ │ │ │ ├──────┼───────┐ │ │ │ │ Copyright 1992, by Dana Bell ─┘ FidoNet 1:3801/8 │ │ 607 Pam Drive ├──────┼──────── Tyler, TX 75703-4850 │ │ └─ │ │ └───────────────┤ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ├──────┘ └────────┘ Acknowledgements . . . . 1 │ │ Logon (file displays) . 2 └───────────────┤ Opus style menus . . . . 4 │ │ │ Bulletins . . . . . . . 10 │ │ │ Messaging . . . . . . . 11 │ ├──────┘ Electronic mailbox . . . 12 └────────┘ The disected message . . 14 ┌─ ┌──────┐ Replies to message . . . 19 │ │ │ Message editors . . . . 22 │ │ │ Keystroke summary . . . 24 │ │ ┘ └────────┘ ┌────────────────────────────────────┬─────┐ │ Acknowledgments (last I read) │ 1 │ └────────────────────────────────────┴─────┘ Fido, FidoNet - Tom Jennings, Fido Software Opus-CBCS - Wynn Wagner oMMM - Bob Hartman, Marshall Presnell, Jim Nutt BinkleyTerm - Bit Bucket Software ParseLst - Bob Hartman QuickBBS, Qecho - Adam Hudson, The QuickBBS Group, Inc., X00 - Ray Gwinn Lharc - Haruyasu Yoshizaki Spaz - Dan Thomson, Andrew Farmer ┌───────────────────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────────┤ Logon (file displays) . 2 ├─────┐ │ The User's View │ Opus style menus . . . . 4 │ 2 │ └──────────────────────┤ Bulletins . . . . . . . 10 ├─────┘ │ Messaging . . . . . . . 11 │ │ Electronic mailbox . . . 12 │ │ The disected message . . 14 │ │ Replies to message . . . 19 │ │ Message editors . . . . 22 │ │ Keystroke summary . . . 24 │ └───────────────────────────────┘ Many of the problems associated with BBS software are likely to be the result of some user's action, or something noticed by one of the users. That is one reason for the following section. Another reason is the fact that BBS packages don't usually come with documentation dedicated to helping the user learn its operation. The following is a description of SwiftBBS as the User's will view it. ┌────────────────┐ │ Logon │ └────────────────┘ When a user calls a SwiftBBS system, he is initially greeted with a SwiftBBS identification note, followed by a sysop defined introduction screen identifying the BBS. Following these displays, the user is asked for his name. If the user's name is found in the user file, he's asked for his password. New users are required to complete a questionnaire that will determine their configuration when calling the system. During configuration, some options will allow the user to select the (safe) default by pressing enter when prompted. Most options can also be changed later if desired. The video mode that the caller uses depends on the callers local configuration. The following problems are common to selecting the incorrect video configuration. If garbage characters appear on the screen that include numbers, semicolons and brackets ([35;34f....), the BBS is sending ANSI codes and the user hasn't loaded the device driver to interpret them. DOS comes with ANSI.SYS that must be included in the CONFIG.SYS file. An alternate ANSI.COM is also available for interpreting ANSI codes. If garbage characters appear on the screen that include punctuation, music & graphic characters, and frequent beeps, that suggests that the BBS is sending AVATAR codes and the user either isn't using a terminal program that supports AVATAR or hasn't loaded a device driver for them. ┌─────┐ │ 3 │ └─────┘ AVATAR is a new, quicker method of sending remote color/graphic codes. Some terminal programs support AVATAR codes internally, and there are a few device drivers available for the local console. In order to use AVATAR codes, the sysop will need to have a console driver installed. SwiftBBS was developed and tested with the ZAVT combined ANSI / AVATAR console driver. File Displays Following the Name and Password, a welcome file may be displayed matching the user's video mode selection. This is customarily a graphic display of some type. As with most textfile displays, selecting 'P' will pause and 'S' will abort the display. Frequent callers may want to bypass these time-consuming displays. If there is an active NEWS file, that will be shown next. Other options may be specified by the sysop. Mail checking is one of the more common functions provided during logon. With mailchecking, SwiftBBS searches the message base for unreceived messages addressed to the user and gives the user the option to read and/or reply to them. ┌──────────────────┬─────┐ │ Opus Menus │ 4 │ └──────────────────┴─────┘ From there, the options may be controlled by sysop defined menus. If the sysop doesn't customize menus, SwiftBBS will provide a set of standard menus that may be used for most functions on the system. The use of the standard menus is what I call opus menus, or opus style menus, since there are usually displayed with a bar and the initial letter of selections are highlighted similar to Opus-CBCS systems. From these standard menus you can have access to all available message areas, with options for read, scan, and enter. Other features are provided for changing setup. Sample displays of these menus are illustrated below (minus the color). The actual display may vary slightly for newer releases. Depending on the display, the initial character for each option is either highlighted or bracketed, as in M)essages. The MAIN Menu███████████████████████████████████████████████████ Message section Files Bulletins Network section Setup options Information Custom menu Quickmenus Goodbye (logoff) ?Help SELECT: Primary options available from The MAIN Menu include: M)essage section -- transfers control to the message section panel described below. F)iles -- transfers control to the File section. File options aren't complete and may not be active in this release. B)ulletins -- executes a type 12 file display for files BULLET.* N)etwork section -- tranfers control to the Network section described below. Network options include node lookup and file requests. S)etup options -- transfers control to the Change Setup panel described below. I)nformation -- transfers control to the Information panel. C)ustom menu -- accesses the QuickBBS style CUSTOM.MNU. Q)uickmenus -- transfers (or returns) control to customized menus beginning with the top menu. G)oodbye -- logs off the user and terminates the program. ?)Help -- displays a sysop's help file related to this section. Files supplied with the SwiftBBS release may include this description as the help file. ┌─────┐ │ 5 │ └─────┘ The Message Section█████████████████████████████████████████████ System has 14 messages numbered 1 to 14. There are 9 messages in this area. ECHO area 20 ... BabyNet Area change Read messages Enter message Check mailbox !List active Swiftscan Main Menu Goodbye ?Help SELECT: Options available from The MESSAGE Section include: A)rea change -- displays a list of named message areas. Selecting 0 selects combined areas. Combined settings in CONFIG.BBS determine the areas included in combined access. The last area used is saved at logoff. R)ead messages -- Reads messages in the active message area, provided the user's access levels are adequate for the message area. E)nter message -- Allows you to enter a new message in the active area. If combined is selected, you will be prompted for an area. C)heck mailbox -- Displays a list of un-received messages addressed to you, and gives you an option to read them. !)List active -- Lists all boards (with or without names), with active messages. S)wiftscan -- Lists messages with From, To, Subject for the active area. If selected from combined areas, the message board will also be displayed. M)ain Menu -- returns to the Main Menu. G)oodbye -- logs off the user and terminates the program. ?)Help -- displays a sysop's help file related to this section. Files supplied with the SwiftBBS release may include this description as the help file. ┌─────┐ │ 6 │ └─────┘ The File Section█████████████████████████████████████████ File list View file Download Upload Main Menu Goodbye (logoff) ?Help SELECT: Options available from The File Section include: F)ile list -- displays the file FILES.BBS in the subdirectory FILES. V)iew file -- prompts for a displays a file in the subdirectory FILES. M)ain Menu -- returns to the Main Menu. G)oodbye -- logs off the user and terminates the program. ?)Help -- displays a sysop's help file related to this section. Files supplied with the SwiftBBS release may include this description as the help file. The Network Section█████████████████████████████████████████ File Request Node search Main Menu Goodbye (logoff) ?Help SELECT: Options available from The Network Section include: F)ile Request -- if enabled by the sysop, allows the user to make a file request (FReq) through BinkleyTerm. Freqs are also logged in the SYSTEM.LOG. N)ode search -- searches the nodelist and displays system information about the selected net/node number. M)ain Menu -- returns to the Main Menu. G)oodbye -- logs off the user and terminates the program. ?)Help -- displays a sysop's help file related to this section. Files supplied with the SwiftBBS release may include this description as the help file. ┌─────┐ │ 7 │ └─────┘ The Information Section███████████████████████████████████████ Configuration User List About ... Version Yell at sysop Main Menu Goodbye (logoff) ?Help SELECT: Options available from The Information Section include: C)onfiguration -- displays the user's configuration. U)serList -- displays a listing of active users, city and last time on. The sub-menu allows you to search by Name or Location. Enter a part of the name to limit the display to fewer names. A global search '*' is supported for both options to allow searching within the string. A)bout ... -- displays a sysop's descriptive file telling about something. Files are supplied with the SwiftBBS release for this purpose, though the operator may include any subject material, such as a description of the individual system. V)ersion -- displays the current version of SwiftBBS. Y)ell at sysop -- prompts for a comment and activates the local bell to get the sysop's attention. M)ain Menu -- returns to the Main Menu. G)oodbye -- logs off the user and terminates the program. ?)Help -- displays a sysop's help file related to this section. Files supplied with the SwiftBBS release may include this description as the help file. ┌─────┐ │ 8 │ └─────┘ The CHANGE SETUP Section███████████████████████████████████████ Review Password City State Length More Screen clear Full-scrn Ansi graphics V avatar User List Quit section Yell at sysop Goodbye (logoff) ?Help SELECT: Options available from The Change Setup Section include: R)eview -- (new option) displays the users current status similar to this display. Name: Dana Bell City: Tyler, Tx Ansi......Y Full-scrn editor.Y Avatar.........N More?.....Y Clearscreen......Y Screen length...22 Flags A:[-XX---X-] B:[XX-X-XXX] C:[---X--X-] D:[----X--X] Security Level....32000 Highest message read....199 Time Left: 356 P)assword -- allows the user to change his password. This option requires that the user enter his current password and the new password to use. C)ity State -- allows the user to change the city, state information in the user file. L)ength -- allows the user to change the display screen length. M)ore -- allows the user to toggle page-pausing. S)creen clear -- allows the user to toggle screen-clearing between messages. F)ull-scrn edit -- toggles the use of a full screen editor. This option requires color/graphics ANSI displays A)nsi graphics -- toggles the use of ANSI.SYS color/graphics display codes. V) Avatar -- toggles the use of AVATAR.SYS color/graphics display codes. Since this requires a local display driver, individual systems may have this disabled. U)serList -- displays a listing of active users, city and last time on. The sub-menu allows you to search by Name or Location. Enter a part of the name to limit the display to fewer names. A global search '*' is supported for both options to allow searching within the string. Q)uit section -- returns to the Main menu. Y)ell at sysop -- prompts for a comment and activates the local bell to get the sysop's attention. G)oodbye -- logs off the user and terminates the program. ?)Help -- displays a sysop's help file related to this section. Files supplied with the SwiftBBS release include this description as the help file. ┌─────┐ │ 9 │ └─────┘ One other menu that might be considered an "Opus style" is a menu type for a message area. It is a custom option menu "type" that provides options for Reading, Scanning, and Entry of messages in the same manner as the Message Section described above. The MESSAGE Section███████████████████████████████████████ System has 37 messages numbered 1 to 37. There are 2 messages in this area. ECHO area 1 ... LOCAL Read messages Enter message Swiftscan Previous Menu Goodbye ?Help SELECT: Options available from Default Message Section include: R)ead messages -- Reads messages in the active message area, provided the user's access levels are adequate for the message area. E)nter message -- Allows you to enter a new message in the active area. If combined is selected, you will be prompted for an area. S)wiftscan -- Lists messages with From, To, Subject for the active area. If selected from combined areas, the message board will also be displayed. P)revious Menu -- returns to the previous menu. G)oodbye -- logs off the user and terminates the program. ?)Help -- displays a sysop's help file related to this section. Files supplied with the SwiftBBS release may include this description as the help file. ┌─────────────────┬──────┐ │ Bulletins │ 10 │ └─────────────────┴──────┘ The bulletin option in SwiftBBS provides a simple to use way to navigate through a series of bulletin files. Bulletins are setup with a contents and individually numbered bulletins. The contents should list and describe each of the bulletin files. When the bulletin prompt is displayed, the user must enter a bulletin number in order to view the bulletin. If page-pausing is enabled, display will pause at the end of each screen and query for More. At the end of the file, the prompt will be redisplayed. Bulletin options are not hotkeys. You will have to press enter after entering your choice. When a number or character is entered, SwiftBBS looks for and displays the associated bulletin. Following display of any numbered bulletin, <Enter> or 'N' will increment the bulletin number, search for and display that bulletin. Selecting 'B' will decrement (go Back) the bulletin number, and selecting 'A' will redisplay the current bulletin. Selecting 'S' (for stop) or 'Q' (for quit) will exit the bulletin number. Selecting 'L' will redisplay the bulletin list. When the bulletin contents (list) is displayed, <enter> will exit the bulletins option. ┌─────────────────┬──────┐ │ Messaging │ 11 │ └─────────────────┴──────┘ Messaging is a term that refers simply to reading and writing messages to other users. It's used in contrast to other common activities on Bulletin board systems, such as gaming, downloads, etc. Messaging is the major purpose of SwiftBBS, so it's important to understand it's applications. Most message areas or message boards fall into one of three categories, LOCAL, NET, or ECHO. LOCAL mail is used when users leave messages to other users on the same Bulletin Board System. Messages may be part of a topical conference, personal notes, and can be public or private. With the advent of NETMAIL and ECHOMAIL and all of their advantages, LOCAL mail is usually limited to private notes. NET mail is a step up from LOCAL in that messages are directed from one user to another user, generally on another Bulletin Board System. In order to facilitate the use and delivery of NET mail, the BBS must be a part of a Network, such as FidoNet, SigNet or BabyNet. Because of the LD costs inherent in using NET mail, some systems limit users' access to NETMAIL. ┌──────┐ │ 12 │ └──────┘ When entering NET mail messages, you will need to know the net/node number as well as the individual's name. In some cases, you may be able to send (File Attach) other files along with the message. ECHO mail makes up the bulk of messaging today. ECHO mail (or ECHOMAIL, ECHOES) is the use of shared topical message conferences. When a message is entered into an ECHO area, it is eventually distributed to all other boards carrying that particular topical conference. Its use is monumental considering that messages can be distributed around the world in a day or two. Likewise, its misuse can be devastating. Because of the possibility of misuse, many BBS systems will verify new users by voice phone or mail before granting access to echomail areas. ┌──────────────────────┐ │ Electronic mailbox │ └──────────────────────┘ In one sense, your use of a SwiftBBS bulletin board gives you an electronic mailbox with an option that will check the messagebase and tell you of messages addressed to you. These messages include only messages not previously read. This option is available from the Message Area as C)heck Mailbox. The sysop of the particular board may also configure the logon procedure to automatically notify you of unreceived messages. Checking for new mail addressed to you ... You have the following new mail waiting: Message Board Message Numbers ----------------- --------------------------- (Unknown area) 5, 7 DIARY 35 (Unknown area) 73 Read messages Now? (Y/n) Once you read a message addressed to you it is normally marked as "received". System operators have the option to "un-receive" messages for reading later. In order to re-read messages addressed to you in any area, you may select R)ead/S)elected/M)ine from the message area prompt. ┌──────┐ │ 13 │ └──────┘ Messages displayed in SwiftBBS will usually resemble the following sample with individual parts identified. All of the messages in a SwiftBBS messages area are kept in a single set of files, and numbered chronologically. The topical area they belong to is indexed. The message number refers to the global number, not the number of message in the particular area. Each message area is normally identified with a Topical message area 'title', as "Technical" below. In echomail transfers, the area may have an areatag, such as TECH. The message header shows the basic information about the message. Often, the header is scanned over until there is a message of interest. In order to facilitate comprehension of an outgoing conversation, it's traditional to quotes parts of a message to regain users' train of thought in the discussion. The paragraph below noted as Quote is the current user's quote of the previous person's message. Quoted lines are identified with a right angled bracket ( > ), often with the quoted person's initials preceding it. Multiple arrows ( JF>>> ) refer to quotes of quotes, etc. Often times, users may use abbreviations similar to CB slang. For example, OTOH is 'on the other hand', BTW is 'by the way', etc. Since messaging can often be too impersonal, some users may include such personal notes in parentheses, i.e. <grin>, <hint>, etc. Smiley faces (sideways) are also used for the same reason. Two of the most common faces looks like this. :-) :-( ┌────────────────────┬──────┐ │ The Sample message │ 14 │ └────────────────────┴──────┘ ┌──────────────────────────────── Message number │ ┌──────────────────── Topical message area │ │ Message #53 "Technical" Read 5 times ─────┐ Date: 5/10/92 @ 10:56 │ Message From: Mike Hubschman ├─── Header To: Warren Zatwarniski │ Subject: Re: Modem Oddities ─────┘ Next Reply Message is #306 ^aPID SE 0.45i ───────────────── kludges ┌──────────────────────────────── Initials of person quoted │ WZ> Does anybody know what kinda speed is ──┐ WZ> capable out of a normal 2400 bps modem ├─ Quote WZ> without MNP or bis ????? ──┘ A good rule of thumb is divide the speed by ──┐ 10. a 2400 bps rate would get 240 cps at 100% │ efficiency. Most get a little less, so 230 is │ a "normal" rate. Ditto 9600 - 960 cps is ├─ Reply optimum, normal is 940-950. This is with │ Ymodem-g or Zmodem (moby) (Xmodem slows things │ down a lot) ──┘ WZ> I don't think that those MNP modems are WZ> much more than a normal one eh? Mayb I can WZ> find a used one (cheap) kicking around WZ> someplace?..hint...hint.. :-) │ └──────────────── Smiley face Unfortunatly, they really jack up the price with Mnp... Some add as much as 50% to the price... ($89 for a 2400, $129 with MNP...) Since 9600's can't work without some error correction, they only have one price range but add a lot for increased speed (14.4 or 16.8) ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────── Offline reader * OLX 2.2 * He's got a magnet! Everybody stand back! --- <──── Tearline ┌────────────────────── Originating system ┌────────────┴──────────────┐ ┌──── Network address * Origin: SOX! BBS 821-3317 Hialeah, FL (1:135/71) ── Origin line SEEN-BY: 117/331 170/100 400 403 600 711 ───┐ SEEN-BY: 170/800 382/1 383/300 387/823 ├─────── Seen-bys SEEN-BY: 388/1000 393/101 3801/6 8 ───┘ ^aPATH: 135/71 135/41 13/13 396/1 3801/8 ─────────── Path line (usually hidden) <+> Read Replies ───┐ <A>gain, <N>ext, ack, <S>top? ├───── Prompt ───┘ ┌──────┐ │ 15 │ └──────┘ As a means of identifying the technical nature of particular messages, several fields are included at the end of each message. The Tearline (three dashes) indicates the end of the message text, and may also show the name of the program used to edit or pack the message. The Origin Line is needed to identify the source of the message. Seen-bys and Paths are used to monitor the messages travel through the network, and may be used to detect or prevent duplicate messages in the message base. ┌────────────────────┬──────┐ │ Reading messages │ 16 │ └────────────────────┴──────┘ Reading messages Most message conferences deal with a particular topic and may include discussion of several subjects related to the topic. Consequently, most messages in topical conferences can also be read and responded to, even if they aren't addressed to you. Messaging prompts are provided with Read and Swifscan options to allow you to select specifics. Explaining the options available is probably more difficult to explain than to actually use. Most users will learn to use these options intuitively. The initial prompt is: N)ew Messages, F)orward, R)everse S)elected, I)ndividual, Q)uit, ?)Help Option: Subsequent prompts will depend on the option selected. When selecting Forward or Reverse, you will be supplied with information about the message base and the messages within the selected area, and then queried on the message number to start with. In all cases, you can select to pause after each message or not. Active Message Board: "Combined messages System has messages numbered 1 to 14. Enter number to start at, [Enter]=First: Pause after each message? (Y/n) Selecting New messages will start in forward order following the last message you read the previous time you logged in. SwiftBBS maintains this information even when messages are renumbered. SwiftBBS doesn't update the "last message read" pointers until you logoff, and only uses the last message number in "Forward" order. When reading I)ndividual messages, SwiftBBS will prompt for a message number and display the message at or following the number entered. Selecting ?)Help attempts to find and display a customized file describing the entries. ┌──────┐ │ 17 │ └──────┘ During messaging reading, you may also have additional options to enable you to back up, or follow threads. Following each message, you can select from a submenu resembling this: <-> Read Previous Replies, <+> Read Replies <A>gain, <N>ext, ack, <*>non-stop, <R>eply, <S>top? In simulating QuickBBS operation, the <N>ext option will go to the following message if you are reading Forward, or the subsequent message if you are reading Reverse. The ack option has the reverse effect. ┌────────────────────┬──────┐ │ Selected reading │ 18 │ └────────────────────┴──────┘ The option to read S)elected messages will prompt you for F)rom, T)o, S)ubject, M)ine, and further give you an option to select the starting number. The S)ubject option will search the subject line for any occurences of the pattern you specify in the subject line. ┌───────────────────────┬──────┐ │ Replies to messages │ 19 │ └───────────────────────┴──────┘ When replying to messages in topical conferences, messages should be relative to the discussion and the subject of the message area, or conference, and normally on the same subject of the individual message you are responding to. The <R>eply option will quote the message you are replying to and execute the proper message editor. Using the message editors is covered in the next section. Reply reading options (- or +) displayed will depend on the links the message actually has with previous/following messages. These are also known as "threads". The submenu during reply reading will also conform to the option you've selected and return you to the current message following the last message in the option. Additionally, you can switch directions when reading a thread. When reading previous replies, you may be able to read following replies by selecting the proper option. Some message areas may require higher access privileges in order to read, enter or reply to messages in them. In these cases, a message will be displayed to that effect. Some of these areas may be restricted to verified users, members of an organization, or System Operators. If your access is suitable for message entry in a particular area, you may want to add a message in response to one you are reading. You can either enter a new message or reply to the existing message. By replying to messages, your message is added to the message-chain or thread. That allows other users to follow the subject of the message and view previous or subsequent replies. When replying to messages, you will be prompted: Quote Reply Text? (Y/n) Replying to F) Dana Bell T) All S)omebody else C)ancel (F/t/s/c)? Change the subject: Testing (y/N)? When replying to a message it's often helpful to be able to view and/or quote parts of the message you are replying to. This also helps other readers follow the train of thought without restating the subject of the message again. If you are using a supporting message editor, quoting reply text will enable you to do that. ┌──────┐ │ 20 │ └──────┘ When quoting reply text, the current message is saved with each line preceded by the configured quoting string. This will normally be the original authors initials. This text is presently only accessible from an external editor. The addressing of your reply message can be directed to the original author, recipient, or to any other person. When selecting S)omebody else, you will be prompted for a new name. You may also select to change the subject, in order to enter a more appropriate or meaningful description to the subject line. Your reply will still initially be linked to the message you are replying to, but will eventually be "pruned" from the original thread when messages are re-linked. Replies to Netmail messages also allow you to change the destination address. ┌────────────────┐ │ New messages │ └────────────────┘ When selecting to enter a NEW message in a LOCAL or individual ECHO, you will be prompted for To: and Subject: lines. At either prompt you can abort the message by not entering anything and pressing enter. When entering messages from the combined board area you will also be prompted for a message area. Enter the appropriate number from the Area list. When entering messages from a NETMAIL area, you will also be prompted for a net/node number. Enter the appropriate net/node number in the format NNN/NNN. The net/node number is used as a reference to the system's name, location and phone number in the nodelist. If QNL*.* nodelist files are found, the selected network board's name, location, baud rate, and cost will be displayed. For network routing of messages the net/node number is also used to send to a centralized system for distribution. ┌──────┐ │ 21 │ └──────┘ Currently searching in Zone 1, Net/Group 3801 ... Enter 'L' to List Nodes, 'C' to Change Net/Group, or 'Z' to change Zone. <Enter> quits Enter net/node address => 3801/8 Searching nodelist index, please wait . . . 3801/8 Baby Blue Tyler TX 1-903-581-6077 baudrate: 2400, cost: 0 Is this destination correct [Y/n]? Attach files to message? (Y/n) N formatting ... (1:3801/8.0) To: ........ Entering 'C' will allow you to change the currently selected Net or Group. Entering 'L' from the net/node prompt will display a list of the boards in the currently selected Net or Group. Entering 'Z' will allow you to change the currently selected zone. SwiftBBS defaults to the systems own Zone and Net. Currently searching in Zone 1, Net/Group 3801 ... Enter 'L' to List Nodes, 'C' to Change Net/Group, or 'Z' to change Zone. <Enter> quits Enter net/node address => C Change to what Net or Group: 1 Currently searching in Zone 1, Net/Group 1 ... Enter 'L' to List Nodes, 'C' to Change Net/Group, or 'Z' to change Zone. <Enter> quits Enter net/node address => L 1/1 FidoNews FidoNews Editor 1-415-863-2739 baudrate: 2400, cost: 22 1/2 Europe Gate Portland OR 1-503-297-9145 baudrate: 2400, cost: 22 1/3 Oceania Gate Portland OR 1-503-297-9145 baudrate: 2400, cost: 22 The node search/selection interface above is also used in the File Request function. ┌────────────────────┬──────┐ │ Message editors │ 22 │ └────────────────────┴──────┘ Messages can be entered on-line with either the internal editor or an external editor such as QuickEd. The use of an external message editor is primarily for color/graphics display (ANSI) users. External editors are written by other authors and will usually differ in the way they operate, so they must provide their own documentation and/or on-line help information. The interface used by SwiftBBS is described in the appendices. For non-ANSI users and when the individual system doesn't provide an external editor, SwiftBBS provides a limited internal editor. If it's not possible to load the external editor for some reason, SwiftBBS will also fall-back to the internal editor. The following discussion covers only the SwiftBBS internal editor. The current version of SwiftBBS may vary and all options displayed in the prompts may not be active in this version. Message quoting is not possible with the internal editor. The internal editor begins by displaying the message entry screen as below. To enter a message, simply begin typing. Enter message text now (66 lines max/72 chars per line). Words will wrap automatically. Blank line to edit/save. [-----------------------------------------------------] 01: Note to check the internal editor, and illustrate 02: prompts provided. A blank or space is required to 03: insert a blank line. If you need to access one of the editing options, press enter on a blank line, and make a selection from the following menu. In order to enter a blank line in the message itself, you will need to enter a space or tab. S)ave Msg Q)uit (Abort) C)ontinue L)ist Msg E)dit line K)ill line I)nsert line ?)Help SELECT: C Continue adding to message ... [-----------------------------------------------------] 03: insert a blank line. 04: 05: Dana 06: S)ave Msg Q)uit (Abort) C)ontinue L)ist Msg E)dit line K)ill line I)nsert line ?)Help SELECT: S ┌──────┐ │ 23 │ └──────┘ The options include: S)ave Msg -- Saves the message, and adds it to the messagebase. Q)uit (Abort) -- Allows you to abort the message and return to the previous menu or option. C)ontinue -- Allows you to continue adding text to the message, after previously stopping. The editor will display the last line entered and allow you to continue typing at the end of the line. L)ist Msg -- Lists the lines of the message entered so far. This allows you to review parts that may have scrolled off of the screen. E)dit -- Allows you to edit a single line in the message in the normal entry fashion. K)ill -- Allows you to delete one of the lines in the message. Following this option, message lines are renumbered. I)nsert -- Allows you to insert one or more lines in the message. ?)Help -- Displays the helpfile, EDITHELP.A??. ┌─────────────────────┬──────┐ │ Keystroke summary │ 24 │ └─────────────────────┴──────┘ In order to speed the user's navigation of the menus and options, SwiftBBS uses hotkeys. Options from menus can be executed with a single keystroke. Pressing <enter> is not required. Also, there are some hotkeys that are available during certain operations that will interrupt the current option. The hotkeys available in SwiftBBS will depend on the file and/or option selected. The following is a brief summary of the keys and their use. HOTKEYS Display files: Most display files can be paused by pressing , and stopped by pressing <S>. If the display scrolls too fast, press to pause it and any other key to continue. If the text being displayed doesn't interest you, press <S> to stop it and return to the previous menu or option. Menus: Options from a menu can be selected before the menu is fully displayed. When a valid selection is made, the remainder of the menu display is aborted, and the selected action is taken. The type 40 menu display attached to a menu will respond in the same way. Stop/Pause options are NOT valid during menu displays since menu options may be <S> or . Messaging: When a Read option is selected, the subsequent prompts for reading are also hotkey options. During message display, you can pause the display be selecting , or interrupt the display by selecting one of the navigational options, <N>ext, ack, <R>eply, <X>port, and <S>top. Similar options in message threading are also hotkeys. DEFAULTS In addition to hotkeys, SwiftBBS has several options that have recommended responses called defaults, built-in. When an option has a common response, it's sometimes possible to press <enter> to select it as the default. The default action is usually capitalized or otherwise indicated. Yes/no/Enter options: Options prompted with a <Y/n> or <y/N> query will accept an enter key to select the option with the capital letter. ┌──────┐ │ 25 │ └──────┘ The more prompt: The "More... [Y/n]? " also has a default. When the display has reached the designated line number count and you have More enabled, SwiftBBS will query for a response and will accept enter for the default <Y>. Next: When presented with the <A>gain, <N>ext, ... option, pressing enter will select the <N>ext option. New: When presented with the <F>orward, <R>everse, <N>ew, ... option, pressing enter will select the <N>ew option. Message replies: Using similar defaults when pressing enter, replies to messages default to replying to who the message is from, No to changing the subject, and Yes to quoting reply text. Bulletins: The default option depends upon the last selection. When a numbered bulletin has previously been selected, <Enter> increments the selection number. When a non-numbered bulletin has previously been selected, <Enter> redisplays the bulletin main menu. When the bulletin main menu is displayed, <Enter> exits.