The Atari Compendium/The Atari Compendium (Toad Computers) (1994).iso/files/umich/telecomm/fnordadl/fn132src.zoo/ref-man/aide-ref.tex

Text File | 1991-09-02 | 32.4 KB | 812 lines

@comment Tell Emacs to use -*-texinfo-*- mode
@comment $Id: aide-ref.tex,v 2.4 91/09/01 23:04:03 royce Exp $

@node Aide and Co-Sysop Command Reference, The Sysop Command Reference, User Command Reference, Top
@chapter Aide and Co-Sysop Command Reference
@cindex Commands, aide and sysop
@cindex Aide commands
@cindex Co-sysop commands
@cindex Sysop commands

If you are a normal person, the fact that you are also the Sysop won't
confer the much-needed qualities of omnipresence and omniscience on you.  The
fact is you just can't do everything required by running your system, all the
time.  You may be able to get away without doing it all, but if you want help,
the thing to do is grant Aide and/or Co-Sysop status to a select few users of
your system.  An Aide has powers greater than those of a normal user---he/she
may delete messages, edit certain attributes of rooms, etc.  A
Co-Sysop has powers which are still greater---he/she may do everything an Aide
can do, plus fully edit rooms,
journal (copy) messages to files on disk, and many other things.

Note that we make a distinction between ``a user with Co-Sysop status'' and
``the Sysop''.  Both have the same Sysop privilege flag set in their user
configuration, but the latter is a quick way of saying ``you, the guy/gal who
runs the system''.  We tend to assume that you will grant yourself all the
powers in the book---but there's nothing that says you have to.

@node Aides, Sysop Commands and Perks, Aide and Co-Sysop Command Reference, Aide and Co-Sysop Command Reference
@section Aides
@cindex Aides

In addition to having access to all the commands described in
@ref{User Command Reference},
any user with Aide privileges (or the Sysop or any Co-Sysop, of course, since
they also have Aide privileges) will also have access to the additional
commands described in the following sections.  They will also be able to
enter the special room called @code{Aide>}, where system messages from Fnordadel
are logged, and where discussions can be held without concern that any non-Aide
will ever get into the room.

Many Aide commands causes changes of one form or another to your
system.  Most changes are accounted for by Fnordadel and are recorded under
the Aide's name in the @code{Aide>} room for scrutiny by you and other
Aides.  If a person is found to be abusing the Aide privileges, you may then
take such action as you see fit.

@node Granting Aide status, The .A(ide) command, Aides, Aides
@subsection Granting Aide status
@cindex Aide status

For now, suffice it to say that you must explicitly grant
Aide status to any user.  The command to do this is documented in
@ref{User Status Commands}.

@node The .A(ide) command, The ;A(ide) command, Granting Aide status, Aides
@subsection The .A(ide) command
@cindex Commands, aide, extended

Most of the additional functions available to users with Aide
status are accessed via the @code{.A(ide)} extended command or its floor
mode counterpart (coming up next section).  Executing @code{.A(ide) ?} will
show you a list like this:

@cindex Aide commands menu
@example
[C]hat with sysop
[D]elete empty rooms
[E]dit current room
[K]ill current room
[S]et time and date
@end example

@ftable @code
@item .A(ide) C(hat)
This command is identical to the regular single-key
@code{[C]hat} command, with one exception: it will override the
Sysop-settable chat flag, and page the Sysop
regardless.  For more details on the chat flag, see @code{[C]hat toggle} in
@ref{Sysop Special Functions}.

@item .A(ide) D(elete empty rooms)
This command will cause Fnordadel to do explicitly
what it normally does implicitly: search out and destroy all
temporary rooms on the system that currently have no messages
in them.  It will delete the rooms' floor as well, if no rooms
are left in it after the empty ones have been toasted.  For more
details on temporary vs.  permanent rooms,
see @ref{Rooms}.  Use of this command is logged in @code{Aide>}.

Use of this command is @emph{not}
affected by the setting of the @file{ctdlcnfg.sys} parameter
@code{#aidekillroom},
@vindex aidekillroom
which determines whether @code{.A(ide) K(ill room)}
and @code{;A(ide) K(ill floor)} are executable by Aides and Co-Sysops,
or just Co-Sysops.  The Sysop can, naturally, blow away anything
at any time.

@item .A(ide) E(dit current room)
This command brings up a new menu consisting of
various room-editing options.  Any Aide can use the commands
in the following list, while users with Sysop or Co-Sysop status have
these plus a few more (@pxref{Sysop room-editing commands}).
Use of this command is logged in @code{Aide>}.  @xref{Rooms},
for a dissertation on many of the room features manipulated by these commands.

@cindex Aide room edit menu
@cindex Room edit menu
@example
[C]hange name
[E]vict user
[I]nvite user
[K]ill room description
[L]- edit room description
[M]- toggle readonly status
An[O]nymous room
[P]ermanent
[T]ype (Public/Hidden/Invite-only)
[V]alues of room
e[X]it
@end example

@table @code
@item [C]hange name
This command does the obvious, and allows the
alteration of a room's name.  A room's name should, in
general, reflect the purpose or topic of the room,
which sometimes changes.  But what the heck---it's
your system, use whatever names you like.  We give
you permission.

@item [E]vict user
This command allows the eviction of a user
from a private, invitation-only room.  A user so
evicted cannot return to the room even by knowing
the full name, so you need not change the name of the
room for security reasons.

@item [I]nvite user
This command, if you're with us so far, will
be clear.  It permits the invitation of users into
private, invitation-only rooms.  Knowing the room
name isn't enough to gain access.  Note that you as
The Sysop (or anyone with Co-Sysop status using your
system from the console), will always have access to
any invitation-only room, whether invited or not.

@item [K]ill room description
This command wipes out the description file for the room being edited.  The
contents of this file, which are formatted like a message, are displayed for
users via the @code{[I]nfo} command at the room prompt
(@pxref{Other room prompt commands}).

@item [L]- edit room description
This command creates (if it wasn't there) and allows the editing of the
description file for the room being worked on.  The description file can be
viewed by users using the @code{[I]nfo} command at the room prompt
(@pxref{Other room prompt commands}).  Since the file is formatted just like
a message, we let you use the standard message editor to edit the file, with
some restrictions on the commands available at the editor prompt.  A
@file{ctdlcnfg.sys} parameter called
@vindex infomax
@code{#infomax} controls the maximum size of info files.

The file will be called @file{room@var{nnnn}.inf}, where
@var{nnnn} is the room's number in four digits.  All @file{.inf}
files are kept with the @file{room@var{nnnn}.sys} files in the
@vindex roomdir
@code{#roomdir} directory defined in @file{ctdlcnfg.sys}.

@item [M]- toggle readonly status
The @samp{M} key was chosen for this command for no
good reason, but other better choices were already
in use.  Its function is to change the room into
read-only status, or back to normal.  A room that is
read-only cannot have messages entered in it except
by Aides, Co-Sysops and the Sysop.

@item An[O]nymous room
This command will toggle the room into or out
of anonymous mode.  When the room is anonymous, user
names and date/time stamps will not appear in the
headings of messages posted to the room.  Changing an
anonymous room back to normal won't bring the headings
of previously-saved messages back; Fnordadel throws
them away permanently for security.

Basically all you will get in the heading of
anonymous messages is a unique message number, which
can be used by people wishing to refer to a specific
message in a reply.

@item [P]ermanent
This command will toggle the room from
temporary to permanent or vice versa.  Rooms default
to temporary, and you should leave them that way
unless you particularly want certain rooms to become
fixtures on your system.  Temporary rooms are good
because Fnordadel can automatically delete them
when they are empty, if somebody tries to create a new
room and there is no space for it, or if you run
@code{configur} while the room is empty.
@pindex configur

@item [T]ype (Public/Hidden/Invite-only)
This command allows you to change the room's
basic type, choosing from among @code{[P]ublic}, @code{[H]idden}
(normal private), and @code{[I]nvitation-only} (private
requiring invitation).  When rooms are first created,
they may be made either public or hidden, but not
invitation-only.  The latter restriction is in place
to prevent a proliferation of invitation-only rooms
springing up should you grant room creation privileges
to all users, in @file{ctdlcnfg.sys}.

Making a room hidden will cause Fnordadel
to ask you if you want to make all non-Aide users'
accounts forget about the room (just as if they had
used the @code{[Z]}) command).  If you answer `no', anybody
who had been using the room before will still have
immediate access to it as a hidden room.

If you answer `yes', Fnordadel will make all
users forget about the room.  They can still get back
into it by using @code{.G(oto)}, if they remember the full
name.  If you change the name, normal users can't
get back.  Users with Aide or Co-Sysop status can still get back
in, however, since the room will appear in their
@code{.Z(forgotten rooms)} list.

Making a room invitation-only is similar.
You will be asked if you wish to make all users forget
about the room.  Answering `no' leaves everybody with
access who had it before.  Answering `yes', however,
turfs @emph{all} users, including Aides and Co-Sysops, out of the room.
Co-Sysops can get back in without being invited, but all other users
(including Aides) will need an invite to regain access.

Note that the Sysop can get into any room at any time, regardless
of its type and his or her explicit invitation to it, or lack thereof.

If the room in question is a shared network
room, there is yet another wrinkle to the process.
Making users forget the room for both private types
will force you to reshare the room will all network
nodes that the room is linked to.  This is an
unfortunate side-effect, but an unavoidable one (for
now), due to the way room-sharing and access to
private rooms work.  The two features may not look
related, but they are internally.

@item [V]alues of room
This command simply displays the current
settings of the room.  If executed by the Sysop or a Co-Sysop, the
usual information will be augmented by a list of the
net nodes sharing the room, if any.

@item e[X]it
This command returns the system to the room
prompt.  Any changes made to the room will be logged
in @code{Aide>} at this time.
@end table

Given that there are some special rooms on your system (your
lobby room, @code{Mail>}, and @code{Aide>}), there are some exceptions to
the above commands.  For instance, it would make no sense to
make @code{Aide>} temporary, or @code{Mail>} anonymous.  Thus Fnordadel
enforces some restrictions when editing special rooms.

Note that since the @code{.A(ide) E(dit)} command is one of
the most frequently used Aide commands, Fnordadel has a
short-cut single-key command, @code{[A]ide}.

@item .A(ide) K(ill current room)
This is a fairly extreme command, in that it is not
possible to reverse its effects.  Use the command when a room
has outlived its usefulness, and you wish to destroy it, even
if it has messages in it.  (If the room is the last on its
floor, the floor will disappear, too.)  Once the command is
executed, the
contents of the room are gone for good.  You can always
recreate the room, but the messages from it are
unrecoverable.  Use of this command is logged in @code{Aide>}.

A @file{ctdlcnfg.sys} parameter,
@vindex aidekillroom
@code{#aidekillroom}, can be used
to disable
this command for Aides; if set to @samp{0}, the parameter allows
only the Sysop and Co-Sysops to execute this command.

@item .A(ide) S(et time and date)
This is an infrequently-used command, but one that
can come in handy now and then.  Using it, any user with Aide
status can alter your system's date and time.
``Why is this function necessary?'', you might ask.
Aside from the aesthetic appeal of having the
correct date and time stamped on your system's messages, the main reason is
networking.  If you transmit networked messages with
incorrect date/time stamps, things can get screwed up on the
systems receiving the messages.  For more details, see @ref{The loop-zapper}.
@end ftable

@node The ;A(ide) command, Aide message deletion and movement, The .A(ide) command, Aides
@subsection The ;A(ide) command
@cindex Commands, aide, floor

Just as an Aide can manipulate individual rooms, so it is
with entire floors.  The @code{;A(ide)} command allows this.  Executing
@code{;A(ide) ?} will produce:

@cindex Aide floor commands menu
@example
[C]reate a floor
[E]vict users
[I]nvite users
[K]ill this floor
[M]ove rooms to this floor
[R]ename this floor
@end example

@ftable @code
@item ;A(ide) C(reate floor)
There is always one floor by default when you first
configure your system.  This command allows for the creation
of new ones.  When executed, it will cause the system to ask
for the new floor's name, followed by a list of existing
rooms to be moved onto the floor.  If no rooms are put on the
floor, Fnordadel will throw it away immediately, so be
ready with at least one room.  Use of this command is logged
in @code{Aide>}.

Floors can be private in that if the user currently
signed on does not have access to any room on the floor (which
means they are all hidden or invitation-only), Fnordadel
will not show any information about the floor to the user.

@item ;A(ide) E(vict users)
This command allows an Aide to evict any number of
users from all hidden and invitation-only rooms on the current
floor.  The users' access to public rooms will not be altered.

@item ;A(ide) I(nvite users)
This command does the reverse of the above, and allows
an Aide to invite any number of users to all the hidden and
invitation-only rooms on the current floor.  The sole exception
is the @code{Aide>} room, which can not be entered by invitation,
only by possession of Aide status.

@item ;A(ide) K(ill this floor)
This is a potentially deadly relative of the @code{.A(ide) K(ill)}
command.  If used by an Aide signed on from remote, it
will simply move all rooms from the current floor to the base
floor (the first one on the system, which contains your lobby
room), and then destroy the current floor.

When used by the Sysop or a Co-Sysop, however, it allows the option
of performing a @samp{.AK} command for each room on the floor, and
then deleting the floor itself.  Use with caution, and keep
lots of backups.  Use of this command is logged in @code{Aide>}.

A @file{ctdlcnfg.sys} parameter,
@vindex aidekillroom
@code{#aidekillroom}, can be used
to disable this command for Aides; if set to @samp{1},
only the Sysop and Co-Sysops may execute this command.

@item ;A(ide) M(ove rooms)
This command allows additional rooms to be moved onto
an existing floor.  You may need to do this from time to time
as room topics change, or as users create rooms without
putting them on the right floor.  Use of this command is
logged in @code{Aide>}.

@item ;A(ide) R(ename this floor)
This command allows a floor name to be changed.
Simple!  You guessed it, use of this command is logged in
@code{Aide>}.
@end ftable

@node Aide message deletion and movement, .E(nter) R(oom), The ;A(ide) command, Aides
@subsection Aide message deletion and movement
@cindex Message deletion and movement, Aide
@cindex Aide message deletion and movement
@cindex Deleting messages, Aide
@cindex Moving messages, Aide
@cindex Copying messages, Aide

So far we've looked at commands for dealing with rooms and
entire floors, but they are only half the story without some way to
deal with individual messages as well.  Thus any user with Aide
privileges also has powerful message-related commands to play with.

@table @code
@item [D]elete message
@cindex Deleting messages
Any user can delete his or her own messages, subject
to some restrictions (@pxref{Deleting Messages}).
There are times,
however, when messages will need deleting, and the author
will be either unable or unwilling to do it.  Enter a fearless
Aide or Co-Sysop, who has the power to delete any message posted in a
public room, using the same methods available to regular users.
To recap those methods, here they are:

@enumerate
@item
While reading messages normally
@itemize @minus
@item
Use normal message reading commands (e.g. @code{[N]ew} or
@code{[R]everse}) to display the desired message on screen,
and @code{[P]ause} the system somewhere in the body of the
target message's text.
@item
While the system is paused, hit @samp{D} for @code{[D]elete}.
@item
The system will resume displaying the message through
to its end, then display a prompt like this:
@example
[C]opy [D]elete [M]ove [A]bort:
@end example
@item
To delete the message, hit @samp{D}.  To abort the process,
hit @samp{A}.
@end itemize

@item
While reading messages using @samp{more}
@itemize @minus
@item
Since the above method can be cumbersome, or downright
difficult in the case of small messages that
scroll by before you can pause the system, users may
also select the @code{[D]elete} command from the @code{.R(ead) M(ore)}
prompt.  @xref{More Mode}.
@item
The rest proceeds as above.
@end itemize
@end enumerate

In addition, any Aide can delete private @code{Mail>}
messages either to or from himself or herself, at any time.

An exception to Aide deletion powers are messages
found in the @code{Aide>} room itself.  Any message deleted by any
user is never lost (except for @code{Mail>} and anonymous messages,
which are instantly
vaporised for security reasons).  Rather, it is deleted from
its original room and moved to the @code{Aide>} room.  Thus, deleting
a message in @code{Aide>} has no effect.

@item [M]ove message
@cindex Moving messages
In addition to simply deleting messages, an Aide can
move them from one room to another.  The @code{[M]ove} command is
accessed from the same prompt as the @code{[D]elete} command above,
as the observant among you will have already noted.

The system will then ask for the destination room for
the message.  The default destination is the last room to
which a message was moved, or the @code{Aide>} room if no moves have
been done since the system was last started.  Moved messages
are added to the destination room, and deleted from the
source room (unless it was @code{Aide>}, from which no messages may
be deleted).

Note that you currently cannot move messages into @code{Mail>},
for two reasons.  First, the code to get this working would be
really ugly, and second, we couldn't think of a good reason
for doing it!  If you need to send the text of a public
message to somebody in @code{Mail>}, investigate the @code{C(apture)}
modifier of the @code{.R(ead)} command.  @xref{Multi-key read commands}.

Also note that messages moved into shared rooms probably
will not be sent out on the network.  We want to fix this,
but because networking is based on message ID numbers, and the
[M]ove command copies a message whole, including its ID
number, the network code can't operate correctly.  If you need
to net the message after moving it, again consider using the
@code{C(apture)} modifier of @code{.R(ead)}; see @ref{Multi-key read commands}.

@cindex Promoting local messages to net
@cindex Local messages, promoting to net
@cindex Net messages, promoting from local
Alternatively, if the message is a local message, and you have
Co-Sysop status, you could move the message into a net room and
then use the @code{pr[O]mote} command from the @code{.R(ead) M(ore)}
prompt to turn the message into a net message.
@xref{More Mode}, and @ref{Promoting local messages to net messages}.

@item [C]opy message
@cindex Copying messages
Copying a message looks and acts like moving one,
except that the copied message is not deleted from the source
room.  This command is rarely used, but it's here if you need
it.  The @code{[C]opy} command is available from the same prompt as
@code{[D]elete} and @code{[M]ove}.  All the restrictions/foibles that apply
to @code{[M]ove} also apply to @code{[C]opy}.
@end table

@node .E(nter) R(oom), Aide doors, Aide message deletion and movement, Aides
@subsection .E(nter) R(oom)
@findex .E(nter) R(oom)
@cindex Room creation
@cindex Entering rooms
@cindex New rooms, creating

At the Sysop's discretion, the creation of new rooms on the
system may be restricted to users with Aide (or Co-Sysop) status.  (See the
@vindex roomok
@code{#roomok} parameter in @file{ctdlcnfg.sys}.)  This limits the
average user's creativity on the system to posting messages about
topics chosen by others.  On the other hand, it gives the system more
direction and control; in our experience, heavy user input in room
creation can lead to a quick monopolization of the system by
drivel rooms.  Don't mind us, however; we admit to being jaded
oldsters.

@node Aide doors,  , .E(nter) R(oom), Aides
@subsection Aide doors
@cindex Doors, aide-only
@cindex Aide doors

Door commands can be set up so that only users with Aide
status can run them.  @xref{Doors}.

@node Sysop Commands and Perks,  , Aides, Aide and Co-Sysop Command Reference
@section Sysop Commands and Perks
@cindex Co-sysop commands
@cindex Commands, co-sysop

A user with Sysop privileges is automatically given Aide privs as
well, so all of the commands described in @ref{Aides}, apply to the Sysop and
Co-Sysops.  There are, however, a few more things that the Sysop and Co-Sysops
can do.  They are detailed in this section.

@node Sysop room-editing commands, Message journalling, Sysop Commands and Perks, Sysop Commands and Perks
@subsection Sysop room-editing commands
@cindex Editing rooms, sysop
@cindex Sysop room editing commands
@cindex Commands, room-editing, sysop

The room edit menu is accessible using the command @code{.A(ide) E(dit)}
(@pxref{The .A(ide) command}).
Certain of its commands, though, are
usable only by the Sysop or a Co-Sysop, due to their powerful or sensitive
nature.  Only the Sysop or Co-Sysops are allowed to edit the @code{Lobby>}
and @code{Aide>} rooms; some of the following commands may not be usable on
them, however.

@cindex Aide room edit menu
@cindex Room edit menu
@example
[A]rchive room
[D]irectory status
[N]et readable
[R]eadable
[S]hared
[U]nshare
[W]ritable
[Y]- toggle backbone status
[Z]- autonetted room
@end example

@table @code
@item [A]rchive room
This command allows you to specify that the contents
of the room be archived into a text file for more permanent
enjoyment, later publication, or blackmail purposes.
The system will prompt you for the path name of a file to use.
It may be located anywhere on your storage device(s), but we
don't recommend putting the file on a @sc{ram}disk, for obvious
reasons.

When you toggle archive mode on and have specified a
file to use, Fnordadel will archive all of the existing
messages to the file immediately.  It will then archive new
messages as they are entered, until your storage device runs
out of space or your toggle archiving off again.  Watch the
file's size to be sure that it doesn't get too large.
Fnordadel may not generate an error message if the storage
device runs out of room, and you will lose all messages that
it subsequently tries to archive to the file.

Fnordadel makes use of a file called @file{ctdlarch.sys},
which lives in your
@vindex sysdir
@code{#sysdir}, to hold the archiving filenames.
It consists of lines of the form
@example
<@var{room number}><SPACE><@var{full-filespec}>
@end example
It is an @sc{ascii} file, so it can in fact be edited by the Sysop
without having to go through the @code{.A(ide) E(dit)} stuff if you
want to change the archiving filename to something else.

@item [D]irectory status
This command allows you to attach a subdirectory
somewhere on your storage device(s) to the current room, and
turn the room into what is called a directory room.  When
prompted, enter any complete pathname.  If it doesn't specify
an existing directory, Fnordadel will give you the option
to create it on the spot.

The [D]irectory command also permits you to turn a
directory room back into a normal room.  If you do this,
Fnordadel will keep track of what directory was in use.
If you later want to switch the room back to a directory room
again, you need not worry about forgetting which directory
was used before.

@item [N]et readable
This allows you to toggle net readable status
on or off for a directory room.  If it is net readable, this
means that any system with which you network can call up and
request files out of the room during a networking session.

@item [R]eadable
This option is like @code{[N]et readable}, above,
but it controls whether normal users are able to access the
room for downloading purposes.  If you toggle readable status
off, users will not be able to see what files are in the room,
or download them.  This command does not affect the Sysop or Co-Sysops.

@item [S]hared
This command allows you to make a room networked, and
share it with one or more other systems.  The systems must be
in your net-list.  The command will also make a shared room
unshared if you wish, but doing so does not currently unshare
all the net nodes from the room before making the room normal.
Thus you should use the next command to disable all nodes,
and then use this command to make the room non-networked.
@xref{Roomsharing}.

@item [U]nshare
This command allows you to turn networking off in
the current room, for one or more nodes.  Nodes that you do
not specify in this command are unaffected.  For the nodes to
disable, enter their names one at a time when prompted.  To
finish, answer the prompt with just a @samp{<CR>}.  @xref{Roomsharing},
for more information.

@item [W]ritable
This command allows you to specify whether normal
users are able to upload anything to the current directory
room.  If you set writable status to no, callers will not be
able to transfer anything into the room.  This command does
not affect the Sysop or Co-Sysops.

@item [Y]- toggle backbone status
The backbone status command allows you to toggle
backbone status on or off in the current shared room, for one
or more network nodes.  For details about backboning, see
@ref{Topography and backboning}.

@item [Z]- autonetted room
This command allows you to specify that the current
network room should make all messages entered default to
being networked, even if the authors do not possess network
privileges.  This is a dangerous setting to use in rooms that
are shared with long-distance network nodes, since a little
idiocy or vandalism could cost one or more Sysops a fair
amount of money.
@end table

@node Message journalling, Promoting local messages to net messages, Sysop room-editing commands, Sysop Commands and Perks
@subsection Message journalling
@cindex Journalling messages
@cindex Message journalling
@cindex Saving messages to disk (journalling)

There may be times that you wish to save a message or three
to a normal text-file for use with some other program.  The room
archiving feature isn't suitable for this, so Fnordadel permits
you to journal individual messages to a file located anywhere on
your storage device(s).  If the file is not empty, the message
journalled will be appended to the file's end.

A message may be journalled in three ways.  To be precise:

@enumerate
@item
While reading messages normally
@itemize @minus
@item
Use normal message reading commands to display the
desired message on screen, and @code{[P]ause} the output
somewhere in the body of the message's text.
@item
While the system is paused, hit @samp{J} for @code{[J]ournal}.
@item
The system will resume displaying the message through
to its end, then redisplay and ask you to confirm that
this is the one you want.
@item
Assuming the message is the right one, answer `yes' and
then give the system the path name of the file in which
to save the message.  Voila.
@end itemize

@item
While reading messages using @samp{more}
@itemize @minus
@item
Since the above method can be cumbersome, or downright
difficult in the case of small messages that scroll by
before you can pause the system, you may also select
the @code{[J]ournal} command from the @code{.R(ead) M(ore)} prompt.
@item
The rest proceeds as above.
@end itemize

@item
Using a modifier to the @code{.R(ead)} command
@itemize @minus
@item
Any number of messages may be journalled in one swell
foop using a modifier with the @code{.R(ead)} message-reading
commands.  The modifier is @code{J(ournal)}.  For example, @samp{.RJN}
will journal all new messages in the current room.
@item
Using the @code{J(ournal)} modifier with @code{.R(ead)} will cause
the system to prompt for a file name in which to save
the messages retrieved.
@end itemize
@end enumerate

@node Promoting local messages to net messages, Sysop file transfers, Message journalling, Sysop Commands and Perks
@subsection Promoting local messages to net messages
@cindex Promoting local messages to net
@cindex Local messages, promoting to net
@cindex Net messages, promoting from local

The Sysop and Co-Sysops have another special command available in the
@samp{more} menu (@pxref{More Mode}), called @code{pr[O]mote} (@samp{P}
was already taken@dots{}).  This command makes a
new copy of the current message in the current room, and sets it up as
a networked message.  The room must be a shared room, and the message
must be a local message, or Fnordadel will complain at you.  Also, the
command currently doesn't work in @code{Mail>}.

@node Sysop file transfers, Sysop doors, Promoting local messages to net messages, Sysop Commands and Perks
@subsection Sysop file transfers
@cindex File transfers, sysop
@cindex Ymodem batch uploads, sysop
@cindex Batch file uploads, sysop
@cindex Sysop file transfers

Normal users may only upload files to the system one at a
time, but any user with Sysop or Co-Sysop status is permitted to upload multiple
files in one @code{.E(nter)} command using batch file transfers.  Batch
uploads can be done using either @code{X(modem)} or @code{Y(modem)}
modifiers to activate the obvious protocols.
For example:
@example
.E(nter) Y(modem) B(atch).
@end example
The reason batch uploads are disabled for regular users is
that Fnordadel will blindly overwrite any previously existing file
if a new one of the same name is sent during the batch transfer.  A
user of Sysop or Co-Sysop calibre is assumed to know what he/she is
doing, but be careful not to wipe out files by accident.

Two other things the Sysop and Co-Sysops can do regarding file transfers are
upload into directory rooms that are set to `non-writable', or
download files from directory rooms that are set to `non-readable'
@xref{Sysop room-editing commands}.

@node Sysop doors, Sysop mail differences, Sysop file transfers, Sysop Commands and Perks
@subsection Sysop doors
@cindex Doors, sysop-only
@cindex Sysop doors

Doors can be set up such that only a user with Sysop or Co-Sysop status
can run them.  Also, on any door that takes arguments, those users are
not prevented from entering arguments that include the @samp{:} and
@samp{\} characters.  Normal users are prevented from using these characters
to preserve the security of your storage device(s) from sneaky people
trying to get at files in other drives or directories.  @xref{Doors}.

@node Sysop mail differences, Aide room access, Sysop doors, Sysop Commands and Perks
@subsection Sysop mail differences
@cindex Mail, sysop
@cindex Sysop mail

The Sysop and Co-Sysops are not charged any net credits for long-distance mail.
Watch out where your Co-Sysops (if you have any) are sending all those
messages!  @xref{User Status Commands},
for the command to assign credits to other people who need them.

Another minor benefit for the Sysop and Co-Sysops shows up in conjunction with
the @code{[R]eply} command in the @code{.R(ead) M(ore)}
menu (@pxref{More Mode}).
Normally when a user tries to @code{[R]eply} to a piece of net-mail, if your
system can't figure out where the reply should be sent, it will abort
with an error.  This forces the user to manually enter the message
using @samp{.EN}, assuming he/she can figure out where the mail should go.
The Sysop and Co-Sysops, however, are prompted by the system (after the failed
@code{[R]eply} command) to enter an over-ride delivery address for the mail.
If that address is known to your system, the reply proceeds as normal.
@xref{Net addresses}, for all the goop on addressing net mail.

@node Aide room access,  , Sysop mail differences, Sysop Commands and Perks
@subsection Aide and sysop room access
@cindex Room access, sysop

Co-Sysops are allowed to forget rooms like normal users, but they are also
allowed to get into any room (including invitation-only ones) if they know
the full room name.