Black Box 4/BlackBox.cdr/hamradio/mb1309.arj/MB1309.EXE/HELP.MB

Text File | 1992-02-16 | 27KB | 681 lines

? _
    Instructions for obtaining help:

 1. A brief explanation of ALL the commands can be obtained by entering ? CMD
    (that's ? space CMD).
 2. A short "Help on Basic Commands" is available to enable new users
    to use the MailBox right away.  It tells you how to get a LIST of
    messages, how to READ messages that interest you, and how to SEND
    messages to others.  To see this, enter ? ?  (That's two question
    marks with a space between them.)
 3. To receive complete help information on a specific command, enter H
    followed by a space and then the command letter.  Example: H R will
    tell you all about the READ command.  When you actually use the commands,
    you'll find that many of them require that something additional be entered
    after the initial letter, such as a callsign or message number.
    The help file will tell you about those requirements.
 4. To receive a complete description of ALL commands, enter: H *
    (That's H space asterisk).  Regular MailBox users will want to do this
    to become familiar with all features of the system.  This
    information fills twelve pages, so turn on your printer or have your
    buffer ready to store the information before entering H *.
 5. To receive help on extended MailBox services enter H SERV.
? ?
 Help on Basic Commands:

    To find out how to enter the required information about yourself,
       enter H N
    To LIST messages that have been received by the MailBox since you last
       checked in, enter: L
    To LIST recent messages, enter: LL xx  (xx = the number of messages
       you want to list.) Example: LL 15 will list the last 15 messages.
    To READ a message, enter: R, a space, and the message number.
       Example: to read message 4350, enter: R 4350
    To SEND a message to another ham who uses this MailBox, enter:
       SP , a space, and the station callsign.
       Example: SP W0RLI
    To SEND a message to a station who uses another MailBox, enter:
       SP, the callsign of the receiving station, @, the callsign of the
       ham's MailBox, a period, and the 2 letter state abbreviation.
       Example: SP N2XYZ @ W2ABC.NY  (Note the spacing!)
    To KILL (erase) a message, enter K and the message number.
       Example: to erase message 6112, enter: K 6112
    To log off the MailBox (to say goodbye), enter: B (or just disconnect).

? H

 H (Help) - Provides information on how to use each of the MailBox commands.

    H - (Entered by itself) - Gives you information and instructions on
       how to use the various help commands.

    H x - Gives a detailed explanation of the command designated by x.

    H * - Gives the complete HELP document (it runs 12 pages) with a
       detailed explanation of all commands on this MailBox.

  Use the command H SERV for information on extended MailBox services.

? CMD

 B - BYE ------ Disconnect from the MailBox.
 CM- COPY MSG - Make a copy of a message for another station.
 D - DOWNLOAD - Download files. (Read files that are in the MailBox.)
 E - EDIT TFC - Edit the message header (TO, FROM, etc.) of an NTS message.
 H - HELP ----- Help in using the commands available on this MailBox.
 I - INFO ----- Information on the computer, software and hardware.
 I -(with call) Information from the user database for that callsign.
 J - WHO? ----- Listing of stations recently heard or connected to the MailBox.
 K - KILL ----- Kill (erase) messages.
 L - LIST ----- List messages.  (Several variations available.)
 N - NAME ----- Enter your Name, QTH, Zip, Home MailBox into WP database.
 R - READ ----- Read messages.
 S - SEND ----- Send messages, and STATUS --- Show System Status.
 T - TALK ----- Talk to the sysop.
 U - UPLOAD --- Upload files. (Put files into the MailBox.)
 V - VERSION -- Find out what version of the W0RLI MailBox program is on line.
 W - WHAT ----- List file directories and file names.
  Some commands require added information after the command letter.
  For detailed information on a specific command, enter H x, where x is the
  command letter.  Example: H L will give you information for LIST.
  Use the command H SERV for information on extended MailBox services.

? !
!
! ! DOS_command - Does the DOS command from the Mailox command
!                 line. Note that the log, mail, and user files
!                 are still open. Do not access them.
!
? <
!
! < file   - The MailBox will read input from file instead of the console.
!            Control is returned to the console at EOF.
!            This can be used, for example, to create complex distributions.
!
? @
!
! @ - Switch between the standard commands remote sysop commands.
!     User must have sysop privilege.
!
? B

  B    - Log off the MailBox.  This will return you to the node, if the
         system is configured to do so.  Disconnecting from the MailBox
         will also log you out.

? C

  CM # CALL  - Copy message # to CALL. Same syntax as S command.
                  Example - CM 123 kb6dui.
!
! C YYMMDD HHMM  - Set the clock.
!
! CM # CALL [@ BBS] [< call] [$BID]  - Copy message. (See "S" command)
! EXAMPLE - CM 923 N6HAM or CM 923 KB6LIB @ N6MPW < N6IYA
!
! CR CALL - "Check Routes" to CALL.  Checks against WP and FWD.MB
! to show what forwarding route will be taken.

? D

 D (Download) - Use for downloading (reading) files.

       Each file in the MailBox is placed in one of the MailBox's several
       file areas.  Each file area is identified by a letter or number,
       called the directory ID.  The D command must be used with a directory
       ID and filename using the following form:  Dx filename.  x is the
       directory ID and the filename must be entered exactly as listed in the
       directory.

       Example: DG FCCEXAMS.90 will get you a file in the G directory named
       FCCEXAMS.90.  Under "help" for the W command (H W) you will find
       information on listing the directories and the contents of each.

! Dd filename   - Download a file. "d" is the directory ID.
!                 Full device and directory path may be given.
!                 Example: D \MailBox\GENERAL\FCCEXAMS.90
!

? E

  E  #    - Edit a message header.
! EP p    - Edit port parameters for port p.
! ES      - Edit system parameters.
! EU      - Sweep through all users.
! EU CALL - Edit a user record.

? F
!
! Fd # FILE opt  - Make a file from a message, in directory area d.
! F  # FILE opt  - Directory path and file name.
!                 Opt: A - Append to existing file.
!                      H - Put the message header into the file.
!
? G
!
! GM    - Compress the mail file.
! GM  n - Compress the mail file, renumber messages starting with n.
!       - With appended semicolon, show status of each message.
? I

  I        - Gives a paragraph on the hardware, software,
             and rf facilities of this MailBox station.
  I CALL   - Query the local WP database for all info on call.
                Example: I N1HAM.
  I@ BBS   - List users at home MailBox BBS. Wildcards may be used.
                Example: I@ AD8I  or  I@ HB*
  IH LOC   - List users at location. Example: IH CA
  IZ ZIP   - List users at ZIP code. Wildcards may be used.
                Example: IZ 950*

    NOTE: For a detailed explanation of data displayed by the various I
       commands, enter: H IMORE.
!
! For sysop I commands, use "H IX".

? IX

! ID       - Displays some statistics about the WP database.
!    For the following commands, if a file name is given as argument,
!    the list is put into the file instead of displayed on the screen.
! IA       - List all users.
! IB       - List users marked with MailBox privilege.
! IC       - List all users that have logged in.
! IE       - List users marked as expert.
! II       - List users marked as MailBox.
! IN DAYS  - List users first seen during the past DAYS days.
! IR FILE  - Read user information from WP format text file.
! IS       - List sysop users.
! IU DAYS  - List users updated during the past DAYS days.
! IW       - Force creation of WP Update message.
! IX       - List excluded users.
!    For the following commands, if a filename is given with the command,
!    the WP entry is deleted after being put into the file.
!    These commands are intended for various archiving functions.
! I?       - List users with their own call as Home, but not seen as MailBox,
!            with "junk" callsigns, and with "junk" home MailBox callsigns.
! IF AGE   - List users not seen in AGE days.

? IMORE

    The information you receive with the various I commands is part of the
    MailBox "White Pages", and is gathered from three sources: by users of this
    MailBox entering information with the N, NH, NQ and NZ commands, from "WP"
    messages originated by other systems, and from the routing headers of
    messages that pass through this system.
    First - the date the software first heard about the station.  If it's
            shown as 800101, the station was already a user of this MailBox
            before this feature was developed and no date is available.
    Last  - the day the station logged in last, if a local user, or the
            last day any information was received on the station.
    Log   - the last day the station logged into this MailBox.  If the date
            800101 is shown, the station has never logged in to this MailBox.
    Seen  - the total number of times the information has been updated
            either by check-in or by message.
    HmMailBox - the "Home MailBox" used by the station.
    BEISX - B = a station that can use the "MailBox only" ports of this
               MailBox.  Entered by sysop.
            E = Expert User.  Turned on or off with the NE command.
            I = a MailBox, as received from routing header of a message.
            S = station has remote sysop privileges.
            X = an ex-user of the system.
            ? = none of the above.
    The other items are self-explanatory.
? J

  J   - Shows what ports are available.

  Jp  - Where p is a port identifier.
        Gives a short list of stations recently heard on that port.
        The console port list shows the calls of stations recently
        connected to the MailBox.

? K

  K  #    - Kills message number #.
                    Example:  K 327  Kills message # 327.
  KM      - Kills all messages addressed to you, that you have read.
!
! K> CALL - Kills all messages to call.    Example - K> WX
! K< CALL - Kills all messages from call.  Example - K< N7QRM
! KF      - Kills all forwarded-but-not-killed messages.
! KF CALL - Kills all forwarded-but-not-killed messages to CALL.
! KH      - Kills all "held" messages.
! KO      - Kills all "old" messages.
! KY      - Kills all messages that have been read.
! KY CALL - Kills all messages to CALL that have been read.
! K@ CALL - Kills all messages addressed at this MailBox.  Example - K@ W5QTH
!           Note that plain K will kill ANY message.

? L

   Lists messages newest to oldest.
   "Personal" messages not to or from you will not be listed.

   L        - List all new messages since your last log-in.
   LC       - List Catagories of new Bulletins.
   LC XXX   - List new Bulletins in Catagory XXX.
   LL #     - List the newest # messages.
                Example: LL 10.  Lists newest 10 messages.
   LM       - "List Mine". Lists all messages TO you.
   LT       - List all NTS traffic.
   L> call  - List all messages to this callsign.
                Example: L> WA6OCV.  Lists all messages to WA6OCV.
   L< call  - List all messages from this callsign.
                Example: L< N7EQN.  Lists all messages from N7EQN.
   L@ call  - List all messages addressed at this MailBox callsign.
                Example: L@ AMSAT. Lists all messages at AMSAT.
   L. loc   - List all messages going to a given location.
                Example: L. CA. Lists all messages destined for California.

   Use "H LX" for information on other L commands.
!  Use "H LS" for information on sysop only L commands.

? LS
!
!  LH       - List all held messages.
!  LH xxx   - List all held messages addressed TO, FROM, or AT xxx.
!  LK       - List all killed messages.
!  LK xxx   - List all killed messages addressed TO, FROM, or AT xxx.
!  LU       - List all messages with unknown destination.
!  LX       - List all locally entered bulletins that are held.
!
!  An additional field at the end of the command gives optional list style:
!  Semi-colon means list ALL information about the messages.
!
? LX

   L  #     - List all messages back to message #.
                Example: L 325. Lists all messages to # 325.
   L  # #   - List all messages between the two message numbers.
                Example: L 325 335. Lists all messages between 325 and 335.
   LA #     - List the oldest # messages.
                Example: LA 10.  Lists oldest 10 messages.
   LB       - List all bulletins.
   LF       - List all messages that have been forwarded.
   LI BID   - List messages by BID.
   LO       - List all "old" messages.
   LP       - List all personal messages.
   LY       - List all messages that have been read.

   An additional field at the end of the command gives optional list style:
   Semi-colon means list ALL information about the messages.
   Example: "LL 10 ;"  Will also list the BID and cc: list.
   Example: "LC ;" Will list all Bulletin Catagories on the system.

? M

! M FILE TO  - Make a message from a file. See S command for syntax.
!           Example:  M \MailBox\NTS\DESIG.NTS N6MPW

? N

  The N commands are used to enter your personal
  information into the user database ("White Pages").

  N  xxxx - Enter your first name into user data base.
  NE      - Toggle your "expert user" status.
  NH xxxx - Enter your 'Home MailBox'. (Aids in routing mesages to you.)
  NQ xxxx - Enter your QTH.
  NZ xxxx - Enter your ZIP or postal code. (Aids in routing mesages to you.)
!
! N from to  - Rename file.

? O
!
! Op file  - Output file to port p, then go to terminal mode on port p.
!            Port must have been used by a T or V command first.
!
? P
!
! PR # opt - Print message number # on the printer.
! PM   opt - Print all my unread messages (like RM).
!
!   Opt: F - Do a form feed at the end of each message printed.
!        H - Print all the message headers.
!
? Q
!
! Q  - Quit (return to DOS).
!
? R

  R  #    - Read message number #.
            Example: R 325. Reads message 325

  RH #    - Read message number #, showing all routing headers.
            Example: See R above.

  RM      - "Read Mine". Read all your unread messages.

? S

 S (System Status) - An S sent by itself will give you the status of the
       MailBox tasks, ports and forwarding.  The status report shows what
       tasks and ports are in use and callsigns of stations using them.
       Also shown is a list of callsigns and designators for all messages
       awaiting delivery.

 SB, SP, SR and ST - SEND (Send Bulletin, Send Personal, Send Reply and
       Send Traffic).  The SEND command must be used in one of the
       following forms:
          SB - Send a bulletin intended to be read by anyone interested.
          SP - Send a personal message to another ham.
          SR - Send a reply message to the message you just read.
          ST - Send NTS traffic.

       For detailed help on these commands, enter as appropriate:
          H SB    H SP    H SR    or    H ST

? SB
 SB
    The SB command is used to send to send a general bulletin that can
    be read by anyone.  You specify two things when you send a bulletin:
    The CATAGORY of information, and the DISTRIBUTION for the bulletin.
    SB CAT @ DIST

    SB IBMPC @ USA   - A bulletin of interest to IBM PC users everywhere.
    SB EXAMS @ PNW   - A bulletin about exams in the Pacific NortWest.
    SB HELP @ PDX    - A reqest for help sent to the Portland area.
    SB WANT @ ALLUSW - Sent everywhere in the Western USA.

    Note: If you are entering an ARRL bulletin, AMSAT bulletin, "W5YI
    Report", or a similar message that has a Bulletin ID (BID) assigned
    to it, please enter that BID as part of the SEND command line.
    The BID is entered immediately after the forwarding designator,
    preceded by a dollar sign ($).  Example: If you are entering an
    ARRL Bulletin that has a BID of ARLB0512 assigned to it, you would
    enter the message as follows:   SB ARRL @ USA $ARLB0512.
? SP

    SP xxxx - Send a "personal" message to station xxxx at this MailBox.
       Example: SP WB6HAM
       A personal message can be read only by you, the sysop and the addressee.
    SP xxxx @ yyy.st - send message to station xxxx at MailBox yyy in state st.
       Example: SP KC3XC @ N4QQ.MD
    SP xxxx @ yyy.#region.st.country.continent - send a message to station
       xxxx at MailBox yyy in the state, country and continent indicated.
       This last format is the full "packet address" or "hierarchial location."
       Example: SP WB9LOZ @ W6PW.CA.USA.NA
    NOTES:
    1. The MailBox call used must be that of a full service MailBox.  Personal
       MailBoxes and TNC mailboxes are not included in the forwarding system.
    2. The state must be abbreviated with the two letter abbreviation
       assigned by the US Postal Service.
    3. The region must be a recognized region code used by the area MailBoxs.
       This information is optional.
    4. The country and continent must be the internationally accepted codes.
       If you don't know what they are, do not enter them.
    5. The items after the @ are separated by periods and listed in the
       order of smallest to largest area.
? SR

    SR is used to send a reply message to the originator of a message
       you have just read.  It will automatically include the callsign,
       home MailBox and subject.  This command can only be used as the first
       command after you have just read a message.  Simply enter SR after
       you read a message if you wish to reply to it.

    SR nnn can be used to reply to message number nnn.

? ST

    ST ZZZZZ @ NTSxx - Send a message through the National Traffic System.
       ZZZZZ = Zip code of destination city.
       NTSxx = xx is the two letter state or province abbreviation.
       Example: ST 60625 @ NTSIL
    NOTES:
    1. The Subject of an NTS message should always be entered in
       the form: QTC City, State AreaCode/Prefix
       Example:  QTC Chicago, IL 312/555
    2. ARRL message format should be used for an ST message.

? NTS

 There is exactly ONE way to address an NTS message so that it will
 travel through the packet MailBox system correctly:

 ST ZIP @ LOC

 ZIP is the zip code of the addressee. LOC is the standard NTS designator
 for the addressee's state. These designators are usually NTSxx where
 xx is the two letter state abbreviation.

 There MUST be only one NTS message per packet message.
 i.e. "book traffic" is not supported.

 If you place some further useful information in  the message subject,
 it will help the delivering station as well as the relay stations.
 A town name, telephone area code and exchange, etc. are all useful.

? T

  T - Chat with the Sysop.
      Any command or Return before the request times out will
      return you to the normal MailBox prompt.
!
! Tp  - Go to terminal mode on port p with FLOW OFF.
! Tp FILE  - Go to terminal mode on port p with FLOW OFF, open save file.

? U

 Ux (Upload) - Use for uploading (sending) a file to the MailBox.  x is the
       ID of the directory you want to upload the file to.  (Use the W
       command for a list of directories and their IDs.)  Enter Ux
       followed by the filename you're assigning to the file.
       Example: UG FLEAMKT.INF would upload a file named FLEAMKT.INF
       into the G directory area.
     NOTES:
    1. Filenames can have up to 8 characters preceding the dot and 3
       characters following the dot.
    2. The MailBox will not allow you to upload a file with the
       same name as a file that already exists.

? V

  V - Show what version of the MailBox is running.
!
! Vp  - Go to terminal mode on port p, with FLOW ON.
! Vp FILE  - Go to terminal mode on port p, with FLOW ON, open save file.
!
! V # prn    - Output file to printer where # is the message number.
!                   - Example - V 1843 PRN
! V from to  - Copy file.

? W

  W (What) - Gives you a list of the file directories and a description
    of the topic that is found in each.  Each directory is identified by
    a single character called the directory ID.
  Wx - Gives you a list of the files in the directory with identifier x.
    Example: WS will list the files in the S Directory.
  Wx ffffffff.fff - Lists all files in directory x that are described by
    ffffffff.fff.  This command accepts traditional DOS global commands,
    such as the asterisk, as a wildcard, and is only useful used that way.
    Example: WI *DX*.*  will list all files in the I directory with DX
    somewhere in the name before the dot.  (WI *.* is the same as just WI)
  NOTES:
    1. The W commands for FILES are equivalent to the L commands for MESSAGES.
    2. To read (download) files shown by the Wx command, use the Dx command,
       where x equals the directory ID.  The D command for FILES is
       equivalent to the R command for MESSAGES.
       Enter H D for further information on downloading files.
    3. To put files into the MailBox, use the U command.
       The U command for FILES is equivalent to the SB command for MESSAGES.
       Enter H U for further information on uploading files.

! W        - Any path and filespec allowed.

? WP

  WP - WP (white pages) - See I command for local queries.

       For WP server Query enter message to WP.  Example:

       sp wp @ ad8i <enter>
       query        <enter>
       callsign ?   <enter>
       cntrl Z      <enter>

? SERV

  There is help information for some of the existing servers.
  Use the following commands to obtain that information:

  H FILEX   -  Remote File Exchange services.
  H REQDIR  -  Remote directory listings.
  H REQFIL  -  Remote file download via message.
  H REQQTH  -  Request callbook informaion.
  H REQWP   -  Request White Pages information.
  H HB      -  Request callbook information.
  H SAM     -  Request callbook information.

? FILEX
  FILEX is a general purpose Remote File Exchange server. It supplies remote
  directory listings, downloads files to you via return message, and uploads
  files you send via message.  Directory listing and file download are handled
  using the familiar REQDIR / REQFIL protocols. Any number of directory and
  download requests can be made in a single message. Example:
  SP FILEX @ W0RLI
  wa
  do or.net
  /EX

  Files are uploaded one file per message.  The message subject must be the
  appropriate MailBox upload command.  The file you wish to upload is placed
  in the message text.  Example:
  SP FILEX @ W0RLI
  uo ntsnets.or
  The following is an up-to-date listing of all NTS nets in Oregon.
  Please send updates to W7QRN @ N7QRM.
  <lots more text>
  /EX

  See H REQDIR, H REQFIL, H D, H U, and H W for further information.

? REQDIR

  To get a return message containing a list of all available directory areas:

  SP REQDIR @ W0RLI
  w
  /EX

  To get a listing of files in specific directory areas, you put the "W"
  commands in the message Subject and/or the message text. Example:

  SP REQDIR @ W0RLI
  wg
  wp
  /EX

  See H FILEX for more information on remote file services.
  See H W for more information on directory commands.

? REQFIL

  SP REQFIL @ BBS will generate return messages containing the files
  you request.  The files are specified in the message Subject and/or
  the message text.  Use the standard download format.

  Example:

  SP REQFIL @ W0RLI
  ds reqdir.c
  do oregon.net
  dp ditdah.c
  /EX

  See H FILEX for more information on remote file services.
  See H D for more information on the download commands.

? REQQTH

  Thanks to Buckmaster Publishing's new HAM CD, the WA4ONG REQQTH server
  can provide information on any US callsign.
  Here is the format for requests:

  SP REQQTH @ WA4ONG.VA.USA.NA
  Enter message subject:
  call,call,call,call,call@myhomeMailBox
  enter message text
  /EX

  Calls can be seperated by commas or blank spaces.  Any request not comforming
  to this format will probably go into that great bit bucket in the sky!

  Enjoy!
  Jim WA4ONG


? HB

  HB accesses callbook information provided by the J-Com HamBase database.

  Here is the format for requests:

  SP HB @ W0RLI.OR.USA.NA
  Any message subject will do.
  The message text is any number of callsigns per line,
  separated by spaces or commas.
  /EX

? SAM

  SAM accesses callbook information provided by the RT Systems SAM database.

  Here is the format for requests:

  SP SAM @ W0RLI.OR.USA.NA
  Any message subject will do.
  The message text is any number of callsigns per line,
  separated by spaces or commas.
  /EX

? REQWP

  Sending a message to REQWP @ BBS will query the WP database at BBS,
  and return a message to you with the results of that query.
  The message you send should have the "I" commands for the queries
  you would like to do.  The commands I, I@, IH, and IZ are supported
  in this way.  See "H I" for details of the I commands.

  An example message would look like this:
  SP REQWP @ AD8I
  <any old subject will do>
  I@ W0RLI
  IZ 97*
  /EX

  Note that each sysop limits the size of the response message, so you
  may not get all the information you requested.  For example, if you
  requested IZ *, you would get only the first 50-100 calls that matched,
  instead of the entire 25,000 callsigns in the database.

? X
!
! X       - Trigger an auto-forward.
! XI      - Auto forward, ignore time windows.
! X  CALL  - Forward, but only to CALL.
! XI CALL  - Forward, ignore time window, but only to CALL.
! XP PORT  - Forward, but only on PORT.
! XR CALL  - Force reverse forward poll to CALL.
! XX       - Release all locally entered held messages.
! XY       - Release ALL held messages.
!
? Y
!
! YF FILE  - Change the name of the forward file (Normally FWD.MB).
!            Example: YF d:\MailBox\sysop\109.fwd
!
! YY       - Force update of the "To forward" list.
!
? Z
!
! Z FILE   - Delete the file. Full path name allowed.
!           Example: Z \MailBox\sysop\test.msg
!
! Zd FILE  - Delete file from directory area d.
!           Example: ZA Westnet.bbs
!