XEDITCALLHLP-EDITDATEHLP0ǓEDITMAINHLP3ZEDITSTATHLP7-MAINMENUHLPEME# HLP[LME/ HLP^ME// HLPMEAPPLY HLP>KMEARTICLHLPn qMEBULLETHLPMEBYE HLP9CMECALLERHLPJMECHAT HLP #MECOMM HLPM9MECOMMENHLPFKMECPM HLP MEENTER HLP %MEEXPERTHLPMEFEATURHLPw ZiMEGOODBYHLP9CMEHELP ;áMEJUMP HLP MEKILL HLP. 7MELIST HLP gMEMESSAGHLPN jMEMODIFYHLP7.MENOTES HLPMEOTHERSHLPMEQUICKSHLP<MEREAD HLPCdMEREPLY HLP_kMERESTORHLPmEMERNS HLPdBMERP HLPhBMERRS HLPw FfMERS HLPl FfMESEARCHHLPW"MESTATS HLP[LMESUMMARHLP 3<METIME HLPypMEUNKILLHLPmEMEUSER HLP|MEWELCOMHLP-MEWHO HLPE 0MEYELL HLP #MSGENTERHLP-MSGNOPSTHLP MSGPRIV HLP"zMSGREAD HLPIMSGSRCH HLP$tUMSGSRD HLPaMSGSRDSOHLP)0MSGUPLD HLP+9d | Use K or Control-K to ABORT command or display. | Use Control-S to PAUSE display, any key to continue. | | Read = Read messages | HELP = More extensive help | RNS = Read New Messages | CHat = Chat with the Sysop | Summ = Message Summary | G or BYE = Leave System | Enter = Enter a Message | User = Change User parameters | COmments = Leave private comments to Sysop | | Use ? to see a FULL list of commands | = | ** Above commands may be abbreviated to the portion shown | in upper case (eg. R is the same as Read) **  Enter the message number you wish to retrieve. To read a series of messages, enter the first message followed by a plus (+) or minus (-) (for increasing or decreasing order). For example: 10+ or 280- Additionally, the following special characters may be included BEFORE the message number (if M, N or T is entered, no message number need be given): M to read mail (messages to you) N to read new messages left since your last visit T to read "tagged" messages (use selective read to tag msgs) Q to read messages with no prompts if messages are addressed to you K to allow reading of killed (deleted) messages You may mix the special characters, for instance: MN would read New Mail.  > (Y)es, read this message. (N)o, don't read it. > (R)eply to PREVIOUS message. (Q)uit reading messages. > (T)ag message to read later. (U)ntag message. > (M)odify PREVIOUS message header (subject).  (A)bort message entry (C)ontinue entering message (D)elete line of the message (E)dit message text (I)nsert a line of text (L)ist the message (R)eplace line with new one (S)ave the message (U)pload mode (allows blank lines, use \"/\" to finish)  You may not enter a message until the System Operator has granted you that privilege. Leave a message to the Sysop with the APPLY command if you would like this ability.  To make the message readable only by the person it is addressed to, enter P for private. Anything else will make the message public (normal).  The following message fields may be searched: s: = subject field d: = date field f: = from (name) field t: = to (name) field *: = ALL of the above fields If multiple fields are specified, a message with a match in ANY field will be selected. To select only messages which match all fields you've specified, insert an '&' character before any of the above fields. Multiple search fields may separately be specified. Examples: 244+ s:for sale &t:all users 1024- t:all users ft:sysop s:metal Special SYSOP functions: > (K)ill PREVIOUS message > (W)rite PREVIOUS message to disk file > (P)rint message to LST: device > (E)dit sender of PREVIOUS message > (D)elete sender of previous message  Blank lines will now be accepted in the message. Use a single "/" (slash) character on a line (followed by a Return) to end the message. Use the "U"pload command again to return to the normal message entry mode. Match string is a condition followed by the number of calls value. Conditions are '>' (greater than), '<' (less than), and '=' (equal to). Ex: >100 Called more than 100 times. <2 Called less than 2 times. 0 (same as '=0') 0 times callers ('add' users). Match string is a condition followed by the date (no space). Conditions are '>' (greater than), '<' (less than), and '=' (equal to). The date is of the format MM/DD/YY (month/day/year). Ex: >08/09/84 Dates after 08/09/84. <01/01/85 Dates before Jan. 1, '85.  or = Advance one user. , 'b' or '-' = Backup one user. = Advance to user number. 'a' = All users display toggle (show deleted users) 'd' = Delete user. 'e' = Edit user. 'f' = Find user by name. 'i' = Display more user info. 'm' = Mass user function (SET TAGS FIRST). 't' = Tag users. 'u' = Undelete user. 'x' = Exit to BBS. 'z' = Goto last user. Match string is a condition followed by the Status Chars. (no space) Conditions are '=' (equal to), and '!' (not equal to). Status Characters are one of the following (check manual): +,s,n,x,X,a,b,c Examples: =ns Matches all normal ('n') and Special ('s') users. !abc Matches everything but 'a','b' or 'c' type users. xX Matches no-os and twits (same as '=xX'). Help is available for the following: Commands: ARTICLES APPLY BULLETINS BYE CHAT COMMENT CPM ENTER EXPERT FEATURES GOODBYE HELP JUMP KILL LIST MESSAGES NOTES OTHERSYS QUICKSUM READ REPLY RESTORE RNS RP RRS RS SUMMARY STATS UNKILL USER WELCOME WHO YELL # - / // Topics: SEARCH APPLY and COMMENTS Commands These two commands perform the same function, which is to enter a private message to the System Operator. In the APPLY version of this command, the subject will be entered as "* new user application *" (or similar). You are asked for the subject of the message when using the COMMENTS form. These commands may be used even if you don't have the privilege of using the standard ENTER command. The main purpose of having two names for the command, is that one 'sounds' like a valid command to "apply" (or register) for access on the system. The other ("COmments") is a quick way to leave comments to the Sysop, especially if you wish a reply. Entering text for the message is performed in the same manor as with the ENTER command described below. WHO and - (minus sign) Commands These commands simply displays the name of the person who is logged onto the system. APPLY and COMMENTS Commands These two commands perform the same function, which is to enter a private message to the System Operator. In the APPLY version of this command, the subject will be entered as "* new user application *" (or similar). You are asked for the subject of the message when using the COMMENTS form. These commands may be used even if you don't have the privilege of using the standard ENTER command. The main purpose of having two names for the command, is that one 'sounds' like a valid command to "apply" (or register) for access on the system. The other ("COmments") is a quick way to leave comments to the Sysop, especially if you wish a reply. Entering text for the message is performed in the same manor as with the ENTER command described below.  You may leave a private comment to Sysop now. An answer other than Yes or No will abort the current command. MESSAGES Command This is a helpful command which displays in the same form as when you login, a quick list of messages which are addressed to you. The list contains this information: o The message number(s) o Who each message is from o It will alert you of the message(s) which are Private o It will alert you of the message(s) which have been entered since the last time you were on the system. o How many active messages were entered by you. Note: A similarly functioning method of finding messages to you, but giving more details (the subject, etc.) about them, can be done using the SUMMARY command and search functions. (eg. S T:your name - would perform such a function) Note: Search functions may also be used to read all messages to you, or all new messages to you, by using the following (respectively!): RS T:your name ...and... RS N+ T:your name (N stands for new messages) Both examples use the selective read function, though the standard READ command would work equally well.  Message Search Functions Unless specified, all message commands accept search functions which allow you to select messages based on the information described above (sender, recipient, subject, and date). Search functions: D: search the DATE field F: search the FROM (sender) field S: search the SUBJECT field T: search to "To" field *: search all of the above fields Following the search specification character (D,F,S,T,*) and the colon (":") should be a string you wish to find within that field (or fields). The search will be made independent of the case (Tim,TIM, and tim are all equivalent search strings). For example: F:TIM would search for messages with "TIM" someplace within the FROM field of the messages. *:SYSOP would find all messages to, from, or with a subject pertaining to the SYSOP. The search parameter must be the last parameter given on the line. At the prompt which asks for the message number to read, kill, or start scanning at, you may enter the following forms: ...or... The first form designates a starting number for the search to take place at. The second does a complete search of all messages starting with the first active one. Examples: 123+ T:Hammer Head This specification selects all messages from number 123 to the last one, which are to someone called "Hammer Head". The plus sign after a number indicates all messages starting at the specified message. 400+ *:sysop to find messages after #400 with "sysop" in any of the fields. D:10/23 to find messages which have "10/23" in the DATE field. If you specify multiple search specifications, a match in ANY of the fields will signify a match for that message. The following methods may be used to specify multiple search fields: o By including multiple search specification characters before the colon. For example: FT:Franky Joe matches all messages with 'Franky Joe' in either the FROM or the TO fields. o By also specifying different search strings. For example: F:SYSOP T:JOEY FRANKS would match all messages that are from the Sysop OR to Joey Franks. It is also possible to find messages which match all of the search specifications. Meaning that you could find messages which are from the Sysop AND to Joey Franks. A message that the Sysop left to All Users would not match. To use this form of search functions, add the and symbol (&) in front of one of the fields. For example: F:SYSOP &T:JOEY FRANKS ARTICLES and FEATURES Commands These commands are used to provide you with a list of "articles" which you may review at your leisure. We use the term "article" to indicate a piece of information too long to be a message, and important enough to be a permanent part of the system. There may be up to 25 of these articles in each menu, and any item may point to another menu. The Sysop sets up the article menus which usually contain additional information about the use of the system. Examples of what might be found here are: lengthy instructions, system rules, newsletters, etc.. An example of using this command follows: Command ('?' for help): A Articles and Features 1. Review of last fortnighter newsletter 2. Comments on Z System features 3. Installing Modem7 for first time users 4. Future expansions of this system 5. System Hardware online [1][articles] Select item? Responding with any of the numbers associated with the articles shown will cause the display of that article. ARTICLES and FEATURES Commands These commands are used to provide you with a list of "articles" which you may review at your leisure. We use the term "article" to indicate a piece of information too long to be a message, and important enough to be a permanent part of the system. There may be up to 25 of these articles in each menu, and any item may point to another menu. The Sysop sets up the article menus which usually contain additional information about the use of the system. Examples of what might be found here are: lengthy instructions, system rules, newsletters, etc.. An example of using this command follows: Command ('?' for help): A Articles and Features 1. Review of last fortnighter newsletter 2. Comments on Z System features 3. Installing Modem7 for first time users 4. Future expansions of this system 5. System Hardware online [1][articles] Select item? Responding with any of the numbers associated with the articles shown will cause the display of that article. BULLETINS Command This command will re-display the system bulletin file. The bulletin file generally is used to give new information about system operation or down time or such like. If you missed the bulletins when you first logged in, this is the command you use to read them. CALLERS and Z Commands These commands display the recent callers of the system. There is no functional difference between the two. This command may not display anything if the Sysop has the system setup in a certain way, so don't worry if no results are shown. CHAT and YELL Commands These commands will allow the user to call the system operator. A message is displayed, that shows who you are, and that you wish to talk to the Sysop. The terminal bell will also start beeping, to call his attention to you call. The beeping lasts for approximately 30 to 45 seconds. If the call for chat is answered by the Sysop, you will receive a message to that effect, and chat mode will begin. If he does not answer, you will be asked is you wish to leave private comments to him, so that he may read them later. You may abort your chat request during the calling sequence (the bells), by typing one of the system break characters (^K, K, ^X, X). Once the Sysop answers your chat request, you'll be placed in a mode where all characters are echoed at both the Sysop's terminal, and on yours. The display will automatically wrap (CR/LF) at your terminal width setting (which defaults to 80). To exit chat mode, either you or the Sysop must type a ^K (Control-K). There is also a command ("//") which allows you to enter chat mode without having it call to Sysop. This is useful if you know he is there, and you wish to talk to him without the "beep" "beep" "beep" normally caused by the CHAT/YELL commands. CHAT and YELL Commands These commands will allow the user to call the system operator. A message is displayed, that shows who you are, and that you wish to talk to the Sysop. The terminal bell will also start beeping, to call his attention to you call. The beeping lasts for approximately 30 to 45 seconds. If the call for chat is answered by the Sysop, you will receive a message to that effect, and chat mode will begin. If he does not answer, you will be asked is you wish to leave private comments to him, so that he may read them later. You may abort your chat request during the calling sequence (the bells), by typing one of the system break characters (^K, K, ^X, X). Once the Sysop answers your chat request, you'll be placed in a mode where all characters are echoed at both the Sysop's terminal, and on yours. The display will automatically wrap (CR/LF) at your terminal width setting (which defaults to 80). To exit chat mode, either you or the Sysop must type a ^K (Control-K). There is also a command ("//") which allows you to enter chat mode without having it call to Sysop. This is useful if you know he is there, and you wish to talk to him without the "beep" "beep" "beep" normally caused by the CHAT/YELL commands. CPM and JUMP Commands To enter CP/M or Z System with the option to leave private comments to the system operator use the "Cpm" form of this command. You will be prompted as to whether you wish to leave private comments to the Sysop, or not. This prompt also allows you to change your mind and return the the BBS. If you do not wish to leave private comments to the Sysop, you should use the "Jump" form of the command to save time. If you are a novice user on the system (you have not turned on the "expert" status), an information file about the specific use of Z or CP/M on the system. It usually contains notes about how to upload, or download files, finding files you are looking for, getting help, and other system specific information. The Sysop has prepared this text for his system, and it may vary from system to system, so you are encouraged, even if familiar with other systems, to read this text on a new system. There are exceptions to the use of these commands: 1. If you do not have operating system access (determined by Sysop). 2. If your system does not have this feature. Since not all Sysop's will want this feature, you should check with your System Operator on whether the Z or CP/M feature is available, what is there, and how to use it. CPM and JUMP Commands To enter CP/M or Z System with the option to leave private comments to the system operator use the "Cpm" form of this command. You will be prompted as to whether you wish to leave private comments to the Sysop, or not. This prompt also allows you to change your mind and return the the BBS. If you do not wish to leave private comments to the Sysop, you should use the "Jump" form of the command to save time. If you are a novice user on the system (you have not turned on the "expert" status), an information file about the specific use of Z or CP/M on the system. It usually contains notes about how to upload, or download files, finding files you are looking for, getting help, and other system specific information. The Sysop has prepared this text for his system, and it may vary from system to system, so you are encouraged, even if familiar with other systems, to read this text on a new system. There are exceptions to the use of these commands: 1. If you do not have operating system access (determined by Sysop). 2. If your system does not have this feature. Since not all Sysop's will want this feature, you should check with your System Operator on whether the Z or CP/M feature is available, what is there, and how to use it. EXPERT Command When familiar with the command set the user may elect to set his/her prompting displays to the expert mode. When in this mode, no auto-help menus are produced, and prompts become shorter. Entering the command again will change your status back to the novice level. The USER command will allow you to make this mode permanent, see the description of it for more information. GOODBYE and BYE Commands These commands allow you to leave the system. You will receive a short goodbye message, and your modem will be disconnected. To leave the BBS with the option to leave private comments to the system operator use the "Goodbye" form of this command. You will be prompted as to whether you wish to leave private comments to the Sysop, or not. This prompt also allows you to change your mind and return the the BBS. If you do not wish to leave private comments to the Sysop before leaving, you should use the "BYE" form of the command to save some time. GOODBYE and BYE Commands These commands allow you to leave the system. You will receive a short goodbye message, and your modem will be disconnected. To leave the BBS with the option to leave private comments to the system operator use the "Goodbye" form of this command. You will be prompted as to whether you wish to leave private comments to the Sysop, or not. This prompt also allows you to change your mind and return the the BBS. If you do not wish to leave private comments to the Sysop before leaving, you should use the "BYE" form of the command to save some time. LIST Command This command will inquire about a user of the system and will provide the last log in date, number of times called, last message read, and the City and State called from each person called from. When the "List" command is typed, the system will request a user name. This user name may be any ascii string, and does not have to necessarily be the correct spelling of the user's name. The string is matched with any part of the users' name or the city and state. The case of the string (upper or lower) does not matter, all searches are done ignoring the case. If a number is supplied instead of a character string, all users whose user number is greater than the supplied value will be displayed. Answering the prompt with a return will cause all users names to be displayed. Examples: list smith This would list all users of the system which have 'smith' in their name, or city. L LOS ANGELES This would list all users who have 'LOS ANGELES' in their city or name fields. li 100 This one lists all users whose user number is greater than or equal to 100. NOTES Command This command is used exactly like FEATURES and ARTICLES. It however, accesses a different set of informative files. The two areas (notes and articles) are meant to provide the System Operator with a separation of interests. Typically the NOTES command is used to describe system operation, rules, or lists of software available online. (See description of ARTICLES command for further explanation.) OTHERSYS Command This command shows a list of other systems which you may dial into, or any information which the System Operator chooses to put into a file accessed by this command. The output of this command is determined by the contents of the OTHERSYS file on the system. TIME Command This command shows the current time and date, as well as how long you have been on the system. Nothing will be shown if a real time clock is not installed. USER Command This command allows changing your password, or other user parameters. After typing this command you will receive a display showing which parameters you may change, (like number of nulls, upper or lower case, etc.) and then wait for you to input the number of the selection you wish to make. A list of the available parameters follows: 1) User's experience. This is either EXPERT or NOVICE. If you know the system well enough not to need the extra help messages that appear during certain commands, you can change your experience to EXPERT, making messages more terse. 2) Bell toggle. This option controls whether or not you wish an audible beep (this works only if you have a terminal or computer which reacts to that ASCII BELL character) whenever the BBS expects input of a line of text. No bell is sent when the system expects only a single character as input. 3) Number of NULLS. If your terminal requires time after a Return or Linefeed character is sent, you may set the number of NULL characters to send as a way of adding a delay. If you are using more modern equipment, or have no idea what NULLS are, chances are you don't need them (set them to 0). 4) Auto entering of CP/M. If you which to bypass the BBS message section when you call in the future, change this option. You will still be prompted for your name and password, but you will enter CP/M immediately following that. 5) Auto read of new messages. If you wish to read the new messages on the system automatically each time you call, change this option. A selective read will be done immediately after the system checks for mail. 6) Change password. If you wish to change your password select this option, and enter a new one. As usual, passwords can be up to 8 characters long, and must not begin with a number. 7) Terminal height. This option allows you to change how many lines are shown before a page pause. The default is 24 lines. If you do not wish any page pause at all, change this to 0 (zero). NOTE: If you use ^S (or S) to pause the display yourself, the page pause prompt will show 'terminal height' lines from that point. (ie. the line count is reset there). 8) Terminal width. During chat, and when using the summary command, the screen is adjusted for your terminal width. This does not currently effect other commands. You are asked to enter the number of the item you with to change. When you are satisfied with the changes you've made, press return at the "change" prompt. You will then be asked if you wish the options to be permanently saved for future logins. If you do not make the changes permanent, they will only last while you stay in the BBS (entering the Operating System or logging out destroys all temporary changes). WELCOME Command This will display the system login information, also known as the WELCOME file. This file is normally displayed when you initially enter the system, and can be re-read using this command. This file is designed by Sysop, and contents may vary. # and STATS Commands This command displays various information about the message counters on the system, as well as other useful information. The following is a list of information which gets displayed: o Your user number o The number of times you have called the system o The last date (and time, if there is a clock on the system) you called the system o Your last read message (high message on the system from the last time you called) o The total number of callers the system has had o The number of active (un-deleted) messages on the system o The number of active messages which are also private o The highest message number on the system # and STATS Commands This command displays various information about the message counters on the system, as well as other useful information. The following is a list of information which gets displayed: o Your user number o The number of times you have called the system o The last date (and time, if there is a clock on the system) you called the system o Your last read message (high message on the system from the last time you called) o The total number of callers the system has had o The number of active (un-deleted) messages on the system o The number of active messages which are also private o The highest message number on the system / Command This command allows you to type a comment line. That is, the rest of the line after the "/" is ignored. For example, if you want to see if the Sysop is there, but it's to late to have the bell on his terminal beeping, in case he's asleep, you could use something like: Command: /Hello? Is anyone there? // Command This command enters chat mode without calling Sysop. This is useful if you know Sysop is there, or if he wants you to not give the CHAT/CHAT commands. You'll be placed in a mode where all characters are echoed on both Sysop's terminal and yours. The display automatically wraps (CR/LF) at your terminal width setting (default is 80). To exit chat mode, either you or Sysop must type ^K (Control-K). ENTER Command Using this command, you may enter a message to anyone who is currently on the users listing. You can also enter messages to all users, and to the Sysop. Sending the message is accomplished in the following manner: At the command prompt type ENTER (abbreviated "E"). The system asks for name to send the message to. You respond with... a. a carriage return if for all users, or... b. EXACT first and last name of the person you want the message to go to. The system will check to see if the exists on the system before going further. c. Sysop, if you wish to send the message to the System Operator. The system now asks if the message is to be normal (public) or private, to which you respond... a. with 'P' if you wish the message to be a private message, where only the person it is addressed to may read it. The System Operator is one exclusion to this rule, as he can read all system messages regardless of who they are to, or if it is private. Or... b. an 'N' for normal. Actually anything other than a 'P' will make the message normal (public). This kind of message may be read by any user of the system. Now, the system will ask for lines of text followed by carriage returns. If you make a mistake on a line, or wish to use one of the other editor functions (described below), type a carriage return alone on a line. Message Editor Commands: Command Description A This command aborts message entry, and returns you to the BBS, or continues reading messages if you decided to reply to a message in that mode. You are asked if you really wish to abort entering the message before returning you to the command prompt. C Continues entering a message from the point you left off, after entering the editor mode. D Delete a line of message text. This command deletes a line in your message. You are prompted for the line number you wish to delete. Note: after you delete a line, all the lines are renumbered, so that the line following the one you delete becomes that line number. E Edit a line of the message. This command allows you to exchange text within a line of your message. You are prompted for the text you wish to remove, and then prompted for the text you wish to put in the removed text's space. I Insert line of text. This command allows you to insert lines of text before other lines which you have already entered. You need to know the line number of the line that you wish to insert before. After you enter the new line, you return to the editor prompt. L List text of message. This command displays the text you have already entered. It is useful when you want to review your message, checking for possible errors, before you send it (save it). R Replace line. If you wish to replace a whole line of text with another complete line, use this command. You are asked for the line number you wish to replace, and then for the new line itself. S Save message. This command sends the message to the designated person (or people). The message is saved to disk, and made permanent. You return to the BBS or continue reading messages, if you are replying to a message while in that mode, once you issue this command. U Upload text of message. Normally a single RETURN character entered alone on a line will place you in the editor command mode. When using a communications program to send the text of a message, this is undesirable. This command enters a mode by which message text is entered, and may only be finished by typing a single '/' character on a line. Returns are left in the message text. You stay in edit mode as long as you do not issue one of the 3 commands which either abort entry, save or continue text entry KILL Command This command allows you to kill (delete) a message that is currently on the system. You will be prompted for the message number you wish to delete, with reminders of the highest and lowest message numbers currently on the system. You may respond with the message number you wish to kill, and/or a search string function to allow multiple messages to be killed at one time (for explanation of the search string functions, see below). If you are an expert user, and you are able to delete the message (it is addressed to you, written by you, or you have special privileges allowing it), the message(s) will be immediately deleted. If you are a novice user, and you are able to delete the message, you are shown a reminder of who the message is from, who it is to, and the subject. You are then asked to confirm that this is the message you want to delete. You will be told if a message is not found, or if you are not allowed to delete the message(s) specified. MODIFY Command It is sometimes desirable to alter the subject or recipient of a message after it has been entered. This command requests the number of the message whose header will be modified. Only the sender or recipient of a message may change it. Current settings are shown, prompts will be given for all items you are allowed to change. The sender of a message may change the subject, recipient, and status of the message. A recipient may only change the subject, and address the message to 'all Users' if it was public to begin with. QUICKSUMM Command This command may be used to give a quick listing of message numbers and their subjects. You are prompted for the first message number you wish to start the scan at. The message number may be preceded by the letter 'K' to indicate that you also wish deleted ("Killed") messages to be shown in the summary. For example: K233 as a parameter would display all messages, killed or active, starting at message number 233. Note: only messages which were recently deleted may be shown with this method. If the Sysop has done a message file cleanup (purge) since the message was deleted, that message is gone forever. This command accepts message search functions described under the HELP SEARCH description. READ Command With this command you may read public messages, and those messages that are addressed to you. If you have special privileges, you may also read other peoples' private messages (the Sysop determines this status, and it's rare for anyone without Sysop status to be able to do this, so don't worry to much about others reading your mail). If a message is addressed to you, you are asked if you would like to leave a reply to it, and if you wish to delete (kill) it. These questions are asked immediately following the display of the message. In response to the READ command, you are prompted for the message number, or series of messages, you wish to read. A reminder of the lowest and highest message numbers on the system is provided. The following list describes the various forms of the message number parameter that are accepted, and what the purpose of each one is. o This form simply reads the message number specified. Example: 123 o ;;+ This allows you to read all messages from the specified message, thru the last message. The read is sequential, except where there is a reply to any of the messages in the list. In this case all replies to the message are shown immediately following the message which they are replying to. Examples: 123+ 993+ o - This form allows you to read messages in reverse sequential order (latest messages to earliest). This command does not show replies in any special order as the '+' form does. Example: 4378- o N+ and N- These forms work exactly like the above forms, except the 'N' stands for the highest message number the last time you were on. Thus N+ reads all new messages, and N- reads all old messages (in reverse order). o Using any of the above forms in combination with search functions performs specialized functions. Search functions may also be used alone, without the above parameters preceding them. Examples: N+ T:YOUR NAME F:HER NAME 4989- *:SYSOP F:MY NAME The message search functions described under HELP SEARCH work under this command. If you precede any message specification with the letter 'K', you will also be shown messages that have been previously deleted. Note: only messages which were recently deleted may be shown with this method. If the Sysop has done a message file cleanup (purge) since the message was deleted,that message is gone forever. No space may exist between the 'K' and the other parameters. Examples: K213 K*:SYSOP K1094 T:TIM Another handy option allows you to read messages addressed to you without being asked if you wish to reply, or delete the messages. A 'Q' character preceding the messages specification will enable this. The most common use of this is in capturing messages on another computer. NOTE: This option does NOT turn off the automatic page pause. To do this, use the USER command. REPLY Command To reply to an existing message, use this command. You are asked for the message number you wish to reply to. Following that, the system will show you who the message will be to (the person that sent the message that you are replying to). Then you will be shown the previous subject of the message, and asked to confirm if that is the subject you wish to use. If not, you are asked for a new one. After that, this command functions exactly like the ENTER command described earlier. Refer to the description of "E" for more information. RNS and RP Commands These commands allow you to selectively read all the messages that were left on the system since you were last on. They work exactly like an RS N+ command (see next for description of read selective, RS command). This is one of the most handy and often used commands of the BBS program. No parameters are accepted in this command. RNS and RP Commands These commands allow you to selectively read all the messages that were left on the system since you were last on. They work exactly like an RS N+ command (see next for description of read selective, RS command). This is one of the most handy and often used commands of the BBS program. No parameters are accepted in this command. RS and RRS Commands Selective read commands allow reading or skip messages, after seeing message header information (number, subject, from, to, and date). The "RS" version of command reads messages in chronological order starting at message number specified. An exception is when there are replies to a message. In this case, any replies immediately follow a message. The "RRS" command reads messages in reverse order, from present to previous. This form does not do any special reply handling, and is a true backwards chronological read. After being shown the message header information, you are asked if you wish to read the message. The prompt will look something like: "[read y/n/m/r/q/?]". Your response may be: N .. No, don't read this message. Go to next message in the list. M .. Modify subject information of previously shown message. This option only works if you were the one who received, or sent the message. R .. Reply to the message number immediately preceding this message (last one whose header info was displayed). Q .. Quit reading messages. Enter normal command mode. Y .. Yes, read this message. (anything but RETURN does this) RS and RRS Commands Selective read commands allow reading or skip messages, after seeing message header information (number, subject, from, to, and date). The "RS" version of command reads messages in chronological order starting at message number specified. An exception is when there are replies to a message. In this case, any replies immediately follow a message. The "RRS" command reads messages in reverse order, from present to previous. This form does not do any special reply handling, and is a true backwards chronological read. After being shown the message header information, you are asked if you wish to read the message. The prompt will look something like: "[read y/n/m/r/q/?]". Your response may be: N .. No, don't read this message. Go to next message in the list. M .. Modify subject information of previously shown message. This option only works if you were the one who received, or sent the message. R .. Reply to the message number immediately preceding this message (last one whose header info was displayed). Q .. Quit reading messages. Enter normal command mode. Y .. Yes, read this message. (anything but RETURN does this) SUMMARY Command This command may be used to give a complete information summary of messages on the system. The following information is provided: o The message number. o The date the message was entered. o The receiver of the message (who it's addressed to). o Who sent the message. o The subject of the message. o The status of the message (if it's private, or deleted). You are prompted for the first message number you wish to start the message scan at. The message number may be preceded by the letter 'K' to indicate you also wish deleted ("Killed") messages to be shown in the summary. For example: K233 as a parameter would display all messages, killed or active, starting at message number 233. Note: only messages which were recently deleted may be shown with this method. If the Sysop has done a message file cleanup (purge) since the message was deleted, that message is gone forever. This command accepts message search functions described under HELP SEARCH. UNKILL and RESTORE Commands These commands allow you to restore a message that was deleted earlier. You must supply the message number of the message to delete. This command accepts message search functions described under HELP SEARCH. *** These commands can only be used to restore messages which were deleted AFTER the Sysop last did a message purge function. Since this varies from system to system, you should use the SUMMARY or READ (or similar) commands with the 'K' option, to see if the message you want to restore, is one of those which still exists on the system. *** UNKILL and RESTORE Commands These commands allow you to restore a message that was deleted earlier. You must supply the message number of the message to delete. This command accepts message search functions described under HELP SEARCH. *** These commands can only be used to restore messages which were deleted AFTER the Sysop last did a message purge function. Since this varies from system to system, you should use the SUMMARY or READ (or similar) commands with the 'K' option, to see if the message you want to restore, is one of those which still exists on the system. ***