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- CompuServe Inc.
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- Forum Information File
-
- A Forum on CompuServe's Information Services is used to enhance communications
- between specific individuals with similar interests. Each Forum offers
- messaging, bulletins, real time conferencing, and information storage and
- retrieval. The messaging feature of a Forum allows you to electronically store
- or leave messages for other Forum members. You can also read messages left by
- other members. Bulletins may be posted by the Forum administrator concerning
- Forum information and events. The Conference mode is for interactive
- discussions with other members currently on-line in the Forum. Information
- storage and retrieval is available in the Data-Library area.
-
-
- Sub-Topics, which are dedicated to areas of specific interest within the
- general topic area of the Forum, partition the messaging, conference
- and Data-Library functions. You can choose any of the following functions from
- the Forum's top menu.
-
-
-
- L - LEAVE A MESSAGE
- ___________________
- Enter text one line at a time and press the enter/return key to submit the
- line. Errors can be corrected by backspacing and re-entering the text before
- the enter/return key has been pressed. A message can have a maximum of 96 lines
- or 2500 characters, whichever comes first. You are prompted for To: and
- Subject:, each can be 24 characters long.
- LEAVE OPTIONS:
-
- S - Store message.
- Sn - Store message in Sub-topic "n".
- SP - Store privately .
- You are prompted for the PPN of the user to whom you are sending the
- message.
- SU - Store message unformatted.
-
- A - Abort message.
-
-
-
- R - READ MESSAGES
- _________________
-
- RF - Read messages in forward serial order (from oldest to newest).
- RFn - Read messages in forward order from message "n".
- RR - Read messages in reverse serial order (from (newest to oldest).
- RRn - Read messages in reverse order from message "n".
- RN - Read all new messages.
- New messages are those stored since the last time you read messages.
- RM - Read messages marked specifically for your PPN.
- RA - Abort read command.
-
- RI - Read individual message.
- You are prompted for the message number.
- RS - Read message by searching.
- You are prompted for the search key of To:, Subject:, or From:.
- RT - Read thread of messages.
- A thread consists of a string of messages in response to an original message.
-
- After reading a message, you may then:
-
- UA - Use address only to send a reply.
- This should be used when responding to part of a message. You are prompted for
- a new subject .
- RE - Reply to this message.
- This should be used when you want to use the same header information.
- T - Return to the top Forum menu.
- C - Continue with next message.
- N - Continue with next message.
- In Command Mode <ENTER> will also display the next message.
-
- D - Deletes the message.
- This option is available only if the message was sent by you or for you.
- NS - No stop between messages.
- Scrolling continues until a message that was sent by you or for you is
- accessed.
- RA - Read message again.
- RP - Read previous message of the thread.
- RR - Read reply.
- If anyone has replied to the current message, the RR option displays the reply
- messages. Successive RR's display subsequent reply messages.
-
-
-
- CO - CONFERENCE MODE
- ____________________
-
- Conferencing is a "real time" mode of communication.
- Each Sub-Topic has two "channels" or "rooms"
- for conference discussions. When CO is requested, the system identifies the
- channel/room and the number of active users there. All options in CO are
- prefaced with a /.
-
- /EXI - Exit CO and return to top menu .
- /HAN or /NAME - Allows you to change your CO name or "handle". Your Forum
- membership name is used if you do not specify a change with this command.
- /HELP - To receive all CO options .
- /JOB - To receive your job # status.
- /MON n - Listen to other channels/rooms.
- "n" indicates the channel/room number.
- /OFF - Exit CO and log off of system.
- /PPN - Display PPN with messages.
- /NOPPN - Turn off /PPN.
- This is the current default setting.
- /SBU m,n - Squelch by user PPN.
- "m,n" indicates the PPN of the user.
- /SQU xxx - Squelch by name "xxx".
- /SCR xyz - Scramble on key "xyz".
- /SMC xyz - Clear /SCR on key "xyz".
-
- /XCL xyz - Unscramble receiver on key "xyz".
- /UNS - Unscramble all.
- /ROOM - Type status of users on in this Conference room.
- /STA - Type status of users on this channel.
- /TALK n - Talk privately with one other user.
- "n" designates the user's job number.
- /TIM - Type time, day, and date.
- /UST - Type a status report of all users.
- /UST n - Type user status of channel/room "n".
- /WHO - Type PPN of last talker.
-
-
-
- DL - DATA LIBRARY
- __________________
-
-
- Each Sub-Topic has a data library that
- contains files of information pertinent
- to the Sub-Topic area. The following
- options are available:
-
-
-
- DES - Description of the particular Data Library.
-
-
- BRO - Browse through file headers.
- A file header contains a description of the file, keywords, PPN of submittor,
- number of accesses and date of submission.
-
-
- You are prompted for a search string; /KEY: - keywords and/or /AGE: - days
- since submission. Pressing the enter/return key defaults these options allowing
- you to browse all files beginning with the most recent submission in a reverse
- chronological order.
-
-
- Browse options:
-
-
- R - Read file.
- D - Download (see additional information on upload/download).
- T - Return to top DL menu.
- Press the enter/return key to continue browsing file headers.
-
-
-
- DIR - Directory of Data Library files.
-
-
- DOW - Download a Data Library file to your personal computer. You will be
- prompted for the file name and the protocal type.
- UPL - Upload a new file.
- An uploaded file goes into a preview area until the SYSOP/Forum Administrator
- reviews it and merges it into the Data Library. See additional information on
- up/download.
- HEL - Help.
- DL - Change to another Sub-Topic Data Library.
- EXI - Exit DL and return to the Forum top menu.
-
-
- Upload/Download
-
-
- When uploading or downloading files, a communications protocol type is
- requested.
- The options are:
-
-
- Xmodem - Christensen's protocol
-
- (Eg. PC-Talk, Crosstalk)
- A - Compuserve's A protocol
- (Eg. CP/M packages)
- B - CompuServe's B protocol
- (Eg. Vidtex)
- DC2/DC4 - Buffer capture protocol
- (Eg. LDOS, SmartCom 3)
-
-
-
-
- Following a successful upload, you are prompted for a description of the file
- and the keywords associated with it. These are attached to your file and
- remain in the preview area until the SYSOP/Forum Administrator acts upon them.
-
- B - BULLETINS
- _____________
-
-
- Bulletins are posted by the SYSOP/Forum Administrator containing information
- about the Forum. The bulletin menu is as follows:
-
-
-
- 1) Short bulletin
- 2) Long bulletin
- 3) Conference bulletin
- 4) Data Library bulletin
- 5) Membership bulletin
- 6) Return to Top Menu
-
-
- V - MEMBER INTEREST FILE
- ________________________
-
-
- The Member Interest File contains information about the users of the Forum.
-
-
- Options are:
-
-
- A - Add your interests.
- You are prompted for your name, state, and interests pertaining to the
- Forum.
-
- C - Change your interests.
- You are prompted for information.
- D - Delete your entry.
- S - Scan all members.
- You are prompted for a search string. If you want to scan all members, press
- the enter/return key.
- T - Return to top command menu.
-
-
- U - USER ENTRY LOG
- __________________
- This file is a log of usage on the Forum.
-
- Names and PPNs are displayed by accesses beginning with the most recent and
- scrolling in a reverse chronological order. This is an efficient way to find
- out who has accessed the Forum recently.
- OP - OPTIONAL COMMAND MODE
- __________________________
-
- The Optional Command Mode allows settings specific
- to your own PPN within the Forum to be changed. Changes are effective only for
- the current session unless the P (permanent) option has been requested from the
- menu. Options may be changed by either entering a command or entering a number
- as a menu choice. Numbers toggle the current setting.
- BR - Set brief mode.
- This suppresses display of command, sub-command and option menus.
- NB - No brief mode.
- This returns the display of menus.
- LL - Change line length.
- FIL - Use Filge editor to compose messages.
- SED - Use Forum editor to compose messages.
- DS - Set a default Sub-topic.
- Upon entry to the Forum, you will default to a specific Sub-topic.
- CN - Change your name within the Forum.
- PC - Change your prompt character.
- RNS - RN (read new) command skips messages you left.
- RNT - RN (read new) command types messages you left.
- TWM - Type waiting messages.
-
- Upon entry to the Forum, messages waiting for you are typed.
- MWM - Mark waiting messages.
- Upon entry to the Forum, messages waiting for you are marked for retrieval with
- the RM command.
-
-
- ST - Stop scrolling between messages.
- NS - No stop between messages.
- P - Make options permanent.
- Options remain for future sessions until you change them. To change any
- optional setting, enter the appropriate option.
-
-
-
- SN - SUB-TOPIC NAMES
- ____________________
-
-
- There are eleven Sub-topics within each Forum which distinguish specific areas
- of interest. The SN command provides a listing of all of the Forum's Sub-topic
- names.
- If you wish to read one Sub-topic excusively, you may use the SS command
- described below to select a Sub-topic.
-
-
- ADDITIONAL COMMANDS
- ___________________
-
-
- HELP, H or ? - Display the "help" file(s).
-
- I - Display a summary of the Forum commands.
-
- NEW - New file.
- This file provides a listing of new features contained in a new version of the
- Forum software upon its release.
-
- MI - Display Forum membership information.
-
- UST - User status.
-
- This is a listing of all those currently using the Forum. Included in the
- information is a
- user's job number, PPN (User ID), node name and program name. (Eg. JOB
- USER ID NODE PRGM
- 28 70006,313 T10ACH SIG)
-
- SEN - Send one line note.
- This is a command which may be used to send a one line note to anyone currently
- in the Forum. The command must be followed by the Job number that the receiver
- is running.
- (For example:
- SEN 28 Hi there! Go to CO!)
- Use USTAT to get the receiver's job number.
-
- SS - Set Sub-topic.
- This command enables you to set the Sub-topic which you want to access
- exclusively. SS may be used to set specific Sub-topics when reading messages.
-
-
- LOG-OFF COMMANDS
- ________________
-
-
-
- LOG - Logs you off of system and displays the User ID: prompt.
-
- OFF - Disconnects from system and drops carrier.
-
- BYE - Disconnects from system and drops carrier.
-
- GO XXX - Go to page XXX.
-
- M - Return to previous menu of system.
-
- EXIT - Return to previous menu of system.
-
-
- CONTROL KEYS
- ____________
-
- Control characters (control key and another key pushed simultaneously) can be
- used to "control" output. The following are the most widely used within the
- Forum.
-
- Ctrl-P - Aborts output and returns you to function
- command level.
- Ctrl-S - Suspends output immediately, stops scrolling.
- Ctrl-Q - Restarts output (scrolling) after a CTRL-S.
- Ctrl-A - Suspends output at the end of current line.
- Ctrl-W - Restarts output after a Ctrl-A.
- Ctrl-O - Allows user to skip message text while retrieving.
- Ctrl-U - Aborts input file and deletes line you are entering.
- Ctrl-V - Displays input line.
- This control character is particularly helpful in CO.
-
-
- GLOSSARY
-
- SYSOP/FORUM ADMINISTRATOR is a person responsible for operating the Forum.
-
- PPN - Project,Programmer Number.
- Also known as your User ID.
-
-
- Data Library - A collection of data files which includes a description file.
- Each data file includes a description and keywords.
-
- Unformatted - A term used to describe the manner in which a
- message can be stored. This type of storage leaves the message
- as text without reformatting.
-
- Upload - A procedure used to transfer data from a micro-computer to a Forum's
- Data-Library.
-
- Download - A procedure used to transfer data from the Forum's Data-Library to a
- micro-computer.
-
-
- Conferencing - A mode of communication which allows simultaneous users to
- "talk" to each other by typing in their discussion via the
- computer keyboard. Forum conferencing is very similar to CB
- radio or telephone conference calls except that you are typing
- instead of speaking.
-
-
-
- Function: