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2AM-BBS, Version 3.0 User's Manual (c) Copyright 1986,1987,1988 by: Chris Gorman Neil Clarke Tom Vogl 2AM Associates May 8, 1988 Table Of Contents Chapter 1 Making The Call 1.1 The Necessary Materials 1-1 1.2 Communications Parameters 1-1 1.3 The Sysop 1-2 1.4 HELP! 1-2 Chapter 2 Basic Concepts 2.1 Basics of 2AM-BBS 2-1 2.2 Multiple Commands 2-1 2.3 Ranges 2-1 2.4 Pauses and Aborts 2-2 Chapter 3 New User Logins 3.1 A New User Account 3-1 3.2 The Second Login 3-2 Chapter 4 2AM-BBS Sections 4.1 The Editor 4-1 4.2 BBS Lister 4-2 4.3 Configure 4-3 4.4 Email 4-3 4.5 Files 4-4 4.6 JumpDoors 4-6 4.7 Message Bases 4-6 4.8 Trivia 4-7 4.9 Voter 4-8 4.10 Chat 4-8 4.11 Feedback 4-9 4.12 HELP! 4-9 4.13 Off 4-9 4.14 Daily Logs 4-9 4.15 Time 4-10 4.16 Userlog 4-10 4.17 Expert Mode 4-10 4.18 Your Status 4-10 4.19 Bulletins 4-10 4.20 Error! 4-11 i 2AM BBS User's Manual Making The Call ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Making The Call Chapter 1 1.1 THE NECESSARY MATERIALS To call any Bulletin Board System (BBS), you need to following: 1. A computer or a terminal. 2. A modem. A modem is a device which allows computers to communicate over the phone lines. 3. A telephone line. Refer to your modem instructions for information on connecting your modem to the phone line. 4. A Terminal Program. Terminal programs instruct your computer how to "talk" over the phone lines. 1.2 COMMUNICATIONS PARAMETERS In order for computers to communicant each other, they both must have some parameters set the same way. Here is a list of the parameters you will need to communicate with 2AM-BBS: 1. BAUD. Baud is the rate in which characters are sent/received. The lower the baud, the slower the exchange of information. Most BBSs run at 1200 baud. You set your modem for the baud it can transmit at and the BBS will match your setting if it can. 2. DUPLEX. This parameter is set to either FULL of HALF. 2AM-BBS wants your duplex set to FULL. If characters echo, ie. HHEELLOO TTHHEERREE then change your DUPLEX setting. 3. BITS. Set this parameter to 8. 4. STOP BITS. Set this parameter to 1. 5. PARITY. 2AM-BBS wants this parameter set to NONE. 6. LINEFEEDS. This parameter is used to determine if your terminal program should skip down a line when you receive a carriage return or whether the BBS should transmit a linefeed character. It can be set either way on your terminal program since 2AM-BBS will ask you if it should send linefeed for you. If what you get on the screen is double-spaced or if everything comes across on one line, change this setting. In summary, your terminal programs should be set for 8-N-1. That is: 8 bits, No parity, 1 Stop bit. Most terminal programs default to this value. 1-1 2AM BBS User's Manual Making The Call ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.3 THE SYSOP BBSs are run for a number of reasons (pleasure, business, special interest groups, etc.), but in almost all cases there is one person who supervises the BBS's operation. That person is the SYStem OPerator, or SYSOP. If you have problems with the use of the BBS, contact the SYSOP and ask him or her for help. 1.4 HELP! When using any 2AM-BBS, you shouldn't worry about becoming confused. Help is available by hitting "HH" and then RETURN. You are strongly encouraged to used the help system. Hitting "HH" at the main menu will take you into the master help section. Here you can get help for any part of the BBS. If you are at a prompt and want to know what commands are available, type a question mark "??" and hit RETURN for a menu of commands. 1-2 2AM BBS User's Manual Basic Concepts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic Concepts of 2AM-BBS Chapter 2 2.1 BASICS OF 2AM-BBS Just a few general definitions to help you along when starting out: A PROMPT is a string of characters that say "Type something here for me to interpret!". Examples: Main > Help > Base 2> A MENU is a list of choices (followed by a prompt). Make a choice of any option you wish to execute and type it in at the prompt and hit RETURN. The BBS will then execute the particular option you have selected. Some helpful hints for on reading these notes. If the option given is: [G]# - go to a base The # shouldn't be typed...it is telling you that you need a number after the 'G'. Brackets and/or parentheses indicate commands and shouldn't be typed either. So, to execute the command above you would type something like: G3 <RETURN> Please note, whenever we wish you to hit the return key, we will put a <RETURN> in the help file. Do not type out <-R-E-T-U-R-N->, just hit the return key. 2.2 MULTIPLE COMMANDS 2AM-BBS supports multiple commands (command stacking, parsing, etc.). Separate you commands with a "//". For instance, typing "EE//RRII//MM//RRAA" from the main menu will bring you into E-mail, allow you to read and answer your mail, bring you back to main menu, and put you in the Read All New scan. 2.3 RANGES There are many places where 2AM needs to know exactly where to go. For example, if you want to read a message, you enter "RR" (read). 2AM will than ask what message you want to read. If you enter a single number, you will read that message. Suppose you want to read several messages? You can enter a range. The following is a range: 2,3,4-7,18-6 2-1 2AM BBS User's Manual Basic Concepts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- And means the following: 2 then 3 then 4 to 7 then 18 to 6 (in backwards order). The comma separates ranges. The dash allows you to include more than one number at a time, as long as they are in numerical order. Ranges can be used in the following places: 1. From main menu. "RR11,,33,,66--1100,,1155--" will let you read new messages on bases 1, 3, 6 through 10, and 15 to the end of the bases. You can also range a [Q]uickscan. 2. In the message bases. The asterisk can be used to read new messages on individual message bases. "RR**" and "QQ**" will read/quickscan all new messages on the base you are currently on. "RR11--" will start at message one and continue to the end of the base. "RR5500--4400" will read messages 50 through 40, in backwards order. "RR**,,3355--4400" will read the new messages, then messages 35-40. 3. In the editor, trivia, voter, and Files, the same ranges work but a reverse range will not display in reverse order. For example, "LL11--22,,33,,1122--66" in the Files section will list sections 1 through 2, then 3, then 6 to 12. It will not reverse order in the Files section. NOTE: Any item marked "Ranged" in any other help file can be ranged in the above ways. 2.4 PAUSES AND ABORTS Use the following set of keys to pause and abort output in 2AM-BBS: Control-S pauses the system. Hit any key to resume output. Control-X, Control-K or TAB abort a message or textfile that is outputting. Control-C or Control-A abort all output. To abort a whole range of messages, use these keys. For more information on ranges, see RANGE in the main help menu. Control-N skips a base if you are reading a range of bases. Use the following characters to pause output at any place: [P] (Hit P again to resume output) If you wish to abort output, use the following characters: 2-2 2AM BBS User's Manual Basic Concepts ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [SPACEBAR] will abort the output of a file (bulletins, helpfiles, etc.) and will also abort a single message in the message bases. [A] will do the same as above, but if you are reading a range of messages, it will abort the whole range! [S] will skip a base if you are reading messages on a range of bases and wish to skip to the next base. 2-3 2AM BBS User's Manual New User Logins ------------------------------------------------------------------------- New User Logins Chapter 3 This chapter will guide you through the process of becoming a new user on a 2AM-BBS. When first logging in, you will get the BBS NAME/ID, communications parameters, and a <HIT RETURN> prompt. Make sure you have your terminal program set up for 8 bits, No parity and 1 stop bit. Hit the RETURN key. Now the account number prompt is displayed. If you have an account already, you would enter your account name or number here. Since you are a new user, you'll have to apply for an account. 3.1 A NEW USER ACCOUNT From the account number prompt: 1. Hit RETURN. You are applying as a new user. 2. You will now have to supply: 2.a User Name. 2.b Password. 2.c Terminal Information (all of which can be changed later) 2.c.1 Do you need Linefeeds? 2.c.2 Can your terminal display lower case? Y or N. 2.c.3 Terminal Width. 40 or 80 columns. 2.c.4 Can your terminal display IBM graphics characters? 2.c.5 Can you handle ANSI commands? If unsure, say No. 2.c.6 Number of Nulls. If you don't know, answer 0. 3. Verify your information is correct when you are asked "Is everything correct (Y/N)?" by hitting the "Y" key. 4. You are now asked for: 4.a Real Name. 4.b Address. 4.c Voice/Modem phone numbers. 4.d Age. 4.e Reference. (How did you find out about this BBS?) 4.f Privacy statement (can we use that information (y/n)). 5. Now, there may be some multiple choice questions to answer. Each question can have up to eight choices. The choices will be output and then you will be instructed: Input all choices that apply Input one choice per line Hit RETURN on a blank line when done. You can pick as many of the choices as apply to you for each question. When you are done, hit RETURN on a blank line to exit. If none of the choices apply, just hit RETURN on a blank line without selecting any choices. 3-1 2AM BBS User's Manual New User Logins ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. Now you are asked to verify that this information is true. If all is OK, respond [Y]es. If not, respond [N]o and you may start the user application over again. 7. After some closing comments, you are given an account number and your password is displayed. You are instructed to write these down and remember them. When they are written down, hit RETURN. The screen will clear and you will be tested to make sure you have written down the information correctly. 8. You are now at the login notes. You are a 2AM-BBS user! 3.2 THE SECOND LOGIN Now that you have a usernumber and a password, you do not need to answer the new user questions when logging in. At the user name/number prompt, enter either your username or your account number and hit RETURN. You will be prompted for your password. Enter it carefully; asterisk characters (****) will echo when you type in your password. If all was done correctly, you will be taken to the main prompt. 3-2 2AM BBS User's Manual 2AM-BBS Sections ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2AM-BBS Sections Chapter 4 The rest of this manual goes into the details of each section of the BBS. With very few exceptions, these sections of the BBS are entered with a command from the Main Menu. Once you are in a section, you will have a new set of commands that are specific to that section. There are lots of options, but FEAR NOT!, many are similar from section to section. From EVERY section, "HH" can be used to get help and "MM" can be used to return to the main menu. "??" will display a menu for wherever you are in the 2AM-BBS. 4.1 THE EDITOR 2AM-BBS has an editor built into it. This editor is used in the message bases, the BBS Lister and in Email. Just keep in mind that to save a message in the editor, type "//SS" on a blank line. To abort a message, type "//AA". For a list of editor commands, type "//??" on a blank line. Below is an explanation of the commands available. 1. /A or /Q aborts a message. 2. /B takes you to the beginning of the message. 3. /D will delete the line you specify. It can be ranged (ex.: /D3-6). 4. /E will take you to the last line of the message. 5. /G [#] will take you to the line number you specify. It will print out the line and put your cursor at the end of it. NOTE: you must /G or /E to get out of the line, or you will automatically drop to the next line in the message. The down arrow will drop you to the next line. 6. /I will insert blank lines BEFORE the line number you specify. Ranged. 7. /L will list the lines in the message. /L* will list the lines with line numbers. Ranged. 8. /R will clear the editor and restart the editing session. Any text you have typed in will be deleted. 9. /S saves your message and exits you from the editor. 10. /T changes the title of your message. 11. /NAME will change your handle if you have the privilege bit. 12. /X turns off echo and allows a faster ASCII upload. Control-Z to exit. 13. /V Views your message with ANSI turned on. 14. Control-R will re-print the line you are on. 15. Control-W will undelete one character at a time of the line you are on. 16. Control-X will delete all the text of the line you are on. Spacebar aborts. 17. Control-U will un-delete the line you are on. 4-1 2AM BBS User's Manual 2AM-BBS Sections ------------------------------------------------------------------------- To insert Ansi into a message you must be in ANSI mode and have the access to do so. 2AM-BBS uses standard ANSI color codes. Escape will print as a carat (^) so that you may see what you have typed. 4.2 BBS LISTER The BBS Lister is a collection of other BBSes, both local and non-local. This section allows you to compile a list of BBSes based on several criteria. The BBS Lister can be reached by typing "BB" from main menu. Once inside the BBS Lister, the following commands are available: 1. [A]dd allows a user to add a bbs to the list if the user has the appropriate access. NOTE: When you add bbses, try to supply information that will be easy to match against (Don't input just IBM, input IBM PC-AT. That way, you can match against "IBM", "PC" or "AT".) The following information is asked for during the adding phase: a. Board name. b. Board phone number. c. Maximum baud rate. d. Board location (city, state). e. Computer the BBS is running on. f. Software the BBS is running. g. Up to 10 line description of the board. 2. [L] lists all the boards in the BBS Lister for both local and non- local areas. You are asked if you want a [B]rief or [V]erbose listing. [B]rief will give you the board name, phone number and baud rate. [V]erbose will give you all information recorded on the board. 3. [S]can is a pattern matcher. Scans can be done by: a. Board Name. b. Board Location. c. Computer Type. d. Telephone number. e. Software. f. Baud rate. After you choose a scan option, you are asked to input a string to match. Any BBS that fits the pattern will be output. NOTE: you don't have to hit the field right on the head, any significant pattern will do. For example, if you wanted to search by computer type and choose IBM, just type "IBM" at the string prompt. Any board listed that is run on an IBM (IBM-PC, IBM-XT, IBM-AT, or IBM PS-2) will be output. 4-2 2AM BBS User's Manual 2AM-BBS Sections ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.3 CONFIGURE The Configure Utility allows you to set up BBS options to your own tastes. These options break down into two categories, user-specific (personal likes) and terminal specific (capabilities of your terminal and/or software). Type "CC" from main menu to get to Configure. The following commands are available: 1. [C]hange password. 2. [U]ser options. The following questions will be asked if you select this option: a. In Email, notify you if a message you sent was read? b. Pause after each base in a ranged read? When you read a range of bases (RA, QA, RS, QS, or R or Q [range] from the main menu), you can choose whether the prompt: [B]ack, [P]ost, [Q]uit, [I]nfo, [R]e-read, [N]ext > should appear after you read each base. It is suggested that you do not turn this prompt off. c. Pause between messages [Y/N]? This is the default mode when you first log on. 3. [X]pert mode toggles off the constant menu displays. To display a menu after you turn Expert Mode off, merely type "?" at any prompt. 4. [T]erminal option. In this section you are asked: a. Terminal Width (40 or 80 columns). b. Can you handle Uppercase (yes/no). c. Do you need linefeeds (yes/no). d. How many nulls do you need [0]-15. e. Can you display IBM graphics (yes/no) f. Can you display ANSI graphics (yes/no). NOTE: If you choose a 40-column width, you will not be asked for IBM or ANSI graphics. 4.4 EMAIL The E-mail section is for the purpose of sending and receiving private messages between users. Some sysops may restrict the number of e-mail messages. Check [Y]our status at main menu to see if there are restrictions. 4-3 2AM BBS User's Manual 2AM-BBS Sections ------------------------------------------------------------------------- E-mail commands: [S]end (also [P]ost): S USERNAME will send mail to a specific user. If the user has a difficult handle to type, the User Search function is available. (See USERLOG help file.) You may send mail to more than one user at a time by separating the handles with a comma. Ex.: S MADD HATTER,CHRIS,CAT,BOGIE will send each user the same letter. (If the username is not valid it is skipped.) Read commands: [RI], [RO], [RB] [RI]--Read Incoming messages. After each letter, you are given a prompt with the following: [[AA]]nnsswweerr,, [[FF]]oorrwwaarrdd,, [[NN]]eexxtt,, [[RR]]eerreeaadd [A]nswer will automatically send a reply to the user who sent the letter. [F]orward will allow you to forward the message (with comments) to another user, or back to the same user. [N]ext puts you on to the next message and DELETES the message at the same time. [R]eread gives you a chance to read the message again. [RO]--Read Outgoing messages. Outgoing messages have the following prompt: [[NN]]eexxtt,, [[EE]]ddiitt,, [[DD]]eelleettee,, [[QQ]]uuiitt [N]ext moves you to the next message in your outgoing mail. [E]dit allows you to edit an outgoing message. [D]elete will delete an outgoing message. [Q]uit stops your outgoing read. A warning: Try and keep track of whether you're reading your incoming or your outgoing. [N]ext will not delete a message in outgoing, but WILL do so in incoming mail. [RB]--Read both incoming and outgoing messages [L]ist e-mail allows you to list your outgoing and incoming messages. The list function tells you if your outgoing mail has been read, and who your incoming mail is from. 4.5 FILES The FILES section is used for uploading and downloading of software. Downloading is the process of transferring a file from a host computer (the BBS) to your computer. Uploading is the reverse process (transferring a file from your computer to a host computer). Software available for downloading is stored in one of several libraries. This utility is accessed from the main menu with the [FILES] command. The following commands are available: 4-4 2AM BBS User's Manual 2AM-BBS Sections ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. [S]how libraries allows a user to see what libraries are online. A library is essentially a directory of available files. When you first enter the FILES utility, you are placed into library 1. 2. [G]o allows a user to go to a different library. If you wish to go to the next/previous library, you can use the < and > keys. If you are configured for ANSI the up and down arrows do the same thing. 3. [L]ist files lists files available in the library that the user is currently in. Ranges can be used to list other than the current library. The list includes: a. File number b. File Type: ":" - Normal "f" - Free Download "r" - readable "R" - read/free download c. Filename d. Date file was put into the library e. Size (in bytes) f. A short (40 column) description of the file 4. [N]ew file list. Lists those files in the library that have been added since the date the user specifies. Ranges available. (EX: N1-5 views the new files in that range of libraries.) 5. [F]ind a file. Searches for files based on filename and description. Input a significant character string in order to narrow the search down. Ranges available. (F1-5 or F* for all libraries). 6. [D]ownload a file. You will be prompted for a file name or number. You will then be given a choice of protocols. You will then have 60 seconds to instruct your terminal program to receive a file. 7. [R]ead a file. If the sysop allows text files, you can read rather than download. 8. [U]pload a file. You will be prompted for a protocol, then you will have 60 seconds to instruct your terminal program to begin transmitting a file. If a successful transmission is received, the utility will then ask for a filename and 40 character description of the uploaded file. The following is required for a user to download a file: 1. The user must have enough download credits. Credits are gained by uploading files to the system. 2. The user must be validated. 3. The user must have enough time remaining to download the file. 4-5 2AM BBS User's Manual 2AM-BBS Sections ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.6 JUMPDOORS 2AM-BBS offers the ability for the sysop to set up other programs that can be run from within the BBS itself. These programs (known as JumpDoors because you jump out of the BBS and run another program) can be any sort of utility, game, or other program of interest. The [J] command at the main menu will take you into the jumpdoors utility. 1. [S] shows you what Jumpdoors are available. 2. [G] will ask you the number of the door you want to jump through. 3. [M] will take you back to the main menu. For any and all programmers out there: A jumpdoor can be any program that addresses the serial port. 2AM-BBS will not interfere with serial communications while a jumpdoor is running; it will just TSR (terminate and stay resident). The 2AM Associates will be glad to distribute any jumpdoor with future versions of 2AM-BBS. Contact the sysop of your board for more information. 4.7 MESSAGE BASES A message base is a section of the BBS where users can go to read and post messages. This is the most important part of a BBS because it is where the majority of the communication between the users takes place. Users typically have many discussions going on at once, so many bases are set up. Each base has a title that identifies it. Within that base are messages related to that discussion. Message Base Commands [G]o will get you to the message bases from the main menu. [S]how will tell you the base names and numbers. You can get to a base by using either the number or the name, or a significant character string of the name. For example, if base 3 is called System News, you can type "Gsys" or "G3" (if it is the second base on your list). However, if there is a base with a similar character string (i.e. "System Suggestions") that appears first in the baselist, you will go to that base instead. Make sure the character string you type is unique to that base. The following message base commands are available: (Note: These commands are base-specific and will act only on the base you are currently using.) 1. [G]o lets you go to another base. 4-6 2AM BBS User's Manual 2AM-BBS Sections ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. [P]ost lets you post a message if you have the privilege for that base. 3. [S]how gives you a list of bases. This option lists the message bases that are available to you. A "*" in front of a base number means that you have read-only access. A "-" means you have base maintenance. 4. [D]elete lets you delete a message. To use it, you just type D# (where # is a message number). You may delete a message ONLY if you posted it. 5. [E]dit lets you edit a message that you posted. You will then be placed into the editor. To use it, just type E# (where # is a message number). See Editor Help for more information on this. 6. [R]ead lets you read messages in a base. Ranges are available. R* will give you all the new messages on the base. R#- will start you at a specific message number and continue to the end of the base. R#-# will start at one number and stop at the second number. NOTE: If you type RA from a message base, it will put you into the read ALL new scan on ALL bases, starting with the first base in your list. Tab or Control-I aborts single messages. Control-A or Control-C will abort the entire read new scan. 7. [Q]uickscan lets you to scan messages by the message header (title, author and date) on the base. Full ranges are available (see above). NOTE: QA works just like the RA except quickscans instead of reads are done. 8. [C]hange selection lets you select (or de-select) a base. You must go to the base you wish to change, and type "C". Then, when you want to read selected bases only, type "RS" from main menu or from a message base, and you will read new messages only on those bases. NOTE: You can still go to, read, or post on a de-selected base. Changing selection only takes it from your Read Selected new scan. 9. [I]information will give you the base description if it is available. 10. [>] and [<]. The greater than and less than keys will allow you to move forward (>) or backward (<) one base at a time. For IBMs and compatibles, you can use the up and down arrows IF your terminal program is configured to ANSI emulation. 4.8 TRIVIA Some 2AM-BBS systems include a Trivia section. This allows users to answer questions on various subjects created by the sysop and/or selected users. 4-7 2AM BBS User's Manual 2AM-BBS Sections ------------------------------------------------------------------------- [T] from main menu puts you into the trivia section. The following commands are available: 1. [A]nswer questions will display up to 10 questions and allow you to input one line answers. If you do not want your trivia score compiled, just type 'quit' at any question prompt. Ranged. 2. [C] will show all the current scores that have been tallied for the set of questions. Ranged. 3. [Y] will show just your score in the current trivia section. Ranged. 4. [LA] shows the questions and answers for the last set of questions in that section. Ranged. 5. [LS] shows the scores for the last set of questions in that section. Ranged. 6. [G] allows you to go to another set of questions. Supply the number of a different trivia section after the 'G'. 7. [S] shows you what sets of questions are available. 4.9 VOTER In the 2AM-BBS voter, you can vote on up to 24 topics with up to 10 choices for each topic. The voter is accessed with the [V] command at the main menu. The following commands are available: 1. [S]how topics. The topic titles are listed. If you have voted on the topic, an asterisk will appear next to the title. Ranged. 2. [V]ote on a topic. You are asked for a topic number. You are then presented with the title, description and choices and are asked to vote. If you hit return at the ballot prompt, the vote is aborted. You can still vote on the topic later on. Ranged. 3. [L]ist tallies. This feature shows the percentage of the vote recorded for each choice. You give a topic number here along with the 'L'. Ranged. 4.10 CHAT The CHAT option lets you page the sysop. You will be prompted for a reason to speak with the sysop. If the sysop doesn't answer within a few seconds, you will be returned to the main menu. A message will be left for the sysop, and if he/she so desires, you will be answered at a later time. 4-8 2AM BBS User's Manual 2AM-BBS Sections ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4.11 FEEDBACK Feedback is the fastest way to leave a message to the sysop. [F] at the main menu puts you into the editor. You many then input a message. Feedback is generally used for questions pertaining to the board. Feedback is also available at the logoff. 4.12 HELP!! The help utility allows users to learn how to operate this system. Typing "H" from main menu places you in the help subsystem. Typing "H" from almost ANY other place in the board will give you help on the option that you are currently using. At the Help> prompt, just type in the option you wish to read about. Help files are available with a pattern match. For example, if you have the following help files: SYSOP, SYSTEM and READ, "S", "SY", "SYS", "SYSO", "SYSOP" will ALL find the SYSOP help file. "SYST" will find system. In other words, you need a signficant character string (starting from the beginning of the name) or you will be given the first help file in alphabetical order according to the character string you asked for. 4.13 OFF OFF disconnects you from the BBS. Failing to log off properly (dropping carrier) will reduce your time limit by two minutes each time you do so. You can log off from almost anywhere in the system. When you do log off, you will be asked two questions: 1. Leave Feedback - Hit "Y" if you wish to leave the sysop a feedback message, otherwise hit "N" 2. Set messages to old - If you hit "Y" here, all messages that were new for you this time will not be on your read new scan next time. It is STRONGLY recommended that all new users set their messages to old on their first call to the BBS. 4.14 DAILY LOGS [D]aylog from main menu will give you the daily log, statistics, or both for any day or month if available. Hitting return defaults to the current date/month. An "*" before a user's handle in the log indicates new user. 4-9 2AM BBS User's Manual 2AM-BBS Sections ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following commands are available for the Daylog: [DL] - Daily list of callers [DS] - Daily statistics [DB] - Both stats and callers [DM] - Monthly stat 4.15 TIME Typing [TIME] at the main menu will display the current time and date, the time you called and the amount of time you have left for the day. 4.16 USERLOG From main menu or from E-Mail: [U] allows you to search the userlog for a particular user. You can ask for a [F]ull list or [S]earch for a user. If you [S]earch, you will be asked for a pattern of characters to match usernames against. Any user that has the sequence of characters that you specify in his/her username will be output. To find a user whose name has the letters "CAT" in it, you would type "CAT" at the pattern prompt. The results might look like this: AUNTIE CAT CAT CHESHIRE CAT THE CATCHER 4.17 EXPERT MODE E[X]pert mode toggles off the constant menu display. If you need to get a menu at any time afterwards, you can type "?" at any prompt to get a menu. 4.18 YOUR STATUS This section is available at the main prompt by typing [Y]. It outputs your user record: handle, first call date, caller number, and whatever user privileges or limits you possess. 4.19 BULLETINS Hitting [+] at the main menu will display all the bulletins. You read these bulletins during the login procedure. 4.20 ERROR! This is the least fun section to run into. If 2AM-BBS encounters an 4-10 2AM BBS User's Manual 2AM-BBS Sections ------------------------------------------------------------------------- error that it does not know how to handle it will give you to following message: Error encountered... system shutdown initiated The system will be back up in 1 minute. Disconnecting... If you get this message, we very much hope you will write down EXACTLY what you were doing, log back in, and inform the sysop of what happened. 4-11