1430 lines
58 KiB
Plaintext
1430 lines
58 KiB
Plaintext
\input man.sty
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\twosided
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\title A Caller's Guide to Fido\copyright Version 12
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\endtitle
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\author
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Written by Scot Kamins \\
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August, 1988 \\ \\
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\rm for Fido Software \\
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164 Shipley \\
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San Francisco CA 94107
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\endauthor
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This is the Caller's Guide to Fido Version 12. Its entire�
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contents are copyright 1988 by Tom Jennings.
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``Fido'' and ``FidoNet'' are registered trademarks of Tom�
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Jennings
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This guide is distributed through BBSs and information utilities�
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under the honor system. If after using it for two weeks you find�
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it worth keeping, send \$5.00 to Fido Software and you'll receive�
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a beautiful printed manual, typeset with the \TeX typsetting�
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system, and printed on a mediocre dot matrix printer. Please send�
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your praises, complaints, corrections, and suggestions to the�
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author, Scot Kamins, at the address above.
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Also write to receive general information on the Fido/FidoNet�
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Bulletin Board program (prices, current version, datasheet, etc).
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\bigpagebreak
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\heading Fido's structure \endheading
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Fido is divided into three major sections--MAIN, MESSAGES, and�
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FILES. The Messages and Files sections can in turn each have up�
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to 200 separate areas, each area covering a separate topic. (Most�
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Fidos have fewer than 10.) Which of these sections and areas you�
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can use, and the commands you can use in each, depends on your�
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privilege level. The system operator determines what a caller's�
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privilege level is.
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\subheading{Message Section} The Message Section holds messages�
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that a caller writes to another person or to anybody who cares to�
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read it. A caller can make a message private so that only the�
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message writer and the person specified (and the system operator)�
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can read it. The system operator determines the length of�
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messages that callers can leave. Different types of messages�
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usually go into different message areas.
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\subheading{Files Section} The Files Section holds files that a�
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caller can download. These files come from the system operator�
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and from callers (maybe you) who use special Fido commands to�
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upload them. The system operator checks these files to make sure�
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that they're either in the public domain or that the file's�
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copyright holder has given permission for their distribution.�
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Like messages, different types of files usually go into different�
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file areas.
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Many boards have a special electronic mail (FidoNet) section. In�
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this section a caller can send a message to anyone who calls into�
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a FidoNet (or compatible) board anywhere in the world. As of this�
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writing, over 2000 FidoNet compatible boards with FidoNet in�
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operation are operating in all 50 states and 17�
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countries\footnote{Please don't quote me on this; the size of the�
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amateur FidoNet changes week by week; it doubled in size for the�
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first four years.}.
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You'll read more later about entering and editing messages,�
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uploading and downloading files, and sending and getting FidoNet.
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\bigpagebreak
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\heading Calling Fido \endheading
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When you call a Fido board, there's a process you have to go�
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through before you can start reading or entering messages or�
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files. It's called the log-on procedure (because you�
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electronically sign your name in the log book). Except for the�
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first time you call, it only takes a few seconds. Here are the�
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steps you take to call and log on:
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\example
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\demo{test} see if this works. \enddemo
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\demo{First} Make sure your modem is turned on. Of course, it has�
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to be attached to your computer properly, and you must have�
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communications software running that works well with your�
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computer and your modem.\enddemo
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\demo{Second} Dial the Fido's number. How you do this depends on�
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your communication software; see the manual that came with that�
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software for details. Assuming the Fido's number isn't busy and�
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that the Fido you're calling is up and running, after a few�
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seconds the word CONNECT (or something similar) will appear on�
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your screen.\enddemo
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\demo{Third} Wait for a few seconds. This gives Fido a chance to�
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check and match your modem's baud rate--the speed your modem is�
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sending and receiving information. If you get no response after�
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waiting five seconds or so, press Enter two or three times.�
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(Older Fidos with version numbers less than 12 can't tell the�
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baud rate of a modem automatically.)\enddemo
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\demo{Fourth} Wait for a few seconds. Read what Fido puts on your�
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screen and follow the directions\footnote{If you've waited ten�
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seconds or so and nothing happens, press \return a few times;�
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older Fidos (and some other BBSs), couldn't tell your modems baud�
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rate automatically, and needs you to do this to get it started.}�
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You'll see the name of the board, and probably some introductory�
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information the system operator wants you to read. Then Fido asks�
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for your name.\enddemo
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\demo{Fifth} Type your name\footnote{Fido lets you use names with�
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one, two or three words. If you enter only one word, Fido will�
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ask you for your LAST name, where you can enter zero, one or two�
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words followed by \return. This sounds awfully complicated to�
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explain but it isn't.} See the comments after this list in the�
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section called {\it ``About Names''}. Fido checks to make sure�
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you've typed your name correctly; answering ``N\return '' for no�
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lets you retype your name from scratch, and ``Y\return '' or just�
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\return tells Fido you are have it right.\enddemo
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After you enter ``Y\return '' or \return Fido checks to see if it�
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knows who you are. If it does, it asks for your password. If not,�
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something else happens; skip to the section called {\it ``First�
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time Log-ons.''}
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\demo{Sixth} Type your password and press Enter. Fido makes sure�
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you are who you say you are. If everything is OK, your log-on is�
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complete. Fido might show you some notices; usually you can enter�
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Control-C (or Control-K) to skip them. At any rate, Fido will�
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soon present you with a deathless quotation that you can ponder�
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as the Main Menu scrolls onto the screen.\enddemo
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\endexample
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\bigpagebreak
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\heading About Names \endheading
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Some system operators want you to use your real name; others�
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accept ``handles''--aliases you use instead of your real name to�
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reflect some fantasy or role appropriate to the kind of Fido�
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you're calling (``The Hacker,'' ``Top Whip,'' or ``Creampuff'' to�
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name some typical handles). Custom dictates what's acceptable and�
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what isn't on a particular BBS. In some cases, a system operator�
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asks for your real name in a questionnaire and then allows you to�
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use a handle everywhere your name would ordinarily appear on the�
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board. In any case, you can sign on with whatever name you want;�
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later, you can change your name and password.
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Fido requires that you give a first name; whether you give a�
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middle or last name is up to you. To skip giving a last name,�
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just press Enter without typing anything else. when Fido asks for�
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it You need to be consistent, however; if you sign on the first�
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time with a first and last name, you must give both each time you�
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call--otherwise, Fido will think you're somebody else. Also, if�
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you give just a first name the first time you call, you can never�
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give a last name when you log on. Again, you can change all this�
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from within Fido. (See C)hange command, below.)
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\bigpagebreak
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\heading First Time Log-Ons \endheading
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Logging on for the first time takes a little longer (and�
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sometimes a lot longer) than usual. You'll be asked to choose a�
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password so that only you (and the system operator) will be able�
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to read your private messages and so that nobody else can use up�
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your time. (Many Fidos allow you only so much time on the system�
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per day; some Fidos charge you for the time you use.) Some Fidos�
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also ask you to fill out an electronic questionnaire the first�
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time you call.
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A few Fidos are semi-private or private systems; you have to be�
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approved by the system operator before you can use most of the�
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system's features. Some Fidos won't let you on at all unless you�
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belong to a particular company or club, or unless the system�
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operator has already enrolled you on the caller list that Fido�
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keeps.
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Whatever the procedure is, the Fido you're calling will let you�
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know what's up and will prompt you for the information it needs.�
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You ordinarily only have to go through this procedure the first�
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time you call a particular Fido.
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\bigpagebreak
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\heading Signing up--again\! \endheading
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All Fidos keep track of (among other things) the date that you�
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call. Most Fidos purge your name from the caller list if you�
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don't call again for so many days, usually 30. So you might find�
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a Fido that you infrequently call forgetting who you are. When�
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this happens, you'll have to go through the first time log-on�
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procedure again.
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\bigpagebreak
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\heading Choosing a Password \endheading
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Your password can be up to 15 characters long. It must start with�
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a letter, and it can't contain any spaces. It should be something�
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that's meaningful to you and to no one else, or it should be�
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completely meaningless. The idea is to come up with something�
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that nobody else can use to rip off your messages or Fido time.�
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Some people like to change their passwords at least once a month.�
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(See {\it ``C)hange''}.)
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\bigpagebreak
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\heading The Main Menu \endheading
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Fido is a menu-driven system. This means that you choose commands�
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from menus to decide what happens next. (Advanced callers can�
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shut the menus off and type commands directly; see {\it ``Help�
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Levels''}, for the details.) To choose a menu command, you�
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usually type a letter and then press Enter. You see the menu in�
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the Main section first; here's what it looks like:
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**
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MAIN Section:
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M)sg-Section F)ile-Section B)ulletins
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S)tatistics C)hange P)age-Operator
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L)ist-Callers A)ns-Questionnaire V)ersion
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O)utside E)xitDOS G)oodbye
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Command (?=help):
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**
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You might not see all these commands if your privilege level�
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isn't high enough. (In fact, it's extremely unlikely that you'll�
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see either O)utside or E)xitDOS.) Your system operator decides�
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what commands you can see; if you can see it, you can use it.
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\subheading{Privileges and such} The system operator controls who�
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can use which sections and, within sections, which commands.�
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Different system operators have different rules to determine who�
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gets to use what. System operators generally make it clear what�
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you have to do in order to get to use these ``higher order''�
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commands. If you're curious, leave a message for the system�
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operator asking about it.
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Here's what each command does, in brief. The ones that require�
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further explanation have their own detailed sections later on:
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\subheading{M--Message section} This brings you to the message�
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area you last looked at on your most recent call. If this is the�
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first time you've used the M command, you go to whatever message�
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area the system operator sets for first-time callers. See {\it�
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``Message Section''}.
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\subheading{F--Files section} This brings you to the file area�
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you last looked at on your most recent call. If this is the first�
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time you've used the F command, you go to whatever file area the�
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system operator sets for first-time callers. See {\it ``File�
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Section''}.
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\subheading{B--Bulletins} Gives you a numbered list of bulletins�
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you can look at. To see a particular bulletin, type its number�
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and press Enter. The following example comes from the Ch@os board�
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in San Francisco:
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**
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--- Bulletins ---
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1) The current ``New caller'' welcome 7 July 87
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2) THE INTENT OF THIS BBS
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3) PRIVACY & CENSORSHIP
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4) General notes on Bulletin Boards in the ``real world''
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Bulletin #:
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**
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\subheading{S--Statistics) Lets you know how often you've called,�
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how much time you've got left on this call, and other�
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information. This comes up:
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**
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28 Jul 87 21:12:51
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Total Limit Remaining
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Total Calls: 264
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Your Calls: 41
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Connect Time: 1 60 59
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24 Hr Time Limit: 240 239
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Credit: $24.00 $24.00
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**
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The credit line lets you know how much credit you have in your�
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account for using FidoNet, a special feature of Fido systems that�
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lets you send electronic mail to and receive electronic mail from�
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any of over 2000 Fido systems throughout the world. See {\it�
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``Sending and Receiving FidoMail''}, later in this chapter, for�
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the details.
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You're limited in the amount of time you can spend on the system,�
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both per call and per day. Some systems are extremely busy, and�
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they might limit you to less than an hour a day.
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\subheading{C--Change your setup} Lets you change your name,�
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password, help level, and system stuff (screen width and length,�
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whether your modem needs nulls, and so on):
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**
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---- Personal Info ----
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Name : John Scribblemonger
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Address : Lake Woebegone Minnesota
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Password : Scribe
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Help Level : All
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----- Your System -----
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Number of Columns: 80
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Number of Lines : 24
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``More[Y,n]'' : ON
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Tab Expansion : ON
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Filler Nulls : 0
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N)ame A)ddress P)assword H)elp-Level W)idth
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L)ength M)ore T)abs F)iller-Nulls
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Command (?=help):
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**
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See {\it ``Changing Caller Settings''} for details.
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\subheading{L--List callers} This command shows you the names of�
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all people currently on the caller list, the last date and time�
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they were on, and where they're from. You can also hunt for an�
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individual caller's name--a great way to see if a friend uses�
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this board, or to see the last time that somebody was on:
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**
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Name or part of name to match (CR = all):
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Scott Dean 28 Aug 87 22:12:35 Fresburg Ca
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Jack Friday 06 Sep 87 09:40:53 Kathmandu Nepal
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Al Taddeo 25 Aug 87 23:40:28 Burbank Ca
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Ed Johnson 08 Sep 87 20:25:05 San Francisco Ca
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Rob Taylor 19 Sep 87 20:41:57 Fresburg Ca
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Jeff McNeal 03 Sep 87 22:38:49 Pittsburg Ca
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**
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\subheading{P--Page the system operator} If s/he's around and�
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feeling communicative, s/he'll answer.
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\subheading{A--Answer the questionnaire} Some Fido systems have�
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questionnaires on various subjects. Try this command; if there's�
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no questionnaire on this system, Fido tells you so.
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\subheading{V--Version number} This tells you what version of�
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Fido this system is using. Many versions of Fido exist (over a�
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dozen at the time this manual was written); the number of the�
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version you're calling can be useful if you're a veteran caller�
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or system operator. For example, use it to see if this Fido is�
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version 12--the version this guide describes.
|
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\subheading{O--Outside} Ordinarily available only to callers with�
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high access levels, the O)utside command quits Fido and delivers�
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an errorlevel to DOS. Generally, this command exits to a batch�
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file that lets a caller use programs that live somewhere on the�
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system operator's disk.
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\subheading{E--Exit to DOS} Ordinarily available only to callers�
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with the same access level as the system operator, the E)xit-DOS�
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command quits Fido and delivers an errorlevel to DOS. More often�
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than not, it exits to a batch file that lets the system operator�
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run the system remotely.
|
||
|
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\subheading{G--Goodbye} Use this to log off the system.�
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||
(Actually, you can just shut off your modem if you want to.)�
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Often this will give you a chance to leave a private message to�
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the system operator.
|
||
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\subheading{?--Help} Gets you on-line help, telling what each�
|
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command does. It's like the list you've been reading, except�
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||
briefer (usually). Anytime you can't figure out a command in�
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Fido, just type a questionmark and press Enter. Later versions�
|
||
of Fido (version 12 and higher) also have something called�
|
||
contextual help. See {\it ``Help Levels''} below for more�
|
||
details.
|
||
|
||
\bigpagebreak
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||
\heading Changing Caller Settings \endheading
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||
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||
To change a setting:
|
||
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\example
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||
\demo{1} Type C from the Main Section and press Enter.\enddemo
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||
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||
\demo{2} Type the proper letter for the setting you want to�
|
||
change; then press Enter.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{3} Type in the new info. If you press Enter without typing�
|
||
anything, the old information remains intact.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{4} Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all necessary items. \enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{5} Press Enter without typing anything else when you've�
|
||
finished making changes.\enddemo
|
||
\endexample
|
||
|
||
Here's what you can change:
|
||
|
||
\demo{N--Caller name} Leave a space between your first and last�
|
||
name -- that's how Fido tells the difference when you sign�
|
||
on.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{A--City and state} This is the place you usually call from.�
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||
If you're paranoid, lie. (Computers are stupid and will believe�
|
||
anything.)\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{P--Password} Change this every once in a while so that the�
|
||
bad guys can't use your time, or post libelous messages under�
|
||
your name. The system is pretty secure, but realize that the�
|
||
system operator can easily find out your password. Try not to�
|
||
worry about it. (Heh-heh.)\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{H--Help level} Fido has three help levels; everybody starts�
|
||
off automatically set to Novice level. For the details, see {\it�
|
||
``Help Levels.''}\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{W--Width of your screen} in characters (the Number of�
|
||
Columns item).\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{L--Length of your screen} in lines (the Number of Lines�
|
||
item).\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{M--Turns the [More?] prompt on and off} When this is set to�
|
||
ON, Fido pauses when your screen is full (as determined by the�
|
||
settings under Width and Length, next in this list) and puts the�
|
||
message * [More?] * at the bottom of the screen: if you type�
|
||
``N'' and press Enter, Fido aborts the rest of the message or�
|
||
bulletin and returns you to Command level; if you type any other�
|
||
key and press Enter (or just press Enter without typing�
|
||
anything), Fido gives you another screenfull of text. When More�
|
||
is set to OFF, the text of a message or bulletin just keeps�
|
||
coming, scrolling information off the top of the screen as�
|
||
necessary. When the word More appears without a questionmark (as�
|
||
in * [More] *), you can't abort the rest of the message.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\proclaim{Killing a listing} Usually you can abort any bulletin�
|
||
or message as it's being displayed by pressing Control-C or�
|
||
Control-K. If using Control-C or Control-K doesn't work, the�
|
||
system operator has disabled this option for the particular�
|
||
message or bulletin you're currently reading. The abort keys�
|
||
might work for other messages; continue to question�
|
||
authority.\endproclaim
|
||
|
||
\demo{T--Tab Expansion} If this is set to ON, Fido sends the�
|
||
appropriate number of spaces for each CONTROL-I it encounters. If�
|
||
this is set to OFF, Fido will send a Control-I to your modem each�
|
||
time it comes across a Tab character in a message or bulletin.�
|
||
Tab defaults to ON. If your screen looks OK, ignore this setting;�
|
||
if tables don't line up properly or if you get spurious�
|
||
characters at the far right edge of the screen, change this�
|
||
setting to whatever it's not.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{F--Filler-Nulls} Some printing terminals need to be sent�
|
||
null characters for timing purposes. Most terminals don't need�
|
||
any; see the manual that came with your terminal if you�
|
||
experience loss of characters at the beginning of lines.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\bigpagebreak
|
||
\heading Help Levels \endheading
|
||
|
||
Fido has three help levels--{\bf Novice, Regular, or Expert}. To�
|
||
set the help level, choose the C command from the Main Menu; then�
|
||
type a number for the level of help you want:
|
||
|
||
\demo{1} You're an expert. You have everything memorized. You�
|
||
just want the system to tell you that it's time to give it a�
|
||
command:\enddemo
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
Main Command (?=help):
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
\demo{2} You're an experienced caller with a crummy memory. You�
|
||
don't want a lot of help--just a list of all the letters you can�
|
||
type at this command prompt:\enddemo
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
MAIN Section:
|
||
Commands: M F B S C P L A V G (?=help):
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
\demo{3} You're a novice. You want full help--a one or two-word�
|
||
explanation of each command, plus the list of all the letters you�
|
||
can type at this command prompt:\enddemo
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
MAIN Section:
|
||
M)sg-Section F)ile-Section B)ulletins
|
||
S)tatistics C)hange P)age-Operator
|
||
L)ist-Callers A)ns-Questionnaire V)ersion
|
||
G)oodbye
|
||
Command (?=help):
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
You can enter a questionmark for more detailed help on a�
|
||
section's commands, no matter what the help level is set at. You�
|
||
can get even more detailed help for a particular command: Type�
|
||
the command's letter immediately followed by a questionmark (for�
|
||
example, L?). If you get a message telling you that the help file�
|
||
is missing, leave a message for the system operator saying so;�
|
||
it's probably an oversight.
|
||
|
||
\bigpagebreak
|
||
\heading Message Section \endheading
|
||
|
||
The {\bf Message Section} holds all the messages that callers�
|
||
leave, either directly by typing them into this Fido or�
|
||
indirectly by typing them into the FidoMail section of some other�
|
||
Fido, and sending them to this Fido via FidoNet. Fido can have up�
|
||
to 200 message areas, with an unlimited number of messages in�
|
||
each area. All the commands and prompts in all message areas are�
|
||
exactly the same, except for some special prompts in the FidoNet�
|
||
FidoMail message area. (See {\it ``Sending and Receiving�
|
||
FidoMail''}, later in this chapter, for the details.)
|
||
|
||
You get to the Message section by entering the M command in the�
|
||
Main Section. Assuming the Help level is set to 3 (Novice),�
|
||
something close to this appears:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
Message Area 2: Shred of Dignity Skaters' Union
|
||
Total messages: 40
|
||
Highest message: 53
|
||
Highest read: 22
|
||
|
||
N)ext P)revious E)nter K)ill T)o-You
|
||
A)rea-Change R)eply C)ontinuous L)ist
|
||
S)earch U)pdate-Msg O)verride-Path
|
||
G)oodbye M)ain-Menu
|
||
Command or Message Number 1-53 (?=help) [22 N]:
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
You go to the message area you were in the last time you called�
|
||
this Fido. If you've never given the M command before, you�
|
||
automatically go to the area that the system operator has�
|
||
determined is the place where new message readers go. The title�
|
||
you see (Shred of Dignity Skaters Union) is the name of this�
|
||
message section.
|
||
|
||
Fido is preset to let you read mail as soon as you enter a�
|
||
message section. The N within square brackets at the end of the�
|
||
command prompt [22 N] stands for N)ext, telling you that Fido is�
|
||
ready to display the next message you haven't yet read; all you�
|
||
need do is press Enter.
|
||
|
||
Fido numbers messages as they're entered. In this example,�
|
||
Message area \#2 has 40 messages in it, with the highest message�
|
||
numbered 53. Some messages have been deleted for one reason or�
|
||
another (at least 13--the difference between 53 and 40), either�
|
||
by the people who entered them, the people they were left for, or�
|
||
by the system operator.
|
||
|
||
Fido keeps track of the messages you've already read so that you�
|
||
don't waste your time rereading old messages. In the example, the�
|
||
caller has read up to message number 22. If the messages have�
|
||
been renumbered by the system operator to get rid of holes�
|
||
previously occupied by now-deleted messages, the numbers change�
|
||
accordingly. If you haven't been on before, Fido gives you the�
|
||
lowest number it can for the last message you read-- the number�
|
||
1.
|
||
|
||
Here's what each command does, in brief. The ones that require�
|
||
further explanation have their own detailed sections later on.
|
||
|
||
\demo{N--Next message} This sets the direction of the next and�
|
||
subsequent message numbers that Fido displays for you. ``Next''�
|
||
is defined as the number that appears after the bracket ([) just�
|
||
before the end of the prompt, +1. In the example above, the�
|
||
number is 22; so N gets you message #23. If message #23 doesn't�
|
||
exist (because it was deleted) or if #23 is a private message,�
|
||
Fido looks for the next existing non-private message. If no more�
|
||
unread, non-deleted, non-private messages are left, Fido says�
|
||
Highest message (which means that you've read all the messages�
|
||
possible to read in this area) and prompts you for another�
|
||
command. To start at the very beginning of the message list in�
|
||
this area and read forward towards the end, type < and press�
|
||
Enter.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
|
||
\demo{P--Previous message} This changes the direction of the next�
|
||
and subsequent message numbers that Fido displays for you.�
|
||
``Previous'' is defined as the number that appears after the�
|
||
bracket ([) just before the end of the prompt, minus 1. In the�
|
||
example above, the number is 22; so P gets you message #21. If�
|
||
message #21 doesn't exist (because it was deleted) or if #21 is a�
|
||
private message, Fido looks for the next existing non-private�
|
||
message with a lower message number. If no more unread, non
|
||
deleted, non-private messages are left, Fido says Lowest message�
|
||
(which means that you've read all the messages possible to read�
|
||
in this area) and prompts you for another command. To change the�
|
||
direction, enter the N command. To start at the very end of the�
|
||
message list in this area and read back towards the start, type >�
|
||
and press Enter. \enddemo
|
||
|
||
|
||
\demo{E--Enter a new message} Fido prompts you for appropriate�
|
||
information. Here's an example:\enddemo
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
This will be message #54
|
||
From: Studley Whackburn
|
||
To: John Scribblemonger
|
||
Subject: Rights of Man
|
||
Private? [y,N]: n
|
||
Maximum message length, lines: 37
|
||
Enter your message, blank line to end
|
||
Words will wrap automatically
|
||
|
||
1:
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
(1: is the number of the line you're about to type; you'll find�
|
||
this line-numbering useful if you need to edit the message after�
|
||
you've written it.) When you enter a message, Fido automatically�
|
||
puts in the message number--always one higher than the highest�
|
||
message number in the current area--and fills in the From: field�
|
||
with your name.
|
||
|
||
You fill in the To: and Subject: fields. (If you press Enter�
|
||
without typing something into either of these fields, Fido�
|
||
assumes you want to cancel the message.) The To: field holds up�
|
||
to 35 characters, and the Subject: field can hold 71 characters.�
|
||
If you want to make your message unreadable by all callers other�
|
||
than you, the addressee, and the system operator, answer Y to the�
|
||
Private? prompt.
|
||
|
||
\proclaim{About privacy} System operators can read private�
|
||
messages. Keep this in mind when you leave messages for people.�
|
||
If the information you want to leave is so private and so�
|
||
personal that you wouldn't want anybody to read it, don't leave�
|
||
it on any bulletin board. This applies doubly to FidoMail,�
|
||
because sometimes FidoMail goes through several boards before it�
|
||
arrives at its destination--and each system operator along the�
|
||
way can read the mail. System operators as a group probably have�
|
||
as much integrity as any general cross-section of the population.�
|
||
But integrity aside, even some postal employees find it�
|
||
irresistible to read the occasional postcard.\endproclaim
|
||
|
||
The system operator decides how many lines long a message can be.�
|
||
(Not just yours--the maximum message length applies equally to�
|
||
all messages.) You type in your message until you've finished.�
|
||
You can ignore the ends of lines--Fido takes care of carriage�
|
||
returns and line feeds for you (although you can force carriage�
|
||
returns, like at the ends of paragraphs, by pressing Enter). You�
|
||
press Enter twice to let Fido know you've finished. Fido then�
|
||
brings up a set of special editing commands:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
1: Forget it, John; it's not worth it. There's no way that
|
||
2: your mother will let you keep a python in the bathtub.
|
||
3:
|
||
|
||
S)ave C)ontinue-adding A)bort L)ist E)dit-Line
|
||
D)el-Line I)ns-Line H)eader (?=help):
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
The commands do what you think they do (Del is short for Delete�
|
||
and Ins is short for Insert). E)dit-Line, D)el-Line, and I)ns
|
||
Line all refer to the body of the message; use H)eader to edit�
|
||
the information in the To:, Subject:, and Private? fields. (To�
|
||
keep the old information, just press Enter at the appropriate�
|
||
prompt). If you need help with a command, type its first letter�
|
||
and a questionmark, and then press Enter.
|
||
|
||
\proclaim{Spelling counts in Fido} A private message left for�
|
||
Vladmir Jons will never be read by Vladmir Jones, or by anybody�
|
||
else for that matter (except the system operator). Make sure the�
|
||
spelling in the To: field is correct before you save the�
|
||
message.\endproclaim
|
||
|
||
Later, when your message has been read by the person you've sent�
|
||
it to, Fido adds the tag (RECV'D) to the message's header line.�
|
||
The number in square brackets before the tag tells you how many�
|
||
times this particular message has been read by anyone coming�
|
||
across it (in this case, 5). The date is when the message was�
|
||
entered:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
#39 26 Jul 87 17:06:31 [5] (RECV'D)
|
||
From: Studley Whackburn
|
||
To: John Scribblemonger
|
||
Subj: Rights Of Man
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
\demo{K--Kills the message you just read}, assuming you wrote it�
|
||
or it was addressed specifically to you. You can't kill a message�
|
||
that isn't yours--only the system operator can do that. \enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{T--Looks for the next message addressed to you}--that is,�
|
||
messages that have your name in the To: field. What ``next�
|
||
message'' is depends on the number and letter that appear between�
|
||
brackets ([]) just before the end of the prompt; it will be a�
|
||
message with a higher number than the one in brackets if the�
|
||
letter is N, lower if the letter is P (See N and P, earlier in�
|
||
this section.). To go from the very start of the message list�
|
||
through to the end, enter < T; to go from the end of the message�
|
||
list and work back to the start, enter > T. (Note the space�
|
||
before the T in both cases.) \enddemo
|
||
|
||
Fido displays these messages for you one at a time, giving you�
|
||
the chance to reply to a message and then delete it as soon as�
|
||
you've read it. (Some Fidos run on floppy disk, where space is at�
|
||
a premium; so it's always a good idea to throw away a message you�
|
||
no longer need.) Here's what a message retrieved using the T�
|
||
command looks like. In this example, Help level is at 2:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
Commands: N P E K T A R C L S U G M
|
||
or Message Number 1-112 (?=help) [1 N]: t
|
||
#81 26 Jul 87 13:12:45 [1]
|
||
From: Studley Whackburn
|
||
To: John Scribblemonger
|
||
Subj: Complaints
|
||
|
||
We don't accept complaints. Sorry.
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
It's a good idea to reply to a message before you delete it. When�
|
||
you reply to a message you've just read, Fido fills out the TO�
|
||
field for you.
|
||
|
||
\proclaim{The bonus RK command} After you've read a message�
|
||
(addressed to you) that you want to reply to, use the command RK.�
|
||
The RK command lets you reply to a message, and then�
|
||
automatically deletes the original. That way you don't clutter up�
|
||
the disk with old messages.\endproclaim
|
||
|
||
\demo{A--Area change} This command shows you all the message�
|
||
areas:\enddemo
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
----- Message Areas -----
|
||
1) Ch@os
|
||
2) Shred of Dignity Skaters Union
|
||
\star 4) FidoNet Messages
|
||
5) 'Zine reviews & ads
|
||
Message Area [2]:
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
The area marked with a \star is always the FidoNet FidoMail�
|
||
section. The number between square brackets at the end of the�
|
||
prompt is the area you were just in, and the area to which you'll�
|
||
automatically return if you press Enter without typing another�
|
||
number.
|
||
|
||
\proclaim{About missing numbers} The numbers of the areas that�
|
||
appear in the areas list might not be sequential. (For instance,�
|
||
3 is missing in the example.) Those areas do exist; you just�
|
||
don't have access to them. Each individual system operator�
|
||
determines who can see what areas and who can use which commands.�
|
||
If you need access to some area that you know exists but that�
|
||
doesn't appear on your screen, leave a note for the system�
|
||
operator asking for access.\endproclaim
|
||
|
||
\demo{R--Reply to the message you've just read} You can reply to�
|
||
any message, whether it's addressed to you or not. When you reply�
|
||
to a message, Fido automatically fills out the From:, To:, and�
|
||
Subject: fields for you. (The To: field becomes REPLY To:) You�
|
||
need to fill out the Private? field yourself. For details on how�
|
||
to enter a message, see the E command, earlier in this section.�
|
||
\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\proclaim{Use R rather than E} Fido keeps track of all replies to�
|
||
a message such that a running conversation can occur. For�
|
||
example, Fred enters a message that Gerry replies to. Alice reads�
|
||
Gerry's reply and replies to it, adding her own comments. Phil�
|
||
sees Alice's reply and adds comments of his own by replying to�
|
||
her message, and so it goes. Later, anyone can trace the�
|
||
conversation using the special + command (described later), and�
|
||
read only the series of messages (called the thread in BBS�
|
||
terminology) concerned with this topic. To take part in the�
|
||
threaded conversation, always use the R command. You can use E to�
|
||
write a new message to anybody in the thread, of course; but�
|
||
people who use + won't see your comments.\endproclaim
|
||
|
||
\demo{C--Continuously show messages} All the messages from the�
|
||
one you last read through the end of the message list scrolls�
|
||
onto your screen without stopping. This happens even if you have�
|
||
``More?'' turned on in the C)hange part of the Main section. To�
|
||
go from the very start of the message list through to the end,�
|
||
enter < C; to go from the end of the message list and work back�
|
||
to the start, enter > C. (Note the space before the C in both�
|
||
cases.) To stop the list temporarily, press CONTROL-S. (Press it�
|
||
again to continue.) To abort the command, press CONTROL-C or�
|
||
CONTROL-K. \enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{L--List the headers (To:, From:, Subject: fields)} of all�
|
||
readable messages in the area, starting at the current one and�
|
||
going through either to the start or to the end of the message�
|
||
list, depending on the current direction--N or P. (You can't�
|
||
search the body of a message.) A ``readable message'' is one that�
|
||
isn't public, or if private is one that's addressed to or from�
|
||
you. To go from the very start of the message list through to the�
|
||
end, enter < L; to go from the end of the message list and work�
|
||
back to the start, enter > L. (Note the space before the L in�
|
||
both cases.) This command is useful when you want to know who's�
|
||
leaving messages, who's getting messages, or what the subjects of�
|
||
people's messages are. (Of course, this assumes that people --�
|
||
which includes you--leave really descriptive subject lines.)�
|
||
\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{S--Search the header} This command looks in the headers of�
|
||
the current area's messages for a specified word, name, or�
|
||
phrase. The search starts at the current message and goes through�
|
||
either to the start or to the end of the message list, depending�
|
||
on the current direction (N or P). When it finds a match, Fido�
|
||
displays the header and the rest of the message. To search for�
|
||
the next match, type S and press [CR] twice; Fido remembers the�
|
||
last search string entered. To go from the very start of the�
|
||
message list through to the end, enter < S; to go from the end of�
|
||
the message list and work back to the start, enter >ÊS. (Note the�
|
||
space before the S in both cases.) To stop the list temporarily,�
|
||
press CONTROL-S. (Press it again to continue.) To abort the�
|
||
command, press CONTROL-C or CONTROL-K.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{U--Update the message you just read} The message must be�
|
||
one that you entered. Use this command to edit a message you've�
|
||
written to someone and already saved. You edit an already-saved�
|
||
message in exactly the same way that you edit a message you're in�
|
||
the process of creating for the first time: Fido displays the�
|
||
message and brings up the editing commands:\enddemo
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
#86 27 Jul 87 12:52:16 [3] (EDITED)
|
||
From: Studley Whackburn
|
||
To: John Scribblemonger
|
||
Subj: The World Ends Thursday
|
||
|
||
1: I have bad news, old chum. The world is coming to an end
|
||
2: tomorrow at exactly 4:15 PM. This is especially annoying,
|
||
3: since we had dinner planned for seven. Sorry.
|
||
4:
|
||
|
||
Loaded 3 lines
|
||
You may now display and edit message #86
|
||
|
||
S)ave C)ontinue-adding A)bort L)ist E)dit-Line
|
||
D)el-Line I)ns-Line H)eader (?=help):
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
Ater you've edited and saved the message, Fido adds an extra line�
|
||
at the start of the body of the message, saying when the editing�
|
||
occurred. This ``editing trail'' is an integral part of the�
|
||
message; Fido adds it as you save the message, and displays it�
|
||
every time someone reads the message:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
#86 27 Jul 87 12:52:16 [3]
|
||
From: Studley Whackburn
|
||
To: John Scribblemonger
|
||
Subj: The World Ends Tomorrow
|
||
|
||
[Message changed on 31 Jul 87 10:57:29]
|
||
I have bad news, old chum. The world is coming to an end tomorrow �
|
||
at exactly 4:15 PM. This is especially annoying, as we had dinner�
|
||
planned for seven. Sorry.
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
\demo{G--Goodbye} Use this to log off the system. (Actually, you�
|
||
can just shut off your modem if you want to.) Often this will�
|
||
give you a chance to leave a private message to the system�
|
||
operator.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{M--Main menu} Returns you to the Main section.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\bigpagebreak
|
||
\heading Special Navigation Commands \endheading
|
||
|
||
Fido has a few special character commands to help you get around�
|
||
in an area's message section better. A few of them have already�
|
||
been mentioned, but you'll see them again here:
|
||
|
||
\example
|
||
. Display (or redisplay) the current message. The current�
|
||
message is the one whose number shows within square brackets�
|
||
(along with the direction indicator N or P) just before the end�
|
||
of the prompt line.
|
||
|
||
< Reset the current message number to the lowest in this area�
|
||
and set the direction to N (Next). When you press Enter, the�
|
||
lowest numbered readable message in the area will appear on the�
|
||
screen.
|
||
|
||
> Reset the current message number to the highest in this�
|
||
area and set the direction to P (Previous). When you press Enter,�
|
||
the highest numbered readable message in the area will appear on�
|
||
the screen.
|
||
|
||
+ Read the reply to the last displayed message, if a reply�
|
||
exists. This lets you follow a discussion thread composed of�
|
||
related messages (a reply to a reply to a reply\dots) without�
|
||
having intervening messages on other subjects interfere.
|
||
|
||
- Read the message that this one is replying to (if this�
|
||
message is a reply). Keep entering the minus sign to get back to�
|
||
the original message that started the discussion. (Fido will let�
|
||
you know when you've reached the original message.) That way you�
|
||
can follow the discussion thread through to the end by using +.
|
||
\endexample
|
||
\bigpagebreak
|
||
\heading Sending and Receiving FidoNet Mail \endheading
|
||
|
||
At this writing (January, 1988), Fidos that exchange electronic�
|
||
mail (FidoNet) are operating in 17 countries and in all 50 of the�
|
||
United States\footnote{Sigh\dots here we go again.}. Fidos that�
|
||
exchange FidoNet mail can connect directly with each other, or�
|
||
they can connect indirectly via ``host'' Fidos. The public�
|
||
FidoNet network that uses Fido's system of exchanging mail�
|
||
currently has over 100 hosts and around 2500 nodes. (A host�
|
||
accepts mail for all Fido nodes in its immediate geographic�
|
||
vicinity in order to keep telephone costs down.) FidoMail usually�
|
||
gets exchanged in the dark of night, when telephone costs are�
|
||
cheapest.
|
||
|
||
\demo{How you might use FidoNet} Assume that you live in San Francisco, and you have a friend or business associate who lives�
|
||
in Boston. S/he has a modem and a computer, and you have a modem�
|
||
and a computer. While costs are determined by each individual�
|
||
system operator, you can write a message of a few hundred words�
|
||
and send it overnight from the Fido that you use in San Francisco�
|
||
to the one that s/he uses in Boston for about 25 cents. \enddemo
|
||
|
||
Not all Fidos use FidoNet, the part of Fido that makes exchanging�
|
||
electronic mail possible. To see if the Fido that you regularly�
|
||
call uses FidoNet, use the A)rea command in the Message section:�
|
||
Look for a message area name that has an asterisk (\star) next to�
|
||
it. If no name has an asterisk, then either that Fido isn't using�
|
||
FidoNet or you need to have already set up a FidoNet account�
|
||
before you can even get into the FidoNet area. (See the next�
|
||
section of this manual.) Leave a message for the system operator
|
||
asking if s/he runs FidoNet and, if so, how you can set up an�
|
||
account. If s/he doesn't run FidoNet, leave a nasty message and call another Fido.
|
||
|
||
\bigpagebreak
|
||
\heading Setting Up a FidoNet Account \endheading
|
||
|
||
Sending an individual FidoNet message is very cheap. (In fact,�
|
||
sending a message to a Fido within your local dialing area is�
|
||
probably free.) But a FidoNet system operator might find that�
|
||
s/he has dozens of long-distance FidoMail messages going out�
|
||
every night. The phone bill for the system operator can add up�
|
||
fast. So most system operators insist that you have an account�
|
||
set up with them before you start sending FidoMail. You'll�
|
||
usually find a bulletin telling you how to set up a FidoNet�
|
||
account. If you can't find the information you need, leave a�
|
||
message for the system operator asking for details.
|
||
|
||
The Credit line that you see when you enter the Change command in�
|
||
the Main section shows how much you have to spend on FidoMail.�
|
||
The system operator credits your account when you send whatever�
|
||
s/he requires (or when you fulfill your part of whatever�
|
||
arrangement you have).
|
||
|
||
\proclaim{About charges} Your account gets charged for each�
|
||
FidoMail message you make, and the account is reconciled after�
|
||
mail gets sent. You always know how much it costs to send a�
|
||
message before you send it; a list of prices is always available.�
|
||
(You'll find details on how to find prices in the next�
|
||
section.)\endproclaim
|
||
|
||
\bigpagebreak
|
||
\heading Using the FidoNet Message System \endheading
|
||
|
||
(This section assumes you're in the FidoNet message area as you�
|
||
read along.) You use the same process to leave a message in the�
|
||
FidoNet area as you do in any other Message area, except that you�
|
||
also have to add a FidoNet address. Here's what you see after you�
|
||
tell FidoNet you want to enter a message:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
This will be message #46
|
||
From: Studley Whackburn on Fido 1:125/101
|
||
To:
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
The number at the end of the From: field is the address of the�
|
||
Fido you're calling from. A full address has three sections to�
|
||
it, and it's written in the form zone:net/Fido. (The colon and�
|
||
the slash are important.) When you send FidoMail to somebody, you�
|
||
need to include a FidoNet numeric address. To continue the�
|
||
example:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
This will be message #46
|
||
From: Studley Whackburn on Fido 1:125/101
|
||
To: Tim Pozar
|
||
Current Net is NET 125 SF Bay Net, San Francisco CA, $0.26
|
||
Z)one N)et F)ido (or numeric FidoNet address) (?=Help): 1:101/318
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
This piece of FidoMail is going to the Fido board whose complete�
|
||
address is Zone 1, Net 101, Fido 318.
|
||
|
||
The first number in the address is the zone number; it represents�
|
||
some vast geographic area, usually a country. Zone is a feature�
|
||
that's just starting to be used; you can usually ignore it.
|
||
|
||
The second number (101) represents the net, the affiliation of�
|
||
Fidos in a particular geographic area--in the example, the state�
|
||
of Massachusetts (and one or two stragglers from Rhode Island).�
|
||
Note that this number is always followed by a slash.
|
||
|
||
The third number (318) is the Fido number--the number of a�
|
||
specific Fido board. Only one Fido in a net has this number. �
|
||
Somebody in another net might have that same node number, just as�
|
||
somebody in a different telephone area code might have same�
|
||
seven-digit telephone number.
|
||
|
||
So you can write this complete FidoNet address as either�
|
||
1:101/318 or simply 101/318.
|
||
|
||
\bigpagebreak
|
||
\heading Finding an address \endheading
|
||
|
||
The problem is how to find the address of the Fido that somebody�
|
||
uses. Unfortunately, there's no international FidoNet caller's�
|
||
directory. Ideally, you know the complete numeric address of the�
|
||
Fido that your friend uses. Short of that, FidoNet can help you�
|
||
find the Fido's address if you know the Fido's net number, its�
|
||
name, or its city. Assume for this exercise that your friend has�
|
||
an account on the PC WEEK board in Boston, Massachusetts.
|
||
|
||
\bigpagebreak
|
||
\heading The N Command \endheading
|
||
|
||
The N command shows you a list of all the nets:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
NET 1 Int'l Tech Coord, So Roxana IL, $0.22
|
||
NET 10 Calif Nevada, Lompoc CA, $0.26
|
||
NET 102 SoCalNet, Los Angeles CA, $0.26
|
||
\dots
|
||
\dots
|
||
|
||
NET 16 New England, CT ME MA NH RI VT, $0.20
|
||
NET 101 MassNet, Gardner MA, $0.20
|
||
\dots
|
||
\dots
|
||
NET 713 QLD NET, BRISBANE QLD AUSTRALIA, $2.38
|
||
NET 59 OCEANIA INDEPENDENT, SOUTH PACIFIC, $2.38
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
(The \dots indicate items present in the listing, but left out of�
|
||
this example.) The number on a particular line is the number of�
|
||
the net described. The next item on the line is the name of the�
|
||
host of that net (or a creative contraction of the host's name).�
|
||
The third item is the location of that host. The final number is�
|
||
the amount of money it costs to send a message to that host from�
|
||
the Fido that you're using at the moment. (In most cases, that's�
|
||
also how much it costs to send a message to every Fido served by�
|
||
that host.)
|
||
|
||
This list shows just a few of the nets; there are over 100 of�
|
||
them. The idea is to browse through the net list until you find�
|
||
one that's likely to encompass the board you're looking for. When�
|
||
you find a likely candidate, you can stop the list by entering�
|
||
CONTROL-C or CONTROL-K.
|
||
|
||
Assume that the best candidate for a net likely to hold Boston's�
|
||
PC WEEK board is net 101, the MassNet board located in Gardner,�
|
||
Massachusetts. When Fido prompts you, you type
|
||
|
||
101/ [CR]
|
||
|
||
This rather arcane message tells Fido you want to send a message�
|
||
to some board affiliated with net 101. Here's what the prompt�
|
||
looks like after you've searched the Net list and entered the net�
|
||
designation:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
Current Net is NET 125 SF Bay Net, San Francisco CA, $0.26
|
||
Z)one N)et F)ido (or numeric FidoNet address) (?=Help): 101/
|
||
Current Net is NET 101 MassNet, Gardner MA, $0.20
|
||
Z)one N)et F)ido (or numeric FidoNet address) (?=Help):
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
The current net number has changed; it's now 101. The current net�
|
||
number determines what you'll see when you enter the F command.
|
||
|
||
\subheading{The F Command}
|
||
|
||
The F command lists all the Fidos in the current net:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
Current Net is NET 101 MassNet, Gardner MA, $0.20
|
||
N)et F)ido (or numeric FidoNet address) (?=Help): F
|
||
NET 101 MassNet, Gardner MA, $0.20
|
||
14 WayStar, Marlboro MA, $0.20
|
||
27 Daves Fido, Gardner MA, $0.20
|
||
\dots
|
||
\dots
|
||
318 PC Week, Boston MA, $0.20
|
||
366 Westboro Fido, Westboro MA, $0.20
|
||
\dots
|
||
\dots
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
Again, there are too many boards in MassNet to list them all, but�
|
||
you don't have to--PC WEEK is Board number 318 in net 101, or�
|
||
101/318.
|
||
|
||
Yes, it is indeed crude, but it's effective. A better way of�
|
||
locating a board's address is coming someday. Just hang in there�
|
||
for now.
|
||
|
||
Try entering some fake FidoMail now to somebody in your own net,�
|
||
just for the experience. (Remember to delete fake mail when�
|
||
you're through.)
|
||
|
||
\bigpagebreak
|
||
\heading Sending a File \endheading
|
||
|
||
If you have a high enough access level, Fido will ask if you want�
|
||
to attach a file to your message. You can send any file along�
|
||
with your message, as long as the file exists somewhere on the�
|
||
system operator's disk. Fido prompts you for a full pathname:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
Attach File(s)? [y,N]: y
|
||
Full PathName(s):
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
As you can see, you have to have very high access to be able to�
|
||
attach files: Most people don't know what pathnames to use to get�
|
||
around a system operator's disk. (The descriptive names in the�
|
||
File Area list won't do as full pathnames.)
|
||
|
||
Why everybody can't attach files: Most system operators don't let�
|
||
the majority of callers attach files to their messages because of�
|
||
the expense and because of the access to the disk drive(s) this�
|
||
command gives people. As to the expense: It's one thing to send a�
|
||
message of a couple hundred words across the country at 1200�
|
||
baud; that costs only a few cents. But sending a 50,000-byte file�
|
||
across the country gets really expensive. The price you see in�
|
||
the nodelist only covers a message; it can't take into account�
|
||
the prices for sending files. (At present, FidoNet's accounting�
|
||
system isn't very sophisticated.) Additionally, the Attach Files�
|
||
feature gives a caller full access to the entire disk system.�
|
||
This means, theoretically, that a caller could use MS-DOS�
|
||
wildcard commands to attach the file \star.\star to a message--and send everything on the system operator's disk to, say,�
|
||
Bangkok.
|
||
|
||
\bigpagebreak
|
||
\heading Files Section \endheading
|
||
|
||
The Files section holds files you can copy for your own use.�
|
||
Callers (including you) donate files to the board using the�
|
||
Upload command; the system operator then checks the files to make�
|
||
sure that they're either in the public domain or that the file's�
|
||
copyright owner has given permission that they be distributed�
|
||
without charge. (See the section below called {\it ``Honor System�
|
||
Distribution.''}) Fido can have up to 200 file areas in the�
|
||
Files section, with an unlimited number of files in each area.�
|
||
All the commands and prompts in all file areas are exactly the�
|
||
same.
|
||
|
||
Here's what you get when you choose F)iles from the Main section:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
File Area 1: General Rock & Roll
|
||
F)iles D)ownload U)pload A)rea-Change T)ype
|
||
S)tatistics L)ocate R)aw-Display
|
||
K)ill-File O)verride-Path G)oodbye
|
||
M)ain-Menu
|
||
Command (?=help):
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
(Actually, you're likely not to see several of these commands:�
|
||
R)aw-Display, K)ill-File and O)verride-Path are ordinarily�
|
||
reserved for callers with the same access level as the system�
|
||
operator. They're shown here for completeness.)
|
||
|
||
The first line tells you the number of the current file area, and�
|
||
gives a brief description of the kinds of files this area holds.�
|
||
The other lines list the commands.
|
||
|
||
Here's a description of what each command means. Commands�
|
||
preceded by a \circle are ordinarily available only to callers�
|
||
with very high access levels :
|
||
|
||
\demo{F--Files list} Shows you the names of the files in this�
|
||
section, the size of each file in bytes, and a brief description�
|
||
of what the file does:\enddemo
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
CUTEFONE.EXE 7680 Turns your phone # into possible words
|
||
AREACODE.EXE 19328 Tells area codes for cities, and vice versa
|
||
QUOTES.BBS 17557 the quotes you get when you log on
|
||
CH@OS.AD 1463 Text bomb to drop on other BBSs
|
||
\dots
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
You can use the MS-DOS wildcard characters \star and ? to list�
|
||
specific files:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
Command (?=help): *.EXE
|
||
|
||
CUTEFONE.EXE 7680 Turns your phone # into possible words
|
||
AREACODE.EXE 19328 Tells area codes for cities, and vice versa
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
See your MS-DOS manual for details on wildcard characters.
|
||
|
||
\demo{D--Download one or more files} Use this command to transfer�
|
||
a copy of any file in the Files section to your computer. The�
|
||
system you're using must have some kind of a storage device to�
|
||
hold the file you're getting (which lets you out if you're using�
|
||
just a terminal with no disk drives), and the telecommunications�
|
||
program you're using to call Fido must have a file transfer�
|
||
protocol that Fido can understand. Here's what you see:\enddemo
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
Command (?=help): D
|
||
A)scii, K)ermit, X)modem, XC)modem-CRC, T)elink
|
||
Transfer Type: A K X XC T (?=help):
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
Fido tells you the size of the file in blocks (1 block = 128�
|
||
bytes except for Kermit where it equals something strange), and�
|
||
how long it will take to download the file using the protocol�
|
||
you've selected. If you don't know what you're doing, use Xmodem.
|
||
|
||
\proclaim{Honor System Distribution} There's a difference between�
|
||
public domain software, ``Freeware'' (software, documentation,�
|
||
and/or data that the producer is allowing people to use--usually�
|
||
with certain restrictions--without charge), and ``Shareware''.�
|
||
``Shareware'' is software, documentation, and/or data (often�
|
||
copyrighted) distributed on the honor system: You get it free,�
|
||
but you're honor-bound to send payment or a donation to the�
|
||
producer if you continue to use it after a trial period. More�
|
||
often than not, the income from Shareware is the only income the�
|
||
producer gets. So if you don't send the money, you're literally�
|
||
stealing somebody's paycheck.\endproclaim
|
||
|
||
You can use the MS-DOS wildcard characters \star and ? to�
|
||
download several files in a row if you use the Telink or Kermit�
|
||
protocols. See your MS-DOS manual for the details on wildcard�
|
||
characters; see the manual that came with your telecommunications�
|
||
software for information on Telink and/or Kermit.
|
||
|
||
\demo{U--Upload a file} Use this command to send files for�
|
||
general posting in an appropriate Fido file area. This works�
|
||
essentially like Download, except in reverse. (Fido can't tell�
|
||
how long it will take to upload the file or how many blocks it�
|
||
has, of course, as it does when you download a file.) The system�
|
||
operator will ordinarily check the file you've sent to make sure�
|
||
that it's either in the public domain or that the file's�
|
||
copyright owner has given permission that the file be distributed�
|
||
without charge. \enddemo
|
||
|
||
You can use the MS-DOS wildcard characters \star and ? to upload�
|
||
several files in a row if you use the Telink or Kermit protocols.�
|
||
See your MS-DOS manual for the details on wildcard characters;�
|
||
see the manual that came with your telecommunications software�
|
||
for information on Telink and/or Kermit.
|
||
|
||
Got enough room? Use the Statistics command in the Files section�
|
||
to check the available free space on the Fido you're using�
|
||
before you use the Upload command. Fido has no way to warn you in�
|
||
advance that your upload might get chopped off in the middle --�
|
||
which happens when Fido runs out of upload disk space.
|
||
|
||
\demo{A--Area change.} This commands shows you all the file areas�
|
||
and lets you change to another one:\enddemo
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
----- File Areas -----
|
||
1) General Rock & Roll
|
||
\star 2) FidoNet Files
|
||
4) IBM-PC Software
|
||
5) Macintosh Software
|
||
File Area [3]:
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
(The area marked with a \star is always the FidoNet Files�
|
||
section.) The number between square brackets just before the�
|
||
prompt is the area you were just in, and the area to which you'll�
|
||
automatically return if you press Enter without typing another�
|
||
number. Type the number of the file area you want to move to and�
|
||
press Enter.
|
||
|
||
\proclaim{About missing numbers} The numbers of the areas that�
|
||
appear in the areas list might not be sequential. Those areas do�
|
||
exist; you just don't have access to them. Each individual system�
|
||
operator determines who can see what areas and who can use which�
|
||
commands. If you need access to some area that you know exists�
|
||
but that doesn't appear on your screen, leave a note for the�
|
||
system operator asking for access.\endproclaim
|
||
|
||
\demo{T--Type a text file on screen} This command scrolls the�
|
||
contents of a text file onto your screen. (Files with the suffix�
|
||
.DOC, .ASC, and .TXT are almost always text files.) It's�
|
||
essentially the same as downloading a file using the ASCII�
|
||
protocol.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{S--Statistics.} This shows the same information as does the�
|
||
statistics command in the Main section, except that files�
|
||
information replaces the FidoNet credit information.�
|
||
Specifically, you'll see information on the number of bytes�
|
||
you've uploaded or downloaded, and the space available for�
|
||
uploading files in this area:\enddemo
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
28 Jul 87 21:13:22
|
||
Total Limit Remaining
|
||
Total Calls: 264
|
||
Your Calls: 41
|
||
Connect Time: 1 0 0
|
||
24 Hr Time Limit: 0 0
|
||
Disk Space: 20M 17M
|
||
24 Hr Dnld Limit: 0K 0K
|
||
Downloaded: 0
|
||
Uploaded: 0K
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
\demo{L--Locate a file in any file area} that you have access to.�
|
||
Use this command to find out if Fido has a file you're looking�
|
||
for, and if so what area it's in:\enddemo
|
||
|
||
Command (?=help): L
|
||
File(s) to search for: TWIX.DOC
|
||
1) General Rock & Roll
|
||
\star 2) FidoNet Files
|
||
3) Tools
|
||
TWIX.DOC 774 accurate but ugly
|
||
4) IBM-PC Software
|
||
5) Macintosh Software
|
||
|
||
Found 1 matching files
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
You can use the MS-DOS wildcard characters \star and ? to locate�
|
||
specific files. See your MS-DOS manual for wildcard character�
|
||
details.
|
||
|
||
|
||
\circle \demo{R--list all files and subdirectory names in the�
|
||
current directory} (The Files command in reality just presents�
|
||
some of the contents of a file called FILES.BBS, an ordinarily�
|
||
hidden file that holds a list of essential data about all�
|
||
available files, but that doesn't necessarily show the complete�
|
||
contents of any subdirectory.) Most often, this command is used�
|
||
by the system operator to perform Fido housekeeping tasks from�
|
||
some location other than the terminal connected to the computer�
|
||
that's actually running Fido.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
You can use the MS-DOS wildcard characters \star and ? to locate�
|
||
specific files. See your MS-DOS manual for wildcard character�
|
||
details.
|
||
|
||
\circle \demo{K--delete a file and removes its entry from�
|
||
FILES.BBS} (The contents of FILES.BBS is what gets displayed when�
|
||
you give the File command.) Most often, this command is used by�
|
||
the system operator to perform Fido housekeeping tasks from some�
|
||
location other than the terminal connected to the computer that's�
|
||
actually running Fido.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{O--Override the normal pathname} Ordinarily available only�
|
||
to callers with a privilege level equal to that of the system�
|
||
operator, the O)verride-Path command lets you specify a different�
|
||
pathname for the display of files summoned by any command in the�
|
||
File section (except the A)rea-Change command). The original�
|
||
pathname is reset as soon as you leave the current area (for�
|
||
example, by using M)ain-Menu, A)rea-Change, or G)oodbye). Most�
|
||
often, this command is used by the system operator to perform�
|
||
Fido housekeeping tasks from some location other than the�
|
||
terminal connected to the computer that's actually running�
|
||
Fido.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{G--Goodbye} Use this to log off the system. (Actually, you�
|
||
can just shut off your modem if you want to.) Often this will�
|
||
give you a chance to leave a private message to the system�
|
||
operator.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\demo{M--Main menu} Returns you to the Main section.\enddemo
|
||
|
||
\bigpagebreak
|
||
\heading Fido's Command Buffer--An Undocumented Feature�
|
||
\endheading
|
||
|
||
Experienced callers can save a lot of time by skirting many of�
|
||
Fido's prompts. You do this by putting several commands on the�
|
||
same line, separated by spaces. For example, assume that you�
|
||
start from the Main Section, and that you want to list the files�
|
||
in area 7--an area different from the one you looked at the last�
|
||
time you used the File section. Here's how you'd do it:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
F A 7 F [CR]
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
You'll go directly from the Main Menu to a list of the files in�
|
||
Area 7. This is possible because Fido's commands are all (or�
|
||
nearly all) one-character commands, a bunch of which Fido can�
|
||
remember in its command buffer.
|
||
|
||
Here's a further shortcut: Use a vertical bar to represent a�
|
||
carriage return. For example, at the signon prompt, Fido expects�
|
||
to see up to three names (First, Middle, Last). Use the vertical�
|
||
bar to indicate you've finished with your name, then go on to�
|
||
confirm that the name is correct and add your password:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
John Scribblemonger | Y Scribe [CR]
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
You'll end up going directly from the signon prompt to the post-signon messages without going through the prompts in between.
|
||
|
||
The More? prompt clears Fido's command buffer. This means that if�
|
||
a system message is so long that it puts the More? prompt at the�
|
||
bottom of the screen, Fido waits for you to press the Enter key�
|
||
before going on--and then forgets whatever other commands you've�
|
||
entered. For example:
|
||
|
||
**
|
||
John Scribblemonger | Y Scribe F A 7 D X Mortcalc.EXE | G N [CR]
|
||
**
|
||
|
||
This line would log John Scribblemonger onto the system (using�
|
||
his password Scribe), go to area 7 of the Files section, use the�
|
||
Xmodem protocol to download a program called Mortcalc.EXE, and�
|
||
log off the system without leaving a message for the system�
|
||
operator. But if the system operator has a long post-signon�
|
||
message that invokes [More?], all the commands after the password�
|
||
get trashed. The solution is to use the C)hange command to turn�
|
||
off the [More?] prompt--and pray for a clean phone line.
|
||
|
||
|
||
Just to be complete: Other things that flush this type-ahead�
|
||
buffer (as it's called in the trade) are CONTROL-C, CONTROL-K,�
|
||
CONTROL-S (which pauses output), and CONTROL-F (whose only�
|
||
purpose is to flush the type-ahead buffer).
|
||
|
||
\bye
|