\input man.sty
\twosided
\title A Caller's Guide to Fido\copyright Version 12
\endtitle
\author
Written by Scot Kamins \\
August, 1988 \\ \\
\rm for Fido Software \\
164 Shipley \\
San Francisco CA 94107
\endauthor
This is the Caller's Guide to Fido Version 12. Its entireچ
contents are copyright 1988 by Tom Jennings.
``Fido'' and ``FidoNet'' are registered trademarks of Tomچ
Jennings
This guide is distributed through BBSs and information utilitiesچ
under the honor system. If after using it for two weeks you findچ
it worth keeping, send \$5.00 to Fido Software and you'll receiveچ
a beautiful printed manual, typeset with the \TeX typsettingچ
system, and printed on a mediocre dot matrix printer. Please sendچ
your praises, complaints, corrections, and suggestions to theچ
author, Scot Kamins, at the address above.
Also write to receive general information on the Fido/FidoNetچ
Bulletin Board program (prices, current version, datasheet, etc).
\bigpagebreak
\heading Fido's structure \endheading
Fido is divided into three major sections--MAIN, MESSAGES, andچ
FILES. The Messages and Files sections can in turn each have upچ
to 200 separate areas, each area covering a separate topic. (Mostچ
Fidos have fewer than 10.) Which of these sections and areas youچ
can use, and the commands you can use in each, depends on yourچ
privilege level. The system operator determines what a caller'sچ
privilege level is.
\subheading{Message Section} The Message Section holds messagesچ
that a caller writes to another person or to anybody who cares toچ
read it. A caller can make a message private so that only theچ
message writer and the person specified (and the system operator)چ
can read it. The system operator determines the length ofچ
messages that callers can leave. Different types of messagesچ
usually go into different message areas.
\subheading{Files Section} The Files Section holds files that aچ
caller can download. These files come from the system operatorچ
and from callers (maybe you) who use special Fido commands toچ
upload them. The system operator checks these files to make sureچ
that they're either in the public domain or that the file'sچ
copyright holder has given permission for their distribution.چ
Like messages, different types of files usually go into differentچ
file areas.
Many boards have a special electronic mail (FidoNet) section. Inچ
this section a caller can send a message to anyone who calls intoچ
a FidoNet (or compatible) board anywhere in the world. As of thisچ
writing, over 2000 FidoNet compatible boards with FidoNet inچ
operation are operating in all 50 states and 17چ
countries\footnote{Please don't quote me on this; the size of theچ
amateur FidoNet changes week by week; it doubled in size for theچ
first four years.}.
You'll read more later about entering and editing messages,چ
uploading and downloading files, and sending and getting FidoNet.
\bigpagebreak
\heading Calling Fido \endheading
When you call a Fido board, there's a process you have to goچ
through before you can start reading or entering messages orچ
files. It's called the log-on procedure (because youچ
electronically sign your name in the log book). Except for theچ
first time you call, it only takes a few seconds. Here are theچ
steps you take to call and log on:
\example
\demo{test} see if this works. \enddemo
\demo{First} Make sure your modem is turned on. Of course, it hasچ
to be attached to your computer properly, and you must haveچ
communications software running that works well with yourچ
computer and your modem.\enddemo
\demo{Second} Dial the Fido's number. How you do this depends onچ
your communication software; see the manual that came with thatچ
software for details. Assuming the Fido's number isn't busy andچ
that the Fido you're calling is up and running, after a fewچ
seconds the word CONNECT (or something similar) will appear onچ
your screen.\enddemo
\demo{Third} Wait for a few seconds. This gives Fido a chance toچ
check and match your modem's baud rate--the speed your modem isچ
sending and receiving information. If you get no response afterچ
waiting five seconds or so, press Enter two or three times.چ
(Older Fidos with version numbers less than 12 can't tell theچ
baud rate of a modem automatically.)\enddemo
\demo{Fourth} Wait for a few seconds. Read what Fido puts on yourچ
screen and follow the directions\footnote{If you've waited tenچ
seconds or so and nothing happens, press \return a few times;چ
older Fidos (and some other BBSs), couldn't tell your modems baudچ
rate automatically, and needs you to do this to get it started.}چ
You'll see the name of the board, and probably some introductoryچ
information the system operator wants you to read. Then Fido asksچ
for your name.\enddemo
\demo{Fifth} Type your name\footnote{Fido lets you use names withچ
one, two or three words. If you enter only one word, Fido willچ
ask you for your LAST name, where you can enter zero, one or twoچ
words followed by \return. This sounds awfully complicated toچ
explain but it isn't.} See the comments after this list in theچ
section called {\it ``About Names''}. Fido checks to make sureچ
you've typed your name correctly; answering ``N\return '' for noچ
lets you retype your name from scratch, and ``Y\return '' or justچ
\return tells Fido you are have it right.\enddemo
After you enter ``Y\return '' or \return Fido checks to see if itچ
knows who you are. If it does, it asks for your password. If not,چ
something else happens; skip to the section called {\it ``Firstچ
time Log-ons.''}
\demo{Sixth} Type your password and press Enter. Fido makes sureچ
you are who you say you are. If everything is OK, your log-on isچ
complete. Fido might show you some notices; usually you can enterچ
Control-C (or Control-K) to skip them. At any rate, Fido willچ
soon present you with a deathless quotation that you can ponderچ
as the Main Menu scrolls onto the screen.\enddemo
\endexample
\bigpagebreak
\heading About Names \endheading
Some system operators want you to use your real name; othersچ
accept ``handles''--aliases you use instead of your real name toچ
reflect some fantasy or role appropriate to the kind of Fidoچ
you're calling (``The Hacker,'' ``Top Whip,'' or ``Creampuff'' toچ
name some typical handles). Custom dictates what's acceptable andچ
what isn't on a particular BBS. In some cases, a system operatorچ
asks for your real name in a questionnaire and then allows you toچ
use a handle everywhere your name would ordinarily appear on theچ
board. In any case, you can sign on with whatever name you want;چ
later, you can change your name and password.
Fido requires that you give a first name; whether you give aچ
middle or last name is up to you. To skip giving a last name,چ
just press Enter without typing anything else. when Fido asks forچ
it You need to be consistent, however; if you sign on the firstچ
time with a first and last name, you must give both each time youچ
call--otherwise, Fido will think you're somebody else. Also, ifچ
you give just a first name the first time you call, you can neverچ
give a last name when you log on. Again, you can change all thisچ
from within Fido. (See C)hange command, below.)
\bigpagebreak
\heading First Time Log-Ons \endheading
Logging on for the first time takes a little longer (andچ
sometimes a lot longer) than usual. You'll be asked to choose aچ
password so that only you (and the system operator) will be ableچ
to read your private messages and so that nobody else can use upچ
your time. (Many Fidos allow you only so much time on the systemچ
per day; some Fidos charge you for the time you use.) Some Fidosچ
also ask you to fill out an electronic questionnaire the firstچ
time you call.
A few Fidos are semi-private or private systems; you have to beچ
approved by the system operator before you can use most of theچ
system's features. Some Fidos won't let you on at all unless youچ
belong to a particular company or club, or unless the systemچ
operator has already enrolled you on the caller list that Fidoچ
keeps.
Whatever the procedure is, the Fido you're calling will let youچ
know what's up and will prompt you for the information it needs.چ
You ordinarily only have to go through this procedure the firstچ
time you call a particular Fido.
\bigpagebreak
\heading Signing up--again\! \endheading
All Fidos keep track of (among other things) the date that youچ
call. Most Fidos purge your name from the caller list if youچ
don't call again for so many days, usually 30. So you might findچ
a Fido that you infrequently call forgetting who you are. Whenچ
this happens, you'll have to go through the first time log-onچ
procedure again.
\bigpagebreak
\heading Choosing a Password \endheading
Your password can be up to 15 characters long. It must start withچ
a letter, and it can't contain any spaces. It should be somethingچ
that's meaningful to you and to no one else, or it should beچ
completely meaningless. The idea is to come up with somethingچ
that nobody else can use to rip off your messages or Fido time.چ
Some people like to change their passwords at least once a month.چ
(See {\it ``C)hange''}.)
\bigpagebreak
\heading The Main Menu \endheading
Fido is a menu-driven system. This means that you choose commandsچ
from menus to decide what happens next. (Advanced callers canچ
shut the menus off and type commands directly; see {\it ``Helpچ
Levels''}, for the details.) To choose a menu command, youچ
usually type a letter and then press Enter. You see the menu inچ
the Main section first; here's what it looks like:
**
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
O)utside E)xitDOS G)oodbye
Command (?=help):
**
You might not see all these commands if your privilege levelچ
isn't high enough. (In fact, it's extremely unlikely that you'llچ
see either O)utside or E)xitDOS.) Your system operator decidesچ
what commands you can see; if you can see it, you can use it.
\subheading{Privileges and such} The system operator controls whoچ
can use which sections and, within sections, which commands.چ
Different system operators have different rules to determine whoچ
gets to use what. System operators generally make it clear whatچ
you have to do in order to get to use these ``higher order''چ
commands. If you're curious, leave a message for the systemچ
operator asking about it.
Here's what each command does, in brief. The ones that requireچ
further explanation have their own detailed sections later on:
\subheading{M--Message section} This brings you to the messageچ
area you last looked at on your most recent call. If this is theچ
first time you've used the M command, you go to whatever messageچ
area the system operator sets for first-time callers. See {\itچ
``Message Section''}.
\subheading{F--Files section} This brings you to the file areaچ
you last looked at on your most recent call. If this is the firstچ
time you've used the F command, you go to whatever file area theچ
system operator sets for first-time callers. See {\it ``Fileچ
Section''}.
\subheading{B--Bulletins} Gives you a numbered list of bulletinsچ
you can look at. To see a particular bulletin, type its numberچ
and press Enter. The following example comes from the Ch@os boardچ
in San Francisco:
**
--- Bulletins ---
1) The current ``New caller'' welcome 7 July 87
2) THE INTENT OF THIS BBS
3) PRIVACY & CENSORSHIP
4) General notes on Bulletin Boards in the ``real world''
Bulletin #:
**
\subheading{S--Statistics) Lets you know how often you've called,چ
how much time you've got left on this call, and otherچ
information. This comes up:
**
28 Jul 87 21:12:51
Total Limit Remaining
Total Calls: 264
Your Calls: 41
Connect Time: 1 60 59
24 Hr Time Limit: 240 239
Credit: $24.00 $24.00
**
The credit line lets you know how much credit you have in yourچ
account for using FidoNet, a special feature of Fido systems thatچ
lets you send electronic mail to and receive electronic mail fromچ
any of over 2000 Fido systems throughout the world. See {\itچ
``Sending and Receiving FidoMail''}, later in this chapter, forچ
the details.
You're limited in the amount of time you can spend on the system,چ
both per call and per day. Some systems are extremely busy, andچ
they might limit you to less than an hour a day.
\subheading{C--Change your setup} Lets you change your name,چ
password, help level, and system stuff (screen width and length,چ
whether your modem needs nulls, and so on):
**
---- Personal Info ----
Name : John Scribblemonger
Address : Lake Woebegone Minnesota
Password : Scribe
Help Level : All
----- Your System -----
Number of Columns: 80
Number of Lines : 24
``More[Y,n]'' : ON
Tab Expansion : ON
Filler Nulls : 0
N)ame A)ddress P)assword H)elp-Level W)idth
L)ength M)ore T)abs F)iller-Nulls
Command (?=help):
**
See {\it ``Changing Caller Settings''} for details.
\subheading{L--List callers} This command shows you the names ofچ
all people currently on the caller list, the last date and timeچ
they were on, and where they're from. You can also hunt for anچ
individual caller's name--a great way to see if a friend usesچ
this board, or to see the last time that somebody was on:
**
Name or part of name to match (CR = all):
Scott Dean 28 Aug 87 22:12:35 Fresburg Ca
Jack Friday 06 Sep 87 09:40:53 Kathmandu Nepal
Al Taddeo 25 Aug 87 23:40:28 Burbank Ca
Ed Johnson 08 Sep 87 20:25:05 San Francisco Ca
Rob Taylor 19 Sep 87 20:41:57 Fresburg Ca
Jeff McNeal 03 Sep 87 22:38:49 Pittsburg Ca
**
\subheading{P--Page the system operator} If s/he's around andچ
feeling communicative, s/he'll answer.
\subheading{A--Answer the questionnaire} Some Fido systems haveچ
questionnaires on various subjects. Try this command; if there'sچ
no questionnaire on this system, Fido tells you so.
\subheading{V--Version number} This tells you what version ofچ
Fido this system is using. Many versions of Fido exist (over aچ
dozen at the time this manual was written); the number of theچ
version you're calling can be useful if you're a veteran callerچ
or system operator. For example, use it to see if this Fido isچ
version 12--the version this guide describes.
\subheading{O--Outside} Ordinarily available only to callers withچ
high access levels, the O)utside command quits Fido and deliversچ
an errorlevel to DOS. Generally, this command exits to a batchچ
file that lets a caller use programs that live somewhere on theچ
system operator's disk.
\subheading{E--Exit to DOS} Ordinarily available only to callersچ
with the same access level as the system operator, the E)xit-DOSچ
command quits Fido and delivers an errorlevel to DOS. More oftenچ
than not, it exits to a batch file that lets the system operatorچ
run the system remotely.
\subheading{G--Goodbye} Use this to log off the system.چ
(Actually, you can just shut off your modem if you want to.)چ
Often this will give you a chance to leave a private message toچ
the system operator.
\subheading{?--Help} Gets you on-line help, telling what eachچ
command does. It's like the list you've been reading, exceptچ
briefer (usually). Anytime you can't figure out a command inچ
Fido, just type a questionmark and press Enter. Later versionsچ
of Fido (version 12 and higher) also have something calledچ
contextual help. See {\it ``Help Levels''} below for moreچ
details.
\bigpagebreak
\heading Changing Caller Settings \endheading
To change a setting:
\example
\demo{1} Type C from the Main Section and press Enter.\enddemo
\demo{2} Type the proper letter for the setting you want toچ
change; then press Enter.\enddemo
\demo{3} Type in the new info. If you press Enter without typingچ
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'veچ
finished making changes.\enddemo
\endexample
Here's what you can change:
\demo{N--Caller name} Leave a space between your first and lastچ
name -- that's how Fido tells the difference when you signچ
on.\enddemo
\demo{A--City and state} This is the place you usually call from.چ
If you're paranoid, lie. (Computers are stupid and will believeچ
anything.)\enddemo
\demo{P--Password} Change this every once in a while so that theچ
bad guys can't use your time, or post libelous messages underچ
your name. The system is pretty secure, but realize that theچ
system operator can easily find out your password. Try not toچ
worry about it. (Heh-heh.)\enddemo
\demo{H--Help level} Fido has three help levels; everybody startsچ
off automatically set to Novice level. For the details, see {\itچ
``Help Levels.''}\enddemo
\demo{W--Width of your screen} in characters (the Number ofچ
Columns item).\enddemo
\demo{L--Length of your screen} in lines (the Number of Linesچ
item).\enddemo
\demo{M--Turns the [More?] prompt on and off} When this is set toچ
ON, Fido pauses when your screen is full (as determined by theچ
settings under Width and Length, next in this list) and puts theچ
message * [More?] * at the bottom of the screen: if you typeچ
``N'' and press Enter, Fido aborts the rest of the message orچ
bulletin and returns you to Command level; if you type any otherچ
key and press Enter (or just press Enter without typingچ
anything), Fido gives you another screenfull of text. When Moreچ
is set to OFF, the text of a message or bulletin just keepsچ
coming, scrolling information off the top of the screen asچ
necessary. When the word More appears without a questionmark (asچ
in * [More] *), you can't abort the rest of the message.\enddemo
\proclaim{Killing a listing} Usually you can abort any bulletinچ
or message as it's being displayed by pressing Control-C orچ
Control-K. If using Control-C or Control-K doesn't work, theچ
system operator has disabled this option for the particularچ
message or bulletin you're currently reading. The abort keysچ
might work for other messages; continue to questionچ
authority.\endproclaim
\demo{T--Tab Expansion} If this is set to ON, Fido sends theچ
appropriate number of spaces for each CONTROL-I it encounters. Ifچ
this is set to OFF, Fido will send a Control-I to your modem eachچ
time it comes across a Tab character in a message or bulletin.چ
Tab defaults to ON. If your screen looks OK, ignore this setting;چ
if tables don't line up properly or if you get spuriousچ
characters at the far right edge of the screen, change thisچ
setting to whatever it's not.\enddemo
\demo{F--Filler-Nulls} Some printing terminals need to be sentچ
null characters for timing purposes. Most terminals don't needچ
any; see the manual that came with your terminal if youچ
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}. Toچ
set the help level, choose the C command from the Main Menu; thenچ
type a number for the level of help you want:
\demo{1} You're an expert. You have everything memorized. Youچ
just want the system to tell you that it's time to give it aچ
command:\enddemo
**
Main Command (?=help):
**
\demo{2} You're an experienced caller with a crummy memory. Youچ
don't want a lot of help--just a list of all the letters you canچ
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-wordچ
explanation of each command, plus the list of all the letters youچ
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 aچ
section's commands, no matter what the help level is set at. Youچ
can get even more detailed help for a particular command: Typeچ
the command's letter immediately followed by a questionmark (forچ
example, L?). If you get a message telling you that the help fileچ
is missing, leave a message for the system operator saying so;چ
it's probably an oversight.
\bigpagebreak
\heading Message Section \endheading
The {\bf Message Section} holds all the messages that callersچ
leave, either directly by typing them into this Fido orچ
indirectly by typing them into the FidoMail section of some otherچ
Fido, and sending them to this Fido via FidoNet. Fido can have upچ
to 200 message areas, with an unlimited number of messages inچ
each area. All the commands and prompts in all message areas areچ
exactly the same, except for some special prompts in the FidoNetچ
FidoMail message area. (See {\it ``Sending and Receivingچ
FidoMail''}, later in this chapter, for the details.)
You get to the Message section by entering the M command in theچ
Main Section. Assuming the Help level is set to 3 (Novice),چ
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 calledچ
this Fido. If you've never given the M command before, youچ
automatically go to the area that the system operator hasچ
determined is the place where new message readers go. The titleچ
you see (Shred of Dignity Skaters Union) is the name of thisچ
message section.
Fido is preset to let you read mail as soon as you enter aچ
message section. The N within square brackets at the end of theچ
command prompt [22 N] stands for N)ext, telling you that Fido isچ
ready to display the next message you haven't yet read; all youچ
need do is press Enter.
Fido numbers messages as they're entered. In this example,چ
Message area \#2 has 40 messages in it, with the highest messageچ
numbered 53. Some messages have been deleted for one reason orچ
another (at least 13--the difference between 53 and 40), eitherچ
by the people who entered them, the people they were left for, orچ
by the system operator.
Fido keeps track of the messages you've already read so that youچ
don't waste your time rereading old messages. In the example, theچ
caller has read up to message number 22. If the messages haveچ
been renumbered by the system operator to get rid of holesچ
previously occupied by now-deleted messages, the numbers changeچ
accordingly. If you haven't been on before, Fido gives you theچ
lowest number it can for the last message you read-- the numberچ
1.
Here's what each command does, in brief. The ones that requireچ
further explanation have their own detailed sections later on.
\demo{N--Next message} This sets the direction of the next andچ
subsequent message numbers that Fido displays for you. ``Next''چ
is defined as the number that appears after the bracket ([) justچ
before the end of the prompt, +1. In the example above, theچ
number is 22; so N gets you message #23. If message #23 doesn'tچ
exist (because it was deleted) or if #23 is a private message,چ
Fido looks for the next existing non-private message. If no moreچ
unread, non-deleted, non-private messages are left, Fido saysچ
Highest message (which means that you've read all the messagesچ
possible to read in this area) and prompts you for anotherچ
command. To start at the very beginning of the message list inچ
this area and read forward towards the end, type < and pressچ
Enter.\enddemo
\demo{P--Previous message} This changes the direction of the nextچ
and subsequent message numbers that Fido displays for you.چ
``Previous'' is defined as the number that appears after theچ
bracket ([) just before the end of the prompt, minus 1. In theچ
example above, the number is 22; so P gets you message #21. Ifچ
message #21 doesn't exist (because it was deleted) or if #21 is aچ
private message, Fido looks for the next existing non-privateچ
message with a lower message number. If no more unread, non
deleted, non-private messages are left, Fido says Lowest messageچ
(which means that you've read all the messages possible to readچ
in this area) and prompts you for another command. To change theچ
direction, enter the N command. To start at the very end of theچ
message list in this area and read back towards the start, type >چ
and press Enter. \enddemo
\demo{E--Enter a new message} Fido prompts you for appropriateچ
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 findچ
this line-numbering useful if you need to edit the message afterچ
you've written it.) When you enter a message, Fido automaticallyچ
puts in the message number--always one higher than the highestچ
message number in the current area--and fills in the From: fieldچ
with your name.
You fill in the To: and Subject: fields. (If you press Enterچ
without typing something into either of these fields, Fidoچ
assumes you want to cancel the message.) The To: field holds upچ
to 35 characters, and the Subject: field can hold 71 characters.چ
If you want to make your message unreadable by all callers otherچ
than you, the addressee, and the system operator, answer Y to theچ
Private? prompt.
\proclaim{About privacy} System operators can read privateچ
messages. Keep this in mind when you leave messages for people.چ
If the information you want to leave is so private and soچ
personal that you wouldn't want anybody to read it, don't leaveچ
it on any bulletin board. This applies doubly to FidoMail,چ
because sometimes FidoMail goes through several boards before itچ
arrives at its destination--and each system operator along theچ
way can read the mail. System operators as a group probably haveچ
as much integrity as any general cross-section of the population.چ
But integrity aside, even some postal employees find itچ
irresistible to read the occasional postcard.\endproclaim
The system operator decides how many lines long a message can be.چ
(Not just yours--the maximum message length applies equally toچ
all messages.) You type in your message until you've finished.چ
You can ignore the ends of lines--Fido takes care of carriageچ
returns and line feeds for you (although you can force carriageچ
returns, like at the ends of paragraphs, by pressing Enter). Youچ
press Enter twice to let Fido know you've finished. Fido thenچ
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 Deleteچ
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 editچ
the information in the To:, Subject:, and Private? fields. (Toچ
keep the old information, just press Enter at the appropriateچ
prompt). If you need help with a command, type its first letterچ
and a questionmark, and then press Enter.
\proclaim{Spelling counts in Fido} A private message left forچ
Vladmir Jons will never be read by Vladmir Jones, or by anybodyچ
else for that matter (except the system operator). Make sure theچ
spelling in the To: field is correct before you save theچ
message.\endproclaim
Later, when your message has been read by the person you've sentچ
it to, Fido adds the tag (RECV'D) to the message's header line.چ
The number in square brackets before the tag tells you how manyچ
times this particular message has been read by anyone comingچ
across it (in this case, 5). The date is when the message wasچ
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 itچ
or it was addressed specifically to you. You can't kill a messageچ
that isn't yours--only the system operator can do that. \enddemo
\demo{T--Looks for the next message addressed to you}--that is,چ
messages that have your name in the To: field. What ``nextچ
message'' is depends on the number and letter that appear betweenچ
brackets ([]) just before the end of the prompt; it will be aچ
message with a higher number than the one in brackets if theچ
letter is N, lower if the letter is P (See N and P, earlier inچ
this section.). To go from the very start of the message listچ
through to the end, enter < T; to go from the end of the messageچ
list and work back to the start, enter > T. (Note the spaceچ
before the T in both cases.) \enddemo
Fido displays these messages for you one at a time, giving youچ
the chance to reply to a message and then delete it as soon asچ
you've read it. (Some Fidos run on floppy disk, where space is atچ
a premium; so it's always a good idea to throw away a message youچ
no longer need.) Here's what a message retrieved using the Tچ
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. Whenچ
you reply to a message you've just read, Fido fills out the TOچ
field for you.
\proclaim{The bonus RK command} After you've read a messageچ
(addressed to you) that you want to reply to, use the command RK.چ
The RK command lets you reply to a message, and thenچ
automatically deletes the original. That way you don't clutter upچ
the disk with old messages.\endproclaim
\demo{A--Area change} This command shows you all the messageچ
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 FidoMailچ
section. The number between square brackets at the end of theچ
prompt is the area you were just in, and the area to which you'llچ
automatically return if you press Enter without typing anotherچ
number.
\proclaim{About missing numbers} The numbers of the areas thatچ
appear in the areas list might not be sequential. (For instance,چ
3 is missing in the example.) Those areas do exist; you justچ
don't have access to them. Each individual system operatorچ
determines who can see what areas and who can use which commands.چ
If you need access to some area that you know exists but thatچ
doesn't appear on your screen, leave a note for the systemچ
operator asking for access.\endproclaim
\demo{R--Reply to the message you've just read} You can reply toچ
any message, whether it's addressed to you or not. When you replyچ
to a message, Fido automatically fills out the From:, To:, andچ
Subject: fields for you. (The To: field becomes REPLY To:) Youچ
need to fill out the Private? field yourself. For details on howچ
to enter a message, see the E command, earlier in this section.چ
\enddemo
\proclaim{Use R rather than E} Fido keeps track of all replies toچ
a message such that a running conversation can occur. Forچ
example, Fred enters a message that Gerry replies to. Alice readsچ
Gerry's reply and replies to it, adding her own comments. Philچ
sees Alice's reply and adds comments of his own by replying toچ
her message, and so it goes. Later, anyone can trace theچ
conversation using the special + command (described later), andچ
read only the series of messages (called the thread in BBSچ
terminology) concerned with this topic. To take part in theچ
threaded conversation, always use the R command. You can use E toچ
write a new message to anybody in the thread, of course; butچ
people who use + won't see your comments.\endproclaim
\demo{C--Continuously show messages} All the messages from theچ
one you last read through the end of the message list scrollsچ
onto your screen without stopping. This happens even if you haveچ
``More?'' turned on in the C)hange part of the Main section. Toچ
go from the very start of the message list through to the end,چ
enter < C; to go from the end of the message list and work backچ
to the start, enter > C. (Note the space before the C in bothچ
cases.) To stop the list temporarily, press CONTROL-S. (Press itچ
again to continue.) To abort the command, press CONTROL-C orچ
CONTROL-K. \enddemo
\demo{L--List the headers (To:, From:, Subject: fields)} of allچ
readable messages in the area, starting at the current one andچ
going through either to the start or to the end of the messageچ
list, depending on the current direction--N or P. (You can'tچ
search the body of a message.) A ``readable message'' is one thatچ
isn't public, or if private is one that's addressed to or fromچ
you. To go from the very start of the message list through to theچ
end, enter < L; to go from the end of the message list and workچ
back to the start, enter > L. (Note the space before the L inچ
both cases.) This command is useful when you want to know who'sچ
leaving messages, who's getting messages, or what the subjects ofچ
people's messages are. (Of course, this assumes that people --چ
which includes you--leave really descriptive subject lines.)چ
\enddemo
\demo{S--Search the header} This command looks in the headers ofچ
the current area's messages for a specified word, name, orچ
phrase. The search starts at the current message and goes throughچ
either to the start or to the end of the message list, dependingچ
on the current direction (N or P). When it finds a match, Fidoچ
displays the header and the rest of the message. To search forچ
the next match, type S and press [CR] twice; Fido remembers theچ
last search string entered. To go from the very start of theچ
message list through to the end, enter < S; to go from the end ofچ
the message list and work back to the start, enter >تS. (Note theچ
space before the S in both cases.) To stop the list temporarily,چ
press CONTROL-S. (Press it again to continue.) To abort theچ
command, press CONTROL-C or CONTROL-K.\enddemo
\demo{U--Update the message you just read} The message must beچ
one that you entered. Use this command to edit a message you'veچ
written to someone and already saved. You edit an already-savedچ
message in exactly the same way that you edit a message you're inچ
the process of creating for the first time: Fido displays theچ
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 lineچ
at the start of the body of the message, saying when the editingچ
occurred. This ``editing trail'' is an integral part of theچ
message; Fido adds it as you save the message, and displays itچ
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 چ
at exactly 4:15 PM. This is especially annoying, as we had dinnerچ
planned for seven. Sorry.
**
\demo{G--Goodbye} Use this to log off the system. (Actually, youچ
can just shut off your modem if you want to.) Often this willچ
give you a chance to leave a private message to the systemچ
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 aroundچ
in an area's message section better. A few of them have alreadyچ
been mentioned, but you'll see them again here:
\example
. Display (or redisplay) the current message. The currentچ
message is the one whose number shows within square bracketsچ
(along with the direction indicator N or P) just before the endچ
of the prompt line.
< Reset the current message number to the lowest in this areaچ
and set the direction to N (Next). When you press Enter, theچ
lowest numbered readable message in the area will appear on theچ
screen.
> Reset the current message number to the highest in thisچ
area and set the direction to P (Previous). When you press Enter,چ
the highest numbered readable message in the area will appear onچ
the screen.
+ Read the reply to the last displayed message, if a replyچ
exists. This lets you follow a discussion thread composed ofچ
related messages (a reply to a reply to a reply\dots) withoutچ
having intervening messages on other subjects interfere.
- Read the message that this one is replying to (if thisچ
message is a reply). Keep entering the minus sign to get back toچ
the original message that started the discussion. (Fido will letچ
you know when you've reached the original message.) That way youچ
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 electronicچ
mail (FidoNet) are operating in 17 countries and in all 50 of theچ
United States\footnote{Sigh\dots here we go again.}. Fidos thatچ
exchange FidoNet mail can connect directly with each other, orچ
they can connect indirectly via ``host'' Fidos. The publicچ
FidoNet network that uses Fido's system of exchanging mailچ
currently has over 100 hosts and around 2500 nodes. (A hostچ
accepts mail for all Fido nodes in its immediate geographicچ
vicinity in order to keep telephone costs down.) FidoMail usuallyچ
gets exchanged in the dark of night, when telephone costs areچ
cheapest.
\demo{How you might use FidoNet} Assume that you live in San Francisco, and you have a friend or business associate who livesچ
in Boston. S/he has a modem and a computer, and you have a modemچ
and a computer. While costs are determined by each individualچ
system operator, you can write a message of a few hundred wordsچ
and send it overnight from the Fido that you use in San Franciscoچ
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 exchangingچ
electronic mail possible. To see if the Fido that you regularlyچ
call uses FidoNet, use the A)rea command in the Message section:چ
Look for a message area name that has an asterisk (\star) next toچ
it. If no name has an asterisk, then either that Fido isn't usingچ
FidoNet or you need to have already set up a FidoNet accountچ
before you can even get into the FidoNet area. (See the nextچ
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 anچ
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,چ
sending a message to a Fido within your local dialing area isچ
probably free.) But a FidoNet system operator might find thatچ
s/he has dozens of long-distance FidoMail messages going outچ
every night. The phone bill for the system operator can add upچ
fast. So most system operators insist that you have an accountچ
set up with them before you start sending FidoMail. You'llچ
usually find a bulletin telling you how to set up a FidoNetچ
account. If you can't find the information you need, leave aچ
message for the system operator asking for details.
The Credit line that you see when you enter the Change command inچ
the Main section shows how much you have to spend on FidoMail.چ
The system operator credits your account when you send whateverچ
s/he requires (or when you fulfill your part of whateverچ
arrangement you have).
\proclaim{About charges} Your account gets charged for eachچ
FidoMail message you make, and the account is reconciled afterچ
mail gets sent. You always know how much it costs to send aچ
message before you send it; a list of prices is always available.چ
(You'll find details on how to find prices in the nextچ
section.)\endproclaim
\bigpagebreak
\heading Using the FidoNet Message System \endheading
(This section assumes you're in the FidoNet message area as youچ
read along.) You use the same process to leave a message in theچ
FidoNet area as you do in any other Message area, except that youچ
also have to add a FidoNet address. Here's what you see after youچ
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 theچ
Fido you're calling from. A full address has three sections toچ
it, and it's written in the form zone:net/Fido. (The colon andچ
the slash are important.) When you send FidoMail to somebody, youچ
need to include a FidoNet numeric address. To continue theچ
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 completeچ
address is Zone 1, Net 101, Fido 318.
The first number in the address is the zone number; it representsچ
some vast geographic area, usually a country. Zone is a featureچ
that's just starting to be used; you can usually ignore it.
The second number (101) represents the net, the affiliation ofچ
Fidos in a particular geographic area--in the example, the stateچ
of Massachusetts (and one or two stragglers from Rhode Island).چ
Note that this number is always followed by a slash.
The third number (318) is the Fido number--the number of aچ
specific Fido board. Only one Fido in a net has this number. چ
Somebody in another net might have that same node number, just asچ
somebody in a different telephone area code might have sameچ
seven-digit telephone number.
So you can write this complete FidoNet address as eitherچ
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 somebodyچ
uses. Unfortunately, there's no international FidoNet caller'sچ
directory. Ideally, you know the complete numeric address of theچ
Fido that your friend uses. Short of that, FidoNet can help youچ
find the Fido's address if you know the Fido's net number, itsچ
name, or its city. Assume for this exercise that your friend hasچ
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 ofچ
this example.) The number on a particular line is the number ofچ
the net described. The next item on the line is the name of theچ
host of that net (or a creative contraction of the host's name).چ
The third item is the location of that host. The final number isچ
the amount of money it costs to send a message to that host fromچ
the Fido that you're using at the moment. (In most cases, that'sچ
also how much it costs to send a message to every Fido served byچ
that host.)
This list shows just a few of the nets; there are over 100 ofچ
them. The idea is to browse through the net list until you findچ
one that's likely to encompass the board you're looking for. Whenچ
you find a likely candidate, you can stop the list by enteringچ
CONTROL-C or CONTROL-K.
Assume that the best candidate for a net likely to hold Boston'sچ
PC WEEK board is net 101, the MassNet board located in Gardner,چ
Massachusetts. When Fido prompts you, you type
101/ [CR]
This rather arcane message tells Fido you want to send a messageچ
to some board affiliated with net 101. Here's what the promptچ
looks like after you've searched the Net list and entered the netچ
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 netچ
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, butچ
you don't have to--PC WEEK is Board number 318 in net 101, orچ
101/318.
Yes, it is indeed crude, but it's effective. A better way ofچ
locating a board's address is coming someday. Just hang in thereچ
for now.
Try entering some fake FidoMail now to somebody in your own net,چ
just for the experience. (Remember to delete fake mail whenچ
you're through.)
\bigpagebreak
\heading Sending a File \endheading
If you have a high enough access level, Fido will ask if you wantچ
to attach a file to your message. You can send any file alongچ
with your message, as long as the file exists somewhere on theچ
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 toچ
attach files: Most people don't know what pathnames to use to getچ
around a system operator's disk. (The descriptive names in theچ
File Area list won't do as full pathnames.)
Why everybody can't attach files: Most system operators don't letچ
the majority of callers attach files to their messages because ofچ
the expense and because of the access to the disk drive(s) thisچ
command gives people. As to the expense: It's one thing to send aچ
message of a couple hundred words across the country at 1200چ
baud; that costs only a few cents. But sending a 50,000-byte fileچ
across the country gets really expensive. The price you see inچ
the nodelist only covers a message; it can't take into accountچ
the prices for sending files. (At present, FidoNet's accountingچ
system isn't very sophisticated.) Additionally, the Attach Filesچ
feature gives a caller full access to the entire disk system.چ
This means, theoretically, that a caller could use MS-DOSچ
wildcard commands to attach the file \star.\star to a message--and send everything on the system operator's disk to, say,چ
Bangkok.
\bigpagebreak
\heading Files Section \endheading
The Files section holds files you can copy for your own use.چ
Callers (including you) donate files to the board using theچ
Upload command; the system operator then checks the files to makeچ
sure that they're either in the public domain or that the file'sچ
copyright owner has given permission that they be distributedچ
without charge. (See the section below called {\it ``Honor Systemچ
Distribution.''}) Fido can have up to 200 file areas in theچ
Files section, with an unlimited number of files in each area.چ
All the commands and prompts in all file areas are exactly theچ
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:چ
R)aw-Display, K)ill-File and O)verride-Path are ordinarilyچ
reserved for callers with the same access level as the systemچ
operator. They're shown here for completeness.)
The first line tells you the number of the current file area, andچ
gives a brief description of the kinds of files this area holds.چ
The other lines list the commands.
Here's a description of what each command means. Commandsچ
preceded by a \circle are ordinarily available only to callersچ
with very high access levels :
\demo{F--Files list} Shows you the names of the files in thisچ
section, the size of each file in bytes, and a brief descriptionچ
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 listچ
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 transferچ
a copy of any file in the Files section to your computer. Theچ
system you're using must have some kind of a storage device toچ
hold the file you're getting (which lets you out if you're usingچ
just a terminal with no disk drives), and the telecommunicationsچ
program you're using to call Fido must have a file transferچ
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 = 128چ
bytes except for Kermit where it equals something strange), andچ
how long it will take to download the file using the protocolچ
you've selected. If you don't know what you're doing, use Xmodem.
\proclaim{Honor System Distribution} There's a difference betweenچ
public domain software, ``Freeware'' (software, documentation,چ
and/or data that the producer is allowing people to use--usuallyچ
with certain restrictions--without charge), and ``Shareware''.چ
``Shareware'' is software, documentation, and/or data (oftenچ
copyrighted) distributed on the honor system: You get it free,چ
but you're honor-bound to send payment or a donation to theچ
producer if you continue to use it after a trial period. Moreچ
often than not, the income from Shareware is the only income theچ
producer gets. So if you don't send the money, you're literallyچ
stealing somebody's paycheck.\endproclaim
You can use the MS-DOS wildcard characters \star and ? toچ
download several files in a row if you use the Telink or Kermitچ
protocols. See your MS-DOS manual for the details on wildcardچ
characters; see the manual that came with your telecommunicationsچ
software for information on Telink and/or Kermit.
\demo{U--Upload a file} Use this command to send files forچ
general posting in an appropriate Fido file area. This worksچ
essentially like Download, except in reverse. (Fido can't tellچ
how long it will take to upload the file or how many blocks itچ
has, of course, as it does when you download a file.) The systemچ
operator will ordinarily check the file you've sent to make sureچ
that it's either in the public domain or that the file'sچ
copyright owner has given permission that the file be distributedچ
without charge. \enddemo
You can use the MS-DOS wildcard characters \star and ? to uploadچ
several files in a row if you use the Telink or Kermit protocols.چ
See your MS-DOS manual for the details on wildcard characters;چ
see the manual that came with your telecommunications softwareچ
for information on Telink and/or Kermit.
Got enough room? Use the Statistics command in the Files sectionچ
to check the available free space on the Fido you're usingچ
before you use the Upload command. Fido has no way to warn you inچ
advance that your upload might get chopped off in the middle --چ
which happens when Fido runs out of upload disk space.
\demo{A--Area change.} This commands shows you all the file areasچ
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 Filesچ
section.) The number between square brackets just before theچ
prompt is the area you were just in, and the area to which you'llچ
automatically return if you press Enter without typing anotherچ
number. Type the number of the file area you want to move to andچ
press Enter.
\proclaim{About missing numbers} The numbers of the areas thatچ
appear in the areas list might not be sequential. Those areas doچ
exist; you just don't have access to them. Each individual systemچ
operator determines who can see what areas and who can use whichچ
commands. If you need access to some area that you know existsچ
but that doesn't appear on your screen, leave a note for theچ
system operator asking for access.\endproclaim
\demo{T--Type a text file on screen} This command scrolls theچ
contents of a text file onto your screen. (Files with the suffixچ
.DOC, .ASC, and .TXT are almost always text files.) It'sچ
essentially the same as downloading a file using the ASCIIچ
protocol.\enddemo
\demo{S--Statistics.} This shows the same information as does theچ
statistics command in the Main section, except that filesچ
information replaces the FidoNet credit information.چ
Specifically, you'll see information on the number of bytesچ
you've uploaded or downloaded, and the space available forچ
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.چ
Use this command to find out if Fido has a file you're lookingچ
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 locateچ
specific files. See your MS-DOS manual for wildcard characterچ
details.
\circle \demo{R--list all files and subdirectory names in theچ
current directory} (The Files command in reality just presentsچ
some of the contents of a file called FILES.BBS, an ordinarilyچ
hidden file that holds a list of essential data about allچ
available files, but that doesn't necessarily show the completeچ
contents of any subdirectory.) Most often, this command is usedچ
by the system operator to perform Fido housekeeping tasks fromچ
some location other than the terminal connected to the computerچ
that's actually running Fido.\enddemo
You can use the MS-DOS wildcard characters \star and ? to locateچ
specific files. See your MS-DOS manual for wildcard characterچ
details.
\circle \demo{K--delete a file and removes its entry fromچ
FILES.BBS} (The contents of FILES.BBS is what gets displayed whenچ
you give the File command.) Most often, this command is used byچ
the system operator to perform Fido housekeeping tasks from someچ
location other than the terminal connected to the computer that'sچ
actually running Fido.\enddemo
\demo{O--Override the normal pathname} Ordinarily available onlyچ
to callers with a privilege level equal to that of the systemچ
operator, the O)verride-Path command lets you specify a differentچ
pathname for the display of files summoned by any command in theچ
File section (except the A)rea-Change command). The originalچ
pathname is reset as soon as you leave the current area (forچ
example, by using M)ain-Menu, A)rea-Change, or G)oodbye). Mostچ
often, this command is used by the system operator to performچ
Fido housekeeping tasks from some location other than theچ
terminal connected to the computer that's actually runningچ
Fido.\enddemo
\demo{G--Goodbye} Use this to log off the system. (Actually, youچ
can just shut off your modem if you want to.) Often this willچ
give you a chance to leave a private message to the systemچ
operator.\enddemo
\demo{M--Main menu} Returns you to the Main section.\enddemo
\bigpagebreak
\heading Fido's Command Buffer--An Undocumented Featureچ
\endheading
Experienced callers can save a lot of time by skirting many ofچ
Fido's prompts. You do this by putting several commands on theچ
same line, separated by spaces. For example, assume that youچ
start from the Main Section, and that you want to list the filesچ
in area 7--an area different from the one you looked at the lastچ
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 inچ
Area 7. This is possible because Fido's commands are all (orچ
nearly all) one-character commands, a bunch of which Fido canچ
remember in its command buffer.
Here's a further shortcut: Use a vertical bar to represent aچ
carriage return. For example, at the signon prompt, Fido expectsچ
to see up to three names (First, Middle, Last). Use the verticalچ
bar to indicate you've finished with your name, then go on toچ
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 ifچ
a system message is so long that it puts the More? prompt at theچ
bottom of the screen, Fido waits for you to press the Enter keyچ
before going on--and then forgets whatever other commands you'veچ
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 (usingچ
his password Scribe), go to area 7 of the Files section, use theچ
Xmodem protocol to download a program called Mortcalc.EXE, andچ
log off the system without leaving a message for the systemچ
operator. But if the system operator has a long post-signonچ
message that invokes [More?], all the commands after the passwordچ
get trashed. The solution is to use the C)hange command to turnچ
off the [More?] prompt--and pray for a clean phone line.
Just to be complete: Other things that flush this type-aheadچ
buffer (as it's called in the trade) are CONTROL-C, CONTROL-K,چ
CONTROL-S (which pauses output), and CONTROL-F (whose onlyچ
purpose is to flush the type-ahead buffer).
\bye