ROS User's Guide
Copyright 1990 Steven Fox
All Rights Reserved
Associated Information Services
P.O. Box 13711
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87192-3711
The Albuquerque ROS - (505) 299-5974
ROS is a powerful message and file transfer system that works in
conjunction with your computer to help you exchange private mail with
other users, post public messages for others to read, download files
for your own use, and upload files for others to use. If you are new
to ROS, please take a little time to read through this manual. If you
are already familiar with ROS, you may want to just browse, studying
new commands as you go.
============================================================================
CONVENTIONS
Throughout this guide, the characters "<" and ">" are used to indicate
keystrokes that you type. For example: "Type the letter <R> to start the
read operation."
Whenever ROS is listing or typing something to your computer, you may enter
a <Ctrl-S> (press the <Control> key and <S> at the same time) to make the
display pause. Output will pause until you press <Ctrl-Q>. <Ctrl-C> may be
entered at any time, including when output is paused, to completely stop the
listing. ROS will then return to a command prompt.
The word "archive" is used in this document to mean one or more files that
are collected into a single file. Usually these component files will be
compressed and a directory of what is contained within the archive can be
made available with the proper software.
Archives are very useful tools to group related files. For example, a single
archive might contain source code, object or executable code, and
documentation for a particular system.
============================================================================
PROMPTS
System prompts are displayed while ROS is waiting for a command to either
the Messages Menu or the Files Menu (described in more detail later). These
prompts consist of several pieces of information:
Minutes of connect time remaining
Current menu
Current area
If an archive is open, the archive name
For example, the following prompt indicates that you have 22 minutes
remaining on the system, are currently in the Files Menu, and logged into
the NEWIN file area:
22-File: NEWIN>
If an archive is open, your prompt will include the name:
22-File: NEWIN [VECTOR.ZIP]>
============================================================================
COMMANDS AND SELECTIONS
Commands consist of a single letter entered in upper or lower case and need
not be followed by <Enter>. For example, to read a message, just enter the
letter <r> (without the quotes). ROS will echo the whole word "Read" and
execute the command.
Several commands may require the entry of more than one character. This
"selection" must be completed by hitting the <Enter> key. At that time, ROS
will try to match what you have typed with possible choices. You only have
to type enough characters to uniquely identify to ROS which selec- tion you
want to make. Typing the entire name is usually not necessary. For
example, assume the protocol list contains the following selections:
Xmodem-1k Ymodem Zmodem
In this case, typing a <Z> (followed by <Enter>) is sufficient to uniquely
identify the desired protocol as "Zmodem." Another example would be in
choosing a new message area. Assume the system has the following message
areas:
MAIL SENT POST PARTY-LINE Q&A
If you want to select the POST area, you must type at least <PO> and then
press <Enter>. If you were to type only <P>, ROS would select the first
matching choice, PARTY-LINE.
============================================================================
MESSAGES
The following sections describe the commands that are available to write and
read messages.
<E>nter message
Use this command to enter a message to another user, the sysop, or to all
users. Several responses to the "Name>" prompt are accepted:
<Enter> addresses the message to "All" and automatically makes the
message "Public"
Full name "Sysop" is the full name of the system operator
First name ROS will then prompt for the "LAST name>"
If a name is entered, ROS will check to see if the user is registered. If
so, you will be asked if the message should be "Public." If you want users
other than the addressee to be able to read the message, type <Y>. If you
want only the addressee to be able to read the message, type <N>. If the
user is not registered, you will be notified and returned to the Messages
Menu prompt.
During editing, the following commands are available:
<L>ist Text
This command will list the text of the message as it currently exists,
including the header.
<C>ontinue Entry
This command allows you to continue entering text starting with the next
sequential line.
<S>ave Text
This command stores the message to disk.
<Q>uit Entry
If the message contains any text, ROS will verify that this is the desired
command and, if it is, will abandon the current message. All text entered
in this message will be completely lost.
<E>dit Line
This command will ask for a line number. If that line exists, it will be
listed and the cursor placed at the end of the line, waiting for line
editing commands.
<D>elete Line
This command will ask for a line number. If that line exists, you will be
asked to verify you want to delete the specified line. If you do, the line
will be permanently deleted.
<I>nsert Line
This command will ask for a line number. If that line exists, you will be
placed in text entry mode. All text entered will be inserted before the
specified line.
<R>ead messages
When given this command, ROS will prompt for the starting message number. If
the message cannot be found, ROS will start with the next sequential
message. If you enter a number lower than the lower number indicated in the
brackets, ROS will start the with the lowest numbered message available in
the selected message area. If you enter a number higher than the upper
number indicated in the brackets, ROS will start with the highest numbered
message available in the selected message area. If you press <Enter>
without entering a number, ROS will start with the highest message you have
already read.
After the text of the message is displayed ROS accepts the following
options:
<N>ext
This command brings up the next sequential message. If there are no more
messages, ROS will return to the Messages Menu prompt.
<P>revious
This command brings up the previous sequential message. If there are no
more messages, ROS will return to the Messages Menu prompt.
<C>ontinuous
This command causes messages to display without pauses for commands or line
counts ("More [Y/n] ?" messages) until a message sent by you or addressed to
you is encountered or until there are no more messages.
<R>eply
Use this command to respond to the message you just read. ROS automatically
addresses the message and places it in the same area. You will be given the
option of making the message public or private.
<F>orward
This command allows you to readdress the message you just read to send it to
another user. ROS will first verify that this is the intended command and
then ask for the addressee name. You may enter any valid user name,
including just the <Enter> key for "All."
<D>elete
If you are the author of the message or the addressee of a private message,
ROS will ask if you want to delete it. Respond with either <Y> to delete
the message or with <N> to retain the message.
<Q>uit
Use this command when you want to stop reading messages.
<B>ulletins
Use this command to display information of general interest. ROS will
prompt for the bulletin identifier. Enter the two letter id of the bulletin
you want to read, a question mark (<?>) to display the directory of
bulletins currently on file, or just hit <Enter> to return to the Messages
Menu.
<P>age Sysop
During certain hours, the sysop may be available to chat. When this command
is entered, ROS will try to summon the sysop (if during the chat period). If
the sysop is available, you will be notified and a two-way conversation may
begin. If the sysop is not available or if the current time is outside the
hours to chat, you will be given the opportunity to leave a message.
<C>atalog of messages
This command will prompt for the starting message number in a manner similar
to <R>ead. The message number, date entered, sender, and topic of messages
will then be displayed. If the message is addressed to you, the message
number will be followed with an asterisk ("*"). In the "SENT" message area,
the sender name will be replaced with the name of the addressee.
<U>sers
This command will alphabetically list the names of all the validated users
on the system. It may be used to check the spelling of a user to whom you
wish to send a message. You may start the list with any name or part of
name by entering one or more letters at the prompt (refer to the section
COMMANDS AND SELECTIONS).
<I>nformation
This command lets you display <P>ersonal or <S>ystem information. Select
either <P> or <S> to display accounting and statistical information about
your personal activities or about those of the system in general.
<S>ettings
This command lets you alter your settings which are retained between calls.
Sub-commands available are as follow:
<S>hift lock
Some terminals do not know what to do with lower case letters. When this
command is entered, ROS will ask if your terminal can display lower case. If
you respond <Y>, upper and lower case will be sent normally. If you answer
<N>, lower case letters will be converted to upper case before being sent to
your computer.
<A>NSI
When enabled, ROS will send ANSI control sequences to display color and
cursor positioning information on your computer. If your computer does not
support ANSI, you will probably see gibberish on your screen. Enabling ANSI
will automatically release the shift lock so that lower case letters can be
seen.
<D>isplay colors
This command lets you select the colors to be displayed on your terminal.
Since this uses ANSI control sequences, ROS will offer to enable ANSI if it
is not already on. Once ANSI is enabled, ROS will display a menu of
available colors and ask for a number from 0 to 127 that indicates the
colors you have selected.
<C>haracters per line
Set this parameter to match the actual width, in characters, of the display
of your terminal. ROS will format most output to give the best appearance.
<L>ines per page
To make reading long displays easier, ROS will pause after a specified
number of lines, waiting for a key to be pressed before proceeding. Use
this parameter to match the number of lines displayed to your screen size.
If you specify <0> as the line count, ROS will not pause with "More [Y/n] ?"
message. At this setting, the normal pause between messages is also
suppressed and ROS will continue until all messages are displayed or stopped
by typing <Ctrl-C>.
<B>rief toggle
This command alternates the file <C>atalog display between brief and full
modes. In the brief mode, only the file name and size will be shown. In
the full mode, the file name, size, date, and description will be shown.
<F>ilesize toggle
This command alternates the display of file sizes between kilo-bytes and
transfer time. The estimated minutes and seconds of transfer time is
computed using your currently selected file transfer protocol and at your
current connection rate.
<T>ransfer protocol
ROS, in conjunction with your telecommunications software, supports many
file transfer protocols. As new protocols become available to improve
reliability, speed, or other factors, this command lets you select the one
you prefer. On the first transfer (upload or download) of a session, ROS
will automatically ask you to select a protocol. The last protocol you used
(even if it was days or weeks before) will be offered as the default. You
may either hit <Enter> to retain that default or select a new protocol from
the list. Should you wish to change protocols during a session, use this
command.
<P>assword change
When this command is executed, ROS will ask for your current password. If
this is entered correctly, you will be asked to enter and verify a new
password in a fashion similar to when you first logged onto the system.
<X>pert toggle
This command turns the automatic display of menus on and off.
<A>rea select
ROS supports several message areas allowing messages to be grouped by topic.
This makes finding a particular message easier. After typing <A>, enter the
name of the desired message area or press <?> to get a menu of the message
areas available. If the entry cannot be found, a short version of the menu
will be displayed and ROS will once again prompt for the message area. If
an entry is not made before typing <Enter>, you will remain in the current
area.
As described in the section COMMANDS AND SELECTIONS you only need to enter
enough characters to uniquely identify the particular area you wish to use.
In addition to the message areas for specific topics, the following areas
have special use:
MAIL In this area, you will have access to all public messages or
private mail addressed to you.
SENT In this area, you will have access to all public messages or
private mail you have sent.
<M>ail
This command is a shortcut method of getting to your personal mail. It acts
exactly as it you selected <A>rea and then entered <MAIL> as the selected
area.
<F>iles Menu
This command activates the Files Menu.
<O>pen a door
This command will offer a selection of doors through which programs such as
games may be run. Enter the name of the door you are interested in and
follow the instructions for that particular door.
As described in the section COMMANDS AND SELECTIONS you only need to enter
enough characters to uniquely identify the particular door you wish to open.
<G>oodbye (logoff)
This command is used to terminate the remote session. You will be given the
opportunity to enter any comments or questions to the sysop. ROS will then
display a logoff message and disconnect.
============================================================================
FILES
The following sections describe the commands that are available for handling
files.
<U>pload file
This command is used to transfer files from your computer to ROS. ROS will
receive the file using the protocol you currently have selected. Files will
be received in a private area for later release, if appropriate.
Before the transfer starts, ROS will ask for a short description of the
file. This description will be added to the catalog to help other users
determine if it is something they might find useful.
<D>ownload file
Use this command to transfer a file from ROS to your computer. After
entering <D>, enter the file name to transfer. If ROS can find the file, it
will display where it found the file, the approximate transfer time, and
then the message "Ready to send 'filename'."
Your communications program should then be set to receive the file using the
specified transfer protocol.
<T>ype file
This command displays the contents of text files even if the file is
"inside" an archive (refer to the <Z>oom command for additional
information). <Ctrl-S>, <Ctrl-Q>, and <Ctrl-C> may be used as described in
the CONVENTIONS section to pause and restart the display.
<C>atalog of files
This command displays the catalog of files in the current file area. If an
archive is open (refer to the <Z>oom command for additional information),
only those files in the archive will be displayed, otherwise, the file area
directory will be displayed. The file size will also be displayed according
to the current filesize mode (see <F>ilesize description). The description
of the file may be displayed, depending on the value of the "brief" toggle
(see the description of the <B>rief command).
<N>ewin list
This command displays files uploaded to the system since the date you
specify. You may simply hit a <Enter> to instruct ROS to use your last
logon date for the search. You may also specify a single area to search for
new files or just hit <Enter> to have ROS search all file areas.
<L>ocate file
This command searches all file areas you have access to for files which
match the file name you specify. As described in the section COMMANDS AND
SELECTIONS, it is not necessary to use wildcards (<*> and <?>) since ROS
will find all files whose first characters match the characters you specify.
For example, if you specify "ADV", then ROS will find "ADVENTUR.ZIP,"
"ADV.ZIP," and any other file starting with the characters "ADV".
<A>rea change
When you logon, you will be placed in the file area you last used. To
access other file areas in the system, type <A> at the Files Menu prompt and
enter the name of the desired file area or enter <?> to get a menu of the
file areas available. If the entry cannot be found, a short version of the
menu will be displayed and ROS will once again prompt for the file area
name. If an entry is not made before typing <Enter>, you will remain in the
current file area.
If an archive is open (refer to the <Z>oom command for additional
information) when this command is entered, the archive will be closed before
ROS prompts for the new file area.
<Z>oom
Unlike some systems that require a special door, ROS seamlessly integrates
archives as part of the file menu. Pressing <Z> instructs ROS to "zoom in"
or "open" an archive. ROS will ask for the archive name and then attempt
the operation. If successful, subsequent <C>atalog and <T>ype commands will
pertain to the files within that archive. In this way, reviewing text and
documentation for an archive in which you are interested becomes very easy.
If an archive is already open, entering <Z> will "zoom out" or "close" it
and return to the main catalog.
<M>essages Menu
This command activates the Messages Menu.
Other Commands
The following commands, described in the MESSAGES MENU section are also
available while in the FILES MENU:
<I>nformation
<G>oodbye (logoff)
<O>pen a door
<S>ettings
<X>pert toggle
============================================================================
EXAMPLE
To see how some of these commands can be used, please review the following
session by Joe User:
Welcome to The Albuquerque ROS, Node 3
Steve Fox - Sysop
Running ROS version 4.0
Serving Albuquerque and New Mexico since 1984
>>> 20,121 Files Totaling 825 Megabytes Online 24 Hours a Day <<<
Multi-Line Service at 505-299-5974, 300-9600, N-8-1, MNP 1-5
While visiting, please ensure your activities are legal and in good taste.
Name>Joe User
Password> <= Joe's password does not echo
Welcome back, Joe.
Logon : 3:19 pm, Sunday, 19-Aug-1990
Last call : 8:17 pm, Friday, 17-Aug-1990
Times called : 213
Access level : 20
Time used : 990
Time available : 25
Last message read : 29177
Downloads Uploads
Today : 0 0 k 0 0 k
Total : 29 715 k 3 143 k
You have mail: 28257 to 29178
Last that you've read: 29177
Do you want to check your mail [Y/n]? No
Messages in POST: 28257 to 29180
Last that you've read: 29177
Albuquerque ROS - Messages Menu
Exchange List Style Viewpoint
--------------------------------------------------------------------
<E>nter message <C>atalog <S>ettings <A>rea select
<R>ead messages <U>sers <X>pert toggle <M>ail to you
<B>ulletins <I>nformation <F>iles
<P>age sysop <O>pen a door
<G>oodbye (logoff)
24-Messages: Xpert <= He turns off menus for now
Expert mode - press "?" for menus.
24-Messages: POST>Area
New message area, <Enter> to quit, or "?" for menu>Q&A
"Q&A" not found. Message areas currently available:
DP GAMES IBM JOBS MAIL NOVELL
POST Q-A ROS SENT SPORTS TANDY
New message area, <Enter> to quit, or "?" for menu>Q-AM He missed it the first time, but now has the name right
Messages in Q-A: 28268 to 29148
Last that you've read: 28273
24-Messages: Q-A>Enter
From: Joe User
Addressee name or <Enter> for all>All <= Joe just hit the <Enter> key
Subject>Help running WordPerfect 5.1
To return to command mode, enter an empty line.
Ready...
1>I'm looking for a good book that will help me use WordPerfect 5.1.
2>Any recommendations?
3> Joe
4>
Edit command>Save
Public message 29149 filed at 3:21 pm, Sunday, 19-Aug-1990
22-Messages: Q-A>Files <= Now he changes to the Files
Menu
22-Files: EDIT>? <= He's forgotten a command and
asks for some help
Albuquerque ROS - Files Menu
Exchange List Style Viewpoint
--------------------------------------------------------------------
<U>pload file <C>atalog <S>ettings <A>rea select
<D>ownload file <N>ewin list <X>pert toggle <Z>oom archive
<T>ype file <L>ocate file <M>essages
<I>nformation <O>pen a door
<G>oodbye (logoff)
22-Files: EDIT>Area
New file area, <Enter> to quit, or "?" for menu>. <= He enters "."
knowing it won't
be found. This
gets him a short
list. He could
have entered "?"
to get a long list
with descriptions.
"." not found. File areas currently available:
ACCOUNTING AI ART ART-GIF ART-GRASP ART-MAC
ART-PCX ART-PIC ART-RLE ARTICLES ASTRO AUTOCAD
DEMO DESQVIEW DL02 DL03 DL05 DL08
DRAWING DUSTY EDIT EGA GAMES GEOLOGY
HAM HOME HP-FONTS HP-UTILS LAN LANG
LASU LOGON MISC NASA NEWIN OTHER-BBS
PATCH PC-MAG ROS-NET ROS-PC SCHOOL SOUND
SPREADSHEET TC TC-BBS TC-DOORS TC-DRIVERS TC-FOSSIL
UTIL-FILE UTIL-KEY UTIL-MENU UTIL-PRINT UTIL-SCREEN UTIL-SYSTEM
VIRUS WINDOWS
New file area, <Enter> to quit, or "?" for menu>NEW <= Note that he
didn't have to
type the complete
word "NEWIN".
22-Files: NEWIN>Catalog
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| NEWIN * * * * * * N E W U P L O A D S * * * * * * |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
192HST10.ZIP 14k 8/11/90 Information on HST 9600
ADDCOL.ZIP 8k 8/11/90 Merge your files SIDE by SIDE!
BARSTER.ZIP 20k 8/14/90 Bart Simpson in action
CANOE.GIF 196k 8/19/90 SUNSCAN Sharp JX-100 sample image 640x 480x256
CSD1_1.ZIP 12k 8/16/90 College selection database v1.1
DIAGCODE.ZIP 4k 8/17/90 List of PC error codes and descriptions
E2A.ZIP 14k 8/12/90 EBCDIC to ASCII Converter
HANDSOFF.ZIP 22k 8/11/90 A burglar alarm for your computer
LIST74A.ZIP 88k 8/14/90 List v7.4a; replaces DOS TYPE command
<= He sees a file he might want
and types <Ctrl-C>.
21-Files: NEWIN>Zoom
Archive name>LIST74A
Name Length Method SF Size now Mod Date Time CRC
============ ======== ======== ==== ======== ========= ======== ========
ARCE.DOC 9801 Imploded 60 3863 14 May 90 04:06:00 1E63CF40
ARCE.EXE 5467 Stored 0 5467 14 May 90 04:06:00 E3FFC223
COLOR.PAT 236 Shrunk 28 170 03 Feb 90 07:30:30 50FE22DC
DIALER.PAT 201 Shrunk 14 173 03 Feb 90 07:30:30 DF6E678E
FV.DOC 6557 Imploded 62 2444 18 Jul 90 01:31:00 2CB3E92E
FV.EXE 5771 Stored 0 5771 18 Jul 90 01:31:00 7E9C6A32
LICENSE 9290 Imploded 60 3670 06 Aug 90 07:40:00 0455B70D
LIST.COM 20927 Imploded 28 15055 08 Aug 90 13:04:16 AABFB51E
LIST.DOC 105245 Imploded 71 30107 08 Aug 90 12:48:46 53F69D85
LIST.HST 7547 Imploded 62 2828 08 Aug 90 11:14:02 4243DEBA
LISTR.COM 10973 Imploded 23 8435 08 Aug 90 13:04:00 72776530
LISTS.COM 9645 Imploded 21 7565 08 Aug 90 13:03:42 FBCE4E0C
MAILER 1357 Imploded 73 361 06 Aug 90 07:40:00 CAE6A017
WHATSNEW 7220 Imploded 61 2772 06 Aug 90 07:40:00 A8E0A779
============ ======== ======== ==== ======== ========= ======== ========
*total 14 200237 ZIP 1.10 54% 89987 08 Aug 90 13:04:16
21-Files: NEWIN [LIST74A.ZIP]>Type
File name>LIST.DOC <= Joe reads a couple of pages
and decides he wants the
file. He presses ^C to
interrupt the listing and
return to the prompt.
19-Files: NEWIN [LIST74A.ZIP]>Zoom
LIST74A.ZIP closed.
19-Files: NEWIN>Download
File transfer protocols currently available:
HYPERP JMODEM KERMIT MLINK XMODEM XMODEM-1K
YMODEM YMODEM-G ZMODEM
New protocol or <Enter> for ZMODEM> <= Joe just hits <Enter>
ZMODEM selected.
File name>LIST74A.ZIP
File area : NEWIN
File size : 89987 bytes
Protocol : ZMODEM
Estimate : 6.4 minutes
Ready to send LIST74A.ZIP <= The file is transferred to
Joe's computer.
13-Files: NEWIN>Goodbye
Do you want to end this session and logoff [Y/n]? Yes
Thanks for stopping by, Joe. You were online for 00:12 and have 00:13
remaining today.
Disconnecting from The Albuquerque ROS at 3:31 pm, Sunday, 19-Aug-1990.
Adios...