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