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CNET Amiga version 1.9 2. Configuration Warning! Before you proceed with any of the configuration instructions, insure that you have a verified backup copy of the C-Net master disk! Accidents do happen! The Workbench DISKCOPY command is useful and satisfactory for this purpose. Store your original in a safe place and only operate from your backup. 2.1 Memory Requirements C-Net will operate using any Amiga model computer. To use many of C-Net's more advanced features such as its multiline/multiuser abilities, on-line AREXX files, or to be able to effectively mutitask, however, you will find it almost a necessity to have at least 1 megabyte of RAM. Having more memory will never hurt, but will open doors for you to be able to operate more ports (users online), larger on-line programs, and do more with your Amiga while the BBS is operating. Following are more precise memory requirements: 8 Colors 2 Colors Memory for first port: 360K 325K Each additional port : 310K 275K For AREXX, add : 85K For FastFonts, add : 4K If you receive a GURU when attempting to operate C-Net, chances are you've run out of memory. You may attempt to fix the problem by using fewer screen colors, or by not using other utilities that you may be running in the background (clocks, virus checkers, memory monitors, etc.). C-Net will recognize whether it has enough memory to run or not as soon as it loads. If not, the program will exit immediately. All memory needed during program operation is requested at once at program execution. If C-Net appears to "not run" when told to, chances are you are out of memory, or have not copied "cnet.library" as instructed in the next section. As an added precaution, C-Net well check available memory before allocation, and will inform the user that too little memory is free to preform any function (notably the BASE sections) if the case arises. However, many programs I have encountered will not do this, but rather "GURU" and crash your system. Be aware of this. To check your available memory at any time, you may enter AVAIL at your command prompt. The program AVAIL is normally in your C: directory. 2.2 Other Hardware Requirements Although it is possible to operate C-Net Amiga on a single or dual floppy drive system, it is highly recommended that a hard drive be used for speed, efficiency, and to allow your system some elbow room. Much of the following configuration information has been written with the assumption of the use of a hard drive. For floppy users, you will simply need to swap disks as required as you are called upon to copy files. C-Net Amiga will operate well with any Hayes Compatible modem, of any baud rate. The following need to be checked on your modem(s) to insure proper operation with C-Net Amiga: 1) Carrier Detection MUST be enabled. Some modems use a dipswitch for this, and some use a command "AT&C1". If your modem uses a command, you may add this to its configuration string (see section 2.4). 2) The DTR line must be enabled in order for the modem to be able to hang up the line. Some modems use a dipswitch for this, while others use a command "AT&D2". You may add this command to the configuration string as well. 3) Modems with ARQ error correction protocol (USRobotics) must have the command AT&A0 sent to them. You may simply add "&A0" to the modem configuration string (section 2.4). 4) If a dipswitch exists on your modem for autoanswer, insure that autoanswer is "OFF". Additionally, especially if you plan to use locked baud rates on any high speed modems, you need to insure that your modem cables are of the 7 pin (or more) variety. Without the full 7 pins, the Amiga will be unable to do hardware flow control. 2.3 Installing C-Net Amiga You will need to use the shell or CLI from your workbench to install C-Net. If you are using a hard drive, you may install C-Net Amiga into a subdirectory of your hard drive. Now you need to decide how you plan to distribute your actual system. C-Net is able to distinguish between the following BBS areas: SYSTEM: user data, system text files, menus, help, logs, bbslist. BASE: message base. UDBASE: files area. MAIL: user to user private mail. PFILES: AREXX files GFILES: general text files. VOTE: voting topics. NEWS: news bulletins. You may assign each of these to a separate location, some on one hard drive partition, the rest on the another, or floppies, or however you wish. After you have come to some agreement with yourself as to where you will put these directories (listed above), simply create the directories with the "makedir" command from your shell or CLI where you want it. After creating the new directories, copy the files in the directory to the directory that you just created. ****> C-Net is able to distinguish between more than just one path for BASE: and one path for UDBASE:. You will find this invaluable in the event that you plan to operate your Upload/Download Files sections from more than one physical drive (hard drive or floppy drive), or more than one hard drive partition. At this time, C-Net is only able to split the upload/download files themselves, not the messages. It is unnecessary to use multiple BASE or UDBASE definitions if have only one hard drive without partitions. ****> IMPORTANT: In place of the BASE: and UDBASE: discussed in the manual, BASE0: and UDBASE0: assignments must be made! These paths will always house all of the messages of the system (the post, responses, long file descriptions, etc.). If you do not use additional path definitions, BASE0: and UDBASE0: will also contain all upload/download files. ****> Additional (optional) paths are defined as follows: BASE1:, BASE2:, up to BASE6:, and UDBASE1:, UDBASE2:, up to UDBASE6:. Your next task will be to tell C-Net where it is that you decided to store your various BBS areas, and in particular the names of their directory paths (how to get there exactly). To accomplish this, simply use the "assign" command from your shell or CLI. Example: If you have chosen to store your "SYSTEM" directory on DF1: under another directory called "CNET", you would type in at the shell or CLI prompt "ASSIGN SYSTEM: DF1:CNET/SYSTEM". This task of assigning the directories can all be accomplished in your startup-sequence so it will be done for you when you power up you computer. While you are editing your startup-sequence, it may be convenient to add other commands if memory permits. You may add "FF -0" to enable FastFonts ("FF" must be in your C: directory for this to work). The next command to add if it is not there already would be "STACK 10000". 2.4 Modem Configuration If you do nothing to affect your modem configuration, C-Net will default to a one line system, using the built-in serial port. However, if you wish to modify the modem initialization strings, or add other ports, you must edit the file "bbsport" found on your C-Net master disk (if you are using a floppy system) or your hard drive C-Net directory. Each line represents a port (or line) into your system. The first line is port one (1), the second is port two (2), and so on. Note that you may always have one additional line apart from those listed, which may only be used for "local mode", that is, logging on from your keyboard directly. This additional port is always called port 0. An example line of the bbsport file might look like this: serial.device 0 2400 0 0 ATH0X1V0E1S0=0M0&C1&D2 First is the name of the device, following by its unit number. The Amiga's built-in serial port is always named "serial.device" and has a unit of 0. Next, is the baud rate C-Net will use while waiting for a call, usually the highest baud rate the modem is capable of. Next, is the Flow Control specification, followed by the locked baud rate. Both numbers are usually 0, unless you are using a high speed modem (like the USRobotics HST) and wish to lock the baud rate (discussed later). Finally, the modem initialization string, sent at runtime, and also between callers. (Don't forget to add commands to this string, as required, see section 2.1). The most generic configuration string is probably ATH0X1V0. Use other commands as needed. The Supra 2400zi modems use "modemX.device" (where X is a number from 0 to the number of Supra's you have, see the Supra docs for more info), and units of 0. If you wish to lock the baud rate of a USRobotics 9600 baud modem, simply set the flow control to 4 and the locked baud rate number to whatever you desire (usually 19200 for HST modems). In addition, the commands "&H1&B1" must be added to the modem configuration string. An entry in "bbsport" for a locked baud rate HST might look like: siosbx.device 0 19200 4 19200 ATH0X1V0E1M0&C1&D2&A0 When you lock the baud rate of your HST, transfer rates above 16000 baud can be achieved by users calling in with HST modems (who have their terms to 19200 baud, and have sent the AT&H1&B1 commands to their modems, and have selected RTS/CTS flow control either using preferences or their terminal menus). Do not forget to copy device drivers supplied with these modems/cards into your DEVS: directory on Workbench or your hard drive's DEVS: directory. 2.5 Editing The General Configuration Options Several general system configuration options may be viewed/edited by using your text editor to edit the file "bbsconfig" found on your C-Net master directory. This file contains several lines, each with a description of the use of each line. Simply change the values as you desire, and re-save this file. According to the first value in this file, C-Net will check for a specific number of free bytes before authorizing an upload. A two character ID prefix. Screen blanking time before blanking, and blanking intensity. Defaults for the pull down menu options sysopis, private bbs, and UD closed. Keep the stat screen on when someone logs on. Send feedback to the sysop's mail box. Default conference format: chat or forum. Time will be returned to an uploader depending on the next setting. This value is a percentage, 100 is full time back, 0 is no time back, 200 is double your time back, etc.. The password for the online shell is simply an added security precaution. In case someone somehow discovers your password to the system, this next password will likely keep them out of the shell, where they are likely to do the most damage. The number of pfiles that can be run at the same time si really something provided for you to limit depending on your memory. Find your longest Pfile and determine how copies of it can safely run at once (be in memory) at one time. New user game points is simply an initial value for a score which will track a user's winnings or losings in the pfiles, if according to the player's performance. The default text color determines the text color that the system will return to when it encounters the MCI command \q1 (MCI will be discussed in detail in a later chapter). ZModem upload resume ability means your system will not delete files which were in the process of being uploaded to your system when the uploader happened to be cut off the line, or hung up. Files that are "unfinished" will be marked as such when users read the items, and any user will be able to complete the upload, using ZModem, and will receive any applicable credits for the file. This provides an incentive for the original uploader to attempt to complete the file as soon as possible. If you allow guest accounts, this means that users will be able to call your system without selecting a password. Once they leave the system, their accounts are lost. Guests have access identical to new users, except they can not be "autovalidated" (described later). Log verbosity will determine the amount of information written to disk concerning user activity on your system. For example: if you want everything to be recorded in your caller log then you should have the value of 255 there, if you want to only record chat then you should have 5 there. You derive the number from adding the options you want together. For example: log on = 1, log off = 2, chat = 4, AREXX = 8, bad logon = 16, download handle = 32, and SAM = 64. So that means that if you want chats and bad logons recorder then you should have 21 there (1+4+16=21). It's just that simple. Default for tone/pulse for auto call-back. 2.6 Editing The Function Key Macros Using your text editor, you can edit the file "bbskeys" found in you boot directory to change the function key macros. Each line of this file represents a function key, numbered from 1 to 10. Keys 1 through 5 are "print only", that is, they will display on your screen (and the user's screen) but will not affect what is being entered at any command prompt. Conversely, keys 6 through 10, when pressed, will actually "type" the text, allowing you to, for example, create a logon macro for yourself (your ID number and password). 2.7 System Text Files The following files must be written into your "SYSTEM:" directory in order for C-Net to find them. All of the files are actually optional. In some case, default or example files may have been provided for you on the C-Net master disk's "SYSTEM:" directory. badnames = This file may be used to keep certain handles from use on your system. Each line represents a new pattern to restrict, and upper and lower case does matter here. To specify the end of a word, use the "_" symbol to represent a space. Examples are: Car = No Car at the beginning of a word. car = No car anywhere else in a word. car_ = No word ending in "car". CAR_ = Not the word "Car" by itself. newquest = This file will allow you to create a new user questionnaire. You may format it however you wish, but when you prompt for questions, you must use the MCI commands "\i0" through "\i4" to input a maximum of 5 responses. C-Net will automatically write the responses to the user's NewUser feedback message. sys.accessx = "x" represents an access group, 0 through 23. the file displayed to members of this group as they logon. sys.avalid = This file configures the AutoCallBack Validation system built into C-Net Amiga. The first line should contain your local area code. Each line following should contain an area code, followed by a local prefix, however many you have to your area. It might look like: 313 313981 313453 313996 ...ect Note that when an autocallback is successful, the user is always promoted from access group 0 (new user) to group 1 (validated). sys.end = Displayed to users after they have selected to loggoff. sys.info = Displayed to users when they have selected "I" from any command prompt. Usually, this file contains information about your system, software, hardware, etc.. sys.new user = Displayed to users once they have selected to sign on as new. sys.second = Displayed to new users on their second call only. sys.start = Displayed immediately after the "press your backspace key" prompt at logon. sys.validation = Displayed to users immediately after they have uploaded file(s) which require validation before they receive credit. sys.welcome = Displayed to users once they have successfully logged onto the system. sys.conf = Displayed to a user as he enters the conference system. sys.private = Displayed when a user attempts to enter the file transfer area and it is temporarily closed. badnumbers = Will work exactly like badnames, except will cut users off of the system who use forbidden phone numbers. Many system text files have graphics alternatives. Instead of using "sys." in the case of "sys.start", "sys.welcome"' etc., you may use "TTn." where n is replaced with the TerminalType number (0=dumb, 1=C/G, 2=ANSI). 2.8 Configuration Of Automaintenance One of C-Net's more powerful features is auto-maintenance. you must specify a time during the day, and C-Net will automatically take itself down to perform several clean-up activities, including user purge for inactivity (not calling in a specified time period), and deletion of old or not recently used files, messages, and more. Whenever you enter a file into news, pfiles, gfiles, or enter a subboard into a base section, you will be asked for "days to keep" or "inactive days". Entering nothing will result in the file remaining indefinitely. Specifying 30, for example, will cause automaintenance to delete the file after approximately one month of non-use. For news, pfiles, and gfiles, this is 30 days after the last response. For files, this is 30 days after it's last download. Files and messages may individually be "protected" against auto-deletion. Use your text editor to create a file "sys.amaint" in your "SYSTEM:" directory. The first line should contain the hour (military 0-23) that you wish auto-maintenance to take place. The second line will contain the number of user inactivity days before auto-removal from the system. Two months (60) is usually a good number here. Note that C-Net will limit time for users just before auto-maintenance occurs to insure that all users are off the system at that time. This is necessary due to the nature of the file processing being performed. 2.9 Configuration Of Time Restrictions C-Net has the ability to restrict access to logon, upload, download, or use the pfiles bases on the time of day, the user's baud rate and access group. To configure this feature, you must use your text editor to create a file "bbstimes" on your boot directory. This file must contain 24 lines, each representing an hour of the day, from 0 to 23 in 24 hour time. Each line contains the following information, separated by spaces: A B C D E F A = MINBAUD LOGON B = MINBAUD DOWNLOAD C = MINBAUD UPLOAD D = ACCESS LOGON E = ACCESS UPLOAD/DOWNLOAD F = ACCESS USE PFILES Access configuration here, and in the rest of the system must be entered using a comma/semicolon range scheme. For example: 0,23 = All 24 access groups. 1,10;15 = Groups 1 through 10, and 15. 2,7;9,14 = Groups 2 through 7 and 9 through 14. 4;9;10;15 = Groups 4,9,10 and 15 only. Millions of other combinations are possible. An example line of this file would look like: (Here, any baud rate can logon, but at least 1200 is needed to upload or download. Any group can logon, but only groups 5 and higher can upload or download, and only groups 9 and higher can run pfiles.) 300 1200 1200 0,23 5,23 9,23 Alternatively, you can create files "bbstimesx" where x is a port of your system. Different lines of your system can have different restrictions, as you might have different modems and rates, etc.. 2.10 Altering Menu Structures And BBS Text With C-Net Amiga, you have the ability to completely alter the format of the menus structure, as well as the text of the program. this allows you the ability to completely alter the appearance of your BBS, as well as the commands used to perform various functions. When you use your text editor to edit the file "bbstext" from your boot directory, you will see before you everything that C-Net displays to the user throughout the running of the program. The only rule here is that you keep the file under 14500 bytes (This is not true any longer as the file is already approx. 22300 bytes long), and maintain the line structure, that is, do not insert lines or remove lines. Lines can be, however, as long as you would like to make them. Colors can be inserted by using the MCI commands "\c" and "\z" (see that chapter for more information). The "%s"'s and the "%d"'s that you see throughout the file represent "formatting" commands for the BBS (where to place text strings and numbers). On any line which contains these commands (may be the line for scanning message titles, or other lists), you must not alter the order of these commands. In "bbsmenu" you will find several lines of commands separated by commas. Each line represents a "menu string" for a particular part of the system. These are as follows: All-area MAINTENANCE commands. All-area NON-MAINTENANCE commands. Main menu specific commands. U/D base and Message base commands. Read new commands. News/gfiles/pfiles commands. Read Mail commands. Read new commands. Read post commands. Read all commands. Search commands. Editor-empt commands. Editor-text commands. Justify commands. Edit User commands. BBSlist commands. Edit Subboard commands. Conference commands. Mail verify commands. Vote commands. Edit post commands. The most important rule in modifying this structure is that the order of the lines and the order of the commands must not be altered! If you need to know what a particular command does in the program, see the appropriate menu for that area. Commands can be 1 or 2 characters in length only. You must also remember that "ALL-AREA" commands are checked first before the local area commands are. What this means is that if you have an all area command "I", and a files section command "IN", the "I" command will always be executed, and "IN" will never be used, even if a user enters "IN". Be careful here! One additional feature here is command aliasing, that is, several commands performing the same function. You will see an example of this with the "Q|O" (Q or O) command at the main menu, both used to loggoff the system. More than two commands may be aliased to the same function. C-Net allows you several opportunities to "add your own commands" to the existing menu structure. Here's all you need to do: (1) Add your command to the appropriate menu line in "bbsmenu". Remember that only 1 or 2 character commands are possible. Separate your command from the others by using a comma ",", similar to the other commands you already see there. Save the file. A maximum of 3 commands may be added to any menu line. (2) In your "SYSTEM:" directory, you need to create a text file according to the menu, and letters of the command you used. Menu command files are of the following format: cmd.main.xx = The main menu. cmd.comm.xx = Command commands (both lists). cmd.base.xx = The Base and UDBase. cmd.post.xx = The end of post menu. cmd.list.xx = The g/pfiles, news/vote menu Simply create a file of the appropriate format, substituting the 1 or 2 letter command for the "xx" you see above. (3) When your command is entered, C-Net will read the file you have created. Your command may simply be a text file of information, or it may contain MCI commands (see chapter 8) which runs an AREXX program, or executes an AmigaDOS command. 2.11 Configuration Of The DOS Shell The DOS shell uses a modified "AUX:" handler to operate. Follow these steps in order to make your Shell functional (the "S" command from the main menu). Note that if you are short on memory, this isn't such a good idea. (1) Copy the "aux-handler" from the C-Net master disk into your "L:" directory (on boot disk or hard drive), replacing the old one. (2) Use your text editor to edit your file "DEVS:mountlist". Add the following code for an AUX: driver. If there already exists one, replace it. AUX: Handler = L:aux-handler Stacksize = 4000 Priority = 5 GlobVec = 1 (3) In your "S:startup-sequence", add "mount AUX:" somewhere before the end of the file, possibly with the "ASSIGN's" from earlier. 3. Using C-Net Amiga This chapter will provide instructions on putting on-line an already configured system (read and follow the instructions found in chapter 2 if you have not already done so). 3.1 Running C-Net Amiga From CLI Ideally for the purposes of running C-Net Amiga, your startup-sequence should be modified so that you are taken directly to AmigaDOS CLI or Shell mode. Loading workbench is cumbersome here, and memory consuming. To run C-Net from the CLI, you must first change your current directory to you C-Net BBS directory which you created at the beginning of the configuration step in the last chapter. Following the example of the last chapter, this is accomplished with the following command: 1> cd dh2:CNet Next, you simply need to use the "run" command as follows to get the BBS running. If you are operating with limited memory resources, and plan to operate only copy of the BBS, without background multitasking, you may elect to simply enter "bbs" here. 1> run bbs The "1>" prompt should return immediately while C-Net loads. Soon, the screen will clear with the C-Net copyright message at the top, and some information will be displayed. To return to the AmigaDOS screen, use the mouse to click on the "screen to back" gadget at the top right corner of the screen (actually, the left one of the two smaller gadgets there). to switch back to C-Net, click the analogous AmigaDOS screen gadget. Note that you may have to shrink the size of the AmigaDOS window in order to reveal the screens or programs, you may have to use the left mouse button and click the pointer inside of the screen you wish to use to make it the "current" screen before you will be able to communicate with that screen. At this time, if you wish, you may run additional copies of (ports into) C-Net, provided you have the memory to do so (check requirements in the previous chapter). Simply type "run bbs" again. Note that you can always run one additional port into the system than you have modems or phone lines. In this way, you can use your system from the Amiga console while your BBS is running. Note that you must always wait until the first port displays "Idle" at the top of its status window before attempting to run additional ports. Note that the current screen's port number is displayed in the upper left hand corner of the window, after "P#". As you run additional ports, this number should change from 1 to however many modem ports BBS you run, and then to 0 for the first port that isn't matched to a modem (according to the "bbsport" file, consult the configuration chapter). It is unwise to run more than one "port 0". If port 0 appears unexpectedly, check your "bbsport" file for proper configuration. There are a couple of modifiers that may be added to the "runn bbs" command to affect C-Net's normal operation. C-Net normally defaults to 8 color mode, with colors similar to those that users will see when they call in using ANSI compatible terminal programs. By specifying "s" and a number, either 2, 1, or 0, you can instruct C-Net to use only 4, 2 or no colors at all, respectively. With 4 or 2 colors, C-Net will generate the colors it uses from the current AmigaDOS screen colors. Thus, if you wish to change these colors, you may do so by using the Preferences tool. The advantages are much faster text output, and the use of less memory (if you leave a port unattended, it is recommended that you use 2 color mode for highest system efficiency). When you specify "s0", C-Net will not open a window at all, operating completely as a background task on your Amiga. Note that the only way to close a background (hidden) C-Net task is by using the "close" program located in your C-Net directory. ****> Interlace mode is now supported. To activate interlace mode, place the modifier "i" following the "run bbs" command. By entering "i49" you can specify a 49-line screen. ****> Using the modifier "s4" will allow 16 color mode. The second set of 8 colors will appear as "intense" versions of the first 8. Note that this terribly slows down the Amiga, and degrades overall performance. ****> PAL resolution is now supported. If this program is used in Europe, the PAL bit should be detected, and a 256-line screen should be used fully. C-Net normally follows the order of "bbsport" in terms of which lines and modems are used in which order. that is, the first "bbs" you run will use line 1, then second, line 2, and so on. The first "bbs" you run which does not match a line in "bbsport" by specifying "1" and the line number following the "run bbs" command. Line 0 always refers to the "no modem, local made only" port 0. Here are some examples: 1> runn bbs 13 = Run third line of your bbs. 1> run bbs s1 = Run 2 color mode of your bbs, next available line. 1> run bbs 10 s2 = Run local port, 4 color mode. 1> run bbs s0 = Open background port, next available line. Note that "run bbs s0 10" makes no sense at all! In order to multitask with other programs, you must be able to run that program from the CLI command prompt. Simply move to the AmigaDOS screen and use whatever commands are necessary to execute the other program. Programs which are "multitask" friendly and take little processor time (databases, word processors, etc.) you will have the most success with. If you wish to place the "runn bss" command(s) within your startup-sequence file so that your bbs automatically sets itself up upon power-up (or power loss), you must remember that it is unsafe to "run bbs" immediately after having just done so. the solution to this problem is to insert delays into your startup-sequence, of at least 10 seconds between the first and second ports, and 5 seconds between the others. This is easily accomplished using the "wait" command (see your AmigaDOS user's manual for further information). 3.2 The C-Net Screen To switch between the various C-Net port screens, you may use the paging gadgets at the top right corner of each screen. Note that in the case of AmigaDOS, you may have to move the window out of the way first. To make a screen the "current" screen, use the left mouse button and click inside that screen. The initial C-Net Amiga screen contains the "status window" at the top, and the System Activity Monitor (SAM) at the bottom. SAM's duties are to monitor several system usages, such as blocks uploaded, downloaded, pfiles ran, post made, and more. These are tracked individually for the last caller (on that port), and since setup, total since day one of system operation, and for a specific period of time (these for the entire system, all ports). The "current" column tracks what's there now. you will easily be able to glance at your screen to determine the number of feedbacks or mails that you have waiting for you. The status window will be populated by such user data as Account Number (A#), Access (AC), Time Zone (TZ), Handle, Real Name, Address, Phone Number, Birth Date, Last Call (Last), Balance (Bal), Computer Type (CMP), Signon time and type (ON@), minutes used today (MIN), Baud rate (CPS), and the number of users your system has (USR). The "CALL" field contains several pieces of information. A display such as: CALL 004:02377 01/02:0002 means the user is the 4th since you last setup the system, the 2377th since day 1 of system operation. Also, the user has called once today, out of a maximum of 2 calls per day, and has called the system a total of 2 times. The parameters (PAR) field contains information about the user's terminal type. Something line 80:24 shows an 80 column by 24 line screen. Various other user options area also noted there, such as Paranoia (PA), More Mode (MR), Help Level (HL), Line Feeds (LF), and Terminal Type (TT). 3.3 Pull Down Menus C-Net uses the Amiga's pull down menu system to offer a variety of options for you to use. The first menu, entitled "BBS", contains options available only while the system is waiting for a call, or "Idle" Logon = Will allow you to enter the system from your Amiga console. Note that C-Net will send "ATH1" to the modem connected to this port to take it "off-hook" while you are using the system. The spacebar may be used instead as a shortcut. AutoLogon= Uses ID 1 and password to bypass Logon, News, and Welcome. Display = Will toggle the "waiting for call" screen between either SAM or the System Activity Graph (SAG). the system activity graph plots the usage of your system as a function of the time of day. At a glance, you can determine your "peak" and "valley" usage periods. The "Enter" key may be used instead. About = Will simply display a file of information pertaining to the origins of the C-Net Amiga software. Quit = Will remove the port from your Amiga. Terminal = C-Net offers a simple terminal to call out with. The terminal also supports Zmodem uploading and downloading. Select 8 bit word size if you are calling a BBS with IBM graphics, or Amiga international characters, turn this option off otherwise. You will need to use the appropriate font to view the characters of your choice. ResetSAM = Will reset your SAM "period" column to 0's. The only time that the SAM period is reset is when you choose to do so. The "P" key may be used instead. DumpUser = Immediately drop a user's time to 0, logging him off the screen. Iconify = Place the current C-Net screen as an icon on the workbench screen. Double clicking this icon will cause C-Net to reopen. While iconified, memory normally used by C-Net for the screen is freed, and overall performance of C-Net is greatly improved. Colors = Directly change the number of display colors used by C-Net Amiga without taking the system down. The "Options" menu contains several "toggle flags" some of which are for use only when a user is on-line. ChatMode = When a user is on-line, it will bring the user to an area where you and he may freely type to one another. SysopIn = If checkmarked, it will notify the user that you are being called when he selects to "Chat" with you. Otherwise, the user will instead be offered a chance to leave you feedback. PrivateBBS = If checkmarked, it will disable the new option when signing on. If you wish to run a private "members only" BBS, this is the way to do it (you made users manually yourself). UDClosed = If checkmarked, it will not let users enter the "UDBase". Note that if you also have file transfers in your "Base" that users will still be allowed to enter. LocalMode = If checkmarked while a user is online, it will temporarily "detach" the modem from the input/output stream, allowing you to perform maintenance functions while he is still on-line, waiting for your return. Note that all maintenance commands are always active in LocalMode. PrinterOn = If checkmarked, it will attempt to print everything that is displayed also to the printer, as configured by the Preferences tool. If C-Net encounters trouble doing this, a requester will be generated on the AmigaDOS screen, and the checkmark will automatically be turned off. While a user is on-line, you may alter his time remaining (TIME=), his access group (AC), or his upload kilobytes of credit (UK) by using the "User" menu. With one of these checkmarked, you may use the up and down arrows (next to the keypad) to raise or lower this value, respectively. Note that you will not be able to see what your doing unless the status window is on the screen, and the window is defaulted OFF when a user is logged onto the system. The last menu, "display", will allow you to toggle the status window on and off, and toggle "split screen" mode on and off. Although the top line of the screen always contains the handle of the user currently on-line, the status window switches to off when a user connects to the system, and on when the system is waiting for a call. Split screen mode is useful when you wish to view two user's activities simultaneously. Select split screen mode for each port, then "drag" one screen in front of the other. With three or four ports, it may also be convenient to "layer" the screens so that each of the status windows from the screens are simultaneously visible. 3.4 System Control Keys There are several Control keystrokes active whenever you are entering commands or other text. to use one of these, simply hold down the "CONTROL" key on your keyboard, and press the appropriate command letter. These are as follows: Control B = Automatically delete all keys back to the beginning of the line. Control V = Reprint what you've typed so far. If there is noise on the line, this might be useful to verify what you've typed. Control W = Delete the last word you entered. Control X = Cancel the current line, and start over. Other Control keystrokes are useful whenever text is being printed to you. Most important are those that pause or stop text. Control S = Temporarily Pause the text output, maybe to catch up reading before information scrolls from the screen. To re-start text output, press any key (except Control S). Spacebar = Terminates (aborts) the current message or file that you are reading. Reading will continue at the next message (if you are reading a series of messages). / = The Slash key "/" is a more powerful version of the spacebar abort function. If you are reading a series of messages (such as a post and it's many responses) you can skip them all at once using the Slash key. Control C = Even more powerful is the Control C. Using Control C will attempt to abort all messages, and also clear the input buffer, meaning that if you've for instance, pressed several commands at once, even those unprocessed commands will be skipped. Another example is you've pressed [RETURN] a hundred times, and the system if endlessly reading messages, and you would like to stop. Note: C-Net will display large numbers in a shorthand way. Whenever a number ranges from 0 to 9,999, the actual number itself will be displayed. Above 10,000, C-Net will move to "K" (kilo) notation, something like: 10K for 10,000 and 100K for 100,000. Once this number reaches 10,000,000, C-Net will enter "M" (mega) notation, something like: 10M for 10,000,000 and 100M for 100,000,000. This makes reading large numbers found in program sizes and status displays much easier to read. You should note that "K" here refers to the user-friendly 1,000 and not 1,024, as is sometimes a common reference to "K" in the computer world. 3.5 Command Stacking And Quick Commands C-Net Amiga allows you to enter several commands all at once on one command line by separating them with semicolons ";". For example, the following command will enter the Base, and read all new messages on all subboards: B;RA This next one will print your status, your Activity Summary, then log you off of the system, answering "Yes" to loggoff, and "No" to leave feedback: ST;AS;O;Y;N Many features of the system stop to ask "verification" usually in the form of "Is......correct?" or possibly "Are you sure?". By appending an exclamation point "!" to your command, you are able to tell C-Net to skip this verification. Some common uses are as follows: "MS1!" = Automatically selects to MailSend to account 1 (the sysop), skipping prompts which ask you for an account number or handle, and whether your selection of an account number was actually correct. "O!" = Skips the reading of "sys.end", and prompts of "Want to logoff of the system" and "Want to leave feedback first." 3.6 Terminal Parameters Your terminal parameters affect the way C-Net communicates with your terminal or computer. To view or edit your terminal parameters, press "E" from the main menu. here are explanations for many of the options: Your terminal type may be selected as dumb, ANSI, or Commodore Color/Graphics. Commodore C/G mode is only usable by people with Commodore 64's or 128's with color/graphics terminal package. Most other computer terminal emulation programs support some variation of the ANSI standard. If you see an abundance of "[36m" and the like on your screen, yours probably isn't one of them. C-Net keeps track of your screen width (columns) in order to properly format messages for you. If a word will not fit at the end of a line on your terminal, C-Net will automatically move to the next line before printing the word. Your screen height (rows) is used to determine where to stop when asking "More?" if you have that feature enabled. The "More?" option allows you to let your screen fill up without worry of text scrolling off of the top before you have a chance to read it. In most cases, pressing "N" (for No) at the More prompt will abort the current message. Also, pressing the equal sign "=" at the More? prompt will cause More? to temporarily disable, until the next command prompt. In this way, you may choose to have an entire message or file displayed without pausing for More?. If you select yourself to be "paranoid" then whenever another user request information about you by using either the "UI" or "UL" command, all he will be able to see is your last call date. Otherwise, your address, phone number, and date of birth will also be displayed. Your "Help Level" (beginner, novice, or expert) determines the amount of redundancy that C-Net will suppress based on your familiarity with the system. At beginner level, all command level prompts are preceded with the most commonly used commands spelled out for you to choose from. At novice level, this is dropped; only prompts themselves are displayed. At expert level, even the entry files into individual subboards are dropped, printing only the subboard titles themselves. This can be a time saver if you have read them all many times before. Your "time zone" is a measure of your time difference from the system's time. For example, if the system is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone, and you are calling from Hawaii, your "time zone correction factor" is probably -5. All dates that are displayed throughout the system, even those stored in the system's time, will be displayed to you in your time. You may also select your preferred "time format", that is, standard AM/PM format such as 3:22 PM, or 24 hour (military time) such as 15:22. 4. The Main Command Level The Main command level acts as the "center point" of the system. From here, the user may branch to any one of the other major subsystems. 4.1 Main Level Commands Following are the commands which are only accessible from the Main level of the system. A = Accounting system summary. The user is able to select "Detailed" for this command. Without detail, only a short summary of this calls charges and the user's balance will be displayed. With detail, an itemization will be displayed, containing the amounts that the user has been charged for each of the various system functions. B = The Bulletin Board. See chapter 5 for details. G = General text file base. See chapter 6 for more details. J = Join a public conference. Built directly into C-Net is a multi-user conferencing program, which allows users from the various ports to communicate in a "forum" setting. The conference area is divided into three "rooms" where each room may have a separate conversation among various users. L = List of other BBS's. See chapter 6 for more information. N = News file base. See chapter 6 for more information. New news files listed in the main directory of the news files base are displayed to users as they logon to the system. O = Off the system. P = Program files base. See chapter 6 for more information. R = Relogon to the system. if the user has the proper privilege flag, this will allow him to return to the "Press your BackSpace Key" prompt when logging off instead of having the system hang him up. This is useful when a user wishes to use several accounts. S = Shell, Command Line Interpreter. This will take you into your CLI so make sure you don't forget your password that you have already setup in your "bbsconfig" file. U = Upload/Download base. See chapter 5 for more information. V = Vote files base. See chapter 6 for more information. Actually, vote topics can be added to any of the file areas, News, Pfiles, Gfiles or Vote. The Vote area was simply added to provide a convenient place to separate them from the others. X = Call-Back Validation. New users who are within local calling distance as determined by the file "sys.avalid" are given the chance to have the system call them back once they have completed the new user logon application. If for some reason they missed this opportunity, they may elect to do it from the main menu. Only new users (not guest) may us this feature, and are always given access level 1 when the call-back is successful. Z = Edit personal data. You may choose to allow your users to be able to edit their Handles, Real Names, Addresses, Birth Dates, and Phone Numbers. Access to this command is controlled by a user privilege flag. 4.2 Commands Available Throughout The System The following commands are available not only at the Main command level, but also the base, udbase, and all filing system prompts. AG = System Activity Graph. AS = Activity Summary. This function will inform a user as to how many files that he has uploaded and downloaded, as well as bytes, for this call and since he has been a user of the system. C = Call the Sysop to Chat. F = Feedback for the Sysop's. H = Help utility. A series of help files are available to the user to provided information about the general operation of the system. These are the files "help." found in your "SYSTEM:" directory. I = Information about this system. This will display the file "sys.info" from your "SYSTEM:" directory. HIn = Hide from a port (which port). A user may remove himself from the "WHO" list for any port. A user may not hide from the sysop. MSn = Send private mail (account number or handle). A user may leave mail for any other user, provided he has the privilege flag set. Mail is checked for when a user first logs on, and occasionally while he is online (in case mail arrives from other ports). A return receipt provides a way for the user to find out that his message has actually been read, even if it is not replied to. He'll receive a notice in mail to this effect. Note that a return receipt is sent even if the mail is forwarded, but the user will be informed of this fact as well. When a user selects from his message to be returned, it will be included as part of the recipient's reply, or the return receipt. This is a handy function if you send a lot of mail, and are always wondering what user's replies are concerning, when you've forgotten what it was you were talking with him about. With the proper privilege flag set, a user can send "URGENT" mail, which means that it will be displayed to him before the logon process is complete on his next call to the system. MR = Read your private mail. If you have mail waiting, this will provide you the ability to display the messages you have one by one, with several options active between: A = Read the message again. E = Edit user. A sysop may perform the EA command directly here. F = Forward. With the privilege flag, a user may "give" any piece of his mail to another account. Note that once a message is forwarded, it may not be kept in your own mail box simultaneously. G = Sysop's can change the group number of the message sender. K = Keep. The message will be re-filed into your mail box for later use. Q = Reply. The equivalent of using MS back to the sender of the message. U = User info. This will display the sender's stats. See the UI command below. Also, all of the "Common Commands" like Feedback, Chat, etc. are available from this prompt. Default is to move on to the next message, forgetting the current message. Before exiting the MR command, an option will be given to Re-Read your messages, giving another opportunity to perform the above functions again. MUn = Muffle a port (port number). If you decide to muffle a port, that port that port will not be able to send OLM's to you (see below). A sysop cannot be muffled. NU = Re-Read the new user message. This simply reads the file that was originally read to the user as he first applied for an account. OLMn = Send an On-Line Message (port number). Users may send each other messages or send the message to all ports (broadcast) which will be displayed at the next command prompt, or even while in the editor or the conferencing program, provided the user is at the first column of a line. A user may be "Muffled" against sending OLM's to any specific port(s). PW = Change your password. ST = Your current status. T = Time information. UI = Information about a user. This option will effectively allow any user to do the equivalent of "Status" on any other user. However, if the user you wish to find the status of has selected that he is "paranoid" then only the Handle and Last Call date will be displayed. The full information is displayed to the sysop. UL = Complete user list/search. A user-list consists of a tabular list of account numbers, handles, last call dates, and for non-paranoid users, real names and phone numbers. options are given for an alphabetical list, and a short list of handles only. A starting position in the list can also be specified. In addition, users may search for specific patterns to be found in real names, handles, and phone numbers (area codes only). Sysop's can obtain lists of members of specific access groups as well. WHO = Who else is on-line? This command will display a tabular list of all users currently logged onto the system. Information displayed includes port numbers, handle, city, logon time, baud rate, location currently in the system, and "flags". The flags refer to the status of the hide and muffle commands. The flags are: H=You're hiding from this port. M=You're muffling this port. h or m = he's hiding from or muffling you. AU = Auto user monitor. Sends OLM's to the user notifying him of the logon or logoff of the other users. EP = Edit system preferences. Here a user selects his help level, default download protocol, whether he wants the "More?" pause, wether or not he is paranoid (others can see his personal information), his time zone, time display format, mailbox status (open to accept mail or not as well as auto-forwarding to another account), and his personal MACROS. ET = Edit Terminal Parameters. Here, the computer type, graphics set, ANSI mode, line feeds, and the screen size can be set. Graphics sets available are: ASCII (7 bits only), Commodore Color/Graphics (the 64 & 128 users can see color, and enter the C= graphics characters), IBM graphics (IBM users can see IBM graphics characters, and enter a limited set of these), AMIGA International (AMIGA users can enter all language characters), and AMIGA SkyPix (equivalent to AMIGA International, but will also allow SkyPix codes to be transmitted). Currently, translation only occurs between IBM and C/G users to view each others graphics characters. AMIGA International characters are NOT yet translated for IBM and C/G users, and vice versa. -=- FULL LIST OF C-NET COMMANDS 1; Maintenance menu VF, VIEW Feedback VN, VIEW New EA, Edit Account EG, Edit Group WF, Write File RF, Read File AM, Activity Monitor LC, Call Log LU, Transfer Log DUmp LA, Amaint Log RUN DD, Download Direct *D TOSL, TOSelectList |#2 Pfiles:bbs/TOSL} 2; Available everywhere Help Chat Time Feedback INFo NU, New User STatus PW, Change Password FInger, UI MS, Mail MR CRedits AG, Activity Graph WHo OLm, On Line Message HIde MUffle UM, User Monitor ET, EDit TERMinal EP, EDit PREFS EU, EDit USER CC, Chat Call ACcount MM, Multi Mail WHY IDentify EF, EDit FInger *C SS DS RM FIND NSal 3; Main prompt Base Gfiles Join List News Pfiles Relogon Quit, Off Shell Uploads Vote X, Call Back ? UL, User List MV, Mail Verify TErm MOnitor 4; ud/base SN~Scan NEW RN~Read NEW PREVIEW YN~Yank NEW PREVIEW BN~Browse NEW PREVIEW SA~SG NEW RA~RG NEW PREVIEW YA~YG NEW PREVIEW BA~BG NEW AL, Add List KL, Kill List EL, Edit List YG, Yank Global SG, Scan Global RG, Read Global BG, Browse Global VIew Again Browse Download Examine TYPE,Grab DRop Join Kill,DELete List NOTE,NEw Off Post Read DIR,Scan Quit Upload Validate AO, Adopt Orphans ENtry *, SElect ? < > / Write ATtribute MOve REspond Z, SEArch ZG, SEArch Global Yank Xit MF, Mail Subop : ML TEst TRansform INvite ORder CD EDit VOte RR 5; Respond or Pass? Download Examine Grab Respond Quit Again Validate ?,Help *, SElect Write ATtribute New Kill Last . Over + - Pass TEst TRansform POst EDit Scan Z, SEArch VOte 6; News/GFiles/PFiles Off Quit Scan, List Post AO EL Edit ATtribute AL Kill ENtry EXit Add ML X, ALPhabetize ? / Download 7; Read mail, between items ?,Help .,Again,Over Edit Send Group Kill Quit Reply User List *, SElect Download Pass Noreceipt Write 8; New-scan subboard selection List Filter Keyword Subboards Yank ? Abort 9; Read-all Post Skip Quit Abort Continue Drop 10; Editor-empty or with text * Zip Abort Save New /,. O Wrap Visual > ?,Help Quote Get 11; Editor-with text only Insert Mciread Read List Edit K Toggle Delete Border Copy Justify Find $ Put 12; Editor justify options Left Right Pack Center Expand Indent Unindent 13; Scan for new at logon Read~RG NEW PREVIEW Browse~BG NEW List RG BG Yank Cancel ? Quit 14; Bbslist Add Kill List,Scan Quit ? Off * Download 16; Conference ? List Room Quit COntrol PAss Invite Uninvite X,Edit XR,Edit Room PErmanent NAme SAve Verify 17; Mail-verify .,Again Edit Kill Next Quit ? 18; Vote List Add Kill Quit Edit Xamine New 20; Browse Quit Read * Download ? Grab Examine 21; Read mail, before reading items ? Quit Scan New Old All 22; Message Quote List Add Quit Step Response 23; Alternate BBSTEXT/MENU prompt (example) C-Net Ami-Express 24; Abort/Logoff prompt before file transfer Abort Logoff Descriptions |#2 pfiles:bbs/DloadDescript} 25; Join/Visit prompt in base Join Visit 27; Scan for new at base entry Yes Browse Scan No 28; Net Mail Send Post Request Send Quit ? 30; Computer types; list no more than 24 Amiga 500 Amiga 600 Amiga 1000 Amiga 1200 Amiga 1500 Amiga 2000 Amiga 2500 Amiga 3000 Amiga 4000 Amiga Other Other Than Amiga 31; Reading messages ("mess" option) Respond Quit .,Again ?,Help Pass POst -=- The Ultimate CNet Tutorial CONTENTS Part 1: The Database Tour Part 2: The Quick Review (For user in a hurry) Part 3: Advanced Commands Part 4: The Typical Logon 1) The DATABASE Tour. to go into the FILE Section: Type: U (AmiX: J) you will have a choice like this: ++++++++ 1. (dir) Amiga Wares 2. Upload to Sysop Please select a SubBoard. Upload Base> _ ++++++++ enter the number of the base into which you want to go. when you are into the desired base, there may be other such choice, just keep selecting the menu you want. ok. you are now into a base. how can you tell? it will write the number of FILES into that base. like this: ++++++++ *Subboard (1) New Games : Last visit was Tue 25-Aug-1992 1:05a : 158 files ( 4 new) : 8 responses Used: 92% of 663M Free: 49M (1) New Games> _ ++++++++ * To list the files: Type: S 1- list from file #1 to last file (AmiX: F 1) Type: SN list NEW file only (AmiX: N S U) Type: SA list ALL NEW files Everywhere (AmiX: ??) Type: S 'ray' List files with 'ray' in their Description or name (AmiX: Z RAY) * To mark files: Type: *16 to mark file #16 (AmiX: M) Type: *16-22 to mark file #16 up to 22 (AmiX: ?) Type: *16,21 to mark file #16 AND 21 (AmiX: ?) * To download Marked files: Type: DS Download Selected (AmiX: D) * To erase marked files: Type: *C Clear selected list * To view marked files: Type: SS Scan Selected * To download a file: Type: D 1 to download Item #1 (AmiX: D) Type: D 1,2,5 to download Item #1, 2 AND 5 (AmiX: D) Type: D 1-3,6 To download 1 UP TO 3 AND 6 (AmiX: D) * To upload a file: Type: U upload a file in BATCH mode. (AmiX: U) Type: U 12 to RESUME file #12 (AmiX: UR) * To go into the MESSAGE BASE: Type: B Message Base (From MAIN MENU) (AmiX: J) You have the same BASE CHOICE as with the FILE SECTION. Select the one you want by pressing the NUMBER. * To enter a PUBLIC message: Type: P POST message. you will be asked (AmiX: E) for the title, ect * To READ a message: Type: R 1 To read Message #1 (AmiX: R) Type: R 1,2,5 To read Message #1, 2 AND 5 (AmiX: R) Type: R 1- To read from Message #1 to end (AmiX: R) * To read PUBLIC messages addressed to you: Type: R TOME Read public message addressed (AmiX: ?) to me. * To read all new public message in CURRENT Message Base only: Type: RN Read New messages (AmiX: R) * To real ALL new public message in EVERY message base: Type: RA Read All new messages * To list messages in SHORT format (1 line with only the subject): Type: S 1- Scan from message #1 to end (AmiX: R) Type: S 1,2,6 Display item 1, 2, AND 6 (AmiX: R) Type: S 1-10,32 Display from 1 to 10, AND 32 (AmiX: R) * To list NEW messages in SHORT format in CURRENT Base: Type: SN Scan NEW messages * To list NEW messages in SHORT format in EVERY Base: Type: SA Scan ALL NEW messages * To enter a PRIVATE message to a user: Type: MS username Mail Send to username (AmiX: E) Type: MS 1 Mail Send to user #1 (AmiX: E) * To read your PRIVATE message(s): Type: MR Mail Read (AmiX: R) * Leave a message to SYSOP: Type: F FEEDBACK to sysop (AmiX: C) * Chat the SYSOP: Type: C CHAT (AmiX: O) * Logoff from the board: Type: O logOff from the board (AmiX: G) * FAST Logoff from the board: Type: O! Fast LogOff (AmiX: G) 2) The Quick Review Action Command Description -------------------------------------------------------------------- * Go to File base: U Upload/doanload base * Download: D 1,2,4 download file 1,2 and 4 * Upload: U upload. You can do a batch * List Files: S 1- list from file #1 to end * List New Files: SN List new files in base * List ALL New Files: SA list ALL new files * Go to message base: B message Base * Read a message: R 1,2,4 Read message 1, 2 AND 4 * Enter a message: P Post public message * List Message title: S 1- List from Message #1 to end * Read NEW messages: RN Read NEW in CURRENT base * Read ALL NEW message: RA Read NEW messages EVERY base * Read private mail: MR Mail Read * Write private mail: MS <username> Send mail to <username> * Back to main menu: Q Quit back to main 3) Advanced Commands * GFiles Type: G from the MAIN menu The GFiles are General text Files. they are simply texts, that the sysop puts up for the user to read. Upon entering the GFiles section, the user will get this display: ------------------------------------------ ## Description == ============================== 1 Welcome to the GFiles! 2 Rules of this board 3 How to win this week's jackpot 4 Have you killed a lamer recently? 5 You should! Enter Item#, Scan, Quit, ?=Menu General Files> _ ------------------------------------------ - In order to read a text, you simply have to press the number at the left of the desired text. very simple, is it not? - after having read the text, the menu will NOT be printed, you will have to press either <S> or <L> to have the List of text files. - if you desire, you can DOWNLOAD a text by entering the usual DOWNLOAD command: Type: D 1,2,5 to doanload text 1, 2, AND 5 - if you want to get back to the MAIN MENU, wimply press <Q>. - you can also logoff from here by pressing either <O> or <O!>. * PFiles Type: P from the MAIN menu The PFiles are called Program Files. On other BBS they are known as DOORS. These files can be anything, ranging from simple text files to complex C Programs, or any DOS commands. There is currently many such PFiles available written in AREXX, such as Global War and many other games. The PFiles section operates EXACTLY as the GFiles section. Same display, same commands. * News Type: N from the MAIN menu The news system in C-NET is very interesting. it lets people with proper clearance write texts in this area. The special things in the NEWS area, is when a user log in, they are showed all new NEWS text since their last call. This can be used to keep users informed of news on the system, addition to the board, the death of yet another lamer or any other interesting news. Here again the NEWS section operates EXACTLY as the GFiles and the PFiles sections. SAME display, SAME commands. * List Type: L from the MAIN menu List is a special section exclusively for the storage of other BBS' number. User can directly add their number to the base. When you enter you have this display: ------------------------------------------ CNet AMIGA BBSList 2.0 There are 43 systems listed. BBSList> _ ------------------------------------------ the numbers are numerically ordered. you can view them for a specific area, or from a specific area. - to list ALL numbers from the base press <L>. you will be asked from which area code to start listing. Either press <RETURN> to start from the top of the list, or enter the first desired area code. - you can also DOWNLOAD the whole BBS List, Simply press <D>. - you can have the whole bbs list packed into a file which you can MARK for future download, for this enter an asterisk <*>. - To add your number to the list, press <A>, and follow the on-screen prompts. * Vote Type: V from the MAIN menu The C-NET vote system. This section is very easy to use. Here is the basic display: ------------------------------------------ Current Topics (*=You need to vote): 1:Do you prefer CNet or AmiExpress 2:Do you have sex Voting (Topic#, L:ist, Q:uit)> _ ------------------------------------------ so, to use this system is rather easy. Press the number of the topic on which you want to vote. you will be prompted with the choices like this: ------------------------------------------ Topic #1 Do you prefer CNet or AmiExpress (contributed by The Joker on Thu 27-Aug-1992 12:52a) Which BBS program do you prefer? #:Possible answers 1:CNet Amiga 2:AmiExpress Your choice (1-6): _ ------------------------------------------ Simply enter the desired vote. You can then move to the next vote by pressing it's number. you can get back the list of topics on which to vote by pressing <L>. * Join Type: J from the MAIN menu This is the CONFERENCE system of CNet. This conference system allows multi line BBS can have their users chat together all at the same time. Simply type <J> from the main menu, and VOILA! you are in to chat with other users! here are some usefull commands in the conference system: - /Q go back to main menu - /WH to know who else is using the BBS - /L to list the available ROOMS - /R x go to the room #x rooms are special chat-area with predefined users/topics. you can move between those rooms, and chat with different people, and under different topics. * UserListing Type: UL from the MAIN menu If you want to have a list of all users on the board, you can use the UserList function. here is how it works: ------------------------------------------ Main> UL Alphabetically by handles [No]? _ List handles only [No]? _ ------------------------------------------ if you want to have the users in alphabetical order, answer yes to the first question. if you wish to have handles AND userinfo, answer No to the second question ------------------------------------------ Enter the beginning Account Number. : ------------------------------------------ here you can enter a number from which the list will start. Each user are assigned with a unique account number, this is the number you must enter if you wish to have a selective list. ------------------------------------------ Search patterns: 1. RealName: <INACTIVE> 2. Voice# : <INACTIVE> 3. Handle : <INACTIVE> 4. Computer: <INACTIVE> 5. Country : <INACTIVE> 6. Access : <INACTIVE> # or ENTER=begin? ------------------------------------------ here are the UserList Search Patterns. Press the number of the parameters you wish to search for. you can select none or all of them if you want. once you are done, press return at the prompt to begin listing users which match your patterns. Some other everyday commands * Credit Balance Type: CR from any prompt here is the display you will get: ------------------------------------------ Messages entered: 12 private; 8 public Files Bytes ------------- --------- ----------- Your Uploads : 12 1232 K Your Downloads: 24 1655 K Default ratios: 3:1 3:1 Your credits : 12 2041 K Usable today : 12 2041 K ------------------------------------------ ok, here are the meanings of the numbers. YOUR UPLOADS, reflect the number of FILES and the number of KILOBYTES you uploaded. YOUR DOWNLOADS are the number of FILES and the number of KILOBYTES you downloaded. DEFAULT RATIOS is the ratio you currently have. FILES: 3:1. this means that for each file you upload, you you can download 3. Simply put, you get 3 times the number of files you upload. BYTES: 3:1 this means the number of kilobytess you receive for each kilobytes you send. here again, it's 3 times the number of kilobytes you send. YOUR CREDITS is the total number of FILES and the number of KILOBYTES you can download from the BBS. USABLED TODAY if the number of FILES and the number of KILOBYTES you can download TODAY. the rest can be downloaded at another day. Remember that there is MANY MANY more commands avaiable with c-net. While this text if only a tutorial for non-expert, and for people that only wosh to be acquinted with c-net, i will not go into further details. 4) The Typical LOGON. -------------------------------------- CONNECT 19200/HST/HST/V42BIS Press RETURN to enter System: CNet AMIGA 2.25a (c)1990-92 Perspective Software 313-981-1524 [BBS] Terminal A=ANSI, C=CBM, I=IBM, S=Sky, [NONE]: _ { do i need to explain this line? it's for selecting the GRAPHICS you want } ANSI enabled! { we selected ANSI graphics } Enter NEW if you have no account. Enter your handle. : . { if you have NO account on a CNet board, you must enter NEW at the prompt and answers question for your account. } { please note that the following logon is for the 2.25+ version of CNet } Enter NEW if you have no account. Enter your handle. : The Joker . Enter your password : ........ Verified. { ok, you are recognised! } NOTE: you are allowed only 4 more calls today. { calls left for this day } @ Cleared for logon The Last caller was: Lamer Killer No new news. { if any NEWS text were posted, they would be displayed, else this line is shown } No new mail. { if you dont have any new mail } You have new mail--read now [No]? _ { if you have new messages waiting } You have 1 new; 1 old messages. Scan messages now [Yes]? Yes 1 Sun 21-Aug-1992 1:22a Sysop Money * 2 Sun 30-Aug-1992 3:51a Sysop Validation Quit, Scan, New, Old [All]> _ { note the * at the left of the message numbers. it shows the NEW messages. at this prompt you can Quit reading messages, Scan messages, read only NEW messages, and the default ALWAYS in [] is to Read ALL messages. } item: 1 (of 2) subj: Money from: Sysop (1, sysop name, 555-555-1234, Super User) on : Sat 29-Aug-1992 7:18P Hi there. you must give me $500 to have access to the PD section. else, i send to cops to your house. Sincerely yours, The Sysop { ok, you surely guessed it right, that was the Message!! } Again, Reply, Kill, [Pass]> _ { from this prompt you can: Again=Read the message again, Reply=Reply to this message by sending an answer to the user as a PRIVATE message, Kill=erase the message without answering, [Pass]=go to the next message without answering the current message. you have more choice avaiable at this prompt like entering the # of the message you want to read, <D> to download the attached FILE to this message (if any), <Q> quit mail reading, <?> for a menu of available commands. } { so,let say you decided to reply to this message. } Again, Reply, Kill, [Pass]> Reply Is Sysop correct [Yes]? _ { if you simply press RETURN, it will take the default choice which is YES } Enter a subject for your message. : Hello Sysop! { ok, the next questions might not be present, depending on your access level } # of days before auto-expiration: { if you enter, let say 10, after 10 days, if unread, your message will be deleted. } Mark this item as file-mail [No]? { if the subject entered is the PATH + FILENAME of a file to attach to this message } Return a receipt if no reply [No]? { some user have a bad habit of reading your message without replying. with this RECEIPT, you will get a message back saying if the user answered your message, if he deleted it, or if he kept it for replying later. } Return original message also [No]? { with the receipt, you may want to have the message you sent too. this may be usefull, since you may not remember what your message was. } Urgent mail (show at logon) [No]? { having URGENT MAIL allows you to have users read the mail just after he has logged on the bbs. usefull for URGENT messages that cannot wait until the Message Reading usual time } CNet AMIGA TextMachine 2.0: Enter up to 250 lines--enter .H at column 1 for Help, or .S to Save. Only press ENTER when beginning a new paragraph. _ { here you are in the great CNet text editor. you simply type your message, and when you are done, press return, THEN press <.S> to save your message. you can view the resulting message the same way the receiver will see it by typing return and pressing <.M>, or sumply view your text by typing return then pressing <.R>. } Dear Sysop, i am making you a BLANK check. So take whatever money you need from me. i like givin away my money for shitty PD software. Thanks, The Joker { here, you press <.S> at column #1 } .S { + Return } Mail files. { that's it, your message was saved, and we get back to this prompt: } Again, Reply, Kill, [Pass]> Q {ok, we typed Q to quit message READING. } Quit, Scan, New, Old, [All]> _ { so here you can go back to scanning files, reading messages, ect. but we'll just Quit } Quit, Scan, New, Old, [All]> Quit Kill all messages [No]? _ { if you read all your messages, but not deleted them, you can use this option to delete ALL of them. } 1 Subboard(s) report new uploads since your last call. Quick-browse these new files now [Yes]? { with the BROWSING action you can move though files, selecting files for later downloading. } Quick-browse these new files now [Yes]? Yes New uploads located: 2 1 31-Aug 4 hschk456 LHA 86K High Speed Check Ver 4.56 2 30-Aug 4 hschk425 LHA 112K High Speed Check Ver 4.25 (2) Browse (*, Download, Read, Quit)> { the number in the () is thenumber of new files. The * lets you SELECT the files as follow: } (2) Browse (*, Download, Read, Quit)> *1,2 hschk456,lha now selected! hschk425,lha now selected! { which select files 1 and 2 for later downloading. use SS and DS to scan your selected files or download them. } { when you are done, press RETURN to see the new files in the next database (if any) or press <Q> to exit new file browsing } { that was for the FILES section, you also get a report of the MESSAGES SECTION. } 1 Subboard(s) report new activity since you last visited them. Scan#-# Read#-# Browse#-# Yank New-cancel#-# [?=menu] _ { here you have a choice to read and browse through new messages on the system: Browse : to list new items with option to read them or download them New : Cancel the 'new' status of subboard. as if you read all messages Read : Read the new items Scan : scan the new items Yank : Pack message for offline reading (optionnal use of LHA for packing) the #-# after the command means you can supply a range like: } Scan#-# Read#-# Browse#-# Yank New-cancel#-# [?=menu] S1-10 { which will scan the files from 1 up to 10. here again, when you are done reading, or packing messages, you can type RETURN to go to the next area with new messages, or type <Q> to quit new message reading } At this point you find yourself into the MAIN MENU of c-net. We'll do a simple access. we will go into the database, scan the new files, download files, and upload some, then logoff. this will complete our logon. Main> _ { here, we go into the Upload/Download Area } Main> U { there might be a custom menu, so we'll skip to the important part } 1. Amiga PD 2. IBM PD Please select a subboard (l=list) List, Quit, subboard#, ?=menu Upload base> 1 { we'll go into the AMIGA PD base. } *Subboard (1) AMIGA PD Last visit was Mon 31-Aug-1992 1:57a : 10 files : no responses Used: 91% of 663M Free: 55M Browse, Scan, Read, Download, Upload, Quit, ?=Menu (1) Amiga PD> S 1- { we'll scan files from #1 up to the last one } 1 30-Aug 0 tsl-dyna LHA 10K Trainer for Captain Dynamo +8 and fix 2 29-Aug 2 pod EXE 78K P.O.D. The Classical Game f.t. C64 ! 3 29-Aug 2 nms_dyna DMS 309K CAPTAIN DYNAMO - FINAL BY NEMESIS 4 29-Aug 1 f&s-ppp DMS 355K Punkt Punkt Punkt (GER) 5 29-Aug 1 starcon LHA1163K Starcon. A game like Archon 6 6 29-Aug 2 virz323 RUN 105K Virus Z 3.23 7 29-Aug 1 quick27b DMS 329K Quickbyte 8 29-Aug 1 tn_prmtr LHA 9K Premiere Trainer 9 29-Aug 0 tnprefix LHA 4K Premiere Fix..3RD Disk 10 29-Aug 3 d-space DMS 149K space taxi { WHAT? PD files ?!?! Sure... Really COOL PD board! } Browse, Scan, Read, Download, Upload, Quit, ?=Menu (1) Amiga PD> D 10,6 { i'll take these 2 PD files. they sure are cool! } d-space.DMS now selected! virz323.RUN now selected! { i REALLY want to see this COOL file! } 1. d-space.dms 152576 { this is the list of file you'll download } 2. virz323.run 107520 Bytes: 254K Time: 5:18 Enter the # of the itrem to deselect or press ENTER to accept : { if you want to REMOVE an item from the list, enter it's number at the prompt above, or press RETURN } Use your default protocol Zmodem [Yes]? _ { Press RETURN at that one to select ZModem, or press NO to select another protocol } Ready to transfer with Zmodem. Logoff upon completion, Abort, [RETURN to start XFER]: { you can type <L> if you wish to logoff right after you finished Downloading. You can abort your downloading by pressing <A>, or RETURN to start the transfer. } Go to receive files, ^X aborts **B000000000000000 Transfer successfull. Browse, Scan, Read, Download, Upload, Quit, ?=Menu (1) Amiga PD> { ok, so you got those files. WOW! good PD (sure) software for nothing! } { let's upload! } Browse, Scan, Read, Download, Upload, Quit, ?=Menu (1) Amiga PD> U Use your default protocol Zmodem [Yes]? _ { Press RETURN at that one to select ZModem, or press NO to select another protocol } { you may of may not see the following querries depending onthe subboard settings done by the sysop } Private item [No]? _ { if your upload is to remain PRIVATE (lime private mail) } Press RETURN for a BATCH upload in ZModem { this line WILL vary } Title for item # 1: { simply press return instead of the title. this description stuff is for users which upload stuff and select the auto logoff} Logoff upon completion, Abort, [RETURN to start XFER]: { you can type <L> if you wish to logoff right after you finished Downloading. You can abort your downloading by pressing <A>, or RETURN to start the transfer. } Transfer successful! Please describe LOAD.lha Please enter a short description for this file : this is the load routine for the PD game called Shadow of the beast 3 Enter an OPTIONAL long description [No]? No { now, you entered a description which had 1 line (short) and you CAN enter a LONG description (like a message) for this file. but we did not. } Browse, Scan, Read, Download, Upload, Quit, ?=Menu (1) Amiga PD> Q Main> O { Logoff from the bbs } Want to logoff [Yes]? Yes Want to leave a Feedback [No]? No end.