RRRRRR OOOOO SSSSS 33333 33333 RR RR OOO OOO SS SS 33 33 33 33 RR RR OO OO SS 33 33 RR RR OO OO SS 33 33 RRRRRR OO OO SSSSS 333 333 RRRR OO OO SS 33 33 RR RR OO OO SS 33 33 RR RR OOO OOO SS SS 33 33 33 33 RR RR OOOOO SSSSS 33333 ** 33333 U S E R ' S G U I D E User's Guide for Remote Operating System (ROS) Version 3.3 August 25, 1985 Albuquerque RCP/M (505)299-5974 Steve Fox - Sysop ROS.PAS and the associated support files (including this documentation file) are Copyright (c) 1985 by Steven Fox. Non-commercial, public distribution and use of this system is permitted. All commercial rights are reserved. Distribution of ROS should include this documentation. SYSTEM PROMPTS System prompts consist of several components: Time remaining Current system Current area (for message and file systems) Library name (while a library is active) For example, 32-F:NEWIN> indicates that you have 32 minutes remaining on the system, are currently in the files system, and logged into the NEWIN area. Should you enter a library, your prompt might look something like the following: 13-F:NEWIN [VECTOR.LBR] > ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 3 KEY ENTRIES Unlike most other RBBS programs, ROS accepts single letter commands without the need for a carriage return (CR). For example "T" instead of "TYPE". The system will echo the full command. Upper and lower case are accepted. The user may ask for help by typing "?" at any prompt. The commands available for that particular area and their meanings will be displayed. All commands are executed when the single keystroke displayed on the menus in angle brackets ("<>") is entered. Usually, a second prompt will be displayed which will indicate what further information is required to complete the operation. During most system display operations, the system will respond to Xon/Xoff control, i.e. when ^S (Xoff) is entered, the display will pause until another key is pressed. Usually this will be ^Q (Xon), but any key except ^C (ETX) or ^S will continue the listing. ^C will stop the listing completely. ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 4 COMMAND SYSTEMS Almost 40 commands are available to users of ROS to enter and read messages, display directories, transfer files, and control the system configuration. These commands are grouped into three command systems as follows: System Primary Use Message system Enter and read messages to/from other users Files system Transfer files Utilities system Miscellaneous functions Several commands are available from more than one system. These commands are described below: oodbye (logoff) This command is available in all systems. It is used to terminate the remote session. You will be given the opportunity to enter any comments or questions to the sysop. When this is done, the system will disconnect. iles System This command activates the Files system. It is available from the utility and files system prompts. tilities System This command activates the Utilities system. It is available from the Files and Message system prompts. essage System This command activates the Message system. It is available from the Files and Utilities system prompts. ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 5 MESSAGE SYSTEM The following sample menu lists the commands available in the message system. Subsequent paragraphs describe each command in more detail. ROS - Message System Menu ======= Functions ======= ==== Bulletins ===== ==== Other Menus ===== hange message area <1> Turbo User Group ile Transfer System uick-scan messages <2> ROS tilities System can messages <3> ROS version 3.3 ead messages nter a message ill a message ther systems list nformation about this system oodbye (logoff) hange message area ROS supports multiple message areas, i.e. messages are filed in groups by topic. This effectively shortens the message file for any particular user and makes finding a particular message easier. After typing "C", enter the name of the desired message area or enter "?" and to get a menu of the message areas available. If the entry cannot be found, a short version of the menu will be displayed and the system will once again prompt for the message area. If an entry is not made before typing , the system will remain in the current area. uick-scan messages After typing "Q", the system will prompt for the starting message number. If the message number cannot be found, the system will start with next sequential message unless the requested number is outside the range displayed in brackets. In that case, the system will start the scan with the next message after the highest message read the last time you logged in. For example, if you call on Saturday and the highest message you read was 1842, when you call in on Tuesday and enter a in reponse to the "Start" prompt, the system will start the display with the next available message after 1842. The message number and topic of messages from the starting number until the last message will then be displayed. If the message is addressed to you privately, a "*" will be displayed. If the message is public, a ":" will be displayed between the number and the topic. ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 6 can messages This command is similar to quick-scan. In addition to the number and topic, the sender and receiver will be displayed. ead messages After entering "R", this command will prompt for the starting message number in a manner identical to quick-scan and scan. In addition to all the information displayed in scan, this command also displays the text of the message. If you are the author of the message or the receiver of a privately addressed message, the system will ask if you want to delete it. Respond with either "Y" to delete the message or with "N" to retain the message on the system. If the message is not the last message, the system will ask if you want to read the next sequential message on file. Respond "Y" to continue with the reading, or with "N" to terminate the command. nter message Until you are validated, this command will automatically enter all messages to the sysop. Use this command to send a message to another user, the sysop, or to all users (like posting a message on a bulletin board). If you enter only a in response to the "FIRST name" prompt, the message will go to all users. If you send a private message, the system will verify the recipient name. If the system cannot find the addressee, you will be informed and given the opportunity to try again. To send a message to the sysop, enter "SYSOP" as the first name. The prompt for the last name will not appear. During message entry, the following commands are available (this menu can be displayed by typing "?" at a command prompt): == Message Entry Commands == ============== Editing controls ============== ist current message Backspace Delete previous character dit a selected line RUB (DEL) Delete previous character ontinue message entry TAB Space to next multiple of 5 column ave message to disk RETURN Complete line entry uit message entry CTRL-X Delete line to left of cursor DOES NOT SAVE CTRL-A Move cursor to beginning of line CTRL-S Move cursor one character left CTRL-D Move cursor one character right CTRL-F Move cursor to end of line For speed, the edit line is not visibly updated until requested by CTRL-F. ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 7 ill a message This command is used to erase an existing message. After entering "K", enter the message number to erase in response to the "Message" prompt. If the message exists and you were the author or the individual recipient, the message will be erased. Otherwise the system will respond with a "not found" message. ther systems list This is a list of the public Bulletin Board Systems (BBS's) in the local area. nformation about this system This is a short description of this system. This information was displayed the first time you logged in. ulletin and <1> ... <9> System and general interest bulletins. The system automatically displays the system bulletin each time you log in. ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 8 FILES SYSTEM The following sample menu lists the commands available in the files system. Subsequent paragraphs describe each command in more detail. ROS - File Transfer System Menu ==================== Functions ===================== === Other Menus === hange file area ilesize display essage System ibrary entry/exit ewin list tilities System irectory of files eceive file using Xmodem protocol (you --> ROS) end file using Xmodem protocol (ROS --> you) ype ASCII or squeezed file (Xon/Xoff supported) oodbye (logoff) hange file area When you first log in, you will be placed in the "LOGIN" files section. To access other files sections in the system, use this command. After typing "C", enter the name of the desired file section or enter "?" to get a menu of the file sections available. If the entry cannot be found, a short version of the menu will be displayed and the system will once again prompt for the section name. If an entry is not made before typing , the system will remain in the current section. If you are in a library (see next description) when this command is entered, the library will be closed before the system prompts for the new section. ibrary entry/exit Libraries are a very useful tool to group related files. For example, a single library might contain source code, object or executable code, and documentation for a particular system. Such a library is actually a single file which contains a "directory" followed by the other files. The "directory" is used to separate the files. In order to simplify library usage on this system, the "L" command may be used to "enter" a library. When this is done, the system will prompt for the library name and then attempt to open the library for use. If successful, all subsequent Files system commands will relate to the files within the library. If not, an appropriate error message will be issued. If you are already in a library, entering "L" will cause the system to close the library. ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 9 irectory of files This command alphabetically displays the directory of files. If you are in a library, only those files in the library will be displayed, otherwise, the section directory will be displayed. The file size will also be displayed in the current mode (see next description). ilesize display Initially, the file sizes in the directory display will be shown in "k" (1024 bytes). The system can also display file sizes in minutes and seconds of transfer time (based on the current modem speed). Each time this command is entered, the system will alternate between these two methods. ewin list This command displays, from the newest to the oldest, recently uploaded files to the system. Files listed here are available in the NEWIN files area. ype ASCII or squeezed file (Xon/Xoff supported) This command may be used to display the contents of text files even if the file has been squeezed to save space and file transfer time. Xon/Xoff may be used as described in the Key Entries section to pause the display. end file using Xmodem protocol (ROS --> you) The Xmodem protocol is an essentially error free file transfer method that allows two computers to "discuss" each block of characters that are sent to ensure accurate transfer. Most terminal emulator packages have the capability of using this protocol. Use this command to send a file from this system to yours. After entering "S", enter the file name to transfer. If the system can find the file, it will display the transfer time and then the message "Ready to send..." Your emulator package should then be set to receive the file using either checksum or CRC (preferred). When the file transfer is complete, the system will return to the Files system prompt. eceive file using Xmodem protocol (you --> ROS) This command operates in a fashion similar to end, but is used to transfer files from your system to this. This system will try to receive using both CRC and checksum. Files will be received in a private "UPLOAD" area for later release, if appropriate. ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 10 After the file transfer has completed successfully, ROS will ask for a short description of the file. This description will be shown by the ewin command after the sysop reviews the file. Uploads are always welcome. ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 11 UTILITIES SYSTEM The following sample menu lists the commands available in the utilities system. Subsequent paragraphs describe each command in more detail. ROS - Utility System Menu ================== Functions ================== ==== Other Menus ===== ser list tatistics ile Transfer System ime and date hat with Sysop essage System lter case, nulls, password, help level, prompt bell oodbye (logoff) ser list Alphabetically list all the validated users on the system. This command may be used to check the spelling of a user to whom you wish to send a message. ime and date This command will display the current time and date, the amount of time spent on the system today, and the amount of time remaining today. tatistics This command displays a bar chart of the percent of system usage by hour. From the information on this chart, you can plan your calls for times when the system is less busy. hat with Sysop During certain hours, the sysop may be available chat. When this command is entered, the system will try to summon the sysop (if during the chat period). If the sysop is available, you will be notified and a two way converation may begin. If the sysop is not available or if the current time is outside the hours to chat, you will be given the opportunity to leave a message. lter case, nulls, password, help level, prompt bell This command allows you to set several parameters as listed in the following menu. Subsequent paragraphs describe each command. ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 12 Alter User Parameter Menu ell after prompt elp level set (0-3)

assword change ulls sent after C/R hift lock ell after prompt This command turns on and off the bell (or beep) used to indicate that the system is ready for your input. elp level set (0-3) At help levels 1-3, the system will remind you in each prompt that help is available by typing "?". This message is supressed at help level 0.

assword change When this command is executed, the system will ask for your current password. If this is entered correctly, you will be asked for a new password in a fashion similar to when you first logged into the system. ulls sent after C/R When you first logged in, you set the number of nulls you needed and whether or not your system could display lower case. If your system changes or you want to change these two values for any other reason, use this command. Nulls may be sent after a carriage return to allow time for your machine to catch up before any printable characters are sent. Normally this value is set to "0" for CRT (display) terminals, and from 0-9 (try 2) for hardcopy printing terminals. hift lock Some terminals do not know what to do with lower case letters. If you respond "Y", lower case will be sent normally. If you answer "N", lower case letters will be converted to upper case before being sent to your system. ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 13 SITUATIONS AND EXAMPLES The following describes some of the situations commonly encountered during a session with ROS: After the usual name and password verification, you will be logged into the "POST" message area. At that time you will be notified of any pending personal mail sent to you. Messages you sent which have not been deleted will also be displayed. To change the message area, type "C". Entering "?" at this time will display the names and descriptions of the various message areas. If ROS cannot find the area you request, it will display a brief list of the message areas. It is important to note that while private messages can be retrieved from any message area, putlic messages can only be read while in the area in which they are filed. Entering a message is straight forward with prompts for the first and last name of the recipient. An empty first name will result in a public message addressed to ALL. In this case, ROS will not ask for the last name. If the first name is SYSOP, ROS will also not ask for a last name. Should you choose to read again the bulletins posted by the SysOp which were displayed at logon type "B" at the prompt. Similarly the other bulletins can be read by entering the appropriate number called for by the menu. The utility system provides several useful commands for system operation and configuration. For example, you probably noticed that after you had called the system once, you were not asked again the number of nulls required nor whether your terminal could display lower and upper case. This is because this information is stored by the system along with your name and password. However, if you change to another terminal or computer you may want to change these parameters: just type "A" and you will be prompted. Password change may also be done with this option. The statistics command will show you in a graphic form the busy hours of the system so you can plan your calls. Typing "U" now will take you into the utility system where you can try these commands. After experimenting with the utility commands, enter an "F" to enter the files system. On first entry, you will be logged into the LOGIN files area. ROS will display the directory of this area and a count of the number of successful file transfers you have performed. Once you are in the files system, ROS will interpret an "F" as a command to toggle the filesize display. Try this command a ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 14 couple of times followed by "D" to get a directory listing. If you type "N", you will get a list of the new uploads along with a description of the files. To get access to these new uploads, type "C" (for change) and enter "NEWIN". Unvalidated users do not normally have access to the NEWIN section. The files system change command works like the message system change command in that a "?" will produce a detailed list of the available sections and an invalid name will give a brief list. Users familiar with LUX will recognize the similarity of the "L" command. After entering "L", the system will ask for the library name which may be entered with or without the ".LBR" extension. While in the library all of the file system commands are still operative. Typing "L" a second time will close the library. You may terminate the session at any time by typing a "G" from any system prompt. ROS will ask if you have any comments or questions for the sysop. Following this, the system will disconnect. ROS v3.3 User's Guide page 15