unction [H=Keyword-oriented help The "H" command, executed from the main menu, which is what you are doing right now, is the 0/17/81 'V' updated, SELL added 10/06/81 "MODEM",QUIT 09/30/81 add "M" to summary flagging help 09/16/81 CLUB 08/13 change DOWNLOADING to DOWNLOAD 07/25 AND+OR+CBBS+DOWNLOADING 07/20 INPUT synonym for "E" 07/19 re-describe "V" and ^H vs DEL 07/18/81 # 07/16/81 FIND, SCAN, ^X IN "CTL CHRS" 07/15/81 NEXT, MAIL, NEW 07/14/81 "H" AND "HELP" and +/- to RETRIEVE 07/13/81 FLAG 07/12/81 FUNCTIONS, NEWS, SHORT, LONG, FILES, SEARCH 05/28/81 new HARDWARE documented ] [COMMANDS=Help with CBBS commands When CBBS prompts: Function: A,B,C,D,E,G,H,K,N,P,Q,R,S,T,V,W,X,# (OR ? IF NOT KNOWN) If you type a question mark, you will see a list of the supported commands. Use the "H" (keyword help) command which you are now looking at, for details about any specific command. ] [LINEFEEDS=CBBS always sends linefeeds If your terminal is double-spacing everything you see from CBBS, you might have some kind of "auto linefeed" switch set on on your terminal. Also some very early versions of TRS-80 software didn't handle linefeeds properly, causing "double spacing" when talking to a system sending standard CR/LF lines. ] [SELL=How to sell something via CBBS; Do we sell CBBS? We welcome "for sale" messages on CBBS, for items related to computer hobbying, ham radio, and electronic experimenting. * Simply use "E" to enter the message * Put "for sale" as well as W-H-A-T you are selling, IN the subject, so that the "Q" and "S" summary commands show WHAT is for sale, ex: "apple modem for sale" or "2716's for sale". --- CBBS software is for sale. See messages 9, 10, and 11. ] [CLUB=Club news on CBBS [CLUBS= Local computer club news is on CBBS, starting at message 20. ] [CBBS=What is CBBS [OVERVIEW=Overview of CBBS [DOWNLOAD=Why no download on CBBS [MODEM=No modem transfer on CBBS Keywords "CBBS", "OVERVIEW", "DOWNLOAD", and "MODEM": The keyword MODEM could be answered as "We're running a PMMI". But if you meant "modem file transfer" here's the explanation for the keyword "download": CBBS, the Computerized Bulletin Board System, was conceived in January, 1978, by Ward Christensen and Randy Suess, for communicating messages between computer hobbyists (HAMS, electronics experimenters, etc). Due to the large volume of users and messages, it will remain dedicated to its original "mission". Such things as program downloading, while very interesting in their own right, severly limit the number of callers CBBS can serve on its single phone line. There are many other systems which fulfill this need. Many people suggest ADDING a phone line, but while that is easy, CBBS is written as a single user system, running under a single user operating system, so the software changes would be "enormous". ..Maybe someday.] [SHORT=Shorten CBBS output by suppressing some characters [LONG=Un-do what what was done by SHORT command: The SHORT command causes certain duplicate characters to not be sent. The characters are: space, and !"#$%&'()*+,-./ (Ascii 20-2F hex). This saves time on long distance calls, and generally, makes CBBS usage more efficient, and only a little bit less readable. To un-do the SHORT command, type SHORT a second time. ] [NEXT=What will the next message number be [#=What does the # command do # tells you next caller #, next msg #, and # of active msgs. ] [NEW=How does new user get help (or "what's new"?) Type HELP from the main menu, rather than just "H". To find out "what's new" use the "NEWS" command. ] [MAIL=Sorry, there are no "mailboxes" on CBBS. Some people ask if there are, but sorry, not at this time. ] [FUNCTIONS=Misc. details about CBBS functions R: When you retrieve a msg, you must know its number. S: (and Q) can search message summaries for keywords. The most simple form is: S;1,xxxx where xxxx is any chars. G: The Good-bye function allows you to leave comments. X: Works at any time. For example, if you are in message entry, and need more details, type X then return. ] [HELP="New user" help function [H=Keyword-oriented help The "H" command, executed from the main menu, which is what you are doing right now, is the main way CBBS gives you assistance in its functions. Randy suggested, however, that new users don't necessarily "find" the "H" command, and type "HELP" even though we don't say that is available. So, in 7/81, "HELP" was added. It checks for the more commonly asked problems on CBBS. Feel free to try either of them - you can easily abort them. ] [CTL CHRS=Help with system control characters. To correct keying mistakes, you use: DEL/RUBOUT for character delete on non-video terminals, Control-H (or backspace) for char delete on a video terminal Control-R to reshow a corrected line Control-U to delete a line Control-W to video-backspace a word Control-X to video-backspace a line To control CBBS while it types to you, you use: Ascii, or control characters: C, K, N, and S C or control-C cancels what is being sent. Output resumes at the next information typed, or the next question. Use it when you know what the system is going to say/ask, or otherwise don't want to see more of what is being typed. K or control-K kills the current function. It returns you to the function select menu. It may be typed alone as the first character on a line in input mode. If allowed, it will echo as: ^K and you must press return to have it take effect. If you get a ^K when you don't want it, cancel it with a control-U. K or control-K while in message entry returns you to the message entry menu. CAUTION: Older CBBS's returned you to the main menu no matter where you were. Each N or Control-N adds 5 to the number of nulls CBBS sends. S or control-S suspends output until some other character is typed. Use this if you have a video display, and want a see something before it scrolls off the top of the screen. ] [NEWS=The CBBS NEWS function NEWS asks if you want (H)eadlines, or (D)etails. NEWS will contain the latest changes on CBBS usage tips, hints, etc. The latest news will always be first. Typing K will kill the NEWS function, and return you to the main menu. ] [C=Case change command (upper/lower). [CASE=changing CBBS between Upper-only, and upper-lower case. The C command changes CBBS between upper-case-only mode, and upper-lower mode. CBBS also senses your case when you reply to the "Y/N is this your first time...". If you reply with a lower case "y" or "n", CBBS will flip from the default upper-case-only mode, into lower-upper mode. If you enter "Y" or "N", (i.e. upper case) CBBS stays in upper case mode. If you (E)nter a message, CBBS will ask if you can handle lower case (because messages in lower case look nicer). This will only be asked once. ] [ENTER=Help with entering a message into system. [MESSAGE=How to enter one (see "R" for how to retrieve) [E=Message entry function [ENTER=enter a message [INPUT=How to input a message to CBBS The E (Enter) function is used to enter messages into the system. A message is any information to be conveyed to 1 or more people. You may leave messages for a specific person or group, or "ALL". It consists of up to 16 lines, each line up to 60 characters. You may assign a password to be able to erase your own messages. Using the Enter function, you key in your message just as if you were simply typing it at a typewriter. The system will put line numbers at the front of each line (like a BASIC program). After the message has been keyed in, you can edit it, list it, save it, or abort. See help keyword "ESUB" for the enter function subcommands. You can also base your message on a previous one, getting that msg, and editing it. See ESUB. ] [ESUB=Edit function subcommands. Once you have keyed in your message (or part of it) here are the subcommands of (E)nter you may use: (A)bort: discards your message, returns to main fhen a comma). Example: s;1,cp/m You can specify fields, such as "F=WARD" which means "From Ward", etc. For full detaowing lines are moved back to fill up the space. (E)dit a line: allows a character-string-substitution type edit to be performed on a particular line. (Example: /moem/modem/ to correct a misspelled word. (G)et previous msg: allows you to fill the edit buffer with the contents of a previous message, then edit it. Particularly useful for updating "for sale" msgs, deleting items sold, changing prices, etc. (H)elp types a help file allowing you to get details on any of the subcommands (I)nsert a line: You will be asked for a line number, then to key in a new line, which will be inserted BEFORE the specified line #. (L)ist allows listing from a starting line #. The entire message from that line is listed, unless you press K or control-K to skip back to the Enter subcommand menu. (R)etype allows entirely retyping any line, use it when (E)dit would be too tedious. (S)ave saves your message on disk, and returns to the main function menu. ] [LEAVE=see "E" to leave a msg, "G" to leave the system E means to enter a message. G means to say "good bye". ] [PASSWORD=Help with protecting messages with password. When you enter your message, you will be asked if you want to password protect it. If you say no, then anyone can kill it later (but presumably only the person you sent it to will). If you say yes, then you can either 1. enter a 4 character password 2. press return to have the system protect the message. In case 1, you, anyone knowing your password, or the system operators, will be able to kill your message. In case 2, only the system operators can kill it. ] [KILL=Help on killing (Erasing) messages. [K=Kill function [DELETE=Help on deleting a message (The K function) [ERASE=Help on killing (Erasing) messages. (Use K function) To kill (erase) a message from you to to you, you use the "K" function. You'll be prompted for the message number. If the message is found and is killable, it's summary will be typed for verification that you entered the correct number. If it was saved with a password, you'll be asked for it. ] [SUMMARY=Help with system summary function. [S=Summary command [Q=Quick summary command [QUICK=Help with system summary functions. The (S)ummary function prints 2 lines for each message in the system, from a given starting message number. Use ctl-K to abort the summary listing. The Summary prints: Message number Number of lines in message Date Created From To Subject The (Q)uick summary function prints only msg # and subject. You will be asked for the starting message number, (you need not enter leading zeros). Alternatively, you may enter a number of the form -n, where n is number representing 'the last n messages'. For example q;-15 would start the scan from the 15th most recent message. (or, you could type Q, then press return, and when asked for the starting message #, reply with -15). ";" is used to separate "anticipated" answers. See help keyword "SEARCH" for info on searching messages. See help keyword "FLAG" for flagging msgs for retrieval while the Q or S summary is running. ] [SEARCH=Help with searching summaries for content. [FIND=Find message with certain contents or from or to. [SCAN=Scan messages for content The "S" (summary) and "Q" (quick summary) commands allow you to search the summary for specific keywords. When asked for the starting message number, type ? to get help on how to search. Most simply, to search, enter the starting message number (usually 1), a comma, then a keyword to search for. Use as short a keyword as possible which will still be unique. Being too specific might miss some messages. Use help keyword "BOOLEAN" for info on using "and", "or", and "not" as well as field specifications, while searching. ] [BOOLEAN=Doing "and", "or" and "not" while searching. [AND=using "and" to search messages [OR=using "or" to search messages The S and Q commands allow a search string, after you type the starting message number (then a comma). Example: s;1,cp/m You can specify fields, such as "F=WARD" which means "From Ward", etc. For full details, use the S command, but when asked for a starting message number, type a question mark: ? ] [RETRIEVE=Help with retrieving messages. [R=The retrieve function. The retrieve ("R") function is used to retrieve a message from the system. You must know the message number, which you can find using the S (summary) or Q (quick summary) function. You will stay in "retrieve mode" until you press return to go back to the function menu. NOTE: When asked for a message number: + means the "next 10" messages - means the "last 10". Using "-" before you do any other message summary or retrieve, will cause CBBS to start retrieving backwards from the latest message. See keyword "FLAG" for info on flagging summaries for later retrieval. ] [FLAG=Flag msgs for retrieval while summary types [F=Press "F" during summary to flag for retrieval [M=Press "M" during Q/S summary to flag ones you missed While the "Q" (quick) or "S" (Summary) is typing, you can ask that a message be flagged for automatic retrieval. Just press your "F" key, during the N-E-X-T summary. (That gives you time enough to see the complete summary of the message you might want to flag). To flag the last summary, press F while CBBS types the line "------END OF SUMMARY------" NOTE: At 450 or 600 baud, or with the "Q"uick summary, you might not have enough time to decide to flag a msg. In that case, pressing "M" (or Return, which is actually control-M), will have CBBS ask for the msg #. You may type a single number, or multiple numbers, separated by ";". ] [QUIT=Want to "quit" out of CBBS? [GOODBYE=How to sign-off the system. [G=The GOODBYE function. [BYE=Leaving CBBS. [COMMENTS=Leaving comments about CBBS without entering a msg. Typing G when asked for the function, will get you off the system. You will give you a chance to leave comments about the system, just by keying lines in. (no editing, etc). ] [NULLS=Help with system sending nulls. [N=The Nulls function. Certain terminals require nulls to be sent to them following a carriage return/line feed, for instance the T.I. Silent 700 series. The 'N' function is used to set the number of nulls, to any value from 0 to 255. However, if you need nulls, you would want to get them from the beginning. While the system is typing, pressing N will cause the system to send 5 nulls after each linefeed. Each time CBBS sees you type an "N", it adds 5 to the number of nulls being sent. Use the "N" command to set exactly what you need (experiment with it). ] [BULLETIN=Help with retrieving Bulletin and Welcome messages. [B=Bulletin reprint function. [WELCOME=Help with retrieving Bulletin and Welcome messages. [W=Welcome reprint function. When you first got onto the system, the system typed a "Welcome" message. It included some useful information such as a brief summary of the control characters accepted by this system. Then, if there were any bulletins, they printed. If you missed either (used "C" or control-C) or just want to see them again, function 'W' will retype the welcome message, and function 'B' will retype the bulletin. ] [DUPLEX=Help with system character echoing features. [D=The Duplex (Echo) function. [ECHO=Help with system character echoing features. [DOUBLE=Is your terminal typing every character twice? The D (for Duplex) function switches the system between Full Duplex (which echoes what you type) and Half Duplex (which doesn't echo what you type) mode. Some teletypes and other devices print immediately when you press a key, so you don't want the system to echo characters back to you. Use the D function to switch to or from this mode. ] [BELL=Help with system Prompt (bell on/off) function. [PROMPT=Help with system Prompt (bell on/off) function. [Pr when entering the message. A special password is used to prevent some messages from being erased. MESSAGE.Xnn There are racter. The P function may be used to stop the sending of the bell prompt. Using P flip/flops this function (bell on, bell off, etc). ] [EXPERT=Help with eXpert users mode. [X=The expert mode function The X function puts you into expert user mode. It shortens all prompts, and deletes some lines such as the headers in the summary print. Use it to save time after you have become familiar with the system. As of CBBS 3.5, "X" works at any time - if a prompt is too "cryptic" because of being in expert mode, just type X then press return. The longer prompt will then be given. ] [USE=Help with using system efficiently. 1) Minimize connect time: only 1 phone into system. 2) Press "C" to cancel typing if you know what is being typed or don't want to see more. 3) Use message summary retrieval to see what messages you want to see. For example, use s;-50 to see the last 50 summaries. 4) If you plan on leaving a message, have it well thought out to minimize the 'compose' time while you are on the system. 5) Once you learn the questions being asked, answer multiple questions in advance by separating your answers with a semicolon (for example: s;1 or r;23;24;25). ] [ALTER=Using the A function to alter the baud rate [BAUD=Help with altering system baud rate. [SPEED=Help with altering system baud rate. [A=The Alter baud rate function. You may now change the system baud rate. To do this, type 'A' then carriage return. The system will ask for a speed. Enter the baud you wish to operate at (62 to 710) then carriage return. The system will tell you to change your own terminal's baud rate then type any character. The system will then respond at the new speed. ] [TIME=Description of system Time function. [T=The Time function. Typing 'T' will return the current date, time and total elapsed time that you have been on the system. This information is also written to the system Log file. ] [VIDEO=Help with video backspace function. [BACKSPACE=Help with video backspace function. [V=Video backspace mode function. If you are on a video terminal which can backspace, use your backspace key to correct a character. (Backspace is ctl-H) (If you want video backspaces echoed to you, but you want to press a key other than ^H, use the "V" command to select an additional backspace character, such as "\" or DEL/Rubout. If you are on a non-backspacing terminal, use DEL (sometimes labeled RUBOUT), or "_" (underscore or back-arrow) to delete a character. On video terminals, you can also use ^W for word delete, and ^X for line delete. You can even ^C out of them (!!) (i.e. as it is backing up, ^C to stop it), if you realize you have gone too far. ] [TAB=Use of control-I (TAB) characters. When entering messages, you may now utilize the control-I or tab key. This will allow you to format your messages without adding too much space to our files. The tab key spaces over to the next tab field which is 8 characters wide. ] [HARDWARE=What hardware makes up the system. CBBS/Chicago is running in a 40K Vector mainframe, with 8080 CPU, PMMI modem (since 09/26/79), local keyboard with video display, 3 8" Shugart floppy drives, Tarbell single density floppy controller, Scitronics clock board, and some custom circuitry to handle drive power-up, etc. ] [FILES=Some information about CBBS file usage >> This item has 80+ lines. Press K to kill typing << CBBS is a 16K 8080 machine language program running under CP/M. It is entirely self-contained. CBBS uses many files on disk. They are: CBBS.COM The CP/M command file: the machine language CBBS program. NEXT Contains the next caller #, msg #, and # of active messages. If there is a ">> FLASH <<" it also comes from this file. SUMMARY This is a file with the 2-line summary for each message. The format of the file is: ^Gnnnnn,ll,mm/dd/yy,who from,who to, subject,password where nnnnn is the message #, ll the # of lines. The password is the one the user asked for when entering the message. A special password is used to prevent some messages from being erased. MESSAGE.Xnn There are from 1 to 50 message files. Small CBBS systems might have as few as 1 (or more practically, say, 10). A "full blown" CBBS has 50 message files. NOTE: Typically, CBBS.COM, NEXT, SUMMARY, and all MESSAGES are on one disk. The following files are typically on another disk: BULLETIN Contains exactly what you see when you log on, or use "B" ENTINTRO The file typed when you go into "E" message entry, and want some help ENTRHELP The help file which is interpreted when you use the "H" sub-command of message entry. FIRSTIME When you say "Y" to "Y/N is this your first time..." this is the help file which is interpreted FUNCTION Contains a list of supported functions. HELP Contains a list of keywords, and their explanations. The "H" or "HELP" command accesses it. NEWS A file of most-recent-at-the-top news items. Each has a 1-line headline. The NEWS command accesses it. SCANHELP When you use "S" or "Q", and ask for help on searching messages, this is the help file which is used. WELCOME Contains the welcome message typed when you log on, or ask for the "W" command. LOG Contains a log of the date, time, caller number, baud rate, name, and elapsed time, for each call. Also contains notes about attempts to kill protected messages, and comments (entered at the "G" command). KILLED Contains the entirety of every message killed. Allows us to review messages which were entered, seen, and killed without our having seen it. Also allows the "RESTORE" command to easily restore any erroneously killed message. ---- NOTE: HELP files such as ENTRHELP or SCANHELP have a special format: A line starting with a special character is interpreted as a question. It is typed. If the answer is "Y", then the information in the following lines up to the next special character, are typed. If "N" is answered, the lines up to the next special character are skipped. The HELP file is similar, except that the special character lines have the format (special char)KEYWORD=description, and there may be synonyms for each, such as: >SUMMARY=Help with system summary function. >S=Summary command >QUICK=Help with system summary functions. >Q=Quick summary command blah blah this is the details about Q and S blah blah ---- We hope you found this interesting and informative. ] [SOFTWARE=What software drives CBBS. CBBS is a 16K 8080 machine language program written by Ward Christensen, and running under the popular 8080/Z-80 CP/M operating system. In source form, CBBS is a 7800+ line 8080 assembler program. The ideas for CBBS came from Ward, Randy, and Y-O-U, through your comments. ---- CBBS is a trademark of Randy Suess and Ward Christensen. Z-80 is a trademark of Zilog, Inc. CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research. ] [OPERATORS=Who runs this CBBS. Ward Christensen and Randy Suess jointly designed and maintain CBBS. ] [WHY=Why does CBBS exist. CBBS exists because we thought it would be an interesting way to share ideas with other hobbyists. We paid for and maintain it ourselves. Thanks to Lloyd Smith for a memory board donation, and making things available at a low cost, and to Les Freed for a good buy on our drives. ]