Computer Castle BBS User's Guide Revision 5b Released March 16, 1996 Copyright 1996, Computer Castle BBS Written by Benjamin Scott ============================================================================== Table of Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Introduction ................................................... 1.0 Common Terms ................................................. 1.1 Other Abbreviations .......................................... 1.2 Smileys ...................................................... 1.3 Computer Castle ................................................ 2.0 Phone Lines .................................................. 2.1 Access/Registration .......................................... 2.2 Adult Access ................................................. 2.2.1 The Meetings ................................................. 2.3 User support line ............................................ 2.4 Important Menus ................................................ 3.0 The Global Menu .............................................. 3.1 The News and Information Menu ................................ 3.2 The Main Menu ................................................ 3.3 The Setup Menu ............................................... 3.4 The File System ................................................ 4.0 How it works ................................................. 4.1 Transfer Protocols ........................................... 4.2 Starting a Download ........................................ 4.2.1 Uploading Files ............................................ 4.2.2 Compression Programs ......................................... 4.3 The Common Utility Menu .................................... 4.3.1 The File Menu ................................................ 4.4 Using the CD-ROM Areas ....................................... 4.5 The File Distribution Networks ............................... 4.6 The Message System ............................................. 5.0 Types of Mail ................................................ 5.1 Local Message Areas .......................................... 5.1.1 EchoMail Notes ............................................... 5.2 Moderators ................................................. 5.2.1 Rules and violations ....................................... 5.2.2 Off-topic messages ......................................... 5.2.3 Flames ..................................................... 5.2.4 The Message Menu ............................................. 5.3 Reading Messages ............................................. 5.4 The Read Options prompt .................................... 5.4.1 The Message prompt ......................................... 5.4.2 The Combined Message Menu .................................... 5.5 Entering Messages ............................................ 5.6 Replying to Messages ....................................... 5.6.1 The Line-by-Line Editor .................................... 5.6.2 The Full-Screen Editor ..................................... 5.6.3 The Chat System ................................................ 6.0 The Rapping Menu ............................................. 6.1 The Chat Room ................................................ 6.2 Viewing Users Online ....................................... 6.2.1 The Individual Chats ....................................... 6.2.2 Chatting ................................................... 6.2.3 The Chat Menu ............................................ 6.2.3.1 Chat Macros .............................................. 6.2.3.2 Online Games ................................................... 7.0 Other Menus .................................................... 8.0 The E-Mail Menu .............................................. 8.1 Classified Ads ............................................... 8.2 BBS Registration ............................................. 8.3 The Adult Menus .............................................. 8.4 Without Adult Access ....................................... 8.4.1 With Adult Access .......................................... 8.4.2 The Goodbye Menu ............................................. 8.5 Note to the Next Caller ...................................... 8.6 The Credit Menu .............................................. 8.7 Offline Mail ................................................... 9.0 The Two Parts ................................................ 9.1 The Mail Door .............................................. 9.1.1 The Offline Reader ......................................... 9.1.2 The Two Formats .............................................. 9.2 The Offline Mail Menu ........................................ 9.3 Private FidoNet Mail ........................................... 10.0 FidoNet NetMail .............................................. 10.1 FidoNet Addressing ......................................... 10.1.1 Finding an Address ......................................... 10.1.2 Internet E-Mail ................................................ 11.0 Internet Addressing .......................................... 11.1 The Internet Mail Menu ....................................... 11.2 Sending Internet E-Mail ...................................... 11.3 Internet Address Book ........................................ 11.4 ============================================================================== Main Text ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Section 1.0 -- Introduction This document is intended to explain how to use Computer Castle BBS (located in Newton, NH). It is divided into sections, with each section having a number. The format is major.minor.sub-division. A complete list of sections can be found about in the Table of Contents. As you may expect, the sections at the beginning are more general, while the sections near the end are specific and in-depth. This manual can either be read through from front-to-back, or uses as a reference. This document is in ASCII form (plain text), formatted at 78 characters per line, with no page breaks. It can be viewed on nearly any computer. The name of the file is CASTLE.DOC, and the latest version is available from Computer Castle BBS. Printed versions of this manual are also available. Post a Message to the SysOps (press (T) from the E-Mail or Message menus) for more information. Section 1.1 -- Common Terms This section defines some of the common terms you will see online with Computer Castle. Terminal/Term/Comm program: This is the program you start to use your modem. It handles the display of text from a BBS such as Computer Castle on your screen. It also serves other functions, such as supporting File Transfer Protocols. It is recommended that you read the documentation for your terminal program in addition to this document. FidoNet: An amateur BBS network, formed to exchange public and private messages. It also transfers files between BBSes. For more information, see the section on The Message System. Shareware: A way of marketing software similar to a try-before-you-by approach. Most software available for download on Computer Castle is shareware. Note that shareware is not free. After a trial period (usually about 30 days), you are required to stop using the software or pay for it. Freeware or Public Domain: Free to all, no charge for it. Archive/Compression Program: A program which will take a file or a set of files and compress (archive) them together. The resulting file is called an archive. Archives you may see online are ZIP, ARJ, ARC, and others. For more information, see the section on Compression Programs. Protocol: A means of communication between computers. Usually refers to a File Transfer Protocol. A Transfer Protocol lets you send and receive files (also called uploading and downloading). There are several transfer protocols available on Castle, but they may not all be supported by your terminal program. See the section on Transfer Protocols for more information. GIF Picture: Short for Graphics Interchange Format, and pronounced jif (like the peanut butter). This is a special file which contains a picture (often called a Graphic File). You need a special program to view a GIF, called a viewer. The latest version of some GIF viewers are available from the "Common Utilities: File Viewers" menu. ASCII: Stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. Pronounced like "ask-ee." This is the standard format for text sent over a modem. Nearly every computer supports some form of ASCII. ASCII also refers to the display mode of some BBS and comm programs. ASCII is the base display mode, offering only black and white text. ANSI: American National Standards Institute. When referred to in the BBS world, it refers to the protocol used to display colored text on BBSes, as well as control the cursor's position (animation). ANSI is supported by most comm programs. ANSI "graphics" makes a BBS easier to understand, and are required for some things such as the Chat Room, the Full-Screen Editor, and many games. Avatar: Another type of display protocol, it is slightly faster and offers a few more features between the BBS and your comm program. Not all term programs have Avatar, and those that do usually require you to switch it into Avatar display mode, so be careful before selecting this option. Note that if your term program is in Avatar mode, it supports ANSI "graphics" as well. Section 1.2 -- Other Abbreviations You may see some of the following abbreviations online, in the Chat Room, or in Messages. There are many other variations, and other acronyms for specific subject matter (you will see those in the specific Message Areas): AAMOF -- As A Matter Of Fact BRB -- Be Right Back (used in the Chat Room) BTW -- By The Way CU & CUL -- See You & See You Later (used mainly in the Chat Room) FWIW -- For What It's Worth FYI -- For Your Information IC -- I See IMHO -- In My Humble Opinion IMNSHO -- In My Not So Humble Opinion IOW -- In Other Words IWIST -- I Wish I'd Said That LOL -- Laughing Out Loud OIC -- Oh I See OTOH -- On The Other Hand POV -- Point Of View ROTFL -- Rolling On The Floor Laughing RTM -- Read The Manual RTFM -- Read The Friendly Manual TTBOMK -- To The Best Of My Knowledge TTFB -- Ta Ta For Now TTYL -- Talk To You Later Section 1.3 -- Smiley Faces There is no way of entering your body language, tone of voice, or facial expressions on line. Therefore, you will often see these symbols in Messages and in Chat to convey feelings. They are called Smileys. To see them, just turn your head to the side. :) :-) :-D B-) 8-) ;-) :-o :^) :-> For a sad face, flip the parenthesis :-( Also, and are grin and big grin, respectively. Section 2.0 -- Computer Castle Computer Castle is a BBS physically located in Newton, New Hampshire. Started in 1986 as a one line bulletin board, it has grown to 18 lines and well over two thousand users. It currently has over 1000 message areas, over 1000 file areas, and a Planet Connect satellite data feed. Computer Castle has over 12 gigabytes in data storage, including CD-ROMs and message areas. We offer Internet E-Mail and Usenet Newsgroups. It is the largest BBS in the local area, and is local to many cities and towns. Section 2.1 -- Phone Lines Computer Castle has 18 incoming phone lines. In addition, there are several forwarding lines. These lines forward calls from other towns to Castle's direct local lines, greatly increasing Castle's calling area. Note that if the line you call is busy, it will "roll down" to the next available line. Therefore, if you call line *18* (when it is local to you), you will always get a line if one is available. ==> Direct Local Lines (Newton/Plaistow Exchange) <== (1) 382-3249 (6) 382-1105 (11) 382-2437 (16) 382-0338 (2) 382-3471 (7) 382-1076 (12) 382-2150 (17) 382-0565 (3) 382-7032 (8) 382-1070 (13) 382-2137 *18* 382-0567 (4) 382-6938 (9) 382-1043 (14) 382-1307 (5) 382-1262 (10) 382-0993 (15) 382-0472 Also, line 31 has been opened to callers. It is not part of the "hunt group" however, you will have to dial it directly, and it may not "roll down" to other lines. The number is 603-382-0946. It also has a Haverhill forwarding number, 508-374-3065. ==> Call Forwarding Lines <== Due to problems with call forwarding, you should NOT call the phone number that is in your town, unless you live in Newton, NH. We ask that you the run the Phone Number Look-Up program to get the correct phone number to call. From the Main Menu, press (N) for the Information Menu, and then press (P) for Phone Number Look-up. You will be prompted for phone number information, and then given the number to call. If you are outside our local calling area, you will be given some information about long distance services and calling plans. If you need a Forwarding Number to call in order to run the Phone Number Look-Up program, the list follows. Again, we ask that you use this list only to call and find the correct number in Phone Number Look-Up. Thank you. 603-642-5914 NH - Kingston 603-679-1932 NH - Epping 603-778-4662 NH - Exeter 603-436-1475 NH - Portsmouth 603-659-4643 NH - Newmarket 603-463-7909 NH - Deerfield 603-743-0942 NH - Dover 603-394-0215 NH - S. Hampton 603-964-4760 NH - Rye Beach 603-437-5928 NH - Derry 508-374-6897 MA - Haverhill 603-895-2393 NH - Raymond 508-374-3065 MA - Haverhill 603-362-4997 NH - Atkinson 508-688-8411 MA - N. Andover Section 2.2 -- Access/Registration Due to the high cost of running a large, multi-line board like Computer Castle, and only a finite number of incoming lines, your time on-line is limited. You can increase your daily time limit by donating money to Computer Castle. Donating members get increased on-line time, no upload/download ratio, better daily download limits, and access to more features (such as the on-line games). In addition, they support Computer Castle and help keep it running. To see the current list of donation rates, press (B) from the Main Menu (for BBS Registration). Section 2.2.1 -- Adult Access Computer Castle offers file and message areas of mature or adult natures. To access these areas, you must complete the adult access form, and mail it in. This form is available for download from the Adult Access Menu (press (A) from the Main Menu). Once you fill out the form, you will have access to the Adult Files, the Adult Messages, and the Adult Games. You must be 21 or older to obtain Adult Access. Section 2.3 -- The Meetings Computer Castle has meetings every month. These meetings serve several purposes. The main purpose is to get to know other users and the SysOps face to face. Help with the BBS is also available at the meetings. Adult access and registration forms are taken as well. These are fun, informal gatherings. Information on the meetings is posted on the board. You will see it on the logon screens (before you reach the Main Menu). Section 2.4 -- User support line Computer Castle BBS has a voice phone technical support line. If you have problems with the BBS, forget your password, or otherwise need to contact a live representaive of Computer Castle, this is the way to do it. The number is 603-692-7073. It is a live voice line, not a modem. It is not manned 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The best time to call is 3 PM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday. You may get an automatic answering machine if no one is available to take your call. If you want, you can leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible. Just leave the name you use to login to the BBS (so we can look-up your account), a phone number and good times for us to call back. Section 3.0 -- Important Menus This section explains some of the important menus on Computer Castle. A menu is simply a list of options or commands available to you. The words "Option," "Command," and "Function" are used interchangeably to mean a choice on a menu. When a letter is set off in brackets or parenthesis like (K) or [K], it represents a key on your keyboard which corresponds to a command or option. Due to the large number of features on Computer Castle, there are many menus. They organized by topics, making it easier to find commands. Many menus have sub-menus relating to their own topic. The menu system starts as soon as the logon screens are done, when you reach the Main Menu. Each option or command on the menu has a corresponding hot-key. It will be set off with parenthesis, like this: (H)ot-key. The [H] key is the hot-key for that command. If you have a color screen, it will usually be highlighted in a different color as well. Pressing the hot-key of a command invokes that command. Many prompts have a default you can select by pressing (Return). If a certain option is highlighted or set off in some way, that is usually the default. In other cases, such as with the More Prompt, the default is the first option. Sometimes a command can be aborted if you press (Return) without entering anything at the prompt. For example, if you are presented with the Area Change prompt, pressing (Return) alone aborts the change and leaves you in the current area. Section 3.1 -- The Global Menu You will notice that a section of the menu at the bottom of every menu is repeated. This is the Global Menu, so called because it is available globally through-out the BBS. The display for the Global Menu can be turned off, see the Setup Menu for more information (commands in the Global Menu are still available, even when not displayed). The following are the Global Commands: (+) Main Menu. Brings you directly to the Main Menu. Press this key if you are lost somewhere in the menu system and do not know where to go. (-) Previous Menu. Returns you to the Previous Menu. For example, if you were on the File Menu and pressed (C) for Common Utilities, you could then press (-) to return to the File Menu. (!) Goodbye. Takes you to the Goodbye Menu, allowing you to logoff the BBS. (%) Instant Logoff. This logs you off Computer Castle without any questions or screens. (&) Setup. This brings you to the Setup Menu. See the section on the Setup Menu for more information. (.) Your time Stats. This displays the current date and time, your daily time limit, and how much time you have used and remains for the day. (#) Takes you to the Credit Menu, which is explained in it's own section under "Other Menus." (/) Who is Online. This displays a list of all users who are currently online with Computer Castle BBS. It displays there name, line they are on, baud rate, location, and Status. Their status is what they are currently doing. If they are in a "door" or online game, the name of that door will be displayed as their status. (') Page a User. This commands displays the Who is Online list, and prompts for a line number. Enter a line number or press (Return) to abort. Once you have selected a line, you are prompted to type in a message to the user on that line. When you are done, select save and the message will be sent. You can page anyone who is online, but they will not receive their message until their status reads either "Browsing" or "Chat Room." For information on how to use the message editor, see the section on The Line-by-Line editor. Section 3.2 -- The News And Information Menu This menu is available by pressing (N) from the Main Menu. This menu contains options which provide current information about Computer Castle. Due to the changing nature of this information, additional options may be added or removed as circumstances warrant. The following are the "regularly available" commands: (D) Download CASTLE.DOC. This options downloads the most recent revision of this manual to your computer. You may wish to see the section on Transfer Protocols (in the File System section) for more information about downloading files. (B) BBS Rules. Lists the rules of Computer Castle. This is required reading for all users. Use of Computer Castle BBS signifies agreement to the rules and policies of Computer Castle BBS. (P) Phone Number Finder. This is a special program that, when run, will ask you for your phone number and then tell you which number you should be dialing. This is important, because not dialing the correct line can cause problems. We ask all users to run this program and make sure that they are dialing the correct phone number to call Computer Castle. (C) Castle Meeting Info. This will give you the location, date and time of all planned user meetings. The user meetings are fun, informal get-togethers where you can meet other users in person, have your questions answered, and have a good time. Forms and donations are also taken. (U) Usage of this line. Provides a Bar Graph which shows the percent activity the line you are currently on receives. (V) Version Information. This lists some information about the software the BBS is using (RemoteAccess). Includes things like copyright dates, version numbers, and registration information. (M) Message to Next Caller. Brings you to a sub-menu which lets you post a universal message which will be seen by everyone at logon. Much like posting a notice at your local library or town hall. You may have noticed the Note to the Next Caller screen when you logged in. Section 3.3 -- The Main Menu This menu is the central menu of Computer Castle. It is the first menu you see when you finish the logon screens. The other major menus and several commands are available on this menu. Most of the sub-menus have their own section later on in this document. If not specifically mentioned, see the section entitled Other Menus. The options on the Main Menu are: (A) Adult Menu. If you do not yet have Adult Access, this menu will give you information on how to sign up for it. If you already have Adult Access, this will offer quick access to the Adult Games, Files, and Message Areas. (B) BBS Registration. Brings you to a sub-menu which has options pertaining to BBS Registration and Donation. Includes instructions on the TABS 900 number donation service. See the section "Other Menus" for more information. (C) Home and business. Brings you to a sub-menu containing classified ads, business cards, and other business/advertisement services. (E) E-Mail. Brings you to a sub-menu which deals with sending and reading Local E-Mail. Local E-Mail is similar to the regular US Postal Service in that you can send and receive private mail between specific people. (F) Files. Brings you to the File Menu. This menu offers options for listing files available, as well as sending and receiving files. For more information, see the section titled The File System. (G) Goodbye. Brings you to a sub-menu which lets you logoff the BBS. You should not just "hang-up" on the BBS. Select the Logoff option from the Goodbye menu first. See the section "Other Menus" for more information. (I) Internet Mail. Brings you to the Internet Mail Menu. See the section titled Internet E-Mail for more information on this menu. (N) Information Menu. Brings you to the News and Information menu. See the corresponding section later on in this document. (L) List Users. Lists all the people who are users of Computer Castle BBS. Includes their name, location, and last call. Useful to see if someone you know is a member of this BBS. When you select this option, you are offered the choice of entering a search string, or name to look for in the user-list. Press (RETURN) alone at this prompt to list all users. (M) Message Menu. Brings you to the Message Menu. This menu offers options for reading and entering messages, and other message related function. See the section on The Message System for more information. (O) Online Games. Brings you to a menu which offers types of games. Computer Castle has over thirty on-line games available to donating users. See the section on Online Games for more information. (R) Rapping Room (CHAT). Brings you to the Rapping Menu, which lets you access the Chat System. The Chat System lets you talk to other users who are currently online in a full-screen environment. For more information, see the section on The Chat System. (S) Setup Change. This menu lets you change your BBS system setup. These are commands which let you change options relating how the BBS works for you. See the section on the Setup Menu for more information. (T) Today's Callers. This command lists the callers to Computer Castle BBS for today. It lists calls for all lines, not just the line you are currently on. Section 3.4 -- The Setup Menu The Setup menu offers commands which changes how the BBS functions for you. They effect only your setup on the BBS's end, not your computer. Most of options will list their current setting next to them. The options available on this menu are: (A) ANSI/ASCII toggle. This command toggles ANSI Graphics on and off. When off, menus will be in black and white, with no color. Many full-screen features, such as the full-screen editor and the Chat Room, also need ANSI. (1) Avatar toggle. This command toggles Avatar extensions on and off. Avatar is slightly faster then ANSI, and offers a few extra features that the BBS software will use. However, your terminal or comm program must support Avatar to use this command (not all do). (C) Screen Clearing. This command toggles the Screen Clear before each menu. This is mainly for users without ANSI who can still use Screen Clearing codes. Unless it causes a problem, it is best to leave this on. (For technical reference, the screen clearing code is ASCII 10). (P) Page Pausing. This command toggles the More Prompt on and off. The More Prompt (when activated) appears every screen-full of text, giving you time to read it. When off, long text scrolls with out pausing. At the basic More Prompt, you press (Y) for "Yes", show me more, (N) for "No", stop the display, and the equals key (=) for a non-stop, continuous display. Note: You can also press (P) to Pause most display scrolls, and (S) to Stop them. Press any key to resume a paused scroll. (L) Length of Screen. This command will prompt you for the length, in lines, of your screen. This is used to control the More Prompt and full-screen programs such as Chat. Keep in mind that many terminal programs display one or two status or menu bars at the top/bottom of the screen, and this will subtract from your over-all screen length. Write down your password someplace safe! If you lose it, you will not be able to gain access to the BBS, and it can take several days to for the System Operators to contact you if you forget it. On the other hand, do not give your password to anyone else, or use the same password on more then one BBS. (H) Hot-keys. This options toggles the "Instant Activation" of the menu hot-keys on and off. When on, all you have to do is press the hot-key of a menu command and it will that command will be selected. When hot-keys are OFF, you must press enter at each prompt after entering the hot-key. (Q) Do Not Disturb. This option turns your Do Not Disturb flag on and off. When ON, you will not receive pages from other users. When OFF, pages will be received. Also called Quiet Mode. (E) Full-Screen Editor. This command toggles between the Full-Screen Editor and the Line-by-Line editor. The Line-by-line editor works on any type of terminal, but limits editing. The Full-screen editor works like a conventional word processor, but requires ANSI or Avatar graphics. For more information on using these editors, see their corresponding sections in this document. (V) Full-Screen Viewer. This option toggles between the Full-Screen Message Viewer and the Regular Message Viewer. The Full-Screen Viewer requires ANSI or Avatar graphics. The difference between the two, unlike the difference between the Editors, is mainly cosmetic. With Full-Screen Viewer, the header stays at the top of the screen, while with the Regular Message Viewer, it scrolls off the screen. (T) Transfer Protocol. This command changes your Default File Transfer Protocol. You will be presented with a menu of choices. For more information, see the section on Transfer Protocols. (F) Forward Mail. Allows you to forward any local messages addressed to you to a user you specify. For example, if you wanted to forward mail to a friend while you went on vacation, this would let you do it. Naturally, the person you chose must be a user on Computer Castle. To cancel forwarding, just select this option and it will be shut off. (D) Date Format. This presents you with a short menu which allows you to change your date format. The date can be displayed as MM-DD-YY, DD-MM-YY, or YY-MM-DD. (YY=Year, MM=Month, DD=Day). (X) Expert Menus. Pressing this options toggles the Display of the Menus on and off. When Expert Mode is on, the options for the individual menus will not be displayed. Use caution -- if you shut this off and forget what hot-key corresponds to what option, you will not be able to use it. (G) Global Menu. Pressing this key toggles the Global Menu on and off. Since the Global Commands are the same everywhere, many users know these commands by heart and wish to turn off the display of the menu. (Z) Password. This command changes the password you must enter at login. First you must enter your current password, to verify your status. Then you are prompted for a new password. As with the normal password, star's will be echoed instead of the password. After you enter your new password, you are prompted to re-enter it to make sure you typed it correctly. If and only if the two passwords match will the change take place. (2) View Personal Info. This command will list your name, handle, birth date and other related information. This lets you check this information for errors and other problems. If any of this information is out-of-date or needs to be changed, contact a SysOp. Handles, Names, Phone Numbers, Addresses, and other personal information must be changed by contacting a System Operator. Leave a Note to the SysOp from the E-Mail or Message Menus. Section 4.0 -- The File System Computer Castle BBS has an extensive online file section. The files are either public domain/freeware, or shareware (see the section on Common Terms for information about this). Files are contributed by users as well as imported into the system be the System Operators. Files are one of the key parts of a BBS. Section 4.1 -- How It Works Due to the large number of files online, the files are split into categories called File Areas. Each Area has a title and a number. The title is the "subject" of files in that area. File commands are performed on the files in the current area unless otherwise specified. In addition, there are File Groups. Each File Group also has a name and number. When you perform operations in "All Areas" or when you change your File Area, you are shown only those Areas within your current Group. To use a computer analogy, Groups could be seen as disks, while Areas could be seen as directories or folders. The difference is, File Areas can be "located" in more then one File Group. Each area has a File List. You can view this file list by pressing (F) from the File Menu. Each file in the list has an entry. Each entry has several fields. From left to right they are: The Tag Number, used for selecting files, the File Name, the File Size (in bytes), the date the file was uploaded, and a description of the file. If the file is new since your last call, there will be an asterisk (*) after the file date. If Page Pausing is active, you will be presented with a More Prompt every screen-full of files. In addition to the standard More Prompt options (Y, N, and =), there are the options (T)ag, (V)iew, and (E)dit. Tag lets you select files for downloading. After selecting Tag, you will be prompted for files. Enter the Tag Number(s) of the File(s) you want, seperated by spaces, and press (Return). These files will be placed in a queue for later downloading. The (V)iew option prompts for a single file. You can enter the name or the Tag Number. If the file is an Archive, the BBS will display the contents (the file list) of that archive. If the file is a .GIF, the BBS will display the resolution of the file. If the file is anything else, the BBS will display the contents of the file itself - useful for viewing ASCII text files. The (E)dit option allows you to edit the files in your download queue. You will be presented with a special list of all the files you have tagged. Each will have a new Tag Number. From this list, you have the choice of (D)eleteing individual files (enter the Tag Numbers at the prompt) or (C)learing the entire list and starting over. You can also press (Return) alone to return to the File List. Section 4.2 -- Transfer Protocols This is all very nice, but how do the files get to your computer? The answer is what is known as a File Transfer Protocol. These are special parts of your comm program which let you download (also called receive) files. You can also upload files to the BBS, if they are either public domain/freeware or shareware. There are several Transfer Protocols available. The best one to use is Zmodem. Zmodem offers many features, such as the ability to resume aborted transfers. It stands up to errors very well and is relatively fast. It will even start the File Transfer for you, so you don't have to hit keys in your comm program. If your comm program supports Zmodem (not all do), it is the protocol to use. The next best protocol is Ymodem. Use this if Zmodem is not available. Xmodem is the simplest protocol. Nearly all comm programs support Xmodem. Xmodem suffers from limits, however. You must enter the name of the file you are transferring before the download will start. It is also very slow. Use Xmodem only if it is the only Protocol supported by your term program. Section 4.2.1 -- Starting a Download When you hit (D)ownload from the file menu, you will be show a list similar to the Edit Tagged files list. You have one additional option, however: (A)dd. This lets you add a file from your current File Area to the download queue. You must know the name to use this, as the File List is not displayed. NOTE: If you hit (D)ownload and no files are in the queue, the BBS goes directly to the Add File prompt. At this list, press (Return) to start the transfer. You will be prompted if you want to download the File Descriptions. Answering (Y)es will add a special file to the download queue, named FILE_ID.0. This file contains the file name of each file in the queue, and it's description. It can be viewed after you disconnect from the BBS, in case you forget what a file is. After that prompt, you have one last prompt. Is offers these choices: (A)bort, which cancels the transfer and brings you back to the File Menu. (C)hange protocol lets you change the Default Transfer Protocol you have selected. (S)tart starts the download. You can also press (Return) to start the transfer. One you start the transfer, the BBS will display a short message telling you to start the Transfer Protocol. With most protocols, you have to tell your comm program to start the Transfer. If you don't know the key to start a transfer at your end, check your manual. If you wish to cancel the transfer at this time, press (Ctrl-X) repeatedly until the BBS tells you the transfer was aborted. Note that if you are downloading from any CD-ROM file area, there is a slight change in this procedure. See the section below on Using the CD-ROM Area for more information. Section 4.2.2 -- Uploading Files Uploading files (available from the File Menu) is a little different. You will be prompted for the type of file you are uploading. Following that, the BBS will simply ask for the protocol confirmation and then begin the transfer. Once the transfer is done, you will be prompted to enter descriptions of each file you uploaded. Section 4.3 -- Compression Programs The fact that many files are quite large, coupled with the need for several files in most distribution packages, has led to compression or archiving programs. These programs combines several files into one file, and usually compress the data (make it take up less disk space, and therefore transfer faster) as well. A group of compressed files is called an archive, and the program an archiver. There are several types of archive programs out there. The most common is PKZip/PKUnzip. Others are ARJ, PAK, and LHArc. There are more. The use of each archiver varies. Some have a program to decompress the files. For example, PKUNZIP decompresses a ZIP file. On the other hand, ARJ e decompresses an ARJ file. For details, see the documentation included with your individual archiver. Section 4.3.1 -- The Common Utilities Menu The Common Utilities Menu is available from the File Menu. Selecting this option brings you to a sub-menu which has three choices. Each of these choices will list related files available for download. The choices are: (C) Compression. Lists archiver/compression programs available. (F) File Viewers. Lists utilities which view graphics or text files. (V) Virus Protection. Lists utilities which protect against viruses. Section 4.4 -- The File Menu The File Menu is the menu where you do most of the functions relating to files. Note that at the top of the menu, your current File Group and File Area are displayed. The functions available on this menu are: (G) Group Change. This lists all the available File Groups and prompts you to enter a Group Number to change to. It then lists all available File Areas and prompts you for the Area Number to change to. To access all File Areas, select File Group #1, "All File Areas." (A) Area Change. This lists all the File Areas in your currently selected Group. It then prompts you for the Area Number to change to. It does not change your File Group. (F) File Listing. Lists the files in the current area, and offers options for tagging and viewing files. See the above section titled "How it Works" for a complete description of the File List. (E) Edit Tag List. Displays a list of the files you have tagged for download. From this list, you can (D)elete specific files from the Tag List, (C)lear the entire Tag List, or (A)dd files. If no files have been tagged, the (A)dd command is selected automatically. When you add files, wildcards are valid. The BBS searchs the entire file base when adding files, so there will be a delay after you enter the file name. (U) Upload Files. Brings you to the Upload Selection screen, where you select the area to upload files to. File upload is described in detail in an above section. (D) Download Files. Lists the files in your download queue and offers you choices on beginning the transfer. If there are no files in your download queue, you will be prompted for file name(s) from the current area. Download in also described in an above section. (K) Keyword Search. Searches for a keyword (also called a text string) in the file lists. It searches both the file name and the file description. You are given the option to search in just the (C)urrent File Area, all File Areas within the current (G)roup, or (A)ll File Areas on the BBS. (W) Wildcard Search. Searches for a DOS filespec. Wildcards are valid. The wildcards are * and ? and function exactly as they do with DOS DIR command. You are given the option to search in just the (C)urrent File Area, all File Areas within the current (G)roup, or (A)ll File Areas on the BBS. (N) Newfiles Search. This lets you search for files newer then a certain date. You are prompted if you wish to search in just the (C)urrent File Area, all File Areas within the current (G)roup, or (A)ll File Areas on the BBS. Once that selection is made, you are prompted if you want to scan for files newer then your last call. Select (Y)es and the BBS will search for files that were uploaded since you last called the system. Select (N) and you will be prompted for a date to use in the search. Files uploaded on or after that date will be shown. (M) Message Area. This options brings you directly to the Message Menu. (V) View Archives. Like the (V)iew command in the File List, this option lets you view the contents of an archive. You will be prompted for the full DOS name of the archive. This function words only on files in the current area. (T) Textfile View. This is also related to the (V)iew command in the File List. Select this option and you will be presented with a prompt for a file name. Enter the full DOS name of the file you wish to view, and it will be displayed. This function words only on files in the current area. (#) The pound-sign duplicates the option of the same key found in the global menu, namely, the Credit Menu. ([) and (]) function like arrow keys. They change your Current Area to the previous and next File Areas, respectively. The Area List is not displayed. Section 4.5 -- Using the CD-ROM Areas Computer Castle has several CD-ROMs on-line. These allow us to store large amounts of files cheaply. CD-ROM areas are set off from the regular areas in the fact that the Area Title has either a "CD" or a "NO" prefix. The NO stands for Night Owl and is followed by a number; Night Owl is a popular series of shareware CDs. You may notice that CD-ROM areas are not scanned for new files, this is because they are Read Only Memory and therefore do not have new files. For the most part, the CD-ROMs work normally. However, when you press (D) to Download (and you have tagged CD-ROM files), you will be shown a screen telling you to wait for the CD-ROM files to be copied. The CD-ROM will already be copying your files for you. As soon as the CD-ROM server is done, you will recieve a page telling you your files are ready to be downloaded. While you are waiting for that page, you have one of two choices. You can remain at the above mentioned "Please wait..." screen, or you you can do other things. If you chose to wait at the screen, then when you recieve the page telling you your files are ready, you can just press (Return) and start the transfer normally. Don't press (Return) until you get that page, however, or you may not recieve the files. If, on the other hand, you chose to do something else, then simply press the minus key (-) on the "Please wait..." screen and you will be returned to the File Menu. You can then do whatever you want. When you recieve the page telling you your files are ready, you can return to the File Menu and press (D) again. This time, you will be shown the Download List and you can start your transfer normally. Note that you can download files of both types at the same time -- it will not make a difference if you have both CD-ROMs and regular files tagged. Note also that there is no longer a special command to active the CD-ROM file copy. The old CD-ROM system was upgraded, eliminating the need for a seperate (R)etrieve CD-ROM files option. It is done automatically when you select the (D) to Download option. 4.6 Section -- The File Distribution Networks Computer Castle also receives many File Distribution Networks (FDNs). These are a special part of FidoNet which distributes files from central sites to BBSes across the world. These file areas are constantly being updated with new versions of software. Files in these areas generally come direct from the author(s). Section 5.0 -- The Message System Messages were the original reason for BBSes. The Message System on Computer Castle is extensive, with well over 1000 Message Areas. Like the File System, each Message Area is the topic of the Messages in that area. Also like the File System, the Message Areas are further grouped into Message Groups. It is important to realize that most of the Message Areas on Computer Castle are part of networks which transfer mail every night, often world-wide. Keep this in mind when entering messages. In each of the Message Areas there are many messages. Each message has a To Name (the name of the person the message is addressed to), a From Name (the name of the person who posted the message), and a Subject. When you enter a message, you will be usually be prompted for the name of person it is being sent to, and you will always be prompted for the Subject. Computer Castle is part of FidoNet, the world's largest amateur BBS network. Messages are transferred between BBSes, usually at night when the phone rates are cheaper. There are other message networks on Computer Castle as well, but FidoNet is by far the largest. Each BBS in FidoNet has an address. You will usually not have to worry about Computer Castle's address, but for your information it is 1:324/127. Section 5.1 -- Types of Mail There are three types of Messages: Local, NetMail, and EchoMail. Each Area is designated as one of these types. The first, Local, is not a part of any network. The messages in these areas stay on Computer Castle and are not transferred to any other BBS. The second type of Message, NetMail, is transferred through FidoNet. It is a method for sending private messages to a specific user on a specific BBS in FidoNet. For more information on NetMail, see the section on Private Network Mail. The third type of Message, EchoMail, is the by far the most common. Most of the message areas on Computer Castle are EchoMail areas. Note that Echomail areas are often called "Echos" or "Conferences" instead of Areas. Echomail is an open discussion on a topic. When you enter a message in an Echomail area, it will be seen by everyone who reads that Echo, even if you enter a specific person's name. Computer Castle BBS also offers you Internet E-Mail and UseNet Newsgroups. Internet E-Mail is handled from the Internet Mail Menu. See the section on Internet E-Mail for more information. For technical reasons, Internet E-Mail is read in the FidoNet "Netmail" area; however, Internet E-Mail is seperate from FidoNet Netmail. Internet Newsgroups (UseNet) are messages areas on the Internet very much like Echos on FidoNet. They function nearly identically. The only way yoy cen tell a Newsgroup from an Echo is the naming convention; Internet uses names like "comp.os.msdos". Section 5.1.1 -- Local Message Areas There are several special Local Message Areas on Computer Castle. The most common one is "Local: E-Mail" and is area #2. It can be accessed through the regular message menu, but it is easier to go directly to the E-Mail Menu from the Mail Menu. Local E-Mail messages are private messages to and from users on Computer Castle. They never leave Computer Castle BBS. Another common Local Message Area is the "Computer Castle User Support" area, area #3. This is message the "Post to the Sysop" commands post to. Your questions about the BBS are answered here. It is best to post to individual SysOps; posts to "All" may not be answered. This is a support area; please do not use it for common discussions. That is what the Local: E-Mail area is for. A thrid area is the "Computer Castle Local Public Chat", which is sort of an open forum on any topic. It is again a local area, messages do not leave the BBS. Virtually any topic is okay, so long as it is clean. The area is open to anyone. The area number is #221. There are other local areas. There is an area devoted to Online Games discussions, to support for the APCI Multi-Player Game System, for the Castle Doom Ladder, for Local Macintosh Users. More may be added at any time. They are all listed in Message Group #39, "Local Message Areas". Section 5.2 -- Echomail Notes There are several things to note about E-Mail. Besides the following, keep in mind that your messages will be "echoed" world-wide in many cases. Therefore, try to keep your messages on a general basis. Do not post about a local sporting event in an international echo, for example. Section 5.2.1 -- Moderators Most Echos have a moderator. The moderator is the "supervisor" of the echo. The moderator will post rules, monitor the conversation, and generally keep things on track. The moderators have the power to enforce their rules -- if necessary, they can request that you be banned from an echo. Therefore, follow any rules and instructions from the moderator. Section 5.2.2 -- Rules and violations The moderator of each echo will post the rules on a regular basis, usually at least twice a month. Look for these rules. It is recommended that you read the rules of an echo before posting in it, although this is not required. The first time you break a rule, you will usually be notified by the moderator. The second time, you will receive another warning, and the Computer Castle SysOps will also be notified. Frequent rule violations will get you banned from the echo. If you follow the rules you won't have a problem. Section 5.2.3 -- Off-topic messages The name of the echo area is usually the topic of the echo. An off-topic message is one that does not related to the subject of the echo. For example, if you were to post in the Zoom Modem echo about a problem with your hard drive, that would be an off-topic message. Some moderators are very particular about off-topic messages, so double check the echo you are posting in before you post. Off-topic messages are rule violations. Section 5.2.4 -- Flames A flame is basically a nasty message. Swearing, insulting, derogatory comments and nasty content all constitute a flame. If you receive a flame in an echo, ignore it. Rest assured the moderator is already handling it. If you receive a flame in a local area, notify the Computer Castle SysOps. If you yourself write a flame in an echo, you will nearly always be immediately banned from that echo. The SysOps may also chose to restrict you from the message section or the BBS altogether. Section 5.3 -- The Message Menu The message menu is where most of the message related commands are located. Like the file menu, your current Message Group and Message Area are displayed at the top of this menu. At the bottom of the menu, the number of messages in the current area is displayed, along with the total number of messages you have posted. The options on this menu are: (G) Group Change. This lists all the available Message Groups and prompts you to enter a Group Number to change to. It then lists all available Message Areas and prompts you for the Area Number to change to. To access all Areas, select Message Group #1, "All Message Areas." (A) Area Change. This lists all the Message Areas in your currently selected Group. It then prompts you for the Area Number to change to. It does not change your Message Group. Current Area. (R) Read Messages. This command begins the process of reading the messages in your current area. For more information, see the section on Reading Messages below. (P) Post Message. This command enters a message into the current area. You will be prompted for some information. For more information, see the section on Entering Messages below. (C) Check Mail. This command checks all of the Local and Netmail message areas for mail addressed to you. It does not check Echomail areas, as it takes a long time to search through over 800 message areas. This is very similar to the Local Mail Check done at logon. (F) File Areas. This command brings you to the File Menu. (M) Main Menu. This command beings you to the Main Menu (same as [+]). (N) New Messages. This command checks all of your "Combined Message Areas" for new messages. New messages include all messages you have not read, not just mail addressed to you. See also the section on the Combined Message Menu below. (Z) Combined Message Area. Brings you to the Combined Message Menu, which allows Combined Area reading. See the section on the Combined Reading Menu below for more information. (X) Faces File. This command lists a file containing abbreviations and smileys like those discussed in Sections 1.2 and 1.3. (T) Post to the SysOp. This command enters a message into the Computer Castle User Support Area. The "To Name" is automatically entered for you. This name will vary depending on who is handling SysOp messages at the time. You will be prompted for the subject. After that, it is just like entering a regular message. (V) View Messages. This command will display the Header portion (without the message text) of each message in the current area. You will be prompted if you want to mark messages for later reading. If you answer (Y)es, after each message you will be asked if you want to mark that message. Later, you can read all of your marked messages using the (R)ead command from the Message menu. If you chose (N) here, the headers will be displayed without any prompting between messages. Example of a message displayed with the (V)iew Messages command: Message #1 - 4DOS Echo Date: 06-16-94 00:20:00 From: Tony Pater To: Riku Tuominen Subject: Re: redirection (Q) Quick Scan Messages. This command lists the messages in your current area, showing the To Name, From Name, and Subject. It does not display the message text. Here is an example of some messages viewed with the (Q)uick Scan command (the right side has been trimmed to make it fit): # From To Subject ----- ------------------------ ----------------------- ------------ 1 Tony Pater Riku Tuominen Re: redirect 2 Christopher Dawson Joe Kron 4dos 3 Christopher Dawson Douglas Solomon Xcopy and Hy (B) Browse Messages. This command lists all of the message areas. An asterisk (*) is shown next to each area with unread messages in it. (S) Browse Nodelist. This command allows you to view the FidoNet nodelist. This is an advanced command, and is rarely needed. To use it, you type in a partial address and press (Return). The following format is used: ? Lists all the zones. 1:? Lists all the nets in zone 1. 1:324/? Lists all the nodes in zone 1, net 324. 1:324/127 Displays that node's entry. ([) and (]) function like arrow keys. They change your Current Area to the previous and next Message Areas, respectively. The Area List is not displayed. (I) Internet Mail. Brings you to the Internet Mail Menu. See the section titled Internet E-Mail for more information on this menu. (O) Offline Mail. This command brings you to the Offline Mail Menu. Offline mail is explained under the section Offline Mail. There are also some "Short-cut" options. These merely read or post to a specific area, saving you the trouble of doing an area change to use the message area. Otherwise, they function identical to the standard Read and Post commands. They are all on the Message menu, are are listed here: (1) Read Castle Chat. Starts reading in Message Area #221. (2) Post Castle Chat. Enters a new message in Area #221. (3) Read Local E-Mail. Starts reading in Message Area #2. (4) Post Local E-Mail. Enters a new message in Area #2. Section 5.4 -- Reading Messages There are two main functions to the Message System: (R)ead and (P)ost. Read, obviously, is the process of reading messages. Posting is the process of entering a message into the system, usually for all to see. Reading is discussed in this subsection, and posting in the next. There are two readers, as already discussed in a later section: Normal and full-screen. There is little difference. In the full-screen reader, the header stays fixed at the top of the screen, and the message text scrolls by below it. In the normal reader, the header is displayed, and then scrolls of the screen with the rest of the message text. In either case, the information shown will be the same. The To-name, from-name, and subject will be displayed to the left. The date sent and message number will also be displayed. There may be certain message attributes as well. The ones you will see are: Pvt -- Private message. Readable only be the sender and recipient. Rec'd -- Received. The recipient has received, if not read, the message. ReqRec -- Request Receipt. The sender will be notified when you receive the message. Files -- File Attached. There are one or more files attached to the message. Section 5.4.1 -- The Read Options prompt To read the messages in your current area, press (R) from the Message Menu. You will be presented with a prompt asking for the way you wish to read mail. You are offered the following choices: (F) Forward. Reads mail forward in the message area. Messages are stored in the order they are received, which is roughly chronological. (R) Reverse. Reads mail backwards, starting at the end and moving towards the front. (I) Individual. Reads an individual message. You must know the message number to use the command. The message number is displayed in the header of each message. (M) Marked. Reads the messages you have marked for later reading (see the (V)iew message command above. (N) New msgs. The message system keeps track of the last message you read in each area. This message searches for the next message past this "last read pointer," in other words, the first unread message in your current area. It continues reading from there. (S) Selected. This command allows you to search the current message area for a selected text string. You are prompted as whether to search the (T)o Name, (F)rom Name, or (S)ubject lines, or for a (K)eyword in the message text. You will be prompted for the text to search for. (H) Help. Displays help. (Q) Quit. Cancels the read command and brings you back to the previous menu. Section 5.4.2 -- The Message prompt After the message text has scrolled by (with More Prompts, if you have Page Pausing ON), you will be presented with a prompt. This is the Message Prompt, and allows you to do certain things. They are: (A) Again. Redisplays the current message, from the beginning. Useful if you missed something while it was scrolling by. (N) Next. Moves on to the next message in the direction you are reading. That is, if you are reading in Reverse order, it will be the message before the current one. (L) Last. Moves back to the previous message. Again, note that if you are reading in Reverse order, this will be the message after the current one. (R) Reply. Begins entering a message from you, to the sender of the current message, in the current area. See the section on replies later in this document for more information. (E) Enter. Enters a message from you in the current area. You are prompted for the name to send the message to. See the section on entering messages later in this document for more information. (F) Files. Downloads any files which are attached to the message. You are prompted for the file transfer protocol. When completed, you are asked if it is okay to delete the files. (D) Delete. When available, this deletes the current message. Note that this option is only available if the message was either written by or to you. It is also not available in many message areas altogether. (S) Stop. Stop reading messages and return to the previous menu. Section 5.5 -- Combined Message Menu The Menu allows Combined Reading. Combined Reading allows you to select certain Message Areas as in your Combined Area. You can then read all the messages in your Combined Area as if they were in one area. For example, if you places Areas #1 and #2 in your Combined Area, you could use the Combined Read option to read messages in both areas. This is a useful tool if you want to read all the echos on a certain topic (for example, you could place all of the Space related echos in your combined area, and read all those echos with once command). The following options are available on the Combined Message Menu: (A) Pick Areas. Allows you to chose which Areas you want to place in your Combined Area. A list of Message Areas will be shown, with a right angle-bracket (>) next to areas currently in your Combined Area. You will be shown only the areas in your current Message Group. Page-pausing is active if you have have it set to ON. At the end of the list, you will be prompted for the areas you wish to toggle. Simply enter an area number (or list of numbers, separated by spaces). Those areas will be toggled ON or OFF (ie, if they were OFF before, they would then be set to ON). After each toggle, the area list will be redisplayed. Press (Return) at the prompt without entering any area numbers to return to the Combined Message Menu. (R) Read Mail. Reads mail in your Combined Message Area. Functions like the regular (R)ead Mail command on the Message Menu. (P) Post Message. Enters a Message in your current message area as selected on the Message Menu. (C) Check Mail. This command checks all of the Local and Netmail message areas for mail addressed to you. It does not check Echomail areas, as it takes a long time to search through over 800 message areas. This is very similar to the Local Mail Check done at logon. (S) Scan Messages. Functions like the (V) View Messages option on the Message Menu, except it is done in your Combined Area. (Q) Quick-Scan Messages. Functions like the (Q) Quick-Scan option on the Message Menu, except it is done in your Combined Area. (O) Offline Mail. This command brings you to the Offline Mail Menu. Offline mail is explained under the section Offline Mail. (F) File Menu. Takes you directly to the (F)ile Menu. Section 5.6 -- Entering Messages The previous section described the process of reading mail. This section details how to enter a message. When you enter a message, the BBS request some information. This information in what will go in the message header. What information it requests depends on the area you are posting a message in. The From field of the header is usually filled in for you. It will contain either your real name, or your handle, depending on the message area. Sometime, you will be prompted if you wish to use an alias. If you answer "No," your real name will be used. If you answer "Yes", you will be prompted for the alias to use. You have the option of pressing (Return) to accept your normal handle, or entering a different alias. The To field will usually be prompted for. Enter the name of the person you are sending it to. A few message local areas require you to use the name of a user on Computer Castle. If you enter a name the BBS does not recognized, you are offered the option of browsing the user-list. This allows you to look up the name of a particular user. You will always be prompted for the subject. After all this, you will be asked if you wish to change anything. Answering "No" will continue. Answer "Yes" and you will be asked what you wish to change (you may not always be allowed to change all of the fields). (Note: There is one more field, called "Address," which you will be prompted for if you are entering Netmail. See the section on Netmail for more information). After all of this, you will be prompted if you wish to upload a pre-prepared message. If you answer "No," the message editor you have selected will be loaded and you can enter your message. There are two different editors, selectable from the Setup Menu. Each editor has it's own section in this manual. If you select "Yes," then you are prompted to begin an upload of a text file you wish to send as your message (this is mainly for advanced users who wish to compose messages offline). After you finish your message, you may be asked if you want to send files with the message. If you answer "Yes," you will be asked to upload the files to attach to the message. You may be asked if you want a return receipt. If you answer "Yes," you will be notified when the recipient of the message receives the message. Section 5.6.1 -- Replying to Messages When reading messages, you are given the option to reply to a message. This begins the process of entering a message. However, the "To Name" is already filled in with the name of the sender and the subject of the original message. This is very useful if you can answer a question asked in a message, or just want to respond. Most of the messages in the echos are in fact replies to other messages. When replying to a message, you are given the option of "quoting" the original message. When you quote a message, the quoted message is placed in the editor prior to your editing. The initials of the author of the text are placed in front of the text, with a greater-then sign (>) after it. Each editor handles quotes a little differently, see the appropriate section for that editor for details. Here is an example of quoted text: JD> This is a quoted message, from John Doe. Section 5.6.2 -- The Line-By-Line Editor The Line-By-Editor is the more "primitive" of the two editors. You are prompted for each line of text as you enter it. Each line is numbered. You can backspace over mistakes, but the arrow keys are *not* allowed. Long lines are automatically wrapped as you type, or you can press (Return) to end a line. Press (Return) on a blank line to bring up the editor's menu. To enter a blank line in the middle of the message, enter a space and then press (Return). If you are quoting a message, the quoted text will be entered into the message before your text. You can edit this text as if you wrote it your self. Remember that many echo have rules about the length of quotes, or quoting things such as "Origin Lines" or "Tear Lines," so you may want to (D)elete any such lines. The menu consists of the following options: (S) Save. Saves and sends the message. This is the normal way to end a message. (C) Continue. Continues editing the message from the last blank line. Use this if you accidentally pressed (Return) on a blank line, or you are finished using the other editing commands. (Q) Quit. Aborts the current message (does not send it), and returns you to the previous message. (L) List text. Lists the complete text of your message. If Page Pausing is active the More Prompt will be used. (D) Delete. Deletes a line or range of lines. You are prompted for the line to start deleting at. You will then be prompted for the ending line. Press (Return) to just delete that one line, or enter another line number to delete those to lines, and all the lines between. (I) Insert. Inserts a line. You are prompted for the number of the line before which you want to insert the new line. Then you will be prompted for the new line (enter the text). (E) Edit. Edits a selected line. You are prompted for the number of of the line you want to edit. That line will be re-displayed, and you can backspace over existing text, or add new text. Press (Return) when you are done editing. (R) Replace. Searches a line for text and replaces it with something else. First you will be prompted for the number of the line to edit. That line will be displayed. You will then be prompted for the text to search for (press (Return) alone to quit the Replace command). After entering the text to search for, you will be prompted for the new text. Type the new text and press (Return). The text in the message will be replaced with the new text, and the process will repeat. Section 5.6.3 -- The Full-Screen Editor The full-screen editor functions much like a word processor or text editor. You enter your message as if you were typing a letter. Long lines are wrapped automatically. Arrows keys and the backspace keys are allowed. This editor is very complex, and offers many features. In addition, this editor may change periodically, so this manual may be out of date. Online help is available in this editor, and you may wish to check that as well. If your communications program supports Doorway Mode, you may wish to activate this feature while in the editor. The editor responds better if Doorway Mode is in use. To bring up the menu in the Full-Screen Editor, press (Esc) or (Ctrl-O). The menu is displayed on the bottom line of the screen. The options on this menu are: (S) Save. Saves and sends the message. This is the normal way to end a message. (C) Continue. Erases the menu and lets you continue editing your message. Use this if you accidentally hit (Esc) or you are done using the menu functions. (A) Abort. Aborts the current message (does not send it), and returns you to the previous message. (H) Help. Offers selections for online help. You can chose to get help on any of several topics. Help is displayed with "More" prompts. After the help text has scrolled by, you are returned to the editor. (M) Message. Offers options which effect your entire message. You can either (C)lear the entire message and start over, or run the spell checker. See the special section on the spell checker below. Note that this menu has nothing to do with Computer Castle's Message Menu. (T) Terminal. Lets you change the type of Terminal you are using. You can change between ANSI and Avatar, as well as Color and Black and White. You should not have to worry about these options. (Q) Quote. When this is available, you can quote the message you are replying to. See the section on Quoting below for more information. Section 5.6.3.1 -- Editing Besides the basic arrow, backspace, delete, and other movement keys, there are several other keys available. For a complete list, see the online help available in the editor. The more common ones are: (Ctrl-Home) Moves the cursor to the top of the screen. (Ctrl-End) Deletes to the end of the current line. (Ctrl-PgUp) Moves the cursor to the beginning of the message. (Ctrl-PgDn) Moves the cursor to the end of the message. (Ctrl-Y) Deletes the current line and places it into the copy buffer. (Ctrl-U) Inserts the next line from the copy buffer. (Ctrl-L) Redraws the screen. Useful in case of line noise. The copy buffer is similar to the clip board found in many word processors. When you press (Ctrl-Y), the current line is moved into the buffer. Pressing (Ctrl-U) moves the first line of copy buffer out into your message. Note that the copy buffer can store several lines. That is, if you press (Ctrl-Y) three times, you can then press (Ctrl-U) three times to move the three lines back out. Section 5.6.3.2 -- Quoting When you reply to a message and use the full-screen editor, the quoted text does not immediately appear. Instead, when you press (Esc), a (Q)uote option appears on the menu. This menu has the following options: (O) Open. Opens the Quote Window. If the Quote Window is already open, this has the same effect as the (S)witch command. The short-cut key for this option is (Ctrl-Q). (C) Close. Closes the Quote Window. This has no effect if the Window is already closed. The short-cut key for this option is (Ctrl-K). (S) Switch. Switches between the Quote Window and the main Edit Window. (E) Erase. Erases all available quoted text and closes the window. Once this is done, Quoting is not available. The Quote Window is divided from the main Edit Window. When in the Quote Window you can move the cursor up and down in the available quoted text. Pressing Enter will copy that line to the Edit Window at the last position of the cursor in the Edit Window. Pressing (Ctrl-T) will expand the Quote Window, while pressing (Ctrl-G) will shrink it. Section 5.6.3.3 -- The Spell Checker The spell checker is available from the (M)essage menu. You may also be asked if you wish to run the Spell Checker when you (S)ave your message. In either case, the spell checker will start running. Be patient -- it can take a minute to load and check your message. When it encounters a word it does not know, it will highlight that word in the Edit Window. You will be given three options: (C)hange will allow you to edit the highlighted word. (I)gnore will skip the highlighted word and continue checking. (Q)uit will cancel the spell check. Section 6.0 -- The Chat System One of the more unique features of Computer Castle is the full-screen chat system. This system allows you to "chat" with other users currently on-line. The text you type will appear on the screens of each person you are chatting with. The text they type will appear on your screen. To prevent "over typing," each person has their own "window" where there text appears. More on this later. Section 6.1 -- The Rapping Menu The Rapping Menu is available from the Main Menu by pressing (R). It consists of the following options: (C) Chat Room Etiquette. Displays a text file which explains some of the "nuances" of chatting with other users. (R) Real-Time Chat. Enters the external Chat Room, which allows chatting between lines. See below. (P) Page User. Functions just like the (') Page User global command. (D) Do Not Disturb. Toggles your Do Not Disturb flag on and off. When this flag is set to ON, people cannot page you (they will be told you do not wish to be disturbed). When if is OFF, you can receive pages. Also called the Quiet Mode flag. (1) Chat Room Macros. Displays a list of "Chat Macros" which you can use in place of commonly typed phrases in the Chat Room. (T) Toggle ANSI. ANSI (or Avatar) full-screen graphics are required to use the Chat Room. If you have ANSI set to OFF, you cannot use the Chat Room. This options toggles ANSI on and off. (S) Change Screen Length. Allows you to change your screen length. You will will be prompted for the new length. You must have a screen length of at least 24 in order to be able to enter Chat. (#) The pound-sign duplicates the option of the same key found in the global menu, namely, the Credit Menu. Section 6.2 -- The Chat Room Once you press (R) from the Rapping Menu, the Chat Room door loads. Once it is loaded, you will be presented with a screen which lists the individual "chats" (much like message or file areas). Each Chat has a Subject, listed on the right. Listed to the left of the Subject are the number of people in each chat, the max allowed in the chat, whether the Chat is Private or not, and when the Chat was started. If a Chat is Private, you cannot enter it. There are also several options at the bottom of the screen. (V)iew Chats displays more information about each chat (page pausing is used). This information includes who is in that chat (if it is not private) and when they joined. (ESC) will exit the Chat Door and return you to the BBS. (U) View Users is discussed below. Section 6.2.1 -- Viewing Users Online The View Users screen is similar to the (/) Who's Online command. It lists each line with who is online and what they are doing. It also indicates who has there Do Not Disturb Flag on (right-hand side column). The (Escape) key will leave this menu. At the bottom you are given several options: (P) Page a User. Functions like the (') Page User option available on the Global Menu. You are prompted for the BBS line, and a one-line message to send. (A) Ask a User to Come Chat. When you are in one of the Chat "Rooms," you can use this function to ask someone to join you. They are sent a page which asks them to join you for a chat, and that chat room you are currently in. (F) Force User to Join You. This option is reserved for SysOps only. Section 6.2.2 -- The Individual Chats As already mentioned, there are several Chats available from the Main Screen in the Chat Room. Each Chat has a corresponding letter. Pressing that letter will "join" the Chat. If the Chat is empty and has no subject, you are prompted for the subject. If the Chat is not empty, the people in the Chat are listed, and you are asked to press (J) to Join, or (Escape) to cancel. Note: Anyone can enter the Chat Room, so keep the subject lines "clean." Entering "adult" material in a chat subject or discussing "adult" material in non-adult chat rooms are grounds for removal from the Chat Room or possibly the BBS. Note that some chats are "pre-defined." That is, they already have a subject defined. Several chats are marked as "Over" a certain age. Only people who are over that age can join those Chats. Section 6.2.3 -- Chatting One you enter a Chat, the screen will be divided up into several "windows." Each person in that Chat has their own window. Their name will be displayed at the top-left of their window. On the right side, across from their name, is the line number they are on. Your window will always be at the bottom. Often your name will be replaced with other information, such as time warnings or other messages from the Chat Door itself. Any characters you type are displayed in your window. Other users can type at the same time you are and have their text appear in their windows. There are a few special keys. (Escape) will bring up the Chat Menu. (Ctrl-L) will empty out (erase) the contents of your window. (Backspace) will backspace over your text, backing up to previous lines if necessary. Arrow keys and color-change codes are not allowed. Section 6.2.3.1 -- The Chat Menu The Chat Menu is accessible by pressing (Escape) while in chat. It has the following options: (I) Info Screen. Displays your time left, the current Chat Subject, the time you joined the Chat, and whether the Chat is private or not. Press any key to exit the Info Screen. (A) Chat Settings. Lets you (T) Toggle the Private Chat's private setting on and off, as well as (N) Enter a New Subject for that Chat. (W) Window Menu. Gives you two options relating to your "window" on the screen. You can empty your window (clear all the text out of it) by pressing (E). This can also be done while chatting (not in the menu) by pressing (Ctrl-L). The other option here, (R) Redraw Screen, erases and completely redraws all text on your screen. This is useful if you encounter line noise. (M) Message Menu. This has one option, (O)ne Liner to person in Chat. This option is similar to the Page User option, except that it only works with people in your chat, and the "one liner" is displayed at the top of their window without disrupting their chat. Only the person you send to will see the One Liner. (V) View Users functions exactly like the (U) View Users option on the Chat Room Main Screen. (?) Help. Displays a help file, which (among other things) list all the available Chat Macros. (L) Leave. Leaves your Chat and returns you to the Chat Room Main Screen. Section 6.2.3.2 -- Chat Macros There are several Macros available in the Chat Rooms. A macro is activated by typing the text and pressing (Return). If you type part of a macro, backspace, then continue, the Macro will not work. Macros are not case-sensitive. A complete list of Macros can be found in the Online Help available from the Chat Menu. Here is a list of some of the macros: /? Get on-line help. /O Send a one-liner. /V View users on-line. CLS Redraws the screen. HAA Displays (types for you) "ha ha ha ha" Remember to press (Return) after a macro. Section 7.0 -- Online Games Online games are another major part of BBSes. Online games are often called doors, because they are external programs which are not part of the main BBS program. The BBS software must "open a door" to these programs. Note that doors (with a few exceptions, such as the Chat Room) will not display pages to a user. Therefore, if you page someone who is in a door, they will not receive the page until they exit the door. Computer Castle has many online games. They are all access via the (O)nline games command on the main menu. You are first displayed a menu which lists types of games available. You can navigate through the choices of online games as you would the rest of Computer Castle's menu system. Due to the variety and nature of the games, we cannot document each game in this file. Most of the games offer online help of some sort. Several of the games have local message areas online, and a few even have FidoNet echos devoted to discussion about them. Be brave and try a few. Some are very popular. One of the reasons many of the games are popular is that they are user interactive. That is, you compete with other users in the game. Some of the themes used are medieval battles and space combat. These games can be particularly fun. A few even allow you to interact with other users at the same time, allowing "real-time" competition. If you have questions about a particular game, look on the menu that game is found. Several of the games have message areas devoted to them, and options are given to read and post messages in that area. If no specific area is devoted to that game, try the Local: Game News and Questions, area #561. Section 8.0 -- Other Menus There are several other menus on Computer Castle not yet covered, and this section takes care of them. One notable exclusion is the Internet Mail Menu, which is covered in the section about Internet E-Mail, later in this document. Section 8.1 -- E-Mail Menu. This is a special menu which speeds the reading and posting of E-Mail. As mentioned earlier, message area #2, "Local: E-Mail" is devoted to private messages between the users of Computer Castle BBS. This menu lets you read and leave mail in that area with out going to the Message Menu. The options available on it are: (L) Leave Mail. Posts a message in the E-Mail area. You are prompted for the To-name and Subject lines. (R) Reads Mail. This command reads mail in the E-Mail area. You can read mail addressed to you or from you. This option functions like the regular (R) Read Messages command. (C) Check Mail. Checks for unread mail addressed to you. This performs the same function as the logon mail check. (O) Offline Mail. This command brings you to the Offline Mail Menu. Offline mail is explained under the section Offline Mail. (T) Post to the SysOp. This command enters a message into the Computer Castle User Support Area. The "To Name" is automatically entered for you. This name will vary depending on who is handling SysOp messages at the time. You will be prompted for the subject. After that, it is just like entering a regular message. (S) Scan Mail. This functions just like the (V) View Messages command on the Message Menu, except that it is limited to the Local: E-Mail message area only. (F) Forward Mail. Allows you to forward any local messages addressed to you to a user you specify. For example, if you wanted to forward mail to a friend while you went on vacation, this would let you do it. Naturally, the person you chose must be a user on Computer Castle. To cancel forwarding, just select this option and it will be shut off. (U) User List. This command allows you to list all the users of Computer Castle BBS. You are prompted for a name to search for. Pressing (Return) will list all the users. Section 8.2 -- Home and Bussiness This menu offers a few choices for classifed ads, information swapping, and related topics. You have several choices. They are: (1) Classified Ads. Lets you post ads, and view ads from other users. The ads are divided into topics, such as "For Sale" and "Wanted." (2) BBS Advertisements. Lets you view the on-line database of other BBSes. You can also add new BBSes to the list. (3) Business Cards. Lets you view services people have advertised. The "cards" are organized into topics. You can also add your own cards to the database. (5) Recipe Door. Allows users to swap cooking recipes. (6) ProCall 1-900 services. These are 1-900 services offered by a "sister company" of Castle Information Services. Check it out. (7) Desktop Services Network. This feature was setup to help someone who was connected to Computer Castle. It does not work anyway, so you can ignore it. :) Section 8.3 -- BBS Registration This menu is for those users who have not donated to the BBS. You are offered the following options: (1) Rates. Lists the current donation rates of Computer Castle BBS. (2) Direct checking. This lets you send in an "Instant Check" to the BBS. Like the TABS system (described below), it provides instant access. However, instead of calling a special 1-900 phone number, all you have to do is "fill out" a check online. It is simple, and in fact cheaper then TABS, since no serivce fee applies. (3) TABS Info. Explains how to use the TABS Instant Access system. (4) Upgrade using TABS. Upgrades your account instantly through the TABS system. Please see the explanation on TABS below. (M) Mailing Address. Where to send forms and/or dontations in regular US Mail. (L) Leave SysOp a Message. Use this to inform the SysOps of any problems with your account status. (V) View Proof of ID Form. This is a special form that, once filled in and validated, proves that the infomation in your account is legally correct. Similar in form to the "Adult Access" form, it provides access to various services, and may be used to reserve Adult Access in the future. (D) Download Proof of ID Form. This lets you download the above form as a text file, so you can print it out on a printer at your end. Section 8.3.1 -- The TABS Instant Access System First you must be 18 years old or have parental permission to use the service. It uses a 900 number to offer instant account upgrades on Computer Castle BBS. Then, you dial one of two numbers. Dial 1-900-622-8227 on any touch tone phone for $10 TABS code. Or dial 1-900-622-5225 (again on a touch tone phone) for a $25 TABS code. Both numbers operate 24 hours a day. Next, a computer voice mail system will ask you to input a number. Computer Castle BBS has the TABS ID number of 6425949. You will then be issued a seven digit subscription code. You may get any combination of codes -- that is, you can call and get three $10 codes, or one $10 code and one $25 code, or whatever you want. Last, call Computer Castle BBS and select the Instant Access option. You will be asked for the access level you want. There are seven choices, and each choice has two time subscription lengths. A $10 code will get you the shorter subscription, a $25 code will get you the longer one. Once you select the access level, you are prompted for the type of code you have ($10 or $25), and then for the code itself. Once you enter the code, your access level will be upgraded immediately. No waiting or delays. Section 8.4 -- The Adult Menu This menu will bring you to one of two menus, depending on whether or not you have Adult Access or not. Section 8.4.1 -- Without Adult Access This menu offers the following options on obtaining Adult Access: (V) View Form. Displays the ASCII text version of the Adult Access form. This lets you view the form on screen, and/or capture it so you can print it out locally. (D) Download Form. Lets you download the ASCII text version of the Adult Access form as a file. You can then print it out and fill it in. (W) Where to Send Form. Displays the address where you can send the form once it has been filled out. Section 8.4.2 -- With Adult Access This menu offers quick access to the Adult Message Areas and the Adult Games. The following options are available at this menu: (G) Games. Brings you to the Adult Games menu, which is similar to the other Online Games menus. (M) Messages. Offers a simplified version of the Message Menu. All commands function as they would on the regular Message Menu, except that they are limited to Adult Message Areas. (F) Files. Offers a simplified version of the File Menu. All commands function as they would on the regular File Menu, except that they are limited to Adult File Areas. Section 8.5 -- The Goodbye Menu. This menu lists some options pertaining to logging off the BBS: (M) Message to the SysOp. This command enters a message into the Computer Castle User Support Area. The "To Name" is automatically entered for you. This name will vary depending on who is handling SysOp messages at the time. You will be prompted for the subject. After that, it is just like entering a regular message. (S) Suggestions. Functions just like Message to the SysOp, except the message is addressed to "All". (L) Leave Computer Castle. Terminates your call and logs off the BBS. (A) Abort. Cancels the logoff and returns you to the previous menu. Section 8.6 -- The Note to the Next Caller Menu This menu allows you to leave a Note to the Next Caller, as seen in the logon sequence. It is available from the Information Menu (from the Main Menu, press [N], then [M]). This menu offers the following choices: (V) View the Logon Messages. This lets you view the logon messages you normally see at logon. This includes the "Once Only" message, which is only shown at logon if is has changed since you last viewed it. (L) Leave a Note. Lets you enter a new note. This offers you four options: (E) Enter a New Message. Lets you enter a message to be displayed to callers. You simply enter the text, and enter a blank line with no text on it to end the message. You will be asked to confirm the message. (R) Read the Current Message. Functions like the (R)ead command on the Note to Next Caller Menu. (Q) Quit. Returns to Computer Castle. (Q) Goodbye. Logs off the BBS and hangs up the phone. Section 8.7 -- The Credit Menu Credits are used for "bonus" time and file downloading KBytes. If you need extra online time, or want to download a file larger then your daily limit, credits can help. They are used as a "pay as you go" system to supplement your regular privileges. The Credit Menu is where you manage these functions. You do not have to be a donating user to use credits. NOTE: Any extra time or KBytes you purchase using Credits will be good for *that day only*. At midnight, you will lose any extra time or KBytes you may have selected. It does not carry over to the next day. Keep this in mind when you use the Credit system. (H) Displays help on using the Credit system. (C) Lets you purchase Credits instantly using the Online Instant Checking system. (T) Lets you purchase Credits instantly using the TABS 1-900 billing system. (A) Adds 15 more minutes of online time for 1 credit. Selecting this function will immediately deduct one credit and extend your time. (K) Selecting this option will bring up an interactive menu where you have the option of trading credits for more download kilobytes that day. You can abort this selection if needed. Section 9.0 -- Offline Mail Offline mail is popular with people who do a lot of reading and replying to messages. Offline mail allows you to select message areas to download. Once you download a mail "packet," you are logoff the BBS. You read the mail offline, at your convenience. You can reply and enter new messages and upload your messages to the BBS the next time you logon. This saves your time online and frees up lines for other callers. Section 9.1 -- The Two Parts There are two parts to any offline mail system: The Offline Reader and The Mail Door. The next to sections discuss the general use of a Mail Door and an Offline Reader. Section 9.1.1 -- The Mail Door The Mail Door is the program that is run online with the BBS. It lets you chose the areas you want to read, and set other options pertaining to the Mail Download process. You will have to select the Protocol to use. These protocols are the exact same File Transfer Protocols used in the File Areas. The only difference is you are transferring mail packets. You also have to chose the archiver you want to use. The mail packets are compressed online to save transfer time. Any archivers used in the Mail Door are available for download from the Common Utilities Menus. Once you have setup your account and selected the message areas you want to download, you tell it to start a Download. It will bundle your mail, and possibly perform some other functions, such as a building a new-file listing. It then sends the mail packet to you. You logoff the BBS and read your mail. You next time you call, you upload any messages you have written to the Mail Door. Section 9.1.2 -- The Offline Reader The Offline Reader is a special program you download from the BBS to read your mail. Look on the Offline Mail Menu for a selection of Readers that may be available. Once you download and setup the Reader, you can read your downloaded mail packets. The reader will decompress the mail packets for you. Each Reader (there are many) functions a little differently. In most cases, you will be presented with a list of message areas which have messages in them. You select an area and then are allowed to read the messages in that area. An offline reader usually has many more features then the online message system. For example, you can scroll up and down through the message with the arrow keys, and you are allowed to use your favorite editor/word processor to enter messages. Once you have entered any messages you want to, the Reader will compress a reply packet. The next time you call Computer Castle, you upload the packet to the Mail Door. Your messages are added to the message base, and sent out on FidoNet if you entered mail in a Echo or Netmail area. Section 9.2 -- The Two Formats There are two different formats of Mail Packets: QWK (pronounced "quick") and BlueWave. QWK is very common, but has certain limits to it. BlueWave is not as common as QWK, but allows more features then QWK does. QWK packets will have the extension of *.QWK. BlueWave offers a choice of how to sent the packets, either numbered (like *.000, *.001, etc.) or standard BlueWave (*.MO1, *.TU1, *.WE1, etc.). Computer Castle has both a BlueWave Mail Door and a QWK Mail Door. Each Door functions a little differently, but they both conform to the generic Mail Door outlined above. Mail readers for the packets are available for many computer types. The BlueWave Offline Reader (for MS-DOS) will read BlueWave and QWK packets, and is available for download at the Offline Mail Menu. Other readers mail be available as well from this menu; if you can't find one for you computer, try looking in the File System. Section 9.3 -- The Offline Mail Menu This menu is divided into three sections. At the top, the BlueWave Mail System and the QWK Mail System have their own headings. Under these headings are options pertaining to that format. The bottom contains miscellaneous options relating to either Mail Door. The first option under each heading enters the Mail Door, which lets you setup your offline mail account as well as download and upload packets. The second option under each format enters the Door and immediately starts a Direct Mail Download, no questions asked. When the download is done, you are returned to the BBS. The third option allows a Direct Upload. The Door will accept an uploaded packet from you, and then return to the BBS. The other options at the bottom allow you to download Readers for various computers. Also, instructions for use on a particular Mail Door (BlueWave or QWK) may be available for download in this section. If instructions for a Mail Door are not available for download, both doors have online help available. Due to the complexity of the Mail Doors, we cannot document their individual use in this file. Section 10.0 -- Private FidoNet Mail As already mentioned, echomail is the exchange of public messages between all bulletin boards. What if you wish to send a private message to a certain person? The answer is FidoNet Netmail. It lets you send private messages across the FidoNet network, and to a specific person at a specific system or BBS. There are two types of Private Network Mail available on Computer Castle: FidoNet NetMail and Internet E-Mail. Netmail is covered in this section, while Internet E-Mail is covered in a later section entitled Internet E-Mail. Section 10.1 -- FidoNet NetMail FidoNet is an amateur BBS network, and is currently used mostly for public echomail. However, it was originally designed as a method to send private messages between BBSes. This was called "NetMail" and is still FidoNet's method of sending private messages. NetMail is entered in a special area called NetMail (surprise), and is area #1 on Computer Castle. To enter a NetMail message, just select this area and (P) Post a Message. As always, you will be prompted for the To-name and Subject lines. However, you will be prompted for an additional piece of information: The Address. This is the FidoNet address of the BBS you want to send NetMail to. Once the message arrives at that BBS, the person there with the same To-name as the one you entered will receive the message. Section 10.1.1 -- FidoNet Addressing Each BBS in FidoNet has a unique address. The address is in the form of "zone:net/node" (without the quotes). You may see it in parenthesis or brackets, it is still the same thing. Here is how it breaks down: zone -- A large region, usually a continent. For example, North America is Zone 1. net -- A smaller geographical area is called a net. For example, Massachusetts, USA, is mostly net 324 in zone 1. node -- An individual system or BBS. Computer Castle is node 127 in net 324, which in turn is in zone 1. So Computer Castle's full address is 1:324/127. You may also see "points." A point (or 4-D) address uses the format "zone:net/node.point" (again, without the quotes). A point is really a user of a BBS who has their own FidoNet address. They use a special program which calls the BBS to pickup and send their mail (similar to the BlueWave and QWK Offline Mail Systems). For example, if there was a point on Computer Castle BBS, it might have the FidoNet address of 1:324/127.4. Sending NetMail to a point is the same as sending to a node. However, points are not listed in the nodelist (see below). Section 10.1.2 -- Finding an Address How can you find out someone's address? Well, most messages entered on a BBS will have an "Origin" line at the end. The Origin line will look something like: * Origin: Computer Castle Multi-line, 603-382-0993. (1:324/127) It is up to the SysOp of the individual BBS to enter the origin line, but it will usually list the name of the BBS and it's FidoNet address in parenthesis. It may also list the BBS's physical location and phone number. This is one way to find an address. The other method is to browse the nodelist. The nodelist is the listing of every BBS or "node" in FidoNet. This list is quite large -- over two megabytes. However, you can view or "browse" the nodelist online. It is available at the Message Menu, and is explained under the section about The Message Menu. Section 11.0 -- Internet E-Mail The Internet (the much talked about "Information Superhighway") is a completely separate network from FidoNet, the BBS network. Computer Castle BBS is proud to offer easy to use Internet E-Mail services to its users. Only Donating users can send E-Mail, but anyone can can receive it. The Internet E-Mail facility currently provided is the first step in a much larger plan to provide full Internet access. Section 11.1 -- Internet Addressing Internet addresses are given in the format "name@location" (without the quotes). The name is like a user's name on a BBS, and the location is similar to the name of a BBS (this is not a perfect analogy, but it works). You should sign your Internet Address at the bottom of any Internet message you send. Your Internet Address is built in the following format: your.name@castle.shore.net *** Replace any spaces in your name with periods! *** For example, if your name was "Joe Schmoe" then your address would be: joe.schmoe@castle.shore.net There is no easy way to find someone's InterNet Address (there is no InterNet "nodelist"). However, you some online services and computer networks can be accessed via their own gateways. Here is list of some of the more common ones. Replace anything in or any # signs with the appropriate information: America Online @aol.com Applelink @applelink.apple.com AT&T Mail @attmail.att.com BIX @dcibix.das.net BITNET %.bitnet@cunyvm.cuny.edu %.bitnet@mitvma.mit.edu CompuServe #####.####@compuserve.com Delphi @delphi.com GEnie @genie.gBBS.com MCI Mail #######@mcimail.com WWIVnet -@wwiv.fred.com Section 11.2 -- The Internet Mail Menu From the Main Menu, press (I) to access the Internet Mail Menu. This menu is a specialized menu designed to allow easy access to the Internet Mail functions of Computer Castle BBS. The options are as follows: (A) Area List of Internet Newsgroups. This lists Internet Newsgroups available for reading on Computer Castle BBS. A Newsgroup is a message area, and follows the same idea as a FidoNet Echo (see the section on Types of Mail, earlier in this document). (R) Read Newsgroup Messages. This simply executes a "Read Messages" command in your current message area. See the general section on "The Messages System" earlier in this document for more information. (P) Post Newsgroup Message. This allows you to enter a new message in the current newsgroup. It functions like the "Post Message" command on the Message Menu. (I) Internet E-Mail Read. This begins a "Read Messages" command in the area Netmail (#1), where Internet Mail comes in. It functions like the "Read Messages" command on the Message Menu. (S) Send Internet E-Mail. For information on this command, see the section entitled "Sending Internet E-Mail" below. (W) What is my Internet Address. This displays your actual Internet Address, avoiding confusion over how to convert your name to Internet mail format. (O) Sending Mail to Other Online Services. This duplicates the information presented in the section "Internet Addressing" above. Section 11.3 -- Sending Internet E-Mail You must have ANSI enabled to use Internet E-Mail. This is because the full-screen editor is used for Internet E-Mail. Be sure you know the correct address of the person you are sending the message to. Internet addresses are done in the format "name@location" (without the quotes). From the Main Menu, press (I) for Internet Mail, and then press (S) to Send E-Mail. You will then be prompted for the Internet Address of the person or group you are sending to. Enter it carefully, as small mistakes make a big difference. After the Address, you will be prompted to enter a Subject for your message (the subject is for human convenience only, it does not effect the message itself). Once you have entered the Address and Subject, the full-screen message editor will load. Enter your message. There is *no* need for special "To:" lines at the top of your message. You should sign your Internet Address at the bottom of the message. See the section on Internet Addressing above. When you are done, save the message as you normally would. That is all that is required. NOTE: Some users may remember an Internet Address Book feature. Unfortunately, this feature was disabled due to a fatal bug with the software. Additionally, the later versions of the software are incompatible with our current setup. Future updates may resolve the problem, but until that time, all address book functions have been shut off. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. NOTE: Some users may be familiar with the Universal FidoNet/Internet Gateway (FidoNet address 1:1/31). This lets any BBS send Internet E-Mail via Netmail, using the format "first.last@f127.n324.z1.fidonet.org". This gateway has been *shutdown* forever. The operator of the service could no longer support the demand. Therefore, anyone trying to use this format of address may find their messages bouncing. You *must* use the "@castle.shore.net" address for your own address, and you may not be able to send mail to the old, FidoNet style of Internet address. ============================================================================== End Of File ------------------------------------------------------------------------------