Terminal Interface

Using the Terminal Interface

This chapter explains how to use a TeleFinder BBS from any computer terminal.
The terminal interface provides a traditional ASCII text or ANSI graphics interface. Terminal users can transfer files, send mail, read and post messages in topics, and chat.

The BBS provides the terminal interface when you request a manual logon. A user has the same privileges in the terminal and graphic interfaces. Access Groups control the privileges of users in the terminal interface as they do in the graphic interface.

The following sections describe how to log on, register for an account, transfer files, compose text, and use the various menus.

Using Terminal Menus
The TeleFinder BBS provides you with three types of menus or prompts. You will use the commands in these menus to control the BBS while you are on-line. The following instructions tell you how to use each type of menu.

Primary Menus
The BBS uses primary menus to get a function choice from you. The main menu is an example of a primary menu. Primary menus have a separate menu display and prompt line. The menu display contains the title of the menu and the available choices, along with their descriptions. Select an item from the menu by typing the character between brackets, then pressing <return>.
Secondary Menus
The BBS uses secondary menus in repetitive operations such as browsing the contents of a folder. Select an item from the menu by typing the character between brackets, then pressing <return>.
To re-display primary menus and secondary menus, type a question mark , then press <return>.
Value Prompts
The BBS uses value prompts to get a file or folder selection from you. The BBS uses the following prompt to select a message thread.
Type "C", then press <return> to display the choices available to you. The BBS identifies each choice with a number. Type the number identifying your choice at this prompt, then press <return> to select it.
            
The default action of value prompts returns you to the previous menu. Just press <return> to select the default action.
Preparing to Call

Set the communications parameters of your terminal software to:
· 8 Data Bits
· No Parity

· 1 Stop Bit

Your modem may require specific settings to work properly with your software. Configure your modem, and your software, according to the manufacturer's guidelines.

The BBS is compatible with any terminal software that supports one of the following emulations: TTY, VT52, VT100, VT102, or ANSI. Choose any one of these emulations in your terminal software setup.

Connecting
Next, select the command your terminal software uses in order to call and connect to a BBS.
After you connect to the TeleFinder BBS, it displays the following message on your screen.
Type "M" three times to start the manual logon process. The BBS will respond with the "On-line Registration" menu. See the next section for information about this menu.
Online Registration
If the "Enable on-line registration" option is turned off, the BBS will respond with a logon prompt. See the section titled "Enabling On-line Registration" in the "Getting Started with your TeleFinder BBS" chapter for more information.
Type "L" at the "On-line Registration" menu to select the "Log on to the BBS" command. The BBS prompts you to enter your name.

Enter your name at this prompt. The BBS is not case-sensitive with names or passwords.
The BBS then prompts your to enter your password.
The BBS echoes the each character of your password with "X."

The BBS lets you register for an account and download the TeleFinder/User package with the "On-line Registration" menu.
Choose "R" to register for a BBS logon account and to download TeleFinder/User. The BBS responds to this command by displaying the following prompts on your screen.
         
The BBS then displays the information you entered for your review.
         
   
An account becomes active only if you turn the "Automatically register new users" option on. For more information about this option, refer to the "User Management" section in the "Customizing your BBS" chapter . The "New Users" file now contains this record:
Nicole Zandbergen bambam 714669-9260 4790 Irvine Blvd, 105-347 Irvine, CA 92720
Downloading the TeleFinder Client Software

After providing the new user information, users can choose to download the TeleFinder/User package. With TeleFinder/User, you can use the BBS's graphical interface.
Type "Y" at the following prompt:
The BBS will query you to indicate your operating system if it has the Windows client software option installed.
Select M if you want TeleFinder/User for Macintosh or W if you want TeleFinder/User for Windows.
The BBS responds with a menu of file transfer protocols. Type the letter corresponding to the protocol you want to use, then press <return>. Your terminal software must also support the choice you make.
   
The BBS responds with a message showing that it is ready to send the file.
When you see the previous message, select your terminal software's "receive file" command. The BBS waits until you select the local "receive file" command to begin the transfer . "Receive file" commands vary among different software programs. Consult your terminal software's documentation to find out how to start a download.
After the file transfer completes, you can install TeleFinder/User. Read the document: "Getting Started with TeleFinder/User" to become familiar with the software.

Choosing File Transfer Protocols

The BBS's file transfer protocols support the following variations:
· ZMODEM supports 16 and 32-bit CRC for error correction. 32-bit CRC provides the best error correction. The BBS supports variable block sizes, streaming, and windowed transfers. The BBS will automatically adjust to whichever ZMODEM variation your terminal software uses.
· XMODEM-CRC supports a 16-bit CRC for error correction. Data transfers in 128-byte or 1024-byte (1K) blocks. XMODEM -CRC will fall back to XMODEM checksum when necessary.

· XMODEM Checksum supports an 8-bit checksum for error correction. Data transfers in 128-byte blocks.

You should use ZMODEM, provided your terminal software also supports ZMODEM

Composing Text
The BBS provides a text editor to compose messages. It uses the same editor for electronic mail, messages in message topics, and file comments. The text editor provides separate menus for editing and sending messages.
The following describes how you can use the text editor in the terminal interface.

When the editor starts, the BBS displays the following message on the your terminal screen.
To compose a message, just begin typing . When the message is complete, type "\ex" or "control-X."
Editor Commands
Use the "List" command to review the message. The editor responds by displaying the message on the your screen.
      
Select the "Send" command to send the message. Because "Send" is the default command, you can select it by pressing <return>.
Select the "Cancel" command to dispose of the message and return to the Mail menu.

Use the "Insert" command to add blank lines to the message. The editor prompts you to enter a line number. Type the line number that identifies which line the new line should appear before.

Use the "Remove" command to cut an unwanted line from the message. The editor then prompts you for a line number. Type the number of the line you want to remove.

Use the "Edit" command to change the text in a line. The editor then prompts you for a line number. Type the number of the line you want to change. The editor responds by putting the line on the your screen. Backspace over the incorrect text. Then type the correct characters in the line.

Editor Warnings
These warnings alert you that a message is nearing the fifty line limit.
** Five Lines Remaining! **
            
This warning appears when you can add five more lines to the message.
** Last Line in this Message! **
            
This warning appears when you can add one more line to the message.
** No More Lines Available! **
            
When you reach the last line in a message, this warning appears. If you insert another line after this warning , the last line in the message will drop off.
Uploading Files
Follow these steps when you want to upload a file using the terminal interface.
· Select the "Upload Files" command from the main menu. Using this command sends files to the "New Uploads" path in your Access Group.

· Enter a unique file name.

The BBS prompts you to enter a file name. The file name must be unique and can contain up to 31 characters. The BBS uses this name to store the file on disk.
· Enter a file description
The BBS prompts you to enter up to 4 lines of text describe the file. The BBS provides its text editor to compose the message.

File Descriptions

Follow these steps to enter a file description:
· Enter the file description with the text editor.

· Type "\ex" to exit the editor.

· Select the "Send" command to save the description.

Macbinary

The BBS prompts you to tell it whether or not to use Macbinary.
· Turn Macbinary file formatting ON or OFF.

Macbinary makes it possible to reconstruct both the data and resources in a Macintosh file. DOS and Windows files do not require this special formatting. Only Macintosh communications programs like TeleFinder Pro, White Knight, and MicroPhone support Macbinary.

When you send a DOS file from DOS or Windows, turn Macbinary OFF.

- Respond to the "Use Macbinary" prompt by typing "N."

When you send a Macintosh file from a Macintosh, turn Macbinary ON.

- Respond to the "Use Macbinary" prompt by typing "Y."

Select Protocol
The BBS provides a menu of file transfer protocols.
· Select a File Transfer protocol
Type the letter corresponding to the protocol you want to use, then press <return>. Your terminal software must also support the choice you make.

The BBS responds with the following message when it is ready to receive the file.
· Select your terminal software's "send file" command.
When you see the message above, select your terminal software's "send file" command. The BBS waits until you select the local "send file" command to begin the transfer . "Send file" commands vary among different software programs. Consult your terminal software's documentation to find out how to start an upload.

File transfers can only be successful when sending and receiving protocols match. You must select the same protocol from the BBS's menu that you select in your communications software.

The BBS will respond with a message after the transfer is complete.
Using the E-Mail Menu
Select the "E Mail" command from the Main menu to read and send electronic mail. This command provides access to your mailbox.

E-mail Commands
Use the "Read Mail" command to read a specific message. The BBS prompts you to enter a selection.
      
Type "C" at this prompt to view a menu of choices. Then type the number of the message you want to read. The BBS displays the message on your screen. The BBS also displays a second menu after the message. With this menu, you can read the message again, read the next message, reply to the message, delete the message, or return to the "E Mail Menu."
      
Use the "Download Mail" command to transfer a file from your mailbox to your local computer disk. When you select this command, the BBS prompts you to enter a selection. Type "C" at this prompt to view a menu of choices. Then type the number of the file you want to download.

See the section titled, "Downloading the TeleFinder/User Package," for a complete description of the download process.

Use the "Show Mail" command to display a list of the files and messages in your mailbox.

Use the "Read New Mail" command to read messages that were sent to you since your last logon.

Use the "Show New Mail" command to display a list of messages that were sent to you since your last logon.

Use the "Find a User" command to display a list of BBS users. You can use this command to learn the proper spelling of a user's logon name. You need a correctly-spelled name to address´ mail. After you select this command, the BBS prompts you to enter the text it should search for.

This is an example of a search for 'rust.' Notice that the search is not case sensitive. The BBS searches both the first and last names for 'rust.' The BBS displays the matching names as shown below:
Use the "Write Mail" command to compose and send a text message to another user's mailbox.
After you select this command, the BBS prompts you to enter the recipient's name. You need to enter a correctly-spelled name of another BBS user.
Send a message to: Guest
            
The BBS will then prompt you to enter a message subject. You can enter any text up to thirty-one characters in length.
Subject: Demo for writing mail
            
The BBS will then bring up the text editor so you can compose the message. The editor limits messages to fifty lines of seventy characters. See "Using the Text Editor" for more information on composing a message.

Exit the editor after composing the message. Then use the "Send" command to send the message.

Use the "Upload Files to a User" command to send files to another user's mailbox. With this command, you can send any file using a ZMODEM or XMODEM file transfer. After you select this command, the BBS prompts you to enter the recipient's name. You need to enter a correctly- spelled name of another user of the BBS.
Send a file to: Guest
The BBS then presents the menus for uploading a file. For a complete description of the upload process, please see "Uploading Files."

Use the "Trash Mail" command to delete specific files from your mailbox. The BBS prompts you to enter a selection.
Type "C" at this prompt to view a list of choices. Then type the number identifying the message you want to delete. The BBS prompts you for confirmation:
      
Type "Y" to erase the message from your mailbox. Type "N" to leave the message in place.
Using the Conferences Menu
Select the "Conferences" command from the main menu. This command provides access to the Topic areas in your Access Group.
The BBS brings up the "Conferences Menu" after you select the "Conferences" command.
If there is more than one Topic area in your Access Group, the BBS will prompt you to choose one to enter. You will make a selection from a menu of Topic areas.
Use the "Conferences Menu" to select the Topic you want to participate in.

Join a Topic
You need to join a topic before you can read or post messages. Joining a topic is the equivalent of opening a topic icon when using TeleFinder/User.
Type "J" at the menu prompt to join a topic.
      
The BBS prompts you to enter a selection.
      
Type "C" at this prompt to view a list topics. Then type the number identifying the topic you want to join. The BBS brings up the "Topic Menu" after you join a topic.
Topic Commands
The Topics menu is show below:
      
Use the commands in the "Topic Menu" to read messages and to post new messages.

Use "Read New Messages" to read messages posted to the topic since your last logon.

Use "Read Message #" to select a specific message to read.

Use "Read All Messages" to read the messages beginning with the first.

Use "New Scan Messages" to view the addresses and subjects of messages posted to the topic since your last logon.

Use "Scan All Messages" to view the addresses and subjects of messages beginning with the first.
Using the Files Menu
Select the "Download Files" command from the main menu. This command provides access to the Files areas in your Access Group.

The "Files Menu" is shown below:
If there is more than one Files area in your Access Group, the BBS will prompt you to choose one to enter.
File Commands
Use the "Browse Files" command to review files in the folder. For each file, the BBS displays the name, size, file description, as well as the date the file was last updated. The BBS displays a small menu after each file. With this menu you can download or list the file, proceed to the next file, or return to the "Files Menu.
Example of browsing:
Use the "Find Files" command to search the area for files with a specific name. First, the BBS prompts you to provide text to search for. Then it looks at each file in the area to see if its file name contains the text. You can then browse the matches.

Use the "Download a File" command to download a specific file from the folder. When you select this command, the BBS prompts you to enter a selection.

Type "C" at the selection prompt to view a list of choices. Then type the number identifying the file you want to download.

See the section titled, "Downloading the TeleFinder/User Package," for a complete description of the download process.

Use the "Read Text File" command to list a text file on your screen. When you select this command, the BBS prompts you to enter a selection. Type the number identifying the file you want to read.

Use the "List New Files" command to view a list of files added to the folder since your last logon.

Use the "List Files and Folders" command to view a list of all the files and sub-folders in the folder.

Use the "List Folders" command to view a list of the sub-folders in the folder.

Use the "Open Folder" command to open one of the sub-folders in the folder. After you open a folder, the BBS provides you with a new "Files Menu" for that folder. You need to open a folder to access the files and folders within it.

Use the "Upload to this Folder" command to upload a file directly into the folder. This menu item is present only if you have "Write Privileges" in a path.