DECUServe User Guide This guide describes the DECUServe Online Conferencing System. Revision/Update Information: This manual supercedes the DECUServe User Guide, Version 1.0a. Software Version: DECUServer User Guide V1.1b VAX/VMS V5.5-2 Vax Notes V2.2 OneKey V5.61 DECUServe Customer Service: (978) 952-6957 TAY2-1/F8 Modem Numbers: see page 3-1 153 Taylor Street Littleton, MA 01460-1407 ii ________________________ September 1998 This material is not copyrighted. You may make as many copies as you wish. However, if you make copies, we recommend that you copy the entire manual. If you must abstract portions of the document for your own purposes please include a reference to the original source (DECUServe). The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Digital Equipment Corporation, DECUS and the DECUServe Executive Committee assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions in this document. DECUServe User Guide V1.1 The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation: ALL-IN-1 CDA DECnet DECUS DECwrite Digital EDT PDP-11 RT-11 ULTRIX VAX VAX Notes VAXmail VAXstation VMS VT WPS WPS-PLUS IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Mac is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc. MNP is a registered trademark of Microcom, Inc. PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. XENIX is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Contents_________________________________________________________ Preface________________________________________________________xi Part_I___Getting_Started_with_DECUServe__________________________ Chapter_1__Introduction__________________________________________ 1.1 Purpose of This Guide..................................1-1 1.2 Flowchart for New Users................................1-2 Chapter_2__Getting_Ready_________________________________________ 2.1 Terminal Equipment.....................................2-1 2.2 PCs and Macintoshes....................................2-1 2.3 Modems & Communication Equipment.......................2-1 2.4 Do you have your USERNAME and PASSWORD?................2-2 Chapter_3__Connecting_to_DECUServe_______________________________ 3.1 Telephone Network Dialin...............................3-1 3.2 Connecting via INTERNET................................3-1 3.2.1 Internet Terminal Emulation..................3-1 3.2.2 Other Internet Services......................3-2 3.3 DECUServe POPs.........................................3-2 Chapter_4__Logging_On____________________________________________ 4.1 Username & Password....................................4-1 4.2 What to Expect.........................................4-1 4.3 System Announcements...................................4-2 4.4 First-Time Options.....................................4-2 4.4.1 Setting Up Your Environment..................4-2 4.4.2 Setting Your Personal Name...................4-3 4.4.3 Setting Your Preferred Editor................4-3 4.4.4 Customizing Your Notebook....................4-4 4.5 Diskspace and Disk Quota...............................4-4 iii Chapter_5__Using_Standard_VAX_Notes______________________________ 5.1 VAX Notes Concepts.....................................5-1 5.2 Conference Structure...................................5-1 5.3 Your Personal Notebook.................................5-2 5.4 Invoking VAX Notes.....................................5-2 5.5 Entering Commands......................................5-3 5.6 Getting Help...........................................5-3 5.7 Opening a Conference...................................5-4 5.8 Getting a Directory of Notes...........................5-4 5.9 Reading Notes..........................................5-5 5.10 Writing Notes..........................................5-5 5.10.1 Adding a REPLY to a Discussion...............5-5 5.10.2 Adding a Topic Note..........................5-6 5.11 Deleting a Note........................................5-6 5.12 Ending a VAX Notes Session.............................5-7 Chapter_6__Using_OneKey_VAX_Notes________________________________ 6.1 Overview...............................................6-1 6.2 Setup / How to Access OneKey...........................6-1 6.3 The ENTER Key Function.................................6-2 6.4 What the ENTER Key Does................................6-2 6.5 Exiting OneKey.........................................6-3 6.6 Skipping Notes Without Reading Them....................6-3 6.7 Backing Up.............................................6-4 6.8 Getting Help on OneKey.................................6-4 Part_II___The_DECUServe_Cookbook_________________________________ Chapter_7__The_DECUServe_Cookbook________________________________ 7.1 About the Master Chefs.................................7-1 7.2 Introduction...........................................7-1 7.3 VAX Notes and VMS......................................7-2 7.3.1 Keyboard and Keypad Functions................7-2 7.3.2 VAX Notes Conferences........................7-3 7.3.3 Your VAX Notes Notebook......................7-4 7.4 Accessing the System...................................7-5 7.4.1 The First Login..............................7-5 iv 7.4.2 Subsequent Logins............................7-5 7.4.3 New User Environment Setup...................7-5 7.5 Procedure Summary For Using VAX NOTES..................7-7 7.6 More Details On Using Vax Notes........................7-8 7.6.1 The Background Update Process................7-8 7.6.2 Starting VAX Notes...........................7-8 7.6.3 Reading A Conference.........................7-9 7.7 Additional VAX Notes Commands And Keys................7-11 7.7.1 Moving to a Different Discussion............7-11 7.7.2 Moving Within a Discussion..................7-11 7.7.3 Jumping Around Within a Conference..........7-11 7.7.4 Navigating Your Notebook....................7-12 7.7.5 OneKey VAX Notes Extensions.................7-12 7.8 Adding Your Own Replies Or Topics.....................7-12 7.9 Deleting or Modifying a Note..........................7-14 7.10 Telling Notes to Pretend You Have Read a Note (SET SEEN).................................................7-14 7.11 Note Ranges...........................................7-15 7.12 SEARCH................................................7-16 7.13 DIRECTORY.............................................7-16 7.14 Notebook Management...................................7-17 7.15 VAX Notes HELP........................................7-17 7.16 Title Search Facility.................................7-18 7.16.1 Narrowing the Scope of a Search.............7-18 7.17 Sending Mail To Conference Moderators.................7-19 7.18 Sending Mail To The Customer Service Representative........................................7-19 7.19 Sending Mail to the DECUServe Executive Committee.....7-19 7.20 Notes on the Callable EDT Editor......................7-20 Part_III___DECUServe_Reference_Manual____________________________ Chapter_8__OneKey_Reference_Manual_______________________________ 8.1 Quick Reference........................................8-1 8.2 How to Enable OneKey...................................8-3 8.3 Modes..................................................8-4 8.4 The ENTER Key..........................................8-4 8.5 Exiting OneKey.........................................8-5 8.6 Information Keys.......................................8-5 v 8.7 Directory..............................................8-5 8.8 Search.................................................8-6 8.8.1 OneKey Title Search..........................8-6 8.8.2 Special Notes On OneKey Title Search.........8-6 8.8.3 OneKey Text Search...........................8-7 8.9 Printing...............................................8-7 8.10 Marking Notes..........................................8-7 8.11 Update & Refresh.......................................8-8 8.11.1 Update.......................................8-8 8.11.2 Refresh......................................8-8 8.12 Editor Mode Extensions.................................8-8 8.13 Conference Presentation Order.........................8-12 8.14 132-Column Mode.......................................8-13 8.15 Customizing OneKey....................................8-13 Chapter_9__INTERNET_Reference_Manual_____________________________ 9.1 The Internet Connection................................9-1 9.2 Terminal Emulation Using TELNET........................9-2 9.3 File Transfer Using FTP................................9-2 9.4 Internet Electronic Mail...............................9-3 9.4.1 AutoForwarding Mail to Other Internet Hosts........................................9-4 Chapter_10__Other_Facilities_____________________________________ 10.1 VAX/VMS Mail Utility..................................10-1 10.1.1 Invoking VMS MAIL From The DCL Prompt.......10-1 10.1.2 Invoking VMS MAIL Within VAX Notes..........10-1 10.2 KERMIT................................................10-2 10.3 ForWords..............................................10-3 10.3.1 Invoking ForWords...........................10-3 10.3.2 Defining Searches...........................10-3 10.3.2.1 Additional Attributes.................10-3 10.3.2.2 Listing Field Values..................10-4 10.3.2.3 Starting the search...................10-4 10.3.2.4 Stopping runaway searches.............10-4 10.3.3 Using the search results....................10-4 10.3.3.1 Browsing the notes in the list........10-5 10.3.3.2 One window vs two.....................10-5 10.3.4 Convenient function keys....................10-5 10.3.5 Selecting a different index.................10-5 vi 10.3.6 Advice on using FW..........................10-5 10.3.6.1 Not a substitute for VAXNotes.........10-5 10.3.6.2 Saving Lists..........................10-6 10.3.6.3 Finding a ``home'' for a topic........10-6 10.3.6.4 Using the search list as data.........10-6 10.3.6.5 Setting your preferences..............10-6 10.3.6.6 Editing Files in FW...................10-7 10.3.6.7 Getting more information on FW........10-7 10.4 MYSCRATCH............................................10-11 10.4.1 Making MYSCRATCH your default scratch area.......................................10-11 10.5 Online DECUServe Help................................10-12 Chapter_11__DECUServe_Conference_Titles__________________________ 11.1 Public Conferences as of 2-DEC-1993...................11-1 11.2 ``Required'' Conferences..............................11-2 11.3 Popular Conference Groupings..........................11-2 11.3.1 ALL-IN-1....................................11-2 11.3.2 WORD........................................11-3 11.3.3 PUBLIC_DOM..................................11-3 11.3.4 SOFTWARE....................................11-3 11.3.5 MANAGEMENT..................................11-3 11.3.6 DIGITAL.....................................11-4 11.3.7 NETWORKS....................................11-4 11.3.8 HARDWARE....................................11-4 11.3.9 UNIX........................................11-4 11.3.10 PDP-11......................................11-5 11.3.11 PC..........................................11-5 11.3.12 DECUS.......................................11-5 11.3.13 FORUM.......................................11-5 11.3.14 REQUIRED....................................11-6 Chapter_12__VAX_Notes_Editors____________________________________ 12.1 Showing Your Preferred Editor.........................12-1 12.2 Changing Your Preferred Editor........................12-1 12.3 Editing with EVE......................................12-2 12.3.1 Changing Your Preferred Editor to EVE.......12-2 12.3.2 Getting Help on EVE.........................12-2 12.4 Editing with EDT......................................12-3 vii 12.4.1 Changing Your Preferred Editor to Callable EDT.........................................12-3 12.4.2 Changing Your Preferred Editor to TPU/EDT.....................................12-3 12.4.3 Entering or Exiting Screen Mode in Callable EDT.........................................12-3 12.4.4 Getting Help on EDT or TPU/EDT..............12-3 12.5 Editing with WPS......................................12-5 12.5.1 Changing Your Preferred Editor to WPS.......12-5 12.5.2 Getting Help on WPS.........................12-5 12.6 Editing with TECO.....................................12-6 12.6.1 Changing Your Preferred Editor to TECO......12-6 12.6.2 Getting Help in TECO........................12-6 12.6.3 Exiting TECO................................12-7 Chapter_13__Troubleshooting______________________________________ 13.1 What to do if things don't work.......................13-1 13.2 Where to go for help..................................13-1 13.2.1 Can't Access the System.....................13-1 13.2.2 Account or Subscription Problems............13-1 13.2.3 INTERNET Problems...........................13-2 13.2.4 Business or Policy Issues...................13-2 13.2.5 Address or Telephone Number Changes.........13-3 13.3 Getting a DECUServe Application Form..................13-3 Index____________________________________________________________ Figures__________________________________________________________ 1-1 Chapter Overview................................1-2 5-1 VAX Notes Startup Screen........................5-2 5-2 VAX Notes Keypad Help Screen....................5-3 5-3 VAX Notes Key Definitions, Part 1...............5-3 5-4 VAX Notes Key Definitions, Part 2...............5-4 6-1 OneKey/VAX Notes Keypad Help Screen.............6-4 6-2 OneKey/VAX Notes Key Definitions, part 1........6-4 6-3 OneKey/VAX Notes Key Definitions, part 2........6-5 12-1 EVE Editor Keypad Layout (w/OneKey Extension)..12-2 12-2 EVE Editor Key Defintions (w/OneKey Extensions)12-2 12-3 Callable EDT Editor Keypad Layout..............12-4 viii 12-4 TPU/EDT Editor Keypad Layout (w/OneKey Extensions)....................................12-4 12-5 TPU/EDT Editor Key Defintions (w/OneKey Extensions), part 1............................12-4 12-6 TPU/EDT Editor Key Defintions (w/OneKey Extensions), part 2............................12-5 12-7 WPS Editor Keypad Layout (w/OneKey Extensions).12-5 12-8 WPS Editor Key Definitions (w/OneKey Extensions), part 1.........................................12-5 12-9 WPS Editor Key Definitions (w/OneKey Extensions), part 2.........................................12-6 12-10 TECO Startup/Help..............................12-6 Tables___________________________________________________________ 3-1 Public Telephone System Numbers.................3-1 4-1 Editors Available in VAX Notes..................4-3 8-1 Notes Mode Key Definitions......................8-1 8-2 Editor Mode Key Definitions.....................8-2 8-3 Editor Mode Extension Key Definitions...........8-9 9-1 Internet Addresses..............................9-1 10-1 Commonly Used ForWords Function Keys...........10-7 12-1 Editors Available in VAX Notes.................12-1 ix Preface__________________________________________________________ Welcome Welcome to the electronic community of DECUServe, ``Where DECUS meets Daily''! You have joined a proud group of dedicated volunteers and users who use the DECUServe conferencing system as an integral part of their work and education. We hope you enjoy your time with us and derive many hours of savings for each hour you spend. We also hope that you will contribute your own experiences as you become more familiar with our system and its members. Subscription to DECUServe Access to DECUServe is provided only by subscription. If you are not already subscribed to DECUServe you can easily get a subscription form by following the instructions at the end of Chapter 13. Acknowledgments It is impossible to thank all the people who have helped put DECUServe together and keep it running day after day. They know how valuable their efforts have been each time someone's question is answered, a new programming technique is described, or a new bug is reported. They will probably never know the countless hours that have been saved by the many people who learned something from the accumulated wisdom of the DECUS community. Thank you to all the volunteers and users of DECUServe. The original version of this guide could not have been written without the help of Pierre M. Hahn, Donald E. Amby, Dale E. Coy, Linwood Ferguson, Sharon Johnson, Terry Kennedy, Fred Lobmeyer, Chris Rhode, and Fred Scholldorf. Version 1.1 of this guide was produced with the help of F. Arthur Cochrane, Pierre Hahn, Bob Hassinger, and Larry Stone. xi Document Production This document is produced using VAX DOCUMENT. Final output of the printed version was generated on a Postscript printer. A Bookreader version of this document is also planned. xii Part_I___Getting_Started_with_DECUServe__________________________ Chapter__1_______________________________________________________ Introduction 1.1 Purpose of This Guide This guide is intended to be used in three ways: o as an introduction to DECUServe and VAXnotes for new users, o as a study guide for users wishing to learn more about advanced topics, o as a reference manual and refresher guide for experienced users of the system. Readers of this guide are expected to have a basic familiarity with computer systems including such concepts as logging in, accessing files, invoking editors and logging out. Familiarity with communications concepts such as local terminals, modems, and remote systems is desirable but not essential. This guide is divided into three parts. Part I, composed of Chapter 2 through Chapter 6, is designed to get you started on the system quickly. New users of the system should read these chapters in sequence. By the time you finish Chapter 4, you have logged onto the system. By Chapter 5 you have explored some of the conferences on the system and may have entered note or a question of your own. In Chapter 6 you begin to learn advanced techniques for reading and searching conferences. If you have problems go directly to Chapter 13-Troubleshooting. Part II consists of only Chapter 7-The DECUServe Cookbook. This chapter is an alternate way of learning how to use the system. By reading this chapter you explore the features of the system as a new user would from simple concepts to more complex ones, with each new concept building on what was previously learned. Part III is composed of the Chapter 8 through Chapter 13 . These chapters contain reference material or more detail on particular aspects of the system. These are intended to be read after you have mastered the basics. They may be read in any order. Introduction 1-1 1.2 Flowchart for New Users The following flowchart is a guide to reading the chapters of this document. Choose one of the tracks labeled Beginner. The distinction between a beginner with some VAX Notes experience and a beginner with no VAX Notes experience may not apply to you. You may simply prefer one style of presentation over the other. Leaf through a few pages of both the ``Cookbook'' (Chapter 7) and Chapters 2- 6 before you decide which to read first. Once you have mastered the basics by reading Chapters 2- 6 or Chapter 7 (or both), read the remaining chapters in any order. If you have problems with the system, please refer to Chapter 13 for help. Figure 1-1: Chapter Overview WIDE 1-2 Introduction Chapter__2_______________________________________________________ Getting Ready 2.1 Terminal Equipment VAX Notes and the various editors on the system work best if you use a Digital VTxxx or compatible terminal to access the system. The terminal should be configured for XON/XOFF flow control (in both directions), 8 bit operation, no parity, 1 stop bit, and application keypad mode. 2.2 PCs and Macintoshes There are many good VT200-series and VT300-series terminal emulators for the PC and the Macintosh. These programs allow your screen and keyboard to emulate most of the behavior of a VT-series terminal and typically use one of the PC COM ports or the Macintosh modem port to communicate. Become familiar enough with your terminal emulator to understand how to set up the communication parameters such as flow control, baud rate, number of data bits, parity/no parity, stop bits, etc. Set these parameters as described in Terminal Equipment above. Also, learn how your emulator maps the keys of your native keyboard into the keypad and cursor control keys of the emulated terminal. Full emulation of all VT-series special function keys is not absolutely required, but basic support for cursor movement and control-key functions is almost essential for effective screen editing and navigation within VAX Notes. 2.3 Modems & Communication Equipment DECUServe modems support a maximum communications speed of 14,400 bps (bits per second), as well as slower speeds such as 9600, 2400, 1200, and 300 bps. We recommentd that you use a minimum of 2400 bps to connect as slower speeds will cause delays when the screen is redrawn. Most asynchronous modems on the market today (or in the last several years) will be compatable with DECUServe. If you use a modem to reach any of the on-line services such as CompuServe or Prodigy, you should have no problems connecting with DECUServe. Getting Ready 2-1 Most DECUServe modems support V.42bis compression and the older MNP compression classes as well as the current error correction standards. Not all modem groups support all features - see Table 3-1, Public Telephone System Numbers or DECUSERVE_INFORMATION topic 12 for a full list of phone numbers and supported features. If the discussion above sounds like gibberish, or you simply don't know what protocols your modem supports, try it anyway. Most modems of recent vintage are sophisticated enough to negotiate between themselves for the highest mutually compatible speed and most reliable form of connection. As new standards evolve for even higher speed modems, you can expect DECUServe to switch to newer modems supporting these new standards that also support the speeds in use today. 2.4 Do you have your USERNAME and PASSWORD? As part of your sign-on package you should have received a page giving your username and password. These will be required for you to log in to the system (once you have established a connection). Please locate them now. If you have not registered you may read the remainder of these instructions to learn how to log in once you get your username and password. You can also log in to a special INFORMATION account where you can request a registration form. You can also obtain a registration form through Internet mail by following the instructions at the end of Chapter 13. Please do not use anyone else's username and password. The members and management of DECUServe take the security of the system very seriously. Access to the system using anything other than your own username and password is a violation of the DECUServe canons of conduct and is strictly forbidden. 2-2 Getting Ready Chapter__3_______________________________________________________ Connecting to DECUServe 3.1 Telephone Network Dialin You may access DECUServe using the public telephone system and an asynchronous, auto-dial modem. Simply dial one of the telephone number groups listed in Table 3-1 depending on the speed of your modem. If all lines in your preferred group are busy you will hear a busy signal and you should try one of the other groups. Table_3-1:__Public_Telephone_System_Numbers___________________ Speeds___________Number______Description______________________ Up to 28,800 (978)952- subscriber dial in access bps 2540 Up to 28,800 (800)521- to request information or to bps 8950 report problems Voice help (978)952- Customer Service Answering _________________6957________Machine__________________________ Note that the 800-number lines are to be used only to request information or report problems. These telephone access lines do not allow you to login using your normal username and password without prior authorization. 3.2 Connecting via INTERNET If your host computer is connected to the Internet or you have TELNET access to the Internet through a terminal server you may be able to access DECUServe through TELNET terminal emulation. 3.2.1 Internet Terminal Emulation To connect to DECUServe over the Internet, use your local TELNET client or terminal server to connect to the Internet host EISNER.DECUS.ORG (IP address 192.67.173.2). For example, on a local UNIX workstation, you might type the command: telnet eisner.decus.org Connecting to DECUServe 3-1 If your system is not configured to use the Internet Domain Name System (DNS) to perform host name to IP address resolution, you may need to access the DECUServe system directly by IP address. To establish a TELNET connection to DECUServe by IP address, you might type: telnet 192.67.173.2 However, you should be aware that the IP address for DECUServe is subject to set wrap change. Once a connection has been established to the DECUServe system, you will be prompted for your username and password just as if you had dialed in. For additional information on using the Internet refer to Chapter 9 of this guide. 3.2.2 Other Internet Services The DECUServe system also supports file transfer using the Internet File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and electronic mail exchange using Internet Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). To learn more about these facilities please refer to Chapter 9. 3.3 DECUServe POPs Some DECUServe volunteers maintain DECUServe POPs (Points of presence). A DECUServe POP will typically consist of one or more dial-in lines to a system or terminal server maintained by the DECUServe volunteer from which you then Telnet to DECUServe. There may be a charge for using a DECUServe POP to defray the costs of operating it. Complete information on current DECUServe POPs can be found in DECUSERVE_INFORMATION topic 43. 3-2 Connecting to DECUServe Chapter__4_______________________________________________________ Logging On If you have not yet established a connection between your equipment and the DECUServe system please do so now. Refer to Chapter 3 if you need help. 4.1 Username & Password You must know your username and password to log in. It is best if you can commit them to memory, especially your password. If you are logging in for the first time please find the information sheet which tells you what they are. Your username and password are for your use only. DO NOT allow your account to be used by anyone other than yourself. DO NOT under any circumstances give your password to anyone else. Violation of these rules will cause termination of your account. 4.2 What to Expect If you are logging in for the first time, see First-Time Options below. When your modem has connected, press the RETURN key at intervals of one second to allow the system to determine the baud rate of your connection. One or two presses of the RETURN key are usually sufficient. You are presented with the standard system notice and disclaimer. You are prompted for your username (supplied in your welcome kit): Username: J_NOTER Enter your username immediately after the prompt and press RETURN. You are then be prompted for your password: Password: Enter your password immediately after the prompt and press RETURN. Note that the password is never echoed. If you make a typing mistake before you press RETURN, you can press CONTROL- U to erase what you have entered so far and try again. Logging On 4-1 You have three chances to enter your username and password correctly. After the third unsuccessful login attempt the DECUServe system forces a disconnect. If you have successfully entered your username and password you are logged onto the system. 4.3 System Announcements Please read the system announcements which are displayed immediately after login. These give you important notices about upcoming system changes, new conferences, and similar news. 4.4 First-Time Options The first time you log into your account the system asks you to change your password. This is done to make sure that only you know the password to this account. When the system gives you the following prompt: New Password: type in at least 6 characters for your new password. (The characters you type are not displayed on the screen.) We recommend that you make your password longer than 8 characters. Ideally, use some combination of letters and numerals that does not appear in any dictionary and is not easily guessed. At the prompt: Verification: type in the same sequence of characters as you just typed. This is to make sure that there were no undetected typing or communications errors in your previous input. Remember your password; you will need it the next time you log in. 4.4.1 Setting Up Your Environment The VAX Notes conferencing software supports various profile options which allow you to customize your environment. For example: o your ``personal name'' which appears immediately after your username on notes which you write, o your choice of editor EVE, EDT, TPU/EDT, TPU/WPS, or TECO, 4-2 Logging On o and the initial selection of ''conferences'' to be tracked in your personal ``notebook''. If this is your first login, the system automatically activates the New User Environment procedure (NUE) to help your setup your account profile. In the questions that follow the system's default is shown in square brackets. Press the RETURN key to accept the default or enter a new value (followed by a RETURN) to change it. 4.4.2 Setting Your Personal Name NUE prompts you to accept your default personal name or change it: Please enter your personal name [John E. Noter]: This sets the name which appears along with your username in every note you write. 4.4.3 Setting Your Preferred Editor NUE prompts you to select your default editor for composing notes: Enter your preferred editor EVE, EDT, TPU/EDT, TPU/WPS, TECO [EVE]: You can change your selection at any time using the SET PROFILE command in Notes. There are five editors available. Brief descriptions of them are given in Table 4-1. Additional information is available in Chapter 12. Table_4-1:__Editors_Available_in_VAX_Notes____________________ EVE This is the basic TPU based editor covered in the VAX Notes Quick Refernce Card. This is the default editor. EDT This is the standard VAX editor with line mode, keypad, and nokeypad modes. It is also available on some personal computers and PDP-11s. TPU/EDT This is the advanced TPU based editor with split screen and a keypad matching EDT, but without the line and nokeypad modes. TPU/WPS This TPU-based editor has a keypad similar to WPS and WPS-Plus. TECO_____This_is_a_classic_editor_available_on_many_platforms. Logging On 4-3 4.4.4 Customizing Your Notebook Next, the NUE procedure automatically adds groups of VAX Notes conferences to your notebook based on your areas of interest. Your notebook is a file used by VAX Notes to keep track of which notes you have already read in public conferences. For now, select your areas of interest as described by the system. It takes a few seconds after the VAX Notes banner appears to display this information. Later, as you become more familiar with the content of each conference, you can add or delete the conference entries from your notebook. Refer to Chapter 11 for a list of conferences and their groupings. You may invoke the NUE procedure at any time in order to select additional areas of interest. To do this, type the command: $ ENVironment_update Only the first three characters are required. Your initial conferencing environment has now been set up. When this procedure exits, you may type the command to start VAX Notes and proceed with reading the information which is available: $ NOTES 4.5 Diskspace and Disk Quota Every DECUServe user is limited in the amount of disk space that may be used through the VMS DISKQUOTA facility. Once your disk quota is filled, you will be unable to create or expand any files. To see what your quota is and how much of it you are using, enter the command: $ SHOW QUOTA To avoid disservice to other users trying to send you electronic mail, the Mail utility has been configured with the EXQUOTA privilege which overrides your quota. You will receive all your mail even though you may have reached your disk quota. However, you will be unable to create any new files or expand any existing files until you delete enough mail or other files to reduce your disk usage below your quota. 4-4 Logging On To avoid you being denied access to VAX Notes due to having insufficient disk quota for your VAX Notes notebook, the notebook is owned by the system rather than by you. Some VAX Notes operation can cause rapid expansion of your notebook. DECUServe will periodically optimize your notebook. DECUServe recognizes that occasionally you need short term scratch space that exceeds your disk quota. The MYSCRATCH facility has been provided to meet that need. Please see Chapter 10 for more information on this facility. Logging On 4-5 Chapter__5_______________________________________________________ Using Standard VAX Notes 5.1 VAX Notes Concepts VAX Notes is a computer conferencing system in which discussions can be conducted between people in different locations and at different times. VAX Notes discussions are organized into conferences. Each conference contains a number of topics. Each topic serves to set an agenda for the discussion which follows. Each topic may contain any number of replies. Each reply contains the textual response, question, or comment on the given topic from one of the conference participants. Topics and replies are referred to collectively as notes. A topic and all of its replies are called a discussion or thread. Many people can participate in the same conference or even the same discussion simultaneously. VAX Notes controls access to the information and automatically assigns time stamps, sequence numbers, and authorship to all updates. Similarly, VAX Notes enables users to participate in discussions over an extended period of time by automatically keeping track of which notes each user has already seen and presenting only new, unseen information the next time they login. Also, old information is always available on request so that users can review a discussion already in progress or search a range of discussions for related information. 5.2 Conference Structure Each VAX Notes conference has a name, for example, DOCUMENT_ PROCESSING or SOFTWARE_DEVELOPMENT, describing the general theme of the conference. Each note within a conference has a two-level number, for example, 2.2, 6.0 or 356.17. Topics (the notes that set the agenda for a discussion) are numbered consecutively starting at 1 and incrementing by 1 for each topic (e.g. 1.0, 2.0, 3.0). Replies are numbered in the form n.m with m incrementing by 1 for each reply. For example, replies to topic 3.0 are numbered 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, ..., 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, .... You may randomly navigate through the this two-level hierarchy of notes by specifying a note number, or you may use the commands described below to select and read a note. Using Standard VAX Notes 5-1 Each note also has a title and an author, and is stamped with the date and time it was entered into the conference. Each note may also be associated with one or more keywords (usually assigned by the conference moderator and usable by all members) or markers (assigned by you and only visible to you). The title, author and date/time are displayed in the header of a note when you read it and in the directory of notes for the conference. 5.3 Your Personal Notebook Each user of VAX Notes is automatically provided with a personal notebook. The notebook is used by VAX Notes to maintain information about your environment: o the list of conferences which interest you, o your personal name and your selection of editor, o your personalized list of conferences, o your ``read-through'' point for each conference, and so on. Your notebook appears in your directory as the file named NOTES$NOTEBOOK.NOTE. This file is maintained automatically by VAX Notes. It may be modified only by using commands from within Notes. You should not delete this file, attempt to edit it, or even type it out; it is a special, binary-formatted file and it is not humanly readable. 5.4 Invoking VAX Notes To invoke the VAX Notes utility, type the following command: $ NOTES After you issue the NOTES command, your screen will clear and VAX Notes will display a directory of the conferences currently in your personal notebook as shown in Figure 5-1. (Your screen may show a different selection of conferences.) Figure 5-1: VAX Notes Startup Screen WIDE 5-2 Using Standard VAX Notes 5.5 Entering Commands VAX Notes commands can be entered in two ways: o Type the command on the command line and press RETURN. o Press a key that has been defined to perform the command. You can abbreviate commands to the fewest unambiguous characters. For example, W is a legal abbreviation for the WRITE command. 5.6 Getting Help You can get help on VAX Notes commands by entering HELP at the Notes> prompt, like this: Notes> HELP You can also get help on the VAX Notes keypad by pressing the HELP or PF2 key on your keyboard. VAX notes generates a display such as the one shown in Figure 5-2. Figure 5-2: VAX Notes Keypad Help Screen WIDE When the keypad diagram is on display, you can type ``keys'' and get a list of key definitions as shown in Figures 5-3 and 5-4. Figure 5-3: VAX Notes Key Definitions, Part 1 WIDE Using Standard VAX Notes 5-3 Figure 5-4: VAX Notes Key Definitions, Part 2 WIDE The key definitions display may also be generated anytime you are in Notes mode by pressing GOLD-HELP (that is, the PF1 key followed by the PF2 or HELP key). The help screens you see will vary depending on your terminal type and any keys you have defined. 5.7 Opening a Conference There are two ways to open a conference: o Use the ``DOWN'' KP2 or ``UP'' KP5 keys on the keypad to move the pointer ( > ) until it is pointing to the desired conference, and then press the SELECT key. o Type the command Notes> OPEN conference_name followed by RETURN. The conference name may be abbreviated to the first unambiguous string. When you open a conference VAX Notes displays the first note you have not already seen. If you are opening the conference for the first time you have not read any notes. Therefore the first topic, note 1.0, is displayed. 5.8 Getting a Directory of Notes When you are reading a conference you can get a directory of topics, replies, or both using the DIRECTORY command. The following command displays a directory of all topic notes (notes ending in ``.0''): Notes> DIRECTORY To include replies in the directory, specify a range of notes using wildcards: Notes> DIRECTORY *.* or Notes> DIRECTORY 5.*-8.* 5-4 Using Standard VAX Notes 5.9 Reading Notes There are several ways to begin reading notes: o Issue the Notes> READ command and optionally specify the number of the note. o Enter the number of the note, as in Notes> 5.2. VAX Notes always assumes you want to read a note when you respond to the Notes> prompt with a number. o When a directory listing is on display, move the pointer ( > ) using the KP2 or KP5 keys until it points to the desired note and press the SELECT key. Once you are reading notes there are several ways to navigate forward and back: o Use KP3 to move to the NEXT REPLY. o Use KP1 to move to the previous reply (BACK REPLY). o Use KP2 to move to the NEXT TOPIC (skipping intervening replies). o Use KP5 to move to the previous topic (BACK TOPIC). 5.10 Writing Notes 5.10.1 Adding a REPLY to a Discussion A discussion consists of a topic note and all of its replies. To add your own reply you simply position yourself in that discussion, and use the Notes> REPLY command to start up the editor of your choice. If you have not already chosen your default editor, do so now using (for example): Notes> SET PROFILE/EDITOR=EDT Your profile has been modified To add a reply to topic number 5 in the conference you are currently reading: Notes> 5.n Notes> REPLY Typically (depending on your chosen editor), the editor is started and your initial edit buffer contains the note you were just reading. Some VAX Notes editors support split screen operation. In this case one edit buffer displays the note you were just reading while the other buffer displays the new note you are composing. Using Standard VAX Notes 5-5 It is useful to quote portions of the old note to which you are replying in your new note. Used sparingly, it helps others understand exactly what you are talking about. Normally, the quoted material should be indented from the main text and prefixed by one or two arrows, as the following example shows. >> I want to learn how to write a topic note. >> Can someone please give me the instructions? Just read the next section. It will all be explained there. The first two lines contain the quoted material, extracted from the prior note. The reply goes on to give the answer to the question. When you are satisfied with your reply, exit the editor (usually F10 or CTRL-Z). VAX Notes prompts you for a title and confirms that you want to enter the note in the conference. To cancel your reply, do one of the following: o Quit from the editor. (In EVE press the PF4 key and type QUIT RETURN.) o Exit the editor. When VAX Notes prompts for the title, press CONTROL-Z. 5.10.2 Adding a Topic Note Adding a new topic to an existing conference is as easy as adding a reply. Simply use the Notes> WRITE command. VAX Notes starts the editor specified in your profile and gives you a blank editing screen. When you are satisfied with your text, exit the editor (usually F10 or CONTROL-Z). VAX Notes prompts you for a title and confirms that you want to enter the note in the conference. VAX Notes automatically assigns the next available number and displays the note on your screen. 5.11 Deleting a Note If you discover later that a note you have written contains a serious error, you may delete it using Notes> DELETE m.n. Here, ``m.n'' is the number of the note you wish to delete. Unless you are a moderator of this conference, you may delete only notes that you have written. 5-6 Using Standard VAX Notes 5.12 Ending a VAX Notes Session To leave the conference you are reading, type the following command: Notes> CLOSE Then, to exit the VAX Notes utility entirely: Notes> EXIT You can also press CONTROL-Z in place of the CLOSE and EXIT commands. Using Standard VAX Notes 5-7 Chapter__6_______________________________________________________ Using OneKey VAX Notes 6.1 Overview DECUServe offers an optional custom interface to VAX Notes called OneKey. OneKey lets you rapidly step through everything you haven't read by simply pressing the ENTER key. When you are through with one conference, the next one containing unseen notes is automatically opened. You can optionally control the order of presentation of conferences. For example, if you always want to read DECUSERVE_FORUM first, then that's what you'll see first. Other benefits of OneKey are the following: o Additional keypad keys are defined to speed reading notes, replying to notes, and writing new topics. o A facility is provided to help you search note titles to locate information. o A number of features of OneKey are easily tailored. 6.2 Setup / How to Access OneKey OneKey is enabled for your account as follows: 1. Edit your LOGIN.COM file. 2. Insert a line: $ DEFINE NOTES$SECTION ONEKEY If you are a new subscriber, this may have been done automatically if you requested it during your first login. 3. Make sure that you do NOT have a file named NOTES$COMMAND.TPU in any of your directories. 4. OneKey will be used the next time you log in. If you wish to use it immediately, type this command at the prompt: $ DEFINE NOTES$SECTION ONEKEY Then type $ NOTES and you will be using the OneKey interface. The only changes made to the basic VAX Notes interface are extensions of the functions of the ENTER and KP, (keypad COMMA) keys. All other OneKey functions are additions rather than changes to existing functions. Using OneKey VAX Notes 6-1 6.3 The ENTER Key Function After you have entered Notes, simply press the ENTER key (on the keypad) to read the next note you have not seen. When you see the message: No more unseen conferences...Do you want to update all conferences? [Y]: Type Y (or the ENTER key) to perform the update; Type N to not perform the update; Type X or E or Q to exit Notes and return to the prompt. All standard VAX Notes and EVE key definitions remain present. See Chapter 8, OneKey Reference Manual for additional OneKey key definitions. 6.4 What the ENTER Key Does In VAX Notes mode, the ENTER and the F20 keys are defined as ``1K-Note'' which is the function for one key reading. If you are using a VAXstation, Mouse Button 3 Down is also defined this way. Pressing any one of these keys does the following: 1. If a conference is not open, open one and show an unseen note. 2. If the note you're reading has more lines, show the next page. 3. If all of the current note has been seen, show the next unread note. 4. If there are no more unseen notes in this conference, open the next conference. 5. If there are no more conferences with unseen notes, recheck the Notebook. 6. If there is now a conference with something new, go read it. 7. Otherwise, ask if all conferences in the Notebook should be updated. At the update prompt, use only one keystroke (no return). Type one of the following characters: 6-2 Using OneKey VAX Notes ______________________________________________________________ Char.__Description____________________________________________ Y Starts an update. Be patient - it can take a while to update a lot of conferences. When the update finishes, you are told how many conferences have unseen notes. If there are any, press the ENTER key to open the next conference. N Leaves you where you are. This may be the last note you read or a directory listing. X Clears the screen and exits from VAX Notes. E______Clears_the_screen_and_exits_from_VAX_Notes.____________ 6.5 Exiting OneKey What if you want to get out of VAX Notes before you've read everything? OneKey makes exiting simple and fast. From almost any point (including replying to a note), you can use the fast exit. Press GOLD-F10 (that's the PF1 key, followed by F10). The screen is cleared, and the system prompt appears. You don't have to look at any intermediate screens. (The F10 key is marked ``Exit'' on most LK201 keyboards.) If you don't have an F10 key, GOLD-E is also ``fast exit''. However, GOLD-E is only available if you have a Notes> prompt (not when you're replying or writing). 6.6 Skipping Notes Without Reading Them In Notes mode, you press the KP4 key (the keypad key marked `4') to skip reading the rest of the unread notes in the current conference and go directly to the next conference that has unread notes. KP4 does NOT mark any unread notes ``seen''. You can eventually come back and read all of them. Of course, if you have only one conference with unread notes, using KP4 keeps returning you to that conference. If you want to skip the rest of the replies in a particular discussion and mark them as ``seen'', use Keypad Comma key (KP,). If you want to mark all remaining unread notes (topics and replies) in a conference as having been ``seen'', use the following VAX Notes command: Notes> SET SEEN Using OneKey VAX Notes 6-3 6.7 Backing Up The key sequence GOLD-KP4 attempts the impossible going back to the last seen note in the previously-seen conference. For example, you might inadvertently OneKey to the next conference and want to come back. Try GOLD-KP4. OneKey doesn't always know how to get back, but it makes its best attempt. 6.8 Getting Help on OneKey You can get help on the OneKey extensions to the VAX Notes keypad by pressing the HELP or PF2 key on your keyboard. VAX notes generates a display such as the one shown in Figure 6-1. Figure 6-1: OneKey/VAX Notes Keypad Help Screen WIDE When the keypad diagram is on display, type ``keys'' to get a list of key definitions as shown in Figure 6-2 and Figure 6-3. The key definitions display may also be generated anytime you are in Notes mode by pressing GOLD-HELP (that is, the PF1 key followed by the PF2 or HELP key. Please refer to Chapter 8, the OneKey Reference Manual, for more information on OneKey functions. Figure 6-2: OneKey/VAX Notes Key Definitions, part 1 WIDE 6-4 Using OneKey VAX Notes Figure 6-3: OneKey/VAX Notes Key Definitions, part 2 WIDE Using OneKey VAX Notes 6-5 Part_II___The_DECUServe_Cookbook_________________________________ Chapter__7_______________________________________________________ The DECUServe Cookbook The first few chapters of this guide presented the absolute minimum amount of information necessary to use the system. These got you going quickly but didn't explore some of the features of DECUServe and VAX Notes in detail. Later chapters of this guide consist of advanced reference material. They are intended for reading after you have become experienced with the system. This chapter explores DECUServe and VAX Notes concepts more fully than the earlier chapters and, it is hoped, in a more interesting fashion than the later reference chapters. The presentation style here is more like a recipe starting from scratch, adding one or two ingredients at a time, mixing them up, until the final product (your understanding) is complete. That's why we call this chapter the The DECUServe Cookbook. 7.1 About the Master Chefs Chris Rhode wrote the very first cookbook user guide. Linwood Ferguson volunteered to format it using RUNOFF and cleaned up errors related to changes in the DECUServe environment. It was then published as a stand-alone document and distributed informally at a past DECUS Symposium. Fred Scholldorf subsequently integrated most of the cookbook as this chapter of the DECUServe User Guide using DECwrite. Fred also performed some minimal editing to reduce duplication of material already in other chapters. Further editing was done by Larry Stone for this version of the User Guide. 7.2 Introduction This chapter is aimed at the subscriber whose usual use of the system will be to follow discussions in selected conferences on an ongoing basis, contributing to discussions from time to time. Please read this chapter in sequence as each section introduces concepts which elaborate upon the concepts developed in earlier sections. You will notice substantial duplication of material presented elsewhere in this guide. This is intentional. The DECUServe User Guide aims to present the same material in several ways both to reinforce The DECUServe Cookbook 7-1 the concepts through repetition and to allow you to choose the presentation style you prefer. We realize that some subscribers wish to minimize their contact with the large volume of notes on the system, desiring merely to look for existing information (quickly, without reading every note on the system), or to post questions (again, without reading most of the material on the system or caring much how it is organized). Later sections of this chapter will help you to navigate through the volume of information available. However, we strongly encourage you to read through this entire chapter, ideally while sitting at a terminal. Try reading part of a conference and posting a note or two. The WHO_AM_I conference, where subscribers tell each other about themselves, is a great place to start. We welcome suggestions for improvements to this document; send them via VAX Mail to ``@ASSIST'' (see Section 7.18, Sending Mail To The Customer Service Representative or the description of VAX Mail in Chapter 10 to learn how to do this). Thank you, and once again, welcome to DECUServe! 7.3 VAX Notes and VMS Most of your activity on the DECUServe system takes place inside a software product known as VAX Notes. It is an electronic conferencing product which makes extensive use of VT100-type screen features, so use of a VTxxx or a VTxxx- emulator on a PC or MAC is essential. DECUServe runs the VAX/VMS operating system. If you are not familiar with VMS, about all you need to know is that you enter a command at the ``$'' prompt. For example, $ NOTES to activate the VAX Notes application, or $ MAIL to activate VAX Mail. When the command completes you are given another ``$'' prompt. At that point you can type another command, and so on. Use the $ LOGOUT command to disconnect from the system. 7.3.1 Keyboard and Keypad Functions Most input to VMS and to programs such as VAX Notes and VAX Mail is terminated (sent to the system) by pressing the RETURN key on the main keyboard, not the ENTER key on the numeric keypad. The exceptions are the control and numeric keypad commands discussed in the next two paragraphs. Some functions on DECUServe involve use of the control key on your keyboard, which may be labeled CTRL or CTL or something similar. This document will use the notation CTRL/X to denote a control key sequence. Use the CONTROL key as you use the SHIFT key. For example, you can use CTRL/U at almost any time 7-2 The DECUServe Cookbook to delete the current line you are typing so that you can start over. Hold the control key down and press `U'. You do not press the RETURN key after using a Control function. Here are some other common control functions: CTRL/S Stops the flow of output to the screen. CTRL/Q Resumes the flow of output to the screen. CTRL/Y Gets you out of almost anything back to the system ``$'' prompt. (Use only in an emergency.) CTRL/C Aborts the current operation, e.g. Notes> SEARCH. (CTRL/C acts like a CTRL/Y if a program does not support CTRL/C.) CTRL/Z Substitutes for the EXIT command while in most programs such as VAX Notes or VAX Mail. You should use the RUBOUT or DELETE key on your keyboard (often at the upper right of the main keyboard) to delete characters. BACKSPACE or CONTROL-H will not have the desired effect. You will often make use of the numeric keypad on your terminal or PC in order to send commands to VAX Notes, VAX Mail, and most of the editors on the system. In virtually every case, pressing a keypad key causes some action to take place immediately; there is no need to press RETURN after pressing these keys. In fact, doing so will usually result in unexpected behavior. This document will use the notation KPX to denote a key on the numeric keypad; for example, KP3 means the `3' key on the keypad. The layout and names of keypad keys for standard VAX Notes are given in Chapter 5, for OneKey VAX Notes in Chapter 6 and Chapter 8, and for many of the VAX Notes Editors in Chapter 12. This chapter explains the functions many of these keys and provides examples of their use. If you are using a terminal emulator program on another computer, make sure you understand how your keys map to the VTxxx numeric keypad keys. Also make sure your terminal emulator is setup to use ``Keypad Application Mode''. 7.3.2 VAX Notes Conferences Through VAX Notes, you have access to a large number of conferences. A conference is a collection of notes (messages written by DECUServe subscribers) in a specific major subject area (e.g. VMS, PERSONAL_COMPUTING, DEC_NETWORKING, etc.). Each conference consists of a number of discussions, each consisting of a base or topic note (typically a question posed by a subscriber), usually followed by one or more replies The DECUServe Cookbook 7-3 or reply notes (answers and discussion authored by other subscribers). Every note in a conference is assigned a number of the form n.m. A topic note has a note number of the form n.0 (e.g. 1.0). The topic note may be followed by a number of reply notes with numbers of the form n.1, n.2, etc. (e.g. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, ...). We strive to keep each discussion tightly focused on one concept, idea, or question, and to prevent discussions from drifting into material that really belongs in a different conference or discussion. 7.3.3 Your VAX Notes Notebook DECUServe has a large number of conferences; you may only want to follow a small number of them. VAX Notes automatically keeps track of the conferences you are following, and for each conference, which notes you have read (seen) in that conference, so that each time you open a conference, you pick up reading approximately where you left off. The data file that keeps track of this information for you is known as a notebook. 7-4 The DECUServe Cookbook 7.4 Accessing the System 7.4.1 The First Login Follow the instructions on the cover letter you received with your DECUServe subscription to dial up the DECUServe system and log in using your assigned username and password. Once you have connected to the system, you may have to press RETURN a few times (wait a few seconds each time) to get the Username: prompt. Enter your username followed by pressing RETURN. When prompted with Password:, enter your password followed by RETURN. Type carefully, your password is not echoed as it is typed. You can use DELETE, RUBOUT, or CTRL/U as mentioned earlier to correct typing mistakes. Once you have successfully entered your username and password, you see a number of informational messages. These are followed by either a banner announcing that you are entering the New Subscriber Environment Generation Procedure or the VMS system prompt ``$'' if the New Subscriber Environment Generation Procedure is not available. 7.4.2 Subsequent Logins Always read the informational messages that appear during login carefully. They do change from time to time. The information is typically exceptionally useful or important. If your connection to the computer is dropped at any time after you have logged in, simply redial; after entering your username and password again you are given the opportunity to resume your old session (provided you redial within a few minutes). If you have repeated problems getting into the system or being disconnected from the system, call the DECUServe Customer Service Representative for assistance at the telephone number listed on the cover letter or follow the instructions listed in Chapters 3 and 13 of this document. 7.4.3 New User Environment Setup Upon your first login, the system runs the DECUServe New User Environment Generation Procedure, which walks you through some important first steps on the system. It assists you in tailoring your environment to your preferences. It also takes care of some important initial chores, including changing your password. One of the most important steps through which the New User Environment leads you is choosing the conferences, or major subject areas, which you wish to follow. Since there are a lot of conferences, it shows you typical areas of interest, such as: The DECUServe Cookbook 7-5 o 3rd Party and Pubic Domain Software, Software Development, Status o Site Management, Business Practices, Security, Law, News o VMS, Digital's Layered Products, Other Digital Software o PDP-11 Operating Systems, Software and Hardware o Ultrix, Unix, Xenix Operating Systems, Software, Worksta- tions These general areas of interest and others are presented. You may choose those that appeal to you. Each of these broad areas of interest correspond to several VAX Notes conferences which are then added to your notebook. This allows you to follow new developments in them each time you log on. A fairly complete list of conference areas is given in Chapter 11 of this guide. You may always add or delete individual conferences manually later; this is just an initial way to setup your personal notebook quickly. If you simply get the ``$'' prompt instead of the New User Environment Generation Procedure, there are at several things you should do immediately: 1. Change your password if the system has not already forced you to do so. Issue the command SET PASSWORD at the ``$'' prompt. You are asked to enter your old password, a new password, and your new password again at the Verification prompt. This is to guard against typing mistakes since none of these entries are displayed as you type them. Choose any string of letters and digits of at least 6 characters in length which you can easily remember but will be difficult for others to guess. For example, use a phrase such as ``PASSTHESALT'' rather than your first name, nickname, or other easily guessed passwords. 2. The next two steps require that you enter VAX Notes. Simply type NOTES at the ``$'' prompt (followed by the RETURN key). Ignore the displays generated by VAX Notes for now. 3. Set your default VAX Notes editor. The default editor is EVE. If you are familiar with it, you may wish to leave the default intact. People familiar with EDT but unfamiliar with EVE should issue the following command at the Notes> prompt: Notes> SET PROFILE/EDITOR=(EDT,CALL) 7-6 The DECUServe Cookbook Once again, the command is followed by the RETURN key at the Notes> prompt. The EDT editor (described in Chapter 12) is now set as the default. This default setting applies across all further logins until you choose to change it again. 4. Set up an initial set of conferences. You can get a paginated list of all conferences available on DECUServe by issuing the command: Notes> DIR/CONFERENCES EISNER:: Press RETURN to advance to the next page of the listing. Write down the names of any conferences which appear interesting (ignore ``>'' symbols which may appear to the left of the conference names), and then add them to your notebook one at a time using the command: Notes> ADD ENTRY EISNER::conference_name It is very important that you always specify the string EISNER:: in these two commands. When you are done adding conferences, issue the command Notes> UPDATE Wait until it completes, and then issue the EXIT command to exit Notes. 7.5 Procedure Summary For Using VAX NOTES The following outline procedure for using NOTES probably suffices for your first few ventures into DECUServe; you can review each step and perform it after you read it. 1. Log into your account. When you log in, look at any messages displayed as they may tell you important things about availability of DECUServe or other information. They do change periodically. A few seconds after you reach the ``$'' prompt, you will notice a message Subprocess username_1 has completed. You may want to wait for this message. When you logged in, a subprocess was started which updates the unseen counts in your notebook. Running in parallel with your login, this updates your notebook faster and saves you the trouble of having to do it yourself. 2. Issue the NOTES command at the ``$'' prompt to enter VAX Notes and display the contents of your notebook, indicating which conferences (if any) contain unseen notes. The DECUServe Cookbook 7-7 3. If there are no conferences with unseen notes, you may use CTRL/Z or the EXIT command to exit VAX Notes. Then proceed to step (6). Or, you may select the conference you wish to read by using the command OPEN conferencename. 4. The first unseen note in the conference is automatically presented to you. Use the numeric keypad keys to read the notes in the conference: ENTER to proceed through all unseen notes in sequence KP3 to skip to the next reply in the current discussion KP, to skip to the next discussion You can also reply to any note you are reading via the REPLY command; see below for instructions on the REPLY command. If you feel overwhelmed by the number of unseen notes in the conference, read about the SET SEEN command. 5. When all notes are read, or when you wish to stop reading notes and come back later and pick up approximately where you left off, use CTRL/Z or the CLOSE command to return to your notebook listing, and go back to step (3). 6. Log out of your account using $ LOGOUT. 7.6 More Details On Using Vax Notes 7.6.1 The Background Update Process When you log into DECUServe, a background process is started which goes through your notebook and updates all of the unseen counts. Once completed, you can quickly ascertain which conferences contain notes you haven't seen. To avoid confusion, you may wish to wait until you see the Subprocess username_1 has completed message before entering VAX NOTES. It does no harm if you do not wait and enter VAX Notes anyway, but some of your unseen counts may not be updated when you first see the directory. However, if you read or post notes in some conference and come back to the directory display after the subprocess is complete, they are then updated. 7.6.2 Starting VAX Notes To get into VAX Notes, simply issue the command: $ NOTES Note that ``$'' is used to indicate that the command NOTES is typed in response to the ``$'' prompt you get after logging in; the ``$'' is not typed as part of the command. Remember to press RETURN to send the command to the system. 7-8 The DECUServe Cookbook Shortly after typing NOTES, you get a ``notebook listing'' on your screen that looks something like this: Directory of Notebook class MAIN Entry Name Unseen Last new note Topics Update status DEC_SOFTWARE 28 18-FEB-1986 14:23 9 PERSONAL_COMPUTING 2 6-MAR-1989 18:50 10 VMS 2 6-MAR-1989 18:51 289 You may now select a conference to read. Do this by issuing the command OPEN conferencename. For example: Notes> OPEN VMS You can abbreviate the conference name in the OPEN command as long as the abbreviation is unique in your notebook listing or you are satisfied opening the first conference whose prefix matches the string you type. VAX Notes opens the specified conference and displays the first unseen note in the conference, if any. 7.6.3 Reading A Conference Normally you read all unseen notes in sequence until there are no more notes to be read, although you can exit the conference at any time and return later to pick up where you left off. When you wish to exit the conference and return to the notebook listing, issue the EXIT command. To exit VAX Notes and get back to the ``$'' prompt when at the notebook directory listing, use the EXIT command a second time. Remember that you can use CTRL/Z as a shortcut for typing EXIT. At the ``$'' prompt you can issue the command LOGOUT to disconnect from the system. As mentioned earlier, when you enter a conference, VAX Notes finds a discussion containing unseen notes and presents the unseen notes in that discussion to you in order. When you finish reading a discussion, VAX Notes proceeds to the next discussion with unseen notes. This process continues until all unseen notes have been read. A few comments are appropriate about the order in which notes are presented by default. When you enter a conference, VAX Notes displays an unseen note. This note may not be related to where you left off reading when you were last in the conference. As an example, if you last read 500.1 and exited and then someone posted a reply in 1.3, when you next open that conference, you may find yourself reading 1.3 first, not 500.2. The DECUServe Cookbook 7-9 The base note (n.0) and all replies to it (n.1, n.2, etc.) are often called a ``thread''. They all relate to one topic, and represent a collective train of thought. Because of this (in VAX Notes's normal order of presentation), after the first unseen note (say 3.24) you move on to 3.25, 3.26, etc. until you come to the end of that thread. In this situation, VAX Notes is presenting replies in numeric order to help you follow the meaning of that thread. It does not matter that replies to other topics were posted in between, say, the time stamps of 3.26 and 3.27. It would be confusing to jump from 3.26 to 5.1 and back to 3.27. The above behavior is intended to help you in following discussions. It may at first appear confusing, since you find yourself jumping back from high numbered topics in one session to low numbered ones later. The important thing to remember is that VAX Notes is keeping track of all unseen topics and replies, and unless you tell it not to (see SET SEEN), VAX Notes will eventually show you everything you have yet to see. Often, you can use just the ENTER key on the numeric keypad for note reading. This is known as the VAX Notes OneKey-Noting key. The ENTER key will do the following: o If there is more of the current note to be read,(many notes are longer than one screen)the next screen of the note is displayed. o If the current note has been completely read, the next reply in the discussion is presented. o If no more replies exist in the current discussion, the next unseen discussion is presented. Two other keys on the numeric keypad may be immediately useful to you: o The keypad 3 key on the keypad (KP3) which may be used to skip to the next reply in a discussion (if the current note is too long or uninteresting to you). o The keypad comma key (KP,) which may be used to skip to the next unseen discussion (if the entire discussion you are currently reading is uninteresting to you). Further details on these and other keypad commands are provided in the next section. 7-10 The DECUServe Cookbook 7.7 Additional VAX Notes Commands And Keys OneKey noting presents unseen notes to you in order, one discussion at a time. You can alter this method of presentation by pressing numeric keypad keys as follows: o To go back to the previous screen of a long note, use the keypad period key (KP. or ``PREV SCREEN''). To display the next screen, use the keypad zero key (KP0 or ``NEXT SCREEN''). If your terminal has NEXT SCREEN and PREV SCREEN keys, they work in the same way. o To skip to the next reply in a discussion, use the keypad ``3'' key (KP3 or ``NEXT REPLY''). o To skip to the next discussion with unseen notes, use the keypad comma key (KP, or ``NEXT UNSEEN''). Note that all remaining notes in the discussion you were reading are marked as ``seen'' when you do this. The keypad comma key only discards notes currently in existence in the discussion. If new notes are posted in the same discussion later, you will have to use the keypad comma key again to discard them if you still have no interest in that discussion. o To go back to the previous note you were reading (as when you've accidentally pressed the ENTER key one time too many), use the keypad minus key (KP- or ``LAST NOTE READ''). 7.7.1 Moving to a Different Discussion Use the keypad ``5'' key (KP5 or ``PREVIOUS TOPIC'') to move to lower topic numbers (e.g. from 2.0 to 1.0 or 2.5 to 1.0) and and the keypad ``2'' key (KP2 or ``NEXT TOPIC'') to move to higher topic numbers (e.g. from 2.0 to 3.0 or 2.5 to 3.0). 7.7.2 Moving Within a Discussion Use the keypad ``1'' key (KP1 or ``PREVIOUS REPLY'') to move to lower reply numbers (e.g. from 2.5 to 2.4) and and the keypad ``3'' KP3 or ``NEXT REPLY'') to move to higher reply numbers (e.g. from 2.5 to 2.6). 7.7.3 Jumping Around Within a Conference To jump to a specific note number, just type the note number at the Notes> prompt (e.g. 2.4), using the number keys on the main keyboard (not the numeric keypad!), followed by RETURN. You can also use the letter ``L'' (for last) to reference the last topic in the conference, or the syntax n.L (e.g. 32.L) to reference the last note in a specific discussion, or .L to reference the last note in the current discussion, or ``.'' The DECUServe Cookbook 7-11 to reference the current note (e.g., to start reading it again from the first page). 7.7.4 Navigating Your Notebook Three specific keypad commands are also useful when you are reviewing your notebook listing (the directory listing of your conferences) in that they allow you to open conferences with non-zero unseen counts quickly without having to manually issue an ``OPEN conferencename'' command. Use KP2 or KP5 to move the > pointer at the left side of the screen to point at a conference with a non-zero unseen count, and then KP7 to open that conference. 7.7.5 OneKey VAX Notes Extensions The technique of using the ENTER key to move between notes is often called one-key noting. Additional software is available which expands on this VAX Notes feature. For instance, when there are no more unseen notes in a conference in standard VAX Notes, you must exit (close) that conference, look for another with unseen notes, and open it. Using the software extensions, the ENTER key automatically picks the next conference with unseen notes and opens it. These extensions are generally referred to as OneKey Notes (just to confuse you). If you see discussions of it on DECUServe, it is this software addition that is most likely being referred to. OneKey VAX Notes is optional. See Chapter 8 of this guide or the DECUServe conference VAX_NOTES_UTILITY, topic 222. By default, you are using standard VAX Notes as shipped by Digital Equipment Corporation. 7.8 Adding Your Own Replies Or Topics After a while you may wish to post a note or two, either to contribute to an existing discussion or to pose a question of your own. Two commands exist to do this. The REPLY command enters a reply at the end of the discussion you are reading (you do not have to be reading the first or last note in the discussion to do this). The WRITE command starts a new discussion. Both of these commands use the editor you chose during your first login session to let you compose your note. Go to Chapter 12 if you need help deciding which editor to chose or help with the keypad layouts and commands when you are in editor mode. If you use REPLY, the text of the note you are currently reading is extracted into your favorite editor for you, unless you use the command REPLY / NOEXTRACT or unless the editor you chose cannot support this feature. This 7-12 The DECUServe Cookbook text extraction is often convenient as a guide to composing your reply. You can quote pieces of the original note in your reply to help others establish context. When you quote text in this way you should normally insert some special character (``>'' is often used) in front of each line of original text so that it can be distinguished from the new text you are entering. For example: > This is a line from the original note This is my response to that line Attempt to minimize quoting so other subscribers are not rereading most of a previous note as they read yours. When you have finished composing your response, exit the editor in the normal fashion (for example, CTRL/Z followed by the command EXIT if you are using the EDT editor). You are then be asked to enter a title for your note. Try to choose a meaningful title so other users can seek out information in your note by searching on titles (more details on this later). There is a maximum length of about 60 characters or a title appears truncated on an 80 column screen. Finally, you are asked if you really want to post the note (Respond N if you've changed your mind.) VAX Notes always displays your note immediately after you post it, but if you use ENTER to move to the next unseen, it picks up the current thread where you left off. For example, if you posted your reply while reading, say, 124.5 (and the thread goes up to 124.10), your reply is posted and displayed as 124.11. On pressing ENTER, VAX Notes takes you back to 124.6 (where you left off), moves through 124.7, etc. and eventually re- displays 124.11 (your reply). If you are contributing to an existing discussion using the REPLY command, avoid digressing into concepts outside of the scope of that discussion. In such cases perhaps starting a new discussion is preferable. If you are considering starting a new discussion using the WRITE command, make an effort to determine if a discussion on that topic already exists (in which case you should REPLY to it rather than starting a duplicate discussion). Make sure your discussion is within the scope of the conference you are posting (use the content of the 1.* discussion in each conference for guidance). Some topics fit well in several conferences; choose the one which fits best in your judgment. It is perfectly acceptable to just write a question the conference moderators will tell you where to move the note if it can join an existing discussion or can help you find a The DECUServe Cookbook 7-13 more appropriate conference. Send mail to the moderators of your chosen conference(s) asking for guidance, if necessary. 7.9 Deleting or Modifying a Note If you wish to delete a note you have posted, you can do so by issuing the VAX Notes command DELETE n.m where ``n.m'' is the note number assigned to your note. If you wish to change the title of a note you have posted, you can do so by using the command NOTE/TITLE="new title" n.m. VAX Notes does not have a facility to directly modify the content of an existing note. However, you can extract the text of a note to a file, delete the note, and then use REPLY or WRITE to put the modified text back into VAX Notes. 7.10 Telling Notes to Pretend You Have Read a Note (SET SEEN) When you open a conference, VAX Notes presents all unseen notes to you in order. If there are many unseen notes in a conference, this can take time. This is a common problem especially when one starts reading a conference that has existed for many months and contains hundreds or even thousands of notes. You can use the SET SEEN command while in a conference to alter the unseen map in your notebook without actually having to read notes. Two forms of the SET SEEN command are most useful. The SET SEEN command all by itself sets all existing notes seen, to be used when you want to see only notes written from now on. The other form of the command is SET SEEN/BEFORE=dd-mon-yyyy, which sets all notes created before the specified date as seen. In this manner you can reduce or eliminate the number of notes you have to plow through. Use of /BEFORE=dd-mon- yyyy specifying a date a week or two in the past usually lets you capture the flavor of recent discussions without having to read the entire discussions. (If you encounter part of an interesting discussion and you wish to read the whole discussion, use the command .0 to back up to the base note of the discussion, and then proceed through the notes using the ENTER key. Or, if you wish to skip an uninteresting discussion, use KP,.) For example: Notes> SET SEEN/BEFORE=01-DEC-1993 7-14 The DECUServe Cookbook Note that if you were prompted during your first login session by the New User Environment Generation Procedure to choose ``areas of interest'' in order to populate your notebook with conferences, SET SEEN/BEFORE=date commands have been issued for you in each conference to give you a reasonable number of unseen notes. You can use SET SEEN yourself to change this if you wish. If you really want to read all the notes in a conference, for example, issue SET SEEN with a very old date on the /BEFORE qualifier, for example: Notes> SET SEEN/BEFORE=01-JAN-1900 7.11 Note Ranges The DIRECTORY and SEARCH commands (discussed next) and other commands in VAX Notes allow a note range as a parameter. A note range is an expression that identifies one or more notes to be operated upon by the command. The following examples demonstrate the syntax of note ranges: ______________________________________________________________ EXPRESSION__MEANING___________________________________________ 1.4 Note 1.4 only 1.* All notes in discussion 1 (1.0, 1.1, ...) 1.4-3.6 Note 1.4 and all remaining notes in that discussion, all notes in discussion 2, and notes 3.0 thru 3.6. 1.*-2.* All notes in discussions 1 and 2 * All topic notes (1.0, 2.0, ...) *.*_________All_notes_in_the_conference_______________________ The notation ``'' is used elsewhere in this document to indicate places where a note range can be specified in a command. The ``<>''s are not actually typed as part of the note range. Note that ``*'' does_not_mean all notes. You must use ``*.*'' to mean all notes. Expressions such as ``2.4,3.6'' to specify two arbitrary notes, or ``2.1-2.6,3.1-3.6'' to specify a list of arbitrary ranges of notes are not permitted. The DECUServe Cookbook 7-15 7.12 SEARCH The search command lets you search for an arbitrary string in a conference you have opened. Type SEARCH string at the Notes> prompt; if the string contains spaces, you must enclose it in double quotes: Notes> SEARCH MODEM Notes> SEARCH "DISK SHADOWING" VAX Notes presents the first note that it finds containing the specified string; to proceed to the next note containing that same string, issue the SEARCH command again without a parameter: Notes> SEARCH Searching conferences for strings can be slow, especially in large conferences. You can sometimes make use of the /NOTES=``'' qualifier of SEARCH to restrict the range of notes being searched. A quicker, but sometimes less effective, method for seeking out information in a conference is to use the DIRECTORY command described in the next section. 7.13 DIRECTORY The DIRECTORY command is used within an opened conference to display the titles of some or all of the notes in a conference. It also is useful for locating information in a conference; it is quicker than SEARCH but not as thorough. (If you want to search for information across many conferences use the title search facility described later.) o DIRECTORY ``'' Lists the titles of all notes in the specified note range. In all DIRECTORY commands, * (NOT *.*) is the default note range if none is specified. The command DIRECTORY L-1 lists all the topic titles in reverse chronological order; in a large conference this may be useful for locating recent discussions on ``hot'' topics. o DIRECTORY/SINCE=dd-mon-yyyy ``'' Lists all notes in the specified note range written on or since the specified date. o DIRECTORY/BEFORE=dd-mon-yyyy ``'' Works similarly to list all notes written before the specified date. 7-16 The DECUServe Cookbook o DIRECTORY/AUTHOR=username ``'' Lists all notes in the specified note range written by the specified user. o DIRECTORY/TITLE="string" ``'' Lists all notes in the specified note range with titles containing the specified string. This differs from the SEARCH command in that SEARCH will find notes with the ``string'' anywhere in the body of the note; DIRECTORY/TITLE only looks at the title (and hence is much faster than SEARCH). 7.14 Notebook Management In your first login session, an initial set of conferences is established in your notebook, either by the New User Environment Generation Procedure or by your use of ADD ENTRY commands. You are free to add new conferences to your notebook at any time, or to delete conferences from your notebook when you are no longer interested in them. (Changes in conferences are announced in the CONFERENCE_OF_CONFERENCES conference and in the messages that appear during your login to the system.) Use the command ADD ENTRY EISNER::conferencename to add a new conference and DELETE ENTRY conferencename to delete a conference from your notebook. (Note that in the DELETE command, the string EISNER:: must not be specified!). Use of the UPDATE command is recommended after altering the contents of your notebook to eliminate misleading or confusing information in the notebook display. 7.15 VAX Notes HELP You can use the HELP command at the Notes> prompt to browse through the online help for VAX Notes. Also, while at the Notes> prompt, pressing PF2 (not KP2) on the keypad or the key labeled HELP (if your keyboard has such a key) will bring up a keypad diagram which shows what all of the keys on the keypad do. From the ``$'' prompt or from within Notes, the command HELP DECUSERVE will give additional help on using the system. The DECUServe Cookbook 7-17 7.16 Title Search Facility It is possible to search a database of note titles for all conferences from the VMS ``$'' prompt. This is a quick and reasonably reliable way of locating information on a specific topic. The command is shown below: $ SEARCH DECUSERVE_TITLES string The string can be a single word, or a phrase contained in double quotes: $ SEARCH DECUSERVE_TITLES MODEM ALL-IN-1 26 17-FEB-1988 3 What modems can be used w/ALL-IN-1? ALL-IN-1 20-FEB-1990 310.1 Need MNP modem to dial mnp from All-In-1 $ SEARCH DECUSERVE_TITLES "DISK SHADOWING" VMS 205 23-MAY-1988 23 Disk Shadowing Question Each line of output from SEARCH identifies a specific note with a title containing the string you specified. o The conference is always indicated at the far left. The conference name is truncated if it is longer than 20 characters. o If a number appears between the conference name and the date, then this specifies a topic note. Probably most or all of the notes in that discussion relate to your topic of interest. (For example, the first match in the search for MODEM is note 26.0.) o If no number appears between the conference name and date, then the number to the right of the date specifies the matching note. (310.1 for the second match in the search for MODEM). o Output from SEARCH can be paused and resumed using CTRL/S and CTRL/Q, and safely interrupted via CTRL/Y at any time. 7.16.1 Narrowing the Scope of a Search You can sometimes narrow your search by specifying multiple strings (separated by commas) and including the /MATCH=AND qualifier to the SEARCH command. With this qualifier, only notes having titles containing all of the specified strings will be listed: $ SEARCH/MATCH=AND DECUSERVE_TITLES MODEM,DECSERVER DEC_NETWORKING 29-JUL-1987 16.2 PASTHRU on DECserver with XMODEM DEC_NETWORKING 18-JUL-1987 7.0 DECserver 200/Modem Control Issues 7-18 The DECUServe Cookbook 7.17 Sending Mail To Conference Moderators Every conference on DECUServe has one or more moderators (also known as conference managers) who are a resource for any questions regarding conference content (for example, if you are unsure if a given question is appropriate for a given conference). To send mail to all moderators of a given conference, use the SEND/MODERATOR command at the Notes> prompt after opening the conference. You will be prompted for the CC: addresses and a subject line for your message and will then be placed into your default Notes editor to compose your mail message. Exit the editor to send your message, or QUIT from the editor to abandon the mail message. 7.18 Sending Mail To The Customer Service Representative If you have any questions or problems while using the system, use the MAIL utility to send mail to the DECUServe Customer Service Representative. This can be done by issuing the MAIL command at the $ prompt (i.e. when you are not inside VAX Notes). $ MAIL MAIL> SEND To: @ASSIST Subj: I need help! Enter you message below. Press CTRL/Z when complete, or CTRL/C to quit: I keep getting garbage on my screen every time I enter VAX VAX Notes. [CTRL/Z] MAIL> EXIT $ You can use CTRL/Z to end your message or CTRL/C to cancel the message. If you want to use the EDT editor to compose your note, use SEND/EDIT instead of SEND. 7.19 Sending Mail to the DECUServe Executive Committee If you have a private comment about the system, you can use MAIL to send mail to the DECUServe Executive Committee, the group of people who manage and set policy for the system. Use the same steps as you would use to send mail to the DECUServe Customer Service Representative, but send mail to @XCOM instead of @ASSIST. You are welcome to participate in the DECUSERVE_FORUM conference, where subscribers discuss DECUServe management and policy issues. The DECUServe Cookbook 7-19 7.20 Notes on the Callable EDT Editor If you get a * prompt when you first enter the editor type CHANGE (or just a C) followed by RETURN to enter screen mode. You can now type text, or use the arrow and numeric keypad keys to move around in your text and manipulate it. When you are done editing, use CTRL/Z to get the * prompt and then use either the EXIT command to save your editing work and exit, or QUIT to discard all of your work (if you're really sure you want to do that). Here are the common editor commands; remember that KPX means press the ``x'' key on the numeric keypad, and that you should not press RETURN after these command keys. ______________________________________________________________ Key_______Function____________________________________________ Right Move cursor right one character. Arrow Left Move cursor left one character. Arrow Up Arrow Move cursor up one line (tries to stay in same column). Down Move cursor down one line (tries to stay in same Arrow column). KP0 Move to beginning of next line. PF1 then Insert a blank line above the current one (make sure KP0 you are at the beginning of a line before using it). KP1 Move to the right one word. KP2 Move to the end of the current line. PF1 then Go to the beginning of the editing buffer. KP5 PF1 then Go to the end of the editing buffer. KP4 KP, Delete a character. PF1 then Undelete last deleted character. KP, KP- Delete a word. PF1 then Undelete last deleted word. KP- 7-20 The DECUServe Cookbook ______________________________________________________________ Key_______Function____________________________________________ PF4 Delete a line. PF1 then Undelete last deleted line. PF4 PF2_______Display_help_text.__________________________________ Additional information on this and the other editors available within VAX Notes may be found in Chapter 12 of this guide. The DECUServe Cookbook 7-21 Part_III___DECUServe_Reference_Manual____________________________ Chapter__8_______________________________________________________ OneKey Reference Manual 8.1 Quick Reference The key definitions of OneKey are listed in Tables 8-1 and 8-2. The remaining sections of this chapter discuss the use of these keys in detail. GOLD is PF1 key on the keypad. The LK201 keyboard is the keyboard most commonly found on VT200 and higher series terminals. Table_8-1:__Notes_Mode_Key_Definitions________________________ In Notes mode (you can see the Notes> prompt): Keystroke___Function__________________________________________ ENTER Next Unseen (OneKey Reading) F20 Next Unseen (OneKey Reading) - LK201 Keyboard M3DOWN Next Unseen (OneKey Reading) - VAXstation Mouse GOLD-F10 Get Out of VAX Notes (``Fast Exit'') - LK201 Keyboard GOLD-E Get Out of VAX Notes (``Fast Exit'') GOLD-D Return to Directory Listing GOLD-N Re-scan Your Notebook GOLD-O Write Section File GOLD-P Print Note(s) to Attached Printer GOLD-U Update All Classes Immediately GOLD-W What Conference am I in? GOLD-Z Show Version of OneKey and VAX Notes GOLD-~ Show Version of OneKey and VAX Notes KP4 Open the NEXT Conference with Unseen Notes KP8 Search Next KP6 Goto OneKey Search Menu KP9 Mark this Note OneKey Reference Manual 8-1 Table_8-1_(Cont.):__Notes_Mode_Key_Definitions________________ In Notes mode (you can see the Notes> prompt): Keystroke___Function__________________________________________ GOLD-KP4 Open PREVIOUS Conference, Display Last Note Read GOLD-KP9 Go to Marked Note KP6 Display OneKey Search Screen, to Search Note ____________Titles____________________________________________ Table_8-2:__Editor_Mode_Key_Definitions_______________________ In editor mode (you are writing a note and cannot see the Notes> prompt): Keystroke___Function__________________________________________ GOLD-F10 Get Out of VAX Notes (``Fast Exit'') GOLD-I DCL Command GOLD-J Grammar Check (if available) GOLD-Q Quote Selected Region (or Current Line) GOLD-S Spell Check (if available) GOLD-W Write File GOLD-Z Show Information about Buffers GOLD-; Global Replace GOLD-$ Spawn (if available) GOLD-@ Signature (Insert sys$login:onekey_signature.dat) GOLD-PREV Top SCREEN GOLD-NEXT Bottom SCREEN F7 Quote (Insert next typed character without translation) GOLD-F7 Insert Escape Character - LK201 Keyboard F8 Capitalize Word - LK201 Keyboard GOLD-F8 Uppercase Word - LK201 Keyboard F17 One Window - LK201 Keyboard F18 Two Windows - LK201 Keyboard 8-2 OneKey Reference Manual Table_8-2_(Cont.):__Editor_Mode_Key_Definitions_______________ In editor mode (you are writing a note and cannot see the Notes> prompt): Keystroke___Function__________________________________________ GOLD-F18 Get File - LK201 Keyboard F19 Other Window (Other Buffer) - LK201 Keyboard GOLD-F19 Buffer - LK201 Keyboard F20 Delete to End of Line - LK201 Keyboard GOLD-( Insert :-( (smiling face) GOLD-} Insert :-} (smirking face) GOLD-) Insert :-) (frowning face) CTRL/F Return to Editing (from show, etc.) ______________________________________________________________ ____In_OneKey_Search_mode_(while_viewing_a_list_of_titles):___ KP7 or Display Note Selected By Cursor Position SELECT KP6 or Go to Search Directory GOLD-KP6 ______________________________________________________________ ____________________WPS_Key_extensions_only:__________________ KP9 Mark this Place in Text GOLD-KP9 Go to Text Marker GOLD- Paste - LK201 Keyboard INSERT HERE GOLD- Copy (Gold Cut) - LK201 Keyboard REMOVE________________________________________________________ 8.2 How to Enable OneKey OneKey is enabled for your account as follows: 1. Edit your LOGIN.COM file. 2. Insert a line: $ DEFINE NOTES$SECTION ONEKEY If you are a new subscriber, this may have been done automatically if you requested it during your first login. 3. Make sure that you do NOT have a file named NOTES$COMMAND.TPU in any of your directories. OneKey Reference Manual 8-3 4. OneKey will be used the next time you log in. If you wish to use it immediately, type this command at the prompt: $ DEFINE NOTES$SECTION ONEKEY The next time you type $ NOTES, you will have the OneKey interface. The only changes made to the basic VAX Notes interface are extensions of the functions of the ENTER and keypad comma keys. All other OneKey functions are additions rather than changes to existing functions. 8.3 Modes OneKey operates in one of two modes: Notes mode and editor mode. Notes mode is active when you are reading notes, getting directories of notes or searching notes. Editor mode is active when you are using an editor to compose a new note. 8.4 The ENTER Key In Notes mode, the keys defined as one key reading (``1K- Note'') are the ENTER key and the F20 function key. If you're using a VAXstation, MOUSE BUTTON 3 DOWN is also defined this way. Pressing any one of the keys defined as ``1K-Note'' does the following: 1. If you don't have a conference open, open one and show an unseen note. 2. If the note you're reading has unread lines, move down one page. 3. If you've seen all pages of the current note, show the next unseen note. 4. If there are no more unseen notes in this conference, open the next conference. 5. If there are no more conferences with unseen notes, recheck the Notebook. 6. If there's something new in one of the conferences, go read it. 7. Otherwise, ask if you want to update your Notebook. When you see the message: No more unseen conferences...Do you want to update all conferences? [Y]) 8-4 OneKey Reference Manual Type Y (or the ENTER key) to perform the update; Type N to NOT perform the update; Type X or E or Q to exit Notes and return to DCL. Type only one letter or the ENTER key at the update prompt. Typing a RETURN is not necessary. All standard Notes and EVE key definitions remain present. 8.5 Exiting OneKey OneKey makes exiting simple and fast. From almost any point (including replying to a note), you can use the fast exit. Press GOLD-F10 (the PF1 key, followed by F10). The screen is cleared, and the DCL prompt appears. You don't have to look at slowly-displayed intermediate screens. [F10 is marked ``Exit'' on most LK201 keyboards.] If you don't have an F10 key, GOLD-E is also ``fast exit''. However, GOLD-E is only available if you have a Notes> prompt, not when you're replying or writing. 8.6 Information Keys In Notes mode, these keys are used for information: GOLD-W ``What conference is this?'' displays the name of the current conference entry. GOLD-Z displays the version of OneKey and the version of VAX Notes. GOLD-~ same as GOLD-Z. 8.7 Directory In Notes mode, the GOLD-D command is called ``Return to Directory''. This command has a fairly complicated effect, but won't hurt anything. The best way to learn what the command really does is to try it. Here is a short description: o GOLD-D toggles between a directory listing and a note you are reading. o When you do a Notes DIR command, you can use the Notes KP2 and KP5 keys to move through the listing, and the Notes KP7 (or E4 or SELECT) key to select a note to read. After reading the note, you may want to return to the listing to select another note. Pressing GOLD-D returns you to the directory listing. OneKey Reference Manual 8-5 o While viewing the directory listing, pressing GOLD-D again returns you to the last note you saw. o If you have not yet issued a DIR command, pressing GOLD- D does it for you. If you have an open conference, the generated command is DIR. If you are viewing the top-level VAX Notes display, the generated command is DIR/CLASS=*. 8.8 Search OneKey provides both title search and full text search capabilities. 8.8.1 OneKey Title Search OneKey provides a title search capability to help you locate notes on a particular subject independently of the conference in which they appear. You can search through the titles of all notes (*.*) or just the topic (*.0) notes. From the search menu, you can directly read the note(s) of interest. Activate the OneKey title search subsystem by pressing KP6. The search menu may seem complex at first, but actually is easier to use than it is to explain. Instructions are included within the menu. Use the top section of the screen to control the search (words for which to search, etc.). Press any find or search key to initiate the search. The results of the search are displayed in the bottom section of the screen. You can use the arrow keys or your editor's find capability to position the cursor to a note of interest. Then press a Notes select key (KP7, E4, or SELECT) to begin reading the note. At any place outside of the search menu, press KP6 to return to search. Within the search menu, KP6 moves between the top and bottom sections of the screen. To exit from the search menu without selecting a note, press F10 or CTRL/Z or GOLD-F. (GOLD-F is also known as the ALL-IN-1 ``file document'' sequence). 8.8.2 Special Notes On OneKey Title Search 1. OneKey search uses files created by a periodic batch process. On DECUServe, this process runs at 4:30 AM. Notes written after that time do not appear in the search file until the following day. 8-6 OneKey Reference Manual 2. In the top section of the search window, you can select which file to search, and the match criterion, by using the left or right arrow keys. The options available are controlled by the site. You have the choice of searching the following: a. All titles (topics + replies), b. Only topic titles (*.0) Multiple search elements may be combined using AND, OR, NAND, or NOR match criteria. 3. Enter the string-to-find using the syntax for the VMS SEARCH command. That is, enter a comma separated list of quoted strings. For simple (single phrase) searches OneKey supplies quotes to handle a multi-word phrase. 8.8.3 OneKey Text Search While you are reading a conference in Notes mode you may wish to search all notes in that conference for a particular text string. Type any search command at the Notes prompt. For example: Notes> search onekey After the first occurrence is found, press KP8 to search for the next note in which the string appears. 8.9 Printing In Notes mode, you may want to print a note (or notes) on a printer attached to your terminal. GOLD-P first asks what notes you want to print (the default is to print only the current note). The notes are automatically printed. You can print only notes from the conference you are currently reading. 8.10 Marking Notes In Notes mode, you can mark a note for future reference. A marker is any single word or string of alphanumeric characters. KP9 is used to mark a note. You are asked two questions: Marker Name: (enter your choide of a marker name) Note: (enter number or press Return to mark current note) After a note is marked, the Notes command SHOW MARKERS locates all marked notes in the conference. If you remember the marker name, use GOLD-KP9 to go directly to the marked note. The GOLD-KP9 key sequence works across conferences. That is, it might close the current conference, open another conference, and go directly to a note. OneKey Reference Manual 8-7 Markers are your personal notations. Other subscribers cannot see them. 8.11 Update & Refresh In Notes mode, under some circumstances, you may want to refresh your Notes environment. You can do this at any time. 8.11.1 Update GOLD-U performs a Notes UPDATE operation. This re-reads all of the conference files, and posts any changes to your notebook (making OneKey aware of them). For example, you are then aware of new notes posted by others since you started reading. 8.11.2 Refresh GOLD-N instructs OneKey to rescan your Notebook. This is useful only if some external process (such as a spawned $ NOTES UPDATE command) has changed your Notebook. In that case, GOLD-N causes OneKey to become aware of the changes. It is not necessary to use both UPDATE and REFRESH in sequence; the UPDATE command includes the equivalent of REFRESH. 8.12 Editor Mode Extensions This section describes the OneKey extensions to key defini- tions in editor mode (writing replies and topics). Remember that the basic Notes system provides other helpful keys (such as KP1, KP2, KP3, KP5, KP0, KP., KP,). Remember also that there is online help. Press the HELP key, PF2, or GOLD-H to use it. Table 8-3 descibes the various OneKey extensions. Most of the extensions are also briefly described in the online help. OneKey provides a few extensions when you are editing (that is, replying to or writing a note). The extensions are available only if you're using one of the native Notes editors (EVE, EDT, or WPS). Use of OneKey in regular Notes mode doesn't depend on your choice of editors. You may use any of the spawned or called editors you just won't have the OneKey editor mode extensions. Some of these additions extend the EDT or EVE editors to have some of the features of WPS. Many of the editor mode extension require use of the GOLD (PF1) key. In most EVE environments, you have a GOLD key; you always have a GOLD key in EDT and WPS. 8-8 OneKey Reference Manual Some subscribers don't have a VT2xx or VT3xx keyboard. These subscribers cannot use the function key extensions but there are usually EVE command equivalents. To issue the command equivalent, press the DO key and type the command. The DO key is: PF4 in the EVE editor, GOLD-KP7 in EDT, and GOLD-[ in WPS. Table_8-3:__Editor_Mode_Extension_Key_Definitions_____________ Keystroke___Function__________________________________________ __In_all_Notes_Editors,_the_following_extensions_are_available GOLD-I issues one DCL command and shows the results in a buffer. GOLD-Q is used to quote sections of text in VAX Notes fashion. By default, the > character is used to as the quoting character. If you establish a select region (by pressing a ``select'' key and moving the cursor), the entire region is quoted. Otherwise just the current line receives the quote. GOLD-S activates the Spelling Checker if it is available on the system. The Spelling Checker is easy to use. Normally, you type the first initial of the option you want. If you choose the Edit option, use the DO key to continue checking spelling. GOLD-J activates the Grammar Checker if it is available on the system. Grammar checking includes spelling checking. The user interface is similar to the one for Spell. At the conclusion of the grammar check, use an editor exit (e.g., F10 or CTRL/Z) to return to VAX Notes. (Note: The other OneKey extensions are not carried into the spelling and grammar editors.) GOLD-; replaces one string with another. You are prompted for the search and replacement strings. GOLD-$ Spawns to DCL (if permitted on the system). Type LOGOUT at the DCL prompt to return to Notes. GOLD-@ Inserts the contents of SYS$LOGIN:ONEKEY_ SIGNATURE.DAT (if it exists) into the buffer. For example, this file could contain your personal signature. Most VAX Notes systems discourage use of lengthy signatures. OneKey Reference Manual 8-9 Table_8-3_(Cont.):__Editor_Mode_Extension_Key_Definitions_____ Keystroke___Function__________________________________________ Two of the mini-keypad keys on the LK201 ______________keyboard_have_extended_definitions:_____________ GOLD-E5 (usually labeled PREV SCREEN) moves to top of buffer. GOLD-E6 (usually labeled NEXT SCREEN) moves to bottom of buffer. 8-10 OneKey Reference Manual Table_8-3_(Cont.):__Editor_Mode_Extension_Key_Definitions_____ ______________________________________________________________ ____These_function_keys_are_provided_in_the_OneKey_editors:___ GOLD-F10 ``Fast Exit'', discussed previously. F7 Quote (Insert next typed character without translation). This is used to insert special characters. F8 Capitalize Word. GOLD-F8 Uppercase Word. F17 One Window. Current window expands to fill screen. F18 Two Windows. Splits the current window into two windows. GOLD-F18 Get File. Creates a new buffer, if necessary, and fills it with the contents of the file specified. In two-window mode, you could import a file to use in writing a note. F19 Other Window (Other Buffer). In two-window mode, puts your cursor in the other window. Very useful for jumping to the NOTES$SCRATCH buffer to pick up material to quote. GOLD-F19 Select Buffer. Puts a different buffer in your current window. Useful, for example, if you've messed up and can't see the Notes editing buffer. Press GOLD-F19 and type the name NOTES$EDIT or type the name NOTES$SCRATCH which contains the note to which you are replying. F20 Delete to the end of line. CTRL/L Although it is technically not a OneKey extension, CTRL/L inserts a formfeed character. This is used for special effects in Notes. When the note is read by someone, any material below the formfeed is not displayed until the RETURN or ENTER key is pressed. ______________________________________________________________ ______________Some_keys_insert_facial_expressions_____________ GOLD-) inserts a smiling face: :-) GOLD-( inserts a frowning face :-( GOLD-} inserts a smirking face :-} OneKey Reference Manual 8-11 Table_8-3_(Cont.):__Editor_Mode_Extension_Key_Definitions_____ Keystroke___Function__________________________________________ _____In_the_WPS_editor_only,_the_following_keys_are_defined___ KP9 Mark the current text location, and give it a name. You can have many named markers. GOLD-KP9 Return to a previously named marker. Works even if ____________the_marker_is_in_another_buffer.__________________ 8.13 Conference Presentation Order OneKey presents conferences containing unseen notes in the order that the conferences were added to your notebook. This reading sequence can seem somewhat random. If you want OneKey to present some conferences before others do this: 1. Create a file in your login directory, named ONEKEY_READ_ SEQUENCE.DAT 2. This file should contain, in order, the entry names for the conferences you want to read first. 3. The entries must be case-correct, letter-perfect, one per line. Entries can be a (unique) substring of a conference name. Leading and trailing spaces are allowed. 4. The file does not need to contain all entries in your notebook; only the ones you want to see ``first''. The remaining ones are shown in the usual VAX Notes order. Entries that don't match anything are ignored. (They increase the search time a millisecond or so). If not all conferences are listed, that's OK. All you need are the ones you want to see first, in the desired sequence. The rest of them are presented in the same order as usual. With a shorter ONEKEY_ READ_SEQUENCE.DAT file, OneKey will do some things a little bit faster. Duplicates are ignored (the first one does it). Creating a letter-perfect ONEKEY_READ_SEQUENCE.DAT file may seem complicated. To simplify this, OneKey will create the file for you fully populated, in alphabetical order. Just press GOLD-S at the Notes> prompt. If you don't edit this file to change the order, OneKey uses the alphabetical sequence. To customize the sequence use any editor to cut and paste the lines in the desired sequence. 8-12 OneKey Reference Manual 8.14 132-Column Mode The GOLD-Y key sequence toggles your screen between 80-column and 132-column modes. 132-column mode is useful for some directory displays. The screen used to enter replies remains with the margins set to encourage notes to be in 80-column width. (Hint: GOLD-Y gets its name from a funny spelling of the word ``wYde'' ) 8.15 Customizing OneKey Several of features of OneKey can be tailored to suit your requirements. It's also possible to add features to OneKey if you like, and to change the key definitions. Instructions for customizing OneKey and other special features of OneKey are posted in the DECUServe VAX_NOTES_UTILITY Conference, Topic 222. OneKey Reference Manual 8-13 Chapter__9_______________________________________________________ INTERNET Reference Manual 9.1 The Internet Connection The Internet is a large collection of state-wide, regional, and national TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) networks, covering most of the industrial world. The Internet began as a means of tying together academic and research communities, but has grown in recent years to include a more general membership. DECUServe is connected to the Internet via the New England Academic and Research Network (NEARnet), a National Science Foundation sponsored TCP/IP network serving the New England Area. The software used to provide NEARnet and Internet access to the DECUServe system is called MultiNet, a VAX/VMS TCP/IP software package from TGV, Inc. In addition, PMDF, a VAX/VMS multi-protocol electronic mail system from Innosoft International, Inc. provides Internet electronic mail services. The primary services offered by DECUServe over the Internet are remote terminal emulation (TELNET), remote file access (FTP), and the bi-directional exchange of electronic mail (MAIL). Internet Names and Addresses for DECUServe are shown in Table 9-1 Table_9-1:__Internet_Addresses________________________________ Name System___Internet_DNS_Name__Type_____Internet_Address_________ DECUServeEISNER.DECUS.ORG Primary 192.67.173.2 DECUSERVE.DECUS.ORGAlternate _________DECUSV.DECUS.ORG___Alternate_________________________ INTERNET Reference Manual 9-1 9.2 Terminal Emulation Using TELNET Remote terminal emulation is supported via the TELNET protocol. To connect to DECUServe over the Internet, use your local TELNET client or terminal server to connect to the Internet host EISNER.DECUS.ORG (IP address 192.67.173.2). For example, on a local UNIX workstation, you might type the command: $ TELNET eisner.decus.org If your system is not configured to use the Internet Domain Name System (DNS) to perform host name to IP address resolution, you may need to access the DECUServe system directly by IP address. For example, to establish a TELNET connection to DECUServe by IP address, you might type the command: $ TELNET 192.67.173.2 However, you should be aware that the IP address for DECUServe is subject to set wrap change. Once a connection has been established to the DECUServe system, you are prompted for your username and password just as if you had dialed in. Contact your local network administrator for additional information about the Domain Name System if you have trouble reaching any of the DECUS systems by host name. TELNET may also be used for remote access to other systems reachable via the Internet. To Telnet to a remote host, enter: $ TELNET remote_host_name 9.3 File Transfer Using FTP Remote file access to and from DECUServe is supported by the Internet File Transfer Protocol (FTP). An FTP client is generally invoked in much the same way as a TELNET client; type the FTP command followed by a host name or IP address. Once a connection is established, the exact command syntax that you use to specify your DECUS username and password and transfer files depends on the type of system from which you are FTPing. In particular, some FTP clients may prompt you for your remote username and password, while others require you to type a USER or LOGIN command followed by your remote username. 9-2 INTERNET Reference Manual You may FTP from your machine to PUT or SEND (upload) or to GET or RECEIVE (download) files from DECUServe. You may also FTP from DECUServe to other systems reachable via the Internet. If you have FTP available on your system, you should be able to connect to DECUServe by typing: $ FTP eisner.decus.org The following instructions describe FTP on DECUServe. The commands on your system may be slightly different. At the FTP prompt, you should type LOGIN and answer the prompts. After supplying your username and password, you may use the FTP commands. Type ? for a list of commands, or type HELP command-name for help on a particular command. Type EXIT or QUIT to leave FTP. This logs you out of the remote system. 9.4 Internet Electronic Mail The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is used to provide electronic mail exchange between Internet hosts. (DEC uses the VMS MAIL in native mode between DECnet hosts.) Mail sent via the Internet to DECUServe will be delivered to as regular VMS MAIL. DECUServe users can also send mail to Internet users using regular VMS MAIL by specifying an Internet-style address at the To: prompt. The Internet address syntax when sending mail to a DECUServe user is: username@EISNER.DECUS.ORG Most hosts are not sensitive to the case of the address, so uppercase, lowercase or mixed case addresses should be equivalent. To send mail to an Internet site from VMS MAIL on DECUServe use: To: IN%"username@address" where username@address is the recipient's username and host address in fully qualified domain name form. The IN% part specifies that the PMDF-to-VMS MAIL foreign mail interface should be used to send the mail over the Internet. For example, a VMS MAIL user would send mail to user John at hal.bigvax.com by using the address: To: IN%"JOHN@HAL.BIGVAX.COM" INTERNET Reference Manual 9-3 To send mail to a DCS user from VMS MAIL on DECUServe use the normal DECnet- style mail address: To: DCSA1::username 9.4.1 AutoForwarding Mail to Other Internet Hosts Subscribers who wish to have their electronic mail automati- cally forwarded to their home systems over the Internet should perform two steps to ensure that all of their mail will be correctly forwarded: 1. Use the SET FORWARD command inside of VMS MAIL as follows: SET FORWARD "IN%""user@address""" ``user'' should be your username on your local system, and ``address'' should be the fully-qualified domain-style address of the host system. The quotation marks shown above must be used exactly as specified for your mail to be forwarded properly. 2. Optionally, issue the following command at the operating system prompt: $ PMDF FORWARD "user@node" where ``user@node'' is the user's home username and nodename. The PMDF command causes any mail coming in over the Internet to your DECUServe account to be immediately redirected to the system and account you specify. PMDF redirection prevents electronic mail headers from becoming unnecessarily complicated by being handled by the local VMS MAIL agent. The SET FORWARD command in VMS MAIL insures that VMS MAIL from other DECUServe subscribers is forwarded as well as Internet mail. 9-4 INTERNET Reference Manual Chapter__10______________________________________________________ Other Facilities 10.1 VAX/VMS Mail Utility 10.1.1 Invoking VMS MAIL From The DCL Prompt The VAX/VMS Mail Utility can be used to exchange private messages between members of DECUServe and other systems. This form of communication should be used sparingly, since it somewhat defeats the purpose of having VAX Notes conferences. Activate VMS MAIL from the operating system prompt using the following format: $ MAIL [/SUBJECT="subject text"] [[file-spec] recipient-name(s)] You can omit all of the optional parameters and let VAX MAIL prompt you for them. Help is available within the VMS MAIL utility by entering the commands shown: $ MAIL MAIL> HELP Information on sending, receiving or forwarding Internet mail is available in Chapter 9 10.1.2 Invoking VMS MAIL Within VAX Notes You can send a mail message to one or more users without leaving VAX Notes using the VAX Notes FORWARD or SEND commands. In both cases, VAX Notes starts up your default editor so you can compose your mail message. You can forward the note you are currently reading by typing Notes> FORWARD [to-list] Options allow you to forward the note back to the note's author (handy if you want to have some private dialogue about the note in question): Notes> FORWARD/AUTHOR or to all the moderators of the conference: Notes> FORWARD/MODERATORS Other Facilities 10-1 You can compose a completely new mail message (optionally using a file as input) by: Notes> SEND [file-spec [to-list]] Again, the /AUTHOR and /MODERATORS options are available to send mail directly to the note author or conference moderators. Additional help on VAX Notes MAIL is available within VAX Notes by entering Notes> HELP FORWARD or Notes> HELP SEND. 10.2 KERMIT KERMIT is a popular file transfer protocol which enables you to upload and download files to and from the system. To use KERMIT you must have a matching KERMIT program running on your local PC, MAC or other computer system. To activate KERMIT on the DECUServe system you must be at the DCL command level: $ KERMIT You then see something similar to the following: Executing SYS$COMMON:[SYSEXE]CKERMIT.INI;1 for VMS... Executing CKERMIT_INI:CKERMIT.SYS Good Morning! C-Kermit 5A(189), 30 June 93, OpenVMS VAX Type ? or HELP for help DISK_USER:[DECUSERVER_USER.your_username] C-Kermit> You can now enter Kermit server mode by typing the command SERVER, or issue a file transfer command such as RECEIVE filename.typ or SEND filename.typ directly. What you do depends somewhat on the capabilities of your local KERMIT. At this point you ``escape'' back to your local KERMIT program using whatever escape sequence you have set up, and enter the appropriate file transfer commands for your local version of KERMIT. For example, if you had enabled server mode on the remote system, you would be able to issue GET or SEND commands to your local KERMIT and download or upload the indicated files(s). Additional help is available once you have started KERMIT by using the HELP command. 10-2 Other Facilities 10.3 ForWords ForWords is a text retrieval facility which operates on master indices of the notes conferences maintained by the DECUServe volunteer staff. 10.3.1 Invoking ForWords You invoke the ForWords facility with the FW command at the DCL prompt. When first invoked, FW briefly displays its copyright message and then displays the working screen. The first screen consists of the Main Menu displayed at the top, similarly to a spread sheet program, and two windows. To tell FW to find something for you, you use the Search option of the Main Menu, followed by the Enter option of the Search Menu. This will put the cursor in the Search Specification Form. You select one of the options from a menu by either position- ing on the option with the cursor keys and pressing RETURN or by typing the first letter of the option. 10.3.2 Defining Searches The Search Specification Form has several fields for entering information to control the search. Any field that contains information will _restrict_ the search. You are not required to put information in any field. However, if you do not specify anything, you will retrieve a _very_ large list of documents. The most common search will be for key words or phrases. In FW you may enter a phrase or individual words with the reserved words AND and OR to construct logical expressions. The ``field'' is a scrolling region and you can build very large expressions if you like. Generally one or two words will suffice for your needs. 10.3.2.1 Additional Attributes If you also want to restrict the selection of notes to a specific conference or author, you may enter values in those fields also. Entering a value in any field means _only_ retrieve notes which match this value. The final set is the ``and'' of matches to all the specified fields. You should note that the field in the FW search form that references ``KEYS'' is referring to the KEYWORD feature of VAXnotes and not to the keywords you may want to find in the titles and bodies of the notes. Other Facilities 10-3 You are free to use OR to form lists of conferences to search and the use of both AND and OR will provide for more complex expressions in the Title and Keywords fields. The AND operator is only useful with Keywords and Titles since no note may appear in more than one conference and all notes have only one author. 10.3.2.2 Listing Field Values You can invoke the internal list manager by using PF1-L when the cursor is positioned in any of the selector fields. You will be shown a list of items that match the partial string you have entered in the field. If the field is blank, you will be shown the full list of candidate values. When the PF1-L list is being displayed, you may move the cursor up and down the list and select items by pressing the space bar. The items will be entered into the field as an OR expression when you press RETURN. When you are viewing the list, entering a string of characters will position the cursor to the first occurence of the string in the list. 10.3.2.3 Starting the search Press the ENTER key (not RETURN) to initiate the search. 10.3.2.4 Stopping runaway searches FW will display progress messages while it is searching. The progress messages may be alarming in the sense that they could tell you you are finding a lot of hits to the ``VMS conference'' for instance. These are statistical values and do not greatly affect the search speed. However, FW also displays messages about the number of items added to the list of found notes. If this value becomes very large, you may want to use the CTRL/C to terminate the search. 10.3.3 Using the search results When FW has found all the notes you have requested, it will display the list in the topmost of the two ``editing'' windows. The search statistics will be displayed in the lower window. The cursor will be placed in the list and the note the cursor is on will be highlighted. Pressing RETURN will display the contents of the note. Pressing RETURN a second time goes back to the list. 10-4 Other Facilities 10.3.3.1 Browsing the notes in the list When you are browsing a note, the PREV SCREEN and NEXT SCREEN keys can be used to move the note in the window. The keys F, N, P, and L, can be used to find the key words you used to select the note. The PF1 (or GOLD) key may be used with PREV SCREEN and NEXT SCREEN to move to the previous or next note in the note stream. Pressing RETURN will take you back to the list window. The + and - keys will display the next and previous notes in the list without bothering to go back to the list window. 10.3.3.2 One window vs two If you prefer to work with a single window rather than two, you may use PF1-Z to ``zoom'' either in to or out of two window mode. 10.3.4 Convenient function keys PF1-W is used to introduce a request for various FW displays. PF1-W-L returns to the list window. PF1-W-S returns to the search window. 10.3.5 Selecting a different index The default index for FW is called ALL and represents all the conference that are available for public access. The index LIBRARY provides information on software available on DECUServe either from SIG Tapes or the DECUS CD-Rom collection. There are other indices that are used for administrative purposes by the volunteer staff that are protected from access by normal users of the system. To select a different index for searching, you use the option Search - Index (you may just enter SI). You will be prompted for the index to search on the default device INDEX:. To see the list of available indices press DO or PF1-L. 10.3.6 Advice on using FW 10.3.6.1 Not a substitute for VAXNotes Remember that the FW indices are updated nightly. They are not as up to date as the actual conferences. FW does not mark notes as ``seen'' when you read them in the context of FW. You do not have a notebook. Therefore, FW is most useful for retrieval of ``historical'' information. If you have a question, it is very worthwhile to look for the answer first with FW before posting a note requesting help. Even if you want to start a general discussion on a topic, it is good Other Facilities 10-5 practice to see what similar discussions may have already taken place. 10.3.6.2 Saving Lists You are free to save search lists and use them again. Therefore, if you are researching a topic, you may return to your list in later sessions and continue to browse the notes. When browsing notes, you may also invoke the FW editor or an external editor of your choice to create documents. A useful technique would be to compose a ``position paper'' on some topic by referencing related notes and including your own insights and then post the ``paper'' in the appropriate conference for further discussion. If you are saving large lists, you will need to save them in your scratch area that is not subject to disk quota. Nnformation left in your scratch area is subject to removal by the system manager if space is needed. More information on your scratch area is can be found in Section 10.4. 10.3.6.3 Finding a ``home'' for a topic If the appropriate location for a particular discussion is not obvious, FW can provide a means for locating where most discussions on related topics have taken place in the past. 10.3.6.4 Using the search list as data If you want to use the list of notes you have found as data, you need to be aware that the lists you save are ``techie'' lists with information that is important to FW but is not very instructive. To get a simple list use the List Print (LP) option and print the list to a file. Be sure to specify a file directory that you have write access to. Your default directory while using FW is INDEX: which does not provide write access for normal users. 10.3.6.5 Setting your preferences The FW preferences will generally be set to acceptable values. The Preferences Display (PD) option will let you set values that may be more to your liking. In particular, FW is faced with a difficult tradeoff when trying to display information in list references. The normal default for lists is to display the Author name and the note number, but not the conference name. If you want to see the conference name also use Preferences Display and select ``Long''. The other option ``Short'' only displays the note number and title. To make the selection take effect, press the ENTER key on the keypad. 10-6 Other Facilities 10.3.6.6 Editing Files in FW If you choose to use the internal FW editor, you need to know how to specify a file to be edited. The Edit menu option ``Saved'' has the options ``Get'' and ``Merge.'' Get (ESG) copies the specified file into the edit buffer while Merge (ESM) inserts the file at the current edit cursor position in the file. The ``Save'' (ESS) command writes out the edit buffer to a file. In general the FW editor is similar to EDT. However, it is not EDT. To get more information on the editor's functions look in FW help under Keys and the Help Index. A significant difference between FW Edit and EDT is that FW Edit Commands are in the regular FW menu tree. As an example the command to set margins is the Layout (EL) form that has margin settings as two of its fields. To change margins, you enter values in these fields and then press Enter on the keypad. 10.3.6.7 Getting more information on FW If you need more information or help on using ForWords, there is an active discussion of ForWords usage in DECUSERVE_FORUM topic 312. Feel free to post any questions or comments about ForWords there. Table_10-1:__Commonly_Used_ForWords_Function_Keys_____________ WINDOW SELECTION KEYS__________________Keystrokes______________________________ BROWSE WINDOW PF1-W-B CHOOSE WINDOW PF1-L HISTORY WINDOW PF1-W-H EDIT WINDOW PF1-W-E LAST WINDOW CTRL/G LIST WINDOW PF1-W-L MENU PF1-M or KP0 PROFILE WINDOW PF1-W-I SEARCH WINDOW PF1-S SEARCH PROGRESS PF1-W-P WINDOW Other Facilities 10-7 Table_10-1_(Cont.):__Commonly_Used_ForWords_Function_Keys_____ WINDOW SELECTION KEYS__________________Keystrokes______________________________ QUIT PF1-K ______________________________________________________________ GENERAL FUNCTION KEYS__________________Keystrokes______________________________ BACK OUT F12 CLEAR FORM PF1-REMOVE EXECUTE ENTER HELP HELP SPAWN PF1-O ZOOM PF1-Z VERSION PF-V NEXT FIELD PF1-Y PREV FIELD TAB LIST DO ______________________________________________________________ BROWSE WINDOW FUNCTION_KEYS_________Keystrokes______________________________ NEXT DOCUMENT PF1-+ NEXT REPLY PF1-NEXT SCREEN PREVIOUS DOCUMENT PF1- PREVIOUS REPLY PF1-PREC SCREEN RETURN TO LIST RETUNR ______________________________________________________________ LIST WINDOW FUNCTION KEYS__________________Keystrokes______________________________ BOTTOM PF1-B SEARCH NARROW PF1-N SELECT MANY SPACE BAR TOP PF1-T EXPAND PF1-E 10-8 Other Facilities Table_10-1_(Cont.):__Commonly_Used_ForWords_Function_Keys_____ Other Facilities 10-9 TableN10-1N(Cont.):__Commonly_Used_ForWords_Function_Keys_____ KEYS__________________Keystrokes______________________________ BACKSPACE DELETE BACKWARD KILL WORD F19 BACKWARD WORD F17 BACKWARDS KP5 BEGINNING OF LINE PF1-LEFT ARROW BOTTOM PF1-B or PF1-KP4 CHAR KP3 CLEAR TO END OF LINE PF4 CLEAR REMOVE COPY PF1-C DELETE KP, DOWN ARROW DOWN ARROW END OF LINE PF1-RIGHT EOLN KP2 FILL PF1-KP8 FIND AGAIN PF3 FIND FIND FORWARD WORD F18 FORWARDS KP4 GO TO PF1-G KILL WORD F20 LEFT ARROW LEFT ARROW MARK SELECT PAGE DOWN PREV SCREEN PAGE UP NEXT SCREEN PASTE INSERT REFRESH PF1-R RIGHT ARROW RIGHT ARROW 10-10 Other Facilities Table_10-1_(Cont.):__Commonly_Used_ForWords_Function_Keys_____ EDITING FUNCTION KEYS__________________Keystrokes______________________________ SCREEN KP8 UP ARROW UP ARROW WORD__________________KP1_____________________________________ 10.4 MYSCRATCH All DECUServe subscribers are provided scratch space for your temporary personal use in uploading and downloading files. The scratch space can be accessed via the logical name MYSCRATCH. This scratch space is charged to a separate disk quota shared by all DECUServe users rather to your personal disk quota. DECUServe guidelines request that you delete files in your scratch area as soon as you are finished with them. Files that have been in your scratch are over two weeks are subject to deletion if the space is needed by other users. Guideline for scratch space use can be found in conference DECUSERVE_ INFORMATION topic 18. By default, your scratch space is accessible only by you. To make files you upload accessible to other subscribers, you will need to change the protection on your files as well as the your MYSCRATCH directory: $ SET DEFAULT MYSCRATCH $ SET PROTECTION=W:RE *.* $ SET PROTECTION=W:RE [-]your_username.DIR Files in your scratch area are owned by a special identifier with access for you provided by an ACL. As a result, deleting subdirectories requires a special command. To delete a subdirectory in your scratch area, enter the command: $ DELSUB sub_direcotry_name.DIR;* 10.4.1 Making MYSCRATCH your default scratch area Some VMS commands require the creation of temporary files that may exceed your disk quota. If this happens to you, you may want to make MYSCRATCH your default scratch area. To do this, enter the command: $ DEFINE SYS$SCRATCH MYSCRATCH To make this change permanent, you should add this command to your LOGIN.COM. Other Facilities 10-11 10.5 Online DECUServe Help Help on almost all DECUServe subject can be found online using the normal VMS Help facility. To access, enter: $ HELP DECUSERVE 10-12 Other Facilities Chapter__11______________________________________________________ DECUServe Conference Titles 11.1 Public Conferences as of 2-DEC-1993 1ST_AIDE PUBLIC_DOMAIN_SOFTWARE 3RD_PARTY_VMS_SOFTWARE SECURITY 4GLS_AND_QUERY_TOOLS SEMINARS_PUBLIC ALGORITHMS SHOP_TALK ALL-IN-1 SIG_3RD_PARTY_FORUM ARTICLES SIG_BOAIM_FORUM ARTIFICIAL_INTELLIGENCE SIG_BP_FORUM AXP_DEV_TOOLKIT SIG_CHI_FORUM BOARD_PUBLIC SIG_DAARC_FORUM BUSINESS_PRACTICES SIG_DMS_FORUM CIP_FORUM SIG_GAP_FORUM CONFERENCE_OF_CONFERENCES SIG_LT_FORUM DATABASES SIG_NET_FORUM DECUSERVE_FORUM SIG_SITE_FORUM DECUSERVE_INFORMATION SIG_UNISIG_FORUM DECUS_LIBRARY SIG_VMS_SYSTEMS_FORUM DEC_NETWORKING SITE_MANAGEMENT DEC_SOFTWARE SOCIETY_MINUTES DOCUMENT_PROCESSING SOFTWARE_DEVELOPMENT ELECTRONIC_LAW SPR_DIRECTORY EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS FACTORY_AUTOMATION SWAP_MEET HARDWARE_HELP SYMPOSIA_ASSISTIVE_NEEDS HOBBIES_AND_INTERESTS SYMPOSIA_PUBLIC INDUSTRY_NEWS TALK_TO_THE_LUGS DECUServe Conference Titles 11-1 INTERNETWORKING TELECOMMUNICATIONS LATEST_RELEASE_ TEXT_SEARCH INFORMATION LOCAL_HAPPENNINGS UNIX_OS MC_PUBLIC USER_INTERFACES-WINDOWS NEW_CONFERENCE_IDEAS VAX_NOTES_UTILITY OFFICE_AUTOMATION VMS OTHER_SOFTWARE_HELP WHO_AM_I PATHWORKS WINDOWS_NT PDP-11 WORKSTATIONS PERSONAL_COMPUTING 11.2 ``Required'' Conferences DECUSERVE_INFORMATION DECUSERVE_FORUM WHO_AM_I CONFERENCE_OF_CONFERENCES 1ST_AIDE 11.3 Popular Conference Groupings The following groupings of conferences are presented the way NUE (the New User Environment setup package) presents them when you log in for the first time. (The list was accurate as of 23-JUL-1991.) Since the list of available conferences changes occasionally you may wish to consult the CONFERENCE_ OF_CONFERENCES conference to see if any have been added or taken away since this list was extracted. 11.3.1 ALL-IN-1 Keywords: Office Automation, ALL-IN-1, Conferencing ALL-IN-1 OFFICE_AUTOMATION SIG_BOAIM_FORUM 11-2 DECUServe Conference Titles 11.3.2 WORD Keywords: Word Processing, PCs, Office Automation, Conferenc- ing, ALL-IN-1 ALL-IN-1 DOCUMNET_PROCESSING PERSONAL_COMPUTING OFFICE_AUTOMATION SIG_BOAIM_FORUM VAX_NOTES_UTILITY 11.3.3 PUBLIC_DOM Keywords: Public Domain Software and PCs DECUS_LIBRARY PERSONAL_COMPUTING PUBLIC_DOMAIN_SOFTWARE 11.3.4 SOFTWARE Keywords: 3rd Party and Public Domain Software; Software Development, Status. 3RD_PARTY_VMS_SOFTWARE 4GLS_AND_QUERY_TOOLS ALGORITHMS DATABASES DECUS_LIBRARY LATEST_RELEASE_INFORMATION OTHER_SOFTWARE_HELP PUBLIC_DOMAIN_SOFTWARE SIG_LT_FORUM SIG_3RD_PARTY_FORUM SOFTWARE_DEVELOPMENT 11.3.5 MANAGEMENT Keywords: Site Management, Business Practices, Security, Law, News. BUSINESS_PRACTICES ELECTRONI_LAW INDUSTRY_NEWS LATEST_RELEASE_INFORMATION SECURITY SIG_BOAIM_FORUM SIG_BP_FORUM SITE_MANAGEMENT SOAPBOX DECUServe Conference Titles 11-3 11.3.6 DIGITAL Keywords: VMS, Digital's Layered Products, Other Digital Software 4GLS_AND_QUERY_TOOLS DATABASES DEC_NETWORKING DEC_SOFTWARE LATEST_RELEASE_INFORMATION SIG_BP_FORUM SOFTWARE_DEVELOPMENT SOAPBOX VMS USER_INTERFACES-WINDOWS WORKSTATIONS SIG_GAP_FORUM SIG_LT_FORUM 11.3.7 NETWORKS Keywords: Computer Networks, Modems, Phone Lines, Equipment DEC_NETWORKING HARDWARE_HELP PCSA_DECNET_DOC PUBLIC_DOMAIN_SOFTWARE SIG_NET_FORUM TELECOMMUNICATIONS 11.3.8 HARDWARE Keywords: Hardware, Automation, Real-time and Related Operating Systems ALGORITHMS FACTORY_AUTOMATION HARDWARE_HELP PDP-11 SWAP_MEET 11.3.9 UNIX Keywords: Ultrix, Unix, Xenix Operating Systems, Software, Workstations, SIG LATEST_RELEASE_INFORMATION SIG_UI_FORUM SIG_GAP_FORUM SIG_UNISIG_FORUM UNIX_OS USER_INTERFACES-WINDOWS WORKSTATIONS 11-4 DECUServe Conference Titles 11.3.10 PDP-11 Keywords: PDP-11 Operating Systems, Software and Hardware HARWARE_HELP LATEST_RELEASE_INFORMATION PDP-11 SWAP_MEET 11.3.11 PC Keywords: Personal Computers, PC Networks, Document Processing DOCUMENT_PROCESSING LATEST_RELEASE_INFORMATION PATHWORKS PERSONAL_COMPUTING 11.3.12 DECUS Keywords: DECUS Organization and Management, Symposia, LUGs, SIGs DECUS_SYMPOSIA LOCAL_HAPPENINGS SIG_3RD_PARTY_FORUM SIG_BP_FORUM SIG_BOAIM_FORUM SIG_GAP_FORUM SIG_LT_FORUM SIG_NET_FORUM SIG_RT-11_FORUM SIG_UI_FORUM SIG_UNISIG_FORUM SIG_VAX_FORUM SOAPBOX SOCIETY_MINUTES TALK_TO_THE_BOARD TALK_TO_THE_LUGS 11.3.13 FORUM Keywords: Discussions and Ideas about DECUServe Organization and Management DECUSERVE_FORUM NEW_CONFERENCE_IDEAS SOAPBOX DECUServe Conference Titles 11-5 11.3.14 REQUIRED Conferences always needed or at least strongly recommended. WHO_AM_I 1ST_AIDE CONFERENCE_OF_CONFERENCES DECUSERVE_INFORMATION 11-6 DECUServe Conference Titles Chapter__12______________________________________________________ VAX Notes Editors This chapter provides reference material on the editors available within VAX Notes. There are five editors available. Brief descriptions of them are given in Table 12-1. More detailed descriptions of each of them are given in later sections of this chapter. All screen images shown in this chapter were obtained with OneKey enabled. Because of differences in terminal types and software versions, the screens shown here may not be exactly the same on your display. Table_12-1:__Editors_Available_in_VAX_Notes___________________ EVE This is the basic TPU-based editor covered in the VAX Notes Quick Reference Card. EDT This is the standard VAX Notes editor with line, keypad, and nokeypad modes. EDT is also available on some Personal Computers and PDP-11s. TPU/EDT This is the advanced TPU based editor with split screen and a keypad matching EDT but without the line and nokeypad modes. TPU/WPS This editor is also TPU-based with a keypad similar to WPS and WPS-Plus. TECO_____This_is_a_classic_editor_available_on_may_platforms._ 12.1 Showing Your Preferred Editor You can determine the editor currently selected by executing the following command: Notes> SHOW PROFILE 12.2 Changing Your Preferred Editor Change your editor at any time using the SET PROFILE command in Notes: Notes> SET PROFILE/EDITOR=keyword VAX Notes Editors 12-1 12.3 Editing with EVE 12.3.1 Changing Your Preferred Editor to EVE Select the TPU-based editor known as EVE using the following Notes command: Notes> SET PROFILE/EDITOR=EVE The EVE editor is documented on the VAX Notes Quick Reference Card (AV-G101A-TE). All of the information on this card is also available on-line using the help functions built into TPU. 12.3.2 Getting Help on EVE Pressing the HELP or PF2 keys while in EVE will generate a display such as the one shown in Figure 12-1, showing the layout of keys on the keypad. Figure 12-1: EVE Editor Keypad Layout (w/OneKey Extension) WIDE When the keypad diagram is on display, you can type keys and get a list of key definitions as shown in Figure 12-2. Figure 12-2: EVE Editor Key Defintions (w/OneKey Extensions) WIDE The key definitions display may also be generated anytime you are in the EVE editor by pressing GOLD-HELP. To enable GOLD key functions, press the DO key and type the string SET GOLD followed by RETURN. Then press the key which is to become the ``GOLD'' key for the session. 12-2 VAX Notes Editors 12.4 Editing with EDT There are actually two EDT-style editors: o Callable EDT-supports line, keypad and nokeypad mode editing, and is based on the native VAX/VMS editor of the same name. o TPU/EDT-supports split-screen, keypad mode editing (line and nokeypad modes are not available) using the VAX/VMS TPU editor with an EDT-style keypad. 12.4.1 Changing Your Preferred Editor to Callable EDT Select the Callable EDT editor using: Notes> SET PROFILE/EDITOR=(EDT,CALL) 12.4.2 Changing Your Preferred Editor to TPU/EDT Select the TPU/EDT editor using: Notes> SET PROFILE/EDITOR=EDT You can distinguish between the two editors by the ``look and feel'' of their screens. If you are new to EDT-style editors or have no preference between callable EDT and TPU/EDT, we recommend that you try TPU/EDT. 12.4.3 Entering or Exiting Screen Mode in Callable EDT If you get a * prompt when you first enter the callable EDT editor, you are in line mode. To enter screen mode, type CHANGE (or just a C) followed by RETURN . You can now type text, or use the arrow and numeric keypad keys to move around in your text and manipulate it. To return to line mode, press CTRL/Z. You may then type EXIT to exit the editor, QUIT to abandon the edits you have made, or any other line-mode command. 12.4.4 Getting Help on EDT or TPU/EDT Pressing the HELP or PF2 keys while either Callable EDT or TPU/EDT are active will generate a display showing the layout of keys on the keypad. The screen images captured in Figures 12-3 through 12-6 show what help was available within Callable EDT and TPU/EDT at the time this document was written. Figure 12-3 shows the keypad help screen for Callable EDT. Figure 12-4 shows the keypad help screen for TPU/EDT. VAX Notes Editors 12-3 When the keypad diagram is on display in TPU/EDT, you can type keys and get a list of key definitions as shown in Figures 12-5 and 12-6. The TPU/EDT key definitions display may also be generated anytime you are in edit mode by pressing GOLD-HELP (that is, press the PF1 key followed by the PF2 or HELP key). Figure 12-3: Callable EDT Editor Keypad Layout WIDE Figure 12-4: TPU/EDT Editor Keypad Layout (w/OneKey Extensions) WIDE Figure 12-5: TPU/EDT Editor Key Defintions (w/OneKey Exten- sions), part 1 WIDE 12-4 VAX Notes Editors Figure 12-6: TPU/EDT Editor Key Defintions (w/OneKey Exten- sions), part 2 WIDE 12.5 Editing with WPS 12.5.1 Changing Your Preferred Editor to WPS Select the WPS editor by using: Notes> SET PROFILE/EDITOR=WPS 12.5.2 Getting Help on WPS Pressing the HELP or PF2 keys while in WPS will generate a display such as the one shown in Figure 12-7, defining the layout of keys on the keypad. When the keypad diagram is on display, you can type keys and get a list of key definitions as shown in Figures 12-8 and 12-9. The key definitions display may also be generated anytime you are in edit mode by pressing GOLD-HELP. Figure 12-7: WPS Editor Keypad Layout (w/OneKey Extensions) WIDE Figure 12-8: WPS Editor Key Definitions (w/OneKey Extensions), part 1 WIDE VAX Notes Editors 12-5 Figure 12-9: WPS Editor Key Definitions (w/OneKey Extensions), part 2 WIDE 12.6 Editing with TECO 12.6.1 Changing Your Preferred Editor to TECO Select the TECO editor by using: Notes> SET PROFILE/EDITOR=TECO 12.6.2 Getting Help in TECO You must be kidding! All kidding aside, there is on-line help for TECO, but if you are not already familiar with TECO then you should probably not try to learn it by reading the on-line instructions. TECO is a command-driven editor. As such, TECO does not provide a native-mode screen editing facility, although TECO wizards have written TECO macros which emulate a screen-based editor. The TECO prompt is the single character *. TECO commands are usually single characters followed by an . TECO commands are not executed until two 's are typed together. Thus a string of commands may be executed together by following each one with a single and the last one with two 's. Help may be obtained within TECO by entering the special command help followed by a carriage return. A typical TECO session startup is shown in Figure 12-10. Figure 12-10: TECO Startup/Help WIDE 12-6 VAX Notes Editors To exit from TECO, type EX followed by two 's. The character can also be generated by typing CTRL-[ (Control- Left-Square-Bracket) on most keyboards. Note that TECO always echoes the character as a $. 12.6.3 Exiting TECO Exit from TECO by typing the following command (in response to the * prompt). Each `$' represents one character: *ex$$ VAX Notes Editors 12-7 Chapter__13______________________________________________________ Troubleshooting 13.1 What to do if things don't work First of all -Don't Panic! There is usually a reasonable explanation for everything, and there are many people on the system eager to help you. Go back over the instructions to see if you have overlooked something. Perhaps the documentation is wrong. (After all, every word of it was written by a human.) Try finding another reference to the what are trying to do and compare notes. If you do find a documentation error please notify us using the instructions below. If the problem persists, try to collect as much information about it as possible. Do other commands fail in the same way? Are the symptoms the same every time? Write down the exact sequence of things you are trying to do and the system responses. Include the exact text of any error messages. This information will be very helpful to the people trying to help you. 13.2 Where to go for help 13.2.1 Can't Access the System You are completely confused or you can't access the system at all. DECUServe has a telephone answering machine for voice messages: (978)952-6957. Please leave your DECUS membership number, DECUServe username, your name, both day and evening telephone numbers and a description of the problem you are having or the assistance needed. 13.2.2 Account or Subscription Problems You can reach the system using one of the available methods but you can't log in,or you can log in but you are having a general problem with your account. Send VMS MAIL @ASSIST to: Troubleshooting 13-1 Send VMS MAIL PROBLEMS or DECUSERVE to: Send Internet ASSIST@eisner.decus.org or mail to: PROBLEMS@eisner.decus.org DECUSERVE@eisner.decus.org You may also log in to the DECUServe PROBLEMS account (no password is necessary) to request assistance. Telnet or any dial-in line (including (800)-521-8950) may be used. 13.2.3 INTERNET Problems Users with questions about DECUServe access to the Internet should post them to the INTERNETWORKING VAX Notes conference. A collection of Internet experts routinely monitor this conference and answer posted queries. 13.2.4 Business or Policy Issues If you would like to send mail to representatives of the DECUServe Executive Committee, you can: Send VMS MAIL XCOM or EXEC to: Send Internet XCOM@eisner.decus.org or mail to: EXEC@eisner.decus.org To send electronic mail to the DECUS Board of Directors you may: Send VMS MAIL BOARD to: This facility is not available from Internet Mail. To send mail to representatives of DECUS Canada, you can: Send VMS MAIL DECUS_CA to: Send Internet DECUS_CA@eisner.decus.org mail to: 13-2 Troubleshooting 13.2.5 Address or Telephone Number Changes If you would like to update information in your DECUS and DECUServe file (such as your address or telephone number), you can: Send VMS MAIL INFO_CHANGE to: Send Internet INFO_CHANGE@eisner.decus.org mail to: This information is forwarded to the DECUS office, as well as DECUServe. You can get information about your DECUServe account expiration, and receive a renewal invoice if you wish, by typing the following command: $ EXPIRY 13.3 Getting a DECUServe Application Form If you (or your friends) need a DECUServe application, you can obtain one on-line on the system, or by VMS MAIL or Internet mail. Send a mail message to one of the following addresses depending on where you are: Send VMS MAIL from APPLICATION DECUServe to: Send VMS MAIL from DCS DECUSV::APPLICATION to: Send Internet mail to: APPLICATION@eisner.decus.org You will get back, by return mail, an application form. If you include the string ps or postscript in the mail subject line, you get a PostScript file. If you include ln3 or ln03 in the subject line, you get an LN03 format file. Otherwise, you get a flat text file. You can get 1 application form per mail message. No particular text is required in the ``body'' of the message; only the subject is important. Information about joining DECUServe is freely available to your friends. They may log in to the INFORMATION account (no password is necessary). They may use any modem dial-in line (including (800)-521-8950) or reach DECUServe using Telnet on the Internet. See Chapter 9 for information about Telnet and Internet mail to DECUServe. Troubleshooting 13-3 Index____________________________________________________________ A______________________________ Access denial E______________________________ See Troubleshooting Editors Account Available, 12-1 Application form, 13-3 Callable EDT, 7-20, 12-3 Expiration, 13-3 EDT, 12-3 Information, 2-2 EVE, 12-2 Problems, 13-1 Preferred, changing, 12-1 Sharing (forbidden), 2-2 Preferred, showing your, 12-1 Acknowledgments TECO, 12-6 DECUServe cookbook, 7-1 TPU, 12-2 User Guide, xi TPU/EDT, 12-3 Address chabges, 13-3 WPS, 12-5 Announcements, 4-2 EDT, 12-3 Answering machine, 13-1 EVE, 12-2 Application form, 13-3 Executive Committee (XCOM) Asynchronous Modems, 2-1 Mail, 7-19 Exiting VAX Notes, 5-7 B______________________________ F Business issues, 13-2 _______________________________ First Login, 7-5 C______________________________ First Time Options, 4-2 Conferences Conferences, 4-4 Directory, 5-4 Editor, 4-3 Opening, 5-4 Environment, 4-2 Required, 11-2 Notebook, 4-4 Titles, 11-1 Personal Name, 4-3 Connecting Flowchart Internet, 3-1 New users, 1-2 Telephone, 3-1 ForWords, 10-3 Customer Assistance Functions Answering machine, 13-1 Keyboard/Keypad, 7-2 Customer Service Representa- H______________________________ tive Help Mail, 7-19 In VAX Notes, 5-3 Customizing OneKey VAX Notes, OneKey, 6-4 8-13 Online, 10-12 D______________________________ VAX Notes keypad, 5-3 DECUServe Cookbook, 7-1 VAX Notes keys, 5-3 Dialin, 3-1 Phone numbers, 3-1 Disk quota, 4-4 Diskspace, 4-4 Index-1 I______________________________ N______________________________ Internet New User Environment, 4-3, 7-5 Addresses, 9-1 Invoking for update, 4-4 Connecting, 3-1 Notebook, 5-2, 7-4 Connection Information, 9-1 Notebook Management, 7-17 FTP, 9-2 Note ranges, 7-15 Mail, 9-3 Notes Mail forwarding, 9-4 See VAX Notes Problems, 13-2 NOTES$NOTEBOOK.NOTE, 5-2 SMTP, 9-3 TELNET, 9-2 O______________________________ Invoking VAX Notes, 5-2 OneKey K______________________________ Backing Up, 6-4 Kermit, 10-2 132 columns, 8-13 Conference order, 8-12 L Customizing, 8-13 _______________________________ Directory, 8-5 Logging on, 4-1 Editor Extensions, 8-8 Problems, 13-1 ENTER, 6-2, 8-4 Logins, 7-5 Exiting, 6-3, 8-5 M Grammar Checker, 8-9 _______________________________ Help, 6-4 Mail Information keys, 8-5 Customer Service Repreesenta- Invoking, 6-1, 8-3 tive, 7-19 Keypad help, 6-4 DECUS Board of Directors, Keys, 6-4 13-2 Keys, editor mode, 8-2 DECUS Canada, 13-2 Keys, notes mode, 8-1 delivered with EXQUOTA, 4-4 Marking notes, 8-7 Executive Committee (XCOM), Modes, 8-4 7-19, 13-2 Overview, 6-1 Forwarding via Internet, 9-4 Printing, 8-7 from DCL, 10-1 Reference, 8-1 from VAX Notes, 10-1 Refresh, 8-8 Internet, 9-3 Search, 8-6 Moderators, 7-19 Search, text, 8-7 VMS, 10-1 Search, title, 8-6 Modems, Asynchronous, 2-1 Skipping Notes, 6-3 Moderators Spelling Checker, 8-9 Mail, 7-19 Update, 8-8 MYSCRATCH, 10-11 P as default scratch space, _______________________________ 10-11 Policy issues, 13-2 Problems, 13-1 Purpose, 1-1 Index-2 Q VAX Notes (cont'd) _______________________________ Modifying a note, 7-14 Quota, disk, 4-4 New topic, 5-6, 7-14 R Note ranges, 7-15 _______________________________ Personal notebook, 5-2 Required conferences, 11-2 Reading, 5-5, 7-9 S Replies, moving between, 7-11 _______________________________ Replying, 5-5, 7-13 Scratch space, 10-11 SEARCH command, 7-16 Search Starting, 5-2 Notes, 7-16 Startup screen, 5-2 Titles, 7-18 Summary, 7-7 Using OneKey, 8-6 Topics, moving between, 7-11 SET SEEN, 7-14 Writing, 5-5, 7-12 Starting VAX Notes, 5-2 VAX Notes conferences Startup screen, VAX Notes, 5-2 See Conferences T VMS Mail, 10-1 _______________________________ W TECO, 12-6 _______________________________ Telephone WPS Editor, 12-5 Dialin, 3-1 Phone numbers, 3-1 X______________________________ Terminal Equipment, 2-1 XCOM Macintosh, 2-1 See Executive Committee PC, 2-1 TPU See Editors Troubleshooting, 13-1 Answering machine, 13-1 U______________________________ Update Background, 7-8 V______________________________ VAX Notes Commands, 5-3, 7-11 Concepts, 5-1 Conference structure, 5-1 Conference Structure, 7-3 Deleting, 5-6, 7-14 Direcotory, 7-16 Directory, 5-4 Exiting, 5-7 Help, 5-3, 7-17 Invoking, 5-2, 7-8 Jumping around a conference, 7-11 Keypad Help, 5-3 Keys, 5-3 Index-3