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ZEPHYR Magazine -> Issue 39
T H E
Z E P H Y R
__ M A G A Z I N E
{__]++++++++++++++++++++++++++[]
Issue #39 4-10-87
A weekly electronic magazine for users of
THE ZEPHYR II BBS
(Mesa, AZ - 602-894-6526)
owned and operated by T. H. Smith
Editor - Gene B. Williams
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. You may share this magazine with your friends under the .
. condition that the magazine remain complete and intact, .
. with no editing, revisions or modifications of any kind, .
. and including this opening section and statement. .
. If you like the magazine, our Sysop and I would appreciate.
. it if you would let your friends know where they can log .
. in to find the magazine (and incidentally one of the .
. finest BBSs in the country!). .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) 1987
THIS ISSUE:
Using Zephyr is easy and fun. A lot of you probably don't
know just how powerful and versatile the system really is. That's
the subject of this issue - "How To Use Zephyr."
It's a long issue. I urge you to open your capture buffer,
or to download the issue and keep it for reference.
INTRODUCTION
The Zephyr was designed, written and executed by Thane
Smith. Despite similarities you might see here and there, the
program is NOT simply a revamping of an existing program. Some of
the features you'll find are much the same as you'll find on
another BBS, but that is because those features have shown
themselves to be of value.
His goal was to create a BBS that is both powerful and easy
to use. And he has managed to do just that. Actually, the system
is easier to work than it is to explain.
Throughout this help file certain terms and symbols are
used for convention.
The Enter key or function is the same as a carriage return,
abbreviated . This means simply that you press the return on
your keyboard.
The ^ is used to denote pressing the key. Hold
down the key while pressing the command letter. For
example, ^S (pauses the system) means that you press down and
hold the key, press the letter "S" and release both. It
doesn't matter if you use upper case or lower case. ^S is the
same as ^s as far as Zephyr is concerned.
Quotation marks - such as "S" - are used in these
instructions merely to offset and identify the letter. You do NOT
type in those quotation marks to access the command!
It's that simple! is your return key; ^ is your control
key; ignore the quotation marks in these instructions.
SOME GENERAL FUNCTIONS
Many times you will see "< ^S to pause ^C to abort >" at the
beginning of an option. It means just what it says.
^C - Abort; Stops the printout and brings you back to the
message counter or menu prompt (depending on where you
are when you use the function).
For example, if you are reading a message on the Public
Board that you're not interested in, ^C will stop that
message and bring you back to the message counter. A
will start the next message; a "Q" (for Quit) will abort
that subboard and take you to the subboard prompt.
^K - Same as ^C. (for two-handed typists or people with big
hands)
^S - Pause; press any letter to start scrolling again.
These basic commands work no matter where you are on Zephyr,
even if the specific note doesn't appear. For example, if you're
reading a long section from the Zephyr Magazine, you can pause
temporarily to catch up by using ^S, and continue by pressing any
other letter, then pause again (^S) whenever you need it.
If someone has left a message that is silly or stupid, or
you just don't feel like reading it, ^C or ^K will skip the rest
of that message and take you to the prompt, either for the next
message or back to where you were before.
The ^S is a pause. Trying to read a long message, such as
the section of the Zephyr Magazine, can be a hassle - especially
if you've logged on at 1200 baud. By using ^S, the message will
stop scrolling. To release the pause, press any other letter. (I
use the space bar.)
The letter "Q" is used to Quit. For example, if you're
downloading this issue for future reference, after you completed
the download you would enter a "Q" to take you out of the
Upload/Download section and back to the subboard prompt.
NOTE: As you'll see below, a "Q" from a subboard prompt will
take you to the Questionaire. This isn't duplicity. When you're
at a subboard prompt there's nothing to Quit!
In many places on the board you can reply to an existing
message by using the letter "R." (Don't confuse this with "R" for
read at that specific prompt in the Mail section.) You can then
leave a message of your own, addressed to the person who left the
original message.
If you reply in the Mail section, that reply will be private
mail automatically. Anywhere else you have the option to leave
the message as private mail, as a new message on the subboard, or
to abort the reply function.
The letter "S" also does double-duty. From an edit prompt
(after leaving a message or letter) it will "S"ave that message.
At the opening mail prompt it allows you to "S"end a letter.
All of the Main and File functions are "Hot Keyed" (you
don't need a after them). The same is often true of other
functions elsewhere.
THE MAIN MENU
When you log on, one of two things will happen.
If you have mail waiting, you will automatically be taken to
the mail section and asked if you wish to read it (and to respond
to it, of course).
If you don't have mail, you will be taken to whatever
subboard you were on when you logged off last time.
With the exceptions of Upload/Download and Mail, it doesn't
matter where you are in Zephyr. The Main Menu is always
available. It will display itself when you log on, or after
you've read and responded to all your mail if you were taken
there first.
The Main Menu looks like this:
-= Main Menu =-
A)REA CHANGE T)ime/date
B)ulletins P)ost a message
C)onfigure R)ead a message
F)eedback S)can messages
G)oodbye Q)uestionaire
H)elp U)pload/Download
L)og of calls Y)ell at SysOp
M)ail system Z)ip-Read
[Public] Main:
Once again, it doesn't matter which subboard you're on. The
Public board is used merely as an example. For any particular
option, you merely enter the letter of your choice. For example,
if you wish to leave a note to the sysop, you'd press "F" and the
or (carriage return) key on your terminal.
An explanation of each function available follows, given in
alphabetical order. The first will be the most complex since it
will show each of the steps and the results. To keep things from
getting too boring (for you AND for me) the other listings won't
be quite so detailed. The way you access the function is always
the same.
A)REA CHANGE
On Zephyr, each subboard is an "Area." The main (Public)
board is Area 1. This magazine is Area 3.
To cause an area change, you enter the letter "A" as shown
in the example below.
[Public] Main: A
This is what you'll get:
[Public] Main: Area Change
Board #1-6 (?=list) [1]:
By entering a "?" you will get a list of the available
subboards, the number of new messages on each since you were on
last, and your access level on that subboard. In brackets will be
the number of the subboard on which you were before taking the
A)rea Change option.
Note that the access level displayed will be either Read or
Normal, but does not reveal your actual access level. Normal
access allows you to read or post messages. A Read only access
means that you have access to read messages on that subboard
only. If you have no access at all to a particular subboard, it
simply will not be listed.
It will look something like this:
Available sub-boards are:
# New Access Description
1 20 Normal Public
2 1 Normal Conspiracies
3 5 Normal Zephyr Magazine
4 8 Normal Sore-ing Spirits
5 3 Normal CompuDobbs
6 61 Read Piece of Mind
Board #1-6 (?=list) [1]:
Obviously, if you already know the subboard number, there is
no need to go through the list. You would merely enter the number
desired at the prompt.
For example, if you were on the Public subboard and wished
to change to the Zephyr Magazine subboard, you'd press "3" and
the key.
Like this:
Board #1-6 (?=list) [1]:3
[Magazine] Main:
B)ULLETINS
This BBS supports the use of informational data files called
Bulletins. These bulletins can be on any subject or topic and are
updated on a regular basis. While it may not be necessary to
check out the bulletins every time you call in, it's a good idea
to check them once in a while just to see if anything new has
gone up.
Just to remind you, to access the Bulletins from, for
example, the Public subboard:
[Public] Main:B
What you'll see is:
[Public] Main:Bulletins
Bulletin #1-7. L) for list, to quit:
By entering an "L" you will get the list of available
Bulletins. At the time of this writing that list is:
-= Bulletins =-
1. - Local BBS list.
2. - System information.
3. - Rules of the BBS.
4. - Questionnaire results.
5. - How you can Help with the BBS.
6. - The Distribution of THIS SOFTWARE.
7. - Current and comming features of the Distribution version.
Bulletin #1-7. L) for list, to quit:
To read a particular Bulletin, simply enter the number. A
will take you back to the subboard you were on before you
went to the Bulletins section.
C)ONFIGURE TERMINAL
[Public] Main: Configure Terminal
Current User Settings:
L) Lines Per page: 23
T) Terminal Width: 80
M) Message Terminator: /ex
F) File Protocol: Ascii
P) Password: your password is displayed here
Z) Zip-Read Settings
Select ( to quit):
This feature allows you to set and modify a number of user
settings and parameters. You can change your password, the number
of lines per page (per screen, actually), the message terminator
(what you use to end a message) and your default Zip-read
settings.
LINES PER PAGE - This will determine how many lines of text are
displayed before an automatic pause occurs and the [more]
prompt appears. Hitting any key will erase the message and
continue with the next page.
TERMINAL WIDTH - This allows you to set the number of characters
per line that will display on your terminal screen.
MESSAGE TERMINATOR - Different systems have different ways of
terminating messages. Some use a blank line while others
use /EX or some other preset terminator. With Zephyr, you
can set it to whatever you feel most comfortable with.
FILE PROTOCOL - There are several methods for uploading or
downloading. This option allows you to choose Ascii (such as
for text files) or Xmodem (for other files). Your upload and
download protocol is then set. When you upload or download
you won't have to choose the protocol over and over. (You
can, of course, go back to the Configure function and change
the protocol at any time.)
PASSWORD - Your password is your secret code-word that you will
enter to gain access to the system each time you call. It
would be a good idea to change it periodically and to use a
different password on each BBS system that you call.
ZIP-READ SETTINGS - This BBS allows you to have the ability to
read all of the new messages on all of the subboards. Zephyr
keeps track of what you've read and what you haven't read.
Zip-read takes you through each and every new message until
you tell it to quit. This feature of the Configure function
allows you to select which of the subboards are accessed by
Zip-read, and which are not accessed automatically.
For example, if you regularly read the Public, Zephyr and
Sore-ing Spirits subboards, but only occasionally read
Compu-Dobbs, you can configure your own Zip-read to go to
just the subboards you want and to skip those you don't.
This is handy if you have a limited logon time and are
regular monitoring several subboards and then read new
messages on the other subboards, depending on how time you
have left.
Your configuration will consist of just turning on or off
(toggling) the message areas that you want to have included
in your Zip-read.
F)EEDBACK
There are two ways to leave a message to the Sysop (Thane).
One is through the Mail. Easier is to use Feedback, which is like
an automatically addresssed letter. The FeedBack function allows
you to send mail to the System Operator in one simple operation.
This message will be entered as mail and CAN ONLY BE READ BY THE
SYSOP. (Don't use Feedback to contact the sysop of a subboard.)
It is handy to have because it allows you to give your input
on the things that you like about the BBS and give suggestions
for improvements. Your FeedBack is always welcomed and
appreciated.
G)OODBYE
The Goodbye function is used to log off of the system in
what is called a "graceful exit." Using this function will
display any log-off message along with the date and the time you
spent on line. Disconnect is automatic.
Always use this to sign off the system. Don't just shut off
your modem or computer.
H)ELP
By entering "H" and then a "?" you will be taken to a
slightly expanded Main Menu. This lists each option and what it
does. Using the "H" alone brings you to the Help prompt.
Help Function ( to Quit):?
-= Main Menu help =-
A)rea change - Change to a different message base.
B)ulletins - View the text bulletins on the BBS.
C)onfigure - Modify terminal settings.
F)eedback - Leave private mail to the SysOp.
G)oodbye - Log off of the system.
H)elp - Displays this message.
M)ail - Private messages to and from other users.
P)ost - Public message to all users of message base.
Q)uestionaire - the most recent questionaire.
R)ead - Read messages in a message base.
S)can - Scan messages in partictular area.
Y)ell - Chat with the system operator.
Z)ip-Read - Read the new messages on all of the boards (configured)
since your last call.
Help Function ( to Quit):
At the Help prompt you can use the "?" to get the listed
menu, or you access more specific help for any available option
by entering the letter of your choice.
For example:
Help Function ( to Quit):P
will give you more information on how to post messages.
M)AIL
If you have mail, you will be taken to the mail section
automatically when you log on to the system. If you don't have
mail, or when you've finished with all the mail you have, you
will be taken through the main menu and to the subboard you were
on last.
If you have mail, you will be prompted. This gives you a
choice of reading the mail then or postponing it until later. For
example, you might want to go through the posts on the various
subboards first. Or you might have something important to do on
the board before going to your mail.
If you elect to skip the mail, it will remain in "storage"
for you to read at your convenience and once again you'll be
taken to the subboard where you were last.
Mail on some systems is called "Personal" and on more than a
few it's called "E-mail" (for electronic mail). On Zephyr it's
simply called "Mail" - which is just what it is. This function
allows you to leave private messages to other Zephyr users.
To use the Mail section from elsewhere on the board, enter
the letter "M" from any subboard prompt. A prompt will ask you if
you wish to read, send or quit. Like this:
[R]ead, [S]end or [Q]uit mail:
Enter the letter of your choice. If there is mail for you,
each letter in turn will come up on your screen. This will go on
until eventually you end up back at the prompt again. If you
press "R" (for Read) when your mailbox is empty you'll get:
Your mailbox is empty.
and you'll be taken back to the prompt. Your remaining
choices are "S" to send a letter to someone on the board, or "Q"
to quit the mail section and go back to the main board.
Sending mail or replying to messages left for you, is the
same as leaving a message anywhere on Zephyr. Once you've
finished, you would enter your message terminator (see
Configuration above). This will bring you to the Edit prompt.
Edit (? for choices):
There are options available. To see the list of options,
enter a "?" at the prompt:
Edit (? for choices): ?
and you'll get the list of options.
S)ave, L)ist, R)eplace, I)nsert
C)ontinue, D)elete, E)dit, A)bort
N)ew Subject
You can now do any of several things by entering the letter
of your choice.
S)ave - allows you to save that message.
L)ist - prints out the letter you just wrote so you can look at
it again.
R)eplace -
I)nsert -
C)ontinue - if you've entered the message terminator by mistake,
this option will take you back to where you were in the
message and continue.
D)elete -
E)dit - allows you to make changes to the message.
A)bort - allows you to kill the message you just wrote.
N)ew Subject - allows you to change the subject line at the
beginning of the message.
Assume that you've finished your letter and want to save it
for that other user. All you have to do is to enter the letter
"S" and the system will store the letter, addressed to that other
user.
Edit (? for choices):S
Saving message...
The message will now be saved and you'll be taken back to
the main Mail prompt.
Much or most of the time you'll wish to reply to the mail
sent to you. At the prompt after reading, press "R":
Mail:R
Kill it now?Y
The "Y" (to kill the message) will be your usual choice.
This keeps the section clean and clear, and prevents you from
having to read that same message again and again.
You can also elect to leave the note to you intact.
Either way you'll be taken into your reply, showing the name
of the person you're sending it to, the title of the other
message - at which point you can either keep that title or change
it - and then to the first line of your own message.
For even faster posting, while in the message editor, a "/s"
on a blank line will save the file without dropping to the edit
prompt. A "/a" will abort the message from within the editor.
You might also want to mention the internal editor functions.
^A - Word left
^F - Word right
^R - Repeat last line
^X - Erase line
^I - Tab
All these function also work in P)osting a message. (Posting
a message or leaving a piece of personal mail to someone both put
you in the message editor.)
P)OST
Posting a message on a subboard is very much like leaving
Mail. From any subboard main prompt, enter a "P" (for Post) and
you'll be able to type in a message of whatever length your
access allows. You can end the lines with a carriage return, or
you can let the automatic word wrap do that job for you.
When you're finished typing, put in your message terminator
and you'll be given the Edit prompt.
Edit (? for choices):
As explained in M)ail above you have the following choices
(the list can be displayed by entering a "?" at the prompt):
S)ave, L)ist, R)eplace, I)nsert
C)ontinue, D)elete, E)dit, A)bort
N)ew Subject
R)EAD
3> Read 1-12+[10]:
This prompt tells you where you are (subboard #3 - the
magazine board), that there are 12 messages in all on the board,
and that you just finished reading message 10 - two more to go.
To continue reading, simply press the return ()
To quit reading enter the letter "Q"
To re-read the last message enter a "/"
You can also elect to go through all the messages
automatically, without having to press the return key for each
next message. To do this, at the prompt enter "NS" (for nonstop).
You can quit this feature at any time by using ^C, at which point
you'll be given the choice to abort the nonstop mode or to
continue reading.
If you wish, Zephyr can also perform a forward or backward
reading of the messages. The direction is toggled by entering
either a "+" or a "-" from the read prompt. All successive reads
will be in the direction indicated by the read prompt (+ or -).
S)CAN
There might be times when you just want to take a look at
the message headings and who wrote the messages. (This is a good
way to save time and read only the messages that interest you.)
To activate the function, enter the letter "S" from any
subboard main prompt
[Conspiracies] Main:S
As always, the screen will display what is going on, and
then take you to the command prompt:
[Conspiracies] Main:Scan
Starting at # 1-63 [61]:
This tells you that there are 63 messages on that board, and
that you've already read through message 61. To scan, just tell
the system where to begin:
Starting at # 1-63 [61]:61
#61 Feb 28, 87 1:31am
To: JIM LIPPARD
From: BOB EASTMAN
Subject: question
2> Scan 1-63+[61]: / to read
The system will pause after each message. This allows you to
read that message (by entering the "/") or to continue scanning
(by using ):
2> Scan 1-63+[61]: / to read
#62 Mar 1, 87 7:14pm
To: BOB EASTMAN
From: JIM LIPPARD
Subject: question
When you're ready to quit the scan, just enter a "Q" at the
prompt (instead of the "/" or ""):
2> Scan 1-63+[62]: / to read Q
and you'll be taken back to the main subboard prompt:
[Conspiracies] Main:
U)PLOAD/DOWNLOAD
The terms upload and download aren't completely accurate,
but remain in common use. To upload is to send something from
your computer to another; to download is the opposite, with your
computer doing the receiving. Exactly how you upload depends on
the program you are using. Obviously, you have to know how to
work the upload and download on your computer before you can make
of this feature on Zephyr.
Note that the mode of sending or receiving a file (ASCII,
Xmodem, etc.) is automatic and is set through the Configure
System function from the main menu. (See above.) If you need to
use a different mode of file transfer, go to Configure and change
the selected mode. After you're done with the transfer you can go
back and change the mode again. (Thane put this in because most
people use just one mode at all times. Rather than having to
select a transfer mode each time the user wants to transfer a
file, you need do it only once.)
To access the feature on Zephyr, enter a "U" (for upload/
download) from any main prompt. You'll be given a new submenu:
[Conspiracies] Main:U
-= File Menu =-
A)REA CHANGE U)pload file
D)ownload file G)oodbye
L)ist files Q)uit to main.
A)rea Change: Allows you to move from one upload/download area
to another.
D)ownload file: Allows you to download (capture) a file. To do
so you need to know the exact file name and extension, which
you can get from "L" command if you don't already know it.
L)ist files: This generates a list of the files available in the
paticular area. To get the list you must first move to
(through the "A" command) to the area you want.
U)pload file: Like download except that now you are sending a
file to Zephyr instead of taking one. After the upload is
complete, you'll be asked for a name of the file and a brief
description.
G)oodbye: If you've already finished everything else you want to
do on Zephyr, and have just downloaded (for example) the
latest issue of Zephyr Magazine, there's no need to go back
to the main menu to log off. You can log off right from the
upload/download section.
These same features work on each of the upload/download
areas. To change areas, or get a list of the available areas, use
the "A" command:
[Zephyr Magazine] File:A
Board #1-4 (?=list) [1]:?
the "?" as shown will give you the list of areas:
Available FILE areas are:
1 Zephyr Magazine
2 Text Files
3 Turbo
4 Pogo's Gallerie
Board #1-4 (?=list) [1]:
From this you can see that there are 4 upload/download areas
available for you; that a "?" will list them again; and that you
are presently in upload/download area #1 - the magazine file.
As always, a "Q" will quit the area and take you back to the
subboard you were on before going to upload/download.
Y)ELL AT SYSOP
Most of the time it is much more efficient to leave Feedback
(above) for the Sysop. He'll reply to your note - if a reply is
needed - when he gets the time.
However, the occasion might come up when you need to talk to
the Sysop right then and there. The "Y" will signal Thane that
the person using the board wants to talk to him. If he's around,
he'll break in. Meanwhile, you can conduct your business on the
board.
Pressing "Y" a second time, or logging off, will cancel the
paging function.
Z)IP READ
Zephyr keeps a running record of what you've done on the
board. One of the things it keeps track of is which messages
you've read, and which ones you haven't. You don't have to keep a
note pad to remind you which was the last message number on each
of the subboards you use.
From any main menu press "Z" and the system will take over.
All the new messages will be displayed in turn, with changes
between each of the subboards automatic. All you have to do is
sit back and press the return for each message.
Or, and especially if you're capturing the activity to disk,
you can use the "NS" (nonstop) command. Zephyr will take care of
the rest. A steady stream of new messages to the end of that
subboard will come through without you doing anything. You are
then taken to the next subboard where you have the option to "NS"
again.
A ^C will abort the function (with a prompt, just in case).
Another "Z" will activate it again.
For example, if you are zipping through the new messages and
decide that you want to leave a post on the Public board. You can
let Zephyr take you all the way through and come back later to
the Public board, or you can abort Zip read, leave your message,
and activate it again.
If there are no new messages, you'll be given a line that
tells you this.
Other
As with any perfectionist, Thane is always trying to think
of new ways to make Zephyr better and more powerful. Now and then
you might find that a new feature has been added, or that an old
one has been changed.
Opening messages will be given explaining the new or changed
function. If many changes have been made, I'll do another issue
like this one. Meanwhile, I urge and encourage you to download
this particular issue and keep it on hand for reference.
You can also access basic information on any function by
using the H)elp function (see above).
When it comes to questions you might have:
1) Try the function for yourself. Almost always they are
easier to operate than they are to explain. Everything on Zephyr
is so easy to work that even the most "confusing" will become
readily apparent after you've used it once.
2) Although I'll be glad to do what I can to help you, the
lord and master of the system is still our Sysop, Thane. You can
use the F)eedback function to contact him with your question. But
whether you contact Thane or myself, read and apply 1) first!
Until Next Time
Whew! That WAS a long one. If you didn't heed the advice in
the opening post and didn't have your capture on, you can still
go to the download section and capture the file ISH.39.
Next time I'm hoping to have a story from Paul Wylie to put
up for your entertainment and edification. Meanwhile, I have to
get a deadline of my own out of the way - in a big hurry.
Zephyr Magazine is ©
Gene Williams. All rights reserved.