|
Please Note: The information in this document has just been translated over from the printed version (14-Aug-98) and is being reviewed. There are errors! This notice will go away once all the obvious errors are corrected. From there, this document will be upgraded over time.
Moving files to and from two computers sitting side by side is only half the story. Today, being able to transfer files to and from online systems is the essence of telecomputing. Like any activity or skill, you need to know the fundamentals and practice the procedures.
General BBS Use
Club 100 provides a multi-line computer for use by members of the club. This computer, called a BBS (bulletin board system), is available 24hr/7days at 300, 1200 or 2400 baud. Members may use any computer to access the BBS. There are no restrictions on the type of computer that may be used to access the Club 100 BBS, nor when, nor how often.
Note: Early in 1995, to save you money, we changed the Dial-1 service on all Club 100 lines to Excel Telecommunications. If you change your Dial-1 service to Excel your cost to call Club 100 lines is 1/2 that of the already low, Excel rates. Trus me, folks, this is called a deal. If you are interested in switching your Dial-1 service, simply contact me and I'll send you a service request form. Of course, nothing is keeping you from spending more money. -Rick-
We offer an online newsletter, lots of information and downloads, tips, and public message areas. All Club 100 BBS menus fit the 40 chr, 8 line Model 100 display but, again, you may use any computer to log on.
Setting Up And Logging On
Connect the direct connect cable to the Phone port on the back of your computer; then connect the tan wire to the telephone line.
Set your switches and stats
Model 100/102
Model 200
Hit <enter> and wait. Your computer will dial our computer and shake hands.
Once connection is made, it is recommended that you turn your label line off. Tap your LABEL key.
Our computer will put out some information, then ask you some simple questions. You will need to respond to these questions to log onto our computer. The following is a stroke-by-stroke procedure to log on to our computer.
Prompts And Responses
First name? Your first name <enter>
Last name? Your last name <enter>
Calling from? Your city, state <enter>
Flow Control
Sometimes you want to pause a display to read it. You may stop the display with P and start it again with <enter> or use <ctrl>S to pause and <ctrl>Q to continue. There are times when you want to skip out of a listing. You may skip out of a listing by tapping your S key.
Capturing Info With A Model "T"
It is simple to capture what you see on the screen to either your printer or a file (.DO) within your computer. After selecting either of the following procedures simply use the BBS normally. All that you see on the screen will echo to the appropriate device (i.e., printer, .DO file).
Echo to printer
Echo to a file
Club 100 BBS Menus
The Club 100 BBS (Bulletin Board System) offers a system of menus and commands for access to Model "T" information.
____The Club 100 bbs__________________ (1)Conference (4)Library (7)Uploads (2)ForSaleAds (5)_LOTTO_ (8)ClubStuff (3)PrivateMail (6)TechRef (9)Settings (N)ewsletter (G)oodbye (H)elpFiles
This is the (T)op menu. Note that all submenus are numbered. The monthly newsletter is accessed from here.
Menu 1: CONFERENCE (S)can (R)ead (P)ost public messages (H)ow to use this area (Menu:_23456789) (T)op (L)og (G)oodbye
This is the public message area where members help each other through message threads. Lot's of information passes through here.
Menu 2: CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING (R)ead ads Ad posting is a (P)ost ads free service (I)nstructions (Menu:1_3456789) (T)op (G)oodbye
Over the years, this area has seen $$$ of goods pass from member to member. Where in this world can you find a free classified service?
Menu 3: ELECTRONIC MAIL "private" (R)ead (P)ost private messages (H)ow to use this area Address sysop mail to Richard Hanson (Menu:12_456789) (T)op (L)og (G)oodbye
Messages posted in this area are to online members by name. Only the one, named person the sender and sysop may access these messages.
1)Text 2)Print 3)TELCOM 4)Business 5)Graphics 6)Drives 7)Utilities 8)Games 9)Music P)rogramming E)ducation M)isc (T)op (H)elp (G)oodbye
This is what the online library looks like when you have library access. Each category is loaded.
Menu 5: Play California LOTTO !! This is real. Play the Multi-Million $Dollar$ California Lottery... (R)ules for group play - read me! (J)oin a group - $29.95 Visa/MC req. (Menu:1234_6789) (T)op (G)oodbye
This menu is new for 1995. In a constant attempt to add a little zip to the Club 100 BBS, we're now giving non-California residents an opportunity to play California LOTTO. Try it. What do you have to lose?
Menu 6: TECHNICAL REFERENCE (D)ownload files... (Menu:12345_789) (T)op (G)oodbye
Need some technical information? Well, you've just found the source. This area is constantly growing with useful informational files.
Menu 7: UPLOADS (D)ownload, (U)pload or (R)emove files (H)ow to use this area (Menu:123456_89) (T)op (G)oodbye
This area is used by members to share programs. Some upload, most down-load.
Menu 8: CLUB 100 MEMBERSHIP (D)etails about Club 100 & BBS access (J)oin the club and BBS - free (V)iew catalog items now (P)lace order now, via credit card (Menu:1234567_9) (T)op (G)oodbye
Use this area to join the club, or let us know your new address. Need something? Order it online with your credit card. Only the sysop sees credit card orders.
Menu 9: TERMINAL SETTINGS (I)nstructions... please read first! (R)eset your terminal settings (C)hange your password (Menu:12345678_) (T)op (G)oodbye
Use this area to customize your terminal settings.
Using The Message Bases
The (3)PrivateMail area of this BBS is dedicated to sending and receiving messages to and from individuals. Only the person posting the message (FROM), the person named in the message header (TO), and the sysop may read the message. For your convenience, you may use the (L)og feature to see a list of the last few callers to this service by their online name.
The name "ALL" is not a valid online name in this message base. Please use the (1)Conference to post "public" or "ALL" messages. Only (1)Conference messages may be read by every member of this service.
Message contents are secure from all eyes but the sender (FROM), the receiver (TO) and the sysop, Richard Hanson. The word "private" is used for convenience. Posting messages via this area may not be considered the same as private paper-mail, and thus are not granted protection under the constitution of the United States.
Messages to the sysop should be (P)osted to RICHARD HANSON, RICK HANSON, or SYSOP.
The (1)Conference area may be used by members of Club 100 and no others (see (8)JoinClub) for details). The CONFERENCE area is a public message area, meaning that every user of this BBS may scan, read or post messages to all others. The name "ALL" is valid in this message base but use of online names are valid as well (see (L)og) for a listing of recent callers).
Subject matter is reserved for discussions involving Radio Shack/Tandy Model 100, 102, 200 and WP2 computers, however, occasional off-the-wall messages are allowed. The sysop, Richard Hanson, reserves the right to alter, forward to (3)ElectMail, or delete message.
Select P to (P)ost a message. Fill out the header and enter to the input area. Key in your message as you would with a word processing program. It will automatically wrap text. When you are finished, hit <enter> on a blank line to bring up the edit command line. You may edit your message, view it, continue, etc., When you're finished editing, select S to <S>ave your message to the base.
Setting Last Message Read The above tip is not a requirement, just a suggestion from a guy who's been online for over 17 years and sysopped for over 15 years. You may, of course, read everything and stay online all day and all night if you choose.
Paragraphs Lists Prepared Text File Enclosures Activities Cost Start by dialing 00 to talk with your long distance carrier. Ask for the going rate to call 510-939-1246, and write it down. Next, do one of the tutorials, then when you log off, note the "time online" figure presented to you at the end of the log off information. Apply the rate to your time online to calculate your cost.
Note: Early in 1995, for your convenience, we changed the Dial-1 service on all Club 100 lines to Excel Telecommunications. If you change your Dial-1 service to Excel your cost to call Club 100 lines is 1/2 that of the already low, Excel rates. Trus me, folks, this is called a deal. If you are interested in switching your Dial-1 service, simply contact me and I'll send you a service request form. -Rick-
Example It will take you about 2 minutes to log on, log off, and play with the keys on your computer, and another 3 minutes to capture the (N)ewsletter 1 file at 300 baud. That's a total online time of about 5 minutes. At $0.11 per minute you have just spent $0.55. You'll pay more for a cup of coffee.
Note: Again, please read my reference to Excel Telecommunications.
First time: If this is your first time reading the message base, do not fall into the "I must read everything" trap. Start by setting your "last message read" pointer to the last message in the base. You do this by (R)ead-ing <R>everse by one message. Then, each time you return, simply select (R)ead
Simply hit your spacebar once, before hitting e on a blank line, to form a blank line in your message. Without the space character, your <enter> will bring up the edit command line. (Note: A period may be used instead of a space ... your choice)
Simply add a space to each line before entering your text. Upon play back, the space will keep the data on that line from wrapping onto the previous line (use <V>iew to see your text as it will be played back). (Note: A period may be replaced for the space--your choice)
You may upload prepared text into the editor via any of the upload protocols presented. ASCII uploads (protocol 1, 2, or 3 (prefer you use #3)) require that you pre-check your text for es on blank lines within your text (see selections "Paragraphs" and "Lists"). When uploading ASCII via protocols 1, 2, or 3, do not "force" line length, i.e., just hit <enter> if your terminal program asks for "width." (Note: A period may be replaced for the space ... your choice)
You may append "any" file type "of any length" to your message, i.e., .DO, ASCII, .BA, BASIC, .CO, MACHINE LANGUAGE, graphics, etc. The process starts as a typical message. Edit your message then hit <enter> to bring up the edit command line. Select F for <F>ile and follow the prompts. After uploading your file, you are returned to the edit command line were you must select S to <S>ave your message with it's appended file.
Most of our online members use the BBS in simple ways. Also, most BBS callers call from out of state. Here is a list of the most used functions and features of our BBS.
As a rule, always call late at night or on the weekends, be prepared for your call, get online, do your job, and get off. Adhere to these rules and the call will cost very little. How little? The cost for USA callers during non-prime-time is usually just $0.11 per minute. If you plan your online access use, you will spend very little for lots of use.
Lets say you want to just capture the online newsletter each month. How much will this cost, if calling from out of state? Let's also say that you will be coming online at 300 baud using a stock Model 100/102/200 computer.