Network menu options
Color 64 Network - Network Menu Options
The Network Menu
The first thing you see is a free memory check displaying how many bytes you have free in memory. Results may vary, but if it gets down to 3000 or so, you're running a loaded BBS (lots of modifications and unregulated games) and run the risk of an out-of-memory error. You may need to reduce the number of nodes through the net setup program if this gets too low, because the more nodes you have the more memory is used.
Whenever you choose any of these 8 options, you should see a quick flash on your screen. This is just to confirm that your keypress was acknowledged since some options may take a second or two to access.
| Menu Command | Command Description |
|---|---|
| F1: Change Date/Time | There it is! This does the same exact thing it did when it was on the Sysop Menu. |
| F2: Change Window | This is an option to temporarily change your window times (read the Network SETUP section). This option will remain in effect till either you change it again here, your BBS crashes, or you re-start it. |
| F3: Maintenance | This will access another menu. You’ll be using this a lot, so there is a section on this a little later. |
| F4: Multi-Send | This is a feature which allows you (only yourself since it is not available on-line) to send the same message or file to more than one node at a time without having to visit the message maker each time. The first thing you need to do is to create a NET DEFAULT MESSAGE or a DEFAULT FILE. This is different than your normal BBS default message. It can only be created in the POST NETWORK MSG section. A DEFAULT FILE is created in the ATTACH A FILE section. After you have created this default net msg or file, you can then use this feature. To use, simply enter the NODE NUMBERS you wish to send to, separated by commas (just like in a multi-download). If you want to send to every node you have, enter the word "all".
After you make your selection, individual copies will be made. When you’re done, you have the option of saving this default (indefinitely or until you create a new one). Note: If installed, the mail verification option is not available when sending out multi-messages. See the paragraph on the Mail Verification mod in the "Miscellaneous Options/Features" section for more information. |
| F5: Release Public | This is where you go to release any public messages which may be held. Once again, you may not need this feature. This is another easy to use, self-explanatory option. You can re-read a message, hold it, delete it, or release it into your message base (all pointers will be set properly). This option is also available on-line. |
| F6: Regenerate Network Index | This can be used anytime you suspect something is screwy. If your Nets Holding or Nets Due Out status values are incorrect, select this option and the index will be regenerated quickly. This is also used in case you wanted to delete a node message or file directly in the BBS DOS (node messages begin with the prefix √+node, node files begin with the prefix √+file). The network index is automatically regenerated when you boot up the BBS, and at midnight, so things should pretty much stay in good shape. |
| F7: Post Network Msg | This is where you go to enter the message to any node. This option is available online as well.
When any user first accesses this section, free space is checked on your HOLDING drive. The "reserve" free space used is the value you defined in the BBS SETUP under the free space allowance for uploads. Next, you are at the prompt which asks you which node you want to select. If you are a level 9 user, you will see an additional message reminding you how to send a default net message. If you enter “?”, you will get a listing of all participating nodes. When you enter the number of the node, you will be given the name of the BBS. Answer “Y” if it is correct. Now you are asked whether the message is private or public. If you choose public, then you will be asked for the subject, and will be dumped into the message maker. If you answer “private”, then you have a few options:
By now you should be in the message maker. Everything is exactly as it is when you enter standard BBS messages. You can use the C= key to merge files just as before. After you send your message, if you decided to use the E-mail verification mode for the BBS (see the paragraph in "Miscellaneous Options/Features" for information on merging it in), you will also be asked if you would like E-Mail verification of when the message is sent. If you answer “Y” to this question, when the message is sent out to the node, a note will be put in your mailbox showing you the time and date the message went out. |
| F8: Return to BBS | Exits back to the Waiting-for-Call screen |
Next Section: Network Maintenance