The local SYSOP function keys

When the system starts, the local sysop menu is shown. This lists the available function keys for the sysop and is on the LOCALM file in the MENUS subdirectory in both a graphics and non-graphics version if you feel like modifying the layout at all. Note that the texts written by the program (modem messages, waiting for caller, etc) are written to a fixed place on the screen, so if you redesign the menu you will have to leave a space in the appropriate place.

F1 or Alt-L : local logon

This key, when pressed when no remote user is logged onto the system, will allow you to log onto the system locally. You go through the normal login procedures, and may therefore choose whether to identify yourself as the SYSOP or as a normal user. If the key is pressed while a remote user is logged in, the system will remember this, and let you log on locally as soon as the remote user logs out.

F2 or Alt-Q : take system down after call

This key tells the system that when the present caller is done with the system then you want to take the system down. The phone line will be taken off the hook so that any callers will receive a busy signal. If there are no callers currently logged in then the system will be taken down immediately.

F3 or Alt-X : take system down after call (phone not busy)

This key does the same as the F2 key, except that the phone is left onhook. This will allow you to use the phone yourself!

F4 or Alt-K : Kill user

This key will throw the current user off the system with a message to say that his presence is undesired. This one should be used carefully, if the user is a bona fide user then you should rather use the F5 key to log him out. This one is reserved for use on a user who is obviously attempting to misuse the system. The key has no effect if there is no user logged on.

F5 or Alt-O : logOut current user

This key will send a message to the current user informing him that you need the system yourself and will therefore have to log him out for the moment. The user will then be disconnected. The key has no effect if there is no user logged on.

F6 or Alt-C : Chat mode

This key initiates chat mode with the current user (again, no effect if nobody is logged on). The user will receive a message saying 'SYSOP comming online' and from there on anything typed either by you or the other end will be shown at both ends. To get out of chat mode press F6 (or Alt-C) again (the user is NOT able to get out of chat mode at the other end).

F7 or Alt-D : Duck down to DOS

This key allows you to execute DOS commands locally without taking the system down. If a user is logged in then a message will be sent asking them to wait until you are finished with whatever it is you wish to do. Note that to execute DOS commands from a remote sysop terminal you may use the E command in the sysop menu.

F8 or Alt-S : Temporary Sysop privileges

Pressing this key gives the user currently logged on access to all commands in the system, including all SYSOP commands. A message is sent to the user informing him of this. The normal use for this is to do do online security upgrades. When you are done, press the key again and the privileges will be removed; again a message will be sent to confirm this. In no case will the privileges last for longer than the duration of the current call.

F9 or Alt-A/N : Sysop availablity

The Sysop availability flag indicates whether or not you are willing to be paged (main menu C function) by your users. When the system is taken up this flag is set to ON (you will be paged if a user asks for Chat). Pressing F9 once turns the flag on, pressing it again turns it off. You may find it easier to use the alt-keys here: Alt-A sets sysop Available, Alt-N sets Sysop Not available. If the sysop is not available then a user using the C function will be informed of this, and no paging will be done.

F10 or Alt-I : Show caller Information

This function shows the 'vital statistics' for the current user (or the last user to log on if there are none on at present) in a 3 line window at the top of the local screen (nothing will happen on the users screen).

Shift F10 or Alt-H : Help

For use when a user is online and the local menu therefore not on the screen: this shows a 3 line window at the top of the screen reminding you of the functions coded on the 10 function keys.

Alt-T : increase time limit

Each press on the Alt-T key will increase the allowed time for the user that's currently logged in by 5 minutes. The additional time applies only to the current session.

Alt-R : reduce time limit

In the same way, each press on the Alt-R key will reduce the allowed time by 5 minutes. If the time gets reduced to zero then the user will be logged out immediately.

Alt-F : extra file time

Each press on the Alt-F key gives the user that is currently logged in an extra 5 minutes of 'files' time. The extra time applies only to the current session.

Alt-G : less file time

Each press on the Alt-G key reduces the file time available to the user that is currently logged in by 5 minutes. The reduction applies to the current session only.