. CB/Vax User's Guide Version 2.3 April 26, 1983 How many times has this happened to you? You're at home, logged in on a portable terminal, and you want to communicate with someone else who's also logged in. The Phone utility isn't the answer here, since it requires DEC-compatible video terminals to work. You could use the REPLY/TERM command over and over again, but that quickly gets boring. And what if more than two of you want to talk? What will you do? What -will- you do? I carry this... my CB/Vax program. This allows up to 64 people (limit adjustable by your site's system manager) to particpate in simultaneous conversations on up to 40 separate channels (also siteadjustable). CB/Vax has the distinct advantage of not using any terminal-specific features; hence, it's equally at home on your VT100 or your old LA36. WHAT'S NEW FOR VERSION 2.3 The following features are new in version 2.3: o Control-Z's are now treated as /EXIT commands, unless you're being asked for a new handle. In that event, you're returned to CB/Vax without changing your handle. o On a message sent with the /SUMMON command, the current time is added to the end of the message. o If your terminal is set /NOBROADCAST, CB/Vax won't work at all. The program now checks for this condition and terminates if this is so. o Batch access to CB/Vax is prohibited. Real nasties occur if you try this. o If your process disappears while running CB/Vax, you'll be automatically removed from CB/Vax's internal tables as soon as someone else in CB tries to send a message to your terminal. This will help eliminate some dialup problems we've been having. CB/Vax V2.3 User's Guide Page 2 April 26, 1983 RUNNING CB/VAX Getting into CB/Vax is very straightforward. At the DCL prompt, just type the command $ RUN UTIL$EXE:CB (Actually, many people make this even easier by putting the following symbol definition in their LOGIN.COM file: $ CB :== $UTIL$EXE:CB They can then run CB/Vax just by typing CB.) You'll get a welcome message, and then be asked for your "handle". This is just the name you want to be known by while you're in CB. This is entirely up to you; however, we recommend that you use your real name while engaged in serious conversation. (There's a shortcut here, also. You can predefine your handle in your LOGIN.COM file with a line of the form $ CB_HANDLE :== "your name" Then, CB/Vax won't ask you for your handle when you enter.) Once you've entered the program, you'll be placed on channel 1 and be given a display of the number of people on each active channel. This display will have one or more items of the form "(n)p", where "n" is the channel number and "p" is the number of people on that channel. Additionally, a " " is displayed following the channel to which you are currently tuned, which is channel 1 in this case. SENDING MESSAGES TO OTHER USERS Sending a message to another CB/Vax user is very simple. Just type the message and end with the RETURN key. All users that are tuned to your channel will receive the message. At their terminals, your message will look something like this: (1,Chris) Did your job finish OK? The items in parentheses are, respectively, your channel number and handle. CB/VAX COMMANDS There are several commands that may be issued from within CB/Vax. To distinguish them from messages, commands always begin with a slash (/). They may be typed in any combination of upper and lower case, and only enough of a command to distinguish it from all others need be typed. (Currently, this is only the first character, but this is subject to change in future releases of CB/Vax.) The following paragraphs describe the CB/Vax commands. These descriptions may be obtained on-line by typing HELP CB to the "$" prompt. CB/Vax V2.3 User's Guide Page 3 April 26, 1983 /EXIT Performs an orderly exit from CB/Vax. Note that control-C and control-Y will NOT exit from the utility. /HANDLE Allows you to change your handle while running CB/Vax. You will be prompted for your new handle, which can not match any handle that is currently running CB/Vax. Choosing an invalid handle will cause your handle to be set to your terminal name. /STATUS Prints a brief list of activity on each of the 40 CB/Vax channels. Each item is of the form "(n)p", where "n" is the channel number and "p" is the number of people on that channel. Additionally, a " " is displayed following the channel to which you are currently tuned. /SUMMON username Calls another user and requests that the user also run CB/Vax. The user will get a message of the form handle(user) requests your presence on CB. where "handle" is your current handle, and "user" is your username. All users logged in to the specified username will be summoned. Note that this message is issued only once per command and does not repeat like the PHONE command. /TUNE n Changes your CB/Vax channel to channel "n". Channels 1-40 are defined. /USTAT Prints a detailed report of all current CB/Vax users. The list includes each user's terminal, UIC, channel, and handle. CB/Vax V2.3 User's Guide Page 4 April 26, 1983 SAMPLE CB/VAX SESSION This example session shows some common uses of CB/Vax. $ RUN UTIL$EXE:CB Welcome to CB/Vax Version 2.3 What's your handle? Chris Welcome to channel 1, Chris (Channel) users tuned in (1)4#,(6)2 (1,Ralph) Why is the system going down tomorrow? Because the power is being shut off. <-- User typed this. (1,Judy) Oh, not the power again! (1,Ralph) OK. Thanks. I'm leaving now. /sta <-- User typed this. (1)3#,(6)2 <-- Ralph left, so 3 left on channel 1. Anyone got any questions for me? (1,Elizabeth) Nothin' here. OK; I'm going to channel 6. Bye! /tun 6 <-- Change to channel 6. Hi! (6,Robert) Hi, Chris. (6,Melissa) Hi, Chris. Why is the system going down? Ask Ralph. (6,Melissa) OK. I'm going. Bye! /exi <-- Exit from CB/Vax. $