. CB/Vax User's Guide Version 3.0 March 8, 1986 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 3.0 The following features are new in version 3.0: o Version 3.0 is a complete re-write of the original CB. The original was in RATFIV, and since I wanted to make extensive modifications, I re-wrote it in fairly structured FORTRAN-77. o Support for VAXclusters has been added. o All of the commands available on Compuserve's CB have been added with the exception of /TALK. CB/Vax V3.0 User's Guide Page 2 March 8, 1986 RUNNING CB/VAX Getting into CB/Vax is very straightforward. At the DCL prompt, just type the command $ RUN SYS$SYSTEM:CB (Actually, many people make this even easier by putting the following symbol definition in their LOGIN.COM file: $ CB :== $SYS$SYSTEM: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. The following paragraphs describe the CB/Vax commands. These descriptions may be obtained on-line by typing HELP CB to the "$" prompt. CB/Vax V3.0 User's Guide Page 3 March 8, 1986 /EXIT Performs an orderly exit from CB/Vax. Control-Z will also perform this function. Note that control-C and control-Y will NOT exit from the utility. /HANDLE newhandle Allows you to change your handle while running CB/Vax. If you do not supply a new handle, you will be prompted for it. Your handle can not match any handle that is currently running CB/Vax. Choosing an invalid handle will not change your current handle. /HELP Prints a short summary of CB/Vax commands. /MONITOR n Allows you to "listen" to another channel in addition to the one to which you are tuned. The channel n may be from 1 to 40. To cease monitoring of a channel, use the /UNMONITOR command. You may monitor up to 2 additional channels. /SCRAMBLE key Allows your transmissions to only be read by other 'scrambled' users. The scramble key must be supplied. This key instructs CB to send your messages using this key. Only CB users who have entered the same key will be able to recieve your messages. Using the /SCR, you will only recieve messages scrambled with the same key. See also /SMC, /UNS, & /XCL /SMC key (Scramble and Monitor Clear) Allows you to scramble your transmissions but still recieve unscrambled transmissions. This command is identical to scramble except it allows you to recieve both scrambled and unscrambled transmissions. See also /SCR, /UNS, & /XCL /SQUELCH handle Allows you to "tune out" a user. The handle to squelch must be supplied. Only 1 user may be squelched at a time. /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 CB/Vax V3.0 User's Guide Page 4 March 8, 1986 tuned and an * is displayed on any channel which you are monitoring. /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. /TIME Report current time, day, and date. /TUNE n Changes your CB/Vax channel to channel "n". Channels 1-40 are defined. /UNMONITOR "n" Stop monitoring channel "n". /UNSCRAMBLE Turns off all scrambling options. See also /SCR, /SMC, /XCL /USTAT Prints a detailed report of all current CB/Vax users. The list includes each user's terminal, UIC, channel, and handle. /XCL key (Xmit in Clear) Allows you to recieve scrambled transmissions while sending in clear. When using this scramble option, you will recieve transmissions in clear or scrambled by the appropriate key. Your transmissions will be in clear. See also /SCR, /SMC, & /UNS CB/Vax V3.0 User's Guide Page 5 March 8, 1986 SAMPLE CB/VAX SESSION This example session shows some common uses of CB/Vax. $ RUN SYS$SYSTEM: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. $