CompuServe Messages

Chuck, It's called a SEN(d). The message you see on your screen is predeeded by a number. This is the CIS JOB number of the person that wants to chat with you. To answer this person preceed every line you type with the ASCII command "SEN <job_number>" In other words, if your 'puter beeps at you and shows the following, someone want's to talk to you…….. John Public 6:: Hi Chuck, this is John, How are you ??? To respond you would type something like………. SEN 6 Hi John. I'm great, but I'm having some problems figuring this out. Just remember that each send line is preceeded by your name and job number, so keep them short or they will wrap on the receiving screen. Each time you hit the return key you send that particular line, and have to start the next line with the SEN <job_number>. Any line that ends with "…." means that there is more to come so wait to see the rest of it. And you can see a list of all forum members, their location in the forum, the access programs they are using and their job numbers by using the command "UST" from the ! prompt. Just remember that there are lots of people that use the forum with an automated access program and they won't be able to respond to a SEN, and there is a command that will reject SEN's. The "NOSEN" command will do this, but it is normally used by people that will be very busy while on the forum, and you will get the message from CIS that "That member is busy." You will also get this message if someone is downloading/uploading a file, or issuing another command that will tie up their machine for awhile. You can get a complete list of all the commands supported by CIS and what they do by typing "H" or "?" at the ! prompt. I suggest that you open a capture buffer before you do this however, as CIS is going to give you one whale of a text file……….<grin>. BTW. This command works practically anywhere on the system, and the help file will be different for the particular section you are presently accessing. The forums have one file, Mail has another, the Mall has a third, and each of the special services (weather, quotes…etc…) each have their own. Finally there is a FREE area where you can get this information, and practice if you wish. The reason I suggest it is because it is free. Just GO PRACTICE to get there.