Msg: 4565 *Conference*
07-26-93 22:10:14
From: RICHARD HANSON
To : CHARLES WENDY
Subj: REPLY TO MSG #4563 (GOVT. BBS'S)
---- Charles: Many BBS services use XON/XOFF flow control (CTRL S to pause and CTRL Q to restart). Actually, it should be written XOFF/XON to make any sense. This host, TBBS by eSoft Inc., incorporates a simplified verson of XOFF/XON via P for pause and <enter> to restart. From your point of view it is easier then issuing CTRL S, CTRL Q, but it's the same to the host. Now that you know to try CTRL S and CTRL Q for flow control, you still might not have control. Why? Because some BBSes just do not offer XOFF/XON flow control. What can you do if flow control is not available? Well, first off, don't assume that flow control is not available. Look into the utilities area of the BBS you're on and see what they offer. You might even want to check out any help screen available. But what if flow control is REALLY NOT AVAILABLE?!! Well, then get into the habbit of either printing as you go or capturing to a file as you go. The later method is good if there's not too much stuff coming your way. Your computer may or may not have the capasity to accept all that's coming your way--of course I would have to know more about what computer you're actually using to go online to these services. If it's a Model 100 then your RAM is very limited, and you may not save directly to disk unless you use a DVI or Chipmunk drive--but that's another story. If you choose to echo to a printer, you should preset everything so as to waste the least paper. First, before coming online, set your printer to condensed mode; that's 132 characters per line. Next, after coming online, set your screen width--using the utilities of the host system you are currently on--to 132 characters per line and 8 lines vertically. Also set your host to not pause for screen displays, and to eliminate screen clears on menu and file changes. These last two items allow you to start a listing coming and then just walk away until you hear the printer stop printing, and will avoid having paper jump to the top of the form--dump a blank page of paper--everytime the menu changes or a new file starts. In all cases, Charles, you need to get into the habbit of not reading while online but rather, capture to file or paper, for reading offline. You will spend less and get far more for your online dollars. Hope this helps... -Rick-