Msg: 4565 *Conference*

07-26-93 22:10:14

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : CHARLES WENDY

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #4563 (GOVT. BBS'S)

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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-