1
2
3
4 :Info: Help_With_a_Prompt: Help With a Prompt
5
6 A "prompt" is a system question or request for more information.
7 When you select a menu option, the Executive Mail facility often
8 replies with a prompt to ask you more specifically what you want to do.
9
10 Anytime you are prompted for a response while using Executive Mail, you
11 can type a question mark ? followed by RETURN to get an explanation
12 of what you are being asked for.
13
14 If you are asked to provide a number or name from an undisplayed list,
15 you can display the list by responding with two question marks ??
16 followed by RETURN.
17
18 If you wish to correct a response to a prompt, you can use the same
19 keystrokes used when editing mail. Since responses are made on one
20 line, not all of the editing-mail responses are applicable. Those that
21 are, are listed below. When using keystrokes that employ the "CTL"
22 key, hold the CTL key down while typing the associated character. With
23 keystrokes that use the "ESC" key, press and immediately release the
24 ESC key followed by the associated character key. No space is required
25 after the CTL or ESC key and the associated character key.
26
27 CTL f moves the cursor right one character.
28 ESC f moves the cursor right one word.
29 CTL e moves the cursor to the end of the line.
30 CTL a moves the cursor to the beginning of the line.
31 CTL b moves the cursor left one character.
32 ESC b moves the cursor left one word.
33 CTL d deletes the one character the cursor is under or covering.
34 ESC d deletes one word to the right of the cursor.
35 BACKSPACE deletes one character to the left of the cursor the DEL key
36 also does this.
37 ESC BACKSPACE deletes one word to the left of the cursor ESC DEL also
38 does this.
39 CTL k erases all text between the cursor and the end of the line.
40 @ erases all text between the cursor and the beginning of the
41 line.
42 CTL Y retrieves any piece of erased text, longer than one
43 character, and inserts it at the current cursor position.
44
45
46 :Info: Editing_Mail: Editing Mail
47
48 Whenever you are typing or editing some part of a message or mailing
49 list, you can use the set of keystrokes listed below to perform the
50 functions indicated. Keystrokes beginning with the "CTL" key move the
51 cursor one character or one line at a time. To perform these
52 keystrokes, hold the associated CTL key down while typing the
53 associated character key.
54
55 Most of the keystrokes beginning with the "ESC" key move the cursor one
56 word at a time or one whole screen at a time. Also, they are performed
57 differently than the other keystrokes. To perform them, press and
58 immediately release the ESC key followed by the associated character
59 key. No space is required after the CTL or ESC key and the associated
60 character key.
61
62 Moving the Cursor Forward
63
64 CTL f moves the cursor right one character.
65 ESC f moves the cursor right one word.
66 CTL e moves the cursor to the end of the line.
67 CTL n moves the cursor to the next line.
68 ESC n moves the cursor to the top of the next screenful of
69 text.
70 ESC > moves the cursor to the end of the text.
71
72 Moving the Cursor Backward
73
74 CTL b moves the cursor left one character.
75 ESC b moves the cursor left one word.
76 CTL a moves the cursor to the beginning of the line.
77 CTL p moves the cursor to the previous line.
78 ESC p moves the cursor to the top of the previous screenful of
79 text.
80 ESC < moves the cursor to the beginning of the text.
81
82 Erasing Text
83
84 CTL d deletes the one character the cursor is under or
85 covering.
86 ESC d deletes one word to the right of the cursor.
87 BACKSPACE deletes one character to the left of the cursor the DEL
88 key also does this.
89 ESC BACKSPACE deletes one word to the left of the cursor ESC DEL
90 also does this.
91 CTL k erases all text between the cursor and the end of the
92 line.
93 @ erases all text between the cursor and the beginning of
94 the line.
95 CTL y retrieves any piece of erased text, longer than one
96 character, and inserts it at the current cursor
97 position.
98
99 The Exit and Other Keystrokes
100
101 ESC q ceases editing, sends the message, and returns the
102 cursor to the menu.
103 ESC t ceases editing, defers saves the message, and returns
104 the cursor to the menu.
105 ESC m adjusts the margins in a paragraph when they have become
106 ragged.
107 ESC r redisplays the message when the screen become jumbled.
108 ESC g prompts for the pathname of an existing file, gets that
109 file, and inserts it at the current cursor location.
110
111 Getting Help
112
113 ESC ? displays a complete editor command summary or the
114 documentation for a given sequence.
115
116 If you want to include a character such as @ in a letter, type
117 backslash \ first and then type the "at" character @ and the @ is
118 placed in your text instead of performing the usual operation i.e.
119 erasing the text between the cursor and the beginning of the line.
120
121 You can repeat the operation of any keystroke by preceding it with the
122 sequence "ESC" and the number of times you want it repeated e.g. "ESC
123 5\@" produces "@@@@@" in the text.
124
125
126 :Info: Summary_of_Editor_Requests: Summary of Editor Requests
127
128 Moving the Cursor Forward
129
130 CTL f moves the cursor right one character.
131 ESC f moves the cursor right one word.
132 CTL e moves the cursor to the end of the line.
133 CTL n moves the cursor to the next line.
134 ESC n moves the cursor to the top of the next screenful of
135 text.
136 ESC > moves the cursor to the end of the text.
137
138 Moving the Cursor Backward
139
140 CTL b moves the cursor left one character.
141 ESC b moves the cursor left one word.
142 CTL a moves the cursor to the beginning of the line.
143 CTL p moves the cursor to the previous line.
144 ESC p moves the cursor to the top of the previous screenful of
145 text.
146 ESC < moves the cursor to the beginning of the text.
147
148 Erasing Text
149
150 CTL d deletes the one character the cursor is under or
151 covering.
152 ESC d deletes one word to the right of the cursor.
153 BACKSPACE deletes one character to the left of the cursor the DEL
154 key also does this.
155 ESC BACKSPACE deletes one word to the left of the cursor ESC DEL
156 also does this.
157 CTL k erases all text between the cursor and the end of the
158 line.
159 @ erases all text between the cursor and the beginning of
160 the line.
161 CTL y retrieves any piece of erased text, longer than one
162 character, and inserts it at the current cursor
163 position.
164
165 The Exit and Other Keystrokes
166
167 ESC q ceases editing, sends the message, and returns the
168 cursor to the menu.
169 ESC t ceases editing, defers saves the message, and returns
170 the cursor to the menu.
171 ESC m adjusts the margins in a paragraph when they are ragged.
172 ESC r redisplays the message when the screen becomes jumbled.
173 ESC g prompts for the pathname of an existing file, gets that
174 file, and inserts it at the current cursor location.
175
176 Getting Help
177
178 ESC ? displays a complete editor command summary or the
179 documentation for a given sequence.
180
181 If you want to include a character such as @ in a letter, type
182 backslash \ first and then type the "at" character @ and the @ is
183 placed in your text instead of performing the usual operation i.e.
184 erasing the text between the cursor and the beginning of the line.
185
186 You can repeat the operation of any keystroke by preceding it with the
187 sequence "ESC" and the number of times you want it repeated e.g. "ESC
188 5\@" produces "@@@@@" in the text.
189
190
191 :Info: Retrieving_Erased_Text: Retrieving Erased Text
192
193 When you erase more than one character at a time, those characters are
194 stored and can be retrieved. They are stored in a sequence of 10
195 positions, with the last item erased stored in the first position. For
196 example, if you erase an entire line using "CTL k", that line is stored
197 in the first of the ten positions. If you later erase a word with a
198 "CTL d", that word goes into the first position and the line killed
199 previously is moved to the second position. When you retrieve erased
200 text with "CTL y", you get back the last item erased. You can,
201 however, specify another position in the sequence by pressing and
202 releasing "ESC" followed by the number of the position you want; then
203 follow with "CTL y" e.g. "ESC 2 CTL y" returns the second to last
204 item. Retrieved text is placed to the right of the cursor.
205
206
207 :Info: Right_Margins: Right Margins
208
209 When you are typing text, the right margin is controlled automatically
210 for you, so you do not have to type RETURN when you reach the end of
211 the line. If the right margin becomes ragged because you have erased
212 or added text, you can reformat by using "ESC m". That corrects the
213 margins of the paragraph in which the cursor is located.
214
215
216 :Info: BREAK_Key: BREAK Key
217
218 The BREAK or BRK key enables you to move the cursor out of the lower
219 portion of your screen back into the menu. When you do this, the work
220 being done in the lower portion of the screen is discarded. If you
221 press the BREAK key while in the editor, you are asked if you really
222 want to quit before the work is discarded.
223
224
225 :Info: Mail_Files: Mail Files
226
227 There are two types of mail; incoming mail and filed mail. Messages
228 sent to you are received in your incoming mailbox. You can leave
229 messages in the incoming mailbox after reading them, though it is
230 usually more convenient to file them. Mail files are used to store
231 messages. You can create as many mail files as you like.
232
233 Another type of file you can construct is a mailing list. It lists
234 names of people who might receive messages from you as a group. Such
235 lists are stored for repeated use.
236
237
238 :Info: Current_Messages: Current Messages
239
240 When you are processing messages with either the Process Incoming Mail
241 menu or the Process Filed Mail menu, options in the menu operate on the
242 current messages of the mailbox or mail file in which you are
243 working. The current messages are messages marked explicitly by
244 you or implicitly by Executive Mail to be the target of some operation.
245 When you enter a menu such as the Process Incoming Mail menu, message
246 number 1 is automatically the current message and remains so until you
247 do something to change it, such as discard it or choose another
248 message. Then when you choose a menu option, that option operates on
249 message number 1 or the message that you have selected.
250
251
252 :Info: Selecting_Messages: Selecting Messages
253
254 After entering the Process Incoming Mail and Process Filed Mail menus,
255 you can change the current messages by using the options Next Message
256 and Select Messages. For example, suppose you have just entered
257 Process Incoming Mail and want to make message number 5 the current
258 message. Because you have just entered this menu, the current message
259 is message 1. So you choose the Select Messages option, and you are
260 asked which messages you would like to make current. You can supply
261 several numbers here, each separated from the others by blanks, and
262 have several current messages at the same time, but since you want just
263 message number 5, you type "5". Message number 5 becomes the current
264 message and it is listed on your screen.
265
266 Suppose that you then want to make message number 6 the current
267 message. You can accomplish this simply by selecting the Next Message
268 option. If, however, message number 5 is the highest numbered message
269 when you select this option, message number 1 becomes the current
270 message and it is listed automatically.
271
272 You can select messages in Process Incoming Mail and Process Filed Mail
273 by responding with the word "search" when asked which messages to
274 make current. For a further explanation of how to do this, read the
275 "Searching Messages" option listed in the menu from which you selected
276 the information you are reading now.
277
278 You can also select messages in Process Incoming Mail and Process Filed
279 Mail by responding with the word "date" when asked which messages to
280 make current. For a further explanation of how to do this, read the
281 "Date Selection" option listed in the menu from which you selected the
282 information you are reading now.
283
284 After messages are selected, an automatic listing of the current
285 messages are displayed.
286
287
288 :Info: Keywords: Keywords
289
290 A keyword is a term used to specify a message or set of messages. When
291 prompted by the Select Messages option, you can select the current
292 messages with one of the following keywords:
293
294 first, f specifies the first message in the mailbox or mail file.
295 last, l specifies the last message in the mailbox or mail file.
296 next, n specifies the message after the current message, or in the
297 case of a set of current messages, the one after the
298 highest numbered current message.
299 prev, p specifies the message before the current message, or in
300 the case of a set of current messages, the one before the
301 lowest numbered current message.
302 all, a specifies all of the messages in the mailbox or mail file.
303 seen specifies all of the messages in the mailbox that have
304 previously been display.
305 unseen specifies all of the messages in the mailbox that have not
306 been displayed.
307 new specifies the messages in the mailbox that follow the last
308 "seen" message.
309 date specifies a range of dates from "earliest in the range" to
310 "latest in the range".
311
312
313 :Info: Specifying_Ranges: Specifying Ranges
314
315 To select a range of message numbers, you can type the lowest and
316 highest message numbers of the range, rather than type each number in
317 the range. For example:
318
319 2:5
320
321 The first number must be less than the second number. You can also use
322 the keyword "first" instead of the first number, and you can use the
323 keyword "last" in place of the second number, though you cannot use
324 both of these keywords together, such as in the expression
325 "first:last."
326
327 If you use the Next Message option while there is a range of current
328 messages specified, the current message becomes the message after the
329 highest numbered current message.
330
331 To select a range of dates, you can type the word "date" and be
332 prompted for the earliest date and the latest date in the range. The
333 first date must be earlier than the second date.
334
335
336 :Info: Scrolling: Scrolling
337
338 When you are selecting a message, a mail file, or a mailing list for
339 processing, you can answer the request for its name with two question
340 marks ??, and you are provided a complete list of your messages, mail
341 files, or mailing lists, whichever is appropriate. This list is
342 automatically displayed without a prompt, if you have set the
343 personalize mail option "Display Lists As Menus" to yes.
344
345 If there are too many items in this list to fit on the screen at one
346 time, you can scroll the list ahead to read items further down the list
347 by using function key F7 or "ESC h" if you are using escape
348 sequences. If you want to scroll the list back to read items that
349 have already been displayed, use function key F6 or "ESC l" if you are
350 using escape sequences.
351
352
353 :Info: Exiting_Executive_Mail: Exiting Executive Mail
354
355 Whenever the terminal cursor is in the menu portion of the screen, you
356 can leave the Executive Mail facility by typing function key F4 or
357 "ESC q" if you are using escape sequences.
358
359 If the cursor is in the lower portion of the screen, you must move it
360 back to the menu portion of the screen before you can get out of
361 Executive Mail. You can move the cursor back in two ways. If you are
362 ready to send a message just typed, press and release the "ESC" key
363 followed by the letter "q". That sends the message and returns the
364 cursor to the menu. If you wish to save the message you are typing and
365 send it later, press and release the "ESC" key followed by the letter
366 "t". That defers the message and returns the cursor to the menu. If
367 you are not typing a message or do not care to send or save what was
368 typed, press the BREAK or BRK key to get back to the menu.
369
370
371 :Info: Function_Keys: Function Keys
372
373 Function keys are usually located along the top of the keyboard and are
374 labeled F1, F2, etc. If your terminal does not have function keys, or
375 enough of them to perform all the required functions, Executive Mail
376 substitutes a two character sequence the ESC key followed by a letter
377 which is listed below in parentheses after the matching function key
378 to perform the individual functions. Function keys or their
379 equivalents operate when the cursor is in the menu portion of your
380 screen. A personalize mail option is available if you prefer to always
381 use the escape sequences, regardless of the capabilities of your
382 terminal.
383
384 You can quickly get an explanation of individual function keys by
385 pressing the F1 key or "ESC ?" then pressing the function key or
386 equivalent escape sequence you want help with. For example, to get an
387 explanation of function key F2, press F1 and at the prompt, press F2.
388 If you are using escape sequences, press and release the "ESC" key
389 followed by "?", and at the prompt", use "ESC" and "f". Do NOT press
390 RETURN. A brief explanation of the keys is presented here:
391
392 F1 ESC ? provides help with menu options and function keys.
393 F2 ESC f returns you to the first menu, the one called Executive
394 Mail.
395 F3 ESC p returns you to the previous menu.
396 F4 ESC q gets you out of the Executive Mail facility.
397 F5 ESC r causes the menu or menus on the screen to be
398 redisplayed.
399 F6 ESC l enables you to look at the portion of a list that has
400 scrolled off the top of your screen.
401 F7 ESC h enables you to look at the portion of a list that is in
402 the next screen, coming up from the bottom of your
403 terminal.
404 F8 ESC e enables you to execute a Multics command while working
405 in Executive Mail. In order to use this key or
406 sequence, you must set the personalize mail option
407 "Multics Command Mode" to yes. You get back to the menu
408 by typing "pi".
409
410
411 :Info: User_Names: User Names
412
413 Names of message recipients, whether placed on mailing lists or typed
414 individually on messages, can be one of the following.
415
416 1. A user name and project name in the form: Name.Project
417
418 Name is the precise name used to identify that person on the
419 computer and Project identifies the project or department that
420 person is in.
421
422 2. A name in the system's mail table. The mail table provides each
423 user with a unique name which can be used in place of the
424 Name.Project.
425
426 3. A Forum meeting by name in the form: forum meetingname
427
428 Meetingname is the name or absolute pathname of the Forum meeting.
429 The brackets and the word "forum" are required.
430
431 4. A user on another computer system in the form: Name at System
432
433 Name identifies the user or group of users to receive the message
434 and System identifies the computer system where the user is
435 located.
436
437 Your System Administrator can help you find the names or addresses that
438 you need in sending mail.
439
440
441 :Info: Searching_Messages: Searching Messages
442
443 When you are selecting current messages with the Select Messages
444 option, you can specify messages that have a certain word or words. To
445 do this, type the word "search" when the Select Messages option asks
446 which messages are to be made current. You are then asked to type in
447 what exactly is to be searched for a word words or part of a word.
448 All messages which are found to have these characters in their heading
449 or text become the current messages.
450
451
452 :Info: User_Mailbox: User Mailbox
453
454 It is possible in Executive Mail to select another user's incoming
455 mailbox to process when in the Process Filed Mail menu. This allows
456 you to read and delete messages that you send that user. It also
457 allows you to read the messages in certain other mailboxes that are set
458 up as "read only". The options that are available in the menu depend
459 on what access is set for the mailbox selected.
460
461 You may select a mailbox by entering the user name of the mailbox at
462 the prompt for the mail file you wish to process.
463
464
465 :Info: Date_Selection: Date Selection
466
467 When you are selecting current messages with the Select Messages
468 option, you can specify messages that were created on a certain date or
469 between a range of dates. To do this, type the word "date" when the
470 Select Messages option asks which messages are to be made current. You
471 are then prompted for the earliest date in the range and the latest
472 date in the range. When you enter a valid date at each prompt, all
473 messages which were created between the first date at 00:00 thru the
474 second date at 23:59 become the current messages. Pressing RETURN at
475 either prompt and entering a valid date at the other, selects all
476 messages created on that date. To select messages created on the
477 current date, just press RETURN at both prompts. Examples of dates:
478
479 February 15, 1985 15 Feb 1985 02/15/1985
480 2/15/85 1985-02-15 85-2-15
481 today yesterday now
482
483
484 :Info: Summary_of_Function-Escape_Keys: Summary of Function-Escape
485 Keys
486
487 F1 ESC ? help with menu options, function keys, or general items.
488 F2 ESC f return to the first menu: Executive Mail.
489 F3 ESC p return to the previous menu.
490 F4 ESC q quit the Executive Mail facility.
491 F5 ESC r redisplay the menu or menus on the screen.
492 F6 ESC l look at a previous portion of a list on the screen.
493 F7 ESC h look at the next portion of a list on the screen.
494 F8 ESC e to execute a Multics command while in xmail if the
495 personalize option "Multics Command Mode" is set to yes.
496
497
498 :Info: Deferred_Messages: Deferred Messages
499
500 There are two types of deferred messages, new messages that are
501 deferred while editing in the Send Mail menu, and replies to messages
502 that are deferred while editing in either the Process Incoming Mail or
503 Process Filed Mail menus. The "ESC t" sequence in the editor is used
504 to defer messages.
505
506 New messages that are deferred while editing can be given a name and
507 used later on by options in the Send Mail menu. Deferred replies
508 however, are linked to one particular message. After the deferred
509 reply is saved, it is automatically available to you when you try to
510 reply to the message again. A prompt asks, before entering the editor,
511 if you wish to use the deferred reply. At this time you can use the
512 deferred reply, or delete it. If a deferred reply is not used within
513 30 days, a message appears when you exit executive mail to ask if you
514 wish to review it. This allows you to delete or just review the
515 deferred reply.