More often than not you'll find information that you'll want to keep, print out, or use in an application or a letter. While much of the networks is automated so that you just press a key to do this, occassionally you'll may need to do it yourself. You have the option to set certain environment parameters that tell the Rio Grande Free-Net how you and your communications software like to work. For example, you may find it quicker to open a log and capture the screen as it goes by rather than saving it to your work area then downloading it. That's where knowing about environment pararmeters comes in handy. Environment parameters is the technical equivalent to the phrase 'your working conditions'.
If you make any changes to your environment and you want them to be permanent, be sure to save them, otherwise they will only work for the current session.
<<>> 1 Set your System Parameters 2 Set your Default Editor 3 Set your Terminal type 4 Set your Terminal Characteristics 5 Reset your Terminal size 6 Save your Environment Parameters - DO THIS TO SAVE CHANGES!!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- h=help, p=previous, m=main menu, x=exit RGFN, "go help"=extended help Your Choice ==>
It's likely that you won't use all the items listed on the environment parameters menus. Two of the most used features are 1) System Parameters and 2) Default Editors.
System Parameters: One of the most useful features is turning the pager off and on. With the pager on, you see screens-full of information, one screen-full at a time. With no pager, the information scrolls across the screen continuosly until it reaches the end of the document or file. This featured is used frequently when someone is writing to a log file or has capture buffer on. See your communications software manual on how to open and close logs for capturing data while online. Toggling the pager off and on can be done through the environment menus or by commands. Also see Shortcuts with System Commands section in this guide.
Default Editors: The ability to switch editors is not just a matter of addressing a variety of personal preferences, although this is one important reason to offer several choices. Different editors allow you to perform different and sometimes needed functions. For example, some people find it easier to upload by using the System Editor while others use the Upload/Download editor.
To reach the configuration menu, at the Your Choice === prompt you type: go config
Note: If you select item #5 on this menu shown below, you will have to go through and set all the parameters again.
These are the parameters that tell the system how you would like to see information presented to you.
((( SET FreePort PARAMETERS ))) 1 Use the system pager :displays enough to fill screen and pauses 2 DO NOT use the system pager :does not stop at a screen full 3 Pause after every message/article :self-explanatory 4 DO NOT pause after every message/article 5 Confirm exit commands 6 DO NOT confirm exit commands 7 "RETURN" needed after single character commands 8 "RETURN" NOT needed after single character commands :menu screens 9 Always display menus 10 Only display a menu when you first enter (or re-enter)
The menu for selecting an editor is shown below.
Note: Selecting the system editor, your editor is set to none. This can call different editors in different areas.
((( SET YOUR EDITOR ))) 1 Chet's Editor (an emacs-style editor) 2 PICO (the Pine Composer- a better editor) 3 upload/download (use your own editor) 4 System Editor - MOST USER FRIENDLY!
RGFN User's Guide Copyright 1995: You may copy this guide and distribute it for educational purposes only and not for any other purpose.
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