:Info: Help_With_a_Prompt: Help With a Prompt A "prompt" is a system question (or request) for more information. When you select a menu option, the Executive Mail facility often replies with a prompt to ask you more specifically what you want to do. Anytime you are prompted for a response while using Executive Mail, you can type a question mark (?) followed by RETURN to get an explanation of what you are being asked for. If you are asked to provide a number or name from an undisplayed list, you can display the list by responding with two question marks (??) followed by RETURN. If you wish to correct a response to a prompt, you can use the same keystrokes used when editing mail. Since responses are made on one line, not all of the editing-mail responses are applicable. Those that are, are listed below. When using keystrokes that employ the "CTL" key, hold the CTL key down while typing the associated character. With keystrokes that use the "ESC" key, press and immediately release the ESC key followed by the associated character key. No space is required after the CTL or ESC key and the associated character key. CTL f moves the cursor right one character. ESC f moves the cursor right one word. CTL e moves the cursor to the end of the line. CTL a moves the cursor to the beginning of the line. CTL b moves the cursor left one character. ESC b moves the cursor left one word. CTL d deletes the one character the cursor is under or covering. ESC d deletes one word to the right of the cursor. BACKSPACE deletes one character to the left of the cursor (the DEL key also does this). ESC BACKSPACE deletes one word to the left of the cursor (ESC DEL also does this). CTL k erases all text between the cursor and the end of the line. @ erases all text between the cursor and the beginning of the line. CTL Y retrieves any piece of erased text, longer than one character, and inserts it at the current cursor position. :Info: Editing_Mail: Editing Mail Whenever you are typing or editing some part of a message or mailing list, you can use the set of keystrokes listed below to perform the functions indicated. Keystrokes beginning with the "CTL" key move the cursor one character or one line at a time. To perform these keystrokes, hold the associated CTL key down while typing the associated character key. Most of the keystrokes beginning with the "ESC" key move the cursor one word at a time or one whole screen at a time. Also, they are performed differently than the other keystrokes. To perform them, press and immediately release the ESC key followed by the associated character key. No space is required after the CTL or ESC key and the associated character key. Moving the Cursor Forward CTL f moves the cursor right one character. ESC f moves the cursor right one word. CTL e moves the cursor to the end of the line. CTL n moves the cursor to the next line. ESC n moves the cursor to the top of the next screenful of text. ESC > moves the cursor to the end of the text. Moving the Cursor Backward CTL b moves the cursor left one character. ESC b moves the cursor left one word. CTL a moves the cursor to the beginning of the line. CTL p moves the cursor to the previous line. ESC p moves the cursor to the top of the previous screenful of text. ESC < moves the cursor to the beginning of the text. Erasing Text CTL d deletes the one character the cursor is under or covering. ESC d deletes one word to the right of the cursor. BACKSPACE deletes one character to the left of the cursor (the DEL key also does this). ESC BACKSPACE deletes one word to the left of the cursor (ESC DEL also does this). CTL k erases all text between the cursor and the end of the line. @ erases all text between the cursor and the beginning of the line. CTL y retrieves any piece of erased text, longer than one character, and inserts it at the current cursor position. The Exit and Other Keystrokes ESC q ceases editing, sends the message, and returns the cursor to the menu. ESC t ceases editing, defers (saves) the message, and returns the cursor to the menu. ESC m adjusts the margins in a paragraph when they have become ragged. ESC r redisplays the message when the screen become jumbled. ESC g prompts for the pathname of an existing file, gets that file, and inserts it at the current cursor location. Getting Help ESC ? displays a complete editor command summary or the documentation for a given sequence. If you want to include a character such as @ in a letter, type backslash (\) first and then type the "at" character (@) and the @ is placed in your text instead of performing the usual operation (i.e., erasing the text between the cursor and the beginning of the line). You can repeat the operation of any keystroke by preceding it with the sequence "ESC" and the number of times you want it repeated (e.g., "ESC 5\@" produces "@@@@@" in the text). :Info: Summary_of_Editor_Requests: Summary of Editor Requests Moving the Cursor Forward CTL f moves the cursor right one character. ESC f moves the cursor right one word. CTL e moves the cursor to the end of the line. CTL n moves the cursor to the next line. ESC n moves the cursor to the top of the next screenful of text. ESC > moves the cursor to the end of the text. Moving the Cursor Backward CTL b moves the cursor left one character. ESC b moves the cursor left one word. CTL a moves the cursor to the beginning of the line. CTL p moves the cursor to the previous line. ESC p moves the cursor to the top of the previous screenful of text. ESC < moves the cursor to the beginning of the text. Erasing Text CTL d deletes the one character the cursor is under or covering. ESC d deletes one word to the right of the cursor. BACKSPACE deletes one character to the left of the cursor (the DEL key also does this). ESC BACKSPACE deletes one word to the left of the cursor (ESC DEL also does this). CTL k erases all text between the cursor and the end of the line. @ erases all text between the cursor and the beginning of the line. CTL y retrieves any piece of erased text, longer than one character, and inserts it at the current cursor position. The Exit and Other Keystrokes ESC q ceases editing, sends the message, and returns the cursor to the menu. ESC t ceases editing, defers (saves) the message, and returns the cursor to the menu. ESC m adjusts the margins in a paragraph when they are ragged. ESC r redisplays the message when the screen becomes jumbled. ESC g prompts for the pathname of an existing file, gets that file, and inserts it at the current cursor location. Getting Help ESC ? displays a complete editor command summary or the documentation for a given sequence. If you want to include a character such as @ in a letter, type backslash (\) first and then type the "at" character (@) and the @ is placed in your text instead of performing the usual operation (i.e., erasing the text between the cursor and the beginning of the line). You can repeat the operation of any keystroke by preceding it with the sequence "ESC" and the number of times you want it repeated (e.g., "ESC 5\@" produces "@@@@@" in the text). :Info: Retrieving_Erased_Text: Retrieving Erased Text When you erase more than one character at a time, those characters are stored and can be retrieved. They are stored in a sequence of 10 positions, with the last item erased stored in the first position. For example, if you erase an entire line using "CTL k", that line is stored in the first of the ten positions. If you later erase a word with a "CTL d", that word goes into the first position and the line killed previously is moved to the second position. When you retrieve erased text with "CTL y", you get back the last item erased. You can, however, specify another position in the sequence by pressing and releasing "ESC" followed by the number of the position you want; then follow with "CTL y" (e.g., "ESC 2 CTL y" returns the second to last item). Retrieved text is placed to the right of the cursor. :Info: Right_Margins: Right Margins When you are typing text, the right margin is controlled automatically for you, so you do not have to type RETURN when you reach the end of the line. If the right margin becomes ragged because you have erased or added text, you can reformat by using "ESC m". That corrects the margins of the paragraph in which the cursor is located. :Info: BREAK_Key: BREAK Key The BREAK or BRK key enables you to move the cursor out of the lower portion of your screen back into the menu. When you do this, the work being done in the lower portion of the screen is discarded. If you press the BREAK key while in the editor, you are asked if you really want to quit before the work is discarded. :Info: Mail_Files: Mail Files There are two types of mail; incoming mail and filed mail. Messages sent to you are received in your incoming mailbox. You can leave messages in the incoming mailbox after reading them, though it is usually more convenient to file them. Mail files are used to store messages. You can create as many mail files as you like. Another type of file you can construct is a mailing list. It lists names of people who might receive messages from you as a group. Such lists are stored for repeated use. :Info: Current_Messages: Current Messages When you are processing messages with either the Process Incoming Mail menu or the Process Filed Mail menu, options in the menu operate on the current message(s) of the mailbox (or mail file) in which you are working. The current message(s) are message(s) marked explicitly by you or implicitly by Executive Mail to be the target of some operation. When you enter a menu such as the Process Incoming Mail menu, message number 1 is automatically the current message and remains so until you do something to change it, such as discard it or choose another message. Then when you choose a menu option, that option operates on message number 1 or the message that you have selected. :Info: Selecting_Messages: Selecting Messages After entering the Process Incoming Mail and Process Filed Mail menus, you can change the current message(s) by using the options Next Message and Select Messages. For example, suppose you have just entered Process Incoming Mail and want to make message number 5 the current message. Because you have just entered this menu, the current message is message 1. So you choose the Select Messages option, and you are asked which messages you would like to make current. You can supply several numbers here, each separated from the others by blanks, and have several current messages at the same time, but since you want just message number 5, you type "5". Message number 5 becomes the current message and it is listed on your screen. Suppose that you then want to make message number 6 the current message. You can accomplish this simply by selecting the Next Message option. If, however, message number 5 is the highest numbered message when you select this option, message number 1 becomes the current message and it is listed automatically. You can select messages in Process Incoming Mail and Process Filed Mail by responding with the word "search" when asked which message(s) to make current. For a further explanation of how to do this, read the "Searching Messages" option listed in the menu from which you selected the information you are reading now. You can also select messages in Process Incoming Mail and Process Filed Mail by responding with the word "date" when asked which message(s) to make current. For a further explanation of how to do this, read the "Date Selection" option listed in the menu from which you selected the information you are reading now. After messages are selected, an automatic listing of the current messages are displayed. :Info: Keywords: Keywords A keyword is a term used to specify a message or set of messages. When prompted by the Select Messages option, you can select the current message(s) with one of the following keywords: first, f specifies the first message in the mailbox or mail file. last, l specifies the last message in the mailbox or mail file. next, n specifies the message after the current message, or in the case of a set of current messages, the one after the highest numbered current message. prev, p specifies the message before the current message, or in the case of a set of current messages, the one before the lowest numbered current message. all, a specifies all of the messages in the mailbox or mail file. seen specifies all of the messages in the mailbox that have previously been display. unseen specifies all of the messages in the mailbox that have not been displayed. new specifies the messages in the mailbox that follow the last "seen" message. date specifies a range of dates from "earliest in the range" to "latest in the range". :Info: Specifying_Ranges: Specifying Ranges To select a range of message numbers, you can type the lowest and highest message numbers of the range, rather than type each number in the range. For example: 2:5 The first number must be less than the second number. You can also use the keyword "first" instead of the first number, and you can use the keyword "last" in place of the second number, though you cannot use both of these keywords together, such as in the expression "first:last." If you use the Next Message option while there is a range of current messages specified, the current message becomes the message after the highest numbered current message. To select a range of dates, you can type the word "date" and be prompted for the earliest date and the latest date in the range. The first date must be earlier than the second date. :Info: Scrolling: Scrolling When you are selecting a message, a mail file, or a mailing list for processing, you can answer the request for its name with two question marks (??), and you are provided a complete list of your messages, mail files, or mailing lists, whichever is appropriate. This list is automatically displayed without a prompt, if you have set the personalize mail option "Display Lists As Menus" to yes. If there are too many items in this list to fit on the screen at one time, you can scroll the list ahead to read items further down the list by using function key F7 (or "ESC h", if you are using escape sequences). If you want to scroll the list back to read items that have already been displayed, use function key F6 (or "ESC l" if you are using escape sequences). :Info: Exiting_Executive_Mail: Exiting Executive Mail Whenever the terminal cursor is in the menu portion of the screen, you can leave the Executive Mail facility by typing function key F4 (or "ESC q", if you are using escape sequences). If the cursor is in the lower portion of the screen, you must move it back to the menu portion of the screen before you can get out of Executive Mail. You can move the cursor back in two ways. If you are ready to send a message just typed, press and release the "ESC" key followed by the letter "q". That sends the message and returns the cursor to the menu. If you wish to save the message you are typing and send it later, press and release the "ESC" key followed by the letter "t". That defers the message and returns the cursor to the menu. If you are not typing a message or do not care to send or save what was typed, press the BREAK (or BRK) key to get back to the menu. :Info: Function_Keys: Function Keys Function keys are usually located along the top of the keyboard and are labeled F1, F2, etc. If your terminal does not have function keys, or enough of them to perform all the required functions, Executive Mail substitutes a two character sequence (the ESC key followed by a letter which is listed below in parentheses after the matching function key) to perform the individual functions. Function keys (or their equivalents) operate when the cursor is in the menu portion of your screen. A personalize mail option is available if you prefer to always use the escape sequences, regardless of the capabilities of your terminal. You can quickly get an explanation of individual function keys by pressing the F1 key (or "ESC ?") then pressing the function key (or equivalent escape sequence) you want help with. For example, to get an explanation of function key F2, press F1 and at the prompt, press F2. If you are using escape sequences, press and release the "ESC" key followed by "?", and at the prompt", use "ESC" and "f". Do NOT press RETURN. A brief explanation of the keys is presented here: F1 (ESC ?) provides help with menu options and function keys. F2 (ESC f) returns you to the first menu, the one called Executive Mail. F3 (ESC p) returns you to the previous menu. F4 (ESC q) gets you out of the Executive Mail facility. F5 (ESC r) causes the menu or menus on the screen to be redisplayed. F6 (ESC l) enables you to look at the portion of a list that has scrolled off the top of your screen. F7 (ESC h) enables you to look at the portion of a list that is in the next screen, coming up from the bottom of your terminal. F8 (ESC e) enables you to execute a Multics command while working in Executive Mail. In order to use this key or sequence, you must set the personalize mail option "Multics Command Mode" to yes. You get back to the menu by typing "pi". :Info: User_Names: User Names Names of message recipients, whether placed on mailing lists or typed individually on messages, can be one of the following. 1. A user name and project name in the form: Name.Project Name is the precise name used to identify that person on the computer and Project identifies the project or department that person is in. 2. A name in the system's mail table. The mail table provides each user with a unique name which can be used in place of the Name.Project. 3. A Forum meeting by name in the form: {forum meetingname} Meetingname is the name or absolute pathname of the Forum meeting. The brackets {} and the word "forum" are required. 4. A user on another computer system in the form: Name at System Name identifies the user or group of users to receive the message and System identifies the computer system where the user is located. Your System Administrator can help you find the names or addresses that you need in sending mail. :Info: Searching_Messages: Searching Messages When you are selecting current messages with the Select Messages option, you can specify messages that have a certain word or words. To do this, type the word "search" when the Select Messages option asks which messages are to be made current. You are then asked to type in what exactly is to be searched for (a word, words, or part of a word). All messages which are found to have these characters in their heading or text become the current messages. :Info: User_Mailbox: User Mailbox It is possible in Executive Mail to select another user's incoming mailbox to process when in the Process Filed Mail menu. This allows you to read and delete messages that you send that user. It also allows you to read the messages in certain other mailboxes that are set up as "read only". The options that are available in the menu depend on what access is set for the mailbox selected. You may select a mailbox by entering the user name of the mailbox at the prompt for the mail file you wish to process. :Info: Date_Selection: Date Selection When you are selecting current messages with the Select Messages option, you can specify messages that were created on a certain date or between a range of dates. To do this, type the word "date" when the Select Messages option asks which messages are to be made current. You are then prompted for the earliest date in the range and the latest date in the range. When you enter a valid date at each prompt, all messages which were created between the first date at 00:00 thru the second date at 23:59 become the current messages. Pressing RETURN at either prompt and entering a valid date at the other, selects all messages created on that date. To select messages created on the current date, just press RETURN at both prompts. Examples of dates: February 15, 1985 15 Feb 1985 02/15/1985 2/15/85 1985-02-15 85-2-15 today yesterday now :Info: Summary_of_Function-Escape_Keys: Summary of Function-Escape Keys F1 (ESC ?) help with menu options, function keys, or general items. F2 (ESC f) return to the first menu: Executive Mail. F3 (ESC p) return to the previous menu. F4 (ESC q) quit the Executive Mail facility. F5 (ESC r) redisplay the menu or menus on the screen. F6 (ESC l) look at a previous portion of a list on the screen. F7 (ESC h) look at the next portion of a list on the screen. F8 (ESC e) to execute a Multics command while in xmail if the personalize option "Multics Command Mode" is set to yes. :Info: Deferred_Messages: Deferred Messages There are two types of deferred messages, new messages that are deferred while editing in the Send Mail menu, and replies to messages that are deferred while editing in either the Process Incoming Mail or Process Filed Mail menus. The "ESC t" sequence in the editor is used to defer messages. New messages that are deferred while editing can be given a name and used later on by options in the Send Mail menu. Deferred replies however, are linked to one particular message. After the deferred reply is saved, it is automatically available to you when you try to reply to the message again. A prompt asks, before entering the editor, if you wish to use the deferred reply. At this time you can use the deferred reply, or delete it. If a deferred reply is not used within 30 days, a message appears when you exit executive mail to ask if you wish to review it. This allows you to delete or just review the deferred reply. ----------------------------------------------------------- Historical Background This edition of the Multics software materials and documentation is provided and donated to Massachusetts Institute of Technology by Group BULL including BULL HN Information Systems Inc. as a contribution to computer science knowledge. This donation is made also to give evidence of the common contributions of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bell Laboratories, General Electric, Honeywell Information Systems Inc., Honeywell BULL Inc., Groupe BULL and BULL HN Information Systems Inc. to the development of this operating system. Multics development was initiated by Massachusetts Institute of Technology Project MAC (1963-1970), renamed the MIT Laboratory for Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence in the mid 1970s, under the leadership of Professor Fernando Jose Corbato. Users consider that Multics provided the best software architecture for managing computer hardware properly and for executing programs. Many subsequent operating systems incorporated Multics principles. Multics was distributed in 1975 to 2000 by Group Bull in Europe , and in the U.S. by Bull HN Information Systems Inc., as successor in interest by change in name only to Honeywell Bull Inc. and Honeywell Information Systems Inc. . ----------------------------------------------------------- Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute these programs and their documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted,provided that the below copyright notice and historical background appear in all copies and that both the copyright notice and historical background and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation, and that the names of MIT, HIS, BULL or BULL HN not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to distribution of the programs without specific prior written permission. Copyright 1972 by Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Honeywell Information Systems Inc. Copyright 2006 by BULL HN Information Systems Inc. Copyright 2006 by Bull SAS All Rights Reserved