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PDP-10 Archives
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tops20tools_v6_9-jan-86_dumper
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tools/phone20/phone.hlp
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! -*-Text-*-
! This file is in HLPR20 format
! Lines starting w/ "!" are ignored.
! Lines starting w/ "*" are topic headers.
PHONE is a TOPS-20 utility for real-time communication between users.
Users on a remote DECnet node may be contacted provided that both the
local and remote nodes run PHNSRV (the PHONE server).
*Off-Hook
A user who does not wish to be notified by callers may take his
terminal "off the hook" on a 6.0 or later system by setting "TERMINAL
INHIBIT (NON-JOB OUTPUT)" or "REFUSE USER-MESSAGES". On an earlier
system this can be done by setting "REFUSE LINKS"
*Ownership
Because of the nature of the PHONE protocol, only one job logged in
under a given username may use PHONE on a given system.
*ANSWER
The ANSWER command is used to answer the phone when someone is calling
you. If someone calls you when you are not currently using the PHONE
facility, a message will be sent to your terminal. If you are using
PHONE, the message will appear on your screen in PHONE's standard
message line.
You can do one of three things when your phone rings:
o Ignore the call.
o ANSWER the phone, establishing a conversation with the caller.
o REJECT the call.
*BLANK
The BLANK command clears, and redraws the screen.
*DIAL
The DIAL command is used to place a call to another person.
DIAL (user) <local-username> ! local, no DECnet !
DIAL (user) <user> @ <node> ! using DECnet !
When you enter this command, PHONE tries to ring the person's phone.
If successful, it will continue to ring every 10 seconds until one of
the following happens:
o The person answers the phone.
o The person rejects the call.
o You type any character at your keyboard. This action cancels
the call immediately.
*DIRECTORY
The DIRECTORY command allows you to obtain a list of those people with
whom you could talk on your system or any other system in a network.
The complete syntax of the DIRECTORY command is:
DIRECTORY (of users) ! on a system w/ no DECnet !
DIRECTORY (of users on) <node> ! on a system with DECnet !
The following information is displayed about each person:
o Their "process" and user names.
o Whether or not their terminal can be used as a telephone.
o Whether or not they are currently using PHONE.
The directory is displayed, line by line, on your terminal until the
entire list is displayed or until you type any key on the keyboard.
*FACSIMILE
The FACSIMILE command allows you to include the contents of a file
into your conversation. It requires a file specification, and
proceeds to send the contents of that file to everyone in the
conversation. Thus the complete syntax is:
FACSIMILE (of file) <file-spec>
PHONE continues to send the file until it reaches end of file or until
you type any key at your keyboard.
*HANGUP
The HANGUP command is used to hang up your own phone. This
disconnects the link to anyone you are currently talking to, or anyone
you are currently talking to that has you on hold.
*HELP
The HELP command allows you to obtain information about the PHONE
utility. HELP is provided via the HLPR20 subroutine package.
HELP topic
or HELP
*HOLD
This command allows you to put people on hold. When you enter the
command, everyone you are currently talking to (including anyone who
has you on hold) is placed on hold. Each such person is informed of
the fact that they have been placed on hold.
*MAIL
The MAIL command is useful when you cannot reach someone and would
like to let them know that you called.
*REJECT
The REJECT command is used to reject a phone call from another person.
The person is informed that you do not want to talk to them right now.
*Switch-hook
The switch hook character (%) is used to enter command mode.
Normally, all text typed is considered part of the conversation.
However, when you type a switch hook, all characters up to the next
carriage return are treated as a command.
The switch hook character is always displayed on line 1, next to the
date. There is currently no way to change the switch hook character,
or to send it in a conversation.
*UNHOLD
The UNHOLD command enables you to reverse the previous HOLD command.
People you are currently talking to are informed that you have hung up
on them, and the people you previously put on hold are brought off of
hold.
*PUSH
PUSH to inferior EXEC. Return with the EXEC POP command. The EXEC
run is from the logical name DEFAULT-EXEC:, and if that fails from
SYSTEM:EXEC.EXE. All calls must be held before PUSHing.
*STATUS
Shows the status of PHONE, all current, and held calls are listed.
*EXIT
EXITs PHONE.
*Characters
The following table describes all of the special characters accepted
by PHONE in converation mode.
CHARACTER ACTION IN A CONVERSATION
delete delete previous character
line feed delete previous word
return start new line in viewport
tab tab to next tab stop, using spaces
CTRL/G ring the bell
CTRL/Q negate a CTRL/S (depending on TERMINAL PAGE setting)
CTRL/S freeze the screen
CTRL/U clear current viewport line
CTRL/W equivalen to <linefeed>
*LAST
Shows the last error message shown on the error message line.