return to: Frequently Asked Questions

VMS Tools, Commands, and Concepts

Q1. What is the "$" prompt?
A1.  The "$" prompt is the system prompt for the TEN computer
operating system, like the "C:\>" prompt in DOS.  It is the prompt 
displayed, when you e(X)it the menu, that accepts commands from 
the user.  Not all utilities are on the menu but can be accessed from 
the TEN "$ prompt." 

Q2.  What is a block and how does this relate to bytes?
A2. A block is the unit of measure that the system uses to denote
file size. A block is equal to 512 bytes, or one-half of
a kilobyte.

Q3. Is personal storage space on the TEN server limited?
A3. Yes. With the large number of users on TEN, it is necessary
to limit storage. Each user is granted 4000 blocks of disk space 
(2 megabytes) of disk space.

Q4.  How can a user tell how much space is being used?
A4. At the $ prompt, enter SHOW QUOTA. The amount of space being
used will be displayed.

Q5.  What does "default" mean?
A5. The term "default" is used to denote anything that is an
automatic setting for the user. If a setting or parameter is not 
explicitly set by the user, then the system or software may use 
predetermined "default" settings.  Example: PC communications 
software sets defaults for certain options such as line speed, 
terminal emulation, etc. 

Q6. What does "ctrl-z" mean?
A6. "Ctrl-z" means that the user presses the control (ctrl) key
and z key simultaneously. This is a standard exit sequence for
many of the utilities that are used on TEN.  For example, you press
"Ctrl-z" to end your input of an email message, then type EXIT to
send the message and exit.  

Q7.  What is login.com?
A7. Login.com is a procedure that is executed each time that
a user logs in. This procedure establishes the environment for
the user. Terminal settings, whether to automatically invoke
the menu, and symbol definitions are typical login.com entries. 
Login.com is modified by editing it.  A user's login.com file should 
*never* be deleted, renamed, or edited.

Q8. What does this mean: "%SYSTEM-F-EXDISKQUOTA, disk quota 
exceeded"?

A8. It means that you have exceeded the amount of storage space that you 
are allotted, referred to as quota.  When this situation occurs, you need 
to find files in your account that you don't need and delete them. Typical 
files that you can delete are temporary Gopher and Lynx files, that look 
like:
 
GOPHER.$67566929718
L5437257180.HTML

Another way to clear space is to choose "k" on the main menu, to purge and
compress mail.

Keep in mind to NEVER delete, edit, or rename your login.com or mail.mai 
files, although usually protection is set on them to disallow deletion.

Q9. What does this mean: "insufficient privilege or file protection
violation"?
A9. It means you are trying to perform some type of operation, of which you
don't have the rights (privileges) to perform.  A typical situation is when 
you try to delete a file you shouldn't be trying to delete, like LOGIN.COM 
and MAIL.MAI.  

Q10. How do I refresh my screen when line noise or messages sent to my
screen have disrupted what I am doing?
A10. Ctrl-w will refresh your screen in Lynx, Gopher, VAX Phone, and when 
editing mail or a file.

Q11. What is VAX Notes and how do I use it?
 
A11. VAX Notes is a computer-mediated conferencing system for computer
systems connected in a DECnet network.  It allows many people to 
communicate in the system at their convenience, usually on a single 
subject or issue.  It provides a permanent record of a discussion 
(conference) by recording topics and any replies to the topics.  In 
order to read and write notes, you have to add conferences to your 
conference list. This can be done in one of two ways. The first way is 
to e(X)it the menu, to the "$ prompt" and type:

$ MAKE_NOTEBOOK 

MAKE_NOTEBOOK will add all conferences to your conference list.  Another 
way, adding individual conferences yourself, requires that you type the 
following, in notes:

Notes> DIR/CONF

Then, make note of any conferences that interest you.  Next, for each
conference you want type:
 
Notes> ADD ENTRY   

Once you have done that, to see the conferences that are in your list, type: 
 
Notes> DIR

To read one of the conferences, type:

Notes>  OPEN   

For a list of other commands, type:

Notes>  HELP


Q12. What is VAX Phone and how do I use it?
A12.  It's a utility that allows you to have a real-time interactive chat 
with other TEN users.   In order to phone another user, that user must be 
logged onto the TEN. To check if a user is logged on, from the main menu 
choose "System Usage Menu" and then choose "Finger" and type in the user's 
username. If the user is not a user on TEN-Nash then you will have to 
include their Internet address, such as johndoe@tec.net.  To phone (call) 
someone else, from the main menu, choose (V)AXPhone.  Then type in the 
username of the person to which you wish to talk.  To answer a phone call, 
simply go into (V)AXPhone and type ANSWER.  


13. How do I disable people from being able to call me using VAX Phone?

A13. If someone is calling you, and you prefer not to answer, go into
(V)AXPhone and type REJECT.  If you wish to disable other people's 
ability to phone you, e(X)it the menu and type SET BRO=NOPHONE, at the
"$ prompt."  If you wish to allow people to phone you again, e(X)it to 
the "$ prompt" and type SET BRO=ALL.


Q14. How do I create a plan file for people to see when my account is 
fingered?
A14. First, e(X)it to the "$ prompt" and type:

$ edit plan.txt

Then, type in what you wish people to see when your account is fingered.  
When you're done, press Ctrl-Z and at the "* prompt" type EXIT.  Lastly, 
from the "$" prompt type the following:

$ set_plan_prot

NOTE:  Remote fingering (users on other systems fingering TEN-Nash users) 
has been disabled for security reasons.  Therefore, users on other systems 
will NOT be able to see your plan file.