MicroStation Information Center Guide (205) 730-8786 The information and the software discussed in this document are subject to change without notice and should not be considered commitments by Intergraph Corporation. Intergraph Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document or that may appear in the MicroStation Information Center bulletin board service. MicroStation Information Center Bulletin Board System Intergraph provides an electronic forum for communication with MicroStation's technical and marketing staff as well as with other MicroStation users. The MicroStation Information Center (MIC) is a computer bulletin board service that allows callers to post and read messages, as well as to send and receive files. The MIC offers a variety of topics about which callers may post inquiries, make comments and suggestions, and conduct conversations with MicroStation staff and other callers. Many of the topics concern drafting and designing with MicroStation and configuring related hardware. Other topics include MicroStation training, requests for enhancements, marketing announcements, and information about third-party products. Each topic is the subject of a special interest group or SIG. The MIC also lets callers receive ("download") files such as sample design files, user commands, MDL applications, updates to programs, and drivers for graphics and plotting devices. Callers can also send ("upload") files to the bulletin board, either to help their fellow MicroStation users or for review by MicroStation's technical staff. All files on the BBS should be in compressed format. Most use the utility PKZIP.EXE to "zip" or compress the files and PKUNZIP.EXE to "unzip" or decompress the files. You can download the pkzip utility from the BBS and read the documentation that comes with the utility for more information on how to compress and decompress the files. Other compression utilities may be used and are noted when downloading the file. Calling the MicroStation Information Center The bulletin board's telephone number is (205) 730-8786. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it can accommodate up to 16 callers simultaneously. The MIC's hardware supports calls at speeds of 300 to 2400 baud. Set your telecommunication software to use 8 bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. If you have any problems connecting, send us a FAX at (205) 730-9491. Using the Services of the MicroStation Information Center From the moment you call, the MIC leads you through all procedures with menus and on-line help for commands. If you are new to computer bulletin boards, rest assured that the software gives you clear choices and plenty of help at every step. A text file that explains the MIC's commands and organization is offered to you for downloading when you first call. If you have used CompuServe or hobbyist bulletin boards, you will feel comfortable right away. Once you are familiar with the software and the arrangement of the SIGs, you can use short-cut commands to by-pass the menus. When you call the MIC, you are asked to enter your User-ID, a short name that you choose to appear in your messages. The first screen you see displays this message: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- If you already have a User-ID on this system, type it and press RETURN. Otherwise, type "new:" ----------------------------------------------------------------------- On your first call, enter the User-ID "new." When prompted by the MIC, enter the width of your display (for example, 80 characters), your name, address, and telephone number. Then select your own User-ID, such as Jsmith or Smitty for John Smith, and a password to keep other callers from entering messages under your name. It is important to write your password down and to keep it to yourself! With these initial chores completed, you have full access to the MIC. The main screen is displayed: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to MicroStation Information! There is new private E-Mail waiting online for you! To scan it, select (E)mail (R)ead-msgs (T)o you... Welcome to the MicroStation Information Center A ... Welcome, and BBS How To Info B ... MicroStation Marketing C ... MicroStation Training D ... MicroStation SIG E ... Personal Email F ... File Library G ... MicroStation Applications T ... Technical Support Forum U ... User Account edit/display R ... Registry (Optional) X ... Exit the Bulletin Board Select an option, or ? for help: To select one of the options, enter the corresponding letter. If you want these menu options displayed again, press the enter or return key. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- No matter where you are in the MIC, you can press the Enter or Return key to have a list of options displayed. If you want help with any command, enter "?" From the main screen, you can move to areas of the BBS that concern MicroStation marketing and training; SIGs, containing messages to and from callers and MicroStation staff; the File Library for uploading or downloading files; and all other services. Try a few options on the menu. On your first call, there is an Email message waiting for you. To read this message, first enter "E" for Email. This screen is displayed. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |The following E-Mail services are available: | | R => Read message(s) | W => Write a message | M => Modify a message | E => Erase a message | X => Exit from E-Mail | |Select a letter from the above list, or ? for more info: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From these options, enter "R" for Read message(s). This screen is displayed: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Read messages (F)rom you, (T)o you, or (P)rivately to you (? for help): ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From these options, enter "T" to select messages To you. The next screen displayed looks like this: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |E-Mail #154 [Date & time] |From: Sysop |To: [Your User-ID] (private message) |FILE: MICGUIDE.TXT - Welcome New User! | (N)ext, (P)revious, or (R)ead this message? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Enter "R" to read the message. This message is displayed: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Welcome, new user! This system has been designed to meet your needs |to the greatest degree possible. Here are a few helpful usage tips: | | 1. Enter X at any prompt to exit whatever function you are in. | | 2. To abort any lengthy scrolling display, hit the RETURN key. | | 3. To page the Sysop, enter "/P SYSOP" at any prompt. | |Please feel free to download the attached file for more details about |how to use this system. Just answer [Y]es to the question if you want |to download the micguide.txt file and select a transfer protocol. |Then the BBS will wait for you to give your program the receive command |and then will transfer the file. | | If you have any questions, or wish to write any comments or suggestions, |please just reply to this message, or write E-Mail to "SYSOP" at any time. | | Thank you for your participation | |File "micguide.txt" is attached to this message (it is 16413 bytes long)! |Would you like to display or download the file now (Y/N)? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- To download the help document, "MICGUIDE.TXT," which you are reading now, enter "Y." This menu is displayed: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Select one of these download protocols: | |L ... List the file on your screen, one screen at a time |A ... ASCII download of file, continuously (CTRL-S pauses) |M ... XMODEM download G ... YMODEM-g download (batch) |C ... XMODEM-CRC download Z ... ZMODEM download |Y ... YMODEM (1K XMODEM) ZR .. Resume ZMODEM download |B ... YMODEM Batch K ... KERMIT / SUPER KERMIT download | |Download will begin as soon as you type a letter and press RETURN. |Indicate your choice, or ? for help: |----------------------------------------------------------------------- Choose a download protocol supported by your telecommunications software and enter the letter corresponding to that protocol. The MIC will tell you it is ready to download the file. Enter the appropriate command to your communication software to download the file and the MIC will begin sending it. When the download is complete, you will see this screen: |----------------------------------------------------------------------- |** DOWNLOAD COMPLETE ** | |(R)eply, (E)rase, (F)orward it, (B)acktrack, (P)revious, or (N)ext? |----------------------------------------------------------------------- Now, enter "X" or "EXIT" to return to the main menu. Let's "register" with the MIC to give MicroStation's technical staff and other users more information about you and your company. Press the Enter or return key to display the main menu: |----------------------------------------------------------------------- |MicroStation Information TOP | |Welcome to the MicroStation Information Center | | A ... Welcome, and BBS How To Info | B ... MicroStation Marketing | C ... MicroStation Training | D ... MicroStation SIG | E ... Personal Email | F ... File Library | G ... MicroStation Applications | T ... Technical Support Forum | U ... User Account edit/display | R ... Registry (Optional) | X ... Exit the Bulletin Board | | Select an option, or ? for help: |----------------------------------------------------------------------- Enter "R" for Registry. The following text and options are displayed: |----------------------------------------------------------------------- |The Registry of Users helps you get to know other users of this system. |And, you can describe yourself, so that others can get to know YOU. | |When you create your Registry entry, the answers you give to the |various questions become AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. Please do not |enter any confidential information! If you don't want to answer a given |question, just type "N/A", "unlisted", or words to that effect. | |After you complete your entry, you will be able to edit it. Feel free |to update your information as often as you like. To see a directory of |all users now registered, select the 'D' option from the menu below. | |The following Registry services are available: | | G => General information | D => Directory of users in Registry | ("DA" to start at beginning) | Y => Create YOUR entry | L => Look-up another user's entry | X => Exit to main menu | |Select a letter from the above list: |----------------------------------------------------------------------- To enter information about yourself, enter "Y." To see a list of all users, enter "D." Remember that you can stop a scrolling directory by pressing Enter or return. The GO Command Once you are familiar with the software and the arrangement of the SIGs, you can use short-cut commands to bypass the menus. Notice the pagename of the screen in the upper right corner of the main menu, TOP. Many menu screens have pagenames, and the GO command lets you skip directly to the screen you are interested in. For example, at any menu, you could key in "GOPLOT," and you would be taken to the MicroStation Plotting Assistance screen (see last page for list of page names). Command Stacking The MIC software also offers command stacking. Command stacking lets you place up to six commands on one line. Take reading Email, for example. Normally, you would enter "E' for Email at the main menu, "R" for Read at the next menu, and "T" for mail To you at the third menu. With command stacking, you can simply enter "ERT." Partial Command Map Some of the commands or menu options available to you on the MIC are set out here. These "maps" show you some of the features of the MIC and can help you stack commands. Read the maps from left to right. The option on the left is selected from the main menu, the next option to the right from the sub-menu, and so on. ENTER or RETURN = Additional commands available: X - Exit one menu level (to parent menu) GO TOP - Exit to the system Main Menu GO - Go directly to a page (e.g. GO TOP) PAUSE - Toggle pausing at screen boundaries USERS - List all users online at the moment RECENT - List users recently logged off /p sysop - Call System Operator - Redisplay the full menu choices E...Email > R > Read message(s) W > Write a message M > Modify a message E > Erase a message X > Exit from Email R > Read message(s) (F)rom you (T)o you (P)rivately to you (? for help) >> (N)ext (P)revious (R)ead this message >> (R)eply (E)rase (F)orward it (B)ackward (P)revious (N)ext W > Write a message >> User-ID or SIG to send message to (hit RETURN for "Sysop"): >> Enter the topic of this message (50 chars.): >> Your message can be up to 1920 characters long. When done, type OK on a line by itself. (Or type /S to save and proceed without editing.) >> S)ave message R)etype a line A)ppend message D)elete line L)ist message I)nsert line(s) C)hange text N)ew message H)elp T)opic change >> Do you wish to "attach" a file to this message (Y/N)? >> Do you want a "return receipt" when this message is read (Y/N)? >> Do you want to send a copy of this message to anyone (Y/N)? F...File Library > G = General information S = Select a LIB (type "S?" for a list) F = File directory D = Download a file (or just search for one) U =Upload a file >> G =General Information The Library facility allows you to download or upload files. Files are organized into Library Information Banks, or LIBs. Files can be tagged with descriptions and keywords. You can search for a file through its keywords, or specify it directly by its name. From the Library Menu, you may select a specific LIB, list the files it contains, search for a file based on its keywords and then download it, or upload your own file into the LIB. L Library Information Banks (LIBs) S Show a list of LIBs K Keywords and Indexes C Card catalog (reference aids) Select one of these letters for more detailed information, or X to exit: S >> Select a LIB (type "S?" for a list) S >> (return) LIBRARY INFORMATION BANKS LIB Files Description --------- ----- ----------- MAIN 6 Main Library - Access to all files ARCHIVE 155 Version 3 only programs and files DOCS 52 Files related to Documentation DRIVERS 8 MicroStation Drivers for version 4.0 GENFILES 42 General Files (cells, fonts, dgn's) MDL 12 Programming; MDL Example Source Code PLOTTING 31 Plotting files and progs for version 3.x PROG 46 Programming; CSL/UCM Example Source Code USTNAPPS 12 MicroStation Applications UTILS 122 Other utilities and programs --------- ----- ----------- Select a LIB or ? for a list: F => File directory [example from LIBDOCS] FILE DIRECTORY OF LIB DOCS Files related to Documentation File Size Date Description ------------ ------ -------- ---------------------------------------- 012789.AR1 709 10-16-89 Notes on problem with umount 012789.AR2 586 10-16-89 Notes on problem with space in cell name 012789.AR3 614 10-16-89 Notes about enter data fields problems 40ANO.TXT 3431 3-27-91 MicroStation 4.0 news release 40LIST.ZIP 46477 12-27-90 PC:List of MicroStation 4.0 commands 94.04 1738 2-09-92 PC40:"Unexpected Exception" Errors TEXT BATCHPC. 1470 10-04-91 PC:Instructions for dxf batch mode on PC BATCHWS. 1540 10-04-91 WS:Instructions for dxf batch mode on WS [and so on . . .] D = Download a file (or just search for one) >> File name(s), keyword, date, or days ago: [example:] msint125.zip >> MSINT125.ZIP Listing of PC interrupts Date: 10/16/89 From: Sysop Time: 15:55:20 Size: 31422 bytes Download time: 3 min Keywords: L -> List this file, one screen at a time A -> Download it using ASCII text protocol M -> XMODEM download G -> YMODEM-g (batch) C -> XMODEM-CRC download Z -> ZMODEM download Y -> YMODEM (1K XMODEM) ZR -> Resume ZMODEM B -> YMODEM Batch K -> KERMIT download S . . . Search for another file R . . . Review the description of this file What do you want to do next? (Type 'X' to exit or '?' for help): U = Upload a file >> Name of the file to upload (or '*' for multiple files): [example:] problem.dgn >> Type in a short (40 char) description of your file: [e.g.] design file I'm having a problem with >> Now please type a longer description of your file. You may use up to 320 characters (about 4 lines). When you are done, type a single line with only the word 'OK' on it. [e.g.] OK >> Please type in the keywords for your file, indicating the file's content or subject. If you don't know our conventions for keywords, please type '?'. When done typing your keywords, type '.' Keyword 1: . >> A -> ASCII text upload B -> YMODEM Batch M -> XMODEM upload G -> YMODEM-g (batch) C -> XMODEM-CRC upload Z -> ZMODEM upload Y -> YMODEM (1K XMODEM) K -> KERMIT upload Select a method from this list for uploading your file T ... Technical Support Forum >> MicroStation Information MicroStation Technical Forum A ... Graphics Adapters/Tablets C ... Configuration D ... DXF E ... Documentation F ... Database G ... Graphics H ... Hline and Rendering M ... Miscellaneous N ... Networking P ... Programming Q ... Plotting U ... Utilities Select an option, or ? for help: C >> Your current SIG is /config: MicroStation Configuration R = Read messages W = Write a message D = Download a file U = Upload a file S = Select a new SIG X = Exit from SIGs Select a letter from this list or ? for more info: R >> You can select the messages you wish to read in the following ways: S = Scan through messages one at a time L = List messages non-stop K = Keyword search for specific messages Q = Quickscan menu Enter your choice (Enter to scan; ? for help): L >> The listing modes available are: B = Brief-title (1 line per message or file) T = Title (4-line summary of each message or file) F = Full-text (summary plus full message text or file description) Select a letter from the above list or ? for help: This option will allow you to read all new messages from all sigs: Q >> Quickscan functions: S ... scan through messages and/or files L ... list messages and/or files K ... keyword-search for messages and/or files C ... configure your quickscan Select a letter from the above list or ? for help: L >> The listing modes available are: B = Brief-title (1 line per message or file) T = Title (4-line summary of each message or file) F = Full-text (summary plus full message text or file description) Select a letter from the above list or ? for help: C >> Your quickscan now contains the following SIG(s): /2dtrg /3dtrg /adapts /adi /appsdemo /appsmisc /bbs-help /bspl /calcomp /cell /civil /config /cprog /csl /database /dig /dim /dmp /doc /dxf /gramisc /Hello /hline /hpgl /hpgl2 /mdl /mdltrg /menu /miscplot /mktano /mktenh /mktoth /mline /network /pat /pscript /ref /test /trgano /ucm /uStation /utils + ... add a SIG to your quickscan - ... delete a SIG from your quickscan V ... view the SIGs now in your quickscan K ... configure your quickscan keywords X ... Exit back to menu Enter K, V, +, -, X, or ? for help: By "configuring" your quickscan, you are telling the system what SIGs to search when you later do a quickscan keyword search, quickscan scan, or quickscan list. For more info about your quickscan keywords, type "K?". The system keeps track of the last message you have read in each SIG. You can have as many SIGs in your quickscan as you like. To add one, enter "+/SIGNAME" at this prompt. For a list of available SIGs, enter "+?". To include all SIGs (including ones that have yet to be created), enter "+ALL". To remove all SIGs, enter "-ALL". To tell your quickscan to search ALL of a particular SIG, not just the new messages, remove it and add it back (e.g. "-/SIGNAME +/SIGNAME"). To tell your quickscan to do this to all SIGs at once, enter "-ALL +ALL" (for example, this might be useful prior to initiating a quickscan keyword search, or a quickscan list full-text). To "saturate" a SIG (i.e. to make the system consider all messages in it already read by you), type "+/SIGNAME" a second time. Type "+ALL +ALL" to do this to all SIGs at once. Navigating the MIC Here are the principal menus available on the MIC. Pagenames for use with the go command are listed to the right of the associated menu options. This outline is a good overview of the organization of the MIC, although additional services and menus may be added. Main Screen TOP Welcome to the MicroStation Information Center A Welcome, and BBS How To Info............... bbshlp B MicroStation Marketing..................... market C MicroStation Training...................... training D MicroStation SIG........................... ustation E Personal Email............................. mail F File Library............................... files G MicroStation Applications.................. msapps H Teleconferencing........................... tele T Technical Support Forum.................... assist U User Account edit/display.................. usr R Registry (Optional)........................ reg X Exit the Bulletin Board Marketing Screen MARKET A Announcements.............................. mktano B Product Enhancement Request................ mktenh H Other Applications......................... mktoth Training Screen TRAINING A Announcements.............................. trgano B 2D Training................................ 2dtrg C 3D Training................................ 3dtrg MicroStation Product Assistance Screen ASSIST A Graphics Adapters/Tablets.................. adapts C Configuration.............................. config D DXF........................................ dxf E Documentation.............................. doc F Database................................... database G Graphics................................... graphics H Hline and Rendering........................ hline M Miscellaneous.............................. gramisc N Networking................................. network P Programming................................ prog Q Plotting................................... plotting U Utilities.................................. utils MicroStation Graphics Product Assistance GRAPHICS A B-splines.................................. bspl B Cells...................................... cell C Digitizing................................. dig D Dimensioning............................... dim E Menus/palettes............................. menu F Multi-lines................................ mtl G Patterning................................. pat H Reference Files............................ ref I Miscellaneous.............................. gramisc MicroStation Programming Assistance PROG A CSL.......................................... csl B MDL.......................................... mdl C UCM.......................................... ucm D "C" (various "C" programs)................... cprog Plotting Screen PLOT A ADI.......................................... adi B PScript (PostScript)......................... pscript C CALCOMP...................................... calcomp D DMP.......................................... dmp E HPGL......................................... hpgl F HPGL/2....................................... hpgl2 G Miscellaneous................................ miscplot Here are the SIG names available on the MIC. You can use this name with the go command to go directly to the SIG from the main menu. SIG Msgs File SIG-Op Description /2dtrg Garner MicroStation 2D Training /3dtrg 1 0 Garner MicroStation 3D Training /adapts 1 0 Sysop Graphics Adapters and Tablets /adi 1 0 Sysop MicroStation ADI Plotting /bbs-help 1 0 Sysop Welcome, and basic MIC help /bspl 1 0 Sysop MicroStation BSplines /calcomp 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Calcomp Plotting /cell 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Cells /config 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Configuration /cprog 1 0 Sysop MicroStation "C" Programs /csl 1 0 Sysop MicroStation CSL Programming /dbase 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Database /dig 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Digitizing /dim 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Dimensioning /dmp 1 0 Sysop MicroStation DMP Plotting /doc 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Documentation /dxf 1 0 Sysop MicroStation DXF /gramisc 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Graphics Misc. /graphics 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Graphics /Hello 1 0 Sysop Questions and Answers about MIC /hline 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Hidden Line /hpgl 1 0 Sysop MicroStation HPGL Plotting /hpgl2 1 0 Sysop MicroStation HPGL /mdl 1 0 Sysop MicroStation MDL Programming /mdltrg 1 0 Sysop MicroStation MDL Training /menu 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Menus /miscplot 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Miscellaneous Plotting /mktano 1 0 Mac Marketing Announcements /mktenh 1 0 Mac Ideas for MicroStation enhancements /mktmap 1 0 Mac Mapping/GIS and MicroStation /mktmec 1 0 Mac Mechanical and MicroStation /mktoth 1 0 Mac Other Applications and Microstation /mline 1 0 Sysop MicroStation MultiLine /network 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Networking Environment /pat 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Patterning /ref 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Reference Files /trgannou 1 0 Garner MicroStation Training Announcements /ucm 1 0 Sysop MicroStation UCM Programming /ucmtrg 1 0 Garner MicroStation UCM Training /uStation 1 0 Sysop Main MicroStation SIG /utils 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Utilities /pscript 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Postscript Plotting /csltrg 1 0 Sysop MicroStation CSL Training /mantrg 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Managers Training /trgano 1 0 Sysop MicroStation Training Announcements /gramisc 1 0 Sysop Miscellaneous MicroStation Graphics