Tips for SDF Newbies

Command	Description
:help	stuck in com? use this command to help you out. also reveals some fun options...like JIVE ;]
:jive	talk in gangsta mode and scare/confuse the hell out of everyone
:hunt	no need to quit com just to play Hunt. just type in this command and you're away.
:tetris {login}	challenge another chatter to a game of two-player Tetris
:echo	enables you to see what you type, but annoying to use.
:quit	this is the command to use in COM mode. too often i've seen people just type quit without the colon.

Important notes:

the above commands are for use in the chat rooms.

REMEMBER, when you are in a chat room and want to use a command, PUT THE COLON BEFORE IT.

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Gopher

Command	Description
mkgopher	type in this command at your shell, and follow the instructions onscreen to setup your gopherspace.
quit	quit MKGOPHER

Important notes:

to delete(?) files from your gopherspace, first quit MKGOPHER, then cd(?) to your gopher directory, and delete the file there.

to visit your gopherspace in a web browser, follow this guide:
gopher://sdf.lonestar.org/11/users/{login}%09%09%2B

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Website space

Command	Description
mkhomepg -a	sets up your web space. you can add a title, description and choose whether or not you want your site listed in the SDF member website directory.
mkhomepg -p	sets the correct file permissions for files in your html directory.

Important notes:

you need to be validated(?) to get your web space.

store your website files in the html directory.

if you want to upload images, html files, .ZIP files etc, i recommend you use email to do so - unless you are arpa(?), where you'll be allowed to use FTP. simply send the files as attachments to your SDF email account - {login}@sdf.lonestar.org - and open up pine(?). type > to view the attachment list, then S to save the attachment to your home directory:
/udd/{first letter of your login}/{login} (you can move(?) them to your html directory later).

while you are setting up your homepage, you'll be asked to pick your URL (iceland, feckov, sdf1 etc). this only applies if you're arpa(?), otherwise your URL will be:
http://{login}.freeshell.org

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Games

Command	Description
games	type in to see the list of games on SDF
man {game}	read the FAQ for each game

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Basic UNIX commands

Command	Description
cd	used to (C)hange (D)irectory. usage: cd {directory} or cd .. (to go up a directory)
delete {file}	deletes files only.
pwd	(P)resent (W)orking (D)irectory
ps	lists all your processes
cal	shows the calendar for the current month
date	shows the current date and time in UCT
leave {time}	sets an alarm in UCT. {time} must be in 24 hours. leave +{mins) sets an alarm to go off in {mins} minutes
cat {file}	enables you to view a [text] file. derived from conCATenate.
mv	use this command to move files: mv -fi /udd/{first letter of your login}/{login}/{file} ... /udd/{first letter of your login}/{login}/{destination directory}/
pine	this is your email program
finger {user}	view info on a particular user. eg finger ssinct and see his really cool graphic

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Miscellaneous UNIX stuff

Important notes:

type unix at your shell to see available UNIX commands.

pre-validated shell accounts use the OSH shell, which is very limited and basic. better to get validated for only $1 and have access to better shells like KSH, BASH, SSH, ZSH and TSH...to name a few. AND you also get space for a website

arpa is lifetime membership and costs $36. there are plenty of benefits and it's well worth the cost.

if you want to create a new file, simply type in at the shell:
edit {file} , and include the file extension if your file is for your website(?)

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go back to iphal's gopher root.