TOPS-20 User Wiki

COMMODE is essentially a REMARK script which prefixes the USER's name to whatever the user types. It is used for chatting with other users, but requires that each TERMINAL be LINKED together. A regular chat is held each Saturday at 5:30PM until 7:00PM Pacific Time. (See the World Clock section for the meeting time in your time zone.) To join, run SYSTAT to see who is running COMMOD and use SEND to request a link.

Setting up COMMODE

• Log to your account (if new, please login as NEW NEW)
• Each user must set TERMINAL RECEIVE LINKS at EXEC (the @ prompt)
• Users must have their terminals linked - This can be done by one user via TALK or via ^L in COMMODE

Commands within COMMODE

• ^B - Blanks all linked TTYs if they are VTs and not Teletypes
• ^L - Add another USER's terminal to COMMODE
• ^N - Change your name
• ^X - Push to EXEC - others can observe
• ^Z - Break all links and exit COM MODE
• <ESC> - Short cut for Go Ahead

COMMODE etiquette

In COMMODE it is easy to have a conversation run over itself - id est people talking over each other. When this happens, you can yield to another user by pressing <ESC>. This will print a GA or Go Ahead. It is also best to end your side of the conversation with a GA or a double <RET>. This will signal to others that you are done speaking.

Disconnecting

• ^Z will break all links and exit COMMODE
• Typing BREAK in EXEC will break links

World Clock