HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
Communicating with the Users
To help you manage the computer, you can use three methods to send
messages to the people using it:
* Create the WELCOME message, which users see when they start a
computer session.
* Use the TELL command to create TELL messages, which are useful
when the message is important, but not urgent. TELL messages get
through to most, but perhaps not all, users.
* Use the WARN command to send warnings only when the message is
urgent, since warnings can disrupt some kinds of work on the
terminal. All users see warning messages.
With the TELL and WARN commands, you can select which groups of people
receive your message. You can send a message to everyone, to one person,
or to a group of people, such as everyone using the PAYROLL account. You
cannot select your audience for a WELCOME message.
To create a new WELCOME message
When people start a computer session, they typically receive two kinds of
information:
* A message from the computer system acknowledging the HELLO logon.
This includes the date, the time, and the version number of the
computer's operating system.
* A WELCOME message from you, the system operator.
The WELCOME message is a convenient way to transmit information of
general interest. For example, you can tell everyone when you plan to
perform a system backup, a procedure for duplicating all of the important
information contained in your computer. You can include your phone
number in the message so that, in case of trouble, users can call you.
To create a new WELCOME message, enter:
WELCOME
Wait for the "#" to appear on the screen, then begin creating your
message. Enter your message on multiple lines as needed. For example:
Welcome to the HP 3000. The system
will be shut down Mondays through Thursdays
at 8 PM to do a partial backup, and at
5 PM on Fridays for a full backup.
Please log off before those times.
To end the message, press Return at the "#" prompt. The system prompt
returns to the screen. To check the message, use the SHOWME command.
For example:
SHOWME
In addition to the description of your session, you should see the
WELCOME message you just created.
To correct a mistake in the WELCOME message
If you make a mistake in the message while typing, do the following:
1. Press Return.
2. When another "#" prompt appears, press Return again.
3. Enter WELCOME.
4. When the "#" prompt appears, retype your message.
5. To exit, press Return at the "#" prompt.
To erase the existing WELCOME message
To erase the existing WELCOME message, enter:
WELCOME
When the "#" prompt appears, press Return
To create and use a WELCOME message file
You can also use the text editor, EDIT/3000, to create the WELCOME
message. In this case, enter the text into a file, save it, and then
enter the name of the message file with the WELCOME command.
The following section allows you to practice creating a WELCOME message
file, called "WELCMSG." Before you begin, find out if you already have a
file named WELCMSG. Enter:
LISTFILE WELCMSG Return
If the computer lists a file named WELCMSG and you want a different
message, then pick another file name. Substitute it for WELCMSG in the
following examples. Otherwise, enter the commands exactly as shown
below.
1. Enter EDITOR and press Return to start the editor.
2. At the EDIT/3000 ("/") prompt, enter ADD and press Return to begin
add mode.
The first line number and a blinking cursor appear on your screen.
3. Enter the following lines of text, pressing Return at the end of
each one. (Each time you press Return, a new line and line number
appear.)
Welcome to the HP 3000. The system
will be shut down Mondays through Thursdays
at 8 PM to do a partial backup, and at
5 PM on Fridays for a full backup.
Please log off before those times.
4. Enter // and press Return to end add mode.
5. Enter // and press Return a second time to indicate that you have
completed your message.
6. At the "/" prompt, enter the KEEP command followed by the name of
the welcome message file. In the example below, the file name is
WELCMSG:
KEEP WELCMSG Return
7. Enter the EXIT command and press Return to end EDIT/3000.
8. To have MPE/iX use the new welcome message, enter the WELCOME
command and your file name. For example:
WELCOME WELCMSG Return
9. To check the new WELCOME message, enter:
SHOWME Return