CHAPTER 1
              ABOUT THE GUIDE FOR NEW USERS


This guide is intended to provide new users with the  
information that they will need in order to understand the 
basic operation of the Ocean State Free-Net (OSFN) and how 
to use it effectively.  For more information about the 
Free-Net call 401-277-2726, ext. 127

This is an attempt to pull together some basic information 
to answer a variety of problems that new users have 
experienced since the start up of OSFN.

All readers are invited to provide comments or suggestions 
for improved organization or enhancement of the 
information.  All such responses should be forwarded by 
electronic mail to ab022@osfn.rhilinet.gov.  They will be 
looked at seriously, and acted upon wherever possible.

One IMPORTANT convention used in this guide should be 
noted before starting.  When a specific string of 
characters is required for a command or similar purpose it 
is always shown between quotation marks.

That means you must type the exact characters
between the quotes: 

DO NOT ADD SPACES, AND DO NOT CHANGE FROM UPPERCASE TO 
LOWER CASE, OR VISA VERSA.  ALSO, DO NOT INCLUDE THE 
QUOTES IN THE COMMAND STRING.


For example, in the Logging On section it is indicated 
that "visitor" may be used to login if you are not a 
registered user.  If that option is used, your login line 
must read as below:

login: visitor

The point needs to be made that the information in this 
menu is intended to meet only the essential needs of a new 
user.  When you have mastered what is contained here, you 
should be reasonably proficient in using all of the 
services of Free-Net, and should avoid the pitfalls that 
can discourage the uninitiated.

If you want to progress into some of the more advanced 
features of Free-Net, there is additional on-line 
documentation in the Help Desk.  This Guide contains a 
summary of the topics covered in the Help system.

We wish you the best of success in your exploration of 
OSFN, and hope that you find the information and services 
provided by OSFN to be interesting, useful and enjoyable.

.