Bulletin ID
DLB - 94 - 10
| PublicationDate: 7/1/94 BulletinID: DLB - 94 - 10 Bulletin # 10, July 1994 Dear Colleague: The Direct Loan Task Force is pleased to announce that the Direct Loan bulletin board is now OPERATIONAL! This Bulletin Board was established to encourage communication between the U.S. Department of Education and postsecondary schools--those currently participating in the Direct Loan Program and those that may be interested in participating in the future. The Bulletin Board is an important project for the Department, and we want it to be used as an integral part of our public information, outreach, and customer support efforts. Bulletin Board Features The Direct Loan Bulletin Board provides important information including the most current program announcements and bulletins, answers to the most frequently asked questions about direct lending, pertinent program notices and regulations, official responses to public statements, and a schedule of major upcoming events. In addition, we are providing a public forum area on the Bulletin Board where schools can ask or respond to questions of other program participants, share implementation tips, and post important program findings. One other useful feature is electronic conferencing. Accessing the Bulletin Board The attached Users Guide provides basic instructions for accessing and using the many features of the Direct Loan Bulletin Board. The document is not intended to be a comprehensive manual, but it provides important information about the Bulletin Board functions and applications that are available to Direct Loan users. As referenced in the attached Guide, users may access the Bulletin Board via the Internet by using the TCP/IP telnet command facility. Our Internet address is "directloan.ope.ed.gov." Or, beginning in mid-July, users with communications software and modems may dial in on our toll-free number, (800) 429-9933. We are sure you will find the information presented in the Direct Loan Bulletin Board beneficial. The Bulletin Board will provide practical opportunities to network with other Direct Loan schools that are implementing this very important program. So, to keep up-to-date, make checking into the Bulletin Board a few times a week part of your normal schedule. Sincerely, Diane Sedicum Chair, Direct Loan Task Force Attachment SFA BBS User Guide SCOPE The Department of Education Electronic Bulletin Board system, or BBS, was designed to serve as an information repository for Student Financial Assistance (SFA) as well as provide access to applications and communication services for its users. This introduction is a how-to guide of basic operations for both new and current users of the BBS. This document is not intended to serve as a comprehensive user's guide and does not cover all BBS options and features. ACCESS AND PRE-REQUISITES To access the SFA, BBS system users need a computer system or display terminal with a connected modem and communications software that supports emulation for a VT100 terminal. A video display terminal with a modem and a VT100 display personality will suffice as well. Note we support the following types of terminal emulation: DOSANSI, ANSI, VT100, WYSO, WY60, XTERM, and VT220. Access is also provided to users via the Internet by using the TCP/IP telnet command facility. BBS Modem Number: 800 - 429-9933 (Available in July) Internet Addresses Direct Loan Users: directloan.ope.ed.gov IPOS Users: ipos.ope.ed.gov Connecting modems can negotiate speeds ranging from 2400 to 38400 bits per second using devices that adhere to V.22bis (2400), V.32 (9600), and V.32bis (14400) CCITT standards. We recommend using devices that can accommodate speeds of 9600 bps or better. Data compression and error correction is supported, as is Telebit's PEP mode. Users should configure their communications software or terminal characteristics for the desired speed as well as for eight (8) data bits, no parity (N), and one (1) stop bit. Users should be aware that the BBS system is case sensitive, particularly when entering a login name or password. Often, case sensitivity will also apply when inputting data, selecting names, or entering commands. OBTAINING SUPPORT Technical support for using the SFA Electronic Bulletin Board can be obtained by sending Internet E-mail to- Direct Loan Users: support@directloan.ope.ed.gov IPOS Users: support@ipos.ope.ed.gov Internet E-mail can be accessed by many alternative online services, including CompuServe, Prodigy, and America Online. DOCUMENT CONVENTIONS Designates keyboard selections. LOGGING INTO THE SYSTEM After dialing the BBS, the user is presented with a login prompt such as the one below. First time users should login as "guest." Users with existing accounts should use their assigned login name and type in their password when prompted. login: Once logged in, a message of the day may appear. Next, the users will be prompted to provide for the terminal type; a list of selections will be provided. The default is set to VT100. The user should select the appropriate response and press Users who have been assigned login names will be presented with the BBS Main menu. New users will be required to fill out a questionnaire and should read the NEW USERS section of this guide. NEW USERS If logging onto the BBS for the first time, guest users are required to fill out a brief questionnaire similar to that listed below. The BBS will automatically prompt the guest with the question and the appropriate space is provided for the response. After answering each question, the user will press this correct?" The user will enter "Y" for yes, or "N" for no. If no, the user will have another opportunity to provide a response. Note: 1) Please enter your First and Last Name: 2) Please enter your Street Address 1: 3) Please enter your Street Address 2: 4) Please enter your City, State, Zip: 5) Please enter your Phone Number: After item 5, the BBS will respond: We will use your fax number or E-mail address to send you requested information. 6) Please enter your Area Code and Fax Number: 7) Please enter your Internet E-mail Address: 8) Please enter your Organization's Name: 9) Please enter your Organization's Address 1: 10) Please enter your Organization Address 2: 11) Organization City, State, & Zip? 12) Why do you want access to this BBS? 13) What do you expect from this BBS? When finished with item 13, the BBS will display your answers. It will then return the user to the BBS menu. As a guest, the user will have limited access to BBS functions. At a later date, the system administrator will contact the user with a valid login name and password for future access. ONCE LOGGED IN After successfully logging onto the system as a user other than "guest," the Main menu for the BBS is presented with the following options: Setup Mail Files Converse Applications Info Help Quit "Setup"provides user information for system administrators. "Mail" allows the sending and receiving of messages, as well as organization of aliases and groups. "Files" gives the ability to list, view, or transfer individual files, as well perform searches for key words. "Converse" gives access to user conferences and the sending of messages between conference users. In addition, this menu allows for access to organized news groups. "Application" provides a menu to execute special applications on the BBS. The availability of each choice will be different for every user according to their security rights. "Info" gives access to information about the BBS itself, detailed lists of users and groups, and system administrator data such as process status, user logs, and active users. "Help" provides assistance on terms used within the BBS and on how to use various menu options. Help is always available by pressing the "Quit" logs the user out of the BBS system. USING ELECTRONIC MAIL Electronic mail gives users the ability to exchange messages and files with others on the BBS system. To access the E-mail feature, the user would select "Mail" from the Main menu. A separate pull-down menu is presented with the following options: Receive Send Queue Configure To read E-mail messages, select the "Receive" option from the Mail menu. A Mail Folders display shows the number of "Urgent,n nNew,n "Unread," and "Read" messages the user has accumulated. Highlight the desired selection and press to view the messages. To send E-mail messages, select the "Send" option from the Mail menu. A new screen appears and the user is immediately prompted for a "Subject." A Command menu is presented with the following options: To Cc Bcc Edit Send Queue tRansfer Attach Include Abort "To" defines the primary recipients. Hit to view details on users and aliases. "Cc" defines secondary users to also receive the message. "Bcc" defines blind cc: recipients that the primary recipient will not be aware of. "Edit" allows editing of the message body. "Send" allows the sending of the file. "Queue" provides message queuing so the user can save messages to edit and send at a later time. "Transfer" allows the uploading of an ASCII text file for inclusion within a message body. Binary files such as executables, word processor documents, or database files cannot be included in the body of a message, but can be "Attached." "Attach" allows the attachment of a binary executable, data file, word processing document, or ASCII text file to a message. "Include" allows the inclusion of an ASCII text file within a message body. "Abort" allows the user to quit the process without sending a message. Sending a message requires only that the user enter a valid recipient name or alias, although a message body and/or subject is usually desired. After editing the message body, hit and choose "Send" to deliver the message or "Queue" to deliver it later. OBTAINING A USER LIST To communicate with users on the system, it is essential to know their login names. The BBS user list can be viewed or downloaded. Various methods are provided in the menu selections. To access user info:, through "Setup" for administrators, through "Files" for users to view and download the actual USERLIST file, through "Mail" for specifying recipients, and through "Info" for quick information. Perhaps the easiest way to view the user list is to select "Info" from the Main menu, and then select "User List" to view users. Pressing F2 > will give details on a BBS user name, such as the actual user's name and associated organization. To download the user list for use as a reference, select "Files" from the Main menu, then choose "Transfer" from the pull-down menu. The user is prompted for the appropriate protocol, transfer direction, and directory. The file USERLIST is in the default directory. Choose the file for downloading by pressing the followed by enter > . The BBS will indicate when the task is completed. The ASCII file can be typed out, viewed, or imported by any operating environment using various utilities and programs. See the DOWNLOADING AND UPLOADING FILES section for more details on transferring files. DOWNLOADING AND UPLOADING FILES Downloading files from the BBS to a local computer and uploading files from a local PC to the BBS can be conveniently accomplished through the "Files" selection in the Main menu. In addition, uploads may be initiated through the "Send" option of the Mail menu to be included or attached to a message. File transfer operations require that the user have assigned rights from the system administrator. To perform an upload or download, choose "Transfer" from the Files menu. The user is prompted for a transfer protocol, direction, and directory. Choose the transfer protocol that matches one in use on the calling system. Supported file transfer protocols are as follows: Xmodem Ymodem Zmodem Kermit Blast Local Unix (cp) Next, choose the transfer direction that specifies whethcr the operation is an upload or download. Lastly, choose the directory to transfer the file to or from. Complete the operation by initiating the send or receive process from the communications software in use. APPLICATIONS - BBS UTILITIES Password Changes - Select "Applications" from the main menu, then select "Execute" from the sub menu. Select BBS Utils and press instructions on the screen. Note: The password must contain at least two alpha characters and at least one numeric. For example: "betl23." Viewing a Users list - Select "Applications" from the main menu, then select "Execute" from the sub menu. Select BBS Utils and press Next choose "View list of users..." by placing "2" in the space provided and pressing function can also be performed under other areas (see "Obtaining A User List." To return to the main menu, enter and press |