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From BBSWiki

This subsection describes how entering a message (or message-like body of text such as roominfo or a help file) is handled by the system. Segments which refer to message-only aspects of the process like threading and subjects apply only to messages.

Common interface elements

Starting a message

Starting the message, the user is presented with a post header containing her name and is prompted for a subject. If the post is a reply, the subject is prefilled to that of the parent post. If the post is starting a new thread, the subject is blank.

This looks the same whether this was the start of a new thread and the user typed in "I like cats," or whether the user was replying to a message with the subject "I like cats."

New message from Neurophyre
Subject: I like cats

The post prompt

<A>bort <C>ontinue <P>rint <S>ave <X>press ->

Abort

<A>bort <C>ontinue <P>rint <S>ave <X>press -> Abort: are you sure? Yes

Message not entered

Continue

Continue returns the user to editing the post at a new line after where they left off.

text text
<A>bort <C>ontinue <P>rint <S>ave <X>press -> Continue...
more text

This yields a post that look like:

text text
more text

Print

Print displays the post as it would look if the user saved it, and returns the user to editing at a new line after where they left off.

slkjdflksdfj
sdfkljsdfj
p
<A>bort <C>ontinue <P>rint <S>ave <X>press -> Print

Jun 14, 2006 17:51 from Neurophyre
slkjdflksdfj
sdfkljsdfj
p

Note the cursor is on the blank new line following the line containing "p."

Save

Save immediately saves the message and returns the user to where they came from (short or read prompt, etc.)

<A>bort <C>ontinue <P>rint <S>ave <X>press -> Save

eXpress

eXpress initiates an X message without interrupting editing. After the X is sent, the post prompt is redisplayed.

<A>bort <C>ontinue <P>rint <S>ave <X>press -> Message eXpress
Recipient (Khelair): 
User is not online.

<A>bort <C>ontinue <P>rint <S>ave <X>press ->

Normal (line edit) mode

This is the most common method of entering messages. The user is able to directly type text line by line, and edit only the current line by using the backspace and ^W (delete word) keys. Hitting enter on a blank line drops the user out of message entry mode to the post prompt.

Upload mode

Like normal mode, but enter on blank line enters blank lines. ^D must be used to drop to the post prompt.

Aide flag (upload) mode

Like upload mode, but if the user is a Sysop, the (Sysop) flag will be applied to the post. If the user is a Roomaide of the current room, the (Roomaide) flag will be applied.

Special features

Spoiler tag

The user may enter, on any blank line of the post, the word "@MORE@". Supporting clients will then display a pagination prompt or otherwise hide further content upon reaching the line. Only one @MORE@ tag per post is allowed. Additional @MORE@ tags in a post will be eaten. @MORE@ must appear on a blank line at the beginning of the line or it will not be replaced by a spoiler prompt.