A primer on the TFC message lists
© Duvel, Winged Warlock, 6 December 1999
TFC has several message lists (also called note lists) that are of interest to players. You should be familiar with the way these lists work, since important information is frequently posted here. There are six lists:
Using these message lists is simpler than the helps make it sound. I’ll use the note list to describe the various possible actions. The same actions are valid (with a few exceptions) for the other lists. After the explanation of the commands, you'll find an example log of posting, reading and deleting a board message.
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Reading notes |
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Command |
Result |
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note list |
Displays the subject lines of all notes addressed to you (or addressed to "all"). Each message is numbered. |
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note last [number] |
Displays the subject lines of all notes posted in the last [number] days. E.g. note last 3 will list all notes posted in the last three days. This is especially useful for the bug and idea lists*. |
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note by [name] |
Displays the subject lines of all notes posted by [name]. E.g. idea by duvel will list several great ideas posted to the idea list*. |
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note read [number] |
Displays the content of the note numbered [number]. E.g. note read 3 will display note number three. |
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Writing notes |
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Command |
Result |
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note subject [text] |
Starts a note with the subject line [text]. E.g. note subject This is the subject line. |
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note to [list of names] |
Addresses a note to the [list of names]. The list should contain one or more character names, and will be visible to those characters only. The list of names can also include several "group" names, including all (all characters), immortal (immortals), god (god+), and imp (implementor). Only messages to the note list need this line. |
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note + [text] |
Adds a line of text to a note. If nothing follows the + sign, a blank line is added. Note that there is no wrapping, so you should limit your line to 70-odd characters at most. |
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note show |
While you’re writing a note, everything takes place in a "text buffer", until you type note post, when the completed text is actually sent to the message list. This command (note show) displays the contents of the text buffer (i.e. it shows you what you've written so far). |
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note - |
Deletes the last line in the text buffer. |
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note clear |
Clears everything you’ve entered, without posting it. |
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note post |
Posts the completed note to the note list. Notes only become visible to other mortals after 15 minutes, to prevent cheaters from using the note list when silenced, muted, deaf or otherwise prevented from using the normal channels. |
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note repost [number] |
This command, which can only be performed on a note posted by you, removes message [number] from the list, and places it in the text buffer for further editing. It is put back on the list (with any modifications you made) using note post. |
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note remove [number] |
This removes a message from the note list. If you posted the message, it is completely removed. If you are one of the recipients, it is removed from your note list, but remains visible to the poster and other recipients. |
*To work with the other lists (board, idea, bug, typo and fyi), simply replace note in the command with the name of the list. You cannot post to the fyi list unless you’re a god+.
Tip: Ever wondered how I create those depressingly long blacklist messages? No, I don’t retype the entire thing on the mud every two weeks. It is possible to create your message in Word, notepad or other editor. This also helps with formatting the note so it looks neat, tidy and readable. Make sure you end each line with a standard carriage return (paragraph mark, in Microsoft parlance), and that you put the correct command in front of each line. You can then copy and paste your message ten lines at a time into your mud client. If you paste more than this, TFC will kick you off for spamming. (Note: This technique works with the Jaba Mud Client ver 2.1. I have not tested it with any other telnet or mud client. I’d assume it works with most of them, however.)
Working example (comments in italics)