Chapter 19 - Mail/Note System

Aethar offers two types of note systems; A public NOTE systemand a more private MAIL system. *Note that mail system is notcompletely private, the higher level Immortals CAN read privatemail* (If you wish mail to be completely private, then it's bestto use Email). You must decide if you are writing a public NOTEor a private MAIL because they are handled slightly different byAethar and have slightly different commands.

Commands that are used when WRITING a Note

NOTE WRITE - This command will put you into a simple ASCIIeditor. Using this editor one can write out a note in plainASCII, no ANSI characters can be used while in the editor. Also,the editor is limited to 24 lines by 75 characters and it doesNOT have wordwrap, you must hit return at the end of each line.While in the note editor: Typing "/?" (without thequotes) on a blank line will give you a list of the editorcommands. Typing "/c" on a blank line will clear theentire note buffer and return you to Line 1. Typing "/g#" on a blank line will cause you to go to the line #specified (example; /g 9 -- will take you to line 9) and you willbegin typing OVER what is already there. Typing "/i #"will insert a blank line BEFORE the # you've specified (example;/i 9 -- will insert a blank line BEFORE line 9). And finally,typing "/d #" will delete the specified line #(example; /d 9). When you've finished writing, "/s" ona blank line (without the quotes) will save your note.

NOTE TO - This is the command used to address the note TOsomeone, it is used simply as; Note to [string] (example; note toJoe). There is a limit of about 15 characters for 'note to'.

NOTE SUBJECT - This command is used to comment on what thenote is about. To use it, simply type; Note subject [string](example; note subject These new notes). There is a limit ofabout 30 characters for 'note subject'.

NOTE SHOW - While you're still holding the note in your hands,you can use "note show" to view the contents of thenote. Note show will also display 'note to' and 'note subject'.

NOTE POST - When you've finally finished your note and you'rehappy with it, you type "Note Post" to post it on anote board. In order to post a note, there MUST be a note boardpresent in the same room you're in. The most popular places topost a note are: "The Archives", public announcementsare usually posted here; "The Lore of the Archives",public notes posted IN CHARACTER go here; and "The Oracle ofthe Archives", notes posted here can only be read byhigh-level Immortals (this is the place to post complaints). EachClan, Order and Guild also has their own note boards. Please besure and post your note to the RIGHT board, see HELP MAP for thelocations of the Archives and Guild halls. These commands can beused while READING notes;

NOTE LIST - Typing 'note list' will give you a listing of allthe notes that have been posted on the note board that is in thesame room with you. The list will show who each note is FROM, whoeach note is TO, and the SUBJECT of each note as well as areference number. The list can be shortened by entering a numberafter the command (example; note list 30 -- This will show Notes30 to the end of the list).

NOTE READ - In order to read a note once it's been posted on anote board, you type 'note read #' (example; note read 30) andthe note will be displayed to your screen. There is currently noway to pause a note in mid- screen, you must use your ownterminal software for that. The following are SPECIAL commandsthat can be used with notes;

NOTE TAKE - Typing 'note take #' (example; note take 30) willremove a note from the note board and place it into yourinventory. You can only take notes that are addressed TO you, orwritten BY you, and this note cannot be modified.

NOTE REMOVE - Typing 'note remove #' is the same as typing'note take #' except that the note doesn't go into yourinventory, the note is merely removed and destroyed. You can onlyremove notes that are addressed TO you or written BY you as well.

NOTE VOTE - This is a very special command. If you wish towrite a note that other people can vote on, you use the 'notevote' command. First you must write the note you wish people tovote on, using "note write", then fill in the"note to" and "note subject" and POST thenote on a public note board. It's best to write the body of thenote to include three options for those who wish to vote on anote: Yes, they agree with your note; No, they don't agree withyour note; or Abstain, they have no opinion. Once you have thenote posted, you must OPEN your vote up, type "note vote #open" (example; note vote 30 open) and when your vote isfinished, you can CLOSE the voting by typing "note vote #close". You can only open and close notes written by you. Tofigure out whether or not a note is open for voting, look for a"V" between the author's name and the TO, and if a voteis closed, a "C" will appear there. If you wish to voteon a note, either your own or another, you type; "note vote# yes" to agree, "note vote # no" to disagree, and"note vote # abstain" to abstain from voting (example;Note vote 30 yes). For more information on voting, see HELPVOTING.

Using the Mail system

In order to use the MAIL system, you use the same commandsthat you used for NOTEs, except replace the word "note"with the word "mail" (example; "Mail to Joe","Mail subject Hi There!", etc). For more information onnotes, you can type HELP NOTE. ** When posting MAIL, be sureyou're posting it on the note board in the Post Office (see HELPMAP) and use "mail post", otherwise your mail will notbe private.