Introduction to the Tin Newsreader
Starting Tin
To "launch" the Tin newsreader use the CSuite shortcut command [go news].
Tin Help
Before you begin, it 's a good idea to use ^g (CTRL-g) and review the
commands available. You can use this link to do that
now... (Tin keymap)
To post a message (Start your own thread...)
- Select a newsgroup you want to post to and enter to view the group
(without selecting a particular posting).
- Type w for post, give your posting a title and use the
editing commands to type in your message.
- Once you're finished writing, type ^x (Ctrl-x) to initiate
the send process.
You will be asked if you want to
"Save Modified Buffer? (ANSWERING "No" WILL DESTROY CHANGES) ?"
If you answer "No" your message will not be sent.
Regardless of what you answered to the previous question, ...Tin will
now offer you three options.
q)uit e)dit p)ost: p
If you select 'p' post (and you answered Yes to "Save buffer...") Tin
will send the message to the target newsgroup.
Blank messages...
NOTE:If you answer "No" to "Save buffer..?" and p)ost to the
second question you will be sending a blank message to the newsgroup.
This same sort of thing can happen in mail...
To follow-up discussion in the group...
View the particular message you want to follow-up. Type "f" for
follow-up, and you'll see the selected letter.
Included Messages - Who Said What?
You will notice that each line of the "included message" is preceded by one
or more new characters and/or is indented to different levels. This is
how newsreaders and mailing programs show who said what and when. Near the
top of the message should be a line which will indicate who is the author of
each section.
As you are editing messages be careful to keep the authors name/address
and the formatting that indicates who said what.
You can type your message anywhere, but endless repeating of everything
in a letter can be extremely boring to everyone on the 'Net. Brevity is
the soul of wit, and so is editing other people's wit to make more room
for yours. To edit a follow-up or reply...
- (control) "K" will wipe out a complete line
- (control) "^" will set a mark after which everything is deleted - up to
where you type (control) "K"
- (control) "U" will bring back whatever was deleted at the point where
the cursor currently is located.
- The "delete" keys don't work. Backspace does. To get the "delete"
function, press (control) "D".
To reply to a posting to the author and no-one else...
Type "R" to reply, then same as above.
See also: