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                 SYSBUL -- Systems bulletin review program

                              April 30, 1980



     1.0  INTRODUCTION

          SYSBUL is a utility to  keep  users  informed  about  changes  to
     system  software  that may affect them.  This is frequently a problem,
     since monthly or bi-monthly computer center newsletters may be too far
     apart  to  be  useful,  and system notices that get typed out at login
     time are not a convenient place for long bulletins.

          Using the SYSBUL program gives you a  "repository"  for  software
     (or  any  other  type) bulletins.  Users can run SYSBUL at any time to
     browse through the list of active sysbuls,  and  print  or  type  them
     singly or in any order.



     2.0  USER INSTRUCTIONS

          Just type @SYSBUL<cr> and then type HELP if  you  need  it.   The
     user commands are:

     1.  TYPE <number of sysbul or ALL>

     2.  PRINT <number of sysbul or ALL> (TO FILE) <output specification>

     3.  LIST (all active sysbul titles)

     4.  HELP (with program commands)

     5.  EXIT (from program)


          Optional switches on the LIST, TYPE ALL or PRINT ALL commands are
     /FORWARD and /REVERSE to control the order of the listing.



     3.0  SYSTEMS BULLETINS COORDINATOR INSTRUCTIONS

          The sysbul coordinator has two  additional  commands  at  his/her
     disposal:

     1.  NEW (filename of new sysbul is) <filespec>
         This command allows you to add a new systems bulletin.

     2.  DELETE (sysbul number) <number>
         This command allows you to delete an obsolete bulletin.

                                                                     Page 2


          Files that are added to the sysbul data base should be created by
     RUNOFF  as  .HLP  files - .MEM or .DOC files give you unnecessary line
     feeds at the beginning of the file.  The file should have a  one  line
     summary  as  the  first  line,  followed  by  the sysbul contents on a
     paragraph break.  (The format can be slightly different if you desire,
     but this is convenient..) A sample sysbul follows:

               .autoparagraph.left margin 0.right margin 75
               Announcement of new systems bulletin program
                       This bulletin announces the introduction  of  a  new
               program  designed  to  keep  users  informed  about  systems
               software changes...




     4.0  SYSBUL MAINTAINER INSTRUCTIONS

          SYSBUL is written in MACRO using TOPS-20 version 4 monitor calls.
     It  requires  as  external  modules  only  the  standard system files,
     MONSYM.UNV, MACSYM.UNV, MACREL.REL, CMD.REL.

          The bulletins are read from an area  with  the  logical  name  of
     SYSBUL:.   This  should  be a system-wide logical name.  Protection of
     this disk area should specify  world  access  to  be  consistent  with
     individual  file  protection,  and  the default file protection should
     specify read access allowed for everyone.



     5.0  AUTHOR

          SYSBUL was written by Douglas  Bigelow  at  Wesleyan  University.
     For further information, call (203) 347-9411 Ext.511 or write:

                Douglas Bigelow
                Computing Center
                Wesleyan University
                Middletown, Conn.  06457

                            [End of SYSBUL.DOC]