Many people find it useful to have an 'Alternate' set of terminal
parameters for use on CompuServe. "Terminal parameters" define the type of
terminal emulation used, screen width, page length (the number of lines
displayed before CIS stops and prompts for the next page), etc. All members
have a Default set, normally defined when you first join the system.
Defining an Alternate set, normally for use with a second computer with a
different dispay, is pretty easy.

 STEP 1: Log On to CompuServe. It doesn't matter which computer you use to
log on, though since you'll be setting up the display for your Alternate
Computer, it makes sense to use the Alternate so you can check out the
display directly.

 STEP 2: GO TERMINAL. This is the area of CIS where you set your terminal
parameters, and is Free of normal connect charges (communication surcharges
still apply ... GO RATES for more info on surcharges.)
 Elect to change SESSION settings (as of this writing, #5 on the Terminal
menu), then choose Terminal Type/Parameters (#4) on the next menu.

 STEP 3: change whatever you want. This might be a different terminal type
(eg. VT52, etc. Unless your computer or terminal program uses a special
mode, the generic OTHER is recommended), screen width, page length, etc.
The menus are easy to follow, and help is available for each option in the
normal CIS fashion by typing HELP. Remember, this is a free area, so
especially if you're directly connected to a CIS node, there's no need to
rush.

 One thing to watch out for: some areas of CIS do not support screen widths
less than 40. No harm if you set a lower value, but when you enter these
areas (including Forums), your screen width will be reset to 40.

 It's also worth noting that the Page Length setting does not apply in
Forum messages, so those with 'short' screens will need to use the
Control-S and Control-Q to pause text transmission as they read messages.

 STEP 4: Check how things look. Display Okay? Time to exit.

 STEP 5: Type the command:

 PRO

 This will take you to the PROGRAMMING AREA. (No GO is necessary)

 PRO is a special area of CIS where you can, among other things, do all
kinds of customization. Note that PRO is *NOT* a Free area, so regular
connect charges will resume as soon as you exit the Terminal menu.

 PRO looks somewhat intimidating, because all you'll see is an enigmatic
"OK" prompt. However, this time through, all that's needed is to type a
single command:

 TER DEF FNAME/RATE:ANY

 For "FNAME," substitute any name (up to 6 characters) that you want to use
for your Alternate Computer terminal parameters.

 What you're doing is DEFining a TERminal setting. CIS will note the
parameters currently in effect, and save them on it's end under the name
that you specify.

 By adding the "/RATE:ANY," you also tell CIS that this set of parameters
is for ANY baud rate at which you may log on (a handy short cut.)

 End of set up ... you can now use a GO command to continue elsewhere or
just log off.

 That's all there is to it!

 What? How to *USE* it, you say?? Ah .. almost forgot <grin>

 Normally, when you log on and give your UID#, CIS uses your permanent
terminal parameters. However, now that you have another set of parameters
defined, you can tell CIS to use that instead. All that's necessary is to
append the name of your Alternate Settings to your UID# with an asterisk.
Like so:

 User ID: 76704,41*FNAME

 As an extra bonus, should you want to use your Alternate set in the middle
of a session, you can enter PRO, then type something like this:

 TER IS FNAME

 Of course, you're not limited to just one Alternate set. Following the
procedure outlined above, you can define several.

 If you find that your settings aren't quite right after all, you can
repeat the process and overwrite the old definition, using the same name
(CIS will note the definition already exists and ask for confirmation,) or
delete it entirely (TER UNDEFINE FNAME.) Note that CIS considers BAUD RATE
to be a unique feature of each terminal definition. If you always specify
ANY as the rate, this shouldn't be a problem.

 You can get a list of any alternate settings you may have currently
defined in PRO by typing TER LIST LOCAL.

 That's it! Hope you find this file useful. If you have questions, as
always, please don't hesitate to leave a message to the SYSOP, and help
should be on the way shortly.

 By the way, setting parameters in PRO is an endlessly fascinating subject.
If you are curious, you can get the WHOLE story, by entering PRO, then
typing:

 TER HELP ...

 (Make sure you include the ellipsis.) This will scroll the Complete
Terminal Help file. Do be warned it's approximately 27k worth of text, so
make sure you have your text capture on, and sufficient space, before
starting.