RFC488 - NLS classes at network sites

Network Working Group Marilyn Auerbach

RFC# 488 SRI-ARC

NIC # 15266 March 23, 1973

NLS Classes at Network Sites

Purpose of this RFC

Network users have eXPressed interest in holding NLS classes at sites on

the Network, instead of at SRI-ARC. This RFCsolicits comments from the

Network community on the desirability of doing on-site classes.

A brief outline of course contents is included at the end of this RFC,

together with some logistic information which we feel is necessary to

condUCting a useful class.

Please review this information, and let us know whether such a class

would be useful if conducted at or near your site. We are eager to

participate in this way, because we know it will be useful to us to have

the benefit of consultation with experienced Network users.

As we have to schedule our people's time in advance, we are tentatively

considering making trips to Washington D.C. during the first week of

May, and to Boston during the first week of June, for the purpose of

conducting classes. We will consider other arrangements, however,

if they would be more satisfactory.

Please respond by April 15 to Marilyn Auerbach (MFA) at the NIC

(415)326-6200 extension 3722.

NLS Class Information

The class is a comprehensive introduction to the use of NLS over the

Network. The class generally runs for two to three days, depending on

the composition and interests of the participants.

For purposes of planning, the following information will be useful:

1. We have found the optimum class size to be six, with an upper

limit of ten.

2. We need a room large enough to hold the number of students, with

a teletype-type terminal and appropriate connections for each

student, a flip-chart stand and a large blackboard.

Class Outline - TNLS Course

We have held NLS classes approximately a dozen times. In all, nearly a

hundred people have attended these classes. While we feel that the

training has been helpful, we also recognize that teaching the class at

SRI-ARC tends to overlook special problems of working through the

Network and special interests of other sites.

The people who conduct the class are experienced in working out

procedures for using NLS in work environments. Therefore, please accept

the outline below as a flexible one, one that can be tailored to fit

particular applications or needs.

Part I: Elementary Concepts

1. Introduction to NLS

2. Sending a Journal Message

3. TENEX/NLS Interfaces

4. Basic File Manipulation

5. Basic Text Handling

6. Addressing Data Within a Statement

7. Elementary Text-Editing

Part II: Entering and Using Information

1. NLS Data Structures

2. Structure Editing and Text Editing

3. "Viewspecs": Controlling the Appearance of On-Line Output

4. Submission and Retrieval of Journal Items

5. "Partial Copies": File Updating

6. Use of the NIC On-Line: "LOCATOR" and "NIC/QUERY"

7. "Strucrels": Relative Data and Statement Addressing

8. "Directives": Controlling the Appearance of Off-Line Output

9. Adjusting NLS Control Characters to Your Terminal

Part III: Sorting and Searching

1. Sort and Merge

2. Content analyses

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