Previous: Make requests: REQUEST (REQ)
Up: Requesting data or action from archive operators
Next: Modification of Catalogue entries: MODIFY_REQUEST (MO)
Previous Page: Make requests: REQUEST (REQ)
Next Page: Modification of Catalogue entries: MODIFY_REQUEST (MO)

Enter/modify address information: ADDRESS_INFO (A)

An inventory of archive users with their full names, addresses, institutes, and E-mail addresses is maintained by the archive data-base software. This information is used by the archive operator to send de-archived data to a requester, and to safeguard the rights to exclusive use of the data during the proprietary period (by the original owner/observer).

The ADDRESS_INFO function allows the user to define address items, either by using the proper keywords in command mode, or in a menu mode. The completed information is submitted to the manager with a REQUEST/ADDRESS command; it is entered into the data base only after granting of the request.

The address information is uniquely connected with the ARCQUERY user's initials provided on login. If no address is known for the user initials provided on login, a message will appear to that effect; if the address is known on login, the address information can be retrieved for inspection by the user. In that case, modification of information is possible, and can again be submitted to the archive manager for granting, if wanted. See section for applications.

If a request for data will be made, a minimum of address information of the requestor is required, either from the users data base, or provided with the REQUEST/ADDRESS_INFO function in the same ARCQUERY session.

In order to enter new, or modify existing, address values with command keywords, use:

ADDRESS_INFO[/qualifiers] [keyword[=value][,keyword=[value][,...]]]

If a value contains special characters (such as commas), the value must be enclosed in quotation marks ( ").

Alternatively, one can use the interactive mode by not giving any keyword:

ADDRESS_INFO[/qualifiers]

A `menu' session is entered in which the current address-item values are shown one by one. The values can be modified by entering a new value. Enclosing values in quotation marks is not necessary in this case. A null-answer ( <CR>) will retain the old value. A blank answer ( " ") will set the value to blank (undefined). CTRL/Z terminates the menu mode.

Existing information in the user data base can be recalled with: ADDRESS_INFO keyword=*. This command will overwrite the existing, previously defined, information.

Unless the command is accompanied by the /NOREQUEST qualifier, a request to the archive manager will be issued to enter the (modified) information into the archive user data base (equivalent to REQUEST/ADDRESS, see section . The /NOREQUEST option is useful to change part of the user's address temporarily for the current access of the archive only. Actually, the /NOREQUEST option is recommended throughout; submit a request only if the address information is completely and accurately defined.

Information can be set for a number of keywords; the address information is split in information about the user's (home) institute and the user's personal information. Note that several address items are compulsory, no data will be released, and indeed no request can be made, without that information being provided:

The archive data base includes a list of institutes. If the user is located at an institute already known to the archive, entered earlier by someone else, e.g. by the archive manager, then only the pure user information has to be provided. Only if an unknown institute name is given, the user will be prompted for further information about his institute.

The keyword MAIL_ADDRESS defines the generic E-mail address of the user's institute. It has the form of a normal E-mail address, but with the username replaced by the string " and a name " added to the principal node specification. ARCQUERY substitutes the given username and the host name into these fields in order to obtain the users E-mail address. Thus, users at the same institute need only to give their username and node name, where the node name may not even be necessary, and can be blank ( " ").

It should be mentioned that the archive manager will often replace an E-mail address provided, because the archive, using the local mail facility, necessarily works with the local E-mail protocol, which may be quite different from the one at the user's site.

For convenience, two `virtual institute' names: INTERNET and BITNET have been installed, which can be used for registration via the mailserver, or in general, if a user cannot figure out how to go about it; see section .

More information about the ADDRESS_INFO keywords can be found in the help facility; in particular, HELP ADDRESS MAIL will provide additional information about the institute mail address.



Previous: Make requests: REQUEST (REQ)
Up: Requesting data or action from archive operators
Next: Modification of Catalogue entries: MODIFY_REQUEST (MO)
Previous Page: Make requests: REQUEST (REQ)
Next Page: Modification of Catalogue entries: MODIFY_REQUEST (MO)


Fri Aug 12 10:24:53 BST 1994