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Entering Commands

Before you log on and begin searching, you need to learn some basics. You need to know how to access the REGISTRY File, find a record of interest, and look at the answer.

Throughout this booklet, the information you type is shown in boldface, upper-case characters. But the system will accept either upper- or lower-case characters. All online interaction is enclosed in rounded boxes.

When the computer system is ready for you to enter a command, it will give you an arrow prompt (=>). A command is an instruction to the computer to do something. You type in a command next to the prompt.

If you make a typographical error, you may correct it by one of the following methods:

  1. Use the backspace key. It may not be present on all terminals.
  2. Hold down the control key (CTRL or CNTL) and then press the H key once for each character you wish to delete.
  3. Enter a $. Everything on that line up to and including the $ is ignored. Re-key the correct information after the $.
  4. Enter a $ followed by a carriage return.

When you are done typing, press the carriage RETURN key to tell the system that you are finished.

=> COMMAND your instructions <RETURN>
[arrow] The name of the Command

System prompt		 Blank space Information you specify here varies with each command Press the carriage return key to begin command processing

To stop the screen from scrolling: Hold the CTRL key down and press the S key. To resume scrolling: Hold the CTRL key down and press the Q key.

Practicing on the LREGISTRY File

The costs of online searching include connect hour fees, telecommunication charges, search term fees, and answer display fees. Before attempting REGISTRY File searches, you can become familiar with the Messenger commands by practicing in the lower cost LREGISTRY File. You are charged telecommunication fees and a low connect hour fee in the LREGISTRY File. There are no search or display fees as in the REGISTRY File.

The LREGISTRY File is a subset of the REGISTRY File and contains approximately 100,000 chemical substance records. The LREGISTRY File is static and is not updated with new records. The LREGISTRY File can be searched with the same commands as the REGISTRY File so it is a good place to practice.

Refer to Appendix 6 — Costs of Searching Online for ideas about keeping your online costs to a minimum.

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