Subject: pine {ansi color}

From: [email-masked] (ALSTON)
Date: 26 Sep 1996 21:08:20 -0500

I've been receiving forwarded msgs that have colored and/or flashing text. I've asked everywhere, how this is done, but no one seems to know. All I know is that it has something to do with CHARACTER COMMANDS. Is there anyone out there with a list of 
commands or a suggestion as to where I could look for them?

Arthur

[email-masked]

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From: Ed Greshko <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 1996 12:14:40 +0800 (GMT)

On 26 Sep 1996, ALSTON wrote:

> I've been receiving forwarded msgs that have colored and/or flashing
> text. I've asked everywhere, how this is done, but no one seems to know.
> All I know is that it has something to do with CHARACTER COMMANDS. Is
> there anyone out there with a list of commands or a suggestion as to
> where I could look for them? 

	This is *highly* discouraged.  It is done with control characters.
The "problem" is that not all displays react the same to those control
characters.  Some will turn a person's screen into garbage which will
require a POMC (Power On Master Clear) to fix.

	So, be kind to your fellow human.

	Regards,

		Ed

-- 
Edward M. Greshko                       Technical Manager, Electronic Commerce
                                        Control Data Asia/Pacific Region
Voice: +886-2-715-2222 x287             6/F, 131 Nanking East Road, Section 3
FAX  : +886-2-712-9197                  Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C

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From: Paul O Bartlett <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 1996 20:19:28 -0400

text. I've asked everywhere, how this is done, but no one seems to know. 
All I know is that it has something to do with CHARACTER COMMANDS. Is 
there anyone out there with a list of 
> commands or a suggestion as to where I could look for them?

    DO NOT DO THIS!!!! 

    Many people think this is cute.  Unfortunately, you have no control
over what kind of terminal device or computer the recipient is using. 
For some recipients, control characters in the stream will do cute
things.  For other recipients, such control characters may do very
nasty things, and the recipients will curse your name to the skies.  I
suggest that you just forget it.

    (Another suggestion is that when you compose messages, you put in
some hard line-ends.  Your first list was four screens wide.  I am sure
others will appreciate it as well.)

Paul                             <[email-masked]>
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