Star Fleet On-Line SIM Guide

This manual has been created to assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Star Fleet On-Line and on-line SIMulations work. This guide is also to serve as a tool for you to have a greater understanding of Star Trek Role Playing Games hosted by Star Fleet On-Line.
The Following Directions will be Provided:

1.) How to Connect

2.) Approprite and Proper Nicknames

3.) A Breif overview of guidelines

4.) How to SIM

5.) Timezone Information
If after viewing this page you still have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to contact either: the Vice Fleet Admiral or the Chief of Staff.

Please make sure you read each section carefully. Make sure that you have a complete understanding of each section contained herein. Each section contains essential and important information that will be helpful to your SIM Experience and your "career" in Star Fleet On-Line.

The Basics of Simming.

What is simming you may ask. Simming is role playing. You may see simming referred to as Role Playing, Role Playing Game, RPG, or just in short, SIM. When you embark to join a SIM group you will need to personally develop your character. By doing this you need to think of a name that will look good with a Rank or Designation attached to the beginning of it and one that will work well with your character. For Example, if you chose to develop your character named Joe Martin, a Human from Earth born in Southland Texas -- you would be known on the SIMs as EnsMartin and you would use your rank with your nickname on IRC. When developing a character come up with some background information such as your characters names, where born, and what race.
Using the Names of existing Start Trek, TOS, TNG, DS9, Voyager, Movies, Etc. is perfectly fine to do as long as no other officer is already using the name. There are a few names that are already taken and out of the question for somone else to use. Make sure you check with the Fleet Admiral if you have any doubt with a name.

While participating within Star Fleet On-Lines SIMs you may have the opportunity to develop a specific post for your character. On some SIMs posts and postions are assigned to you. Sometimes these are assigned permanently and on some SIMs these posts are just posts assigned for that SIM. You can develop part of your character with an Expertise in a Field. Fields are those such as Engineering, Operations, Navigation, Tactical, Security, Science, Medical, Etc. If there is a specific place you think you might like to serve, feel free to ask. However, keep in mind that with a SIM group, your choice of position may not always bee available. Another big asset is to be a team player.
There is a lot of flexibility in Star Fleet On-Line. We are centered around fun filled, SIMs for all of our members. All of the services at Star Fleet On-Line are provided Free of Charge for our members. Anytime we can provide a new service and ger more happy members, we are accomplishing our goals.

At the beginning of each SIM the Commanding Officer of the SIM (who could be the permanent Commanding Officer, the Executive Officer or possibly even a Substitute) will present a Mission Breifing. This Mission Breifing may be long or it may be short. The Commanding Officer will present information that will help to start the SIM off and it is a foundation by which that SIMs events are lead. The Commanding Officer of a SIM will present the breifing, specifically marked as the breifing, after calling for attention at the beginning of a SIM. When the Commanding Officer calls for attention, all discussion and comments in a Channel are to stop immediately, all officers present are to type :::attn::: or /me stands at attention. and then no other comments are to be made until the Breifing is concluded.
Posts are assigned or notified either immediately before the breifing or immediately after the breifing depending on the choice of the Commanding Officer. Once everyone has their posts and the Breifing has been given the SIM will start. The Commanding Officer will clearly mark the Start of each SIM.

SIM Commands, Actions, Events, Characters, Etc.

During the couse of every SIM you need to be aware of all of the following and to some degree be able to participate by using the following information.
Failure to follow and obey these terms and guidelines could e destructive to the SIM plot and could inhibit the enjoyment of the SIM for others. If ever in doubt, consult a Senior Officer (department head, Executive Officer, or Commanding Officer) who you would report directly to. Follow the chain of command to prevent confusion.

SIM ACTIONS:
SIM Actions are given only by the Commanding Officer or Executive Officer. When an Action is given it will be clearly marked by the CO or XO as an Action. This Action can be given in the form of an ACTION, NOTICE, or EVENT. Any command inserted by the Commanding Officer or Executive Officer as an ACTION, NOTICE, or EVENT takes rank over anything else in the SIM. This means that say the Cheif Engineer says: "The Warp Core is going to Breech in 5 minutes and I can't eject the core...." but that type of comment was too far fetched for the SIM, took the SIM away from where the CO was going with the Plot, or was just out of place...an ACTION stating that the Warp Core is Fine and All Systems Check Normal, would void the Engineers statement and take rank as part of the Official SIM.

SIM "Verbs" & Motions:
Simply put, this is you going through the motions of moving about the Ship, or other offers moving about the Ship, performing tasks and duties. The SIMs are totally text base so to add life into the SIMs you have to make motions. To do this you can do one of two things. While in a SIM you can type, /me walks down the corridor. Or, you can type, ::::walks down the corridore::::
You could type, /me taps on console. Or, you could type :::taps on console:::
Either method will represent that you are working on a task and performing duties.

Communication Systems:
This section may be a little confusing...but don't worry too much about it. When participating on SIMs you will be assigned to a position. If your position is on the Bridge and you want to talk to somone that is assigned to Engineering and it is part of the SIM you have to type, +tap+ . For example. If Kirk wants to contact Engineering he types: +tap+ Kirk to Engineering. To which engineering will reply: +tap+ Engineering here Captain, Go ahead...
The +tap+ command is to communicate from person to person when you are not in the same location as they are in.
There is another command +comm+. This command before sentences represent Ship to Ship Communication. +comm+ Shuttle Hailing Enterprise. Or +comm+ Nemesis hailing Romulan Vessel...
That part is quite simple actually.

When on away team missions you have to communicate using a designated character assigned by the Commanding Officer. This character is usually + and is informed when you are posted to an away team. While on the Away Team Mission, everything you type HAS to have the + in front of it. While on away teams you HAVE to use the :::walks down street::: as a method of SIM Motion. The reason for this is you cannot execute a /me command with a + before your entire statement.
Examples:
+ I am talking
+ :::walking down street
+ +tap+ Calling Another Away Team Member on Other Side of Planet
Here is a difference: +tap+ Calling Back to the Ship

That covers most of the basic, simple instruction. Below, you will find charts with terms, definitions, and information that will be helpful to you while participating in SIMs within Star Fleet On-Line.

Terms and Definitions

+tap+	On-Board Communication. Used for Deck to Deck or Position to Postion communications. People who are not assigned to the same location on a SIM uses this. Members on the same dedck who need to communicate does not use this. Just type normally. This command is also used for Away Team to Ship and Ship to Away Team Communication.
+com+	This is for SHIP to SHIP, SHIP TO PLANET, SHIP to STATION, and any other standard forms of external communications.
Attention Command :::attn:::	All Members at Attenion. No Communication, Chatter, Allowed until given permission by person who called attention or a higher ranking officer.
SIM ACTION, NOTICE, and EVENT:	Actions occur during the sim to announces a major event that affects the ship or SIM. Action Commands include events and notices. THESE COMMANDS ARE FOR USE BY THE COMMADING OFFICER, EXECUTIVE OFFICER, FLEET ADMIRAL, or SENIOR STAFF ONLY!
SIM START	Sim Starts. Signals for the SIM to Start. Authorization for use same as ACTION Commands.
SIM END	Signals for the SIM to End. Sometimes CO or XO may have things to say after the sim so please stick around. Authorization for use same as ACTION Commands.
SIM PAUSE	Sim Paused. ALL ACTIONS and CONVERSATIONS (sim conversations) will STOP IMMEDIATELY! Authorization for use same as ACTION Commands.
BRIEFING	Signals that the SIM Mission and/or plot is about to follow. Authorization for use same as ACTION Commands.
ATTENTION	Order to Come to Attention. Reserved for CO AND XO ONLY!
ETA	Estimated Time of Arrival
CO	Commanding Officer. Most commonly the Captain.
XO	Executive Officer, or the First Officer.
CEO	CEO - Chief Engineering Officer.
CMO	Chief Medical Officer.
EMH	Emergency Medical Hologram
Chief of Security	The Cheif of Security is the Cheif Tactical Officer on the SIM. The Tactical Officer is responsible for Defending the ship or station from attack. He or She is responsible for controlling the shields and all weapons. He or She is also responsible for damage assessment. Sometimes, when there are a lot of people aboard for a SIM, the CO will separate the duties of the Cheif of Security and the Cheif Tactical Officer. The Chief of Security in in charge of policing the ship and maintaining order and security onboard. Think Worf on TNG, Tuvok on Voyager.
Operations	Operations is the Operations Management Console. Think of Harry Kim on Voyager or Data on TNG. Operations is frequently referred to as Ops.
Counselor	Counselor is like the Therapist aboard a ship or station. Think of Troi from TNG. Serves to counsel the crew and act as an advisor to the Captain and Executive Officer.
Navigations	Navigations is more frequently known as the Helm. May also be known as Conn. Conn and Helm mean the same thing...this is the Navigation Post on the Bridge of the Ship - therefore the Pilot of the Ship.
TL	Turbolift
SB	Sickbay or Starbase. Must tell from context.
AT	Away Team
SHB	Shuttlebay. Sometimes this too is referred to as SB. Must tell from Context.
Aye	Acknowledged or Yes.
Condition Green	Situation Normal
Yellow Alert	Caution. Sheilds are at least up at 50% of Power.
Red Alert	Danger. All Hands at Battle Stations. All Standard Weapons Armed, Shields are at 100% of Power.

Duties, Positions and Informative Descriptions

STARFLEET COMMAND

Star Fleet Command Oversees the Fleet. The Fleet Admiral / C-in-C is the Top Officer of Star Fleet Command.

COMMANDING OFFICER

The Commanding Officer oversees all functions of their SIM. Be it a Ship or Station, the Commanding Officer (CO) assigns posts, stations, and controls the SIM.

FIRST OFFICER

Assists the Commanding Officer with Ship (SIM) duties. Assigns postions to officers who arrive late.

HELM/CONN

Helm/ Conn Pilots the vessel(ship). When text for ETA, speed and/or heading is given this post should respond.

TACTICAL

Tactical is the ship/sim's source of defense. When text concerning ships shields, weapons, defense status, etc. this post should repond.

OPS

Officer in charge of Internal Sensors and the Operations Console on the Bridge.

CHIEF OF SECURITY

Chief of Secuirty (person also Tactical) is in charge of vessel /sim security.

SECURITY PERSONNEL

Crew with this position assists the Chief of Security.

CHIEF ENGINEER

This position is charge of all physical/mechanical aspects of the ship/sim. (Think LaForge on TNG, or Torres on Voyager )

ASSISTANT CHIEF ENGINEER

Assists the Chief Engineer.

ENGINERING PERSONNEL

Assists the Chief Engineer.

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

The Chief Doctor onboard.

Emergency Medical Hologram

Takes care of all medical treatment if there is no doctor aboard or if the doctor is injured.

ASSISTANT CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Assists the Doctor.

MEDICAL PERSONNEL

Assists the Doctor.

COUNSELOR

In charge of crew mental fitness.

SCIENCE PERSONNEL

This post is in charge of all scientific data. This post will be at the science station on the bridge on all sims.

How to SIM With Star Fleet On-Line

In order for you to sim with us you will need several things:

1.) An Internet Account, Internet Connection, or Connection to the Internet via Network (some sort of way to connect to the Internet, Surf the Web, Etc.) This Internet Account has to allow for connection through the ports used by IRC - Internet Relay Chat. (almost all allows this without question)
Some providers such as schools, some older versions of AOL, and Parental Controled Providers limit access to the ports used by IRC. If having trouble connecting try using ports 6665, 6668, or 7000 to connect. Some providers only block port 6667.

2.) You will need an IRC Client such as mIRC, pIRCh, IRCle, or something similar. Star Fleet On-Line has customized an IRC Script complete with mIRC that is available for download from the Star Fleet On-Line Yahoo! Groups
An IRC Client is a program which is used to interface between your computer, the Internet, and the Internet Relay Chat Server. There are several good programs available, such as those listed above. You can download the SFOL Custom Version from our website, http://www.sfol.net or you can check out http://www.mirc.com. You can also search http://www.download.com for IRC Clients. Many MAC users like IRCle and Homer. Also check with a member of the Star Fleet On-Line Senior Staff for information about SFOL's Free mIRC Chat scripts to make your SIM experience more enjoyable.

3.) After getting connected to the Internet and after you have downloaded and installed an IRC Client you have to connect to a Server. Please be sure to check our LCARS Message Board for the most current information as to what IRC Servers Star Fleet On-Line is currently using. Star Fleet On-Line tries to relay the address, irc.sfol.net through to our current server but that option does not always work. If a commanding officer asks you to connect to a specific server, please honor that request.

4.) Once you have connected to the server, simply join the channel you want. During sim times please join the channel in which the sim takes place. During non-sim times you may want to explore. #SFOL or #USS_Enterprise are good channels to try, Fleet Admiral Kirk and other members of the command staff can usually be found there.

[ In programs like mIRC, simply type: /join #(channel) ...... ie: /join #SFOL or /join #USS_Enterprise ]

***** Please Note: You can e-mail the Vice Fleet Admiral or the Chief of Staff if you need assistance with anything about Star Fleet On-Line. If you have trouble with IRC, please consult the Help Files included with the Programs. There are also several IRC Guides available on the Internet. You may want to consult them if you still have problems. If you have explored all avenues of help and still have trouble with IRC you can contact the SFOL Senior Staff. *****

TIME ZONE INFORMATION. CLICK HERE

STARFLEET COMMAND	Star Fleet Command Oversees the Fleet. The Fleet Admiral / C-in-C is the Top Officer of Star Fleet Command.
COMMANDING OFFICER	The Commanding Officer oversees all functions of their SIM. Be it a Ship or Station, the Commanding Officer (CO) assigns posts, stations, and controls the SIM.
FIRST OFFICER	Assists the Commanding Officer with Ship (SIM) duties. Assigns postions to officers who arrive late.
HELM/CONN	Helm/ Conn Pilots the vessel(ship). When text for ETA, speed and/or heading is given this post should respond.
TACTICAL	Tactical is the ship/sim's source of defense. When text concerning ships shields, weapons, defense status, etc. this post should repond.
OPS	Officer in charge of Internal Sensors and the Operations Console on the Bridge.
CHIEF OF SECURITY	Chief of Secuirty (person also Tactical) is in charge of vessel /sim security.
SECURITY PERSONNEL	Crew with this position assists the Chief of Security.
CHIEF ENGINEER	This position is charge of all physical/mechanical aspects of the ship/sim. (Think LaForge on TNG, or Torres on Voyager )
ASSISTANT CHIEF ENGINEER	Assists the Chief Engineer.
ENGINERING PERSONNEL	Assists the Chief Engineer.
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER	The Chief Doctor onboard.
Emergency Medical Hologram	Takes care of all medical treatment if there is no doctor aboard or if the doctor is injured.
ASSISTANT CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER	Assists the Doctor.
MEDICAL PERSONNEL	Assists the Doctor.
COUNSELOR	In charge of crew mental fitness.
SCIENCE PERSONNEL	This post is in charge of all scientific data. This post will be at the science station on the bridge on all sims.