A new version of the VAX/VMS finger program is now available.

New features:
	Plan-file support
	New-Mail information
	Load averages, up-time, # users etc.
	Qualifiers: /BATCH, /ALL, /HELP	- others coming
	Most old code was thouroughly cleaned up

The finger server for the VAX was written at Columbia University
Chemistry department in June-Nov. 1982.  The intention was to learn how
a user written DECnet task could be written all in a high level
language, and to be compatible with the protocol of the DECsystem-20 at
Columbia (this is also seems to work for the 20's at other sites and
even over the ARPAnet)

The program serves 3 main functions:

	o Identifies users of the system, where they are, what program,
	  etc.  For this function it serves as a personalized SHOW SYSTEM.

	o Finds a specific user, gives the above information if s/he is
	  logged on, and in addition gives information about his/her mail
	  and and an optional information file s/he may supply. (Plan file)

	o Serves as an in-bound and out-bound network server.  Remote
	  users can finger the local system as above and local users can
	  finger remote systems that support the function.  As part of
	  the network "finger protocol"  it performs explicit route-through.
	  This is valuable in an internet situation such as going from
	  DECnet to ARPAnet etc.
-------

All relavent files needed are in this directory 

See in particular FINGER.DOC which gives complete (I hope) installation
procedures.

Installation should take 15 - 20 minutes not including constructing the
terminal location database if you don't now have such a thing.

I intend to submit this program to DECUS early this Dec.  I would appreciate
any suggestions as to ease of installations, problems etc. so that these
can be fixed as soon as possible.  Even if you are not interested in the
program I would appreciate any suggestions, and if you have the time, install
it (perhaps without the terminal database) and let me know if it does
anything strange.

--------

The Pieces:

 AAAREADME.DOC        This file 
 FINGER.DOC           Installation instructions
 FINGER.FOR           Source for the program
 FINGER.HLP           Help file for your help library
 FINGERCLI.CLD        Command definition file
 FINGERCLI.OBJ        Compiled version of above
 GETJPIDEF.FOR        Include file for FINGER.FOR
 NODEINDX.FOR         Program to create node database
 NODES.DAT            Sample input for above
 NOTES.DOC            Some imteresting program notes
 TERMINALS.DAT        Program to create terminal database
 TERMINDX.FOR         Sample input for above


	Notes-

	o A single program source runs for local or network
	  finger: FINGER.FOR (needs 1 include file: GETJPIDEF.FOR)

	o 1 required and 2 optional files are used:
		1) An ISAM file for identifying terminal location. The
		   program will actually run without this, and will simply
		   omit the location of the user. This file can be created
		   with TERMINDX (included with sample input).

		2) An optional node file (also ISAM) to establish node
		   "nick-names", and to provide routing information
		   transparently.  This file (if used) can be created
		   with NODEINDX (included with sample input).

		3) An optional message file for message-of-the-day type
		   information.  See FINGER.DOC.

	o The personal name is found in the /OWNER field of SYSUAF.DAT 

	o A command definition file FINGERCLI.CLD and a compiled version
	  FINGERCLI.OBJ, which must be linked with FINGER, are included.

	o Other pieces which go into various system procedures are found
	  in FINGER.DOC

	o A help file is also included for adding to your help library.

Thanks to Peter Lucas and Mark Ohlund at CMU-PSYA who contributed many 
helpful ideas and routines and Frank da Cruz and Bill Catchings at the
Columbia Computer Center who helped me get started.

					Rg	CUCHEM::SY$GARLAND
						aka Oc.Garland@CU20B


					Richard Garland
					Box 351 Havemeyer Hall
					Columbia University
					New York, NY, 10027

					(212) 280-3183