Hi Raymond,

 LH>      I like that idea, but I am not sure about part of 
 LH> those commands.

 RC> Okay, I'll explain.  It's all simple mecca code.

 RC>  1  [white]Checking for System Bulletins.............
 RC>  2  [key_poke]local.3;
 RC>  3  [menu_cmd Msg_Area]
 RC>  4  [key_poke]cnr;
 RC>  5  [menu_cmd Msg_browse]

 RC> Line 1, displays the message "Checking for System 
 RC> Bulletins....." in white.
 RC> Lines 2 and 3 change the user to this message area 
 RC> using the KEY_POKE and MENU_CMD mecca keywords.  
 RC> Substitute the name of YOUR message area where I have 
 RC> "local.3" entered in line 2.
 RC>  
 RC> Lines 4 and 5 applies the commands CNR to the MENU_CMD 
 RC> MSG_BROWSE which browses the current message area and 
 RC> displays any new messages.   To be more specific, if 
 RC> you are in the message menu and press "B" For browse, 
 RC> then press "C" for current, "N" for new, and then 
 RC> finnaly "R" for read messages, you'd do the same thing 
 RC> as this mecca script.  The mecca script just automates 
 RC> it.

 LH>      I have some special bulletins that are displayed 
 LH> always, but I do have a message area similar to what 
 LH> you have and it's read only, but I think I want to 
 LH> change it.  I like your idea.

    Ok, if I understand it right, this will "force" callers to
read my bulletins first, then any other messages.  Do I post the bulletins
just like I do now in that message base which in my case happens to be #3
also?  Where do I put that script?  I guess I don't have to make changes in
it since my mesage base is already set to read only, right? 
My setup below, condensed for space limits.
Area 3
        MsgAccess       Normal
        Type            Squish
        MsgInfo         * READ ME * Notices from the Sysop
        Local           Msg\Notice
        Public Only
        Read-Only
        Renum Max        275
End Area
        Sorry, frustrating...wish I could do longer msg.  I run out of room.
TTYL
  Linda
     cat.lady{at}cats.gratisnet.com

--- Maximus 2.02