message is the command for sending a message to another known user of VanCleve.com. Again, a maximum 255 characters can be sent at once, so keep it brief, or send multiple messages if you must. The messages are stored in the database, and the recipients will be notified when next they log on or check for new messages explicitly. You identify the recipient using their username, not their real name. For convenience, you can type this directly after the command name if you prefer, as "message jason".

Use check messages to retrieve a numbered list of your unread messages. This list is remembered while you are logged in, and you can use the read message command to view any specific message listed, referencing it by number. Additionally, if you add an integer to the end of this command, then so many of your most recently received messages will be indexed, instead of just the ones you haven't read. This is the way to review all your most recent messages.

You can enter this command to display your next unread message, if there is any. This flags it as being read, of course. (Note that it does not alter the indexed list of messages created by check messages. You can refer to messages in that list repeatedly, until you issue another check messages command.)

This is intended to be used after the check messages command. An integer should normally be added to the end of it, as "read message 3", and it will display the message referenced by that number in the list check messages generated. Normally is would easier to use read next message to read your messages in order; but if you are reviewing old messages, or if you have received new messages from different users and wish to leave certain ones unread, this command should come in handy. If the integer parameter is omitted, read message does the same thing as read next message.

This command is merely an alias for check messages.