## Getting Help

NeXtMidas provides numerous sources of online help and documentation to assist both new and experienced users:

- Online documentation (viewable via a web browser at $NMROOT/htdocs/index.html):
  NeXtMidas User's Guide
    The ultimate reference for all aspects of the NeXtMidas framework.
    (You are looking at it.)
  NeXtMidas Training Course
    A complete training course designed for those new to NeXtMidas. Intended for use either in a class room setting or as a self-paced online training tool.
  Library API
    The Javadoc-generated library documentation for each installed option tree.
  Option Tree Documentation (for each installed option tree)
    Concept Help - Explains the concepts used in the option tree.
    Explain Files - The same explain files available via the `EXPLAIN` command viewable in a web browser.
    Library API - The Javadoc-generated library documentationfor each command.
- Documentation available within a NeXtMidas session (at the OS prompt, NOT the NeXtMidas "nM>" prompt).
  `nm -help`
    Displays NeXtMidas command syntax, environment variables, and runtime options.
- Documentation available inside the NeXtMidas shell:
  `DEFAULT <command>`
    Lists default values for a given command.
    See the explain file for `DEFAULT` for more details.
  `EXPLAIN <command>`
    Provides the most detailed description about the calling sequence and performance of a specified command.
    See the explain file for `EXPLAIN` for more details.
  `HELP <command>`
    Similar to the `EXPLAIN` command.
    See the explain file for `HELP` for more details.
  `HELP/GUI`
    Brings up a graphical help browser that includes the online help.
  `MENU`
    Provides an up-to-date list of all NeXtMidas commands available for execution.
    See the explain file for `MENU` for more details.
  `QUERY <object> <method>`
    Provides documentation for the Java methods that can be accessed via the `INVOKE` command.
    See the explain file for `QUERY` for more details.
- Command completion inside the NeXtMidas shell:
    A question mark (`?`) appearing at the end of a partial command line prompts NeXtMidas for command arguments. For example,

        nM> status ?

    gives the following prompt:

        FILE=

    After each prompt, NeXtMidas displays the completed command line which you can either edit or press `ENTER` to execute.
    A TAB can be used to complete commands, file names or result names in the shell.
- NeXtMidas Help Desk:
  - If you still have an unresolved question, please contact one of the NeXtMidas developers.
    Email:
      Please send an email addressed to the NeXtMidas Team (`nextmidas (at) sapns2.com`) so that you will get a prompt reply even if any one of the team members are out of the office.
    CWAN Email:
      Please send an email addressed to the NeXtMidas Team (`nextmidas (at) tma.ctr.nro.ic.gov`) so that you will get a prompt reply even if any one of the team members are out of the office.
    Phone:
      Phone is one of the best ways to contact the NeXtMidas team.
      The help desk number is:

          703-964-5801 ext 5NXM (ie 5696)

      Note that the team is usually available Monday to Friday between 9:00 and 16:00 eastern time. If you don't get an answer, please leave a voice mail with your name and number.