Use an SSH client to connect to minerva. Once connected, type pine to start using pine. To select a command you must type the letter to the left of the corresponding option or command or highlight the option the arrows and press enter. To view a message, select Folder Index (I) on the Main Menu screen. This will take you by default to your Inbox folder, where new messages are stored. Use the arrow keys to highlight the message you wish to view. Once highlighted, press Enter or type V (ViewMsg). You can navigate between your messages by pressing N for the next message or P for the previous one.
To compose a message from the Main Menu screen, press C for Compose. You will be prompted for an address to send the message to, a subject, an address to send a copy to, and an attachment. Only the address field is mandatory. After you have completed your message, hold down the control key and press X to send the message. Follow the instructions to send or disregard your message. To reply to a message, type R while viewing the message to which you wish to reply or in the folder index screen while the message to which you wish to reply is highlighted.
To save a message, press S while viewing the message or from the folder index after selecting the message. You will be prompted to save the message. To view an attachment to a file press V. You will then be prompted to save the message by pressing S. The attachment will be saved in your home directory and you may then use an SCP or FTP client to retrieve it. To print a message, type Y while either viewing the message or from the folder index screen.
To quit, type Q at almost any screen. You will be asked Do you really want to quit Pine?; type Y and press Enter. In pine you may type ? at any time to get help and E to exit the online help.