Highlight the message you want and hit <DEL> to delete it, or press <F3> to modify header information, or press <TAB> to export it, or <ENTER> to edit the message itself.
<INS> will allow you to create a new message with the option to insert text from a file.
<TAB> exports message(s) to a disk file or printer. Delete allows you to remove previous replies. Note that <DEL> is the only way to remove a message created with an external editor even if you didn't save changes! (the message header is saved before shelling to editor) You can also use <F5> (Mark) to export or delete multiple messages by highlighting multple entries and tagging them with <F5>, then use either the <DEL> or the <TAB> key.
To exit from the message menu, press the <ESC> key.
Hit <ESC>ape to Continue...
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EXIT "XRS" HELP
If you are finished using the eXpress Response System and want to exit, answer YES. Otherwise, answer NO or press the <ESC>ape key.
Note that you can also temporarilly jump (or "Shell") to DOS and return while keeping the program active by using <F10> instead. Be sure to EXIT back into XRS when through!
Hit <ESC>ape to Continue...
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IMPORT FILE HELP
You can see a list of the files found in any directory by pressing the <INS> key and giving a subdirectory pathname to dipslay, then select a filename with the cursor keys, or just type in the filename that you want to edit and press the <ENTER> key. If the file is not in the current directory, you may include the path to reach the file - the window will scroll to allow you to type the whole path and filename.
Hit <ESC>ape to Continue...
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EDITOR HELP
You can read through the message, type in new text, delete portions of the text, or move blocks of text from one place to another. When you are finished, press the ESCAPE key. For a list of keys that you can use while editing, see the next page of help. Key mapping help for your keyboard can be displayed by hitting <F1> again.
<CTRL-F1 to F8> play back the user Macros specified in your CONFIG.XRS file (if any). <ALT-F4> allows you to do a file import wherever you have the cursor positioned (if you don't overflow the message buffer limit). <ALT-F6> deletes the current line, and <ALT-F8> deletes a word.
Hit <ESC> to Exit Help or <PG-DOWN> for next help screen...
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EDITOR HELP continued
You can use the following keys to edit the current file. (For a description of the physical key to use on your particular machine and an explanation of the key's function, press the HELP key a second time.)
PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN, SPECIAL UP, SPECIAL DOWN, SPECIAL RIGHT, SPECIAL LEFT, UP, DOWN, RIGHT, LEFT, FIELD RIGHT (WORD RIGHT), FIELD LEFT (WORD LEFT), DELETE, BACKSPACE, CANCEL, <F2>, <F4>, <F6>, <F8>, <F10>, <ALT-F2>, <ALT-F4>, <ALT-F6>, <ALT-F8> and <CTRL-F1> to <CTRL-F8> (macro keys).
<ALT-F1> swaps the two "Bottom-Line" quick help menus.
Hit <ESC> to Exit Help or <PG-DOWN> for next help screen...
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EDITOR CUT AND PASTE HELP
To delete a block of text, press the MARK <F5> key at one end of the block, then move the cursor to the other end of the block and press DELETE.
To move a block of text, delete it as explained above. Next, position the cursor where you want to paste the text. Finally, press the INSERT key to insert the text at the current cursor location. You can press the INSERT key multiple times to duplicate the block of text. (if you have an "<INS> <F9> Reversed" parameter in your CONFIG.XRS file, <F9> takes the place of the <INS> key here) The internal editor Cut & Paste functions are "global" (you can cut from one message and paste into another).
Hit <ESC> to Exit Help or <PG-UP> for previous help screen.
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MESSAGE 'LIST VIEW' HELP
You are currently in Message "List View" mode. You may use the arrow keys plus <PAGE_UP>, <PAGE_DOWN>, etc. to scroll around the message. The mouse may be used to scroll the window by selecting the scroll bar arrows (if there is more than one screen full of text). Also, the space bar responds like <PAGE_DOWN>.
All hot-keys listed in the pseudo-menubar are available from the keyboard but if you want to pick them with the mouse, you must click both the right button (first) and then the left button on the wanted selection. Otherwise, when you are finished viewing the message, hit <ESC>, <ENTER> or click either button on the mouse over any portion of the text to move on to the Message Action menubar selection phase.
Hit <ESC> to Continue...
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MAIN MENU HELP
You should always watch the "Bottom-Line"<tm> for context-sensitive quick help which changes as you use different areas of the program.
Select from the four items on the main menu list, or see next page:
"S" will allow you to Select a message area from a scrolling list of titles
"R" Reads (displays) the messages selected using the above "Select" portion
"A" reads All chronologically without regard to any area you selected above
"C" Pops up a window of outbound messages to Create, edit or delete replies
Hit <F1> Again Now for "key help" windows
Hit <ESC>ape to Exit Help or <PG-DOWN> for next Screen...
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MAIN MENU HELP continued
All of the following "Hot-Key" interrupt-driven routines are available:
<F1> Brings you context-sensitive help depending upon program area,
<F2> Status, program version information and memory statistics window,
<F4> to configure your options using a point and shoot dual-window,
<F6> Summary & index information including details of your messages,
<F8> Searches the mailbag looking for strings matching given string,
<F10> "Shells" to DOS and also will save your progress information,
<ALT-F7> Allows you to alter and save the color palettes XRS uses,
<SHIFT-F10> Saves your progress and runs a single DOS command,
<ALT-F10> Allows you to Exit the program now matter where you are;
Remember: The above routines are always available at any time!
NOTE: <INS> Deletes any displayed text when you are prompted for a string!
Hit <ESC>ape to Exit Help or <PG-UP> for previous Screen...
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EXISTING FILES HELP
The list you are viewing is a list of the available files. Use the UP, DOWN, PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN, CTRL-PG-UP or CTRL-PG-DOWN keys to move the highlight bar to the file you wish to import and press the <ENTER> key.
Hit <ESC>ape to Continue...
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AREA SELECT HELP
The scrolling list displayed now is a list of the available topics ("Areas") which you have downloaded from the bulletin board. You should highlight the discussion group you wish to read next and hit <ENTER> or hit <ESC> to select no group (this will allow you to do something else instead).
Hit <ESC>ape to Continue...
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VIEW MESSAGE MENU BAR HELP
<ESC> - returns to the main menu instead of continuing.
Next - continues to the next message in the selected group.
Quote - quotes the sender and allows you to enter your retort.
Reply - write a return message without quoting sender.
Back - reads the previous message (if any) again.
Tag - this Toggles the message "Tagged" status for archiving.
eXport - print or copy this message to disk or printer (PRN:).
Hit <ESC> to Exit Help or <PG-DOWN> for next help screen...
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VIEW MESSAGE MENU BAR HELP continued
Again - repeats the display of multi-screen messages (only).
Jump - Go directly to any message by number (shows subjects).
"+"/"-" - Either reads thread next or thread previous if you have 'Threading' on, or act just like <N>ext and <B>ack if not.
Home - Returns to the "top" of a thread.
R E M E M B E R
(Hot-keys available ANY time)
<F2> Status, RAM Free, etc. <F4> Configuration window
<F8> Text search/tag window <F10> Temporarily shells to DOS
<ALT-F7> Change the color palettes used by XRS
<SHIFT-F10> Saves your progress and runs a single DOS command
<ALT-F10> Exits the program from any location
Hit <ESC> to Exit Help or <PG-UP> for previous help screen...
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CONFIGURATION HELP
Most selections here except for "Edit Origin Line" are toggle switches - in other words, they alternate to show the opposite of their currently selected status each time they are selected. The first two are message "filters" which control which messages are shown. The "Read New Only" selection, which is default, can be changed to read all messages, so you can review them. The normal read method shows messages to everyone but you can select "Message TO: You" which will only show you your messages (in groups or chronologically).
Other toggles control blinking, quote with header, the auto-cycle to a new area when you finish each one, switching between editors, etc. (Any option that does not currently apply is not displayed on the list) Some of these options are three- or four-state toggles - <C>hange and <E>ditor for example.
The "BragLine" becomes part of your origin banner line. Some BBS systems do not allow it to be edited, though.
Hit <ESC>ape to Continue...
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VERIFY DELETE HELP
You have pressed <DEL> while the outbound message list display was on-screen. If there are any messages marked with <F5>, answering "Yes" will delete all of them, otherwise the message detailed above is the one you have selected to delete. To confirm deletion, answer "Yes". If you do not want it deleted, answer "No" and the message will be retained.
Hit <ESC>ape to Continue...
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IMPORT FILE QUERY HELP
If you want to import (insert) text from an external DOS text file, answer "Yes" and you will be prompted for a filename to read. Otherwise, answer "No".
Hit <ESC>ape to Continue...
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JUMP MESSAGE LIST HELP
While viewing the <J>ump list, you may toggle the "Read" flag on a message alternately on and off using the <F5> ("Mark") key. Also, <F7> ("Cancel") will allow you to unread all read messages in the currently displayed list (after confirmation).
Using the "Mark" key automatically advances you to the next message in the list, so holding the <F5> key down repeatedly marks messages read (or unread). The <F3> key will allow you to both mark a message read and mark it "Tagged" for export at the same time, and also advances to the next message in the list. Likewise, pressing (and holding) <DEL> marks messages both for deletion and 'read'. All of these toggle (on or off)!
You may also use <TAB> to display the highlighted message header if you do not have "Jump Headers" turned on by default.
Hit <ESC> to Continue...
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DELETE OUTBOUND MAILBAG HELP
If the mailbag in your outbound area already has been uploaded back to the BBS, answer "Yes" so you do not send duplicate messages. If you answer "No" the outbound mailbag will be saved instead of deleted.
Hit <ESC> to Continue...
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UNCOMPRESS HELP
XRS has detected an inbound mailbag(s) in the current sub-directory (or the subdirectory used in your "InDir" parameter) and will unpack it, or let you select one if there are two or more.
If you have an open mailbag it will show in the list. If you want to read it instead, you should select it first, since otherwise it will be overwritten and lost.
Hit <ESC> to Continue...
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RESTART XRS HELP
At exit, XRS checks to see if any unread mailbags exist. If so, it offers to restart the program for you, so you can read those new mailbags. Answer "Yes" to re-execute XRS, or answer "No" to return to DOS.
Hit <ESC> to Continue...
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Although I still strongly believe in the shareware system, I am no longer
an ASP member, but to make certain the shareware principle works for you,
I ask your continued indulgence, in my quest for the best. Thanks! Mike
Registration for the eXpress Response System program is only $30. This will permanently register this and all future versions of XRS in your name. You will receive an 8-digit hexidecimal code to place into a registration passkey file which will eliminate the opening registration display at startup.
Please fill out the accompanying REGISTER.XRS file and include payment by check and mail to: (I no longer accept plastic - sorry!)...
Mike Ratledge
See REGISTER.XRS
Press <ESC>
995 Buck Hall Landing
for more
to Continue
McClellanville, S.C. 29458 USA
information!
ARCHIVE AND/OR DELETE FULLY READ MAILBAG HELP
XRS has assumed the current mailbag is completely read, since the "Read Only New" filter is now off, or because you forced it to show the menu with the Always option. You may automatically Delete and/or Repack the current mail by selecting the appropriate action from the menu list, or you may leave the existing mailbag open to read again later. IMPORTANT NOTE: When XRS opens a new mailbag, it overwrites (erases) the old one!
If a warning message appears showing unread messages, you should take care not to accidentally delete mail you want to keep! Repacking allows you to store the current mailbag and change to another mailbag, though.
Press <ESC> to Continue...
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SAVE EXTERNAL EDITOR FILE HELP
If you created a message too large to be saved, the message must be discarded. It is backed up in the "BACKUP.XRS" file. You must edit this file to make it smaller and import it into a new message instead.
Otherwise...
If you answer "Yes" XRS will retain the message you created or modified with your external editor. If you answer "No", XRS will *DELETE* the message (whether it is a new message or a modified one). XRS has no control or "backup" for the changes you made with the other program.
Hit <ESC> to Continue...
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REMOVE (DELETE) ALL READ MESSAGES HELP
XRS has detected both XCS.EXE and XRSlice.EXE on your PATH and is offering to execute them in order to remove everything you have already read from the mailbag. If you say "Yes", it will do so, leaving only unread messages, if you pick "No" (or <ESC>ape) it will leave the mailbag as is.
Hit <ESC>ape to continue...
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FILE TOO LARGE HELP
The file you have chosen to edit or import into the editor is too large to fit in the buffer. The free buffer size is shown continually on the bottom left-hand corner of the editor window frame when you are in the editor. You can control the size of the buffer and several other parameters using "EditBuffer xxxxx" and "DynamicBuffer xxxxx" in the CONFIG.XRS file - see documentation and CONFIG.* files for examples.
The default internal editor buffer size is 10240 bytes (10K), and the default largest file XRS will attempt to edit (the "Dynamic Buffer Size") is always double the default buffer size unless you adjust it. It cannot exceed 65500.
Hit <ESC> to Continue...
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Printer Problem(s) Help Screen
The print device you selected (shown in the header of the error menu picklist) reports that it is not online or not ready to receive data.
Please correct the problem and select "Retry" or "Cancel" the operation if you cannot correct the problem.
Hit <ESC>ape to Continue...
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*** ERROR *** Non-existant Printer Selected
You have selected a printer device that does not exist on your system. When you <ESC>ape from the error message, you will see a second message telling you the file you were exporting could not be written. Either select another printer port, or use a filename and try again.
Hit <ESC>ape to Continue...
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PICK ADDRESS FOR "TO NAME" HELP
You have more than one address listed in your XUC format user namelist for the person to whom you addressed this message. You should select from the addresses shown and hit <ENTER>, or <ESC>ape back to the "Address:" prompt.
Hit <ESC> to Continue...
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SELECT "TO NAME" FROM PICK LIST HELP
You hit <INS> with two to six characters in the name field, and XRS has automatically searched all available user namelists for names matching the characters you typed. The presented pick list contains an alphabetized and prioritized list of matches.
You may type further characters to help narrow down the search (or just enough to make the one you want unique) and/or use the arrow keys and <PG_UP> or <PG_DOWN> if applicable to highlight the person (and address if netmail) to whom you want to send the message. <ENTER> accepts the highlighted name or use <ESC> to return to the "To Name" prompt.
Hit <ESC> to Continue...
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DELETE MARKED MESSAGES HELP
There is at least one message marked for deletion and XRS is asking if it is OK to run "XRSlice" to remove all of the messages so marked. Answer Yes (or just hit <Enter> key) to accept the default (which is *to* delete them) - but if you do not want messages deleted now answer 'No' instead.
Hit <ESC>ape to continue...
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RIP-OFF BRAG LINE HELP
You have used the <ALT_S> (steal brag line) hot key. This rips off the bragline in the message you are currently viewing.
To confirm that you want to add this to your list of RANDOM.ORG (random) brag lines, hit the <ENTER> key, otherwise hit <ESC> to cancel it.
Hit <ESC> to Continue...
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DELETE AREA(S) HELP
You have chosen to mark an area 'Read' and remove it from the list being displayed. If that is what you intended confirm your request by answering "YES", otherwise <ESC> or answer "No". If you confirm this action, all the message(s) in the area you selected will be treated as if you have already read them. (if you are in "To You" mode, only messages to you will be affected)
Hit <ESC> to continue...
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STATUS (F2) HELP
You are currently viewing the <F2> status window, which shows you how much of each type of memory resource you have in available (and/or in use), and how much of each type is free, as well as several other diagnostic readings of your CPU type, relative power, DOS or OS/2 and/or DesqView version, version numbers of QEMM/386, HiMem.Sys, 386^Max, OS/2 2.x VUMB/VXMS services and the levels of EMS and XMS they support, disk space available, current swapping status, etc. Pressing <F2> again will initiate a 'hidden' "HeapWalker" function which displays credits for the various tools used in the creation of XRS as well as the internal revision number, then walk the DOS "far heap" structures, followed by an analysis of how much other memory is in use.
<PageDown> for next page or
Hit <ESC>ape to continue...
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STATUS (F2) HELP
Please note that this information is especially useful when you report a problem with XRS to me! The easiest way for me to track down problems is for you to document the error by hitting <CTRL_F10> at the appropriate place (or places) during the program immediately before and/or during the problem. This places the screen image(s) in a file named "$XRS$PRT.SCR", which you should send to me with your problem report!
(.txt)