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Software Vault: The Gold Collection
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Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO
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ON-LINE.DOC
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1992-01-19
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********** B E T A D R A F T **********
ReadBBS/PM - Version 0.9
Written by: Bob Mahan
This on-line documentation can be view sequentially by selecting
the next message from either the Messages menu, the M> push
button, or the Hot Key ' Alt + . ' combination.
Message : 1 (Introduction) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Welcome to ReadBBS/PM
This program is designed as an off-line reader for electronic Bulletin
Board Systems (BBS). It utilizes list boxes along with Menus, Push
Buttons, or Hot Keys to navigate through files, conferences, and
messages.
A large text pane (from which you are reading this message) displayed
the contents of either the selected file, conference, or message. The
text pane is also used for entering replies.
Message : 2 (Introduction) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : ReadBBS/PM On-line Documentation
This on-line documentation is presented in message format to allow
the ReadBBS/PM software to interact with it. This file can be used to
learn and practice the various options that are available.
Message : 3 (Introduction) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Supported Bulletin Boards
This release supports only the Multi-Net BBS message format.
The next release of the ReadBBS/PM software will support other BBS
mail format, including the popular QWK format. So send in your
registration so I can bribe my wife to keep working on this.
Message : 4 (Introduction) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Disclaimer
Although this software has undergone extensive testing, no garantees
or warrenties are implied or assumed by the use of this product. Any
problems that are reported will be addressed and registered users will
be notified about the fix.
Message : 5 (Introduction) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Registration
This product is distributed as Shareware. If you feel that the
ReadBBS/PM product is worthy, a contribution of $25.00 would be
appreciated to continue development and support. The $25 will
register your current copy of ReadBBS/PM and entitle you to the
latest version free.
Send a check, money order, or cash (I'm not picky) to the address
shown on the initial text pane.
Message : 6 (Introduction) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Enhancements
Enhancement requests are always welcome. This product has been
designed around personal BBS behavior amd usage. Your feedback
on ways to improve ReadBBS/PM can be sent to the address shown
on the initial text pane or through various OS/2 BBS's which I frequent.
You need not be registered to request enhancements, but it wouldn't
hurt the cause any.
Message : 1 (Basic Features) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : User Interface
ReadBBS/PM is a Presentation Manager (PM) based system with
pull-down and pop-up menus, and mouse support. Multiple list panes
are used to display and select drives, directories, files, conferences,
and messages. Push buttons for message and ongoing conference
discussion (thread) processing are also available.
Special 'Hot-Key' combinations have been setup to allow for quick
access to various functions. The key combinations are shown to the
right of the pull-down and pop-up menu item.
Message : 2 (Basic Features) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Disk and Directory Lister
ReadBBS/PM provides generic disk and directory listings in the first
two list boxes. Once a directory is selected, a list of all the files within
that directory are displayed in the text pane along with size, flags, and
date information.
When a specific file is selected the file contents are displayed in the
text pane. If the file is over 10,000 bytes in size, then only the first
10,000 bytes are displayed by default.
Message : 3 (Basic Features) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 2
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Conference and Message Lister
By default, lists of conference names and message numbers are
automatically scanned for when a file is selected. This feature is
controlled by an option on the Conferences menu called Auto Read.
If ReadBBS/PM is being used as a general file manager, then this
option can be turned off to improve the overall performance of the
product.
Message : 4 (Basic Features) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 3
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Conference Contents List
When a specific conference is selected, the text pane will display a
list of all the messages that are found for that conference. The default
format for the list is to include the message number, date, and subject.
There is an option to have a long conference contents displayed with
the addressing (To/From) information as well.
Message : 5 (Basic Features) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Message processing
Forward/Backward Message processing can be accomplished in a
variety of methods through the use of the keyboard and/or mouse.
Forward message processing will display the next un-read message
by default. So as threads are read they will not be redisplayed.
Backward message processing will always display the previous
message number regardless of the message skipping option.
Message : 1 (Advanced Features) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Integrated editor
An integrated text editor is available from the text pane. This editors'
behavior is similar to that of the OS/2 System Editor. Cut and Paste
operations are available as well as options for search and replace.
Message : 2 (Advanced Features) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Hyper-Messaging
Any message number that is displayed in the header or body of a
message can be selected and jumped to automatically. The number
can be highlighed by either dragging the mouse over the number or
by double-clicking on the number. once the number is highlighted
the Get Message menu item found on the Text pull-down and pop-up
menus can be used to go directly to that message within the same
conference.
Message : 3 (Advanced Features) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Message/Thread Top and Bottom
Push Buttons and Message Menu items are available for reaching the
top or bottom message in a particular conference or thread.
The push buttons are indicated with a single '<' or '>'.
Message : 4 (Advanced Features) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Zoomed Text
An option on the system menu allows a user to maximize the text pane
so that it uses the entire window. The list boxs and Push Buttons are
not available in this mode, but there are Message menu items and Hot
Keys to navigate through the mail.
Message : 5 (Advanced Features) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Saved Messages
A file can be created in the selected directory that has messages saved
in it. The name of the file is MESSAGES.SAV and can be accessed as a
regular mail file. This file can be used to archived messages of special
interest for later reference.
Message : 6 (Advanced Features) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Automatic reply file generation
When replying to a message, the reply file created will be pre-formatted
with a header line showing information about the original message, the
contents of the original message prefixed with the initials of the author,
and the authors first name.
A signature file is looked for in the current directory with a name of
SIGN-IT.4ME This file will be appended to each message reply file
automatically when the initial reply text is created.
Message : 1 (Installation) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Installation Overview
This version of the READBBS/PM program must be installed on an OS/2
workstation and has been tested with version 1.3 and 2.0 177h. The
installation is completed by unzipping the files to a directory, and
moving two .DLL files to a directory found in the LIBPATH.
Message : 2 (Installation) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Packing List
Below are the files that should be found in the installation directory
after unzipping the package:
READBBS.EXE ... The executable module for this product
READBBS.ICO ... A simple Icon for .EXE
ON-LINE.DOC ... This documentation file
SIGN-IT.4ME ... A sample signature file for replies
README.1ST ... Initial documentation file for ReadBBS/PM
VPMBAS13.DLL ... Run-time library needed
VPMVM13.DLL ... Run-time library needed
Message : 3 (Installation) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Installing the .DLLs
Once the .ZIP file has been unzipped, there should be a file called
READBBS.EXE along with this documentation and a sample signiture
file. The .DLLs that this program uses are the same ones used by
Smalltalk/V PM and READBBS/PM expects to be able to find them in
the LIBPATH. If the LIBPATH has ;.; (a good OS/2 practice) and
the Invocation is setup as indicated below, then the .DLL files can
remain in the install directory.
Message : 4 (Installation) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Directory Structure Guidelines
It is recommended that a seperate sub-directory be established for
each BBS that is accessed. This release will use the current directory
of the mail to save messages and look for a signiture file. Below is a
sample directory tree format:
x:\READBBS (unzipped files including .DLLs)
+-- EEP (a BBS sub-directory)
+-- NSC (a BBS sub-directory)
Message : 5 (Installation) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Setting up the Program
Set up a new program with the following properties:
Program Name: READBBS/PM
Program Path: x:\(path installed in)\READBBS.EXE
Working Directory x:\(path installed in)
Type: Presentation Manager
Message : 1 (Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Usage Overview
As this is a PM based application, this section will not discuss
window manipulation, dialog controls, mouse usage, editing, etc.
as such functions are fairly standard. Where differences occur,
they will be noted.
The Menu Items available from the Menu bar are dynamically made
enabled based on the state of the application. For example, the
Conference and Messages menu items are disabled until a mail file
is selected.
Message : 2 (Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : List Boxes
Once the READBBS/PM application has been invoked, all the panes
except drives will be empty, as the user selects a item from a list, the
pane to the right will be populated with data related to the just selected
item. Menus are available to act on items that have been selected.
These menus are also available as pop-up menus, accessed by
pressing the right mouse button (RMB) normally.
Message : 3 (Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : File display
After a drive and directory have been selected, the large text pane will
display a list of all the files in the directory along with information such
as size and date. Selecting a file to be browsed will display 10k bytes
of the file in the text pane and if the file is a BBS mail file, the
conferences will be displayed in the fourth list pane.
Message : 3 (Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Conferences
When a conference is selected, the text pane will display one of two
listings of the messages that are found in that conference. The short
listing will display the message number, date, and subject.
The long listing shows addressing information as well. In addition,
when a conference is selected, the message list pane will be updated
to show a list of all the message numbers.
Message : 4 (Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Messages
Messages in a conference can be selected an a variety of ways. One
main way is to use the list pane to choose a message with the mouse
by number or use the Message push buttons (<M>). A pair of Hot Keys
have been established to move forward (Alt+.) and backward (Alt+,) in
the messages.
Another way available is to highlight a message number in the text
pane and use the Get Message option available via the pop-up menu.
Message : 5 (Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Message Push Buttons and Hot Keys
Push-buttons found in the middle can be used to navigate through the
conference. Below are the push buttons and their meanings:
< <M Reply M> >
Hot Keys
where: < = First message
<M = Message Backward Alt + ,
Reply = Reply to current message Ctrl + R
M> = Message Forward Alt + .
> = Last message
Message : 6 (Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Thread Push Buttons and Hot Keys
Push-buttons found in the middle can be used to navigate through
threads. Below are the push buttons and their meanings:
< <T Search T> >
Hot Keys
where: < = First message in thread
<T = Thread Backward Ctrl + B
Search = Complex keyword search
T> = Thread Forward Ctrl + T
> = Last message in thread
Message : 1 (Advanced Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Zooming Text
An option available from the system menu called Zoom Text (Alt+Z)
can be selected, if desired. This will expand the text window to
maximum. From there all conference and message navigation can be
handled from the menu bar or Hot Keys. The Zoomed mode can be
toggled on and off with Alt+Z.
Message : 2 (Advanced Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Auto Conference Reading
The AUTO READ option on the Conferences Menu is set on by default.
If ReadBBS/PM is being used on non-message files, this option can
set off to improve the performance of the product for actions such as
file browsing, deleting, and copying.
Message : 3 (Advanced Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Message Skipping
The SKIP READ option on the Messages Menu is set on by default.
ReadBBS/PM keeps track of all messages read during the session
and will automatically skip any messages already read when the
Next Message menu, Hot Key, or push-button is selected.
Message : 4 (Advanced Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Text Menu Navigation
- Get Message ... When viewing a conference list or message, any
message number can be highlighed (double clicked) and retrieved
with this option.
- Conference List ... When viewing a message, this option will return
to the conference list for the selected conference. This works well
with Get Message to randomly view conference.
Message : 5 (Advanced Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Text Pane Save options
- Save ... Save the contents of the text window in the selected file. Save
is not available when viewing conference lists or messages.
- Save As ... Save the text contents into a file selected by the user.
- Save Msg ... When viewing a message, the message can be saved
into an archive file for later reference. The name of the archive file is
MESSAGES.SAV and new messages are appended to the file.
Message : 6 (Advanced Usage) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : 1
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Subject Search
Subject search can be performed by:
1.) Selecting the conference to obtain a list of all messages
2.) Performing Edit->Find (Ctrl+F).
Message : 1 (Known Limitations) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : File extention assignment
The assignment of reply file names uses the list of conferences to
assign the file extent, which may or may not the complete list.
The first line in the reply file does show the message number and the
name of the Conference being replied to for verification when uploading.
Message : 2 (Known Limitations) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Complex Search button in-active
The Search push-button does nothing (yet).
This button will be used to invoke a prompt for one or more keywords
that will be searched for in the entire conference.
Message : 3 (Known Limitations) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Word-Wrapping
There is no word wrapping or checks for characters in col 72.
The edit menu does contain an option for word wrapping of the display,
but it is not suitable for reply files.
Message : 1 (Known Problems) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Large Mail files
Attempts to read a 4.4 Meg mail file causes a runtime error.
Files up to 1 Meg have been tested and function properly.
Status: Researching size limitation of Smalltalk
Message : 2 (Known Problems) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Endless Loops
The program has gone into a loop during certain actions that have not
been accounted for (yet). Pressing Ctrl+Break will produce a run-time
error.
Status: Performing a much regression testing as possible to
identify problem area.
Message : 2 (Known Problems) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : Automatic Reply saving
A reply MUST be saved by the user prior to continuing reading.
Status: Reviewing event notification problem
Message : 3 (Known Problems) . . . . .
. . ReadBBS PM Refer.. : None
Online : Help Panel
Subject : System Close
The System Close option (Alt+F4) is not working properly and does not
close the entire application. Please use the Exit menu to terminate
execution.
Status: Refered to vendor for resolution