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GENMSG.DOC
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GenMsg Copyright (c) 1992
G. K. Pace
Version 3.02
May 9, 1993
DESCRIPTION:
GenMsg is a FidoNet compatable message viewer/editing system designed
for systems using the *.msg format of message storage. It is a "shell"
type system. There isn't a text-editor built in, you use GenMsg to call
your favorite Ascii Text editor (I use VDE a very good editor) to edit the
text - GenMsg then formats it to FidoNet specifications for the type of
message it is. GenMsg can also shell to other utilities... Pretty Good
Privacy (PGP) a "free-ware" Public Key encryption system can be called by
GenMsg for decoding encrypted messages, and for encrypting, signing, or
clear-text signing of messages, and List a popular file viewing utility can
be called to view the message text and toggled to HEX mode etc...
GenMsg was the first FidoNet message editor available which would
interface PGP to Fidonet messages. Today it is the most up-to-date of
those which have come since... <grin>
FEATURES:
GenMsg supports the D'Bridge mailer, and can be setup to replace the
Internal Editor, or as an alternet Editor to be used as needed.
GenMsg supports the SecureMail principal, and can be configured to
refuse to show the contents of in-transit messages... for you "snoopy"
types, you can disable this and view anything on your system... <grin>
GenMsg supports the use of Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) for use in
handling encrypted, ascii-armor, and clear-text signatures in FidoNet
messages.
GenMsg is designed to utilize the Ascii-text editor of your choice, so
that the editing commands can be as you prefer. I suggest use of VDE, a
fully configurable editor which is very one of the best I've seen for this
purpose!
GenMsg can handle messages of upto 64K in length.
GenMsg provides full INTL and POINT addressing. Default addressing
style allows shortcuts in address entry.
GenMsg provides for a Configurable "default" ORIGIN line, and/or
configure each area differently thru use of a file named ORIGIN in each
directory.
GenMsg supports the use of UTC message dating.
GenMsg provides "Auto Formatting" of messages destined to the Internet
via a gate-way.
SETUP:
GenMsg requires that you have a GenMsg.Ini file and a Message-Areas
list file. You will also have to have a Text Editor which can be called
from GenMsg, and for the encryption features you will need Pretty Good
Privacy (PGP).
GenMsg.ini:
The configuration file GENMSG.INI must be in the same directory
GENMSG.EXE is in. If you rename GENMSG.EXE, you will have to rename
GENMSG.INI to match. (example: if GENMSG.EXE is renamed to GMSG.EXE,
GENMSG.INI must be renamed GMSG.INI)
GENMSG.INI must contain setup information specifying your name, INTL
address, the Ascii-text Editor to call, and the directory path to your
NetMail. There are many other optional parameters that can or should be
set for your apprication. Refer to the accompanying GENMSG.INI for
information on how to configure GenMsg.
Message Areas List:
Unless you are only going to use GenMsg for your NETMAIL, you will need
to have a list of other message areas GenMsg can access. GenMsg can use
the "standard" AREAS.BBS, or can be configured to use another list that
you've created. Since the standard AREAS.BBS does not normally include
LOCAL message areas, the method of having a separate list for GenMsg to use
is generally prefered. The name of such file can be any legal DOS name and
must be specified in GENMSG.INI.
The format of this list is explained more fully in the file
MSGAREAS.BBS which has been included as an example of how to create this
list.
ENVIRONMENT:
GenMsg calculates the UTC date and time based upon your system clock,
and expects to find the environment variable TZ to be set indicating the
time shift between your local time, and Greenwich Mean time. To set the
variable use the DOS command Set in your Autoexec.bat file as:
SET TZ=EST5 (Eastern Standard time)
SET TZ=EST5EDT (Eastern Daylight savings time)
The first three alpha characters should be the abreviation for your
standard time zone. the (next) single digit should be the offset in hours
from Greenwich Mean time for your standard time zone.
When Daylight Saving time is active, you should add the last three
alpha characters, which automatically compensate for daylight savings when
calculating UTC...
You SHOULD also have the PGP environment variable PGPPATH=pgpstuff set
for PGP to act properly. Refer to the PGP Docs for this information!
SETUP of PGP PASS-PHRASE:
GenMsg provides for the installation of your pass-phrase to enhance
the ease of use of PGP. When installed, GenMsg secures the pass-phrase in
an encrypted form inside of the GenMsg.EXE file. It will then decrypt it,
and pass it to PGP when ever it calls PGP, upon return from PGP the
decrypted pass-phrase is distroyed. GenMsg will only accept your pass-
phrase for storage if it can obtain the required information from your
system that it needs to store it in a secure manner. Not all systems will
have the required information available - thus this option may not be
available to all Users of GenMsg.
Once the pass-phrase is installed GenMsg will check the system
information each time it is envoked, if it doesn't match the information it
has stored, it will immediatly distroy the copy of the pass-phrase it
contains to keep it secure. GenMsg will distroy the stored pass-phrase if
the GenMsg.EXE is copied to another Disk and envoked, or if envoked on
another system.
To install your pass-phrase envoke GenMsg with the command-line
argument "SET" (i/e GenMsg SET). GenMsg will ask you for your pass-phrase
and if it can obtain all of the system information it requires, it will
store the pass-phrase. If you do not enter anything when prompted to enter
your pass-phrase, GenMsg will delete any pass-phrase it might have
previously contained. (a useful way to insure that your pass-phrase is
erased from any copies of GenMsg you may copy for a friend) Once setup,
GenMsg will keep the pass-phrase for use until you change it, or any part
of the system information it monitors changes causing GenMsg to distroy the
pass-phrase.
ORIGIN:
GenMsg will use the string you setup in GENMSG.INI as the ORIGIN for
messages you create (NOT NetMail messages) unless it finds a file named
ORIGIN in the message directory. This feature provides the ability for you
to customize the origin line you use for each Echo message area. The file
ORIGIN is an Ascii-Text file with one string in it. The string will be
trunicated if it is too long... Origin lines must not exceed 79 characters.
D'Bridge:
GenMsg can fit in with D'Bridge nicely. To use it with D'Bridge you
must enable D'Bridge mode in your GENMSG.INI, and have the ENVIRONMENT
variable of DB=path_to_DBridge or DBRIDGE=path_to_DBridge set.
GenMsg can function as a replacement for the D'Bridge Internal Editor.
Refer to the accompanying DBRIDGE.TXT file for further information
concerning setup.
PLEASE NOTICE THIS!
GenMsg would not be what it is, were it not for the input recieved by
those who are thoughtful enough to provide suggestions for its
improvement... I appreciate ALL who have assisted in this manner.
Special thanks are due to those who not only provided suggestions, but
incentive, encouragement, and other types of assistance... without which
GenMsg would have stopped progressing long ago. (I personally don't mind
programs without "glit 'an glitter" features... ) Those who have had a
significant impact upon GenMsg include:
- Christopher Baker at 1:374/14
- Barry Kapke at 1:125/33
And last but not least, Tom Jennings... without whom none of this
would have ever been necessary...
-gk