home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Network Support Library
/
RoseWare - Network Support Library.iso
/
bbs
/
xforum.exe
/
MANUAL.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-03-04
|
25KB
|
753 lines
x-FORUM3 Network Message Forum System
Extensions Software Corporation
Operations Guide Table of Contents
----------------------------------
Shareware Note..................................... 2
Disclaimer Agreement............................... 2
Copyright Notice................................... 2
Trademarks Notice.................................. 2
Introduction....................................... 3
Requirements....................................... 4
General Operating Guidelines....................... 5
Security System.................................... 5
Help System........................................ 5
Installation....................................... 6
Forum Selection.................................... 7
Forum Scan......................................... 8
Forum Create....................................... 9
Forum Read.........................................10
Forum Reply........................................11
User Setup.........................................12
Administration Menu................................12
System Information.................................13
New User Defaults..................................13
Activity Log.......................................14
Error Log..........................................14
User Maintenance...................................14
Forum Maintenance..................................15
Message Maintenance................................15
Profile Maintenance................................16
Reindex Databases..................................16
Database Summary...................................16
Technical Support..................................16
Ombudsman Statement
-------------------
Extensions Software Corporation is a member of the Association of
Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the
shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a
shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member
directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you
resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide
technical support for members' products. Please write to:
_______
____|__ | (r)
--| | |------------------- ASP Ombudsman
| ____|__ | Association of 545 Grover Road
| | |_| Shareware Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA
|__| o | Professionals 616-788-2765 FAX
-----| | |--------------------- 70007,3536 CompuServe
|___|___|
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 2
Shareware Note
--------------
This program is being distributed as shareware or try-before-you-buy
software. You are granted a temporary license to use and evaluate the
program, but continued use after the initial testing period requires
registration with Extensions Software Corporation.
This unregistered shareware version contains the following limitations
and/or characteristics:
- Registration reminder screens will be displayed at program startup
beginning 14 days after the date of installation.
- The maximum number of users allowed is 5.
Registration of this software provides users with the following:
- Serialized disks (dual media) of the latest software without
registration reminder screens and without user limitations
- Desk-top-published, laser-printed operations guide
- Technical support by mail/phone/FAX/BBS/CompuServe
- Notification of major software updates/upgrades
- New product announcements
Disclaimer Agreement
--------------------
Users of this program must accept the following disclaimer of
warranty:
THIS SOFTWARE AND OPERATIONS GUIDE ARE SUPPLIED AS IS. EXTENSIONS
SOFTWARE CORPORATION DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. EXTENSIONS SOFTWARE CORPORATION ASSUMES NO
LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, EITHER DIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL, WHICH MAY
RESULT FROM THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
Copyright Notice
----------------
The x-FORUM3 software and x-FORUM3 operations guide are copyrighted
(c) 1993-94 by Extensions Software Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Trademarks Notice
-----------------
Novell and NetWare are trademarks of Novell, Inc.
Banyan and VINES trademarks of Banyan Systems, Inc.
IBM and PC DOS are trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.
MS DOS is a trademark of MicroSoft Corp.
All other product names and/or trademarks used within the software or
operations guide are the property of their respective companies.
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 3
Introduction
------------
x-FORUM3 is an easy-to-use network software product from Extensions
Software Corporation that provides an easy means for network users to
share ideas and issues in a public message conference forum
x-FORUM3 provides messaging features needed in any workgroup
environment, including:
- Up to 26 different message forums
- Selectable forum access per user
- Selectable forum management access per user
- Selectable interactive or read-only forum types
- New message indicators
- Sort options for message listings
- Multi-level user security system
- International date/time options
- Built-in administrator system
- Online help system
- Printout to LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, or disk file
- Network-aware of Novell NetWare(R)
- Network-aware of Banyan VINES(R)
Message Forum System: x-FORUM3 provides an exciting public conference
message system whereby users can easily share thoughts and ideas.
x-FORUM3's built-in text editor is simple to use and includes text
import capability. Access to each message forum is controlled by the
x-FORUM3 administrator, and each message forum can be marked as
interactive (for message exchange) or read-only (for bulletins or
announcements).
Administrator System: Built into x-FORUM3 are complete administrator
maintenance functions, based on a user-level security access system,
including the following:
- System Information (system name, access type, etc)
- New User Defaults
- User Administration (settings and access)
- Forum Administration
- Message Administration
- Activity Log (audit trail)
- Error Log (should errors occur)
- Database Reindexing
- Database Summary
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 4
Requirements
------------
For Standalone PC Use:
- IBM or 100% compatible computer with 384K available memory
- Floppy disk drive (5.25" 360K or 1.2M, or 3.50" 720K or 1.44M)
- Fixed disk drive
- Monochrome or color (CGA/EGA/VGA) display
- Parallel printer (if printouts are desired)
- MS or PC DOS 3.1 or higher
For Network Use:
Multi-user network operating system which utilizes MS/PC DOS file
and record locking calls and workstations that meet the standalone
PC requirements listed above. Note, however, that workstations do
not necessarily require a floppy or fixed drive.
General Operating Guidelines
----------------------------
All x-FORUM3 menus and displays are normally scrolled using the
keyboard cursor keys. As a display is scrolled, the current choice is
highlighted. You select a choice by pressing the ENTER key when the
desired choice is highlighted. You may also press the letter or number
corresponding to a choice to select that choice.
The ESC key is used throughout x-FORUM3 to escape (exit) from or abort
(quit) any x-FORUM3 activity. Normally, pressing ESC returns x-FORUM3
to the previous (calling) menu or activity. Pressing ESC during the
forum selection screen terminates the x-FORUM3 program by returning
you to the DOS prompt. Printouts can also be terminated early by
pressing the ESC key.
A printer must be connected and on-line in order to print listed
information or reports. x-FORUM3 supports LPT1 local printer and
LPT2/LPT3 network (shared) printers. Note that a printer test is
performed prior to displaying the printer choices, and only valid
choices may subsequently be selected for printed output. If
workstation disk file is selected, you will be prompted for a valid
disk file drive, path, and file name.
Security System
---------------
x-FORUM3 includes a multi-level user security system consisting of the
following accesses:
- Forum access (determined by the system administrator)
- Administration Menu access (determined by the system
administrator)
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 5
Help System
-----------
Throughout most x-FORUM3 activities, on-line user-help is available by
pressing the [F1] key. This help normally consists of a scrolled
display containing a text description for the activity from which help
was called. Text help screens are available for the following x-FORUM3
activities:
- Forum Selection
- Forum Scan
- Forum Create
- Forum Read
- Forum Reply
- User Setup
- Printing
- Administration Menu
- System Information
- New User Defaults
- Activity Log
- Error Log
- User Maintenance
- Forum Maintenance
- Message Maintenance
- Profile Maintenance
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 6
Installation
------------
The x-FORUM3 diskette (or archived file) contains the X-FORUM3.EXE
executable program file.
To install:
- Create a subdirectory on your standalone PC or your network file
server named X-FORUM3 (actually, any name you prefer is acceptable)
- Switch to the created subdirectory
- Copy the X-FORUM3.EXE file from the diskette (or archived file) to
the \X-FORUM3 subdirectory
- At the DOS prompt, type X-FORUM3 and press ENTER
x-FORUM3 will then self-install by creating database and index files.
Since X-FORUM3.EXE is an overlayed executable file, network file
attributes may have to be configured for shared file use.
The x-FORUM3 data drive and subdirectory may also be specified from DOS
as follows:
X-FORUM3 S:\X-FORUM3
...where S:\X-FORUM3 is the network drive and subdirectory for the
x-FORUM3 data.
If installed on a Novell NetWare(R) or Banyan VINES(R) network, the
user login name is obtained directly from the operating system. For
other network installations, a DOS SET command may be used to store
the user name (ie, SET X_USER=FRED). Otherwise, the user name is
obtained from the login screen.
Note that the DOS command line option NETLOGIN can be used to vary the
priority order in obtaining the user name as follows:
* When NETLOGIN is included in the program's DOS command line
syntax, the priority order in obtaining the user name is:
[1] Network name
[2] Environment variable SET X_USER=NAME (if any)
[3] Login screen name
* When NETLOGIN is NOT included in the DOS command line syntax,
(default mode), the priority order in obtaining the user name is:
[1] Environment variable SET X_USER=NAME (if any)
[2] Network name
[3] Login screen name
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 7
Forum Selection
---------------
The forum selection screen allows you to select a conference forum.
Displayed forum information during this selection includes the
following:
- Forum name, which identifies forum names for which you have been
granted access.
- Forum type, which indicates whether a forum is read-only or is
interactive (allowing message read as well as reply/create).
- Hi-Msg number, which indicates the number of the last posted
message for each forum.
- Hi-Msg date, which indicates the date of the last posted message
for each forum.
- New Messages, which indicates whether any new messages have been
posted since your last access.
NOTE: Message numbers versus the high message number that you read
in any particular forum are used to determine whether new messages
exist for that forum.
Use the [Up/Dn] cursor arrow keys to scroll the listed forums. Choose
a forum by pressing the [ENTER] key when the desired forum name is
highlighted. Other function keys perform the following:
- F1 is the online help system.
- F6 allows you to change your operating setup, such as color and
audio.
- F9 provides access to the Administrator System, providing that you
have been granted the proper security access.
- ESC exits the application and returns you to DOS.
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 8
Forum (SCAN)
------------
The forum (SCAN) screen displays primary message information for
messages in the currently selected forum. Use the up/down cursor
(arrow) keys to scroll the displayed messages. As these entries are
scrolled, displayed information includes the following:
- Message Number
- Message Date
- Message Time
- Message Subject
- Message Status (whether read by recipient)
- Name of Message Receiver (To:)
- Name of Message Sender (From:)
The function keys allow you to perform other message activities
further described as follows:
- F1 is the online help system.
- F2 allows you to read the message text for the highlighted message
number. Note that the [ENTER] key also selects a message to be
read.
- F3 allows you to create a new message, providing that the current
forum type is interactive or you have administrator or forum
management access.
- F5 allows you to resort the displayed message listing. Available
sorts include the following:
By Message Number
By Message Date
By Sender (from) Name
By Recipient (to) Name
by Message Subject
- F9 allows you to print out the displayed message listing.
- ESC returns you to the forum selection screen.
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 9
Forum (CREATE)
--------------
The forum (CREATE) screen allows you to create a new message in the
currently selected forum.
You will first be prompted to select a user name for whom you wish to
create the message for. A listing of users that have access to the
current forum will be displayed from which you may select any user
name. You may also address a message to ALL if desired.
You will next be prompted to enter a message subject.
Finally, you will be able to enter your message text.
The function keys allow you to perform other message create activities
further described as follows:
- F1 is the online help system.
- F4 allows you to insert a blank line of text at the current cursor
position.
- F5 allows you to delete the line of text at the current cursor
position.
- F7 allows you to import the contents of an external file into the
message being created. You will be prompted to enter a valid
drive, path, and filename.
- F8 allows you to change the message TO name.
- F9 allows you to change the message SUBJECT.
- ESC allows you to SAVE or CANCEL the message, after which you will
be returned to the forum scan screen.
NOTE: The recommended maximum message size is 250 lines, or
approximately 18 Kbytes of message text.
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 10
Forum (READ)
------------
The forum (READ) screen displays text for the selected message in the
currently selected forum. Message header information displayed
includes the following:
- Message Number
- Message Date
- Message Time
- Message Subject
- Message Status (whether read by recipient)
- Name of Message Recipient (To:)
- Name of Message Sender (From:)
Use the up/down cursor (arrow) keys to scroll the message text. The
function keys allow you to perform other message activities further
described as follows:
- F1 is the online help system.
- F2 allows you to reply to the currently displayed message,
providing that the current forum type is interactive.
- F4 allows you to delete the currently displayed message, providing
you have administrator or forum management access.
- F5 allows you to display the previous (numbered) message.
- F6 allows you to display the following (numbered) message.
- F7 allows you to display the previous (numbered) message whose
subject is the same as that for the currently displayed message.
- F8 allows you to display the following (numbered) message whose
subject is the same as that for the currently displayed message.
- F9 allows you to print out the displayed message header and text.
- ESC returns you to forum scan screen.
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 11
Forum (REPLY)
-------------
The forum (REPLY) screen allows you to create a response to the last
read message.
The TO user name and SUBJECT are automatically handled when replying
to a previous message. Then, you will be able to enter your message
text.
The function keys allow you to perform other message reply activities
further described as follows:
- F1 is the online help system.
- F4 allows you to insert a blank line of text at the current cursor
position.
- F5 allows you to delete the line of text at the current cursor
position.
- F7 allows you to import the contents of an external file into the
message being created. You will be prompted to enter a valid
drive, path, and filename.
- ESC allows you to SAVE or CANCEL the entered message, after which
you will be returned to the forum scan screen.
NOTE that the recommended maximum message size is 250 lines, or
approximately 18 Kbytes of message text.
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 12
User Setup
----------
You may configure x-FORUM3 setup parameters for your own use. Setup
parameters include the following:
- Color Display
- Audio Error Tones
- Exploding Boxes
After configuring your parameters, press ENTER to Save.
Administration Menu
-------------------
The x-FORUM3 administration menu allows you to perform certain system
administrative and/or maintenance activities. These activities are
further explained as follows:
- System Information, to specify the system name (which is included
on all x-FORUM3 reports and printouts) as well as other system
parameters.
- New User Defaults, to specify the default parameters for new users
in an open x-FORUM3 installation.
- Activity Log, which tracks all x-FORUM3 user activities.
- Error Log, which tracks all x-FORUM3 user errors, should any
occur.
- User Maintenance which allows you to enter new user information or
change/delete existing users.
- Profile Maintenance which allows you to maintain user profiles
which control which forums users have access to.
- Forum Maintenance which allows you to maintain message forum names
and forum messages.
- Reindex Files, which allows you to rebuild the x-FORUM3 database
and index files, should they become accidently erased or
corrupted.
- Database Summary, which is a summary of x-FORUM3 database files
and sizes.
- ESC returns you to the previous screen.
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 13
System Information
------------------
System information allows you to change various system and new user
default parameters. These parameters are further described as follows:
- System Name, which is included on all screens and printouts.
- Access Type, either open (available to new users) or closed.
- Activity Log, either turned on or off.
- Error Log, either turned on or off.
- Date Format, which sets the x-FORUM3 system date to ANSI, British,
French, German, Italian, or American format.
- Time Format, which sets the x-FORUM3 system time to 12 hour
(AM/PM) or 24 hour format.
- DOS Buffer Flush Option, which enables/disables the DOS memory
flush to disk immediately after database records have been added
or changed. Note that on some network systems, disabling this
buffer flush activity can speed up x-FORUM3 performance.
- Forum Scan Start is an option to vary the message scan screen
starting message to be NEW messages only, ALL messages, or per a
selectable message age.
Displayed system configuration parameters are saved by pressing the
ENTER key.
New User Defaults
-----------------
New user defaults are operating parameters assigned to new users as
they access x-FORUM3 for the first time. These parameters are further
described as follows:
- New User Color, default for (open system) new users.
- New User Audio, default for (open system) new users.
- New User Zoom, default for (open system) new users.
- New User Admin, default for (open system) new users.
- New User Profile, the default new user profile code which
determines forums a user has access to.
Displayed new user default parameters are saved by pressing the ENTER
key.
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 14
Activity Log
------------
The activity log keeps track of all x-FORUM3 user activities. Use the
cursor keys to scroll the displayed log entries. The function keys
allow you to perform other log activities further described as
follows:
- F1 is the online help system.
- F6 allows you to erase the activity log.
- F9 allows you print out the activity log.
- ESC returns you to the administration menu.
Error Log
---------
The error log keeps track of all x-FORUM3 user errors (if any). Use
the cursor keys to scroll the displayed log entries. The function keys
allow you to perform other log activities further described as
follows:
- F1 is this online help system.
- F6 allows you to erase the error log.
- F9 allows you print out the error log.
- ESC returns you to the administration menu.
User Maintenance
----------------
User maintenance allows you to perform maintenance on any x-FORUM3
user. Use the cursor keys to scroll the displayed users. The function
keys allow you to perform other user maintenance activities, further
described as follows:
- F1 is this online help system.
- F2 allows you to add a new user.
- F3 allows you to change the highlighted user information.
- F4 allows you to delete the highlighted user.
- F9 allows you print out the user listing.
- ESC returns you to the administration menu.
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 15
Forum Maintenance
-----------------
Forum maintenance allows you to perform maintenance on message
forums. Use the cursor keys to scroll the displayed forums. The
function keys allow you to perform other forum maintenance
activities, further described as follows:
- F1 is the online help system.
- F3 allows you to change the highlighted forum.
- F4 allows you to erase the highlighted forum.
- F6 allows you to access message maintenance for the highlighted
forum.
- F9 allows you print out the forum listing.
- ESC returns you to the administration menu.
Message Maintenance
-------------------
Message maintenance (only available from the forum maintenance screen)
allows you to perform maintenance on individual messages for the
selected forum. Use the cursor keys to scroll the displayed messages.
The function keys allow you to perform other message maintenance
activities described as follows:
- F1 is the online help system.
- F3 allows you to recall the highlighted message number if deleted.
- F4 allows you to delete the highlighted message number.
- ESC returns you to the forum maintenance screen.
x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 16
Profile Maintenance
-------------------
Profile maintenance allows you to perform maintenance on user
profiles. Use the cursor keys to scroll the displayed profiles. The
function keys allow you to perform other profile maintenance
activities described as follows:
- F1 is the online help system.
- F2 allows you to add a new profile.
- F3 allows you to change the highlighted profile.
- F4 allows you to delete the highlighted profile.
- F9 allows you print out the profile listing.
- ESC returns you to the administration menu.
Reindex Main Files
------------------
All x-FORUM3 main database files may be reindexed in the event that they
are accidently erased or become corrupted.
Database Summary
----------------
A summary of x-FORUM3 main database files may be displayed.
Technical Support
-----------------
Limited technical support by mail, phone, FAX, BBS, and CompuServe is
provided at no cost to UNLICENSED users during the initial software
evaluation period.
Continued technical support by mail, phone, FAX, BBS, and CompuServe
is provided at no cost to LICENSED users.
For technical support, please contact:
Extensions Software Corporation
224 Thompson Street #165
Hendersonville, NC 28792-2805 USA
704-692-0887
704-692-8879 FAX
704-693-0339 BBS
72007,571 CompuServe