C!T ROM 5/ctrom5b.zip/ctrom5b/CT/CT9402/TBP010P/MANUAL.TBP

Text File | 1993-04-06 | 18KB | 446 lines

                          The-Box Point - Version 0.10

                   Powerful FidoNet-compatible Point Software

                  COPYRIGHT (C) 1992-1993; ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
                  Arjen G. Lentz & LENTZ SOFTWARE-DEVELOPMENT


(Preliminary documentation written by Martin Cleaver at odd moments during
development of the package. This text will be expanded and hopefully
simplified later to make the software useful even to the most militant
computer-hater.)


See LICENSE.TB   The-Box license information - READ THIS FIRST !!!
    README.TB    General information concerning all The-Box software
    REGISTER.TB  Registration information and form for TB-Point & TB-Edit


Contents

1. Introduction

2. Installation
     2.1. Set-up
     2.2. Configuration

3. Mailer menu options
     3.1. Call boss system
     3.2. Wait for one call/Put mailer online
     3.3. Terminal

4. Files menu options
     4.1. File manager
     4.2. Inbound directory
     4.3. Requests

5. TB-Edit
     5.1. Read/Enter Mail
     5.2. Read mode
     5.3. Edit mode

6. Utilities menu options
     6.1. Activity log
     6.2. Manual import
     6.3. Manual export
     6.4. Delete old mail
     6.5. Pack message bases


1. Introduction

This is a mailer. It is software for communicating via the telephone line
using a modem. It is not what is commonly known as a `communication
package', in the sense of a terminal program for logging into bulletin
boards or VideoText, but an intelligent message manager which also takes
care of sending and receiving messages, files and requests without too
much human intervention.

Telecommunications remains a mysterious and confusing field for many.
Despite the attractions of sending data quickly and reliably through the
phone lines, many prefer to trust their valuable information to the
scruffy paper of the ubiquitous fax machine or (locally) to noisy and
polluting moped couriers. One reason is that telecommunications has
developed on a large scale under the wing of major corporations (using
software developed on large machines and networks and using special data
lines) while small-scale development using the standard telephone network
has been left to hobby users. These hobby computer freaks have developed
stunningly powerful software able to do just about everything but pass the
sugar. The only problem is that -- as hobby users -- they felt no need to
document their work or make it particularly friendly. As a result, the
hobby telecommunications world had a trump card, but didn't tell anyone
how to play it.

This is a first release version of TB-Point. It is a powerful and easy-to-
use mailer program. It brings the power of FidoNet software within the
reach of the uninitiated. Among its special features are its ability to
send and receive files painlessly, maintain a personal address book, link
into conferences on a wide range of topics and its extreme simplicity of
operation. This is a preliminary version so there may still be a few
hidden bugs (among which, the inadequacy of the documentation).


2. Installation

To install TB-Point, make a directory \TB on your hard disk and then
change to that directory. Then copy the software from the floppy or unpack
the ZIP archive into it. If your floppy is in drive A:

C:\>MD \TB
C:\>CD \TB
C:\TB>COPY A:\*.*

You can then start up TB-Point directly by typing:

C:\TB>TB-Point


2.1. Set-up

The first time you start the software, it will automatically present the
Set-Up menu:

┌Setup────────┐
│ Network     │
│ Defaults    │
│ Modem       │
│ System      │
│ Register    │
├─────────────┤
│ Conferences │
└─────────────┘

You can use the cursor and Enter keys to move around and will need to make
a couple of changes in the Network and possibly the Modem menus. First you
will need to fill in details of your own personal point set-up in the
Network menu. The options to be filled in include name, system name
(organisation), phone number to call the central computer, your "point
number" and password. The operator of your boss system will provide you
with the necessary information for all these items.
You can move up and down using the cursor keys (repeatedly pressing Enter
will also take you down to the end). You can use the Esc key to abort
changes to a field.

╔Network setup═══════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Name of your point system ......... United Theatres        ║
║ Your own name ..................... John Smith             ║
║ Network address (z:n/n.p) ......... 2   : 283  / 512 . 32  ║
║ Point net (0=none) ................ 1000                   ║
║ Boss mail password (Blank=none) ... secret                 ║
║ Boss system telephone number ...... 033-633916             ║
║ Boss system sysop's name .......... Arjen Lentz            ║
║ Boss list of conferences filename . LENTZDEV.ECH           ║
║ Compress pkts with (blank=none) ... PKZIP.EXE -a           ║
║ Decompress pkts with (blank=none) . PKUNZIP.EXE            ║
║ Nodenumber of Internet gateway .... 2:283/512              ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ [OK]                                  space = change       ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

Fill in your system name, own name, network address (after the point),
password and check that the telephone number is correct to call out and
dial your boss's number. Type enter on the word [OK] to return to the main
Setup menu.

You may also need to make some changes to the modem setup in the modem
menu:

╔Modem setup════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Communication port ....... 2                              ║
║ Pulse or tone dial ....... Tone                           ║
║ Answer incoming calls .... No                             ║
╟───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╢
║ Select modem type/desc ... Default (HAYES 2400 compatible)║
║ Speed of modem ........... 2400   Locked No               ║
║ Modem init string ........ AT|                            ║
║ Modem reset string ....... AT|                            ║
║ Modem busy string ........ AT|                            ║
║ Modem dial prefix ........ ATD                            ║
║ Modem dial suffix ........ |                              ║
║ Modem answer string ...... ATA|                           ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ [OK]                                       Space = change ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

Check whether your modem is connected to the first or second serial port:
on COM1 or COM2. A standard v22bis modem should be set to 2400 bps and not
locked at this speed. If you have a high-speed modem or one with error
correcting and compression, you may wish to set it at a higher speed (up
to 9600 for a v22bis modem with MNP or v42bis, up to 38400 bps for a
v32bis/HST modem). If you choose to lock the modem (by typing a space on
this option) you will also need to set the modem itself to use CTS/RTS
handshaking and not to adjust the baud-rate automatically on each call.
(See for details the manual for your modem.)


2.2. Configuration

TB-Point can make use of several SET commands in AUTOEXEC.BAT. Among them
are:

SET MAILER=C:\TB
SET TZ=GMT0
SET PGPPATH=C:\PGP
Also add C:\TB to your DOS PATH statement in AUTOEXEC.BAT

This will enable you to start TB-Point from any drive/directory!

The latter two SET statements are used to configure PGP (Pretty Good
Privacy), which makes it possible automatically to encrypt your messages
and read private messages `for your eyes only'. Refer to PGP docs for more
information about e.g. how to make your own key. Please note the user name
format preferred for use of PGP in electronic mail networks. If for
instance you are John Smith, address 2:283/512.32 in FidoNet, your PGP
username should be: John Smith <[e-mail]>
Once you have installed PGP and added the above set commands, PGP should
work within TB-Edit too.


3. Mailer menu options

3.1. Call boss system

You can set the clock to ring at a later time, or press End and then Enter
to call out straight away. The mailer will first pack any mail waiting to
go out, then call the host system. If it completes the call successfully,
it will unpack the mail and return to the opening menu. If the host in
engaged, it will continue trying to place the call. You can abort the
mailer session (for instance if you need to change the set up or want to
send something else before calling out or if the host is chronically busy)
by pressing Alt-X. If the modem continues to fail to respond correctly,
you can press Escape to leave TB. When you return to TP-Point, the screen
will be blanked after a couple of minutes to prevent damage to the monitor
if you leave the machine on all night. If you have received any files,
they will be in your "inbound" directory (\TB\INBOUND) and TB-Point will
indicate their presence on its "pending" list. You can get a list of files
in the inbound directory under the option [F]iles, [I]nbound directory. It
is advisable to move and delete incoming files to keep the inbound
directory clean.


3.2. Wait for one call/Put mailer online

You can also put the mailer on line to wait for an incoming call (for
instance if your "boss node" has easier access to lines. This feature has
been added to make it possible for TB-Point to be used in Eastern Europe
and the x-USSR where it can be difficult to place calls, while it is
possible to accept direct dial calls.


3.3. Terminal

TB-Point offers a simple yet complete terminal mode to call bulletin
boards. It puts you into The-Box v1.97.04, which has the following
functions in TERMINAL mode:

Alt-= : Doorway key mode
Alt-A : ANSI(VT-100) / VT-52 emulate toggle
Alt-B : Strip bit 7
Alt-C : Clear screen
Alt-D : Dial (make dialling queue)
Alt-E : Local echo
Alt-H : Hang-up
Alt-J : Jump to DOS
Alt-L : Capture data
Alt-M : Return to mailer
Alt-P : Set baud rate
Alt-Q : Finish queue
Alt-R : Download a file (PgDn)
Alt-T : Upload a file (PgUp)
Alt-X : Exit program
Alt-Z : This help screen


4. Files menu options

4.1. File manager

With the file manager you can mark files to be sent or deleted. You can
for instance tag several files and then ask TB-Point to [S]end them. You
will be asked to whom you want to send them, and TB-Point (and TB-Edit)
are able to maintain and use a list of the people with whom you exchange
mail to save having to enter the address every time.


4.2. Inbound directory

You can view the inbound directory to see what files have been received.
You should move or copy files to another directory for use. TB-Point does
give the option of deleting old files.


4.3. Requests

A very powerful option that makes it possible to ask the host to send you
specific files or to perform special functions (services). For instance,
if you type FILES, it will send you a list of all available files. These
include shareware utilities, and can also be WP files, spreadsheets or
anything the host and other users choose to make available. You can also
request ECHOES. This will cause the host to send you an updated version of
the conference list, which can then be automatically installed into TB-
Point.


5. TB-Edit

5.1. Read/Enter Mail

TB-Point has a separate program -- TB-Edit -- so you can read and write
messages. This also provides access to the conference database where you
can ask questions on a wide variety of topics and consult or search the
incoming conference mail.
Help is always available under the F1 key. In Browse mode, F10 gives you a
menu bar at the top of the screen. You can move back and forth through the
messages by using the left and right cursor keys. The space key will take
you forward one screen at a time, I.e. if a message is longer than one
screen, you see the rest of the message before going onto the next. If the
message you are reading is one of several with the same subject, then you
can type Ctrl-Left and Ctrl-Right to follow the "thread" in this topic.
In edit mode, Help is available under F1. Most important keys are Alt-E to
enter a message, Alt-Q to quote a message and reply, Alt-D to delete
unwanted lines when quoting and Alt-S to save the message. (Type Escape to
abort editing.)
In browse mode, you can move to another conference area by typing Alt-A.
When you first start using TB-Point there will probably only be a
"Netmail" area (for your own personal and private messages). There should
also be a general local conferences. This will be used for feedback and
help on general telecommunications matters. Later you can add conferences
on other topics. There are a large number of FidoNet conferences available
at present.

The Alt-Letter combinations are standard, but we have also implemented a
number of WordPerfect key combinations (e.g. F5 Area list, F10 save and F7
exit).


5.2. Read mode

The main command keys available are:

F10    Menu
-      Previous area with new messages
+      Next area with new messages
Alt-A  [F5] Area list/select
Alt-C  Change current message
Alt-D  Delete current message
Alt-E  [F6] Enter a new message
Alt-F  Forward/move/copy message
Alt-G  Comment reply (to addressee) of current message
Alt-I  Information about TB-Edit
Alt-J  [Ctrl-F1] Jump to DOS Shell
Alt-K  [Alt-F3] Kludge toggle (reveal messages codes)
Alt-L  Message list/select
Alt-P  [F2] Pattern search (Use '?' for any character, '*' for any string)
Alt-Q  Quoted reply to message
Alt-R  Reply to current message
Alt-S  Scan areas for new messages
Alt-T  [Ctrl-F5] Export message to file/printer
Alt-V  View decrypted message, very signature, get new keys from msgtext
Alt-Y  Logical/Physical msgnumbers
Alt-Z  [F1] This help text
Alt-X  [F7] Exit TB-EDIT

</Ctrl-Left   Parent message of current reply
>/Ctrl-Right  First reply to message
=             Next message in reply thread
0-9           Select message number
Ctrl-End      Last message in area
Ctrl-PgUp     First text page
Ctrl-PgDn     Last text page
Down          Next text line
End           Highest message read
Enter         Next message in cur direction
Home          First message in area
Left          Previous message, dir backward
PgDn          Next text page
PgUp          Previous text page
Right         Next message, dir forward
Space         Next page in message, next message
Up            Previous text line


5.3. Edit mode

The main command keys available are:

Alt-C       Insert random cookie
Alt-D       [Ctrl-Y] Delete current line
Alt-H       Edit message header
Alt-I       [Shft-F10] Import from file
Alt-J       [Ctrl-F1] Jump to DOS Shell
Alt-M       Block functions (move, copy, delete, export)
Alt-S       [F10] Save message
Alt-V       Import your public key or the key of the addressee into msgtext
Alt-X       Abort message editing
Alt-Z       [F1] This help text
Backspace   Move back and delete
Ctrl-PgUp   Go to first line of text
Ctrl-End    To bottom left of screen
Ctrl-Home   Go to top left of screen
Ctrl-PgDn   Go to last line of text
Ctrl-BS     Delete word
Ctrl-Left   Move to previous word on line
Ctrl-Right  Move to next word on line
Del         Delete current char
Down        Go down one line
End         Go after last char on line
Enter       Go to next line. In insert mode: hard return
Escape      Abort message editing
Home        Position cursor on left of screen
Insert      Toggle insert mode
Left        Go one position left
PgDn        Go one page down in text
PgUp        Go one page up in text
Right       Go one position right
Shift-Tab   Move 8 positions left
Tab         Move 8 positions right
Up          Go up one line

A small cursor signifies overwrite mode, large cursor insert mode. Upon
entering the message editor, insert mode is activated. Mouse: Left button
behaves like Enter, Right button behaves like Escape. Movement
up/down/left/right behave just like the normal arrow keys.


6. Utilities menu options

6.1. Activity log

You can view the log file detailing activity (to check when and whether
you sent or received mail). When you have finished reading, press Esc to
return to TB-Point. You will be asked whether you want to delete the old
log.


6.2. Manual import

You should never need this option, but it allows you to "unpack" incoming
mail packets which have for some reason not been unpacked automatically.
It is also for instance possible to pick up your mail on a floppy, copy it
to the \TB\INBOUND directory and then use this option to unpack it into
TB-Point.


6.3. Manual export

You should never need this option, but it allows you to scan all mail and
conferences areas for outgoing messages which for some reason have not yet
been sent.


6.4. Delete old mail

This will remove messages more than x days old or to reduce the number of
messages in your "message base" to the chosen number (see Set-up).


6.5. Pack message bases

This will clean up your message base, which may grow after a while as
messages are added and deleted automatically to make room. (If you don't
understand this particular description yet, don't worry!)