Magnum One/Magnum One (Mid-American Digital) (Disc Manufacturing).iso/d13/netmai.arc/NETMAIL.DOC

Text File | 1991-11-04 | 24KB | 595 lines

                  NETMAIL Version 6.00 Users Guide and Reference Manual


                                    TABLE OF CONTENTS

          Introduction and Foreword ................................... page 2
          Shareware Notice ............................................ page 2
          Disclaimer .................................................. page 3
          NETMAIL History ............................................. page 3
          NETMAIL Registration Form ................................... page 9

          I.   USING THE NETMAIL PROGRAM

               Installing and Using NetMail ........................... page 4
               The MAIL! Indicator Icon ............................... page 4
               The NETMAILUSER Environment Variable ................... page 4
               Command Line Arguments ................................. page 5

               EDIT MENU .............................................. page 5

                    New Message ....................................... page 5
                    Load Message ...................................... page 5
                    Save Message ...................................... page 5
                    Delete Message .................................... page 6
                    Edit Message ...................................... page 6

               PRINT MENU ............................................. page 6

                    Message in Editor ................................. page 6
                    Message on Disk ................................... page 6
                    Set Printer Port .................................. page 6

               MAIL MENU .............................................. page 6

                    Read Mail ......................................... page 6
                    Send Mail ......................................... page 7
                    View Receipts ..................................... page 7

               COLORS MENU ............................................ page 7

               SYSTEM MENU ............................................ page 7

                    Terminate ......................................... page 7
                    Shell to DOS ...................................... page 7
                    Change Password ................................... page 7
                    Add New User ...................................... page 8
                    Remove Old Users .................................. page 8

          II.  IMPORTANT INFORMATION

               Notes for the Administrator ............................ page 8
               Final Notes and Where to Get HELP! ..................... page 8








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                  NETMAIL Version 6.00 Users Guide and Reference Manual


          INTRODUCTION:

               Version 6.00 of NETMAIL is a mail system which can be used on
          virtually any network, or on one computer with numerous users.  This
          is by far the best version of the NETMAIL yet.  The entire look and
          interface of the program has been updated.  The program is easy to use
          and effectively provides a reliable means of electronic communication
          between multiple users.  The program incorporates data encryption so
          all users can be confident that their mail is protected from unwanted
          readers, even the NETMAIL administrator.

          SHAREWARE NOTICE:

               The NETMAIL program and this documentation are:

                      Copyright (c) 1989-1991 J.M. Allen Creations.
                         All Rights Reserved by Michael A. Hotz.

               This program is NOT public domain, it is released using the
          Shareware concept.  I invite you to use my software on a trial basis.
          If after 30 days you are still using NETMAIL, then you obviously are
          getting benefit from the software, and thus would not object to paying
          the modest fee of $20.00 for the continued legal use of NETMAIL.  You
          may register by sending the $20.00 registration fee to the author
          along with the registration form included on the last page of this
          manual.  You may also register by phone using a valid VISA or
          MASTERCARD.  Registered users will be allowed 25% upgrades on any
          future Shareware versions of NETMAIL.  Registration allows you to use
          NETMAIL on any number of computers at a single location.  You are
          required to register a copy of NETMAIL for each location where it will
          be used on one or more machines.

               Registered users are invited to upgrade to the latest version of
          NETMAIL for only $5.00.  Registration assures you of 25 percent
          upgrades for any future shareware versions of the program, unlimited
          technical support, and you will have a clear conscience knowing you
          have not stolen this software, but rather paid a very modest fee for
          the continued legal use of NETMAIL.

               This program may be freely distributed for others evaluation as
          long as no fee is charged, with the exception of modest disk, shipping
          and handling charges.  Any person who uses this product agrees to the
          terms of the Shareware, Copyright, and Disclaimer notices contained
          herein.  If this system is distributed, only the original archive
          distributed by J.M. Allen Creations should be used.  This will allow
          users who fear they may have obtained a patched, or otherwise modified
          version of the program to verify the integrity of the program by
          calling J.M. Allen Creations with the archive checksum information.
          You MAY NOT disassemble, reverse engineer, hack, change, modify,
          alter, mutate, refashion, vary, or catalyze the program or
          documentation in any way, manner shape or form.






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                  NETMAIL Version 6.00 Users Guide and Reference Manual


          DISCLAIMER:

          Michael A. Hotz, nor J.M. Allen Creations, nor any person or entity
          affiliated with either, will assume any responsibility for any
          situation which occurs as a result, be it direct, or indirect, of the
          use of this software.  THE USER ASSUMES ALL RISK WHICH MAY BE
          ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE.  There are no warrantees
          whatsoever, expressed or implied, as to the usefulness or
          effectiveness of this software for any particular purpose.  This
          software is sold as is, and is not guaranteed to work on any
          particular machine, or under any particular hardware or software
          configuration.  NETMAIL has been tested on my hardware under numerous
          hardware and software configurations to perform as described in this
          documentation.  Use of this software constitutes IMMEDIATE acceptance
          of these terms by the user.

          NETMAIL HISTORY:

               NETMAIL Version 1.00 was originally released on January 17, 1989.

               Version 1.10, released on February 22, 1989, included minor bug
          fixes and code optimization.

               Version 2.0, released on March 9, 1989, added options to load and
          save mail to and from disk files, as well as receipts for sent mail
          which was read.  A utility program to clean up program files was
          included, and general code optimization was also done.

               Version 2.5, released on March 31, 1989, fixed some minor bugs in
          the version 2.0 release.

               Version 3.0, released on April 25, 1989, included a message
          editor with more editing keys.  The program displays were improved,
          and more code optimization was done.

               Version 3.1, released on June 12, 1989, fixed some bugs in the
          version 3.0 release.

               Version 4.0, released on July 1, 1989, included bug fixes and
          code optimization.

               Versions 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2 were never released, however, each
          version improved on improvements made in previous versions.

               Version 6.00, released on August 5, 1991 introduces a totally new
          user interface.  It is the first major release in over two years.
          This version includes a pull down user interface and many new
          features.  All previous code was abandoned, and version 6.00 was
          written from scratch.








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                  NETMAIL Version 6.00 Users Guide and Reference Manual


          INSTALLING AND USING NETMAIL:

               The first thing you should do is create a subdirectory on your
          hard disk.  You should then copy the NETMAIL.EXE program to this
          directory.  This directory will be the mail directory.  All users mail
          boxes will be created in this subdirectory, and all NETMAIL files will
          be kept here.  When running the NETMAIL, you must be in this directory
          or NETMAIL will think it hasn't been installed yet.

               After you have the program on your hard disk, you should run the
          program for the first time.  Generally the system administrator should
          perform this step.  The first time NETMAIL is run, it will ask for the
          name, password, and video type of the first user to be installed.
          This user will become the system administrator for NETMAIL, and will
          be the only person with access to the ADD NEW USERS and REMOVE OLD
          USERS options on the system menu.  Passwords and user names ARE NOT
          case sensitive.

               Once NETMAIL is installed, and the users have been added by the
          NETMAIL Administrator, you are ready to start using the program.  The
          menu system for the most part conforms to the industry standard pull
          down menu interfaces we are all familiar.  The cursor left and right
          keys will move between the items on the main menu bar.  The enter key
          or cursor down will activate the highlighted pulldown menu.  Once the
          pulldown is open, the up and down cursor keys will move through the
          pulldown options, and the left and right will move immediately to the
          next pulldown in the respective direction.  The highlighted letters on
          the main menu bar can be used to jump to a particular pull down menu,
          and the highlight letters on the pull down menu can be used to quickly
          select a menu option.  If a pull down menu is activated, the main menu
          bar hot keys will still be active if used in conjunction with the ALT
          key.

          THE MAIL! INDICATOR ICON:

               Once a user has entered the NETMAIL program, they will know right
          away if they have new mail waiting if the MAIL! icon appears in the
          upper right corner of the screen.  When this icon is present, it
          indicates that at least one new message has been sent to them, and is
          waiting to be read.

          THE NETMAILUSER ENVIRONMENT VARIABLE:

               NETMAIL will search for and use one environment variable
          "NETMAILUSER".  You can set this variable to the users name on a
          machine, and NETMAIL will automatically use this as the user name each
          time the program is run.  The user will then only need to enter their
          password to gain access to the program.









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                  NETMAIL Version 6.00 Users Guide and Reference Manual


          COMMAND LINE ARGUMENTS:

               NETMAIL will accept only 1 command line argument, /C, followed by
          a valid NETMAIL user name.  This will cause NETMAIL to check this
          users mailbox for new messages waiting.  If new mail is waiting,
          NETMAIL will inform the user and give them the option of running the
          program at that time.

          SYNTAX:  netmail /c "Fred Smith"

               This will cause NETMAIL to check Fred Smith's mailbox for new
          messages.  If new mail is found, Fred will be allowed to run the
          program at that time, or he can answer no, and read his mail at a
          later time.  Note that "Fred Smith" is in quotation marks.  This is
          required on user names longer than 1 word or name.  In other words, if
          you have a small network, and only a few users registered by first
          name only, you would not need the quotation marks.

          ***** EDIT MENU *****

               The edit menu contains all the commands you will use to create,
          load, save, delete, and edit messages.  The NETMAIL editor uses most
          of the standard editor commands such as cursor movement, delete,
          backspace, home, end, etc.  ALT + I will insert a line, and ALT + D
          will delete a line.  The editor is a single page editor with no
          scrolling option at this time.  This means each message is limited to
          17 lines of text.  The editor does feature a basic word wrap mode. A
          more detailed description of each option follows.

          NEW MESSAGE:

               The New Message option will clear any message in the editor, and
          activate the NETMAIL editor to allow you to create a new message.  No
          warning will be given, so be sure to save the contents of the editor
          before using this option or it will be lost.

          LOAD MESSAGE:

               The Load Message option will allow you to load a message
          previously saved by you to the disk.  Once loaded, the message can be
          edited, printed, saved again, or sent to other users.

          SAVE MESSAGE:

               The Save Message option will allow you to save a message to the
          disk.  Once saved, the message can later be loaded again as described
          in the LOAD MESSAGE section.










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                  NETMAIL Version 6.00 Users Guide and Reference Manual


          DELETE MESSAGE:

               The Delete Message option will allow you to delete saved mail in
          your NETMAIL mailbox.  Each user has his/her own mailbox, so you may
          load, save, and delete any messages you like without fear of damaging
          other users mail.

          EDIT MESSAGE:

               The Edit Message option will activate the NETMAIL editor to allow
          you to edit the current message.  Unlike the NEW MESSAGE option, this
          option will not delete the message in the editor.

          ***** PRINT MENU *****

               The print menu contains commands to allow you to print your
          messages, and to select the port to which your printer is attached.

          EDITOR MESSAGE:

               This option will print the message in the editor to the printer
          selected in the SELECT PRINTER option.


          DISK MESSAGE:

               This option will allow you to select and print a saved message on
          the disk without disturbing the message in the editor.  The message
          will be printed to the printer set in the SELECT PRINTER option.

          SELECT PRINTER:

               This option will allow you to choose which printer NETMAIL will
          use when printer messages.  You may chose LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, COM1,
          COM2, COM3, or COM4.

          ***** MAIL MENU *****

               The mail menu contains commands to allow you to read mail which
          has been sent to you, send mail to other users, or read the list of
          receipts of read mail.

          READ MAIL:

               This option will show you a list of new mail in your mailbox.
          You may use the cursor control keys to select the message you would
          like to read.  Once selected, the message will be loaded into the
          editor and deleted from the disk.  The editor will then be activated
          so you can read the message.








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                  NETMAIL Version 6.00 Users Guide and Reference Manual


          SEND MAIL:

               This option will show you a menu of all the users currently
          active on the NETMAIL system.  You can use the cursor keys to move
          through all the user names.  The space bar will mark or unmark the
          highlighted name.  When you press enter, the message in the editor
          will be sent to all of the tagged users.

          VIEW RECEIPTS:

               This option will show you a list of all the receipts you have
          received.  When a message you have sent is read by the recipient, a
          receipt will be added to this list informing you of the reader,
          subject, and the date and time the message was read.  Each time you
          read the receipts, the receipt file is deleted, however, you can press
          the F1 key while you are viewing receipts to print them to the printer
          selected in the SELECT PRINTER option.

          ***** COLORS MENU *****

               This menu will allow you to set the colors for various parts of
          the NETMAIL display.  Once you pick one of the options in this menu,
          you will enter a color editor where you can use the cursor keys to
          point at the color you wish to select.  Once the color you desire is
          highlighted with a box around it, you can press enter to accept your
          choice.  The escape key will leave the color unchanged.

          ***** SYSTEM MENU *****

               The system menu contains options for leaving the program, and for
          changing your password.

          TERMINATE:

               This option will allow you to quit the NETMAIL program, and
          return you to whatever environment you entered NETMAIL from.

          SHELL TO DOS:

               This option will allow you to shell to DOS prompt by running the
          command processor.  When you are done doing whatever you want to shell
          to DOS to do, you should type exit to return to the NETMAIL program.
          Please remember not to install TSR program while in the DOS shell.

          CHANGE PASSWORD:

               This option will allow you to change the password you use to
          access your NETMAIL account.  Your current password will be displayed,
          and a new password can be entered.  Entering a blank line will remove
          the password from your account.  Escape will leave your password
          unchanged.






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                  NETMAIL Version 6.00 Users Guide and Reference Manual


          ADD NEW USERS:

               This option will allow you to add new users to the NETMAIL
          system.  You will be asked to enter the users name, password, and
          specify what type of video display they are using.  You may want to
          leave new users passwords blank.  This will allow them to get into
          their mailbox the first time without a password.  They can then set it
          to something of their choice.

          REMOVE OLD USERS:

               This option will allow you to remove existing users from the
          NETMAIL system.  All mail, new and saved, in their mailbox will be
          erased, and the user will be completely removed from the system.

          NOTES FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR:

               There really isn't much else to tell, so I will highlight a few
          of the very important notes.

          1)   Be sure the user is in the directory where NETMAIL is installed
               before running the program.

          2)   Remember that only the first user has access to the add and
               remove user options on the SYSTEM menu.

          3)   If you are using NETMAIL on a network, remember that each user
               must have read and write privileges in the directory where
               NETMAIL is installed, as well as in any subdirectories of this
               directory.

          4)   When sending mail remember that mail will only be sent to users
               who have been tagged.

          5)   Remember this program is SHAREWARE!  If you continue to use
               NETMAIL, don' forget to register your copy!

          FINAL NOTES AND WHERE TO GET HELP:

               You may contact me at my office from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m
          Monday through Friday at [phone].  IF YOU CALL MY OFFICE,
          PLEASE ASK FOR ME BY NAME!  I AM THE ONLY ONE WHERE I WORK WHO CAN
          PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON MY SHAREWARE!  After hours and on weekends,
          you may call [phone].  This is a private mobile phone, and if
          it is not answered, will forward to a voice mailbox which I check as
          often as possible.  If you leave a message on here, I will usually get
          back to you the same day.  You may also send me Compuserve Mail at
          USER ID: 72200,1312 or GEnie Mail at MAHOTZ.  I normally check these
          places daily.








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                  NETMAIL Version 6.00 Users Guide and Reference Manual


                     NETMAIL Version 6.00 Official Registration Form

          Please mail this form to:

          J.M. Allen Creations
          115 Lynn Street
          Fremont, Ohio  43420

          Please make any check or money orders payable to J.M. Allen Creations.

          First time registration is $20.00.  Registered users of any previous
          version of NETMAIL may upgrade to NETMAIL version 6.00 for only $5.00.

          Name _________________________________________________________________

          Title ________________________________________________________________

          Company Name _________________________________________________________

          Address ______________________________________________________________

          City _____________________     State ___________     Zip _____________

          Daytime Phone _______________________     Fax ________________________

          Compuserve Mail _____________________     GEnie Mail _________________


               _____ New Registrations at $20.00 Each      = $__________

               _____ Upgrade Registrations at $5.00 Each   = $__________

                                              Total Cost   = $__________


          [ ] I have enclosed a check or money order for the total

          [ ] Charge the credit card below for the total (signature required)

          [ ] I registered by phone with a credit card (signature required)


          CREDIT CARD NUMBER (13 or 16 digits)                     EXPIRES
          VISA/MASTERCARD ONLY!

          __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __    __ __ / __ __


          AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE _______________________________________








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