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INTRODUCTION WELCOME TO OPUS MESSAGE KIT!! This program, OMKREAD.EXE, is an off-line reader which will allow you to read, write and reply to messages on any Opus Bulletin Board which carries Opus Message Kit AND systems which carry the QWK message format. The system is written and owned by Roland "Bud" Brown and is the product of several years of work. However, unlike many systems today Opus Message Kit is totally FREE. There is no cost to you or the BBS for using Opus Message Kit (OMK). OMK is a gift to the BBS community by Roland and the PainFrame Pointers. The Pointers are a group of friends who went through the trauma several years ago of setting up mail points off of the PainFrame BBS (1:261/1004) here in Baltimore. While it was rough in the beginning, we have had a wonderful time sharing our "hobby/passion" for computers. Opus Message Kit was born out of our desire to allow folks the opportunity to become points "PainLessly" off their favorite Opus Bulletin Boards. The Pointers (named individually at the end of this document) spent many hours debug- ging, testing, and helping design OMK. We hope that you will find the system enjoyable. 1. OPUS MESSAGE KIT OVERVIEW OPUS Message Kit is an offline reader designed for use on OPUS and other BBS systems which use Opus Message Kit or the QWK off-line message format. It enables you to: - Select message areas on a bulletin board. - Archive messages from those areas. - Download the messages. - Read and reply to the messages offline on your own computer, and create new messages if you desire. - Upload the replies and messages you have created to the bulletin board, where they are placed in the correct message areas. When you log onto a BBS carrying Opus Message Kit, or QWK, the sysop provides a way for you to select the message areas you would like track and to "bundle" (pack up) messages in those areas. OMK or the QWK format bundler, bundles your messages, and you download the file containing the messages to your own computer. The reader (OMKREAD.EXE), when installed on your computer, prepares the bundle of messages for your use and provides you with a simple environment for reading and responding to them at your own pace. A text editor of your choice (see Section 2) is used to create your replies and new messages. When you are ready, OMK prepares your replies and new messages for transmittal to the bulletin board. You use your normal communications program, call the bulletin board, and follow instructions for uploading your messages. It's that simple. You no longer need to worry about running out of time when you follow a large echo, or decide not to answer a message because you need to look up a reference. No more concerns about tying up the board. You do all that off-line on your own system in your own time. AND ALL FOR FREE! So what's the catch? Well, we do ask that you let us know that you are using OMK. Don't worry; this isn't a way to send you a bill. Because of the author's job he is not allowed to charge for this kind of work . . . so you're safe. It's just that we've spent a long time getting this system ready, and we're really interested in the folks who are using it. So, to let us know all you have to do is send Net Mail to: Sysop 1:261/1055 1:261/1055 is The Keeping Room BBS the main beta test site of OMK, and the Sysop is Anne Madison (the documentation guru for Opus Message Kit). Or, if you don't have access to Net Mail a brief note via U.S. Mail would be appreciated. Send to: Roland M. Brown III 7538 Main Street Sykesville, Md. 21784 PLEASE, NO PHONE CALLS! EVEN ON YOUR DIME ROLAND CANNOT AFFORD THE TIME. While you're writing, let us hear your comments, complaints, and compliments. If you find a bug, heaven forbid, WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THAT AS WELL. DISCLAIMER: OMKREAD is provided free of charge. The program is provided "as is" with no guarantees or warranties of any kind. 2. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO USE OPUS MESSAGE KIT - An IBM personal computer or true compatible with hard disk. - A TEXT EDITOR. There are two requirements for the text editor: (a) It must accept the name of the file to be edited as its first command-line parameter (for example, "ED FILENAME" or "Q FILENAME." (b) It must be capable of creating PURE ASCII TEXT FILES. You cannot use your regular word-processor with OMK unless it is capable of creating an ASCII (or DOS Text) file. Word-processors include control and other codes in the documents they create which are incompatible with OMK. We recommend PC-WRITE, or QEdit, both user supported programs readily available on most bulletin boards. OMK has been tested with both of these editors and we know that they work well with OMK. However, the program should work with any editor meeting those two requirements. - The PKZIP and PKUNZIP file compression programs. Beginning with this version of OMK, the use of PKZIP/PKUNZIP is mandatory. If you plan to use your reader on bulletin boards using an older version of OMK you must also have a a file compression program which creates ARC format files. Three which are readily available are ARCA/ARCE, PKARC/PKXARC, and PKPAK/PKUNPAK. - And, of course a communications program! A REALLY NICE free communications program is \/\/term written by Walter Cox who was instrumental in helping with OMK. With its autoZmodem uploading and downloading it makes and IDEAL choice for OMK/BBS messaging. Version 2.0x of the OMK Reader will handle messages for all previ- ous versions of OPUS Message Kit as well as QWK. 3. INSTALLING OPUS MESSAGE KIT ON YOUR SYSTEM This section provides complete instructions for installation of the OPUS Message Kit Reader on your PC. The installation will include the following steps: - Decide on, and create, directories on your hard disk for the OMK reader, the text editor you have selected, the file compression utilities, and bundles of messages coming into and out of the OMK reader. - Add the OMK directory to your path. Optionally, add the directories housing your editor and compression utilities to the path. - Run the OMKREAD program and answer some configuration ques- tions. 3.1 PREPARING YOUR SYSTEM 3.1.1 Create the OMK Subdirectory Create a subdirectory on your HARD DISK for the OPUS Message Kit. You may name the subdirectory anything you like. Unarchive the reader OMK_READ.ARC into the subdirectory. 3.1.2 Create the Upload/Download Subdirectory Decide which subdirectory on your system you would like to download your messages to and upload your messages from. It is probably easiest to choose the subdirectory or sub- directories you have already specified for this purpose in your communications program (for example, C:\new or C:\download). 3.1.3 Create the Message Subdirectories If Desired Decide where you would like to keep the messages from each BBS you will be calling which uses OMK. In most cases, it is simplest just to keep the messages in your main OPUS Message Kit subdirectory; however, you may specify any subdirectory you choose. OMK will create the actual BBS subdirectories. 3.1.4 Create the Editor Subdirectory Decide on a subdirectory for your EDITOR if you don't already have one set up. Again, if you prefer, the editor can reside in the OMK reader subdirectory. 3.1.5 Create the PKZIP Subdirectory If you don't have one already, create a subdirectory on your hard disk for PKZIP/PKUNZIP and the other ARC utility you've selected. Place the PKZIP/PKUNZIP utilities in this sub- directory. IF YOU'RE A NOVICE AT USING THESE KINDS OF UTILITIES, FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THEIR DOCUMENTATION. Most of them require simple, but very specific, installation procedures before you can use them. Become familiar with these instructions before you begin to use OMK. If you don't plan to use a BBS with an old version of OMK, you won't need the ARC utility. If you don't wish to create a special subdirectory for these utilities, they can be placed in the same subdirectory with OPUS Message Kit. 3.1.6 Modify your PATH Statement Add the OMK subdirectory to your PATH. You may also add the archive utility subdirectory (if it is different), and the Editor subdirectory (if it is different) to your PATH. If you do not choose to do this, a path may be included when you install OMK. Set up a path by adding the following statement- (s) to your autoexec.bat: path=C:\omkread;C:\arcutils;C:\qedit (or whatever drive and sub-directory names you've chosen) Be sure to REBOOT your computer after adding this statement so that the PATH is in effect when you begin to use OMKREAD. This completes your system preparation. Next, you will be running and configuring the reader. 3.2 RUNNING OMKREAD FOR THE FIRST TIME You should run OMKREAD once before you have a message bundle to read. The first time you run it, several configuration options will be set. Be certain you have available the names and locations of the subdirectories you created in Step 3.1 above. You may want to jot them down. 3.2.1 Required Subdirectories The reader will find the subdirectory where its own program is located and verify that this is where you want it to reside. This is the subdirectory you created in Step 3.1.1, above. It will then ask you where the inbound messages are and where to put its replies. The answer to this question will be the subdirectory you decided on in Step 3.1.2. You will then be asked where you would like OMK to "create" the BBS's you'll be getting messages from. This will be the subdirectory you decided on in Step 3.1.3. You will be asked to specify your editor. This will be the subdirectory you decided on in Step 3.1.4. 3.2.2 Your Screen Colors OMK will next provide you with the opportunity to select your screen colors using windows OMK provides for this purpose. 3.2.4 Your File Compression Utilities You will be asked to select an ARCHIVE PROGRAM from a list. PKZIP will always be the default, but if you plan to use this reader with messages prepared on a BBS using an older version of OMK you MUST also have an ARC type program. If you don't plan to use OMK on bulletin boards using an ARC utility, don't worry about it. Just pick one from the list, even if you don't have it. If you're in doubt about which utility is being used on any BBS, just ask the sysop. 3.3 UPGRADING FROM AN OLDER VERSION OF OMK IF you are already using OMK and wish to upgrade to version 2.0, follow these two steps: 3.3.1 Get a Copy of PKZIP/PKUNZIP Be certain you have a recent copy of PKZIP/PKUNZIP and that it is in a subdirectory on your path. 3.3.2 Unarchive the New OMK Reader Unarchive a copy of the new reader in your current OMKREAD subdirectory. The new reader will automatically pick up your parameters from your old version. 4. USING OPUS MESSAGE KIT ON AN OMK BBS THAT'S IT! The OPUS Message Kit reader has been installed, and you're ready to log into your favorite OPUS Message Kit BBS and DOWNLOAD SOME MESSAGES. 4.1 The Net/Node Number While you're there, be sure to take CAREFUL note of your sysop's FIDONET Net/Node number. The number is unique on every BBS. It usually consists of two or three digits, followed by a slash, then three or four digits. There may be some extra numbers included. Example: 1:261/1055.0 The important digits here would be 261/1055. The Net/Node number is often displayed on the BBS's opening screen (what you see when you first log in). If you don't see it, make a point of asking the sysop. Your message and reply bundles will be named using this net/node number, so for the above system the file names would be: 02611055.REZ (for the reply bundles you upload) 02611055.OKZ (for message bundles you download) 4.2 The OPUS Message Kit Bundler The following overview is divided into two parts. Section 4.2.1 refers to bulletin board systems where the sysop has enabled message downloading and uploading from within OMK. Section 4.2.2 provides instructions for those systems where this feature is not enabled. Ask your sysop which procedures you should follow. 4.2.1 Boards Which Use OMK for Message Uploads/Downloads Follow the sysop's instructions for getting into OPUS Message Kit on the BBS. You are presented with a list of message areas; they're the same areas you normally see on the bulletin board. You may select any of these areas to receive in your Reader. Select the desired message areas by typing their numbers in, one at a time, each followed by a space. Press <enter> when you have completed your selections. You are next asked for a DATE from which to begin bundling. If this is your first time using the reader, you'll automatic- ally be given the date on which the sysop last configured OPUS Message Kit on the BBS. Your first OMK session will be easier and more successful if you enter YESTERDAY'S DATE here. Popular message areas receive many new messages every day, and you can quickly find yourself with a message bundle which is too large to manage easily. So be conservative on your first visit. You'll soon develop a feel for how often you need to download your messages. On your second and subsequent calls, your default date will be the last date you received messages. Occasionally (not on your first call) you may need to RESELECT your message areas. This simply means that the sysop has been doing some work on the configuration of OMK. You are next asked if you wish to download your messages. Two file transfer protocols are provided: Zmodem and CRC Xmodem. If you wish to download your messages from within OMK, answer Y(es) and start the download on your system just as you would for any other file transfer. Check your communications prog- ram for instructions on how to use it to download files. After you have downloaded your new messages, you will be asked if you wish to upload a bundle of messages to the board. Answer "Y" if you have messages to upload. You will be asked to select a file transfer protocol--Zmodem or CRC Xmodem. Type in the number of the protocol you wish to use. Your reply bundle (if you have one) is automatically named NNNNNNNN.REZ, "N" being the Fidonet net/node number of the bulletin board. For net/node number 261/1055, the reply bundle would be named 02611055.REZ. The reply bundle is located in the directory of your hard disk which you specified in Section 3.1.2, above. Start the upload by following the procedures in your communications program for uploading files. It's IMPORTANT not to upload your messages to any area of the board other than that specified by the sysop. When you have finished uploading your bundle, you are ready to exit the OMK bundler. That's it. Do whatever else it is you normally do when "visiting" the BBS, then log off and you are ready to read and respond to your messages using the OMK Reader you've installed on your own system. 4.2.3 Boards Which Use a File Area for Message Uploads/Downloads Follow the sysop's instructions for getting into OPUS Message Kit on the BBS. You are presented with a list of message areas; they're the same areas you normally see on the bulletin board. You may select any of these areas to receive in your Reader. Select the desired message areas by typing their numbers in, one at a time, each followed by a space. Press <enter> when you have completed your selections. You are next asked for a DATE from which to begin bundling. If this is your first time using the reader, you'll automatically be given the date on which the sysop last configured OPUS Message Kit on the BBS. Your first OMK session will be easier and more successful if you enter YESTERDAY'S DATE here. Popular message areas receive many new messages every day, and you can quickly find yourself with a message bundle which is too large to manage easily. So be conservative on your first visit. You'll soon develop a feel for how often you need to download your messages. On your second and subsequent calls, your default date will be the last date you received messages. Occasionally (not on your first call) you may need to RESELECT your message areas. This simply means that the sysop has been doing some work on the configuration of OMK. Next, exit OMK and return to the bulletin board. As you leave OMK, you are directed to a file area (NOT A MESSAGE AREA) on the board which the sysop has set up for OPUS Message Kit. You see your message bundle waiting there for you, and you can download it with any transfer protocol used on the board. Check your communications programs for instructions on how to use it to download a file. Check with your sysop if you need instructions for how to download a file from the file area. After you have downloaded your new messages, you will be asked if you wish to upload a bundle of messages to the board. Answer "Y" if you have messages to upload. You may use any transfer protocol offered by the bulletin board to upload your reply bundle. Your reply bundle (if you have one) is automatically named NNNNNNNN.REZ, "N" being the Fidonet net/node number of the bulletin board. For net/node number 261/1055, the reply bundle would be named 02611055.REZ. The reply bundle is located in the directory of your hard disk which you specified in Section 3.1.2, above. Start the upload by following the procedures in your communications program for uploading files. IMPORTANT: Don't upload your reply bundle to any other area on the board. Don't use the special OMK area to upload any other files. That's it. Do whatever else it is you normally do when "visiting" the BBS, then log off and you are ready to read and respond to your messages using the OMK Reader you've installed on your own system. BBSes with QWK provide similar facilities allowing you to designate areas to bundle and to download messages and upload replies. 5. USING YOUR OMK READER 5.1 Getting Into the OMK Reader Users of DOS 2.x MUST always CD (change directory) to the OMK directory BEFORE using the reader. When using 3.x or greater OMK can find its directory no matter where you call it from as long as the directory is EITHER in your path statement or explicitly specified (i.e. d:\omk\omkread). When you run the reader it will check (messages you have just downloaded) from the BBS. The messages will be unbundled and prepared for reading. You can keep messages from many bulletin board systems on your system; OMK will keep track of them within the reader. 5.1.1 Command Line Options -l This command line switch tells OMK to bypass displaying the BBS logo when you "logon" the BBS in the reader. Normally, if the BBS sends you a logo file, it is always displayed when you select that BBS with your reader. If you use the -l option that file is not displayed. The "Logo" command on the main menu allows you to display the logo while you are reading message. This is useful since some bulletin boards send useful information (such as a list of new uploads) in their logo files. -b This option allows you to use the BIOS video routines rather than OMK's normal direct memory video routines. While this option slows OMK's screen display CONSIDERABLY, it does allow the reader to run as a "well-behaved" program under certain multi-tasking systems such as DesqView. -r This option allow you to RETAIN messages between unbundles. Prior to this version OMK_READ always deleted old messages on the reader when there were new messages to unbundle. With this option the reader will add new messages to the end of each area. This works well when you only track small message areas on a BBS. Be warned that when you attempt this with a large area like DR_DEBUG you will need LOTS of disk space! You can delete messages from the Main Reader Menu if disk space becomes a problem. 5.2 THE MAIN MENU The main menu provides you with the following options: - Log on: OMK will show you a list of available BBSes and permit you to select the BBS you want to work with. OMK does this by checking for existing message bundles you have downloaded. - Reconfigure: Allows you to reset your OMK system parameters including: paths to inbound messages and outbound replies; your text editor, your archive program, the location of the BBS messages, and the screen color settings. If you change the location of your inbound messages (FROM THE BBS) you will need to quit OMKREAD and call it again for that new directory to take effect. This is not necessary if you change the directory for the outbound messages. That change takes effect immediately. - Delete Msgs: Allows you to delete ALL messages for any BBS. You are stepped through each BBS which has messages and allowed to select whether or not to delete messages for that BBS. A bundle of replies is forced before ANY messages are deleted, as a safeguard. - Params: Will show you your parameters that you have set for OMKREAD. - Quit: Quits the OMK READER. A scan of all BBS message areas and a bundle of any replies is done prior to exiting the program. You are also given an opportunity to delete any OLD reply bundles from your outbound reply area. 5.3 Reading Messages for a BBS Use "LOGON" from the main menu to select the BBS whose messages you want to read and reply to. If this is your first time out, you'll probably only have one BBS to choose from. Simply type in the number of the BBS you've selected. Once you have selected your BBS, read the messages by following the steps in this section. 5.3.1 Start with a Message Area Once you've selected a BBS you'll be presented with a list of message areas. Each will have its own OMK message area number, a descriptive title, and the number of messages to be read. Areas where there are new messages will be highlighted. (CGA USERS NOTE: This highlighting does not show up well with some color combinations.) 5.3.2 Message Options Once you have selected a message area, a blank message screen will appear. You will find that reading through the messages is very similar to the process you use when reading them on a BBS. The following message options are provided at the bottom of your screen: - NEXT: Read the next message - PRIOR: Read the previous message - REPLY: Reply to the message you are reading - WRITE: Enter a new message - MSG#: Read a specific message (by number) - KILL: Kill a message or reply (by number) - AREA: Change to another message area - XPORT: Export (save) a message to a separate text file on your disk (useful for messages which contain information you might want save for future reference). OR Save a message to your printer by specifying PRN LPT1 LPT2 etc. If you specify an existing file OMK will append the message to that file (add it to the end). You could specify a file name like CECHO.DAT and put any messages you want to track from the C_echo into that file. - LOGO: Re-display the BBS logo for the current BBS. Note: you can use the command line parameter -l (lower case l) to bypass the logo display when you log onto the BBS using the reader. - INQUIRE: Find a text string in a message header (TO, FROM, SUBJECT) - SHELL: Jump to DOS on your system. Return to OMK by typing "EXIT" - BYE: Quit reading messages and return to the main OMK menu. You can also do this by pressing ESCAPE. All of these options are HOT KEYS. Just press the first CAPITAL letter of the desired option. All return to "Next" after completion except Prior which is 'sticky' like Next. WHEN you are reading messages and this menu is NOT visible you can use the PGUP/PGDN and up and down ARROW keys to scroll your messages on screen. 5.4 Writing or Replying to Messages 5.4.1 Message Headers When you decide to write or answer a message (by selecting the WRITE or REPLY option), you'll be asked to enter the header (TO, FROM, SUBJECT) if it's a new message. If it's a reply, you'll be asked to accept or change the SUBJECT. You will also be asked if the message is public or private. Messages are automatically public unless you specify private by answering "No" to the prompt. 5.4.2 The Message Text Your text editor will now come into play. You'll be presented with the main editing screen of the editor you selected when you installed OMK. If you are creating a reply, you will see the entire text of the original message displayed Edit out portions of the original message you don't want to quote, and type in your reply. If you are entering a new message, you can simply begin typing the message. 5.4.1 Saving your Message When you have completed the message or reply, USE WHATEVER COMMAND YOU NORMALLY USE IN YOUR EDITOR TO QUIT AND SAVE A FILE. OPUS Message Kit will take the message you have just created and save it to be bundled with other messages and replies. You can continue reading, writing, and replying to messages. When you're ready to change to a new message area, select AREA CHANGE from the menu at the bottom of your screen. 5.5 FINISHING UP When you are ready to stop reading and replying to messages, select BYE (or press ESCAPE). You can go on to read messages from another BBS or exit the Reader. When you exit the Reader, you will see the it packing up your replies for each BBS and placing them in the upload subdirectory you specified when you installed it. You'll be given the opportunity to DELETE any old message packets that exist. IT IS BEST TO GET INTO THE HABIT OF DOING THIS IF YOU HAVE ALREADY UPLOADED THE REPLIES IN THE OLD PACKET. You do not have to delete old replies if you are not sure whether or not you have uploaded them. HOWEVER with QWK format BBS you SHOULD delete old replies since MOST QWK systems we have encountered DO NOT have the sophisticated date checking routines OMK uses to prevent DUPES to the BBS. If you keep uploading QWK.REP packets that you have uploaded before you may get (understandably) NASTYGRAMS from the Sysop. OMK date stamps each bundle within each outbound message archive. The BBS unbundler will not create duplicate messages on the BBS. IT IS ALWAYS WISER to delete your old replies yourself. If you don't, you may eventually get a "nastygram" from the sysop because OMK on the bulletin board takes extra time to process old messages. So make it a habit to DELETE YOUR REPLY BUNDLES after you have uploaded them. Opus Message Kit can handle multiple sessions of the reader. Say, for instance, that you've downloaded some messages from a BBS and written replies and some new messages, and then said BYE. You then quit OMK and your replies/messages are bundled. You decide it is too late to log onto the BBS and go to bed, or you suddenly remember that there is another message you need to write. You call the reader again, log onto the BBS and write more messages, say BYE and quit again. OMK bundles your messages and date/time stamps them and ADDS then to the bundle that it created earlier. No messages are lost. 5.6 A WORD OF WARNING: YOUR SYSTEM DATE Opus Message Kit is DATE SENSITIVE. Please be certain that you enter the system date and time correctly, or that your system clock is correct. One OMK user didn't notice that his system clock had somehow been set for the year 2074. He created a bundle of messages with that date and uploaded them. The next time he attempted to use OPUS Message Kit on that BBS (after he had corrected his system clock), OMK refused any of his bundles because they were all dated prior to 2074 (naturally). If this should happen to you ask the sysop to check and possibly reset your last date bundle using the BBS program OMK_USRM.EXE. 5.7 USING OMKREAD WITH A QWK BBS QWK BBS messaging is very similar in concept to OMK. There are a few differences, however, which you should know about. First, QWK BBSes often let you choose between various archive methods. When using OMKREAD YOU MUST CHOOSE PKZIP!! The file name will NOT be the net/node numbers you use on an OMK BBS. Instead, the sysop assigns a name. For example, Anne Madision calls her QWK packets TKR.QWK and the replies for her BBS will always be TKR.REP. You don't need to worry about this OMKREAD takes care of all of this automatically. You will only need to remember that *.REP files are QWK replies, while *.QWK files are QWK messages from the BBS. OMKREAD will keep them separate. You'll only need to remember the name that goes with each BBS when time comes for you to upload your replies (*.REP) to the BBS. Don't worry most sysops assign names that you will easily associate with their BBS -- like TKR for The Keeping Room, or AVITECH!.REP for Avitechnic BBS, or TNCBBS.REP for the Nerve Center BBS. Simple!! 6. THAT'S IT! We hope you'll find OPUS Message Kit convenient and easy to use. Please feel free to share it with other boards and users. We ask only that you distribute the archive in its original form. Don't forget to LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES with it. 6.1 BUG REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS Please help us with future releases of OPUS Message Kit by reporting bugs as follows: Send to: 261/1055 with the following information: BBS side and User: What where you trying to do? Describe the Bug or problem. What is your Operating system version? Were you running any TSR's? Hardware configuration? Any other programs running? Any other information which might be helpful. How we can contact you if need be? What error message, if any, did you get? SPECIAL THANKS To Walter Cox (a.k.a. \/\/ Cox). If anyone is responsible for the creation of Opus Message Kit it is Walter. He started the idea for this reader by noting that a couple of the utilities Roland had written had some of the features needed for an off-line message reader. With \/\/'s constant encouragement/nagging :-) - Roland developed Opus Message Kit. Walter is also responsible for hours of testing and debugging and developed the scripts included for use with your comms program. \/\/ is the moderator for a local communications echo (\/\/'s CommPort) here on Net 261. To Anne Madison. Sysop of The Keeping Room. Anne graciously consented to allowing her BBS to be the Test Bed for OMK. She allowed The Keeping Room to be hung-up, grunged, and over-used by beta testers so that we could present to the BBS community a solid package. In spite of what we did to her BBS she kept her good humor and gracious manner. She is also responsible for taking the burden of the documentation. To Marek Majewski. Sysop of the PainFrame BBS. Marek is responsible for getting all of us who call ourselves PainFrame Pointers together in the first place. Without him none of this would have come about because none of us would have met. To the following bulletin boards and sysops participating in testing OPUS Message Kit. 1:261/1000 The Nerve Center Alan Hess 1:261/1040 SarComm Sara Grace 1:261/1026 The Electronic Circuit Rider Craig Duerling 1:261/1055 The Keeping Room Anne Madison 1:261/1082 Wit-Tech Doug Wittich OTHER NET 261 TESTERS Outside the Wall Rob Novak Dave's Doghouse Dave Maczis The Breezeway Daryl Martin AviTechnic Tom Hendricks GreyHawk (RBBS & RIME) Walter Ames APPENDIX 1: SOFTWARE AND PROGRAMS RECOMMENDED FOR USE WITH OPUS MESSAGE KIT THE OPUS COMPUTER BASED CONVERSATION SYSTEM: Copyright 1886, 1987 by Wynn Wagner, III. All Rights Reserved. ARCE (c) Copyright 1986-1988 by Wayne Chin and Vernon D. Buerg ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PKZIP/PKUNZIP, PKARC/PKXARC, PKPAK/PKUNPAK: Phil Katz, PKware, Inc., 7545 N. Port Washington Rd. Suite 205, Glendale, WI 53217-3422 QEDIT (c) Copyright SemWare (tm) 730 Elk Grove Ct., Kennesaw, Ga. 30144-4047. PC-WRITE (c) Copyright Quicksoft, 219 First N. #224, Seattle, Wa. 98109. APPENDIX 2: FOR THE TECHNICALLY MINDED!! ALL THOSE LITTLE FILES!!!! ARE NOW GONE!! With version 2.0 you now do not have a file for each message, but rather one file per message area (two counting the index file). HARDCOPY (c) is one of those. It is a utility written by the author of OMK and allows the user to track messages by name, and/or date a produce a printed output of those messages. It is used by many people to keep a record of messages in a particular ECHO that are directed to, or sent from, them. You may find other useful utilities as well. In addition, you can write programs you might want to operate on OMK messages simply by knowing the format is the same as OPUS messages (no proprietary files to figure out).