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!README!
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1991-06-18
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WELCOME to Recon (tm) version 2.01!
Recon consists of at least:
PACKING.LST contains a complete list of all files in package
WARRANTY.DOC IMPORTANT WARRANTY INFORMATION
!README!. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS FILE!
RECON.EXE |
RECON.OVR | the actual software
RECON.HLP |
RECON201.DOC documentation
(may be stored as a separate file)
MAILER.DOC an optional fold up registration form
The current file (!README!.) contains the following information sections:
Introduction
Example CompuServe Sweep
Documentation
Quick Installation
What's new in version 2.01
Registration
Support & Thanks
All listed cross-references refer to sections in the main
documentation file, RECON201.DOC.
Introduction
============
You will find Recon useful for two overlapping purposes:
1) As a tool to review TAPCIS downloaded messages from
within .MSG files that are kept trim and sorted into
context, and to then generate replies and other ONLINE
activity.
2) As a general CompuServe format message file manager
allowing you to sort, browse, prune, and organize &
archive CompuServe message files.
Recon can also help organize TAPCIS and the hodge-podge of
TAPCIS add-on programs with its use of an intelligent memory
swapping MENU Shell.
Example CompuServe "sweep"
==========================
If you are new to TAPCIS and/or CompuServe (or even if you
are not) you may find the following information useful.
Sequence A is a typical sequence for sweeps of the forums on
CompuServe, this outlines how Recon fits in.
You can generate such a sequence by just running things at
the command line, by using a batch file, or by creating these
entries in the Recon shell MENU. (section 5.1.10)
SEQUENCE A:
1) run TAPCIS, choose N from main menu. To read new
message headers, use the "Q" rather than the "R" setting
for forums, if you do a full read ("R" setting) then
skip steps 2 & 3.
2) in TAPCIS, choose M from the main menu, to mark the
threads you wish to download
3) in TAPCIS, choose O to download the marked threads
(leave "<A>ppend/overwrite msg files" set to Append, and
"<K>eep outbox file" set to Always)
4) run Recon in INTERACTIVE mode, view new messages sorted
into context, generate any replies or other ONLINE
activity, (section 6.5) then age & resave (section
6.1.4) each changed file
Messages you wish to keep indefinitely you might save to
.SAV files (or for example .THD files, or whatever)
So the .MSG files contain ALL RECENT messages, the .SAV
files contain miscellaneous "interesting" messages, and
the .THD files contain messages you wish to keep that
all relate to a specific subject.
The Recon generated .OLD files contain AGEd messages,
these you may eventually discard, or perhaps copy to
diskettes for storage.
5) run TAPCIS, choose O to carry out all the pending ONLINE
activity created by Recon.
6) Of course you can also run Recon interactively to look
up older messages/threads, and to periodically clean
house.
Documentation
=============
MAILER.DOC is an optional quick and handy all-in-one fold up
registration form and envelope, print it by typing:
COPY MAILER.DOC PRN
To register, or to order a printed manual just fill it in,
staple your check INSIDE it, TAPE it closed as shown, (DO NOT USE
STAPLES ON THE EXTERIOR) and stamp and mail it.
RECON201.DOC is the installation, tutorial and reference
documentation. It contains no special formatting commands, can be
viewed with any DOS text file viewer or editor, and it should be
printable on most any printer.
The maximum line width in the document is 68 characters and
it requires no more than 60 lines per page to print. Though not
strictly necessary, setting your printer to 12 cpi with a 1.5 inch
left margin (on 8.5 inch width paper) should result in a nicely
centered printout. If you load this document into a word
processor, be careful to allow at least 60 lines/page.
You should have available at least 118 pages of paper. For a
formfeed paper printer insert the paper and set your printer to
start printing towards the top of the page, ready to print on
approximately the fourth line. Note that most page printers
(laser, inkjet, or impact with a cut sheet feeder) will by default
begin printing on line 4. Then type at the DOS command line:
COPY RECON201.DOC PRN
The documentation file includes "box drawings", these use
certain characters which may not be available on some printers.
Generally such printers replace these special characters with
italicised letters. If you are able to, choose the "IBM mode" on
such a printer.
Quick Installation
==================
If you ordered a pre-registered copy of Recon on disk, then
the included on-disk RINSTALL utility, after asking a few
questions, will have already automatically installed Recon for
you.
If you downloaded Recon from CompuServe, a BBS, or just got
an evaluation copy from a friend, installing the software is still
quite straightforward. Just copy RECON.EXE, RECON.OVR and
RECON.HLP into the same directory that contains your TAPCIS.EXE
file and you are ready to go.
You DO NOT need to, and SHOULD NOT erase any information
files (Recon*.DAT, Recon*.SET and Recon*.PCK) that a previous
version may have created. These contain file time stamp data,
your previous pick lists, and other information useful to Recon.
RECON.OVR contains Recon's overlay files, this reduces the
amount of working memory that Recon requires. The overlays can
take advantage of EMS memory if you have it available.
(section 4.9)
Even without the RINSTALL utility, you may also optionally
install Recon in any subdirectory, the procedure is described in
the reference section. (section 4.2, 4.13)
To run the program just type RECON at the DOS command line,
just like any other program that you run, you must be in the same
directory that RECON.EXE and RECON.OVR were copied into, or that
directory must be on the DOS PATH, or you must use the file's path
in the command line you specify.
What's new in 2.01
==================
My goal is to provide in Recon a one-stop-shopping
environment for message file viewing and processing.
Now in addition, with the introduction of the configurable
shell MENU, Recon can co-ordinate all of your CompuServe/TAPCIS
activities. (section 5.1.10)
Recon can also assist sysops, with the addition of a number
of sysop commands. (appendix 7.8)
Recon now uses EMS for data overflow, this at least doubles
its message file capacity. (appendix 7.1)
This version greatly extends the MESSAGE EDITOR facility, to
allow you to generate NEW messages, even without a message file
loaded, and with popup selection of UserID's and sections. Also
included is message forwarding, as well as BINARY/ASCII file CMail
capability. (section 5.5)
Your OUTBOX copy messages are now placed in your .MSG file,
where they are immediately available for reference. This is the
only way of keeping track of you CMail replies. These duplicate
copies are of course automatically deleted when you download the
matching CompuServe copy of that message. (section 5.1.7.2)
There are now forum specific settings for AGEing, as well as
other parameters, and all of these can be edited and set
interactively. (section 5.1.6, 5.1.7)
There is a unique new kind of AGEing command, that lets you
keep a more even message file size, even in forums of varying
activity. (section 5.1.7.2)
Recon now accesses and supports TAPCIS' multiple PARAMS
files. (sections 4.6, 5.1.9)
In addition to Copying and Deleting, you can one-step Move
groups of messages. (section 5.3.7) Groups now also include
sections, and true thread branches. (section 5.3)
A new HOLD setting, will keep a message or group of messages
from being aged, deleted, or moved. (section 5.3.8)
Two new filters, UserID & Branch. These allow you to get a
better handle on threads, and lets you follow exchanges much
easier. (sections 5.4.2.3, 5.4.2.4)
INTERNET/BITNET (or other long) addresses are handled without
truncation. Also Recon now recognizes several INTERNET address
formats, and makes proper sorting sense of these.
New automatic scripts include the ability to download a
single message, a thread, a complete thread, or messages on a
given subject. (section 5.5.6)
And to get you up and running more quickly there is context
sensitive hypertext type HELP.
For the first time a printed/bound manual is available by
mail, on registration or upgrade. (section 1.6)
Registration
============
Recon is copyrighted Shareware, it is NOT PUBLIC DOMAIN, it
is NOT FREE. If you find Recon of value and continue to use it
after a twenty-one day evaluation period you MUST register your
copy of Recon.
When you register you receive:
o a serial number and license for one copy of Recon
o any technical updates of Recon 2.0 available at that time
o a printed and bound manual
o free bonus standalone utilities (as available)
o a greater voice in suggesting future enhancements
o the satisfaction of supporting the shareware concept
If you have not previously registered, and after an
evaluation of Recon you wish to register, or if you would just
like a pre-registered copy to be shipped out to you, the cost is:
$36.00
s/h 6.00
-----
$42.00 US ($49.00 Cdn)
If you are registered for version 1.80/1.80a, or have
registered any other version of Recon BEFORE September 1990 you
remain registered for version 2.01. As such you can request a
printed manual for version 2.01 and bonus utilities as an upgrade
by forwarding:
$10.00
s/h 6.00
-----
$16.00 US ($19.00 Cdn)
You have three options for registering, or ordering a printed
manual & bonus disk:
1) By regular mail: forward your name, CompuServe UserID,
(and serial number if upgrading) and check or money
order made payable to Orest Skrypuch to:
Orest Skrypuch
217 Terrace Hill Street
Brantford, Ontario
Canada N3R 1G8
If you have the evaluation copy of Recon then you can
use the included handy (optional) fold up registration
form/envelope, (print it by typing COPY MAILER.DOC PRN)
then all you need is a stamp and a check.
US POSTAGE to Canada is a NICKEL MORE than US domestic.
Don't forget to send YOUR CompuServe UserID!
2) By telephone: Visa, American Express:
call (519) 752-5453 (Amdox Co. Ltd.)
ORDERS ONLY! SUPPORT IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THAT NUMBER.
Don't forget to have YOUR CompuServe UserID (and serial
number if upgrading) handy!
3) By Compuserve MAIL: This is by VISA or American Express
card, you can forward the information directly to me by
CMail at 76672,1273.
Alternatively, if you have an evaluation copy of
Recon 2.01, just answer YES when Recon asks if you
would like to register. Recon will ask for credit card
and mailing information, and then automatically direct
TAPCIS to send a CompuServe MAIL message direct to me
at 76672,1273.
Your credit card will be charged in Canadian funds. You
will receive a confirmation by CMail when your order is
processed.
Currency exchange will vary, but at the time of this
version's release $49.00 Canadian was approximately:
$42.00 US (36+6s/h) £24.54 SFR 61,95 DM 72,95 5863¥
The registration fee licenses one copy of Recon for use on
any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software
just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by
any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer
location to another, as long as there is no possibility of it
being used at one location while it's being used at another.
Consider it like a book, a book cannot be read by two different
people at the same time.
For commercial users of Recon, site-license or multiple
license discount arrangements may be made by contacting the author
at the above address.
If there is an unavoidable delay in registering, note that
Recon will continue to work unchanged after the evaluation period.
Under no circumstances will Recon do any mischief to those
who dishonestly continue to use Recon without registering.
Support & Thanks
================
Questions, comments, thanks, or jeers are all welcome. I am
supporting this software on CompuServe, address messages to my
UserID 76672,1273 through CompuServe MAIL or leave a message for
me in the TAPCIS forum (preferably in the Scripts and Tools
section).
My sincere thanks go out to all of those who have helped me
to improve Recon by offering up their wish lists, suggestions and
criticisms.
Also a very special thanks to all the brave and tireless
BETA/GAMMA testers.
Enjoy!
Orest Skrypuch