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MaxiMiser - A QMail Compatible Program
Copyright 1991 by Shawn T. Smith
Version 1.10
Release date: June 28, 1991
Documentation updated June 28, 1991
* NOTE: MaxiMiser may not be distributed in any software packages without
the written permission from the author.
MaxiMiser v1.10 files:
MAXIMISR.DOC - MaxiMiser documentation
MAXIMISR.PRG - The program itself
REGISTER.DOC - MaxiMiser registration form
TAGS.DAT - Sample Taglines (You will come up with better)
QMAIL.DO - DO File to get into Qmail door and grab messages
UP_REP.DO - DO file to automate uploading of Replies
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
---------------------------------
Introduction
Acknowledgements ................................................. 2
Registered Trademarks ............................................ 2
Warranty ......................................................... 3
Copyright Information ............................................ 3
Registration ..................................................... 3
Additional Information and Help .................................. 4
QMail ............................................................ 5
Using MaxiMiser
Installing MaxiMiser ................................................. 5
Main Menu ............................................................ 7
Accessories ..................................................... 7
Bulletins ....................................................... 7
Configuration ................................................... 7
Drop to ......................................................... 7
Enter Message ................................................... 7
Files ........................................................... 7
Goodbye ......................................................... 7
Initial Screen .................................................. 8
Manage Replies .................................................. 8
Quick Scan ...................................................... 8
Read Messages ................................................... 8
Session Stats ................................................... 8
Text Search ..................................................... 8
Use Services ................................................... 10
APPENDIX 1 - Functions of MaxiMiser Editor ......................... 11
APPENDIX 2 - Functions of MaxiMiser Service File Viewer ............ 12
APPENDIX 3 - Structure of Messages.Dat ............................. 13
----------------
- INTRODUCTION -
----------------
Version 1.10 - Page 2
Get the MAXImum out of your online time..
Be MISERly with your long distance dollar
Thank you for trying MaxiMiser. MaxiMiser is an OFF-LINE mail read and
reply for use with the QWK type Doors on IBM BBS's and Maxidoor on Atari
BBS's.
MaxiMiser runs in either medium or high resolution and requires 512K of
memory.
Acknowledgements
----------------
My wife, Sharon for understanding why I haven't come out of the basement
in the last few weeks.
Wayne King - Atari Conference Chairman at CRS for convincing me that this
project was worthwhile.
Chris Hoyer - Atari Conference Chairman at Bits & Bytes for his
enthusiastic support including many ideas and source code routines.
Rob Gregory, Lesley Dee Dylan, Jim Jaszewski and many others for some
excellent feedback.
Stan Witkowski and Don Liscombe for pointing me in the right direction
when attempting to deal with IBM Basic numbers on an Atari (talk about
your bit swapping nightmare!)
And finally you, for supporting a machine which we have all come to love.
Notice of Registered Trademarks
------------------------------- -
Atari, Atari ST, and TOS are trademarks of Atari Corp.
- CRS is a trademark of 884097 Ontario Ltd
- PCBoard is a trademark of Clark Development Company
- Qnet, Qmail Deluxe, Qmail Door are trademarks of Sparkware
- STReader is copyright SKware
- GFA Basic is trademark GFA Systemtechnik
- Maxifile is a trademark of Codehead Software
- First Word and First Word Plus are trademarks of GST Holdings
- Word Writer is a Trademark of Timeworks
Version 1.10 - Page 3
Warranty
--------
There is no warranty on MaxiMiser. The author (Shawn Smith) will not
accept responsibility for system damage, loss of profit, or any other
special, incidental or consequential damages resulting from the use of
inability to use MaxiMiser.
Copyright Information
---------------------
MaxiMiser is shareware, not public domain! It is copyrighted by Shawn
Smith. If you continue to use the program after an evaluation period (30
Days) you are obligated to register the program.
MaxiMiser v1.10 may be freely distributed with the following provisions:
- Only distribute the program in it's original form, with all of it's
related files and documentation.
- Do not distribute it with your MAXIMISR.KEY file.
- Do not distribute the program with any software packages.
- Do not alter the program in any manner.
- Do not accept payment for MaxiMiser (except for the disk and
postage)
Registration
------------
If you wish to register MaxiMiser, print out the REGISTER.DOC file and
fill in the information. If you don't have a printer, then write down
all the information that is asked in the REGISTER.DOC file.
In North America make cheques/money orders payable to Shawn Smith.
MaxiMiser ST Registration Fee $20.00
Postage & handling 3.00
------
$23.00
In Europe make cheques/Money orders payable to Ben Van Bokkem.
MaxiMiser ST Registration Fee 10.00 Pounds (UK)
Postage & Handling 1.50 Pounds (UK)
======
11.50 Pounds (UK)
For your Registration fee you will receive the current version of
MaxiMiser, and your Registration Key file. You will also be entitled to
free updates to version 1.xx and a reduced upgrade fee to any future major
revisions.
(See next page)
Version 1.10 - Page 4
All prices quoted may change at any time without notice. I will however
honour any amounts received after price changes for 14 days.
In North America In Europe
MaxiMiser MaxiMiser
c/o Shawn Smith c/o Ben Van Bokkem
27 Carr Dr 100 Broughton Ave
Ajax, Ontario Aylesbury Buck
L1T 3E2 HP20 1QB
CANADA England
Additional Information and Help
-------------------------------
In simple terms MaxiMiser is a program that will allow you to read and
respond to messages that you have downloaded from BBS through a QWK
compatible door (eg MarkMail,Qmail for PC Board/Maxidoor for FoReM/Turbo).
You just take your favorite terminal program, call the BBS that you wish
to download from (Must have a QWK compatible Door), enter that door (Have the
SysOp point you in the right direction if you can't find the right Door),
configure the program to your liking, download your messages and logoff.
This is very simplified, but I am not here to tell you how to run QMail. I
would suggest you ask your SysOp for a file on how to set the door up for your
tastes. I would recommend a file called QM40USER.ZIP.
Now that you have something on your drive, you can boot up MaxiMiser. The
program will let you read through all the messages just like you were
online ('cept your not and it's saving you money if the BBS was long
distance). You can reply to any message you choose or even enter new
messages. There are many more features that MaxiMiser offers that we
shall explore.
I should point out that MaxiMiser does require a KEY file to run at
optimum performance, but during the trial period(30 Days) I am certain it
will run adequately without one for you.
Please support shareware authors! If you support them then they are
encouraged to support you. If you don't support them then they can and
will move on to other platforms where their work is supported.
For support or assistance I can be contacted through one of the following:
NAnet - Hosted by CRS - I can be reached in the ST conference
Relaynet - - I can be reached in the Atari Conference
I read the above two conferences on CRS and I am usually there at
least twice a day so my response to comments will be relatively
quick.
The Brewery BBS 416-683-3089 9600 24 hrs FNET Node 66
(Email)
CFB Atari No Phone # yet FNET Node 68
(This is my BBS and I will be opening it to the public as a Maxi
Support BBS in the very near future). I have already started a Maxi
Support Crossnet Conference that your local Fnet Node can pick up. I
lead the conference from Node 68 and the conference code is 10068. As
your local Sysop to send me Email to pick up this conference if they
don't have it already.
-------------------
- USING MAXIMISER -
-------------------
Version 1.10 - Page 5
INSTALLING MAXIMISER
--------------------
Installation is very simple, I would recommend a Hard Disk for running
this program as it can be very disk intensive. Create a folder called
MAXIMISR and place only the MAXIMISR.PRG file in this folder. Double
click on the program and you will be taken to a configuration screen.
The screen will look like this:
1 - Your Name: "
2 - ARC Location: "
3 - Arc Extraction commands: "
4 - Arc Move commands: "
5 - ZIP Location: "
6 - Zip Extraction commands: "
7 - Arc Move commands: "
8 - LHARC Location: "
9 -LHArc Extraction commands: "
10 - LHArc Move commands: "
11 - Default Compression: "
12 - Text Editor: "
13 - Dos Shell: "
14 - REP Directory: "
15 - QWK Directory: "
16 - KILL PACKET on exit: "
17 - Edit/Create Tags"
Edit Which Item (1-9) or 0 to quit
What are these options:
=======================
Line 1 is your name as you indicated on the registration form that you
sent to me. Do not worry about if you use an alias on some BBS's and you
real name on others as I take your online name from within the .QWK file.
I need this entry for registration purposes.
Line 2 is the location where I can find ARC.TTP (or whatever you may have
called it on your system).
Lines 3 and 4 are the commands that get sent to your ARC program to extract
from and move files into ARCs. This has been done to give you complete
flexibilty for current and future archivers.
Line 5 is for your program to compress/decompress ZIP files. Finally we have
a good ZIPPER (STZIP (current version .9)) and I have added the support for
it here in MaxiMiser.
Line 6 and 7 are the Extract and Move commands for ZIP
Line 8 is for your LHARC program
Line 9 and 10 are the Extract and Move commands for LHARC
Line 11 is where you define your DEFAULT compression. Valid entries are
ARC,ZIP or LHARC
Version 1.10 - Page 6
Line 12 is for whereyou define your External Text Editor. Any editor that
accepts a command line and saves in ASCII should do fine.
PLEASE DO NOT USE ANY OF THE GST PRODUCTS (First Word, First Word Plus,
Word Writer) as these programs handle the command line in a strange way
and will not work reliably with MaxiMiser.
Line 13 is a program you would like to execute from within MaxiMiser. I
personally have Codehead's Maxifile set up in my configuration, but you
are free to place what you want in this option. Just remember that
memory is not endless and if you run into problems executing a program
you may need to cut down on Accessories/Auto folder programs to attempt
to execute a smaller program.
Line 14 is the default directory to place REP packets. This would most
likely be the directory of your terminal program.
Line 15 is the default directory to find QWK files. If there is only one
QWK file in the directory, you can just hit return and it will be loaded.
Line 16 is a YES/NO option to kill the QWK packet upon "full" termination
of MaxiMiser. The QWK packet will not be deleted on a temporary (or HOLD)
exit from MaxiMiser.
If you alter items 2,5,8,11,12, the program will check for the existence
of the program you specify. If they are not found you will be notified and
asked to resupply the information. Pressing return with a blank line will
bring up FILE SELECTOR to let you set the path.
This type of configuration only happens the first time the program is
run, but you can always change your configuration from within MaxiMiser
at any point in the future.
Once you have completed this configuring, select 0 and you will be asked
through a item selector box to choose a *.QWK file to work with.(Once you
have configured MaxiMiser once you may use it as an installed
application so that all you need to do is double click on a QWK file and
MaxiMiser will boot up and use that packet), Once you have selected the QWK
you will see the file decompress with your default compression,then,on the
status line you will see MaxiMiser process the necessary files. Once
completed you will be at the main menu looking something like this:
M A X I M I S E R
M E N U
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A] ccessories
B] ulletins
C] onfigure MaxiMiser*ST
D] rop to MAXIFILE.PRG
E] nter a Message
F] iles
G] ood Bye (Terminate MaxiMiser*ST)
I] ntro Screen
M] anage Replies
Q] uick Scan Messages
R] ead Messages
S] ession Stats
T] ext Search message contents
U] se Services
X] fer Confmail
Your Selection ->
Version 1.10 - Page 7
I will in the next few pages give you an overview of each menu choice.
NOTE: Your menu may change depending on what files need to be
supported by the QWK packet.
USING MAXIMISER
---------------
Main Menu
---------
Accessories
-----------
This will toggle you into a Gem Window where your Desk Accessories
will be available to you.
Bulletins
---------
This selection will display the log on bulletins (if available) where you
will be informed by your sysop of anything he/she feels is worth noting
to you.
Configuration
-------------
This is the same menu we covered in the Set-up instructions. Refer to
page number 5, "INSTALLING MAXIMISER".
Drop to
-------
This selection will allow you to execute the program you defined as you
DOS Shell. Your program will run upon selection and you will return to
the main menu upon completion of executing.
Enter Message
-------------
This selection will allow you to enter a message to any conference of
your choice. When entering a message, you are required to enter certain
information such as who the message is to, if the message is public or
private, should it be echoed, and the subject. After entering this
information, you will be in the built in text editor. From here you have
the option to copy a file into the message buffer, write your own message
with the editor (word wrap is built in and always on) or call your external
editor as defined in the configuration menu. A brief comment about Public
Private messages and the Echo Flag. These will only work on PC-Board and
Non-Crossnet base on FoReM/Turbo. Do not try to enter a private message
into a Crossnet base as it will not be private.
Files
-----
This selection will display the text file that contains all new files
available on that BBS since you last called.
Goodbye
-------
Exit MaxiMiser. You will be presented with a dialog box asking if you are
sure. Selecting NO returns you to the main menu. Selecting HOLD will allow
a temporary exit from MaxiMiser. It will not delete the files and
therefore when you reboot MaxiMiser you will not have to go through the
time consuming de-compression routine again. Selecting YES will terminate
MaxiMiser and if you have any out going messages, they will be
compressed and the working directory and files within will be deleted.
A goodbye screen is also displayed if available.
Version 1.10 - Page 8
Initial Screen
--------------
This selection will display initial welcome screen for the BBS (if
available).
Manage Replies
--------------
This selection will allow you to review the out going messages and either
kill or send a message (acts like a toggle). There is also an option
that will decompress a *.REP file (if found) so you can append to it.
Please make sure you kill your REP files after successful uploads to the
BBS. The Flag "Going" means that the message will be sent when the packet
is uploaded to the BBS, "Killed" (with a bell sound) means the message will
not be processed. You can toggle these flags back and forth with the S and
K options.
Quick Scan
----------
This selection will show you the To/From/Subject of all messages for the
selected conferences. If you wish to read a message then just type the
POS number and it will be displayed. If you wish to read a message that
has scrolled by enter the number (even though it is not listed) and it
will be displayed and you will return back to the list.
Read Messages
-------------
This selection will allow you to read messages in conference(s) that
contain messages. When reading messages, you will have the options to
[R]eply, [Q]uit, [+]Next, [-]Previous, [P]rinter, [/]Again [D]isk.
[R]eply = Reply to message, you are taken to the editor where you can
respond.
[Q]uit = Quit this message base. If you are scanning all bases, you are
also prompted if you wish to abort the scan also.
[+]Next = Next Message in sequence, (A carriage return is the same thing)
[-]Prev = Previous message. Back up one message (but only in the same
conference
[P]rint = Dump message to printer
[/]Again= Show message again
[D]isk = Dump message to Disk. File name will equal message #.
Session Stats
-------------
This selection will display the SESSION.TXT file. This file contains
information created by the QMail Door.
Text Search
-----------
This selection will allow you to search for messages that contain the
text you specify. This text may be anywhere within the message so you can
search for messages by Subject, User or just a keyword.
Version 1.10 - Page 10
Use Services
------------
This selection will allow you to read your Toronto Computes or Bix news
from within MaxiMiser. When using the services, pressing the TAB key
will display accepted keyboard short cuts for many options including the
changing of font size, saving, and printing.
Version 1.10 - Page 11
Appendix 1 - Editor Functions
-----------------------------
f1 - ABRT - This is the function to abort the current message you are
editing. This will imediately throw away the current edit and return
you to the message you were responding to (or the main menu if
entering a new message).
f2 - SAVE - This key will save the current edit buffer. Once you hit
this key you will be asked to select the TAG line you wish to add to
the message. The message will then be saved to the *.MSG file and you
will be shown the message you were responding to (or the main menu if
entering a new message).
f3 - LIST - This will list the current edit buffer so you can see what
you have typed so far and how it looks
f4 - EDIT - This will allow you to change ONE line of the current edit
buffer. You may not exceed 72 characters or your line will be
truncated. This is strictly meant as a means of allowing you to
correct your spelling or small grammatical errors.
f5 - COPY - This will allow you to import an ASCII file into your
message. It will OVERWRITE whatever is in the edit buffer. This
routine will format lines > 72 characters back to 72 characters and
perform the necessary word wrap for you. Some of the files may look
strange after import so please review them. I have tested this routine
on text files up to 500 lines long but I would not recommend more then
50-75 lines.
f6 - DEL - This will allow you to delete a few lines. It will prompt
you for the starting line number, then how many lines to delete. THIS
IS INCLUSIVE.
f7 - INS - This is the opposite of the above. You can insert some
blank lines. Again it prompts you for the starting location and how
many blank lines to insert.
f8 - CNTR - This will allow you to center the specified line.
f9 - External Editor - This calls the external editor you defined in
the configuration. The editor will be executed and you will be able to
enter your message in it. Upon saving and quiting from the external
editor your message will be listed at which point you may select f2
and save the message.
ALT-Q = QUOTE - This allows you to select portions of the original
message for quoting in your message. This sometimes proves helpful in
reminding the receiver of your message what they said. You may select
a portion to Quote, respond to it, then select another portion to
quote with this routine.
The editor built into Maximiser is a very rudimentary editor and I do
highly recommend use of your favorite external editor but if one is
not available then I am certain my editor will at least suffice.
Version 1.10 - Page 10
APPENDIX 2 - FUNCTIONS OF THE SERVICE VIEWER
--------------------------------------------
Below are the main commands available to you when viewing a SERVICE
text file through MaxiMiser. This file viewer is based upon STREADER
placed into the public domain by Sterling K. Webb and I do recommend
it for us beginners with GFA to learn something from.
Command Function
------- --------
Up Arrow - Up one page
Down Arrow - Down one page
Left Arrow - Up one line
Right Arrow - Down one line
Home - Start of Service file
Control + Home - End of Service file
Undo - Quit back to services menu
Control + up arrow - 1/2 page up
Control + down Arrow - 1/2 page down
1 to 9 - Repeat last command 1-9 times
Control + "S" - Save file
Control + "P" - Print File
Control + "X" - Toggle Font (Hi Resolution only)
Control + "Q" - Search with Query
Control + "=" - Show postion in Service
Alternate + "Q" - Reverse Search with Query
Control + "M" - Increase Margins
Alertnate + "M" - Decrease Margins
Control + "C" - Clean up screen Display
Control + "T" - Strip TABS
Control + "A" - Start Block
Control + "Z" - End Block
Version 1.10 - Page 11
Appendix 3 Structure of Messages.dat
------------------------------------
For those of you looking for the format of the QWK mail packets I have
put this file together.
Offset length Description
------ ------ ----------------------------------------------
1 1 Message status flag
' ' public
'-' public and read
'+' private
'*' private and read
2 7 Message Number (as characters)
9 8 Date (mm-dd-yy)
17 5 Time (hh:mm)
22 25 To
47 25 From
72 25 Subject
97 12 password
109 8 refer to Number
117 6 Number of 128 byte blocks in message (including
the header)
123 1 Killed Message? 225 is active, 226 is active
124 1 Conference number (0-255)
125 4 Not used
The NDX files are:
Offset length Description
------ ------ -----------------------------------------
1 4 Record number to point to corresponding
message
5 1 Conference number.
These are in IBM MKS format and need to be converted with the
following routing written in GFA Version 3.5:
FUNCTION ibm2st(ibm$)
g$=STRING$(4,0)
BYTE{V:g$}=BYTE{V:ibm$+2} OR 128
BYTE{V:g$+1}=BYTE{V:ibm$+1}
BYTE{V:g$+2}=BYTE{V:ibm$+0} AND 127
BYTE{V:g$+3}=(BYTE{V:ibm$+3} OR 64) XOR 128
RETURN CVS(g$)
ENDFUNC
I have found this routine to be reliable in the lower end #'s but
above aprox 512 it gets a little flakey so please be aware of this
fact. If you come up with something more reliable please let me know
(and maybe share the source code with all of us).