---
1
PROGRAM INFORMATION
PPoint - Copyright (c) 1998 Harvey Parisien
         Box 8375, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada  K1G 3H8
         FidoNet, 1:249/114 or InterNet, parisien@alcuf.ca
-
To create an up-to-date User Reference Guide, press F1 for a help 
screen.  Select Help Index and select the last choice which is Print
User Reference Guide.  This will print a complete function by function
guide to running PPoint.  This guide contains the complete contents of
your online Help System.
-
Other software by Parisien...

  Magic FREQ names for 1:249/1 or 1:249/139

      DB = Generic dBASE III+ Database Manager / CONTACT MANAGER, PIM
     RAD = dBASE III file compatible, BBS or REMOTE online database
     DBQ = Message based Query system for dBASE III files
   OMENU = oMENU the Ultimate disk Menu System
   POINT = PPoint - Professional Point System 
 OFFLINE = The easy to use, QWK offline reader
  HARVEY = Harvey the Robot automated message mailer *.PKT format
   HLIST = HLIST File List Compiler for files.bbs systems
     RAT = Moderator Warning System
  VGPWIN = VGP Encryption System for Windows

  PPoint and most of these systems are available from...

  Site        SysOp                                     Address
-
The latest version of PPOINT is available from the following nodes,
or your favorite SDS site.  Support Sites use F/req name of: POINT

AUSTRALIA   Sue Blake, Sydney, Australia           3:712/404
CANADA      Tony Summerfelt, Kingston, Ontario     1:249/139
CANADA      Preston Smith, St. Margarets Bay, NS   1:251/11 
GERMANY     Peter Kaszanics, Essen, Germany        2:245/100
GERMANY     Peter Kaszanics, Essen, Germany        2:245/8  
ITALY       Giancarlo Cairella, Milano, Italy      2:331/301
ITALY       Giancarlo Cairella, Milano, Italy      2:331/338
ITALY       Giancarlo Cairella, Milano, Italy      2:331/350
ITALY       Giancarlo Cairella, Milano, Italy      2:331/355
NETHERLANDS Robert Borst, Veldhoven, Netherlands   2:500/136
NETHERLANDS Joop Blokker, Brainstorm, Amsterdam    2:280/711
THAILAND    Gerald Williams, Bangkok, Thailand     6:608/10 
US          Jack Shoup, Colorado Springs, Colorado 1:128/88 
US          Marc Lewis, New Orleans, Louisiana     1:396/45 

On the Internet...

                 http:/www.alcuf.ca/parisien.htm
            -or- http://www.aracnet.com/~carter/
            -or- ftp://ftp.aracnet.com/users/carter/point/
---
2
Help on Help
Throughout the Help screens, you will find Topics identified by a  in
front of a keyword.  This allows you to get details on that topic by
using your arrow keys to move the highlighter bar on the topic and
pressing enter.

The top of each Help screen also provides a selection for a Help Index
which lists all the topics contained in online help.
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101
Host: Host Transfers
This connects you to your HOST system (or boss node) to collect new 
mail/files, and send any outstanding mail from your system.  It is not
necessary to have mail to send in order to connect to your host.  You 
can Poll for mail when ever you wish to see if there is anything 
waiting for you on the host system, or to request or send files.
-
You will have the option to set a timer to Poll at a future time.  If 
you choose to do so, the screen will display the Poll time, and 
current time.  Pressing Esc aborts the Poll, any other key starts 
immediately.  After 60 seconds (or pressing the space bar) of waiting,
the screen will blank, all except for the timer display.  If you use 
the Timer, then after the Poll is completed the screen will go blank 
again after 60 seconds, to preserve your hardware.
-
 Request Files
 Send Files
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102
Host: Activity Report
This displays your systems log, which shows details on processing mail
into and out of PPoint, and information on transfers to your host.
---
103
Host: View Outbound
This shows any files waiting in your outbound area.  These are files 
waiting to be delivered to your host on your next transfer.
---
104
Host: View Inbound
This shows any files received from your host on previous transfers.

If you are using DOS 5.x or newer, you will have a prompt to MOVE the
files to another location.

If you have LIST by Vernon Buerg in your PPoint directory, you will 
have a prompt to LIST files in your inbound.
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106
Host: Request Files
This allows you to request files FROM YOUR HOST.  For a list of your
hosts files, you just simply request FILES.  It is not necessary to 
have mail to send in order to connect to your host.
-
You also will have the option to request any new entry automatically 
every time you connect with the host.  This is handy if your host has
an updated file continually waiting for you.
-
This feature can also be used to cause your mailer to exit even if 
there was no mail received from the host.  Usually the host will have
a file called ABOUT which is a very small text file containing 
information on your host.
-
TO REQUEST FILES DIRECTLY from other nodes in your network, you need
a nodelist.  This is a more traditional way of requesting a file.  You
send a netmail message to the source node (just use SysOp if you don't
know his or her name) of the file and put the file to be requested on
the subject line like this:

/freq bexe_256.zip

... and the file will be requested.  This is often referred to as
FILE REQUESTING or FREQING.

Some systems require additional passwording security for file
requests.  When freqing using a password, the format is:

/freq filename.ext!password
-
 Send Files
 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
 Setup: Edit Nodelist
---
107
Host: Send Files
This allows you to send files TO YOUR HOST.  This can be a complete 
drive and path description.  This will be sent to your host on your 
next transfer.  It is not necessary to have mail to send in order to 
connect to your host.
-
You also will have the option to send any new entry automatically 
every time you connect with the host.  This is handy if you have an 
updated file to continually send to your host.
-
TO SEND FILES DIRECTLY to other nodes in your network, you may need a
nodelist if your HOST systems can not route file attaches like mail.
You send a netmail message to the receiver of the file and put the
file to be sent on the subject line like this:

/send c:\trash\oldstuff.lzh

... and the file will be sent.  This is often referred to as
FILE ATTACHING.

PPoint now has a directory/file browser feature that lets you point to
files to attach.  This is accessed by pressing F5 when entering a
subject.
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 Request Files
 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
 Setup: Edit Nodelist
 How to Send Files or File Attach Netmail
---
109
Host: Exit
This exits PPoint to DOS
-
 PROGRAM INFORMATION
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201
Mail: Select message area
This displays a list of all the current message areas (or sometimes 
called conferences) on the system.  As PPoint receives new areas, they
are automatically setup (no need to fuss with configuration files).  
This function allows you to select an area to read mail in.
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203
Mail: Read/Reply messages
This is the area where you read and/or reply to mail.  You can list 
areas, and messages from the READING AREA, as well as export or print
messages.
-
 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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204
Mail: Enter a message
This allows you to enter a new message in any message area.
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 Address Book and Carbon Copy Messages
 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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206
Mail: Read your new mail
This checks all message areas for mail addressed to you.  You can 
check your whole message database, or just UNREAD mail.
---
207
Mail: Find & Read messages
This allows you to search one or all message areas for a match to your
search text in the message header (the To, From, and Subject fields), 
or complete message.

Once a FIND/SEARCH has been requested, just use the normal keys to
review all finds ie: Right Arrow Key or ENTER causes a FIND AGAIN.

PPoint lets you store a find request and assign a name to it.  Future
find requests can simply be picked off a list.  These find requests
are stored in a file called PP-FIND.INI in typical INI format, ie:

FINDNAME=SEARCHTEXT|SEARCHTEXT|SEARCHTEXT|SEARCHTEXT|

FINDNAME is any name you want, which identifies the Find Request for
future selection.

Notice the | delimiter is used for multiple searches.  You can
search on up to 10 bits of text separated by the | character.

The find routine is not case sensitive.  You can add individual
searches as they are made (or you can directly edit PP-FIND.INI 
by selecting Find, then select STORED, then pressing Tab to Edit).

Here's an example...

PPOINT-INFO=PPoint Official Release|PPoint BETA Release|PPoint Users

... this would give you the latest info on PPoint.
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 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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209
Mail: Export a message
This allows you to send a message to a disk file of your choice.  A 
default file will be suggested, this is the one you indicated during
setup.  You can change it anytime in setup, or just modify it on the
fly.
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 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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210
Mail: Print a message
This allows you to send a message to a dot or laser printer.
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 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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212
Mail: Delete old mail
This deletes old messages based on how many days old they are.  Each
area can be set for a different number of days.  After messages are
deleted, the system will automatically Pack the Databases.

Messages that are NEW (ahead of your book mark) will not be deleted. 
Messages that are FROZEN, using Alt-F in the read area, will not be
deleted.
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 Setup: Automatic Maintenance
 Setup: Edit Message Areas/Delete days
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301
Options: Shell to DOS
This allows you shell out to dos, leaving PPoint resident.  To return 
from a DOS shell, type EXIT at the dos prompt, and press ENTER.
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 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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302
Options: Backup/Restore
This function will Backup or Restore your PPoint message database to a
disk in drive A: or B:.  BACKUP creates a compressed file of your
entire message database on a disk.  RESTORE uncompresses a backup
disk into your current PPoint database.  [Caution: This replaces the
existing database on the system you are restoring to.]

This allows you to travel from one PPoint setup to another and carry
your entire message database with you.  IE: Allows users to manage
their mail from more than one PPoint site - If you travel from home to
office or office to office, you backup your ppoint, and restore it at
the next site.  When you finish managing mail at the new site, backup
again.  Your mail can travel with you anywhere.
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303
Options: Edit taglines
This allows you to edit your tagline file.  This is a simple text file
containing up to 300 taglines which will be appended to your message.
If you have > 10 taglines in this file, taglines will be presented 
RANDOMLY for your selection.
-
When reading messages, you can copy tag lines (or any text for that
matter) from a message by pressing Alt T, then moving the cursor to
the start of the line of text you wish to capture, press enter.  The
line can then be edited.  Press enter again and it will be appended
to your tagline list.

 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
---
304
Options: Print Users Manual
This prints a USERS MANUAL, USERS GUIDE, and REFERENCE GUIDE all at
one time.

The USERS MANUAL is a bit techy, and should be read prior to setup.

The USERS GUIDE is not so techy, and should be read prior to using
PPoint.

The REFERENCE GUIDE is a complete function by function guide to
running PPoint.  This guide contains the complete contents of your
online Help System.
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305
Options: Run Editor
This simply runs the editor your PPoint system is configured for.
It is assumed that your editor will prompt you for whatever file(s)
you wish to edit.
---
306
Options: Reset Bookmarks
This resets all bookmarks to the last message in each message area.
This is handy when you manually copy mail packets into your inbound,
area for processing.
-
 Options: Manual processing
---
307
Options: Manual processing
This allows you to manually copy mail packets into your inbound, or 
outbound areas and process them.  You should know what you're doing
before attempting this.
-
 Options: Reset Bookmarks
---
308
Options: Usage Report
This creates a usage report for all areas.  It creates a text file
report.txt and places it in your editor, allowing you to use it in
any way you want.

The report is produced based on all existing data in your mail
databases.  It shows your purge/deletion days as the period of
activity.

This report will be the most accurate after deleting old mail.

See Advanced Settings for information on Minimum messages/postings
required in an area to be included in the Usage Report.
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 Mail: Delete old mail
 Setup: Advanced Settings
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401
Setup: Message Display Mode
The message display can be toggled to show internal network addressing
information.  This can be annoying to most users, and is by default
turned off.
-
 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
---
402
Setup: Color/Monochrome
Allows you to choose Color or Monochrome monitors.
---
403
Setup: Directories
This is where you setup your various directories.  As you go through 
this area, you are explained what each directory is for.  Generally 
you are recommended to use the defaults.
---
404
Setup: Printer
This is where you choose your printer type (dot or laser) and printer 
port number.
---
405
Setup: Archiver/Editor/Spell Checker
This is where you choose a preferred archiver for your system.  This
selection is used to choose an archiving method for outgoing packets.
Most HOST systems can handle most archivers.  You might want to check
with your HOST.  PPoint will automatically detect the type of archiver
required for unarchiving incoming packets.
-
This is also where you choose the editor you will use.  PPoints
includes a simple little editor called ED.  There are other editors
available, including one of the best around called QEDIT.  If you use
DOS version 5 or better, and don't have a particular editor in mind,
try using the one that comes with DOS by entering \DOS\EDIT at the
prompt.
-
You also have the option to use an independent spell checker. We
recommend the following shareware systems:

ShareSpell by Acropolis Software,
TYPICAL BBS FILENAME : SS???.ZIP
Acropolis Software, PO Box 5037, Fair Oaks, CA 95628-9101

GDSPELL by GDSOFT, BBS: (219) 875-8133, CompuServe: 72067,2726
TYPICAL BBS FILENAME : GDSPELL.ZIP
GDSOFT, 57280 Osage Drive, Goshen, IN 46526
---
406
Setup: Sound, Screen Length, and Swapping
SOUND: has been used at a minimum, and when it is used it's very
quiet. If you still find it annoying, by all means turn it off.
-
SCREEN LENGTH: PPoint can be used with various screen lengths.  Some
monitors only use the standard 25 line mode.  Feel free to try any one
of the settings.  PPoint will tell you if any mode is not supported.
-
SWAPPING: provides a solution for systems suffering from low memory
problems.  The SWAP routine will swap the original program to extended
memory, expanded memory, or disk, then free up that memory.  It will
then execute other programs being called from within the main system.
When that program terminates, the original program is loaded back into
memory, and it continues execution.

By default, the SWAP routine will attempt to swap the current program
to extended memory; if that fails, it will try expanded memory; if
that fails, it will try a DOS disk file.
---
407
Setup: Automatic Maintenance
PPoint can automatically perform it's maintenance after your first
HOST poll of the day.  This deletes messages after they are over age,
and packs the database.

This function will only operate once a day.
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 Mail: Delete old mail
 Setup: Edit Message Areas/Delete days
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408
Setup: Edit AREA Address/Delete days
This is where you can edit details on each individual message area.

  AREA DESCRIPTION: General Point Support
     HOST AREA TAG: POINT
DATABASE FILE NAME: 00000004
       DELETE DAYS: 10
  AREA ORIGIN LINE: OFFLINE Systems
      AREA ADDRESS: 1:249/114.1
 AREA HOST ADDRESS: 1:249/114
AREA ROUTE ADDRESS: 1:249/114
USE ON ORIGIN LINE: 1:249/114.1

The AREA DESCRIPTION is by default the same as the HOST AREA TAG.
These names are sometimes not as descriptive as you may like, so this
allows you to rename them.

The HOST AREA TAG and DATABASE FILE NAME are created by PPoint and
can not be changed.

The DELETE DAYS entry is the number of days of mail to be kept when
PPoint deletes old mail.  The age of your mail is determined by the
message date, not when it was received.  Messages that are NEW (ahead
of your book mark) will not be deleted.  Messages that are FROZEN, 
using Alt-F in the read area, will not be deleted.  If set to 0,
PPoint will remove everything in the area except for messages marked
as FROZEN, and messages that are below your book mark.  If set to -1,
PPoint will delete everything in the area no matter what the age or
status of the messages are, but it will preserve the area setup
information.

The ORIGIN LINE is the usually the name of your system, or your name.
This can be edited to whatever you like for each area.

The AREA ADDRESS defaults to the address you entered in setup under
User/Host/Mailer Info.

If you are using multiple HOST systems, you can change each area to 
individually use this address and link to an individual AREA HOST 
ADDRESS and AREA ROUTE ADDRESS as well.  In this case, you will have
to implement a nodelist with your various alternative Host/Boss nodes
details in it.

 Multiple Netmail Areas

Finally, the USE ON ORIGIN LINE address has to do with fakenet
addressing, see help in that area for details.

CAUTION!!

Most systems are used for ONE HOST, so be very cautious if you change
the AREA ADDRESS, AREA HOST ADDRESS, AREA ROUTE ADDRESS, or USE ON 
ORIGIN LINE settings.
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 Mail: Delete old mail
 Setup: Automatic Maintenance
 Setup: User/Host/Mailer Info
 NodeList Setup Information
 Setup: Edit Nodelist
 FakeNet Addressing Information
---
409
Setup: Add New Message Area
This is where you can add new areas manually.  In case you want to 
enter a message in an area you don't yet have.  Otherwise, these names
area automatically added as mail is received.
---
410
Setup: Delete a Message Area
This is where you can remove an area, and the associated message 
databases.
---
411
Setup: User/Host/Mailer Info
This is where you setup your user name, and point addressing.  Your
host will provide you with the addressing details.

This is where your configuration file for BinkleyTerm is created or
updated.  See Binkley Setup Information.

This is also where you setup your Modem type.  PPoint will present a
list of common modems.  The Initialization strings for any modem can
be touchy, so if you experience difficulties with the Initialization 
string suggested for your modem, try the very first selection called
GENERIC SETUP (any speed/type), it works with almost all modems
regardless of make or speed.
-
 Binkley Setup Information
 NodeList Setup Information
 Setup: Edit Nodelist
 Reply Quote Header
---
412
Setup: Advanced Settings
PPoint has been designed to be as simple as possible to use and
configure.  However, for more advanced users, and more advanced
features, we have adopted the Windows style INI file format to 
make future development easier, and to support third party setup
parameters.

PPoint.INI is a text file that contains Advanced Settings for PPoint.
Note the format is KEYWORD=SETTING.  Here are some optional settings.
Note, lines starting with a ; are comment lines and ignored by the
program.

 _ _ _ PPOINT.INI _ _ _

; User definable quote header, variables are [DATE] [FROM] [FNAME]
; [CL] and [TO].
QUOTE=On ([DATE]) [FROM] wrote to [TO]...

  For more detail...
 Reply Quote Header

; User definable Fidonet/Internet gateway.  This will be the default
; for any NETMAIL with a @ in the To: field.
FIDO.INTERNET.GATEWAY=1:1/31

; User definable screen saver.  The Sleep value represents seconds
; idle before the screen goes blank.  To disable screen blanking
; SLEEP=OFF
SLEEP=120

; Default outbound packet password is same as ppoint session password
; Change default outbound packet password to...
PKTPWD=MOMMY

; Specific outbound packet password, no matter what pktpwd is if
; implemented (the 00000010 in the example is the message area
; filename - see edit areas)
PKTPWD-00000010=xxx

; Turns random selection function off, normally if there is > 10
; taglines the selection becomes random.
TAGRANDOM=OFF

; Defines any standard tagline filename (default for ppoint is
; offline.tag).  This was to remain compatible with OFFLINE the QWK
; reader by Parisien You can make it whatever you please now...
TAGLINES=OFFLINE.TAG

; You can now have up to 10 tagline files with up to 300 taglines
; each.  To do this, under advanced settings define the following
; keywords...
taglines1=offline.tag
taglines2=ppoint.tag
taglines3=mytags.txt
taglines4=moretags.txt

; This allows users to redefine the UUCP type Internet mail access
; to use a different keyword
CHANGE_UUCP=INTERNET

; This is appended by pressing ALT S for snipping message bits
SNIP=SNIP.TXT

; User definable BACKUP/RESTORE commands for backing up your PPoint
; databases.
CMD_BACKUP=zoo a
CMD_RESTORE=zoo e

; User definable Binkley.cfg settings.  These keywords will cause new
; lines to be added before the PORT setting when binkley.cfg is reset.
BINKCFG1=
BINKCFG2=

; Minimum messages/postings required in an area to be included in the
; Usage Report.
USAGE_MSGS=2

; User definable settings to run a process on message body just before
; or just after it is presented to you in your editor.  This can be 
; used to implement tagline managers, or other third party processors.
BEFOREEDIT=
AFTEREDIT=

; The system can now be set to allow netmail messages not from the
; ppoint user (as defined in ppoint setup) to change netmail.  To
; do this, under advanced settings define the following keyword...

ALIAS=YES

; You can now have different footer files for each message area.  The
; default footer.txt will still work with all and any areas that are
; not defined specifically as follows.  Under advanced settings define
; the following keyword...     format:  areaname_FOOTER=textfile.ext
POINTS_FOOTER=HP.TXT
FS_FOOTER=Flightsm.TXT
SHAREWRE_FOOTER=share.TXT
TESTAREA_footer=footer2.txt
---
413
Setup: Setup Report
PPoint will create a text file report called REPORT.TXT which will
contain complete information on your PPoint setup.  It will be
presented to you in your editor for review.  It can be imported into
a message with your editor for support purposes.
---
414
Setup: Edit Nodelist
PPoint will compile a nodelist (version 6) from a text file that 
contains manually entered listings.  The format is...

     zone:net/node , system , phone , password , baud , cost

Selecting Edit Nodelist causes PPoint to place your raw nodelist text
file in your editor for editing or reviewing.  When you exit, PPoint
will compile the data into a VERSION 6 type nodelist. This is the
default nodelist binkley requires if you use a nodelist.

Here's a sample raw nodelist text file...
-
;------------------------------------------
; Private Nodelist Text for use with PPOINT
;------------------------------------------

;Entries must be in ZONE order, ie zone 1's first, zone 2's next.

;zone:net/node,system,phone,password,baud,cost

; All lines in this text file that start with a ; are just comment
; lines and are ignored by all processors.  Feel free to make any
; notes in this file as long as you start the line with a ;.

; zone:net/node - this is a standard fidonet address
;        system - this is the system name you are listing
;         phone - this is the exact phone number for the system you
;                 are listing including a 1 or area code if it's long
;                 distance.
;      password - this is the session password which must be
;                 prearranged with this system you are listing.  This
;                 can be left blank, but the commas are still required
;                 ie...
;                 1:249/114, Harvey Parisien,  1-613-555-1212,,9600,30
;          baud - this is the baud of the system you are listing
;          cost - this is an estimated cost per minute in cents to call
;                 the system you are listing.  If the listing is local,
;                 use a 0 for cost.
;
;zone:net/node,system,phone,password,baud,cost
;
1:128/77,  Preston Smith,    1-719-555-1212,piano,9600,0
1:249/114, Harvey Parisien,  1-613-555-1212,,9600,30

-
 Binkley Setup Information
 NodeList Setup Information
---
5000
INTERNET ADDRESSING
To send a message to someone on the INTERNET, just simply use their
address in the To: field, and send the message netmail to a valid 
INTERNET/FIDONET Gateway address.

For more information on FIDONET/Gateways, ask your local sysop.  
A common gateway in Zone 1 is 1:1/31.

 << SEE THIS NEXT SECTION ON FIDONET ADDRESSING FROM INTERNET >>

 FIDONET ADDRESSING FROM INTERNET
---
5001
FIDONET ADDRESSING FROM INTERNET
The address of a FIDONET Node looks like this: 1:107/309.0. Usually
the .0 is left off, but they are there by default. That address can be
translated as "Zone 1, Net 107, FidoNode 309, Point 0." or
f309.n107.z1.fidonet.org - the "Fully Qualified Domain Name" of a
FidoNode.

Another example is 1:107/309.2 which would be written as
p2.f309.n107.z1.fidonet.org (since there is a point number other than
0, we have to specify it). Note also that we are only using zone 1.
This will also work for zones 2 and 3, just use z2 or z3 as
appropriate.

Note that FIDONET systems usually use a "Firstname Lastname" logon.
You will need to express that as  First.Last, using a DOT in place of
the SPACE.

      Addresses can be interpreted as:

      First.Last@[p###.]f###.n###.z#.fidonet.org.       where:
        ^     ^     ^     ^    ^   ^   ^      ^
        |     |     |     |    |   |   `------`--- domain
        |     |     |     |    |   `---- Zone number (IMPORTANT)
        |     |     |     |    `-------- Net number
        |     |     |     `------------- Node number
        |     |     `------------------- Point number (optional)
        |     `------------------ User's LAST Name
        `------------------------ User's FIRST Name

            The Point number need only be used if non-zero.

Example:

William Bradley at 1:249/114.8 if addressed from FIDONET, and is...

              william.bradley@p8.f114.n249.z1.fidonet.org

... if addressed from INTERNET.

 INTERNET Addressing
---
999
Operational Keys in the Reading Area
The following keys display the AREAS LIST: A, or Del.
The following keys display a MESSAGE LIST: M, or Ins.
On the message list, Space Bar Marks messages.
In the reading area, Space Bar moves to Marked messages.
The Arrow keys move to next or previous messages.
PgDn will page down one screen at a time to the bottom of a message.
ENTER is like PgDn but will go to the next message when at the bottom.
The Esc key or Mouse Button 2 exits this area.

R=Reply to the current message.
E=Enter a message.
C=Change/Edit a message (only if it was from you).
K=Kill the current message.
P toggles Private on/off.

F=Find messages based on search text match.  Right arrow finds next.
+=Initiate a Find based on Subject.
Home=Go to the First message.
End=Go to the Last message.

^E=Export current message to a text file.
^P=Print current message.
^R=Resends a message (only if it was from you).
^S=Toggle internal network addressing information.
^F=Forward or Move the current message to any area.
^A=View Message using ANSI.
F4=Detailed message attribute display.
Alt and L invokes LIST by Vernon Buerg.
ALT and S snips/captures a message line to a user defined file.
ALT and T is for capturing taglines (more info below).
ALT and U is for capturing Internet type addresses to your UUCP.TXT
          file for UUCP use.
ALT and I is for capturing Internet type addresses to your normal
          address book file for normal addressing.
Alt and F=Freeze Message (can't be deleted or packed)
F10 SHELLS TO DOS (and clears the screen).
-
Request/Send Files using a message

To send (attach) or request (freq) a file, enter a netmail message to
the SysOp (just use SysOp if you don't know his or her name) and on 
the subject line, put...

/send c:\trash\oldstuff.lzh
... and the file will be sent.

           -or-

/freq bexe_256.zip
... and the file will be requested.

PPoint now has a directory/file browser feature that lets you point to
files to attach.  This is accessed by pressing F5 when entering a
subject.

 How to Send Files or File Attach Netmail
-
Alt and T=Copy Tag Lines

When reading messages, you can copy tag lines (or any text for that
matter) from a message by pressing Alt T, then moving the cursor to
the start of the line of text you wish to capture, press enter.  The
line can then be edited.  Press enter again and it will be appended
to a file called OFFLINE.TAG in the current directory.  This is a
tagline list used by OFFLINE or PPOINT. Both are mail management 
systems by Harvey Parisien.

 Edit taglines
-
Internal network details.

When reading mail, the text at the bottom left of your screen, is the
origin line for the current area.  This information changes to the
area tag name if you have your message display mode set to show
internal network details.

 Message Display Mode
---
9909
FakeNet Addressing Information
Older FidoNet compatible systems may require you to use 3d addressing
as opposed to the standard 4d addressing.  To accommodate this, PPoint
supports FakeNet addressing.  

4d means an address has 4 parameters ie ZONE:NET/NODE.POINT.
3d means an address has 3 parameters ie ZONE:NET/NODE.

For example, you may have a HOST with an address of 1:249/114, and you
are to use 1:24914/2 as a fake address.  Your HOST's system will then 
translate your incoming and outgoing mail from a fake address of 
1:24914/2 to a real world address of 1:249/114.2 since it's system can
not handle the fourth dimension in the address, being the point 
number.

If your HOST requires that you use a fakenet address, this means it
will not have the proper .x at the end of your address.  To make your
message origin lines display exactly what you want, go to the setup
menu and Edit Area Address information.  Edit the USE ON ORIGIN line.

  AREA DESCRIPTION: General Point Support
     HOST AREA TAG: POINT
DATABASE FILE NAME: 00000004
       DELETE DAYS: 10
  AREA ORIGIN LINE: OFFLINE Systems
      AREA ADDRESS: 1:24914/1
 AREA HOST ADDRESS: 1:249/114
AREA ROUTE ADDRESS: 1:249/114
USE ON ORIGIN LINE: 1:249/114.1

The last line is the origin address that will show in your messages.
-
 Edit AREA Address/Delete days
---
5002
Multiple Netmail Areas
Basically, you could just ask your other network hosts to send you a
netmail message at the address you want, and then poll that boss.  The
area will be automatically setup correctly.

To do this, just send a netmail message (from the default or any other
existing netmail area) to each other address you wish to have a
netmail area for. Ask that site to send you a netmail message at your
new netmail address relating to that site (in other words not just a
reply to your current netmail message).  PPoint will automatically
handle the setup for each new netmail area(s) when the return mail
comes in.

OR, manually ADD an area using this naming format (NETMAIL_net_node):

NETMAIL_249_114

This would represent a netmail address for a host being 249/114. This
could be any zone (I didn't think there would be a conflict between 2
address exactly the same with different zones).

Your default or main NETMAIL area is related to your default or main
address as setup in your user/info details.  That area doesn't need
the extended info in the name, and should already be setup in any
case. Don't forget to add your alternate boss/host address info to
your node list.
-
 NodeList Setup Information
 Setup: Edit Nodelist
---
4444
Binkley Setup Information
All setup information related to BinkleyTerm is found in the file on
your PPoint directory called BINKLEY.CFG which is automatically
created by PPoint.

Some of the settings in Binkley.cfg CAN NOT be changed except by 
PPoint in order to insure the settings are exactly the same as 
contained in PPoint's setup files.  These are identified in the 
Binkley.cfg file, and referred to here as part 1 of your Binkley.cfg
file.

However, there are times when you might need to change some of the 
settings for example a common one is your modem INIT string.  For more
details on modifying your Binkley.cfg file, refer to the documentation
provided with that system.

In order to allow you to change some of the settings, PPoint allows a 
file called BINKLEY.ADD to be changed by the user.  Binkley.add will 
contain the contents to be included as part 2 of your Binkley.cfg 
file when PPoint updates it.

If you have special configuration requirements, use your text editor
to edit Binkley.add and change or add as necessary, then update your
Binkley.cfg file.

To update your Binkley.cfg file, choose "User/Host/Mailer Info" on the
Setup Menu and change or verify any of the information.  When you 
finish this, PPoint will recreate your Binkley.cfg file.
-
 Setup: User/Host/Mailer Info
 NodeList Setup Information
 Setup: Edit Nodelist
---
4343
Address Book and Carbon Copy Messages
OPTIONAL ADDRESS BOOK:

If you have an address book in place (the system creates this for you)
it can be accessed for NETMAIL or ECHOMAIL by pressing F4 when you are
ENTERING a message, placing text in the TO: field.  Your address book
is built by the system.  Every time you enter a NETMAIL message, it 
prompts you as to whether or not you would like to add the current
entry to the address book.  It will only prompt you for entries that
do not currently exist.  This way you build an address book while you
use the system, as opposed to sitting down and typing in 50 names.

The address book is stored in a text file called PPoint.NOD.  You can
edit this file using a plain text editor.  The format at one time was
a 55 character line for each entry.  Those entries will still be 
recognized by PPoint.  Newer entries will be in a simple name, address
format.  You can also optionally add a subject line with this format.

name,address{,subj}

-
OPTIONAL CARBON COPIES:

To send a message to several people you can have a continuous list of
names in a text file in the format: first last,zone:net/node{.point}.

For example...

Bill Cassidy, 1:249/1
Harvey Parisien,1:249/114.7
Scott Dudley, 1:249/106
Don Laverdure, 1:249/124.2

Entering CC:filename.ext in the TO: field causes carbon copies to be
sent to all people/addresses in your list.
-
Advanced use...

The CC:FILENAME.EXT feature described above, can also be listed
in your address book (PPOINT.NOD) by adding the CC:+FILENAME.EXT
and the , which does not require an address after it.  Example:

CC:FILENAME.EXT,

Another example shows a list file with a subject line:

CC:ZENITH.cc1,,Zenith Marketing Group
CC:ZENITH.cc2,,Zenith Administration Group
-
 How to Send Files or File Attach Netmail
---
4999
NodeList Setup Information
To send netmail directly to other nodes or directly to other networks,
you will need a nodelist.  By default, PPoint is designed to route all
mail via your host.  However, if you need a more advanced setup, you
need a nodelist.  To compile a nodelist, look for a nodelist manager
like XLAXNODE or QNODE.  For a SMALL simple nodelist, PPoint has an
option under the Setup menu called Edit Nodelist.  This works just
fine for smaller nodelist requirements.

 Setup: Edit Nodelist
 Setup: User/Host/Mailer Info
 Binkley Setup Information
---
5500
How to Send Files or File Attach Netmail
To send files directly to other nodes, send a netmail message to the
receiver of the file and put the file to be sent on the subject line
like this:

/send c:\trash\oldstuff.lzh

IE:  From your main menu in PPoint...

1. Go to the pulldown menu called MAIL.

2. Press E to enter a message.

3. Then select NETMAIL as the message area.  Files can only be attached
   to messages written in the NETMAIL area, since they are direct from
   person to person.

4. Once you've selected NETMAIL, you'll then be prompted for a person
   to send this message (with a file attached) to.  Press F4 for your
   address book, this is easier than typing in the name and
   remembering the address etc. -or- enter the name of the person to
   receive the file.

5. Once you've selected a destination (person/address), then enter the
   subject line, using the /SEND command as follows...

   /send drive:\path\filename.ext

   ... then press F10 to continue.  

   PPoint now has a directory/file browser feature that lets you point
   to files to attach.  This is accessed by pressing F5 when entering
   a subject.

6. You'll then be prompted to confirm (or enter) the address. If you
   used the F4 address book you just have to press enter and confirm
   the address, otherwise enter it now.

7. Then you'll be prompted whether to send a blank message, or not.
   If the user is expecting the file, then you can just send a blank
   message, otherwise it is nice to send a message and tell them you
   are sending a file.  They will see the filename on the subject
   line, so it is not necessary to restate the file name.  (For your
   information, they will only see the actual filename and not your
   /send command and c:\... path info.  This get's stripped when the
   message is sent out. You'll notice this when you receive files...).

8. From here forward, it is just like sending any other message...
---
5004
Message Encryption Features
It is important to understand that FIDONET and many other networks do
not allow encrypted messages.  This feature was implemented for use in
private networks where encrypted message are permitted.  Also for
situations where "local" (same net/node) points can send encrypted
messages to each other, working within their local boss' system only.

In order for this feature to work, your boss node must have the
ability to route file attaches.  Many modern processors like SQUISH
handle this with ease.

(PPoint uses the fido packet format for the actual message and an
empty body, putting the encrypted message in a file attached to the
message.  This is virtually seamless to the user, but I thought many
of you would like to know the mechanics behind the feature.)

The encryption routine was written by Cresent Software of Connecticut,
USA, and is one of the most secure algorithms you can use for this
purpose today.  It is seeded by your password, so even I (or Cresent)
as the author can not decode your mail.

The way it works is simple.  When sending a message to someone that
you have ascertained to be a network legal recipient of an encrypted
message, you do the following:

1. Both users must use PPoint.

2. You must agree on a mutual password to be used between the two of
   you for this purpose.

3. When you enter a message, put /ENC on the subject line.  It is ok
   to put more than the /ENC control on the subject ie you might want
   to have a subject line line: /ENC Meeting Agenda.  As long as the
   first 4 characters are /ENC it will work.  This is not case
   sensitive, ie /enc or /ENC are both ok.

4. When PPoint does a host transfer, and the message is processed from
   your message database to an outbound packet, you will be prompted
   for the recipients password.  This will only happen the first time
   you send encrypted mail to a specific person.  It won't prompt you
   in the future for other encrypted messages, so the process becomes
   totally transparent to the users.

5. When your recipient receives mail on his/her PPoint system, they
   will be prompted for the senders password.  This will only happen
   the first time they receive mail from you.  It won't prompt you in
   the future for other encrypted messages, so the process becomes
   totally transparent to the users.

This was developed for users on private networks who needed maximum
mail security.  This way mail sitting on a dedicated server remains
totally secure.  Once the mail is received into your personal PPoint
system, it is decrypted.  Likewise, when you reply to a message that
was originally encrypted, the /ENC control marker remains on the
subject line, so the rest of the conversation, via ongoing replies,
remains encrypted. The concept is to keep mail encrypted while in
transit.
---
5003
Twit List (inbound message filter)
Messages can be filtered both Globally or by Area.  This is
accomplished by having 1 or 2 twit files as follows:

Global filtering: this is where all inbound mail is checked for
keywords in your twit list no matter what area is it destined for.
Just have a plain text file called TWITGLOB.TXT (in your PPoint
directory) which has text on each line representing keywords to search
the FROM, TO and SUBJECT lines for. If the search finds text in either
of these fields, the message is not imported.

A TWITGLOB.TXT file might look like this:

Stupid
A. S. Shole

Area filtering: this is where all inbound mail is checked for keywords
in your twit list for specific areas.  Just have a plain text file
called TWITAREA.TXT (in your PPoint directory) which has text on each
line representing keywords to search the FROM, TO and SUBJECT lines
for. The text must contain a keyword, and an area tag name to check.
ie:

   SEARCH TEXT,VALID_AREA_TAG

If the search finds text in either of these two fields for the
selected area, the message is not imported.

A TWITAREA.TXT file might look like this:

Stupid,SHAREWARE
A. S. Shole, FORSALE

Please do not twit out things like "Echo Rules", these are important
to read.
---
5101
Reply Quote Header
You can change your Reply Quote Header to reflect your personal
tastes.  This can be done in the User/Host/Mailer Info selection from
the pulldown menus under Setup.

The default setting is:

      On ([DATE]) [FROM] wrote to [TO]...

An example of what this translates to:

      On (13 Mar 95) Matthew Lewis wrote to Harvey Parisien...

You have 5 variables to work with:

1. [DATE] which is the date of the message being replied to

2. [FROM] the writer of the message

3. [TO] the person the message was sent to

4. [FNAME] the first name only, of the person the message was sent to

5. [CL] adds a Carriage Return and Line Feed if required.  Here is an
   example:

QUOTE=Hi [FNAME]...[CL][CL]On ([DATE]) [FROM] wrote to [TO]...

You can mix these variables with any text as desired.  

Note: Each variable can only be used once in the QUOTE with the
exception of the [CL] variable which can be used as often as you wish.
-
 Setup: User/Host/Mailer Info
---
5103
Remapping of the TO field
Inbound mail can be remapped.  For example, let's say it is desired
that all mail addressed to SysOp or Addressed to Moderator is to
be remapped to Harvey Parisien, the name in my PPoint setup.  To 
accomplish this I would create a plain text file called PPOINT.MAP
and include the following text...

sysop=Harvey Parisien
Moderator=Harvey Parisien

... I could have as many entries as required here, ie...

Harvey=Harvey Parisien
Parisien=Harvey Parisien
HParisien=Harvey Parisien
hp=Harvey Parisien
sysop=Harvey Parisien
Moderator=Harvey Parisien
POINTS Moderator=Harvey Parisien
WHITEHOUSE Moderator=Harvey Parisien
---
5010
Misc Stuff

            FTP SITES FOR PPOINT and related utilities...

                   ** Site #1: ftp.teleport.com
                      Site Manager: Chris Carter

Instructions:  Once you are on the Internet, use an FTP program to go
to ftp.teleport.com.  Change directory to /users/carter, and you'll
find the latest version of PPoint, BinkleyTerm 2.56, the BinkleyTerm
2.50 documents, EZQuote 4, and ShareSpell 3.0, all available for
anonymous FTP.  Chris Carter can be reached at: carter@teleport.com

      On the World Wide Web, go to Chris's homepage at this URL:

                   http://www.teleport.com/~carter/
                                  or
              ftp://ftp.teleport.com/users/carter/point
 

                    ** Site #2: ftp.zip.com.au
                       Site Manager: Sue Blake

Instructions:  Once you are on the Internet, use an FTP program to go
to ftp.zip.com.au.  Change directory to /pub/fidonet/point, and
you'll find the latest version of PPoint, BinkleyTerm 2.56, the
BinkleyTerm 2.50 documents, all PPoint optional modules, and other
useful related utilities, all available for anonymous FTP.
-
Message Footers

To make each message you enter, end in a standard user defined
footer (block of text), just create a file called FOOTER.TXT and have
it in your PPoint directory.  Every message you enter, will contain
this footer.  In respect for your particular network, please do not 
get into long blocks of text.  This is meant for a simple;

Yours truly, or Cheers...
-
Password Access to PPoint

To invoke the Password Function, simply create a text file called
PPoint.PWD and place one word in it.  That will be your password to
run PPoint.  PPoint.PWD should be on your PPoint directory.
-
Network support using PP-LAN

PPoint now let's you connect to a network host using PP-LAN.  Your
network host can be connected to the outside world, and you connected
to it using PP-LAN.

To achieve this, look for the PPoint LAN Module usually archived as:

PPLAN???.ZIP

Edit pp-lan.cfg, it's a documented configuration file.

Edit your mailer.bat file to just have this one line in it...

@pp-lan
-
User Definable External Game

If you have a file called GAME.EXE or GAME.BAT on your PPoint
directory, it will be executable from the pull down menus at the
selection to the left of HOST, where it says PPoint.
-
QWK Setup Information

PPoint now let's you connect to a host using QWK technology as opposed
to FidoNet Mailer/Binkley technology.  The advantage of this is there
is virtually no setup needed on the Host's part, you can connect to
any system that has a QWK door.  You set yourself up on that system to
receive the message areas you want, and that's it.  You use PPoint the
same way as a mailer setup, with the exception of the actual mail
transfer.  Where a mailer is automated to the extent that it handles
the mail transferring to and from your host quite automatically, and
without user intervention, the QWK host transfer requires you to press
a few keys.

Once a host transfer is requested, PPoint will dial up the host and
the host bbs will prompt you for a Name and Password.  PPoint provides
two simple macros to insert these for you.  Alt+N is your name and
ALT+P is your Password.  Pressing these keys logs you on in seconds,
then you select downloading and/or uploading on the host.

Once you log off, mail is automatically processed into PPoint.

This type of QWK management is a few steps up from OFFLINE, a QWK
Reader also developed by Harvey Parisien, since PPoint keeps a message
database as opposed to managing individual QWK packets.

Some of the features in PPoint are deactivated for QWK use, ie:
nodelist management which is mailer specific.

To achieve this, look for the PPoint QWK Module usually archived as:

PPQWK???.ZIP
-
FRONT DOOR SUPPORT

Using Front Door, or a compatible mailer, instead of Binkley is now
possible by adding the following keywords to your PPOINT.INI file.

 _ _ _ PPOINT.INI _ _ _

; This is your Front Door Netmail Path.  This must be different than
; any of your PPoint paths.
FD-NET=C:\FD\NETMAIL\

; This is your Front Door Executable Command - Used in place of
; Mailer.bat by PPoint.   Note, add the ".exe" or ".bat" if you use
; PPoints swapping features...
FD-CMD=C:\FD\RUNFD.BAT

 _ _ _

A special note of thanks goes to Lawrence Gordon of Fidonet 1:100/560
for his assistance and persistence in working with me in developing
and testing the FD/PPoint interfacing.

Lawrence has authored a document which is included in the PPoint
distribution archive (or on the installation disk) that describes
using PPoint with Front Door or compatible systems.

 Setup: Advanced Settings
-
Binkley Alternate or Multiple Dialing

     AltNumber <primary number> <alternate number>

     This keyword defines an alternate number to try if a call to the
     <primary number> was unsuccessful. The alternate number must have
     the same node number as the <primary number>. The <primary
     number> is the same number found under the keyword BossPhone.

     For Example:

           AltNumber 555-1111 555-2222

     If 555-1111 was busy, Binkley would automatically call 555-2222.
     If there was more than one alternate number they would be
     specified as follows:

           AltNumber 555-1111 555-2222
           AltNumber 555-1111 555-3333

     As in the first example, if 555-1111 was busy, a call would be
     made to 555-2222.  If that number was busy, Binkley would attempt
     to call 555-3333.

     The only limitation of the number of AltNumber keywords you can
     specify is the amount of memory you have.

NOTE: Edit Binkley.add and change as necessary, then update your
Binkley.cfg file by choosing "User/Host/Mailer Info" on the Setup Menu
and simply verify the information by accepting all the defaults.  When
you finish this, PPoint will recreate your Binkley.cfg file with the
updated info.
---
9000
Command Line Switches
PPoint can be controlled from the command line.  One reason to do this
is if you choose to make Binkley the controlling program so you can
operate PPoint continuously unattended.

         /P  initiates an immediate poll when
             ppoint is run
         /E  exits to dos after the first poll
       /OUT  process outbound mail
        /IN  process inbound mail
    /OUT/IN  process both
      /PACK  pack database

──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Copyright (c) 1998 Harvey Parisien, Ottawa, Canada           1:249/114
---
