Jason Aller Floppy Collection/176.img/SLBBS76M.ZIP/SLFIDO.DOC

Text File | 1990-02-15 | 16KB | 358 lines

SLMAIL 1.35 CHANGES:
--------------------
   Version 1.35 supports the new maximum subboard size parameter included
with version 1.76 of Searchlight BBS.  This version should be used ONLY with
version 1.76 of Searchlight.
   A bug in the high water mark processing in version 1.34 that caused
SLMAIL to reset the HW mark when no new messages were available for import
has been corrected.


SLMAIL 1.34 CHANGES:
--------------------

High Water Mark Processing
--------------------------
   SLMAIL version 1.34 can use a "high water mark" to save the number of
the highest message imported during a particular import command, and resume
importing at the next message when the next import command is given.  This
saves time by skipping the procedure of checking all existing messages to
determine which should be imported.  High water mark should be used on
systems where fidonet *.MSG files are not routinely purged after importing,
but will be of little of no interest on systems which do purge the MSG files
frequently.

   High water mark useage is optional and is invoked by adding a -H flag
on the command line when importing.  Without the -H flag, no high water
marks are read or written.  The high water mark has no effect on exporting.

   SLMAIL stores the high water mark in a file called SLMAIL.HWM located
within the directory containing the MSG files.  A different high water mark
is used for each separate MSG directory you use.  If the high water mark
file does not exist when SLMAIL is invoked, it is created.  Each time you
run SLMAIL with the -H flag, it reads the current high water mark from
SLMAIL.HWM, imports messages, and writes the new high water mark (the
message number of the last message imported) to the SLMAIL.HWM file.

   Note that the high water mark overrides the -A (import all messages)
flag.  If you want to override the high water mark, you can do so simply by
running SLMAIL without the -H flag.  If you want to reset the high water
mark to zero, delete the SLMAIL.HWM file.  For example, you should delete
the high water mark if you renumber your MSG files.  When no high water mark
file exists, SLMAIL reads all messages and imports those which were not
previously imported or exported from your BBS.  A new high water mark file
is created upon exiting.

   The high water mark is a text file containing the number of the highest
message in ASCII format; you can edit the high message number with a text
editor, if desired.  Note that the high water mark is the message number of
the highest message imported on a particular run.  For example, if the high
water mark is 25, then message 26 will be the first message imported on the
next run.


Batch Command Lines
-------------------
   This version allows you to input multiple command lines to SLMAIL via a
command line file. The syntax is,

       SLMAIL @FILENAME

Where 'filename' is a text file containing SLMAIL command lines. The command
lines in the text file follow the same format as command line parameters
given to SLMAIL on the command line (without the 'SLMAIL' program name). For
example, if you had a text file 'Export.Txt' containing these lines,

       E A -N -G\BBS\ECHO1
       E B -N -G\BBS\ECHO2

Then you could execute both command lines by typing SLMAIL @EXPORT.TXT.

   Note that all parameters are reset to the defaults before each command
line is executed.  You cannot use a second '@FILENAME' construct within the
command line file.


Via Line Change
---------------
   Slmail 'Via' lines are now added just before the Tear line and Origin
line, instead of at the end of the message. This was changed in the
interests of compatibility with existing echomail software.

Verbose Option
--------------
   A verbose option, -V, is available.  When SLMAIL is invoked with the -V
option, it displays the message number of each message imported and
exported.  Without the -V option, SLMAIL displays totals only.


SLMAIL 1.32 CHANGES:
--------------------
  - This version allows you to strip color codes when exporting messages.
    'Strip Color Codes' is the DEFAULT condition. If you wish to INCLUDE
    Searchlight color codes in exported messages, include a -C flag on the
    command line.

    If you are importing messages which contain Searchlight color codes,
    then you should use the -C switch when importing. Otherwise, leave the
    -C switch off. SLMAIL will automatically double any '\' characters
    found in the imported messages, to prevent them from being mistaken for
    color codes when being read in Searchlight.

    For best results, simply omit the -C switch other than for special
    purposes (it is recommended that you do not export Searchlight color
    codes to any public Echomail forum).

  - This version is somewhat more memory efficient than previous releases
    and has been updated to provide better control of runtime errors.

  - Threading of echomail messages has been changed in order to thread
    messages as closely as possible to their intended replies.

  - The NEWFIX software has been updated. NEWFIX will now interrogate the
    SLMAIL new message pointer file, in addition to the regular BBS and
    user files, in order to correct any errors which might occur in the
    SLMAIL new message pointers (the updated Newfix version 1.2 will be
    included with SLMAIL 1.32 only; it may also be obtained separately from
    the Searchlight support BBS).


SLMAIL 1.31 CHANGES:
--------------------
  - In this version, the 'Via' line is now appended to the TOP of a
    message (first line) when SLMAIL imports messages which do not already
    contain an SLMAIL Via line with your registration number. This change
    should help to avoid some problems which occured when the Via line
    was placed at the end of the message.

  - SLMAIL now suppors the alternate date-time format (SEAdog format)
    found on some echomail messages.

  - SLMAIL inserts a blank space before "quoted" message lines (lines
    prefixed by a ">" character) and stores these with hard returns, in
    accordance with conventions used on Fidonet.

  - Additional bug fixes with regard to message deletions and large
    message bases were applied to the BBS.EXE module released with this
    version.


SLMAIL 1.30 CHANGES:
--------------------
    The major change in this version is that SLMAIL will now append its
    'Via' line to all messages IMPORTED as well as EXPORTED. This means
    that SLMAIL will NOT re-import the same message twice (unless the -A
    switch is used in the command line). It also means that any messages
    you import with SLMAIL will have an SLMAIL 'Via' line added to the
    end of them (if you don't kill the messages after importing).

    This version also cleans up a bug where 1.MSG files were being
    imported in previous versions.

    The accompanying BBS.EXE program fixes a problem where messages could
    not be deleted on large message bases.


SLMAIL 1.29 CHANGES:
--------------------
  - New "Auto Purge" option (on 1-Subop menu in SLBBS) is added, allows
    SLMAIL to kill old messages when subboards become full.

  - The 'alias' name for Sysop is applied to 'To:' as well as 'From:' fields
    (for processing replies).

  - SLMAIL sets the 'Local' message flag in the *.MSG file when exporting.

  - SLMAIL writes a hidded 'Via' line at the end of MSG files and uses your
    Searchlight Software registration number. When importing, SLMAIL will
    skip any messages it finds containing an identical 'Via' line with your
    registration code (in other words, it will skip importing any messages
    which were previously exported from your BBS). This will be of use to
    those who need to maintain *.MSG files on a permanent basis without
    having the same messages reimported.

    If you do want to re-import messages which have been previously exported
    by your BBS, add a -A flag to the command line to defeat this option.

    NOTE: SLMAIL 1.29 (and all later versions) will require you to run the
    REGISTER utility program and insert your Searchlight registration code.
    You must use version 1.74D or later of the Register program (it is
    included with SLMAIL). Just run REGISTER as usual and input your
    SLBBS registration code (make sure SLMAIL.EXE is in the current
    directory).


SLMAIL 1.27 CHANGES:
--------------------
  - Added command line switch, -L. If used, Slmail converts usernames to
    upper & lowercase when exporting messages (as most Fidonet systems
    format usernames).

  - A configuration file, SLMAIL.CFG, has been added. The configuration file
    should be a text file located in your Searchlight BBS directory. It can
    provide "Origin" lines and sysop alias names for exported messages. The
    format is as follows

     =Default SYSOP alias
     :Default origin line text
     A=SYSOP alias for subboard A
     A:Origin line text for subboard A
     B=SYSOP alias for subboard B
     B:Origin line text for subboard B, etc.

    SYSOP alias is a name that SLMAIL will use in place of SYSOP when it
    exports messages to Fidonet. Normally, you should put your name here.
    Origin text is used in the "Origin" line appended by SLMAIL to each
    exported message. Examples:

    =Frank LaRosa
    :Searchlight BBS 516-724-0971

    A default line is used if you don't provide specific data for a
    particular sub. The default lines are optional.


SLMAIL 1.26 CHANGES:
--------------------
  - The "Origin" line is added to exports.

  - The "To:" field from imported MSG files is added to the first line
    of the message when it is loaded into SLBBS.

  - Messages are generated with soft carriage returns when appropriate.

  - Net and node numbers are included in messages. These can be specified
    by the sysop on a subboard for subboard basis, with the 1-Subop command.

  - Searchlight threading is installed on messages which have the same
    subject text as other messages in the same subboard.


SLMAIL 1.25 CHANGES:
--------------------
  - The 1.MSG file is no longer created or updated
  - Searchlight protected messages are not exported
  - New option "-G" gives directory path to *.MSG files
  - New option "-I" to include "Seen-By" lines (default is ignore)
  - Private mail to unknown users now directed to SYSOP


SLMAIL 1.24 CHANGES:
--------------------
  - Messages are sorted by date before importing
  - The NEXT HIGHEST *.MSG file is created when exporting
  - The 1.MSG file is created if one does not exist when exporting
  - New switch -K can be used to Kill MSG files as they are imported
  - SLMAIL tear line is added to exported messages


SLMAIL NO FRILLS DOCUMENTATION
------------------------------

SLMAIL has been enhanced to read and write FIDO(tm) messages in the standard
Fidonet *.MSG file format. SLMAIL also features a new command line option
"-n" which allows you to read (or export) only NEW messages from a particular
subboard area or user mailbox. SLMAIL maintains its own set of new message
pointers for determining which messages are new.

This version should be considered a preliminary BETA TEST. I am looking for
user comments and suggestions for improvement. Specifically, this version
does not handle packed message formats, does not use or maintain reply
threads when importing/exporting, and does not provide a method of replying
privately to network mail. All of these additions are planned for the
future.



New Messages
------------
Slmail has a new option, "-n", for reading (or exporting) only new messages
on a subboard or from a user's mailbox. For messages, SLMAIL maintains its
own set of new message pointers in a file called SLMAIL.NNN, where NNN is
the node number which SLMAIL was called from. A different set of pointers is
maintained for the "Read" and "Export" operations, so each subsequent "Read
New" or "Export New" command will pick up where the last command of that
type left off. Slmail updates the new message pointers whenever it reads or
exports a new message, regardless of whether the "-n" flag is in effect.

For private mail, Slmail reads only messages which have been read 0 times,
and it will increment the number of times read counter when exporting
messages (but NOT when reading messages). While it is possible to import
private mail with this version of SLMAIL and the current versions of SLBBS,
it will not be possible to send private messages (or replies) until SLBBS is
upgraded.

When using SLMAIL for the first time, you will probably need to read and/or
export messages beginning from message 1 in order to initialize your new
message flags. You can use the begin date/end date parameters for this
(begin and end dates can be combined with the -N flag).

Note that "-i" is now used to designate a filename for text file reads and
writes instead of "-n".


Fido Export
-----------
SLMAIL exports messages in the Fidonet *.MSG format when the E (export)
command option is given. For example,

   SLMAIL E B                  Export messages on subboard "B"
   SLMAIL E B -N               Export New messages on sub "B"
   SLMAIL E SYSOP              Export contents of Sysop's mailbox

SLMAIL checks the current directory for *.MSG files and begins exporting
messages at the next highest message number. If no MSG files exist, then
exporting begins at 2.MSG. A tear line indicating SLMAIL's version number is
appended to the end of all exported messages.

If the -L command line option is used, SLMAIL converts usernames to upper
and lowercase. If not used, usernames remain in all uppercase format.

SLMAIL will not export "protected" messages. Messages are protected in
Searchlight by editing the message and assigning a protected status when
prompted. Protecting a message gives you a way to enter a local message into
an otherwise echo-bound subboard area.

SLMAIL will NOT export messages which have been imported by SLMAIL. Thus,
you can always export all new messages from a particular subboard without
picking up previously imported mail. SLMAIL marks imported and exported
messages by setting bits 1 and 2, respectively, in the last byte of the
message header within the SLBBS message file.



Fido Import
-----------
SLMAIL imports Fidonet *.MSG format files when the I (Import) command is
used. For example,

   SLMAIL I B                  Import messages to sub "B"

SLMAIL takes the *.MSG files in the current directory (starting with 2.MSG)
and imports them into the specified message area. If private messages are
found, SLMAIL attempts to send these to the mailbox of the designated
recipient, if that recipient appears in your USER.BBS file. If not, then the
message is forwarded to the SYSOP's mailbox, along with a message indicating
the name of the unknown recipient.

Messages are always imported in date and time sorted order. The process of
sorting messages is done before the importing begins, and may take some time
if you have a lot of messages to import.

Messages can be imported from another directory other than the current dir.
To do this, specify the MSG directory with the -G option on the SLMAIL
command line.

By default, "Seen-By" lines at the end of a message are ignored. If you want
to see these lines, add the -I switch to the SLMAIL command line.

If the -K (Kill) command line option is given, SLMAIL deletes each *.MSG
file as it is imported. The 1.MSG file (if it exists) is not deleted.

If the sender of an imported message exists in the SLBBS user file, then
that user's record ID number is entered into the message header, as with an
ordinary Searchlight message. If the sender does not appear in the SLBBS
user file, then the actual text of the sender's name is inserted instead.