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1992-10-13
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Welcome to BoxMsg, the offline mail quoter with style and class. What
will BoxMsg do for me you ask? The following is what a typical message
found on a typical echo'ed board would look like:
example:
***************************************************************************
FM>RR>hello fred, whats up? I've noticed that your starting to use some
FM>RR>sort of fancy message quoting system. It's really cool! What's
FM>RR>it called? Is it easy to use?
FM>RR> are you going to the pizza party this month?
FM> Yes I can't wait to blow you guys away with some of new stuff I've
FM>picked up since last month.
Great, I'll see you there.
FM> Not much Mark. How are you doing? Yes, as a matter of fact I am
FM>using a new message quoter. It's called BoxMsg. This thing is great!
FM>I just edit my messages like I normally do, then BoxMsg turns all
FM>the lines that I quoted into cool boxes with the original writers
FM>full name at the top. It makes my quotes look like they were
FM>written with GAP's **on line** message editor, but I can really use
FM>any **offline** reader that I wish.
Your right Fred, this thing is great! I just picked up BoxMsg from
my favorite board, and I'm already quoting away.
-- Rick Ricarrdo
*****************************************************************************
Now look at how much nicer this message looks when you have BoxMsg
installed on your system.
example:
┌─Rick Riccardo─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│hello Fred, whats up? I've noticed that your starting to use some│
│sort of fancy message quoting system. It's really cool! What's │
│it called? Is it easy to use? │
│ │
│ are you going to the pizza party this month? │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
┌─Fred Mertz────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Yes I can't wait to blow you guys away with some of new stuff I've│
│picked up since last month. │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Great, I'll see you there.
┌─Rick Riccardo─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Not much Ricky, How are you doing? Yes, as a matter of fact I am│
│ using a new message quoter. It's called BoxMsg. This thing is great!│
│ I just edit my messages like I normally do, then BoxMsg turns all │
│the lines that I quoted into cool boxes with the original writers │
│full name at the top. It makes my quotes look like they were │
│written with GAP's **on line** message editor, but I can really use │
│any **offline** reader that I wish. │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Your right Fred, this thing is great! I just picked up BoxMsg from
my favorite board, and I'm already quoting away.
-- Ricky Riccardo
****************************************************************************
If this is the type of thing your looking for then please read on!
REGISTER FOR ONLY $5
BetaBetaBetaBetaBetaBetaBetaBe
Note: This is the second Beta copy of BoxMsg.
by installing this program on your system
you are taking on the full responsibility
of a Beta tester. Any changes made to
any text files filtered through BoxMsg are
made with your complete consent regardless
of the outcome. As a Beta tester, you are
expected to report **all** problems or
enhancement requests to the author, Matthew
Rice as soon as possible.
BetaBetaBetaBetaBetaBetaBetaBe
SET UP
=================
Following are directions for setting up BoxMsg with SLMR, SpeedRead and
EZ-reader. If you use any other system, read through these to get an idea
of how you should set things up.
Configuration of SLMR\OLX
===============================
Note: SLMR (and most other readers) unzips you QWK mail pak into a temporary
directory which it creates off of the current directory. (In my case it's
called MR$WORK) Because this directory may change depending on where you've
called your mail reader from, or what directory you downloaded your packet
to, (I put the damn things all over the place <grin>) it is necessary
to specify the complete path of your editor and BoxMsg, but pass only the
file name which SLMR provides without a path.
press alt-C at the first SLMR menu for configuration.
choose General.
Enable swapping YES
press F10
choose Editor.
Editor Command line C:\qmodem\mail\box.bat
press F10
choose Replies.
Reply Quoting style ALL
Quoting Prefix string >
Message header in quoted reply YES
press F10
-- A batch file similar to the following should be used. --
\utils\qedit\q.exe %1
\qmodem\mail\boxMsg %1
type %1 | more
pause
CONFIGURATION FOR SpeedRead
====================================
press alt-C for configuration.
choose General setup.
QUOTING
Initials: ALL
Quote String: >
Smart Quoting: OFF
EXTERNAL PROGRAMS
Editor: command /c c:\qmodem\mail\boxsr.bat %s
press TAB
Choose Toggles and Options.
Swapping: ON
.
.
Reply Header: ON
press TAB
-- A batch file similar to the following should be used. --
\utils\qedit\q.exe %1
\qmodem\mail\boxMsg -r5 %1
type %1 | more
pause
CONFIGURATION FOR EZ-reader
====================================
press F2 for configuration.
choose Editor.
Editor: c:\qmodem\mail\boxEZ.bat
press ESC
choose Flags
Print Header in Reply: YES
press ESC
choose Replies.
choose Prefixes.
Add a prefix to replies: INITIALS
Prefix String: >
Header divider character: =
Message divider character: -
press ESC
-- A batch file similar to the following should be used. --
\utils\qedit\q.exe %1
\qmodem\mail\boxMsg -r3 %1
type %1 | more
pause
That should do the trick. If you cannot get your system to work with these
settings, ask for help in a mail reader conference, or drop me a line.
NOTE: ( This program was designed using SLMR as the test editor.
Since initial BETA I have modified BoxMsg to work with
SpeedRead and EZ-reader.
It should work with others as well, but I have not
tested them. If You use a mail editor which you find
to be incompatible with this system( again, most should be)
please drop me a line and I'll see what I can do! )
Set Up Troubleshooting Guide
===========================================================
In order for BoxMsg to work properly, it needs to be looking for the
correct information. This means that your Mail reader needs to be set
up in a 'Standard' way. BoxMsg grabs the full first and last names
which it uses at the top of it's boxes from a header that your mail reader
should be set up to add at the top of the message file. Your mail reader
should probably also be set up to swap to extended memory or disk whenever
you call your external editor. Instead of calling an external editor from
within the reader, set it to call a batch file. Have the batch file first
call your editor, then call BoxMsg. Remember to pass filenames to both
of these programs.
Also make sure that your editor places capitol initials and a '>'
MR>
MR>
in front of **every** line of the original quote. Any character used
besides '<' or '>' will cause that quote not to be boxed.
NOTE: This version now supports some
of the more esoteric techniques and characters people use to
quote their messages on large Net systems.
--> MR> MR║ ╗
--> > MR║ ║ ...etc
--> > MR║ ║
So far, BoxMsg works great
for me the way it is now, but if enough REGISTERED users
want it to support this stuff, I'm willing to do it. In
fact, I've made a pact with myself. If so much as ONE person
out there in cyber land sends me the measly 5 bucks, I'll
do it...AND mail them back a copy of the update. Let's
see how it goes.....
Most mail readers allow you to swap the reader out of memory, then call
an external text editor for replying to messages. instead of calling
the editor directly, Set this up to call a batch file similar to the
following:
# The offline reader should pass a filename in %1
\utils\qedit\q %1 # Q is the call to my text editor.
\qmodem\mail\BoxMsg %1 # I then call BoxMsg and pass it the file name.
type %1 | more # You can view the modified file,
pause # Give you a chance to see it before returning.
BoxMsg will take care of the rest, including stripping the header
which the mail reader has placed in the file.
Use and Explanations
=====================================
So how does it work? How difficult is it going to be to set it up
to work with my mail reader? Do I have to use the arrow keys to
pinpoint where I want my quote boxes drawn like I do with those other
message quote systems? Can I use my own editor or do I have to use one
you provide?
-- Elvis Presley
Well Elvis, It's really quite simple. The most important step is to
set the configuration parameters of your mail reader up properly so that
when it sends you to your editor, the message looks like this:
example: message as passed to text editor.
===========================================================================
BBS: The Cookie Jar
Date: 06-11-92 (10:18) Number: 569
From: ELVIS PRESLEY Refer#: 568
To: MATTHEW RICE Recvd: NO
Subj: quotes Conf: (4) Programming
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EP> So how does it work? How difficult is it going to be to set it up
EP>to work with my mail reader? Do I have to use the arrow keys to
EP>pinpoint where I want my quote boxes drawn like I do with those other
EP>message quote systems? Can I use my own editor or do I have to use one
EP>you provide?
EP> -- Elvis Presley
You then go ahead and edit the message as you normally would, using any text
editor that you prefer. You may insert comments into the middle of a
quoted paragraph...any where you'd like! Remember to delete extraneous
lines from the message that your quoting.... BoxMsg can handle them but
they're considered 'bad taste' on the Nets and will make you unpopular.
example: message after finished editing in text editor.
===========================================================================
BBS: The Cookie Jar
Date: 06-11-92 (10:18) Number: 569
From: ELVIS PRESLEY Refer#: 568
To: MATTHEW RICE Recvd: NO
Subj: quotes Conf: (4) Programming
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EP> So how does it work? How difficult is it going to be to set it up
It works by putting itself between your text editor and your mail reader.
EP>to work with my mail reader? Do I have to use the arrow keys to
EP>pinpoint where I want my quote boxes drawn like I do with those other
EP>message quote systems?
You don't have to do any work. Just edit your message as you normally would.
When you through, control will pass to BoxMsg which will search for lines
which you have left quoted in your finished message. These lines will
have a variable length box drawn around them with the original authors
name at the top. Control then passes back to your mail editor which will
append your tagline to the file, and compress it into QWK mail format.
XX>Can I use my own editor or do I have to use one
EP>you provide?
Because the choice of editors is controlled by a batch file, you can
use any ASCII text editor that you choose.
- Matthew Rice -
example of finished quote:
┌─Elvis Presley──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ So how does it work? How difficult is it going to be to set it up│
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
It works by putting itself between your text editor and your mail reader.
┌─Elvis Presley────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│to work with my mail reader? Do I have to use the arrow keys to │
│pinpoint where I want my quote boxes drawn like I do with those other │
│message quote systems? │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
You don't have to do any work. Just edit your message as you normally would.
When you through, control will pass to BoxMsg which will search for lines
which you have left quoted in your finished message. These lines will
have a variable length box drawn around them with the original authors
name at the top. Control then passes back to your mail editor which will
append your tagline to the file, and compress it into QWK mail format.
┌─Elvis Presley──────────────────────────────────┐
│Can I use my own editor or do I have to use one │
│you provide? │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Because the choice of editors is controlled by a batch file, you can
use any ASCII text editor that you choose.
- Matthew Rice -
I think that you'll agree... This is a heck of a lot classier than what
the reader gives you, and it makes the quote more clear as well. Of
course, your reader will then add its own advertising and tagline to
this file and put it into QWK mail format.
NOTE: In order for BoxMsg to place full names at the top of each quote
box, a header must be present before the quote is encountered in the file.
BoxMsg strips this ugly header from the file once it is read in. It must
strip the portion of this header which looks like this:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
&
========================================================================
If you write a message in which you draw either of these two lines, BoxMsg
will strip it from the file as well! Note: this will only happen if your
line is the **exact** length of the lines of a header. If you are unsure,
simply space your line in by one, and BoxMsg should <grin> leave it alone.
ex:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
this line will be left alone while the former line would be striped.
NOTE: If your reader does not place a header at the top of the file, BoxMsg
will still draw a nifty box around it; it just won't feature the name
of the quo tee at the top. If your mail reader does provide inclusion of a
header, but boxMsg gives you blank boxes try experimenting with the -r
parameter. e.g. -R3 will cause BoxMsg to look for the FROM: line in you
header 3 characters from the left of your screen. Set this value to the
indentation (0-9) your reader uses and you should start seeing proper
names appearing.
*****************************************************************************
--
-- BoxMsg also offers 4 command line options.
--
-- -L for long quote boxes.
--
-- -S for a space on either side of the quo tee's name.
--
-- -F for FIDO net's which don't allow ANSI characters
--
-- -R for SpeedRead & EZ-reader Compatibility
--
****************************************************************************
$5 registration fee!!
examples:
=========
c:\>BoxMsg reply.msg
┌─Michael Jackson──────────────────────┐
│ I think that BoxMsg is the greatest. │
│ I think that everyone should register│
│ a copy right away! │
└──────────────────────────────────────┘
c:\>BoxMsg -s reply.msg
┌ Michael Jackson ─────────────────────┐
│ I think that BoxMsg is the greatest. │
│ I think that everyone should register│
│ a copy right away! │
└──────────────────────────────────────┘
c:\>boxMsg -L reply.msg
┌─Michael Jackson────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ I think that BoxMsg is the greatest. │
│ I think that everyone should register │
│ a copy right away! │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
c:\>boxMsg -f reply.msg
-Michael Jackson----------------------
| I think that BoxMsg is the greatest. |
| I think that everyone should register|
| a copy right away! |
--------------------------------------
Special Nifty Option!
==============================
One other option is provided for. If set up your mail reader to preface
your quotes with '<' instead of '>', BoxMsg will draw a variable length box
around your quote, then center it in order to make it stand out more.
You can manually change this character as well while editing so that
you can use both centered and non centered boxes in the same quote!
EP<I think that BoxMsg is the greatest.
EP<I think that everyone should register
EP<a copy right away!
┌─Elvis Presley───────────────────────┐
│I think that BoxMsg is the greatest. │
│I think that everyone should register│
│a copy right away! │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
BetaBetaBetaBetaBetaBetaBetaBe
--
-- This is the first BETA copy of this program. By deciding to give it a
-- try you are also volunteering to be a beta tester. If you encounter
-- any area's which BoxMsg does not perform properly... or if their are
-- any nifty enhancements you would like to see added to BoxMsg please
-- let me know.
-- - Matthew Rice -
BetaBetaBetaBetaBetaBetaBetaBe
Well, Thank you very much for using BoxMsg. Special thanx go to Jay
Heyl and Richard Brown at the Cookie Jar (714)997-0350 for their help
and suggestions while I was Alpha testing.
To register BoxMsg, please send me your name, address, and if your a
sysop, the number of your board, so that I can send any fixes or up-dates
to you as soon as possible. I'd also appreciate it if you include a small
donation of $5 so that I can show my girlfriend that all the time I spend
at the computer is going to be worth something some day. If you think that
five bucks is too high, send me what you think its worth. I'm curious to
see what kind of responce I get from this. If your just plain cheap, At
least have the decency to drop me a letter or mail me a message telling me
what you think, or suggesting things that might make nice enhancements.
My address is:
Matthew Rice
3285 Garden Grove Blvd. #70
Orange Ca, 92668
I'm going to be checking into the offline mail reader conferences on
I'Link so I'll probably get any messages that you leave me there.
The fastest way to reach me would be through my fav board, The Cookie
Jar. The Sysop is Jay Heyl who in his infinite graciousness has Ok'ed
it for people to leave messages concerning BoxMsg on the main board there.
California phone is (714)-997-0350.
- Matthew Rice -