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1992-01-18
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VuMsgs
(c) 1988-1992, J.C. Kilday Associates, P.O Box 1961, Portland, ME 04104
Version 2.2, 1/18/92
This is a PCBoard sysop's utility for viewing messages without logging
on to a PCBoard 14.x system. It was originally developed for those
running 2 nodes on a 640K machine where only about 40K was available
in a 3rd maintenance partition. However, even on contemporary systems
VuMsgs continues to have broad general utility for all PCBoard 14.x
sysops. Here are some of its features:
- Simple to own, install, and operate (FREE, virtually no
installation, emulates PCBoard form and function).
- Reads PCBoard message bases without tripping the message read
indicators or updating the last message read pointers.
- Reads DELETED messages (and indicates when DELETED).
- Indicates when ECHO byte turned on (message to be ECHOed or
received via an ECHO mail system).
- Displays filename of message base being viewed, adjacent to
the message number.
- Supports major PCBoard message reading commands including
threading forward and backward.
- Defaults to use of high-speed screen-writing/scrolling routines
and color display.
- High-speed screen routines are Windows- and DESQview-aware.
(No bleed-thru if operated in background on these systems.)
- Optional BIOS screen writing mode (with the /S parm) allows
output redirection (to create message text files) and operation
from remote (CTTY or DOORWAY software can redirect output
to the comm port).
- SHARE compatability supports multi-node operation.
For simpler command entry, rename VUMSGS.EXE to a name easier to type.
such as VM.EXE, or run it from batch files.
Syntax: VUMSGS [drive][path]MSGSfilename [/S]
If no parms are entered on the command line, or an error is detected
with what has been entered, VuMsgs displays an info (and syntax)
screen.
Initial operation provides a display of messages in reverse order
beginning with the last message entered. Deleted messages also are
printed and so noted on the display. The message header format is
consistent with that of PCBoard 14.x. The prompt line is not the
abbreviated form of PCBoard 14.x, but shows the available options for
message reading. Operation is quite similar to that of PCBoard 14.x.
If you choose the "NS" option, you may stop the scrolling and obtain
the prompt by hitting Ctrl-K.
VuMsgs v2.2 - 1/18/92 Page 2
VuMsgs provides full message thread control and the ability to specify
the number of the next message to be displayed. The familiar "+" and
"-" suffixes are supported so that direction of travel through the
message base may be changed.
If a message number lower than that of the oldest message or greater
than that of the last entered message is specified, the lowest or the
the highest numbered message is shown, whichever the case. If the
direction (out of the file) is continued, the program terminates.
Example: If you enter "1-" (ignore the quotes), the first message in
the file will be displayed. Hitting <ENTER> will result in ending the
program. Entry of "1+" would produce the same message display, but
hitting <ENTER> would display the next higher message in the file.
If a thread read is requested and no messages with a matching subject
are encountered before reading beyond the last message (or first
depending on direction chosen), an indication of the file end is
displayed and the hitting of any key thereafter returns to DOS.
Standard BIOS screen writing occurs when the /S parm is specified
following the message base file name. In this mode, VuMsgs may be
invoked remotely. A sysop may "preview" received messages after
a remote drop to DOS, under control of CTTY or other redirection
utility such as DOORWAY.
The BIOS screen writing mode is also useful for redirecting output
to a another file or to a printer. When this is done (by appending
" > text.fil " or " > prn " to the command line), the VuMsgs prompt
line continues to appear on the screen. Although you no longer
see the messages as they are processed, you may issue the commands
needed to control direction, select given message numbers, or specify
the capture of a complete thread in the normal manner.
This software is contributed for the use of PCBoard sysops who are
running PCBoard for personal, non-business use. Rights to use this
software for business purposes may be obtained by contacting:
J.C. Kilday Associates, Central Avenue, Peaks Island, ME 04108
In return for the free use of this utility, you are encouraged to
communicate any problems or ideas for enhancements. Or just let me
know if you appreciate VuMsgs. I may be reached as indicated below.
You also may call to check on later releases (which will be
downloadable to first-time callers). A text search option is
under consideration for a future release.
Jack Kilday, Sysop
The Northern Lights BBS
207-761-4782 v.32bis (USR HST D/S), 4 nodes
VuMsgs v2.2 - 1/18/92 Page 3
Revision History:
12/09/85 - Original assembler-based release, v1.0
12/21/85 - Version 1.1
Added features of PCBoard v9.0: new message header format
and 60-line message capacity.
Enhancements: thread reading (bi-directional), message
reading (bi-directional), direct access of any message by
number, direction control (using "+" and "-" suffixes.
Correction: replaced module-internal message buffer by one
created after the COM file is loaded.
12/22/85 - Version 1.1a
Added pre-release changes to v9.0 message header format.
3/07/86 - Version 1.2
Fixed elusive bug which caused VuMsgs to die in the middle
of some message files by quietly returning to DOS.
1/23/87 - Version 1.3
Added support for networks/file SHAREing.
11/01/88 - Version 2.0
Completely rewrote the assembler version (formerly a 3.5K
executable) in Turbo C. Now it's a 15K executable which
still runs in less than 40K but having new functionality,
color displays, fast screen writes, and PCBoard 14.x
compatibility added. Not compatible with earlier PCBoard
versions.
(VuMsgs v1.3 remains available on the Northern Lights for
sysops running PCBoard v12.1 and earlier.)
7/1/89 - Version 2.1
Compensated for Turbo C's terrible cycle sucking kbhit()
function which severely slows systems running DESQview or
DoubleDOS when VuMsgs v2.0 awaiting a keystroke. VuMsgs
now gives back cycles to other partitions when operating
with these multitaskers.
VuMsgs now restores the original screen colors upon exit.
1/18/02 - Version 2.2
Provided for message lines of up to 79 characters to
provide an improved display of message bases where
message readers and mail doors allow entry of messages
with lines in excess of 72 characters.
Provided for a longer messages.
Fixed a problem where a corrupted message header having
an incorrect "record count" would cause an error exit
reporting "Message base not PCB 14.0 compatible."
Revised author contact info (author & BBS moved) and
released with VuCalls v2.2 on same date. Docs updated.