A "thread" is a sequence of messages consisting of one original message and any number of replies, replies to replies etc. You can use the thread buttons in the Message window to read all the messages of a thread in order. The thread buttons are only shown if you have selected the extended message header in the Global Parameters.
 
Thread-start "•": if it is enabled, this button will take you to the first message in a thread. You can also press control-hyphen ('-') instead.
Thread-zurück "<-": if enabled, takes you to the previous message in the current thread. You can also press control-left-arrow.
Thread-vor "->": if enabled, takes you to the next message in the current thread. You can also press control-right-arrow.
Reading Messages Efficiently
The quick start in the second chapter gives an introduction to reading messages. You can save time and effort if you take advantage of Alice’s more advanced features. The most important messages are those addressed to you, so you can read them first by double-clicking on the corresponding numbers in the Areas window. (See the quick start chapter for details.)
Then you can read the threads, so you can follow one subject completely before starting on the next. Go to the first unread message, read it, then go to the next message in the thread until you have reached the end of the thread. (I.e., until the "next message in thread" button is dimmed.) Then return to the next first unread message in the area, and follow its thread to the end. This will let you read all threads in order without seeing any message twice.
Of course, you may prefer to read the messages in a different order – the choice is yours.
"Read" vs. "unread" messages: Alice considers a message to have been read if the text was displayed in the window and the cursor blinked at least once. The idea is that you can’t have read a message that flashed by any faster. Thus if you skim through the messages very quickly, looking only at the header, they will still be considered "unread".
Writing Messages
Quoting
When you "reply to" or "answer" a message, Alice automatically "quotes" the text of the original message for you. You can also quote from other messages, or include quoted text in a new message. You can select text in the message window and copy it to the clipboard in the normal way, or you can use the special command "Quote&Copy" from the Edit menu. Quote&Copy is the same as Quote, except that the selected text is quoted just as if you were replying to it. You can also copy the various fields in the header and paste them into the corresponding fields of your message. To select a field in the header, just press the tab key until the desired field is selected.
Electronic Etiquette
Fidonet is an informal network, but there still are rules of conduct and etiquette that you should respect. Some of these rules apply only to Fidonet, others apply just as well to non-networked BBSs.
- Don’t use "hi-bit" characters, that is, characters whose numeric code is above 127, especially special characters such as accented letters. These character codes are used for different characters on different systems, so somebody using a PC compatible or an Amiga might not be able to read your messages.
- Respect the local language. Some areas accept all languages, others request that you use only one or two. English is usually acceptable.
- Quote as little as possible, but as much as necessary. Too much irrelevant quoted text is just as irritating as a message where nobody knows what you’re talking about because you failed to quote anything.
- Don’t use Fidonet for commercial purposes. Commercial advertisements are forbidden in most areas, and will get you in trouble with your sysop and your sysop in trouble with the High Ones.
- Don’t write private messages in public areas – use netmail. Nobody wants to pay to see you say hello to your uncle Bob.
- Don’t write encrypted messages. This is forbidden under most circumstances and may also cause technical problems.
- Avoid the special strings "* Origin:", "SEEN-BY:" and "---", particularly at the start of a line. These strings are used for special purposes and may confuse your BBS’s Fidonet programs if used improperly. If you quote these strings, change a character, as in "$ Origin" or "$EEN-BY".
