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- MR/2 ICE v1.14 - An Internet EMail Client for OS/2 PM.
-
- Copyright (c) 1996, Knightware Software Company.
- All rights reserved.
-
- ==================
- Table of Contents
- ==================
-
- 1. Release Information.
- 2. Shareware Notice and Ordering Instructions.
- 3. Credits
- 4. List of major features.
- 5. Quick start instructions.
- 6. Known bugs/problems/missing features.
- 7. Contacting the Author.
-
- Release History has been moved to the file "history.txt"
-
-
- =================================
- 1-RELEASE INFORMATION - 05/15/96
- =================================
-
- Thank you for trying the latest addition to the MR/2 family of
- electronic messaging software for OS/2 ... the MR/2 Internet Cruiser
- Edition. MR/2 ICE is an Internet EMail client. It can read mail via a
- POP3 mail server and/or has direct SMTP hooks available.
-
- For those of you who know my work already, you know that I like to have
- lots of options, including optional pieces of the user interface. I
- have attempted to continue this theme with MR/2 ICE. You'll find things
- like toolbars and status bars configurable, even to the point of
- hiding them.
-
- There are no limits to the "shareware" version. I don't like
- crippleware, but I will no doubt offer some incentive to register, or
- add a minor anoyance or two if you don't. Right now there is none of
- this.
-
- MAILING LIST: Send email with SUBSCRIBE in the subject to
- mr2ice.list@secant.com
-
- SEE MY WEB PAGE at http://nick.secant.com for late-breaking news.
-
- THE OFFICIAL MR/2 ICE FAQ page is available as link from my
- WWW home page, listed above.
-
-
-
- =============================================
- 2-Shareware Notice and Ordering Instructions
- =============================================
-
- N O T I C E
- -----------
-
- This IS a shareware package, and does require a registration fee if
- you choose to continue using it after 30 days. The registration
- fee for this product is currently $25 US. A later version may
- include a newsreader, and price will increase slightly ($30?).
-
- Register by filling out and mailing (or faxing, if paying by credit
- card) REGISTER.DOC to me.
-
- NOTE: Registration letters are sent out via email within a week of
- arriving to me; often sooner. If you don't get a letter, write. They
- sometimes get lost in email-limbo, and I will happily resend.
-
-
- NEW WAY TO REGISTER - OS/2 SHAREWARE BBS
- ----------------------------------------
- You can now register MR/2 ICE via the OS/2 Shareware BBS, online.
- The system accepts most major credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, American
- Express and Discover card). Use your modem to call the OS/2 Shareware
- BBS at (703) 385-4325 or telnet into os2bbs.com.
-
-
- ORDER THROUGH BMT MICRO!!!
- --------------------------
- Credit card orders can be placed with BMT Micro at 1-800-414-4268
- or visit their WEB page at http://www.wilmington.net/bmtmicro, or
- email to orders@bmt.wilmington.net. You can also fax an order to
- them TOLL FREE at 800-346-1OS2 (1672).
-
- BMT's "order" page can be web'd directly at:
-
- http://www.wilmington.net/bmtmicro/info/placeorder.html
-
- NOTE: BMT Micro also has an arrangment with a bank in GERMANY for
- European users who might find this useful. Check the end of this
- web page for details, please:
-
- http://www.wilmington.net/bmtmicro/info/payment.html
-
-
-
- Register via COMPUSERVE - GO SWREG
- ----------------------------------
-
- MR/2 ICE can now be registered through Compuserve's SWREG service.
- Simply type GO SWREG at any Compuserve command prompt and register
- package #11797.
-
-
- Here's my registration policy:
- ------------------------------
-
- Register MR/2 ICE for $25 now. It will possibly go a tad higher
- if/when news is complete and feature-packed. You will get emailed
- a registration key that will prevent the 60-day nag screen and
- will possibly (later) enable some control over the X-Mailer line.
-
- Registration by an individual includes the capability of using
- this registered copy at home and/or at work. YOU are registered,
- not a particular machine or system.
-
- ONCE YOU ARE REGISTERED, I consider you a registered user. I will
- ask for no additional money up to a v2.0 release. I may not even
- after that, but I reserve the right to charge a nominal upgrade fee
- if enough functionality is added to warrant this. I have yet to do
- this with my QWK-based products, the text mode reader now at v2.25.
-
- I have devised a site license pricing tier. You can always write
- me for a discussion. These are for licenses of MR/2 ICE running at
- a single location (usually a company or other organization).
-
- 5 User - $90
- 10 User - $160
- 25 User - $315
- 50 User - $425
-
- For each user above 50 add $2
- (e.g., 200 user = $425+(150*2) = $725)
-
- Site pricing is preliminary and subject to change. We can
- interpolate for in-between counts (e.g., 30 users at $330?).
- I'm basing these prices on a product I once purchased in this
- manner. I want to be reasonable, but still make a profit.
- Email me for more detailed discussion.
-
- INCREMENTAL SITE LICENSES. Those purchasing a site license may
- increase the license count at some later date in time by submitting
- the difference between the two licenses (based on what was
- originally paid vs. what the current total site license would
- cost), plus a flat modification fee of $10.
-
- For example, a company purchases a 50 user site license at $425.
- A year later they wish to increase the license count to 100 users.
- They would sumbit a check or purchase order for 50 incremental
- licenses at a cost of $210. If the price had increased to $475
- for 50 users (where 100 users would be $675), the amount due would
- be $260. It's an easy calculation:
-
- What I'd have to pay today for the total licenses desired
- - What I've already paid
- + $10.
-
- Since this is a "try before you buy" opportunity, I would expect
- there to be no need to ever issue a refund. Please consider all
- sales final.
-
-
- ==========
- 3-Credits
- ==========
-
- A massive THANK YOU to Andrew McElroy <andrewm@mcs.net> who authored the
- HELP text and continues to improve it. It is a monumental job, and
- without him, I would have either no HELP text at all, or would have
- delayed the release for quite some time.
-
- Also, a big thanks to Cathy Quinones <quinones@mindspring.com> for
- starting the HELP text off. She documented much of the MENU hierarchy.
- Although this is unavailable in the first release (a menu help-hook
- is not in place yet), I expect to make full use her contribution soon.
-
- And, I can't forgot all of my beta testers and mailing list
- participants, many who have donated conversion routines, REXX scripts
- and all-around expert feedback throughout the beta cycle.
-
- I'll also give much credit to Secant Technologies' wonderful programming
- tools, and the staff as a whole who provided a wonderful, ready-made
- resource.
-
-
- ===================
- 4-LIST OF FEATURES
- ===================
-
- o POP3 or SMTP reads.
-
- o POP3 or SMTP sends.
-
- o Auto configures to existing IAK setup, when available.
-
- o Use of pop-up or "context" menus abound. Try the right mouse button
- in index lists, on toolbar buttons and in address fields.
-
- o Filters ... supports "simple" search criteria OR more powerful
- free-form criteria allowing the testing of various message areas
- (including specific header lines) with full boolean and/or/not.
- Includes soundex capabilities and case sensitivity options.
-
- o Persistently sizable windows almost everwhere. Multiple message
- windows can each have different positions.
-
- o Toolbars w/bubble hints ("tooltips"), status bars, progression
- indicators. Optional whenever possible. Hint bubble display and/or
- delay configurable. A RMB click will always display hints, if they
- are turned on.
-
- o Font and color selection dialogs, as well as drag/drop support from
- OS/2 pallets for message viewer windows.
-
- o Powerful message viewer and editor. Things like a split screen
- editor. Spelling checker and thesaurus available (as separate files,
- get the MR/2 QWK-reader files via www/ftp). Simple things like Rot13
- support and case conversions supported. Mono/PS font toggle (you can
- configure the font for each mode).
-
- o Formatted *and* draft printing.
-
- o Selectable reply "templates" allow you to boiler-plate needed replies.
- Powerful set of reply-time variables available.
-
- o Auto-checking for new messages via configurable time period. Beeping
- when mail arrives, and (optional) periodic beeping when new mail has
- arrived and MR/2 has not acquired focus. Minimized icon and task list
- show new mail count.
-
- o Links to external utilities like WebExplorer and Ftp ... simply click,
- RMB, click to load or ftp any URL embedded within a message.
-
- o MIME support with many configurable options.
-
- o UUEncoding/decoding. Multiple files-per-message supported.
-
- o Address book with description, email address, notes and "tags".
- Group addresses to with unlimitted address listings, including
- nested groups/address book entries and lists from external files.
-
- o Pop up calendar (will be enhanced to provide to-do list/appointments).
-
- o Pop up calculator.
-
- o Multiple account support.
-
- o Sort message indexes to 3 levels (lots of options :). Find text
- in the message list
-
- o Dynamic window index ... easily find any open window and/or
- messages index.
-
- o Many configurable options. For example, turn on/off various
- warnings and prompts.
-
- o Auto-backup feature. MR/2 ICE will recover most/all of any open
- editor sessions if an application *or FULL SYSTEM* crash occur.
- This includes lock-ups where a manual reboot has to be performed.
-
- o Clipboard access enhanced to include APPENDING to clipboard and
- pasting *with* quote string.
-
- o Bcc's work the way they're *supposed* to :)
-
-
-
- ==============
- 5-Quick Start
- ==============
-
- Let's get to some simple instructions. MR/2 ICE quick start:
-
- o Make a directory and unzip MR/2 ICE into it. You may set up
- a desktop icon to invoke MR/2 ICE or simply run it from the
- command line. When running MR/2 ICE for the first time, it
- will jump right to the Network configuration screen. Fill
- this out carefully. Press OK.
-
- o Once the network settings have been filled in, please select the
- User Preferences tab and make any desired changes. Close the window
- by clicking in the corner.
-
- o You're ready to start. MR/2 ICE will, by default, poll the POP3
- server every 2 minutes. Adjust accordingly. Mail is kept in a
- MAIL subdirectory of your MR/2 ICE software directory.
-
- o Command line switches:
-
- /Iinifile Specifies a file where user interface
- settings (e.g., toolbar visibility and
- position, window positions) are kept.
- The default is mr2i.ini.
-
- /Mmailcfg Specifies the file in which to keep and
- access your EMail configuration.
-
- /S Suppresses the polling and delivery of
- email. No network access is attempted.
-
- /T Toolbar-less operation. Bypasses the crash
- caused by some bug in Soft & GUI's CmdLine.exe.
-
- /L Logs activity to mr2i.log - debugging information.
-
- /Fn Select a default font for custom control windows.
- (Necessary only if problems appear in install)
-
- /Pnnn Specify an alternate Pop3 port.
-
- /- Minimize on start
-
- /X Poll for new mail, exit.
-
- /XS Poll for new mail, send any queued mail, exit.
-
- /Cn Overrides the OS/2 Code page setting to n.
-
- /B Advanced option: TCP/IP buffer sizes. Defaults to
- 24000.
-
- /Qfile Will add the names file to the MR/2 ICE outbox and
- exit. File is assumed to be a properly formed
- message file. You can force MR/2 to attempt to send
- the message via use of the /XS flag.
-
- /Euser@domain
-
- Starts MR/2 ICE and immediately invokes a new
- message to the address specified. For use by a
- third-party address book program still in the works,
- but it surely has other applications.
-
-
- o Command-line control of a running copy of MR/2 ICE. The commands
- above will actually cause an existing instance of MR/2, if found,
- to do the desired work. I went the extra step of support this for
- multiple accounts, so specifying an account should talk to the right
- copy of MR/2 ICE. So, using the /Q option to queue a file actually
- puts it in the outbox of a running copy, and proceeds to send it.
- Using the /E option causes a New Message header screen to pop to the
- desktop from a running copy of ICE. Also:
-
- /Qfile - as described above
-
- /Euser@domain - as described above
-
- /+ will restore and bring focus to a minimized/burried
- copy of MR/2 ICE.
-
- /- will minimize an existing, running copy of MR/2 ICE.
-
-
- o New message: Click on the first toolbar icon, or select NEW
- from the File menu.
-
- Fill out the header editing screen and press OK. Now, type
- in the message and press SEND. Depending on the options in
- your User Preference settings, you may be shown the header
- editing screen again. Press OK to send it.
-
- o Replying: Viewing any message, press on the REPLY button.
- You will be prompted with the Header Editing screen (optionally),
- the allowed to edit the reply. The simple editor allows you
- to toggle back to the original (the "<" button) and then
- forward to the reply (the ">" button). It also allows you to
- split the screen and show both windows (the "-" button").
-
- o When incoming messages are first displayed, an empty checkbox
- icon is next to them ("fresh" incoming mail is colored in red
- text, too). Once read, a black check mark is attached. If
- you reply, the message is marked with a RED checkmark.
-
- o The Out Box shows all messages sent.
-
- o The Right Mouse Button (RMB) is used often. Try it inside message
- index lists, on toolbar buttons, and inside address fields.
-
- o Selecting message(s). Mark the message(s) you want to open with the
- mouse and use the RMB to call up the popup menu (or use the main
- menu). Click on OPEN. Alternately, double click on any single
- message will to open it.
-
- o Outbox: Unsent messages have a mailbox icon. Sent message switch to
- an envelope icon. There is a resend option on the popup menu (RMB)
- and on the viewer screen. Resending fron the viewer screen provides
- an optional chance to modify the message first.
-
-
-
- ========================
- 6-CONTACTING THE AUTHOR
- ========================
-
- You can contact me in a number of ways. Unfortunately, I can't
- provide a phone number at this time.
-
- US Mail: Nick Knight
- P.O. Box 22366
- Beachwood, Ohio 44122
-
- Web: http://nick.secant.com (Includes MR/2 ICE FAQ)
-
- Fax: (216) 595-0199 (Secant Technologies' fax)
-
- Fido netmail: 1:157/2 to "Nick Knight"
-
- Internet: nick@secant.com
-
- Fido Echomail: Echomail messages to me in general conferences are
- discouraged, as keeping them "on topic" and interesting
- to the masses would be difficult. I do read OS2,
- OS2PROG, C_PLUSPLUS and DR DEBUG daily, though. OFFLINE
- echo also (deals with mail readers), this might be THE
- place to ask public questions, eh?
-
- I recently have acquired access to a host of other
- networks with OS/2 and OFFLINE conferences. These
- include RIME, SmartNet, Uninet, Intelec, Nanonet,
- Racenet and some others I can't remember.
-
- Direct BBS: Leave a message on the Nerd's Nook BBS (1:157/2) at (216)
- 356-1772, 356-1872 or 356-1431. I check in here multiple
- times a day. I will also keep the most recent copy of
- MR/2 posted here. Other boards (non-local) will get
- updates at my convenience.
-
- Internet FTP: I have an anonymous FTP "site" setup as a directory on my
- machine. Ftp to nick.secant.com. You can upload bugs,
- packets, notes, whatever into the incoming directory.
-
- Compuserve: I check a couple of times a week or thereabouts. Try
- mail to my user ID - 76066,1240, although internet
- mail has proven to be a faster approach.
-
-
-
- =========================================
- 7-KNOWN BUGS/PROBLEMS - MISSING FEATURES
- =========================================
-
- o Help is still work-in-progress. Part is coding, part is more
- help text and polish.
-
- o Filters: Auto-Forward incomplete at this time.
-
- o Still many areas that need optimization and minor rework/threading for
- performance reasons. For example: formatted printing AND pop purges.
-
- o Various bugs with the editor when in split mode and options like
- show/hide toolbar or pushbuttons are used.
-
-
-