Experimental BBS Explossion 3

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Experimental BBS Explossion 3 / Experimental BBS Explossion III.iso / comunic / taglx330.zip / TLX.DOC < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1993-12-10 | 51KB | 1,037 lines

_______ ____|__ | (R) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER ╒═══════════════════════╕ │ Tag Line Xpress v3.30 │ ╘═══════════════════════╛ release date 12/10/93 Introduction ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tag Line Xpress (TLX) is an enhanced tagline manager for offline QWK mail readers. A tagline is a single line comment that is added to the end of each message, and is often a funny or ridiculous statement. Most mail readers available today have limitations to the amount of taglines they can handle, and one has to physically select a tagline from what could well be a sizeable collection, or the mail reader will cycle through the available taglines sequentially or randomly. TLX makes the job of maintaining and selecting taglines infinitely easier. Tag Line Xpress (TLX) supports UNLIMITED taglines. TLX uses a database to store your tagline collection, and keeps a count of how many times each tagline has been used. TLX will read the message you are sending, and suggest taglines from the database depending on the subject and content of the message, giving priority to lesser used taglines. TLX also supports FIDO style taglines. TLX can steal taglines from entire QWK mail packets. There is even a quote enhancement feature that places a quote box around the message that you are responding to. TLX offers a user signature option, adding a default text signature or file to the bottom of each message. TLX installs automatically into Silly Little Mail Reader, Off Line Xpress, Deluxe², Jabber, SpeedRead, Blue Wave, 1st Reader, RoboMail and MegaReader. Additionally, any mail reader that supports a tagline manager can be set up to use TLX. Full mouse support is available. All features in TLX are fully configurable. TLX needs a minimum of 380K of system memory to work, any memory over that including Expanded Memory will be used for dynamic caching and buffers. A tutorial slide show is also included in this package called TLXDEMO3.EXE that graphically demonstrates the various features that TLX has to offer. Simply execute this demonstration program to view the TLX presentation. Press any key to advance screens, Escape to end the slide show. ASP Ombudsman statement ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a Compuserve message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536" Registration ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tag Line Xpress (TLX) is being distributed under the Shareware concept, you may freely copy and distribute TLX in it's original unmodified archive form. TLX is NOT crippled or restricted in any way, the shareware version is a fully functional program to allow you to evaluate it's performance - except for the random appearance of a nag screen reminding you to register. After a reasonable evaluation period you are expected to register TLX. TLX is being marketed through First Prince C.C. Marketing. Please use the enclosed order form and mail it, FAX it, or call: First Prince C.C. Marketing TLX Registration 22 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012 Support and Orders: (212) 334-1243 FAX: (212) 334-1245 ■ Basic registration (validation number only) US $10.00 ■ Advanced registration including user manual US $20.00 The TLX user manual is a 100+ page bound manual, contains 50 screen shot illustrations, and is fully indexed. Payment accepted by check, money order, postal order, and credit card (MasterCard/Visa). International orders must make payment in US funds. The registration number will work with all future releases of TLX, however, the author reserves the right to change the registration method. The author hosts a support conference on RelayNet/RIME (the TLX Support Conference), and also monitors several national echo networks for support including FIDO, Intelec, SmartNET, CatNET, ILink and WildNET, in the TAGLINES and SHAREWARE Conferences. Voice support is available to all users, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm at (212) 334-1243 FAX (212) 334-1245. If you find a bug or error while using TLX, please PRINT-SCREEN the error display and mail a printout along with a detailed description to the author. Select the Program Information option from the Main Menu, and press ENTER. This will create a file called ASSIST.TLX that will help the author better understand the problem as well as your specific setup. User feedback has played a vital role in the development of TLX and is welcomed. This is a list of official Tag Line Xpress distribution sites where the latest releases of Tag Line Xpress can be found, arranged by area code with modem type (if known) and !DL! indicates first call download allowed for TLX: *NEW* Support BBS Systematic BBS 718-716-6198 14.4 !DL! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TERN BBS 201-399-4772 14.4 LandEncht 601-735-3201 14.4 !DL! FunInvest 203-834-0490 16.8 DS SalmonSld 604-357-9942 14.4 !DL! 3rdMillnm 208-664-2983 14.4 !DL! WshngWell 604-724-6280 14.4 !DL! PosterBrd 212-685-8309 9600 Novus Mag 606-297-2820 14.4 !DL! Nice Guys 212-737-6192 14.4 !DL! Dons BBS 609-435-1663 14.4 !DL! Amerisrve 212-876-5885 14.4 DRAGnet 612-753-1943 16.6 !DL! LunaticFr 214-235-5288 14.4 DS!DL! SEOhioCmp 614-432-2899 PlanetBBS 214-306-8269 14.4 DS RyanBarBQ 616-456-1845 14.4 DS!DL! Old Poops 214-613-6900 14.4 !DL! Big BBS 619-773-5572 14.4 !DL! RobinsEgg 214-964-8726 9600 Nexxus 703-898-7205 9600 UnNamed 215-540-0141 14.4 DS Exchange 704-342-2333 14.4 HST PerrIHost 215-698-7677 9600 DS 704-339-0333 14.4 215-698-7394 9600 HiTechGtw 706-694-3295 16.8 DS!DL! HappyHckr 216-992-6930 14.4 DS !DL! Greenhill 708-731-1017 9600 Merifield 218-829-6340 9600 MyNew BBS 713-726-0445 9600 OldTimers 301-645-1049 9600 !DL! NSTTZ 714-879-4052 14.4 !DL! US Projct 302-529-1650 14.4 DS !DL! 714-879-8411&2 14.4 !DL! Snowshoe 304-572-2531 14.4 !DL! Point BBS 715-345-1327 14.4 LookngGls 305-346-8524 16.8 HST DS Queens SE 718-628-6661 2400 GreatEscp 310-676-3534 14.4 Computec 718-983-9152 9600 HST 310-676-4282 16.8 ShdwHwkDn 718-284-5769 14.4 CAM 800-542-5921 RefinrFir 313-664-0437 2400 !DL! Dungeon 801-393-0531 14.4 HST SecndFndt 315-393-6504 DS !DL! UtahDataL 801-943-4616 2400 315-393-0872 HST !DL! 801-942-2533 14.4 >7pm 315-393-6545 9600 !DL! GloryBnd 803-592-5208 14.4 !DL! JetStream 316-788-9913 14.4 C Pro Run 804-583-0503 14.4 Hearthstn 317-831-9227 14.4 !DL! TwlghtZn 805-258-0413 16.8 HST PUMA BBS 318-443-1065 14.4 DS !DL! OffRoadrs 805-272-9792 16.8 DS !DL! 318-442-0669 14.4 DS !DL! 805-272-9793 14.4 HST!DL! CyberZone 401-732-0258 9600 DS 805-272-9795&6 9600 !DL! Data Dmns 404-921-1186 14.4 !DL! Wet Spot 805-736-7066 14.4 ThmpsnTwr 404-941-0746 9600 !DL! Seaside 805-964-4414 14.4 DS !DL! ScummyHvl 408-578-7954 14.4 DS !DL! 805-964-8756 14.4 DS !DL! SmaugTvrn 410-643-1479 14.4 !DL! 805-967-5559 14.4 DS !DL! Lions Den 410-758-4023 14.4 DS !DL! CitySetSn 813-960-5169 14.4 CommSvcNt 410-820-6734 14.4 DS Backwoods 813-983-1776 2400 EastShore 410-827-6725 2400 TheExpres 814-362-6546 2400 !DL! Bun's BBS 415-756-5098 14.4 !DL! DarbyRsch 814-825-7905 16.8 DS 415-991-2995 14.4 !DL! 814-825-9296 14.4 HST Club Cave 416-796-1400 9600 BlueMstng 817-589-1517 9600 Cornerstn 419-636-8737 14.4 !DL! SportClub 818-792-4752 14.4 !DL! TrekKy! 502-762-6963 14.4 !DL! Maranatha 903-465-4022 9600 Blue Lake 503-656-9790 14.4 Bates Mtl 904-453-8993 16.8 DS !DL! 503-657-4719 9600 HST Night Owl 904-472-5714 14.4 ExchgClub 503-659-4603 14.4 !DL! AltrdIlsn 908-329-3216 14.4 DS !DL! SoftwCrtn 508-368-7139 16.8 HST!DL! 908-329-6384 14.4 DS !DL! 508-368-7036 16.8 HST!DL! OnlnExprs 909-860-3728 !DL! 508-927-6712 14.4 !DL! GraphUnlm 909-862-5319 14.4 DS!DL! 508-927-6951 HST !DL! RacersNet 916-546-2095 14.4 HST!DL! HighSocty 508-927-3757 9600 DS BroknWing 918-534-3759 14.4 DS NightVger 509-926-1686 14.4 UtopiaTch 516-579-7507 14.4 DS KentCtyEd 519-354-8683 14.4 !DL! FIDO Freq addresses: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1:2603/505 (Systematic, NY) 1:150/420 (US Project, DE) 1:124/2113 (Lunatic Fringe, TX) 1:107/203 (Utopia Tech, NY) 1:231/425 (Hearthstone, IN) 1:3652/5 (Glory Bound, SC) International sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Enterprise BBS The Netherlands +31-59503933 14.4 !DL! HBBS Amsterdam The Netherlands +31-20-6196789 9600 Devil BBS Israel +972-380-4688 Dog & Disk Drive Pub United Kingdom +44-71-587-5180 14.4 Schizophrenic Wolf BBS United Kingdom +44-77-245-6526 16.8 DS !DL! What's New ~~~~~~~~~~ Version 3.30 is a minor update. The Maintenance speed has been doubled! Added new Random with Confirm tagline option. Added FULL RoboMail compatibility! Updated the UNTAG.EXE utility. Version 3.20 is a minor update release. Added multiple tagline feature. Added FULL @ variable support for all supported mail readers. Version 3.10 is a minor bug fix release. Fixed a screen display error. Fixed small bug in the pop up file directory tree. Fixed bug in tagline counter not being updated if tagline is edited on the fly and saved. Fixed bug with user signature if it contained .COM in the string. Version 3.00 is a major update, introducing longer taglines up to 72 characters in length. The tagline database structure has been changed, TLX will automatically detect the old database format and covert it. The index file size has been reduced, only one index file is used compared to three in older versions. Added 1st Reader support. New pop up file directory selection tree, with integral ANSI and text viewer/editor has been added. Extended FIDO tagline format support, including a new NO TEARBAR mode. Extended FIDO quoting mode, uses only initials and no high ASCII characters e.g. RJ>. New 'tagging' support when Browsing taglines, search, delete, dump multiple taglines by 'tagging' them. Faster maintenance routine, and faster tagline suggestion routine. Upgrading ~~~~~~~~~ From v1.x or v2.x: Please remember to backup the TLX database before updating to the new version! Simply copy the new TLX.EXE file over the old file. Run TLX from the command line and select Install from the menu, the old tagline database will be detected and converted to the new format automatically. From v3.x: Simply copy the new TLX.EXE file over the old one, the database structures have not been changed. Quick Start ~~~~~~~~~~~ This section contains the basic information required to install and use TLX. It is suggested that you also read the following sections on the various options in TLX, and the reader specific document that is included in this archive. Simply copy the contents of this archive into your mail reader directory, or into a separate directory. When TLX is started for the first time it will attempt to install itself automatically. It will first ask for confirmation and show the reader type and version that it has located. *** MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR MAIL READER BEFORE INSTALLATION *** If the information that TLX displays is correct (mail reader name and version number) type Y and it will install itself automatically into the mail reader. If you are using any other version - INSTALLATION RESULTS ARE UNPREDICTABLE - since the mail reader formats could well have changed between versions!!! Please read the specific reader documentation included in this archive for more information. Once TLX is installed, you will offered the Configuration menu. After you finish configuration, TLX will look for a default tagline file. If it finds one it will ask for confirmation and import the taglines into it's database. If it cannot recognize any tagline files, it will prompt you to enter the filename, and then read in the taglines. After importing the taglines, TLX will ask if you want to rename the tagline file. You should normally answer Yes - so your mail reader will not attempt to attach a second tagline to your messages. TLX is now installed and ready for use! If your mail reader will not allow you to suppress it's internal reader signature, you have to use the UNTAG.EXE utility provided with this package. Within your mail reader, edit the PACKER option: Old Option> PKZIP -A New Option> NEWZIP PKZIP -A Each reader has a different syntax and different location for this option, please check the specific reader documentation file for more information. When you respond to a message (or initiate a new message) TLX will first enhance the quoted portion of your reply (a new message has no quote and will be unaffected) and call your editor. After you finish editing your reply, TLX will read the message and suggest taglines based on the subject and content. You can then select an appropriate tagline from the suggestions, or select one from the tagline database and TLX will add it to your message. Use of disk caching software will make TLX run much faster, along with every other program you use. It is suggested that a disk cache be used (especially on slower computers). Other Readers ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TLX can be installed into other mail readers that are not currently supported automatically. There are two methods of installation, the first is a "Classic" TLX installation, and the second is a "Conventional" tagline manager installation. "Classic" TLX Installation - TLX intercepts the message before and after your editor gets it. The easiest way to do this is to use the batch file TLX_RUN.BAT that is automatically created by TLX when automatic installation fails. Modify your mail reader configuration to call TLX_RUN.BAT instead of your editor, with the reply file name (normally passed as ! or %O check your reader documentation for the exact format). Then edit the batch file TLX_RUN.BAT and enter your editor name in the indicated space. If your mail reader supports a "standard" message header you should enable it. The mail reader quote characters should be disabled, and the mail reader tagline support should also be totally disabled. When you reply to a message, TLX will quote the reply portion and pass it to your editor. After you edit your reply TLX will read it and suggest taglines, select one and TLX will add the tagline to the bottom of your message along with an optional signature. Some mail readers do NOT allow you to disable the reader signature! If your messages have double taglines, you have an additional step to perform. Edit the PACKER configuration in your mail reader, and insert NEWZIP.BAT before the Compress command: Old Option> PKZIP -A New Option> \path\NEWZIP PKZIP -A TLX will also have created a batch file called NEWZIP.BAT that is actually what does the tagline trimming. You will have to edit this batch file with the correct parameters - depending on the format your mail reader uses for compressing out going mail. \path\UNTAG %4 %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9 This is how the NEWZIP.BAT looks - you have to determine which parameter your mail reader is passing as the REPLIES file, and change the UNTAG % number to that. For example: Old Option> PKZIP -A New Option> \path\NEWZIP PKZIP -A will pass the following line to NEWZIP.BAT: PKZIP -A BBSNAME.REP BBSNAME.MSG so %1 = PKZIP %2 = -A %3 = BBSNAME.REP %4 = BBSNAME.MSG What we are interested is in is the MSG file, that is the actual replies file that will be compressed into the REP packet. In this case it is %4. Another example: Old Option> PKZIP -A -ES New Option> NEWZIP PKZIP -A -ES will pass the following line to NEWZIP.BAT: PKZIP -A -ES BBSNAME.REP BBSNAME.MSG so %1 = PKZIP %2 = -A %3 = -ES %4 = BBSNAME.REP %5 = BBSNAME.MSG In this case %5 is the parameter we want. While this is definitely not an easy way to eliminate the duplicate reader tagline, it is unfortunately the only way. Conventional Tag Line Manager Installation - TLX can mimic the popular John Hancock tagline manager and return the tagline in a text file. This method has certain drawbacks, it cannot quote your message, the reader signature cannot be changed, and the user signature option is not available. Simply set up your mail reader to call TLX with the following parameters: \path\TLX g \datapath\ \replypath\REPLY.FIL where \path\TLX is the full path and filename of TLX; g is the Generic command line switch; and \replypath\REPLY.FIL is the full path and filename of the message file that TLX will read to make suggestions. The tagline will be returned in a text file (called TLX.TAG by default) the name of the tagline return file can be changed from the TLX configuration menu. The mail reader must have the option to read such a tagline return file and use it. Detailed Information ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The following is specific information on the various options and behaviour of TLX. It is not required for using TLX, but is provided for those want to get the most out of the program. Expanded Memory ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TLX will normally grab all available Expanded Memory (EMS) and use it for dynamic caching and index buffers. However, if you are running concurrent programs or operating under a multi user environment, you can limit the amount of Expanded Memory that TLX will use by setting an Environmental Variable: SET TAGLINE=Ex where E is the EMS switch and x denotes a numeric value for the explicit amount of Expanded Memory in Kilobytes - using E0 will tell TLX to not use ANY EMS memory. Additionally, with certain VGA video hardware or under DesqView multitasking software the cursor will appear deranged. If this is the case you can use the TAGLINE Environmental Variable to inform TLX that the cursor is misbehaving with the switch BADCURS e.g. SET TAGLINE=BADCURS You can use both these switches with the Environmental Variable by separating them with a semicolon e.g. SET TAGLINE=BADCURS;E1024 Note that there should be no spaces between the words. Please refer to your DOS manual for more information on Environmental Variables. @ Variables ~~~~~~~~~~~ TLX supports @ variables in the tagline, user signature, reader signature and quote enhancer. Note that not some options may not be available with all mail readers - only SLMR and OLX can offer support for all variables. All these variables must be in upper case (CAPITALS). These variables are replaced by TLX as follows : @FROM@ - Message authors full name @FROMFIRST@ - Message authors first name @FROMLAST@ - Message authors last name @TO@ - Full name of message recipient @TOFIRST@ - First name of message recipient @TOLAST@ - Last name of message recipient @SUBJECT@ - Subject of current message @CONFNAME@ - Name of current conference @TODAY@ - Current date in form MO/DA/YR @DAY@ - Current day of week e.g. Monday, Tuesday @DATE@ - Current date @MONTH@ - Current month @YEAR@ - Current year @TIME@ - Current time in form HOUR:MIN:SEC @HOUR@ - Current hour in 24 hour format @MINUTE@ - Current minute @SECOND@ - Current second @VER@ - Current TLX version @SDATE@ - Current time & date in Star Date format Quote Enhancer ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You can configure the quote enhancer to your specific design. There are three sections in the quote enhancer - the Quote Comment, the Quote Top and the Quote Bottom. You can have up to 128 characters in each of these three options. To force a new line, use the ASCII 227 character (π) by holding down the ALT key and pressing the 2 2 and 7 keys on the numeric keypad. An ASCII chart can be summoned by pressing F1 in each configuration field. @ Variables can be used within each of these options. In addition there can be upto three Quote Character that border the text on the left margin. If none are explicitly specified, TLX generates a random set for every message. When entering mail on networks that do not allow high ASCII characters (FIDO style), you have the option to use a 'standard' quote format consisting of only the initials, e.g. RJ> blah blah blah TLX also has the capability to 'Guess' the format allowed! If the Guess quote format is selected, TLX will use the initials only quoting style for messages that it identifies on FIDO networks. The following is a tutorial on message quoting by the Honorable Harris Lam from CatNET. Quoting is used to remind a person of what you were talking about. Usually only a few lines are required. Here are some guidelines to follow: ∙ Delete "Hi"s and other salutations. ∙ Delete taglines unless you are responding to them. ∙ Delete closings and signatures. ∙ Delete text to which you are not replying. Excessive quoting is improper BBS etiquette. It makes it more difficult for the reader (that's everyone in the conference) to read a message. To have to trudge through unrelated text and other debris before getting to the "meat" of the message time after time can be a frustrating experience. Please also take into consideration that several sysops here pay good money to transport our messages across the nation without cost to us. Excessive quoting increases transfer time, and their phone bill. User Signature ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TLX can add a signature to the bottom of every message. You can have up to 128 characters in your signature, and also include @ variables. To force a new line use the ASCII 227 character π by holding down the ALT key and pressing the 2 2 and 7 keys on the numeric keypad. An ASCII chart can be summoned by pressing F1. If you enter a filename in this field, TLX will read the entire specified file in as a signature. A pop up file directory tree can be called by pressing the F10 key to 'point-n-shoot' signature files. The file directory has an integral ANSI and text file viewer/editor built in. Pressing Alt-A will display the ANSI graphics, and Alt-V will allow you to view/edit text files. If the specified file is an executable program (or a batch file) it will be automatically executed and TLX expects a signature return file named TLX.SIG which will be added to the message as a signature. This allows you to run external signature programs directly from within TLX. Translation Feature ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You can translate text within the Quote enhancer by creating a text file called TRANSLAT.TLX (or edit from the Configuration menu). Basically you specify the text string to find and the text string to replace with in the format: Old Text = New Text where Old Text is the string that will be replaced with the New String. Capitalization is critical, since only an EXACT match will be replaced. Typically this is used to personalize your messages by translating names to short nicknames, e.g. Joseph = Joe Douglas = Doug David = Dave Doctor = Whats up Doc For example, this quote addressed to DAVID: @TOFIRST@ babbled incoherently ... will be translated into: Dave babbled incoherently ... Note that the @ variables are translated first, then the text translations take place. Twit Taglines ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Since TLX has the capability of stealing virtually every tagline from within a QWK mail packet, occasionally you will want to prevent certain taglines from being stolen. The twit taglines are stored in a text file called TWITTAGS.TLX and are rejected by TLX when stealing and deleted when doing Maintenance. Only a partial match is required, so the string: WRITTEN will cause the following taglines to be rejected/deleted: Written by Joe Shmoe at 10:00am Written in New York by Joe Shmoe This tagline written on recycled newspapers. Single characters cannot be twitted and are ignored. You can only have a maximum of 500 twit taglines, if you try to use more TLX will inform you that there are too many twit taglines. Note that the number of twit taglines directly affects the speed of tagline theft and Maintenance. Additionally, there is an option within the Configuration menu for automatically rejecting BBS advertisement taglines. If this option is enabled, TLX will reject/delete any taglines that contain a standard format phone number e.g. (718)876-0337 718-876-0337 718.876.0337 718 876 0337 will all be rejected/deleted. Configuration ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TLX saves your settings in an ASCII text configuration file. You can modify the configuration from within TLX or with a text editor. If no configuration file is found, TLX will use default internal values. The configuration options are: Your full name - Your name as stated on your registration form (if applicable). Validation number - Your registration number as stated on your registration form (if applicable). Registration of TLX stops the random appearance of NAG screens that remind you to register. Mouse Support - TLX offers full mouse support for Microsoft compatible rodents. Options are Yes or No. Reader Signature - TLX allows you to modify the reader signature placed before the taglines in each message, you can use @ variables in this field and they will be replaced when the message is saved. The size limit for this field is 25 characters. Auto Select Taglines - You have four options, [Y] to select and attach taglines automatically without any prompting; or [N] to only suggest suitable taglines; or [R] for a random tagline to be added automatically without any prompting; or [C] for a random tagline with confirmation before using it. Enable Quoter - When TLX is automatically installed into most supported readers, the quote enhancer is automatically installed. If you do not wish to use the quote enhancer, you can set this option to [N] and TLX will not quote your replies. Note that the message header will still be present in your reply, you will have to manually disable this from the reader configuration. You can also force FIDO style quoting (initials only), or select [A] and TLX will ask you every time which quoting style to use. If the Guess option is selected, TLX will automatically decide if the message is on a FIDO network, and use the initials only format. Default Quote - This is the first line of the enhanced quote in your replies. You can use @ variables and the TRANSLATE features (explained elsewhere) in this field. You can enter up to 128 characters here. Press F1 to summon an ASCII chart, to force a new line use the ASCII 227 character by holding down the ALT key and pressing 2 2 7 on the numeric keypad. Top Quote Box - This is the top of the quote enhancer box. You can use @ variables and the TRANSLATE features in this field. You can enter up to 128 characters here. Press F1 to summon an ASCII chart, to force a new line use the ASCII 227 character by holding down the ALT key and pressing 2 2 7 on the numeric keypad. Bottom Quote Box - This is the bottom of the quote enhancer. You can use @ variables and the TRANSLATE features in this field. You can enter up to 128 characters here. Press F1 to summon an ASCII chart, to force a new line use the ASCII 227 character by holding down the ALT key and pressing 2 2 7 on the numeric keypad. Quote Characters - You can specify up to three quote characters that will border the text on the left side. If you do not specify any, a random set will be generated for every message. Kill ANSI Lines - You can instruct TLX to automatically delete lines containing ANSI codes when quoting a reply. It is considered "inappropriate" to quote back ANSI codes, as the result is quite hideous. Filename Tagline - This option is only valid when TLX is used it the Generic mode. Enter the name of the file that TLX should return the tagline in. You must configure your reader to use the same filename, if appropriate. User Signature - TLX can add a default signature at the bottom of every message. You can specify it directly in 128 characters, or specify the name of the signature file that TLX will read into the message. If you specify an executable program (or batch file) TLX will run the external signature program, and expects a signature return file called TLX.SIG which it will add to the bottom of the message. Press the F1 key to summon an ASCII chart, to force a new line use the ASCII 227 character by holding down the ALT key and pressing 2 2 7 on the numeric keypad. Pressing the F10 key will activate a pop up file directory tree, allowing you to interactively select a file. Note that you can also override this option when TLX is suggesting taglines. Path to QWK packets - When you instruct TLX to steal taglines from QWK packets, it will default to this directory. When installed automatically, TLX will interrogate the mail reader configuration and read the correct directory from there. If no filenames are specified, TLX will add a wildcard automatically e.g. *.QWK Garbage Phone Filter - A lot of Sysops like to advertise their BBSes in their taglines. When this feature is enabled, TLX will ignore/delete any taglines that contain a phone number when Stealing or Maintenance is performed. Xpress Tagline format - TLX supports both the QWK tagline format and FIDO style taglines. This is the default setting that TLX will use, you can override the tagline format at the time of selecting a tagline. If you select [N] (No bar FIDO mode) the --- tear bar will not be added. Color settings - This option allows you to modify the colors used by TLX. If you are running a monochrome monitor, TLX will detect it and start up with a different color set. VGA monochrome monitors may not be recognized, and you will have to select appropriate colors. Use the Left and Right arrow keys to cycle through the options, the Up and Down arrow keys change the colors. The box on the left side of the screen tells you which option is being modified, pressing ESCAPE or hitting the Right arrow key repeatedly will exit and save your changes. The sample display box on the right of the screen shows exactly how your screen will look with the colors you are selecting. Internal Defaults - This option restores all settings back to internal default values. Only the User name and Validation number are NOT modified. The color settings will also return to the internal default values. Save and Exit - This option saves the configuration file to disk. Any changes made to the configuration are NOT remembered unless they are Saved. Never mind, Abort - This option discards any changes you might have made to the configuration, and prompts you if you are sure. Answering No will cancel the command, Yes will lose all changes. Add Tagline File ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You can import standard text tagline files into TLX. These files must contain one tagline per line, with a maximum length of 72 characters for the taglines. Longer taglines will be ignored. TLX will try and find a tagline file, if one is found the file name will be displayed, you can hit ENTER to accept the default name or type in a new filename. If no tagline files are found, you will offered a blank field to enter the filename into. Press ESCAPE to abort. After the tagline file is imported, TLX will ask if you want to rename the file. It will make a suggestion, you can hit ENTER to accept, type in another name or hit ESCAPE to abort the rename. Browse Database ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TLX has a full featured internal database browser. You can use the PageUp and PageDown keys to navigate the database, or you can jump around by using the Jump option. Pressing the number before the tagline allows you to edit it directly, press ENTER to save changes or ESCAPE to discard them. You can summon an ASCII chart with the F1 key, or press ALT-K to delete the tagline. Once deleted, taglines are lost permanently! If you tap the spacebar (or click your mouse on the check symbol √) you can 'Tag' (mark) the highlighted tagline. Additionally you can Add a new tagline, calling up an ASCII chart with the F1 key. You can Search the database for a text string. A Search always starts at the beginning of the database. To continue searching, select the Next Match option. If no match is found, an error box will pop up. If a match is found, it will be displayed. You can also Twit a Tagline, you can either enter a twit string or press ALT-E to enter the Twit file editor. Press F10 within the editor to save changes, the twit file will be sorted and duplicate twit strings will be deleted. Note that there is a limit of 500 twit taglines, and the number of twit taglines directly affects TLX's speed. Jumping to a record allows you to cover large databases fast. Pressing PageUp in this field takes you to the beginning of the database and pressing PageDown takes you to the end of the database. When entering numeric values in this field, you can only enter values from 1 to the size of the database. Pressing ESCAPE aborts. The Tag Menu option allows you to Tag (mark) Several matching taglines, Tag ALL or Untag ALL taglines, Kill Tagged taglines, or Dump Tagged taglines to a text file. You can Quit by pressing the Escape key, or clicking the mouse on the φ symbol. When you Quit browsing, TLX purges any deleted taglines, compresses the database and rebuilds the index file. Steal Taglines ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TLX steals every tagline from entire QWK mail packets, including Fido style taglines. When you select this option, the default QWK path is offered in the field with a wildcard specification *.QWK. Hit ENTER to accept or type in the new path and filename (wildcards are valid). ESCAPE will abort. Pressing the F10 key will summon the pop up file directory tree, allowing you to interactively select a QWK packet. When QWK mail packets are selected, TLX will execute the correct archival program and unpack the MESSAGES.DAT file. Currently TLX only recognizes ZIP, ARJ, LHA and PKARC. The appropriate program must be available in the path, or an error will occur! When started from the menu, TLX asks for confirmation before stealing each tagline. If started from the command line, TLX will do the entire stealing operation automatically without any user intervention. The options are Yes steal the tagline, No do not steal the tagline, Edit the tagline and then steal (press F1 for an ASCII chart, ESCAPE to discard tagline), Rest will steal all the remaining taglines from the same packet automatically. You can also add to or edit the Twit tagline list, or Quit the theft menu. If wildcards were used, TLX will proceed with the next packet (if any). Command line operation ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All TLX options can be called from the interactive menu or by passing command line parameters. The syntax for command line operation is: TLX <option> \datapath\ \path\filename.ext where TLX is the program name; <option> is the specific option desired; \datapath\ is the path to the TLX database; and \path\filename.ext is the option specific filename. The supported command line options are: TLX I Installs TLX in the current directory. TLX C \datapath\ Configure TLX, \datapath\ is the path to the database, not required if in the same directory. TLX A \datapath\ Add text tagline file, \datapath\ is the path to the database, not required if in the same directory. TLX M \datapath\ Maintenance mode, \datapath\ is the path to the database, not required if in the same directory. TLX S \datapath\ \path\packet.qwk Steal taglines, \datapath\ is the path to the database REQUIRED, and \path\packet.qwk is the full path and filename of the QWK mail packet to steal from (wildcards are valid). TLX Q \datapath\ \path\reply.fil Quote message, \datapath\ is the path to the database REQUIRED, and \path\reply.fil is the full path and filename of the message reply file to quote. This option is ONLY available via command line. TLX T \datapath\ \path\reply.fil Tagline mode, \datapath\ is the path to the database REQUIRED, and \path\reply.fil is the full path and filename of the message reply file that TLX will read (for tagline suggestions) and add the tagline to. TLX G \datapath\ \path\reply.fil Generic tagline manager mode, \datapath\ is the path to the database REQUIRED, and \path\reply.fil is the full path and filename of the message reply file that TLX will read (for tagline suggestions). In this mode TLX does not directly write to the message file, but sends the mail reader a tagline return file. TLX B \datapath\ Browse database, \datapath\ is the path to the database, not required if in the same directory. TLX D \datapath\ Dump database to ASCII file, \datapath\ is the path to the database, not required if in the same directory. TLX H or TLX ? Displays the program information screen, pressing the ENTER key will perform a system diagnostic and create a file called ASSIST.TLX that should be sent back to the author if there are any bugs or questions. Using TLX ~~~~~~~~~ When TLX is called by the mail reader, it will first read your message and make tagline suggestions based on the subject and content of the message. You can navigate the suggestions using the PageUp and PageDown keys, select a tagline by moving the highlighted bar or pressing the corresponding number on the tagline desired. If you are using a mouse, simply click on the tagline that you want to use, and it will be selected. If none of the suggestions catch your fancy, you can Change to the database and select a tagline from there. You can keep changing between the suggestions and the database indefinitely. You can Add a new tagline, which will also be saved in the database. Or you can edit an existing tagline on the fly, you can also permanently save the changes you make by pressing Control-Enter and the database will also be updated (pressing Enter alone will only change the tagline for that message). You can also Search for a tagline. A search always starts at the beginning of the database, to continue a search select Next Match. Pressing Alt-R will highlight a random tagline, this works in both the tagline suggestions and the tagline database. You can also modify your user signature and the reader signature on the fly. Any changes made here are NOT permanent and exist only for the current session. Note that these options do NOT work when TLX is called in the Generic tagline mode. The pop up file directory tree is available by pressing the F10 key, you can view signature files (in ANSI or text), and even edit them. TLX has an internal editor, you can View and Edit the message reply. Pressing ESCAPE in the editor discards any changes, press F10 to save your changes. The editor also supports most Wordstar commands. After saving any changes, TLX will re-read the message and re-suggest taglines. The Twit tagline list can also be updated from this menu, you can enter a twit string or press ALT-E at the prompt to enter the Twit tagline editor. Additionally, you can Jump around the suggestions and the database, pressing PageUp at the prompt takes you to the top of the database or suggestions, and PageDown takes you to the bottom of the database or suggestions. The QWK/FIDO toggle sets the tagline format to use for the current message. It will start with the default setting that you have in the configuration, and will toggle between FIDO or QWK each time you select this option. The tagline format only changes for the current message, it does not modify the default setting. You can also Modify the TLX configuration. Any changes made in the configuration menu become active immediately. Pressing Escape (or clicking the mouse on the φ symbol) will quit without adding any tagline to the message. Disclaimer ~~~~~~~~~~ Tag Line Xpress (TLX) is Copyright (C) 1992,1993 R.Janorkar all rights are reserved. Licence is hereby granted for the free distribution of this program in it's original unmodified archive form. Tag Line Xpress (TLX) has been released as Shareware, with all features available for evaluation purposes. Tag Line Xpress is provided with NO warrantees, expressed or implied. Use it at your own risk. The author of Tag Line Xpress (TLX) will NOT be liable for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from the ability or disability to use Tag Line Xpress (TLX). The use of Tag Line Xpress (TLX) on your computer system indicates your acceptance of these disclaimers. Thanks go to ... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The ßeta test team: Ron 'Q' Kulick, Harris 'Speedy' Lam, David 'The Man' Kaufman, Rick 'Trekky' Alvey, Tom 'Smurf' Murphy, Rick 'Mega' Burwell, Rex 'Temp' Pavlovec, Joe 'Wave' Eversole, Dane 'BABBLE' Beko, Joe '100' Sitko, Mufutau 'Field Marshal' Towobola, Karen Davis, Vern 'Earnest' Hall, Richard 'Robo' Hsiung, Edwin 'Multi' Million, Joe 'Rock' Johnson, Bob 'Utopia' Glasser for making his Fido site available, Marcus 'Modem' Byron for his invaluable help, the author of SLMR/OLX Greg Hewgill and MSI, and all the folks that made a difference for Christmas 1992/1993! Copyright notices ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Off Line Xpress and Silly Little Mail Reader are copyrights of Mustang Software Inc; John Hancock is the copyright of Dan Moore and/or Silicon Frog; Speed Read is the copyright of J.E.Smith; Jabber is the copyright of Della & Muegge Enterprises; Deluxe² and 1st Reader are copyright of Mark Herring; MegaReader is the copyright of Kip Compton; PKZIP is the copyright of PKWare Inc.; Blue Wave is the copyright of George Hatchew; RoboMail is the copyright of Dan Parsons and/or Parsons Consulting; and other products mentioned in this documentation may be copyrights of other software companies.