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Text File | 1993-05-23 | 150KB | 4,045 lines

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ │ │ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ▄██ │ │ │ │ ██ ▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▄▄▄▄▄▄ │ │ │ │ ██ ██▀▀▀▀ ▀▀██▀▀ │ │ │ │ ██ ▀▀▀▀██ ██ │ │ │ │ ██ ██████ ██ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ 1stReader for DOS │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Entire work │ │ │ │ Copyright 1993 by Mark Herring │ │ │ │ All Rights Reserved │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Special thanks to │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Dan Moore │ │ │ │ Rob Kittredge │ │ │ │ Tony Elliott │ │ │ │ Rich Geldrich │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Sparkware │ │ │ │ Post Office Box 386 │ │ │ │ Hendersonville, Tennessee 37077 │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │ │ │ │ │ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Dedication ---------- Many systems are dedicated to someone or something, and 1stReader will be no exception. There are three groups of people I wish to thank for their help in getting 1stReader "out the door" and into your hands. My wife and children have tolerated my working late into the nights, sometimes as late as 5:00 am, and then not getting up until 10:00 am the next morning. They put up with me "having to work tonight" instead of being with them. Even my youngest, who is only four years old, kept asking me "Have you released it yet, Dattie?". So for my wife Fran, daughters Corey, Casey and Katie, "IT'S RELEASED!" The second group I wish to thank are the beta testers. They have performed a yeoman's task to make sure everything actually works inside 1stReader. They called and called and called, downloaded millions (if not almost hundreds of millions) of bytes worth of test copies and checking everything out. Some of the testers are "old hands" who date back to the very beginning of Qmail in 1987. Others are fresh testers, but ALL have done an excellent job. 1st is what it is because of them. The 1stReader Beta Testers Hall of Fame Maurice Crouse John Nordbo Brian Hillis Daniel Notowitz Robert Hoffmann John Phillips Lou Kairys John Okerson Rob Kittredge David Pottier Michael Leavitt Ed Shoulta Joe Malacria David Terry Doug Manne Roy Timberman Mark McCarthy Matthew Waldron Alastair McIntyre Rick Welshans Special thanks to Greg Watson, Rich Geldrich and Tony Elliott Finally, there is one other person I need to thank. If there has been one individual who has not hesitated to kick my rear end when it was out of line, or to offer some help in matters of programming and other endeavours when it was needed, that person is Dan Moore. Many of you may know Dan from the echomail conferences. Dan is author of "John Hancock", a tagline management system that works with all of our offline mail readers. With Dan you see what you get...he holds nothing back. He wrote routines for me when I couldn't produce them, provided insight when I needed it, and help when I required it. He is one of the few people I know who's respect I'd like to have. * WARRANTY NOTICE * Copy Protection 1stReader diskettes are not copy-protected. This does not mean that you can make unlimited copies of your diskette. 1stReader is protected by the copyright laws of The United States of America that pertain to computer software. You are allowed to make copies of this diskette for "backup" purposes. It is illegal for you to distribute the file named "1ST.KEY" (or "QMAIL4.KEY") to any other person. This file is your "electronic identification" that you have purchased your 1stReader system. * Limited Warranty Sparkware warrants that your 1stReader diskette is free from physical defects for a period of thirty (30) days from date of purchase. If a defect occurs during this period, you may return your faulty diskette to Sparkware along with a dated proof of purchase, it will be replaced free of charge. NOTICE EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE, SPARKWARE GRANTS NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, BY STATUE OR OTHERWISE, REGARDING THE DISK, PROGRAMS AND RELATED MATERIALS, THEIR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE, THEIR QUALITY, THEIR MERCHANTABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THE LIABILITY OF SPARKWARE UNDER THE WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT PAID BY THE CUSTOMER FOR THE PRODUCT. IN NO EVENT SHALL SPARKWARE BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR OTHER DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY. SPARKWARE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THESE PROGRAMS, DOCUMENTATION AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT PLANS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. THIS SOFTWARE PROGRAM IS A PROPRIETY PRODUCT OF SPARKWARE AND IS PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL TREATIES. YOU MUST TREAT THIS SOFTWARE LIKE ANY OTHER COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL, EXCEPT THAT YOU MAY MAKE AN ARCHIVAL COPY OF THE SOFTWARE FOR EACH COPY THAT IS LICENSED TO YOU. YOU MAY DISTRIBUTE THE SOFTWARE TO OTHERS SO LONG AS (A) THE 1ST.KEY OR QMAIL4.KEY FILE IS NOT DISTRIBUTED, (B) THE SOFTWARE IS DISTRIBUTED UNMODIFIED. YOU MAY NOT DECOMPILE, DISASSEMBLE, REVERSE ENGINEER, COPY, TRANSFER, OR OTHERWISE USE OR MODIFY THIS SOFTWARE EXCEPT AS STATED HEREIN. SPARKWARE GRANTS YOU THE RIGHT TO USE THIS SOFTWARE FOR TRIAL PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED THIRTY (30) DAYS. USE AFTER THIRTY DAYS REQUIRES REGISTRATION AS DOCUMENTED IN THIS MANUAL. 1stReader Entire work copyright 1993 by Mark Herring All Rights Reserved Sparkware Post Office Box 386 Hendersonville, Tennessee 37077-0386 USA (615) 230-8822 24 hour support bulletin board system (615) 230-MAIL Office (10-12, 1-5 central weekdays) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. GETTING STARTED WITH 1stReader...................... 1 USING THIS MANUAL.............................. 1 OPERATING WITH A MOUSE OR A KEYBOARD........... 2 GETTING HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT.................. 3 2. INSTALLING 1stReader................................ 4 INSTALLING FROM A FLOPPY DISKETTE.............. 4 INSTALLING FROM DOWNLOADED FILES............... 4 REGISTERING 1stReader.......................... 5 3. CHANGING READER SETUP OPTIONS....................... 6 CHANGING SWITCH SETTINGS (DEFAULTS)............ 6 EDITING TAGLINES............................... 10 CHANGING COMMUNICATION SETTINGS................ 10 CHANGING SETUPS FOR COLORS, CALLS, PC-PURSUIT.. 10 CHANGING EDITORS OR PATHS...................... 12 CHANGING FILE PACKERS.......................... 14 4. SETTING UP A BBS.................................... 15 ENTERING A NEW BBS............................. 15 CHANGING THE BBS INFORMATION SCREEN............ 16 DELETING A BBS................................. 16 5. MANAGING YOUR MAIL.................................. 16 CALLING THE BBS................................ 17 READING YOUR MESSAGES.......................... 18 REPLYING TO MESSAGES........................... 22 CHANGING OR DELETING A REPLY................... 23 ENTERING A NEW MESSAGE......................... 24 CREATING A PERSONAL MESSAGE.................... 24 IMPORTING TEXT FILES INTO A MESSAGE OR REPLY... 25 VIEWING SERVICES............................... 25 VIEWING EXTRA FEATURES......................... 25 DELETING A MESSAGE PACKET...................... 26 6. GETTING THE MOST OUT OF TERMINAL MODE............... 26 TERMINAL MODE.................................. 26 CALLING A BBS.................................. 27 VIEWING FILE LISTS............................. 28 MANAGING DOWNLOADED FILES AND PROGRAMS......... 28 7. USING MESSAGE OPTIONS............................... 30 SAVING OR PRINTING MULTIPLE MESSAGES........... 31 SAVING A MESSAGE............................... 31 PRINTING A MESSAGE............................. 32 DISPLAYING A MESSAGE THAT CONTAINS ANSI CODE... 32 IGNORING A SENDER.............................. 33 SORTING MESSAGES............................... 34 SEARCHING FOR KEY WORDS........................ 34 REQUESTING AN ENCLOSED FILE.................... 35 DELETING A REPLY OR A MESSAGE IN A FOLDER...... 35 8. USING MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES........................ 36 USING THE VIRTUAL KEYBOARD..................... 36 SHELLING TO DOS................................ 36 USING A THREE-BUTTON MOUSE..................... 37 USING ALIASES.................................. 37 CONFIGURING THE QMAIL DOOR..................... 38 9. GLOSSARY............................................ 39 GETTING STARTED WITH 1stReader 1stReader is an off-line mail reader. It lets you download messages from the BBS to your computer, then read and respond to them at your convenience. This way, you can enjoy "BBSing" without tying up your telephone line, running up excessive long-distance charges, or worrying about running out of time on your favorite BBS. 1stReader includes everything you need to manage your BBS messages and replies, from built-in telecommunication software to a filing system for messages you want to save. 1stReader works with any QWK-compatible mail system. However, when you use 1stReader to call a BBS that uses Sparkware's Qmail Door for PCBoard, you can take advantage of extra features not found on other systems. 1stReader is designed to be easy to use, even for people who have limited experience with off-line mail readers. All the major functions and features are available from a button or a menu list. If you want more flexibility, please review Section 8, Using Miscellaneous Features. If these features still don't give you the power and flexibility you want, see the Advanced User's Guide to 1stReader. Or consider using Qmail DeLuxe² from Sparkware. See Appendix A, Other Sparkware Products, for more information. USING THIS MANUAL We recommend that you print this manual and skim through it before you start using 1stReader. Of course, we recognize that many people prefer to start using the program first, and to use the manual only if they run into difficulties. This manual is set up so that you can use it either as a tutorial or as a reference guide, whichever suits your style. If you like to read the manual first, you can use this manual to walk you through 1stReader the first time you use it. The manual covers the major features of the program in the order you are likely to be using them. If you don't read manuals until you have a problem, check the table of contents for the topic you want. Then simply turn to the page indicated. Page 1 Throughout this manual, the process of receiving messages or files from another system, or copying information from another system to your computer, is called "downloading". The process of sending messages or files to another system, or copying information from your computer to another system, is called "uploading". OPERATING WITH A MOUSE OR A KEYBOARD You can use either a mouse or a keyboard with 1stReader. To keep explanations simple, this manual often says simply to select an option or enter information. If you use a mouse: The left mouse button functions as [ENTER], and the right button as [ESC]. (If you use a three- button mouse, see Section 8 for more information.) "Select" means "move the mouse so that the cursor is on top of the option you want, then press the left mouse button". (For items on a list, you may need to double-click on the item you want.) "Enter" means "type the required information, then press the left mouse button". (If you cannot type on a keyboard, you can use 1stReader's virtual keyboard; see Section 8 for more information.) If you use a keyboard: When choosing an item from a list, "select" means "use the arrow keys to highlight the option you want, then press [ENTER]". When choosing a mouse button, "select" means "hold down the [ALT] key and press the letter that is highlighted inside the button". When choosing an option from the bottom of the message screen (for example, Join conferences), "select" means "type the first letter of the option". "Enter" means "type the required information, then press [ENTER]". Whether you use a mouse or a keyboard, you can normally select the default option by pressing the space bar or [ENTER]. Page 2 GETTING HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT If you need help using 1stReader, you've got several options. 1. Select "Help" where it is available on the screen. 2. Press [F1] to get context-sensitive help anywhere in the program. 3. Check the table of contents of this manual, find the topic you are interested in, then turn to the page indicated for more information. 4. Leave a message in the 1stReader support conference on your local BBS. You can usually expect a reply within about three working days. 5. Leave a message on Sparky's Machine, the home of 1stReader. Telecommunication information for Sparky's Machine is built into 1stReader; if you need to call it from another system, the number is 615-230-8822. Again, you can expect a reply in about three working days. To become a registered user on Sparky's Machine, call using 1stReader's terminal mode (see Section 6); at the PCBoard "Command?" prompt, enter UPGRADE. Then upload your 1ST.KEY file. Once the keyfile is verified, you will have one hour of connect time and the ability to download files from the system. 6. Call Sparkware at 615-230-MAIL between 10am and 5pm central standard time (the office is closed for lunch at 12 noon). If no one is in to take your call, you may leave your name, number, and a brief message, and your call will be returned (collect) as soon as possible. Page 3 INSTALLING 1stReader The installation procedure will vary slightly, depending on whether you received your copy of 1stReader by downloading it from a BBS or by purchasing it through the mail, as described below. In either case, you must have an IBM-compatible system with a hard disk drive, and at least 640K of memory. A Hayes- compatible modem is required to call bulletin board systems. A mouse is also nice, but not necessary. If you have a demo copy, you may use it without charge or obligation while you evaluate it. If you decide to continue using it, please register it with the on-line registration service described below. A demo copy of 1stReader is limited to 20 messages per conference; a registered copy can handle up to 32,767 messages per conference. INSTALLING FROM A FLOPPY DISKETTE To install 1stReader from a floppy diskette, do the following: 1. Insert the floppy diskette into your floppy drive. 2. Change to the floppy drive by entering A: (or whatever is the appropriate command on your system). 3. Enter INSTALL and follow the prompts. INSTALLING FROM DOWNLOADED FILES To install 1stReader from downloaded files, do the following: 1. Create a subdirectory named \1ST. 2. Uncompress the 1ST-110.ZIP file(s) into \1ST. 3. Change directories to \1ST. 4. Enter INSTALL and follow the prompts. After installing 1stReader select "1stTutor" from the opening menu to find out more about 1stReader. Page 4 REGISTERING 1stReader To register your copy of 1stReader, do the following: 1. Enter the information requested on the registration screen. Double-check your credit card number and expiration date to be sure they are correct. 2. If you own a registered copy of Qmail DeLuxe², select the "I own a copy of DeLuxe²" button at the bottom of the screen, and fill in the full path for your DELUXE2 keyfile. 2. Select "Transmit this order". Then wait while 1stReader calls the Sparkware registration line. Your credit card information is verified, and the 1stReader keyfile is downloaded and installed on your computer. The system then hangs up the phone line and returns you to the 1stReader main menu. Page 5 CHANGING READER SETUP OPTIONS 1stReader supports a variety of equipment options and personal preferences. Review the setup options, then configure 1stReader to work with you and your system. CHANGING SWITCH SETTINGS (DEFAULTS) To change a default switch setting, do the following: 1. On the opening menu, select "Setup". 2. Select "Switches". 3. Use the arrow keys or your mouse to select the switch to change (and use the "Next Screen" and "Last Screen" buttons to move between screens of switches). Use the space bar to change the switch setting. All switches are either ON or OFF. The switches you can change are: Advanced Features. Set ON to minimize prompting and to make a variety of advanced features available. Use Bookmark. Set ON to open a conference at the message you were on when you quit the conference, OFF to open at the first message of the conference. External Editor. Set ON to use an external editor. (You must also specify the editor in Advanced Features, as explained on page 3-6.) Color Monitor. Set ON if you use a color monitor, OFF for monochrome. Sound. Set ON to enable audible prompts (beeps). Auto List Messages. Set ON to automatically list messages when you join a conference. Page 6 Sort Systems. Set ON to sort systems so that systems with mail packets on file are listed first, followed by systems with reply packets but no mail packets, then systems with neither mail packets nor reply packets. Messages within each group will be in alphabetical order. Set OFF to sort systems in alphabetical order, without regard to packets on file. Random Taglines. Set ON to select taglines randomly from your tagline list, OFF to use taglines in sequential order. Music. Set ON to enable messages with ANSI code for music to be "played" through your PC's internal speaker. Multi-Media. Set ON to enable messages with multi- media Sound support to play sound through various SoundCards. ANSI code for music to be "played" through your Provides multimedia support for .VOC, .CMF and .MID (Midi) files. Use Mouse. Set ON to use a mouse. Auto Position Mouse. Set ON to automatically position the mouse cursor on the default option when reading messages. FIDO Taglines. Set ON to cause taglines to conform to FIDONET standards. Use DTR to Hangup. Set ON unless your modem seems to have problems hanging up (most common with modems manufactured before 1987). PostLink Routing. Set ON to automatically insert PostLink routing information at the top of your reply when you respond to a private message on a PostLink networked BBS. Load 1STTEXT. Set ON to allow 1stReader to load the 1STTEXT file into memory. (1STTEXT contains the text for the 1stReader screens.) Setting this switch ON makes 1stReader run faster; setting it OFF frees up 28K of memory while the program is running. Top of Form on Printer. Set ON to send a top-of- form command to the printer after each file or message that you print. Page 7 Debug Scripts. Set ON to send the Debug command to the Qmail Door; used to debug script files (see the Advanced User's Guide to 1stReader). When ON, the Kill command will not delete files, message pointers will not be updated, and messages that are uploaded will not be inserted. When you exit a script when Debug is ON, you will be placed in the script file in edit mode so that you can immediately edit the script. Log Calls. Set ON to log all calls made with 1stReader. The log file, 1ST.LOG is created in the system subdirectory, and separate log files are created for each BBS in the BBS subdirectory. Save New File Lists. Set ON to save new file lists that are downloaded with your packets; set OFF to delete file lists when you delete the associated packet. Super Shell to DISK. Set ON to allow 1stReader to "collapse" and write itself to a disk file when you use the DOS shell (see Section 8). If you execute programs from the DOS shell, setting this ON will help prevent low-memory problems. Super Shell to EMS. Set ON to allow 1stReader to "collapse" and put itself in EMS when you use the DOS shell (see Section 8). If you set this ON and you don't have EMS, 1stReader will execute the Super Shell to DISK option. Skip Messages You Read. Set ON if you do not wish to read messages in the "Personal" conference again when they come up in the conference they were sent in. Terminal Alarms. Set ON to sound an audible alarm when you connect to a system or when you finish a Zmodem file transfer. Sort Confs. Set ON to sort conferences in alphabetical instead of numerical order. Large MSG Screen. Set to ON then 1stReader does away with the command menu displayed at the bottom of the view messages screen. It will give you an additional four lines of text to display. Page 8 Using 4DOS. Set to ON if you are using 4DOS. 1stReader will then use the 4DOS .BTM batch file extension instead of .BAT files. Lock Serial Port. Set to ON 1stReader will keep your serial port opened at the baud rate specified for the telephone number you are calling rather than having 1stReader set the baud rate based on the CONNECT string received from the BBS. Auto Alias. Set to ON then 1stReader will automatically leave messages from you as your alias name. Show Packet Names. Set to ON then 1stReader will display the mail packets by name instead of the date and time of mail packet. This helps out users who were familiar with other mail readers that *did* show the packet names. Trim Quotes. Set to ON then when you quote text into your reply 1stReader will trim the length of the line to 79 characters so it fits on one line without wrapping. Disable ANSI Messages. Set to ON then 1stReader will never display a message as ANSI unless you press ALT+A to do it. Quick Scan Messages. Set to ON then 1stReader will always display the list of messages to you between each message you view. Clear Input Fields. Set to ON then 1stReader will clear the data entry fields when you enter the first keystroke. Ask on ANSI messages. Set to ON then 1stReader will ask you if you wish to view the next message as an ANSI message. Skip messages From You. Set to ON then 1stReader will skip messages that were left by you in message conferences only. It will not skip messages left by you in the FOLDERS or REPLIES conferences. Page 9 EDITING TAGLINES You can have as many as 1000 taglines on file. To edit your list of taglines, do the following: 1. On the opening menu, select "Setup". 2. Select "Taglines". 3. To add a new tagline, select "Insert", type the new tagline, and press [ENTER]. You can also add a new tagline when you save a message by entering the tagline on the save message screen and selecting "Save". To delete a tagline, highlight the tagline you wish to delete, then select "Delete". To change a tagline, highlight the tagline you wish to change, press [ENTER], change the tagline, and press [ENTER] again. To sort the taglines in alphabetical order, select "Sort". If you wish to import taglines from a text file press CTRL+I and enter the name of the file to import. If you wish to export taglines from 1stReader to a text file press CTRL+E and enter the name of the file to export. CHANGING COMMUNICATION SETTINGS To change your communication settings, do the following: 1. On the opening menu, select "Setup". 2. Select "Comm". 3. The default settings are shown below. Change them by positioning your cursor over the item to change and typing the correct information. Serial port 1 (values 1-4) Maximum baud rate 1200 (values 1200-57600) Modem init string ATZ Dialing prefix #1 ATDT Dialing prefix #2 Dialing suffix Page 10 These settings are based on the assumption that you are using a Hayes-compatible modem. Check the user guide that came with your modem for more information. For non-standard serial port addresses, enter the port address as "Base address, IRQ". For example, port 3 is "3E8,4". You may follow the letters in the dialing prefix #1 with any digits used by your telephone system (for example, a "9" to get an outside line, or "1170," to block call waiting). Include a comma for any required pauses (for example, to wait for a new dial tone). Dialing time 45 Redial delay 5 The dialing time is the number of seconds allowed for the modem to dial and make a connection before a time-out error occurs. The redial delay is the number of seconds the modem will wait after a time-out error or a busy signal before redialing. Maximum attempts 50 This determines how many times the modem will redial if a connection is not made. Zmodem upload command. This command should be "QSZ portx %4 sz %3" unless you choose to install an alternative communication protocol. Zmodem download command. This command should be "QSZ portx %4 rz %3" unless you choose to install an alternative communication protocol. CHANGING SETUPS FOR COLORS, CALLS, PC-PURSUIT, AND REPLIES If you use a calling card or PC Pursuit, a service of Sprint that lets you call BBSs around the country for a dollar a minute, you need to set up 1stReader with the appropriate information. You can also change the screen colors, add a standard signature line to append to all your replies, or change the character that is used in your replies to indicate quotes from previous messages. Page 11 To modify any of these features, do the following: 1. On the opening menu, select "Setup". 2. Select "Editors". 3. To change the screen colors, select "Colors" or press [F10]. Then follow the directions on-screen to change the colors for the list screen, editor, dialog boxes, message quoting, and messages. To set up PC Pursuit, select "PC-Pursuit Info", and enter your local access number, PC Pursuit user ID, and PC Pursuit password. (For more information on PC Pursuit, call Sprint at 1-800-736-1130.) Calling card number. Insert the number here. You can then add it to the dialing sequence for a BBS by putting a pound sign (#) at the end of the telephone number on the BBS Information screen. See Section 4 for more information. Your signature. The text you type here is automatically appended to the end of each reply you create. Quote character. This character is placed at the beginning of each line of text that you quote from a message into a reply. CHANGING EDITORS OR PATHS Advanced users can select an external editor for 1stReader to use, or configure the paths to 1stReader's working directories to suit their preferences. To modify these features, do the following: 1. On the opening menu, select "Setup". 2. Select "Editors". 3. Position your cursor over the item you want to change and type the correct information. Calling Card Number. Insert the number here. You can then add it to the dialing sequence for a BBS by putting a pound sign (#) at the end of the telephone number on the BBS Information Screen. (See Section 4 for more information) Your Signature. The text you type here is automatically appended to the end of each reply. Page 12 Quote Character. This character is placed at the beginning of each line of text that you quote from a message into a reply. External List. If you are using 1stReader's internal file viewer, this is usually blank. To use an external file viewer, enter the viewer's executable name such as LIST. External editor. If you are using 1stReader's internal editor, this is usually blank. To use an external editor, enter the editor's executable name, followed by the parameters for feeding two files into it. For example, for QEDIT, enter "Q %R %O". (To use an external editor, you must also change the setup switch as explained on page 3-1). 'Original' Filespec. ORIGINAL unless you are using an external editor that can edit only one file at a time. Then use REPLY as the 'original' filespec. 'Reply' Filespec. This should always be REPLY. Mail packet location. 1stReader puts your mail packets into the directory specified here. You can change this if you wish. Files location. 1stReader puts files that you download into the directory specified here. You can change this if you wish. Programs location. 1stReader unpacks .ZIP files into the directory specified here. You can change this if you wish. Work area location. 1stReader uses the directory specified here as a temporary work area when unpacking your mail packets. Files in this directory are erased by 1stReader, so don't put files you want to keep in this directory. You can change this if you wish. Name of Phone Book. You can now group your systems into phone books and save different setups with a separate phone book for each setup. Page 13 CHANGING FILE PACKERS 1stReader comes with a file packer (or archiver) called QZIP and QUNZIP. If you choose to use a different file packer, install it into the 1stReader directory, then do the following: 1. On the opening menu, select "Setup". 2. Select "Pack". 3. Enter the information for the packer that you have installed: ZIP Pack @API$(5)QZIP %1 %2 /NOCLS /CURSOR_OFF Unpack @API$(5)QUNZIP -O %1 %2 %3 /NOCLS ARC Pack PKARC A %1 %2 Unpack PKXARC /R %1 %2 %3 ARJ Pack ARJ A %1 %2 Unpack ARJ E %1 %2 %3 LZH Pack LHA A %1 %2 Unpack LHA E %1 %2 %3 ZOO Pack ZOO -add %1 %2 Unpack ZOO -extract %1 *.* Page 14 SETTING UP A BBS Before you can use 1stReader to call a BBS, or to read or reply to messages you have downloaded from a BBS, you must enter some basic information about the BBS. ENTERING A NEW BBS To enter information for a new system (one that you've never used 1stReader to call before), do the following: 1. From the first 1stReader screen, select "New BBS" system. 2. Enter the QWK mail packet name for this BBS. Confirmation. Some bulletin board systems require you to occasionally confirm who you are by entering your birthday (Wildcat! systems frequently do this). This field is used by 1stReader to transmit the confirmation information to the BBS. Enter the remaining information as necessary. You MUST enter the system name, your login name and password, and one telephone number. If you want to use a calling card when calling the BBS, put a pound sign (#) immediately after the telephone number. (Be sure that the number is also entered on the Advanced Features screen; see Section 3 for more information.) For the remaining items, you may enter specific information or simply use the default values: Graphics: default is N Baud rate: default is 1200 Door command: default is QMAIL4 Language: default is 0 Conference: default is 0 ScriptName: default is QMAIL4 FIDO Tags (Y/N): default is N Prefix #: default is blank City Code: default is blank The graphics option determines whether the downloads will be in color. If you have a monochrome monitor, or if the setup switch for color is set OFF (see Section 3), this setting will automatically be "No." Page 15 The conference option exists for BBSs that have doors available only from certain conferences. It joins that conference before using the Qmail door. 3. Exit and save. CHANGING THE BBS INFORMATION SCREEN 1. From the list of systems on file, select Re"V"ise to make modifications to the BBS you wish to make changes for. 2. Make your changes on the BBS Information Screen. 3. Press [F10] to exit and save. DELETING A BBS 1. From the list of systems on file, select Re"V"ise BBS for the system you wish to delete. 2. On the BBS Information Screen, select "Delete". 3. Select "Yes" to delete all associated mail packets, or "No" to save the associated mail packets. MANAGING YOUR MAIL You can use 1stReader's built-in communication software whenever you call a BBS. When you initiate a mail call, 1stReader automatically logs you onto the BBS, uploads your replies, deletes your reply packet, downloads your new messages, and hangs up. Once you've downloaded your messages, you can read and reply to them when it's convenient for you. You don't have to worry about running out of time on the system, running up your phone bill, or tying up your phone line. Page 16 CALLING THE BBS To download messages and upload replies, do the following: 1. To call systems you have called before: From the list of "Systems on file", use the spacebar to tag each system you want to call. Then select "Get new mail". (If you are only calling one system, you can highlight it instead of tagging it, or you can select the system, then select "Mail" from the "Mail packets on file" screen.) 1stReader logs onto each BBS, uploads your replies, deletes your reply packets, downloads any new messages in the conferences you have selected, hangs up, and takes you to the "Mail packets on file" screen for the first BBS called. 1stReader will download new messages and place them into a QWK mail packet. If you want 1stReader to complete the call for you later, you must select the system. This displays the list of "Mail packets on file". Then select "Time" and enter the time that the call should begin. Be sure to enter the time in military format (so that 1:00 p.m. is 13:00). To call a system you have not called before: From the list of "Systems on file", highlight the system you want to call. Then select "Get mail". Or you can select "Get Mail" from the "Mail packets on file" screen too. 1stReader calls the BBS and puts you in terminal mode. This lets you log onto the BBS and complete security checks. (If the BBS provides the QWK mail packet name during the initial logon, note it and enter it on the BBS information screen after you log off; see Section 4 for more information.) While in terminal mode, you can manually download messages, select conferences, and so on. When you are done, log off the BBS and press [ALT]+X to go to the "Mail packets on file" screen. Page 17 READING YOUR MESSAGES To read your messages, do the following. 1. From the list of "Systems on File", select the system you downloaded the messages from. This displays a list of "Mail packets on file" for the system you selected. 2. From the "Mail packets on file", select the mail packet you want to read, then wait while 1stReader loads it. With a keyboard, use the arrow keys to highlight the packet you want, then press [ENTER]. With a mouse, select the highlighted packet by clicking the "Read" button, or double-click on the packet you want. 3. After you mail packet is loaded, one or more screens from the BBS are displayed (typically, a welcome screen, followed by news and a QMail session screen). Follow the prompts on screen to get past them to the "Read messages" screen. 4. At the "Read messages" screen, select "Read". This displays the "Select a Conference" screen. If the BBS uses PCBoard software, the "Select a Conference" screen lists all the conferences available on that BBS. If the BBS uses some other software, this screen may list only conferences that contain messages. You can print the conference list by selecting "Print". Conferences that contain messages for you to read are marked with a box between the conference number and the conference name. If the "Sort Conferences" switch is ON, the conferences will be in alphabetical order, with conferences that have messages in them listed first. Otherwise, they will be in numerical order. See Section 3 for more information. Use [PgUp] or [PgDn] to move your cursor from one conference to the next conference that contains messages. (If you are using a laptop computer, you can use [SHIFT]+[ENTER] instead of [PgDn].) Page 18 These keys don't scroll around the list. That is, [PgDn] won't take you past the last conference that contains messages, and [PgUp] won't take you past the first conference that contains messages. 5. Select the conference you want to join, then wait while the messages in that conference are loaded. (This can take a while for very large conferences; the graph in the dialog box shows you the progress.) When the messages are loaded, the first message in the conference is displayed. If the message fills up more than one screen on your computer, use the arrow keys to scroll around the message, or [PgDn] or the spacebar to display the next full screen. If you are using a mouse, click on the small up and down arrows at the bottom of the screen. With 1stReader, you can read messages up to 32,767 lines long. At the end of a message, the spacebar or [ENTER] takes you to the next message. At the top of each message, you will see the following information: Date: Msg#: (Ref#: ) Read To: From: Subj #x of y Subj: Msg #m of n Date: is the date that the message was posted by the person it is from. Msg#: is the identification number assigned to the message by the BBS you downloaded it from. The same message will have different numbers on different BBSs. Ref#: is the Msg# of the message that this message is a reply to. Read. When this appears, you have already read the message. If you don't want to re-read your personal messages in the conference they were sent in, set the switch for skipping messages you've read to ON. See Section 3 for more information. Page 19 To: is the person the message is addressed to. From: is the person who posted the message. Subj: is what the message is about. Because users may change the subject without changing this line, it may not accurately reflect the content of the message. Subj #x of y. Displayed only when messages are sorted by subject. Indicates how many messages with that subject line are in the conference, and which one you are on. For example, "5 of 9" would indicate that you are reading the fifth of 9 messages on the subject. Msg #m of n. Indicates how many messages are in this conference, and which one you are on. 6. To go from one message to the next within a conference, you have several options: Select "Next" or press [ENTER] or the spacebar to move to the next message. If you encounter a message that contains ANSI code for graphics or music, you will be asked whether you want to display it. If you answer "No", you will see the uninterpreted ANSI code (which looks like random characters) rather than a graphic or music. (See Section 7 for more information on ANSI messages.) Select "Previous" to go to the previous message. Select "List messages" or press [INS] to see a list of messages and select a message by writer, recipient, or subject. Messages you've already read are marked with a square. Messages addressed to you are bright white, and they beep when you scroll past them. Page 20 With 1stReader, you can change the order in which the messages are listed and displayed, you can select messages that contain a particular word, phrase, or name, and you can choose to ignore particular senders so that messages from them are not displayed. To use any of these features, see Section 7. 7. When you have read all the mail in a conference, 1stReader returns you to the "Select a Conference" screen so you can join a new conference. The box next to the conference number changes to a diamond after you've joined the conference. If you want to select a new conference before you have finished reading all the messages in the conference you are in, select "Join conferences" to return to the "Select a Conference" screen. 8. When you are finished with a mail packet, select "Quit" or press [ESC] to return to the "Read Messages" menu. At the "Read Messages" menu, select "Quit" again. At the message, "Do you wish to quit reading this packet?" select "Yes". At this point, you may see a goodbye screen from the BBS. Follow the screen prompts to move past this screen, then continue. At the message, "Delete this mail packet?" select "Yes" or "No", as you prefer. If you select "Yes", confirm the deletion. If you have more packets from this BBS on file, you return to the list of mail packets. Otherwise, 1stReader displays the "Systems on File" screen. Page 21 REPLYING TO MESSAGES To reply to a message, do the following: 1. With the message on your screen, select "Reply to this message" to display a blank screen. The recipient and subject line are displayed at the top of the screen; if you like, you can change these later, when you save the file. 2. Type your response. Besides the keyboard characters, you can also use the following key combinations: [CTL]+Arrow Move cursor one word at a time [CTL]+A Accents last character typed [CTL]+T Delete word [CTL]+Y Delete line [INS] Toggle between insert and typeover mode Replies created in 1stReader can be up to 200 lines long. If you want to create a longer reply, you can import a text file from another application; see page "HERE" for more information. It is often helpful to quote a portion of the message you are responding to, to help the readers understand the context of what you have to say. To quote a portion of the message, press [F2]. Use [PgUp] and [PgDn] or the arrow keys to scroll through the message to select the lines you wish to quote. Then enter the line number of the first line to quote, followed by the line number of the last line to quote. 3. When you are satisfied with your response, press [F10] On the save message screen, make sure the recipient, subject, and conference are the way you want them. Change them if necessary. If you are not sure of the conference number you want to save the reply to, enter a question mark as the conference number to display a list of conferences. If you want to change the tagline, type the new tagline or press [F2] to select a tagline from your list. (See Section 3 for more information.) Page 22 If you want to save a copy of the message in a folder, select "Folder", then select the folder you want to save the message in. (See Section 7 for more information.) If you want to send a copy of the message to more than one person, select "Copy" so that "No" (immediately above "Copy") changes to "Yes". If you have aliases set up for that BBS and want to use an alias for this message, select "Name." (See Section 8 for more information.) When you are satisfied with the save message screen, press [F10] again to save the message. If you don't want to save the message, press [ESC] to discard it. If you are sending a copy to more than one person, the save message screen reappears with a blank "To:" line. Enter your second recipient, and press [F10] again. When you are done saving the message, 1stReader displays the next message in the conference. CHANGING OR DELETING A REPLY You can change or delete a reply that you have saved but have not yet uploaded to the BBS. To change a reply, join the Replies conference and select "Re-edit this message". Then edit the reply as necessary. You can't quote additional lines from the original message when you re-edit a reply. If you want to quote from the original message, delete the reply, join the conference with the message you want to reply to, and create a new reply. To delete a reply, join the Replies conference, display the message you want to delete, and press [DEL]. At the prompt, choose "Yes" to delete just the reply that is currently on the screen, or "All" to delete all replies. (You can also delete replies using the Delete message option; see Section 7 for more information.) Page 23 ENTERING A NEW MESSAGE To enter a new message, one that is not a reply to a previous message, follow these steps: 1. At any existing message or reply, select "Enter a new message". If there are no message packets on file, select the BBS, select "Read" from the list of "Mail packets on file", select "Read" from the "Read Messages" menu, then select "Enter a msg". 2. Type, edit, and save your message as you would a reply. When you save a new message, the message is addressed to ALL and the Subject is blank. Change the "Message to:" line if necessary, and enter a subject on the subject line. The new message can be edited or deleted in the same way as a reply. CREATING A PERSONAL MESSAGE 1stReader allows you to designate messages as "Personal". In general, this means that only the recipient will download or read the message. But this designation does not mean that the message is truly private (sysops and co-sysops, for example, can read anything on their BBSs). Messages entered in 1stReader (or any other off-line mail reader) are not protected by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986. To make a message personal, do the following: 1. Create the message as usual (either a new message or a reply to an existing message). 2. When you save the message, on the Save Message screen change Private from "No" to "Yes" by pressing the spacebar. Continue saving as usual. Page 24 IMPORTING TEXT FILES INTO A MESSAGE OR REPLY To import ASCII (plain or DOS) text files into a message or reply, do the following: 1. With the message on your screen and the cursor at the position you want the text to appear, press [F3]. 2. Type the name of the file, including the full directory path, and press [ENTER]. (If you are not sure of the name of the file, type the directory path to display a list of files to choose from.) The text then appears in your message, where you can edit it as if it were new text you had just typed in. Messages and replies created this way can be up to 4,000 lines long. However, many BBSs limit the length of messages they accept. If you have any questions about message limits on the BBSs you post on, contact the sysop for more information. VIEWING SERVICES When you download a message packet, 1stReader automatically downloads any services that you subscribe to. To view the services, do the following. 1. Select a message packet the same way that you do when you read messages. 2. At the "Read Messages" menu, select "Services" to read the services that you received. 3. When you are done viewing services, press [ESC] to return to the "Read Messages" menu. VIEWING EXTRA FEATURES When you download a message packet, 1stReader automatically downloads information about any extra features that are available on that BBS. To view the features, do the following. 1. Select a message packet the same way that you do when you read messages. 2. At the "Read Messages" menu, select "Extra Features" to read about the features that are available. Page 25 3. When you are done viewing extra features, press [ESC] to return to the "Read Messages" menu. DELETING A MESSAGE PACKET To delete a message packet, do the following: 1. From the list of "Systems on File", select the system for the packet you want to delete. This displays a list of "Mail packets on file." 2. From the list of "Mail packets on file", highlight the mail packet you want to delete, then select "Delete". You can also delete a message packet when you quit reading the packet. When prompted, "Delete this packet?" simply select "Yes". GETTING THE MOST OUT OF TERMINAL MODE In terminal mode, 1stReader lets you control the activities on the BBS, whether you are downloading programs or playing on-line games. And 1stReader's built-in file management tools make it easy to unpack compressed files and put them where you need them to be. TERMINAL MODE When you select "Terminal" from the 1stReader opening menu you will be asked to enter a telephone number to dial. This is the main difference between "Terminal" and the "Call BBS" buttons. "Call BBS" already knows the telephone number(s) to dial as well as the connect speed. Press [ALT]+X to exit terminal mode and return to the opening menu. Page 26 CALLING A BBS When you call a BBS with 1stReader's terminal mode, you can easily download or upload files, play on-line games, or perform other operations online. To use this feature, do the following: 1. From the list of "Systems on file", highlight the system for you wish to upload or download files. 2. Select "Call". 1stReader completes the call and logs you onto the BBS. From this point, you can download or upload files, play on-line games, or perform other operations. A list of recently uploaded files is downloaded with each message packet you download with 1stReader, as explained below. Look over that list before calling a BBS to reduce the amount of time you spend online. 3. When you are done with your logon session, press [ALT]+X to go to the "Mail packets on file" screen. You can also call a BBS in terminal mode from the "Read Messages" menu or the "Mail packets on file" screen. Select "Call" and proceed as above. 1stReader can display help for the bulletin board system if a copy of the user's manual is available on your system. If you press the [F10] key while connected to your system then 1stReader will attempt to locate the user's guide for the BBS (if one has been provided). Please see the advanced user's guide on how to setup a user's guide for 1stReader. Page 27 VIEWING FILE LISTS When you download a message packet, 1stReader also downloads a list of the files on the BBS that are available for you to download. The list of files includes only those files that have been uploaded to the BBS since the last time you downloaded a message packet with 1stReader. To view the list of files, do the following. 1. Select a message packet the same way that you do when you read messages (see Section 5). 2. At the "Read Messages" menu, select "Files" to display the list of files. Note that the files themselves are not downloaded, but only the names and descriptions. 3. When you are done viewing files, press [ESC] to return to the "Read Messages" menu. At this point, you can call the BBS in terminal mode by selecting "Call". Please note that when you delete a message packet, the list of files is deleted UNLESS you select the setup option "Save file lists". See Section 3 for more information. MANAGING DOWNLOADED FILES AND PROGRAMS 1stReader's file management function makes it easy for you to manage downloaded files and programs. It allows you to display, unpack, copy or delete files on your hard drive. To use 1stReader's file management function, do the following: 1. At the initial 1stReader screen, select "Manage Files", OR at the "System Setup" menu screen, select "Manage Subdirectories", OR at the "Read Messages" screen that is displayed when you open a packet, select "Manage Subdirectories". 2. To display a list of the files and subdirectories in the directory shown, press [ENTER]. To display a list of the files and subdirectories in some other directory, type the full path of the directory and press [ENTER]. You can go directly to the subdirectories that contain downloaded files and programs by selecting the "Files" or "Programs" buttons. Page 28 3. On the directory listing, directories are listed first, and are marked off by blocks. Files are listed after the directories. Change directories by highlighting a directory name and pressing [ENTER]. List, copy, edit, unpack, execute, or delete files by highlighting the file and selecting the appropriate button. List: Display the contents of an ASCII (plain or DOS) text file. To print the file you are viewing, press [ALT]+P; to cancel printing, press [ESC]. (1stReader does not support PostScript printers.) Copy: Copy the file to another directory. After you select "Copy," type in the full path of the directory to copy the file into. Edit: Edit an ASCII (plain or DOS) text file. Unpack: Uncompress a ZIP file. Automatically creates a subdirectory for the ZIP file in 1stReader's Programs subdirectory and unpacks the file there. Go: If there is a file named GO.BAT, GO.BTM, GO.COM, GO.EXE, or GO.CMD in the subdirectory, execute this file. (It doesn't matter which file is highlighted when you select "Go".) Delete: Erase the highlighted file or subdirectory. Page 29 USING MESSAGE OPTIONS Because some messages, some subjects, and (let's be honest) some people are more interesting than others, 1stReader gives you several options for managing the messages that you download. You can save messages, or print them on your printer. You can interpret and display messages that include ANSI codes for graphics, music, and the like. If a particular sender is a nuisance, you can set 1stReader to ignore all messages from that person, and those messages will not be displayed or listed. You can sort messages by sender, recipient, subject, or date and time. You can search for messages that contain a particular word, phrase, or name. If a file has been enclosed with the message on your screen, you can request that file to be sent to you on your next call to the BBS. You can delete replies and messages that you have saved. All of the message options can be selected from the Options list. With any message on screen, simply select "Options" and the option you want. Or use the [ALT] key as described below. Page 30 SAVING OR PRINTING MULTIPLE MESSAGES To save, print, or file more than one message at a time, do the following: 1. With any message on screen, press [INS] to display a list of messages in the conference. 2. Use the space bar or select "Flag Msg" to flag the appropriate messages. ("Flag All" works as a toggle to flag or unflag all messages in the conference.) 3. Press [ENTER] to return to the message. 4. Select "Options" and the option you want. SAVING A MESSAGE 1stReader gives you two ways to save messages without having to save an entire packet. First, you can place the message in a folder. Later, you can access the folder as though it were another conference, and reply to the message or quote it in another message. Up to 32,767 messages may be placed in a single folder, and you may have as many folders as you wish. Second, you can save a message as an ASCII (plain or DOS) text file. To place a message in a folder, do the following: 1. Make sure that the message is on your screen, or that the message is flagged on the message list. 2. Press [ALT]+F for "File message(s)". 3. Select the folder you want to place the message in. If you need to create a new folder, select "Create". Then enter a folder name (up to eight characters) and description. A message is displayed telling you how many message slots are left in the folder, and you return to the message. Page 31 To save a message as an ASCII text file, do the following: 1. Make sure that the message is on your screen, or that the message is flagged on the message list. 2. Press [ALT]+T for "Save message(s) to Text". 3. At "Save this message to:" type the file name that you want the message to be saved to. (If you want the file saved somewhere besides your 1stReader directory, be sure to specify a path.) The message is saved, and you return to the message. PRINTING A MESSAGE To print a message, do the following: 1. Make sure that the message is on your screen, or that the message is flagged on the message list. 2. Make sure your printer is on-line. If you have a PostScript printer, switch it to IBM or HP emulation mode. 2. Press [ALT]+P for "Print message(s)". At this point, the message prints, and you move to the next message. DISPLAYING A MESSAGE THAT CONTAINS ANSI CODE Messages that contain ANSI code create graphics or music on some computers. Uninterpreted ANSI code usually includes seemingly random numbers and letters, mixed up with spaces, square braces, and commas. Whenever you come across a message that contains ANSI code, you are asked if you want to display it. If you choose not to, then change your mind, you can display it by doing the following: 1. Make sure that the message is on your screen. 2. Press [ALT]+A for "ANSI message display". The message will be interpreted and displayed without the normal message header at the top of the screen. When you are done viewing the message, simply move to the next message as usual. Page 32 IGNORING A SENDER You're not obligated to read everything that everyone posts, of course. [ENTER] will take you past the posts that you don't care to read. But you may occasionally run across someone who is such a nuisance that you don't even want to see their posts. When this happens, 1stReader lets you ignore them completely. When you ignore someone with 1stReader, you will not see any messages from them on that BBS, although you will continue to see messages to them. To ignore a sender, do the following: 1. With a message from that person on screen, press [ALT]+I for "Ignore NAME", where NAME is the name of the person you wish to ignore. 2. Select "Yes" to confirm. Because messages from people you are ignoring are omitted when the conference is loaded, you will still see messages from the person until you load another conference. If you want to begin ignoring the person immediately, simply select "Join conferences", join another conference, then rejoin the conference you were in. Note that 1stReader keeps a separate list of people to ignore for each BBS. If the person posts to more than one BBS that you receive messages on, you must repeat this for each BBS. A Zippy text search will find and list messages from people you are ignoring. If you change your mind about ignoring someone, do the following: 1. With any message on your screen, press [ALT]+E for "Edit ignore list". 2. Delete the name of the person you wish to quit ignoring. Then rejoin the conference as above. Page 33 SORTING MESSAGES With 1stReader, you can sort messages by number, sender, receiver, subject, or date and time. To change the sort order while reading messages, do the following: 1. With any message on your screen, select "Options". 2. Press [ALT]+S for "Sort order". 3. Select the field to sort by. (Note that if you sort by "To" or "From", the sort is by the person's first name, not last name.) Since this is changed in your setup, all packets and conferences are sorted in the new order. SEARCHING FOR KEY WORDS The subject lines don't always tell you exactly what's in a message. If you want to find all messages that refer to a particular subject, you can search your messages for a key word, phrase, or name by doing the following: 1. With any message on your screen, press [ALT]+Z for "Zippy text search". 2. The switches on the right side of the screen will be set OFF. If you want to limit the search to the conference you are in, include messages you have read, or include taglines in the search, change the switches as you like. 3. Enter the key words to search for. The search finds all matches of the exact sequence of letters you type (ignoring differences in case), but it does not find related words. If you enter "Nation", the search will find nation, NATIONAL, condemnation, and so on, but if you enter "confidence", it will not find "confident". If you want to save the search parameters as your default search, select "Save". Page 34 4. Select "Begin", then wait while 1stReader scans the messages. As soon as all the messages have been scanned, messages with a matching sequence are placed in a special "Zippy" conference, which you automatically join. REQUESTING AN ENCLOSED FILE To request a file that has been enclosed (or attached) to the current message, do the following: 1. Make sure that the message on your screen has a file attached to it. If you see "File:" followed by a file name then there is a file attached to the message. 2. Press [ALT]+G for "Get enclosed file". You will be asked to confirm if you wish to receive the file on your next call to the bulletin board system. DELETING A REPLY OR A MESSAGE IN A FOLDER To delete a reply or a message that you have saved in a folder, do the following: 1. Make sure the message is on your screen or flagged on the message list. 2. Press [ALT]+D for "Delete message(s)". The word "Deleted" at the upper left-hand corner of the message. The message is erased when you exit the mail packet. Until then, you may undelete the message by selecting "Options" and selecting "Undelete". Page 35 USING MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES If you're an "average" 1stReader user, you may never have any reason to use the following features. However, they are included as a convenience for those who have particular hardware or those with some degree of expertise with their system software and hardware. If you are looking for features to give you still more power and flexibility, please see the Advanced User's Guide to 1stReader. USING THE VIRTUAL KEYBOARD If a physical disability makes it difficult for you to use a keyboard, you can "type" with a mouse using 1stReader's virtual keyboard. There are two ways to call up the virtual keyboard: 1. Press the left and right mouse buttons at the same time. 2. Move the mouse cursor to the upper left corner of the screen, then click either mouse button. SHELLING TO DOS You can drop to a DOS shell from anywhere within 1stReader by pressing [F5]. To get back to 1stReader, type "exit" and press [ENTER]. (If you re-execute 1stReader from the C> prompt within the shell, you are likely to run out of memory.) You can also go to a DOS shell from the "Read Messages" screen by selecting the "Jump to DOS" button. If you execute other programs from the shell, you can avoid running out of memory by setting the Super Shell switches ON (see Section 3 for more information.) Page 36 USING A THREE-BUTTON MOUSE If you have a three-button mouse, the center button offers two special functions. 1. When you are reading messages, press the center button to display the list of messages in that conference. 2. When you are on a screen that has a list of items to select at the top and command buttons at the bottom, press the center button to "ping-pong" between the list and the buttons. USING ALIASES Some BBSs allow users to log on with an alias. This gives the user a greater degree of privacy by preventing other users from seeing his or her real name in messages, download reports, and other BBS records. 1stReader provides the necessary support for the use of aliases. To find out whether a particular BBS will allow you to use an alias, and what you need to do to set one up, contact the sysop. Once your aliases have been set up, you may choose to use them each time you save a message. See Section 5 for more information. Page 37 CONFIGURING THE QMAIL DOOR 1stReader allows you to configure the Qmail Door off-line, reducing the amount of time you have to spend on-line and simplifying the process. Please note that if the Advanced Features switch in the configuration setup is set ON, you will see additional configuration options. See the Advanced User's Guide to 1stReader for more information on these options. To configure your Door, do the following: 1. From the list of "Systems on file", select the BBS. 2. At the list of "Mail packets on file", select "Read". 3. At the "Command Menu", select "Door". 4. Select the configuration option you wish to change, then follow the directions below. Add a new conference into the Qmail Door scanning list Use the arrow keys to highlight the conference you wish to select, then press [ENTER]. (You can select up to 7,700 conferences.) Drop a conference from the Qmail Door scanning list Use the arrow keys to highlight the conference you wish to drop, then press [ENTER]. If the Advanced Features switch is ON, you can add or delete conferences from the conference selection screen when you are reading your mail. Just highlight the conference and select "Add Conf" or "Drop". If Advanced Features is OFF, you will not see the "Add Conf" or "Drop" buttons. Reset a conference to a previous message number Use the arrow keys to highlight the conference you wish to reset, press [ENTER], and enter the new number. The changes you make are compiled into a command file that is executed the next time you use 1stReader to call the BBS. Page 38 GLOSSARY This glossary will help you understand some of the more frequent terms used on bulletin boards today. ---Numbers--- 8N1 - The most common modem format. [See also format]. 1200 bps (baud) - In the mid 1980s this was the most common transmission speed, until 2400 bps became popular/cheaper. It is roughly equal to 120 characters per second. 2400 bps (baud) - A fairly high-speed transmission speed that towards the end of the 1980s gained popularity. It is roughly equal to 240 characters per second. 8250 UART - The UART used for the communications ports on most older computers. 9600 bps (baud) - This, along with 14,400 bps are the 2 standard speeds for high-speed modems. It can transmit and receive approximately 960 characters per second (without compression). 14400 bps - Currently, the fastest standard speed for high- speed modems. 16550 UART - This is the UART used with most newer computers and high speed modems. There are several variations, but they all include one main feature: they include buffering, so that if data comes in or is sent faster than the computer/modem can accept it, the UART will hold the data (up to 16 bytes) until the computer/modem is ready for it. ---A--- abort - [1] The command word used with editors that allows you to exit, destroying your message. [2] The character used to stop characters from a block of text appearing on your screen. Usually the spacebar or CTRL-X are used to abort a message. Page 39 access - Refers to an intangible amount (usually represented by a security level or flags) that indicate to what extent you are allowed to use a BBS. When used in a term such as `you will be granted access', it means the amount of access that new users will generally receive. account - A term that refers to information that a BBS has about you. It is usually referred to by an ID number or your name. The information it contains can include any information that you have at some point given the BBS, usually including your name, phone number, and security level. alias - A name that users can use on a bulletin board that is not their own. Aliases are usually used by young BBS users and those who pirate software or do other illegal activities. Some examples of aliases are `Cracker Kid', `Starbuck', and `Midnight Killer'. [Also called handle]. anonymous - Refers to a message, where the author was able to leave out his name. On some BBS's you are allowed to post anonymous messages so that others won't know who you are. The SysOp usually can find out who the author is, however. ANSI - ANSI is an organization that sets standards. ANSI graphics, however, is a set of cursor control codes which originated on the VT100 smart terminal. Many BBS's use these codes to help improve the sending of characters to communications programs. It uses the escape character, followed by other characters, which allows movement of the cursor on the screen, a change of color, and more. ARC - When a filename has the extension ARC, it means that it is an archive that has been compressed with the program PKARC. To get the files out of the archive, you need to use the program PKXARC. You should be able to find this program on many BBS's. archive - [noun] A group of programs that are together, usually compressed, in one file. [verb] the process of combining those files. There are a number of software packages which will compress files into an archive, and most programs on BBS's have been archived with one of these software packages. Page 40 area code - The 3-digit number used by the telephone company to designate a geographic area. Each state in the United States has 1 or more area codes. If you call a phone number in a different area code, you must dial "1" and then the area code before the phone number. If you call a number within your area code, you just dial the phone number (if it is long distance within your area code, you must dial "1" and then the number). ARJ - [1] A file extension that indicates that the file was compressed with the program ARJ. [2] The program ARJ, used to archive and un-archive files with the ARJ extension. ASCII - An acronym for American Standard Code of Information Interchange. It uses 7 bits to represent all uppercase and lowercase characters, as well as numbers, punctuation marks, and other characters. ASCII often uses 8 bits in the form of bytes and ignores the first bit. ASCII transfer - When a text file is sent directly as it is, without any special codes. AT command - Any instructions sent to a modem that begin with "AT". See also Hayes AT command set. at sign - The character @. Often read as 'at'. auto-baud detect - The ability of a modem to change to a lower bps rate if the computer it is calling is unable to communicate at the requested speed. auto-dial - When a modem is capable of dialing a phone number, so that you don't have to dial manually. Almost all modems have this ability. auto-download - The feature of some file transfer protocols whereby a BBS can automatically make your communications program start a download or upload (if your communications program has this capability too). This saves some time for the user, who would otherwise have to set up his program to upload or download. auto-redial - A feature that allows a modem or a communications program to dial a number again after it finds out that the number is busy. This is very handy when trying to get through to popular bulletin boards that are often busy. Page 41 ---B--- baud - A term referring to the speed at which modems communicate. Technically, it is the number of changes in an electronic signal per second. Since the number of changes used to be the same as the number of bits sent or received per second, bps and baud are often used interchangeably. However, there is a difference, which is very often confused. For example, many 1200bps modems were advertised as 1200 baud, even though they operate at 600 baud. They send out 2 bits 600 times a second, which means that it is 600 baud. However, since it is so often misunderstood, you can assume that when you see "baud" it means bits per second, unless it is stated otherwise. The term comes from the scientist J. M. E. Baudot. BBS - An acronym for Bulletin Board System. Usually it is a home computer that has a modem attached and is waiting for calls from other computers. It can, however, also refer to commercial services (such as CompuServe and Prodigy) and any other computers that you can call via telephone lines. BBS's almost always allow you to leave messages for other users. Most BBS's have programs that you can download and use on your computer. BBS can also be expanded more simply to `bulletin board'. bps - Bits Per Second. The transmission speed of most modems is measured in baud or bps. Bps is literally the number of bits sent by the modem every second. break signal - This is a signal sent from one modem to another that lasts for about a second. It is sometimes used to try to clear up synchronization problems. On CCITT V.42 modems, there are more specialized procedures involved with the break signal, such as regarding the timing. In V.42 there are three kinds of break signals. bulletin - A special message posted on a BBS, usually written by the SysOp. In most cases all users are expected to read any new bulletins that may have been posted since their last call. busy - When a bulletin board is being used by as many users as it can handle, which is when all the telephone lines are being used. byte - A group of 8 bits. It usually represents one character. Page 42 ---C--- caller - Anyone who connects with a BBS. It is usually used in a phrase such as "You are caller #4328." caller I.D. - A code that is sent over the phone lines in some areas when a person makes a phone call. This code includes the phone number of the person making the call. Some modems are able to understand this signal, and let you know who is calling you before you answer the phone. call waiting - A service that the phone company offers that allows the customer to hear a special sound on the phone if there is an incoming call while the customer is talking on the phone. The customer can then talk with either caller. This is a nice service unless you have a modem and call BBS's. If you are connected with a BBS and someone else calls you, you will be disconnected. In most areas there is a special 2 or 3 digit number that you can dial before a phone call that will disconnect call waiting for that call. If you have call waiting, check your phonebook or call the phone company to find out how to disconnect call waiting. capture - To 'catch' text that is being sent to your computer from a BBS and put it in a buffer or a file. capture buffer - The area in a computer's memory where a communications program stores incoming data that is to be saved. [Also called capture memory]. carrier - The tone that the modem sends over the phone lines before any data is sent on it. It has a fixed frequency and a fixed amplitude. It is then modified to indicate data. carrier detect - The wire in an RS-232C cable that holds the information as to whether or not the modem senses a carrier (and therefore is connected to another computer). [Also called CD]. characters per second - The number of bytes or characters that can be sent over the phone lines in 1 second. This is determined by dividing the bps rate by the number of bits it takes to send one byte (usually 10--the start bit, 8 bits of data, and the stop bit). So, a 2400bps modem can send 240 characters per second (2400/10). [Same as CPS]. chat - A mode that allows two or more people (almost always a SysOp and a user on a BBS) to communicate directly with each other using the modem. Usually, each person can see what the other is typing at all times and can interrupt them (a beeping sound with a CTRL-G is useful to interrupt with). Page 43 chat mode - This is when a communications program is set up so that the user can "chat" with someone on the other end of the line. One way this can work is that anything that is typed by the other person is printed on the top half of the screen, but anything you type would appear on the bottom half of the screen. checksum - A number that represents a larger group of numbers in order to check for errors in data transmission. It is commonly used when downloading a program, as well as in error control protocols. The checksum is the result of a mathematical equation, such as adding all the numbers in a block together (although it is usually more complex than that). COM port - IBM and compatible computers have the ability to hook up devices (such as modems and mice) to the computer, through ports. These ports are called COM ports, and are numbered 1-8. While all 8 could be used, usually only #1 and #2 are used, while #3 and #4 are used occasionally. communications program - A program that controls a modem, and has features that allow the user to do such things as upload, down-load, etc. It is similar to a terminal program but more sophisticated. It used to be used interchangeably with terminal program. [Same as comm program]. connect - [1] To get to a point where you can start communicating with a BBS, as in "I have connected with the BBS." [2] Any point after you have established contact with a BBS, as in "I am still connected with the BBS" or "I have been connected with the bulletin board for just over an hour." connect speed - The speed, in bps, which your modem uses when it connects with a BBS. This speed will depend on the speed of your modem, and the BBS's modem. It will be no higher than the lower of the two speeds. If you have a 2400bps modem, and call a 1200bps BBS, your connect speed should be 1200bps. connection - The actual contact with a BBS. It is used most often in expressions such as "I have a bad connection," meaning that there is line noise. control character - Any of the 32 ASCII characters that do not print on your screen or printer. These characters are usually used to control your computer. Page 44 copyright - A term meaning that a program or text file is protected by the government so that it may not legally be copied, except to make backup copies, or as specified by the author of the program. You should not upload a copyrighted program to a BBS, unless it is shareware or freeware. Co-SysOp - A term similar to a vice president. The Co-SysOp of a BBS has more access to the BBS than any other user except the SysOp. The Co-SysOp might check messages to make sure that they are suitable for the BBS (not containing illegal messages), and he may be able to validate users. Sometimes a Co-SysOp is just a title given to someone who helped the BBS a lot by doing things such as posting messages and uploading. Also, many times there is more than one Co- SysOp. CRC - Stands for Cyclic Redundancy Check. CRC is a system to make sure that a block of data (usually from a downloaded program) is as free from error as possible. It is usually 16 or 32 bits long (CRC-16 and CRC-32 respectively). crash - When a BBS is harmed in such a way that it is temporarily inoperable. The usual cause is that some files are destroyed, either by accident or by a hacker. Some people try to crash BBS's, a fact that most users (and especially SysOps) think is sad. crash recovery - This feature of some file transfer protocols allows a user to continue a download or upload that had been interrupted. With this system, a user will not have to receive the data that had already been sent before the disconnection, which will save time. CTRL - The abbreviation for ConTRoL. This abbreviation is followed by a dash and then a character, such as CTRL-C, meaning the control character C. CTRL-G - The control character G, which usually causes the computer to produce a beeping sound. ---D--- default - A setting or an answer to a question that is automatically assumed. If 80 columns is a default, then you only have to change it if you want something other than 80 columns. dial - To send out either the tones or pulses that the phone company needs to understand what number you are calling. Most modems will dial automatically (auto-dial). Page 45 dial modifiers - Any commands that are sent to a modem which change the way a phone number is dialed. For example: tone, pulse, and pause. disconnect - To hang up the phone and cause the connection between your modem and another computer to be stopped. Most BBS programs have a way of disconnecting a user who has called the bulletin board, if it is needed. disk capture - This is when a communications program will save incoming information to the disk. This is useful if you are receiving a text file that you want to read later. door - A gateway that will allow a bulletin board to run a program while a user is on the BBS. Games are popular doors on BBS's, although doors can be used for serious purposes, too. down - A word meaning that a bulletin board is not working, so that you can not connect with it. This can mean that there was a crash, or it could simply mean that the SysOp is playing a game on his computer. Often a SysOp will leave a phone connected to his BBS line off the hook when he is using the computer so that you will get a busy signal. download - To receive a computer file from a bulletin board. It is usually a computer program, but can also be a text file. ---E--- echomail - This is a technique used by many BBS's that will allow a message base to be shared by many BBS's. Usually late at night the BBS's will exchange any new messages. This way a user on one BBS can interact with users on other BBS's editor - The part of the BBS that allows you to enter a message and edit it. E-mail - Electronic mail. Messages that are sent to individual people. You choose who to send the message to and only that person receives the message. (Some BBS programs allow you to send bulk E-mail, which goes to more than one person, but the concept is still the same.) emotion icons - These are groups of several characters that are used to express emotion over the phone line. For example, :) is a happy face (when you look at it from the side). Similarly, :( is a sad face. Page 46 error - When there is line noise and one or more characters are changed. This is especially noticeable when downloading or uploading a program. In this case the error must be detected, and the data must be re-sent (or else the file will be destroyed). error control - The ability of a modem to notice errors in trans-mission, and have any incorrect data re-sent. error correction - See error control. (Error control is a more correct term, since the modem does not correct incorrect data, it just has it sent again). escape key - The key marked ESC on a computer keyboard. It is often used to 'escape' out of a program or procedure in a program. Also, the ASCII character (ASCII 27) is used by ANSI to produce limited graphics. [Same as ESC]. expert mode - Many BBS's have this feature, which allows a user who feels that he knows the system well to save time by not having menus sent to his system. If he forgets some commands that are available, he can have the menu appear. Otherwise, the menus will not appear. This is especially helpful at slow speeds. extension - The extension of a filename on an MS-DOS system is the last three characters, which are separated from the rest of the filename by a period. For example, the filename SPREDSHT.WKS has the extension "WKS". external modem - A modem that is located outside of the computer. It is hooked up to the computer with a cable, most commonly an RS-232C cable. [Same as stand-alone modem]. external protocol - This is a file transfer program that is not built into your comm program, but the comm program is able to run it anyway (as an external program). extract - To take out files from an archive. ---F--- feedback - A message that is sent by a user to the SysOp of a bulletin board. While it is meant to be a way for the user to let the SysOp know of any complaints or compliments they may have, it is more often a convenient way of sending E-mail to the SysOp. Page 47 flag - A piece of information that is either TRUE or FALSE. It is used in some bulletin board security systems to indicate whether the user has access to certain parts of the bulletin board. It is also used by modems for certain indicators such as DTR. format - Information such as "8N1" that describes the way that your computer and a bulletin board should be connected. The first digit is normally 7 or 8, the number of data bits. The second character is a letter describing the parity (N for None, M for Mark, S for Space, O for Odd, and E for Even). The last number is the number of stop bits. 8N1 is the most common format. Data is sent as follows: Start bit (0) - 7 or 8 bits of data - (parity bit, if used) - stop bit (1) - (gap bits, if used) [Same as settings]. forward - To send E-mail that you received to someone else. freeware - Computer programs that are copyrighted, but they may be legally copied if there is no payment involved. They are almost the same as public domain programs, except that public domain programs are not copyrighted and may be sold for payment. Freeware programs often can not be changed when they are distributed. ---G--- garbage - Unwanted characters that appear because of either line noise or incorrect settings. gateway - A connection between one network and another. For example, on some commercial on-line services, you can reserve airplane tickets. This usually involves the on-line service you called connecting to the airline's computer. guest - When a user is just looking at a bulletin board and does not want to receive an account there. The user usually has the same privileges as a new user who has not yet been validated. Many bulletin board programs allow guests. This is a good feature, since the SysOp does not have to validate users who will not be calling the board more than once or twice. Page 48 ---H--- hacker - [1] A programmer who likes to experiment with computers (this is the type of person who often will not read the documentation to software before using it, so he can figure out how to use it by himself). [2] A person who attempts to abuse the privileges of computer BBS's and other services. His activities may range from getting and exploring an account he is not supposed to have on a mainframe computer to attempting to crash a bulletin board. These people are unwanted by most BBS's. They are often not malicious. The media sometimes confuses them with phreakers hang - When a bulletin board all of a sudden starts to do nothing. That is, it will not accept calls or even let the SysOp type anything until the computer is reset. This can be caused by a problem with the BBS software, or the computer itself. hang up - When someone closes a switch which stops a telephone connection. This either happens when someone puts a telephone receiver into its cradle or when the person instructs the modem to hang up. Hayes compatible - Any modem which operates in the same way as the modems developed by Hayes. Most modems up to 2400bps are Hayes compatible. Hayes AT command set - This is the set of commands used to operate Hayes modems and Hayes compatible modems. Almost all of the commands start with AT. help file - Many BBS systems will include information on how to run the system in case you are having troubles. Often just pressing "H" or a question mark at the main menu will show you the information, but with some systems you have to find the help file somewhere, occasionally amidst the files to be downloaded. high speed - A modem that operates at a high speed. In most cases it is assumed to be at least 9600bps. hot-keys - A term which means that you only have to press one key at a menu, rather than several. You don't have to hit the return key. Usually you can do this while a menu is being sent to your computer (so you don't have to wait for the whole menu to be sent). Page 49 HST - High Speed Technology. A high speed protocol developed by US Robotics. It allows for 14400bps one way, and 450bps the other way. The two computers can switch when one has more information to send than the other. It is not compatible with the CCITT protocol. ---I--- IBM graphics - On IBM computers, there is a group of "graphic" characters (such as lines, used to make boxes) that can be shown on the screen. Some BBS's will send these graphic characters if requested. Most non-IBM computers will not recognize these characters. These characters' bytes have their 8th bit set to 1. initialization string - This is the command that your communications program sends to the modem when the program is started. In most cases, it is an AT command just like you would type in. internal modem - A modem that is `hidden' inside your computer. Outside of your computer you will only see the phone cord. An internal modem can either be on a peripheral card that is placed inside your computer, or it can be built into your computer. internal protocol - A file transfer protocol that comes as part of a comm program, and is not separate from it. ---K--- K - When K is placed after a number, it means 1024 times that number. If you computer has 640K that means that it has a little more than 640,000 bytes of memory. Often communications software will tell you that you have a certain amount of free memory to use as a buffer. keyboard macro - A macro that will allow you to hit one or several keys and have the program act as though you had typed a lot directly from the keyboard. kill - When referring to a message on a bulletin board, it means deleting that message from the board. Usually you can only delete the messages that you write (unless you are a SysOp). Page 50 ---L--- leech - A person who downloads a lot from a BBS, and does not contribute much to the BBS by uploading programs or using the message bases. LHARC - A program that will extract archives with the extension "LZH". line - [1] A row of characters on your screen, for example, many computers have screens with 25 lines. [2] The connection between your computer and a BBS. Most commonly used in the term "line noise." [3] A phone line connected to a BBS. For example, a BBS might advertise that it has "4 lines," meaning that 4 people can call the BBS and use it at the same time. [Same as node]. line noise - This is interference on the telephone lines. It will cause a character or many characters of garbage to appear on your screen. In general, the higher the bps rate of your modem, the more line noise will appear. However, error control protocols strive to eliminate line noise (and get rid of most of it). local - On a computer that is running a BBS, there are 1 or more phone lines connected to it. However, the SysOp can usually use the BBS, too, from the keyboard. This is considered a local connection. log - A log is a file that keeps track of some kind of use. In a communications program, it might keep track of what BBS's you call. A BBS can keep a user log, which is a file that indicates which users called up and when. logoff - To leave a BBS. When you choose to logoff, the BBS will usually ask if that's what you really want to do, then it will hangup. It may also ask if you want to leave a note to the SysOp. [Same as exit, quit, goodbye]. logon - The process of connecting to a BBS. The is what occurs after you have called the computer and the phone starts to ring, but before you actually start using the BBS. "Logon" can also include the process of entering your name and password (which is also called sign-on). LZH - This file extension refers to an archive that was compressed with the program LHARC. You need to get the program LHARC from a BBS before you can un-archive the file. Page 51 ---M--- macro - A series of instructions or text that can be entered by hitting a couple of keys. mark - When you are looking at the titles of messages to read, some BBS programs will allow you to choose certain ones you want to read. This is called marking. menu - A list of options that you can choose from. A BBS might have a menu that lets you choose from reading messages, downloading, or logging off. In reality, there would be many more options. message - Any text that is left in a message base on a BBS. These can range from questions for other users to answer, to information on new computer programs, to just about any topic you could imagine. message base - A group of messages on a BBS pertaining to a certain topic. For example, a BBS might have message bases for general messages, computer-related messages, and social information. Some BBS's have dozens or even hundreds of message bases. [Same as subboard, board]. MNP - Microcom Networking Protocol. A type of error control and data compression, created by Microcom, that many newer modems use. It is built into the modem, unlike software error correction in file transfer protocols. There are different MNP levels. Levels 1-4 are error control protocols, and level 5 is a data compression protocol that can compress data to about 50% of its original size. A modem with MNP-5 also has MNP-4. MNP 1-4 is also included in the CCITT V.42 error correction system. modem - MODulator/DEModulator. This is a computer peripheral which allows a computer to communicate over telephone lines. This is the heart of computer telecommunications. The main factor that differentiates modems is their speed, measured in bps. ---N--- network - A group of BBS's that are "linked" together. This means that the BBS's share messages and sometimes files. Usually the BBS's will call each other late at night to get the messages and files. Page 52 new user - When you use a BBS, usually you will have the status of new user for the first few calls, until the SysOp verifies your account (at which time you will normally be considered registered user). A new user usually has less privileges, such as not being able to download programs. news - Some BBS programs will have announcements that are shown when you log on to the BBS. These are often referred to as news, since they often inform you of changes to the BBS. [Same as system news]. null character - The ASCII character 0, or CTRL-@. This character usually will not be printed on the screen. It was originally used when communications programs were slower and could not receive information as fast as it was sent, so BBS programs would send these characters after every line to slow down the speed at which information had to be received. ---O--- off hook - The state that your telephone is in when you pick it up. In non-computer life, it usually means when the telephone connection is accidentally disconnected, such as "Someone must have left the phone off the hook." A modem that takes the phone "off hook" is taking control of the phone line, and it will usually then dial a phone number for you. When a telephone line is "off hook," you are not able to receive calls from other people, unless you have call waiting. off line - When your computer is not connected to another BBS. on hook - When your telephone is not being used, and it is ready to ring if someone calls. on-line - When your computer is connected to a BBS. For example, some communications programs will keep track of how long you have been on line. This lets you know how long you have been connected to the BBS. on-line conference - This is when a group of people "get together" and have a conference using their computers. Some of the major on-line services do this. [Same as real-time conference]. Page 53 on-line games - Any game that is played on a BBS. Sometimes they are played in real time against other players who are using the BBS at the same time, and sometimes they are played by making a move and waiting for their opponent(s) to make their move when they next call. ---P--- packet - [1] A group of bits sent by a modem that comprise a byte of information. [2] A group of bytes sent by a file transfer protocol. [3] A collection of messages compressed and downloaded from an offline mail door. page - [1] (noun) A page is one screen's worth of information. Many BBS's will automatically wait for you to press a key after it has sent you a page of information. [2] (verb) to alert the SysOp that you would like to speak with him. Many BBS's will allow you to do this, and it will make beeping sounds so that the SysOp will know you want to talk to him. [Same as yell]. PAK - [1] The extension for files archived with the program of the same name. You need the program PAK to un-arc an archive with this extension. [2] The archive program itself. password - A special code that only you should know. This code will allow you to gain access to your account on a computer. Different BBS's have different rules as to how long your password can be and what characters can be used. You should not use a password that is easy to guess (such as your name, or "password"), because a hacker might try to gain access to your account by guessing your password. PC-Pursuit - A packet switching network that allows people to save money on long distance calling, if they use modems. PKARC - The program which will make an archive with the extension "ARC". PKUNZIP - The program which will un-arc a file that has the extension ZIP. PKXARC - The program which will un-arc an archive created with PKARC. PKZIP - The program which will create an archive with the extension "ZIP". It is one of the most popular archive programs. Page 54 post - To save a message that you have written on a BBS so that other people can see it. [Same as leave message]. private - When referring to a message, it means that only a specific person or several people that you specify can view the message. prompt - A character or group of characters that are meant to remind the user of a BBS that he needs to enter some information. It might say "What now?" or it might list the name of the message base the user is currently in, or a list of possible commands. protocol - [1] When referring to file transfers, a protocol is a method of sending and receiving a program. There are many methods available, each with different advantages and disadvantages. [2] Protocol is also used to describe the way that hardware error control is managed. public - When referring to a message, it means that the message is available for everyone to see. public domain - A program that is in the public domain usually has no copyright, and can be copied legally by anybody. BBS's often have public domain software available for people to download. ---Q--- quickscan - An option used by some bulletin board programs which will let you check several message bases to see if there are any new messages. ---R--- registered user - This is the most common user level on most BBS's. It usually allows reasonable usage of the BBS (perhaps it will give you a time limit of 45 minutes per day, and let you download up to 200K of programs per day). [Same as regular user]. reread - After a message is sent to your computer from a BBS, the reread command will send the message again. This can be useful if the message is long, and you miss part of it. Page 55 RS-232C - The name of a standard (created by the Electronics Industry Association) for communication between a computer and a serial device. The interface consists of 25 wires, although a variation contains 9 wires. Computers and peripherals which both have an RS-232 port can be connected easily with an RS-232C cable. ---S--- scan - To look through messages or file descriptions to either find new messages or files or look for certain key words within the messages or descriptions. script language - Many communications programs allow the user to write a program, or script, which allows them to use the communications program without actually typing anything. It is often used to call BBS's late at night to download programs or look for new messages. This way, the user does not have to be there when the communications takes place. security level - Some BBS programs have different user levels, usually numbered, which allow different levels of access. For example, 0 might refer to an unregistered user, 10 a registered user, and 99 for the SysOp. Each has different levels of access on the BBS. [Similar to user level]. serial port - A port on a computer that is used to transmit and receive data in a serial fashion (one bit at a time). shareware - Programs that can be distributed freely, but you must pay for these programs if you use them. They usually allow you to try them for a specified period of time and then you must either pay for the program or get rid of it. Many BBS's have shareware programs that you can download without paying the BBS, but you must remember that if you use a shareware program you are supposed to pay for it. speed - This refers to the bps rate of a modem. The most common modem speeds are 300bps, 1200bps, 2400bps, and 9600bps. subject - Most BBS's require that you leave a short description about any messages that you post on the BBS. This description is referred to as the subject of the message. [Same as title]. Page 56 SysOp - Short for SYStems OPerator. This is the person who is in charge of a BBS. He has the power to change anyone's user level, delete users, delete or edit messages. Usually this is the same person who paid for the BBS equipment and pays for the phone line. system - [1] Your computer. When a BBS asks for your system configuration, it is referring to information about your computer, such as screen width. [2] A BBS. ---T--- telecommunication(s) - This word has no precise definition, but is frequently used. Its definition ranges from "any form of communication over a distance" to "any communication by electric means" to "two computers 'talking' to each other via modems." Methods of communications that probably are considered telecommunications: BBS's, telephones, TV's and fax machines. The word is used both in singular and plural. telecommuting - The idea of company employees working from home, rather than their office. At home, they can communicate with the office (and other entities) by modem or voice calls. telecomputing - Using computers to communicate. This usually involves using modems to communicate over the phone lines, but can also involve other media such as the air waves. Telenet - The packet-switched network that is used for PC- Pursuit, which is operated by U.S. Sprint. terminal - A CRT and keyboard that are connected to either a computer or a modem. terminal mode - Some modems have a built in terminal program. On these modems, if that program is running, the modem is said to be in its terminal mode. It also refers to the state where a modem is ready to accept commands, although command mode is the preferred term. terminal program - A program that allows a person to use a modem. It is generally very limited. A communications program is a more advanced version of a terminal program. Usually a terminal program will simulate a specific brand of terminal. It generally does not support file transfers. [Also called term program]. Page 57 thread - A group of related messages on a BBS, within the same message base. If a user posts a reply to a message, some BBS's will start a thread. If a message is part of a thread, the BBS will have a command so that you can see the original message, which started the thread. time limit - Most BBS's have a time limit, where you can only be on the BBS for a certain amount of time. On some BBS's you can only be on for a certain amount of time each time you call, on others there is a limit of time that you can be on the BBS per day. time out - BBS programs often will disconnect a user if he doesn't type anything for a certain amount of time. Time out occurs when the time limit is reached and the BBS program hangs up on the user. This is done so that users do not tie up the BBS. If a user is connected to the BBS but is not using it, other callers might not be able to use the BBS. trojan horse - A trojan horse is a program within another program, usually on a mainframe or a computer running a BBS. The original program looks innocent, but when run it will trigger the trojan horse, which will usually try to gain access to the main-frame computer system or BBS. ---U--- UART - Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter. This is a device in a computer or modem that will change serial data (the way data comes in over the phone line) to parallel, and vice versa. unarchive - To take out the files from an archive. [Same as unarc]. upload - To send a program from your computer to a BBS. ---V--- V.32 - The international standard controlling transmission at 9600bps. It was created by CCITT. It has provisions for fall-back, if the line is too noisy. V.32bis - The international standard for 14,400 bps modems, created by CCITT. Page 58 V.42bis - A CCITT standard for data compression. It can compress data with about a 3:1 compression ratio, although it can compress up to 4:1 given the right conditions. Any modem with V.42bis also has V.42 error control. virus - Any program which spreads itself secretly. It reproduces within a computer, and also will go to other computers if possible (through file transfers). At a certain point in time, the virus will do something (anything from saying "Boo" to something destructive, such as erasing all files on a hard disk drive). They are often hidden inside legitimate programs that seem to run normally, but contain the virus. It will usually spread to every program you run. Viruses became widespread because BBS's can inadvertently spread virus all across the country. Whenever you download a program, it might have a virus in it. However, there are several programs available which find many viruses and can destroy them. ---W--- word wrap - A function of editors on BBS's (just like that found in most word processors) which will move a word that won't fit at the very right hand of the screen down to the next line. worm - A program which embeds itself within another program. Either it tries to find a space in which it won't be noticed, or it will just stick itself anywhere within the main program (which will ruin that program). A worm is almost always destructive. ---X--- Xmodem - A file transfer protocol developed by Ward Christensen around 1977. It is fairly slow by today's standards, but was the first widespread file transfer protocol. It uses blocks of 128 bytes, and after each block is sent, it sends a 1 byte checksum to check for errors. If an error is encountered, the block will be re-sent. Almost every communications program offers this protocol. [Same as Christensen protocol]. Page 59 Xmodem/CRC - The same as Xmodem, but it has a 16-bit CRC instead of the checksum, which makes it more reliable (it catches more errors). Xmodem-1K - This is similar to Xmodem/CRC, except it uses blocks of 1024 bytes, rather than 128. It is faster than Xmodem, since it needs to stop less often to check for errors. This is some-times incorrectly called Ymodem. Xoff - The CTRL-S character. This is often used to pause information that is being sent. The information will be continued when an CTRL-Q is received. Xon - The CTRL-Q character. This will sometimes continue paused information. Xon/Xoff - The flow control method using the Xon and Xoff characters. It is built into the software, not the hardware. ---Y--- Ymodem - A file transfer protocol which can transfer more than one file at a time. It transfers both a file and some information about the file (including its length, and the name of the file). It is similar to Xmodem/CRC, except that Ymodem can transfer more than one file at a time. It will use CRC-16 if possible, or else it will use a 1 byte checksum. It will use both 1024 byte blocks and 128 byte blocks. Ymodem-g - This is Ymodem changed to provide best results with error-correcting modems. Errors can be discovered by the protocol, since Ymodem-g uses CRC, but if there are any errors in the transmission, the transmission will be aborted. [Same as streaming Ymodem]. ---Z--- ZIP - The file extension which refers to archives that were created by the program PKZIP. You need the program PKUNZIP to get the files out of the archive. Zmodem - A file transfer protocol which is known for its Page 60 speed, as well as the ability to transfer information about the files which it sends. It has crash recovery and auto- download features, and can use a 32 bit CRC, which makes it almost error-free. This glossary is used by permission from R. Scott Perry. Page 61