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Professional Point System
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
Copyright (c) 1992 Harvey Parisien
Box 323 Station A, Kingston, Ontario, CANADA K7M 6R2
FidoNet 1:249/114
C O N T E N T S
i) Point Nodes and Boss nodes, an Overview
ii) PPoint - Design Objectives, and Overview
iii) Installation
iv) Advanced Notes
v) Distribution and Registration
vi) Users Guide
From the author of ...
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ RAD = dBASE III file compatible, BBS or REMOTE online │
│ Database │
│ │
│ HLIST = HLIST File List Compiler for files.bbs systems │
│ │
│ OMENU = oMENU the Ultimate disk Menu System │
│ │
│ HARVEY = Harvey the Robot message mailer *.PKT format │
│ │
│ OFFLINE = The easy to use, QWK offline reader. │
│ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Page 1
PPoint - Professional Point System
P o i n t N o d e s & B o s s N o d e s
AN OVERVIEW
A Point is a network node, a computer system which is setup
with the necessary software to connect to another network
node, and transfer email and/or files.
The network structure PPoint is designed for is FidoNet. This
is an extremely efficient structure developed by hobbyists
throughout the world. FidoNet has been around since the
beginning of the PC, and there are currently 14000 plus nodes
around the world (not including Point nodes).
A FidoNet node is a node that is online 24 hours a day, and
connected with other nodes in the same manner. This Fidonet
node is registered in an international node list as being a
Continuous Mailer or CM (accessible any time). Without
getting into the details, a typical FidoNet node is connected
to an official Network node, which is connected to a regional
node, which is connected to a Zone node. There are several
Zones that represent geographical areas of the planet.
A Point node is a node which is connected to a FidoNet node as
described above. This Point get's it's mail from that node
which is called a Boss node, or a Host node. The Point also
sends it's mail to the Host for insertion into the network.
The Point therefore does not have to be online or accessible
continuously, instead it is only network active when the Point
user connects to the host to transfer (send/receive) email.
Then all mail management is done off-line at the Point users
convenience.
Point nodes are not in the international node list that is an
integral part of the FidoNet structure. They are authorized,
created, serviced, and the responsibility of the Host which is
an official FidoNet node. All activity from the Point node is
managed by the Host, so in fact the Point is like an extension
or branch of that node. The Point's address becomes the
Host's address, with an extension of .x where x is the Point
number. A typical address is (my address) 1:249/114 which is
Zone 1, Network 249, and node 114. One of my points have the
and address of 1:249/114.7 which is my point number 7.
Page 2
PPoint - Professional Point System
P P o i n t
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
The main objective behind the development of PPoint was to
create a system that was easy to setup, easy to use, and easy
to maintain. The user interface has been designed to offer
intuitive navigation thought the various functions and
controls. There are certain forced paths, and certain
suggested paths, all intended to make email management
enjoyable, efficient and effortless. The hardware required is
minimal. Any PC with 256k memory and 500k of disk space. The
file structure for the email database is an advanced database
structure where each message area has 2 files containing all
the related information (some older systems created endless
individual files for each message).
OVERVIEW
PPoint is a professional network EMAIL management system. It
is self installing, FidoNet compatible, and is complete in
terms of it's functionality, and automatically installs a few
other complex systems it transparently integrates with.
PPoint accomplishes all of the tasks required to create,
process, and transfer email and files all without the user
having to be a "computer nut".
A Point system is usually a complex assortment of various
processors and utilities, driven by a sophisticated batch file
which takes an experienced person to setup. Most of the
associated utilities and processors are only used to 30% of
their respective capacities, whose design were intended for
much more complex data processing.
Transferring email requires the ability to manage data
locally, and transfer it to/from the Host. PPoint handles
everything except the mail packet transfer itself. To
transfer data from PPoint, we suggest you use the BinkleyTerm
mailer system. PPoint will work with any FidoNet compatible
mailer system, however PPoint will automatically do the
installation/setup of BinkleyTerm for you (this is the
simplest most efficient system).
BinkleyTerm is a system which is freely available for
noncommercial use (<=3 commercial sites at one time - see
documentation for BinkleyTerm) and is the smallest, most
efficient of all the various mail processors. There are
processors that are easier to setup, and that have more
Page 3
PPoint - Professional Point System
features, BUT, Binkley was our choice since WE do the setup
for it internally through PPoint, and you don't even notice
it. Part of BinkleyTerm's efficiency is size. Some mailers
range from 600k to 2megs in disk size, where Binkley is less
than 250k. The additional features available in other
processors are simply not needed for managing a Point, but
again, PPoint can be used with any mail processor.
PPoint also allows you to use your favorite editor. Most
users get use to an editor, and prefer to stick with it. Most
users prefer TED3 or QEDIT. QEDIT is a professional full
featured editor, while TED3 is a simple freeware system produced
by PC Magazine. If you don't have an editor, but do have
DOS 5, you may want to try Microsoft's \dos\edit, it's a
pretty nice editor too.
INSTALLATION
If you received PPoint on disk, then simply type A:INSTALL and
press enter. It will handle the entire installation.
If you downloaded an archive of PPoint, unarchive it in any
subdirectory. If you don't have one in mind, may we suggest
using C:\EMAIL.
To install, just run PPOINT.EXE, and read the screens.
Later, highlight each pulldown menu item, and Press F1 for a
description of it's use.
The following files are required to operate PPoint...
PPOINT.EXE The Main program
PPOINT.HLP Help file data
PPOINT.HLX Help file index
(Usually in an archive named POINT???.ZIP)
The following files are created by PPoint...
PPOINT CFG 441 02-25-92
PPOINT ARE 106 02-25-92
BINKLEY EVT 42 02-25-92
BINKLEY CFG 756 02-25-92
MAILER BAT 32 02-25-92
The following are additional files you will need to install
BinkleyTerm as your mailer. These should either be in your
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PPoint - Professional Point System
path, or on your PPoint directory.
Editor...
You should use TED3 or QEDIT, or any other TEXT EDITOR, but DO
NOT use a word processor! If you don't have an editor, we
recommend you get TED3. It's a nice little editor that will
suit most of your editing needs.
TED3.COM An editor (Usually in an archive named TED3.ZIP)
Archiver...
PKUNZIP.EXE An unarchiver (Usually in an archive named
PKZ???.EXE [this is a self extracting archive -
no unarchiver needed])
Mailer...
These should be in your PPoint directory. Note: The current
version of Binkley is 2.50.
BT EXE 232686 09-15-91 11:39p This is the mailer.
BINKLEY LNG 13328 09-15-91 10:13p " "
(Usually in an archive named BEXE_???.ZIP)
BNU COM 11232 10-26-89 1:56a This is a fossil.
(Usually in an archive named BNU???.ZIP)
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Basically, you need the following archives for a complete │
│ setup... │
│ │
│ POINT???.ZIP, TED3.ZIP, PKZ???.EXE, BEXE_???.ZIP, and │
│ BNU???.ZIP. │
│ │
│ NOTE: YOU ONLY NEED THE FILES LISTED ABOVE OUT OF EACH │
│ ARCHIVE. │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
If you want to use a different mailer, then just alter a file
PPoint creates called mailer.bat to accommodate.
Page 5
PPoint - Professional Point System
ADVANCED NOTES
PPoint supports 4d Point addressing (type 2+). This means it
will work with current hosts like Squish or Front Door. This
packet design is the latest most efficient structure offered
by FidoNet. Tag lines have a maximum length of 60 characters.
You can have a list of names in a text file in the format...
first last,zone:net/node{.point}. Entering CC:filename.ext in
the TO: field causes carbon copies to be sent to all in the list.
Command line controls: /P initiates an immediate poll when
ppoint is run
/E exits to dos after the first poll
/OUT process outbound mail
/IN process inbound mail
/OUT/IN process both
PPoint has one unique feature that is designed to work with
mailers like Binkley. If you Poll your Host and there is no
mail, the mailer will not exit back to PPoint. To force the
mailer to exit, have your Host put a small text file called
PPOINT.$$$ in a requestable position. The Host might make a
Freq name of HOST which locates PPOINT.$$$. This can be placed
on PPoint's autofreq list, causing it to arrive every time the
Host is polled. If PPoint detects a file called PPOINT.$$$ in
the inbound directory, it will delete it making the intention
all very transparent.
Distribution, and Registration
PPoint is marketed as shareware. It may be used for a 10 day
trial period, and then must be registered.
PPoint is fully functional. There are no timers, or limits
imposed. There are no keys required for installation. Your
honesty is our only protection against insufficient future
development funds, and we have learned to trust in that with
the success of our other shareware products.
To register, please fill out the REGISTER.TXT application.
You can load it into your word processor or editor, and edit
it, or copy it to your printer and do it by hand (COPY
REGISTER.TXT PRN).
Harvey Parisien
Box 323 Station A
Kingston, Ontario
Canada K7M 6R2
Registering PPoint is only necessary once, and entitles you
Page 6
PPoint - Professional Point System
to new versions of PPoint as they are released. The latest
versions of PPoint will be available on your favorite SDS
system, or directly from FidoNet 1:249/1.
Registration is $85.00.
(Group rates available)
NON COMMERCIAL users may register for $ 15.00.
LEGAL STUFF
DISCLAIMER - This program is provided as is. You may use it
at your own risk. There is no warranty of any kind or any
form covering this program. The author may in no way be held
liable for any damage of any form in connection or arising
from the quality and/or use of this program and any
associated files included with it.
Registered users feel free to contact me via NETMAIL, or by
calling my BBS for instant support...
Harvey Parisien, FidoNet 1:249/114
613-389-3992 BBS
** YOUR FEEDBACK, AND SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED **
Page 7
┌─────┐┌─────┐
│ ┌─┐ ││ ┌─┐ │┌─────┐┌─┐┌───┬─┐┌─────┐
│ └─┘ ││ └─┘ ││ ┌─┐ ││ ││ │ │└─┐ ┌─┘
│ ┌───┘│ ┌───┘│ └─┘ ││ ││ │ │ │ │
└─┘ └─┘ └─────┘└─┘└─┴───┘ └─┘
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
Professional Point System
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
Copyright (c) 1992 Harvey Parisien
Box 323 Station A, Kingston, Ontario, CANADA K7M 6R2
FidoNet 1:249/114
U S E R S G U I D E
PPoint - Professional Point System
RUNNING PPOINT
When you run PPoint, by entering PPOINT at a DOS prompt, or
selecting it from a system menu, it will display a title
screen, and then immediately bring you to the main pulldown
menu interface.
The use of pulldown menus has been implemented to organize
your availability of various functions at different times, and
by separating them into separate related areas.
The first pulldown menu is the set of functions that relate to
HOST connections, and management. The next pulldown menu
contains functions related to MAIL management. This is the
menu you first arrive on when you run PPoint, since it's the
area most commonly used. The other two menus are OPTIONS,
which is where not so common functions are made available, and
the SETUP. The Setup menu contains all of the various user
definable options, and settings required to operate and
maintain PPoint.
A TYPICAL PPOINT SESSION
A typical PPoint session might start where you would choose
HOST TRANSFER on the HOST pulldown menu. This will transfer
any outstanding mail created by your system to your Host, and
process any incoming mail or files from your Host. Your
system automatically dials your Host, connects, and transfers
information.
When a Host transfer is complete, and if you have received
mail, you will find yourself on the MAIL pulldown menu, on the
selection READ NEW MAIL. This is the next logical choice you
would make when mail is received.
* * *
Let's review each PPoint function one by one.
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PPoint - Professional Point System
M e n u F u n c t i o n S u m m a r y
H O S T M E N U
Host Transfers
This connects you to your HOST system (or boss node) to
collect new mail/files, and send any outstanding mail from
your system. It is not necessary to have mail to send in
order to connect to your host. You can Poll for mail when
ever you wish to see if there is anything waiting for you on
the host system, or to request or send files.
You will have the option to set a timer to Poll at a future
time. If you choose to do so, the screen will display the
Poll time, and current time. Pressing Esc aborts the Poll,
any other key starts immediately. After 60 seconds (or
pressing the space bar) of waiting, the screen will blank, all
except for the timer display. If you use the Timer, then
after the Poll is completed the screen will go blank again
after 60 seconds, to preserve your hardware.
Activity Report
This displays your systems log, which shows details on
processing mail into and out of PPoint, and information on
transfers to your host.
View Outbound
This shows any files waiting in your outbound area. These are
files waiting to be delivered to your host on your next
transfer.
View Inbound
This shows any files received from your host on previous
transfers.
Request Files
This allows you to request files from your host. For a list
of your hosts files, you just simply request FILES. It is not
necessary to have mail to send in order to connect to your
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PPoint - Professional Point System
host.
You also will have the option to request any new entry
automatically every time you connect with the host. This is
handy if your host has an updated file continually waiting for
you. This feature can also be used to cause your mailer to exit
even if there was no mail received from the host. Usually the
host will have a file called ABOUT which is a very small text
file containing information on your host. You can also use the
/FREQ filename.ext command on the subject line of a netmail message
where you can tell the host in a message what you are doing.
Send Files
This allows you to send files to your host. This can be a
complete drive and path description. This will be sent to
your host on your next transfer. It is not necessary to have
mail to send in order to connect to your host. You also will
have the option to send any new entry automatically every time
you connect with the host. This is handy if you have an updated
file to continually send to your host. You can also use the
/SEND drive:\path\filename.ext command on the subject line of a
netmail message where you can tell the host in a message what you
are doing.
Exit
This exits PPoint to DOS
M A I L M E N U
List/Goto Areas
This displays a list of all the current message areas on the
system. As PPoint receives new areas, they are automatically
setup (no need to fuss with configuration files). This
function allows you to select an area to read mail in.
Read/Reply Messages
This is the area where you read and/or reply to mail. You can
list areas, and messages from the READING AREA, as well as
export or print messages.
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PPoint - Professional Point System
Keys available in the READING AREA are...
The following keys display the AREAS LIST: A or Del.
The following keys display a MESSAGE LIST: M or Ins.
The Arrow keys move to next or previous messages.
The Esc key or Mouse Button 2 exits this area.
R=Reply to a message, E=Enter a message, F=FIND a message.
C=Change/Edit a message (only if it was from you).
K=Kill a message, P toggles Private on/off.
Home=Goto the First message, End=Goto the Last message.
^E=Export current message. ^P=Print current message.
^R=Resends a message (only if it was from you).
F10 SHELLS TO DOS (and clears the screen).
Enter Messages
This allows you to enter a new message in any area. You can
also enter new messages from the READING AREA, as well as
export or print messages. See help in that area.
Read your new mail
This checks all message areas for mail addressed to you. You
can check your whole message database, or just UNREAD mail.
Find & Read messages
This allows you to search all message areas for a match to
your search text in the To or From fields, or the Subject
field in the entire message base (all areas).
A future version will allow you to search one or all message
areas for a match to your search text. You will be able to
search messages in the To or From fields, or the Subject
field, or even the message body. Search queries will be able
to be store d for repeated use.
Export a message
This allows you to send a message to a disk file of your
choice. A default file will be suggested, this is the one you
indicated during setup. You can change it anytime in setup,
or just modify it on the fly.
Page 12
PPoint - Professional Point System
Print a message
This allows you to send a message to a dot or laser printer.
O P T I O N S M E N U
Shell to DOS
This allows you shell out to dos, leaving PPoint resident. To
return from a DOS shell, type EXIT at the dos prompt, and
press ENTER.
Blank Screen
This function just clears the screen if you want to leave it
blank for a while. They say if you leave your screen blank
and stare at it for about 10 minutes straight without blinking
you'll see rabbits.
Delete old mail
This deletes old messages based on how many days old they are.
Each area can be set for a different number of days. See help
in Setup: Edit Message Areas/Delete days.
Pack databases
This removes all deleted messages from your databases. It
provides more disk space, and makes things process a little
faster.
Manual processing
This allows you to manually copy mail packets into your
inbound, or outbound areas and process them. You should know
about network structure before attempting this.
Page 13
PPoint - Professional Point System
S E T U P M E N U
Message Display Mode
The message display can be toggled to show internal network
addressing information. This can be annoying to the average
user, and is by default turned off.
Color/Monochrome
Allows you to choose Color or Monochrome monitors.
Directories
This is where you setup your various directories. As you go
through this area, you are explained what each directory is
for. Generally you are recommended to use the defaults.
Printer
This is where you choose your printer type (dot or laser) and
printer port number.
Archiver/Editor
This is where you choose the archiver your host will be using.
Sound On/Off
Sound has been used at a minimum, and when it is used it's
very quiet. If you still find it annoying, by all means turn
it off.
Screen Length
PPoint can be used with various screen lengths. Some monitors
only use the standard 25 line mode. Feel free to try any one
of the settings. PPoint will tell you if any mode is not
supported.
Page 14
PPoint - Professional Point System
Edit Message Areas/Delete days
This is where you can edit the area names. By default,
incoming message areas are named after there network area
tags. These names are sometimes not as descriptive as you may
like, so this allows you to rename them.
Add New Message Area
This is where you can add new areas manually. In case you
want to enter a message in an area you don't yet have.
Otherwise, these names area automatically added as mail is
received.
Delete a Message Area
This is where you can remove an area, and the associated
message databases.
User/Host/Mailer Info
This is where you setup your user name, and point addressing.
You host will provide you with the addressing details.
* * *
Registered users feel free to contact me via NETMAIL, or by
calling my BBS for instant support...
Harvey Parisien, FidoNet 1:249/114
613-389-3992 BBS
** YOUR FEEDBACK, AND SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED **
Page 15