ftp.wwiv.com/ftp.wwiv.com.zip/ftp.wwiv.com/pub/BBS/POINT152.ZIP/PPOINT.HLP

Text File | 1993-01-05 | 18KB | 494 lines

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1
PROGRAM INFORMATION
PPoint - Copyright (c) 1992 Harvey Parisien
         Box 323 Station A, Kingston, Ontario, CANADA  K7M 6R2
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Other software by Parisien...

  Magic FREQ names for 1:249/1 Canada, 1:128/77 US, 2:254/71 UK.

     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
   POINT = PPoint - Professional Point System
  HARVEY = Harvey the Robot automated message mailer *.PKT format
 OFFLINE = The easy to use, QWK offline reader.
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To create an up-to-date User Reference Guide, press F1 for a help
screen.  Select Help Index and select the last choice which is Print
User Reference Guide.  This will print a complete function by function
guide to running PPoint.  This guide contains the complete contents of
your online Help System.
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101
Host: 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.
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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.
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 Request Files
 Send Files
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102
Host: 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.
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103
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.
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104
Host: View Inbound
This shows any files received from your host on previous transfers.
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106
Host: 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 host.
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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.
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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.
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And finally, a more traditional way of requesting a file is to send
a netmail message to the SysOp (just use SysOp if you don't know his
or her name) and on the subject line, put...

/freq bexe_256.zip

... and the file will be requested.
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 Send Files
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107
Host: 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.
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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.
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And finally, a more traditional way of attaching or sending a file is
to send a netmail message to the SysOp (just use SysOp if you don't
know his or her name) and on the subject line, put...

/send c:\trash\oldstuff.lzh

... and the file will be sent.
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 Request Files
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109
Host: Exit
This exits PPoint to DOS
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 PROGRAM INFORMATION
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201
Mail: Select message area
This displays a list of all the current message areas (or sometimes
called conferences) 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.
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203
Mail: 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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 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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204
Mail: Enter a message
This allows you to enter a new message in any message area.
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 Address Book and Carbon Copy Messages
 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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206
Mail: 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.
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207
Mail: Find & Read messages
This allows you to search one or all message areas for a match to your
search text in the message header (the To, From, and Subject fields),
or complete message.
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 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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209
Mail: 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.
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 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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210
Mail: Print a message
This allows you to send a message to a dot or laser printer.
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 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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212
Mail: 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.  After messages are
deleted, the system will automatically Pack the Databases.
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 Mail: Pack databases
 Setup: Automatic Maintenance
 Setup: Edit Message Areas/Delete days
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213
Mail: Pack databases
This removes all deleted messages from your databases.  It provides
more disk space, and makes things process a little faster.
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 Mail: Delete old mail
 Setup: Automatic Maintenance
 Setup: Edit Message Areas/Delete days
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301
Options: 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.
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 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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302
Options: 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.
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303
Options: Edit taglines
This allows you to edit your tagline file.  This is a simple text file
containing up to 300 taglines which will be appended to your message.
If you have > 10 taglines in this file, taglines will be presented
RANDOMLY for your selection.
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When reading messages, you can copy tag lines (or any text for that
matter) from a message by pressing Alt S, then moving the cursor to
the start of the line of text you wish to capture, press enter.  The
line can then be edited.  Press enter again and it will be appended
to your tagline list.

 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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304
Options: Manual processing
This allows you to manually copy mail packets into your inbound, or
outbound areas and process them.  You should know what you're doing
before attempting this.
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401
Setup: Message Display Mode
The message display can be toggled to show internal network addressing
information.  This can be annoying to most users, and is by default
turned off.
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 Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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402
Setup: Color/Monochrome
Allows you to choose Color or Monochrome monitors.
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403
Setup: 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.
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404
Setup: Printer
This is where you choose your printer type (dot or laser) and printer
port number.
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405
Setup: Archiver/Editor/Spell Checker
This is where you choose a preferred archiver for your system.  PPoint
will automatically detect the type of archiver required for
unarchiving incoming packets.  This setting is used to choose an
archiving method for outgoing packets, although this feature is not
yet implemented.
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This is also where you choose the editor you will use.  If you use DOS
version 5 or better, and don't have a particular editor in mind, try
using the one that comes with DOS by entering \DOS\EDIT at the prompt.
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You also have the option to use an independent spell checker. If you
are looking for one, we recommend a shareware system called
ShareSpell.
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406
Setup: Sound & Screen
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.

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.
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407
Setup: Automatic Maintenance
PPoint can automatically perform it's maintenance after each HOST
poll.  This deletes messages after they are over age, and packs the
database.
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 Mail: Delete old mail
 Mail: Pack databases
 Setup: Edit Message Areas/Delete days
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408
Setup: Edit AREA Address/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.

  AREA DESCRIPTION: General Point Support
     HOST AREA TAG: POINT
DATABASE FILE NAME: 00000004
       DELETE DAYS: 10
  AREA ORIGIN LINE: OFFLINE Systems
      AREA ADDRESS: 1:249/114.1
 AREA HOST ADDRESS: 1:249/114
AREA ROUTE ADDRESS: 1:249/114
USE ON ORIGIN LINE: 1:249/114.1

The HOST AREA TAG and DATABASE FILE NAME are created by PPoint and
can not be changed.  The DELETE DAYS entry is the number of days of
mail to be kept when deleting old mail.  The ORIGIN LINE is the name
of your system, or it can be your name.  The AREA ADDRESS defaults to
the address you entered in setup under User/Host/Mailer Info.  If you
are using multiple HOST systems, you can change each area to
individually use this address and link to an individual AREA HOST
ADDRESS and AREA ROUTE ADDRESS as well.  Finally, the USE ON ORIGIN
LINE address has to do with fakenet addressing, see help in that area
for details.

CAUTION!!

Most systems are used for ONE HOST, so be very cautious if you change
the AREA ADDRESS, AREA HOST ADDRESS, AREA ROUTE ADDRESS, or USE ON
ORIGIN LINE settings.
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 Mail: Delete old mail
 Setup: Automatic Maintenance
 Setup: User/Host/Mailer Info
 FakeNet Addressing Information
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409
Setup: 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.
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410
Setup: Delete a Message Area
This is where you can remove an area, and the associated message
databases.
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411
Setup: User/Host/Mailer Info
This is where you setup your user name, and point addressing.  You
host will provide you with the addressing details.

This is where your configuration file for BinkleyTerm is created or
updated.  See Binkley Setup Information.
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 Binkley Setup Information
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412
Setup: Turn Title Screen On/Off
PPoint has been designed to be as efficient as possible.  As a
commercial product, we tend to put a fancy title screen in front of
you when you run PPoint.  In the interest of your time, you have a
choice to turn the opening title screen on or off.
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9909
FakeNet Addressing Information
Older FidoNet compatible systems may require you to use 3d addressing
as opposed to the standard 4d addressing.  To accommodate this, PPoint
supports FakeNet addressing.

4d means an address has 4 parameters ie ZONE:NET/NODE.POINT.
3d means an address has 3 parameters ie ZONE:NET/NODE.

For example, you may have a HOST with an address of 1:249/114, and you
are to use 1:24914/2 as a fake address.  Your HOST's system will then
translate your incoming and outgoing mail from a fake address of
1:24914/2 to a real world address of 1:249/114.2 since it's system can
not handle the fourth dimension in the address, being the point
number.

If your HOST requires that you use a fakenet address, this means it
will not have the proper .x at the end of your address.  To make your
message origin lines display exactly what you want, go to the setup
menu and Edit Area Address information.  Edit the USE ON ORIGIN line.

  AREA DESCRIPTION: General Point Support
     HOST AREA TAG: POINT
DATABASE FILE NAME: 00000004
       DELETE DAYS: 10
  AREA ORIGIN LINE: OFFLINE Systems
      AREA ADDRESS: 1:24914/1
 AREA HOST ADDRESS: 1:249/114
AREA ROUTE ADDRESS: 1:249/114
USE ON ORIGIN LINE: 1:249/114.1

The last line is the origin address that will show in your messages.
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 Edit AREA Address/Delete days
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999
Operational Keys in the Reading Area
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.
PgDn will page down one screen at a time to the bottom of a message.
ENTER is like PgDn but will go to the next message when at the bottom.
The Esc key or Mouse Button 2 exits this area.
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R=Reply to the current message.
E=Enter a message.
F=FIND a message.
C=Change/Edit a message (only if it was from you).
K=Kill the current message.
P toggles Private on/off.
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F=Find messages based on search text match.
+=Initiate a Find based on Subject.
Home=Go to the First message.
End=Go to the Last message.
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^E=Export current message to a text file.
^P=Print current message.
^A=Displays message using ANSI.
^R=Resends a message (only if it was from you).
^S=Toggle internal network addressing information.
F10 SHELLS TO DOS (and clears the screen).
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To send (attach) or request (freq) a file, enter a netmail message to
the SysOp (just use SysOp if you don't know his or her name) and on
the subject line, put...

/send c:\trash\oldstuff.lzh
... and the file will be sent.

           -or-

/freq bexe_256.zip
... and the file will be requested.

 Request Files
 Send Files
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Alt+S=Copy Tag Lines

When reading messages, you can copy tag lines (or any text for that
matter) from a message by pressing Alt S, then moving the cursor to
the start of the line of text you wish to capture, press enter.  The
line can then be edited.  Press enter again and it will be appended
to a file called OFFLINE.TAG in the current directory.  This is a
tagline list used by OFFLINE or PPOINT. Both are mail management
systems by Harvey Parisien.

 Edit taglines
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When reading mail, the text at the bottom left of your screen, is the
origin line for the current area.  This information changes to the
area tag name if you have your message display mode set to show
internal network details.

 Message Display Mode
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4444
Binkley Setup Information
All setup information related to BinkleyTerm is found in the file on
your PPoint directory called BINKLEY.CFG which is automatically
created by PPoint.

Some of the settings in Binkley.cfg CAN NOT be changed except by
PPoint in order to insure the settings are exactly the same as
contained in PPoint's setup files.  These are identified in the
Binkley.cfg file, and referred to here as part 1 of your Binkley.cfg
file.

However, there are times when you might need to change some of the
settings for example a common one is your modem INIT string.  For more
details on modifying your Binkley.cfg file, refer to the documentation
provided with that system.

In order to allow you to change some of the settings, PPoint allows a
file called BINKLEY.ADD to be changed by the user.  Binkley.add will
contain the contents to be included as part 2 of your Binkley.cfg
file when PPoint updates it.

If you have special configuration requirements, use your text editor
to edit Binkley.add and change or add as necessary, then update your
Binkley.cfg file.

To update your Binkley.cfg file, choose "User/Host/Mailer Info" on the
Setup Menu and change or verify any of the information.  When you
finish this, PPoint will recreate your Binkley.cfg file.
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 Setup: User/Host/Mailer Info
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4343
Address Book and Carbon Copy Messages
OPTIONAL ADDRESS BOOK:

If you have an address book in place (the system creates this for you)
it can be accessed for NETMAIL or ECHOMAIL by pressing F4 when you are
ENTERING a message, placing text in the TO: field.  Your address book
is built by the system.  Every time you enter a NETMAIL message, it
prompts you as to whether or not you would like to add the current
entry to the address book.  It will only prompt you for entries that
do not currently exist.  This way you build an address book while you
use the system, as opposed to sitting down and typing in 50 names.
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OPTIONAL CARBON COPIES:

To send a message to several people you can have a continuous list of
names in a text file in the format: first last,zone:net/node{.point}.

For example...

Bill Cassidy, 1:249/1
Harvey Parisien,1:249/114.7
Scott Dudley, 1:249/106
Don Laverdure, 1:249/124.2

Entering CC:filename.ext in the TO: field causes carbon copies to be
sent to all people/addresses in your list.
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