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Night Owl The Best of BBS (NOP-BBS) (Night Owl Publisher) (1994).iso
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1993-07-07
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WELCOME TO THE NEWSSTAND (TM)
The Easy-To-Use Feature Packed
Electronic News Reader for USA Today
and Newsbytes Off-line News Files
Version 1.0
Unregistered Evaluation Guide
The Software Factory
P.O. Box 7291
Bellevue, WA 98008-1291
U.S.A.
The Newsstand
(C) Copyright 1993 The Software Factory
All Rights Reserved, Worldwide
This documentation is for the
unregistered evaluation copy of The Newsstand.
Document (C) Copyright 1993 The Software Factory
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
IBM or 100% Compatible
DOS 3.0 or better
260K RAM or more
Hard disk drive strongly recommended
Microsoft Mouse supported
IBM/EPSON Compatible Printer recommended
Supports MDA, CGA, EGA, VGA or better
The Newsstand is DESQView and Windows compatible
THE NEWSSTAND IS NOT PUBLIC DOMAIN OR FREE SOFTWARE,
IT IS DISTRIBUTED AS SHAREWARE.
(PLEASE READ SECTION: WHAT IS SHAREWARE?)
LICENSE FOR EVALUATION COPY OF THE NEWSSTAND
(FOR NON-REGISTERED USERS ONLY)
YOU ARE GRANTED A LIMITED LICENSE TO MAKE AN EVALUATION COPY
FOR TRIAL USE TO TEST AND SEE WHETHER THE NEWSSTAND IS SUITABLE
FOR YOUR NEEDS. IF THE NEWSSTAND DOES MEET YOUR NEEDS, YOU MUST
REGISTER YOUR COPY. IF IT DOES NOT MEET YOUR NEEDS, YOU MUST
DISCONTINUE USING IT. YOU MAY COPY THE NEWSSTAND FOR OTHERS
TO EVALUATE.
THE SOFTWARE IS OWNED BY THE SOFTWARE FACTORY AND IS PROTECTED
BY UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAWS AND INTERNATIONAL TREATY PROVISIONS.
YOU MAY NOT REVERSE ENGINEER, DECOMPILE, CHANGE, OR DISASSEMBLE
THE SOFTWARE.
LIMIT OF LIABILITY
THE SOFTWARE FACTORY WILL ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES EITHER
FROM THE DIRECT USE OF THIS PRODUCT OR AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE USE
OF THIS PRODUCT.
CONDITIONS ON WHICH EVALUATION
COPIES OF THE NEWSSTAND MAY BE DISTRIBUTED
* You may copy The Newsstand for others for evaluational
purposes only.
* You may not sell copies of The Newsstand for profit.
* You must copy all of The Newsstand files (software and
documentation) in an unmodified form.
SOFTWARE LIBRARY:
If you own a software library that distributes public domain
domain and/or shareware programs, you may distribute copies of
The Newsstand for a DISK & SERVICE FEE ONLY. You must meet all of
the above conditions and make sure your customers understand
them too. The disk and service fee may not exceed $5 for the disk
that carries The Newsstand on it. Please refer to VENDOR.DOC for
more information.
BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEMS:
If you own a BBS that distributes public domain or shareware
programs, you must meet all of the above conditions and make
sure that your customers understand them as well. Please refer
to VENDOR.DOC for more information.
WHAT IS SHAREWARE?
Shareware is a concept in which authors or companies retain
all rights to the software under the copyright laws, but allow
computer users to distribute their evaluation versions for
evaluational purposes. If you think the program is useful, you
must then buy a registered copy of the program.
WHY DOES SHAREWARE COST LESS?
The reason shareware software is cheap in price is not a
a reflection of its quality. It is because many shareware
authors and companies do not have to pay as much for advertising
and overhead. Shareware allows you to test the program before
buying.
DID YOU ALREADY PAY?
If you ordered a shareware program from a software library,
you probably paid a fee of about $3 to $5 for the disk. That money
does not go to shareware authors or companies. Software libraries
do not charge for the software, they charge for the disk, shipping
and their other services.
FILES INCLUDED IN THE SHAREWARE EDITION:
The Newsstand evaluation package contains the following files:
- TN.DOC = Unregistered Evaluation Guide.
- TN.EXE = The Newsstand 1.0 program.
- TN.OVL = The Newsstand 1.0 overlay file.
- TN.CFG = Configuration file. Do not erase!
- TN.HLP = Hypertext help file.
- TN.INI = Initialization file.
- TSFSTAN.TNF = TSF Font file. (Standard)
- TSFKIND.TNF = TSF Font file. (Kindy)
- TSFSANS.TNF = TSF Font file. (San Serif)
- REGISTER.DOC = The Newsstand Registration Form.
- VENDOR.DOC = Vendor information file.
- FILE_ID.DIZ = BBS program description file.
If any files are missing or corrupt, you can order an
evaluation copy of The Newsstand from The Software Factory.
(See REGISTER.DOC for more information) You must keep all
of the files together. Do not erase or modify any.
TRADEMARKS
The Arthur, Kindy, and Shanghai fonts are trademarked by TSF.
The Newsstand is a trademark of The Software Factory.
The Software Factory is a registered trade name, and
The Software Factory logo is trademarked.
Other brand and product names are trademarks, trade names, or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.
INTRODUCTION
USA Today Decisionline is a trimmed down electronic edition of the
national newspaper, "USA Today". The USA Today staff compile the
news articles between 4PM and 4AM each business day. The news
file is then available for subscribing electronic bulletin board
systems to download from the distribution sites by early morning
each business day. You can then call a local subscribing BBS and
download the news file. USA Today is presented in 18 sections
with numerous articles in each section.
Newsbytes pioneered electronic publishing, appearing in different
forms as early as 1983. Now, it appears daily on many major
commercial services bringing current news of the PC industry to
over 4.5 million readers. A group of global reporters contribute
news and articles from bureaus around the world, including the U.S.,
Canada, Japan, England, Belgium, Russia, Hong Kong, and Australia.
Newsbytes is presented in eight sections with dozens of articles
in each section.
News files from both of these electronic news services are
available from major BBSs in most areas.
THE NEWSSTAND
Welcome to The Newsstand!
Finally! A much needed and easy-to-use electronic news reader
for USA TODAY DECISIONLINE and NEWSBYTES is here! The Newsstand's
user-friendly and easy-to-understand interface enables you to
easily read the news off-line without hassle!
The Newsstand lets you download (automatically, if you wish!)
news files from an electronic bulletin board system and read the
news at your own leisure. You can export text, clip articles,
and print articles on your printer. There is no other off-line
news reader like The Newsstand.
Thanks for evaluating The Newsstand! We hope you will enjoy
your 30 day trial period.
Some of the special features that make The Newsstand the best
electronic news reader in the market today include:
* ON-LINE HELP. From anywhere within The Newsstand, you
can get detailed help using the context-sensitive hypertext
help system. Press [F1] from almost anywhere within the
program.
* FULL MOUSE SUPPORT. If you have a mouse, you can use it
to choose menu items, select articles, block text, move windows
and more, easily and quickly.
* MACRO KEYS. To make life easier, The Newsstand will let
you call up menu functions using control-key sequences to cut
down on keystrokes.
* MULTIPLE WINDOWS. You can open, close, move, and switch
between multiple text boxes just like you can in Microsoft
Windows.
* AUTOMATIC TIMER-DRIVEN OPERATIONS. The Newsstand will
allow you to leave your computer unattended while at a specified
time, your computer will call up a BBS and download the news
file while you are away.
* CLIP ARTICLES. If you ever need to save an article, or a
part of an article, The Newsstand will let you copy an article
or part of an article to disk. You can then print it, merge it
into a document, or edit the file as you please.
* PRINT ARTICLES. The Newsstand will let you print articles of
your choice on your printer. Includes large headline, date of
publication, and source! Supports up to four different printer
ports.
* TSF SCREEN FONTS. Never again get tired of the same look.
Change the screen font to a TSF Font of your choice! Upon
registration you will receive three additional fonts.
* AUTOMATIC UNCOMPRESSION. The compressed news file you just
just downloaded does not need to be manually uncompressed.
The Newsstand will automatically uncompress the file for you!
Supports up to five different decompression utilities.
GLOBAL COMMANDS
The following is a list of keystroke operations for The
Newsstand:
ACTION KEYSTROKE(S)
On-line Hypertext Help [F1]
Cancel [Esc]
Activate Window Control Box [Alt]+[-]
Move Window [Ctrl]+[F7]
Size Window [Ctrl]+[F8]
Close Window [Ctrl]+[F4]
Minimize Window [Ctrl]+[F9]
Maximize Window [Ctrl]+[F10]
Restore Window [Ctrl]+[F5]
Select Next Window [Ctrl]+[F6]
Move Between Fields/Items [Tab]
Block Text [Shift]+[Arrow Key]
THE NEWSSTAND INSTALLATION
To begin exploring The Newsstand right away, turn your computer
on if it isn't. Then do the following:
* Exit any operating environments such as Windows, DESQView, or
GeoWorks.
* Go to the directory you have uncompressed The Newsstand in.
* Type: tn [Enter]
The first time you run The Newsstand, it will automatically
prompt you to set up vital information for its operation. The
TN.CFG file should be the original one included with the archived
files or disk you received.
It's that simple!
GETTING STARTED
Quick Start Tutorial
Before we begin, it is expected that you have at least a basic
understanding of what DOS is and what sub-directories are and
how to use them. Please refer to your DOS manual if DOS
questions arise because this tutorial does not cover DOS topics.
Go into the sub-directory The Newsstand is setup in and type:
tn [Enter]
If you have ever used Microsoft Windows, IBM OS/2, or GeoWorks
Ensemble, then The Newsstand's interface will be very familiar
to you. The Newsstand operates by using windows, dialog boxes,
and pull-down (drop-down) menus. By looking at the screen you
will notice that the main menu is inside a window with the
window's title being "The Newsstand 1.0". The menu bar under
that is the main menu.
To access the menu using a mouse, just click the menu item you
want and a sub-menu will drop down. Keyboard users can access
any item by pressing the [Alt] key in combination with the
highlighted access key letter. For more information regarding
The Newsstand's interface refer to the hypertext help system.
Mouse : Click menu item READ.
Keyboard: [Alt]+[R].
The READ menu should drop down displaying a list of options for
you to choose.
Mouse : Click menu item SHELL TO DOS.
Keyboard: [S].
Assuming that you already have some USA Today Decisionline and/or
Newsbytes files on the drive somewhere, proceed and do the
following:
* Copy the USA Today and/or Newsbytes file to the appropriate
USA Today and Newsbytes sub-directory you specified during set up.
* Return to The Newsstand program directory and type:
exit [Enter]
Mouse : Click menu item READ.
Keyboard: [Alt]+[R].
Mouse : Click menu item USA Today.
Keyboard: [U].
If the news file is still compressed, a window will appear asking
you to select the file to uncompress. Select your choice and
press [Enter] or click on OK.
You can read sections of the "paper" by double clicking the
section you wish to read. Keyboard users can use the arrow keys
to select the section and press [Enter] to "open" the selected
section. A headline window should appear with the days
headlines for the selected section. Press [Enter] or double
click on your preference to read the article. To back out of
each window press [Esc] or the right mouse button, or press
[Ctrl]+[F4].
To read Newsbytes files, follow the same procedure as explained
above.
PLEASE REFER TO THE NEWSSTAND'S HYPERTEXT HELP SYSTEM FOR HELP
AND INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROGRAM.
* * *
REGISTRATION NOTICE
This version of The Newsstand is a shareware product, distributed
through public access channels so you have the opportunity to
evaluate it before making a purchase decision. The Newsstand is
NOT free. If you decide to use this program after the 30-day
evaluation period then you are under both LEGAL and MORAL obligations
to REGISTER IT. This software is protected by U.S. and international
copyright laws.
REGISTRATION BENEFITS
As a registered user you receive many benefits, including: Free
technical support, a copy of the registered version of The Newsstand
in your name (with no shareware notice screens), an easy to use inter-
active set up program, a printed manual, free subscription to The
Software Factory newsletter, additional screen fonts, a discount on
future updates of The Newsstand, a discount on other The Software
Factory products, and notices of major updates.
So, if you like this program and find it useful, please support
shareware by registering The Newsstand so we can continue to develop
quality software for you! -- For only $32 you get a great program
along with all of the above, and we're sure you'll feel a whole lot
better about yourself!
To print out the registration form, select "Print Registration Form"
under the HELP menu.
QUANTITY PURCHASES AND MULTI-USER SITE LICENSES:
Discounts are offered on purchases of more than five copies of The
Newsstand. Multi-user site licenses are also available. For orders
of more than 15 registered copies or users, a master copy of The
Newsstand is provided and the purchaser/licensee is responsible for
duplicating the number specified in the order/license. [Note: For
each order over 15, disk labels are provided for the number ordered/
licensed. Manuals will be provided in the quantity you require.]
Number of Copies/Users: Price (US$):
6 - 10 copies = US$29 each
11 - 20 copies = US$26 each
21 - 50 copies = US$23 each
51 - 100 copies = US$19 each
Over 100 copies = Contact for pricing
[Site licensing agreements allow duplication and distribution of
specific numbers of copies within the licensed institution.
Duplication of multiple copies is not allowed except through
execution of a licensing agreement. Site license fees are based
upon the number of users on site.]
NOTE: YOU MAY NOT USE THE NEWSSTAND WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION
WITHOUT A PRIOR PURCHASE OR LICENSE ARRANGEMENT.
Educational institutions receive a 10% discount on all prices.
Please order on your institution's letterhead stationary or
pre-printed order forms.
NETWORKS
A network-compatible version of The Newsstand is available at
the above quantity/site license prices. If you require a net-
work version, please so indicate on your order form.
THE NEWSSTAND ERROR MESSAGES
The TN.CFG Configuration File is missing!
Make sure the TN.CFG file that came with the archived file
or disk is in the same directory as The Newsstand.
You must run The Newsstand together with its files in the same
directory!
All of The Newsstand files must be present in the
directory you are currently in. Do not run the program unless
all files are present and you are located in The Newsstand sub-
directory.
Please make sure that TN.CFG is correctly installed.
Any modifications to The Newsstand's configuration file made
outside the program will give this message. Also if you did
not complete the setup procedure, e.g., incomplete directory
names, you will get this message.
USA Today file not found in the download directory.
The Newsstand was not able to find the downloaded USA Today file.
You either specified an incorrect path to the download receive
directory, or the file is not in the specified directory.
Newsbytes file not found in the download directory.
The Newsstand was not able to find the downloaded Newsbytes file.
You either specified an incorrect path to the download receive
directory, or the file is not in the specified directory.
Run Setup to correct the TN.CFG file!
Any manual modifications to the configuration file will give
this message. Re-copy the original TN.CFG file.
Help not available here!
There is no hypertext help for this section.
Make sure that all the Font files are in the current directory!
If the TSF Font files are missing or are residing in a different
directory, this message is shown. Re-install the Font files if
all else fails. Do not attempt to rename the Font files.
You must have the Article Window open to clip!
If you try to clip an article that is not open in the Article
Window, this message will be shown. Load the article first
before attempting to clip.
You must have the Article Window open to block!
If you try to block an article that is not open in the Article
Window, this message will be shown. Load the article first
before attempting to block.
You must have the text you wish to copy blocked!
Make sure the text you wish to block and clip is selected.
Hold down the [Shift] key and select with the arrow keys to block.
Printer Error!
Some form of printer error was detected. If your printer
is off, turn it on. If it is on, make sure it is "on-
line". If message still shows, turn your printer off and on
again, this will usually clear any problems. Make sure you have
specified the correct printer port during The Newsstand set up.
You must specify the directory you receive your downloads in.
The Newsstand needs to know where all downloaded news files will
initially be received in. When you select Download News, The
Newsstand automatically searches the specified directory and
copies the newly downloaded file into the specified news file
sub-directory.
Disk Error!
Some form of disk error was detected. Either the
disk is write-protected, full, unreadable, or damaged.
Error writing to TN.INI file. Cannot save current settings.
Make sure the TN.INI file is not attributed as read-only.
All The Newsstand configuration and setup files must NOT be
modified except through The Newsstand's setup program.
You must specify a directory for USA Today and/or Newsbytes!
If you do not specify where the USA Today or Newsbytes files
are to be kept, The Newsstand cannot operate. Make sure the
sub-directory is specified.
Make sure the TN.OVL file is in the program directory!
The TN.OVL file is needed to operate The Newsstand. Make
sure it is not erased or modified in any way.
Nothing to read.
The Newsstand cannot read the file you wish to access.
Make sure news files are not renamed or changed in any way.
Unexpected Error!
Try redoing whatever you were doing, following procedures
correctly.
Either the Newsbytes directory or files are missing!
The Newsbytes directory was changed, files were erased, or
files were renamed. Under the Setup menu re-configure the
directories.
Either the USA Today directory or files are missing!
The USA Today directory was changed, files were erased, or
files were renamed. Under the Setup menu re-configure the
directories.
Can't create specified sub-directory!
Either you have given a illegal DOS name, the disk is write-
protected, damaged, unwritable; or the directory already exists.
Check the TN.CFG file!
The Newsstand's configuration file is corrupt. Re-install the
configuration file.
Help topic not found.
The Help System has been tampered with.
Make sure you do not erase or modify any of the program files.
All The Newsstand files must be in the program directory!
All of The Newsstand files must be present in the directory you
are currently in. Do not run the program unless all files are
present and you are logged in The Newsstand sub-directory.
Help file TN.HLP not found.
The Help System file was not found.
Make sure you do not erase or modify any of the program files.
Re-install The Newsstand.
Downloaded files must still be copied to their appropriate directories!
You did not let The Newsstand automatically copy
the downloaded news file into the appropriate news directory.
You must manually copy the file in order to read it.
You must select to download at least one of the news files!
Before using the Download News function, you must specify the
filename and extension of the news file you wish to download.
Something must be selected for downloading!
You must have the Article Window open in order to print!
You cannot print an article unless it is displayed in the
Article Window.
Main Hypertext Help not available here!
The main hypertext help system not available for this section.
You must have the Article Window open in order to print blocked text!
You cannot print blocked text unless it is displayed in
the Article Window.
The sub-directory doesn't exist! Create?
The message asks you if you would like to create a directory,
specified under Setup, which doesn't exist.
Insufficient memory to display Help.
The Help System couldn't be loaded. Free up some memory
and try again.
TN.HLP is not a valid Help file.
The Help System file was tampered with. Make sure you do not
erase or modify any of the program files.
Re-install The Newsstand.