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xArchive-name: off-line-readers/net-tamer Posting-Frequency: monthly Last-modified: 1997/03/30 Version: 2.04 Maintainer: Jeff Hawkins <jhawkin@visuallink.com> Recent Changes To This Document ------------------------------- Nov. 96 General Reformat: Added section V. on Other Programs: Added section VI. on Graphics: Enhanced the setup information: Dec. 96 Added section on how to post to the Net-Tamer Mailing List: Expanded some operational info: Added some URLs for programs: Added the changes list from the docs for the 1.08 beta: Jan. 97 Added info about the "M.I.T." archive site and updated the section on how to get this FAQ and some other notes pertaining to the FAQ itself. I'm working on the usenet setup section, so check it out and I would appreciate any comments. Added some info on mail file creation! Added some formatting and "white space" while underlining the questions! Added the commands from the F2 online screen and their alt key equivalents. FEB. 97 Renumber Sections and added a setup template. Added section on Setup troubleshooting. Added section on ON/OFF line operations. Added Section on login Script files. Changed setup to cover 386 and XT versions. Added Disclaimer Text! PLEASE READ IT! Mar.97 Worked on the Usenet section some! Added More info on FTP and WEB downloading. Was informed the Net-Tamer list server would close on April 15. ---------- Disclaimer ---------- The current, previous, and/or original authors make no claims as to fitness for any purpose or absence of any errors, and offer no warranty. Read at your own risk. Use of the first person (`I') in this document may be remnants of earlier authors' comments. Please check this before assuming that the current maintainer wrote everything herein (I didn't). jhawkin@visuallink.com (Jeff Hawkins) --------------------------------------------------------------------- | The Net-Tamer FAQ -- Internet In A Thimble! -- The Net-Tamer FAQ | --------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents I. GENERAL and INTRO II. GETTING STARTED III. SETUP TROUBLE SHOOTING IV. ON/OFF LINE OPERATIONS V. VISUALLY IMPAIRED USERS VI. PALM TOP USERS VII. XT/286 Users VIII. OTHER SOFTWARE Tips and Tricks IX. GRAPHICS ON THE 386 X. Suggested Reading list You should skim section I for General Info, section II is now the setup info! Section III has some tips for Setup Troubleshooting! Section IV covers some ON/OFF Line Operations and then read any other section which might pertain to you. See Section II also for a Template for recording your Setup Data! And If you need to do something `out of the ordinary' check section VIII for info on additional programs. I. GENERAL and INTRO -------------------- ------------------------------------------- Changes in the Beta (now the 1.08 release) ------------------------------------------- 1.08- Reader program should solve some of the problems with messages showing (or not) up. Added a new setup slot for email login name. To hold longer email usernames for enhanced APOP routines. /M command line switch. (See the docs) F2 "hot key" for all services, while on line. Added back some of the other hot keys. Added two new "hot keys" (Read the docs) New command line switch in the 386 version /NV for no vesa. Note the *.F14 font files must be in the main Net-Tamer directory. New feature for mass email. This is for registered users only. See section VI. of this FAQ! 1.08.1-added a switch to control the mime E-mail function. I'll update this next on the next posting to cover the 1.09 beta. ------------- Why Register? ------------- Unlike some shareware programs or "DEMOs" Net-Tamer is not severely "crippled". Still there are five things that registration does. 1) It removes the delay and please register message. 2) It allows you to turn off the Net-Tamer "advertisement" which is attached to email and usenet messages that you send. 3) It allows you to send "mass email". 4) It allows you to send me (Dave) suggestions for upgrades (that I will actually pay attention to). 5) It keeps me (Dave) in business<G>. -------------------------- Finding the Latest Version -------------------------- The latest version of this FAQ will be sent once a month to the usenet groups alt.comp.shareware.nettamer, news.answers and alt.answers. Also a couple times a month a "notice of posting" will be sent to the Net-Tamer mailing list maintained at pittway.com. You can also get the file by anonymous FTP at one of these sites: FTP://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/off-line-readers/net-tamer This FAQ is also available on CompuServe: in the DOS/Win Internet SW Library (library 4) of the Internet Resources Forum (GO INETRES) A HTMLized version is available at: HTTP://www.landfield.com/faqs/off-line-readers/net-tamer Before You Write... ------------------- Please make sure you have read the latest version of this FAQ and all the Net-Tamer docs. before writing to the program author, the list, or the newsgroup with questions. Don't give up, if your question isn't answered here or you just don't understand then ASK. Net-Tamer Web Page ------------------ If you'd like to keep up with the latest updates and announcements of new versions, check out the Net-Tamer WEB PAGE. people.delphi.com/davidcolston How to subscribe to the Net-Tamer Mailing List ---------------------------------------------- Notice!!!!! ----------- The Net-Tamer mailing list will shut down on April 15th. We have not located a replacement. I will announce any list server info here if we find one. ------------------------------------------------------------------- To subscribe to the Net-Tamer mailing list send a message to: Nettamer-request@pop.ademco.com In the body of the message include the word: subscribe You will need the above address again should you ever decide to unsubscribe and the body text for that is `Leave'! How to post to the Net-Tamer Mailing List ----------------------------------------- To post to Net-Tamer list serve send your message to: nettamer@pop.ademco.com Other Translations of This Document ----------------------------------- The list below shows the status of the translation work that has been done or is in progress. ENGLISH: this version Please contact the author if you would like to assist in the translation of this document into another language. Acknowledgements ---------------- Thanks to the many users who ask questions and provide the follow-up answers on the Net-Tamer mailing list and the usenet newsgroup. Your input makes up the bulk of this FAQ! Q. What is the Internet? --------------------- A. Quite possibly a straw hut somewhere in Africa with a line or two reaching to the next hut on one side and another line stretching across the oceans to terminate at your home. The internet is made up of many computers connected in several directions. One computer may be a very large machine at a university or college the next could be a ancient PC in your neighbor's basement. The one thing they have in common is they can talk to each other and their operators can talk between themselves and any other machine on the Internet! When you connect to your Internet Service Provider with Net-Tamer your computer becomes a part of the Internet until you log off. You have extended the Internet by the distance from your ISP to your house. As you use a service on the Net, the internet becomes just a connection between your computer and the host computer for that service! The Internet shrinks and grows continuously! The Internet is not sponsored by any one organization or government. A few organizations maintain parts of the Internet. They do this by general agreement that if they didn't the net would not continue to work in a useful way until someone else took up the same task. As for Rules, your ISP will tell you any rules they require you to abide by. There won't be very many! Q. What can Net-Tamer do? ---------------------- A. Net-Tamer will capture E-Mail and Usenet messages to files that you can later read while you are off-line. This saves you connect time and money, or (if your access to the net is unlimited) frees up the telephone, so your spouse (parents?) won't gripe as much<G>. While reading your messages you can write replies or new messages that Net-Tamer will upload to your service on it's next call. Net-Tamer has many more features. It also does FTP file transfers, Telnet, and World Wide Web. The web stuff is a bit tricky yet, but with each new version does get better. Net-Tamer's speed will blow Netscape or similar programs away, already. Q. Where can I get a copy of Net-Tamer? ------------------------------------ A. The release versions of Net-Tamer are regularly posted to the following FTP sites: ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/connect/ ftp://ftp.simtel.net/msdos/internet/ Or you may find them at the author's home page: http://people.delphi.com/davidcolston look for derivatives of these filenames: Nxxx-386.ZIP <--- For systems based on 80386SX or higher CPUs Nxxx-XT.ZIP <--- For systems based on 8088 through 80286 CPUs Nxxx-PT.ZIP <--- For H/P "Palmtop" systems (Where "xxx" is the version number: ie; 108 for version 1.08) II. GETTING STARTED -------------------- Q: What do I have to do first? --------------------------- A: Before you run Net-Tamer for the first time you should have signed up for a PPP account with a local internet provider, or have access to a PPP/TCP-IP connection on your comm port. That's COMM. PORT! Net-Tamer will not work with a ETHERNET connection. You should get the following information from your internet provider. Don't worry, if you don't know what all of this means. If the person you speak to on the telephone doesn't know the information, then ask to speak to "the techie". There is a Template in this FAQ to write all this info into. 1) The address of the services DNS server and an alternate, if one is available. These will be numbers, such as: 206.102.200.1 and are sometimes called dotted quads. ( Template pt. 3 Item H) 2) The URL's for POP3, SMTP, and NNTP. These are most generally names like: mail.peganet.com; spool.peganet.com; or news.peganet.com Make sure you know which is which! (Tmplt pt.3 #E, #F, #G) 3) Your Email address, such as: sg@peganet.com (Tmplt pt.3 #I) 4) Your login username, such as: sg (or the first part of your E-Mail address. (Template pt.3 Item A) 5) Your login password. This is most times case sensitive, so be careful how you copy it down. (Template pt.3 Item B) 6) Your email login. (probably this first part of your E-Mail Address). (Template pt.3 Item C) 7) Your email password, if this is different from the login password. (They are usually the same.) (Template pt.3 Item D) 8) The telephone number of the service, if you are not on a direct comm port connection. If you want call waiting to be interrupted while you're on line put a *70, before the telephone number. You will be asked for it during setup. (Template pt.3 Item J) In addition, you also need to know the following: 1) The comm port of your modem. Don't worry about the IRQ, unless you know that you are not on a "standard port". If you can not find this information, then start by choosing COMM 1 and change to COMM 2 if this does not work. If all else fails, check the settings in some other terminal program. (Template pt.2 Item A/IRQ = Item B) 2) You need to know the initialization string for your modem. (Template pt.2 Item F) Q. Just what exactly is a Init. String? ------------------------------------ A. A modem usually accepts setup commands from the terminal program in a list called a Initialization string. These AT commands have evolved into a defacto standard. The AT has nothing to do with the class or kind of computer you have. (Template pt.2 Item F) +-----------------------------+ + Some Suggested Init Strings + +-----------------------------+ Use Factory Settings-------------------AT&F Use Profile Stored in Modem------------ATZ Generic/UNKNOWN Modem------------------AT&F^MAT&C1&D2&S1&K3 Generic Modem (9600 baud+)-------------AT&F^MATX3&C1&D2&S1&K3 Hayes or Hayes compatible--------------AT&F^MAT&C1&D2&S1^M. U.S.R. Courier or Sportster------------ATZ^M. Thanks to hbj@enterprise.net for the above list and the complete list included in the Net-Tamer Manual Document. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Q. What comm port speed should I set my modem to? ---------------------------------------------- A. Once you have Net-Tamer dialling and connecting then run as fast as possible! If your machine is capable of sending data to the modem at 57,600 BPS then do so. Most modems can handle 38,400 at least and some will run at 115,200 or even faster. For now choose either 19,200, if you have a palm top or XT, or 57600 if you have a 286 or higher. Some 9600 BPS and 2400 BPS modems can't handle more than 38,400. (Template pt.2 Item E) Q: Okay, I did all of that. What next? ----------------------------------- A: You need to decide on a login script. There are four furnished with the *.ZIP file and others are listed in the manual doc file for various services, CIS, DELPHI, DEMON, etc. About half of all services will work with the default service1.log file including AT&T and MCI. Try them each in turn. If none of them work, then you can use dumb terminal mode. Hit alt + =, and type: ATDT999-99999 (substitute your services phone number for the 999-9999, of course). Then login just like you were using Procomm, Telix, or some other terminal program. Hit alt + P, when the service lets you know that it is time for PPP mode. (Template pt.3 Item J) Q. What is a Script File? ---------------------- A. Script files are specialized batch files that Nettamer executes when first attempting a login. ------------------------------------------- Here are all the script commands I know of! ------------------------------------------- USERNAME$ system macro - sends your login username Usage: Blast USERNAME$ PUSERNAME$ system macro - sends login username Preceded by `P'. Usage: Blast PUSERNAME$ USERNAME$xxxx system macro - sends your login username with the text specified by `xxxx' appended. Usage: Blast USERNAME$xxxx ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In other words the program will Replace USERNAME$ or PUSERNAME$ with your username, add the `P' if specified, add any `XXX' stuff and a <13>. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Password$ system macro - sends your login password Usage: Blast PASSWORD$ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Net-Tamer will Replace PASSWORD$ with your PASSWORD and a <13>. Do not add <13> to Username$ or Password$. The program will do that for you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PPP internal command - tells Net-Tamer to go into PPP mode and end running script. YOU MUST INCLUDE THIS COMMAND AT THE END OF THE SCRIPT! STATIC ###.###.###.### - internal command - tells Net-Tamer to assume the number specified in ###.###.###.### as your static IP address. Most often used with a direct serial port connection. DELAY script command - pauses script execution for # tenths seconds (decimals are not accepted). Incoming characters are still checked. Usage: DELAY 15 (wait 1.5 seconds) <##> script constant - The numbers are the number of a Ascii character. To include an Ascii control character in a command, just enter it like this <27>. ( 27 = ESC) Usage: <13> would send a ASCII 13 or enter. BLAST script command - Tells the program to send a text string or system macro. Usage: Blast READ WAITING NS<13> TEXT string constant - The maximum length is 40 characters. WAIT script command - checks incoming characters from ISP until the information in TEXT is received. Usage: WAIT TEXT ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Net-Tamer DOES NOT ALLOW SPACES ON THE RIGHT OR LEFT HAND SIDE OF A WAIT COMMAND. USE <32> to indicate a space. Spaces in the middle of a statement are recognized. i.e. <32>NOW IS THE TIME<32> would check for the text and a space on either side. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OR Boolean operator for Wait command - the program will resume execution when it receives the characters matching any command specified by TEXT. Usage: WAIT BILL-OR-#120 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The number preceded by the # character indicates the maximum length of time to wait. The number is in 1/10ths of a second. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- IF TEXT script command - Tells Net-Tamer to compare the current incoming data from service with TEXT. If the TEXT condition is true, then Net-Tamer proceeds. NOT boolean operator for wait command - Tells Net-Tamer to compare the current incoming data from service with TEXT. If the TEXT condition is NOT true, then Net-Tamer proceeds. END IF script command - when a `If' comparison ends the next statements are executed. /NOERROR script command line switch - use this on a script line to prevent script ending if the text is not found in the specified time. Net-Tamer abandons the script in 7 seconds if you don't specify a time value. Usage: WAIT MAIL><32>:-or-TO:<32><32> /NOERROR ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes: You may also use these commands, even if other information is needed in the login. For example, CRIS.COM uses USERNAME$PPP to tell the service that you want a PPP connect. Netcom.com uses #USERNAME$ for the same reason. Again, no <13> is required. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: How do I setup the program? --------------------------- A: For the first time only, you MUST run reader.exe. Reader has all the file viewing stuff and does the initial setup. After that, you will want to start Net-Tamer first. --------------------------------------------------------- Here is a template you can use to record your setup info! --------------------------------------------------------- --- #1 -------------- Net-Tamer Setup Template ----------------------- | How many users accounts do you need (use)? _____ (See Note #1) | | What account is this? #___ User/Purpose? _________________________ | | Mail Server setup? _____________________________ (see Note #2) | | Command Line Switches? _________________________ (See Docs/FAQ) | | Software Type ___ Vers. _____ Setup Locked to Password __ (Y or N) | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- --- #2 ---- Communications, Modem, And Terminal Settings ------------- | | | What Serial Communications port is your modem on? | | A. Comm Port :__ ( a number usually 1-4) | | | | What is the Comm ports Interrupt Request number? ( usually 3 or 4) | | B. Port IRQ :__ ( usually defaults to proper number) | | | | A dialing string is the command to the modem to start dialing! | | C. Dialing String Start :_____ (usually ATDT) | | | | Use yes here if you have a talker (speech Synthesizer)! | | D. Print To Bios Screen :__ (N or Y) | | | | How Fast is your modem? If you have compression you'll need a | | faster rate like 38,400, 57,600 or 115,200! | | E. Baud Rate :_________ | | | | This is the command string sent to the modem to start it up. | | F. Modem Init String _________________________ try ATZ 1st! | | | | You might need to do this if you have a special init string and | | your modem forgets it between calls. | | G. Re-Init For All Dials :__ (usually N else Y) | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- --- #3 ------------ Net-Tamer User Setup Template -------------------- | | | What is the name you use to login with? ************ (Note #3) | | A. Login Name:__________________ | | | | What is the login password? ************************ (Note #4) | | B. Login Pass:__________________ (may be case sensitive) | | | | Is this Account Access Locked to Password __ (Y or N) | | | | What is this accounts E-Mail login? **************** (Note #5) | | C. Email Login:_________________ | | | | What is this accounts E-Mail Password? ************* (Note #6) | | D. Email Pass:__________________ | | | | What is this accounts POP3 URL? ******************** (Note #7) | | E. POP3 URL:________________________________ | | | | What is this accounts SMTP URL? ******************** (Note #8) | | F. SMTP URL:________________________________ | | | | What is this accounts NNTP URL? ******************** (Note #9) | | G. NNTP URL:________________________________ | | | | You will have one or two DNS IP addresses. What are they? (#A) | | H. DNS Addr: ___.___.___.___ , ___.___.___.___ | | ^ | | What is your E-Mail Address? ********* ASK your ISP! | | I. Email Addr:___________@______________.___ | | | | J. Phone Numbers/Scripts | | | | 1 - (___)-___-____ - ________.___ (ie: SERVICE1.LOG) | | 2 - (___)-___-____ - ________.___ (ie: SERVICE2.LOG) | | 3 - (___)-___-____ - ________.___ (ie: SERVICE3.LOG) | | 4 - (___)-___-____ - ________.___ (ie: SERVICE4.LOG) | | | | K. Email Signature Info : _______________________ ( write it here) | | | | What is the path to your favorite editor? | | L. Text Editor: _______________________ May be left to default! | | | | Editor command line switches ______________________ (usually none) | | | | M. Rotate Dial: __ Choose Y if you need to dial a diff. # on busy. | | | | N. Usenet Sort: ____________________________ ( ie. Date/Time) | | | | O. Quote Symbol/Initials? :__ ( > = default and Y or N for Inits) | | | | P. File Menus: ______________________ (ie. Triple Column) | | | | Q. Msg Dir : _______________________________ (ie. C:\TAMER\MSGS\) | | | | R. Down Dir: _______________________________ (ie. C:\TAMER\BIN\) | | | | S. Taglines:__ (Yes if you wish to include taglines, No otherwise) | | | | T. Set Terminal Colors ______________________ (jot 'em down here) | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 386 Specific ----------------------------------------------------- | | | U. Music/Sound ______________________ On or Off | | | | V. Show Complete Message Headers: __ (Y or N ( N = less clutter) | | | | W. Font File ________________________ (just write in the name | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- --- XT Specific ------------------------------------------------------ | | | U. Show Complete Message Headers: __ (Y or N ( N = less clutter) | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | Fill in form then enter each item in the setup for the user/acct! | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | Notes. | | | | 1. If there are five people in your home or organization and each | | person has a E-mail account, you would need 5 accounts set up | | in Net-Tamer! Also if you want to use a second news server or a | | second user name you will want to add a extra account for each | | of these. | | | | 2. If this account is using another already setup (in Net-Tamer) | | E-mail name then you might not want it to delete msgs. But if | | this account uses the same Msg Directory you should delete all | | E-mail or accept duplicate messages. (See Server Setup in Docs.)| | | | 3. This is the name you login with to the service and may be | | different from your E-Mail username! | | | | 4. This is the password for the login with the service itself and | | may be different from your E-Mail password! | | | | 5. This is the name you login to the Mail server with and may be | | different from your Login username! | | | | 6. This is the password for the login to the mail server itself | | and may be different from your Login password! | | | | 7. POP3 is the Post Office Protocol Version 3 and URL refers to | | the machine that stores your mail till you call and request it! | | | | 8. SMTP is the Simple Mail Transport Protocol and URL refers to | | the machine that accepts your outgoing mail for sending! | | | | 9. NNTP is the Net News Transport Protocol and URL refers to the | | machine that accepts your outgoing posts for sending! | | | | A. DNS refers to the Domain Name Service or Domain LOOKUP and the | | address is a set of four numbers arranged as a dotted quad. You | | may have two of these. Separate the first from the second with | | a comma. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- III. SETUP TROUBLESHOOTING -------------------------- Q. I can't get my system to connect to the ISP! I think its my modem settings. I don't think I have a good init string. Help! -------------------------------------------------------- A. Check your comm port and IRQ setting first. If you hear the modem dial, but the init string or phone number are not echoed to the screen, then you are on the wrong IRQ. Check your settings in another terminal program to find the correct information. The same goes for the modem init string. If it works for another program, it will likely work for Net-Tamer. Finally, let's back your modem down to its lowest speed. Go into comm. settings and set the port speed to 2400 BPS. Now set the Init. string to ATZ if you don't already have a good string. Press x to exit and save the changes. Try to login to your ISP as a dumb terminal. Q. I can't even login at the lowest speed? --------------------------------------- A. Turn your modem speaker on! If you can run as a dumb terminal and dial a number with your modem, then you should hear some sounds through the speaker. These sounds are a dial tone then a ring and finally the two modems negotiating a connection. If you can't seem to dial then make sure you have Net-Tamer set to your modems port. If you can dial, hear the sounds, see the modem responses on the screen and then the connection drops raise your speed to 9600 BPS and try again. Most likely your ISP won't accept a 2400 BPS connection! Q. I can now connect at 9600 baud but I still need a Init. string and I had a hard time setting the last comm. package up to run with my modem. What do I do? -------------------- A. It's 9600 BPS (some purist will fuss if we say baud)! If you have a Init. string for your modem and it works well with another terminal program you can try using the same string with Net-Tamer. You will find a very lengthy list of init. strings toward the end of the Net-Tamer Doc file. Another source would be the manual that came with your modem. Q. What if, no matter what I tried, nothing happens? ------------------------------------------------- A. If you have a "WINDOWS MODEM", some users have reported they call the U.S. Robotics service line and tell them they are a merchant who can't get their VISA or MasterCard program to work. They claim U.S.R. becomes very helpful then ;-) Q. The program keeps playing "Happy Birthday"? ------------------------------------------- A. If you have a sound card and the `BLASTER =' environment variable set the program will play some *.wav files which were in the 386 release! Now, if you don't have a sound card, the program will look for the music.rnb file, which has some BASIC style songs. If it can't find that and you left sound or music on in setup, then it will play "Happy Birthday". Either turn sound/music off, fix the environment variable for your sound card, or move the music.rnb file to the message directory, if you don't want to hear that tune ;-). IV. ON/OFF LINE OPERATIONS -------------------------- Q: If I do login using the alt + = routine, how do I get email, etc.? ------------------------------------------------------------------ A: You need to read the online.key and/or the terminal.key files and when on line with any version after 1.07 there is a online options key (F2) to see a list of online commands. You should check the key files on any new version to see what has been added. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are the online Commands with "Online Options" screen commands; ------------------------------------------------------------------- F1 - help F2 - display the on-line command screen F4 - hang up F10 - quit the program |=== ONLINE OPTIONS and EQUIVALENTS =============================| | | | A = HTTP (World Wide Web) {same as alt+W} | | B = FTP (file transfer protocol) {same as alt+f} | | C = TELNET (connect with a host machine) {alt+t} | | D = POP3 (GET Your MAIL) {same as alt+m} | | E = SMTP (SEND MAIL) {same as alt+m} | | F = NNTP (get usenet news) {same as alt+u} | | G = ICMP (Ping test) {same as alt+i} | | H = FINGER (find status of a user) | | I = DAYTIME (returns day date and time) | | T = TIME (returns GMT/UCT Time) | | K = QUOTE of the DAY (if implemented) | | L = ACTIVE USERS (if implemented) | | M = ECHO (bounces a text string back to you) | | N = CHARACTER GENERATOR (sends you a screen of all chars) | | O = DISCARD (send a string of chars without answering back) | | Z = Quit this menu {same as alt+z} | | | |=== THESE ONLY WORK FROM THE ONLINE OPTIONS (F2) SCREEN ========| alt + c - clear terminal screen alt + d - returns the exact date and time E.S.T. with the correction for UST (GMT). alt + f - go to FTP mode alt + m - check pop3.mail, while on line (sends messages, if ready) alt + q - log off alt + r - browse (read) a text file alt + s - shell to DOS alt + t - go to telnet mode alt + u - get usenet messages (usenet.get file must be ready) alt + w - go to WWW mode alt + x - quit the program alt + y - toggle sound/music on and off (temporary change) <Esc> - Stop File Transfer or Socket Open, or leave site. alt + esc - EMERGENCY ESCAPE. Shut down all sockets, files, and return to terminal screen, but remain online. Cancels Log off and/or autorun. TELNET keys: F1 - help F10 - quit the program pgdn - start xmodem download. Must be connect to a BBS. alt + q - quit telnet mode alt + c - start a capture file alt + s - shell to DOS Q: When I'm online how do I stop something that appears to be running away or malfunctioning? ------------------------ A: Use ALT-ESC, remember this, ESC (by itself) is more for navigating, ALT-ESC is for shutting down or bailing out. It takes a few seconds to kill the running process and shut down but it works! You will end up in a online terminal screen where you can restart what you were doing, switch to another task or hit F4 to log off. Q. I am in a Mailing Loop! ----------------------- Q. I need a mailing list. ---------------------- A. There is now a "Mass Mail Feature" for registered users only! To use this feature you enter a file name as the "To: " name then enter the subject. Type the email message in the normal manner. When Net-Tamer finds a file name instead of a "To: " address, it will at the time of upload, send multiple copies of the email that follows to everyone listed in that file. You won't see this expansion until you start the upload! That's "MULTIPLE" Copies!!! There will be ONLY one name per message and there is no limit to the number of addresses. You "CAN'T" use the address.lst file for this. Instead, the file must be a <CR><LF> delimited list of addresses only. ie; nettamer@cei.net davidcolston@delphi.com jhawkin@visuallink.com bjones@something.org president@whitehouse.gov Jeff.Hawkins@bbs.visuallink.com You may make this "address" file with any text editor or even use the alt + G function in the message viewer. ------------------------- Advanced Mass Mail Tricks ------------------------- There are a couple of "special tricks", of course. If for some reason you to want multiple names in the To: field, then put a comma after the email address. ie; nettamer@cei.net, jhawkin@visuallink.com, davidcolston@delphi.com bjones@something.org, Jeff.Hawkins@bbs.visuallink.com, president@whitehouse.gov This would be sent as two messages, with nettamer@cei.net, then jhawkin@visuallink.com and davidcolston@delphi.com each getting one copy. And bjones@something.org, Jeff.Hawkins@bbs.visuallink.com and the prez getting the other. In other words, the names per copy stops, when the program no longer finds a comma at the end of the address. If you do wish to let someone know that this is a CC, then do it this way: nettamer@cei.net/CC davidcolston@delphi.com, bjones@something.org, president@whitehouse.gov This would be sent as a single email with nettamer getting the "to:" copy and the others listed as CC's. Again, I repeat AGAIN, these are for registered users though a little of this is pertinent to the evaluation unregistered version. Q. I would like to know a bit more on how the message viewer and editor classifies, handles and names files to "send" or leave "pending" etc. --------------------------------------------------------------------- A. The outgoing Mail files are named "mail.$01, mail.$02, mail.$03" and so on. In a pending file the "!" or bang character is substituted for the "$" dollar sign in the extension. In the same fashion, a outgoing usenet news post is called "usenet.$01" and a pending post would be "usenet.!01", etc. The numbers are actually hexadecimal and Net-Tamer could create up to 255 out going mails and/or posts. In practice, any file called "mail.$xx" or "usenet.$xx" (where xx can equal any legal dos file name character) will be sent. This would include the temporary files from programs such as NTLserve or Kill-file. Use caution when stopping these add-on programs with "cntrl/c". The file extension numbers don't have to be in any order. When you reply to a message Net-Tamer finds the last outgoing mail file name. Adds 1 to the extension number to build a reply file with mail.$xx as the name. With quoting selected Net-Tamer takes the present message and uses the from address and any CC: addresses plus the subject to form the new header. The reader module also skips a line then builds and adds the line: "On "date" "so and so" said to "whosit@where.ever.com" Next, the program, adds the Quote Character (normally ">" preceded by what it believes to be the originator's initials) to each line of the original message with word wrapping on to form the quoted text. Now it passes the file to the editor as the argument to the editor command for your selected editor. The 386 version changes to the editors directory while the XT version stays in the message directory. After you finish any editing, your editor either automatically saves or prompts you to save the file back (or you remember to save <G>). At this time you could make a copy for a secondary purpose and with most editors a copy of the pre-edited version with extension ".bak" is saved. Net-Tamer regains control and suggests a Tag line, adds the Net-Tamer Ad Sig. and your signature if selected. Then reader asks how to handle file. If you chose to Kill <K> the file is deleted! Either Send <S> or Pending <P> then passes the file to any spell checker. Following the spell checking the file is left in the message directory to be sent on next mail run. A new message or post follows the same general path except there is nothing to quote. Here are the Reader (offline) VIEW keys: A = Add to address list. D = Delete message when you're through viewing. E = Edit/Review address file. F = Search for text. G = Get older msg. J = Jump to Msg. # K = Kill Reply or Msg.(next pass) N = Next Subject. Q = Quit Viewing. R = Reply/Review Reply current msg. U = Unreplied Email. S = Save Msg. to printer or disk. Y = Yours (messages written to you). V or L = View/list of Msgs. (with extra commands). W = Write a new message. SPACE or ENTER = Next Message. PgUp - Scroll Up. PgDn Scroll Down. HOME = First message in the file. END = Last message in the file. Cursor Up = Scroll Up one line. Cursor Down = Scroll Down one line. Alt + A = Get File From Work Space Alt + F = Forward EMAIL or Msg. Alt + G = Grab or steal a message line from this message, to tag file or address.lst Alt + Q = Delete all msgs. with this subject. Alt + R = Read/Edit NON MESSAGE FILE. Alt + S = Shell out to DOS. Type exit to return to program. Alt + U = Run UUDECODE/BASE64 DECODE for all file with the .UUE/.64 extension Ctrl + R = Short Cut Reply. Quick direct reply to the currently viewed message, with no options for change. It also allows you to write a second reply to the same message. If you hit CTRL + R, you do not view and existing reply, instead you start a new one. You may also mouse the bottom screen line or a letter key, if listed. Mousing a space is the same as enter. Mousing a letter is the same as typing the letter. You may also mouse the up and down arrows. Q. How do I get a message to my ISP? I don't know anybody there! ------------------------------------------------------------- A. There are some standard `names' you may use when you need to get E-mail to most system admins at most any location. Here they are: Root (especially `Unix' Servers) System (Unix again) Postmaster (any system with mail) Newsmaster (Sometimes if they run a news server) Webmaster (Web hosting services) Sysop (any service which started as a bbs or is a bbs) Info (for a content based service or ISP) Sales (for any `for profit operation' (sales people get excited if they think a commission is heading out the door)) Postmaster is often the best. Use SYSOP and the machine name in the case of a bbs. Postmaster and the machine name in the case of a special mail, BBS or (sometimes) news server. Many services `alias' all these names into the System or Root account. To get the attention of a specific person use their E-mail address if known and CC the other accounts. If the specific person is gone for a while, someone at the other `Admin' addresses will often handle your request to `please the boss'! Note any `bounce' messages for the next time. Q. What is Usenet? --------------- A. Usenet is a giant list of conference groups or forums, with participants from all over the world. If you have a special interest there is probably a usenet group for it! Some of the groups are very "R to NA-17" in terms of rating, so select carefully, if some things offend you. Net-Tamer does not know what you want, except what you tell it to get. Q. My system expects a Usenet Password. What do I do now? ------------------------------------------------------ A. Net-Tamer looks for this and will supply your email address and password, if it is requested. If you need to give information OTHER than that, Net-Tamer will also look for a file called USENET.NFO. Use a text editor, type in on a single line your user name for this server a Bar character (|) and your password. Place this file in the message directory! Very few users will need this file. Q. How do I add usenet groups if I don't know any groups to select? ---------------------------------------------------------------- A. While in readers main screen, press the F3 key, like you were going to view messages, but select option B. The screen will display a menu asking you to add or delete a group. You probably don't have any yet, so pick "Update Group List" to get a list of groups! The next time you go online select get usenet and Net-Tamer will get a listing of available groups! Q. I have a good `Group List' now what? ------------------------------------ A. Now you can select to `ADD a Group'! When you are back in reader press F3 again and select option B. Choose ADD A GROUP, Net-Tamer will work for a while to format the new groups list then present them to you for selection! Try this! Hit ALT-F and type in the name of one of your hobbies or interests. Net-Tamer will search through the file and (if it finds the word) will stop and highlight that group name. Press enter and the group will be selected for inclusion. Now Net-Tamer takes the group name and tries to make a file name for it. If you already have a *.dlu file with the suggested name you will need to modify it or Net-Tamer will put any downloaded messages from either group in that file! Of course you might want to have related groups feed one file! Next you will be asked `get all new messages' and if you chose `Y' to get all you will be asked how do you want to sign your messages. This is just a two line `blurb' for the message for a constant line you want appended to all messages in this group! Type that in and your finished. Q. What if I choose no (don't get all new messages)? ------------------------------------------------- You must go into the f3 option B menu, again highlight the name and press enter. You will now see a line with a number and a `s'. Press enter and on the next usenet run Net-Tamer will get a list of all subjects. After that run you can hit F3 and select option B again, press enter on the group name to view a list of all current messages. Just cursor down through and hit enter on any message you want, to have the program build a usenet.get file for that group containing message numbers of the selected messages! When you finish viewing the list of messages and quit, Net-Tamer will prompt you to delete the old list and get a new current messages list! You need to delete the old list to get a new list! In the main list, groups that have `get all messages' selected or a subject list ordered will be marked as "ordered"! Q. Can I manipulate the usenet.get file to choose a message? --------------------------------------------------------- Q. How can I follow a previous thread? ----------------------------------- A. If you didn't select to get all messages for the group in question you may request a subject list as above to generate a usenet.get entry for the group as outlined above. The Usenet.get file is made up of two line entries. On the first line the whole name of the group followed by a space then a # character and the major name (without the dlu extension) of the file to store the message into. On the next line is the first message number to get in that group and any other messages (by number) separated by commas. Then finally the previous high message number, the character `S' and a dash if subjects are ordered. You may change the number for the subject list to `0' to get every message subject in that group that's still on the server. If the message thread references a previous message number, you might try putting that number in the get file also. The numbers are specific to your NNTP server. A somewhat typical Usenet.get file: news.answers #!ANSWERS 96117,96119,96299S- alt.bbs.internet #INTERNET 66031,66174,66175S- Let's modify this to get every subject for these two groups (even the ones we might have received before) and get a older message (65948) in the second group that might still be available on the server! news.answers #!ANSWERS 96117,96119,0S- alt.bbs.internet #INTERNET 65948,66031,66174,0S- Q. What if I've been getting all messages and now need another copy of a older message? ---------------- A. Remove the group name temporarily from the F3 groups list (don't delete the files) and make a usenet.get file to request the message by number. Or remove the name and re-add the name but don't select to get all messages. Press enter on the group name and request the subject list! If this doesn't work use the browser to search Yahoo or Dejanews! Tip: Once you have settled on the groups you want to always `consider' why not setup a usenet.for file with just the names of the groups you are interested in. Save it off to a different name when you request a new `groups list'. Add any new groups you are interested in and substitute again for the usenet.for. Q. How do I download from a WEB Page? ---------------------------------- A. You can download from a WEB page server (like Dave's page) by cursoring down to the download url of the file you want to receive and hitting enter. WWW keys: F1 - help F10 - quit the program alt + s - shell to DOS ctrl + f - Add Page To BOOKMARK.FAV (favorite sites) ctrl + s - SAVE an HTML file you are viewing Q. What's going on with FTP? ------------------------- A. Ftp is working fine. Choose FTP while on line and you should get a list of sites to FTP from. Highlight a site and Net-Tamer will attempt to login to that site and prompt you through the process. Once logged in to a FTP server you must move up or down through a directory Tree to find files. When you have selected a file to FTP, you must select the transfer type, either binary or ascii! Ascii is of course a text type file while a binary is a zip or a exe (executable)! The online help should be enough to guide you now. Experiment a little and watch the screen info, read the Docs and help files. FTP keys: F1 - help F10 - quit the program alt + q - quit FTP mode alt + s - shell to DOS <Esc> - Stop Cursor to and enter on the option you want. If it is a file, it will be downloaded, if it is a directory, you will be taken to it. Q. Can I setup multiple ftp.get commands for automatic download? ------------------------------------------------------------- A. Yes, we've experimented with editing the ftp.get file. Make sure you have a good site and a complete path for each file on a line by itself. V. VISUALLY IMPAIRED USERS -------------------------- Q. Most modern screen readers don't need BIOS screen writes, so why should I take that option? -------------------------- A. That allows Net-Tamer to control what gets spoken to you. You would not want to hear the clock counting the seconds in the terminal screen, for instance. Q. What else should I know? ------------------------ A. You should blank the 25th line of the terminal screen, during an auto run. The status line is sent to the bios, but it will yak you to death as well as slow down things. Peek it occasionally to see what is going on, so you will know the program is not stuck. VI. PALM TOP USERS ------------------ Q. What are the "minimum" files required for my palm top drive? After all space is not unlimited! --------------------------- A. You only need: nettamer.exe, reader.exe, red.com, and one login script. Service*.log for example. Anything else the program needs, it will generate. After installation, the reader.exe file can be removed, but you will not be able to read messages, if you do this, only "surf". * It seems that you might need reader.exe now for the palmtop, so if * you delete it and Net-Tamer fusses, put it back. I'll know more about * this soon. I hope. VII. XT/286 Users ----------------- Q. What is the XT version missing? ------------------------------- A. There is no mouse support, inline graphics support, or sound support. Otherwise, you can do anything else the "big boys" can<G>. The XT doesn't change to the editor's directory when invoking the message editor. If you have a CGA monitor you may want to try the Palmtop version since the XT considers the video to be a monochrome screen! The beta 1.09XT version is supposed to support inline graphics on a EGA or better monitor. VIII. OTHER SOFTWARE, TRICKS and INFO -------------------------------------- Q. Sometimes I need to use a service that Net-Tamer doesn't support, my ISP doesn't support or I can't figure out. Is there some other server or mechanism I can use? ------------------------------ Q. I am presently on a mail only system! What can I do? ---------------------------------------------------- A. Bob Rankin wrote a FAQ on Internet Access by using only E-mail! See the suggested reading list at the end of this FAQ. Q. The Net-Tamer DOCs mention different Editors and Spelling Checkers. Where can I find those programs? -------------------------------- A. Here is a list of programs you might want to add to or use with Net-Tamer! Please help us find good URLs for these! For now check: Some text editors that can do word wrap. ---------------------------------------- UEDIT Simtel/msdos/editor/ued19c.zip SEDIT <anybody?> QEDIT <help!> SLED <????> BREEZE http://people.delphi.com/davidcolston/other.html Enhanced mail/news ------------------ Ntlserv <Tom Burleigh> http://www.net-connect.net/~tomburl Very small `footprint' program to automatically move messages to a different *.dlu file according to a specified message line. ie: From: listserve@domain.dom or To: joex@bbs Killfile <Tom Burleigh> http://www.net-connect.net/~tomburl A little program that will take a message and delete it according to a specified message line. ie: From: listserve@domain.dom or `a4ltrword' SHARESPELL http://people.delphi.com/davidcolston/other.html READMAIL ftp://ftp.halcyon.com/pub/waffle/mail/rmail41.zip This is a reader only and you need a setup file for it. If you can't get it set up I'll file attach a setup file to you. GDSPELL http://people.delphi.com/davidcolston/other.html File handling ------------- Binhex Decoder http://people.delphi.com/davidcolston/other.html You'll need this if you have friends who are McIntosh users! Kaos File Scrambler http://people.delphi.com/davidcolston/other.html Sortit.exe http://people.delphi.com/davidcolston/other.html This is a helper application for sorting tagline files or your address.lst and other sequential files! Ntbinary <Tom Burleigh> http://www.net-connect.net/~tomburl This is a very nice shareware program that will check a message file and move a attached binary out of it plus do additional file handling to prepare the resultant file for decoding! Pkzip (check a local BBS if you don't already have it) Phil Katz's famous file compression/de-compression program! It's almost a must have for installing programs, sharing files and/or working with archives! You probably already have it. Shez Simtel/arcutil/shez109.zip This is a very nice, handy program to assist in zip/unziping, uucoding/uudecoding and/or checking, fixing or updating `zip' archived files. BGFAX (check a local BBS) BGfax can answer your phone via a fax modem to receive faxes. It has fax sending utilities. When run as a `front end' program can fire up Net-Tamer to do multiple automatic on line sessions for different user accounts! Like once each hour! Htm2txt http://people.delphi.com/davidcolston/other.html Converts html documents to a text files. Removes the html tags and headers! Please Note ----------- The following programs (by David Colston) use the Net-Tamer stand-alone internet access routines. Configure with a *.INI file and Internet savvy users are required. These are not shareware and do not come with pretty wrappers or long, detailed documentation. Terms are cash or credit card, and the prices given are for single users! Institutional inquiries are welcome. Agent Upload ------------ Automated FTP upload program. Will run in 100k of mem. on any 80X86 machine which supports DOS or a DOS window, a modem, and an internet connection. For automated web page updates from any directory on your hard drive and zip them, before sending them, if required. The file size is under 56k. Price is $39.95 Net-Mail -------- Single user version. This is designed for systems where drive space is at a premium. It will do only two things, get and send email. Supports POP3 and the new IMAP4 protocol. Comes with a Net-Tamer like reader, but this is not required, since you can configure it from an INI file, and read the messages anyway that you choose. $39.95 Net-Mail PRO ------------ This is designed to be hooked to other applications, where a programmer needs to be able to send and receive volumes of email. It can be called with a TSR timer, or from another program. It will do an automatic uuencode and/or uudecode of binary files declared in a messages and has bulk email "BLINDCC" ability from a single original message. Call during business hours for rates and technical details. If you write custom business applications, this is for you. If I (David Colston) get enough people expressing interest, I will also work on the following programs: Net-Forward: This would get your email and forward messages from selected users to another address, or send "sorry I'm on vacation" messages to the rest. It would be totally automated and you would specify the time(s) of day to call and get the mail and send it back. Screens by message subject would also be possible. Instant List Server: Instead of requiring a server to start a list serve group, this program would let you set up a group from any internet access account. It would take care of the sign-ups and sign offs, message forwarding, and other chores. It would run on any PC, so you could do this with an old XT or 286 PC by paying for one extra account. IX. GRAPHICS on the 386 ----------------------- Q. What about graphics? I have a vga monitor and our other machine has a ega! How do I setup Net-Tamer for the Graphics I want? ------------------------------------------------------------ A. Glad you asked. Just read the following text! --------------------------------- Net-Tamers Graphics Capabilities! --------------------------------- The 386 and higher version now has 4 graphics states controlled by two switches. BIOS ON (a toggle set in user setup) and /NOPIX (a command line switch). BIOS ON and loaded with the /NOPIX option, shows no graphics and does not show graphics links. BIOS ON and loaded WITHOUT the /NOPIX option, does show the graphics links, but does not show graphics. BIOS OFF and loaded with the /NOPIX option, shows the page with graphics fonts but does not show graphics inline. BIOS OFF and loaded WITHOUT the /NOPIX option, shows the page with graphics fonts and inline graphics. \============= GRAPHICS =============/ \==============\ /================/ \ If you want full graphics (fonts and pictures) set BIOS OFF! / \ Start Net-Tamer WITHOUT the /NOPIX command line switch. / \=============\ /===============/ \====================/ X. SUGGESTED READING -------------------- Bob Rankin wrote a FAQ on Internet Access by using only E-mail! To get a copy and/or to find out about Bob's other publications send a message To: mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu Enter only the line below in body of message. send usenet/news.answers/internet-services/access-via-email This document is loaded with great tricks and can save you a lot of time, connection time and just plain work while letting you access services otherwise unavailable to you. ---------------------------------- RFC 821 RFC 822 The Internet is not difficult, but there is a learning curve to be negotiated. I've been doing this for a couple years and I'm just now learning some of the details myself. There is a Hyper-text tutorial called `The Beginner's Guide to the Internet'. If you run across it somewhere give it a try. That's what I started with and it's called `BGI13.zip' on most Shareware cds, FTP sites or BBS' file areas. CONTACTING THE AUTHOR --------------------- For software questions or help: nettamer@cei.net (David Colston 'Uncle Dave') For FAQ related Questions or help: jhawkin@visuallink.com (Jeff Hawkins)