OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST-DRIVE Released 1-10-92 Mustang Software, Inc. P.O. Box 2264 Bakersfield, CA 93303 MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 2 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 WHAT IS OFF-LINE XPRESS TEST-DRIVE? . . . . . . . . . . 1 WHY DO I NEED OFF-LINE XPRESS? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 HARDWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 WORD PROCESSOR/TEXT EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 PACKERS/UNPACKERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 LIMITED WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND COPYRIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . 6 COPYRIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 TEST-DRIVE DISTRIBUTION POLICY . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 THE SOURCE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 HELP SCREENS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 CHAPTER 2 - INSTALLING AND USING OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 FLOPPY DISK INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 UPGRADING FROM SLMR TO OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 QUICK START FOR NEW USERS - WELCOME.QWK . . . . . . . 10 USING OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE . . . . . . . . . 12 GETTING HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT . . . . . . . . . . 12 MENU NAVIGATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 KEYBOARD CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 MOUSE CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 THE PACKET WINDOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 THE READ MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 BULLETINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 MAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 FILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 EXIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 THE CONFIGURATION MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 READING MAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 THE CONFERENCE WINDOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 THE MESSAGE SCREEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 ENTERING AND REPLYING TO MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . 25 PUTTING IT TOGETHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 THE ANATOMY OF A MAIL PACKET . . . . . . . . . . 27 GETTING A MAIL PACKET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 WRITING READABLE MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE AND ECHOMAIL . . . 29 CHAPTER 3 - THE OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE EDITOR . . . 31 WHAT IS OLXED? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 CHAPTER 4 - CUSTOMIZING OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE . . 33 MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 3 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� THE MAIN CONFIGURATION MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 DETAILED CONFIGURATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 DIRECTORIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 QWK DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 REP DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 WORK DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 ENABLE SWAPPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SWAP TO XMS/EMS IF AVAILABLE . . . . . . . . 39 DRIVE FOR SWAP FILE . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 ENABLE MOUSE SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 LEFT HANDED MOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 DEFAULT PACKET SORT ORDER . . . . . . . . . 39 DEFAULT CONFERENCE SORT . . . . . . . . . . 40 DEFAULT MESSAGE SORT ORDER . . . . . . . . . 40 PRE-PRINT SETUP STRING . . . . . . . . . . . 40 POST-PRINT SETUP STRING . . . . . . . . . . 40 TOGGLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SCROLL BARS ON WINDOWS . . . . . . . . . . . 41 EXPLODING WINDOWS WITH SOUND . . . . . . . . 41 RENAME PACKET AFTER READ . . . . . . . . . . 41 SNOW CHECKING WITH OLD CGAs . . . . . . . . 42 BOX AROUND MESSAGE WINDOW . . . . . . . . . 42 BEEP ON PERSONAL MESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . 42 TO/FROM INSTEAD OF FROM/TO . . . . . . . . . 42 REREAD MESSAGES ALREADY READ . . . . . . . . 42 USE BOOKMARK (BOOKMARK.OLX) FILE . . . . . . 42 EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 EDITOR COMMAND LINE . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 QUOTED ORIGINAL MESSAGE FILE . . . . . . . . 43 FILE TO TAKE REPLY TEXT FROM . . . . . . . . 43 CLEAR SCREEN BEFORE EDITOR . . . . . . . . . 43 REPLIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 WHEN TO EDIT REPLY INFO . . . . . . . . . . 44 REPLY QUOTING STYLE . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 QUOTING PREFIX STRING . . . . . . . . . . . 45 MESSAGE HEADER IN QUOTED REPLY . . . . . . . 45 ENABLE TAGLINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 FIDO-STYLE TAGLINES . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 PACKERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 COLORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 FUNCTION KEYS & ALT KEYS . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 CHAPTER 5 - ADVANCED FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 PICK LISTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 TAGLINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 TO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 SUBJECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 FIND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 SAVE/VIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 SKIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 COMMAND LINE PARAMETERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 USING TWO FILES WHEN REPLYING . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 @-VARIABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 4 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� @BBSID@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @CONFNAME@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @CONFNUM@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @DATE@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @DAY@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @FROM@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @FROMFIRST@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @FROMLAST@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @MEMORY@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @QWKDIR@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @REPDIR@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @SUBJECT@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @TIME@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @TIME24@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @TO@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 @TOFIRST@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 @TOLAST@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 USING @-VARIABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 MANUALLY SPLITTING LONG MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SELECTIVE SWAPPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 ENTERING MESSAGES WITHOUT A PACKET . . . . . . . . . . 56 PCRELAY REROUTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 NETMAIL INITIALS SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 APPENDIX A - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS . . . . . . . . . . 58 APPENDIX B - ERROR MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 APPENDIX C - GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 1 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL This documentation is organized for use as an initial setup guide, and as a reference book. Introductory information on Off- Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive is presented first (chapter 1), followed by step-by-step installation and configuration instructions (chapter 2), an introduction to the Off-Line Xpress Editor OLXED (chapter 3), followed by command reference and customization material (chapter 4 and 5). Unless you are intimately familiar with Off-Line Xpress, you should begin with chapter 1 and follow the instructions through chapter 3. After completing the setup material, a full reading of the complete configuration and operational reference is strongly recommended. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive is a very versatile and configurable program. There is no substitute for reading the operational reference to become familiar with the numerous features available. Make use of the F1 key for context-sensitive help at any time. Also, the F3 key offers a pop-up list of menu options available. After you have installed and run Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, the manual will serve as a reference guide. It is indexed extensively. After completing the initial setup you should be able to easily locate material on any topic by checking the Table of Contents or the Index. Don't overlook the sections devoted to Technical Support, the Off-Line Xpress Editor, Customization and Advanced Features. WHAT IS OFF-LINE XPRESS TEST-DRIVE? This TEST DRIVE version of OFF-LINE XPRESS is a full-featured mail reader program. It is designed to allow the user to be able to evaluate Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive and determine if it meets their needs. The TEST DRIVE release is not the latest release of the program, however, and does not include all the features of the REGISTERED USER VERSION. This TEST DRIVE release includes full documentation and information on obtaining the REGISTERED USER VERSION. Print the file VENDOR.DOC and READ.ME for additional information. Off-Line Xpress (OLX) is an off-line mail reader for QWK (Qwikmail) packets, a common off-line message format for Bulletin Board Systems, originally developed by Mark "Sparky" Herring, and now supported by most BBS software. Off-Line Xpress allows you to call a BBS, capture new mail in a compressed file, then read and reply to these messages off-line using your favorite word processor or editor. Your reply file will be ready to send to the BBS for your next on-line session. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 2 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� WHY DO I NEED OFF-LINE XPRESS? Everyone who's posted messages on a Bulletin Board System has faced the problem of creating and answering messages online. You need to provide a detailed answer to a difficult question, meanwhile the BBS clock is ticking and the toll charges are mounting up. And the information you need for your answer may not be easy to retrieve while you're online. Off-Line Xpress saves time and connection charges by allowing you to disconnect from the BBS as soon as you've received your mail packet. This takes only a fraction of the time it would take to read and reply to messages on-line, and allows you the freedom to read and answer BBS mail at your convenience while taking advantage of night-time phone rates and less-busy times for the BBS. Off-Line Xpress allows you the time to research and prepare your messages and replies properly. Using the built-in editor, or (if you prefer) your own word processor or text editor, you can import and format data, add your own comments and observations, check for typos and spelling errors, even save copies of your messages for future reference. Off-Line Xpress is fully configurable, and provides fast and powerful features for sorting, searching, saving, printing and managing mail and replies. All in a professionally-written, easy to use package designed with both novice and expert in mind. With Full Registration of OFF-LINE XPRESS v2.1 you will receive: - A copy of the latest release of the Registered User Version with the registrations screen and tagline limitation removed; - A free upgrade to OLX v3.0 when it is released (projected for mid 1992) which has a more comprehensive, updated, typeset operations manual and additional features. If version 3 has already been released when your order is placed you will receive the current registered version with manual. All versions from 3.0 forward are shipped as a commercial package with dual media diskettes (3.5" & 5.25") and include full typeset materials. - Free voice technical support by phone between 9:00am and 5:00pm Pacific time; - Automatic notification of any major program updates; - Additional program updates at a significantly reduced rate. - 24-hour access to the private multi-line Registered Users BBS at Mustang Software. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 3 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� A registration form is supplied on disk in the text file REGISTER.FRM. You can print this file with the command COPY A:REGISTER.FRM PRN It contains complete pricing information, and may be used to mail in your order. You may also call our toll-free ORDERS ONLY HOTLINE �袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� � 1-800-999-9619 � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 Use your VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or even COD. For information, please call 805-395-0223. Technical questions regarding Test-Drive operation may be answered by calling our support department direct at (805) 334-2240. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 4 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS HARDWARE Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will run on all types of PC- compatible computers, and supports Microsoft-compatible mice. It requires a minimum of 384k of free memory, and while it is possible to run Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive from a floppy drive, a hard drive is recommended for most efficient operation. If you plan to use Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive with a mouse, trackball or other pointing device, a device driver for your mouse must be loaded in your CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT startup files. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive does not require expanded or extended memory to function, although it is capable of using expanded memory (EMS: LIM 3.2, LIM 4 or EEMS) while executing external programs which require large amounts of DOS memory to function. An expanded memory (EMS) device driver is required for Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to use expanded memory. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive can also make use of XMS (Extended Memory Specification) for swapping, if an XMS driver is properly installed in your system configuration and sufficient free XMS memory is available. WORD PROCESSOR/TEXT EDITOR A simple text editor (OLXED.EXE) is supplied with Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. This editor requires no special installation or configuration procedures, and is able to save files in plain ASCII text, in a format usable by Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. You may also find this program useful for creating and editing batch files. For instructions on how to use OLX-TD's editor, please refer to the section on OLXED. If you prefer to use another word processor or text editor with Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, you will need to obtain and install a copy of the program you wish to use. In order for Off- Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to create your replies, the word processor or text editor you use must be capable of saving plain ASCII text files in a standard DOS file format (for example, DOS text or non-document mode). Please consult the manuals supplied with your editor or word processor to determine the procedure for saving ASCII files. PACKERS/UNPACKERS Mail packets are created and stored in a compressed format, allowing many small files to be packed into a single larger file. At the same time the resulting file is encoded with a mathematical formula which replaces repetitive strings of characters with shorter strings. This procedure allows a large MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 5 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� number of files to be stored and transmitted at high speed inside a specially compressed package, thus saving disk space and transfer time. These programs are referred to generically as Packers and Unpackers. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive uses these packers and unpackers to process mail packets. OLX-TD is able to analyze a QWK packet to determine which of the many popular packer/unpacker utilities created the file on the Bulletin Board System, and it expects to find a copy of the same utility on your own computer in order to read the packet and create your replies. You may be wondering where to obtain these utilities, since for reasons of licensing and copyright, they are not supplied as part of the Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive package. These packers/unpackers are generally shareware, freeware, or public domain programs, available from Bulletin Board Systems. A message from you to the system operator (Sysop), or to your LAN administrator, will result a reply with instructions on how to access and install the appropriate files. TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive was designed for ease of use, and this manual should contain the answers to most of your questions. Read it first and check the appendices for trouble-shooting procedures. If you're still stumped, technical support is only a phone call away. You may first want to call our MSI public-access BBS system at 805-395-0650 for valuable insight by other Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive users. Feel free to look around, download any files on the system that may be of use to you, or leave a message in the OLX area if you need a question answered. This method of obtaining support is especially good if you want expert guidance regarding the more advanced features. Another alternative is CompuServe where we are a part of the PC Vendor Support Forum. You reach us by typing GO PCVEN and then selecting Sub Topic 9. Our PIN is (75236,3312). If you are unable to find the answer to a question or just need a quick explanation, please give us a call between 9:00am and 5:00pm Pacific time. You can reach technical support at (805) 334-2240. We must, however, limit tech calls to those problems not resolved after reading this manual. Technical support is not (and should not be) a substitute for this manual. Bear in mind that most other software companies will not even support a product until it is registered. We want to extend special support to users of this TEST-DRIVE release, but need your cooperation in checking the manual first. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 6 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� LIMITED WARRANTY THIS PRODUCT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS ASSUMED BY YOU. SHOULD THE PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU (AND NOT MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OR ITS DEALERS) ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION. FURTHER, MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. DOES NOT WARRANT, GUARANTEE, OR MAKE REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE OF, OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF THIS PROGRAM IN TERMS OF CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, CURRENTNESS, OR OTHERWISE; AND YOU RELY ON THE PROGRAM AND IT'S RESULTS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. CANNOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR SYSTEM DAMAGE, LOSS OF PROFIT, OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT. Mustang Software, Inc., DOES warrant to the original licensee of a REGISTERED product that the program disk(s) on which the program is recorded be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of delivery as evidenced by a copy of your receipt. Mustang Software, Inc.'s entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be replacement of the disk not meeting Mustang Software, Inc.'s Limited Warranty. DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND COPYRIGHT COPYRIGHT Off-Line Xpress Test Drive software and this document is (C) Copyright 1992 Mustang Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Off- Line Xpress Test Drive, Off-Line Xpress and OLX are Trademarks of Mustang Software, Inc. Any specific hardware/software names used in this document are trademarks of specific manufacturers. Regardless of the method of marketing, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive is not in the public domain. It is copyrighted by Mustang Software, Inc. All rights are reserved. Copying, duplicating, selling or otherwise distributing this product is a violation of the Law. However, we grant you the right, in fact encourage you to make and distribute as many copies of this TEST-DRIVE version as you wish, using any acceptable medium of exchange, with the following provisions: TEST-DRIVE DISTRIBUTION POLICY 1. Please feel free to distribute this TEST-DRIVE version as often as you like, to any interested parties. 2. Please do not distribute the program without all of its original related files, addendum files, documentation and MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 7 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� this notice. 3. Please obtain our written permission prior to distribution with any "Bundled" software packages. 4. Please do not alter the program or documentation in any manner. 5. Off-Line Xpress Test-Drive is licensed for individual personal use and evaluation for an unlimited time. Use and evaluation by businesses, corporations or individuals in a commercial venture is limited to 60 days, after which time the REGISTERED version of Off-Line Xpress must be purchased or the use of Off-Line Xpress Test-Drive must be discontinued. DISTRIBUTION of the REGISTERED USER version of the program is in violation of license agreements and copyright Law! THE SOURCE CODE The source code for Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive is not available. This decision gives us the ability to guarantee the integrity of our product in this era of software contamination. It is not available either under the TEST DRIVE concept, or as a Commercial product. DEFINITIONS Throughout the documentation, you may run into technical terms or everyday computer terminology with which you are not familiar. Following are some text examples you may come across: [Enter] This represents the Return or Enter key on the keyboard. If you see this in the text, press the Enter key rather than typing in the string. [Esc] This refers to the Esc key on the keyboard. [Alt][char] [Alt] is always followed by a character which means press and hold the Alt Key and hit the following letter. [Alt][A] means hold the Alt key down and press 'A'. [Ctrl][char] Is executed the same way the [Alt] is handled. You press and hold the Ctrl key and then press the following letter. [Fn] This refers to Function keys 1 through 10. Press the function key matching the [Fn]. HELP SCREENS MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 8 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� To pop up a help screen anytime, press [F1]. Or, if you are using a three-button mouse, click the middle mouse button. The help screens are context-sensitive -- that is, the information they contain is related to your current location in the program. Your [Esc] Escape key or right mouse button always backs up or returns you to the previous window. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 9 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� CHAPTER 2 - INSTALLING AND USING OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE INSTALLATION Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive is supplied as a single self- extracting compressed file. This file, when unpacked, contains the OLX-TD program files, documentation, and a conversion program which will upgrade your existing SLMR (Silly Little Mail Reader) files to the new OLX-TD format, if necessary. To start the installation process, first make a copy of your OLX TEST DRIVE diskette and put the original away in a safe place. Place the backup copy of your OLX-TD distribution disk in your floppy drive, and type: C: [enter] MD \OLX-TD [enter] CD \OLX-TD [enter] A:OLXTD [Enter] The self-extraction process will then unpack the program files, documentation, and support files into the subdirectory you just created. If you are installing OLX-TD on a hard drive, you may now skip to the "QUICK START" section. FLOPPY DISK INSTALLATION Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive opens and creates many temporary files during operation. Additionally, it calls several auxiliary programs during operation, each of which have their own disk space and memory requirements. Because some of these temporary files and auxiliary programs may be quite large, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive functions most effectively when installed and used on a hard drive. To run OLX-TD from floppy drives, we recommend first installing the program on a hard drive. Then copy the necessary program and support files to floppy disks. The procedure is as follows: OLX-TD works best with two floppy drives or with high capacity single floppy drives (720k, 1.2 meg, or 1.44 meg). OLX-TD will run on a single 360k floppy drive in a minimal configuration, but the size of mail packets you can read will be very limited. First choose a disk to be your OLX-TD working disk. On this disk you will need the following files: PKUNZIP.EXE used to unpack QWK packets PKZIP.EXE used to pack REP packets OLXED.EXE or other text editor for writing messages OLXTD.EXE the program MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 10 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� An executable file compression program such as LZEXE or PKLITE may be used to compress your OLX-TD program files so they take up as little space as possible. These compression programs are not supplied with OLX-TD, but may be obtained separately from many Bulletin Board Systems. With these programs comes instructions on how to use them to shrink executable files. If you have a second floppy drive, format another diskette and use it to hold your QWK mail packets. To complete the floppy disk installation of Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, place your OLX-TD disk in drive A, your mail packet disk in drive B, and then type A: [Enter] OLXTD [Enter] You will now have to set some items in the configuration (press Alt-C for the configuration screens): Enable swapping If you have 640k of system memory, this option should be set to No. There is usually not enough space on floppy disks for OLX-TD to swap to disk. Work Directory Set the work directory to B:\WORK instead of the default. This will cause OLX-TD to place its temporary files on drive B, which will have more space available than drive A. If you are using DOS version 2, you will need to include A:\ in your PATH statement. If you do not have a PATH set up yet, type PATH A:\ [Enter] to set it up. See your DOS manual for more information. UPGRADING FROM SLMR TO OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE SLMR users may convert their existing configuration and pick list files to OLX-TD format by using the SLMR2OLX.EXE utility. This is a one-time conversion which will preserve your SLMR configuration files in their original path, and create new OLX-TD configuration files in your OLX-TD path. To convert your SLMR configuration to OLX-TD, simply type: SLMR2OLX [enter] and follow the instructions on the screen. QUICK START FOR NEW USERS - WELCOME.QWK These instructions assume you have installed Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive on your hard drive, in C:\OLX-TD. If you have MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 11 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� installed the program in a different path, revise the following instructions accordingly. To start OLX-TD, change to your OLX directory by typing: CD \OLX [Enter] Then type OLXTD [Enter]. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive comes already configured, and in most cases the default settings will work properly on your system. You will then see the Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive opening screen, with the WELCOME.QWK entry highlighted. This special QWK packet is an actual mail packet just like one you would download from a BBS. It contains instruction messages and a "hands-on" introduction to OLX-TD. Reading it, and following the instructions step by step, is an easy way to become familiar with OLX-TD. Press [Enter] to open the WELCOME.QWK packet, then follow the directions on the screen. Once you have read through the WELCOME.QWK packet, you will be familiar with the basic operation of Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. The next step is to try it live -- with a real mail packet from a BBS. If the concept of mail doors and Bulletin Board Systems is new to you, please refer to the section on Putting It Together later in this chapter for a detailed explanation. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 12 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� USING OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE GETTING HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT [F1] is the "Help" key in Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. Help is available at any point in the program, and the help screen gives information specific to your current location or function. Here is a sample help screen: � Help 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � � � Welcome to OLX-TD 2.1! � � � � These help screens, available anywhere at the press of F1, � � will provide you with information about what OLX is � � expecting you to do (and what you are allowed to do). These � � screens, however, are not meant to replace the included � � documentation (OLX.DOC). Please see the documentation for � � full details on all OLX's features. � � � � Press PgDn for the next help screen 컴컴컴컴컴� � � � � � � � � v � � � � Enter-Ok PgUp PgDn Page 1/3 � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 MENU NAVIGATION KEYBOARD CONTROL The following keys are active almost anywhere in Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, even though they may not be mentioned on individual help screens: [F1] Pop up a context-related Help screen [F2] Pop up a Pick List (if available for current item) [F3] Pop up a Menu of applicable choice [F10] Accept current selection Arrows Move the highlight bar or scroll the window [Esc] Exit the current screen or window to previous screen or window [Alt][N] Configure Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive [Alt][P] Edit Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive's Pick Lists MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 13 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� [Alt][R] Shell to DOS [Alt][V] View a file with Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive's file viewer [Alt][X] Emergency exit from Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive [Ctrl][Home] Look at the screen under the current window [F4]-[F9] User-defined function keys (configurable) MOUSE CONTROL Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will automatically detect and support your Microsoft-compatible mouse, if you have properly installed a mouse driver. Scroll bars will appear on the side or bottom of windows, and radio buttons are available on most windows. The left mouse button means Select. If the mouse cursor is on an active edit field, the left button brings up an appropriate Pick List, the same way as if you pressed [F2]. The right mouse button works the same way as the [Esc] key, and returns you to the previous menu. The middle mouse button (if you have one) is always the same as [F1] -- it gives you a help screen for the current function or selection. In several program areas, such as when reading messages, there are radio buttons used to make screen selections. To make a selection from one of the radio buttons, move the mouse until the cursor is on top of the item you wish to select, then click the left mouse button. For example, when reading messages the radio buttons include: [Reply] This button brings up the message entry window and allows you to reply to the message on screen. [Next] This button skips to the next message in the current conference, or brings up the Conference Window if you have read the last message in a conference. Use the right mouse button or [Esc] to exit from the Conference Window. [Prev] This button skips to the previous message in the current conference. If you have read the first message in a conference, this button brings up the Conference Window. [Index] This button brings up an index of all messages in the current conference. It is the same as the [I] or [Insert] keypress. [Other] This button activates a pulldown menu of additional MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 14 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� message functions. In many areas of OLX-TD (messages, bulletins, file viewer), you can click on the bottom half of a window to page down, or click on the top half of the window to page up. THE PACKET WINDOW When you first start Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, you will briefly see an introductory screen while OLX-TD is loading. You will then be shown the Packet Window. Here is a snapshot of the OLX-TD packet window: 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � Offline Xpress Copyright (c) 1991 by Mustang Software, Inc. Version 2.1 � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 � QWK Mail Packets 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� F:\PRIVATE\WCWORK\NODE28\ � � BBS Name File Name Size Date Time Read Rep � 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � MSI HQ BBS MUSTANG.QWK 179k 01-04-92 14:36 39% � PROWORK 11-01-91 17:46 � � TCWORK 10-15-91 16:35 � � [A:] � � [B:] � � [C:] � � [F:] � � [G:] � � [H:] � � [I:] � � [J:] � � [T:] 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Commands 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � Packet window commands Global commands � � D - Delete packet R - Rename packet Alt-C - Configuration � � E - Enter message S - Sort packets Alt-D - Shell to DOS � � N - Reread directory U - Mark packet as unread Alt-X - Quick exit � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 Offline Xpress 2.1 Mem: 77k 10:44 am You may use the arrow keys to move the highlight bar over the packet you wish to read. A handy shortcut is to press a letter or number key to move the highlight bar immediately to the next packet that starts with that letter or number. Press [Enter] when you have highlighted the packet you would like to read. A list of frequently-used commands appears in the bottom part of the window. To see a complete list of available commands at any time, press [F3]. Below is a sample menu screen: MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 15 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � MSI HQ BBS � Packets 袴袴敲 179k � � 튲ir> � � D - Delete 튲ir> � � E - Enter � � � N - Reread � � � R - Rename � � � S - Sort � � � U - Unread � � � � � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 � [J:] THE READ MENU Once you have selected a QWK packet to read, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will unpack it into the work directory. It will then scan and sort the message file and prepare the packet for reading. When the packet has been prepared, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will display the Read Menu. This menu gives you some basic information about the packet you have just opened, including the name of the BBS, the type of mail door which created the packet, and the name of the person who downloaded the QWK mail packet (this can be useful information if more than one person uses your computer). Here's a screen snapshot of the menu you would see if you had a mail packet from the Mustang Software HQ! BBS, the support BBS for Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive: MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 16 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � You have connected to the MSI HQ BBS System � New phone numbers are available for registered and non-registered callers. � See Bulletin 6 for complete phone rotation, and numbers for all 15 lines. � Read Menu 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� � Packet: MUSTANG.QWK �~~~~~~~ � Board ID: MUSTANG � � Door: Tomcat 3.01 � 複複� Your Name: GWEN BARNES 붤複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複� 複複� Packet Date: Sat Jan 04, 1992 붤複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複� 複複� Packet Time: 2:24 pm 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커複複複複複複� 複複� 튦ANG SOFTWARE, INC. 넵複複複複複複 複複� (Bulletins) � 넵複複複複複複 複複� (News) 틄ment Home of 넵複複複複複複 複複� Mail � 넵複複複複複複 複複� Files 튦! and Qmodem 넵複複複複複複 複複� Exit 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캑複複複複複複� 複複� � Qmodem Version 4.3 넵複複複複複複 複複훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴셍컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸複複複複複複� 複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複� 複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複複� MSI - Bringing it all together in '92 MUSTANG � MSI HQ BBS Mem: 19k 10:49 am Besides messages, a typical mail packet may also include bulletins, a list of new files posted on the BBS since your last call, and a newsletter file from the System Operator announcing changes and updates to the BBS. The Read Menu lets you choose the item(s) you wish to read. Note that not all items may be in the particular QWK packet you have opened. These missing items cannot be selected and have parentheses around them. Mail packets also contain a number of control files, which you would not ordinarily be able to view or access with OLX-TD. These files provide system information for the mail reader and for the .QWK mail system which created the packet. The Read Menu is displayed over the BBS welcome screen as follows: BULLETINS If the sysop of the BBS you call for mail has updated any of the system bulletins, and you have configured your own settings in the mail door to send bulletins, they will be included in your mail packet. Selecting the Bulletins option pops up a Pick List of bulletins, which you may then select and read using OLX-TD's file viewer. While reading bulletins, you may save the bulletin to a file, or search for text within the bulletin. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 17 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� NEWS This selection displays the system newsletter file, using OLX-TD's built-in file viewer. MAIL This selection takes you to the mail reading function of Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, and is explained in greater detail in the next section of this manual. FILES This selection displays a list of new files which have been uploaded to the BBS since your last call. This option, like the Bulletins selection, is a configuration item which you may select while you are logged into the BBS. EXIT This option saves your replies in a REP file and returns you to the Packet Window. THE CONFIGURATION MENU Press [Alt][N] at any time to view or change your default configuration. Please refer to Chapter 6, Customizing OLX-TD, for a complete list of configuration options. Here's a sneak preview of the main configuration menu: � Configuration 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� Instructions � � � Welcome to the OLX configuration window! This is where � � you will tell OLX information it needs to know about your � � computer and preferences. You can select a screen from � � the list below or use PgDn to go through all the screens. � � Make frequent use of the F1 key to get help on each item. � � � � Directories � � General � � Toggles � � Editor � � Replies � � Packers � � Colors � � Function keys � � Alt keys � � � � � 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캇 � Directory and path information � � F10-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 18 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� READING MAIL THE CONFERENCE WINDOW If you select Mail from the Read Menu, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive displays a list of conferences (or message areas, also known as folders, SIGs, and echoes). There may be only a few conferences, or several pages. Following is a sample of a conference menu, again taken from the MSI HQ! BBS. � Conferences 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴敲 � Replies 17 QMODEM (3) 72 ILinkQmode � � Personal (3) 18 Alias 73 ILinkSysop (8) � � 0 Private (83) 19 BetaTomcat 74 ILinkAdmin (14) � � 1 WILDCAT!3 (62) 20 BetaPRO! 75 U'NInetusr � � 2 WILDCAT!2 (3) 21 BetaWM 77 KernNet � � 3 DoorHelp (9) 22 Beta3rdPar 81 MCIgateway � � 4 ExtProtos 23 WCLIST 82 BIXGateway � � 5 Net&Echo (8) 24 BetaWMecho 83 MHSEMAIL � � 6 ModemHelp (10) 25 BetaCIS 84 CIS-MAIL � � 7 LANtastic (7) 26 BetaMCI 85 CIS-PCVENA � � 8 Novell 27 BetaMHS 86 CIS-IBMBBS � � 9 DESQview (1) 28 SLMR (1) 87 CIS-NOVC � � 10 TOMCAT! (5) 50 Test-Drive (2) 88 CIS-BPROGA � � 11 SysopChat (10) 51 MSICorpora (1) 89 MHSWCMAIL � � 12 BBSAds (2) 60 U'NIWC! (14) 99 FidoNetmai (7) � � 13 PRO!Help 61 U'NISLMR (38) 100 WC!Fido (68) � � 14 3rdParty (4) 62 U'NITomcat 101 WCtechFido (4) � � 15 BetaWC 70 ILinkWCAT 103 Astronomy � � 16 AlphaWC (27) 71 ILinkSLMR (24) 104 Aviation � 홧굇굇굇글굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굇굴 You can scroll through the list of conferences using your [PgUp], [PgDn], [Tab], and arrow keys. Down arrow will move you to the next conference in the list, Up arrow will move you to the previous conference. The [Tab] key moves you to the next conference which contains messages, and [Shift][Tab] moves you to the previous conference containing messages. [Home] will return you to the top left corner of the conference window, [End] will move you to the last conference in the packet. Two special conferences are listed in the upper left corner of the Conference Window -- Replies and Personal. When you enter a new message, or reply to a message in your mail packet, these messages are placed in the Replies conference, so that you may review and, if necessary, edit or delete them before sending your reply packet back to the BBS. The Personal conference contains a copy of all the messages in the packet which are addressed to you. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 19 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� The following keys are active at the Conference Window (to see a complete list of active keys anywhere in OLX-TD, press [F3]: [A] -- Add [D] -- Drop These two options add special control messages to your reply packet, that tell the BBS mail system to add or drop conferences from your configuration. To add or drop a conference, move the highlight bar over the conference you wish to set, then press [A] or [D]. You will be asked to confirm the change in a little pop- up window like this: �袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴敲 � � � Do you want to add this conference? � � 旼컴컴� � � � Yes � No � � 읕컴컴� � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� [E] -- Enter a message This selection loads your editor, and allows you to create and save a new message in the highlighted conference [F] -- Find conf [N] -- Find next These selections allow you to search for a conference name from the list in the conference window. This can be handy when you are looking for a specific message area but don't want to scroll through a long list. A box like this one will pop up, asking you to input the text you want to search for: � Find in list 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� � � � Find: � � � � Enter-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help � � � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 20 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� [I] -- Index Pop up a message index of all message headers in the highlighted conference. An example follows: � Message Index 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴 Conference: ModemHelp � � 1424 TOM LAMERE STEVE CRIPPEN Non-Answering Modem � 1430 STEVE CRIPPEN TOM LAMERE Non-Answering Modem � � 1426 STEVE CRIPPEN TIM SAARI HST 12000 Fallback � � 1432 MINOS TSAUSSIS STEVE CRIPPEN HST 12000 Fallback � � 1427 STEVE CRIPPEN PETER GRILLONE HAYES V-SERIES 96 � � 1428 STEVE CRIPPEN JOHN PECK Zoom Internal Modem!!! � � 1429 STEVE CRIPPEN CHIP BLACK download time � � 1431 DENNIS PAULSEN MUSTANG SOFTWARE, I Question � � 1433 JIM BONNER STEVE CRIPPEN Cardinal 9600 v.32 "Error � � 1434 RUSTY GORDON STEVE CRIPPEN Wrong Baud Rates-2400/REL 훤� Num 袴� From 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴 To 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴 Subject 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴 Rep � [S] -- Sort Sort the conferences by name, number, or total number of messages. [R] -- Reset This selection creates a control message which, when uploaded to the mail door as part of a .REP packet, resets your high message number on the BBS. This option is useful if you want to reread mail you have already seen, or if you want to skip ahead and read more recent messages. [Tab], [Shift][Tab] -- Next, Previous conference Move to the next and previous conferences, respectively, containing mail [Enter] -- Select Read messages in the highlighted conference [Alt][F] -- Find [Alt][N] -- Find next [Alt][L] -- Find previous (Last) Find text within the conference listing (for example, you may search for a conference by typing all or part of its name, rather than scrolling through the conference list yourself) MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 21 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� THE MESSAGE SCREEN Once you have selected a conference in which to read messages, the message text of the first message is displayed. Following is a sample: Date: 01-03-92 (20:48) Number: 1432 Message 4 of 10 From: MINOS TSAUSSIS Reply to: 1426 To: STEVE CRIPPEN Recvd: NO Reply Next Index Subj: HST 12000 Fallback Conf: (6) ModemHelp Prev Other 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 -> -> Every v.32bis modem can connect at 12000. -> � -> If you had v.32bis why would you want to connect at 12000? � -> � -> � � Unfortunately, it now gets to be a real problem with the V32Turbos that � are out there. And I'll run out of space for result codes as soon as � USR or someone else comes out with faster modems.... � � � � � � � � � � MUSTANG � MSI HQ BBS Mem: 15k 11:05 am While reading the following keys are active: [Enter], [+] -- Next message [-], [G] -- Go back to previous message [Space] -- Continue reading (either more text in this message, or go to next message) [Ctrl][PgDn] -- Skip to next thread (topic) of messages [Ctrl][PgUp] -- Skip to previous thread [A] -- Animate Displays ANSI-encoded messages in color, at a speed simulating 2400 bps. Press A twice quickly, or [Ctrl][A] to display the message instantly. If the string [ANSIART] is present on the first line of a message, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will animate the message automatically. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 22 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� [B] -- Bulk mark Bulk mark messages (for later saving or printing). A Pick List like the one following will pop up, asking you to select bulk saving according to the To, From, or Subject fields. � Bulk marking 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴敲 � � � All messages in conference � � To a particular user � � From a particular user � � Subject text � � Clear all marks in conference � � � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� [E] -- Enter new message Starts your editor or word processor, so you can enter and save a new message. [F] -- Find text Search for keyword(s) or phrase(s) within this conference, or in all conferences. Enter the words you wish to search for, separating multiple items with semicolons. For example, THIS;THAT would search for THIS or THAT. The search is not case sensitive. Found text is highlighted in the message display. [I], [Insert] -- Index Pops up a list of all the messages in this conference, showing message number, sender, addressee, and subject. Press [Enter] to read the highlighted message. Additional symbols between the message number and the sender's name in this message index provide further information on the status of the message: * means you have read the message Pt. means the message is private R means you have replied to this message � (checkmark) indicates the message is marked for later saving. [L] -- Last find Find last (previous) occurrence of find string. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 23 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� [M] -- Mark message Mark this message for later saving. If you want to mark several related messages, you may find it more efficient to use the Bulk Mark option. [N] -- Find next Find next occurrence of find string. [O] -- Order (sort) Order (sort) the messages in this conference. Note that this is a temporary sort; if you always want your messages to be sorted by, for example, the From field, visit the Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive Configuration to set a default sort order for messages. Here is an example of the Order Pick List: � Message sort � � � � Number � � From � � To � � Subject � � � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 [P] -- Print Make a hard copy of this message on your printer. A window will pop up, confirming the destination for your message. Note: You can print to any valid DOS file or device by filling in the Print to: field in the window. An example window follows: � Print Message(s) 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴敲 � � � Print to: PRN � � � � This message � � All marked messages � � Marked messages in conference � � All messages in conference � � � � Enter-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help F2-Picklist � � � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 24 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� [Q] -- Request attachment Some BBS programs allow callers to Attach a file to a message. If that feature is supported by the mail door which created the packet you are now reading, this option will send a control message to the mail program instructing it to include the attached file in the next mail packet you download. [R] -- Reply This selection loads your text editor, and automatically imports a quoted copy of the message to which you are replying, so that you may reply to specific items in the original text. [S] -- Save The "Save" window is similar to the "Print" Window. You will be prompted to save this message (or the messages you have marked) to a file. You can change the destination file name by typing over it, or by using the [F2] key to bring up your Save/View Pick List. [T] -- Steal tagline Taglines are advertisements or humorous one-liners appended to BBS messages by many mail reader programs, including Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. If you see a tagline on someone else's message that you would like to add to your own collection, the Steal Tagline option will copy the tagline from the message currently on screen, and add it to your tagline file. [W] -- forWard message This selection creates a copy of the message currently on screen, and allows you to re-address it privately to another person. OLX- TD adds a line at the beginning of the message indicating the original addressee, the fact that it is a forwarded copy, and the name of the original message conference. [Z] -- Zip to reply Zip to and from the current message and your reply, and vice versa. Note that this option is for viewing your own, current replies you have written while reading this packet. [K] -- Kill reply (reply conf only) If you are reading one of your own replies in the Replies conference, this key will kill (delete) it. You will be asked to confirm the deletion. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 25 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� [E] -- Edit reply [R] -- Revise reply (reply conf only) These options, which are interchangeable, allow you to revise a message in the Replies conference before you send it to the BBS, Your editor will be reloaded with your message text and quoted text, if any. ENTERING AND REPLYING TO MESSAGES When you are entering a new message (or replying to an existing one), you will be asked to fill in a number of fields in OLX-TD's data entry screen. � New Message Info 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� � � � From: GWEN BARNES Private: No � � To: ALL Carbon copies: No � � Subject: Sample Message Return receipt: No � � � � Conference: 17 QMODEM � � � � Tagline: MSI - Bringing it all together in '92 � � � � F10-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help F2-Picklist � � � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴 Press F10 to edit message 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� FROM This is normally your name, although you can change this field. However, most mail doors will NOT allow you to upload replies not from the person currently logged on unless you are the sysop. Most likely, the mail system will just delete the message if it isn't from you. TO If you are entering a new message, you are prompted to enter a name here. If you're replying to a message, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive automatically fills in the name of the author of the message you're replying to. In either case, you can press [F2] to view your To Pick List and pick a name from there for Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to insert in this field. SUBJECT The subject of the message. If this is a reply, the subject of the message you are replying to is automatically filled in. You can press [F2] to bring up your Subject Pick List and have Off- Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive insert your selection into this field. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 26 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� PRIVATE Messages on a BBS may be either Public, in which case they can be seen by all users who have access to the message section, or Private -- in which case they can be seen only by the sender, the recipient, and those with Sysop (System Operator) privileges. By default, your message will be posted as Public; by answering YES the message will be sent Private. It is well to note that there is no such thing as truly private mail on a Bulletin Board system, since users with System Operator (Sysop) status usually have access to view every aspect of the system, including private or receiver-only mail. This option is customarily used for messages which are not of general interest, and it should not be assumed that private mail will be seen only by the sender and intended recipient. It is also important to note that private mail is not always supported on echomail networks, either because of network regulations, or because of limitations in the software used to transport the messages. Before attempting to send private mail from one BBS to another, please ask the Sysop if this function is supported. CARBON COPIES Answer YES to this question, and Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will allow you to send up to 20 additional copies of a message to a list of names you specify in a popup window. You will be prompted to specify the message conference in which to place each carbon copied message and, as usual, a Pick List of conferences is available by pressing [F2]. RETURN RECEIPT Some BBS software will generate a return receipt upon request, indicating the date and time your message was received by the addressee. If the BBS software supports this feature, you will be able to request the BBS program to generate a return receipt for your message when it reaches its destination. CONFERENCE This is the conference (message area) in which this message will be placed. You may change this by typing another conference number, or by using the [F2] key to bring up the Conference Window. Select the conference by highlighting the name with your mouse or arrow keys, and press [Enter] to confirm your selection. TAGLINE This field shows the tagline Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will automatically append to your message. You can type your own words of wisdom here, or press [F2] to view your Taglines Pick List. If MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 27 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� this field is blank, no tagline will be used. When you are finished with this screen, press [F10] to save the information. This data entry screen may pop up before, after, or both before and after you have entered your reply text, depending on the way you have set up your Replies Configuration. PUTTING IT TOGETHER THE ANATOMY OF A MAIL PACKET Mail packets readable by Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive consist of a standard DOS file name of up to eight characters, with a three-character extension. The file name of an individual mail packet is determined by the packet ID of the Bulletin Board System which created it. The three character extension determines whether the packet contains BBS mail, or replies. For example, mail packets created by Mustang Software's own customer support Bulletin Board System will always be identified as MUSTANG.QWK, and the reply packet created by Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive after you have read a MUSTANG.QWK packet will be called MUSTANG.REP. The Bulletin Board System will only accept and process reply packets whose names match the BBS's packet ID. QWK This is the standard extension for the type of mail packets readable by Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. These mail packets are created by a Bulletin Board System using a .QWK (QMail compatible) mail program. If you download several mail packets from the same BBS, your terminal program may rename new downloads to avoid overwriting existing files. In this case, you may also have files with extensions such as .QW0, .QW1, and so on. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive recognizes these files as mail packets, and processes them normally. REP This is the standard extension for the type of reply packets created by Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, which can be processed by the .QWK mail program on the Bulletin Board System. If you read packets from several different Bulletin Board Systems, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will create a unique .REP file for each BBS. If, on the other hand, you read more than one packet from the same BBS, all your replies will be incorporated into a single REP file matching the packet ID of the BBS. GETTING A MAIL PACKET The process of downloading, reading, and uploading mail packets is quite straightforward. Here's an explanation of the procedure, step by step. If you're connecting to the BBS via your modem, the first step would be to load your communications program (for example, MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 28 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� QModem), and have it dial the phone number for the BBS. When the BBS modem answers and connects, log onto the BBS using your login I.D. (usually your first and last names). Enter your password when prompted, and answer any additional prompts the BBS may display. If you log into the BBS over a Local Area Network (LAN), your LAN administrator has probably created a menu selection for the BBS, or provided instructions on how to log on from a command line. If you are not sure how to do this, please contact your LAN administrator or Sysop for assistance. There are many different BBS programs which support .QWK mail -- depending on the BBS you have called, there are many different ways of getting to the QWK mail system. For Wildcat systems, it is usually an option on the Message menu. On PCBoard systems it is usually listed on the DOOR menu. For other BBS types, read the online menus or ask your sysop or a knowledgeable user for help. Once you have entered the QWK mail system, you may be asked to configure your settings. Select which conferences (message areas) you wish to read, and answer any other questions you may be asked. Once you are ready to get your mail packet, type the command to download a QWK packet (it is usually D), and wait while the BBS gathers the new mail in your selected message areas. If you are logged on through the LAN, your .QWK mail packet will be created for you in your local directory. If you are logged on with a modem, you will be prompted to begin downloading your .QWK packet as soon as the mail has been scanned and packed. When your download has finished, you may log off or return to the BBS main menu to continue with your online session. You can then start Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive from Qmodem by pressing [Alt][M] to read your new mail. If you've entered new messages or replied to mail during your session with Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, you will now need to upload the .REP (reply) file to the BBS. To start Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive from the DOS command line, change to your OLX-TD subdirectory, and type OLXTD.EXE [Enter] To upload REP files, call your BBS and enter the QWK mail system again. This time, select the option to upload a REP packet (this is usually U) and prepare to upload your REP packet to the BBS. Once the upload is complete, the mail system will store your replies in the BBS. At this point, please remember to erase your REP file from your disk to prevent uploading the same messages to the BBS twice! If you have any trouble with QWK mail, don't hesitate to ask your sysop, network administrator, or other knowledgeable user for MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 29 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� assistance. Most experienced BBS users are willing to help beginners with the mechanics of using offline mail readers. WRITING READABLE MESSAGES Computer monitors aren't very easy on the eyes, so it is important to make your message readable and visually pleasing. Turn off your CAPS LOCK KEY -- MESSAGES IN ALL CAPS ARE HARD TO READ and make it appear to other callers that you are shouting. Use short paragraphs, with blank lines between them to give your eyes a break. Screens full of straight text are much less likely to be read by others than a well-formatted message. Also, be careful how much of others' messages you quote; many people will skip past messages that begin with a whole page of somebody else's quoted message. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE AND ECHOMAIL (NETIQUETTE) While your BBS may have some active local message areas, there are also many large and small groups of Bulletin Board Systems connected together in echomail networks. There are dozens of national and regional echomail networks to choose from, with conferences for almost every conceivable topic. Some of these echomail networks may be carried on your local BBS, and this is an ideal place to use an offline mail reader such as Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. The large number of messages generated by the hundreds of participants in a typical echomail network requires tools such as Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to help you manage the mail. When participating in these echomail networks, be friendly. BBSing is a great way to meet people from all over the world, and some of your new friends may be the electronic pen pals you exchange messages with on these echomail networks. Most echomail networks have guidelines about taste, content, and topicality. Please take the time to make yourself aware of the rules set down by the moderators and administrators of the echomail network. If your local BBS has echomail, you will usually find bulletins and/or information files about the echomail networks. Some general suggestions: Avoid excessive quoting (ie. quoting more than is really necessary from a previous message in your reply), wordiness, and off-topic messages. Remember, most sysops have to pay long distance phone rates to bring you these messages, and therefore frown on idle chit-chat. To avoid running afoul of echo conference regulations, save your fancy signatures and color graphics for local conferences (or network conferences specifically dedicated for these purposes). Most echomail networks forbid the use of control characters MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 30 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� (ASCII 0 to 31), ANSI escape sequences, color, and animation in messages. Some hardware and software may not be capable of displaying or printing high ASCII characters (ASCII 128 through 255) -- boxes, blocks, graphic symbols, etc. Try to minimize their use unless you are sure of your audience. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 31 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� CHAPTER 3 - THE OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE EDITOR WHAT IS OLXED? For your convenience, a simple full screen text editor is included with Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. The editor is called The Off-Line Xpress Editor, or OLXED. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive comes pre-configured to use this editor to create messages and replies. You may also find this editor useful for other purposes -- for example to create and edit batch files. If you've used other word processors or text editors, many of OLXED's commands will be familiar to you. Help is available at all times by pressing [F1], and a list of common functions is displayed on a status line at the bottom of your screen. [F1] -- Help Displays a help screen of OLXED functions [F2] -- Split Toggles between split screen and fullscreen mode. For editing up to two files at the same time. [F7], [F8] -- Mark [F5] -- Unmark Mark and unmark blocks of text. Can be used to copy, move, delete and paste text from one window to another, if desired. [F6] -- DelEOL Delete text from cursor rightward to end of line. [F9] -- DelLine Deletes entire line on which cursor is located. [F10] -- Save&Exit Write file(s) to disk, exits to DOS. [Esc] -- Exit Prompts to save file, exits to DOS. OLXED also supports Wordstar(tm)-style control keys for basic functions such as cursor moves, block marking and moving, etc. OLXED also allows you to edit two files in separate windows, permitting you to mark and copy blocks from one file to another. You can start OLXED from the DOS command line by typing MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 32 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� OLXED [Enter] Here is a brief list of OLXED commands: Function keys Alt keys ------------------------- -------------------------- F1 Help Alt-A Add new line F2 Split screen toggle Alt-B Reformat paragraph F5 Unmark block Alt-C Copy block F6 Delete to end of line Alt-D Delete line F7 Mark block boundary Alt-F Reformat paragraph F8 Mark block boundary Alt-G Delete block F9 Delete line Alt-H Help F10 Save and exit Alt-L Mark block boundary Alt-M Move block Alt-R Read in text file Alt-1 Switch to file 1 Alt-S Shell to DOS Alt-2 Switch to file 2 Alt-U Unmark block Alt-N Next file Alt-W Delete word Ctrl Keys: Function Keystroke(s) -------------------------- ---------------------------- Character left Ctrl-S or Left arrow Character right Ctrl-D or Right arrow Word left Ctrl-A or Ctrl-left arrow Word right Ctrl-F or Ctrl-right arrow Line up Ctrl-E or Up arrow Line down Ctrl-X or Down arrow Scroll up Ctrl-W Scroll down Ctrl-Z Page up Ctrl-R or PgUp Page down Ctrl-C or PgDn New line Ctrl-M or ENTER Tab Ctrl-I or Tab Delete current character Ctrl-G or Del Delete character left Ctrl-H or Backspace Delete word Ctrl-T Delete line Ctrl-Y Toggle insert mode Ctrl-V or Ins MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 33 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� CHAPTER 4 - CUSTOMIZING OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE To pop-up the OLX-TD Configuration menu at any time, press [Alt][N]. Use your [PgUp] and [PgDn] keys to move between menus, [F10] to save your settings and return to Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, or [Escape] to quit without saving. The standard configuration provided with Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive has been designed to work without modification. You should try using Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive with this configuration first. Once you are familiar with the program, you may visit the configuration menu at any time to customize Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to your preferences. While the configuration menu is available anywhere in Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive by pressing [Alt][N], making every option available for modification, there are certain changes which will not take place until you exit OLX-TD and start it up again (for example, the work directory Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive is using will not be changed until you exit). THE MAIN CONFIGURATION MENU � Configuration 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� Instructions � � � � Welcome to the OLX configuration window! This is where � � you will tell OLX information it needs to know about your � � computer and preferences. You can select a screen from � � the list below or use PgDn to go through all the screens. � � Make frequent use of the F1 key to get help on each item. � � � � Directories � � General � � Toggles � � Editor � � Replies � � Packers � � Colors � � Function keys � � Alt keys � � � � � 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � Directory and path information � � F10-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 34 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Here is a brief overview of the main configuration screen, and an explanation of each section. All the configuration menus include text which briefly explains the function and operation of the various settings available. Context-sensitive help is always available by pressing [F1]. DIRECTORIES The first page in the Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive configuration menu tells Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive where you keep your QWK and REP packets, and where you want Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to create the temporary files it uses during operation. GENERAL The second page sets up OLX-TD's general operating parameters. When Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive starts up for the first time, it examines your system setup, and fills in many of these options automatically. TOGGLES The third page allows you to customize individual parts of the program's operation. WORD PROCESSOR/EDITOR The fourth page of the OLX-TD configuration menu allows you to install and configure your favorite text editor or word processor to use with Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. OLX-TD will automatically use this editor to allow you to write messages and reply to mail. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive is already set up for use with its own editor, called OLXED, but you can change this to work with another editor or word processor. The Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive Editor OLXED requires no special configuration. REPLIES This section defines how Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will handle your replies. Available settings include whether or not to quote the original message in your reply, the character string indicating quoted text, and whether to include taglines at the bottom of your messages. PACKERS .QWK Mail packets are sent in a compressed format to allow multiple files to be packaged within a single downloadable file. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive is able to detect the compression utility (packer) which created the .QWK packet, and will automatically use the correct uncompressor (unpacker) to extract it. This section defines the packers and unpackers to use, and MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 35 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� includes appropriate command line parameters for these utilities. PKZIP and PKUNZIP are examples of a packer and unpacker commonly used by Bulletin Board Systems and .QWK mail doors. If these programs exist somewhere in your DOS PATH, you will not need to tell Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive what directory they are in -- Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will find them. These options should not need to be changed unless for some reason your packer and unpacker utilities are not in the path. If you are not familiar with the usage of the DOS PATH statement, now would be a good time to refer to your DOS manual for a full explanation. * NOTE These packer and unpacker programs are not supplied with Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, but are products of other companies. You may obtain shareware or demonstration versions of most of these utilities by downloading them from the same Bulletin Board System from which you get your electronic mail, or from the MSI HQ BBS. COLORS The Color selection page allows you to customize the colors Off- Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive displays on your screen. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will detect what type of video adaptor is installed in your computer, and shows the appropriate colors or attributes for your monitor. The samples shown on the screen will help you decide what colors to use. FUNCTION KEYS ALT KEYS These two screens allow you to redefine many of OLX-TD's internal command keys, execute special program functions, and attach DOS commands to Function keys and Alt keys. DETAILED CONFIGURATION This section explains individual configuration items in more detail, arranged in the same order in which they appear on the OLX-TD configuration menus. All the configuration menus include text which briefly explains the function and operation of the various settings available. Context-sensitive help is always available by pressing [F1]. To pop-up the OLX-TD Configuration menu at any time while using Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, press [Alt][N]. Use your [PgUp] and [PgDn] keys to move between menus, [F10] to save your settings and return to Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, or [Escape] to quit without saving. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 36 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� DIRECTORIES � Configuration 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴 Directories � � � � These two options tell OLX where to look to find your QWK and REP � � mail packets. Note that if you start OLX from the directory where � � you keep your QWK packets, then the defaults will work. If the REP � � directory is empty, then REP packets are placed in the QWK directory.� � � � QWK directory C:\OLX-TD\DOWNLOAD\ � � � � REP directory C:\OLX-TD\UPLOAD\ � � � � The Work directory is where OLX stores temporary files it needs � � while you are reading mail. If you like, you may set this to a RAM � � disk for greater speed. � � � � Work directory OLX$WORK � � � � � � � 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � Normally the same as your communications download directory � � F10-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 QWK DIRECTORY This directory is where Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will look for the mail packets you download from Bulletin Board Systems. Your communications program probably has a directory already configured to receive downloaded files, it is generally most convenient to make the QWK directory setting in Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive match the default download directory in your communication program's settings. We recommend you specify the full path name here, because if you specify a directory name with no preceding backslashes, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will begin looking in a subdirectory off the current directory. You can always look in other directories on your disk by using the mouse or arrow keys to highlight and select the drive letter and directory name from the Packet Menu. Once again, if you are unfamiliar with the concept of DOS paths and directories, now would be a good time to consult your DOS manual for detailed information on these topics. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 37 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� REP DIRECTORY This is the directory where Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will place reply (REP) packets ready to be uploaded. If this directory is blank, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will use the QWK directory as specified in the last option. We suggest you use the default upload path specified in your communications program as your REP directory in Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. WORK DIRECTORY Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive creates a number of temporary files during operation, which it removes when you exit the program. By default, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will create a subdirectory called OLX$WORK, under the directory from where Off- Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive was started. NOTE: You should NOT store other files in your OLX-TD work directory, nor should the work directory for Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive point to an existing directory which contains files. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will abort with an error mess if it finds files in its work directory which it did not create, and unpredictable results could occur, including deletion of all the files in the directory! For faster access, you may prefer to use a RAM drive to store the work files. For example, if your RAM drive is drive E:, you would specify E:\OLX$WORK as your work directory. Depending on the size of the .QWK mail packets you wish to read, you should configure your RAM drive with a minimum of 512k to accommodate all of OLX-TD's temporary files. For additional information on how to create a RAM drive, please consult your DOS manual. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 38 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� GENERAL � Configuration 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴 General � � � � These are OLX's general operating parameters. OLX sets up the � � defaults according to your system configuration, so you should not � � need to change these right away. � � � � Enable swapping Yes � � Swap to XMS/EMS if available Yes � � Drive for swap file � � Enable mouse support No � � Left handed mouse No � � Default packet sort order Date � � Default conference sort Number � � Default message sort order Thread � � Pre-print setup string � � Post-print setup string ^L � � � � (Press SPACE or F2 to change option) � � � 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � Default swap option when shelling (see help for overrides) � � F10-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 ENABLE SWAPPING When Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive executes a program such as your packer/unpacker or your text editor, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive normally remains in RAM (memory) while the other program is running. On systems with limited memory, or when Off- Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive attempts to run a large program such as a word processor, there may not be enough free memory to execute the second program. The Enable swapping option causes Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to free up system memory by copying an image of itself to disk or expanded or extended memory (EMS/XMS), then removing all but a small portion of its own program from RAM, before executing another program. When the other program finishes, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will reload itself from disk or EMS/XMS. Note that you will need at least 300k of free disk space or available EMS/XMS to use this feature. You may also override the default swap option for individual programs executed within Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. See Advanced Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive Features for more information. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 39 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� SWAP TO XMS/EMS IF AVAILABLE Normally, if swapping is enabled in the previous configuration option, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will swap to your hard drive while running external programs. If your computer is equipped with expanded memory (EMS), or expanded memory using an XMS driver, you may configure Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to swap to expanded memory rather than disk, if sufficient free extended or expanded memory (approximately 300 kilobytes) is available. If your computer does not have enough EMS or XMS available, or if Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive finds no EMS or XMS driver in your computer's configuration (in other words if you don't have any expanded or XMS memory on your system), Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will swap itself to disk, using the drive where Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive creates its work directory. You may wish to consult the manual for your computer to determine if expanded or extended memory is available, and for instructions on how to load your EMS or XMS driver, if applicable. DRIVE FOR SWAP FILE Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will use the drive specified in this option for its temporary swap file if XMS/EMS is not installed, or if there is insufficient free expanded memory available. When OLX-TD terminates normally, this swap file is removed, freeing up the disk space it occupied. If you have an 80286 computer with extended memory which you are otherwise not able to use for swapping, you may wish to configure this extra memory as a RAM disk or virtual disk. This configuration would allow near-instantaneous swapping. Please consult the manual for your computer, and your DOS manual, to determine whether you are able to make use of this option. ENABLE MOUSE SUPPORT Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will automatically detect the presence of a mouse driver, and will allow the use of a mouse or other pointing device to execute many Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive functions. If you have a mouse, but you do not want to use it within OLX-TD, you can disable mouse operations by setting this option to NO. LEFT HANDED MOUSE You may reverse the operation of your mouse buttons by setting this option to YES. DEFAULT PACKET SORT ORDER When Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive starts up, it reads your default QWK directory and sorts the packets by Name or Date, according to the preference you specify in this option. You can MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 40 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� also temporarily re-sort the .QWK packet window by typing [Alt][O] (for Order). OLX-TD will then pop up a pick list of sort options. DEFAULT CONFERENCE SORT Message conferences may by default, according to this setting, be sorted numerically, alphabetically, or by number of messages. To re-sort the conference window temporarily, press O and select number, name or total messages. DEFAULT MESSAGE SORT ORDER This option sets the default message sort order. The Thread sort order gathers all the messages with the same subject together, but maintains the general order of threads. The Number, To, From, and Subject options sort alphabetically on the corresponding field. Messages may also be temporarily re-sorted from the message window by pressing O. PRE-PRINT SETUP STRING This string will be sent to your printer before printing message(s). This text string normally contains printer control codes to set default fonts or make other printer settings. If you would like to include control characters in this string, type them as ^A for [Ctrl][A]. Please consult the manual with your printer for information on how to send setup strings. POST-PRINT SETUP STRING This string will be sent to your printer after printing message(s). A useful control string to put here is ^L (form feed). This command will eject the paper from the printer after printing the message(s). Your printer manual contains more detailed information on setup strings. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 41 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� TOGGLES � Configuration 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴 Toggles � � � � These are "preference" type options that you can modify to change the� � way OLX works. If you have not used OLX before, try it out for a � � while before changing these options. � � � � Scroll bars on windows No � � Exploding windows No � � Rename packet after read No � � Snow checking with old CGAs No � � Box around message window No � � Beep on personal message Yes � � To/From instead of From/To No � � Reread messages already read Yes � � Use bookmark files Yes � � � � (Press SPACE or F2 to change options) � � � � � 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � Turns scroll bars on if you are not using a mouse � � F10-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 SCROLL BARS ON WINDOWS If you are using a mouse, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will display scroll bars on the edges of various windows. If you are not using a mouse, these scroll bars are not normally displayed. If you would like to see scroll bars, answer YES to this option. EXPLODING WINDOWS WITH SOUND Set this option to YES if you would like OLX-TD's popup windows to explode, complete with sound effects. RENAME PACKET AFTER READ Setting this option to YES will cause Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to prompt you to rename a mail packet after you finish reading it. This is useful for archiving or backup purposes, and this option is also available by pressing [Alt][R] from the packet window. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 42 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� SNOW CHECKING WITH OLD CGAs Some old CGA (color graphics adapter) cards will show snow on the screen when running Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. If you see interference patterns on your CGA monitor when using Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, set this option to YES. While this option will slow down the display slightly, it will, in most cases, eliminate the snow problem. If your CGA monitor does not snow, or if you use a monochrome system, or EGA/VGA, set this option to NO. BOX AROUND MESSAGE WINDOW Normally, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive displays a border around the message on the screen. Set this option to NO if you do not want to see this box. BEEP ON PERSONAL MESSAGE If this option is set to YES, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will make a distinctive sound when it displays a message addressed to you. TO/FROM INSTEAD OF FROM/TO By default, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive puts the sender's name above the addressee's name in the message header. This matches the usual format for business letters and inter-office memos. You may prefer to see the recipient's name first; in that case answer YES to this question. REREAD MESSAGES ALREADY READ If you would like Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to skip messages you have already read, set this option to NO. This will cause OLX-TD to display your personal messages only once (when you read them in the Personal conference). USE BOOKMARK (BOOKMARK.OLX) FILE Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will save your place for you in a message packet, should you need to exit the program and return to it later. Normally when you finish reading a packet, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will update its Bookmark file. This file contains information about where you were reading in the packet, which messages have been read, replied to, marked, and saved. Also, if you use the bookmark files, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will be able to tell you what percentage of the packet you have read. This information is displayed on the Packet Window. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 43 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� EDITOR � Configuration 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� Editor � � � � This is the command OLX will use to execute your editor. If you do � � not specify the "File to take reply text from" here, then OLX will � � add that option to the end of the given command line. � � � � Editor command line OLXED � � � � When you reply to a message, OLX writes the quoted original message � � to the file named in the first option below. When you finish writing� � your message, OLX expects to find your message in the second file. � � � � Quoted original message file REPLY.MSG � � File to take reply text from REPLY.MSG � � � � Clear screen before editor Yes � � � � � � � 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � Enter the command which OLX will use to start your editor � � F10-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 EDITOR COMMAND LINE This is the command Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will use to load and run your editor. Normally this will just be the name of your editor -- for example OLXED.EXE (Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive Editor), but you may also want to specify options or configuration files on the editor command line. A ! character in this command will be replaced by the File to take reply text from. This option is explained in greater detail in the Advanced Features section. QUOTED ORIGINAL MESSAGE FILE When you reply to a message, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive writes the original message to this file. If you make this the same filename as the File to take reply text from, you will be able to edit the quoted original message, adding your own text to create your reply. FILE TO TAKE REPLY TEXT FROM This is the file in which Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive expects to find your reply once you have written it. If you make this the same filename as the Quoted original message file, you will be able to edit the quoted original message to create your reply. CLEAR SCREEN BEFORE EDITOR MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 44 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Set this option to YES if you would like Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to clear the screen before it calls your editor. For example, you may have a keystroke in your editor to display the background screen that existed before your editor came up. However, if the screen is not cleared by Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, there can be some color conflict problems with some editors. REPLIES � Configuration 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴 Replies � � � � These options control how OLX handles your replies and the quoted � � original text. � � � � When to edit reply info Before and after edit � � � � Reply quoting style All � � Quoting prefix string �> � � Message header in quoted reply No � � � � Enable taglines Sequential � � Fido-style taglines Yes � � � � (Press SPACE or F2 to change option) � � � � � � � � � 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � Determines when to edit the reply information � � F10-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 WHEN TO EDIT REPLY INFO When you enter or reply to a message, a data entry window will pop up, asking you to input or confirm the addressee's name, message topic, conference, and other information. You may choose to display this information before or after entering your message, or both before and after. REPLY QUOTING STYLE When replying to a message, it is frequently useful to quote parts of the original message to retain the context of the conversation. In order to set these quoted portions off from your own text, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will add a short string of characters to the beginning of each quoted line. Most commonly, the string consists of the initials of the person being quoted, separated by a character such as a ->. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will automatically insert the initials in the quoting prefix when you reply to a message. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 45 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� There are three styles of quoting the original message in Off- Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. All of them involve the Quoting prefix string (next option). The Reply quoting style option controls where the initials of the original message's author are placed in the quoted reply. See the help screen available by pressing [F1] for examples of the three options. QUOTING PREFIX STRING You may define your own quote prefix for use by Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive; however for the sake of readability, it's usually best to stick with the conventional quote prefix in the default configuration. In particular, it is important to avoid using so- called control characters in your quoting prefix -- these characters (ASCII 01 to 32) may cause unpredictable results when viewed on other terminals -- anything from blanking the screen to turning on the printer! MESSAGE HEADER IN QUOTED REPLY If this option is YES, the full message header of the original message will be included in the quoted reply. If you have set the original and reply files to the same name, be careful to delete the quoted original message header so it won't be included in your reply. ENABLE TAGLINES Taglines are informational or humorous one-line advertisements automatically appended by Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to each message or reply. They can be simple and straightforward -- for example a line advertising your company name and phone number, or they can be humorous, topical and entertaining. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive allows you to store as many different taglines as you like, and appends them to messages in a variety of ways -- randomly or sequentially as they appear in the tagline file, or sticky -- that is, the same tagline will appear on all messages until you select a new one. The final selection is no tagline at all. FIDO-STYLE TAGLINES Some echomail networks disallow the use of special (high-bit) characters such as the � used in the Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive tagline. Set this option to YES to change these block characters to *, making your messages Fido-compliant. PACKERS � Configuration 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴 Packers � � � MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 46 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � These are the commands that OLX will use to pack and unpack mail � � files. Under normal circumstances, these do NOT need to be changed! � � Only if you have renamed one or more of these programs will you need � � to change these options. � � � � ZIP unpacker PKUNZIP ! � � ZIP packer PKZIP ! � � � � ARC unpacker PKUNPAK ! � � ARC packer PKPAK ! � � � � LZH unpacker LHA x ! � � LZH packer LHA a -m ! � � � � ARJ unpacker ARJ e ! � � ARJ packer ARJ a ! � � � 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � Command to unpack a ZIP file � � F10-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 These options tell Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive what commands to use to unpack QWK packets and pack REP packets. OLX-TD is able to detect which of several popular packer/unpacker utilities was used to create the mail packet, and executes the correct program with the command line switches and parameters specified in these configuration options. We strongly recommend that you do NOT attempt to change these options unless you are sure you know what you are doing. If you must change them, please remember to keep the ! (exclamation mark) in the command line. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive needs the ! to know where to place the name of the packet being packed or unpacked. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 47 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� COLORS � Configuration 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� Colors � � Message text Yellow on blue 쿑rom: YOU Number: 1 (PVT)� � Quoted text Gray on blue � To: ALL Conf: (0) � � Message header Yellow on blue 냐컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � Header field White on blue �>Quoted text � � Private flag White on red 쿘essage text � � Window text Yellow on blue � �� Window header 袴袴� � � Window border White on blue � 튩indow text � � Window header Black on gray � 튗ighlighted text � � � Scroll bar Gray on blue � � Field Edit field � � � Mouse/key button Yellow on cyan � � Button � � Highlight bar Yellow on cyan � 훤�袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴뽕� � � Unedited field Yellow on cyan � � Message window � � � Edited field White on red � 旼컹袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴셍커 � � Message window Yellow on red � � Help window � � � Help window Black on gray � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 � � Status line Black on gray � Status line � � (Press SPACE or F2 to change color) 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � (Press D for default color selections) Sample Display � 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � Color of normal message text � � F10-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 Each part of Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive's displays can be configured to your personal color preferences. To change a color, move the cursor to the screen item to change or click the mouse button on the list, or a color sample. A palette of colors will pop up, from which you can select whatever color you prefer. You may toggle the blinking attribute by pressing [B] on any item. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 48 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� FUNCTION KEYS & ALT KEYS � Configuration 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴 Function keys � � � � OLX allows you to specify commands that should be executed when one � � of the following function keys is pressed. Two special commands are � � @SAVE and @VIEW (see F1 help for list of commands). For example: � � � � @SAVE C:\QWK\SAVE.TXT (saves current message) � � @VIEW SESSION.TXT (displays SESSION.TXT) � � QMODEM (runs Qmodem) � � � � F3 @MENU � � F4 � � F5 � � F6 � � F7 � � F8 � � F9 � � � � � 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � DOS command to execute when this function key is pressed � � F10-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 � Configuration 袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴� Alt keys � � � � Alt function keys (Press F1 for a list of all commands) � � � � Alt-A Alt-N @CONFIG � � Alt-B Alt-O � � Alt-C Alt-P @PICKLISTS � � Alt-D Alt-Q � � Alt-E Alt-R @SHELL � � Alt-F Alt-S � � Alt-G Alt-T � � Alt-H @HELP Alt-U � � Alt-I Alt-V @VIEW � � Alt-J Alt-W � � Alt-K Alt-X @EXIT � � Alt-L Alt-Y � � Alt-M Alt-Z � � � � � 봬컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴캤 � DOS command to execute when this function key is pressed � � F10-Ok ESC-Cancel F1-Help � 훤袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴袴暠 You may attach various Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive functions and DOS commands to function keys and [Alt] keys, which will be available anywhere within Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 49 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� You may also re-assign many of Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive's internal commands to suit your own preference. This allows you to customize your copy of Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to use the keys you've already become accustomed to in other programs. If for example you prefer to bring up the configuration menu by typing [F4] instead of the default [Alt][N] or [F4], select the Function keys menu, move the cursor to F4 in the pick list, and type @CONFIG in the data entry field, then press [F10] to save your changes. The Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive functions which can be reconfigured in this way are: @HELP Context-sensitive help display @CONFIG Configuration options @PICKLISTS Pick-list menus when available @SHELL Shell to DOS @VIEW Invoke internal file viewer @EXIT Exit OLX-TD @SAVE Save current message to text @MENU Return to OLX-TD menu Remember to include the @ sign before these keywords. Here are a few more examples of configurable function key and [Alt] key assignments: @SAVE -- If you define a function key or [Alt] key (for example, [Alt][S]) as: @SAVE C:\OLX-TD\SAVE.TXT Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will then save the current message to C:\OLX-TD\SAVE.TXT whenever you press [Alt][S]. @VIEW -- If you define a function key or [Alt] key (for example, F4) as: @VIEW SESSION.TXT Using its internal file viewer, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will view the SESSION.TXT file (a capture file of your online mail door session, which is placed in your .QWK packet by some MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 50 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� mail doors, including Qmail and Tomcat). You may also specify an absolute path name to view a file on your disk (such as one of your save files). Note that the default path to VIEW a file is OLX-TD's work directory -- to view a file in a different subdirectory, the VIEW command must contain the complete path and filename to the file you would like to view. You may also use function keys and [Alt] keys to execute commonly used DOS applications from Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive -- for example, you may load directory management program by assigning the following string to, for example, [Alt][D]: C:\UTILS\DIRMAGIC.COM OLX-TD would then shell out and run the application according to the command line specified. When the application finishes (in the case of DIRMAGIC, when you press the [Esc] key to exit), OLX-TD will immediately swap back in and resume from the same place you left off. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 51 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� CHAPTER 5 - ADVANCED FEATURES PICK LISTS Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive has a number of Pick Lists which can save frequently-used data for a number of program functions. You may pop-up a Pick List by pressing [F2] on a field which has an associated Pick List. You may then use your mouse or cursor keys to select the item you wish to use, then press [Enter] to fill in the edit field. You may also cycle through the items in the Pick List one by one, by pressing the space bar on an edit field. The Pick Lists are maintained by pressing [Alt][P] anywhere in Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, or by calling them directly by pressing [F2] on an appropriate field. The pick list edit commands are: [A] Add a new entry to the end of the Pick List. If you popped up this Pick List with [F2] and there was already some text in the field, this text will be automatically filled in for you when you press [A]. You can edit the text if you like, and press [Enter] to save it, or [Esc] to discard your change. [D] Delete an entry from the Pick List. You will be asked to confirm the deletion. [E] Edit an entry in the Pick List. You will be able to edit the highlighted entry. When you are done, press [Enter] to accept your changes or [Esc] to discard them. [F] If you want to find an item in the Pick List but only remember a small part of it, use the [F] command to find bits of text in the Pick List. [N] This command will find the next occurrence of the last [F] text. If you press a letter or number key, the highlight bar will jump directly to the next item in the Pick List which starts with that letter or number. This is sometimes a faster way to find items than using the [Alt][F] command. The Pick Lists available in Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive are: TAGLINES This Pick List contains the taglines Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will append to your messages. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 52 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� TO If there is a person or group of people to whom you frequently send messages, you may enter their names in the TO Pick List. This is also convenient if you correspond with people who have names that are difficult to spell. Other useful items for this Pick List are the @TO@ and @FROM@ variables. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will fill in these two items from the message header currently on screen -- see the next section for information on Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive variables. SUBJECT This is a list of frequently-used message subjects. FIND If you regularly use the FIND feature of Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive, you may wish to save your favorite search strings in a Pick List. Remember, multiple text strings can be searched at once by separating them with semicolons. SAVE/VIEW This is a list of the save files which you usually use. The Save/View Pick List is an excellent place to use many of OLX-TD's @-Variables. These variables are described in the next section. SKIP This Pick List contains a list of users and message subjects you would like to skip over when reading messages. If you just enter a name here, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will skip over all messages To and From that user. For other types of filters, use the following formats: F:SOME NAME This will cause Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to skip all messages From SOME NAME. T:ANOTHER NAME This will cause Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to skip all messages To ANOTHER NAME. S:BORING SUBJECT This will cause Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to skip all messages whose Subject is BORING SUBJECT (or Boring Subject, since the filter is not case sensitive). MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 53 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� COMMAND LINE PARAMETERS Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive has a command line option to specify the name and path of a configuration file to be loaded instead of the default CONFIG.OLX. For example, if you have a different configuration for Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive when running under DESQview, for example, you might want to use OLXTD /C:CONFIG.OL1 This will use the file CONFIG.OL1 as the configuration file instead of the standard CONFIG.OLX. You may also use this option to allow different people to use OLX-TD on the same computer, each with a path to their own mail directories, and their own customized configuration. You may also specify a packet name and path on the Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive command line to open it right away, for example OLXTD C:\OLX-TD\MUSTANG.QWK USING TWO FILES WHEN REPLYING Many text editors are able to edit two files at once, each in its own window. A useful application for this feature would be to load the original message in one window, and write your reply in another window, then use block marking to copy text from one window to the other. When editing in this manner Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will write the quoted original message to a temporary file named ORIGINAL.MSG, and open a second window with a filename of REPLY.MSG for your reply. It will call your editor with both file names as parameters. When you have finished writing your reply, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will save the reply text from the file REPLY.MSG. In this way, you can use your editor's block mark and copy commands to copy only the parts of the original message you wish to quote. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 54 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� @-VARIABLES These are substitution variables which tell Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to replace the @-Variable with some text which is generated from OLX-TD's current operating environment or the message you are currently reading. First we will list the available @-Variables, then explain how they can be used. @BBSID@ This is the BBS ID from the QWK packet you are currently reading. It is up to 8 characters long and is a valid DOS filename. @CONFNAME@ This is the name of the conference you are currently reading. It can be up to 10 characters long. @CONFNUM@ This is the number of the conference you are currently reading. @DATE@ This is the current date, in the same format as DOS uses in, say, a directory listing (this is for international date format support). @DAY@ This is the three-letter abbreviation of the current day of the week. @FROM@ This is the full name of the author of the current message. @FROMFIRST@ This is the first name of the author of the current message. @FROMLAST@ This is the last name of the author of the current message. @MEMORY@ This is the amount of system memory (RAM) currently free, in K (1K = 1024 bytes = 1 kilobyte). @QWKDIR@ Replaced by default .QWK directory, from the OLX- TD configuration. @REPDIR@ Replaced by default .REP directory, from the OLX- TD configuration. @SUBJECT@ Replaced by current message subject. @TIME@ This is the current time, in the format 3:34 pm. @TIME24@ This is the current time, in the format 15:34 (24- hour time format). @TO@ This is the full name of the addressee of the current message. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 55 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� @TOFIRST@ This is the first name of the addressee of the current message. @TOLAST@ This is the last name of the addressee of the current message. @YYMMDD@ Replaced by date, in yymmdd format (i.e. 920106). USING @-VARIABLES PICK LISTS One of the more useful ways to make use of @-Variables is in Pick Lists. If you like to mark and save messages to a text file while you are reading, it makes sense to use a file name which will help you keep track of the contents, so that you can refer to it quickly. Along with your own selections, the following items in your Save/View Pick List will allow you to select relevant file names without retyping: @CONFNAME@ @DATE@ @FROM@ @TO@ Your "To" Pick List might contain the following, along with your own frequently-used selections. These would automatically substitute the name of the sender or recipient of a message to which you are replying: @FROM@ @TO@ TAGLINES @-Variables also work in taglines, and are automatically filled in when the message is saved. Try this one, just for fun: Right now, I have @MEMORY@k left! MANUALLY SPLITTING LONG MESSAGES In order to maintain compatibility with BBS software and net/echomail protocols, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive limits the maximum size of a message to 80 columns wide by 150 lines long. If your message should exceed those limits, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will separate it into two or more parts. In order to maintain the continuity of long messages as far as possible, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will attempt to split the message at a paragraph break or other logical point at or before about 145 lines (to allow for taglines and network origin lines at the end of each message). MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 56 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� If you prefer to indicate the appropriate page break points yourself, the following characters entered on a blank line at the left margin will force a page break at that point. .PG Please note, if you later edit a reply which has been broken in this way, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive cannot replace the .PG lines. You will have to put them back in if you want to keep the page breaks in the same place. It's also important to note that some echomail networks do not support messages longer than 99 lines. In that case, you may need to split these long messages manually, using the .PG command, to prevent echomail software from truncating your messages. SELECTIVE SWAPPING There may be times when you wish to override your default Enable Swapping Y/N setting in the configuration section of Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive for individual programs. For example, if swapping to disk seems slow, you may prefer to keep Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive in memory for external programs requiring relatively little extra memory, like your packer and unpacker, and swap out only for large programs, for example a full-function word processor. You would configure Enable Swapping to NO, then for your editor command line, enter something like this: SWAP:BIGEDIT This would cause Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to swap only when executing BIGEDIT. This feature can be used in the editor, packer, and function key command lines. ENTERING MESSAGES WITHOUT A PACKET Sometimes you may want to enter messages for a BBS but don't have a QWK packet handy to open. Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive provides two levels of support for this operation: 1. Every time you open a packet, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive updates BBSINFO.OLX. This file contains conference information for the packets you have read. If you would later like to enter messages for a particular BBS but don't have a QWK handy, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will let you write messages using the conference information in the BBSINFO.OLX file. 2. If you have never opened a QWK file from a particular BBS before, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will let you enter a message, but you must know the conference number where you want the message to go (you must, of course, also know the MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 57 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� BBS ID for Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive to create a proper REP packet). To use (1), press [E] from the Packet Window. A small window titled Enter Msg will pop up and prompt you to select a BBS ID. Once you select the appropriate BBS ID, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will place you in the Conference Window for that packet. Move the highlight bar to the conference in which you want to enter a message, and press E. When you have finished entering replies, exit the packet as usual. To use (2), again press [E] from the Packet Window. This time, select the option at the bottom of the window titled You will be prompted for the BBS ID, your name, and the packer type you wish to use for this REP file. Once you have entered that information, you will be placed directly into either the New Message Info window or your editor, depending on your configuration. Enter your messages (remember, no conference list is available). When you have exited from your editor, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will save your message and pop-up the New Message Info window again for another message. When you have finished entering and saving messages, press [Esc]. A window will pop up, asking you to confirm whether to abort the current message. Since OLX-TD does not have a packet open, it has no way of determining when you have finished creating your replies. Simply confirm that you want to abort your message. Off- Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will then create a new REP file, which you may then upload to the BBS. PCRELAY REROUTING If you are a user of an echomail network based on the PCRelay(tm) software, you may be familiar with the routing feature supported by PCRelay. If you reply a message which has been routed to you, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will automatically re-route the message back to the sender. NETMAIL INITIALS SUPPORT If you use Mjrmail on a MajorBBS system, and participate in echomail SIGs, you will be familiar with the Netmail userid used by the echomail software. If you reply to a message from Netmail, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive will take the initials of the sender from the From: line at the start of the message (the initials are used in the quoting done by OLX-TD). MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 58 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� APPENDIX A - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Question: I can't see any mail packets ?? Answer: That's because the .QWK directory in the Directories section of your configuration is blank, or is not pointing at the directory where your mail packets are stored after you download them from the BBS. Try setting the .QWK directory to the same path as your communication program's download directory. In the meantime, you can easily change drives and directories from the packet window, by moving the highlight bar to the desired directory or drive and pressing [Enter] Question: I get an error message about "File not found" when I try to open a packet and I end up back at the packet window. I can see the packet in the window, so what happened? Answer: The most likely cause is that your packers and unpackers are not in your DOS path. Since OLX-TD needs these auxiliary programs to execute, they must be present on your disk, in your DOS path. If you do not have the necessary packers and unpackers, they may be downloaded from most Bulletin Boards. Ask your Sysop (System Operator) for assistance, and consult your DOS manual on how to set your PATH. Question: OLX-TD said something like "PKUNZIP has returned the following error code", and then a number. What does this mean? Answer: This means that an external program executed by OLX-TD has for some reason failed, and has sent an error message to OLX-TD. A common example would be error code 50 from PKUNZIP, which indicates that your disk is full, and PKUNZIP cannot continue. For a full explanation of these error codes, and what to do about them, you need to consult the documentation for whichever external program generated the error message. Question: I'd prefer to use my own text editor or word processor with OLX-TD, rather than the one that's supplied with the program. How can I do this? Answer: Go to the [Alt][N] Configuration menu, and select Editors. Then type in the name and path of the editor you want to use. You may need to turn swapping on if your editor requires a large amount of memory to execute. Question: Okay, I've done that, and now my Wonder-Whiz Word MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 59 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Processor loads just fine from OLX-TD. But all the messages I saved turned to garbage when I looked at them again in OLX-TD. What's wrong? Answer: If you're using a word processor with OLX-TD, you need to remember to save your files in ASCII Text, Non- Document or Dos Text mode. Most word processors add special binary formatting codes which make your document look nice on screen when you're in your word processing, but can look scrambled when viewed from other programs. The manual with your word processor should explain how to save plain ASCII files, which OLX-TD requires. Question: OLX-TD gave me an error message about "Work Directory not empty", then it died. What does that mean? Answer: OLX-TD will refuse to operate if it finds files in its work directory that it did not create. This is to protect your files if for some reason your work directory in OLX-TD points to some existing directory on your disk, since OLX-TD will delete its work directory when it finishes reading a packet. Go back to the Configuration menu, and set your work directory to an empty directory, or to the default OLX$WORK. Question: How can I get OLXED to import a text file on disk so I can save it as a message? Answer: [Alt][R] to "Read" a text file. Type in the file name and path, hit [Enter], and your file will appear in the OLXED editing window. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 60 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� APPENDIX B - ERROR MESSAGES Most error messages in Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive are not fatal and will allow you to continue using Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive (although you may not be able to complete the function which caused the error message). However, there are some error conditions which Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive is unable to recover from. These errors are listed below: Could not change to directory This message means Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive was unable to change to its work directory after creating it. Could not change to directory (was probably deleted) This message means Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive was unable to change to its work directory before erasing the files in it. This is meant as a safety-net for users who are using Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive under a multitasker or over a Local Area Network and accidentally have deleted OLX-TD's work directory while Off- Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive is running. If this check was not made, Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive could erase all the files in some other directory! (This actually happened to the programmer at least twice.) Could not create directory This message means Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive could not create a directory that it needs. Try creating the named directory from DOS to help Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive. DOS setblock error after exec -- reboot your computer! This error message is caused by installing a Terminate-and- stay- resident (TSR) program during a shell to DOS. This action corrupts the DOS memory blocks and causes programs to operate improperly. You should reboot your computer to clear the bad memory blocks. Insufficient memory to allocate window buffer This means Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive has run out of system memory (RAM) and cannot continue. This most often happens if you are reading a very large packet. The way to avoid this is to keep an eye on the free memory indicator at the bottom of the Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive screen and make sure it does not fall below about 20k. You may have to remove some TSR programs to free up more system memory. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 61 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Insufficient memory: OLX cannot continue This is similar to the previous message in that Off-Line Xpress 2.1 Test Drive has run out of system memory it needs to perform some function. Try reading a smaller QWK packet or free up some other system memory. Work directory not empty This error message is generated by choosing NO in response to the question, Work directory not empty! Do you want to erase the files in it? This is intended as a safety-net if you accidentally specify a work directory that already has files in it. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 62 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� APPENDIX C - GLOSSARY This is a glossary of terms commonly used by telecommunications enthusiasts, as well as words specific to offline mail reading and Bulletin Board Systems. We hope you find the information useful. ARQ Automatic Repeat Request. A general term for error control protocols featuring hardware detection and retransmission of defective data. This term is used primarily by US Robotics. ASCII American Standard Code for Information Exchange. A 7-bit binary code representation of letters, numbers and special characters. It is universally supported in computer data transfer. Asynchronous Data transmission in which the actual data is preceded by a start bit and followed by a stop bit since the time between transmitted characters varies. Compare Synchronous. Auto Answer The modem feature which enables detection of a ring and answering without assistance from a program. Baud Rate The number of discrete signal events per second occurring on a communications channel. It is often referred to as Bits per second (BPS) which is technically inaccurate but widely accepted. BBS Bulletin Board System. Bit Binary Digit. A single basic computer signal consisting of a value of 0 or 1, off or on. Buffer A memory area used for temporary storage during input/output operations. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 63 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Bulletin Board System A host system, into which callers may dial with their modems to read and send electronic mail, upload and download files, and chat online with other callers. Byte A group of Bits acted upon as a group, which may have a readable ASCII value as a letter or number or some other coded meaning to the computer. It is commonly used to refer to 8-bit groups. 1 kilobyte = 1,024 bytes; 64K = 65,536 bytes or characters. Carrier A continuous frequency capable of being either modulated or impressed with another information-carrying signal. Carriers are generated and maintained by modems via the transmission lines of the telephone companies. Conference An area of public messages on a Bulletin Board System, usually with a particular topic and, often, a conference host or moderator to guide the discussion. Also called Folder, SIG (for "Special Interest Group") or Echo. CCITT A French acronym for the International Telephone and Telegraph Consultative Committee. This international organization defines the standards for telephone equipment such as the Bell 212A standard for 1200 baud, CCITT V.22 for 2400 baud and CCITT V.32 for 9600 baud. CPS Characters Per Second. A transfer rate estimated from the bit rate and length of each character. If each character is 8 bits long and includes a start and stop bit for Asynchronous transmission, each character needs 10 bits to be sent. At 2400 baud it is transmitted at approximately 240 CPS. CRC Cyclical Redundancy Check. An error-detection technique consisting of a cyclic algorithm performed on each "block" of data at the sending and receiving end of the transmission. As each block is received, the CRC value is checked against the CRC value sent along with the block. Many protocols including XMODEM- CRC and ARQ will request a resend until the block is received correctly. Download MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 64 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Receiving a file from a Bulletin Board System, using a terminal program (for example QModem) and a transfer protocol (for example Zmodem). DTE Data Terminal Equipment. The device that is the originator or destination of the data sent by a modem. DTR Data Terminal Ready. A signal generated by most modems indicating a connection between the DTE (computer) and the modem. When DTR is "high" the computer is connected. Data Compression Protocols Compression of data by the modem allows more information to be transferred in a shorter time frame. Protocols for data compression include CCITT V.42bis and MNP 5, Data Transmission Protocols These are standards for modulation and transmission of data at various speeds. The standards are Bell 103 & V.21 for 300bps, Bell 212A & V.22 for 1200bps, V.22bis for 2400bps, V.32 for 9600bps and V.32 bis for 14,400bps. Proprietary protocols are also used extensively for higher baud rates. Echomail Public Message Conferences on a Bulletin Board System which are shared and distributed among other Bulletin Boards as part of an Echomail Network. Expanded Memory Extra memory (above 640k) on your XT or AT-compatible computer, which is installed with an EMS driver, and may be used by some programs to store data. Extended Memory Extra memory (above 640k) on your 80286 or 80386 compatible computer. Not normally usable by DOS applications, but may be configured as a virtual drive or a disk cache on an 80286 computer, or as Expanded Memory on an 80386 computer. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 65 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Flow Control A mechanism that compensates for differences in the flow of data to and output from a modem or computer. Either hardware or software can be used for this control to prevent data loss. Hardware flow control using the modem makes use of a buffer to store data to be sent and data received. Flow control is necessary if the Communications port is locked at a higher rate than the connection rate. Error Control Protocols These are various modem-based techniques which check the reliability of characters or blocks of data at a hardware level. Examples include MNP 2-4, V.42 Freeware Computer software which may be distributed on Bulletin Board Systems, and for which the author requests no license fee or registration fee. Full Duplex Signal flow in both directions at the same time. It is sometimes used to refer to the suppression of online LOCAL ECHO and allowing the remote system to provide a REMOTE ECHO. Half Duplex Signal flow in both directions, but only one way at a time. It is sometimes used to refer to activation of LOCAL ECHO which causes a copy of sent data to be displayed on the sending display. Host System Another name for a Bulletin Board System (BBS) Local Area Network (LAN) A group of computers joined with cables and software, allowing hard disks and other devices to be shared among many users. Mail Door A subsection of a Bulletin Board System which creates .QWK mail packets. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 66 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� MNP Microcom Networking Protocol. A set of hardware error protection protocols (MNP levels 1 - 4) and data compression techniques (MNP level 5) developed by Microcom, now in the public domain. It makes use of CRC and retransmission of defective blocks by checking performed within the modem. Netmail Private electronic mail which is transmitted by a user calling one Bulletin Board System to another user calling a different Bulletin Board System. NRAM Nonvolatile Random Access memory. A user-programmable memory chip whose data is retained when power to the chip is turned off. NRAM is used in many modems to store default settings. ON/OFF Hook A descriptive term referring to manually lifting a telephone receiver (taking it OFF Hook) and replacing it (going ON Hook). OFF Hook produces a busy signal on the phone line. Packer A program to compress multiple files into a single file, such as PKZIP, ARC or LHARC @GLOSS Packet A mail packet (with a .QWK extension) from a host system Parity An error detection method used in both communications and computer memory checking to determine character validity. Communications now makes use of more efficient "block" checking although parity must still be matched in a communication session for transfer to take place correctly. Host communication in the BBS environment omits parity checking (no parity). Protocol A system of rules and procedures governing communications between two devices. File transfer protocols in your communications program refer to a set of rules governing how error checking will be performed on blocks of data. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 67 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Public Domain Computer software on which no copyright exists (usually by a specific statement to that effect by the author), and which may be freely used and distributed. Remote Echo A copy of the data being received is returned to the sending system for display on the screen. See Full/Half duplex. Shareware Computer software which is distributed on the "Honor System", which may be freely copied and distributed, but for which a registration fee or payment is required for continued use beyond an initial evaluation period. Sysop The SYStem OPerator of a Bulletin Board System. The person responsible for setting up and maintaining the BBS. Thread A group of BBS messages and replies linked and sorted by topic. Unpacker A program to uncompress a file from a Packer Upload To transfer a file from your computer to another computer, using your terminal program (for example Qmodem) and a transfer protocol (for example Zmodem) V.21 CCITT standard for modem communications at 300bps. Modems made in the US follow the Bell 103 standard. V.22 CCITT standard for modem communications at 1200bps, compatible with the Bell 212A standard used in the US and Canada. V.22 bis CCITT standard for modem communications at 2400bps. It includes automatic fallback to 1200bps and compatibility with Bell 212A and V.22 modems. V.23 MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 68 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� CCITT standard for modem communications at 1200bps with a 75bps back channel. It is used in the United Kingdom. V.32 CCITT standard for modem communications at 4800 and 9600bps. It includes automatic fallback to 4800 when line quality is poor. V.32 bis CCITT standard for modem communications at 14400bps with automatic fallback to 12000, 9600, 7200 and 4800bps. As line quality improves communications speed can also be increased to the next higher rate. V.42 CCITT standard for modem communications that defines negotiation for LAPM error control. V.42 also includes support for MNP error correction protocol levels 1 - 4. V.42 bis CCITT extension of V.42 that adds data compression to the V.42 correction protocols. MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 69 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� INDEX ADD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 19, 24, 32, 43, 44, 51, 59 AMERICAN EXPRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 ANIMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 ASCII TEXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 59 BBS . . . . . . . 1, 2, 5, 11, 14-21, 24-29, 35, 54-58, 62, 65-67 BBSINFO.OLX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 BOOKMARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41, 42 BORDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42, 47 BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . 2, 5, 26, 27, 35, 62-67 BULLETINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 16, 17, 29 CAPS LOCK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 CARBON COPIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 26 CGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 COMMAND LINE . . . . . . . . . . 28, 31, 35, 43, 46, 50, 53, 56 COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 36, 37, 66 COMPRESSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 34, 64, 66, 68 COMPUSERVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 CONFERENCE . . . . 13, 18-26, 29, 38, 40, 42, 44, 54, 56, 57, 63 CONFIGURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 28, 34, 37, 39, 56 CONTROL MESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 24 DATA ENTRY WINDOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 DEFAULT . 10, 11, 17, 23, 26, 36-40, 42, 45, 47, 49, 50, 53, 54, 56, 59, 66 DELETE . . . . . . . . . 14, 15, 18, 24, 25, 31, 32, 45, 51, 59 DOS . . 4, 10, 13, 14, 23, 27, 28, 31, 32, 35-37, 39, 48-50, 54, 58-60, 64 DOWNLOAD . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 11, 20, 24, 27, 28, 36, 58, 63 DOWNLOAD DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36, 58 DROP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 ECHOMAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, 29, 45, 55-57, 64 EDIT FIELD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 47, 51 EDITOR . 1, 2, 4, 9, 17, 19, 22, 24, 25, 31, 33, 34, 38, 43, 44, 53, 56, 57, 58 EGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 EMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 38, 39, 64 ERROR MESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58-61 EXIT . . . . . . . . . . 12-14, 16, 17, 31-33, 37, 42, 48-50, 57 EXPANDED MEMORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 39, 64 EXTENDED MEMORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 38, 39, 64 FIDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 44, 45 FIND . . . 4, 5, 19, 20, 22, 23, 29, 31, 35, 36, 43, 51, 52, 62 FLOPPY DISK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 10 FLOPPY DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 9, 10 FORWARD MESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 FUNCTION KEYS . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 13, 17, 32, 33, 35, 48-50 HEADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42, 44, 45, 47, 52 HELP . . 1, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17-19, 23, 25, 28, 29, 31-36, 38, 41, 43-49, 55, 60 HIGHLIGHT BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 14, 19, 47, 51, 57, 58 INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 13, 20-22, 69 INSUFFICIENT MEMORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 61 KEYBOARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 12 MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 70 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� KILL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 LOCAL AREA NETWORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 60, 65 LOG OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 LOG ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 LONG MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55, 56 MAIL DOOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 16, 20, 24, 49, 65 MAIL READER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 9, 16, 24, 29 MARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 14, 22, 23, 31, 32, 46, 53, 55 MASTERCARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 12-18, 28, 33-36, 48, 49, 58, 59 MESSAGE AREA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 26 MODEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 21, 27, 28, 62, 64-68 MODERATOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 MONOCHROME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 MOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 8, 13, 26, 36, 38, 39, 41, 47, 51 MOUSE CURSOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 MSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 14-16, 18, 21, 25, 35 MUSTANG SOFTWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 2, 6, 14, 15, 20, 27 NETIQUETTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 NEW FILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17 NEWSLETTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17 OLXED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 4, 9, 31, 32, 34, 43, 59 ORDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5, 23, 35, 38-40, 44, 55 PACKER . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 34, 35, 38, 46, 56, 57, 66, 67 PAGE BREAK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 PATH . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11, 17, 33, 35-37, 50, 53, 58, 59 PCBOARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 PCRELAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 PERSONAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 18, 41, 42, 47 PICK LIST . . . . . . . 10, 12, 13, 16, 22-26, 40, 49, 51, 52, 55 POINTING DEVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 39 PRINT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 3, 23, 24, 38, 40 PRINT SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38, 40 QMAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 50 QMODEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 18, 25, 28, 48, 64, 67 QUICK START . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 10 QUOTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 34, 44, 45, 53 QWIKMAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 QWK MAIL . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 14-16, 27, 28, 34, 35, 37, 65 RAM DRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 REGISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3, 65, 67 REPLY 1, 2, 5, 13, 18, 19, 21, 24, 25, 27-29, 34, 37, 43-45, 53, 56, 57 REQUEST ATTACHMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 RESET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 RETURN RECEIPT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 26 SCROLL BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SHELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 14, 32, 48-50, 60 SLMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 10, 18 SNOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41, 42 SORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15, 20, 23, 38-40 SOUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41, 42 SOURCE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 SPLIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 32, 55, 56 MUSTANG SOFTWARE, INC. OFF-LINE XPRESS 2.1 TEST DRIVE 71 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� STEAL TAGLINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SWAPPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 10, 38, 39, 56, 58 SYSOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 16, 25, 26, 28, 58, 67 TAGLINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 24-27, 45 TECHNICAL SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 2, 5 TSR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 UNMARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 32 UNPACKER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 34, 35, 38, 46, 56, 67 UPLOAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 28, 36, 37, 57, 63, 67 VGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 VISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 WELCOME.QWK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11 WILDCAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 28 WORD PROCESSOR . . . . . . . . . 1, 2, 4, 22, 34, 38, 56, 58, 59 WORK DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . 10, 15, 33, 36, 37, 39, 50, 59-61 XMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 38, 39 ZIP TO REPLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24