Tag-X Professional v0.90
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copyright (C) 1994 R.Janorkar
release date 12/21/94
Introduction
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tag-X Professional is an enhanced tagline manager for offline
QWK mail readers. A tagline is a single line comment that is
added to the end of each message, and is often a funny or
ridiculous statement. Most mail readers available today have
limitations to the amount of taglines they can handle, and one
has to physically select a tagline from what could well be a
sizable collection, or the mail reader will cycle through the
available taglines sequentially or randomly. Tag-X makes the job
of maintaining and selecting taglines infinitely easier. Tag-X
Pro replaces Tag Line Xpress, which has been THE most popular
tagline manager since 1992!
This is a wide-beta release of Tag-X Professional. The program
has been extensively tested during the past five months, and is
still under development. As a result some program features may
be changed, or new features may be added in the final release.
This documentation is incomplete, only basic installation and
operational information has been provided. The menus are
intuitive and the program is very easy to understand.
This release is fully functional, all program features are
available for your evaluation.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This program will expire on March 1st 1995 - all data files will
be useless after this time UNLESS the program is registered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tag-X Pro supports an UNLIMITED number of taglines, up to 72
characters in length! Tag-X uses a database to store your
tagline collection, and keeps a count of how many times each
tagline has been used. Tag-X introduces the Group concept, which
allows you to access individual Groups of taglines from within
the tagline database. Tag-X will read your message, and suggest
taglines from the database depending on the subject and content
of the message, giving priority to lesser used taglines. Tag-X
supports QWK, FIDO and Internet style taglines. Tag-X can steal
every tagline from entire QWK, Blue Wave BW and Silver Xpress
OPX mail packets. There is a quote enhancement feature that
places a configurable quote box around your replies. Tag-X also
offers a signature manager that allows several user signatures.
Tag-X supports and installs automatically into Silly Little Mail
Reader (SLMR), Off Line Xpress (OLX), Deluxeż, Jabber, SpeedRead
(Speed), Blue Wave, 1st Reader, RoboMail, MegaReader and Silver
Xpress. Additionally, any mail reader that supports a tagline
manager can be set up to use Tag-X Pro. Full mouse support is
available, and all features are fully configurable. On line
context sensitive help is available at all times. Tag-X needs a
minimum of 380K of system memory to work, any memory over that
including Expanded Memory will be used for dynamic caching and
index buffers.
A tutorial slide show is also included in this package called
TAGXDEMO.EXE that graphically demonstrates the various features
that Tag-X has to offer. Simply execute this demonstration
program to view the presentation and press any key to advance
screens, press the backspace key to view the previous screen, or
press the Escape key to end the slide show.
Registration
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tag-X Professional is fully functional to allow you to
completely evaluate the program. Registration is mandatory after
a reasonable evaluation period, and the program will cease to
function on March 1st 1995 - all data files will be unusable
after that time unless the program is registered!
Paid registrants of Tag Line Xpress v4.10 will receive a free
registration by mail. If you did not receive one, please contact
the author with your registration number and key code!
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
All registrations for Tag-X Professional benefit the American
Red Cross! Please use the enclosed ORDER.FRM and mail it to:
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
Ron Janorkar
Tag-X Registration
70-A Greenwich Avenue,
New York, NY 10011
Voice support is temporarily unavailable
FAX: 212-633-8726 (attn: Ron Janorkar)
ž Basic registration (validation number only) US $20.00
Make check/money order payable to the AMERICAN RED CROSS
Send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^ ^ ^ ^
* * EARLY WORM OFFER! Basic registration for ONLY [ US $10.00 ]
Order MUST be received by February 1st 1995!
Make check/money order payable to the AMERICAN RED CROSS
Send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^ ^ ^ ^
ž Printed illustrated user manual includes s/h US $10.00
Comes with v1.00 and BONUS tagline file on disk!
Make this check/money order payable to RON JANORKAR
The user manual is a detailed bound manual that contains several
descriptive screen shot illustrations, and is fully indexed.
Payment accepted by check, money order and postal order.
Credit cards can NO longer be processed!
International orders must arrange payment in US funds.
The registration number provided will be valid for version 1 and
all minor updates (1.xx) to Tag-X Professional. Major updates
may require an upgrade fee.
The author hosts a support conference on RelayNet/RIME (Janorkar
Support Conference), and also monitors several national echo
networks for support including RIME, FIDO, Intelec, SmartNET,
and WildNET, in the TAGLINES and SHAREWARE Conferences.
If you find a bug or encounter an error while using Tag-X,
please PRINT-SCREEN the error display and mail a printout along
with a detailed description to the author (certain errors will
create a file called TAGX.ERR which will contain the technical
information related to the crash).
For advanced diagnostics, press the Alt and EQUAL keys together
from the tagline browsing window to activate the hidden beta
test menu. Select the Diagnostics option, and Tag-X will create
a file called ASSIST.TXP that will help the author better
understand the problem as well as your specific setup. User
feedback has played a vital role in the development of Tag Line
Xpress and Tag-X Professional and is welcomed!
This is a list of Official Distribution Sites where Tag-X Pro
can be found, arranged by area code:
Support BBS - The Systematic BBS, NY 718-716-6198 @28.8
(First call downloads allowed, log in as FREE FILES AUTHOR)
BBS Name ST Phone #1 Phone #2 Phone #3
-------- -- -------- -------- --------
Michelange II BBS +32-67211838 ?
NorthPaul BBS +44236458256 14.4 +44235457650 14.4
The Schizophrenic Wol +44772456526 16.8
Twin-Box +49819180215 14.4
The Magic BBS +49821605539 14.4
PkMt BBS +61042853349 14.4
LiveWire BBS! +91332481356 14.4 +91332488763 14.4
Devil BBS +97235597740 ?
The T.E.R.N. BBS NJ 201-399-4772 28.8
The Garden of Eden BB NJ 201-839-5401 16.8 201-616-9760 14.4
Fun Investing BBS CT 203-834-0490 16.8
The Pony Express! BBS WA 206-367-9131 14.4
The Third Millennium ID 208-664-2983 14.4 208-765-1154 28.8
Computerized AIDS Min NY 212-222-2135 ?
Walter's BBS NY 212-749-3268 9600
The Lunatic Fringe TX 214-235-5288 USR 214-235-5764 16.8 214-235-5872 16.8
The Old Poop's World TX 214-613-6900 14.4
Robin's Egg BBS TX 214-964-8726 14.4
Camers Proving Ground PA 215-248-2319 14.4
The UnNamed BBS PA 215-540-0141 14.4
Perry-I Host Systems PA 215-698-7677 9600 215-698-7394 14.4
The Happy Hacker OH 216-992-6930 14.4 216-992-6931 21.6 USR DS
Merrifield PC BBS MN 218-829-6340 14.4
Old Timers BBS MD 301-645-1049 9600
The "US" Project BBS DE 302-529-1650 14.4
Manx Cat BBS FL 305-258-0002 14.4
The Looking Glass BBS FL 305-346-8524 28.8
The Great Escape BBS CA 310-676-3534 14.4 310-676-4282 16.8 310-676-2219 16.8
Stephanie's Nightmare KS 316-686-7585 28.8 316-686-6956 14.4
Stalker's BBS IN 317-773-7154 14.4
HearthStone BBS IN 317-831-9227 28.8
PUMA Wildcat! BBS LA 318-443-1065 14.4 318-442-0669 14.4
Cyber Zone BBS RI 401-732-0258 16.8
Pendragon BBS RI 401-765-6659 14.4
Dark Raven Tower RI 401-826-8419 2400
The Eager Beaver AB 403-285-7167 9600
Wild Turkey BBS GA 404-918-9618 14.4 404-918-8499 28.8
The Data Dimension GA 404-921-1186 14.4 404-564-9498 28.8 404-921-0963 28.8
Thompson Towers BBS GA 404-941-0746 14.4
Grigadoon TX 409-321-4637 14.4
Chesapeake FreeNet MD 410-820-6734 14.4
The Lions Den BBS MD 410-827-7675 14.4 410-827-5598 ?
Eastern Shore On-Line MD 410-827-8789 2400
Solomon World BBS KY 502-276-9675 14.4
TrekKy! BBS KY 502-762-6963 14.4
Emerald Online BBB OR 503-343-1308 14.4 503-343-1823 14.4 503-343-1437 28.8
Swamp Thang BBS LA 504-347-8152 9600
MidNight Express PCBo NM 505-831-4581 14.4 505-831-3579 14.4
Software Creations BB MA 508-365-2359 ? 508-368-7139 ? 508-365-9352 28.8
The Belly of the Beas MA 508-797-5112 9600
The Bingo Parlor BBS WA 509-244-6253 28.8
Night Voyager BBS WA 509-926-1686 14.4
MADDOG! BBS CA 510-483-0203 ? 510-895-8089 ?
Utopia Tech BBS NY 516-579-7507 28.8
The UpAllNite BBS ON 519-351-4364 14.4 519-351-5037 14.4
The Final Countdown MS 601-425-9795 28.8
The Coffee Club BBS AZ 602-945-0363 14.4
Salmon Siding Saloon BC 604-357-9942 14.4
The Message Center BB BC 604-426-8604 2400 604-426-5386 14.4
The Wishing Well BC 604-724-6280 14.4
Michael's Mess BBS KY 606-886-2881 14.4
Don's BBS NJ 609-435-1663 14.4
The Tholian Web PA 610-929-2229 ?
DRAGnet MN 612-753-1943 16.6
Lone Mountain BBS TN 615-494-7024 14.4
The Hillbilly Host BB TN 615-689-9899 28.8
Ryan's Bar BBQ MI 616-456-1845 16.8 616-456-5342 14.4
Nexus BBS VA 703-898-7205 14.4 703-898-3835 14.4
The Exchange BBS NC 704-573-2115 14.4
Hi-Tech Gateway BBS GA 706-694-3295 16.8
Warp Speed BBS IL 708-677-6824 ?
My New BBS TX 713-726-0445 9600
Radio-X BBS TX 713-789-4068 2400
The Point BBS WI 715-345-1327 14.4
Flying Fortress PA 717-597-7654 28.8
Queens Software Excha NY 718-628-6661 2400
Systematic BBS NY 718-716-6198 28.8 718-716-6341 28.8
The Icebox BBS NY 718-793-8548 14.4
Desktop Daredevil NY 718-904-9432 9600
Computec Data Systems NY 718-983-9152 16.8
The Dungeon BBS UT 801-393-0531 14.4
The Glory Bound BBS SC 803-592-5208 14.4
The UnWanted BBS SC 803-821-2220 9600
Straight Board BBS VA 804-468-6454 16.8 804-468-6528 14.4
The Metro Connection VA 804-768-8621 14.4
C Pro Run VA 804-857-4090 14.4
The Twilight Zone BBS CA 805-258-0413 16.8
Off Roaders BBS CA 805-274-1554 16.8 805-274-1568 ? 805-274-2842 ?
The Wetspot CA 805-736-7066 14.4
Midnight Express BBS CA 805-946-4107 14.4
The Seaside CA 805-964-4414 14.4 805-964-4766 14.4
The OutLaw BBS TX 806-435-9113 14.4
The Refiner's Fire MI 810-664-0437 14.4
The Black Realms IN 812-424-3781 14.4
COBRA BBS FL 813-684-8765 2400
The City of the Setti FL 813-960-5169 14.4
The Express BBS PA 814-362-6546 2400
Darby Research System PA 814-825-7905 28.8 814-825-9296 14.4 814-825-5217 28.8
Computer Works TX 817-589-1517 14.4
Star Trek BBS TN 901-377-6419 14.4
Maranatha BBS TX 903-465-4022 14.4
The Night Owl BBS FL 904-472-5714 14.4
The Club Cave BBS ON 905-796-1400 14.4
Altered Illusions NJ 908-329-3216 28.8 908-329-6384 16.8
DATALAND! BBS NJ 908-572-9233 14.4 908-572-5762 2400
Wild Bill's BBS NJ 908-671-2528 14.4 908-671-9091 14.4
Online Express CA 909-860-3728 ?
Graphics Unlimited BB CA 909-862-5319 14.4 909-862-1723 28.8
Byte Exchange NC 910-627-5190 14.4
Southern Charm BBS GA 912-934-8079 14.4
The Publishing BBS KS 913-784-7171 14.4
The Shuttle BBS NY 914-482-3239 14.4
The Lost Carrier BBS NY 914-964-0419 28.8
The Racers Net CA 916-546-2095 28.8 916-546-9113 28.8
Broken Wings OK 918-534-3759 14.4
FIDO freq sites:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1:278/111 (Systematic, NY) 1:150/420 (US Project, DE)
1:124/2113 (Lunatic Fringe, TX) 1:2619/101 (Utopia Tech, NY)
1:231/1400 (Hearthstone, IN) 1:3652/5 (Glory Bound, SC)
International sites:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NorthPaul BBS Scotland UK +23-645-8256/+23-545-7650
Michelange II BBS Belgium +32-67-211838
Schizophrenic Wolf BBS United Kingdom +44-77-245-6526
PkMt BBS Australia +61-04-285-3349
Devil BBS Israel +972-3-804688
About the American Red Cross
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The American Red Cross is the nation's foremost volunteer
emergency services organization. Their mission is to improve the
quality of human life; to enhance self-reliance and concern for
other; and to help people avoid, prepare for, and cope with
emergencies. They do this through services that are governed and
directed by volunteers and are consistent with its congressional
charter and the principles of the International Red Cross:
humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary
service, unity, universality. For more information, please read
the enclosed REDCROSS.DOC.
Upgrading from Tag Line Xpress
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tag-X Professional will automatically recognize and convert
existing Tag Line Xpress database and configuration files! You
must run Tag-X in the same directory that TLX is installed.
Be sure to make a backup of all your TLX data files and your
mail reader files before installing Tag-X!
Quick Start
~~~~~~~~~~~
This section contains the basic information required to install
and use Tag-X Professional.
At any time within the program, pressing the F1 key activates
the context sensitive help system.
Simply copy the contents of this archive into your mail reader
directory, or into a separate directory. When Tag-X is started
for the first time it will attempt to install automatically. You
will first be ask for confirmation and shown the reader type and
version located.
Make a backup of your mail reader configuration file before
allowing Tag-X to install itself. If the information that Tag-X
displays is correct (mail reader name and version number) type Y
and it will install itself automatically into the mail reader.
If you are using any other version of a reader - INSTALLATION
RESULTS ARE UNPREDICTABLE - since the mail reader formats could
well have changed between versions!!! Please read the specific
reader documentation (READERS.DOC) included in this archive for
more information.
Once Tag-X is installed, you will be offered the Configuration
menu. After you finish configuration, Tag-X will look for a
default tagline file (the mail reader specific tagline file). If
one is found you will be asked for confirmation before importing
the taglines into the tagline database. If Tag-X cannot
recognize any tagline files it will prompt you to enter the
filename, then read in the taglines. After importing all the
taglines Tag-X will ask if you want to rename the tagline file
or delete it. It is recommended that you rename the tagline file
so your mail reader will not attempt to attach a second tagline
to your messages.
Tag-X Professional is now installed and ready for use! If your
mail reader will not allow you to suppress its internal reader
signature, you have to either use the UNTAG.EXE utility provided
with this package; or disable the Tag-X reader signature.
To use the UNTAG.EXE utility; within your mail reader, edit the
PACKER or COMPRESSION option (for packing REP packets):
Old Option> PKZIP -A
New Option> NEWZIP PKZIP -A
Each reader has a different syntax and different location for
this option, please check the specific reader documentation
(READERS.DOC) for more information.
Tag-X will have created a batch file called NEWZIP.BAT that is
actually what does the tagline trimming. You will have to edit
this batch file with the correct parameters - depending on the
format your mail reader uses for compressing out-going mail.
When you respond to a message (or initiate a new message) Tag-X
will first enhance the quoted portion of your reply (a new
message has no quote and will be unaffected) and call your
editor. After you finish editing your reply, Tag-X will read the
message and suggest taglines based on the subject and content of
the message. You can then select an appropriate tagline from the
suggestions, or select one from the tagline database and Tag-X
will add it to your message along with your user signature.
Use of disk cache software will make Tag-X run much faster,
along with every other program you use. It is suggested that a
disk cache be used (especially on slower computers). RAM drives
are not recommended, since a power failure or system crash will
cause loss of data.
Tag-X saves a copy of your original reader configuration file as
CONFIG.OLD and creates a batch file called UNDOTAGX.BAT for
un-installing Tag-X. If, at any time, you wish to remove Tag-X
from your system, simply run the UNDOTAGX batch file.
Other Readers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tag-X can be installed into other mail readers that are not
currently supported automatically. There are two methods of
installation, the first is a "Classic" Tag-X installation, and
the second is a "Conventional" tagline manager installation.
If your reader is directly supported by Tag-X, you can skip this
section!
"Classic" TAGX Installation -
Tag-X is called instead of your editor; quotes your reply, then
directly loads your editor allowing you to edit your reply, and
finally adds the tagline along with an optional user signature.
You can modify your mail reader configuration to call Tag-X with
these command line parameters as the external editor:
\path\TAGX //BC F [!]
where \path\TAGX is the full path and filename for TAGX;
//BC is a switch to prevent cursor madness;
F indicates the Full feature mode;
and [!] depends on your specific mail reader and is the reply
file name (normally passed as ! or %O check your mail reader
documentation for the exact format).
Next you must change the Tag-X configuration and enter your
editor name in the indicated field under System Settings. If
your mail reader supports a "standard" (SLMR/OLX compatible)
message header you should enable it. The mail reader quote
characters should be disabled, and the mail reader tagline
support should also be totally disabled. When you reply to a
message, Tag-X will quote the reply portion and call your
editor. After you edit your reply, Tag-X will read it and
suggest taglines; select one and Tag-X will add the tagline to
the bottom of your message along with an optional user
signature.
Some mail readers do NOT allow you to disable the default reader
signature! If your messages have double taglines, you have two
choices. You can either use the UNTAG utility provided with this
package, or disable the Tag-X reader signature from within the
Tag-X configuration menu. If the Tag-X reader signature is
disabled, all taglines will be forced into FIDO style without
either a tear bar or a reader signature.
To use the UNTAG.EXE utility; within your mail reader, edit the
PACKER or COMPRESSION option (for packing REP packets):
Old Option> PKZIP -A
New Option> NEWZIP PKZIP -A
Each reader has a different syntax and different location for
this option, please check the specific reader documentation
(READERS.DOC) for more information.
Tag-X will have created a batch file called NEWZIP.BAT that is
actually what does the tagline trimming. You will have to edit
this batch file with the correct parameters - depending on the
format your mail reader uses for compressing out-going mail.
\path\UNTAG %4
%1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
This is how the NEWZIP.BAT looks - you have to determine which
parameter your mail reader is passing as the REPLIES file, and
change the UNTAG % number to that.
For example:
Old Option> PKZIP -A
New Option> \path\NEWZIP PKZIP -A
will pass the following line to NEWZIP.BAT:
PKZIP -A BBSNAME.REP BBSNAME.MSG
so %1 = PKZIP
%2 = -A
%3 = BBSNAME.REP
%4 = BBSNAME.MSG
What we are interested in is the .MSG file, which is the actual
replies file that will be compressed into the REP packet. In
this case it is %4.
Another example:
Old Option> PKZIP -A -ES
New Option> NEWZIP PKZIP -A -ES
will pass the following line to NEWZIP.BAT:
PKZIP -A -ES BBSNAME.REP BBSNAME.MSG
so %1 = PKZIP
%2 = -A
%3 = -ES
%4 = BBSNAME.REP
%5 = BBSNAME.MSG
In this case %5 is the parameter we want.
While this is definitely not an easy way to eliminate the
duplicate reader tagline, it is unfortunately the only way.
Conventional Tagline Manager Installation -
Tag-X can mimic the popular John Hancock tagline manager and
return the tagline in a text file. This method has certain
drawbacks; Tag-X cannot quote your message, the reader signature
cannot be changed, and user signatures are not available. Simply
set up your mail reader to call Tag-X as an external tagline
manager with the following parameters:
\path\TAGX G \replypath\REPLY.FIL
where \path\TAGX is the full path and filename of TAGX;
G is the Generic command line switch;
and \replypath\REPLY.FIL is the full path and filename of the
message file that Tag-X will read to make suggestions.
The tagline will be returned in a text file (called TAGX.TAG by
default). The name of the tagline return file can be changed
from within the Tag-X configuration menu. Your mail reader must
have the option to read such a tagline return file and use it.
Using TAGX
~~~~~~~~~~
Depending on your configuration choices, Tag-X will behave
differently. If you have chosen the default settings, without
automatic tagline selection and without random taglines; Tag-X
will read your message and make several tagline suggestions
based on the subject and message content. The window will be
titled Tagline Suggestions, use the arrow keys and the PageUp
and PageDown keys to navigate the list of suggestions and press
the Enter key to select one. You can also press the highlighted
letter to the left of the tagline to select it. The numbers on
the right side of the taglines indicate how many times each
tagline has been used. Your current location within the
displayed tagline list is indicated on the upper right corner of
the tagline window. Mouse users can simply click on the desired
tagline, or click on the arrow symbols on the right side of the
screen to simulate the PageUp and PageDown keys.
If you have chosen to use Random taglines, Tag-X will use
taglines at random instead of intelligent suggestions. If you
choose to have taglines automatically added, Tag-X will add a
suitable tagline without any prompting (and you will not see
this window).
You can activate the menu by pressing the TAB key, and also
access most of the options by pressing the associated hotkeys
(listed at the bottom of the window).
Press the Escape key (or choose the Quit option from the main
menu) to exit the program without adding any taglines or
signatures to the message.
The main tagline display
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The tagline window allows you to manipulate your tagline
collection interactively. Up to twenty taglines are displayed
within the window, along with the amount of times each tagline
has been used. The current tagline number is displayed at the
top right corner of the window, along with the total number of
taglines within the database. The current viewing mode is show
at the top of the window (Tagline Database, Tagline Suggestions,
or Tagline Group name).
Use the arrow keys and the PageUp and the PageDown keys to
navigate the list. Pressing the Up and the Down keys allow you
to move the highlighted cursor bar one tagline at a time,
pressing the PageUp and the PageDown keys moves the cursor bar
to the previous/next screen of taglines. Press the Home key to
jump to the first displayed tagline, and press the End key to
jump to the last displayed tagline. Choose a tagline by pressing
the Enter key when the desired tagline is highlighted, or by
pressing the highlighted Hotkey letter next to the desired
tagline. Mouse users can simply click on the tagline of their
choice to select it, and click on the up and down arrow symbols
along the right side of the tagline window to simulate the page
up and page down keys.
If Tag-X has been loaded in tagline management mode (from within
your mail reader) - choosing a tagline will add the tagline
(along with the selected Reader and User Signatures) to your
message. Otherwise, you are prompted to edit the tagline (along
with the Group and Used counter). In Tagline Management mode,
the currently selected Reader and User Signatures along with the
active tagline style are also displayed at the bottom of the
screen.
Pressing the Tab key will activate the Main Menu. Most functions
can also be accessed by pressing the appropriate hotkeys, which
are listed along the lower border of the tagline window.
Pressing the Enter key (or the pressing highlighted letter next
to the tagline) will select the tagline.
Pressing the Control-Enter key combination allows you to edit
the highlighted tagline. You can edit the tagline, the Group
allocated to that tagline, as well as the Used counter. Type in
your changes and press the Enter key to advance to the next
field, pressing the F10 key saves your changes and returns you
to the tagline window. Pressing the Escape key immediately will
abandon your changes and return to the tagline window. Pressing
the F2 key summons the pop-up ASCII chart, and pressing the F3
key summons the pop-up @variable chart.
Pressing the Spacebar will Mark the highlighted tagline, and
places a check mark next to it. Marked taglines can be processed
from the Group/Marked Menu, and retain their marked status until
cleared. The highlighted cursor bar also skips to the next
tagline.
Pressing the Alt-K key combination (or pressing the DEL key)
flags the highlighted tagline as deleted. If the tagline is
already flagged as deleted, it is restored to active status.
Deleted taglines are ignored during most operations including
tagline suggestions, and are purged during Maintenance. The
highlighted cursor bar also skips to the next tagline.
Pressing the Alt-R key combination jumps to a Random location
within the active tagline display (this feature is disabled when
viewing tagline Groups).
Pressing the Alt-A key combination allows you to add a new
tagline to the database. Type in the new tagline and press the
Enter key to save, or press the Escape key to discard it.
Pressing the F2 key summons the pop-up ASCII chart, and pressing
the F3 key summons the pop-up @variable chart. If Tag-X has been
started in tagline management mode, you will be asked if the new
tagline should be used for that message.
Pressing the Alt-U key combination activates the User Signature
manager, allowing you to add, edit and delete from your
collection of User Signatures. The selected User Signature is
automatically added at the end of each message you send.
Pressing the Alt-T key combination allows you to change the
selected tagline style. This option is only available when Tag-X
is being used as a tagline manager. The selected Tagline Type is
displayed at the bottom of the screen, and toggles between QWK,
FIDO and INET (internet) styles. Be sure to use compatible
taglines on EMail networks, Tag-X will normally guess the
appropriate format automatically.
Pressing the Alt-S key combination allows you to Search for a
specific string or strings. Tag-X allows you to search for more
than one item at a time, and even supports AND/OR boolean logic
searches! Additionally, you can manipulate matching taglines by
changing their Marked status, Dumping them to a text file,
marking them as Deleted, and change their Group. Note: When
changing the Group during a Search, if a matching tagline
already has a Group assigned to it, the tagline is cloned and
the new tagline is assigned the new Group).
Pressing the Alt-N key combination continues an existing search
from the present location within the tagline list (Next Match).
Pressing the Alt-C key combination allows you to Change the
displayed tagline listing. Possible options are Tagline
Database, Tagline Suggestions, and Tagline Group. Suggestions
are only available when Tag-X Pro is being used as a tagline
manager and has a message reply file available to read. Tagline
Groups allow you to view only a specific Group of taglines at a
time - to view taglines that have no Group assigned to them
enter "BLANK" in this field. Pressing the F2 key activates the
pop-up Group selection picklist, and pressing the F3 key
refreshes the Group selection picklist.
Pressing the Alt-G key combination activates the Group/Marked
Menu, allowing you to manipulate Marked taglines or entire
Groups of taglines. You can manipulate matching taglines by
changing their Marked status, Dumping them to a text file,
marking them as Deleted, and change their assigned Group. This
option is only available when viewing the Tagline Database.
Pressing the Alt-J key combination Jumps to a specific location
within the tagline list. This feature is disabled when viewing
Groups.
Pressing the Alt-M key combination adds the highlighted tagline
within the message body as a multiple tagline. This option is
only available when Tag-X Pro is being used as a tagline
manager.
Pressing the Alt-I key combination (not listed in the window)
activates the Reader Signature manager, allowing you to add,
edit and delete from your collection of Reader Signatures. Tag-X
Pro allows you to customize the Reader Signature that is added
with the tagline to each message.
Pressing the Alt-V key combination (not listed in the window)
activates the internal file editor allowing you to make
on-the-fly changes to your message. This option is only
available when Tag-X Pro is being used as a tagline manager and
has a message reply file to read.
Pressing the Alt-O key combination activates the Other Options
submenu, which allows you to Install, Configure Tag-X, Add text
tagline files, perform Maintenance, Dump to a text tagline file,
Steal from mail packets, and display the Program Information
screen.
Pressing the Escape key terminates the program. You will be
prompted for confirmation. If Tag-X Pro is being used as a
tagline manager, no tagline or signatures will be added to the
current message.
Configuration
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tag-X saves your default settings in an ASCII text configuration
file called TAGX.CFG. You can modify the configuration from
within Tag-X or with a text editor. If no configuration file is
found, Tag-X will use default internal values and create a new
file. The available options are:
SYSTEM SETTINGS:
Your Full Name: Your full name.
Registration Number: Your registration number as stated on your
registration card. Registration of Tag-X stops the
random appearance of the shareware reminder screens.
Registration Key Code: Your registration key code as stated on
your registration card. Registration of Tag-X stops the
random appearance of the shareware reminder screens.
Mouse Enabled: Tag-X offers full support for Microsoft
compatible rodents. Options are Yes or No.
Path to Mail Packets: When you instruct Tag-X to steal taglines
from mail packets, it will default to this directory.
When installed automatically, Tag-X will interrogate the
mail reader configuration and read the correct directory
from there. QWK format mail packets are selected by
default, Tag-X also supports Blue Wave BW and Silver
Xpress OPX format mail packets. If no filenames are
specified, Tag-X will add a wildcard automatically e.g.
*.QWK
Editor Path/Filename: When used in Full Mode, Tag-X calls your
editor directly, speeding up operation. Enter the full
path and filename for your favorite editor along with
any command line parameters required. When installed
automatically, Tag-X will interrogate the mail reader
configuration and read the correct information from
there. If this field is left blank, the internal editor
will be used instead.
Editor Minimum Memory: This is minimum amount of memory your
editor requires in KiloBytes. Reducing this number will
dramatically increase the speed of the program. Most
editors can manage with 150 KiloBytes. Using too low a
value will give insufficient memory error messages when
you use the editor, it will then be necessary to
increase this setting.
Lastdrive on System: This is used by the pop-up file directory
tree to know how many drives are attached to your
system. Enter the letter for the last drive available on
your computer system.
QUOTE ENHANCER SETTINGS:
Quoter Enabled: This option controls the quote enhancer. If set
to No, the quoter will be disabled. Note that disabling
the quote enhancer will leave the message header intact
within the message, and will eliminate all message
specific @ variables.
Guess Quote Style: Tag-X has the capability to guess what
quoting format is appropriate and automatically use it.
If this option is set to No, Tag-X will ask you for each
message. A message will appear each time, prompting you
to press the Space Bar to use FIDO style quoting, the
Enter key for INET style quoting, or any other key to
use QWK style quoting. If no key is pressed within 20
seconds, Tag-X will attempt to Guess the correct quote
format.
Quote Top QWK Mode: This is the top of the quote box for QWK
messages. You can use @ variables and the TRANSLATE
features in this field. You can enter up to 128
characters here. Press F2 to summon an ASCII chart, to
force a new line use the ASCII 227 character by holding
down the ALT key and pressing 2 2 7 on the numeric
keypad.
Quote Text QWK Mode: Each quoted line in the message will be
preceded by the contents of this entry. You can use @
variables and the TRANSLATE features in this field. You
can enter up to 128 characters here. Press F2 to summon
an ASCII chart. Using the variable @RND@ will cause each
message to have random quote characters; and @INI@ will
place the initials of the person you are sending the
message to with an arrow symbol e.g. RJ>. When using
either the @RND@ or @INI@ variables, you cannot have any
extra characters in the field.
Quote Bottom QWK Mode: This is the bottom of the quote box for
QWK messages. You can use @ variables and the TRANSLATE
features in this field. You can enter up to 128
characters here. Press F2 to summon an ASCII chart, to
force a new line use the ASCII 227 character by holding
down the ALT key and pressing 2 2 7 on the numeric
keypad.
Quote Top FIDO Mode: This is the top of the quote box for FIDO
messages. You can use @ variables and the TRANSLATE
features in this field. You can enter up to 128
characters here. To force a new line use the ASCII 227
character by holding down the ALT key and pressing 2 2 7
on the numeric keypad. Do NOT use high ASCII characters
in FIDO messages!
Quote Text FIDO Mode: Each quoted line in the message will be
preceded by the contents of this entry. You can use @
variables and the TRANSLATE features in this field. You
can enter up to 128 characters here. Using the variable
@INI@ will place the initials of the person you are
sending the message to with an arrow symbol e.g. RJ>.
When using the @INI@ variable, you cannot have any extra
characters in the field. Do NOT use high ASCII
characters in FIDO messages!
Quote Bottom FIDO Mode: This is the bottom of the quote box for
FIDO messages. You can use @ variables and the TRANSLATE
features. You can enter up to 128 characters here. To
force a new line use the ASCII 227 character by holding
down the ALT key and pressing 2 2 7 on the numeric
keypad. Do NOT use high ASCII characters in FIDO
messages!
Quote Top INET Mode: This is the top of the quote box for INET
messages. You can use @ variables and the TRANSLATE
features in this field. You can enter up to 128
characters here. To force a new line use the ASCII 227
character by holding down the ALT key and pressing 2 2 7
on the numeric keypad. Do NOT use high ASCII characters
in INET messages!
Quote Text INET Mode: Each quoted line in the message will be
preceded by the contents of this entry. You can use @
variables and the TRANSLATE features in this field. The
normal symbol used in INET messages is ">". Do NOT use
high ASCII characters in INET messages!
Quote Bottom INET Mode: This is the bottom of the quote box for
INET messages. You can use @ variables and the TRANSLATE
features. You can enter up to 128 characters here. To
force a new line use the ASCII 227 character by holding
down the ALT key and pressing 2 2 7 on the numeric
keypad. Do NOT use high ASCII characters in INET
messages!
TAGLINE SETTINGS:
Automatic Tagline Select: If this option is set to Yes, Tag-X
will automatically add a tagline without any prompting.
This option works along with the next option, if that is
set to Yes (Random) a random tagline will be added to
the message; and if the next option is set to No
(Suggestions) the first suitable tagline suggestion will
be automatically added to the message.
Random Tagline Select: If this option is set to Yes, Tag-X will
pick a random tagline instead of making suggestions.
Reader Signature Enabled: If this option is set to No, the tear
bar and the reader signature will be eliminated. This is
useful for mail readers that force their own reader
signature into every message, creating double taglines.
Tagline Return Filename: This option is only relevant if you are
using Tag-X in Generic mode. Enter the name of the
desired tagline return filename here.
LIST MAINTENANCE:
User Signature: Press the Enter key to activate the signature
manager. You can Add, Edit and Kill user signatures, as
well as select the default user signature that will be
added to all your messages. @ variables and signature
files are supported by Tag-X.
Reader Signature: Press the Enter key to activate the signature
manager. You can Add, Edit and Kill signatures, as well
as select the default reader signature that will be
added to all your messages. @ variables are supported,
the default setting @VER@ is replaced with the current
Tag-X version and number.
Twit Taglines: Press the Enter key to activate the Twit tagline
editor. You can add, edit and delete twit taglines
interactively within the editor.
Translate List: Press the Enter key to activate the Translate
list editor. You can add, edit and delete translate
strings interactively within the editor.
COLOR SETTINGS:
All colors within Tag-X are fully user configurable. The active
option name is indicated on the left of the screen, and a sample
display window allows you to see how your color choices will
appear. Pressing the Up and the Down arrow keys change the color
of the active option, and pressing the Left and the Right arrow
keys move to the previous or the next option. Press the Escape
key to exit and return to the Menu.
Other Options submenu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Other Options submenu offers additional options. Use the
arrow keys to control the highlighted cursor bar and navigate
the list of options, select one by pressing the Enter key.
Pressing the Home key jumps to the first menu option, and
pressing the End key jumps to the last menu option. You can
alternately press the first letter of your choice, causing the
highlighted cursor bar to jump to the next option beginning with
that letter.
Install Tag-X Pro: This option initiates automatic installation.
Tag-X Pro supports and automatically installs into virtually
every mail reader available, check the file READERS.DOC for a
complete list. Should your installation go awry causing abnormal
behavior, you can force a re-installation by selecting this
option to allow Tag-X Pro to correct it.
Configure Tag-X Pro: Activates the Tag-X Configuration Menu,
allowing you to change virtually every facet of program
behavior.
Add Tagline File: Allows you to add text tagline files to the
tagline database. You can also specify a Group to assign all the
new taglines.
Maintenance Mode: Initiates the database Maintenance feature.
The tagline database is sorted alphabetically; duplicate, twit
and deleted taglines are purged; and the index files are
rebuilt. The maintenance process could take several minutes
depending on the size of the database and is recommended at
least every month to protect the integrity of the tagline
database. Do NOT turn your computer off during Maintenance, as
this could cause data loss!
Dump Tagline File: Converts the entire tagline database to a
text file. You can also Dump a select part of your tagline
collection by using the Search or Group/Marked features from the
tagline browsing window.
Steal Taglines: Allows you to steal every recognizable tagline
from entire mail packets. Tag-X supports several different
formats of mail packets such as QWK, BW and OPX. Enter the name
of the mail packet, or press the F10 key to activate the pop-up
file directory tree. Wildcards can be used in the filename (* ?)
allowing tagline theft from all available mail packets. All
recognizable taglines will be stolen from the specified mail
packets, and the tagline window will be displayed with all the
freshly stolen taglines. You can delete unwanted taglines, edit
taglines, or change their Group fields. Press the Escape key to
add the new taglines to the tagline database.
Program Information: Displays information about Tag-X Pro. Press
the O key when prompted to access the internal file editor and
fill in the Order Form. You can also print it out if desired.
Quit to Taglines: Returns to the tagline browsing window.
Command line operation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some Tag-X options can be called by passing command line
parameters. The syntax for command line operation is:
TAGX //BC