FidoQWK v1.05 (01-August-1992) FidoNet(tm) <=> QWK echomail processor Copyright 1992 by Geoffrey Sy FidoQWK is supported by: Residence: Support BBS: Geoffrey Sy Simple Solutions Software 51 Wyatt Walk HST: (416) 287-9002 Toronto, Ontario CANADA HST/2400: (416) 286-8734 M5A 3T3 ΝΝΝΝΝ[INTRODUCTION]ΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ FidoQWK is for anyone running a FidoNet compatible BBS system and wants to carry any .QWK type nets. The basic concept follows: OUT: FidoNet *.MSG => BBS_ID.REP => QWK Mail door IN: QWK Mail door => BBS_ID.QWK => FidoNet *.MSG Additional step(s) may be required to convert from your BBS's native message format into the standard FidoNet *.MSG format and vise versa. In this documentation I'm assuming that you know how to do this as well as the basic concept of QWK/REP mail transfers. If you are not sure, leave a message on the appropriate forum/message area/conference on the net, the SysOps conference on most echo mail network is usually appropriate. ΝΝΝΝΝ[OVERVIEW]ΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ There are 3 modules to the FidoQWK package. There's FQSETUP that sets up the needed data for the other 2 modules. The MSG2REP module scans messages from your BBS's message areas and packages them into a REP packet for uploading to the host BBS. The QWK2MSG module unpacks the QWK packet and inserts messages from the host BBS into your BBS's message areas. In summary: FQSETUP.EXE - Sets up needed data files. MSG2REP.EXE - Packs *.MSG into a REP packet for sending out to the host BBS. QWK2MSG.EXE - Inserts messages from the host BBS into your BBS. _____________________________________________________________ FidoQWK echomail processor documentation ................. 1 ΝΝΝΝΝ[FQSETUP]ΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ When FQSETUP is executed a menu with 3 options will be shown. If the help system was completed, the F1 key calls up the context-sensitive help items. Option 'A' sets up the general information. These general information includes: 1 - Your name 2 - Registration key (if you're registered) 3 - Serial number (if you're registered) 4 - The location where you want FidoQWK to send the BBS_ID.REP package. 5 - The location where you've downloaded the host BBS's BBS_ID.QWK mail package. 6 - The location where FidoQWK can store its temporary work files. A RAM or fast hard drive is recommended. Option 'B' sets up the data compressor characteristics. Each compressor definition requires the following information: 1 - The make and model of the compressor 2 - The full pathname (including extension) and switches needed to compress a file. 3 - The full pathname (including extension) and switches needed to de-compress a file. 4 - The ASCII value of the first byte found in files that have been compressed with this compressor. This will be used for detection of the compressed file type. (* NOTE: Automatic detection of compressed file type has not yet been programmed into v1.00 of FidoQWK *) Option 'C' sets up host BBS information and message bases. These options include: 1 - The name of the .QWK packet (Host ID). 2 - The BBS name of the host. 3 - The tagline of the host BBS to be placed on all incoming messages. 4 - The compressor type used on this BBS. 5 - The tagline to be placed on all outgoing messages. To insert more host BBS, press Alt-I. To delete a host BBS, press Alt-D. To locate a host BBS, press F4. The Page Up and Page Down keys selects the previous and next host BBS. Press the F2 key at anytime while under option 'C' to edit the message base names and paths. These include: 1 - The conference number used on the host BBS. 2 - The name of the message area. _____________________________________________________________ FidoQWK echomail processor documentation ................. 2 3 - The location on your hard drive to store these messages. 4 - The last message sent to the host BBS. 5 - The last message written to disk by FidoQWK. The available functions are listed above, press the Esc key to return to the previous function. ΝΝΝΝΝ[MSG2REP/QWK2MSG]ΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ MSG2REP: Scans *.MSG from your BBS to send to the host BBS QWK2MSG: Inserts messages from the host BBS into your BBS To use the above modules, type the module name followed by the host BBS ID. EXAMPLES: To insert messages from BBS_ID.QWK packet to your BBS: QWK2MSG BBS_ID [switches] To scan messages from your BBS to send to BBS_ID: MSG2REP BBS_ID [switches] SWITCHES: /IS - Ignore Sent attribute: Normally MSG2REP will NOT send messages with the "Sent" attribute turned on. Use this message if your messages aren't being sent out. /IP - Ignore last scanned pointers: Normally MSG2REP will scan *.MSG files from the highest number it scanned last. This may not be desirable in some cases. Use this switch to scan all available *.MSG packets. /NS - No Shell: Use this option to tell FidoQWK not to run the compression/decompression programs. Be sure to manually decompress the QWK packet into FidoQWK's work directory when using this option. The resultant BBS_ID.MSG will need to be manually compressed into BBS_ID.REP also. /SWAP /EMS - Swap out when shelling: Use these options to swap to disk or EMS when executing the compression utilities. _____________________________________________________________ FidoQWK echomail processor documentation ................. 3 /FS - Full Screen shell: Use this option to execute the compression utilities in full-screen mode. FidoQWK normally executes the compression utilities in a small window. ΝΝΝΝΝ[MISCELLANEOUS]ΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ FidoQWK properly observes and sets the 'Private' attribute bit of messages. It'll also observe the 'Sent' bit and only export messages with this bit turned off. All other bits in are ignored and are turned off on import. I've implemented FidoQWK based on the FTSC-0001 draft and don't have enough information on how the 'real world' implementation might be. If there are other bits that need to be set or anything else, please let me know and I'll try to implement them into FidoQWK. The name of this program can also be improved upon too. If you have any suggestions, I'd like to hear them. FidoQWK is far from complete. I have a long list of features I'm ready to implement, but your support is needed if these features are to be implemented. I have to know that I'm not wasting my time on this, if you find the program useful, please send your support. _____________________________________________________________ FidoQWK echomail processor documentation ................. 4 ΝΝΝΝΝ[REGISTRATION/SUPPORT]ΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ If you have questions, bugs, comments or suggestions, please contact me. I may be reached on the PCBoard, Doors, OffLine conferences on City2City(tm), Intelec(tm), and ILink(tm), the PCBNet and Offline conference on FidoNet(tm). I can also be reach on my support BBS or by snail-mail to the above address. Registered users of any one of my shareware packages may contact me using the voice number in the registration document. Since this is user supported software, I don't expect you to register if you don't like it or if it doesn't meet your needs. Just stop using it after a reasonable trial period (1-2 weeks). The program is not crippled in any way, there is a few seconds delay at the exit of the program and the tagline length allowed is be a bit shorter. If you like the program and use it regularly, please register it. The registration cost is a one-time fee of $20.00. With the registration you'll receive unlimited voice support and upgrades. Your registration encourages further development, enhancement and my continued support of the product. Please send your registration in the form of a Money Order, Personal cheque, or Cashier's cheque to the above address. I'm sorry that I cannot process credit card registrations at this time. ΝΝΝΝΝ[STANDARD DISCLAIMER]ΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ This program is provided on an "AS IS" basis. No warranty of any kind is expressed or implied. YOU USE THIS PROGRAM AT YOUR OWN RISK. I take no responsibility for any damage caused directly or indirectly from the use or the inability to use this program. ΝΝΝΝΝ[CREDITS/COPYRIGHTS]ΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ QWK/Qmail: Copyrights of Mark "Sparky" Herring of Sparkware, the original creator of QWK. "Fido", "FidoNet": U.S. registered trademarks of Tom Jennings of Fido Software. Other: Respected copyright/trademark holders. _____________________________________________________________ FidoQWK echomail processor documentation ................. 5