591 lines
21 KiB
Plaintext
591 lines
21 KiB
Plaintext
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Techniques for Off-Line Mail Reading
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
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Prepared by
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Robert Dionne
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Feeding Hills, MA 01030-1601
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Revised May 6, 1990
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Presented by The Data Express Information System to help
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newusers become aware of options available for Mail handling
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DOWNLOADABLE AS BLT6.ZIP
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
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The tips and techniques described herein are primarily for use
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with IBM PC's and clones and other MS-DOS computers connecting to
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a host BBS that uses PC Board 14.2/D and higher with ProDoor 3.1.
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If you are using a different kind of computer, you may be limited
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to using the tips and techniques for plain ASCII text. If there
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are mail doors available, they, along with the applicable
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off-line mail reading programs, should be used as the preferred
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method of off-line mail reading. If you choose not to use a mail
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door, then the techniques presented will allow you to read and
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reply to more mail in addition to reducing the on-line time spent
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reading mail.
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The purpose of this tutorial is not to teach you how to use the
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various programs mentioned through out the tutorial. Rather, the
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purpose is to show you how the various programs can be used to
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read and reply to mail off-line.
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Therefore, it is assumed that you are familiar with the following:
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1. ASCII Text Editors
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i.e. QEdit, PEdit, Brief, John Hancock Editor, SLED, TED,
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or perhaps even the one that may be included with your
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communication software.
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(It is best if your text editor can handle two open files
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at the same time.)
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or
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2. Word Processor that can read/write ASCII files or that
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can convert from/to ASCII format.
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(It is best if your word processor can read/write ASCII
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files without a conversion process and if it can handle
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two open files at the same time.)
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3. File compression utilities such as PKWARE's PKZIP and
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PKUNZIP.
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4. Your communication software's session capture or session
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logging feature.
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5. Downloading a file using ASCII protocol or the protocol
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you selected for use on this BBS.
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6. Uploading a file using ASCII protocol.
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If you need help with any of the above, please refer to the
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appropriate documentation. Your Sysops can advise you on the
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text editors and file compression utilities available on this BBS
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and they can advise you on transfer protocols.
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In addition, the off-line mail reading program EZ-Reader can be
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used to read and reply to mail received from PC Board 14.2/D mail
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capture feature or ProDoor 3.1 ZIPM feature. The utility
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programs found in EZUTL10x.ZIP (EZUTL103.ZIP is the latest
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release as of this writing) will convert PC Board capture files
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and ProDoor ZIPM mail packets into a QMail/MarkMail (*.QWK)
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format file readable only by EZ-Reader.
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If you have never used an off-line mail reading program such as
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EZ-Reader, I urge you to obtain a copy. Using an off-line mail
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reading program is the most efficient method of all the
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techniques presented in this tutorial.
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Unfortunately, other off-line mail reading programs, i.e. QMail
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2.01 & 2.02, DeLuxe, cannot be used to read the *.QWK format files
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created by EZUTL10x.ZIP. These other fine off-line mail reading
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programs can be used to read the *.QWK mail packets created by
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the QMail and MarkMail mail doors.
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
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Method #1
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>-
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Using your communication program's session capture feature
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Programs needed:
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Your communication program.
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A text editor
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or
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word processor that reads/writes ASCII or converts from/to ASCII
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format files.
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Your text editor or word processor should be able to have
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two files or documents open at the same time and be able
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to copy and paste text between the two files.
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Overview:
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Most communication software will allow you to capture or log all
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incoming characters to a text file. This file is a simple text
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or ASCII file that can be read in several ways. The technique
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described here involves using your communication software's
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capture feature to capture all messages non-stop, log off the
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BBS, read the capture file (messages) off-line, and prepare
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individual replies to be uploaded on your next call. This method
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works with PC Board. You should refer to your communication
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software manual if you need more information about starting and
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stopping a capture file. Please refer to your text editor or
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word processor manual for information about converting ASCII
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files and working with more than one document at the same time.
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On-line Procedure:
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Call the BBS and log on as usual. When the Main Board prompt
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appears, open or start your capture file.
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At the Main Board Command? prompt, type R;A;NS or R A NS or
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R;S;NS or R S NS
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R;A;NS and R A NS = R)ead mail in A)ll conferences based on
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selection, NS) display text in non-stop mode.
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R;S;NS and R S NS = R)ead mail S)elect messages in current
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conference above the last one you have read, NS) display text in
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non-stop mode.
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(Refer to PC Board on-line help for a complete explanation of the
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commands and options or ask your Sysops for assistance.)
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The messages from the main board message base will scroll
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non-stop on your screen and be captured to your capture file.
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When the main board messages have stopped you may join other
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conferences and read the messages there using the above commands.
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After you have finished capturing all the messages, close or stop
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your capture file. You may now enjoy other features offered on
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the BBS or simply log off. You will read these messages later,
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after you have logged off.
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Off-line Procedure:
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Use your text editor or word processor to read the capture file.
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Some word processors cannot read a text or ASCII file directly.
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A conversion process may be required to translate a text or ASCII
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file into a format the word processor can read. Refer to your
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word processor manual for information about ASCII file
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conversion.
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When you want to reply to a message jot down on paper the
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conference number, if applicable, the message number, recipient's
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name, subject, and receiver only, if applicable. Then open a
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second file or document giving it a unique file name. Jot down
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this file name with the other data. Now use the text editor or
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word processor to copy and paste quotation text from the capture
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file to the reply file and type your reply. Do not exceed the
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maximum line limit for messages as established by the BBS. After
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the reply is completed close or save the reply file.
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When you want to reply to another message repeat the above
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procedure except when you open the second file use a
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different filename.
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If you want to enter a new message use the above procedure and
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again use a different filename for the second file.
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If you are using a word processor that does not read or write
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ASCII files directly you will be required to convert each of the
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reply files from your word processor's format to ASCII format.
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Refer to your word processor manual for information about ASCII
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file conversion.
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What you wind up with are several reply files in ASCII format
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that you will upload instead of typing your messages on-line on
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your next call to the BBS.
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Next On-line Procedure:
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Call the BBS and log on as usual. You may use PC Board or open
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the ProDoor door.
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At the PC Board main board prompt join the appropriate conference
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and REPLY to a message number, i.e. REPLY 135 , or E)nter a
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message (Refer to those paper notes for the message number, name,
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subject, etc.) and follow the prompts. If you use ProDoor, do
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not use ProDoor's visual editor. When you are prompted to enter
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the first line of your message do not type anything. At this
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point you initiate an upload of the appropriate reply file using
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the ASCII protocol. Sit back and watch the message being typed
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for you. If you're using ProDoor and forget to turn off the
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visual editor, the screen will fill with garbage text such as
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[6f2[8a4[5h7. Don't panic! Let the upload continue! When the
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upload is completed save the message in the usual manner.
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Repeat this procedure for each of the remaining replys or
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messages. Just make sure you are in the correct conference
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before you initiate the next reply or message.
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
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Method #2
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
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Using PC Board Capture File
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Programs needed:
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Your communication program.
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A text editor
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or
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word processor that reads/writes ASCII or converts from/to ASCII
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format files.
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Your text editor or word processor should be able to have
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two files or documents open at the same time and be able
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to copy and paste text between the two files.
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Overview:
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This method is identical to Method #1 except you will not use
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your communication software's session capture feature. You will
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use PC Board's mail capture feature instead. Replies can be
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uploaded to PC Board or to ProDoor.
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On-line Procedure:
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Call the BBS and log on as usual.
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At the Main Board Command? prompt type R;A;D or R A D or
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R;S;D or R S D
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R;A;D and R A D = R)ead messages in A)ll conferences based on
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selection D) automatically capture and download read request.
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R;S;D and R S D = R)ead messages S)elect messages in current
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conference above the last one you have read D) automatically
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capture and download read request.
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PC Board will scan the conference message base for all messages.
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These messages will be placed into an ASCII or text file that you
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will download using the protocol you selected for use on the BBS.
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These ASCII files are free downloads.
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(Refer to PC Board on-line help for a complete explanation of the
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commands and options or ask your Sysops for assistance.)
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Off-line Procedure:
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Follow the procedures presented in Method #1 to read and reply to
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these ASCII files.
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Next On-line Procedure:
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Follow the procedures presented in Method #1 to upload your
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replies and messages. You may use PC Board or ProDoor.
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
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Method #3
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<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>-
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Using ProDoor ZIPM Mail Capture
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Programs needed:
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Your communication program.
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PKWARE's PKUNZIP file decompression software
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A text editor
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or
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word processor that reads/writes ASCII or converts from/to ASCII
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format files.
|
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|
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Your text editor or word processor should be able to have
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two files or documents open at the same time and be able
|
|||
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to copy and paste text between the two files.
|
|||
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Overview:
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This method is identical to Method #1 except you will not use
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your communication software's session capture feature. You will
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use ProDoor's ZIPM mail capture feature instead. ProDoor's ZIPM
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will Zip new mail. ZIPM should capture up to 200 new messages in
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selected conferences and then archives them into one file using a
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file compression program, usually PKWARE's PKZIP, for smallest
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possible download time. The compressed file is an ASCII or text
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file. You download the file and decompress it. Replies can be
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uploaded to PC Board or to ProDoor.
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|
|
|||
|
On-line Procedure:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Call the BBS, log on as usual and open the ProDoor door.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
At the ProDoor [Main Board] Command? prompt type ZIPM <conf#>
|
|||
|
<conf#> <conf#> where <conf#> are the conferences you specify.
|
|||
|
Example: ZIPM 0 1 4 .
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Other Examples:
|
|||
|
ZIPM N ;list new messages by conference before capture
|
|||
|
ZIPM A ;archive mail in all conferences
|
|||
|
ZIPM M 10 14 ;archive mail in main board (M), areas 10 and 14
|
|||
|
ZIPM TOOLS AI ;archive TOOLS and AI conferences
|
|||
|
Use (L)ast-read command to reset your "last read" message
|
|||
|
pointers.
|
|||
|
Use (J A)uto-config to select message areas in (ZIPM A)ll.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
(Refer to ProDoor's (?) help messages for a complete explanation
|
|||
|
of the command details or ask your Sysops for assistance.)
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
ZIPM will scan the specified conferences for all messages since
|
|||
|
you last logged on and compress them into one file. You will
|
|||
|
download this file using the protocol you selected for use on the
|
|||
|
BBS. Do not use ASCII protocol. This file will be a free
|
|||
|
download.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Off-line Procedure:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Decompress this file using the applicable decompression program,
|
|||
|
usually PKWARE's PKUNZIP. Refer to PKWARE's manual for
|
|||
|
information about using PKUNZIP. The decompressed file will be
|
|||
|
an ASCII or text file.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Follow the procedures presented in Method #1 to read and reply to
|
|||
|
this ASCII file.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Next On-line Procedure:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Follow the procedures presented in Method #1 to upload your
|
|||
|
replies and messages. You may use PC Board or ProDoor.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Method #4
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>-
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Use EZ-Reader Utilities (EZUTL103.ZIP) to convert PC Board
|
|||
|
Capture File (from Method #2) or ProDoor ZIPM Mail File
|
|||
|
(from Method #3) to QMail/MarkMail file format *.QWK.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Programs needed:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Your communication program.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
PKWARE's PKZIP & PKUNZIP file compression software
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
EZ-Reader Utilities EZUTL103.ZIP
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
EZ-Reader off-line message management software (EZ124B.ZIP or
|
|||
|
higher recommended)
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
A text editor to be used with EZ-Reader
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Your text editor should be able to have two files or
|
|||
|
documents open at the same time and be able to copy and
|
|||
|
paste text between the two files.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Assumption:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Method #4 assumes that you have used EZ-Reader off-line message
|
|||
|
management software. This tutorial will not teach you how to use
|
|||
|
the EZ-Reader program.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Overview:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
The utility programs contained in EZ-Reader Utilities EZUTL103.ZIP
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
PCB2QWK.EXE
|
|||
|
REP2PCB.EXE
|
|||
|
ZIPM2QWK.EXE
|
|||
|
REP2ZIPM.EXE
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
will convert PC Board capture files (from Method #2)
|
|||
|
and ProDoor ZIPM mail packets (from Method #3) into
|
|||
|
QMail/MarkMail format files *.QWK that can only be read using
|
|||
|
EZ-Reader. Replies and messages created by EZ-Reader will be
|
|||
|
converted from QMail/MarkMail format files *.REP to ASCII files
|
|||
|
that will be uploaded to PC Board or ProDoor. Uploads to PC
|
|||
|
Board require special scripts for your communication software. A
|
|||
|
sample Qmodem script is included in EZUTL103.ZIP. Uploads to
|
|||
|
ProDoor do not require a special script. They are uploaded at
|
|||
|
the [Main Board] Command? prompt using ASCII protocol.
|
|||
|
If ProDoor is available use it instead of PC Board.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
On-line Procedure:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Follow the procedures in Method #2 to download a PC Board capture
|
|||
|
file or Method #3 to download a ProDoor ZIPM mail packet.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Off-line Procedure:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Make sure the PC Board capture file or the ProDoor ZIPM mail
|
|||
|
packet is in the download directory you specified in EZ-Reader's
|
|||
|
configuration file, the EZ-Reader utilities are in the your
|
|||
|
EZ-Reader directory, and that you are in the EZ-Reader directory
|
|||
|
when use run the utilities. PKZIP and PKUNZIP must be located in
|
|||
|
the directory you specified in EZ-Reader's configuration file or
|
|||
|
must be located in the path.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Converting PC Board capture files:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
PCB2QWK.EXE converts the PC Board capture file into a
|
|||
|
QMail/MarkMail format file (*.QWK) readable only by
|
|||
|
EZ-Reader.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
At the DOS prompt, type:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
PCB2QWK <d:><path>pcb_filename[with no ext]
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
You do not need to type the extension. PCB2QWK.EXE
|
|||
|
supplies the default extension CAP. The resulting
|
|||
|
Qmail/MarkMail mail packet will be placed in the
|
|||
|
download directory you set in EZ-Reader's
|
|||
|
configuration file.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
EZ-Reader can not handle more than 200 messages per
|
|||
|
conference. If you have more than 200 messages per
|
|||
|
conference, you will have to break up the PCB capture file
|
|||
|
into smaller files with less than 200 messages per
|
|||
|
conference before using PCB2QWK.EXE.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Converting ProDoor ZIPM mail packets:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
ZIPM2QWK.EXE converts the ProDoor ZIPM mail packet file
|
|||
|
into a QMail/MarkMail format file (*.QWK) readable only
|
|||
|
by EZ-Reader.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
At the DOS prompt, type:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
ZIPM2QWK <d:><path>zipm_filename[with no ext]
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
You do not need to type the extension. ZIPM2QWK.EXE
|
|||
|
supplies the default extension ZIP. The resulting
|
|||
|
Qmail/MarkMail mail packet will be placed in the
|
|||
|
download directory you set in EZ-Reader's
|
|||
|
configuration file.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
ProDoor should only allow you to download 200 messages
|
|||
|
per ZIPM mail packet. Therefore, ZIPM2QWK does not check
|
|||
|
to see if you have more than 200 messages per conference.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Use EZ-Reader to read and reply to the resulting *.QWK files.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Converting replies *.REP for uploading:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
For *.REP packets resulting from a *.QWK that was created
|
|||
|
from a PC Board capture file -
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
REP2PCB.EXE converts reply file (*.REP) created by
|
|||
|
EZ-Reader into an ASCII file that can be uploaded to PC
|
|||
|
Board. This ASCII file must be uploaded using a script
|
|||
|
that you create using your communications software.
|
|||
|
A sample Qmodem script file is included in EZUTL103.ZIP.
|
|||
|
At the DOS prompt, type:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
REP2PCB <option> <d:><path>rep_filename[with no ext]
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
You do not need to type the extension. REP2PCB provides
|
|||
|
the default extension REP. The resulting ASCII file will
|
|||
|
have an extension PCB and will be placed in the upload
|
|||
|
directory that you set in EZ-Reader's configuration file.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
The REP2PCB option is preceeded with either the / or -
|
|||
|
characters. The option can be either upper or lower
|
|||
|
case. The only option available at this time is
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
E - "This tells REP2PCB to generate the response to
|
|||
|
echo all of the conferences except the Main
|
|||
|
Board. If you do not use this option and the
|
|||
|
conference is echoed unknown problems will occur.
|
|||
|
It's safer to use the echo option than not. If
|
|||
|
you use the echo option and the conference is not
|
|||
|
echoed, the only harm is that the first line in
|
|||
|
the message will contain a Y." 1
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
If your BBS echos conference messages to a
|
|||
|
national or international network such as
|
|||
|
InterLink, you should always use the -E switch.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
For *.REP packets resulting from a *.QWK that was created
|
|||
|
from a PorDoor ZIPM mail packet -
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
REP2ZIPM.EXE converts a reply file (*.REP) created by
|
|||
|
EZ-Reader into an ASCII file that can be uploaded
|
|||
|
directly to ProDoor at the ProDoor command prompt using
|
|||
|
ASCII protocol.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
REP2ZIPM <option> <d:><path>rep_filename[with no ext]
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
You do not need to type the extension. REP2ZIPM provides
|
|||
|
the default extension REP. The resulting ASCII file will
|
|||
|
have an extension of ZPM and will be placed in the upload
|
|||
|
directory that you set in EZ-Reader's configuration file.
|
|||
|
To upload this *.ZPM file at the ProDoor command prompt,
|
|||
|
DO NOT TYPE U)pload. YOU simply initiate the upload with
|
|||
|
YOUR communications software using the ASCII protocol.
|
|||
|
Do not type E)nter, U)pload, or R)ead with Reply to a Msg
|
|||
|
option at the ProDoor command prompt, just initiate the
|
|||
|
upload of the *.ZPM file.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
The REP2ZIPM option is preceeded with either the / or -
|
|||
|
characters. The options can be upper or lower case. The
|
|||
|
only option available at this time is
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
E - "This tells REP2ZIPM to generate the response to
|
|||
|
echo all of the conferences except the Main
|
|||
|
Board." 1
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
If your BBS echos conference messages to a
|
|||
|
national or international network such as
|
|||
|
InterLink, you should always use the -E switch.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
If ProDoor always asks if you want your messages
|
|||
|
echoed whenever you manually type them, you
|
|||
|
should always use the -E switch.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Additional information about using EZ-Reader and EZ-Reader
|
|||
|
Utilities can be found in their respective doucmentation.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
1 EZ-Reader Utilities 1.03
|
|||
|
U T I L I T I E S F O R (C) E Z - R E A D E R
|
|||
|
(EZ-Reader is a copyright of Thumper Technologies, 1988-90)
|
|||
|
February 19, 1990
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
|||
|
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
The four methods of off-line mail reading described here should
|
|||
|
get you off and running. It is hoped that these methods will
|
|||
|
spark some creativity and with that creativity you will refine
|
|||
|
these methods and/or create some new ones.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Send me a message or a post card if you found these methods
|
|||
|
useful.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
If you use the EZ-Reader Utilities/EZ-Reader method, please
|
|||
|
consider registering EZ-Reader.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
(Disclaimer - I am not affiliated with and I do not have a
|
|||
|
financial interest in Thumper Technologies.)
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Experiment and have fun.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|