NewsMonger(tm) 1.4.5 README.TXT 16 Jan 1998 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. WHAT IS NewsMonger? 1.1 Introducing NewsMonger 1.2 What does NewsMonger Do? 2. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 3. SETUP AND CONFIGURATION 3.1 Evaluation Package Contents 3.2 Installation Instructions 3.3 Uninstall Instructions 3.4 Installed Files 4. STARTING NewsMonger 5. GETTING HELP 5.1 Using On-line Help 5.2 NewsMonger Support 5.3 NewsMonger E-Mail Feedback Function 6. REGISTERING NewsMonger 8.1 Registration Instructions 8.2 Using CompuServe's SWREG Forum 7. RELEASE HISTORY 8. KNOWN PROBLEMS OR LIMITATIONS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. WHAT IS NewsMonger? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.1 Introducing NewsMonger TechSmith Corporation’s NewsMonger agent for Microsoft Windows 95 & NT provides for complete monitoring of the Internet’s largest source of new information, the USENET news service. NewsMonger provides for multiple searches, scheduling and e-mail notification as postings matching your criteria are discovered. TechSmith’s NewsMonger is the first full-featured commercial agent to focus on the Internet’s news service. NewsMonger can use the powerful AltaVista public search service to provide access to the complete contents of all public USENET news groups. In addition, NewsMonger supports the searching of newsgroups stored on non-USENET NNTP servers that are maintained by organizations for various purposes (intranet, extranet, etc.). Your search criteria limits matches to specified newsgroups or exclude postings to inappropriate newsgroups. After creating and scheduling your searches, you can continue with your other tasks -- NewsMonger will notify you or the appropriate person when a message meeting your criteria is discovered. 1.2 What does NewsMonger Do? o Searches USENET newsgroups for each of your active queries, using Digital’s AltaVista engine, on demand, or as scheduled by you. o Searches individual NNTP news servers containing public and/or private newsgroups. Searches can specify keywords to be matched in the Subject: and From: message headers with a case-sensitivity option. o Helps you to construct and refine the search query, or allows you to directly create the query. o Supports dozens of queries and thousands of matching postings. o Removes duplicate postings and identifies new submissions. o Sends immediate notification via e-mail when new postings matching your criteria are discovered. o Provides direct viewing of the selected messages. You can also view them with your web browser or internet news client. o Compose and send e-mail or post newsgroup replies directly from NewsMonger. Or use your web browser or e-mail client to reply. o Automatically reschedules queries that could not be executed because of an interruption in service or non-permanent (dial-up) connection. o Works with network firewall proxies and supports HTTP 1.1 proxy authentication. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. NewsMonger SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS --------------------------------------------------------------------- In order to run NewsMonger, you must have the following: o A PC compatible system that meets the minimum hardware requirements of Microsoft Windows NT or Windows 95 o Microsoft Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, or Windows NT 3.51 o A permanent or dial-up connection to the Internet o A mouse or other pointing device o For printed output, a Windows-supported printer ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SETUP AND CONFIGURATION ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1 Evaluation Package Contents Included on the NewsMonger diskette are the following files: setup.exe NewsMonger installation program. readme.txt This file. license.txt Software license agreement. Additional files included in electronic distributions (.ZIP): file_id.diz Describes the contents of the archive file vendor.txt Product information for distributors. distcode TechSmith distribution code. 3.2 Installation Instructions The NewsMonger installation program SETUP.EXE is a Microsoft Windows application. You must have Windows NT or Windows 95 installed prior to installing NewsMonger. To install NewsMonger, perform the following steps: NOTE: Windows NT users need system Administrator rights to install NewsMonger. 1. Start Windows, if you haven't already done so. 2. Insert the NewsMonger diskette into a floppy drive. For Windows 95/Windows NT 4.0 users: 3. From the Start menu, select Run For Windows NT 3.51 users: 3. From the Program Manager menu bar, choose File, and select Run from the drop down menu. For all users: 4. In the dialog box, enter: a:\setup (If you are installing NewsMonger from a diskette drive other than the A drive, you will need to change the drive letter in the command line above.) 5. Click on the OK button. 6. Follow the instructions given on the installation screens. 3.3 Uninstall Instructions If after installing NewsMonger, you find it necessary to remove the software from your computer, perform the following steps: NOTE: Windows NT users need system Administrator rights to uninstall NewsMonger. Uninstall instructions for Windows 95/Windows NT 4.0: 1. Open the Windows Control Panel. 2. Run the Add/Remove Programs applet from Control Panel. 3. Select NewsMonger from the list of applications that can removed by Windows. 4. Click on the Add/Remove button to uninstall NewsMonger. Uninstall instructions for Windows NT 3.51: 1. Open the NewsMonger program group from Program Manager. 2. Double-click on the Uninstall NewsMonger Icon 3. Follow the instructions on the screen. 3.4 Installed Files The NewsMonger setup program copies the following files to your computer during installation: readme.txt This file. license.txt TechSmith software license agreement. nmonger.exe Executable for NewsMonger. nmonger.hlp Windows Help file for NewsMonger. nmonger.cnt Windows Help file contents for NewsMonger. inetwh32.dll Internet helper DLL for help file. nmuninst.exe TechSmith NewsMonger uninstaller. unwise.exe Uninstall program used by nmuninst.exe. unwise.ini Uninstall program configuration file. install.log Log file used by the uninstall program. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. STARTING NewsMonger ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Normally, NewsMonger should be run in the background to make use of its search scheduling capabilities. This is easily accomplished by selecting the option to "Start NewsMonger when Windows starts" at the end of NewsMonger installation. This will add NewsMonger to the Windows Startup group, causing it ot be executed when Windows is started. This option is of most value if you have a permanent Internet connection. To manually start NewsMonger: In Windows 95 or NT 4.0, select the Start Menu and navigate to Programs->NewsMonger. Highlight the NewsMonger item and release the mouse button. In Windows NT 3.51, double-click on the NewsMonger icon in the group you selected to put NewsMonger in during installation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. GETTING HELP ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5.1 Using NewsMonger's On-line Help NewsMonger's on-line Help system is compatible with the Windows Help subsystems. The NewsMonger Help file contains all of the information you'll need to use NewsMonger. To access NewsMonger Help, select Help from the NewsMonger menu bar, then Help Index from the drop-down menu. When you register NewsMonger, you will receive a software key that will disable the evaluation time-limit and remove all registration reminder screens. 5.2 NewsMonger Support TechSmith is committed to providing a reliable, high-quality product that is easy to use. If you have any problem installing or using NewsMonger, we want to know about it. You can contact TechSmith by mail, phone, or fax. TechSmith also provides electronic support through CompuServe, the World Wide Web and e-mail. TechSmith Corporation PO Box 4758 East Lansing, MI 48826-4758 USA E-Mail : newsmonger@techsmith.com WWW : http://www.techsmith.com/ FAX : 517-333-1888 Voice : 517-333-8389 ( 8-5 Eastern Time ) In any communication with TechSmith regarding a problem with NewsMonger, please clearly state the following: o The product name and version number. o Your name, address, e-mail address and telephone number. o Your hardware and software configuration. o A description of the problem, and what you were trying to do when the problem occurred. 5.3 NewsMonger E-Mail Feedback/Problem Reporting Function NewsMonger offers an easy, automated way to communicate problems, comments and suggestions back to TechSmith. The FeedBack node in program's tree view allows you to include NewsMonger system and search configuration information in an e-mail to TechSmith to assist in any technical support issues. Inclusion of this information is optional, but will greatly assist in diagnosing any problem. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. REGISTERING NewsMonger ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This program and its associated files are part of an evaluation package copyrighted by TechSmith Corporation. NewsMonger is not in the public domain. This program must be registered if it is used beyond the 45 day evaluation period. Single-User NewsMonger ---------------------- The single-user license price is $39.95 (USD). When you register NewsMonger, you have the option of requesting a registered version of the software on diskette or of requesting a software key to register the version you have. The software key immediately removes all registration reminder screens and evaluation expiration dates. Multi-User NewsMonger --------------------- The 10-user license price is $200.00 (USD). Registration entitles the licensed organization to install 10 copies of NewsMonger. A single diskette is shipped along with the multi-user license. 6.1 Registration Instructions 1. Select the NewsMonger program's Help menu. 2. Select How to Register from the menu. 3. Click on the Registration Form button. Enter your registration information in the fields provided. NOTE: You must specify a name or company name when you register. Your software key will be personalized for that name ONLY. Your key will NOT work if you change this name after you have sent in your registration. 4. When you are finished, select OK. This will create a text file called REGISTER.TXT in the NewsMonger default directory. This is your registration and order form. It includes a price sheet and your Product ID number. 5. Windows Notepad will now open REGISTER.TXT automatically, allowing you to edit and or print the registration form. While you are editing, please complete any blank items, including quantities, totals, and payment information. DO NOT EDIT THE PRODUCT ID NUMBER. NOTE: shipping charges are only applicable to diskette orders. 6. Return the registration form, with payment, to TechSmith Corporation by any of the methods described on the form. Upon receipt of your order, TechSmith will generate your diskette or software key. It will then be sent to you by the method of your choice, either e-mail, fax, postal delivery or other. If you have elected to receive a software key, use the following steps to complete the registration process. 7. Select the Help menu. 8. Select Enter Software Key from the menu. 9. Enter your registration key, exactly as it is shown, in the field provided. 10. Press OK. Your software is now registered! All the registration reminder screens and software expiration dates will be removed. If you have any additional questions or comments, contact TechSmith by e-mail at NewsMonger@techsmith.com. 6.2 CompuServe SWREG Forum You may also register NewsMonger using the Shareware Registration Forum on CompuServe (GO SWREG). SWREG Single-User #14032 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. RELEASE HISTORY ---------------------------------------------------------------------- v1.0.0 96/11/18 Initial release for Windows NT and Windows 95. v1.0.1 96/12/10 Maintenance release - added option to wrap long lines for sent messages - added port field to HTTP proxy configuration - improved support for AltaVista mirror sites v1.0.2 97/01/24 Maintenance release - Added warning before deleting a search. - Fixed the Subject and From filters. - Improved and expanded error diagnostics and event logging. - Improved feedback and problem reporting dialog and options. - Fixed attribute problems on NewsMonger cache directory. - Fixed problems with the NewsMonger taskbar icon status color. - Added warning if sending SMTP mail with no Subject. - Fixed the enable/disable of the option to copy (Bcc) news/mail replies to an email address. - Fixed a problem with long line wrap in news/mail replies. - Added an uninstall option to the NewsMonger Start Menu group. - Fixed problems involving install/uninstall as an admin vs. user on NT. - Added "Search->Clear Results" option to menu. - Added tab-delimited text save option for results to allow easy import to Excel/Access. v1.0.3 97/01/29 Maintenance release - Fixed SMTP mail client problem of sending invalid domain name to the mail server. - Enabled Reply-To: header field. v1.4.0 97/06/16 Feature release New Features: - Added support for searching individual NNTP news servers. Enhancements: - Save the "View->Results Sorted By" setting. - Added support for renaming a search via the Search->Rename menu option or directly in the TreeView. - Double-clicking on a search or news server name brings up the corresponding properties dialog. Fixes: - Check for the CompuServe RPAWINET.DLL and warn about potential problems older versions of this DLL causes. - Changed the SMTP mail and NNTP news client dialogs so that hitting the ENTER key in the header edit boxes does not close the dialog. - Clear the Event Log view when the user hits the "Clear Event Log Now" button. - Remove any "http://" prefix from the HTTP proxy name entered by the user. - Fix the SMTP client so that it works with certain odd SMTP servers that return redundant, informational, responses. - Check for Boolean operators (and, or) in AltaVista Simple Query keywords. - Fix problems with Boolean operator characters (e.g. "&") in AltaVista Advanced Query. - Fix problems with status and results update. - Don't allow a Search or Server delete while the search is active. v1.4.1 97/07/28 Maintenance release Fixes: - Altered parsing of AltaVista results to accomodate a format change. v1.4.2 97/08/25 Maintenance release - Imporvements in NNTP search efficiency - Improved launching of default browser mail/news clients - Changed SMTP client From: line to be more standard - Fixed NNTP incompatibility with recent DNEWS server - Miscellaneous dialog improvements - Support new MS logo requirements v1.4.3 97/09/18 Maintenance release - Added Search Copy function - Fixed problem with IE 4.0 not displaying on test search - Improved diagnostics of NNTP server extensions test v1.4.4 97/11/05 Maintenance release - Added example searches - Fixed truncated article display problem v1.4.5 98/01/16 Miantenance release Fixes: - Altered parsing of AltaVista results to accomodate a format change. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. KNOWN PROBLEMS OR LIMITATIONS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Under Windows 95 the article view cannot display or print more than 60K of an article. This limitation does not apply to saving the article to a file. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- TechSmith is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. If you have a concern with any shareware product which you not been able to resolve with an ASP member, please write to this address: ASP Ombudsman 545 Grover Road Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA TechSmith Corporation PO Box 4758 East Lansing, MI 48826-4758 USA 517-333-2100 (tel) 517-333-1888 (fax) E-Mail : newsmonger@techsmith.com WWW : http://www.techsmith.com/ Thank you for your interest in NewsMonger. TechSmith Corporation