All rights reserved. You may distribute this document freely, provided you do not change anything. No warranties or anything like that - If some of the advice in here helps you, fine. If it doesn't, or if it even causes data loss then I'm truly sorry, but it's none of my business. You do everything at your own risk.
Whoever distributes this FAQ is not allowed to charge money for it. Exceptions are BBS membership fees or charges to cover mere printout/photocopying costs. This is a "strictly-no-profit" publication. No commercial distribution, no inclusion on CD-ROMs without my written consent. Anyone who violates against these rules will disappear in the Dark Void shortly thereafter.
SHAREWARE: The BulkRate FAQ is "sort-of" shareware. You do not have to pay, but if you do, I'll be very, very happy. If you feel that the FAQ has helped you in a major way, please send $5 to my snail mail address (below). For this, you will get some extra benefits from the BulkRate maillist (if you are subscribed to it).
BULKRATE MAILLIST: The BulkRate maillist is now a true Internet mailing list run on a list server. People from all over the world can use it to communicate about BulkRate. To subscribe to the list, send a message with the subject "subscribe" to <bulkrate-list@listserv.magnet.at>. You will then receive a welcome mail with all the necessary information.
Most names in this FAQ (i.e. names of people, BBSs and modems) are fictituous, any similarity to living or dead people, BBSs or modems is coincidental and unintentional.
Actual names and trademarks are: BulkRate, ClarisWorks, FirstClass, Global Village, Greg Neagle, Horst Prillinger, Rockwell, US Robotics and ZTerm.
If you want me to include additions, correct errors or simply send me comments, you are welcome to do so. Write to one of the following addresses:
E-mail: h.prill@magnet.at
Snail mail: Horst Prillinger
Postfach 313
A-1011 Wien
Österreich / Austria
CONTENTS:
Read the manual!
Before you do anything else...
+ What's the most recent version?
* Will BulkRate become obsolete because of FC 3.5?
Where can I find BulkRate online?
Is BulkRate free? Can I distribute it freely?
+ BulkRate keeps crashing on me
BulkRate doesn't read all the new messages (logs out too soon)
BulkRate doesn't read all the new messages (ignores some conferences)
Can't log in with BulkRate (error message)
+ My modem fails to work with BulkRate
My umlauts are missing
+ Can't send mail to a person (Bad Address - names with umlauts)
BulkRate doesn't send messages, timeout error w/ message sent confirmation
+ BulkRate doesn't send messages, Bad Address error
BulkRate doesn't send messages, no error message
BulkRate "eats" characters
How do I use .FCL scripts?
BulkRate hangs... I think
How do I quote?
Can't upload or download files
Can I rename to BulkRateToRead folder?
Can I use paths instead of the BulkRateToRead folder?
BulkRate doesn't read my mailbox
Old messages have disappeared
There are aardvarks in my messages
BulkRate keeps creating new mailbox and/or address book files
Address book is suddenly empty
Names from the address book cause "Bad Address" errors
I get old messages I'm not interested in
How do tag lines and signatures work?
How can I get rid of the "unregistered" tag line?
How does the First Class address book work?
What's an aardvark anyway?
CHANGE NOTES: Entries marked * are new in this release, entries marked + have been updated to contain new information, and entries marked # contained errors or misleading typos that have now been corrected.
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First things first: READ THE MANUAL!
The answer to most questions is in the BulkRate manual. So it's a good idea to read it, especially if you've never used BulkRate before. Actually, with some questions in this FAQ I'm assuming that you are familiar with the corresponding sections of the manual or are at least willing to re-read them, so you should be ready to do so whenever you don't really know what I'm talking about here.
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Before you do anything else...
* Choose "Service setup" from the Service menu. Under "Connection setup", make sure that the option "Adjust bps after connect" is NOT selected. Only check this box if you are using a 2400 bps or 9600 bps Modem with Hardware Handshake disabled. This accounts for about 90% of all connection problems.
* Choose "Preferences" from the Edit menu. Under "General preferences", make sure that the option "Include debugging info in log" is checked. Under "FirstClass preferences" make sure that the settings are EXACTLY THE SAME as in your FirstClass Client's Preferences window.
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Q.: What's the most recent version of BulkRate?
A.: As of 16/Nov/1996 the most recent version of BulkRate is 2.5.1. Since this is the only version that is compatible with FirstClass Server 3.5, it is strongly recommended that you upgrade to this version.
Please note that all information in this FAQ applies to BulkRate version 2.1.x and later. If you own version 1.x or 2.0.x, this FAQ will not be of much use to you.
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Q.: Now that SoftArc has released version 3.5 of the FirstClass Client with built-in offline reader, will BulkRate not become obsolete?
A.: No. The built-in offline reader can only be used with network connections. It can therefore only be used by users who are registered as "Regular Users" and who are connected via an AppleTalk or TCP/IP network. It cannot be used by any user registered as "Remote User" or anyone connecting to the BBS via a modem.
Q.: Is BulkRate commercial software? Is it free? Can I copy and distribute it freely?
A.: BulkRate is not commercial software, but that doesn't mean it's free. It's shareware. This means you can distribute it freely and use it at no charge for a trial period, but if you use it regularly, you are required to pay a shareware fee. This fee is $25; see the manual for instructions on how to pay. If you copy BulkRate and give it to friends, make sure you give them the original StuffIt archive, i.e. the full package including documentation and help files.
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Q.: BulkRate seems to be faulty. It hangs and/or crashes frequently.
A.: First, you should do the usual: rebuild the desktop, start with extensions off, zap the PRAM, etc. If you are convinced that the problem lies with the BulkRate application, read the remainder of this FAQ for hints about what you may have done wrong. Especially hangs are almost always caused by an improper setup.
If you are sure that everything is set up correctly, replace the application with the original master. If that does not help, also remove the Prefs file from your system folder (Beware: you will lose your taglines and registration in the process). If this still does not accomplish anything, create new incoming and outgoing mailbox files.
Please notice that if your BBS has upgraded to version 3.5 of the FirstClass Server software, you need BulkRate 2.5.1 (or later). No earlier version will work reliably with the new FC Server.
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Q.: BulkRate does not read all my mails. It seems to log off prematurely, so about half of the unread messages remain unread. On the other hand, sometimes everything works fine.
A.: This problem is common on busy BBSs. If there are too many users online, the First Class CLUI can slow down considerably, causing either the server to think that the connection has been terminated or causing BulkRate to think the server has crashed or gone away. Login a second time, immediately after the first mail exchange. Usually this will get you the remainder of your mail. If that doesn't help, login when you don't expect many users online.
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Q.: Some of my aliases in the BulkRateToRead folder are being ignored. I never get any mail from inside them.
A.: If this isn't caused by premature logoffs (see above), you have chosen the wrong conferences for your aliases.
BulkRate only reads messages that are DIRECTLY WITHIN the aliases in the BulkRateToRead folder. So if you got a conference alias called "Aardvarks" which contains the conferences "Aardvarks in Siberia", "Aardvarks on Mars" and "Aardvarks for sale" but no messages, then NOTHING will be read.
If you want all messages from "Aardvarks in Siberia", "Aardvarks on Mars" and "Aardvarks for sale" to be read, you need to create an alias for EACH of these and put them into the BulkRateToRead folder. If any of these conferences contain sub-conferences which you also want to be read, you have to create aliases for these sub-conferences as well.
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Q.: I can't log into my BBS. I do get a connection, then BulkRate displays "Waiting for FirstClass Prompt", but then nothing happens. OR: BulkRate displays an error message such as "CLUI not present" or "This is not a FirstClass Mailbox".
A.: Possible reasons are as follows:
(1) Possibly the administrator has disabled or not installed the Command Line User Interface (CLUI). It is impossible to get a connection if the CLUI is not active. You can check if the CLUI is present by logging in with a terminal program such as ZTerm or the ClarisWorks telecommunications module.
(2) A wrong setup in "Service setup/Modem Settings" can be responsible. Check your modem settings (see next entry).
(3) If you are using an .FCL script with FirstClass Client, then you also need one for BulkRate. In order to be able to execute .FCL scripts you need BulkRate version 2.1.2 or later. Please follow the instructions for the proper execution of .FCL scripts in the manual.
(4) If this problem occurs only with connections at more than 9600 bps, make sure that "Adjust bps after connect" in the modem settings window is turned OFF.
(5) There can be a connection problem. Try logging in again, probably using a lower modem speed. If this does not help, check your modem settings.
(6) You user ID and password MUST NOT contain any extended characters such as umlauts or characters with an ASCII code of 128 or higher. Only use "regular" letters and numbers or the symbols !:.,;_"$%&/()=?+-*#[].
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Q.: My AardvarkExpress modem doesn't work with BulkRate.
A.: Under "Service setup/Modem settings", check the following:
1) BPS RATE: If you have a modem capable of 19200 or 28800 bps (V.32terbo, V.FC or V.34), set the bps rate to 38400; if you have a modem capable of 14400 bps (V.32bis), set it to 19200. If you have a slower modem, set it to your maximum modem speed, but *not* any higher.
2) HAYES COMPATIBLE: should be turned on except if you're absolutely sure that your modem is not Hayes compatible. The old Apple 1200 modem is not compatible.
3) HARDWARE HANDSHAKE: must be turned on for connections faster than 9600 bps.
4) ADJUST BPS AFTER CONNECT: should NOT be turned on for fast connections (more than 9600 bps).
5) MODEM INIT STRING: It seems that hardly anyone is using the correct init string. Therefore let's talk about wrong strings first: The string you find in your FirstClass Client .mdm file is WRONG. Don't use it. The string that BulkRate suggests by default (AT E1 Q0 V1 X4) is okay for connection speeds up to 9600 bps, but it's NOT GOOD for faster connections.
If you have a fast modem (14400 bps and faster) the init string has to activate a number of extras such as handshake, error correction, data compression, and the like. Many modems use AT&F1 to activate "fast operation mode". Check your modem manual to see what AT&F1 does with your modem and use it if it sounds okay. If your modem does not understand &F1, try &F instead
Don't ask me about modem init strings. I don't know any except the following, which I've tested:
Global Village Gold/Mercury, Supra V.32bis/144LC: AT &F1 S95=3
Apple CommSlot Modem, Global Village Gold II: AT &F E1 S95=3
US Robotics Courier/Sportster: AT &F1 &A1 &K3 S56=128
If you want BulkRate to establish a connection when no dial tone is present upon lifting the receiver, add X3 to the init string.
The init string should cause the CONNECT message to activate the modem<>modem speed indicator as well as the ARQ (error correction) indicator. Thus, if you see that due to a poor phone line you have a slow connection without error correction, terminate the connection immediately and try again. The init strings above activate both these indicators.
If your settings seem correct and still nothing works, turn off all extras and try a connection at 2400 bps. If this works, first use a faster speed, then add the extras.
If your problems start as soon as you're faster than 9600 bps or turn on Hardware Handshake, then you don't have a handshake compatible modem cable. Consult your dealer.
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Q.: I'm writing and receiving lots of messages in German and Swedish, and I notice that all the umlauts are missing from these messages. What's going on?
A.: This problem should go away as more servers are now upgrading to version 3.5 of the FirstClass Server software. BulkRate uses the so-called "CLUI" (Command Line User Interface) to connect to the FirstClass server. Unfortunately prior to version 3.5 the CLUI does not support any characters with ASCII codes over 127, and that includes umlauts.
Incoming special characters are substituted (ä->a, ö->o, ß->b; Grüße [greetings] -> Grube [pit]); fortunately BulkRate 2.1 or later is able to transliterate outgoing umlauts (Grüße->Gruesse) so that at least your outgoing mails make some sense.
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Q.: I can't send any mail to "John Krüger". All I get ist the message "Bad Address, Mail not sent."
A.: Your BBS is not yet running version 3.5 of the FirstClass Server software. John Krüger has an umlaut in his name (see the section on umlauts above). Since umlauts are either substituted or transliterated in earlier versions of the server software, the message is sent to "John Krueger", or, if it's a reply, to "John Kruger". Unfortunately, both don't exist.
There are two possibilities:
(1) Send the mail to "John Kr". If there is nobody else with a name beginning that way, this works. But if there is a "John Krieger", then he gets the mail instead. You can use FirstClass Client's "Directory" command to check the name. If you get only one match or if John Krüger is on top of the list, it works, otherwise you have to do the following:
(2) Use FirstClass's (NOT BulkRate's) address book to create two aliases of John Krüger and call them "John Krueger" and "John Kruger" respectively. If you don't know how to do that, see the penultimate entry of this FAQ.
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Q.: BulkRate doesn't send messages anymore. It displays the message "A timeout error occurred while waiting for "To:" prompt".
A.: This can be caused by incorrectly entered addresses (see below) or a problem with the FC server.
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Q.: BulkRate doesn't send messages anymore. It displays the message "A timeout error occurred while waiting for Message Sent confirmation".
A.: This can happen when too many users are sending messages at the same time. In that case, the CLUI can be temporarily blocked, so BulkRate gets no response whatsoever from the server and times out.
It is also known to randomly occur with Windows NT FirstClass servers, even if the CLUI is not really blocked. BulkRate 2.5.1 attempts to correct this problem. Use this version.
Most probably the message with which the error occurred has been sent. Try logging in again later and send the remainder of your messages then.
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Q.: Some of my mails aren't sent, and I get "bad address" errors instead. What can I do?
A.: First, check if the address is entered correctly. Conference names and addresses via gateways (you recognize them by the comma) must be entered precisely and completely. If the address is correct, check the following:
(1) There must not be any spaces between name, comma and gateway.
WRONG: Jenny Krieger, Aardvark_Box
correct: Jenny Krieger,Aardvark_Box
(2) There must not be more than one comma in the address. If there is, delete everything before and including the first comma.
WRONG: Jenny Krieger,12345@aardvark.com,Internet
correct: 12345@aardvark.com,Internet
(3) Check that the person doesn't have an umlaut in the name (probably John Kruger's real name is John Krüger - see above).
(4) It's possible that the administrator has disabled write access to conferences via the CLUI. If the problem persists with all conferences, write a mail to your administrator.
(5) You cannot send mail to unlisted conferences; these are conferences you can't write to from the FirstClass mailbox. All you can do is send threaded replies to such conferences.
(6) If the user is connected via a gateway, it can be that the user directory or the gateway directory are not up to date, which means you can't mail to them. Contact the administrator.
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Q.: Some mails are not being sent, and there are no error messages. It seems they are simply ignored.
A.: The host name in the message window ("Send To:") is probably not the same as the host name in the service file (blue window). The two names must be identical.
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Q.: When BulkRate sends mails, the first characters of some lines are lost, as are blank lines. What can I do?
A.: This problem occurs with BulkRate 2.x whenever the FirstClass server software is running on a Windows NT platform. Use SimpleText to create an .FCL script consisting of the single line " delay 60" (starting with a blank) and make sure it is executed correctly (see next entry).
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Q.: My .FCL script doesn't seem to work. It's probably not being executed. What am I doing wrong?
A.: If the script syntax is correct (which I'm assuming here), take care that
• the script is in the same folder as the BulkRate application
• and that the script has the same name as the corresponding BulkRate service file, plus the suffix ".fcl". If the service file name contains a dot, rename it. Examples are:
name of service file ----> name of script file
Aardvark_Box Aardvark_Box.fcl
SuperBox v2.99 -- [not possible, service file name contains a dot]
Aardvark Settings (Converted) -- [not possible, name would be too long]
SuperBox (Converted) SuperBox (Converted).fcl
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Q.: Help! BulkRate keeps hanging whenever I try to send a certain message. What can I do? Will I crash the server if I restart my computer?
A.: If you have this problem with one, and only that one message, remove it from the outgoing mailbox and send it with FirstClass Client. For some reason unknown to anyone it seems that some messages simply refuse to be sent.
Otherwise: check the status window. Only if there is nothing going on for a LONG time (that means 1-2 minutes), this is a hanging computer. If the computer doesn't hang, it's a slow server and BulkRate will disconnect after about 1 minute.
Only press reset if nothing else works. It's very unlikely that you can crash the server that way, but a reset should always be the last resort if everything else fails.
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Q.: How can I quote parts of incoming messages in my own mails?
A.: Well, that's in the manual, but since it's a VFAQ, here it goes: open the incoming mail and mark all the relevant text from the beginning of the first section you wish to quote to the end of the last.
Click on "reply" on the palette or press command-R on the keyboard. You get a new message containing the quoted text.
Delete all irrelevant sections of the quoted text. While it's a good thing to quote, it's a bad thing to quote stuff that nobody is interested in.
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Q.: Up- and downloading files ("attachments") does not work.
A.: This feature only works on registered copies of BulkRate, i.e. after you paid your $25 shareware fee.
If you have a registered copy, check the following:
PROBLEMS WITH UPLOADS:
• Once the attachment has been entered in the message window, you MUST NOT move or delete the attached file on your computer until the next mail exchange. The file itself is not saved with the message, only the path to it, and you have to make sure that the path is correct at the time of the mail exchange.
PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC DOWNLOADS:
• Do NOT use paths in the file transfers window as you would in the exchange settings window. Only use the names of the conferences to be downloaded from.
• You can only download from conferences that are being read, i.e. that are on the FC Desktop or inside the BulkRateToRead folder. If you want to download from a different conference, you must add its alias to the BulkRateToRead folder.
PROBLEMS WITH FILE REQUESTS:
• If you are using file requests, do NOT uncheck "Threaded Reply" in the request window, also do not modify the text of the request as this may lead to unpredictable results.
• If the connection is very slow, it is possible that BulkRate terminates a download request if the server doesn't respond fast enough. In this case BR claims not to have found the file, which is most probably untrue. Try logging in later or using a faster connection.
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Q.: "BulkRateToRead" is a silly name. Can't I use something more sensible, such as "Aardvarks"?
A.: Sure, but you can only use names consisting of just ONE WORD. You also have to change the path under "Service Setup/Exchange Settings" from "Home:BulkRateToRead" to "Home:Aardvarks".
Take care that there isn't a conference called "Aardvarks" nearby; duplicate names tend to create problems. Take extra care that the folder's name does not even remotely look like a CLUI command, such as "chat", "forward", "exit" or "download". If it does, this command is executed instead and you'll hang until a timeout error occurs (I suppose the maximum of inefficiency would be to call the folder "logoff").
Therefore I suppose it's better to stick with "BulkRateToRead", which is very safe in that respect.
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Q.: All that fuss with the BulkRateToRead folder is way too complicated. Can't I simply enter paths to search for messages?
A.: Sorry, no. Since path names must not contain any spaces, you wouldn't get very far, and, believe me, it would be considerably more complicated than the BulkRateToRead folder.
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Q.: I entered the path "Home:Mailbox", but BulkRate still doesn't read my mailbox.
A.: To search for messages in your mailbox, use the path "Home" in the exchange settings window ("Home:Mailbox" scans conferences inside your mailbox for messages). To automatically download attachments from messages in your mailbox, enter "MailBox" in the file transfers window.
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Q.: Help! I logged in with BulkRate, and now all the old messages have disappeared in FirstClass Client! What has happened?
A.: This is probably the MFAQ (most frequently asked question) about BulkRate. Most probably the mails have been hidden.
In BulkRate, choose "Preferences" and go to "FirstClass Preferences". There you can enter the settings that BulkRate should restore when it logs off.
To show all messages, "Show only unread items" MUST NOT be checked. To make the messages visible again, uncheck this option, and initiate a mail exchange. The hidden messages should reappear.
The messages also remain hidden when BulkRate logs off prematurely and has no time to restore the settings. They should reappear after the next proper mail exchange. You can also restore your settings by checking/unchecking the appropriate options in the FC Client's preferences window.
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Q.: What can I do against those aardvarks that keep popping up in my mails?
A.: Aardvarks? Highly unlikely. I think you're spending too much time in front of the computer. Maybe you should take a rest, sleep a bit, go for a walk... It might help.
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Q.: BulkRate keeps creating new mailbox and/or address book files, and doesn't use the old ones anymore.
A.: This means that BulkRate lost track of them, probably because you moved them into another folder.
• To use your old mailbox files, use the "Select" buttons in the Mailbox settings window.
• To use your old address book file, all you have to do is open it by double-clicking it.
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Q.: My address book is suddenly empty, although I added new names to it during the last session.
A.: There are two things you have to know about the address book:
(1) Whenever you add new names, you need to save the address book using the "Save as" button.
(2) Whenever you move the address book file to a different folder on your hard disk, you have to open it, for otherwise BulkRate won't know where it is and will create a new, empty address book file.
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Q.: The address book doesn't work: whenever I use an address from the address book, the mail is not sent and I get a "bad address" error.
A.: Take care not to use any commas in column 2 or 3 of the address book. A typical address book might look like this:
Krieger, Jenny 12345@aardvark.co.uk Internet
Mum (work) mymum@ling.aardvark.edu Internet
Mum (SBox) Mary Mymother SuperBox
Tony (here) Anthony E. Schultz
Tony (Aard) Anthony E. Schultz Aardvark_Box
Also make sure that gateway names have not been changed by the administrator. If the Gateway name is changed from Aardvark_Box to Aardvarks_Online, the final entry above will produce a bad address error and you have to change it and every other entry containing the wrong name. Use FirstClass Client to check if gateway names are still correct.
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Q.: Help! I got lots of old messages I'm not interested in.
A.: BulkRate gets ALL unread (=flagged) messages in a conference, no matter how old they are. If you haven't been online for some time, you should consider logging in with FC Client and removing some flags by option-clicking on them.
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Q.: I've seen that sometimes other people's mail contains a one-line "tagline", sometimes it contains a multi-line "signature". I seem to be able to create taglines, but my signatures don't seem to work.
A.: Another VFAQ explained in the manual. Message tag lines entered in the "Preferences" window always have just ONE line. If you enter more than one line and separate them with the return key, one of them will be chosen at random.
If you want to append signatures to your mail, you have to write them with a text editor such as SimpleText and save them as TEXT files. The name of this file must correspond to the host name in the blue window and contain the suffix ".sig" (i.e. the signature for Aardvark_Box has to be called "Aardvark_Box.sig"). If you want the same signature for all your BBSs, call it "BulkRate.sig".
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Q.: How can I get rid of the line "sent via an evaluation copy of BulkRate (unregistered) that appears with most of my messages?
A.: Pay your shareware fee. Greg Neagle will send you a registration code that turns off that line.
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Q.: How does the FirstClass address book work? I need to know in order to send mail to people with umlauts in their names.
A.: Log in with the FirstClass Client. On your desktop, create a new folder and, using "Get Info", call it "Address Book". Be careful about the spelling, or it won't work. If everything is right, the folder should assume a new icon.
Open the folder. You can create an entry by pressing command-N. Enter the correct name or the full address of the user in question.
e.g. John Krüger
or johndoe@supernet.com,Internet
or Jenny Krieger,Aardvark_Box
or Jenny Krieger
After you have entered the name, press ENTER or RETURN, so that the next line is highlighted.
Close the window.
Click on the entry and select "Get Info". Under "Name", enter the pseudonym that is to be entered in BulkRate whenever you want to send mail to that address. Do NOT use a pseudonym that is the same as an actual user on the BBS.
e.g. John Kruger
or John Doe
or JKriegerAard
or JKriegerHere
If you send mail, use this pseudonym as addressee in the "To:" field. The mail will be sent to the address entered in the address book.:
e.g. John Kruger -> John Krüger
John Doe -> johndoe@supernet.com,Internet
JKriegerAard -> Jenny Krieger,Aardvark_Box
JKriegerHere -> Jenny Krieger
Likewise, you can create mailing lists by entering more than one name in an address book window. Mails addressed to one pseudonym are then sent to all the names entered in the corresponding address book entry.
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Q.: What's an aardvark anyway?
A.: For those who don't know: "aardvark" is the first noun in the Oxford English Dictionary (and almost every other dictionary of the English language), and apart from being a remarkably silly word, it means "the ant-bear, a South African edentate". An "edentate", by the way, is an animal that doesn't have teeth. So now you know.
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This document is being updated regularly. It is posted to the Info-Mac archives. If you do not have access to these, you can receive the most recent English version by sending an e-mail with the subject "please-send-br-faq-e" to <h.prill@magnet.at>, or visit my homepage at <URL:http://members.magnet.at/h.prill/>.
+++ Bulkrate 2.x FAQ + Release 2.5.1 of 16 Nov 1996 +++
