PC Media 20/PC MEDIA CD20.iso/share/udos/nfx200/nfx.doc

Text File | 1994-11-27 | 13KB | 256 lines

               ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
               │                  NFX v2.0                   │─┐
               │                                             │ │
               │   (c) Copyright 1995 By Blueview Software   │ │
               │            All Rights Reserved              │ │
               │                                             │ │
               │               (simple docs)                 │ │
               └─┬───────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
                 └─────────────────────────────────────────────┘




┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ INTRODUCTION                                                             │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 NFX is an offline mail reader that works with packets generated by QMAIL,
 RoseMail, and other QWK type doors. NFX is small, fast, easy to use, and
 best of all its FREE to end users. See LICENSE.TXT for more information
 on custom and personal versions.

 Previous versions of NFX (upto v1.3) did not contain any documentation, but
 this didn't stop users from trying NFX. During this time I have received
 many thank you notes and suggestions to improve NFX. For all those that took
 the time to write me a message or call LD to Canada I want you to know that
 your time was appreciated and I thank you with this new release of NFX.

 For those that did try to send me a message and did not receive a response
 it was due to few factors. My email address had changed three times over the
 lifetime of NFX.

 My current internet address is [e-mail] and you may begin
 sending thank you noted and reporting bugs/problems or any other suggestions
 you may have.

 It is very difficult to keep a FREE program constantly updated and for a
 period of time there was no development at all. With version 2 I have
 decided to include a new licensing agreement that will improve things a
 little and still keep the program FREE to most users.

 Although most of the functions of NFX are strait forward and listed at the
 bottom info bar there are some handy features that are not.


┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ REQUIREMENTS                                                             │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 Color monitor
 Dos 3.1+


┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ COSTUMER SERVICE                                                         │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

     If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions,
     Blueview Software can be contacted by:

     Voice - [phone]

     CAP/CANADA BBS [phone]  (Blueview Conference)

     Surface Mail  - Blueview Software
                     2300 Lawrence Ave. East BOX 80551
                     Scarborough, Ontario
                     CANADA  M1P 2R0

     CompuServe: >INTERNET:[e-mail]
     Internet: [e-mail]

     NOTE: All email _will_ be answered. If you do not receive a reply
           within a few days please try again, mail does get lost.


┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ DISTRIBUTION                                                             │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 The freeware version of NFX can be distributed in its original form by
 BBS, Internet, Online Services, Disk vendors, and CD-ROM vendors.


┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CONFIGURING                                                              │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 From the main menu select configure settings. Enter the directory where
 your QWK packets reside and the directory where your REP (reply messages)
 should be placed.

 You can also select an external editor if you do not wish to use the
 internal editor. Set External Editor to yes by selecting 'y' while the
 field is highlighted. Enter the full path of your editor in the form of
 "C:\MYDIR\EDITOR.EXE %1", the "%1" tells NFX where to place the name of
 the file to be edited.

 The next set of options allow you to select the number of conferences,
 messages, and length of the messages that best represents the size of
 the packets you will be reading. Users who download packets over a megabyte
 may have to modify these settings.

 The remaining options are for the external packers/unpackers. NFX will
 try a fill these automatically. If the packers/unpackers are not in your
 DOS PATH you will have to modify these and place the file path of each
 packer/unpacker manually. For Zip Packer you may have to place something
 like "C:\PKWARE\PKZIP.EXE %1 %2"

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SELECTING A QWK PACKET                                                   │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 From the main menu select "Select QWK Packet." If have configured NFX
 correctly there should a list of all your QWK packets. The QWK files are
 sorted by alphanumeric and date order, this means that your most recent
 downloaded QWK packet is always listed first.

 To select a packet use the up/down/pgup/pgdn arrow keys and hit the enter
 key when you have found the packet you wish to read. NFX will determine
 what compression program (PKZIP/ARJ) was used to compress the packet. It
 will then execute the correct un-compressing program (PKUNZIP/ARJ) listed
 in your configure settings.


┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ READING THE CONTENTS OF A QWK PACKET                                     │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 If a QWK is successfully un-compressed a new menu will appear listing
 some of your options. You can read MAIL, NEWS, BULLETINS, or FILES. Some
 of these option might not be listed if your QWK packet does not contains
 these files.


┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ READING MESSAGES                                                         │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 Select Messages to read the messages in the QWK packet. The first thing
 you will notice is a new screen listing the conferences you have selected
 in your mail door (QMAIL/RoseMail). Use the arrow and page keys to navigate
 through the conference listing, you can also use the "n" key to jump to the
 next conference with messages, or use the "p" key to jump to the previous
 conference. Once a conference "with messages" has been selected
 hit the enter key. Unless your using a different reader than I am, there
 should be your first message in the conference.

 When in the message read mode, you can do a number of things. You can use
 the arrow and page keys to scroll through the entire contents of message.
 Messages can be marked using the "m" key and saved with the "s" key. The
 'c' key can be used to clear marked messages. A quick index of the messages
 can also be obtained by using the "L" key.

 Messages can be sorted by selecting the 'o' key. You can also search for
 key words using the 'f' key.

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ REPLYING TO A MESSAGE                                                    │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 When you are reading a message hit the "r" key, this will bring up
 another menu with numerous input fields, the default values are usually
 correct when replying to a message, if they're not you can move the green
 highlighter to the field you wish to edit.

 Pick lists are available when in the message editing screen, just move
 the green highlighter over the FROM/TO/SUBJECT/TAGLINE fields and hit the
 "F2" key. You can also add the default values of the FROM/TO/SUBJECT/TAGLINE
 fields directly to the pick list with the "F3" key.

 To edit the message contents hit the "F9" key. This will run the previously
 defined editor or use the internal editor to load the message.

 If you are using an external editor follow what ever procedure you would
 normally do to edit text. Once you have finished editing save the contents
 and exit the text editor. You will be brought back to the previous menu,
 simply press the "F10" key to save the entire message (header and contents.)
 You may also hit the "ESC" key to abandon the reply. All saved replies are
 placed in the REPLIES conference.


┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ENTERING A MESSAGE (WITHOUT REPLYING)                                    │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 Sometimes you may want to enter a message to "all" or a specific individual.
 From the conference listing screen move the cursor the conference you wish
 to enter the message and hit the "e" key. You can also enter a message from
 the current conference while you are reading another message.

 From this point on follow the same directions as you would if you were
 replying to a message. This information has been described above.

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ RE-EDITING REPLIES                                                       │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 When entering messages you sometimes make mistakes and wish to modify what
 you have entered. From within the replies conference select the message
 and hit the "r" key followed by the "F9" key.

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ KILLING REPLIES                                                          │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 From within the replies conference select the message hit the "k" key, this
 will toggle a flag in the message header indicating that the message has
 been killed. To un-kill the message hit the "k" key again. If the message
 is marked "Killed" it will not be placed in your REP (reply) packet.


┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ READING NEWS/FILES                                                       │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 Selecting one of these options will invoke the internal file viewer, use
 the arrow and page keys to view the contents.


┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ READING BULLETINS                                                        │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 Selecting this option will bring up another menu listing what bulletins
 are available, select a bulletin using up/down arrow keys and hit the
 enter key. The internal file viewer will be invoked allowing you to view
 the contents.


┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ENTERING A MESSAGE WITHOUT A PACKET                                      │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 Each time you read a packet from a different BBS NFX stores this
 information in the BBS sub-directory. When selecting this option from the
 main menu NFX will list all the available BBSes. If the BBS you wish to
 enter a message is not listed you can add it to the list as long as you
 know the BBSes ID. The BBS ID is used to create the correct REP (reply
 packets.)


┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ LICENSING                                                                │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

 NFX is FREE when used in a non business or non government environment.
 This allows a majority of the users to use NFX. If you are not sure this
 includes you please contact me.

 A low cost license can also be obtained for users that do not fall in the
 free category. See LICENSE.TXT for additional information.