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1994-11-29
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┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ┌────┐ │
│ RaLin Enterprises │ 29 │ │
│ 40728 Sundale Dr. └────┘ │
│ Fremont, Ca. 94538-3341 │
│ │
│ │
│ │
│ RemoteAccess Sysop │
│ Anywhere, Worldwide │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
** MailBox 1.05 **
- Personal Mail Locator -
- Operations Manual -
Mail Call! MailBox 1.05 Program Documentation Page 1
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ COPYRIGHT ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
MailBox, The Personal Mail Locator, the program and documentation,
are not a Public Domain program. It is the Copyrighted (C)1994 work
of Rand Nowell dba Ralin Enterprises.
All rights are reserved. Copying, duplicating, selling or otherwise
distributing this product except as noted in the Distribution Policy
below is a violation of Federal Copyright Law.
This version of MailBox is released as Copyrighted FreeWare.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ DISTRIBUTION ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
1. Feel free to distribute the Shareware version of this program as
often as you like to any interested parties. Distribution to
Electronic Bulletin Boards is encouraged.
2. Please do not distribute this program without all the original
related files such as documentation, readme files, registration
forms etc.
3. Please distribute ONLY the original authenticated ZIP format file.
4. Please obtain our written permission before including the program
with any "bundled" software packages.
5. Please do not accept payment for the program; a copying fee of
$5.00 per diskette may be charged by a non-profit user-group.
6. Please do not alter the program or documentation in any way.
7. Individuals, groups, vendors or other software distribution
companies which market diskettes containing shareware or test-drive
evaluation programs, for profit, must obtain written permission
from RaLin Enterprises prior to distribution. This will insure that
you have the most current copy.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ *** DISCLAIMER *** ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
This program is supplied "as is" without warranty of any kind. The
entire risk of using, and results from the use of, is assumed by you
the user. You assume all costs of repair, servicing and corrections
stemming from the use of this program.
Rand Nowell and/or RaLin Enterprises, or any other associated
company of the program author will not be held liable for any
damages from the use of this program. No warranties are expressed or
implied.
The Author is not obligated to produce further versions of this program.
The Author also reserves the right to convert any SHAREWARE program, to
that of COMMERCIAL status without prior notice.
Your Registration of any program does not entitle you to demand
Mail Call! MailBox 1.05 Program Documentation Page 2
implementation of features you wish to see. Although all suggestions
and requests are considered for inclusion, the final decesion rests with
the program author.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ System Requirements ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Memory: Should have at least 200K available memory
175K is the absolute minimum!
Dos: Version 3.xx or better.
Video: Any.
BBS: RemoteAccess 2.xx (due to JAM support)
Drives: Hard Drive reccomended.
Mailer: Not required, but nice.
Other: RA enviornment variable must be set.
Used to locate MESSAGES.RA, if not set, program
will abort.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ Introduction ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
MailBox will scan all message areas, HUDSON and JAM for messages
addressed to "Sysop", defined Sysop Name and defined Sysop Handle,
that have not yet been read.
MailBox scans the MESSAGES.RA, and only searches message areas that are
defined in MESSAGES.RA. You can also define areas that will NOT be
processed, even if they exist. See "CONFIGURATION".
You can also specify message areas that MailBox will scan the "message
text" for the supplied phrase.
Multiple configuration files may be used.
It creates a listing of Header information and optionaly sends a
NetMail message to you, which contains this list.
The actual message text may be included in the message also.
MailBox can be run as an event, or a command line option. Errorlevels
are returned for batch file support.
It can optionaly write/maintain a LOG of activites, useful for
catching configuration errors. You may specify the path for the
logfile.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ Configuration ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
There are two ways to run MailBox with the configuration file.
The default filename is MAILBOX.CFG, and is looked for in the same
Mail Call! MailBox 1.05 Program Documentation Page 3
directory as MAILBOX.EXE.
You "should" create this file, and in it, use the setup you will
"most often" use. When you type only MailBox at the prompt, this is
the config file that is used.
You may also create other configuration files for MailBox, with setups
for specific purposes. These files can be named anything you wish.
To use a config file OTHER than MAILBOX.CFG, you supply the full
path+filename of the desired file.
Say you create a MailBox.cfg file named CHKBBS.CFG, in this file you
you exclude all message areas except LOCAL BBS areas, to run MailBox
using this file you would type: " MailBox CHKBBS.CFG ", of course giving
the full path if it's not in the current directory.
This alternative configuration call, allows you to scan for mail in
different ways.
As mentioned, you should create a "DEFAULT" configuration file, that
will be used if none is given in the command line.
The MAIN configuration file must be named MAILBOX.CFG, and must be
located in the same directory as MAILBOX.EXE. This configuration
file will be used if you type only MailBox at the prompt. If it's not
found, MailBox will abort. It will also abort if it cannot find the
config file you specify on the command line.
The configuration file:
It is a simple Text File, containing keywords to set configuration
options. You can edit it with your favorite Ascii Editor.
These are the KEYwords used in MailBox.Cfg:
* = New this version
Sysop
Handle
Exclude
LogExcluded
LogSearch
NoBeep
MailDir
MsgBase
CheckSysop
ReportFile
Node
DoNet
IncludeText
MsgAlways
SearchText
AreasToSearch
View
DoLog
LogPath
AddTo
Mail Call! MailBox 1.05 Program Documentation Page 4
All but four of these keywords must have an equals sign after them,
(=). This is followed by the value you wish for that item.
There "may" be a space or spaces between the keyword and the equals
sign, but there must NOT be a space between the equals sign and the
value passed to the program.
Shown below are the proper formats, along with an explanation of each
keyword. If they require the equals sign, they will be shown with it.
Comments may be included, by making the FIRST character of the line a
semi-colon (;). These lines are ignored, and the semi-colon is used to
DISABLE a keyword function.
Sysop= Defaults to "Sysop"
Here you place your name as defined in the BBS, case is not
important. This should be the same as messages would be addressed
to you on the system.
Handle= Defaults to "Sysop"
If your system uses Handles, then you can insert that here.
This variable could also be used to search for messages to a
Co-Sysop, AllFix, AreaFix, or any other addressee you wish to
insert.
Exclude= Defaults to '' (none)
This should be a list of areas that you do not want to scan,
even if they are defined in the RA file.
Area numbers must be seperated by a comma (,)!
Example: Exclude=027,099,144,1000-1024
For more than one area, in order, you can use the Range Format,
eg: 100-125
Area Numbers may be up to 2,147,483,647 - You got that many
Message Areas???
The length of the EXCLUDE line can be up to 255 charcters,
including the seperators.
LogExcluded Defaults to NO
No equals sign.
If you want the areas that are excluded, listed in the logfile,
then uncomment this keyword.
LogSearch Defaults to NO
No equals sign.
If you would like the areas that are searched for text listed
in the logfile, then un-comment this line.
NoBeep Defaults to Beep Active
No equals sign.
This keyword will eliminate MailBox beeping at completion etc.
The beep that is heard if the RA enviornment variable is not set,
cannot be quieted.
Mail Call! MailBox 1.05 Program Documentation Page 5
CheckSysop
No equals sign.
Normally MailBox will ignore messages addressed to "Sysop", this
eliminates messages openly addressed to Sysop in echo areas. If you
need these checked for, the be sure it is defined.
MailDir= Defaults to NONE
If you want the NetMail Message sent to you, then this directory
must be defined. This should be the full path to the directory
your mailer looks for new mail. Include the trailing backslash.
MsgBase= Defaults to NONE
Full "Directory" path to the directory where your Message Base
files are located. Include trailing backslash. Must define!
ReportFile= Defaults to 'MailBox.LST'
The "Report" or list of messages found, is ALWAYS created.
If you do not define a directory and filename for this, MailBox.LST
will be created in the directory that is "current" when MailBox
runs.
Node= Defaults to NONE
If you are having MailBox generate a net message to you, then this
should be your Netmail Address as defined in the Mailer.
If it is not defined, or invalid, then the mailer will not
recognize it as a new message to you, will mark it as an ORPHAN,
and not signal you that Mail is Waiting.
DoNet Defaults to DISABLED
No equals sign.
This is what tells MailBox to generate the Netmail Message to you.
If you do not run a mailer, or don't want the message, comment
this out by putting a semi-colon in column 1.
IncludeText Defaults to NO
No equals sign.
Normally MailBox will NOT include the message text in the list.
If you uncomment this keyword, therebye activating it, MailBox
WILL include the message text for each Found message. It also
includes all the hidden info, PID's, Paths's etc.
MsgAlways Defaults to NO
No equals sign.
Normally, if MailBox does not find any messages addressed to the
defined search names, it will not generate the NetMsg, even if
enabled. If you want the message anyway, (telling you No Mail
Found) then uncomment this keyword.
SearchText= Defaults to NONE
Sets the Flag to allow searching of the message text, for defined
areas. Also, the string given is what is searched for, in every
line of the message text.
Mail Call! MailBox 1.05 Program Documentation Page 6
AreasToSearch= Defaults to NONE
Define the areas, by number, that you want MailBox
to do the Text Search on. Follow indstructions for EXCLUDE,
listed earlier, on seperators, and message area
number maximum. Range Format is valid here also.
View= Defaults to NONE
Here you specify a batch file or program name to run after
MailBox terminates normally. Originaly setup to allow you to call
your favorite text viewer to read the MailBox list created.
This is accomplished by stuffing the text given, with a CR, into
the keyboard buffer, so its actually "typed" at the command line
after MailBox runs. We can only stuff 15 charcters total into the
buffer, so you need to use a batchfile to carry out a longer
command. See the included READLIST.BAT.
DoLog Defaults to NO
No equals sign.
If enabled, MailBox maintains a LOG of activities. It will also
log errors found in configuration, unable to open message areas,
files not found, all that good stuff.
LogPath= Defaults to location of MailBox.Exe
You may specify "where" MailBox will maintain it's log.
Do NOT give the logfile name, only the directory where it is to
be created/written. This value is only relevant if DoLog has been
defined (un-commented).
If DoLog is activated, and LogPath is not defined, then MailBox
will maintain the log in the EXE directory as normal.
The LOG is appended to if it exists, or created if not.
AddTo Defaults to NO
UnCommenting this keyword will force MailBox to ADD the sessions
LIST, to any found, rather than OVERwriting it.
If you do not use the Netmail option, and will be away from the
system for some time, this feature may come in handy.
NOTE: Turning on Text Searching slows down MailBox quite a bit, how much
is dependant on how many areas are having their messages searched, and
how many messages are in these areas, and of course the size of each
message.
See the included sample MailBox.LOG
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ Installing MailBox ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Just copy MAILBOX.EXE and MAILBOX.CFG to the directory of your choice.
NOTE: Custom configuration files you create, may be placed anywhere,
Mail Call! MailBox 1.05 Program Documentation Page 7
but the default one must be in the EXE directory.
For ease of use, MailBox and its support files should be placed in a
directory that is in your Dos PATH statement.
If you wish to place it in its own directory, you might wish to
include that directory in the Path statement, else you will need to
change to the MailBox directory to run the program, or have the batch
file that calls MailBox do it for you.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ Error Levels Returned ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
MailBox returns the following ErrorLevels, should you wish to check
them in your batch file.
Errorlevel Reason
3.................... Unable to create ReportFile
4.................... NetMail directory or Node not defined
5.................... RA enviornment variable not set
6.................... Unable to open MESSAGES.RA
8.................... Error closing ReportFile
9.................... MailBox.CFG is missing or corrupted
Also generated if a command line specified
config file cannot be found.
10.................... Sysop aborted MailBox from keyboard.
Error #4 is only generated if you have DoNet enabled, and the
required information is not available.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ Screen Display ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
MailBox displays a full screen graphical interface when it runs.
Listed on the screen are:
o Config File being used
o Report File being created
o Log Write On/Off
o Netmail On/Off
o Elapsed Time
It also displays running totals of the number of messages
scanned, and number of personal messages found.
In the center of the display is a text window, where the areas being
searched are listed. Until termination, all program output is
contained in this window area.
** Depending on whether Text Search is activated, you will see:
Scanning... <HUDSON> 001 General Messages
Scanning... <HUDSON> 002 Comments To Sysop
Mail Call! MailBox 1.05 Program Documentation Page 8
Area #003 is Excluded
Scanning... <JAM...> 2134 RA Support Echo
.
. ....or....
.
Searching Text... <HUDSON> 1232 General Chit Chat
Searching Text... <JAM...> 4434 InterCity Flame
.
.
.
Message Scan Completed
Creating Netmail -> C:\FD\MAIL - If DoNet
Done! - is activated!
Thank's for using MailBox!
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ Running MailBox ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Simply type MailBox alone, to use the default MailBox.CFG in the EXE
directory.
OR, MailBox <configfile> to use a specific configuration file. You must
supply the full path to the file, plus the filename.
While MailBox is running, you can ABORT the session by pressing the
ESCcape key. Abort messages are written to Screen, Log, Output File.
Then all files are closed, and MailBox will exit.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ Registration ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
A fee is not required, you have the fully functional copy. But if you
would like to see MailBox development continue, a donation would help.
See FREEWARE.DOC
Regardless, I "would appreciate" you filling out and returning the
MBREG.FRM just to let me know what you think, and to allow me to see
where the program is being used, and if its being used enough to
warrant possible enhancements.
You can send via Net or Regular mail, see "AUTHOR CONTACT".
Your effort is appreciated!
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ Credits ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Mail Call! MailBox 1.05 Program Documentation Page 9
MailBox was compiled under Turbo Pascal 7.0
- Borland International.
Message Functions from Mark May's Message Source
- Mark May, Mythical Kingdom Software (Thanks Mark!)
This program uses functions for JAM messaging from:
JAM(mbp) - Copyright 1993 Joaquim Homrighausen, Andrew Milner,
Mats Birch, Mats Wallin.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▓▓ Distribution Sites ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The most recent version of MBRA###.* should always be available at these
locations:
The Missing Link BBS The RaLin BBS
Janesville WI. Fremont, Ca.
Fido : 1:121/34 Fido: 1:161/710
1-608-755-1449 HST 14.1 1-510-651-0253,,3322 V32b 14.4
1-608-755-9876 Generic 2400 Freq: Yes
Freq: Yes (DOWN)
SKYDIVE CITY BBS
Richmond, IN.
Fido : 1:2255/130
1-317-966-8337 2400-14.4
5:00am to 3:30am
Freq: Yes
Sites that allow freq will have it available as filename or Magic Name
MailBox.
Most RADIST & RANet sites should have the latest version also.
If you are interested in being a distribution site for RaLin Software,
please contact the author.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ AUTHOR CONTACT ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
I can be reached by several means.
Voice Phone: (510) 651-6177 Ask for Rand
If you get my wife, or the answering machine, please leave your
name, number, and a brief description of the problem, and I will
get back to you ASAP! (See SUPPORT below)
Net Mail: 1:161/710 -> Rand Nowell
XeroNet: 131/5100/100 -5100/101 - 5100/0
FIDO Echos: Shareware, RA_UTILS, RA_SUPPORT -> Rand Nowell
XERO Echos: RALIN -> Rand Nowell
Mail Call! MailBox 1.05 Program Documentation Page 10
GaspNet: 8:86/260
Mail: Rand Nowell
RaLin Enterprises Software
40728 Sundale Dr.
Fremont, Ca. 94538
BBS: (510) 226-7731
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ SUPPORT ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Though the program is FREE, I will support it.
If you call voice, and get my message system, your return call will be
collect.
If you send Netmail, you will need to poll in about two days at most, for
your reply, though I "may" reply via Crash Netmail, depends on my mood.
<smile>
Those who DO donate, of course get priority treatment on replies.
Thank You!
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│▒▒▒ eof MailBox.Doc ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘