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- x-FORUM3 Network Message Forum System
- Version 1.10 - Revised 09/06/93
- Extensions Software Corporation
-
-
- Operations Guide Table of Contents
- ----------------------------------
-
- Shareware Note..................................... 2
- Disclaimer Agreement............................... 2
- Copyright Notice................................... 2
- Trademarks Notice.................................. 2
- Introduction....................................... 3
- Requirements....................................... 4
- General Operating Guidelines....................... 5
- Security System.................................... 5
- Help System........................................ 5
- Installation....................................... 6
- Forum Selection.................................... 7
- Forum Scan......................................... 8
- Forum Create....................................... 9
- Forum Read.........................................10
- Forum Reply........................................11
- User Setup.........................................12
- Administration Menu................................12
- System Information.................................13
- New User Defaults..................................13
- Activity Log.......................................14
- Error Log..........................................14
- User Maintenance...................................14
- Forum Maintenance..................................15
- Message Maintenance................................15
- Profile Maintenance................................16
- Reindex Databases..................................16
- Database Summary...................................16
- Technical Support..................................16
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 2
-
-
- Shareware Note
- --------------
- This program is being distributed as shareware or try-before-you-buy
- software. You are granted a temporary license to use and evaluate the
- program, but continued use after the initial testing period requires
- registration with Extensions Software Corporation.
-
- This unregistered shareware version contains the following limitations
- and/or characteristics:
-
- - Registration reminder screens will be displayed at program startup
- beginning 14 days after the date of installation.
- - The maximum number of users allowed is 10.
-
- Registration of this software provides users with the following:
-
- - Serialized disks (dual media) of the latest software without
- registration reminder screens and without user limitations
- - Desk-top-published, laser-printed operations guide
- - Technical support by mail/phone/FAX/CompuServe for one year
- - Notification of software updates/upgrades
- - New product announcements
-
-
- Disclaimer Agreement
- --------------------
- Users of this program must accept the following disclaimer of
- warranty:
-
- THIS SOFTWARE AND OPERATIONS GUIDE ARE SUPPLIED AS IS. EXTENSIONS
- SOFTWARE CORPORATION DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED,
- INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
- FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. EXTENSIONS SOFTWARE CORPORATION ASSUMES NO
- LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, EITHER DIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL, WHICH MAY
- RESULT FROM THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
-
-
- Copyright Notice
- ----------------
- The x-FORUM3 software and x-FORUM3 operations guide are copyrighted
- (c) 1993 by Extensions Software Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
-
-
- Trademarks Notice
- -----------------
- Novell and NetWare are trademarks of Novell, Inc.
- IBM and PC DOS are trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.
- MS DOS is a trademark of MicroSoft Corp.
-
- All other product names and/or trademarks used within the software or
- operations guide are the property of their respective companies.
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 3
-
-
- Introduction
- ------------
- x-FORUM3 is a network software product from Extensions Software
- Corporation that provides an easy means for Novell NetWare users
- to share ideas and issues in a public message conference forum
-
- x-FORUM3 provides messaging features needed in any workgroup
- environment, including:
-
- - Up to 26 different message forums
- - Selectable forum access per user
- - Selectable interactive or read-only forum types
- - New message indicators
- - Sort options for message listings
- - Multi-level user security system
- - International date/time options
- - Built-in administrator system
- - Online help system
- - Printout to LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, or disk file
- - Network-aware of Novell NetWare(R)
-
-
- Message Forum System: x-FORUM3 provides an exciting public conference
- message system whereby users can easily share thoughts and ideas.
- x-FORUM3's built-in text editor is simple to use and includes text
- import capability. Access to each message forum is controlled by the
- x-FORUM3 administrator, and each message forum can be marked as
- interactive (for message exchange) or read-only (for bulletins or
- announcements).
-
- Administrator System: Built into x-FORUM3 are complete administrator
- maintenance functions, based on a user-level security access system,
- including the following:
-
- - System Information (system name, type, etc)
- - New User Defaults
- - User Administration (settings and access)
- - Forum Administration
- - Message Administration
- - Activity Log (audit trail)
- - Error Log (should errors occur)
- - Database Reindexing
- - Database Summary
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 4
-
-
- Requirements
- ------------
- For Standalone PC Use:
-
- - IBM or 100% compatible computer with 384K available memory
- - Floppy disk drive (5.25" 360K or 1.2M, or 3.50" 720K or 1.44M)
- - Fixed disk drive
- - Monochrome or color (CGA/EGA/VGA) display
- - Parallel printer (if printouts are desired)
- - MS or PC DOS 3.1 or higher
-
- For Network Use:
-
- Multi-user network operating system which utilizes MS/PC DOS file
- and record locking calls and workstations that meet the standalone
- PC requirements listed above. Note, however, that workstations do
- not necessarily require a floppy or fixed drive.
-
-
- General Operating Guidelines
- ----------------------------
- All x-FORUM3 menus and displays are normally scrolled using the
- keyboard cursor keys. As a display is scrolled, the current choice is
- highlighted. You select a choice by pressing the ENTER key when the
- desired choice is highlighted. You may also press the letter or number
- corresponding to a choice to select that choice.
-
- The ESC key is used throughout x-FORUM3 to escape (exit) from or abort
- (quit) any x-FORUM3 activity. Normally, pressing ESC returns x-FORUM3
- to the previous (calling) menu or activity. Pressing ESC during the
- private summary calendar screen terminates the x-FORUM3 program by
- returning you to the DOS prompt. Printouts can also be terminated
- early by pressing the ESC key.
-
- A printer must be connected and on-line in order to print listed
- information or reports. x-FORUM3 supports LPT1 local printer and
- LPT2/LPT3 network (shared) printers. Note that a printer test is
- performed prior to displaying the printer choices, and only valid
- choices may subsequently be selected for printed output. If
- workstation disk file is selected, you will be prompted for a valid
- disk file drive, path, and file name.
-
- Security System
- ---------------
- x-FORUM3 includes a multi-level user security system consisting of the
- following accesses:
-
- - Forum access (determined by the system administrator)
- - Administration Menu access (determined by the system
- administrator)
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 5
-
-
- Help System
- -----------
- Throughout most x-FORUM3 activities, on-line user-help is available by
- pressing the [F1] key. This help normally consists of a scrolled
- display containing a text description for the activity from which help
- was called. Text help screens are available for the following x-FORUM3
- activities:
-
- - Forum Selection
- - Forum Scan
- - Forum Create
- - Forum Read
- - Forum Reply
- - User Setup
- - Printing
- - Administration Menu
- - System Information
- - New User Defaults
- - Activity Log
- - Error Log
- - User Maintenance
- - Forum Maintenance
- - Message Maintenance
- - Profile Maintenance
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 6
-
-
- Installation
- ------------
- The x-FORUM3 diskette (or archived file) contains the X-FORUM3.EXE
- executable program file.
-
- To install:
-
- - Create a subdirectory on your standalone PC or your network file
- server named X-FORUM3 (actually, any name you prefer is acceptable)
- - Switch to the created subdirectory
- - Copy the X-FORUM3.EXE file from the diskette (or archived file) to
- the \X-FORUM3 subdirectory
- - At the DOS prompt, type X-FORUM3 and press ENTER
-
- x-FORUM3 will then self-install by creating database and index files.
-
- Since X-FORUM3.EXE is an overlayed executable file, network file
- attributes may have to be configured for shared file use.
-
- The x-FORUM3 data drive and subdirectory may also be specified from DOS
- as follows:
-
- X-FORUM3 S:\X-FORUM3
-
- ... where S:\X-FORUM3 is the network drive and subdirectory for the
- x-FORUM3 data.
-
- If x-FORUM3 has been installed on a Novell NetWare(R) network, the
- user login name is obtained directly from the operating system.
-
- For other network installations, a DOS SET command may be used to
- store the user name. For example:
-
- SET X_USER=Fred
-
- Otherwise, the user name is obtained from the login screen.
-
- For initial x-FORUM3 installation, you will likely want to choose
- Admin from the Forum Selection screen to access the administration
- menu, from where you can customize x-FORUM3 for your own installation.
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 7
-
-
- Forum Selection
- ---------------
- The forum selection screen allows you to select a conference forum.
- Displayed forum information during this selection includes the
- following:
-
- - Forum name, which identifies forum names for which you have been
- granted access.
-
- - Forum type, which indicates whether a forum is read-only or is
- interactive (allowing message read as well as reply/create).
-
- - Hi-Msg number, which indicates the number of the last posted
- message for each forum.
-
- - Hi-Msg date, which indicates the date of the last posted message
- for each forum.
-
- - New Messages, which indicates whether any new messages have been
- posted since your last access.
-
- NOTE: Message numbers versus the high message number that you read
- in any particular forum are used to determine whether new messages
- exist for that forum.
-
- Use the [Up/Dn] cursor arrow keys to scroll the listed forums. Choose
- a forum by pressing the [ENTER] key when the desired forum name is
- highlighted. Other function keys perform the following:
-
- - F1 is the online help system.
-
- - F6 allows you to change your operating setup, such as color and
- audio.
-
- - F9 provides access to the Administrator System, providing that you
- have been granted the proper security access.
-
- - ESC exits the application and returns you to DOS.
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 8
-
-
- Forum (SCAN)
- ------------
- The forum (SCAN) screen displays primary message information for
- messages in the currently selected forum. Use the up/down cursor
- (arrow) keys to scroll the displayed messages. As these entries are
- scrolled, displayed information includes the following:
-
- - Message Number
- - Message Date
- - Message Time
- - Message Subject
- - Message Status (whether read by recipient)
- - Name of Message Receiver (To:)
- - Name of Message Sender (From:)
-
- The function keys allow you to perform other message activities
- further described as follows:
-
- - F1 is the online help system.
-
- - F2 allows you to read the message text for the highlighted message
- number. Note that the [ENTER] key also selects a message to be
- read.
-
- - F3 allows you to create a new message, providing that the current
- forum type is interactive.
-
- - F5 allows you to resort the displayed message listing. Available
- sorts include the following:
-
- By Message Number
- By Sender (from) Name
- By Recipient (to) Name
- by Message Subject
-
- - F9 allows you to print out the displayed message listing.
-
- - ESC returns you to the forum selection screen.
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 9
-
-
- Forum (CREATE)
- --------------
- The forum (CREATE) screen allows you to create a new message in the
- currently selected forum.
-
- You will first be prompted to select a user name for whom you wish to
- create the message for. A listing of users that have access to the
- current forum will be displayed from which you may select any user
- name. You may also address a message to ALL if desired.
-
- You will next be prompted to enter a message subject.
-
- Finally, you will be able to enter your message text.
-
- The function keys allow you to perform other message create activities
- further described as follows:
-
- - F1 is the online help system.
-
- - F4 allows you to insert a blank line of text at the current cursor
- position.
-
- - F5 allows you to delete the line of text at the current cursor
- position.
-
- - F7 allows you to import the contents of an external file into the
- message being created. You will be prompted to enter a valid
- drive, path, and filename.
-
- - F8 allows you to change the message TO name.
-
- - F9 allows you to change the message SUBJECT.
-
- - ESC allows you to SAVE or CANCEL the message, after which you will
- be returned to the forum scan screen.
-
- NOTE: The recommended maximum message size is 250 lines, or
- approximately 18 Kbytes of message text.
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 10
-
-
- Forum (READ)
- ------------
- The forum (READ) screen displays text for the selected message in the
- currently selected forum. Message header information diplayed includes
- the following:
-
- - Message Number
- - Message Date
- - Message Time
- - Message Subject
- - Message Status (whether read by recipient)
- - Name of Message Recipient (To:)
- - Name of Message Sender (From:)
-
- Use the up/down cursor (arrow) keys to scroll the message text. The
- function keys allow you to perform other message activities further
- described as follows:
-
- - F1 is the online help system.
-
- - F2 allows you to reply to the currently displayed message,
- providing that the current forum type is interactive.
-
- - F5 allows you to display the previous (numbered) message.
-
- - F6 allows you to display the following (numbered) message.
-
- - F7 allows you to display the previous (numbered) message whose
- subject is the same as that for the currently displayed message.
-
- - F8 allows you to display the following (numbered) message whose
- subject is the same as that for the currently displayed message.
-
- - F9 allows you to print out the displayed message header and text.
-
- - ESC returns you to forum scan screen.
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 11
-
-
- Forum (REPLY)
- -------------
- The forum (REPLY) screen allows you to create a response to the last
- read message.
-
- The TO user name and SUBJECT are automatically handled when replying
- to a previous message. Then, you will be able to enter your message
- text.
-
- The function keys allow you to perform other message reply activities
- further described as follows:
-
- - F1 is the online help system.
-
- - F4 allows you to insert a blank line of text at the current cursor
- position.
-
- - F5 allows you to delete the line of text at the current cursor
- position.
-
- - F7 allows you to import the contents of an external file into the
- message being created. You will be prompted to enter a valid
- drive, path, and filename.
-
- - ESC allows you to SAVE or CANCEL the entered message, after which
- you will be returned to the forum scan screen.
-
- NOTE that the recommended maximum message size is 250 lines, or
- approximately 18 Kbytes of message text.
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 12
-
-
- User Setup
- ----------
- You may configure x-FORUM3 setup parameters for your own use. Setup
- parameters include the following:
-
- - Color Display
- - Audio Error Tones
- - Exploding Boxes
-
- After configuring your parameters, press ENTER to Save.
-
-
- Administration Menu
- -------------------
- The x-FORUM3 administration menu allows you to perform certain system
- administrative and/or maintenance activities. These activities are
- further explained as follows:
-
- - System Information, to specify the system name (which is included
- on all x-FORUM3 reports and printouts) as well as other system
- parameters.
-
- - New User Defaults, to specify the default parameters for new users
- in an open x-FORUM3 installation.
-
- - Activity Log, which tracks all x-FORUM3 user activities.
-
- - Error Log, which tracks all x-FORUM3 user errors, should any
- occur.
-
- - User Maintenance which allows you to enter new user information or
- change/delete existing users.
-
- - Profile Maintenance which allows you to maintain user profiles
- which control which forums users have access to.
-
- - Forum Maintenance which allows you to maintain message forum names
- and forum messages.
-
- - Reindex Files, which allows you to rebuild the x-FORUM3 database
- and index files, should they become accidently erased or
- corrupted.
-
- - Database Summary, which is a summary of x-FORUM3 database files
- and sizes.
-
- - ESC returns you to the previous screen.
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 13
-
-
- System Information
- ------------------
- System information allows you to change various system and new user
- default parameters. These parameters are further described as follows:
-
- - System Name, which is included on all screens and printouts.
-
- - Access Type, either open (available to new users) or closed.
-
- - Activity Log, either turned on or off.
-
- - Error Log, either turned on or off.
-
- - Date Format, which sets the x-FORUM3 system date to ANSI, British,
- French, German, Italian, or American format.
-
- - Time Format, which sets the x-FORUM3 system time to 12 hour
- (AM/PM) or 24 hour format.
-
- - DOS Buffer Flush Option, which enables/diables the DOS memory
- flush to disk immediately after database records have been added
- or changed. Note that on some network systems, disabling this
- buffer flush activity can speed up x-FORUM3 performance.
-
- Displayed system configuration parameters are saved by pressing the
- ENTER key.
-
-
- New User Defaults
- -----------------
- New user defaults are operating parameters assigned to new users as
- they access x-FORUM3 for the first time. These parameters are further
- described as follows:
-
- - New User Color, default for (open system) new users.
-
- - New User Audio, default for (open system) new users.
-
- - New User Zoom, default for (open system) new users.
-
- - New User Admin, default for (open system) new users.
-
- - New User Profile, the default new user profile code which
- determines forums a user has access to.
-
- Displayed new user default parameters are saved by pressing the ENTER
- key.
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 14
-
-
- Activity Log
- ------------
- The activity log keeps track of all x-FORUM3 user activities. Use the
- cursor keys to scroll the displayed log entries. The function keys
- allow you to perform other log activities further described as
- follows:
-
- - F1 is the online help system.
-
- - F6 allows you to erase the activity log.
-
- - F9 allows you print out the activity log.
-
- - ESC returns you to the administration menu.
-
-
- Error Log
- ---------
- The error log keeps track of all x-FORUM3 user errors (if any). Use
- the cursor keys to scroll the displayed log entries. The function keys
- allow you to perform other log activities further described as
- follows:
-
- - F1 is this online help system.
-
- - F6 allows you to erase the error log.
-
- - F9 allows you print out the error log.
-
- - ESC returns you to the administration menu.
-
-
- User Maintenance
- ----------------
- User maintenance allows you to perform maintenance on any x-FORUM3
- user. Use the cursor keys to scroll the displayed users. The function
- keys allow you to perform other user maintenance activities, further
- described as follows:
-
- - F1 is this online help system.
-
- - F2 allows you to add a new user.
-
- - F3 allows you to change the highlighted user information.
-
- - F4 allows you to delete the highlighted user.
-
- - F9 allows you print out the user listing.
-
- - ESC returns you to the administration menu.
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 15
-
-
- Forum Maintenance
- -----------------
- Forum maintenance allows you to perform maintenance on message
- forums. Use the cursor keys to scroll the displayed forums. The
- function keys allow you to perform other forum maintenance
- activities, further described as follows:
-
- - F1 is the online help system.
-
- - F3 allows you to change the highlighted forum.
-
- - F4 allows you to erase the highlighted forum.
-
- - F6 allows you to access message maintenance for the highlighted
- forum.
-
- - F9 allows you print out the forum listing.
-
- - ESC returns you to the administration menu.
-
-
- Message Maintenance
- -------------------
- Message maintenance (only available from the forum maintenance screen)
- allows you to perform maintenance on individual messages for the
- selected forum. Use the cursor keys to scroll the displayed messages.
- The function keys allow you to perform other message maintenance
- activities described as follows:
-
- - F1 is the online help system.
-
- - F3 allows you to recall the highlighted message number if deleted.
-
- - F4 allows you to delete the highlighted message number.
-
- - ESC returns you to the forum maintenance screen.
-
- x-FORUM3 Operations Guide - Page 16
-
-
- Profile Maintenance
- -------------------
- Profile maintenance allows you to perform maintenance on user
- profiles. Use the cursor keys to scroll the displayed profiles. The
- function keys allow you to perform other profile maintenance
- activities described as follows:
-
- - F1 is the online help system.
-
- - F2 allows you to add a new profile.
-
- - F3 allows you to change the highlighted profile.
-
- - F4 allows you to delete the highlighted profile.
-
- - F9 allows you print out the profile listing.
-
- - ESC returns you to the administration menu.
-
-
- Reindex Main Files
- ------------------
- All x-FORUM3 main database files may be reindexed in the event that they
- are accidently erased or become corrupted.
-
-
- Database Summary
- ----------------
- A summary of x-FORUM3 main database files may be displayed.
-
-
- Technical Support
- -----------------
- Limited technical support by mail, phone, FAX, and CompuServe is
- provided at no cost to UNREGISTERED x-FORUM3 users during the initial
- software evaluation period.
-
- Limited technical support by mail, phone, FAX, and CompuServe is
- provided at no cost to REGISTERED x-FORUM3 users for one (1) year.
-
- For technical support, please contact:
-
- Extensions Software Corporation
- 224 Thompson Street #165
- Hendersonville, NC 28792
- 704-692-0887
- 704-692-8879 FAX
- 72007,571 CompuServe
-
-