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Silver Xpress Mail System [RBBS 17.3] (c) copyright 1988-1990 Santronics Software All Rights Reserved. Hector Santos, Pitt Xpress BBS, FidoNet 1:129/82 Santronics Software 1451 Plymouth Ave Irwin, PA 15642USA N O T I C E The information and price policy contained in this document are subject to change without notice. (412) 864-2060 Voice (412) 864-2294 BBS Rev - 0 ------------------------ D I S C L A I M E R ------------------------ Although Santronics Software has taken every precaution to prevent abnormal behavior of the Silver Xpress Mail System, Santronics Software will not guarantee total satisfaction. Santronics Software will not be responsible for any damages or mishaps to your system. Should the program be defective in any way, YOU (not Santronics Software) assume full responsibility for any damage which may result. SANTRONICS SOFTWARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS THE WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND MERCHANTABILITY. ----------------------------------------------- C O P Y R I G H T S & T R A D E M A R K S ----------------------------------------------- The Xpress Off-Line Mail System software and its documentation are copyrighted materials. Santronics Software reserves all rights to these materials under United States law and international copyright conventions which are not expressly granted to the user. No part of this material may be reproduced or modified in any way without the prior express written permission of Santronics Software except as stated within this documentation. Opus Xpress, Silver Xpress, Gold Xpress, Platinum Xpress, Xpress Lite, Xpress Windows, Xpress mail, Xpmail, Xpread, Xpuser, Xpcfg, XpEdt, Xpfiles, and the file extensions OPX and REP in relationship to off- line electronic mail systems are trademarks of Santronics Software. QBBS is copyrighted by Unlimited Software Technologies, Inc. RBBS is copyrighted by Tom Mack. PCBoard is copyrighted by Clark Development Company, Inc. OPUS CBCS BBS is copyrighted by Wynn Wagner III. PKZIP and PKUNZIP are copyrighted by and trademarks of PKware Inc. PAK is copyrighted by and is a trademark of NoGate Consulting. LHARC is copyrighted by Yoshi. TELIX and SALT are copyrighted by and a trademark of Exis, inc. DSZ is copyrighted by and is a trademark of Omen Technology Inc. Qedit is copyrighted by and is a trademark of SemWare. IBM and IBM PC are trademarks of International Business Machine Fido and FidoNet are registered US trademarks of Tom Jennings. --------------------------------------- L I C E N S E A G R E E M E N T --------------------------------------- Any use of the product at all constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions. Santronics Software reserves all rights which are not expressly granted or necessarily implied by those rights which are expressly granted. The law of the United States and of the State of Pennsylvania shall be controlling and the courts of the United States and the State of Pennsylvania shall have exclusive jurisdiction to the maximum extent permitted by international law and the law of the United States. The Xpress Mail System is fully copyrighted and is not in the public domain, nor is it "Free Ware". It is distributed under the concept of software distribution known as "shareware" which allows users to try a program package to see if it meets their needs before paying for it. Continued use beyond the authorized evaluation period requires payment of the registration fee. Santronics Software grants an unlimited license to make and distribute unregistered copies of Xpress versions which have been released by Santronics Software, but no modification at all may be made to the program or documentation files. The only permitted modification is a change in the method of archiving. No fee may be charged by anyone other than Santronics Software for copies of Xpress beyond the actual cost of providing such copies without the express written permission of Santronics Software. Santronics Software grants a limited license to use this product for an evaluation period of thirty (30) days. Use of this product for more than 30 days requires payment of the registration fee. Santronics Software grants to registered users an "unlimited" license to use this product, subject to the following: 1) Registration is not refundable or transferable. 2) Copies of registered Silver Xpress program files may not be distributed. 3) Original copyrights must be maintained and not altered. 4) Unofficial software patches must not be not applied. 5) The software executable files must not be tampered with in any way. 6) Registration shall be automatically voided without notice by any act which is inconsistent with the rights of Santronics Software with respect to the product. ------------------------------------------- Optional Xpress Priority Service Plans ------------------------------------------- Upon request, Santronics Software is offering two priority service plans. These optional plans are open to all new or old registered Xpress users. The priority service lasts for a period of ONE YEAR. To renew your priority service, please send another request. Xpress User Priority Service #1 ..... add $60.00 o Xpress News Letter (Bi-Monthly) o Printed Documentation (Sent Immediately) o 1 yr automatic updates to the Silver Reader via US/AIR mail o Netmail Responses. o Updates via Netmail - US/Canada only. o Updates via Mail - Foreign Only. o Discounts on future products. Xpress User Priority Service #2 ..... add $30.00 o Xpress News Letter (Bi-Monthly) o Printed Documentation (Sent Immediately) o NetMail responses o 1 automatic update via NetMail - US/Canada Only o 1 automatic update via mail - Foreign Only Participants of an Xpress Priority Service (XPS) plan will receive an XPS code for top priority service. XPS customers should use this code when making all inquiries to Santronics Software. ------------------------------ Registration Information ------------------------------ Registration gives you an unlimited license to use the Silver Xpress system as stated in the Xpress documentation. Please fill out the order form and send it with your payment to: USA: Santronics Software 1451 Plymouth Ave. Irwin, Pa., 15642 Foreign Registrations other than MC/Visa/AMEX can be processed through the following official Santronics Software registration points: England/UK: John Krzesinski Apricot Computers PLC 27 HighField Rd. Edgebaston, Birmingham UK B153DP Fidonet #: 2:253/192 Australia: Trevour Carlsen PO BOX 568 Port Hedland Western Australia 6721 Fidonet #: 3:690/644 For surrounding countries, please register through the nearest registration point. These registration points are authorized by Santronics Software to issue registration codes. Any other person issuing or generating registration codes is in direct violation of Santronics Software intellectual property. It will be regarded and pursued as a criminal software privacy violation. ------------------------------ Registration Notes ------------------------------ 1) On-line American Express/Mastercard/Visa registration is available at (412)- 864-2294, 24hrs EST. You may want to choose to have your charge card verified on-line to get your registration number immediately. As an added convenience, you may netmail your registration form to me at 1:129/82. 2) Xpress group discounts and commercial site purchase plans are available. See Appendix F for more information. 3) Every effort will be made to respond to questions. However, priority service members will receive top priority. The Xpress international echo mail conferences are also available for support. 4) Allow 7 (seven) working days for processing your registration. Direct foreign registrations should allow for 4-6 weeks for processing registrations. 5) Foreign mail can take over 6 weeks if you do not order faster service. 6) Corporate Purchase Orders are allowed for orders of $50 US or greater from pre-approved companies. Call for more information. 7) You can order PKWare's PKZIP file compression system from Santronics Software at a discount when registering Silver Xpress! RBBS SILVER XPRESS ORDER FORM Please print clearly or type: Your Name as a SYSOP..__________________ Real Name.._______________ Your Board Name.......__________________ BBS Type..._______________ DataLine Number.......__________________ Voice #...._______________ NetMail Address ......__________________ Occupation._______________ Xpress Packet Name ...__________________ (name of your OPX packet) Address...............________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Why/How do you use Silver Xpress:........________________________________________________ Previous Registration Code #................________________________________________________ Where Did you Hear about Silver Xpress?..________________________________________________ O Single board Door Program cost.................. $35.00 O Single board Door and Reader Program cost........ $45.00 O Reader Program cost.............................. $35.00 O Xpress Priority Plan # 1.........................Add $60.00 O Xpress Priority Plan # 2.........................Add $30.00 O FaXpress - Facsimile Mail System (Software Only). $99.95 O PKZIP Package from PKWARE........................ $42.00 O Group Plan Type ______ # of Copies _______ Total ______ SPECIAL METHODS OF SHIPMENT O UPS Red (1 days).................................Add $15.25 O UPS Blue (3 days)................................Add $ 8.00 O Intl AIR Mail 7 days (Credit Card Only) Cost varies with country. METHOD OF PAYMENT O Cash O Check O Money Order O Mastercard O Visa O P.O. O AMEX MC/Visa/AMEX Card/P.O. # ______________________________ Expiration Date.....____________ 4 digits above name __________ (if any) Signature .........._________________________________ SUBTOTAL.............................................____________ Foreign checks (add $5.00).......................____________ PA residents add %6 sales tax........................____________ TOTAL................................................____________ ____________________________________________________________________ OFFICIAL USE ONLY (Inv. R071290) Date Received :Registration Code: Service Code : ------------------------------------------- Table of Contents ------------------------------------------- 1.0) Introduction to Silver Xpress ...............................1 2.0) How does Silver Xpress enhance your BBS? ....................3 3.0) What type of hardware and software do you need to run Silver Xpress? .....................................................5 4.0) How do you install Silver Xpress? ...........................6 4.1) What files and directories do you need? ................6 4.1.1) Xpress Area/Board Definition File, AREAS.DEF ...8 4.2) How do you use the Silver Xpress Configuration Program? 11 4.2.1) Starting the Configuration Program, XPCFG. ....12 4.2.2) Main Menu of XPCFG. ...........................13 4.2.3) Board Information Screen ......................14 4.2.4) File Name and Location Screen .................17 4.2.5) Miscellaneous Information and Option Screen ...20 4.2.6) Transfer Protocol Definition Screen ...........24 4.2.7) Bulletin and Welcome File Screen ..............25 4.2.8) Archiver Definition Screen ....................26 4.2.9) Mail Scanning Return Codes Screen .............27 4.3) What Batch files do you have to set up? ...............28 4.3.1) A batch file to run the Silver Xpress Door program. ......................................28 4.3.2) Batch files to perform file transfers. ........29 4.3.3) Batch files to perform file compression and expansion. ....................................30 4.3.4) A batch file to allow Silver Xpress to Shell to DOS. ..........................................30 4.4) How do you test your setup? ...........................31 4.5) How do you run Silver Xpress in local mode outside of the BBS? ..................................................31 4.6) How do you run Xpress under a multi-node system? ......31 5.0) How do you scan mail after Xpress Uploads Mail? ............33 6.0) How do you customize your Xpress setup? ....................34 7.0) What are the Silver Xpress Command Line Options? ...........36 8.0) What do you do if you want to reduce the Memory required? ..38 9.0) How do you maintain the Silver Xpress User Records? ........39 10.0) What special Sysop features are available? .................43 10.1) Special Sysop features in the Door Program, XPMAIL ....43 10.2) Special Sysop features in the Reader, XPREAD ..........44 11.0) How can you use Silver Xpress to send a FAX? ...............47 12.0) How does Silver Xpress work and how does it maintain security? ..................................................48 Appendices A Acknowledgements B Xpress Support Policy C Official Xpress Distribution Sites D Known Problems and Solutions E Silver Xpress for other Bulletin Board Systems F Group Purchase Plan G Utility Chart Index Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-1 ______________________________________________________________________ 1.0) Introduction to Silver Xpress Welcome to the Silver Xpress Mail System! Silver Xpress is a premiere BBS off-line mail system designed with valuable features for both the users and the sysops. This manual is designed for a sysop of a Bulletin Board System (BBS). Step-by-step instructions are provided for the installation, setup and use of the Silver Xpress door program. Also included is a discussion of the special sysop-only features of the Silver Xpress reader program. The Silver Xpress system has two primary functions, one for users and one for sysops: 1) Users can take their time handling mail off-line, which reduces their telephone charges and allows them to create higher quality mail. Users can dial into thousands of BBS systems of different types and use the same Silver Xpress system. 2) Sysops can increase their user base since thousands of Silver Xpress users on various bulletin board systems already exist. Xpress also increases board turnover rate and produces higher quality messages from users since user connect time is drastically reduced. In addition, sysops can enjoy the same benefits as the user by using the reader off-line. Silver Xpress is supported on Opus, Fido, QBBS, Remote Access, Maximus, RBBS, and soon PCBoard. Development is in progress for other popular BBS 's. When Silver Xpress is combined with a Fidonet BBS, users have a very efficient means of world-wide electronic mail communications. Fidonet is the world's largest network of bulletin boards and has a huge mail (echo) network covering hundreds of topics (sigs). Users will be able to start using the Silver Xpress reader program in 5 to 10 minutes since it includes context sensitive help and high quality documentation. Users don't have to spend time learning a new editor, archiver, or transfer protocol, since they can setup Silver Xpress to use the ones they normally use. Xpress differentiates itself from other off-line mail systems with advanced features such as a facsimile interface which allows users to send FAX mail to any FAX machine in the world. Other advanced features include: intelligent quoting mechanism, "smart" mail compression detection, addressee lists, file folders, text video graphics, music, windows, file requesting, and much more. The Silver Xpress mail system has two parts. One part executes as a BBS door program which is activated by users and controlled by sysop options. The Silver Xpress door, XPMAIL, searches all the mail areas for the type of mail that a user specifies, packs it all into one compressed file (with an extension of ".OPX"), and starts the download transfer program of choice. Users then log off and handle their mail Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-2 ______________________________________________________________________ off-line with the second part of Silver Xpress, a mail reader named XPREAD. XPREAD lets users read and reply to mail downloaded from the BBS -- as well as create new messages. When they are done creating replies and new messages, XPREAD packs them into a single file that can be uploaded quickly and securely to the originating BBS. The XPMAIL door will automatically unpack and toss the uploaded message(s) into the proper mail areas. Security is maintained, and the upload behaves as if the user were actually using the board. The Silver Xpress mail system enhances your bulletin board service. Since the user is on-line for less time, the board is made available to more users, which effectively increases user turnover. Board quality is increased because potentially more effective and higher quality messages are created by the user. The Silver Xpress system is sysop friendly! A simple configuration program is included and many other utilities are available. The Silver Xpress reader has many of the usual sysop-only features such as net mail, zone mail, file requesting and attaching, automatic reply forwarding of area zero user log-off messages and a whole slew of other features. Commercial businesses, groups and organizations using one of the supported BBS's can benefit from using the Silver Xpress system. Using a BBS system as an e-mail system for employees, a business can cost-effectively use the Silver Xpress system for activities such as field service work or customer communications. Phone charges will be reduced and the quality of messages will be increased. Silver Xpress is an extremely useful cost effective system. As a sysop, you can be sure that Silver Xpress respects all security aspects of the system. Your system will be protected from unauthorized message snooping, false entry into areas, or dropping to DOS. Furthermore, Xpress keeps a log of all major events. Silver Xpress is a shareware product. For commercial use of this product, businesses must register and purchase the system. Site licenses are available. Group and Club discounts are also available. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-3 ______________________________________________________________________ 2.0) How does Silver Xpress enhance your BBS? The Silver Xpress Mail system has many features that will enhance your BBS. Below, lists of features are given for both the door program and the reader program. For the sysop of a BBS, the following features are included for the door side of the Silver Xpress mail system: - Supports optional facsimile (FaXpress) mail transmission. - Full support of the FOSSIL and high speed modem systems. - An interactive configuration program, XPCFG. - An interactive user maintenance program provided, XPUSER. - An interactive user on-line menu system. - Time remaining calculation. - Message Area Security. - Net Mail Accounting and Security. - An internal Message Dupe Checker. - Supports multiple archiving systems. - Supports multiple file transfer systems. - Supports multiple origin lines. - Supports local, echo, and net mail, including zone mail. - Supports up to 256 message areas. - Supports a flexible selection of mail, "Flex Select". - Network (LAN) compatible. - Supports modem line carrier detection. - Secure on-line Xpress sysop menu. - Detailed Log System. - Allows for TRUE sysop usage (understands that YOU are truly the sysop of the system so you can read ALL private mail) - Xpress allows users to do file downloading from controlled file areas. Sysops can turn this option off. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-4 ______________________________________________________________________ - Xpress understands which users are registered. For the users of the BBS as well as the sysop, the following features are included for the reader side of the Silver Xpress mail system: - Interactive interface and menu system. - Interactive built-in configuration system. - Full support of Fidonet messages and structures. - Automatic File requesting for the user. - Automatic Off-Line User Door Configuration. - Supports external editors, but an Xpress editor is also provided. - Xpress Windows system for fancy message creation. - Messages can be printed or saved. - Mail can be sorted before reading. - Messages can be quoted when creating replies. - Supports Facsimile (FAX) using Optional FaXpress product. - Net mailing, Zone mail, Hurling (message forwarding), automatic forwarding for area 0 replies. - Alot more! Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-5 ______________________________________________________________________ 3.0) What type of hardware and software do you need to run Silver Xpress? The Silver Xpress Door Program requires the following hardware: o IBM or PC Clone o 384K RAM, minimum o at least 1.5 meg of disk space For RBBS, the Silver Xpress Door Program requires the following software: o MS-DOS or clone operating system version 2.1 or above o RBBS, version 17.3 o Archiving Software (you specify which types) o File Transfer Software (you specify which types) DSZ is recommended since it offers X, Y, and Z modem Several utility programs are available in separate packages. You can obtain the following programs from the Santronics Software Support BBS. See Appendix G for Shareware file names. XPSUB - XpSub, a version of Silver Xpress used for BBS systems with limited memory -- a subprocess controller. XpSub will alleviate some memory problems, but since it is recommended to run Xpress with using a full DOS exit (completely exiting RBBS), XpSub will not usually be needed. XPSTATS - XpStats, an optional utility for keeping track of user message download and upload statistics. XpStats searches the user record and updates the statistics in XPSTATS.DAT which XPMAIL creates. XPFILES - XpFiles, an optional utility for creating a new list of files on the system. The information is passed to Xpress users off-line. XPV - an optional set of sample batch files that automatically create mail packets for users or sysops -- "Xpress Vacation Saver" NOTE: Santronics Software is not a distributor for Omen Technology Inc, System Enhancement Associates, or Columbia University Computer Data Center. Their respective distribution rights are maintained. PROTOCOL.ZIP - contains latest DSZ, Sealink, WMODEM, and PCKERMIT. PKZ102.EXE - contains PKware's ZIP archiving system. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-6 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.0) How do you install Silver Xpress? As described in the following sections, you install Silver Xpress by specifying and creating various directories and files, by running the included configuration program, XPCFG, and by customizing a set of batch files. 4.1) What files and directories do you need? For simplicity, this installation procedure will assume the following directories are used: c:\RBBS - location of RBBS-PC.EXE, etc. c:\utils - or any pathed directory location of utilities. c:\xpress - location of xpress system. Create the Xpress directory for Silver Xpress and decompress the official Xpress package SXxxx.ZIP into it. You should have the following files: $README. - basic readme file. BADXPRV. - file displayed when user is using wrong reader. COMPRESS.BAT - Xpress Compression batch file. CONFIG.HLP - Xpress mail on-line help. DEF-REC.BAT - Bare bone Receive file batch file. DEF-SEND.BAT - Bare bone Send file batch file. DEF-XP.BAT - Bare bone Xpress.bat startup file. DOORNEWS. - File displayed to user on entry, News. EXITFILE. - File displayed when user exits program. EXPAND.BAT - Xpress Expansion batch file. FLEX.HLP - Flex Select help file. HST-REC.BAT - HST version Receive file batch file. HST-SEND.BAT - HST version Send file batch file. HST-XP.BAT - HST version of Xpress.bat startup file. NEWUSER. - File displayed to new user. HELLO.BSV - Sample welcome screen. RDRNEWS. - Sample ANSI based text file reader news. WELCOME. - Xpress mail door welcome screen. WELCOMEG. - ANSI version of welcome. XPCFG.EXE - sysop's Xpress configuration program. XPCFG.HLP - Xpcfg help file. XPMAIL.DOC - Silver Xpress documentation. XPMAIL.EXE - Xpress mail door program. XPMAIL.HLP - Xpress mail on-line help. XPSHELL.BAT - Dos Shell Bat batch file. XPUSER.EXE - sysop's Xpress user file maintenance program. AREAS.DEF - mail area definitions and miscellaneous switches. AREAS.HLP - Areas help file. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-7 ______________________________________________________________________ The Silver Xpress package does not include the archive programs and file transfer programs which are required for proper operation (see section 3.0). This installation guide assumes that you have some of these programs. If not, the needed programs can be found in most participating bulletin boards or a request can be sent to the main Silver Xpress support board in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At a minimum, you should have the following: DSZ.COM - Omen Technology Inc. Y/X/Z file transfer modem system PKUNZIP/PKZIP.EXE - PKware Inc. ZIP file archiving system The rest of this installation process assumes you have file transfer and archive system programs available. If you picked up PROTOCOL.ZIP (arc), decompress it into a directory already declared in your path. If you decompress it into the c:\xpress directory, you must put c:\xpress on your path. If you picked up PKZ102.EXE, decompress it into a directory already declared in your path. If you decompress it into the c:\xpress directory, you must put c:\xpress on your path. Copy or Move into the utility directory the following files: all the archive programs such as PKZIP/PKUNZIP, LHARC, etc. all file transfer programs such as DSZ, etc. If you are using an HST or any other 9600 modem, perform the following: c:\xpress> copy hst-xp.bat c:\RBBS\xpress.bat c:\xpress> copy hst-send.bat sendopx.bat c:\xpress> copy hst-rec.bat recrep.bat If you are NOT using an HST, perform the following: c:\xpress> copy def-xp.bat c:\RBBS\xpress.bat c:\xpress> copy def-send.bat sendopx.bat c:\xpress> copy def-rec.bat recrep.bat You may delete the HST*.BAT and DEF*.BAT files now. You may need to edit these batch files, particularly the XPRESS.BAT file. See Section 4.3.1 for more details. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-8 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.1.1) Xpress Area/Board Definition File, AREAS.DEF The AREAS.DEF file is one of the most important files in the Xpress system setup for RBBS. You need to edit AREAS.DEF with an ASCII editor to enumerate and order the RBBS message areas. RBBS allows an unlimited number of mail areas while this version of Xpress allows only 256 mail areas. RBBS sysops often specify areas with names of 8 or less characters and Xpress only works with area numbers. Therefore, you have to modify the AREAS.DEF file to associate an area number with your message area names. NOTE: If you have to re-order the area numbers in the future, you should attempt to be as consistent as possible. Changing message area numbers can cause a user to have mis-selections the if he uploads information before downloading your new setup in a mail packet. If you do re-order the area numbers, you should also modify the users' selected areas with XPUSER.EXE. Your area definition file, AREAS.DEF should contain specifications for your main user and message files, secret RBBS names, individuation offset and length, and mail area information. The entries in AREAS.DEF include a variable name and then your specific entry. Only information that is relevant to your particular RBBS setup should be entered. Comments can be inserted anywhere with a comment character in column one of the line. Comment characters include "!", "@", "#", "$", "%", "&", ":", "". Possible types of information that you should enter in AREAS.DEF include: 1) Main user file for RBBS The directory and file name of your main RBBS user file. This is required for Xpress to perform user auto-join. Example: MAIN_USER_FILE C:\RBBS\USERS 2) Main Message file for RBBS The directory and file name of your main RBBS message file. Example: MAIN_MESSAGE_FILE C:\BASE\MESSAGES Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-9 ______________________________________________________________________ 3) RBBS Secret Name Your secret RBBS Name. Example: SECRET_NAME SE MOI 4) Individuation Offset and Length. (OPTIONAL) Xpress supports and respects the RBBS individuation fields. To maintain these positions, please indicate the beginning offset and the length of the individuation field as you have it defined in your RBBS configuration. Example: INDIV_OFFSET 88 INDIV_LEN 4 5) Multiple Netmail Addresses (AKA) Xpress supports multiple or alternate netmail addresses for interzone mail. When interzone mail is uploaded to Xpress, Xpress will use your AKA address if available for the Destination Zone. Up to 10 AKA addresses may be defined. Example: AKA 7:124/19 AKA 8:905/24 6) Area definition structures. You have to enter a structure of information about each of your mail areas. Each area should have a unique number. Entries in the structure can be made in any order. The structure has the following format: Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-10 ______________________________________________________________________ AREA # Description MAILTYPE Mail Distribution type LOCAL, ECHO, NETMAIL, FAX MAILFORM Mail Format. FIDO, RBBS, QBBS, PCBOARD AUTOLEVEL Minimum Security Level Exempt from AutoUpdate MINLEVEL Security Level 0-65536 required for entrance. READPUB Security Level required to READ a public message. READPRI Security Level required to READ a private message. POSTPUB Security Level required to enter a public message. POSTPRI Security Level required to enter a private message. POSTANON Security Level required to enter anonymous mail MAXLINES Maximum lines allowed in a messages. MAXMSGS Maximum # of Messages Allowed in this Area. (0 No Limit). SEENBY Should Xpress truncate SEEN-BY traffic information for users? Y/N SYSOPNAME (optional) name of sysop moderator for sub-board. Blank = true BBS sysop SCANLIMIT (optional) This sets a scan limit (0 to 9999) per area. By setting a limit, new users will not get overwhelmed with new mail ther first time he joins a board. 0 disables this option and will scan all available new mail for the user. ECHOTAG (optional) a 20 character string for echo areas only. When echo mail is uploaded, Xpress will append the ECHOTAG to the ECHOTOSS.LOG file. ECHOTOSS.LOG is usually used by mail processors such as Qmail to process mail quickly. PASSWORD (optional) This 20 character string will allow for an additional security level for Boards. When a user selects an area, Xpress will prompt him for the password. Blank = no password required. ELASTIC (optional) YES/NO. NOT available in Xpress at this time! Disclaimer: At this time Xpress will always append mail (or enter mail at the next available slot). Xpress does not follow non-elastic message bases at this time! ENDAREA Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-11 ______________________________________________________________________ Example: AREA 1 Local Mail SYSOPNAME Richard Couture MESSAGE d:\base\MAIN1M.DEF USER d:\base\MAIN1U.DEF MAILTYPE LOCAL MAILFORM RBBS AUTOLEVEL 5 MINLEVEL 5 READPUB 5 READPRI 5 POSTPUB 5 POSTPRI 5 POSTANON 99 MAXLINES 999 MAXMSGS 0 SEENBY YES ENDAREA For more examples, see the sample AREAS.DEF file that comes with the XPCFG.EXE program. In order for Xpress to work within RBBS, user files must be availble for each message file. This will allow for LAST READ message counters to be maintained for each xpress user. User files are not required for the special FidoNet structured message areas. 4.2) How do you use the Silver Xpress Configuration Program? Silver Xpress includes an interactive configuration utility, XPCFG. Below is a description of how to start XPCFG, the screens that are displayed in XPCFG, and helpful information about each entry. To get context sensitive help, just press F10 on any entry. Please go through every option and field. The first time you use XPCFG, it will create a control file named XPMAIL.CTL. After you are done using XPCFG, you will be prompted to have XPCFG compile XPMAIL.CTL into a new file, XPMAIL.PRM, that is used by the Silver Xpress Door program, XPMAIL, and other utilities such as XPUSER. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-12 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.2.1) Starting the Configuration Program, XPCFG. After you have created your AREAS.DEF file as described in Section 4.1.1, start the Silver Xpress configuration program by typing: c:\xpress> XPCFG If it is the first time that you are configuring Silver Xpress, you will be prompted for several types of information. First you will be prompted for the Xpress installation directory, which would normally be C:\xpress. You will then be asked to enter your name as the SYSOP. Next you will be asked for your primary netmail addresses. If you don't have a netmail address, just enter carriage returns or if you want enter "999" for each entry. If you do have a netmail address, enter the zone, net, and node. Then you are asked to enter a short title for your board name. The title is used in menus and tables. One example of a short tile is: "Pitt Xpress BBS, Pittsburgh PA" You are then prompted for the name of your Xpress mail packet. Xpress packs mail for users into a file with an extension of OPX. For example: PITTX.OPX for Pitt Xpress BBS EMERALD.OPX for Emerald City BBS. Select a unique name for your Xpress mail packet. Next you are prompted for the directory location of the .iDEF file, normally C:\RBBS. XPCFG now creates a default Silver Xpress control file. The default control file assumes PKZIP, LHARC, and PAK as the file compression utilities and X, Y, and Z modem as the file transfer utilities. To use this default control file, you must make sure that the file compression utilities and DSZ.COM are on your path. The default configuration allows you to quickly get started with Silver Xpress. XPCFG has many options that you may want to step through to customize your Silver Xpress system. If you just want to use the default system, type Q and Y when the main menu is present. If you want to customize your system or just learn more about the default system, you should go through each entry and each screen and fill in your unique data. Descriptions of each screen and entry field are given below. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-13 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.2.2) The Main Menu of XPCFG. +-XConfig V2.2605R1 (c) 1988-90 Santronics Software--+ | | | A) BBS/Sysop Information | | B) BBS Files/Directories | | C) **** Reserved Menu Option **** | | D) Xpress Miscellaneous Parameters | | E) **** Reserved Menu Option **** | | F) Mail Transfer Type Definitions | | G) **** Reserved Menu Option **** | | H) **** Reserved Menu Option **** | | I) Reader Bulletin List | | J) Compression/Expansion of Mail | | K) Error Levels Definition | | L) Shell to DOS | | Q) Quit/Exit/Compile Program | +-----------------------------------------------------+ Menu selections A through G will display the specified entry screen. Option H will allow you to shell to DOS and work on files, run utilities, etc. Option Q will first prompt you to see if you want to compile the information into XPMAIL.PRM and then exit XPCFG. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-14 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.2.3) The Board Information Screen +------------------------[ Board Information ]-----------------------+ | | |Registration Code : [ ] | |Board Name : Pitt Xpress, Pittsburgh PA. | |Sysop Name : Hector Santos | |OPX File Name : PITTX [Enter Unique DOS File Name] | |BBS Version : 17.3 [RBBS 17.3+ only] | | | |Board Origin Line : [If left empty, Xpress will ignore Or. Line] | | | | Pitt Xpress : Home of Xpress Mail System (1:129/82) | | | |Primary Net Zone # : 1 NetMail Crash Access : 10 | |Primary Net # : 129 NetMail File Attach Access : 10 | |Primary Node # : 82 NetMail File Request Access : 10 | | | | Use Conventional Keys for Cursor Movement | | ESCAPE to EXIT. PAGE UP/DOWN for Next Section. | +---------------------------------------------------[ F10 for Help ]-+ REGISTRATION CODE If you like and use this program, you are required to register your copy. Upon registration, Santronics Software will issue you a special registration code. If you are not registered, please leave this field as is. If you start to become devious by entering a false code, Xpress will begin to scratch it's head and start wondering about you. So trying to play the random game will not help. If you want to register, please see the order form. BOARD NAME The reader requires a short title of your board. It is used as a header for some of the Xpress Reader menus. Enter something like Pitt Xpress, Pittsburgh PA. The Spring Board, 7 Springs, PA. SYSOP NAME Your name! Just make sure it's the same name you use on the registration form and on the board. This should be your sysop name, not your secret name. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-15 ______________________________________________________________________ OPX FILE NAME This is the name of your Xpress mail packet. Xpress will put the extension OPX on it. It is an identification for the BOARD using the Silver Xpress system. You may choose your own ID. 8 characters MAX. Choose an ID that is similar or familiar to your board title. For example: Pitt Xpress PITTX Software Connection SOFTCONN Doctor's Inn DOCSINN The Cat's Meow CATMEOW Enchanted Forest FOREST Registration of Silver Xpress makes the ID an official Xpress Board ID. Your ID will be reserved on a first come first serve basis. BBS VERSION Enter your RBBS version number. BOARD ORIGIN LINE Enter the origin line for your system. Xpress will append it to mail (echo only). If you leave this line blank, Xpress will ignore this line and will add nothing to the mail. This allows external mail processors to add the origin line. If you do use the origin line, please include your Fido Net number at the tail end of the line. This is for echo mail processors to handle the mail correctly. Xpress will not force the number in the line. You have to put it in. Silver Xpress uses the origin line definedi n ECHOORIG.CTL, which must be in the same directory as XPMAIL.EXE. Format: Area# Origin Line If the origin line includes a net address, xpress will not add it. PRIMARY NETMAIL NUMBERS If you belong to a network such as FidoNet, RBBSNet, EggNet, FamilyNet or a similar network that uses zones, nets, and nodes, fill in these fields. If you do not belong to a network, please fill in these field with 999, 999, 999. When you register Xpress, you will need to tell us your netmail address. If you are not on a network, you should tell us 999, 999, 999. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-16 ______________________________________________________________________ Fields for netmail address: ZONE - Your zone number NET - Your net number NODE - Your node # within your net. NETMAIL ACCESS NUMBERS After giving the user access to NETMAIL, you can further provide extra security by limiting some netmail features such as: Crash Mail - Immediately send mail to node File Attach - Attach a file to be sent with netmail File Request - Request a file from another system. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-17 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.2.4) The File Name and Location Screen +--[ QBBS/Remote Access/Xpress Important File Names and Locations ]--+ | | |Xpress Log File : [C:\XPRESS\XPRESS.LOG ] | |DORINFO1.DEF file : C:\RBBS\DORINFO1.DEF | |Location of C.DEF files : C:\RBBS\ | |Xpress Work Directory : C:\XPRESS\WORK | |DownLoad Directory : C:\XPRESS\DOWN | |UpLoad Directory : C:\XPRESS\UP | |Dnld/Upld Statistics File : C:\RBBS\XPSTATS.DAT | |Bad Messages Dump Path : C:\XPRESS\DUMP | |User Base File Path : C:\XPRESS\ | |Transfer batch files dir : C:\XPRESS\ | |Archiver batch files dir : C:\XPRESS\ | |Xpress DUPE file Location : C:\XPRESS\ | |BBS Node List Location : C:\RBBS\ | | | | Use Conventional Keys for Cursor Movement | | ESCAPE to EXIT. PAGE UP/DOWN for Next Section. | +---------------------------------------------------[ F10 for Help ]-+ XPRESS LOG FILE Enter the name of a file where Xpress will record/log major happenings with Xpress. Default is XPRESS.LOG. DORINFOx.DEF FILE Enter the full path location of the DORINFOx.DEF file RBBS creates when it goes outside to run an external program. The file tells Xpress all there is to know about the current user. "x" is the node number. LOCATION OF .iDEF Files Enter the directory location where RBBS keeps the system files. These files are required by Xpress. This directory location is typically c:\RBBS. XPRESS WORK DIRECTORY This is where Xpress will place all temporary files when creating a packet or where the reply packet is uncompressed. Xpress will create this directory if it does not exist. Note: Do not place any files in this work directory. Xpress erases this directory with each usage. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-18 ______________________________________________________________________ DOWNLOAD DIRECTORY This is where Xpress will create the OPX file or mail packet. The compression process will create the OPX here and the download process will grab the OPX from this directory. In local mode, this is where you will find the OPX file. Xpress will create this directory if it does not exist. UPLOAD DIRECTORY This is where Xpress will receive any reply mail from the user. The upload process will place the REP file here, and the expansion process will decompress the file to the work directory. In local mode, place your REP file here! Xpress will create this directory if it does not exist. DNLD/UPLD STATISTICS FILE This is an optional feature. Input the full path name of a statistical file Xpress will create to record the DOWNLOAD and UPLOAD file sizes. With the Xpress utility program called XPSTATS.EXE, you can modify the user's download and upload statistics in the user.bbs file. Since this file can not be modified while a user is on, it can only be updated after he logs off. An Xpress utility called XPSTATS.ZIP is optionally available. BAD MESSAGES DUMP PATH Define the directory where XPRESS will "DUMP" all messages it fails to distribute to proper mail areas. This may occur when you make drastic changes to your mail area setup and the user is not up to par with the changes. i.e., he uploads a reply packet that corresponds to your old setup. This will happen only the first time he sends his replies using the new set up. After that, his next download packet will contain the proper information. Xpress will create this directory if it does not exist. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-19 ______________________________________________________________________ USER BASE FILE PATH Define the directory where XPRESS will look for the user database file called XPUSER.DAT. This is normally the same directory as your Xpress directory. TRANSFER BATCH FILES DIR This is the directory location of the following batch files: SENDOPX.BAT RECREP.BAT These batch files are used for starting up the appropriate Xpress mail packet download or upload process. In these batch files, there is logic for calling any of the defined mail transfer programs such as DSZ, CLink, PCKERMIT, etc. The mail transfer definition option will allow you to define the transfer protocols you wish to have on your Xpress system. Make sure the definitions match those in the batch files. ARCHIVER BATCH FILES DIR This is the directory location of the following batch files: COMPRESS.BAT EXPAND.BAT These batch files are used for starting up the appropriate Xpress compression or expansion process. In these batch files, the logic for calling any of the defined archiver programs such as ARC, PKware, LH, etc. is available. The Archiver Definition option in XPCFG will allow you to define the archive program you wish to have on your Xpress system. Make sure the definitions match those in the batch files. XPRESS DUPE FILE LOCATION Define the directory where XPRESS will store it's XPDUPES.DAT file. This file will contain CRC calculations on uploaded messages by the user. If the user unknowingly tries to upload replies already processed, the dupe checker should trap the messages. BBS NODE LIST LOCATION The directory for your node list. Xpress will use the node list to get cost information. It will put this cost in the file XPSTATS.DAT where the program XPSTATS.EXE will read and update the user record during post processing mode. (NOT IN RBBS) Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-20 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.2.5) The Miscellaneous Information and Option Screen +------------------[ Miscellaneous Xpress Information ]--------------+ | | | Total Message Limit : [0 ] | | No Response Timeout (sec) : 0 | | Prompt Delay (secs) : 15 | | New Messages Allowed : 500 | | Total File Requests : 0 | | Snoop : YES | | Abort on CTRL C : NO | | Allow Signatures : NO | | Carrier Detect : YES | | Bells : YES | | Reboot : NO | | Maximum Dupes to Check : 1000 | | Acceptable Reader Version : 2.27 | | | | Use Conventional Keys for Cursor Movement | | ESCAPE to EXIT. PAGE UP/DOWN for Next Section. | +---------------------------------------------------[ F10 for Help ]-+ TOTAL MESSAGE LIMIT Enter the maximum number of new messages that can be downloaded. The limit is set to protect your hard disk from being consumed. Use these approximations to size your limit. Given: Average 1.5k per message including seen-bys. Using PKZIP with a 50% compression. Xpress Messages Disk Space (KB) 240 540 480 1080 720 1620 Example: if you wish to allow 600 messages as the limit, then (600*1500) + (600*1500*.50) = 1,350,000 bundle compressed should be reserved for Xpress mail bundling and compression. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-21 ______________________________________________________________________ NO RESPONSE TIMEOUT (SEC) This feature allows a timeout for users who do not respond to the system between key strokes. A response time of 0 secs will disable the response timeout feature. PROMPT DELAY (SECS) This parameter will set the delay for 'timed' prompts in Xpress. This is used in the download sessions to give the user a second chance to avoid the download. Setting this value to 0 will not provide a timed prompt and will immediately jump to the download session. NEW MESSAGES ALLOWED This parameter is the total number of messages a user is allowed to create with his reader. Unregistered users are allowed only to enter 10 messages. Setting it to 0 will not set a limit for registered users. TOTAL FILE REQUESTS This parameter is the maximum number of file requests a user can make using the reader program. Setting it to 0 will not allow file requesting. The maximum is 10 during a given Xpress session. This feature allows registered reader users to make a file request to download a file. After the user uploads his reply packet with the file request, XPMAIL searches the directories defined in a file named FLSEARCH.CTL for the existence of the file. FLSEARCH.CTL has the following format: Security Level Directory SNOOP This parameter allows the SYSOP to see what is displayed on a users console. To change the selection, press the SPACE bar. YES - turns on the snooper. NO - turns off the snooper. Note: The @ sign can be used by the sysop to toggle the snooper on- line. ABORT ON CTRL C ABORT when ON allows the user to ^C out of the program. It is recommended that you keep this off. To change the selection, press the SPACE bar. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-22 ______________________________________________________________________ ALLOW SIGNATURES This parameter is an option to allow users to define SIGNATURES for the tear line. To change the selection, press the SPACE bar. Only registered reader users are allowed signatures. CARRIER DETECT Carrier Detect allows the program to exit if carrier detect is dropped. To change the selection, press the SPACE bar. ON - turn on carrier detection. OFF - turn off carrier detection. (Default for local usage) Combine this with REBOOT to complete the "WATCH DOG" security. It is recommended you keep this ON and turn off the REBOOT option so that Xpress can exit gracefully to RBBS and not reboot the machine. RBBS does a fine job of realizing a carrier drop and will reset itself. BELLS BELLS ON or OFF will toggle the frequent local bell sounds. To change the selection, press the SPACE bar. ON - bells sound. OFF - bells disabled. REBOOT REBOOT allows the program to reboot the system if REBOOT is ON. To change the selection, press the SPACE bar. ON - enables system reboot if CARRIER DETECT on. OFF - disables reboot. If CARRIER DETECT is ON, then program will just exit to the main board when the carrier drops. MAXIMUM DUPES TO CHECK Define the number of message dupes checked. The default is 1000. A range of 1000 to 4000 is very good for Xpress. NOTE: This number should NEVER EXCEED 8000. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-23 ______________________________________________________________________ ACCEPTABLE READER VERSION The Xpress Reader 2.2x is compatible with this RBBS version of Xpress, however, this option will allow you to STOP users with an earlier version of the reader from using your Mail System. A FUTURE version of the reader will include more features which will make it more tightly coupled with the door. For instance, version 2.27+ is optimized for reading RBBS mail packets. If these changes are important to you, then you can enforce the reader upgrade on your users with this option. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-24 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.2.6) The Transfer Protocol Definition Screen +----------[ Xpress Packet Mail Transfer Protocol Definition ]-------+ | | | Menu Hot | | Description Key | | | | [X-Modem ] X | | Y-Modem (Xmodem 1k) Y | | Z-Modem Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Use Conventional Keys for Cursor Movement | | ESCAPE to EXIT. PAGE UP/DOWN for Next Section. | +---------------------------------------------------[ F10 for Help ]-+ TRANSFER PROTOCOL DESCRIPTION Enter a Short Description for the Transfer Protocol. This description will be used in the design of the transfer protocol selection menu in the Xpress door user configuration section. Enter a description and hot key that users are familiar with. Example: Description Hot Key ----------- ------- Zmodem Z Xmodem CRC X Ymodem (Xmodem 1k) Y SeaLink S MENU HOT KEY Enter the HOT KEY or LETTER that the user will HIT to select this protocol. Make sure it is UNIQUE from the other protocol definitions. Also make sure that this protocol hot key is used correctly in the SENDOPX.BAT and RECREP.BAT batch files. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-25 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.2.7) The Bulletin and Welcome File Screen +-------------------[ Reader Bulletin/Welcome Files ]----------------+ | | | file # 1 : [HELLO.BSV ] | | file # 2 : RDRNEWS. | | file # 3 : | | file # 4 : | | file # 5 : | | file # 6 : | | file # 7 : | | file # 8 : | | file # 9 : | | file # 10 : | | | | | | | | | | Use Conventional Keys for Cursor Movement | | ESCAPE to EXIT. PAGE UP/DOWN for Next Section. | +---------------------------------------------------[ F10 for Help ]-+ READER BULLETIN/WELCOME FILES Input the name of the files which will be displayed to the user when he/she starts up the Xpress Reader. Think of these as welcome screens. They will be shown one by one to the user. Two types of files are supported. o ASCII/ANSI Screens These are text oriented screens that you can create with your favorite editor. The files may include ANSI commands and/or Xpress screen control dot commands. o Binary Dump Screens These are 'bloadable' or BSAVE dump screens that you may create with a program such as TheDraw or AnsiPaint. Make sure the extension for the file starts with a B like BSV. The difference between ANSI vs Binary is SPEED of display. Sample reader bulletins are available for testing purposes. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-26 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.2.8) The Archiver Definition Screen +-----------------[ Xpress Packet Archiver Definition ]--------------+ | | | Menu Hot | | Description Key | | | | [PKZip ] Z | | LHARC L | | PAK P | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Use Conventional Keys for Cursor Movement | | ESCAPE to EXIT. PAGE UP/DOWN for Next Section. | +---------------------------------------------------[ F10 for Help ]-+ XPRESS PACKET ARCHIVER DEFINITION Enter a Short Description for the Archiver Program. This description will be used in the design of the archiver selection menu in the Xpress door user configuration section. Enter a description and hot key that users are familiar with. Example: Description Hot Key ----------- ------- PKzip/PKUnzip Z PAK K LHARC L MENU HOT KEY Enter the HOT KEY or LETTER that the user will HIT to select this archiver. Make sure it is UNIQUE from the other archiver definitions. Also make sure that this archiver hot key is used correctly in the COMPRESS.BAT and EXPAND.BAT batch files. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-27 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.2.9) The Mail Scanning Return Codes Screen +-----------[ Reply Mail Scanning Return Codes/Error Levels ]--------+ | | | Local Mail Upload Error level : [0 ] | | Echo Mail Upload Error level : 1 | | Matrix Mail Upload Error level : 2 | | | | Use Conventional Keys for Cursor Movement | | ESCAPE to EXIT. PAGE UP/DOWN for Next Section. | +---------------------------------------------------[ F10 for Help ]-+ REPLY MAIL SCANNING RETURN CODES / ERROR LEVELS Use these error codes for new mail scanning. There are three types of mail scanning, but only two make any sense: echo and matrix mail. Input the error levels for each type. These are cumulative depending on how mail is distributed. Example using the following numbers. LOCAL = 0 ECHO = 1 MATRIX = 2 To check for the errorlevel, you have to consider the possible combinations of ERRORLEVEL checks in your batch file. i.e. IF ERRORLEVEL 3 THEN ECHO,MATRIX IF ERRORLEVEL 2 THEN MATRIX IF ERRORLEVEL 1 THEN ECHO NOTE: these error levels are not required for the proper operation of Silver Xpress under RBBS. They are available for your use, however. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-28 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.3) What Batch files do you have to set up? Several batch files are needed to execute Silver Xpress under RBBS. A batch file is used to call the door program, XPMAIL. Other batch files are used by XPMAIL to upload and download files, compress files, and shell to DOS. The changes that you have to make to each batch file are described below. 4.3.1) A batch file to run the Silver Xpress Door program. This is your Silver Xpress startup batch file. You call this batch file from RBBS to start XPMAIL.EXE program. The XPRESS.BAT batch file is hardcoded using the assumed default directories, \xpress, and \RBBS. In addition, it uses communication port # 1. The recommended way to call XPRESS.BAT is by completely exiting RBBS and calling DOS. If your system differs from the default system you should make the proper substitutions in XPRESS.BAT. If you are using an HST, note the -B19200 parameter on the XPMAIL command line. This tells Xpress to use a locked baud rate of 19200 when calling the sendopx.bat and recrep.bat. Most file transfer programs understand what the baud rate is by looking at the communication port, but others need a parameter. Under an HST, you must tell Xpress to lock itself at the fossil locked baud rate. DSZ is one of the smarter programs. Others are not as smart and need the parameter. Also experiment with the fossil handshaking switches. Some Sysops have said you need the -RXON switch, others said you do not. -F Use Fossil instead of direct port communications. -TXON Turn on transmit XON/XOFF. -RXON Turn on receive XON/XOFF. -FCTS Turn on handshaking VIA CTS/RTS. -DISF This switch tells Xpress to disable the fossil when shelling to DOS for file transfer. It will be reinitialized when it returns. You may not need this switch. The idea for it was to improve file transfer by clearing the fossil interrupt for external file transfer programs who have their own methods of controlling the port. Try it both ways. In theory, you should get better performance by disabling the fossil. -Bbaud define the lock baud rate. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-29 ______________________________________________________________________ Using the fossil for an Xpress HST set up should clear any menu or screen garbage. That's all it will do. 4.3.2) Batch files to perform file transfers. Two batch files, SENDOPX.BAT and RECREP.BAT, are called by Xpress to run any file transfer program. SENDOPX.BAT downloads a mail packet file with an extension of ".OPX", and RECREP.BAT receives an upload reply file with an extension of ".REP". Simply MATCH the transfer protocols defined using the XPCFG.EXE configuration program. For instance, in the SENDOPX.BAT and RECREP.BAT files you will see: IF "%1" == "K" goto PCKERMIT IF "%1" == "X" goto XMODEM IF "%1" == "Y" goto YMODEM IF "%1" == "Z" goto ZMODEM IF "%1" == "S" goto SEALINK IF "%1" == "W" goto WXMODEM The protocol menu presented to the user is defined by the sysop via XPCFG.EXE. The configuration program is pre-configured to use the X, Y, Z modem protocols: Description Hot key Xmodem (CRC) X Ymodem (Xmodem 1K) Y Zmodem Z You don't have to change anything if you stay with this setup. If you plan to add other protocols, such as Jmodem, simply add another IF statement to these batch files. Add the logic in the appropriate label area, and run XPCFG to add JMODEM to the list of file transfer protocols. Note the HST setup for the file transfer programs. Most HST setups use locked baud rates. Xpress normally passes the current baud rate to these batch files but, with the HST, you must be locked at 19200 baud. Also note the handshaking setup. DSZ goes directly to the communication port to determine the port, but other file transfer programs require a baud rate. By passing the -B19200 parameter to XpMail.exe, Xpress will use this baud rate when it is executing the sendopx.bat and recrep.bat batch files. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-30 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.3.3) Batch files to perform file compression and expansion. Two batch files, COMPRESS.BAT and EXPAND.BAT, are called by Xpress to run any archive system program. Simply match the archive program defined using the XPCFG.EXE configuration program. For instance, in the COMPRESS.BAT and EXPAND.BAT files you will see: IF "%1" == "A" GOTO ARCA IF "%1" == "X" GOTO PKARC IF "%1" == "P" GOTO PAK IF "%1" == "Z" GOTO PKZIP IF "%1" == "L" GOTO LHARC The archiver menu presented to the user is defined by the sysop. The configuration program is pre-configured to use the PKARC, PKZIP, and LHARC archive systems: Description Hot key pkXarc/pkarc X pkunZip/pkZip Z Lharc L You don't have to change anything if you stay with this setup. If you plan to add other archive program, i.e.., PAK, add another IF statement in these batch files, add the appropriate GOTO logic area and run XPCFG to add PAK to the list of available archive systems. Note: There exists a program called WAF103.ZIP. WAF.EXE determines the archive format so it is very possible to automatically decompress a user's upload file using WAF. An example is shown in WAF103.ZIP. 4.3.4) A batch file to allow Silver Xpress to Shell to DOS. A batch file, XPSHELL.BAT, is used to shell to DOS when you are using Xpress remotely. In local mode, Xpress will shell to DOS using COMMAND.COM. In remote, it will call XPSHELL.BAT with the current port number passed as the first parameter. This batch file has two methods for using DOS remotely the unreliable CTTY, and a better method using GATEWAY.SYS. GATEWAY.SYS is a third party software available on most bulletin boards offering RBBS utilities. Edit this batch file and select the method you wish to use or change it completely for your own needs. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-31 ______________________________________________________________________ 4.4) How do you test your setup? To test out Silver Xpress locally, you must run RBBS in local mode. Running Xpress in local mode should be done every time you change the control file to check for its stability. Check the Xpress log after you exit the local mode. There might be some information in it. You should test out the following: a) archiver system menu. b) file transfer protocol menu. c) creating a Xpress mail packet. After you quit Xpress the first time, it will create the XpUser.dat file. You should also test Xpress under another user name. All you have to do is log in as another user. After you are satisfied with the Xpress setup, you will need to know how to: a) call Xpress using RBBS. b) perform a matrix ECHO scan for new mail. Section 5.0 will describe methods to do this. 4.5) How do you run Silver Xpress in local mode outside of the BBS? If you have a DORINFOx.DEF file already created, Xpress will use this file. We recommend that you create a batch file and a DORINFOx.DEF file specifically for the sysop. Make sure that the batch file uses the sysop's DORINFOx.DEF file. For example: @echo off copy c:\RBBS\DORINFO1.SYS C:\RBBS\DORINFO1.DEF call xpress.bat 4.6) How do you run Xpress under a multi-node system? Currently, Xpress works under DesqVu for multi-node systems. Future versions will address other multi-line environments. For multi-line operations, Xpress must be registered. To set up a multi-line system, perform the following: Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-32 ______________________________________________________________________ 1 Create a specific Xpress control file for each node. This is done by using the -c switch for XPCFG.EXE. For example: XPCFG -cNODE1 XPCFG -cNODE2 2 Create a specific XPRESS.BAT batch file for each node and use the -c switch with the proper control file. For example: XPMAIL -p2 -f -cNODE2 3 For each node control file, the following options must be specific: Registration code (if using different netmail numbers) Xpress log file (i.e. XPRESS1.LOG, XPRESS2.LOG) DORINFOx.DEF (i.e. DORINFO1.DEF, DORINFO2.DEF) Xpress work directory (i.e. \XPRESS\WORK1, \XPRESS\WORK2) Xpress download directory (i.e. \XPRESS\DOWN1, \XPRESS\DOWN2) Xpress upload directory (i.e. \XPRESS\UP1, \XPRESS\UP2) Statistics file (i.e. XPSTATS1.DAT, XPSTATS2.DAT) Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-33 ______________________________________________________________________ 5.0) How do you scan mail after Xpress Uploads Mail? Use your normal logic for scanning for echo mail after a user logs out. Xpress exits with errorlevels that may help you do this more efficiently. Even though Silver Xpress creates mail externally, it handles it as though a user entered it on-line by hand. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-34 ______________________________________________________________________ 6.0) How do you customize your Xpress setup? There are two basic things you can do to customize your set up: - Use the basic Xpress initial display files to put in your own information. DoorNews - Yours to do what you want. Newuser - Display to new users only. - Use reader bulletins. The basic flow of Xpress with displays follows: - Xpress displays Welcome(g) doornews Newuser (for first time Xpress users) badxprv (if use is working with wrong reader) exitfile (when user exits Xpress) - On the reader side, show the bulletin screens in the order defined in the READER BULLETIN section of the configuration program. NOTE: Please do not modify the welcome(g) file. If you do so, please retain the Santronics Software copyright somewhere in the screen. One of the nice features about the Xpress off-line mail system is the ability to make the reader behave similar to an on-line BBS. Since your users will be reading mail off line, why not make them read your bulletins, news or any type of information? Xpress gives you this capability to pass to the user with his mail packet additional files called reader bulletins. When the Reader starts up, it will display these files, one by one, to the user. Up to ten reader bulletins can be defined. During the bundling process, Xpress will ignore bulletins it can not find. Two types of files can be sent: o ASCII/ANSI Screens These are text oriented screens that you can create with your favorite editor. The files may include ANSI commands and/or Xpress screen control dot commands. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-35 ______________________________________________________________________ o Binary Dump Screens These are 'bloadable' or BSAVE dump screens that you may create with a program such as TheDraw or AnsiPaint. Make sure the extension for the file starts with a B like BSV. The difference between ANSI vs Binary is SPEED of display, however binary files are slightly bigger (maximum 4k) than text files. With text files, you can add some commands to control the display of these files. The following is a list of commands that can be inserted into reader bulletin text files: [PAGE] - clear the screen. [PAUSE] - prompt the user for a carriage return. [MORE] - prompt the user with a More Y/N question. [BEEP] - sound a beep. Some rules for using reader bulletins: - Xpress screen control commands must start on the first column and must be the only command on the line. - You should have at least one of the pause commands such as [PAUSE], [MORE] or the screens will fly right by the user. The following files are sample reader bulletin screens provided with this package: HELLO.bsv - sample welcome screen created with TheDraw RdrNews. - ANSI based text file reader news Please don't use these reader bulletins for your final set up. Remember this is an optional feature. However, reader bulletins can add a touch of professionalism to your board and can give the user some feedback about your board when he reads his mail. One feature becoming quite popular with Xpress is the option of passing a list of new files to the user. This can be done by adding a file name such as "newfiles.lst" to the list of reader bulletins and running a special program to create that list for the specific user. One such program is called XPFILES.EXE (see Appendix G). Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-36 ______________________________________________________________________ 7.0) What are the Silver Xpress Command Line Options? The Silver Xpress door programs (XPMAIL.EXE and XPSUB.EXE) have general command line parameters, automatic processing parameters, special parameters for XPSUB, and special parameters for the Fossil program. General Parameters -Pn Comm port, n is 1, 2 (Using fossil allows 1 thru 6) (default is 1) -L Local mode. If carrier is OFF, LOCAL is set. -Cfn fn is the full path name of the control file. (default xpmail.prm) -S Turn on snoop regardless of XPCFG setting. -NT Do not enforce downloading time limit. -T Show time remaining calculation. -XSYS Force current user as a Xpress sysop (show extra menu). -XF# FaXpress message area number (Optional package required) -MAX# Override message packing limit. -A# Force Time remaining for current session. # - minutes (default = 60) -NC Enable netmail credit accounting of uploaded netmail. -RP Read Preview. This option will allow sysops only to read mail without Xpress toggling the RECEIVED flag in the mail. -ML Multi-Line version. For registered door programs only. Automatic Processing -Dx Automatic download. x is P (personal only), A (all only), PA (P first, A second) AP (A first, P second) -U Automatic upload. Switches used in conjunction with XPSUB.EXE -USE This tells XPMAIL.EXE to exit instead of calling the external programs. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-37 ______________________________________________________________________ -RES This restarts XPMAIL.EXE after using XPSUB. (See Xpress.bat) Fossil Control items (XPMAIL.EXE/XPSUB.EXE) -Pn Comm port, n is 1, 2 (Using fossil allows 1 thru 6) (default is 1) -Brate Lock the baud rate @ rate i.e.. -B19200 (use for HST only) -F Use Fossil instead of direct port communications. -TXON Turn on transmit XON/XOFF. -RXON Turn on receive XON/XOFF. -FCTS Turn on handshaking VIA CTS/RTS. -DISF This switch tells Xpress to disable the fossil when shelling to DOS for file transfer. It will be reinitialized when it returns. You may not need this switch. The idea for it was to improve file transfer by clearing the fossil interrupt for external file transfer programs who have their own methods of controlling the port. Try it both ways. In theory, you should get better performance by disabling the fossil. EXAMPLES port 1, direct communications. use default xpmail.ctl. Xpmail -p1 port 2, use Task1.ctl file. Xpmail -p2 -ctask1.ctl Automatically create a mail packet locally Xpmail -dpa -l Personal mail is checked first. If none, then pack ALL. Xpmail -dap -l All mail is checked first. If you exceed the limit, then personal mail is packed. Using the fossil, with HST locked at 19200 baud. Xpmail -P1 -F -RXON -DISF -B19200 Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-38 ______________________________________________________________________ 8.0) What do you do if you want to reduce the Memory required? The XPSUB.EXE program was created for one reason - reduce the memory requirement of Xpress for tight memory requirement BBS systems using systems like DesqVU. XPSUB.EXE is optionally available on Xpress distribution boards. NOTE: Since it is recommended that you perform a full exit to DOS when calling XPMAIL, you probably don't need to use XPSUB for RBBS operation. Xpress now has an option to exit completely to XPSUB, where it will take control of the external processes - archiving and file transfer. The goal is to separate the major Xpress tasks: 1) scanning and creating files. approx. 100k 2) packing/unpacking. approx. 90k (arc?) 120k (pk?) 3) download/upload file transfer. approx. 90k (DSZ?) Currently, the Xpress memory requirements are task 1 & 2 or 1 & 3 working together at any given time. Along with RBBS in memory, which is 128k, the minimum requirement is 348k (128k+100k+120k). We can reduce this to 270k, 128k for RBBS, 120k for the largest packing process, and 36k for a program to control the security and error traps. That would be sufficient for DDos people and definitely for DesqVu people. With this option enabled, Xpress will create a PROCESS.DAT with all information required for XPSUB to control the packing/unpacking and transfer processes. XPSUB will create RESTART.DAT to tell Xpress the result of the processes. Implementation of XPSUB is easy. The Xpress batch file provided already has the logic built in. To activate the sub process controller, pass the switch -USE to the XPMAIL.EXE command. --- part of current xpress.bat ----- :start xpmail -P1 -USE %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 :check_for_process if not exist process.dat goto no_process xpsub -p1 delete process.dat xpmail -P1 %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 -RESTART goto check_for_process Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-39 ______________________________________________________________________ 9.0) How do you maintain the Silver Xpress User Records? XpUser is a program designed to help the sysop manipulate Silver Xpress user records. All but a few items configurable by the Xpress user can be altered by the sysop with XpUser. With XpUser, the sysop can get a friendly view of his Xpress users selected message areas, including the ability to toggle 'SYSOP SELECTED' areas for specific users. Since XpUser was written to fully support Silver Xpress, it reads the same .prm files to get its information. XpUser requires the compiled control file XPMAIL.PRM, and the Xpress user database file. The only requirement is that the XpMail.prm file is in the current directory. If not, the -Cfilename option must be used. XpUser will use Xpmail.Prm to locate the xpuser.dat file Command Line Options: There are just a few command line options for XpUser. NOTE: each command line option must be specified with the "-" character. Each option must be separated by a space. Usage: XpUser [-Cxpress_prm_file] [-B] [-D] -Cxpress_prm_file Pass the name of the parameter file. default is XPMAIL.PRM i.e.. XpUser -C\xpress\xpmail1.prm -B Tells XpUser to backup the xpuser.dat before during anything else. Note: This is not done automatically. Note: XpUser makes dynamic changes to the database. That means ALL changes you make are saved automatically. Therefore, there is no 'Save?' prompt. If you are concerned about this, use the -B option. The -B option will backup the xpuser.dat to XpUser.bac before it does anything else. -D Special Switch for displaying more info on the screen. Designed specifically for the visually impaired. XpUser Interactive Options N -Change the current user's name This option will prompt you for the new user name. If you press enter at the prompt, then no change will occur. A - Change User or Sysop selected areas Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-40 ______________________________________________________________________ This option will allow you to change the current user selected message areas, and SYSOP SELECTED messages areas. In addition, this option has an added feature for toggling a specific area, ON or OFF, for all users. For example, you may want to MAKE SURE all users get your Local General Message Area (usually area 1) and the International User Xpress echo. When you first hit A, XpUser will prompt the question: Toggle Specific Area for ALL users? [y/N] If you say No, you are only changing the current user information and a grid of message area numbers will appear. If you say Yes, XpUser will prompt you for the specific area number to toggle ON or OFF. For example: Enter Area Number for Global ON/OFF (i.e. -10 off, 10 on) : A negative number will turn OFF the area for all users. A positive number will turn ON the area for all users. Entering -0 is understood as turning off AREA 0. You need not put the '+' sign for positive numbers. In the case where you are just changing the current user's selected message areas, XpUser will pop up a grid displaying all possible areas. To use the grid simply move the brackets with the arrow keys and press the space bar to toggle the current areas selected. Switching between the user's selected message areas and the SYSOP SELECTED message areas is done with the T character. SYSOP-SELECTED will give the current user FULL access to the selected area regardless of OPUS area privileges and Xpress overrides. However, if an Xpress password is required for the area, the user will need to know the password before permitted entry. T - Change user's selected transfer protocol Use this option to select another protocol from the available protocol list as defined through XPCFG. V - Change user's selected Archiver Use this option to select another archiver from the available archiver list as defined through XPCFG. K - Edit user's keywords Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-41 ______________________________________________________________________ This function will give a pop-up window listing of all the user defined keywords. The operator has the option to add and delete keywords. To quit this function press 'Q' or <ESC>. J - Jump to specified record This function allows the operator to make random movement through the xpuser.dat file. S - Search for user by name This function allows the operator to perform a search on the users name. G - Toggle user's graphics setting [ON/OFF] H - Toggle user's hot-keys settings [ON/OFF] E - Toggle help-level [Expert/Novice] for current user D - Mark user for deletion Note: This has no effect on Xpress (Xpmail.exe) usage. One way to use this option is to maintain your database by marking users who has been inactive for a long time. After a certain period, you can then purge the database with the P option. P - Purge Database by deleting all users marked for deletion. Note: NO BACKUP is MADE!!! # - Toggle sysop setting for current user This option will make the user an 'XPRESS SYSOP'. This means he will have access to the Xpress sysop menu. Nothing ELSE!!! It does not override the message area access logic. * - Toggle abuse setting for current user This option will stop the user from entering the Xpress system. Use it at your own discretion. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-42 ______________________________________________________________________ + - View Next user record NOTE: The right arrow key works the same - - View Previous user record NOTE: The left arrow key works the same Q - Quit XpUser Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-43 ______________________________________________________________________ 10.0) What special Sysop features are available? The Silver Xpress system has special sysop features both at the door level on the BBS and on the reader level. The following sections provide descriptions of these special features. 10.1) Special Sysop features in the Door Program, XPMAIL When using XPMAIL as an Xpress sysop, the main menu has an additional option: [#]..... SYSOP MENU. Currently, within the SYSOP menu, the options allowed are: [1]..... See the user list. [2]..... See registered user list. [3]..... See the Silver Xpress Log. [4]..... Kill the Silver Xpress Log. [5]..... Shell to DOS [Q]..... Quit to Xpress Main Menu. [1] - See user List. This will display all the users in the Xpress database showing name, last usage, type of transfer and archiver system used, and whether the user is registered. [2] - See registered user list. This option will display only the registered users. [3] - See the Silver Xpress Log. This option will display another menu: List - List the contents of the log. Search - Search for specific string. Case Sensitive. Today - List the current day usage of Xpress. [4] - Kill the Silver Xpress Log. This option will delete the log. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-44 ______________________________________________________________________ [5] - Shell to DOS. Keep in mind the Shell to DOS option. The shell to DOS command will run the batch file XPSHELL.BAT. Check this file first to see if it's properly configured for your system. You will find the batch file logic for CTTY or GATEWAY. In local Mode, the shell to DOS option will simply call command.com. Some additional XPMAIL features are available to the Xpress sysop. ! - Start the Chat mode. <ESC> to exit. During chat mode, there exists an embedded feature for sysops only to execute any DOS command by hitting the special key combo ^A@ (control-a, @) followed by the DOS command. Note: The user, unless he is declared an Xpress sysop (with XpUser.exe), will not see your DOS command. However, he can possibly see the results. Be careful here as this feature was designed mainly for remote debugging purposes. Sample: ^A@DIR > COM1 direct the dir listing to com1 @ - Snoop ON or OFF. Up and Down arrows - Add/Substract user time. F1- Show User information on screen. F2- Toggle Xpress sysop access (current session only) 10.2) Special Sysop features in the Reader, XPREAD As an Xpress sysop, you have extra features in the Silver Xpress Reader too. To use the reader on your board, run RBBS in LOCAL mode. Start the download session and create a mail packet. XPMAIL will create the OPX file in the DOWNLOAD directory. Normally, the program will delete the packet when a normal user exits the program, but the file will not be deleted in the local state. This gives you the opportunity to use the reader on the mail packet. Copy the file to another directory or your personal Xpress mailbox directory (create one). Start the reader and proceed as usual with reading and replying. To send replies or new mail, copy the reply packet (*.REP) to the UPLOAD directory. Then run the local mode of Silver Xpress and start the upload session. See XPREAD documentation for more information on the reader. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-45 ______________________________________________________________________ There is an optional package with a set of batch files and a program called XPVxxx.ZIP. This batch file is designed for sysops to automate the usage of Xpress during events. It's a vacation saver! Net Mail, Zone Mail, File Requesting/Attaching. True board sysops including those users granted access to the net mail area will have the capability to create net mail related messages which include: o crash mail. o zone mail. o file requesting and attaching. The Silver Xpress reader does not maintain a node list of any kind. You must add the net node yourself when the reader prompts for it. In a way, this adds to the security since users do not have a node list. When creating net mail, input the matrix number. If it is a ZONE mail, input the ZONE number as well. When creating or replying to zone mail, Xpress employs the Fidonet standard of using embedded information in the message itself to control the zone mail. If you reply to zone mail, Xpress will automatically pick up the target address. If you are creating a zone mail, again, you must know the ZONE and the address of the intended receiver. [Version 2.27 of the reader will recognize Gateway or Direct Zone mail.] The Xpress Reader does not currently support Points, but can be Points can be handled by your mail processors. * * W A R N I N G * * Please be aware of the Xpress netmail feature. Certainly you do not wish to have users doing the wrong thing. Only allow access to the net mail area to trusted and loyal friends. Security is maintained by: o not allowing non-sysop users to have access nor to see the net mail related functions. o trapping any tampering attempt on the information passed to the reader by using a proprietary cyclic redundancy check. o dumping and reporting in the log any illegal net mail attempt by a user who bypasses the reader. The only way a user can send net mail is for the sysop to give him net mail access. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-46 ______________________________________________________________________ Santronics Software has provided the system operator with every capability to control Xpress mail area access. Net mail costs incurred by the false entry of a user is your responsibility. Santronics Software will not be liable in any way Message Forwarding. True sysops of the board have the ability to hurl or forward messages. The forwarding function also allows you to add your own comments. Normal users do not have this feature, nor will they see any command indication of message forwarding. This section will be the only place where it is discussed. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-47 ______________________________________________________________________ 11.0) How can you use Silver Xpress to send a FAX? With Silver Xpress, there is an optional facsimile capability called Fax Xpress (FaXpress <tm>). Note: FaXpress requires a fax hardware support card. FaXpress allows users to send TEXT mail to your system during a normal UPLOAD. Your system will then FAX the mail to the user's chosen destination. If you have the additional Fax Card on your PC, you can offer a faxing service to your users. Of course, FaXpress is not for everyone, but if you have a subscription service or informative service bureau, FaXpress can offer off-line faxing capabilities to your subscribers. With FaXpress, users can now FAX mail from their portable or PC when on a business trip or from home without a FAX machine! The optional FaXpress package is priced at $99.95. It includes the following: o Works with Silver Xpress V2.24+ door and reader. o FaXpress accounting software. o FaXpress faxing software supporting various Fax Cards. Santronics Software offers the following fax cards at LOW prices: o Intel Connection Co-Processor 9600 baud o Quadram JT Fax 9600 baud o Quadram JT Fax 4800 baud o FaXpress Card 4800 baud Fax cards may be purchased separately, but we are currently supporting only the above fax cards. Please indicate which fax card you have or plan to purchase. We probably have the software for other fax cards not listed above. To order FaXpress, call 412-864-2060 9am-9pm EST. Silver Xpress Mail System for RBBS Page-48 ______________________________________________________________________ 12.0) How does Silver Xpress work and how does it maintain security? The Silver Xpress system is optimized to work with the BBS structures. Silver Xpress requires only the door exit information file and the mail configuration files. During a DOWNLOAD or (Scan for new mail) process, Xpress uses the mail configuration files based on the areas selected by the users. The selected message areas are scanned using either the date arrived field or the last read message counter kept by the BBS. If the particular message is to be bundled for new mail, Xpress copies the message into a file called mail.dat. All file processing is performed in the Xpress WORK directory. When the scan is completed, Xpress packages the mail.dat with other information into a compressed format using one of the many available archive systems. Xpress creates this compressed file and stores it in the Xpress DOWNLOAD directory. The user starts the transfer of the Xpress compressed packet from the download directory. For the reverse or upload process, Xpress collects the uploaded reply packet into an UPLOAD directory. Xpress decompresses the reply packet into the work directory. After performing security measures, Xpress begins to toss the uploaded messages into their appropriate mail areas. ------------------------ Appendix A ------------------------ Acknowledgements Santronics Software wishes to acknowledge the RBBS beta testers: Rich Couture, Rick Moen, Bruce Wilson, Jess James, Leonard Dye, Murjan Potrc, Mercurio Franco, and Barry Dunkley. Also to all registered users who have proved the worthiness of the system. Thanks for the support. Finally to one precious person, Andrea, my wife, whose patience, endurance, and love keeps me intact with the Xpress Mail system development and on-going support. Please forgive me if I've forgotten any honorable mentionings. ------------------------ Appendix B ------------------------ Xpress Support Policy Santronics Software is dedicated to support all of its software products. Any questions, comments, bug reports, etc can be reported directly to Santronics Software in writing, or through electronic mail or by calling direct 412-864-2060 9am - 9pm EST. In the FidoNet community, there are backbone echo mail conferences are available. These echos are dedicated solely to Xpress Mail system support. Contact your net echo mail coordinator for picking up the Xpress support echos. The echo names for these mail conferences are: OPUS_XPRESS - Mainly for user support of the reader. XPRESS_SYSOP - Mainly for BBS sysop support. Registration is not a requirement for support but of course, priority is given to those who are. Fidonet Netmail correspondence is the best and surest way to contact Santronics Software. Santronics Softare's FidoNet address is 1:129/82. Once again, only registered and Xpress priority service members will get immediate attention through Net Mail. ------------------------ Appendix C ------------------------ Official RBBS Silver Xpress Distribution Sites Hector Santos Pittsburgh PA USA Santronics Software FidoNet: 1:129/82 v32/14.4 HST 24hrs 412-864-2294 Geoff Block Pittsburgh PA USA FidoNet: 1:129/53 9600 HST 24hrs 412-881-7757 FidoNet: 1:129/81 2400 24hrs 412-881-1749 Dean Lechan Plano TX USA FidoNet: 1:124/4115 v32/14.4 HST 5am-2am CST 214-423-1498 Bob Juge Houston TX USA FidoNet: 1:106/2000 v32/14.4 HST 24hrs 713-980-9671 Greg Shaffer Bogart GA USA FidoNet: 1:370/510 14.4 HST 23hrs 404-769-0318 Rich Couture San Francisco CA USA FidoNet: 1:125/41 RBBSNet: 8:914/201 14.4 HST 23hrs 415-621-2609 Rick Moen San Francisco CA USA FidoNet: 1:125/27 RBBSNet: 8:914/207 2400 23hrs 415-648-8944 Kevin Johnson Overland Park KS USA FidoNet: 1:300/312 14.4 HST 23hrs 913-599-6206 John Krzesinki Birmingham, United Kingdom EUROPE FidoNet: 2:253/192 9600 HST 24hrs +44-21-465-2401 Franz Antonilli Verona, Italy EUROPE FidoNet: 2:333/101 v32/14.4 HST 24hrs 39-45-6860341 Trevor Carlsen Western Australia FidoNet: 3:690/644 9600 PEP 24hrs ------------------------ Appendix D ------------------------ Known Problems and Solutions PROBLEM: My users complain about not having word-wrapping in XpEdt.EXE SOLUTION: Have them use another editor. Simple. PROBLEM: How can my users create mail without having an OPX file? SOLUTION: They can't because the Reader has to have some information about message area structure. Your specific OPX file tells the reader everything it needs to know to emulate your mail system on the BBS. How would Xpress know how to distribute the mail? The only solution is to tell the user to save an OPX file for later usage. However, this can cause a problem if you update your xpress area system and the user is still using an old OPX packet. ------------------------ Appendix E ------------------------ Silver Xpress for other Bulletin Board Systems By installing Silver Xpress, you and your users will enjoy a mail system second to none. The Silver Xpress Reader is compatible with all Silver Xpress BBS setups. That includes OPUS, Fido, Maximus, QBBS/RA, RBBS, TPBoard, SearchLight and soon PCBoard. Version 2.27+ of the Silver Xpress Reader has special internal features that are fully optimized for use with QBBS/RA, RBBS and other BBS systems. Reader versions 2.2x will function correctly with all supported BBS's, but are not fully optimized for the special mail characteristics of each BBS. ------------------------ Appendix F ------------------------ Silver Xpress Group Purchase Plans Santronics Software encourages group registrations, and we have two methods available. The first method is designed for Group or Club accounts and requires that you provide us a list of the names of all users. We will then provide you a registration number for each user, which would allow them to use all the features of the Silver Xpress Reader. In other words, the first method uses the normal versions of the Silver Xpress programs. The second method is designed for commercial applications and requires you to order a custom version of both the BBS door program and the off-line reader program. The BBS door program would only allow the number of users for which you have paid. The reader program will be fully featured but will only handle mail packets from your BBS. The price of registrations using the second method is the same as the first method, but with an additional charge of $250.00 US for the customization. Please indicate which method you would prefer. The Silver Xpress Group Discount Schedule is given below for just the reader and for the door/reader package. The name on the order form is considered the contact and is the person with whom all correspondence will take place. Note: All prices and discounts are subject to change without notice. Note: Discounts apply only to separate orders, they are not cumulative. ______________________________________________________________________ Silver Xpress Reader (XPREAD Version 2.26 or lower) Group Discount Price Schedule -- Type 1 (expires 31 SEP 90) ______________________________________________________________________ Total Each Additional Number Total Additional User Group of Price Discount User Discount Type Users ($US) Rate Price ($US) Rate ______________________________________________________________________ 1A 1 35 0.0% | 35.00 0.0% 1B 10 350 0.0% | 33.50 4.3% 1C 20 680 2.9% | 32.50 7.1% 1D 30 1000 4.8% | 31.50 10.0% 1E 40 1310 6.4% | 30.00 14.3% 1F 50 1610 8.0% | 29.00 17.1% 1G 75 2330 11.2% | 28.00 20.0% 1H 100 3030 13.4% | 27.50 21.4% ______________________________________________________________________ o Example: Price for 32 users = 1,000.00 + (2 * 31.50) = $ 1063.00 o Santronics Software reserves the right to change the price schedule ______________________________________________________________________ Silver Xpress Door and Reader (XPMAIL and/or XPREAD Version 2.26 or lower) Group Discount Price Schedule -- Type 2 (expires 31 SEP 90) ______________________________________________________________________ Total Each Additional Number Total Additional BBS Group of Price Discount BBS Discount Type BBS's ($US) Rate Price ($US) Rate ______________________________________________________________________ 2A 1 45 0.0% | 45.00 0.0% 2B 10 450 0.0% | 43.00 4.4% 2C 20 880 2.2% | 42.00 6.7% 2D 30 1300 3.7% | 40.50 10.0% 2E 40 1700 5.6% | 39.00 13.3% 2F 50 2090 7.1% | 37.50 16.7% 2G 75 3020 10.5% | 36.50 18.9% 2H 100 3930 12.7% | 35.00 22.2% ______________________________________________________________________ o Example: Price for 32 users = 1,300.00 + (2 * 40.50) = $ 1381.00 o Santronics Software reserves the right to change the price schedule ------------------------ Appendix G ------------------------ Silver Xpress Utility Programs XPFILES - generates a list of new files on your BBS system. XPSUB - subprocess controller for BBS systems with limited memory XPSTATS - keeps track of user message download and upload statistics XPSAVER - vacation saver: set of batch file that read and store mail SXTOOLS - Sysops tools Available Xpress Utilities (ZIP files) Version XPFILES XPSUB XPSTATS XPSAVER SXTOOLS OPUS 1.03 F1 XPF226F1 XPSUB226 XPS226F1 XPV224 ------- FIDO 12.+ F1 XPF226F1 XPSUB226 XPS226F1 XPV224 ------- OPUS 1.10 F2 XPF226F2 XPSUB226 XPS226F2 XPV224 SXF2TOOL RBBS 17.3 R1 XPF226R1 XPSUB226 ------- XPV224 ------- QBBS 2.04 Q1 XPF226Q1 XPSUB226 ------- XPV224 ------- QBBS 2.64 Q1 XPF226Q1 XPSUB226 ------- XPV224 ------- RA 1.0+ Q1 XPF226Q1 XPSUB226 ------- XPV224 ------- ------------------------ INDEX ------------------------ Only in Registered Documentation.