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Text File | 1994-11-30 | 25.5 KB | 606 lines

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