 ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ 
 │  Quick Reference              Command Help              TomCat! QWK Mail  │ 
 └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ 

    TomCat! offers you the ability to download special QWK mail packet(s)
    containing previously unread messages in preselected conferences for
    easy offline reading.  These special packets can contain both private
    mail adressed to you and regular public messages.  These QWK packets
    require the use of a special offline mail reader such as OLX.

    Shown below is a description of the available commands.

     [D]ownload QWK packet     - Scan new mail & create QWK pkt for download
     [U]pload REP packet       - Upload your replies contained in .REP file
     [C]onfigure your settings - Configure available options for QWK mail
     [H]elp with Tomcat        - Displays this Help screen
     [Q]uit back to the BBS    - Exit TomCat! and return to the BBS


┌─────────────── For Detailed Descriptions, select [C]ontinue ────────────────┐
╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛
 ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ 
 │  Detailed Description         Command Help              TomCat! QWK Mail  │ 
 └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ 

    Offline mail reading/replying in QWK format is fast becoming a standard
    method of processing mail from various bulletin board systems.  This is
    beneficial to the callers (especially those calling long distance)
    because their online time is keep to a minimum while still allowing them
    to fully participate on the BBS.  You simply logon, scan for new mail,
    download the QWK packet and logoff.  Then at your leisure, you can read
    and reply to messages contained in the QWK packet.  No more spending
    hours online reading messages.  Now your on and off the BBS in just a few
    minutes.

    To properly handle these special QWK packets, a special offline mail
    reader such as OLX (Offline Express) written by Mustang Software Inc.
    are required.  These offline mail readers can be downloaded from just
    about any BBS and truely are a dream come true.

    TomCat! offers the callers the ability to create and then download these
    special QWK format packets.  Depending on the system configuration, these
    packets can contain previously unread messages, new bulletins, a list of
    recently uploaded files and so on in one easy to manage file.

    Shown below is a description of the available commands when using this
    QWK format mail program.

        [D]ownload QWK packet -
             This option will start the process of scanning the preselected
             conferences and create a QWK mail packet and prepare it for
             download.  Pressing Ctrl-C will abort this process.  Selecting
             this option presents a screen similar to below.

             Total message limit: 1000
        Conference message limit: 200
                                                 High    Last  Number     To
          Number  Conference                  Message    Read   Found    You
        --------------------------------------------------------------------
             0    General Messages   -Local      5676    5654      14      8
             1    Games Information  -Local       161     165       0      0
             2    DOS Commands/Info  -Local        89      91       0      0
             3    Classified Ad's    -Local       624     621       1      0
             4    Technical Info     -Local       193     193       0      0

             Shown below are descriptions of the various fields.  Please
             note selected fields are modifiable via the [C]onfigure your
             settings command found on the Main Menu.  The maximum values
             for these fields are defined by the SysOp.

                 Total message limit: 1000 -
                      This number indicates the maximum amount of messages
                      allowed in a single QWK mail packet.

                  Conference message limit: 200 -
                      Maximum messages allowed on a per conference basis.
                      When scanning for new mail, if this limit has been
                      reached for the current conference, scanning will
                      proceed on to the next conference up to the "Total
                      message limit" defined above.

                  Number -
                      This is the actual conference number used when
                      selecting a specific conference via the [J]oin
                      Conference command in WILDCAT!

                  Conference -
                      This is a brief description of the conference topic or
                      theme.

                  High Message -
                      Highest available message number for this conference.
                      In other words, if a new message was saved in this
                      conference, this number would increment by one.

                  Last Read -
                      This number indicates the last message number you've
                      read from this conference.  This is used as a "start
                      from" message number when extracting new messages.

                  Number Found -
                      Actual number of messages found beginning with "Last
                      Read" and ending with "High Message".  It's possible
                      for these number not to balance out as mail addressed
                      to others flagged as PRIVATE will not be included.

                  To You -
                      This number indicates messages that are addressed to
                      you flagged as either PUBLIC or PRIVATE.

             After the initial scan process is complete, you are presented
             with a prompt similar to below.

                        Total messages found: 15 ( 8 personal)
                        Collecting new files: 7 new files

             Shown below is a brief description of this information.

                  Total messages found: 15 ( 8 personal) -
                      This number indicates the total messages found for the
                      conferences scanned and displays the number of messages
                      addressed to you in parentheses.

                  Collecting new files: 7 new files -
                      This number is used to indicate the number of new files
                      uploaded to the BBS since the last time you logged on.

             Prior to actually creating the QWK mail packet, TomCat! presents
             you with the following sub-prompt.

                        Would you like to receive this packet,
                        [Y]es, [N]o, [G]oodbye when done?

             Shown below is a description of these options.

                  [Y]es -
                       This will initiate the actual packing up of the QWK
                       mail packet and any additional information like new
                       files, bulletins etc. and then start the download
                       process.

                  [N]o -
                       When selected, this will return you to the TomCat!
                       Main Menu.

                  [G]oodbye -
                       This selection performs the exact same functions as
                       answering [Y]es and also logs you off the BBS when
                       the transfer is complete.

             Depending on your present configuration settings, at this point
             you make be asked to define the format you wish the QWK packets
             to be compressed in (.ZIP, .LZH, .ARJ etc).  After which you
             could then possibly select which file transfer protocol you
             would like to receive this packet with.

             After selection, TomCat! will indicate it's ready to send and
             and depending on which protocol you've selected, you may be
             required to initiate reception of the file on your end.  If for
             whatever reason the transfer is aborted, you will be able to
             easily re-start the download process over.

             Once the transfer is complete, the system will indicate that it
             has updated the high message numbers and you will then be
             returned to the Main Menu.

        [U]pload REP packet -
             TomCat! will prompt the caller to begin uploading their reply
             packet.  Depending on the your current configuration, you may
             be prompted to select the desired transfer protocol.

             When the upload is complete, TomCat! will proceed to unpack the
             reply packet, scan its contents, and insert the new messages
             into their respective message conferences.  TomCat! will then
             display a summary of the newly uploaded messages similar to
             below.

               Conf: General Messages   To: MIKE HART        Subj: New Boat
               Conf: Technical Info     To: FRANK THOMAS     Subj: Question
               Conf: Wild Parties       To: JOE MARTIN       Subj: Pizza

               3 replies uploaded

             After the upload process is complete, you are returned to the
             TomCat! Main Menu.

        [C]onfigure your settings -
             This option when selected, presents a sub-menu where you can
             modify your configuration settings such as selection of
             conferences to scan, resetting last read message pointers,
             defining your packer type, transfer protocol and so on.

        [G]oodbye, hangup -
             Exit TomCat!, logoff the BBS and then terminate the connection
             normally.  This option only appears after you have previously
             uploaded or downloaded a mail packet.

        [H]elp with TomCat! -
             Displays this Help screen.

        [Q]uit back to the BBS -
             Exit from TomCat!, and return to the BBS.

 ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ 
 │  Quick Reference          Configure your settings           Command Help  │ 
 └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ 

    Shown below is a list options used for configuring your QWK mail packet.

    [C]onfigure conferences   - Select conferences to extract mail from
    [R]eset high msg pointers - Reset "last read" msg number per conference
    [U]pload BBS.PTR file     - Upload pre-configured message pointer file
    [S]end your own messages  - Include msgs you've entered in QWK packet
    [N]ew files scan          - Toggle to include list of new uploads
    [I]nclude new bulletins   - Toggle for new bulletins in QWK packet
    [M]aximum packet sizes    - Define max msgs/conference and max total
    [T]ransfer protocol       - Select default transfer protocol
    [P]acker (archiver)       - Select compression method for QWK packet
    [F]ormat for packets      - Select QWK format or ASCII text for msgs
    [H]elp with configuration - Displays this Help screen
    [Q]uit back to Main Menu  - Exits Configuration Menu

┌─────────────── For Detailed Descriptions, select [C]ontinue ────────────────┐
╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛
 ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ 
 │  Detailed Description     Configure your settings           Command Help  │ 
 └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ 

    TomCat! allows you the ability to pre-configure your default values to
    permit fast and easy retrieval of your new messages along with uploading
    your replies.

    With the advent of "robot dialers", it's also handy to have all your
    settings defined ahead of time allowing the dialers to automatically
    logon to the BBS and upload replies and download new messages during the
    early morning hours.  The mail can then be waiting for you when you
    enjoy your morning coffee.

    Shown below is a description of the available options.  Depending on
    the system configuration, some options may or may not be available.

        [C]onfigure conferences -
             This option allows you to select which conferences you wish to
             include in your QWK packet.  Normally, you would select only
             those conferences that are of interest to you and exclude the
             remaining ones.

             This is identical to the [U]pdate Conference Scan/Read option
             found on the BBS's Message Menu.  Selecting conferences here
             will also update which conferences are selected when scanning
             or reading messages while on the BBS.

             Selecting this option displays a list of conferences available
             with the "last read" message number enclosed in parentheses.
             This number is only displayed if the conference has been
             previously selected.  Selection is indicated by a asterisk (*)
             displayed to the left of the conference description.  If a
             greater-than symbol ">" is displayed, it indicates that this
             conference has been selected for personal mail only.  General
             messages from this conference will not be included in the QWK
             packet.  Shown below is a sample display.


    0. *General Messages   -Local (565)   7.  NOVELL LAN Conf     -Fido
    1. *Games Information  -Local (165)   8. *WILDCAT! Conference -Fido (753)
    2. *DOS Commands/Info  -Local (91)    9.  MICROSOFT Windows   -Fido
    3. *Classified Ad's    -Local (621)  10. *NORCAL Conference   -Fido (911)
    4. *Technical Info     -Local (193)  11. *NET 161 Conference  -Fido (440)
    5. *Printer Information-Local (11)   12.  CHATTER Conference  -Fido
    6. *SysOp to SysOp     -Local (85)   13.  ANIME Conference    -Fido

     - More below, use [+] to view - ">" means personal mail only -

    Enter #, [L]ist, [+]Next, [-]Prev, [S]ort, List [A]ll,
    List [O]nly selected, [T]oggle menu, or [ENTER] to quit?

             After a list of available conferences has been displayed, you
             are presented with a prompt of available options.  Shown below
             is a description of those options.

             Enter # -
                  This number indicates the conference you wish to update
                  from the list displayed.  Selecting a number presents a
                  similar sub-prompt.

                     Do you want to scan "General Message Area"
                     [P=Personal only] [Y/n/p]?

                  Shown below is a description of these options.

                       [P]ersonal only -
                            When this flag is set, only messages from this
                            conference addressed to you will be extracted.
                            This is handy for picking up mail outside of your
                            usual conferences.

                       [Y]es -
                            This is used to select this conference for all
                            messages since the last time you read mail.  This
                            will also update your settings in WILDCAT! as well.
                            After [Y]es has been entered, you're presented
                            with the following sub-prompt.

       Message numbers in this conference range from 1 to 904.  Current is 900.
       Enter new message pointer, [H]elp, [ENTER = no change]:

                            From here you can reset your "last read" message
                            number by any of 4 possible methods.

                            10       - Sets your message pointer to 10
                            -10      - Gives you the last 10 messages
                            10%      - Gives you the last 10% of total number
                                       of messages
                            mm/dd/yy - Gives you all messages since the date
                                       specified

                            After selection, TomCat! will proceed to reset the
                            message pointer for this conference.  Additional
                            information is available by selecting the [H]elp
                            option.

                       [N]o -
                            When chosen, this will turn off all scanning and
                            reading of mail from both TomCat! and from within
                            WILDCAT!

                  [L]ist -
                       Redisplays a list of all conferences starting from the
                       lowest available number.

                  [+]Next -
                       This option is only displayed if the number of
                       available conferences exceeds the maximum allowed per
                       screen.  When chosen, this will display the next screen
                       full of conferences.

                  [-]Prev -
                       This performs the exact same function as the [+]Next
                       option except it displays the previous screen full
                       of conferences.  These two options together are used
                       to scroll forward and backward in the list of
                       conferences.

                  [S]ort -
                       This option is used to select the method in which the
                       conferences are displayed on the screen.  This is only
                       provided as a convenience when updating conferences.
                       This sort method applies when using any of the List
                       methods.  Selecting this option presents the following
                       sub-prompt.

                           Sort by [N]ame or [C]onference number [n/c]

                       Below is a description of the sort methods.

                            [N]ame -
                                 This will display conferences sorted in
                                 alphabetic order.

                            [C]onference number -
                                 This will display conferences sorted in
                                 numeric order.

                  List [A]ll -
                       This will display all conferences available to you.
                       This option in conjunction with the List [O]nly
                       selected are used to toggle the main [L]ist method.
                       For example, if List [O]nly selected option was the
                       last list method chosen, selecting the [L]ist option
                       will display only those conferences are were
                       previously selected.

                  List [O]nly selected -
                       Performs the same as List [A]ll except it will only
                       display conferences that have been previously
                       selected (indicated by a asterisk (*) next to the
                       conference description).  All other conferences will
                       not be listed.

                  [T]oggle menu -
                       This option is used to globally change the selection
                       of conferences.  Selecting this option presents the
                       following sub-prompt.

                       Global conference toggle options:

                       [1] Deselect all conferences
                       [2] Select all conferences for all mail
                       [3] Select remaining confs for personal mail only
                       [4] Turn off all "personal mail only" selections

                       Enter selection, [ENTER] to quit?

                       From here, selecting the appropriate number will
                       perform the desired operation.

                  [ENTER] to quit -
                       Exits the Configure Conferences selection and return
                       to the Configuration Menu.

        [R]eset high msg pointers -
             This option is used to reset the "last read" messages pointers
             in the previously selected conferences.  It will not reset any
             of the "private mail only" conferences or the unselected
             conferences.  Selecting this option presents the following
             sub-prompt.

             There are three methods of setting your high message pointers -
             by number, by percentage of total messages in conference, or by
             date.

             Examples:

                -10      - Gives you the last 10 messages in each conference
                10%      - Gives you the last 10% of total number of messages
                mm/dd/yy - Gives you all messages since the date specified

             Set message pointers [ENTER = abort]:

             From here, you can enter the appropriate method.  Depending on
             how many conferences have been selected, this may take a moment
             or two.  When TomCat! is finished, you will be returned to the
             Configuration Menu.

        [U]pload PS-BBS.PTR file -
             Mail packets created by TomCat! contain a special pointer file.
             This file is a image of the high message number before and
             after the last mail packet download.  It is useful for resetting
             pointers after a failed transfer, or to recover lost messages if
             a packet is accidently deleted.

             To use this function, you must first extract the xxx.PTR file
             (where xxx = BBS ID) from the last QWK packet successfully
             downloaded from this BBS.  Then from the Configuration Menu,
             selecting [R]eset message pointers option, upload the xxx.PTR
             file when prompted.  After the upload is complete, you will be
             presented with the following sub-prompt.

                   This pointer file is dated mm/dd/yy at hh/mm/ss.

                   Do you want to reset pointers [B]efore or [A]fter this
                   pointer file [B/a]?

             Depending on the selection, the message pointers will be set
             accordingly.  This will allow you to recover from a failed
             download or possibly a lost QWK packet.

        [S]end your own messages -
             This is a Y/N toggle to either include or exclude messages that
             have been entered by you.

        [N]ew files scan -
             Depending on the system configuration, you can include a list of
             recently uploaded files by toggling this option.

        [I]nclude new bulletins -
             Depending on the system configuration, you can include all the
             recently updated bulletin by toggling this option.

        [M]aximum packet sizes -
             This option is used to define the maximum number of messages
             per packet extracted from the available conferences along with
             the maximum number of messages per conference.  Selecting this
             option allows you to set these values up to the maximum defined
             by the SysOp.

        [T]ransfer protocol -
             This is used to define what transfer protocol will be used when
             uploading and downloading QWK packets.  This is used in the
             exact same manner as selecting your default protocol while in
             the BBS.  When the default method is chosen, it will
             automatically update your user settings when using the BBS.
             Selecting this option presents the following sub-prompt.

             Select a default protocol:

             [S]elect at time of transfer

             [Z] Zmodem   [Y] Ymodem   [O] Xmodem/1K  [C] Xmodem/CRC
             [X] Xmodem   [K] Kermit   [Q]uit

             PROTOCOL MENU [S Z Y O C X K Q]:

             If a specific protocol is selected, when starting the download
             or upload, you will need to make sure you are using that exact
             same protocol on your end.

        [P]acker (archiver) - Use PKZip
             This option is used to select what compression method is used
             on the QWK packet.  Depending on how the system is configured,
             you may or may not have all the compression methods listed
             below.  Selecting this option presents the following sub-prompt.

             Select a packer:

             [Z] PKZIP    [A] PKPAK    [L] LHA     [J] ARJ
             [Q]uit

             PACKER MENU [Z A L J Q]:

             Selecting the appropriate compression utility will then return
             you to the Configuration Menu.
        
        [F]ormat for packets -
             When selected, this option allows you to define what format
             you want your packet in.  At present, there are two options,
             QWK format and standard ASCII text.  More formats may be added
             as they become available.  Selecting this option presents the
             following sub-prompt.

                  Do you want [Q]WK or [T]ext packets [Q/t]?

             Below is a brief description.

                  [Q]WK -
                       This is the standard format used by the vast majority
                       of offline mail readers.

                  [T]ext packets -
                       This is standard ASCII text format.  Any standard
                       display utility can be used to read the messages
                       with, however, this only useful for reading mail.
                       At present there no provisions available for replying
                       to any of these messages.

        [H]elp with configuration -
             Displays this Help screen.

        [Q]uit back to TomCat! Main Menu -
             Exit Configuration Menu and return to the TomCat! Main Menu.


┌────────────────────────── End of Help Information ──────────────────────────┐
╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛
