.TOPIC:
Contents

Welcome to The Newsstand (TM) Hypertext Help System!

Click the mouse over one of the topics below for more
information.  For keyboard users, press TAB to select
a topic and press ENTER to "jump" to it.

The Newsstand Information
What is The Newsstand
The Newsstand Features
The User Interface
The Newsstand Menu and Commands
How to Get Help
The Software Factory


.TOPIC:
The Software Factory

The Software Factory is a company that is dedicated in
producing good quality software at affordable prices.  Most
of our products are distributed through the shareware (try-
before-you-buy) method of distribution.  This way you,
as the user, get to try out the program for a limited time
before you decide to purchase it.

We would love to hear from you, so feel free to write us
if you have suggestions, comments or anything else.

Enjoy The Newsstand!


.TOPIC:
The Newsstand Information

THE NEWSSTAND (TM) 1.0

LEGAL NOTICE:

Information in this document is subject to change without notice
and does not represent a commitment on the part of The Software
Factory.  The software product enclosed in this package is
copyrighted and contains proprietary information.  The software
may be used only in accordance with the terms of the license
agreement.  Willful violations of the Copyright Law of the
United States of America can result in civil damages of up to
$50,000 in addition to actual damages, plus criminal penalties of
up to one year imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine.

(C) Copyright 1993 The Software Factory.
All Rights Reserved, Worldwide.

Evaluation Document (C) Copyright 1993 The Software Factory.

The Arthur, Kindy, and Shanghai fonts are trademarked
and (C) Copyright 1992, 1993 The Software Factory.

The Newsstand is a trademark of The Software Factory.
The Software Factory is a registered trade name, and
The Software Factory logo is trademarked.

Other brand and product names are trademarks, trade names, or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Please refer to TN.DOC for more information regarding The
Newsstand's license agreement.

LIMIT OF LIABILITY

The Software Factory will assume no liability for damages either
from the direct use of this product or as a consequence of the use
of this product.


.TOPIC:
How to Get Help

The TN.DOC file and this hypertext help system should answer
most or all of your questions regarding this program.  Press
[F1] to retrieve the help system.  By registering you will
receive free technical support from The Software Factory.

However, please feel free to leave messages, as well as
download the latest programs from The Software Factory by
calling a The Software Factory Official Distribution Site


.TOPIC:
The Software Factory Official Distribution Site

OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTION SITE:
(As of July 7, 1993)


VICTORIA ON-LINE BBS
TEL: (604) 384-3911
19.2K ZyXel V32bis

Once you have logged on, type in the following information:

First Name      :       TSF
Last Name       :       Customer
Password        :       Service

Return to: How to Get Help


.TOPIC:
What is The Newsstand

Welcome to The Newsstand.

Finally!  A much needed and easy-to-use electronic news reader
for USA Today Decisionline and Newsbytes is here!  The
Newsstand's user-friendly and easy-to-understand interface
enables you to easily read the news off-line without hassle!

The Newsstand lets you download (automatically, if you wish!)
news files from an electronic bulletin board system and read the
news at your own leisure.  You can export text, clip articles,
and print articles on your printer.

There is no other off-line news reader like The Newsstand.

Thanks for evaluating The Newsstand.  We hope you will enjoy
your 30 day trial period!


.TOPIC:
The Newsstand Features

Some of the special features that make The Newsstand the best
electronic news reader in the market today include:

û  On-line Help.  From anywhere within The Newsstand, you can
   get detailed help by using the hypertext help system.

û  Full Mouse Support.  If you have a mouse, you can use it to
   choose menu items, select articles, block text, move windows
   and more, easily and quickly.

û  Macro Keys.  To make life easier, The Newsstand will let you
   call up menu functions using control-key sequences to cut
   down on keystrokes.

û  Multiple Windows.  You can open, close, move, and switch
   between multiple dialog boxes just like you can in Microsoft
   Windows.

û  Automatic Timer-Driven Operations.  The Newsstand will allow
   you to leave your computer unattended and at a specified time,
   have it call up a BBS and download the news file desired!

û  Clip Articles.  If you ever need to save an article, or a part
   of an article, The Newsstand will let you copy an article or
   part of an article to disk.  You can then print it, merge it
   into a document, or edit the file as you please.

û  Print Articles.  The Newsstand also lets you print articles of
   your choice directly to your printer.  It includes large
   headline, date of publication, and source.  This feature
   supports up to four different printer ports.

û  TSF Screen Fonts.  Never again get tired of the same look.
   Change the screen font to a TSF Font of your choice.  Upon
   registration you will receive three more screen fonts!

û  Automatic Uncompression.  The compressed news file you
   download from your news source does not need to be separately
   uncompressed.  The Newsstand will automatically uncompress
   the file for you! Up to five different uncompression
   utilities are supported.


.TOPIC:
The User Interface

The Newsstand provides you with state of the art, pull-down menu
and multiple dialog box, user interface.  The program can be
operated directly from the keyboard or with a Microsoft or
compatible mouse, quickly and easily.

The Main Menu Screen
Accessing the Menu Bar
Selecting Menu Functions
Dialog Boxes


.TOPIC:
The Main Menu Screen

THE MAIN MENU SCREEN

The main menu screen consists of three parts: the desktop, the
title bar, and the menu bar.

    þ The Desktop is the background screen area on which
      dialog boxes, the help system, and text boxes appear.

    þ The Title Bar displays the name of the program and the
      version number.

    þ The Menu Bar consists of menu selections which can be
      "pulled-down" by accessing the highlighted access key or
      clicking the mouse over your choice.

Return to: The User Interface


.TOPIC:
Accessing the Menu Bar

ACCESSING THE MENU BAR

You can access the menu bar by simply pressing the [Alt] key
along with the highlighted access key corresponding to the menu
item you wish to select.

For example, to pull-down the Setup menu, hold down [Alt] and 
press the letter "S".  To access the control box, hold down the
[Alt] key along with the minus key (-).

To access the menu bar with a mouse, click the mouse pointer on
the menu item you want to select.

Return to: The User Interface


.TOPIC:
Selecting Menu Functions

SELECTING MENU FUNCTIONS

After the menu "drops" down from the menu bar, you can access the
function listed by pressing the highlighted key corresponding to
the action you want to take.  You can also use the arrow keys to
navigate and press [Enter] over the menu function.  Most of the
menus have a "macro-key" assigned to them, for example, to exit
The Newsstand you can either type [Alt]+[R] and press [X], or you
can hold down [Ctrl]+[X] from almost anywhere within the program.

Return to: The User Interface


.TOPIC:
Dialog Boxes

DIALOG BOXES

Almost all menu selections will cause a Dialog Box to be displayed.
Dialog boxes are used to display information, show errors, ask
for input, and to let you select or set up functions.

The title bar of the dialog box always appears on the top of the
box.  On both sides of the title bar there may be three controls. 
The left control is the Control Box which controls the Move,
Size, Restore, Maximize, Minimize, and Close functions of the
window or dialog box.  You can access the control box by using
your mouse or keyboard.

Mouse: Click on the control box once.

Keyboard: [Alt]+[-].

Tip: By double clicking on the control box, you can close a
     window or dialog box at once.
     Keyboard users can press: [Ctrl]+[F4].

Other topics: Sizing a Window or Dialog Box
              Moving a Window or Dialog Box
              Moving Within a Window or Dialog Box
              Command Buttons
              List Boxes
              Check Boxes
              Closing a Window or Dialog Box
              
Return to: The User Interface


.TOPIC:
Sizing a Window or Dialog Box

SIZING A WINDOW OR DIALOG BOX

The controls on the right side of the dialog box caption bar
control the size of the dialog box or window.

        The arrow that points up is for maximizing the
         window or dialog box.  Keyboard users can maximize
         by typing: [Ctrl]+[F10].
	
        The arrow that points down is for minimizing the
         window or dialog box.  Keyboard users can minimize
         by typing: [Ctrl]+[F9].
	
        If the arrow points both ways, it means that by
         clicking on it, you can restore the window or dialog
         box to its original size. Keyboard users can restore
         by typing: [Ctrl]+[F5].

To manually size a window or dialog box, the dialog box must be
sizable.  Dialog boxes that are unsizable do not show the function
under the control box menu.

Mouse: Click on the lower corner of the
       dialog box or window and move the
       mouse while still depressing the left mouse button.

Keyboard: [Ctrl]+[F8] & Arrow Keys.

Return to: Dialog Boxes


.TOPIC:
Moving a Window or Dialog Box

MOVING A WINDOW OR DIALOG BOX

To move a window or dialog box, access the control box menu or use
the macro key to access the Move function.

Mouse: Click on the title bar of the
       dialog box or window and move the
       mouse while still depressing the left mouse button.

Keyboard: [Ctrl]+[F7] & Arrow Keys.

Return to: Dialog Boxes


.TOPIC:
Moving Within a Window or Dialog Box

MOVING WITHIN A WINDOW OR DIALOG BOX

Often you will need to move within a dialog box to select one or
more options.  The option that is currently selected is marked by
the selection cursor which appears as a highlight or a double-
bordered rectangle.

Mouse: Click the option or area you want to move to.

Keyboard: Press [Tab] to move forward and
          cycle through the options.
          Press [Shift]+[Tab] to move backwards through the
          options.

Return to: Dialog Boxes


.TOPIC:
Command Buttons

COMMAND BUTTONS

A Command Button is an option which lets you carry out an
immediate action.  The OK, Cancel, and Help buttons on most
dialog boxes are command buttons.

Mouse: Click the command button of your choice.

Keyboard: Press [Tab] to move to the button of your choice
          and press [Enter]. Press [Alt] and the access key
          of the button.  For example the Update button on
          the Options dialog box can be accessed by
          typing: [Alt]+[U].

Return to: Dialog Boxes


.TOPIC:
List Boxes

LIST BOXES

List Boxes display a list of choices for you to choose.  If there
are more choices than can fit in the list box, Scroll Bars are
accessible so you can scroll through the list.

Mouse: Click the item you want, or click the scroll bar arrows
       to move up and down the list.
       Click the appropriate command button or double click on
       the item of your choice.

Keyboard: Use the arrow keys to scroll to the item you want to
          select and press [Enter].

Tip: To jump to an item of your choice, press the first letter
     of the item.

Return to: Dialog Boxes


.TOPIC:
Check Boxes

CHECK BOXES

A Check Box will either turn an option on or off by placing an [X]
in the box.

Mouse: Click on each blank check box you wish to select.
       Click on each [X] check box you wish to unselect.

Keyboard: Press [TAB] to move to the check box you wish to select
          or unselect and press the [Space Bar].

Return to: Dialog Boxes


.TOPIC:
Closing a Window or Dialog Box

CLOSING A WINDOW OR DIALOG BOX

To close a window or dialog box without carrying out a command:

Mouse: Double-click the control box or choose the Cancel button.

Keyboard: Press [Ctrl+F4] or press [Esc].

Return to: Dialog Boxes


.TOPIC:
The Newsstand Menu and Commands

Read Menu
Article Menu
Setup Menu
Help Menu


.TOPIC:
Read Menu

The Read Menu provides access to news files, timer-driven
download operations, and DOS access.

See: USA Today
     Newsbytes
     Downloading News
     Shell to DOS
     Quit to DOS

Return to: The Newsstand Menu and Commands

.TOPIC:
USA Today

USA Today (Ctrl+U)

If you have a compressed file containing a USA Today news file,
The Newsstand will automatically prompt you for a filename
selection.  Please see: Issue Selection

As soon as the USA Today news file is uncompressed, The Newsstand
will then display a list box with all the available sections of
the "paper."

You can read sections of the paper:

Mouse: Double-click the section you want to read.

Keyboard: Use the arrow keys to select a section and
          press [Enter].

A headline window will appear with the day's headlines for the
selected section.

Mouse: Double-click on the headline you want to read in
       detail about.

Keyboard: Use the arrow keys to select a headline and
          press [Enter].

The story will appear in the article window for you to read.  To
read a new story, press [Esc] and select a new headline.

If you wish to erase the uncompressed USA Today data files (while
still keeping the compressed file), select Yes.

If you do not wish to delete the uncompressed USA Today data
files, select No.

Cancel will return you back to the section selection list box.

Return to: Read Menu

.TOPIC:
Issue Selection

When you don't have any uncompressed editions of a news file in
the sub-directory, you are prompted to select the issue
you wish to read.  If you have any old issues stored in the
"garage" sub-directory, The Newsstand will display their
filenames as well.

Once you select the issue you wish to uncompress, The Newsstand
will automatically uncompress the news file according to the
archiving utility you specified during set up.

Also see: USA Today
Also see: Newsbytes

.TOPIC:
Newsbytes

Newsbytes (Ctrl+N)

If you have a compressed file containing a Newsbytes news file,
The Newsstand will automatically prompt you for a filename
selection.  Please see: Issue Selection

As soon as the Newsbytes news file is uncompressed, The Newsstand
will then display a list box with the different available
sections of the news file.

You can read sections of the news file:

Mouse: Double-click the section you want
       to read.

Keyboard: Use the arrow keys to select a
          section and press [Enter].

The story will appear in the article window for you to read.  To
read a new story, press [Esc] and select a new headline.

Newsbytes files are loaded into The Newsstand differently than
with USA Today files.  Because of the fact that Newsbytes files
are larger than USA Today files, The Newsstand will only load a
portion of the file into memory at one time, thus saving time and
allowing you to browse the news file quickly.

Most of the time, The Newsstand will load the whole news file
into memory.  However, occasionally a Newsbytes news file will be
larger than The Newsstand will load in memory at one time
resulting in a split article.  Split articles display a "1/2"
(one of two sections) on the title bar of the article window.  To
read the remainder of a large news file press [Ctrl]+[Down Arrow].
To return to the first section of the file press [Ctrl]+[Up
Arrow].

Note: Exceptionally large files will display a FLE (File Larger
      than Expected) on the title bar of the article box.
      Resulting in an article comprised of three sections.

If you wish to erase the uncompressed Newsbytes data files (while
still keeping the compressed file), select Yes.

If you do not wish to delete the uncompressed Newsbytes data
files, select No.

Cancel will return you back to the section selection list box.

Return to: Read Menu


.TOPIC:
Downloading News

Download News (Ctrl+D)

You don't have to worry about the hassles of loading your
communications program and copying the news files into their
appropriate directories.  The Newsstand will take care of all
that and more!

By selecting Download News from the Read menu, a dialog box will
pop up.  The Download News dialog box contains information
required for The Newsstand to operate the timer-driven operation.
Make sure you supply the correct USA Today filename to download,
or if you wish to download a Newsbytes file, the correct name is
supplied.

Under each of the news file filename is a check box.  By
selecting the check box, you are requesting The Newsstand to copy
the file upon completion of the automatic download.

DOWNLOAD NOW

The Download Now command button lets you carry out the immediate
action of loading your communications program (and script file if
specified).

AUTO DOWNLOAD TEXT BOX

Next to the Auto Download there is a text box.  In this text box
you should type in the time you want the timer-driven automatic
download to activate.

ON/OFF

By selecting the On command button, The Newsstand will begin the
timer-driven operation.  As long as the computer is left idle,
The Newsstand will automatically load your communications program
(and script file if specified) at the given time.  The caption on
the On command button will change to an Off when selected.  To
turn off the timer-driven operation, select the Off command
button.

Return to: Read Menu

.TOPIC:
Shell to DOS

Shell to DOS (Ctrl+S)

If you need a quick and temporary way to return to DOS from The
Newsstand, select Shell to DOS.  This option will take you to
your operating system.  When you need to return to The Newsstand
simply type "EXIT" at the DOS prompt.  Remember, shelling to DOS
does not quit from The Newsstand, rather it will put The
Newsstand into memory and allow you to function in DOS.  Some
larger programs may not work due to The Newsstand being in memory
while you are in DOS.  Functions such as the timer-driven
download operation will not work if you shell to DOS.

Return to: Read Menu


.TOPIC:
Quit to DOS

Quit to DOS (Ctrl+X)

This option will close all The Newsstand's windows, functions,
and dialog boxes and return you to your operating system.

Return to: Read Menu


.TOPIC:
Article Menu

The Article Menu provides tools for clipping articles, clipping
selected text, printing articles and printing block text.

See: Clip Article
     Clip Block
     Print Article
     Print Block

Return to: The Newsstand Menu and Commands


.TOPIC:
Clip Article

Clip Article (Ctrl+C)

This function simply exports the current article in the Article
Window to a text file.  The text file can be edited, searched, or
imported into a word processor.  Each clipped article is saved as
TN-mmss.CLP for your convenience so that you don't have to
specify a filename each time.  The mm and ss of the filename
change for each clipped article depending on the time which the
article was clipped.

Return to: Article Menu


.TOPIC:
Clip Block

Clip Block (Ctrl+B)

The Clip Block option lets you export selected text in the
Article Window to a file.  Unlike the Clip Article function where
the whole article is exported, this function will let you block
the preferred text and export only what is blocked.

Mouse: Click on the beginning of the text you wish to block and
       hold down the left mouse button while you drag the mouse
       cursor to the end of your selection.

Keyboard: Hold down [Shift] and use the cursor keys to block
          the text you wish to clip.
          Select the Clip Block function.

Clip Block filenames are named TN-mmss.BLK

Return to: Article Menu


.TOPIC:
Print Article

Print Article (Ctrl+P)

This function simply outputs the current article in the Article
Window to the printer.  (Make sure you have previously specified
the correct printer port for The Newsstand to send the article to
during Setup.)

Return to: Article Menu


.TOPIC:
Print Block

Print Block (Ctrl+K)

The Print Block option lets you output selected text in the
Article Window to the printer.  Unlike the Clip Article function
where the whole article is printed, this option will let you
block the preferred text and print only what is blocked.

Mouse: Click on the beginning of the text you wish to block
       and hold down the left mouse button while you drag the
       mouse cursor to the end of your selection.

Keyboard: Hold down [Shift] and use the cursor keys to block the
          text you wish to clip.
          Select the Print Block function.

Return to: Article Menu


.TOPIC:
Setup Menu

The Setup Menu lets you set up directory information,
communications information, preferences, screen colors, screen
fonts, printer ports, and more for the correct operation of The
Newsstand.

See: Communications Setup
     Directory Setup
     Setting Up Screen Colors
     Miscellaneous Setup

Return to: The Newsstand Menu and Commands


.TOPIC:
Communications Setup

By selecting Communications from the Setup menu, a dialog box
will pop up.

PROGRAM FILE NAME

In the Program File Name text box, you are asked to supply the
DOS filename of your communications program.

PROGRAM DIRECTORY

In the Program Directory text box, you are asked to supply the
directory in which your communications program is located.

SCRIPT FILE NAME

The Script File Name text box is optional.  In order to
automatically log in and do certain tasks on a BBS, some
communications programs allow users to use script files to
automate the process.  (Refer to your communications program
documentation for more information on script files.)  If a script
filename is specified, The Newsstand will load your
communications program and the script filename at the same time.

DOWNLOADS RECEIVED IN

The text box Downloads Received In must be filled in.  This is
the sub-directory in which The Newsstand will copy fresh USA
Today and Newsbytes files from.

Return to: Setup Menu


.TOPIC:
Directory Setup

The Directories option under the Setup menu is where you specify
the USA Today, Newsbytes, and the "garage" sub-directory names.

USA TODAY

In the USA Today text box, you are asked to supply the sub-
directory name in which you wish to copy new news files to,
uncompress files, and generally where you want all USA Today news
files to be placed.

NEWSBYTES

In the Newsbytes text box, you are asked to supply the sub-
directory name in which you wish to copy new news files to,
uncompress files, and generally where you want all Newsbytes
files to be placed.

OLD PAPERS

When new news files are automatically copied from the Download
Received directory, they are renamed so that they don't write
over existing news files.  To help you keep organized, The
Newsstand lets you keep old files in a "garage" sub-directory for
later retrieval.

The Old Papers text box is where you supply the name of the sub-
directory in which The Newsstand can look for old copies of news
files.

Return to: Setup Menu


.TOPIC:
Setting Up Screen Colors

To set up The Newsstand's screen colors, select Screen Colors
under the Setup menu.

SCREEN ELEMENT

To select the screen item you want to change the colors of,
choose the screen element of your choice from this scroll box. 
For example to change the color of the menu bar, select Menus
under Screen Element.  You will notice that the Sample Text box
under the Screen Element scroll box will change to the current
color of the menu bar.  Now, select the foreground of your choice
by either clicking on the preferred color or using the cursor key
to navigate once you have moved the focus to Foreground.  Do the
same for Background.

When you have finished with all configurations choose the Update
command button to save the updated color scheme.

FOREGROUND

Changes the foreground color of a screen element.

BACKGROUND

Changes the background color of a screen element.  Note that some
monitors are not capable of showing high intensity background
colors.

THREE DIMENSIONAL

This check box enables you to select or unselect the 3-D buttons
and panels look.  Toggle your preference.

WINDOW SHADOW

This check box enables you to select or unselect the window
shadow.  Toggle your preference.

Return to: Setup Menu


.TOPIC:
Miscellaneous Setup

To set up miscellaneous configurations in The Newsstand, this
menu option is where it is all done.

SCREEN FONT

The Software Factory is proud to present users with a special
treat.  Your eyes need change, and The Newsstand provides you
with the option of changing the screen font.  Upon registration
you will receive three more TSF screen fonts!

ARCHIVER

The Newsstand supports up to six different archive formats you
can use for automatic uncompression of USA Today and Newsbytes
files.  Select the archive utility that you use and make sure
that it is accessible in your PATH statement from DOS.

PRINTER PORT

To have printer output of articles, The Newsstand needs to know
which printer port your printer is hooked up to.  Select from
LPT1, LPT2, COM1, and COM2.  Check your computer configuration or
printer manual for more details.

Return to: Setup Menu


.TOPIC:
Help Menu

The Help Menu lets you access The Newsstand's hypertext help
system.

CONTENTS (F1)

The Contents option enables you to pop-up the hypertext help
system from anywhere within the program.

Navigating the Help System

A help topic is enclosed in a pair of arrows < Topic >.  To
select a topic to "jump" to, keyboard users must press the
[Tab] key to cycle through the selection.  To move backwards
through the choices, use the [Shift]+[Tab] combination.

Contents Command

The Contents command button enables you to jump to the beginning
of the help system from anywhere within the hypertext "stack".

Search Command

This function will let you search for a particular topic to jump
to.  Press the first letter of the topic you wish to search and
get help on.

Back Command

The Back command button enables you to return to the previous
help topic.

History Command

As you select and click your way through the help system, a
listing or "history" of all of the topics you selected is kept. 
Using the History command, you can jump back to a previously viewed
topic instantly.

READ TN.DOC FILE

This option will let you read The Newsstand Evaluation Guide.  You
can print the file by giving the "Print Article" command under the
ARTICLE menu.

PRINT REGISTRATION FORM

This option will print out the The Newsstand's registration form
(REGISTER.DOC) on your printer for mailing.  You will have the
option of browsing the form before printing it.

ABOUT (Ctrl+A)

Use this menu command to display information about the version
number of The Newsstand, and the copyright notice.

