More ramblings from Rich Stow about Lesson 1 -

    I was asked, "So--How does one set up an address book?"

    Okay, here we go.  With your text editor, create a file called
$$1502.LST and and enter the following lines.  Replace any data inside
of {} (the curly braces) with the appropriate information.  If there is
no information for that space, or that file does not yet exist, leave
that portion of the line blank.  Include all blank lines and lines
containing equal signs - these will make the pick-lists easier to read.
Also, replace _all_ "#" symbols with an "@" symbol.

TITLE=Send message to?
BACKGROUND={name of .BIN background file}
MME={name of MME file to be played}
POSITION=9,0

ALL
==========================,
#API$(89)
#API$(90)
==========================,
System Operator,                #API$(32)
#API$(32),                      #API$(32)
==========================,
#API$(11) BBS Address Book,     FILE=#API$(14)#BBSID@.LST
Internet Address Book,          FILE=INTERNET.LST
==========================,

    File this new $$1502.LST file into your \1ST directory.  Now,
whenever you need to enter a name or address in the TO: field of the
header, highlight the TO: field and press the F8 key.  This list will
pop up and all you need to do is click on the appropriate entry.  That
choice will automatically be inserted into the TO: field, for every
selection except the last two.  (For instructional purposes, we will
ignore the "Quit" option that 1stReader appends to every pick-list.)

    The last two entries will take you to other pick-lists - one for the
board that you are currently reading the mail from and the other to the
InterNet Address Book structure.

    Now, on to the individual BBS address books...  Using the text
editor again, create a file for each BBS that you call and name each one
<BBSID>.LST.  Follow the same directions for these files as you did for
the $$1502.LST file above.  Enter only one name per line and remember to
replace _all_ "#" symbols with "@" symbols.

TITLE={BBS Name} Addresses
BACKGROUND={name of .BIN background file}
MME={name of MME file to be played}
POSITION=9,0

Goto Main Menu,         FILE=#API$(4)$$1502.LST
=================,
#API$(32)
=================,
{Names of}
{BBS Friends}
{From This Board}
{Go Here}
=================,

    File each of the <BBSID>.LST files in the appropriate 1ST\BBS\BBSID\
subdirectory.  The first line will return you to the $$1502.LST file,
the second is the name of the SYSOP for that board, and the remaining
lines are friends that you exchange messages with through that
particular BBS.

    In the next message, we will cover the construction and use of the
InterNet Address Book structure.  I hope you've had fun with this and I
hope it works as well for you as it does for me.