Registered Version
Registration Information Dialog Box

All you need in order to make DMAqwk a registered copy is a user name and key.  This is supplied upon receipt of your registration fee.  The user name and key is unique to each user and can be provided via E-Mail or over the phone.

Once you have entered the information, press the "Save" button.  The dialog box will then verify the key and let you know if it is incorrect.  Note that the key must be entered exactly as provided to you.  It is case sensitive.  Also be careful with the upper case I and lower case l (ell).  They look the same when entered.

Once you have entered a valid user name and key, the software is registered.  You will no long get the "Unregistered Copy" message being appended to any messages that you create.


Contents

Welcome to DMAqwk.  This is a shareware application that allows you to read and create QWK mail packets.

Select one of the following for more information.

Introduction to DMAqwk

Shareware Concept

How to Register DMAqwk

Getting Started

Reading a QWK Mail packet

Creating Messages and Replies

Maintaining E-Mail Addresses

Maintaining Tag Lines

Dialog Boxes

Future Plans


Shareware Concept

Definition of Shareware

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it.  If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register.  Individual program differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period.  With registration, you get anything from the sample right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below.  Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality.  (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!)  The main difference is in the method of distribution.  The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group.  For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.  You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware.  The Shareware system make fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.  And because the overhead is low, prices are low also.  Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee - if you don't use the product you don't pay for it.

Disclaimer - Agreement

Users of DMAqwk must accept this disclaimer of warranty:

"DMAqwk is supplied as is.  The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose.  The author assumes no liability for damages, direct of consequential, which may result from the use of DMAqwk."

DMAqwk is a "Shareware Program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system.  The essence of "user supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products.

License

If you find this program useful and find that you are using DMAqwk and continue to use if after the 30 days trial period, you are obligated to register the software by submitting US$20.00 or TT$120.00 to Derek Lee-Wo.  This registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time.  You must treat this software just like a book.  An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another.  Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time.

You are encouraged to pass a copy of DMAqwk along to your friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it.  All registered user will receive a User Name and Key that once entered into DMAqwk will make it a registered copy.  This key is not to be given to anyone else to use.

How to Register


Introduction to DMAqwk
Introduction

Welcome to DMAqwk.  This is a shareware QWK Mail Packet Off-Line Reader.  Most BBSs now provide a facility whereby users can create a mail packet containing their E-Mail and any new forum/conference messages while on-line and then download it.  The user can then read his/her mail and forum messages after disconnecting from the BBS.  This allows a person to read their mail at their leisure.  DMAqwk facilitates this.  It also allows them to create new messages and replies which can them be uploaded at some convenient time.

Even though there are already several shareware QWK Mail Readers, I wanted to create one that was easier to user than what was available.  I've done this by simplifying the menus, using toolbars and making the application a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) application.

I hope you find this application easy to use.  If you do, and you continue to use it, please register.

Getting Started

How to Register


Registration Information
How to Register

This is a shareware application.  You have a license to use it for a period of 30 days after which you are obligated to register if you continue to use it.

You can register by sending a check or money order for US$20.00 or TT$120.00 to the following address:

Derek Lee-Wo

3 Hutton Rd

St. Ann's

Trinidad

West Indies

Be sure to include your full name and address along with the check or money order.  Also include your Internet E-Mail address if you have one.  I would use E-Mail as a means of updating all registered user of upgrades or fixes to the software.

Once your registration fee is received, you will be provided with a Name and Key which you can then enter into DMAqwk.  This will automatically make your version a registered one.  This name and key can be provided over the phone, via E-Mail or in writing through the regular mail system.  You will also be given my E-Mail address through which I will provide support and you can report any problems or bugs.

The name and key that you receive will be guaranteed to work through the next major release (2.0)

Entering the Name and Key


Getting Started

This section is designed to get you up and running as quickly as possible.

Installing

To install, place all the files that came in the ZIP package in a common directory.  All EXCEPT the file called CTL3DV2.DLL.  This file MUST be placed in the Windows SYSTEM directory if you don't already have it.  If it is kept in the same directory as the DMAqwk executable, you WILL receive an error message when you run the application.

Copy the file PKZIP.PIF and PKUNZIP.PIF into the directories containing the PKZIP and PKUNZIP executables.  These PIF files will allow the application to ZIP and UNZIP files in a HIDDEN DOS window.

Initial Setup

Once you have installed the application as per above, you can now run it.  The only initial setup required is to specify the location and name of the ZIP and UNZIP executables.  Go to the "Options" menu heading and select "File Locations.."  This will bring up a dialog box.  You can select the relevant "Browse" buttons to select the path and names of the various files.  The arguments edit boxes should be left blank unless you know that there are certain arguments to PKZIP and PKUNZIP that you MUST have on your system.

The location and name of the address book and tag lines files can be left blank if you wish to use the default location and names.

Open a QWK Mail Packet

You can now select the "File" menu and choose "Open..." to open a QWK mail packet.  If you have an old reply packet, you will be prompted to see if you wish to load it.  If you don't and then proceed to create new message, the old reply packet will be overwritten.

Once the packet is opened, you will be presented with the "Message Areas" window.  This contains the names of the areas, and the number of messages to be read in each area.  There is a button at the bottom of the window to toggle between seeing ALL the areas, and only ACTIVE (has messages to be read) one.  The default is to show only the ACTIVE messages.

Reading Messages

From the "Message Areas" window, you can double click on an area, or choose an area and press the "Go To" button.  This will bring up a window should one area and a list of messages in that area.  You can now double click on one message, or select a message and press the "Read" button.  This will display the message in another window, the "Read Message" window.

Once in the "Read Window", you can click on the "Next" and "Prev" toolbar button to scan through all the messages.  When you have reached the end of one message area, the application will move onto the next area.

Alternatively, you can simple go back to one of the previous windows and select a different area or message to read.  You don't have to close off any windows.

Entering Messages

You can enter a new message by selecting the "Enter" toolbar button, or reply to a message by selecting the "Reply" toolbar button.  Both will bring up the same dialog box that allows you to enter a message.

All message that you create will be automatically saved when you exit or open a new QWK mail packet file.

Deleting Message

You can only delete messages that you create.  To do this, the message must be displayed in the "Read Window".


DMAqwk Version Info
DMAqwk  v1.11

                    Written By

Derek M. A. Lee-Wo


Dialog Boxes

This application doesn't have many dialog boxes and I've attempted to keep them as simple and as easy to use as possible.  Even so, there is context sensitive help available from all dialog boxes except for simple message boxes.

E-Mail Addresses

Add Address

Tag Lines

Default Directories

File Location and Names

Registration Information

Compose Message


Reading a QWK Mail Packet
Reading QWK Mail Packets

Once a QWK mail packet is opened, you will see the "Message Areas" window.  Select the area in which to wish to read a message.  This will produce a second window with a list of message that are in that area.  You can then select a particular message.

Once you select a message, the "Read Window" will be displayed.  From here you can scan through all your messages.

Message Areas Window

Read Message Window

Printing Messages


Creating Messages and Replies

Creating new message and replies is extremely as everything is done in one dialog box, the Compose Message Dialog Box

You can only create message if you have a QWK mail packet open.  I know for me, this is inconvenient as there are many time I would like to write some E-Mail, but I don't have a QWK mail packet to load.  I may change this in a future release.

Entering a New Message

To enter a new message (not a reply), you must make the "Message Areas" window active.  Actually, if it isn't active, then the menu item and toolbar button will be ghosted.  If you have an area selected in the "Message Areas" window, that will be default area that will be displayed when the dialog box for composing your message is displayed.  Of course, you are free to modify this.

Replying to a Message

To reply to a message, the message you are replying to must be displayed in the "Read Message" window, and that window must be active.  As with above, if these conditions are not met, then the menu item and toolbar button to reply to a message will be ghosted.  The person to whom the reply should be sent will be automatically filled in the compose message dialog box.  The same goes for the subject and whether or not it is a private message.

Saving Messages

Your message will automatically be saved when you exit the application, or open another QWK mail packet.  The file will be placed in the directory you specify for replies, or if none is specified, it will be placed in the directory with the original QWK mail packet.

If you have a reply packet existing and try to open a new QWK mail packet, the application will ask you if you wish to load the replies.  If you don't and then go ahead to create new messages or replies, the old reply packet will be overwritten.  If you load the old reply packet, you can safely create new messages and both the old and new one will be save when you exit.

Message Areas Window

Read Message Window

Compose Message Dialog Box


Maintaining E-Mail Addresses

This application uses an address book to store real names and corresponding E-Mail addresses.  I did this as it's one feature that I wish other off-line readers had.  I hate having to try and remember E-Mail addresses, or having to keep them in a separate database.

Add Addresses

Addresses are kept in a regular ASCII file with one record per line.  There are three fields, Last Name, First Name, E-Mail Address.  These are separated by TABs.  As a result, if you already have this information in some type of database, it should be fairly easy to extract the data.

The default filename for the address book is ADDRESS.DMA and the default location is the same directory as the DMAqwk executable.  You change these defaults via the File Locations dialog box

Address Book Dialog Box

File Locations Dialog Box


Maintaining Tag Lines

This application allows you to append a "Tag Line" at the end of any messages that you create.  While creating the message, there is a combobox that allows you to select the specific tag line that you wish to use.  The system will either select a default tag line for you, or a random tag line from the tag-line file.  Either way, you can always select a different one.

The tag line that is appended to the bottom of your file looks like this:

---

DMAqwk 1.10: This is a sample tag-line

There is a "tear-off" line consisting of three dashes and the application name and version number preceding the tag line.  If you are not registered, there is an additional line that is displayed.  The tag line would now appear as follows:

---

DMAqwk 1.10: Unregistered Copy.  Please Register

DMAqwk 1.10: This is a sample tag-line

That additional line is the only difference between the registered and non-registered version.

Creating Tag-Lines

Tag lines are kept in a text file which contains one tag line per line in the file.  The default filename is TAGLINES.DMA and is located in the directory containing the DMAqwk executable.  Optionally, you can store your tag lines in any file that you like in any directory.  Just remember that the format is one tag-line per line in the file.

You can maintain your tag-line in one of two ways, but editing the tag-line file directly with a text editor like Notepad, or by using the supplied dialog box.  This dialog box not only allows you to add and delete tag lines, but you can specify a default tag line that will appear with your messages, of if you like, have the system select a random tag line for each message that you create.  Either way, you can change the tag line at any time during the creating of the message.  You can even remove it completely.  If you do this, the tear-off line and application name will still appear.

Obtaining a Registered Version

Maintaining Tag-Line Dialog Box

File Locations Dialog Box


Tag Lines Dialog Box

This dialog box is used for maintaining your tag lines.

Adding a New Tag Line

To add a new tag line, enter it in the edit box provided and press the "Add" button.

Deleting a Tag Line

To delete a tag line, first select the desired one and press the "Delete" button.  You will be provided with a message box to verify that is what you really want to do

Default Tag Line

You can choose to select a default tag line, or have the application pick a tag line at random whenever you create a new message.  Use the radio buttons on the lower left hand corner of the dialog box

Maintain Tag Lines


E-Mail Addresses Dialog Box

This dialog box displays you address book, showing you all the entries that are currently stored.  For each entry, you have the person first and last names and their E-Mail address.

The dialog box allows you to add or delete entries.  If you select to add an address, you will be shown a second dialog box where you'll enter the relevant information.  If you choose to delete an entry, you will first be prompted to verify that you really wish to delete the entry.

All the information is saved on exiting from this dialog box.  You do not need to explicitly save your address book.

Address Book File

The address book information is kept is an ordinary ASCII file with one record per line.  Each field is separated by TAB characters.  The default name of the address book file is ADDRESS.DMA, but you can change this via the File Location and Names Dialog Box.  Here are a few lines from a typical address book file:

Doe	John	john

Doe	Jane	jane

Sysop	sysop

Notice that the person "Sysop" doesn't have a first name.  Since the format of this file is so straight forward, you should be able to extract this data from some other source if you have one, by exporting the data and using TABs as the field separator.  Alternative, you can use DMAqwk to maintain you addresses for you.

File Location and Names Dialog Box

Add Address Dialog Box


Default Directories Dialog Box

This dialog box allows you to specify three default directories:

- The location of QWK mail packets

- The location to save any reply packets

- The location of a temporary directory

These directories must be full path names, including the drive, eg

C:\TMP

The directories should also exist


File Location and Names Dialog Box

This dialog box is used to specify the location and names of 4 files.  The location of the PKZIP and PKUNZIP executables, the name of your address book and the name of the file containing Tag Line.

PKZIP and PKUNZIP

The location and names of the PKZIP and PKUNZIP executables is extremely important.  As a matter of fact, you will not be able to open any QWK mail packets unless these files are specified.  If you try to open a QWK mail packet without first specifying the locations, you will get this dialog box and be given a chance to enter them.

Address Book

This the location and name of the ASCII file containing you E-Mail addresses.  If this is blank, the application will use a default filename of ADDRESS.DMA and place it in the same directory as the DMAqwk executable

Tag Lines

This is the location and name of the ASCII file containing your tag lines.  If this is blank, the application will use a default filename of TAGLINES.DMA and place it in the same directory as the DMAqwk executable

Maintaing E-Mail Addresses

Maintaining Tag Lines


Compose Message Dialog
Compose Message Dialog Box

This dialog box allows you to create messages.  It is called when you choose to enter a new message, or choose to reply to the current message.

It is possible to select any font that you would like to use while composing messages.  This must be done BEFORE activating the dialog box for composing messages.  While you may select any font,. I would recommend a fixed width font like Courier.  If you choose the Tru Type version, "Courier New", you can obtain almost any font size that you like.

From

The dialog box will automatically bring up the FROM person as being you.  This is determined from the QWK mail packet.  As a result, you cannot create a message and set it as being from someone else.

To

If you are replying to a message, the TO person will be automatically filled in, although you are free to change that.  If you are entering a new message, the TO person will be blank.  If you are changing the TO person, or entering a new message, the new person MUST be in you address book.  You will select the person by their real name and the system will automatically pull their E-Mail address.  There is a button labeled "Address Book" that you can click on to bring up you address book.  You can then add a new person and come back to composing your message.

If you are replying to a message, the person to whom you are replying does not have to exist in your address book.  Simply DON'T select a person in the TO combobox.

Subject

The subject can be up to 25 characters.  This is a limitation of the QWK mail packet and cannot be changed.  If you are replying to a message, the subject will automatically be filled in from the message you are responding to.  The only difference is that a "RE:" will be placed at the start of the subject.  You are still free to modify the subject at any time.

Area

This refers to the Area, Forum, or Conference to which the message should be posted.  Use the Area "E-Mail" for sending E-Mail.  The area will be determined from the message you are responding to.

Private

Check this check box if the message is a private one to be read by the address only.  If the message you are replying to was private, then this message will be private by default

Message Area

This is where you will enter the text of you message.  The text will wrap around automatically, so there is no need to be constantly hitting ENTER to get a new line.  You can also use the menu in this dialog box to CUT, COPY, and PASTE to and from the clipboard.  If you like, you could create your message in some other edit and PASTE it into the Message Area.

Tag Line

DMAqwk allows you to add a tag line to your message.  You can select the desired tag line here, or delete it automatically.  The application will bring up a default tag line automatically, or select a random one, depending on the options you have selected in the Tag Lines Dialog Box.  The tag line at the bottom of you message will appear as follows:

---

DMAqwk 1.10: This is a sample tag line

If the application is unregistered, the tag line would appear as follows:

---

 	DMAqwk 1.10: Unregistered Copy.  Please Register

DMAqwk 1.10: This is a sample tag line

If delete the tag line displayed in the combo box, then no tag line will be appended to your message.  You will still get the tear-off line and application name though:

---

DMAqwk 1.10

You can disable the Tag Line completely by unchecking the "Attach" check box next to the tag line combobox.  Once this is unchecked, the tear off line and tag line woul d be omitted regardless of what is in the Tag Line combo box.  This feature is only available in registered versions.

Address Book Button

This button will bring up your address book where you can add or delete address.  Any changes you make there will be reflected in the TO combo box when you return to composing your message

Maintaing Tag Lines

Maintaining the Address Book


Add E-Mail Address
Add E-Mail Address Dialog Box

This dialog box allows you to enter a new E-Mail address.  You must enter the person's last and first names and their E-Mail address.  Each of the fields have the following length limitations:

Last Name:	25 characters

First Name:	15 characters

E-Mail Address:	25 characters

The length of the E-Mail address is a limitation of the QWK Mail packet and thus cannot be extended.  This will cause problems if a person E-Mail address is long than the 25 characters.  If this is the case, you will not be able to use this application to send messages to that person.

Sometimes you may not have an actual person's E-Mail address, but maybe just a company name or something similar.  If this is the case, you may just want to fill the Last Name field only.

In order to send E-Mail to a person, they must be in the address book.  As a result, you may want to add entries like Sysop, and ALL.

If you are replying to a message, you don't need to have that person in your address book.  The application will automatically pull the address of your message from the one you are replying to.


Message Areas Window

The window is the first one that is displayed when you open a QWK mail packet.  It is placed initially in the upper left hand corner of the client area.  You can move and re-size it if you like.  The new size and location will be saved and the next time you open a QWK mail packet, the window will be placed in you new location.

This window displays the various areas and the number of message to be read in each area.  You can choose to display ALL the areas, including those with zero (0) message to be read, or only ACTIVE areas, that is areas with at least one (1) message to be read.  Showing only ACTIVE areas is the default.  You cannot change that.

To go to an area, simply double-click on the desired area, or select an area and press the "Go To" button

While this window is active, you can enter a new message.

Entering Messages

Compose Message Dialog Box


Read Message Window

This window is used for displaying all you message.  It consists of the header area that contains information like the sender, sendee, and subject.  The lower area shows the text of the message.

It is possible to change the font that will be used while composing messages.  Select the "Font..." menu itme under the "Options" menu.  While you can use any font you like, I would recommend that you select only fixed with fonts.  Courier is a good choice.  If you choose "Courier New", you can use almost any font size that you like as it is a True Type font.

Copy Button

There is a "Copy" button that will copy text that you have select in the message and paste it to the clipboard.  You can use this to copy the data into another application

Attach Button

This button will be available if there is a file attached to the message you are reading.  If you select this, you will be prompted for the name of the file to which you want the attachment copied

Delete Button

Select this button to delete the current message.  You can only delete message in the replies area.  That is, message you have entered

Area Combobox

You can use this combobox to select a new area to read without having to go back to the "Message Areas" window.

Printing Messages


Plans for Future Releases

Some of the things that I plan to implement in the next major release (2.0) of this application include:

 The ability to send a message to more that one person.  This would include the creation or mail groups.  With this, you can E-Mail to a group of people by just selecting one addressee

Message filtering.  This would allow you to view only messages that contain certain words or phrases

The ability to send an E-Mail address without first having to have a QWK mail packet

The ability to sort your message without having to re-open the QWK mail packet

Of course, you are welcome to submit any suggestions that you may have.


Printing
Printing Messages

You can print any message that is currently being displayed.  If the "Read Message WIndow" isn't active, then the printint option will be ghosted.

Printer Setup

You can perform any required printer setup by choosing "Printer Setup" in the "File" menu.  This wll allow you to set certain printer options like landscape or portrait mode.

Printing a Message

To print a message, the desired message must be currently displayed.  Simple select "Print" in the "File" menu, or press the "Print" button on the toolbar.

You will be presented with a dialog box where you can select the number of copies.  You are also given an opportunity here to change the printer setup.

All print jobs will go to the default printer.  If you wish to print to other than the current default printer, you must change the default printer prior to sending a message to print.