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LEGAL STUFF

TapCIS is a copyright of The Support Group, Inc.
Compuserve is a copyright of Compuserve, Inc.
Windows 3.0 and Windows 3.1 are copyrights of Microsoft
TapCIS Message Reader is a copyright of Richard A. Esterling

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VERSION

This is version 0.12b.  You can also find out the current version number of
TapCIS Message Reader by clicking on the Help option in the program's menu
bar, then clicking on the About option.

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WHAT IT DOES

Simply stated, TapCIS Message Reader reads files that were saved by the TapCIS
program.  It allows you to read the messages in a methodical order, entering
replies and new messages at your whim.  You can save messages for later
reference which can, at that time, also be viewed with this reader.  When you
compose new messages or replies, they will be saved in a SND file which TapCIS
will upload on your next online session with CIS.  The reader is also capable
of reading these SND files so they can be verified before uploading.

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HOW TO GET STARTED

This program is still in beta, so there's still some rough edges.

Unzip the program into a subdirectory somewhere on your hard drive.

*IMPORTANT* You'll need to edit CISREAD.INI (using NotePad or a DOS
text editor).  CISREAD.INI contains descriptive comments so it should be
easy to figure out which options you need to set.

This program requires several support files.  Two separate files have been
uploaded to Compuserve; one of the zip files contains the reader and all of
the auxiliary files, the other contains only the reader.

  CISRDR.ZIP - TapCIS Message Reader only
  CISRD2.ZIP - TapCIS Message Reader plus all support files:
  
   CTL3D.DLL      CMDIALOG.VBX      PICCLIP.VBX       THREED.VBX
                                                  (07-16-93 version!)

These support files can be moved to your Windows system directory (usually
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM), but make sure that you do not copy these files over any
of the same files that have newer dates.

You'll also need VBRUN300.DLL which is not included in either of these zip
files.  You can download this file from the MSBASIC forum on Compuserve as
VBRUN3.EXE in section 1 (Forum News/Info).  Most BBS's also carry this
file, usually as VBRUN300.ZIP.

The other two files, DESC.SDI and FILE_ID.DIZ, can be deleted from your
computer (they are just description files), but please leave them in the zip
file if you distribute this program elsewhere.

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HOW TO GET HELP

The help system for TapCIS Message Reader has not been developed yet so if
you're having trouble, please contact me using one of the following methods
below:

  CIS:        73322,702 (I frequent the MSBASIC forum daily)
  Internet:   rick.esterling@msfc.nasa.gov
  
  Home:       Rick Esterling
              Three Cruse Alley
              Huntsville, AL 35801
              205-536-8568
              
Presently, there are no plans to require registration of TapCIS Message
Reader.  All I ask is that you provide FEEDBACK so I can know what you like
and what you don't like about the program.  If you find this program useful,
or even if you can't stand it, please use one of the methods shown above to
let me know about it.  A *lot* of work has gone into TapCIS Message Reader -
please honor this request.  All I can say is if TapCIS Message Reader ever
does go "commercial", I'll remember those who provided constructive and
helpful comments on how it could be made more productive.

Thanks and have a GREAT day...
  Rick Esterling