ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ P O S T M S G Version 1 for Spitfire 3.x ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ A shareware product from MetaúSys Supported via The Mainframe BBS Sysop: Bob Zimmerman (708) 223-2344 MetaúSys PO Box 1387 Arlington Hts, IL 60006 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ (1) Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 (2) Installation and Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 (3) Command Line Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 (4) Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 (5) Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 (6) HISTORY & Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 i POSTMSG from MetaSys Page 1 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Overview ------------- POSTMSG is a utility that has many purposes. Specifically, POSTMSG will take a "text" file and will "enter it" as a message into Spitfire. Some of it's features include: ù Full File Sharing is Supported ù You can enter the text interactively (at the time you type POSTMSG) Postmsg will execute the editor of your choice (QEdit by default) and allow you to type the message text in. ù You can have POSTMSG post text that is "in a Dos text file". This above is in registered versions only. The only difference between the shareware and registered version is that the shareware version won't post a message from a text file (that is already saved). Using the editor, you can copy that in - but it requires your intervention. ù POSTMSG can be used by SFCHKUD When SFCHKUD automatically lowers a callers security level, SFCHKUD can optionally run POSTMSG to "post" a text file notifying the caller of his lower access. For example, on the Mainframe, a message explaining that he needs to keep an 8 to 1 ratio is sent to the caller. This should be available in SFCHKUD no later then December 1991. Probably sooner - this is currently in Beta. ù POSTMSG can be used by SFSEC SFSEC can automatically delete a file that has "not" been picked up by a caller within a "sysop" configurable time. Using POSTMSG, you can send the caller a message, letting them know a file was waiting, but is no longer available. That way, the caller doesn't think you forgot about the request, rather they waited too long and need to ask you for the file again. This should be available in SFSEC no later then December 1991. Possibly Sooner. ù Postmsg can be used by "other" utilities to do the same thing! POSTMSG from MetaSys Page 2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Installation and Use Installation and Use is very easy. Simply place POSTMSG.EXE in a directory in your path. This will enable you to use it "anywhere" on your bbs. If you want to use an editor other then QEDIT (Q.EXE) then create the file POSTMSG.CFG in the "same directory" that contains POSTMSG.EXE. It should contain 1 line that is the "editor name" to run. For example: EDLIN to run the "dos internal editor", or C:\NORTON\NE.COM to run the Norton Editor. Note that the Path is only required if the editor is not in your path already. POSTMSG from MetaSys Page 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Command Line Usage The following is the command line usage for POSTMSG. POSTMSG text.fil /TO='User Name' /Subject='Subject' /PRIVATE /NETMAIL /NOCHECK /QUIET /CON= The parameters are all optional and are explained below: text.fil -------- This is the name of a file to "post" to the message. The ascii contents of this file are copied to the Spitfire Message Base. NO EDITING is done. You could easily include ANSI control codes... You can also include garbage if you are not careful. This feature is only available in the registered version. In the shareware version, or if you omit this parameter, you are placed in edit in an empty file so you can create your message. You can easily, using your editor, copy an "external text file" into the editor to get the feel for POSTMSG using the shareware version. /TO='user name' --------------- You may specify who the message is to (using this parameter). Be sure the callers' name is enclosed in apostrophes and spelled correctly. If it is not spelled correctly, it will prompt you for names similar in the User file. If you address the message to All or All Users, the message is sent to All Users. If you don't specify /to on the command line, POSTMSG will prompt you for the "to" name. /NOCHECK -------- This instructs POSTMSG "not" to verify the /to name above. /CON= ----- Specify the conference to post the message in. The conference must exist and have a single message already in it. You currently cannot use POSTMSG to "seed" a message conference! The default conference is #1. /Subject= , /Private and /Netmail all set the default message parameters. /QUIET eliminates POSTMSG from "showing you the POSTMSG line and the registered to line at start-up. POSTMSG from MetaSys Page 4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Support ------------ POSTMSG is shareware and is supported by Bob Zimmerman of MetaúSys. If you have a question regarding a feature, first check this text file. If you still need further assistance, you may call the Mainframe BBS at 708-223-2344. It run Spitfire 3.1 using a US Robotics Dual Standard modem (v32bis/v42bis). You may also contact Bob via RIME. There are several Spitfire conferences setup, including one devoted to MetaúSys and product support. If you prefer, you may route messages to node ->METASYS. If you prefer, Bob Zimmerman has an account on CompuServe. His ID is 72371,1700. You may leave messages via CompuServe Mail. Bob logs on fairly often and can help answer questions there. If you are reporting a potential problem with POSTMSG, it is important that you include your Autoexec.bat, Config.Sys, Dos version, if you are running on a network or under Desqview, how many message areas you have, if you run Netmail (and which ones), what version of Spitfire you are running, what version (compile date) of POSTMSG you are running, and what steps lead up to the problem. You would be surprised how many messages every week say something like: I tried running POSTMSG on my system and it doesn't work. Do you have any ideas why not? We simply cannot help folks posting that little info. If you prefer you may contact MetaúSys or Bob Zimmerman at MetaúSys PO Box 1387 Arlington Hts, IL 60006 POSTMSG from MetaSys Page 5 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) Registration ----------------- POSTMSG is shareware. It has been designed to run quickly, with full support for file sharing and concurrent message base use. MetaSys and Bob Zimmerman have designed this program to make sure it does not corrupt your message conferences! If after using this program for 30 days, you continue to use it, you must register it with the author. The current registration fee is $10. You will get a specially compiled copy just for you. For your $10 registration, you will get the program compiled specially for you. It will post messages directly from a dos text file, making it run faster and enabling it to be run from "other programs". It will also have your registration name and number in the POSTMSG tag line rather then the "unregistered" string. If you want the copy mailed to you on disk or upload to CompuServe so you can download it, add an additional $7 for Shipping and Handling. All funds must be in US Dollars! See the REGISTER.DOC file for more information and detail on registration. Registered customers are supported by MetaSys. If need be, we can call you and make sure that you get the program running to your satisfaction. As with all our software, if you have any requests and or changes, don't hesitate to contact us. You should mail your registration to: MetaúSys PO Box 1387 Arlington Hts, IL 60006 Be sure to include the information requested by the REGISTER.ME file in this ZIP package. Without that information, your registration will be delayed. POSTMSG from MetaSys Page 6 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (6) HISTORY & Changes ---------------------- v1.0 Initial Release.