P a b Q w k The .QWK reader for the Atari 8-bits. Version 1.0 1 Je 1992 By Pab Sungenis Copr. 1992 Low-Budget Productions, Ltd. Another Shareware Offering INSTRUCTIONS/DOCUMENTATION TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction.............................................1 System Requirements......................................4 Configuring the mail door................................7 Files in a QWK packet...................................12 Preparing your packet...................................15 Running PabQwk..........................................17 Reading messages........................................24 Entering messages.......................................29 Our friend, the tagline!................................37 Registering PabQwk......................................41 In conclusion...........................................43 INTRODUCTION The ability to read and reply to messages from a BBS while off-line is a convenience IBM users have had for years, and most others have had to live without. QMail and other mail doors have opened up a world of expanded possibilities and lower phone bills for thousands of users. Unfortunately, the Atari XE was not considered an "important enough" system for someone to actually write a mail reader for it. In 1991, I addressed this problem by writing PabMail, which used a little-known feature in the PCBoard brand of BBS to capture messages to a file and read them offline. While it served its purpose, PabMail was slow, sluggish, inconvenient, and just didn't come anywhere near supporting the number of features IBM readers, using the QWK format, could. Add to that the fact that using this PCBoard feature, the messages were not archived, on-line time was not reduced very drastically. Finally, after about six months of work on a new version of PabMail, I impulsively reformatted my disk and started fresh. PabQwk is the result. PabQwk/Page 1 PabQwk finally brings the QWK format to the XE (and, incidentally, to the 8-bit world; PabQwk is the first QWK reader not written on a 16-bit system) and with it, all the niceties IBM users have enjoyed for years. Even though it's a slightly scaled-down reader, it supports the main features of IBM readers, with a few surprises thrown in. PabQwk will read either all messages in a packet or one specific conference, reply to messages, enter messages, make messages out of formatted text files, and add taglines to messages either at random or specifically. Users who register the program will also be able to view text files included in QWKs (and other CR/LF formatted text files, like ZMagazine), steal taglines, read only their personal mail, and add and drop conferences while off-line (with most mail doors). PabQwk is easy to use, convenient, and (for the most part) automatic. Also, while PabMail could only work on one specific type of BBS, PabQwk can work with any BBS that has a mail door avalable for it. This now also includes FoReM ST, which can use a door called "MaxiDoor" to create QWKs. Many people have to be thanked here, so please bear with me. Special thanks to Mark May of Mythical Kingdom Software for teaching me more than I could ever want to know about QWKs. Thanks to Mike Nelson of Connections!, Bill Sampson Sr. of Alpha Omega, and George Cuccia of Union Lake for letting me use their systems as guinea pigs. And many thanks PabQwk/Page 2 to Kathy Lessa, Miles Lester, Sandy Blair, and the other moderators on ILink for putting up with blank or garbled messages during the early stages of the program. Since there is a little bit of work involved in configuring mail doors to work with PabQwk and with preparing a QWK for PabQwk to read it, I suggest you read through this manual first. Resist all temptation to skip this step and run the program. Thank you. And now, PabQwk! PabQwk/Page 3 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS While PabQwk is not a very large program, it requires massive amounts of memory for buffers, screen display, and other data. The program will run on: * A stock 130XE or memory-expanded XL/XE with a FULLY COMPATIBLE upgrade (one which supports the ANTIC expanded memory mode. * MYDOS 4.5 or SpartaDOS X. Sparta recommended. * Bob Puff's SUPER UNARC program is required, as it's the only unarchiver which supports the "Squashed" method used by PkArc on IBM's. * A high-capacity (hard) disk, 3.5" upgrade, or EXTREMELY large ramdisk (1 Meg MIO, for example) is HIGHLY recommended. PabQwk is written in compiled TURBO BASIC XL, a very, very good Public Domain language I heartily recommend to Pascal or Action! programmers who still prefer the simplicity of BASIC. A special version of the TBXL runtime code is PabQwk/Page 4 included with PabQwk as the AUTORUN.SYS file. This version has not only been translated into English, but will automatically run the main PabQwk program. Since TBXL "hides" part of itself under the OS RAM, SpartaDOS X users will have to reconfigure their system to use PabQwk. (See the SDX manual, Appendix D, for details on doing this.) If you're using PabQwk on a stock XE, the program will only use the three lowest banks of expanded memory, leaving the SDX DOS bank untouched. If you try the program under both MYDOS and SDX, you'll notice the program runs better under Sparta. (For one thing, the prescan process is MUCH faster) This is because PabQwk uses several Sparta-only features which cannot be duplicated under MYDOS, and are therefore not used. If you use an R-Time 8 cartridge, load the R-Time Z: handler before running PabQwk. The program will then stamp your replies with the current time and date. (The SDX jiffy clock will be used under Sparta, and the packet's creation date and time under MYDOS without an R-Time.) Put the AUTORUN.SYS, PABQWK.CTB, PABQWK.SYS (special screen drivers and a custom character set), AC3.COM (my ML routines to access banked memory), and TRN2.TBL (an IBM-ATASCII translation table) on the same dik (along with your TAGLINES.DAT file if you have one, see the "Our friend, PabQwk/Page 5 the tagline!" section for details), boot the system, and you're ready to go! PabQwk/Page 6 CONFIGURING THE MAIL DOOR Mail doors differ in features and capabilities, so some experimentation is required on your part. I've included here guidelines, along with complete instructions for two common doors, Sparkware's QMAIL4 (the original, and by far the most popular) and Mythical Kingdom's MKQWK. CONFIGURING QMAIL4 FOR PABQWK This is the menu offered by QMAIL4's "C"onfigure command, with the recommended options listed below. 1. D/L your replies.......... OFF 11. Use extended prompts........... OFF 2. D/L packets without msgs.. OFF 12. Delay prompts one second....... OFF 3. Logoff after U/L replies.. OFF 13. Clear keyboard buffer.......... OFF 4. Send the WELCOME screen... OFF 14. Enable "QwikStart"............. OFF 5. Send the system NEWS...... OFF 15. Repeat scanning................ OFF 6. Scan for new BULLETINS.... OFF 16. Replace @variables............. ON 7. Scan for new FILES........ OFF 17. Selected confs in CONTROL.DAT.. OFF 8. Send the GOODBYE screen... OFF 18. Capture reply insertion........ OFF 9. Send the DeLuxe menu...... OFF 19. Do not create .NDX files....... ON 10. Send SESSION.TXT......... OFF 20. BBS time stamp on replies...... OFF ________________________________________________________________________ | A Autostart command R Reset message pointers | | ARC Archivers S Select conferences | | L Limit packet size SER Qmail Door services | | M Toggle graphics X Expert mode toggle | | O Page the sysop Q Quit configuration | | OPT Qmail Door options G Goodbye | ________________________________________________________________________ PabQwk/Page 7 Taking important options one at a time: 1. DOWNLOAD YOUR REPLIES: If this option is turned on, messages written by you will be included in your mail packet. If you want to read them, turn this option on. I suggest leaving it off. 4-8. SEND SCREENS: If you have these options turned on, the selected file(s) will be included in your mail packet, and may be viewed (by registered users) with the PabQwk "V" command. If you are not registered, or do not want the screens in your packet, turn this option off. 9. SEND MENU: This option is only for the IBM reader QMail Deluxe. Make sure it is OFF 10. SEND SESSION.TXT: This is a file describing everything that happened while preparing your mail packet. If you're curious (and a registered user), you can view this file with the "V" command. Otherwise, turn it off. 17. SELECTED CONFERENCES IN CONTROL.DAT: PabQwk reads the CONTROL.DAT file first thing after running. If a conference is not listed in CONTROL.DAT, you will not be able to enter a message in it. Generally, leave this option OFF. 18. CAPTURE REPLY INSERTION: PabQwk already allows you to capture and insert messages into replies. Leave this option OFF. 19. DO NOT CREATE .IDX FILES: Since ost Atari DOS's (except for SpartaDOS) do not support relative file pointers, PabQwk cannot use the .IDX files created by the mail door. PabQwk creates its own index by prescanning MESSAGES.DAT. Turn this option ON. 20. BBS TIME STAMP: If this option is turned on, your replies will be stamped with the time they were uploaded. If you're using SpartaDOS or an R-Time 8, leave this option OFF, since PabQwk will stamp your replies automatically. If you're using MYDOS, you might want to turn this option ON. ARC: PabQwk will ONLY work with the PkArc archiver. Be sure to set your archiver selection to PKARC with this command. Make sure the SysOp has PkArc in his path, since many only use PKZIP. S, SELECT CONFERENCES: Select the conferences you want to read and download with this option. You may enter a message in ANY conference, even if you didn't download any messages from it on this run. PabQwk/Page 8 SER, SERVICES: These are usually text files (like a network newsletter) that can be included in your packet. Any text file services can be read (by registered users) with the "V" command. See if there's anything that interests you on that particular BBS. M, GRAPHICS: Make sure graphics are OFF at all times. OPT: This gives detailed information on the options, including those not listed in this documentation. If you're curious, check them out. L, LIMIT PACKET SIZE: PabQwk can only handle packets of 1000 or fewer messages (because of memory restrictions). Plus, long packets can take a long time to prescan (especially with MYDOS) and can eat up disk space. If you're using a 1050 drive, set your packet size to 90K. If using an XF551, 200K. If using a 3.5" drive, 400K. If using a hard drive, I recommend limiting the packet size to 750K, as this should keep the total number of messages under 1000. Also remember when setting your packet size, that you're actually going to have to sit and read the thing! Don't bite off more than you can chew. This gives you the basics needed to configure a QMAIL door to work with PabQwk. Download a sample packet to use as we go through the next few chapters. CONFIGURING MKQWK FOR PABQWK This is the options menu as offered by MkQwk: PabQwk/Page 9 IMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM; : MKQwk Mail Door - Configuration Menu : LMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM9 : (N)ew Files Option (P)rotocol : : (S)creens Option (A)rchive/Packer Type : : (B)ulletins Option (F)lag Messages As Read Option : : (L)imit # Of Messages (O)wn Messages Option : : (C)onference # Of Msgs Limit (Y)our Mail in All Areas Option : : (D)isplay Current Settings (Z)ero Message Packets Option : : (T)ype of mail packet : : (V)erify you want packet (Q)uit to Main Menu : HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM< Taking the pertinent options one at a time.... (N)ew files: Turn OFF (S)creens and (B)ulletins: If you have a registered copy of PabQwk, you can view these screens with the "V" command. If you're curious, turn it on, otherwise leave it off. (L)imit number of messages: PabQwk can only handle packets of 1000 messages or less due to memory requirements. Set this to 1000 (or any number below it.) (C)onference # of messages limit: Does not matter. Make it what you want. (T)ype of mail packet: This should be QWK. (A)rchive/packer type: MUST be PkArc. PabQwk/Page 10 (O)wn messages: If you want to read messages you have entered, turn ON. Otherwise, turn OFF. OTHER DOORS Other mail doors will offer similar options, experiment. Just always keep your packets under 1000 messages and make sure the door offers PkArc as an archiver. Ask the SysOp for help if you need it. PabQwk/Page 11 FILES IN A QWK PACKET Files in an average QWK packet fall into three categories: Messages, text, and control. This is an archive listing (created with SDX's ARC L command) of a typical QWK. (This one is from Connections! BBS) Filename Length Date Time ============ ======= ======== ====== 001.NDX 45 5-05-92 9:56 002.NDX 55 5-05-92 9:56 004.NDX 10 5-05-92 9:56 063.NDX 10 5-05-92 9:56 PERSONAL.NDX 10 5-05-92 9:56 These are index (or NDX) files. Most IBM readers use them, but PabQwk cannot (since they use relative addressing in a file, which most Atari DOS's do not support. PabQwk creates its own index by prescanning the messages file. BLT-0.8 2992 5-05-92 9:56 PabQwk/Page 12 This is a bulletin file. (Super UnArc will change the - to a "Q", so the actual filename would be BLTQ0.8) Bulletins are text files on important (or occasionally unimportant) matters. Like all text files, registered users may read the bulletins with the "V" command. CONTROL.DAT 1514 5-05-92 9:56 DOOR.ID 196 5-05-92 9:56 These are the two most important control files. CONTROL.DAT contains all the important information on the BBS and the packet (including the names of the conferences, the BBS's control name, and your name - which is how the Personal mail scan in the registered version identifies your messages.) This is the first file PabQwk reads. DOOR.ID is created by most doors (QMAIL4 being the most obvious exception) and contains important information on the door itself and the kinds of commands it can process. If DOOR.ID is in the packet, registered users will be able to add and drop conferences from within PabQwk. MESSAGES.DAT 28160 5-05-92 9:56 This is the meaty portion, the important file, the messages itself. MESSAGES.DAT is arranged into 128-byte records, PabQwk/Page 13 including headers for each message. (I won't take the space to go into too much detail) MESSAGES.DAT is usually the largest file in the archive, often exceeding 100,000 bytes (this one was a small mail run). GOODBYE.ASC 1662 5-05-92 9:56 NEWFILES.DAT 24 5-05-92 9:6 WELCOME.ASC 1336 5-05-92 9:56 These are sample text files. WELCOME and GOODBYE are obvious. NEWFILES.DAT is a file created by some doors with a listing of all new additions to the file download section (which you won't be using too often). There will often be a BBSNEWS or other file included. All text files may be viewed (by registered users) with the "V" command. Other files may be included in the archive, like a network newsletter. These are what QMAIL4 calls "Services." If you see an unfamiliar file, play it by ear. Usually its purpose will become apparent soon. PabQwk/Page 14 PREPARING YOUR PACKET While IBM readers have the ability to take a raw QWK and do everything automatically, this is a luxury the Atari cannot support. Before reading your packet, you must prepare it yourself. Don't worry, it's a simple process. Since all QWKs will have the same basic filenames (CONTROL.DAT, MESSAGES.DAT, etc.), you obviously can't have two extracted packets in the same directory at the same time. I suggest using either a separate disk or a separate subdirectory for each BBS you download QWKs from, and don't extract any packets to your default directory. If PabQwk doesn't find a CONTROL.DAT file in the main directory, it will allow you to specify a pathname and/or drive number for the packet, then start from scratch. After downloading the packet, run Super UnARC. Extract the file to the proper disk/directory. If your disk space is at a premium (using a 1050 or XF551), you may want to use Super UnARC's "Extract with Query" option, and not extract text files and indexes. PabQwk/Page 15 NOTE TO SPARTADOS USERS: If you're using PabQwk on a stock 130XE with SpartaDOS X, you will not be able to run Super UnARC (for most packets) while USEing BANKED memory. Reboot your system holding down the OPTION key (to use the default configuration) before running Super UnARC, then reboot normally to run PabQwk. If you have more than 128K of memory, this step is unnecessary. When your PabQwk session is finished, a file named *.MSG (where the * is the BBS ID, the same name used in the QWK packet name) will be in the same directory as the packet itself. Archive this file to a file named *.REP (where, again, the * is the BBS ID.) For example, if the name of the QWK was OMEGA.QWK, archive OMEGA.MSG to OMEGA.REP. If the QWK name was CASINO.QWK, archive CASINO.MSG to CASINO.REP. This archive is the file you will later upload to the mail door on your next call. (NOTE: The SpartaDOS X ARC command WILL properly create a *.REP file. SDX users do NOT need to use Super ARC, just Super UnARC to extract their packets.) Now that the packet is extracted and where we want it, it's finally time to run the program. PabQwk/Page 16 RUNNING PABQWK If you're using a floppy-only system, insert the PabQwk disk into drive one. Insert the disk with your extracted QWK packet into drive two. Reboot the system. If you're using MYDOS, hold don OPTION while booting. PabQwk will automatically load and run. If you're using SpartaDOS X, run PabQwk by typing X AUTORUN.SYS and pressing RETURN. PabQwk will then load. PabQwk then checks the main directory of D: for, and loads, PABQWK.SYS, AC3.COM, and TRN2.TBL. It reserves memory for screen displays and indexes and clears the three lowest banks of expanded memory. It then determines whether you are using MYDOS 4.5 or SpartaDOS X (actually, you can run PabQwk under any Atari DOS, but only MYDOS and SpartaDOS offer enough storage space for a QWK packet) and whether or not you are using an R-Time 8 (by looking for the Z: handler). After this, it will check D: for a CONTROL.DAT file (and, thus, a packet.) If it does not find it in the main directory of D:, the program will display: PabQwk/Page 17 CONTROL.DAT not found! bort etry hange Directory bort is obvious; it ends the program. etry will check the main directory again (in case you swapped disks, which is not recommended). Most of the time you get this message, you will choose hange directory. If you hit C, you will be prompted for the drive number. Press 1-9 (or A-I if you prefer on SpartaDOS). PabQwk then checks that drive for subdirectories (which is another feature that's much faster with SpartaDOS X). If any are found, you will be asked to pick one or press RETURN to use the main directory of that drive. If no subdirectories exist, the program will default to the main directory. NOTE: Using hange directory does NOT change the designation of D: under either MYDOS or SpartaDOS. It changes PabQwk's own default path. D: will keep its current designation. Once PabQwk finds a CONTROL.DAT file, it will read in the pertinent information from it. This can take anywhere from a few seconds up to a minute. The program will load in the BBS's identification and control codes, your information, PabQwk/Page 18 the names and numbers of conferences (PabQwk can support conferences numbered from 0 to 1260), and sets its time to the time the packet was created (if using MYDOS without an R-Time 8). Next, the program will scan MESSAGES.DAT, checking for message headers and creating its own index. The time this step takes depends on the size of the packet, the DOS you are using, and the speed of the drive. A very large packet (around 300K of messages) can take up to ten minutes if using MYDOS. (Under SDX, the program takes advantage of relative addressing to only read the headers of messages while MYDOS has to actually read each message.) If you are using a registered copy, the program will create a special index of messages in the packet (up to 100) addressed to you, and later allow you to read them with the

ersonal read command. This is the longest step, but allows the program to access messages very quickly later on, so be patient. Next, the program checks D: for a text file called TAGLINES.DAT, and scans through it if it is there. If it is not there, taglines will not be added to messages you enter. See the chapter "Our friend, the tagline!" for more information on TAGLINES.DAT. Finlly, the program creates a *.MSG file (see previous chapter) for that packet. If a *.MSG file already exists, PabQwk/Page 19 you will be asked whether to overwrite it or append to it. (In case you decide to drop to DOS for some reason and are returning to finish the packet). Once all this is finished, the PabQwk menu will be displayed. Commands in the left column are the basic and most often used functions, and are available in every copy of the program. Only registered users can use the right column of commands, which are some of PabQwk's "nicer" features. Going down the left column are: EAD ALL: This will go through the packet and let you read every message in every conference. ONFERENCE READ: This will allow you to read messages in the packet that are in a specific conference. You will be prompted for the conference number. If you don't know the number of the conference you want to read, hit RETURN. The program will open a window in the middle of the screen, and let you search through the conference names with the up and down arrows. When you find the conference you want, hit RETURN. (You can only read messages in a PabQwk/Page 20 conference if you selected it in your mail door configuration, so don't waste your time trying to read conferences you didn't download!) The process of reading messages will be discussed in detail in the next chapter. NTER MESSAGE: This allows you to enter a stand-alone message (one that isn't a reply to another) in the conference of your choice. This command will be covered in depth later on. UIT: This command exits PabQwk. The TBXL runtime program will display: End of program: Dos, Re-run, Load. You can hit D to exit to DOS, R to re-run the program, or L to load and run another compiled TBXL program (like the registration program). The next four commands are only available in the registered PabQwk/Page 21 version of PabQwk. They aren't essential, but do come in handy.

ERSONAL READ: This will, like the R and C commands, let you read messages in the packet, but will only display messages addressed specifically to you. Use this command when you want to deal with your personal mail immediately (mainly when dealing with 200K or 300K packets). DD CONFERENCE and ROP CONFERENCE: These two commands (not supported by all mail doors) allow you to add and drop conferences while in PabQwk. (what they actually do is enter a "request" that the mail door add or remove them from your configuration.) The changes will be reflected in your next mail packet. You will be asked for the conference number to add or drop. If you don't know it, hit RETURN. The program will open a window in the middle of the screen, and you can select the conference with the up and down arrows. Press RETURN again when you pick the conference you want to add or drop. IEW FILE: This allows you to view a text file included in the packet, or any text file with CR/LF formatting. (Generally known as ASCII PabQwk/Page 22 translation). The file will be displayed in the message text window (see the next chapter) and you can scroll through it with the arrow keys. All IBM graphics characters will be translated into their rough ATASCII equivalents. (Not a perfect translation, but good enough for most.) Only 100 lines of file text may be displayed at one time. If the file is over 100 lines, hit N to see the rest of it. The easiest way to get to know PabQwk is to experiment. You know enough right now to start reading a packet, so if you like to fly by the seat of your pants, feel free to do so now. When you're ready to learn exactly what the program can do, and how you can make it do it, I'll see you in the next chapter. Have fun. PabQwk/Page 23 READING MESSAGES This is the main feature, isn't it? I mean, this program is called a "reader," right? The whole idea is to read messages, yes? No. Well, not entirely. But it IS the most important feature in the program. And it's the one you will be using the most often, whether you do it through the R, C, or P command. If you selected to ead all or

ersonal read, the program will start loading and displaying messages immediately. If you onference read, there is a little the program will need to know. You will be asked for Conference: If you know the number of the conference you want to read, enter it now. If you don't know, or aren't sure, just PabQwk/Page 24 hit RETURN. The program will open up a window in the middle of the screen, and allow you to select the conference with the up and down arrows. Only conferences you have access to will be displayed. All others (or conference numbers that aren't assigned to a conference) will display a blank line in the window. NOTE: You will only be able to read in conferences you downloaded messages from! Don't waste your time trying to read a conference that isn't included in your mail door configuration or in the QWK packet. When you finally see the conference you want to read, hit RETURN. The program will then load and display messages in that conference. While you are reading messages, the screen display is broken into four windows. This is a sample display (not drawn to scale.) +--------------------------------------+ A |BBS Name City, State | +--------------------------------------+ |Msg#: ConfName | | To: | B |From: | |Subj: | +--------------------------------------+ | | | | | | C | | | | | | | | +--------------------------------------+ D | PabQwk 1.0 By Pab Sungenis | +--------------------------------------+ PabQwk/Page 25 (A) BBS Identification. This window shows the name of the BBS, and (if provided) the city and state the BBS is located in. (B) Message header. This shows you the message number, the name of the conference the message is in (up to 12 characters), the message's addressee ("To:"), the message's author ("From:") and the message's subject ("Subj:"). (C) Message text. This window shows 18 lines of 40 column text, which is scrolled through the entire message text. Move the window around the message by using the arrow keys. (SHIFT and the arrow keys will scroll by the window size. If you press SHIFT and the right arrow, the rightmost 40 columns of text will be shown. SHIFT and the left arrow, and the leftmost 40 columns will be shown. SHIFT and the up arrow slides the window up 18 lines, and SHIFT and down slides it down 18 lines.) If you've ever used AtariWriter plus (or regular AtariWriter's Print Preview option), you should already be familiar with the concept of a sliding window. If not, play around until you get comfortable with it. (D) This window is only there to satisfy my inexecrable vanity. It displays the current version number. PabQwk/Page 26 While you are reading a message, you have the following commands at your disposal: UIT: This will let you stop reading messages, and return to the main menu. EXT: This proceeds to the next message. EPLY: This allows you to enter a reply to this message. See the next chapter for details. NTER: This allows you to enter a stand-alone message in the conference you are currently reading. (If eading all, it will be entered in the same conference as the message currently displayed. OME MESSAGE: This will slide the window up to the upper left-hand corner of the message text. OTTOM OF MESSAGE: This will slide the window down to the lower left-hand corner of the message text. AKE TAGLINE: (registered version only) This will allow you to copy the tagline of the message into your own TAGLINES.DAT file (if you have one). Since there is PabQwk/Page 27 no exact way to tell just where the tagline is in a message (especially with some mail doors), the program takes its best guess. You will be asked to verify whether or not the program guessed correctly, and if you want to add it to your tagline collection. More on tagline theft in the chapter "Our friend, the tagline!" Hitting RETURN at any time while reading a message will slide the window back to display the leftmost 40 characters. PabQwk/Page 28 ENTERING MESSAGES There are three different ways to enter a message: 1. By the "E" command at the main menu. 2. Pressing "E" while reading a message to enter a message in the current conference. 3. Pressing "R" while reading a message, to enter a reply to the message. The prompts differ slightly depending on which of these three methods you choose, but the main method is the same. If you use the "E" command, the first thing you will be prompted for is: Conference number: PabQwk/Page 29 If you know the number of the conference you want to enter the message in, enter it. If you don't know it, just hit RETURN. The program will open a window in the middle of the screen, and let you select the conference to enter in with the up and down arrows. Unlike reading a message, you CAN enter a message in a conference not in your configuration or that you didn't download messages from. Next, you will be prompted for: To: Enter the name of the person to address the message to, or hit RETURN for the default shown. If you are entering a stand-alone message, the default is "ALL." If you are replying, the default is the name of the author of the message you are replying to. This allows you to "re-direct" a thread. Next, you are prompted for: Subject: PabQwk/Page 30 Again, enter a subject or RETURN for the default. If entering a stand-alone message, the default is "General." If replying, it's the same subject as the message you are replying to. The next prompt is: Use a prepared text file? PabQwk allows you to convert a pre-formatted text file into a message, and upload it as if you had typed it on-line or in the PabQwk message editor. This comes in handy if you want to type in a long message and prefer to use a text editor (like Textpro) or a word processor. The text file must be formatted into 79-column lines with no top or bottom margins. Usually, you will create a file like this with the text/word processor's "Print" command. See your manual for more details on this. The maximum message length in PabQwk is 100 lines. If the text file is longer than this, the program will break it into two or more messages. These additional messages will have the same tagline as the first, and will have a number added to the subject line. (Example: if your subject is "What's going on?," the second part would be "What's going PabQwk/Page 31 on? (#2)," the third "What's going on? (#3)," and so on. If you choose not to use a prepared text file, the program will use the PabQwk message editor. Those of you who've used the message editors on my AtariLink BBS or PabMail will feel right at home. If you are replying to a message, you will be asked: Quote original text? If you answer yes, the text of the message you are replying to will be "quoted" into your reply. Each line will be preceded by the original author's initials. For example, a reply to a message from Michael Nelson will have "MN>" added before each line. If the original autho only had a one-word name or handle, the "initials" will be the first two letters of his/her name. Enter your message text. Words will wrap automatically at the end of each (80-column) line. Hitting RETURN at any time will force a line-feed. There are three special commands that can be used while entering a message to format a text line. PabQwk/Page 32 CENTER: Hitting CONTROL-C will center the current line. RIGHT-JUSTIFY: Hitting CONTROL-R will adjust the current line, so the text ends at the 79th column. The front of the line will be padded with spaces. This command comes in handy to create "signature" lines. LEFT-JUSTIFY: Hitting CONTROL-L will delete all spaces at the beginning of the current line. If effectively undoes indentation, centering, and right-justification. NOTE: If you use one of the three CONTROL commands, the word wrap mechanism can get "confused." You MUST hit RETURN to force a line feed on that line after centering, right-justification, and it's recommended after left-justification, but not always needed. When you're done entering the text, or want to edit what you have done, hit ESC at any time. The program will display: Editing command (C,E,R,D,I,A,S): PabQwk/Page 33 The editing commands are: ONTINUE: This will allow you to resume entering message text. You will be "dropped into" the end of the last line of the message. DIT LINE: This will allow you to do a "search-and-replace" on any line of the message. You will be prompted for line number, search string, and replace string. All occurances of the search string will be changed to the replace string. You will be asked to verify the changes before they are made permanent. ETYPE LINE: This is for lines that can't be dited very easily, or to replace blank lines created by the nsert command. You will be asked for the line number, and can then retype the line. The line must be less than 80 characters, and can be centered, left-justified, or right-justified. ELETE LINES: This will allow you to delete a number of lines from the message text. You will be asked which lines to delete. Hitting RETURN on the "Delete to which line number:" prompt will only PabQwk/Page 34 delete one line. NSERT LINES: This allows you to insert a number of blank lines in the middle of a message, to make room between lines for new text. You will be asked how many lines to insert and where to insert them. These blank lines can then be replaced by the etype command. BORT MESSAGE: Use this when you "give up" and decide not to save the message. It exits the editor without saving what you've entered. AVE MESSAGE: This saves the message as you have entered it. If a TAGLINES.DAT file exists, you will now be allowed to select or enter a tagline for the messag. The program will randomly select a tagline from TAGLINES.DAT. Using this tag as a starting point, you can move through the file with the up and down arrow keys. If you want to enter a special tagline that's not in your TAGLINES.DAT file, press E. You can then enter a tagline, up to 57 characters, for that message. More on taglines in the next chapter. The message will then be written to the *.MSG file. PabQwk/Page 35 Afterwards, the program will either proceed to the next message (if reading) or return to the main menu. PabQwk/Page 36 OUR FRIEND, THE TAGLINE Taglines were the main reason I wanted to read offline. They are truly wonderful things. A tagline is a one-line "mini-message" attatched to the end of a message. It can either be relevant or totally irrelevant to the main message text. Some people like to use song lyrics, some use quotes from movies or TV (I've counted about 200 taglines just from Monty Python), others slip in little words of wisdom or witticisms. Just about anything can be in a tagline! PabQwk supports taglines of up to 57 characters, slightly longer than those supported by most IBM readers. This makes it easy to "steal" taglines from other users, and let them "steal" yours. Tagline theft is a phenomenon that developed soon after taglines themselves were developed. Every person who has ever read offline has stolen at least one tagline. Sometimes the urge is just so overwhelming, and the tagline so witty that you simply MUST have it in your own tagline file. (In fact, one SysOp I won't identify actually screams MINE! as he steals taglines. It's not me.) My most commonly taken tagline is from a 10cc song: "Art for art's sake, money for PabQwk/Page 37 God's sake." I actually have one in my tagline file which says a lot about my morals and the tag's author: "This tagline stolen from Tom Dupree." If you decide to steal a tagline, whether by typing it into your TAGLINES.DAT file by hand with a text editor or using the registered version's "T" option, it's recommended that you follow the rules of tagline theft etiquette: 1. INFORM THE AUTHOR. It's the least you can do to let the person you stole the tagline from. Much nicer than having them come across it on one of your messages later on. A short, little reply is all it takes. 2. LEAVE IT INTACT. It's okay to edit taglines, but the finer points can sometimes get lost by changing it. If you take someone else's tagline. If you steal one, leave it as the author had it. TAGLINES.DAT is a simple text file, with an EOL (RETURN) between the individual taglines. You can create it yourself with a text editor or word processor. (User of PabMail can use their TAGLINES file as their TAGLINES.DAT with PabQwk by simply deleting the first line of the file.) Start your TAGLINES.DAT file with just a couple of lines off the top of PabQwk/Page 38 your head. As you read messages, you'll come across many taglines you'll either steal or use as a jumping-off point to create one of your own. Build your file gradually. I started with five tags and now have over 300, most of them original. (Really!) Many networks have tagline conferences where you can sit and swap taglines all day long. They're often worth a look. Things to remember about taglines: 1. WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE: Taglines are subject to all the same rules as messages on networks. Don't be offensive in family conferences. 2. DON'T INSULT: Although "Darryl Basner eats Shiitaki Mushrooms!" may be funny, it's not that nice. Plus, you never know who's going to steal that tag, so watch it. 3. BE OBSCURE, BUT NOT TOO MUCH: Fans of Dudley Moore and Peter Cook will understand "The Magic Words: 'Julie Andrews!'" but it's obscure enough to leave most people wondering. Quoting from the Bible ("Blessed are the peacemakers...") or Koran ("Trust in Allah, but tie your camel.") are common enough to be recognized, and much better than sticking in quotes from Fu Manchu. If the tag is SO obscure noone will recognize it (and you have room), PabQwk/Page 39 attribute the quote. After using taglines for a while, you'll get the hang of it. Enjoy yourself. PabQwk/Page 40 REGISTERING PABQWK You may have heard me refer to the "registered version" over and over again throughout this manual, and the niceties that only become available after registering. For those of you for whom this is a new concept, let me explain. PabQwk is a ShareWare program, not public domain. If you enjoy the program and find it useful, you are expected to make a donation to help cover my expenses in developing it. This is not necessary, but is recommended. You could conceivably download PabQwk and use it for years without ever paying a cent. But I'm hoping you'll appreciate the months of work in this program, plus want the convenience of the added features, to register it. The recommended donation is $25.00, but this isn't necessarily a minimum or maximum. The idea of ShareWare is you pay what you think the program is worth, and get to "test drive" it before you pay. To register the program, first tear out the last page of this manual, fill it out, and send it (with whatever donation you think appropriate) to me at the address given in the PabQwk/Page 41 conclusion. Within a couple of weeks, you will receive a post card with all the information you need to register. After you receive this card, run PabQwk. Hit Q, then L, and type "REGISTER" when asked for the filename. When prompted, enter the information on the card EXACTLY AS SHOWN. (Case and spaces count.) If all information matches, the Registration program will upgrade your copy of PabQwk to the "registered version." You will then have access to all of the advanced features offered by the registered version. If something goes wrong, please contact me immediately If you're on GEnie, and want your registration information right away, include your GE Mail address with your registration form. I will then E-Mail your registration information instead o sending a postcard. As another added incentive, registered users will receive free upgrades as the program is refined and enters future versions. Again, it's not necessary to register PabQwk, but it is recommended. If you enjoy using the program, please show your gratitude. PabQwk/Page 42 IN CONCLUSION Every time I actually sit down and write this much documentation, I'm surprised that I could actually pull it all off. Again, thanks to everybody who helped me along in this program, provided me information or encouragement, or (in the case of Darryl Basner) taunted me into wanting to write it! ("YOU IDIOT! You can't write a QWK reader with only 128K of memory!") Special thanks also to Bob Puff, GEnie, Atari Interface Magazine, and all 8-bit users everywhere for not letting our system die. If you have any questions or comments, I can be reached by one of the following methods: GEnie: P.SUNGENIS1 RIME: ->UNION US Mail: LOW-BUDGET PRODUCTIONS POST OFFICE BOX 306 AVALON, NJ 08202-0306. Thanks again, and I hope to hear from you. PabQwk/Page 43 Pab Sungenis PabQwk/Page 44 PROGRAM REGISTRATION FORM Program: PabQwk Name: ______________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ City, State/Province, ZIP/Post code: _______________________ ____________________________________________________________ Voice phone number: ________________________________________ (for registration purposes only!) Where did you get the program? _____________________________ Comments: __________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Send to: LOW-BUDGET PRODUCTIONS POST OFFICE BOX 306 AVALON, NJ 08202-0306 Please write "Registration" on the front of your envelope. PabQwk/Page 45