










                     *****  MicroQwk  ver 1.5  *****
                           Offline Mail Reader



                        copyright 1993, 94 by

                           Joe Hardy
                           Microduc Software
                           2111 38th St
                           Des Moines, Iowa    50310

          





        MicroQwk version 1.2  release date :     October 31 1993
        MicroQwk version 1.2e release date :     December 5, 1993
        MicroQwk version 1.3b release date :     February 15, 1994
        MicroQwk version 1.4, 1.4b               never realeased
        MicroQwk version 1.5a release date :     August 9, 1994
        MicroQwk version 1.5c release date :     October 1, 1994
        MicroQwk version 1.5c release date :     May 7,1995      


MicroQwk  ver 1.5c                                                   page : 1


                        ***  SHAREWARE NOTICE  ***

   MicroQwk and its associated files are not free.  They are distributed under
the Shareware concept.  You are hereby granted a limited license to try this 
software for a period not to exceed 30 days.  If you find it useful and wish 
to continue to use MicroQwk, you must register it with Microduc Software 
(see REGISTRATION).  Otherwise you must delete the program and its files.

   You are encouraged to distribute this program to as wide an audience as
possible, as long as all files are included and in their original, unaltered
form.  MicroQwk may not be sold or bundled with any commercial program without
permission from Microduc Software.


Microqwk is distributed as is.  Microduc and it's suppliers disclaim all
other warranties, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to 
implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, 
with regard to the SOFTWARE and any accompanying written materials.

NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.  In no event shall Microduc 
or it's suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever (including without 
limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss 
of business information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use 
of or inability to use this Microduc product, even if Microduc has been 
advised of the possibility of such damages.  Because some states/countries do 
not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or 
incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply.
  
  
 ** Use of this software implies acceptance of the terms of this agreement.**


MicroQwk  ver 1.5c                                                   page : 2


                  ** Operation of MicroQwk ver 1.5 **

                     ***   System Requirements   ***

1. Requirements for this program are an IBM compatible AT or better and an 
CGA/EGA/VGA video system displaying 16 color, 80 column, 25 line text for use
in color mode.  MicroQwk now supports mono monitors ( video mode 7) for B/W.
Some video problems with VGA mono monitors may be alleviated by typing
MODE MONO at the command prompt and hitting the ENTER key.
2. A Microsoft compatible mouse is optional, but recommended.  
3. This program has been tested with DOS 5.0 and above.  
4. Microqwk version 1.3 will operate under Microsoft Windows given the
generous memory requirements that Windows requires.

NOTE :  MicroQwk may not run on all Systems that conform to the above
requirements.  

        *** MicroQwk must be configured in order to operate properly. ***

Configuration
   Though Microqwk will operate without a configuration file, you will not
have access to all of it's features if you don't configure.  You should confirm
all default settings or change to a specific configuration of your own before
you attempt to open and read mail.           

 Directories
   MicroQwk uses the startup directory as your default download, work, reply, 
and save areas.  Please note that if you decide to change these default 
settings, Microqwk will not create your directories for you, they must exist.   
However, Microqwk supplies the name of a temporary work directory that will be
created in the work area when you run this program and removed when you quit
the program.
   When a mail packet has been opened, you may not change either the work area
or the work directory, however all other directories may be modified.  This
will allow you to open Qwk packets from different directories without having
to restart your program.

 Compression
   Presently, Microqwk offers three choices of compression programs that may 
be used: PKZIP, LHA, and ARJ.  These programs must be included in a directory
that is specified in your AUTOEXEC.BAT PATH statement.  PKZIP is the default
compression program and is noted in the menu.

 Editor
   Microqwk uses DOS's EDIT as the default editor. Should you decide to change
this default setting, your Editor must be included in a directory that is
specified in your AUTOEXEC.BAT PATH statement.  Your Editor must be able to
accept a command line that specifies a file to edit.  Editors that have been
reported to work with MicroQwk include Norton Editor, TED, and Dos's Edit.
Many other editors will work with MicroQwk.


MicroQwk  ver 1.5c                                                   page : 3

Configuration Continued

 Terminal
   A terminal program may be specified in the Terminal Configuration section, 
enabling you to call your BBS directly from MicroQwk.  It requires a command
statement and the path where your terminal program may be found.  If you have
configured a terminal progarm and wish to automatically go to your terminal 
program when you start Microqwk, include "/t" or "/T" to your startup command. 
   ( eg. MICROQWK /t ).

 Tagline
   You may edit and save a single tag line that will be appended to all
messages you compose in Microqwk.

 Update Qwk packet
   MicroQwk will keep accurate track of the messages that you have read and
messages that you reply to during a session.  If you wish to save this
information you can configure MicroQwk to "Update Qwk Packet".  When this
feature is enabled, every time you close a packet this information will
be added to the original Qwk packet, so that the next time you open it,
you will be able to return to the point that you left off.

 Quote Style
   When you reply to a message, Microqwk will quote the previous message.
There are two different styles of quotes that you may choose from: Initials
are probably the most widely used style, and is the default style for Microqwk.
( eg. JH> )

   An Outline style is also available:
( eg.
    ---  quoting [Sender] ----
+------       to [Recipient] ---  from a message on 10-22-93 " ------


+-------------------------------------------  " end of quote  ----------
)

   You May also configure Formatted Replies from the Quote Style option.
When you choose Formatted Replies, you will be asked to enter the Line Length
and the Break Length.  Line Length is the length that a line will be formatted
to.  Line Break is the length that a line will be treated as the end of a
paragraph.  If you enter 58 as your line break, any line in theoriginal
message less than that will be treated as the end of a paragraph, and a
carriage return and line feed will be sent to the reply message.  Lines
longer than 58 will have any subsequent lines wrapped on to the end.  You
can change these settings inside Qwk Mail by pressing ALT-F6. 
   MicroQwk will attempt to find a previous quote in the message ( quoting
a quote ).  It will not attempt to format a previous quote.

 Color
   Choose Color or B/W screens.  Defaults to B/W.  Some video problems with
VGA mono monitors may be alleviated by typing MODE MONO at the command prompt 
and hitting the ENTER key.


MicroQwk  ver 1.5c                                                   page : 4

 Saving Your Configuration
   Choosing Save from the configure Menu allows you to save your current 
configuration to MicroQwk's start up directory.  This configuration file will
be read and your settings made useable every time you run Microqwk.


MicroQwk  ver 1.5c                                                    page : 5

Main Menu Bar

 using the Keyboard
    To access any of the options from the Main Menu Bar press the Alt key plus
the first letter of the option.  Alt-F for the File option, Alt-M for Mail and
so on.  On drop down menus use the arrow keys to hilight the option, press
<ENTER> to select.  Press <ESC> to cancel any operation.

 using a Mouse
   To access any of the options from the Main Menu Bar position the mouse on
your selection, and click the Left Button to hilight. Double-click to select.
   For drop down menus, you may select an option by positioning the mouse
cursor on your selection, and clicking the Left Button to hilight that
selection.  Double-click to select the option.  On some selection menus there
will be an Ok and Esc button which you may select by Left clicking on them.
   Clicking the Right Button represents an escape, canceling the current
operation.

File Menu

 Open
   You must Open a Qwk packet before you can read messages that it contains.
You will be able to choose from files with a .qwk extension that are currently
in your download path.  If you have a reply packet in your save area that
corresponds to the BBS packet you are opening, you will be asked if you would
like to add new messages to it.  Press <ENTER> to add new messages to the
saved reply packet, or press any other key to start a new reply packet.

 Close
   Open Qwk packets will be closed when you open a different packet, when you
choose Close,  or when you quit Microqwk.  Any reply messages will be gathered,
packed with the current compression program and placed in your Save area where
they may be uploaded to the BBS.

 Opening Screen
   Many BBS's send their Opening screen with the Qwk message packet.  Choose 
this option to view the Opening screen.  If the file is an ANSI screen you 
will need to have the ANSI system loaded in order to view the screen properly.

 Bulletin Screen
   Many BBS's send a Bulletin screen with the Qwk message packet.  Choose 
this option to view the Bulletin screen.  If the file is an ANSI screen you 
will need to have the ANSI system loaded in order to view the screen properly.

 Closing Screen
   Many BBS's send their Closing screen with the Qwk message packet.  Choose 
this option to view the Closing screen.  If the file is an ANSI screen you 
will need to have the ANSI system loaded in order to view the screen properly.



MicroQwk  ver 1.5c                                                   page : 6

File Menu Continued

 Shell to Dos
   In order to do file maintainence it is sometimes necessary to go to the DOS
prompt.  Choose Drop to Dos to go to the Dos prompt.  Type "EXIT" to return to
Microqwk.

 Exit
   Quit Microqwk.

Mail Menu

 Qwk Mail
   Choose Qwk Mail to read and reply to the mail in your open Qwk Packet.   

Options while in Qwk Mail
( Options are available from the speed bar at the bottom of the display
page. )

     F1                             Help screen
     F4                             Export message as a text file
     F5                             Send a message to any conference
     F6                             Reply to the current message
     F7                             Go To any message in the conference
  (up and down arrows)              Scroll through the current message
  (left and right arrows)           Scan to next or previous message
     ESC                            Quit to Choose Conference

Other Options available in Qwk Mail
( Options are available from the speed bar excepy where noted .)

  Positioning Commands
     CtrlLeft Arrow              Go To Last Read message
     CtrlRight Arrow             Go To First Unread message
             ( both commands may be activated by holding down the 
             Control Key and clicking with the Left mouse button
             on the appropriate arrow on the speed bar at the bottom 
             of the viewing page. )
     Home                         Go To the First Message in the Conference
     End                          Go To the Last Message in the Conference

  Formatted Reply
     AltF6                       Turn On / Set Options for Formatted Reply
     CtrlF6                      Turn Off Formatted Reply

  Update Qwk Packet and Replies
     F10                          Update and Save Reply Packet
     AltF10                      Update Qwk Packet and Reply Packet

  Delete Message Without Reply
     F8                           Toggles the Delete Unreplied Message 
                                  feature.


MicroQwk  ver 1.5c                                                   page : 7

Mail Menu Continued
      
Using a mouse in Qwk Mail      
      When using a mouse, you may use the speed bar at the bottom of the
screen. Position the cursor on any of the features noted on the button bar and
click the Left Mouse button.  For all mouse operations clicking the Right
Mouse button represents an escape, and will remove you to the Choose
Conference Menu.

Special Spitfire BBS Feature while in Qwk Mail
      MicroQwk now supports the "Delete Previous" feature, an exclusive feature
of Spitfire Bulletin Board Systems copyright by Buffalo Creek Software.  If
Microqwk detects that the current Qwk packet is from a Spitfire BBS, the user
will be asked if they would like to delete the "previous" (reference) message
that they are replying to.  This feature only applies if you are replying to 
a message, and is not available when you choose to "Send" a message.

 Send a message
   Messages may be sent from the Mail menu without having to first choose and
enter Qwk Mail.  You will need to choose the conference that the message will
be posted, then enter the name of the person that you wish to receive the
message and the subject of the message.  When you have completed your message
and saved it you will be asked if you want the message to be marked "Public"
or "Private" or whether you would like to cancel the message.  If you decide
to send the message you will also be asked if the message should be marked as
"Local Echo" or "Net Mail".
   Previous to Lakota version 1.1i and Spitfire version 3.4 all mail entered
in a conference that was cofigured as a Net conference was sent out over the
Net.  No provisions have ever been made to allow a message to stay local.
MicroQwk 1.3b and Lakota 1.1i now have the ability to tag a message as local
even though entered in a Net conference.

 Read Text
  As an alternative to the Qwk Mail option, you may convert the entire Qwk
Packet to a text file and view or edit it with your editor.

 Save Text
  This option allows you to save a Qwk packet that had previously been opened
and converted to a text file, or to convert and save an open Qwk packet in one
operation.

 Terminal
   A terminal progragm may be specified in the Terminal Configuration section, 
enabling you to call your BBS directly from MicroQwk.  It requires a command
statement and the path where your terminal program may be found.  If you have
configured a terminal progarm and wish to automatically go to your terminal 
program when you start Microqwk, include "/t" or "/T" to your startup command. 
   ( eg. MICROQWK /t ).


MicroQwk  ver 1.5c                                                   page : 8
  
Instructions for Text Entry

For any text entry operation :
Ctrl-X        -     Clear entire entry
Backspace     -     Delete last entered character
<ENTER>       -     Confirm entry
<ESC>         -     Cancel operation

For Mouse Users
     In text entry mode pressing the Left Button accepts the entry, the Right
Button cancels the operation.


MicroQwk  ver 1.5c                                                   page : 9


If you are a registered user please include all information that might be
relevent to the problems you are encountering with MicroQwk.  You should
include this list when you request support.

System Software and version Number: ______________________________________  

Type of Computer:            _____________________________________________

Memory installed:            _____________________________________________

TSR's:                       _____________________________________________

Type of Monitor:             _____________________________________________

Video Card:                  _____________________________________________ 

Editor you Use:              _____________________________________________

Terminal Program you Use:    _____________________________________________ 

Problems that occurred when you used this program:



Suggestions for improvements or additions:



Thank you...

Messages can be sent to me on Buffalo Creek BBS, through the SFNET
@OFFLINE conference or by slow mail:

        Joe Hardy
        Microduc Software
        2111 38th St
        Des Moines, Iowa    50310


                       *****  Registration Note  *****      


Previous to version 1.5a, the registration fee for MicroQwk was $5 for
a single user license.  With this version, however the price for a single 
user license has been raised to $10.

Considering the time and energy I've spent in developing MicroQwk, changes
and additions to the program on the suggestions of people who never
registered, disks, postage and telephone charges, I have never profitted
from the release of this program !  More to the point, I've lost money !

It is with some reluctance that I am now making changes to MicroQwk to
keep it current and am committing myself to support it through this new
release.  When I first started this project there was only a small
number of QWK mail readers.  As of this version there are numerous programs
which read QWK packets, send messages, give you the choice of thousands
of taglines, manage large message databases, and bloat your hard drive
with megs of support files.  Oh well ...

I will honor any registrations using an original registration form from
any version prior to 1.5a at the former license price of $5 through December 
1994.  After that date I will no longer process $5 registrations or notify 
the sender of current license price.  All checks and money orders sent to 
me after December 1994 which do not reflect the current licensing price 
will be destroyed.  Cash will be recirculated back into the economy.





          Registration for Microqwk Offline Mail Reader ver 1.5c


TO:                           FROM:

Joe Hardy                     Name: __________________________________
2111 38th St.
Des Moines, IA 50310     (Company): __________________________________

                           (Title): __________________________________

                           Address: __________________________________

                        City,State: __________________ _____ _________
                                                              Zip Code
                           Country: _________________________

Phone Number: _________________________  Fax _________________________

BBS Name: __________________________  BBS Number: ____________________  
  
  
          ***  MicroQwk   version 1.5c  Registration Fees  ***

* 5.25 Diskette with Documentation for one computer ...... $10.  ______

 ( add $1 extra per 3.5 diskette )                               ______

 NOTE : You must specify a high density disk
 or you will receive a double density disk 

* Commercial site license for the use of MicroQwk
(Includes 3.5 and 5.25 diskette with programs & documentation files.)
  2 to  15 computers ... at    $8 each  # computers ___x    8   ______
 15 to  49 computers ... at    $6 each  # computers ___x    6   ______
 50 or more computers... at    $5 each  # computers ___x    5   ______


                                 plus Shipping and Handling.. $  4.00

                                      Total ................. $ ______

* Note : No registrations will be processed that do not include shpping
and handling fees !

Make all checks or money orders payable to Joe Hardy.
