Source: SPITFIRE.DOCEdition: searchable Web reading editionPresentation: historical wording retained
10.0 - MESSAGE SECTION EXPLAINED
--------------------------------
The Message Menu is the point from which your callers take part
in mail exchange. The Message Menu may be selected from either the
Main Menu or the File Menu using the <M>...Message Section command
option.
As the Message Menu is described and the features explained,
please keep in mind that you can control the usage of each command by
changing the security level of the commands in the SFMSG.MNU file.
In other words, you can control what commands are available to what
callers. (Refer to the section - SPITFIRE Menu Files - for further
information regarding setting security levels for accessing each menu
feature.) For the purpose of discussion, however, each menu displayed
will be as if the Sysop (with the highest security level and capable of
accessing each menu feature) were viewing it. In this case the Message
Menu would look like this.
10.1 - MESSAGE MENU EXAMPLE
---------------------------
>>>>>>>> MESSAGE MENU <<<<<<<<<L>.... LAKOTA QWK Mail System <C>..... Change Msg Conference
<R>............. Read Messages <B>........... Browse Messages
<S>...Specific Caller Messages <E>........... Enter A Message
<Y>............. Your Messages <A>.... Alter Conference Queue
<T>............... Text Search <F>.............. File Section
<P>............ Page The Sysop <Q>......... Quit To Main Menu
<G>......... Goodbye & Log Off <X>......... Xpert Mode Toggle
<K>.... Message Menu Extension <@>........... Sysop Utilities
<?>........ HELP With Commands
MESSAGE MENU - <L C R B S E Y A T F P Q G X K @ ?>?
10.2 - MESSAGE MENU EXPLANATION
-------------------------------
<L>.... LAKOTA QWK Mail System
When this option is selected, SPITFIRE shells to LAKOTA.COM,
SPITFIRE's Mail System and the following menu is displayed:
<D>............. Download Messages (QWK Format)
<U>............... Upload Messages (QWK Format)
<S>............. Set Last Read Message Pointers
<Q>....................................... Quit
Selecting <D> displays the Download Message Menu:
>>>> Download Message Menu <<<<<N>............... New Messages
<T>..................... To You
<Q>....................... Quit
This menu defines the selection criteria of the messages
to be downloaded using SPITFIRE's Mail System. Once the
caller chooses between downloading new messages or messages
addressed to them, the conference menu is displayed:
>>>> Message Conference Menu <<<<<A>.............. All Conferences
<B>.......... Select A Conference
<C>...... Your Queued Conferences
<Q>......................... Quit
This menu allows the caller to define what conferences
messages will be extracted from during the message
download process.
The caller is then asked whether the last message read
pointers should be updated.
If the caller is logged on locally the message packet will
be placed in SPITFIRE's home directory. If the caller is
logged on remotely a menu will display from which the caller
can select the file transfer protocol to be used for the
message download.
Selecting <U> from SPITFIRE's Mail System Menu allows the
caller to upload replies in QWK format which are imported
into SPITFIRE's message base. Prior to the upload, LAKOTA
verifies that the amount of available disk space is greater
than that which the Sysop has configured at the ALT+Z Upload
Disk Space Requirement option.
If the caller is logged on locally, the following prompt
appears:
File must be in .ZIP format!
Enter name of the file to import:
The first character entered should be the drive letter where
the file to be uploaded is located. LAKOTA automatically
inserts the colon and the backslash after this letter is
entered. (In other words, if you input the letter C, LAKOTA
will place the :\ after this character to make it "C:\".)
Next enter the path and name of the file to be imported.
LAKOTA will import messages from the reply file directly into
SPITFIRE's message base.
If the caller is logged on remotely a menu will display from
which the caller can select the file transfer protocol to be
used to upload the message reply packet. Once the file is
received, it is imported into the SPITFIRE message base.
Selecting <Q> returns the caller to SPITFIRE Message Menu.
For more information on LAKOTA, SPITFIRE's QWK Mail System,
refer to the documentation, LAKOTA.DOC.
<C>.... Change Msg Conference
This feature allows a caller to change to a different Message
Conference by entering the number of the Message Conference
he/she wishes to change to. If a caller selects <Q>uit, the
caller will remain in the current Message Conference. If a
caller presses the ENTER key, SPITFIRE will list the Message
Conferences available to the caller. If a MGLST<x>.[BCR]
is found it will be displayed here. After changing to a new
Message Conference, SPITFIRE will prompt the caller as to
whether he/she would like to read messages in the conference
they have changed to.
<R>.... Read Messages
This feature allows the caller to read public messages and
non-public messages sent to and/or from the caller in the
specified Message Conferences. The caller is presented with
five options and may elect to read:
<T>...This Message Conference
This option allows the caller to read available
messages in the current Message Conference.
<A>...All Message Conferences
This option allows the caller to read available
messages in all Message Conferences to which the
caller has access.
<O>...Only Queued Conferences
This option allows the callers to read available
messages in the Message Conferences the callers have
selected to be included in their Message Queue.
<A>...Alter Conference Queue
When this option is selected, SPITFIRE will display
a list of all conferences contained in the caller's
message queue and prompt the caller as to whether to
change the current queue. If the caller selects to
change the queued message conferences, the Message
Queue Menu is displayed. For more information on
the Message Queue Menu, refer to Command <A>..Alter
Message Queue discussed below.
<Q>...Quit
This option will return the caller to the Message Menu.
During the process of reading messages, the caller will have
the following commands available to them, provided the
command is a viable option at the time. If it is not a
viable option, the command will not be shown to the caller.
<R>...Reply
Allows the caller to reply to an existing message
provided the caller's security is equal to or greater
than the Message Entry Security configured by the
Sysop for the current Message Conference. When
replying to a message, SPITFIRE will prompt the caller
as to whether they wish to change the message subject.
If the caller responds with a "Y", the caller is given
the opportunity to change the message subject. If the
caller responds with a "N", the message subject remains
the same as the original message. Replies to messages
with the same message subject allows the messages to be
threaded together.
If the caller is replying to a message in a conference
which allows non-public messages the caller will be
prompted as to whether the reply should be public
or non-public. SPITFIRE will default according to how
the original message was entered. In other words, if
the original message was public, SPITFIRE defaults to
making the reply public. When the prompt is displayed
the caller may override the default or simply hit Enter
to accept the default.
If the message being replied to is a net-mail message,
the caller will be prompted as to whether the message
reply should also be sent net-mail. If so, the caller
is also asked whether the reply message should be
routed. In the event the caller chooses to route the
reply, he/she will be asked to enter the routing number
or name. If the BBS is using Buffalo Creek's BCSUTI or
SHILOH net-mail software, the reply is automatically
routed to the originating BBS. Other net-mail programs
or UTI programs may require the message to be routed
in the normal fashion.
***NOTE***
When routing a message, SPITFIRE will prompt the caller
as to whether the message should be sent public or
non-public. SPITFIRE allows a message to be entered
as non-public when the message is being routed, even if
the Message Conference where the message is being
replied to has been configured to only allow public
messages.
When replying to a message the caller will have the
following commands available to them:
CTRL+Q Allows the caller to Review/Quote Original
Message. The original message is redisplayed
and the caller is prompted to enter the line
numbers for the range of lines which he/she
wishes to quote.
This range is then included in their reply
message with the initials of the sender of the
original message preceding each line. For
example:
MW> SPITFIRE is the best BBS software available!
A quoted portion of a reply cannot be edited.
CTRL+F Allows a person replying to the message, when
logged on locally, the ability to import an
an existing text file into the message reply.
When the CTRL+F - Import File! feature is
selected, SPITFIRE will prompt the caller for
the path and file name of the file to be
imported. In the event a file name is not
entered, SPITFIRE will look in the Work
directory for a file named SFMSG.TXT and import
this, if found. If after pressing the CTRL+F
keys the caller decides not to import a file,
entering a non-existent path at the prompt will
abort the process.
If the <ENTER> key is pressed when replying to a
message, the following options become available to the
caller who is replying to the message:
<S>ave will save the reply.
<E>dit allows the caller to edit the message text.
<A>bort will end any message entry without saving
the message.
<C>ontinue will resume entry/reply of message from the
point where the <ENTER> key was pressed.
<B>egin will clear the existing text and allow the
Again caller to begin entering the message anew.
<R>eplace allows the caller to replace a line within
Line the text of the message.
<L>ist allows the caller to display the text of
the message which is being entered.
<I>nsert allows a blank line to be added within the
Line text of the message.
<D>elete allows the caller to delete a line or range
Line of lines from the existing message text.
<D>...Delete
This option will be available only if 1) the caller
has Sysop security or 2) the Message Conference has
been configured to allow the caller the ability to
delete messages and the message is either being sent
to or entered by the caller. Deleting a message makes
it unavailable except to those with Sysop security and
will cause it to be purged from the message base the
next time the message base is packed.
<E>...Enter A Message
This feature allows a caller to enter a message while
reading messages, provided the caller's security is
equal to or greater than what the Sysop has configured
as the Message Conference's Message Entry Security. If
the message the caller enters is not addressed to a
specific person, then SPITFIRE addresses the message to
"All Callers". SPITFIRE will allow the entry of a
partial name when entering a local message (message in
a conference that is not configured to allow net-mail).
Each time a partial name match is found, SPITFIRE will
quiz the caller to determine if the current match is
the caller for whom the message is intended. If no
match can be found, SPITFIRE notifies the caller that
no match was found and prompts the caller with "Try
Again? [Y/n]". This allows the caller to re-enter the
full or partial name of the person for whom the message
is intended or to abort the message. SPITFIRE will
not allow a caller to enter messages addressed to a
specific person if that person cannot be found in the
caller's data base unless the Message Conference in
which the message is being entered is configured as a
net-mail conference and the message is marked to be
sent via net-mail.
When entering a message in a net-mail conference, you
will be prompted as to whether to send the message via
net-mail. If the Message Conference is configured to
allow Message Routing, the caller is also prompted as
to whether the message should be routed. If the caller
responds with a Y, he/she will then be asked to enter
the routing number or name.
***NOTE***
When routing a message, SPITFIRE will prompt the caller
as to whether the message should be sent public or
non-public. SPITFIRE allows a message to be entered
as non-public when the message is being routed, even if
the Message Conference where the message is being
entered has been configured to only allow public
messages.
Callers are allowed to send carbon copies of a message
to other callers. SPITFIRE allows a total of nine
carbon copies per message and automatically prevents
duplicating carbon copy messages to callers already
receiving the message. Using carbon copies in
conjunction with the routing feature will allow the
caller to send the same message to ten different
callers, routing it to ten different locations.
SPITFIRE allows a total of 99 lines per message but
the Sysop can configure, per message conference, the
maximum number of lines per message that will be
allowed. When entering (or responding) to a message,
SPITFIRE can display the Message Conferences available
to the caller and whether the specified Message
Conference allows public or public and non-public
messages. Pressing ENTER twice when prompted for the
message subject will abort the message.
When logged on locally and entering a message, another
option, the CTRL+F will allow an existing text file to
be imported into the message. When the CTRL+F - Import
File! feature is selected, SPITFIRE will prompt the
caller for the path and file name of the file to be
imported. In the event, a file name is not entered,
SPITFIRE will look in the Work directory for a file
named SFMSG.TXT and import this if it is found. If
after pressing the CTRL+F keys you decide you do not
want to import a file, simply enter a non-existent
path at the prompt to abort the process.
If the <ENTER> key is pressed while entering a
message, the following options become available to the
caller who is entering to the message:
<S>ave will save the message.
<E>dit allows the caller to edit the message text.
<A>bort will end any message entry without saving
the message.
<C>ontinue will resume entry of the message from the
point where the <ENTER> key was pressed.
<B>egin will clear the existing text and allow the
Again caller to begin entering the message anew.
<R>eplace allows the caller to replace a line within
Line the text of the message anew.
<L>ist allows the caller to display the text of
the message which has been entered.
<I>nsert allows a blank line to be added within the
Line text of the message.
<D>elete allows the caller to delete a line or range
Line of lines from the existing message text.
<ENTER>...Next Message
Pressing the enter key will cycle the caller to the
next available message to be read.
<->...Previous Message
Allows the caller to return to the previous message
in the current conference.
<#>...Number Of An Existing Message In This Conference
Entering a number of a specific message that is
available in the conference will display that message.
<F>...Follow Msg Thread
Allows the caller to simultaneously read messages
which are threaded together by a common Message
Subject. When this option is selected the following
menu is displayed:
>>>> MESSAGE THREAD MENU <<<<<S>........ Start Of Thread
<F>........... Forward Read
<B>.......... Backward Read
<E>.... Exit Message Thread
<S>...Start Of Thread will take the caller to the first
message containing the common message subject
which threads the messages together.
<F>...Forward Read will cycle through the threaded
messages in forward order, one message at a time.
<B>...Backward Read will cycle through the threaded
messages in reverse order, one message at a time.
<E>...Exit Message Thread will return the caller to the
original message from where the Threaded Message
Menu was activated.
<P>...Public
Allows a caller with Sysop security to toggle a public
message to non-public or to toggle a non-public message
to public.
<U>...Undelete
Allows a caller with Sysop security to undelete a
deleted message, making it available once again.
<X>...Xport
This feature is only available when a caller is logged
on locally. When selected, SPITFIRE checks to see if
a printer is attached and ready for printing. If so,
SPITFIRE provides the option of exporting the message
to the printer or saving it to a text file on disk.
If no printer is attached or it is not ready for
printing, the message is saved as a text file in the
directory designated as the Message file path. The
default format for the file name to which it is saved
is: MSG+message#.conference#. In other words, if
message number 15 in conference 3 was Xported, it
would be saved as MSG15.3. SPITFIRE will display the
default file name of the saved message which the caller
can modify by backspacing out the default and entering
in the preferred file name.
<C>...Copy
This feature is only available to a caller with Sysop
security. This feature actually serves two purposes.
First, it allows the caller to move the message to
another message conference or copy the message to the
current conference. SPITFIRE will informs the caller
regarding to whom the message is currently addressed
and prompt the caller as to whether this should be
changed, therefore, also allowing the message to be
forwarded to another caller. When copying a message to
a conference which has been configured as a net-mail
conference, the caller is prompted as to whether the
message should be marked as a net-mail message.
<Q>...Quit
End the read message feature and returns the caller to
the Message Menu.
<B>.... Browse Messages
This feature allows a caller to scan messages in a specific
Message Conference or in all Message Conferences. This
scan provides the caller information on to whom the message
is addressed, whom the message is from and the subject
of the message. At the end of each screen the caller
is prompted with:
<ENTER>=Continue, <Q>uit or Read Msg #:
at which time the caller may choose the continue browsing
through the message conference, quit to the Message Menu
or read a specific message number. If the caller elects
to read a message, after the message has finished displaying,
the caller simply presses <ENTER> to return to browsing
messages. If the caller's security is equal to or greater
than the Message Entry Security level, the caller may also
be presented with the option of Replying to the message.
<S>.... Specific Caller Messages
This feature allows the caller to search for messages either
to or from a specific caller. When this option is selected,
the caller presented a menu which allows them to define what
conferences will be used in the search. The Conference Scan
looks like this:
>>>> CONFERENCE SCAN MENU <<<<<T>.... This Message Conference
<A>.... All Message Conferences
<Q>.... Only Queued Conferences
<Q>........................Quit
Next, the caller is prompted to enter the name of the caller
to be used in the search. SPITFIRE then prompts the caller
to select whether it will search messages that are From, To
or both To and From the specified caller. When a message is
found, SPITFIRE will display the message to the caller
provided it is a public message and it has not been marked
for deletion. SPITFIRE will continue to display messages
until the search is aborted or the last message to/from the
specific caller is displayed. When ended, a message is
displayed which informs the caller of the number of messages
found to/from the specific caller.
*** NOTE ***
SPITFIRE displays such a message, if found, to a caller with
Sysop security regardless of whether the message has been
marked for deletion or entered as a non-public message.
<E>.... Enter A Message
This feature allows a caller to enter a message, provided the
caller's security is equal to or greater than the Message
Entry Security for the conference the caller selects to enter
a message to. If the message the caller enters is not
addressed to a specific person, then SPITFIRE addresses the
message to "All Callers". SPITFIRE will allow the entry of
a partial name when entering a local message (message in a
conference that is not configured to allow net-mail).
SPITFIRE will then quiz the caller to determine who exactly
the message is intended for each time a partial name match
is found. If no match can be found, SPITFIRE notifies the
caller that no match was found and prompts the caller with
"Try Again? [Y/n]". This allows the caller to re-enter the
full or partial name of the person for whom the message is
intended or to abort the message. SPITFIRE will not allow a
caller to enter messages addressed to a specific person if
that person cannot be found in the caller's data base unless
the Message Conference in which the message is being entered
is configured as a net-mail conference and the message is
marked to be sent via net-mail.
When entering a message in a net-mail conference, you will be
prompted as to whether to send the message via net-mail. If
the conference is configured to allow Message Routing, the
caller is will be prompted as to whether the message should
be routed. If the caller responds with a Y, he/she will be
asked to enter the routing number or name.
***NOTE***
When routing a message, SPITFIRE will prompt the caller as
to whether the message should be sent public or non-public.
SPITFIRE allows a message to be entered as non-public when
the message is being routed, even if the Message Conference
where the message is being entered has been configured to
only allow public messages.
Callers are allowed to send carbon copies of a message to
other callers. There are a total of nine carbon copies
available. SPITFIRE will automatically prevent duplicating
carbon copy messages to callers already receiving the message.
Using the carbon copies in conjunction with the routing
feature will allow the caller to send the same message to ten
different callers, routing it to ten different locations.
SPITFIRE allows a total of 99 lines per message but the Sysop
can configure, per message conference, the maximum number of
lines per message that will be allowed. When entering (or
responding) to a message, SPITFIRE will display the Message
Conferences available to the caller and whether the specific
Message Conference allows public or public and non-public
messages. Pressing ENTER twice when prompted for the message
subject will abort the message.
If the person entering the message is logged on locally,
another option, the CTRL+F will allow an existing text file
to be imported into the reply. When the CTRL+F - Import
File! feature is selected, SPITFIRE will prompt the caller
for the path and file name of the file to be imported. In
the event, a file name is not entered, SPITFIRE will look in
the Work directory for a file named SFMSG.TXT and import this
if it is found. If after pressing the CTRL+F keys you decide
you do not want to import a file, simply enter a non-existent
path at the prompt to abort the process.
If the <ENTER> key is pressed while entering a message,
the following options become available to the caller who is
entering to the message:
<S>ave will save the message.
<E>dit allows the caller to edit the message text.
<A>bort will end any message entry without saving
the message.
<C>ontinue will resume entry of the message from the
point where the <ENTER> key was pressed.
<B>egin will clear the existing text and allow the
Again caller to begin entering the message anew.
<R>eplace allows the caller to replace a line within
Line the text of the message anew.
<L>ist allows the caller to display the text of
the message which has been entered.
<I>nsert allows a blank line to be added within the
Line text of the message.
<D>elete allows the caller to delete a line or range
Line of lines from the existing message text.
<Y>.... Your Messages
This feature will display the caller's message statistics.
The caller receives a report on the number of new messages
they have waiting to be read, the number of messages they
have already received, the number of messages the caller
has sent and the total number of messages available on
the BBS. The caller is then prompted as to whether he/she
would like to read their messages.
*NOTE* If the caller is recognized as the Sysop of the BBS, he/she
will also be prompted as to whether he/she would like to
preview messages. If the Sysop replies with a Yes, SPITFIRE
allows the messages to be read, but does not mark the message
as being received. (For more information on the Message
Preview feature, refer to section SPECIAL COMMANDS FOR
SYSOP of this manual.)
<A>.... Alter Conference Queue
This feature allows a caller to include specific message
conferences in his/her message conference queue. Conferences
not included in the caller's message queue will be ignored.
When a caller selects the <A>...Alter Message Queue option,
the caller is presented with the following sub-menu:
>>>> MESSAGE QUEUE MENU <<<<<A>...... Add A Conference <C>....... Current Queue List
<D>... Delete A Conference <I>.. Include All Conferences
<L>.. List Msg Conferences <R>... Remove All Conferences
<S>.... Select Conferences <Q>..... Quit To Message Menu
<A>...Add A Conference allows a caller to enter a
specific number corresponding to the Message
Conference number the caller wishes to have added
to their message conference queue.
<D>...Delete A Conference allows a caller to enter a
specific number corresponding to the Message
Conference number the caller wishes to have
deleted from their message conference queue.
<L>...List Msg Conferences will display all message
conferences on the BBS to which the caller
has access.
<S>...Select Conferences will display, one screen at
a time, all conferences available on the BBS.
A tag letter precedes the conference number and
conference description. To remove a conference
from your message conference queue, enter a minus
sign and the respective tag character(s). To
add a conference enter the respective tag
characters. For instance, -BE would remove
the second and fifth conferences listed from
the callers conference queue and AC would add
the first and third conferences listed to the
callers conference queue. Only conferences to
which the caller has access will be included in
the list for selection.
<C>...Current Queue List will display to the caller the
message conferences currently contained in their
message conference queue.
<I>...Include All Conferences will place all available
message conferences in the caller's message
queue.
<R>...Remove All Conferences will remove all message
conferences from the caller's message queue with
the exception of the first Message Conference.
SPITFIRE requires that all callers have Message
Conference 1 in their queue.
<Q>...Quit To Message Menu will return the caller to
the Message Menu.
** SPECIAL NOTES ABOUT QUEUED CONFERENCES **
Conferences not included in the caller's queue will not be
scanned when SPITFIRE scans for new messages. For this
reason, when a caller attempts to leave a message to another
caller in a message conference that the caller does not have
selected in their queue, SPITFIRE will not allow the caller
to send the message. Also, a caller may delete any message
conference from their message queue, except for the first
message conference. The first message conference will remain
active to all callers.
<T>.... Text Search
This feature allows a caller to search for specific text in a
message. When selected, the text search option displays the
following menu to allow the caller to define what message
conference(s) will be included in the search:
<T>.... This Message Conference
<A>.... All Message Conferences
<Q>.... Only Queued Conferences
<Q>........................Quit
SPITFIRE supports a multi-word text search of up to six key
words at one time. The caller is prompted to enter the
key word(s) to be used in the search. SPITFIRE then searches
for any message containing the keywords in the conference
option selected by the caller. When any matching text is
found in a message, SPITFIRE will display the message and
prompt the caller as to whether they wish to continue with
the search. When the search is ended, a message displays
notifying the caller of the number of times any matching
text was found.
<F>.... File Section
This feature takes the caller from the MESSAGE Section of
SPITFIRE to the FILE Section.
<P>.... Page The Sysop
This feature notifies the Sysop that a caller has a question
or problem to chat about. If the Sysop is not available to
answer the page, SFUNANS.[BCR] is displayed to the caller.
If a caller attempts to page the Sysop a second time, and
SFPAGED.[BCR] is found, SFPAGED.[BCR] is displayed to
the caller and the Sysop is not paged a second time. If
SFPAGED.[BCR] is not found, the caller may page the Sysop
multiple times. If the Sysop has the page feature turned
off and a caller attempts to page the Sysop, SFPGOFF.[BCR]
is displayed to the caller.
<Q>.... Quit To Main Menu
This feature takes a caller from the MESSAGE Section of
SPITFIRE to the MAIN Section.
<G>.... Goodbye & Log Off
This feature simply allows a caller to log off the BBS.
<X>.... Xpert Mode Toggle
This feature changes a caller's status from novice to expert
or vice versa. If a caller is set as a novice, then the menu
descriptions will scroll by after each command. If a caller
is set as expert, then only the command letters scroll by
after each command.
<K>.... Message Menu Extension
This command can be used to run third party programs which
are configured by the Sysop. It is set up by including the
necessary commands to execute the desired option within the
SFMESS.BAT file. It should be noted that Sysops will need
to use the SFHELP.EXE utility to modify the SPITFIRE.HLP
file so it properly explains the added option. When this
option is selected, SPITFIRE creates the file, SFMESS.DAT
and places it in the SPITFIRE home directory. SFMESS.DAT
contains caller information which is often required by the
third party program. SPITFIRE then shells from memory during
the execution of the third party program. When the caller
exits the third party program and control is returned to
SPITFIRE, SFMESS.DAT is automatically erased.
<@>.... Sysop Utilities
This feature takes a caller from the MESSAGE Section to the
SYSOP Section. The BBS is maintained from the SYSOP Section.
<?>.... HELP With Commands
This feature will provide help for each command available
from the MESSAGE MENU.