The READ command is used to enter Soft-Span BBS's message retrieval system.
Before you use READ, you will have to select a current message base via GO
or similar command.  Next, enter a read command of the format:

READ <option1> <option2> ...

The options for READ are:

-f     Begin forward continuous read
-r     Begin reverse continuous read

<num>  Starting message number
<base> Start reading in this base

If you do not provide a base, you will begin reading from the current base.
If you do not provide a starting message number, you will begin reading at the
first new message.

Examples:

  READ                Read new messages
  READ -f             Read new messages in forward continuous mode
  READ 4 ADS          Read message number 4 in the ADS base
  READ 30             Read message number 30 in the current base
  READ -r 67          Read starting at message 67 in reverse continuous mode

Finally, unless you are in continuous mode, you will see the following prompt
after every message:

BDEFIMNPQR<>[]=#+-?>

Here's the corresponding menu:

Message Retrieval System
------------------------
B   Read the first message
D   Delete the current message
E   Read the last message
F   Forward continuous read
I   Display current base info
M   Reply in electronic mail
N   Read the first new message
P   Post a message
Q   Quit to the main menu
R   Reverse continuous read
<   Previous base with new messages
>   Next base with new messages
[   Previous base with messages
]   Next Base with messages
#   Read the message specified
=   Re-read the current message
-   Read the previous message
+   Read the next message

RETURN is the equivalent of +
? Displays brief descriptions

To go directly to a specific message, use '#' and then provide the message
number.

If you choose '<' or '>', you will begin reading in the first base with new
messages that is respectively before or after the current base in the base 
list.

If you choose '[' or ']', you will begin reading in the first available 
non-empty base that is respectively before or after the current base in the
base list.

In continuous mode, the messages will be displayed one after the other without
the previous prompt.  You enter a forward continuous read by selecting 'F' or
a reverse continuous read by selecting 'R'.  You can exit continuous mode
by hitting any key.

When you wish to leave the message retrieval system, enter 'Q'.
